Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Sojun watched the soldier NPCs fighting on the main road a short distance from the base and commented, “Hmm, everyone, this build seems pretty good, doesn’t it?”

He had already defeated the enemy twice.

Even taking on four enemies the second time.

– You’re not even at the level to use skills yet.
– Wait until you hit level 6.
– He’s holding it down with his skills and pretending the build is good, lol.
– Shameless.

Strictly speaking, there was some influence from his traits, but it was so minimal that the viewers’ observations were correct. The moment to properly evaluate the build’s performance was from level 6 when Martial Techniques could be used.

In the beginner zone, one had to reach level 18 to use sword ki akin to Martial Techniques, but after choosing a faction, it began from level 6. From level 6, characters gained internal arts and could use Martial Techniques, with Martial Techniques strengthening at each level that was a multiple of 6.

『Blue: 565』 vs 『Red: 980』

– Wow.
– His health barely reduced from 1,000.
– Now, that’s strategy!
– Strategy???

Currently, all bases were under his team’s control. The three icons representing bases were glowing red, symbolic of the demonic cult.

In other games, allies were blue, and enemies were red, but each faction was assigned its colors on this battlefield. Blue for the Orthodox Sect, and green for the Unorthodox Sect. A message appeared.

『Do you really not need help, Heavenly Demon-nim?』
『No, I don’t.』
『Namgung from here seems to have gone your way, should we stay put?』
『Stay still.』
『Nep.』

Without capturing the center, a comeback remained distant. Although Sojun was not currently holding back the soldiers, the significance of the central base was fading. ‘Should I start carrying a swordsman to handle the soldiers like a backup?’ No, rather than that, securing another base through a sure 2-on-1 fight would be better. But things never went as planned.

『Heavenly Jaehoon –〉 CoconutLover』
『Heavenly Jaehoon –〉 DemonicCult123』
『Point B was taken.』

“Oh.”

He hadn’t neglected to consider such scenarios, but now it was becoming a bother.

– Lol.
– Can we just wait?
– Rally on.
– It would be convenient if they just kept challenging!

Sojun was with a hint of regret.

– Would they really keep doing that, lol.
– Keep getting beaten.
– Quick on the decision-making.

‘Still, they will target this place.’

No matter how many side bases they captured, if they couldn’t defeat Sojun, they couldn’t win the game. Thus, timing their attack on him was crucial.

‘They’ll probably hit level 6 and come.’

Players gained experience points by killing soldiers or enemies and capturing bases, with automatic experience distributed to all living users in the game over time.

To widen the experience gap, killing enemies was essential.

‘The quickest way to gain experience is by defeating soldiers.’

This was the crucial role of the central base. So, before the experience gap widened further, the enemies would find the point they could win. That’s level 6, the timing when Martial Techniques could be used.

“They’ll probably target B soon.”

Sojun foresaw that, attempting to avoid him at the center, the enemies would go roundabout. In response to questions from allies at B, Sojun told them to go back and regain the base. After all, they’d be back again.

『Heavenly Jaehoon –〉 My Dream is a Beltfish』
『Point C was taken.』
『Point B was reclaimed.』

As expected, the enemies took control of a side base. It was about time they had hit level 6.

“I think they’re going to come now.”

– Why did you choose those traits in the end?
– Honestly, lol.
– Did you actually come up with the build idea?
– Wouldn’t he have carefully read through it if he had thought about it? Still, he must have just picked what looked good.

How did they know? He hadn’t lied, though.

“Well, I did really think about it.”

The Absorption Technique depleted the enemy’s health while replenishing one’s own.

It also continuously absorbed internal energy and stamina from people within a certain range during battle.

Stamina was a crucial resource, consumed not only in Martial Techniques but also in movement techniques, aggressive swings, and more.

The Absorption Technique, theoretically overpowering by draining critical resources from enemies, had a significant flaw: growing inner ki shortages would lead to chaos within.

‘The fight must not last long,’ was the implication. A tank that needed to finish battles quickly had its inherent issues. Thus, he thought in reverse.

“If you need to finish the battle quickly, become a dealer and personally wrap it up fast.”

However, he hadn’t realized that there were so many different detailed characteristics.

