Chapter 93: Second Kaeseong Subjugation Battle - (3)
//s_win
//win_h 『Tempest Strike』
■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)
■ Skill Description: Uses a weapon artifact as a medium to release a whirlwind that induces a knockback state forward.
//e_win
However, the longer the charging state is maintained, the greater the range and knockback distance of the whirlwind.
Mana consumption increases from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 25, depending on charging time.
"So, I have another option for knockback now? Knockback Burst always required close-range strikes, which was tricky."
Sanghyun's face lit up with joy as he examined the Tempest Strike skill.
While expandability was important, having multiple options within a single status effect was also crucial.
Tempest Strike became an additional option for Sanghyun, who previously had to rely solely on Knockback Burst to trigger knockback.
Moreover, its form was similar to Full Charge, making it specialized for creating variables.
Theoretically, if an enemy got caught in an Rising Airflow and was suspended mid-air before falling,
it was possible to chain Tempest Strike to launch them even further while still in the air.
Depending on which skill it was combined with, completely different results could be achieved, making it an excellent choice.
‘I think I finally understand why named players inevitably become even greater named players.’
Because of monopolization.
They had access to dungeons, gates, rifts, and restricted areas that ordinary players could not easily reach.
Just like Sanghyun’s current situation. For most players, participating in the Kaeseong Subjugation Battle was nothing but a dream.
The Player Union did not want them, and the large guilds involved had no need for them, creating a structure where participation was impossible.
Inequality and unfairness.
Players who could turn this into a structure favoring their monopolization would inevitably continue to grow!
"The life of the mainstream."
Indeed.
The life that always remained at the center of the player world.
That was the only shortcut and the only means to climb higher, faster.
Progress continued up to the midpoint of Route 6-5.
Wood Killers, the basic monsters of the Kaeseong Field, lay hidden in various spots, ambushing suddenly.
Of course, for Sanghyun, who had already detected their locations through detection skills, they were no threat.
However, as he advanced, he noticed a clear weakness he could feel distinctly.
Defensive measures alone were proving more challenging than expected.
With an increasing number of monsters and their growing levels, his defensive structure was beginning to show flaws.
Of course, this was anticipated since this route contained much stronger monsters compared to the one chosen in the first subjugation battle.
"I need to reinforce it one step further."
Thus, Sanghyun decided to enhance his defense further.
At the moment, his only defensive skill was Defensive Sword, so it was an unavoidable choice.
However, he planned to save the final enhancement opportunity granted by the Endurance Defense Technique title.
He judged that eventually, he would likely acquire at least one more defensive skill.
[Would you like to use the title 【Endurance's Defensive Techniques】 to enhance 『Defensive Sword』?]
"Enhance."
As soon as he checked the system message, Sanghyun pressed the enhancement button without hesitation.
He then selected the option to view only the newly added enhancements, excluding the existing tooltip.
//s_win
//win_h 『Defensive Sword』
■ Skill Level: Stage 5 (32.3%)
■ Skill Description: (……abbreviated)
//e_win
The enhanced Defensive Sword can now be used independently without a sword and can increase the thickness of the shield based on mana consumption.
Additionally, it can flexibly transform into armor that wraps around the body for protection.
"Isn’t this practically a complete transformation?"
His jaw dropped in astonishment.
The identity of Defensive Sword, which previously required a sword for activation, was now changed.
Furthermore, rather than obtaining a fixed-thickness shield, he could now expand it according to his mana capacity.
Truly, the era had arrived where having more mana meant stronger defenses.
Additionally, he could now envelop his body with the shield like full-body armor, adding another layer of protection.
The strategic value of Defensive Sword had skyrocketed—all from a single enhancement using a title.
He was tempted to use the last remaining enhancement opportunity, but he held back. Any more would be a luxury at this point.
//s_win
//win_h 『Blaze』
■ Skill Level: Stage 2 (0.1%)
//e_win
The skill had evolved from a small flame into a proper blaze as its level increased, which was good news.
Eventually, it would develop into a large blaze, an inferno, and then a super inferno, making it perfect as a fire attribute support skill.
"Level 118 already. The pace is fast."
Sanghyun smiled in satisfaction as he watched the numbers continuously climb, reflecting his rapidly increasing experience points.
Checking the GPS device to track the progress of other Eden Guild members, he confirmed that aside from Jo Jinho’s group, he was the fastest.
"This is perfect for hit-and-run tactics."
Sanghyun stopped in front of a towering rock. It was a peculiar rock with two red lines running down its center.
Beyond it, a steep slope extended downward, ending in a deep pool of water.
However, it was not clear water suitable for drinking or cooling off.
Mixed with monster blood and floating corpses, it had turned into a murky cesspool.
Not only was it undrinkable, but even dipping a foot into it was unthinkable due to its filth.
"Sixty percent of gates have visible entrances, while forty percent are hidden. The one I'm heading to today falls into the latter category."
