Chapter 236
The lich remained calm despite being ambushed by the orcs. It was a sudden attack, but the lich wasn’t one to lose his cool because of an ambush.
-Huh, these orcs are actually using their brains! However, they only know one thing and nothing else. Have you any idea who you’re attacking?!
Along with those words, the lich made a gesture, and darkness surrounded him, slithering around the orcs’ ankles. At the same time, the flow of magic power circulating through the air shot to one direction and headed for the lich.
Highly powerful magicians had the ability to gain control of the magic power around them. This kind of ability was fearsome in the sense that it could completely suppress unskilled opponents. No matter their numbers, they couldn’t cast magic if they had no magic power to draw.
As expected, the orcs hesitated and could no longer cast magic.
-Take care of all of them!
-Yes!
Bam!
However, it was the death knights who were pushed back, not the orcs. Despite casting various kinds of magic, they were unable to defeat even a single orc warrior. For the first time in his life, the lich was shocked.
-What are you doing?
He had personally summoned these death knights and cast enhancement magic on them, and yet, they couldn’t even defeat some orcs who had most of their magic power stolen.
-These bastards are using magic!
-It’s not magic. This is the power that Master?has given us!
An orc warrior wielded his axe while riding his horse. Refined internal energy rose from the axe and split apart the death knight’s sword.
‘Martial arts!’
The lich was stunned, as he knew almost nothing about martial arts. He had merely heard about the skill because the ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ had recently become famous. Compared to magic, it was a peculiar way of storing energy in one’s body...
-Don’t back down! Martial arts might be unusual, but their skills are limited. Attack with magic!
Despite the lich’s command, the death knights were being pushed back even further. It wasn’t like the death knights were low-level fighters or their magic was weak. The problem was that they were especially unskilled in close combat.
As the orcs wielded their axes with brilliant technique, they were able to parry the death knight’s sword attacks. On top of that, the orcs were able to push aside the death knights’ shields and subsequently inflict damage on their armor, and whenever the death knights tried to counterattack with magic, the orcs swiftly evaded using their footwork. This kind of evasive technique was one of the main ways in which martial artists frustrated magic users.
The lich was taken aback by the orcs’ skillful move.
‘I doubt that the constellation himself taught them this move. How did they manage to pull it off?’
The lich couldn’t believe that the orcs had learned so quickly. He realized he had to step in and cast offensive magic. He was going to unleash it directly on the orcs.
-Spreading Waves of Light.
-Spreading Waves of Light!
Unbeknownst to the lich, the orcs weren’t actually his only enemies. The angels, who had been waiting in ambush, rushed in from all directions, and the lich, who was only a skeleton, started trembling.
-Why are the angels here...?!
-There’s a lich! Kill him first!
-Don’t miss the lich!
The angels sent by the goddess, who were highly skilled in combat, were aware how important this was. Liches were wealthy, so they couldn’t let this one go.
-Block the front! Secure my retreat!
The lich hurriedly summoned the death knights to form a wall. Even though the angels knew a lot of spells that were powerful against the undead, it would still be difficult for them to break through the death knights and reach the lich.
“I will pierce through myself.”
-Then I’ll help you.
Choi Yeonseung nodded and charged with Adaquaniel. The angel cast various kinds of enhancement magic while keeping up with Choi Yeonseung. The latter had fought while being enhanced by magic many times, but this was different. Adaquaniel’s magic was incredibly powerful. She was leagues above the hunters on Earth.
‘Wow. This is no joke.’
Normally, in order to release concentrated energy to the maximum potential, he had to focus and squeeze out as much internal energy as possible. However, he could now use concentrated energy without much effort. Considering how important concentrated energy was for martial artists, this was an insanely powerful buff.
-Where did this human come from... kuack!
Choi Yeonseung drew his sword and rushed in, slicing apart the death knights almost instantly. They had cast some defensive magic, but it didn’t stand a chance against his concentrated energy.
They fell one after another.
The lich, who was retreating in the rear, became even more distressed upon seeing his death knights get obliterated in one hit.
‘Were the rumors wrong...?’
He had heard that the Blood Fortress wasn’t that great of an area, and that orcs were the main race there. He had also heard that the owner of that realm was a difficult and mediocre constellation, so the orcs under his command weren’t supposed to be particularly strong.
In addition, the fact that the owner of this realm had recently changed was quite significant. At a time like this, the minions of this realm had to be weaker.
However, as if they had undergone some weird transformation, the orcs were strong enough to hold their own against the death knights. Then the angels suddenly came out, and to make matters worse, there was a terrifying human who was obliterating everyone.
The lich had heard about this human and how he was getting attention from several constellations on Earth, but he had never expected to meet him like this.
-Human hero, allow me to make a proposal!
“Speak!” shouted Choi Yeonseung as he just decapitated two more death knights. Normally, death knights were supposed to partially recover after receiving physical attacks, but they couldn’t do so because of the sword attacks.
-Stop attacking and listen!
“I can multitask!”
The concentrated energy at the end of the sword burst forward and pierced a death knight’s armor with precision.
The angels were amazed by Choi Yeonseung’s attitude.
-He truly is an unwavering guy. I saw it during the last constellation battle.
-That’s good. The only problem is that he doesn’t really listen to our master’s suggestions.
