Chapter 216

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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Damn! Is this the right place?”

“I don’t know! Just leave it and run!”

In one area of the Cube of Hell, Holy State players were running for their lives through the forest path.

Kwaduek-!

“Aaagh!”

Screams of people were heard from somewhere. Even in such a situation, they couldn’t stop. It was because of the debuff applied to the area.

[Area Effect: Distortion is applied.]

[Terrain and the forms of creatures are greatly distorted within the area.]

The terrain was so messy and swapped that it made one dizzy just looking at it. Now, it was hard to tell if they were moving forward or who the person next to them was.

“Damn it!”

Exion, who was in charge of strategy, spat out a curse. It was because monsters swarmed in before they could do anything properly. The bizarre appearance of bodies distorted as if melting and the unexpected destructive power turned his mind blank.

“Exion! What are you going to do! Hiyori is already dead!”

Verdict’s voice was heard from a distance. Just as he said, Hiyori’s light had disappeared from the party status window. How she was defeated, she seemed to have left the game without even reporting.

“Ignore the environment and rely on your own senses to run only in a straight line! Getting out of this area is the priority, so only think about surviving!”

Exion, unable to think of another way, ordered everyone to fend for themselves. Nothing could be done here. It was a decision filled with such conviction.

“Ugh!”

“Damn it!”

Even while running for their lives, screams erupted from everywhere. Since stamina was not infinite, it was difficult to escape properly unless one wore auxiliary shoes or magic tools.

Chwarak-!

They ran for dozens of minutes in such chaos.

“Ah!”

The vision of Exion, who had almost reached his limit, changed. A scenery far clearer than before entered his eyes. The reason appeared in the following message.

[Area Effect: Distortion is released.]

[Area Effect: Taunt is applied.]

[The attention of monsters will be strongly drawn within the area.]

“Sigh.”

Exion naturally let out a sigh. Meanwhile, other players also arrived.

“The numbers… is it just us?”

Verdict immediately looked around. Whether it was a coincidence or something else, nearly twenty players had been transferred together to the Distortion Area. But only three people had arrived here now.

“Wow, it was really scary.”

Among them was a woman wearing a flat cap, lightly dusting off her clothes. Contrary to her words, she looked too relaxed.

[Alice]

At first, they thought the blonde woman was an outsider. But she introduced herself as a player who started in the Holy State.

‘She’s hiding something.’

Verdict was certain. He had no memory of seeing that woman in the Holy State until now. No matter how much the oracle quests differed, it was too strange.

“The situation has improved, but we can’t let our guard down here either. We don’t know when monsters will swarm. Let’s rethink our strategy first.”

Exion began to ponder the plan while looking around. Meanwhile, Alice looked into the air and said something strange.

“Wow, it’s a huge snake.”

Her face wore a smile as if she was seeing something interesting. Even when looking around, no snake was seen. Sensing Verdict’s gaze, Alice continued the explanation.

“Haven’t you been watching Black Dragon’s stream? It’s been really fun for a while.”

“Stream? You had the mind to watch that?”

“Why? The stream screen wasn’t a target for distortion, was it?”

“…?”

It was a conversation that went greatly astray. Verdict, who had turned off the screen as soon as he entered the Distortion Area, couldn’t help but be dumbfounded. Feeling suspicious, he immediately entered Black Dragon’s stream.

「Found it. Let’s go that way.」

Black Dragon and three people appeared on the screen. Except for the two siblings, one man was a face seen for the first time. When they moved a bit more, a huge snake monster appeared on the screen.

‘Is there something about that monster?’

It was unknown which area Black Dragon was fighting in. But if it was a monster that man was aiming for, it seemed there would definitely be some meaning. If they killed that, something would drop…

「I’ll be eaten for a moment and come back. When I signal, attack the eye.」

“What?”

Black Dragon ran towards the snake with an entirely unexpected remark. After a while, he really disappeared into the wide-open mouth of the snake.

“Hmm, he’s being eaten.”

Alice, who was also watching the stream, nodded calmly. Verdict was about to ask if she knew something. But such leisure did not come.

Deudedeu-!

The ground began to vibrate violently in an instant. He could instinctively tell it belonged to a monster.

“Tsk.”

Exion, who was holding his head, hurriedly looked around.

Kwaduedeuk-

Kugung-

The sound of trees collapsing was heard from the forest gradually. If hundreds or more monsters swarmed in, a good result couldn’t be envisioned. Since the species inhabiting this Cube were all powerful.

“I’ll change the combat terrain. If we’re surrounded here, we’ll unconditionally lose.”

Exion, having made a decision, decided to run along the boundary for now. However.

“You don’t have to run away.”

Alice, still watching the stream, said leisurely. Exion, whose emotions surged at that reaction, raised his voice.

“I don’t know how strong you are, but to block a monster horde, there must be at least high-tier vanguards. If you can’t judge, quietly follow the instructions.”

“That’s why. It’s fine if there’s a player of that level, right?”

“Eh? What does that…”

Beonjeok-!

