The Game of the Greatest Black Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 108

4.

Echo Willow's sudden assault.

Amidst it all, they were carefully keeping some members of the Legion of Calamity alive, ensuring the event didn't end prematurely.

Simultaneously, they encircled Seonghyun.

The onlookers couldn't help but be astonished.

"Huh???"

"Wh-what the?!"

"It's Echo Willow!?"

"Are other Karma Guilds here too!?!"

"What in the world is going on!?"

Where had they been hiding until now?

The answer was obvious.

They had waited for Seonghyun's strength to wane before launching their attack.

It was a petty and vicious tactic.

An action befitting an alliance of Karma Guilds.

Naturally, the right thing to do would be to help Seonghyun fend them off.

However, no one stepped forward.

Not only did Eclipse Order (Guild Rank 4th) and Tempest Wing (Guild Rank 8th) remain motionless, but even Sick Brothers (Guild Rank 12th) didn't move.

Actually, it wasn't just inaction.

"Wh-what? They're clearing the way?"

"What are Eclipse Order and Tempest Wing doing? They're dodging aside as if they expected this?"

"Sick Brothers resisted for a bit, but now they're withdrawing like something happened???"

"What is this situation!?"

It was a scene no one could comprehend.

Weren't these the guilds that were always growling at each other here in the Dune Wild Trail?

So why were they cooperating now?

It only took a moment's thought to understand.

"Crazy... Are they joining hands with Echo Willow to take down the Demon King?"

"Wow... So disappointing."

"Does this make any sense?"

"Justice has fallen."

The surrounding players cursed those guilds.

To join hands with guilds infamous for their evil deeds just to eliminate a rising star.

It was an act devoid of honor or anything resembling it.

They weren't participating directly, perhaps.

But how was this any different from what those Karma Guilds were doing?

Sick Brothers had initially seemed ready to intervene.

But ultimately, they pulled back.

Everyone judged them to be in the same boat now.

"W-won't the Demon King do something?"

"No way... He just fought the boss, and just maintaining his legion here must have left him almost out of mana, right?"

"If anything, it's amazing he's lasted this long."

"He probably didn't level up either, so his mana likely hasn't recovered."

A few players voiced hopeful questions, just in case.

But the majority were pessimistic.

And understandably so.

In fact, it was unbelievable that he had held out this long.

But surely, it would be difficult to endure any further now.

No matter how much of a rising star he was, he must have finally reached his limit.

"Sh-shouldn't we try to help?"

"...B-but we're exhausted too?"

"E-even if we help, there's no guarantee we can beat those guys who are completely fresh..."

For the unaffiliated players to band together and fight now...

They feared the formidable power of the Karma Guilds, spearheaded by Echo Willow.

Furthermore, the fear of future repercussions was just as potent.

That's why they couldn't step forward.

It was a rational decision.

When they saw the figure who appeared to be Echo Willow's representative step forward and say something to Seonghyun, everyone assumed negotiations were about to begin.

They thought any rational person would at least engage in talks.

However.

-Order of Ruin!!!!!! Strike down those arrogant and insolent fools!!!!!!

“Raaaaaaaaaaa-uuuuuuuuuuuuin!!!!!!”

At a single gesture from Seonghyun, the Order of Ruin and the Death Legion moved.

Seeing this, the onlookers couldn't help but be astonished once more.

"H-he's actually fighting them?"

"Isn't it obvious he'll lose?"

"Wh-what the, Demon King?"

"Is he saying he won't yield even if he loses!?"

To choose combat when defeat seemed so certain to any observer.

It was not an easy choice.

But it looked far too reckless.

He could have just negotiated reasonably.

While they couldn't quite understand it, perhaps because of that...

"That's cool."

"Is he saying he won't even exchange words with Karma Guilds?"

"Heh, I should have known from those 'true education' videos."

"Wow, his will is incredible even when losing seems certain."

It was indeed impressive.

His determination to fight even if he lost was certainly praiseworthy.

Challenging something everyone believed impossible.

That was never an easy thing to do.

As the two forces began to move,

The Echo Willow side couldn't help but be somewhat surprised as well.

