Chapter 44 Part7 (1/2)

<chapter 44.=”” bayran=”” infiltration=”” -=”” 7=””>

Even if they followed his instructions, there was still a problem. They hadn't gotten through the thorn wall yet. That's why they had stopped here in the first place.

”I have an idea.”

While they were talking amongst themselves, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had thought up some ways to get through the thorn wall 'with his party', but Kratia's eyes were sparkling, so he decided to hear her out first.

”I a.n.a.lyzed the thorn wall and found that the ore would temporarily overlap its defense and durability in the specific area whenever it is attacked, nullifying the damage.

”...Hey, wait. That's ridiculous.”

Darkness signified a link. By using this power, the ores were pieced together. The secret behind the thorn wall's formidable defense lay in gathering ore which possessed similar characteristics, a.s.similating them together, and overlapping them together.

”Now that you mention it... This is indeed the power of darkness. I understand now. A magician's deductive ability is quite surprising.”

”This is basic for a magician. Prince is still below average.”

”Keuk.”

Of course, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo already knew all this. His peak darkness element mastery wasn't just for show. If Lee s.h.i.+n Woo were alone, he could've just forced his way through the wall.

”Then why is it that level 8 or lower physical attacks can't damage the wall?”

”You need to think about it in reverse. A level 8's physical attacks can somewhat ignore the darkness element surrounding the Evil Eye ore. An attack that messes with the wall's overlapping defense will inflict damage.”

”Ah... As I thought.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo understood what she meant, as he had gone through several changes when he'd reached level 8. Yeah, that's right. He hadn't felt anything unusual, as he could use several elements and had even unlocked a few innate elements as well, but level 8 was a large leap towards a higher realm.

'I hadn't realized because everything else I'd gotten was so amazing. But now that I know, it's fine. Since it'll make Wild Card, which lets me define myself, better than before.'

If he really wanted to, he could unleash a physical attack that defied physics, so Kratia's deduction was spot on. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo nodded his head and Kratia continued.

”I've thought of three ways. First, we take advantage of the limitation of the thorn wall's overlapping defense; we attack in two places at once. One person attacks the same spot, and the other uses that opportunity to unleash a quick and powerful attack on the wall. As long as the overlapping darkness element doesn't react, then the second attacker should be able to damage a portion of the wall.”

”A good plan.”

The fact that its defensive capabilities were a.s.similated and overlapped meant that the wall focused all of its defense at one point at a time. It didn't just take that defense from nowhere.

In other words, if one person were to attack one place, forcing the wall to overlap its defenses in that specific area, then another person could attack and damage the wall before the concentration of defense could s.h.i.+ft to the new area.

”Second, I use my ice. Ice is, at its core, based around death, and change. My magic freezes everything and in the process, can make everything move slower as well. Mana, as well as these ores' overlapping ability, are no exception. Therefore, if I make the wall respond slower than normal, then we should be able to get through without much difficulty. Of course, it would take an immense amount of mana to do so.”

”Cool.”

”I'm always cool.”

Hoo. If all the heroes were like Kratia, then they would've conquered the Underground Empire already... Lee s.h.i.+n Woo looked at Kratia as if deeply moved, and experienced Jin's 'rodeo'. This was quite the bold move for a woman who'd wondered whether she was qualified or not.

”Lastly... We use light. I don't think I even need to explain this.”

”That's right. After listening to you, I've gotten the gist of it.”

Retadane agreed as if the answer were obvious. The mace end of her flail was already acc.u.mulating a bright white light.

It was clear that she had transcended human limitations, as she could create the light element.

”Light is the power of severing. It goes without saying that it can sever things that have been connected through the darkness element. But because I cannot even begin to comprehend the concentration of darkness magic that has gathered in this wall... Even I, who can use such powerful light, am not confident that I can break through it by myself.”

”That's why I told you all the options. We'll mix all three of them together.”

That was the most effective method. Especially because they were pressed for time. Kratia stretched out three fingers. Seeing that, Retadane nodded her head in understanding.

”As expected. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo will attack the wall first, forcing the wall to concentrate its defenses in a different location. And during that time, you'll use your ice magic. Then, I'll use my light magic to its fullest in that area... If we do that, then we should be able to get through the thorn wall.”

”We'll be able to break through only a portion of it. There's a chance that it can regenerate.”

”If we can get in, then getting out shouldn't be too difficult. ...I see. There was indeed a way to break through the thorn wall.”

Retadane was deeply moved at the realization that they could combine their power to break through the thorn wall. Many years ago, when she was still young, she remembered seeing the chaotic form of the thorn wall and being unable to do anything but latch on to her older brother...

”...Let's begin. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, you have the toughest job. Can we leave it to you?”

”Of course.”

If Lee s.h.i.+n Woo were to help Retadane with his own light element, they would be able to break through the thorn wall with ease.

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't say anything, but the party seemed to think that he was putting in a lot of effort just to wield the s.h.i.+ning Bone Sword. They didn't even suspect that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could masterfully wield the s.h.i.+ning Bone Sword's light element and cut through the thorn wall alone.

'Forget the light element. I could use the s.h.i.+ning Flame to outright erase the thorn wall's karma.'

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo decided to humor them and stepped forward, gripping the sword with both hands. He didn't even need to gather his mana. With but a thought, the world's mana would come to his aid. Plus, there was already a significant amount of mana within the sword itself.

”I'm ready. Tell me when you're all ready.”

”I'm ready as well.”

”Not yet. Just a little while longer... Done.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo nodded his head and silently thrust his sword. His sword pierced through the wall with ease, as if he were slicing through b.u.t.ter. Since the light element was attached to every one of his attacks, the wall was unable to activate its defensive ability at the moment of impact.

But right after, he could feel its incredible toughness. While Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's attack possessed transcendent strength, the thorn wall's own defense was transcendent as well.