The entrance to the gate lay beneath that pool of decayed water.
Unless one already knew, it was an impossible location to suspect as a gate’s entrance.
Due to this, during the early days of the player era, many unidentified gates had gone unnoticed.
Water Gate.
This was the name that would later be given to this gate.
If Sanghyun kept silent, it would take at least three more years before anyone would name it.
"I brought spare clothes."
Descending the slope, he casually tossed his bag containing a change of clothes nearby.
Then, he removed his current attire, stuffing it into a portable plastic bag and tying it securely.
In an instant, he was left wearing only his undergarments, but since no one was watching, he didn’t care much.
Once he entered the gate and cleared it, he planned to retrieve the fresh clothes from his bag and change into them.
Five minutes later.
Sanghyun had entered Water Gate.
"Huff! Ugh… Ugh."
A single deep breath was enough for the putrid smell to assault his nose, causing him to gag multiple times.
Fortunately, a clear stream flowed ahead of him.
It was freezing cold, reminiscent of midwinter, but Sanghyun paid no mind and washed himself.
The exterior of the plastic bag where he had stored his clothes was covered with what appeared to be traces of animal carcasses and excrement.
However, thanks to tying it up tightly, the clothes inside remained spotless, without a speck of dust.
『Blaze』
"Phew. That's warm."
Sanghyun used the flame skill to dry his wet body.
Perhaps because of the extreme cold, the warmth of the fire felt even more precious than usual.
Simply putting on the dry clothes again brought an immense sense of happiness.
His mind sharpened.
"Will of Charge. If I consume an Artifact of Unique grade or higher here, I'll be guaranteed to obtain a Hidden Skill."
Excluding the unique problems of the Water Gate, the rewards were certainly worth the challenge.
Moreover, there wasn't even a mid-boss monster, making the distance to the boss relatively short.
As long as nothing unexpected happened, things would go smoothly. He just needed to follow the plan he had prepared.
Crackling.
At that moment, the clear stream flowing beside Sanghyun began to freeze rapidly.
"Icebound."
Since he knew, he wasn't surprised.
It was a type of ice humanoid, formed from frozen water.
In Eastern regions, they were called Icebound, while in Western regions, they were referred to as Ice Men.
A characteristic of Icebound was that, due to their inherent limitations, their durability was significantly low. However, if they made contact even once, they would inflict absolute freezing.
It was a complete freezing trait.
Once frozen, other Icebound would continue touching the target, trapping them in an endless cycle of freezing.
Thus, even with Recovery or Swift Purification, they were still dangerous.
Already, more than fifteen Icebound had appeared around him, and their numbers were still increasing.
"Shall we do a test?"
『Tempest Strike』
Rather than immediately releasing the whirlwind, Sanghyun entered a charging state.
Mana steadily drained, consuming up to the maximum of 25, forming a massive storm.
Boom! Boom! Wooooong!
The whirlwind roared, as if impatiently urging to be unleashed.
The Greatsword of Fighting Spirit trembled violently. He had to strengthen his grip even further.
He observed farther ahead.
Checking the number and locations of the Icebound along the stream, he waited for the optimal timing.
Wooooo...
Finally, when the last Icebound appeared at the far end of the straight path—
Paaang!
The Tempest Strike, now at its peak, burst forward with a deafening sonic boom.
Kuaaaang!
It was a sound one might hear when standing directly before a tornado.
At the same time, the Icebound at the very front was caught in the whirlwind and knocked back.
Crack! Crash! Shatter!
Swept up in the rotation of the storm, it shattered into pieces mid-air.
As for the Icebound behind it, their fate was not much different from that of their fallen kin.
Shiiiiing.
The seven Icebound positioned along the straight path ahead of Sanghyun were reduced to mere ice powder and disappeared.
Nevertheless, the remaining Icebound did not retreat. Instead, they charged at Sanghyun.
After all, they were confident that a single successful touch would completely incapacitate their opponent.
Sanghyun was already aware of their overconfidence.
‘The wind is good.’
The wind was blowing favorably.
『Rising Airdraft』
He cast Rising Airdraftt, causing the wind current to sweep toward the Icebound even faster than usual.
Since they had no resistance or mitigation against status effects, the Icebound were helplessly lifted into the air.
As this attack caused a 3.6-second airborne effect, an unsightly scene of them flailing midair was displayed.
And as the Icebound began to fall at staggered intervals, Sanghyun executed his prepared follow-up attacks.
『Full Charge』
『Knockback Burst』
He froze them once again with Full Charge’s absolute freezing, then shattered them completely with Knockback Burst.
Additionally, he kept an eye on the Icebound that had somehow managed to close the distance toward him.
『Backstep』
Using the skill to widen the gap, he effortlessly evaded them. It was a clean escape without any unnecessary movement.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Meanwhile, something began to emerge from where the Icebound had fallen.
"That is..."
A meal prepared as a special first-time reward!
It was none other than the Essence of Agility.