They had expected him, just as the onlookers thought, to agree to negotiations or at least suggest some kind of compromise.

But he hadn't.

'What is this?'

Blacklash, affiliated with Echo Willow, couldn't comprehend Seonghyun's decision.

To confront enemies of this scale right after such an intense battle?

It was utterly foolish.

‘Or had all the hype surrounding him gone to his head?’

Demon King?

He acknowledged that Seonghyun was strong.

But if he had to face enemies of this scale after that battle.

To act so foolishly when defeat was certain.

'I'll have to teach him a lesson.'

“Prepare for battle!!!”

At Blacklash's shout, the Karma Guilds, led by Echo Willow, all began their preparations.

The majority were high-level villains, mostly over level 110.

No matter how strong the Demon King was, this was a force he couldn't possibly handle in his current, exhausted state.

Everyone thought so.

Wasn't it simple logic?

“We hold our ground!!! When he runs out of mana and can't maintain those summons, we strike!!! Until then, we aim for the Demon King himself!!!”

Having been thoroughly briefed beforehand, everyone understood the plan and focused on defense.

They concentrated their defensive formation particularly against the Death Legion.

But even that was not enough.

Because the Death Legion had its four executives.

Kwa-gaaaaaaaang—!

Peo-ooooooong—!

Seo-geoook—!

Kwa-jijijik—!

Led by Nocturnium, Legion Commander Barpur, Balthar, and Fiora unleashed their full power, shattering the formation and slaughtering the defenders.

However, their firepower was clearly weaker compared to when they were initially dealing with the Legion of Calamity.

Just as predicted, the players’ forces thoroughly blocked their advance.

Up to this point, everything was going as expected.

-Ruin!!!

“Ruuuuuuuuuuuin!!!”

But there was an unforeseen variable.

That knightly order, roaming freely across the battlefield, utilizing their ghost horses' mobility and showcasing the prowess of true knights.

They alone were quite formidable.

If Blacklash hadn't brought additional forces just in case, the situation could have become dangerous.

'As expected, he's not to be underestimated.'

Blacklash nodded, acknowledging Seonghyun’s capability.

But even that had to have its limits.

While attention was focused on those large-scale forces,

Blacklash led his elite team and charged towards Seonghyun.

A Necromancer being on the very front line like this was an error in itself.

Blacklash gripped his sword and dashed forward.

They believed his swordsmanship was impressive, but he wouldn't be able to handle all of them at once.

Ten elite melee classes charged Seonghyun, the Necromancer.

Pride?

They had discarded such things long ago when they joined the Karma Guilds.

When hunting powerful rising stars like this, casting aside all pride was the correct approach.

All of them rushed towards Seonghyun together.

They had already familiarized themselves with Seonghyun's swordsmanship.

Through the recent live broadcast.

It was fluid and defensive, yes, but surely it couldn't handle all of them.

Blacklash believed this without a doubt.

However.

Shhhring.

"...Huh?"

Blacklash noticed that after drawing his sword and settling into a stance, Seonghyun's entire demeanor had changed completely.

But they had already been charging for too long.

There was no stopping and retreating now.

He resolved to press the attack.

Blacklash, leading the charge, swung his sword first.

He definitely swung before Seonghyun, yet somehow, Seonghyun's sword appeared before Blacklash's blade.

Kwaaaaaang—!

With a sound like an exploding shell, Blacklash's body was flung backward even faster than he had charged forward.

For a moment, the ten elites, having lost their leader, faltered.

Seonghyun's sword began to sway.

At first, it moved like scattered petals, drawing graceful curves.

Then, in an instant, the curving sword path straightened, lashing out towards an opponent in a flash.

"...!!!"

Unable to react properly, the target merely tried to raise his sword to block.

But it was already too late.

By the time his sword was raised, Seonghyun's blade had already swept past him.

Seeing his health drain instantaneously from the immense attack power, a chill ran down his spine.

"Crazy!!! Wh-what is this damage...!!!"

He couldn't help but be aghast as a single blow instantly wiped out 25% of his health.

