Chapter 55
Chapter 55
– From now on, any method that causes damage to the castle will be regarded as an official siege.
– Items within the castle cannot be acquired through methods other than the siege.
In addition to these, various new rules were emerging.
It was clear to anyone that these rules were hastily made because of Se-woon’s actions.
‘Well, I’ve looted a satisfactory amount of items.’
In reality, he had already plundered quite a lot.
He had only expected to pull off this trick two or three times at most. However, it seemed like they had been slow to react to the unexpected variables in the fourth zone.
Moreover,
‘Even if I wanted to loot more, it seems impossible now.’
Maybe it was because he had looted the castles so flamboyantly?
The castles, which had been lax in their defenses because other players hadn’t arrived yet, started becoming extremely cautious, except for Se-woon’s clan.
The explosions were so loud that, even without much communication between the castles, the soldiers’ shouts and screams had provided sufficient information.
Just as he was organizing the items he had acquired and preparing to leave,
Beep, beeeep—
A signal sounded from the communication stone he had turned off.
When Se-woon injected mana into it, the stone emitted a radiant light and soon a voice was heard.
-Se-woon, can you hear me?
“Yeah, I can hear you.”
Thank goodness. We were worried because we couldn’t reach you for a while.
“Oh, I was a bit busy.”
From the communication stone, Yoo Seo-ah’s relieved voice could be heard.
It had been turned off because Park Jung-pil was being bothersome, but it seemed that Se-woon had been receiving continuous calls while he was looting the warehouses.
“Is something the matter?”
-No, the move is going smoothly.
“Then?”
It’s just that…
-Hyung! Hyung, it’s Jung-pil!
“What is it this time? If you’re calling for another trivial reason…”
-We’ve found it! A castle that looks completely different from the others—it’s shiny and golden!
At last, they found it.
The Golden Castle.
* * *
Upon hearing the news, Se-woon immediately returned to the clan’s location.
The distance was greater than expected, and by the time he arrived, the sun had already set, so they decided to rest first.
Honestly, he was eager to launch an attack right away, but after rushing from the third chapter of the tutorial to this point without rest, the clan members needed a break.
In the meantime, he accepted Kang Han-cheol’s request for a sparring match. Time passed, and morning arrived.
“How is it, Hyung? I found it!”
“Well done.”
The Golden Castle. True to its name, the walls gleamed brightly, reflecting the rays of the rising sun.
Though it wasn’t actually made of gold, the sight of the sun’s light reflecting off the iron walls made it look as if the fortress was constructed from solid gold.
[Golden Castle]
Category: Castle
Rank: A+
Description: A fortress surrounded by radiant iron walls like gold. It boasts outstanding defense and is fully equipped with various siege weapons and armed fOrces, acting as the ultimate stronghold.
Abilities:
1. Golden Iron Wall – The walls are indestructible. The soldiers of the Golden Castle receive 30% less damage from all attacks.
2. Golden Weaponry – All siege weapons and soldiers’ attacks within the castle ignore 30% of the enemy’s defense.
3. All the soldiers inside the Golden Castle have their abilities increased by 15%.
4. Once a day, it can use ‘Golden Light,’ which simultaneously halts enemy movements.
Se-woon smiled as he confirmed the information about the Golden Castle.
An impressive A+ rank fortress.
Considering that the castles he raided previously fluctuated between C- and C+, this was undoubtedly a superior rank.
Naturally, its abilities were fitting for an A+ rank.
Unlike other castles, the general and versatile effects were powerful no matter who occupied it, and the castle even had its unique skill.
Possessing this castle would certainly decrease the difficulty of the upcoming fifth tutorial.
The issue was…
‘That just means it’s that much more difficult to conquer.’
The visible abilities applied equally to the monsters defending the castle during a siege.
Given the A+ rank of the castle, the monsters would be powerful, and with such additional effects…
Honestly, he was beginning to doubt whether the Golden Castle was even meant to be conquered.
While pondering how to strategize the siege, the two Constellations observing Se-woon also reacted.
– The Constellation, ‘Bowed Raven’ nods, finding the castle quite impressive.
– The Constellation, ‘Hungry Prince’ collapses to the ground, complaining that he’s so hungry it feels like his stomach is stuck to his back.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t used the Power of Gluttony since the ogre.’
Reflecting on it, this was probably the longest he had gone without using the Power of Gluttony since the tutorial began.
Even though it’s been less than 24 hours, it felt long.
Se-woon reassured Beelzebub, who was whining, and prepared for the siege.
Once he entered the castle, he’d use the Power of Gluttony regardless of Beelzebub’s protests.
“Se-woon, everyone’s ready.”
“You’ve all done well. Once we capture the castle, there won’t be any major issues until the next tutorial. Let’s keep pushing a bit more.”
“Yes, but how exactly do you plan to attack?”
It was only natural for Yoo Seo-ah to ask, as it was Se-woon who insisted on finding and conquering difficult castles.
Se-woon, too, had been contemplating strategies for the Golden Castle while resting overnight.
‘At least climbing the walls like before won’t work.’
The first thought was to infiltrate it using stealth, just like he did with the previously raided castles.
If successful, they could not only open the gates easily but might also attempt to assassinate the castle lord.
However, this was impossible with the Golden Castle. Unlike other places, about ten monsters guarded not just the top of the walls but also the entrance.
Even with the ‘Kilkergas’ Stealth Technique’, infiltrating the Golden Castle was impossible.
Thus, only one method remained.
“It’s a full-frontal assault.”
“Do you think it’s possible? There are ten monsters guarding just the front gate. There will surely be dozens more inside the castle.”
“I know. There must be at least two hundred.”
The monsters of the Golden Castle.