-Shh. Don’t say something like that in someone else’s territory, or you’ll get in a lot of trouble.
‘If only I could buy some time...!’
Casting powerful magic took some time, and the lich didn’t have that time because this human was rapidly slicing apart his henchmen.
-If you stop for just a moment, I will tell you the truth behind this raid!
“!”
Hearing the lich’s words, Choi Yeonseung stopped attacking. The battle was pretty much over anyways, as around two-thirds of the death knights had been slain. Moreover, the orcs and the angels were still well and fit to fight. Therefore, it was more profitable for him to interrogate his opponent.
“Are you going to reveal it?”
-That’s right!
The lich prepared to cast magic as he spoke. His plan was to make some death knights go berserk while blowing up others in order to buy some time so he could escape. It was a bad idea for someone to let their guard down against a monster as old as a lich.
‘What does this bastard see me as...?’
Choi Yeonseung looked at the lich with a confused expression. Did the lich think he wouldn’t notice that the magic power around him was fluctuating? Choi Yeonseung didn’t pick up on it just because he was a constellation. He thought he would’ve noticed even if he hadn’t been a constellation. After all, Adaquaniel also picked up on the lich’s scheme.
Flash!
Adaquaniel threw her sword toward the lich, and with a flash, it severed his bony arm.
-Kuack!
The lich could regenerate from that kind of damage. However, the problem was that his magic was interrupted.
Adaquaniel bowed to Choi Yeonseung and apologized.
-I’m sorry I acted on my own. He was trying to pull something off…
“No. You did well.”
Choi Yeonseung was impressed with Adaquaniel and praised her. People said that Choi Yeonseung was a martial arts master and had gained the attention of a constellation, but Adaquaniel acknowledged him without any of that.
‘He’s really talented.’
-You damn bastards!
After realizing he got caught, the lich tried to use a quick spell as a last resort. Before Choi Yeonseung could give the order, the newly acquired doppelganger king rushed forward. Just as he had said beforehand, Number Two moved faithfully!
With dull thuds, the doppelganger repeatedly struck the lich and forced him to step back. The damage was bad, but not having the time to cast magic would be fatal for the lich.
-Catch him!
The angels took advantage of the situation to surround the lich and subdue him.
-These damn angels. I will return and take my revenge!
-Try it if you can.
-Can you exact your revenge if we tear you apart?
In the Abyss, no one was afraid of such threats. They were quite meaningless.
“The wide-area magic from before that froze the death knights in their place… Is it called ‘Spreading Waves of Light’?”
-That's right. It’s highly effective against the undead, so many angels have learnt it.
“Oh... I want to teach other hunters that I know.”
-It’s hard to teach someone this kind of magic. However, you are special, so I will try to teach you.
Thump!
Choi Yeonseung’s heart started to race. She was so nice...!
-In order to learn this spell, you must first understand the power of light. Do you have any magic for handling light?
“I have the power called ‘Dignity of Light’.”
-That must be the power of another constellation... No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.
Adaquaniel was serious about teaching Choi Yeonseung magic. Of course, he had barely learnt any magic up until this point, so he had a harder time learning.
-Umm!
“I’m sorry to ask this of you.”
-No, it’s fine. Here, please take this magic book.
Adaquaniel offered Choi Yeonseung a book about magic which contained Spreading Waves of Light. Considering that books made for learning skills were insanely expensive, one couldn’t easily obtain them.
“No... I can’t accept this.”
-Please, I insist.
Adaquaniel did this for only one reason in particular. Her master had told her to take care of him.
‘Such a kind angel!’
-...?Didn’t her master tell her to do it?
-Goddess of sloth, don’t insult Adaquaniel’s good intentions like that.
-No... Open your eyes! Since she’s a household member, there’s no way she can just give people precious things like that!
The goddess of sloth was dumbfounded, but Choi Yeonseung had come up with an explanation.
-If the goddess of balance had actually ordered it, she would’ve given it to me directly. And why would she give it to me, a household member? Wouldn’t it be customary to give it directly to my master?
-... That’s true, but...
Choi Yeonseung had a point, so the goddess of sloth had nothing else to say, even though she still wasn’t convinced.
The angels, who were recovering from the battle, were embarrassed to see Adaquaniel and Choi Yeonseung stick together and keep talking.
-... Should we stop it?
-Who’s going to talk to Adaquaniel?
-... Ummm!
None of the angels were brave enough to speak directly to Adaquaniel. However, no matter how they looked at it, something didn’t seem right.
‘If Master sees this...’
‘She will definitely sulk.’
‘Sulking is fine, but I’m afraid she’s going to cry.’
***
-You might’ve caught me, but I’m not telling you anything.
The lich’s words were firm. Given how long the life of an Abyssal creature was, being caught like this wasn’t that big of a deal. It was bad that he got caught, but that didn’t mean he could reveal who gave him the order.
“Fine. If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t,” replied Choi Yeonseung without much thought. It wasn’t like there was only one constellation aiming for him. He couldn’t waste his time with someone who wouldn’t talk.
-What should we do?
“I can’t let him go, so you guys have to take care of him.”
At Choi Yeonseung’s words, the orcs were contemplating it.
-Can we use him as a scarecrow in the paddy field?
“...Uh... Sure, if you guys think you can handle him.”
-Thank you!
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