They weren't fighting a swordsmanship-focused class; they were fighting a Necromancer.

To possess such mana and magic power, and yet also have outstanding strength and agility?

It was impossible.

As if unable to believe it, the remaining elites charged Seonghyun despite their leader being down.

Seonghyun threw a teal spear with his empty hand while simultaneously firing black shells, engaging them.

All the while, his continuously moving, domineering swordsmanship parried every incoming strike, distributing his own blows evenly among them.

Blacklash, who had been knocked away at the initial charge, regained his senses.

Seeing the current situation, he swallowed hard in disbelief.

'Th-this..., what is this...'

Of the ten elites who had initially charged, only seven remained by the time Blacklash recovered and rejoined the fray.

Three had died in that brief moment.

'How can this be a black mage type class?'

'Isn't he actually a swordsman?'

As that thought crossed his mind, Blacklash turned his head.

He saw the rest of his forces being slaughtered by the Order of Ruin and the Death Legion.

'Is this really happening?'

Faced with such an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation, Blacklash's judgment momentarily faltered.

Meanwhile, Seonghyun weaved between Blacklash and the elites, employing footwork, moving freely, and smiling as if genuinely enjoying himself.

To think swordsmanship could be used so diversely.

After reading Leonik's memories, his swordsmanship had become much more varied and powerful.

'This is more useful than I thought?'

Seonghyun smiled as he watched a spear thrusting straight towards him, flanked by two swordsmen swinging their blades.

Casually batting aside the incoming spear with his empty hand, he pulled one foot back, preparing to spin.

Then, rotating his body, he swung simultaneously from the shoulder through the elbow.

Adding the body's rotation, a formidable horizontal slash unfolded, cutting down the two swordsmen at the waist.

Seonghyun had definitely swung his sword slightly later.

Yet, his blade reached them before theirs did.

Seeing Seonghyun's bizarre level of skill, the enemies' eyes began to waver noticeably.

"M-monster..."

"N-not human..."

"C-can't win."

Watching them tremble in fear like those facing an irresistible enemy, Seonghyun found it rather anticlimactic and swung his sword at them repeatedly.

The seven elites remaining after Blacklash had rejoined dwindled further, until only three were left.

It was an unbelievable sight.

Watching it unfold, Blacklash trembled like an aspen leaf.

He had thought they would win if they just held out a little longer.

It was a miscalculation.

They were the foolish ones.

Slice!

Blacklash's thoughts ended there.

As the heads of Echo Willow's elites were severed in an instant.

Seeing the elites disappear, the members of the Karma Guild coalition started sneakily gauging the situation and began to flee.

"Run!!!"

"We can't win!!!"

"Fuck!!! Where's Echo Willow's arrogance now!?!"

"Just get out!!!"

And just like that, the nearly thousand villains scattered and withdrew.

To be honest, Seonghyun was also exhausted to his limit.

If they had attacked him with full determination, the outcome might have been different.

But since they ran away on their own accord...

Seonghyun grinned.

As the Karma Guild coalition disintegrated,

"Crazy."

"E-Echo Willow is being pushed back?"

"No, their elites swarmed him, but what's with him overwhelming them with swordsmanship!?"

"Cr-crazy, is this real?"

"Th-they aren't weaklings, right?"

"That's Echo Willow!!!"

"How did he even win that?"

The countless people who had watched could only stare, dumbfounded.

The outcome they thought absolutely impossible had happened.

Seonghyun had won.

And as the remnants of the Legion of Calamity, which the Karma Guild coalition had been holding captive, were dealt with,

The postponed message finally appeared.

[The large-scale event 『Legion of Calamity』 will now end.]

[Contribution Ranking]

[1st 『Seonghyun』 - 839,194 Points]

[2nd 『Meiran』 - 172,364 Points]

[3rd 『Junhyuk』 - 122,219 Points]

[4th 『Kurosawa Ren』 - 113,953 Points]

[5th 『Trang』 - 93,161 Points]

...... (Omitted)

[Total Contribution Points - 1,500,000 Points]

[Calculating rewards.]

[Please wait a moment.]

The event had finally concluded.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]