– Yeah, penalty LOL.
– How are you going to play the game without using traits that reduce penalties?
– At least the streamer won’t die while fighting, but instead dies due to madness.
– It’s not like others haven’t thought about it.

Is it?

“It seemed doable enough to me.”

Though some things could only be learned through direct experience, Sojun trusted his instincts when it came to battles. Conveniently, the sound of enemies could be heard from afar.

“He’s still here!”

“Finish off that monster bastard.”

“4 on 1, and now we have Martial Techniques too, losing would be insane!”

After a series of defeats at the hands of Sojun, they had started speaking informally to each other.

– LOL weren’t they like that before?
– Suddenly I want to see the streamer go mad.
– It’s just like when you get parried in the Assassin’s Dawn.
– I experienced madness myself once, though I was pinned down.

When the battle started, the Absorption Technique automatically activated. A beggar approached and swung his club. It was a powerful attack that consumed stamina.

Sojun parried it with similar stamina consumption, the beggar’s flanks revealing two users from Mount Hua Sect.

Their robe flaps fluttered as red sword ki shot forth, and the wind carrying the scent of plum blossoms stung his nose. It was the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique of the Mount Hua Sect.

“Impressive.”

Indeed.

He was glad to have chosen this game.

First Move: Plum Blossom by the Roadside.

– Ah, the red effect is so cool.
– That’s why it’s the most popular.
– This is definitely swordsmanship.

What was the intention behind the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique? He pondered while the enemy’s sword tip split and the red hue engulfed his vision.

‘It’s meant to deceive the eyes.’

While retreating, the red sword ki targeted Sojun’s vital points simultaneously. The illusory sword blinded and confused the senses.

What was real, and what was fake?

Amid the nostalgic fragrance, Sojun stirred his internal energy.

‘A familiar feeling.’

It felt like maneuvering his true internal energy. He focused strength into his feet.

“But I am the Heavenly Demon.”

– Truly a madman LOL.
– Did it kill them not to become a Heavenly Demon?
– Why is it so cool, seriously why!

Sojun’s sword was cloaked with blood-colored demonic energy as it carved a great crescent from left to right, splitting the red wave.

‘Strong power against strong power. Sword energy against sword ki.’

A game rule not far removed from reality. And furthermore, with an illusory sword, a greater sword that could cover it was needed. Sojun expended a significant amount of internal energy to block the skill.

Though the enemy had used a skill, simply drawing and swinging a sword would have been more efficient.

‘This is possible.’

In any case, the red illusion broke. Although its fragments brushed against Sojun’s body, they didn’t cause significant damage.

“Did he break the first move by overloading with internal energy?”

“He used up a lot of internal energy! Finish him quickly! That’s terribly inefficient!”

From the conversation, it seemed that was the usual method. Hearing the Beggar Sect user shouting, aiming for Sojun, rushed towards him, but Sojun this time sharpened his sword, impaling the charging enemy. Instantly, his health replenished from the fragments that had shaved his health.

“Wait, what kind of attack power is this?”

“Wasn’t it a critical hit?”

– No, it wasn’t.
– The streamer allocated everything to attack traits.
– Was it not even a critical hit?

It was indeed a critical hit. His stamina was depleted to unleash a powerful attack. The blue thunder energy of the Namgung Clan surged to ambush Sojun from behind.

Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword.

One of the two Martial Techniques of the Namgung Clan characterized by swift swordplay and thunder energy. But,

– LOL at streamer against lightning.
– What’s happening? Why are you all laughing?
– Newbie, if you didn’t do a full binge on the streamer’s videos, what were you doing?

Sojun also glanced at the chat and chuckled. He liked lightning.

The blue thunder splintered the space, aiming at Sojun with accelerated force, as if using light-footedness in a berserk state. It was impossible to track it visually though.

‘How did I manage to avoid it back in the Magic Tower?’

Sojun again surrounded himself with internal energy and lightly struck down with his sword.

*Chaaang!*

The spot where Sojun swung was exactly on the enemy’s sword path without a margin of error. The eyes of the blocked user quivered.

“How?”

“Your sword is fast, but it’s not enough to reach me. That’s all there is to it.”

– Unlucky Tower Lord LOL.
– Looks like he predicts, but it’s amazingly precise.
– How did he manage that quick move?