Upon activating the Eye of the Imperial Eagle, their identities became clear.
‘Glory Orcs.’
These are higher-ranked Orcs, similar in size but with significantly superior physical abilities and intelligence.
If only that was the extent of it. Unfortunately, they were clad in gleaming golden armor, befitting the name of the Golden Castle.
Just by looking, it was clear their equipment was of high quality. Ordinary spears and swords would likely be ineffective.
“Hey, Blood Wolf! Should we make siege weapons?”
“Even Han-cheol wouldn’t be able to break that gate!”
“Given some time, we could even make more trebuchets!”
The twin sisters approached with confident smiles.
Behind them stood a trebuchet, its size enhanced once again by the power of the Constellation. It was sure to be a significant aid in this siege as well.
However…
“That’s fine.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Then how do you plan to breach that gate?”
“Well, the gate…”
Se-woon thought of the new weapons he had acquired.
Unlike the cheap weapons he had collected from the goblin warehouse, he was now well-prepared.
“I’ll break it down myself.”
* * *
[Tutorial Chapter Three – Collision]
– Other players have successfully completed their tasks.
– Soon, other players will enter this area.
Just before the siege began, a message appeared signaling the end of the third tutorial chapter.
Considering the distance from the starting point, no players were visible at the moment. However, before long, players would start appearing one by one.
So…
“Let’s finish this before any interlopers show up.”
“Yes!”
“Understood, Hyung!”
Se-woon’s clan began the siege in earnest.
Everyone assumed their combat stances, and the twin sisters dragged out the siege weapons they had prepared.
Naturally, the defenders of the Golden Castle noticed and started readying their own weapons.
“Chrrrk! Stop! If you take one more step, we will consider it an act of aggression against our Golden Castle!”
Glory Orcs.
Known to be superior to regular Orcs in both physical condition and intelligence. Yet, the whistling sound they produced when they spoke made it hard to take them seriously.
“Do as you wish.”
– Through internal energy, the second form of the Blood Wolf Swordsmanship, ‘Blood Wolf Fang’ (血狼牙), is enhanced.
Shiiing—
In the moment Se-woon decapitated the Glory Orc who was shouting warnings from the front,
– The siege of the ‘Golden Castle’ has begun!
The Golden Castle’s fierce counterattack commenced.
“Enemies!”
“Chrrrk, attack!”
Glittering spears and swords rapidly flew towards Se-woon.
The number of Orcs guarding the gate was ten. With Se-woon just having taken one down, nine weapons flew towards him simultaneously.
Whether they had properly learned formation tactics, all the attacks approached without obstructing each other’s paths, sealing off all angles.
However, Se-woon was not alone.
– Player Kang Han-cheol uses ‘Commence Battle.’ (開戰)’.
Rumble, rumble!
“Chrrrk!”
The sudden tremor of the ground disrupted the Orcs’ stances, creating a gap amidst the approaching spears and swords.
Through that gap,
– Player Yoo Seo-ah uses ‘Second Leg of the Tarantula’.
Yoo Seo-ah, who had leapt off Kang Han-cheol’s back, landed gracefully.
Slice, swish!
“Gah!”
As Yoo Seo-ah landed, a bloody spectacle unfolded.
Her twin swords were not strong enough to penetrate the Orc’s armor, but remarkably, her swift strikes accurately targeted the gaps between the armor.
Armpits, neck, the back of the knee—every time her red winds swept through the small, unguarded gaps, green blood spurted out.
“Se-woon!”
“I’m counting on you.”
Taking advantage of the opening, Se-woon boldly reached the front of the Golden Castle’s walls.
Despite seeing ten of their comrades fall right before them, the walls did not budge.
However.
“How dare you attack our Golden Castle!”
“Chrrrk! Do you think mere humans can set foot in the Golden Castle?”
“Before you can even touch the gates, we’ll turn you into a pOrcupine!”
“Fire!”
From above the walls, dozens, no, hundreds of arrows flew toward him.
The sharp arrowheads gleamed gold, each imbued with the Golden Castle’s power of “ignore 30% of the enemy’s defense.”
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
Just before they could strike Se-woon, a thin wall materialized in midair.
Wide Shield.
It was the broad protective barrier Se-woon had previously used to fend off goblin poison stingers.
Clang, clink!
However, this time the Wide Shield could not completely block the arrows as it had with the goblin’s poison stingers.
The golden arrows embedded themselves, causing the shield to crack swiftly and show a precarious state.
Despite the situation, Se-woon remained unshaken and pulled out a massive axe.
It was one of the two axes obtained after defeating the leader of the Hungry Ogres, Krak Katlak. It was Krak’s Great Axe.
Since it was obtained from a hidden boss monster, it was a powerful weapon.
“Chrrrk! Do you think a mere human with just an axe, not even a siege weapon, can break down the Golden Castle’s gate?”
Indeed, breaking down the gates was impossible.
Even if it wasn’t the Golden Castle, it’s impossible for an individual to break down a gate with mere swings of a weapon.
However,
– Opened the Treasury of Greed.
[ Giant’s Axe, Vangobou ]
– The axe of the giant Pangu, who is said to have split chaos and divided the heavens and earth.
If it wasn’t an ordinary axe but a divine one, that would be a different story.
Swish.
KABOOM!!!
As Se-woon swung the axe, a sharp cutting sound was followed by an explosion that seemed to rip the world apart.
The sound was so loud that the Orcs on the wall had to cover their ears so they wouldn’t burst their eardrums.
Gold dust mixed with the golden light spread around, and as the dust settled,
“Chrrrk! The- the gate!”
Thud!!
The gate of the Golden Castle was split in two and collapsed, revealing armed Orcs staring dumbfoundedly at Se-woon from within.
