Chapter 92
Meanwhile, the Constellations were in complete chaos over the appearance of the Black Dragon.
"W-Why is that thing here...?! This makes no sense!"
"What were they thinking, allowing something like that onto the 40th floor...?"
"Don't tell me that Highest-Level Administrator caused this."
Beyond the screen, Suhyeok was locked in a fierce battle with the Black Dragon.
No matter how aggressively he attacked, the Black Dragon blocked everything with ease.
If anything, Suhyeok was the one accumulating more injuries with every exchange.
[ Haa... haa.... ]
Even reduced to one-tenth of its original power by the Tower's rules, it was still the boss monster guarding the 99th floor.
If it had been anyone other than Suhyeok, a fight wouldn't even have been possible.
And if the Black Dragon had descended with more than ten percent of its true power...
No one would've dared challenge it.
That was how overwhelming the opponent was.
[ You look exhausted. ]
Arthur smiled.
[ Still, I'll praise you. You've exceeded my expectations. ]
[ You actually made my arms go numb. ]
He casually removed his upper clothes.
Blood dripped from wounds across his arms and chest.
[ And you've even made me bleed. ]
He spoke as though Suhyeok should consider it an honor.
[ More importantly, you're the only one who has blocked dozens of my attacks and still managed to counterattack. ]
[ If you'd been just a little stronger, I might've expected a proper fight. ]
Hssssss.
Steam rose from Arthur's wounds.
The cuts slowly closed until not even scars remained.
[ But that's as far as you go. ]
[ In your current state, forget stopping me for the remaining time. You won't be able to do anything at all. ]
Arthur tilted his head.
[ You understand that better than anyone, don't you? ]
The Constellations of Asgard watched the screen with troubled expressions.
The others were no different.
The Constellations of Paradise and Olympus clicked their tongues and shook their heads as well.
Naturally.
From their perspective, this was a disaster.
The moment of choice would arrive soon.
And if they wanted their myths to be shown...
They needed Suhyeok.
But what if he died here before he could even make that choice?
That would be a serious problem.
"Why can't we help him?!"
Thanatos shouted.
"We need to help Lee Suhyeok immediately!"
"Grant permission!"
Yet the principal gods of Olympus didn't move.
More precisely...
They couldn't.
The moment they intervened, an enormous amount of Intervention Power would be consumed.
And there was no telling how many Coins would go with it.
If one faction acted first, it would almost certainly be pushed out of the coming competition.
That was why no one dared step forward.
[Several Constellations plead that they cannot simply continue watching.]
[Many Constellations groan and silently observe the situation.]
Then, while everyone hesitated...
Someone abruptly stood from his chair.
A sword rested over his shoulder as he strode forward with a broad laugh.
"This is why old men are hopeless."
"What are you all so afraid of?"
"If that guy dies, it's over."
"Everything ends."
It was Ares, Ruler of the Battlefield.
And he wasn't alone.
Loki, God of Tricks.
Buddha.
Daedalus.
Hades.
And several others.
[Multiple Constellations expend Intervention Power to grant Player Lee Suhyeok a ‘Special Privilege’.]
It was an unbelievable sight.
Constellations from entirely different factions had united their intentions.
All because of a single Player.
Lee Suhyeok.
BOOM!!
"...Cough."
Suhyeok spat out dark blood and forced his blurred vision back into focus.
[Warning! Health has fallen below 10%.]
His stamina had already hit rock bottom.
Arthur's last strike had completely crushed one of his arms.
He couldn't even move a single finger.
"Hoo...."
I still haven't used Endure Mount Tai as my final safeguard...
But I'll probably need it soon.
At this rate, I'm really going to die.
Five minutes remained.
Even enduring had reached its limit.
The only option left was to exploit an opening and aim for a decisive strike.
The stronger someone was, the more pride they tended to have in themselves.
And dragons, a race known for their nobility, would be even worse.
There'll be a moment when he lets his guard down.
I'll wait for it.
Suhyeok spat a clot of blood onto the ground.
Then he asked with difficulty,
"There's something I want to know."
"The original owner of that body..."
"What happened to him?"
"Did he die?"
Arthur answered casually.
"No."
"The woman fused into this vessel is alive as well."
"They both still exist inside me."
He smiled faintly.
"Judging by your reaction, it seems you're quite close to them."
Dragon Eye saw through everything.
Arthur had probably already seen all of Suhyeok's Traits.
That was why he'd been waiting all this time to see what else Suhyeok would reveal.
"Unfortunately, neither of them will return."
"The moment I disappear from this place, this empty vessel will disappear with me."
"..."
They had met again after decades.
And now Suhyeok had no choice but to kill Hugo with his own hands.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
He had to do it.
Even if the choice meant killing Hugo...
There was nothing else he could do.
Ding!
"...?"
Then unfamiliar messages appeared before him.
[Several Constellations expend Intervention Power to grant the target a ‘Special Privilege’.]
[Special Privilege ‘Dragon Slayer’ applies.]
[Temporary duration: 10 minutes.]
[Against Dragon-type targets, the user's stats increase by more than 3 times.]
[When your attacks land, the target's recovery ability is restricted.]
[The Dragon currently engaged in combat suffers a 40% reduction to all stats.]
Messages continued appearing one after another.
Suhyeok didn't know exactly why they were doing this.
Perhaps they simply wanted to support him.
Or perhaps they wanted to keep their entertainment alive.
There was no way to know.
But only one thing mattered.
Use this power.
Kill the monster in front of him.
[Title ‘Tutorial Massacrer’ activates.]
[All stats temporarily double.]
[Trait ‘Ruler of Madness (S)’ activates.]
[Due to critically reduced Health, stats rise exponentially.]
.
.
.
Arthur's expression remained relaxed.
"This is starting to get boring, so perhaps I should-"
He froze.
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
The air itself became heavy.
Killing intent?
No.
This wasn't something as simple as killing intent.
"...!"
Arthur's shoulders trembled.
His pupils widened.
For the first time in his life...
Even when facing the arrogant and mighty Constellations...
He had never experienced anything like this.
Even if I'm using the body of a sacrifice...
My body is trembling this badly...?