“Nothing works in front of the Heavenly Demon!!”

“Hmm.”

His hand tingled.

A strike had inflicted minor damage on Sojun.

Sojun used his stamina to attack the enemy in front of him again, replenishing his health.

“This should do it.”

The enemies looked at a fully recovered Sojun with hollow eyes.

“What, does the Heavenly Demon have infinite stamina? How is he doing that?”

The beggar of the Beggar Sect swung his club with all his might, and Sojun met it head-on.

“It’s the Absorption Technique.”

A user from the Mount Hua Sect lunged in from the side but was instead cut by Sojun’s sword and forced to retreat.

The amount of health lost was beyond imagination.

“No way, that’s just too much! The damage is insane!”

“The Demonic Cult is overpowered.”

They grumbled and kept clashing swords, but Sojun’s health remained unshaken.

Even when they used Martial Techniques to deplete his health, it was restored in an instant. They tried to utilize their numerical advantage, but his infinite stamina neutralized it.

The beggar of the Orthodox Faction spoke up when they seemed to have no idea how to proceed.

“If we hold out, won’t he die?”

The penalty of the Absorption Technique was well-known.

Endure too long, and you die.

To overcome this, people…

Opted for traits that severed the technique if the distance from the opponent increased.

Selected traits that increased defense and health when facing many opponents.

Chose traits that lowered the power of the technique in exchange for stability and extended duration.

“It looks like he hasn’t chosen any penalty-relieving traits, right? Otherwise, this damage and stamina are inexplicable.”

Being no novices to the game, they quickly caught on.

“Then hold on!”

“We just have to endure a bit more, and he’ll die on his own!”

“Don’t let him distance himself! Stay close while adjusting the distance!”

The attitude of the enemies changed.

From attacking to defending.

It was a strategy to drain the Absorption Technique’s energy without directly reducing health.

A normal user of the Absorption Technique would have been at a loss.

Sojun feigned retreat but then charged into the midst of his enemies.

He hadn’t even chosen the trait that severed the technique due to distance.

The enhanced performance came with a cost.

A quick death.

And the means to escape that quick death.

『Heavenly Jaehoon eliminated』
『Enemy fortress health –20』

“He’s going to die soon.”

“When exactly is ‘soon’?”

“I don’t know.”

The blade, now tinged black, gleamed.

『Parting by Farewell eliminated』
『Enemy fortress health –20』

“When is he going to die already?”

“Doesn’t it feel like it has been ages?”

『Street eliminated』
『Enemy fortress health –20』

“Oh no… I’m the only one left. Damn. What?”

Suddenly, the enemy Sojun, who had been slaughtering them mercilessly, turned away from him and began to retreat.

Quite swiftly, as well.

“Finally, it’s time for him to die, and he’s trying to widen the distance!”

At last!

The Namgung user used his last bit of stamina to deliver a final, swift strike.

Not only to catch up but to possibly land a final blow!

However, Sojun, who was pulling away, suddenly turned and blocked his sword.

Following that, Sojun’s sword smoothly rotated, targeting his neck with precision.

『Sky Sword eliminated』
『Enemy fortress health –20』

What was that? Did he react while “running”?

Or was he playing him all along?

Instead of escaping, ensuring his defeat…

Clearly, masters are different.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have charged in so recklessly.”

At that moment, the enemy started talking to Sojun in mid-air.

“Why didn’t I die? Because, instead of the penalty-relieving traits, I boosted the power and took the trait that cancels the technique upon killing an enemy.”

Ah.

He looked up at Sojun with vacant eyes, having lost all will to fight.

He hadn’t known there were such detailed traits in the Absorption Technique.

He hadn’t thought anyone would use it like that.

“By killing just one person, my penalty resets. Isn’t this build just great?”

More than great, it seemed overpowered.

But if killing one enemy resets it, why did he retreat just now?

There seemed to be plenty of time.

No way.

A word popped into his head.

Mockery.

“Still, the Orthodox Martial Techniques seem better and cooler. That’s why people don’t join the Demonic Cult.”

That remark seemed directed at him.

Damn it.

“Once this battle is over, I’m switching to the Demonic Cult.”

The first day of the war had just begun.