Right then, an intense light burst from the sky. And a golden thunderbolt struck the forest in front.

Kwagwagwang-!

“Ugh!”

Exion’s body was pushed back by the roar and aftermath that shook heaven and earth. When he lowered his hand that had instinctively covered his face, someone’s back was seen.

“You came just in time?”

“…”

The man remained silent even at Alice’s question. With the same yellow hair, they looked like siblings.

“Let me introduce him.”

Alice turned her head with a familiar smile. Then she brought up an entirely unexpected name.

“This is Odin, the new Sacred Body Faction player. Nice to meet you?”

***

Kkooreuk-

Kkuduedeuk-

Han-bit, who was eaten by the Giant Snake, was diligently digging into the inside. The terrible smell and unpleasant mucus were something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

—Is this for real?

—Seeing someone get eaten by a monster of all things.

—Black Dragon does have some attention-seeking tendencies.

—If he gets digested and dies, it’s legend.

—???: Gulp.

Viewers reacted with dumbfoundedness. Han-bit also had no intention of particularly refuting.

‘I didn’t want to know either.’

It was the regression turn when he had entered the Cube of Hell for the second time. At that time, Han-bit, who reached his limit after holding out for 12 hours, began to run for his life. In that process, he lost his footing and rolled down a slope. As it happened to be right above the Giant Snake’s head, he was cleanly eaten.

‘Even the Investigation Team didn’t know.’

The Investigation Team, who didn’t even recognize the fact that there was a Secret Room, let alone the existence of a relic, had already finished the investigation regarding the monsters inhabiting the Cube of Hell. But they couldn’t find the condition for finding the key fragment. Because it was an item that only appeared when the Giant Snake was alive.

Kkuduedeuk-!

Han-bit continued to squeeze inside. And when he went a bit further, vibration began to be felt.

Kkung- Kugung-

A dull and heavy resonance surged from the warm body. It was the intense vibration created by the snake’s heart.

Kkuduek-

Increasing his speed a bit more, Han-bit moved to where the heart was located. The position was slightly shifted from the center of the snake. That was the destination.

Kkooryong-

The snake’s body, twitching greatly, interfered with movement. Looking outside through the twins’ screen, a battle was also happening over there. Even though it was a considerably dangerous monster, it was fine if Ping-pong’s shield was there.

The inside of the body began to become dangerous as it mixed with gastric juice. Han-bit, who arrived at the position where the heartbeat became stronger, took out his sword and thrust upward.

Puuk-!

Ppuduedeuk-!

The snake’s body folded greatly at the pain of its organs being pierced.

Chwaak-!

Opening the gap wider, Han-bit squeezed inside. And only after moving as if rummaging through obstacles could he reach the target.

Kugung-

A red heart was beating alone deep inside the body. On its surface, a yellow key fragment was embedded.

—?

—Is it a key?

—Did he come to get that?

—Black Dragon always has a plan.

—So what key is that?

—Does it give something?

Viewers, who couldn’t hear the conversation, shared their thoughts with the mic off. While various speculations appeared in the chat, Han-bit continued the plan.

“Get ready to attack.”

The instruction was delivered to the twins outside through the party voice channel. The answer came back immediately.

(Yes!)

(We’re ready!)

The two siblings had regained more composure than before. Han-bit was stirring inside the snake’s body too, but Ping-pong, who stood at their vanguard, was playing his role quite well.

(I’ll fend off the tail and head!)

Teong-!

The shield appeared at the necessary timing and bounced off fatal attacks. It wasn’t simply because of equipment; there were clear judgments and reasons in the movements. It could be said that the basis for calling him a pure tanker was seen.

Seuk-

Han-bit reached his hand towards the surface of the heart. And just as he was about to touch the key fragment, intense sparks flew up. It was a defensive mechanism protecting the treasure.

“Now! Attack!”

Peobeobong-!

At the same time as Han-bit’s instruction, the sound of explosions was transmitted through the skin. It was No-eul’s magic.

(Chwaak-!)

Haneul, who rushed in with a dagger, cut the eyes and face of the Giant Snake. That attack rummaging through the weak point showed a clear effect.

Kugung-!

Kkooryong-!

The snake’s body began to run wild like crazy.

Pajik-!

The sparks spewing from the heart became irregular as if having a tantrum. And when it momentarily weakened, Han-bit quickly reached out his hand.

Kwaduek-!

The key fragment was torn off along with the surface. The result immediately led to a message.

Ttiring-

[You have obtained the first Secret Room key fragment.]

—sss

—Too easy, right?

—There’s a secret room?

—Recommend if you’re a viewer feeling dizzy at the thought of following this.

—Rec.

The first fragment was obtained without any damage. Han-bit, who quickly put it into his inventory, wrapped wind around his five-colored blade.

Chwaak-!

The sword drawn with strong power drew a long trajectory.

Jjeoeok-

The snake’s body split along that line. As the dark forest entered his vision, Han-bit quickly escaped outside. And he turned his body and moved to where the snake’s head was.

Puuk-!

The sword blade sank deep as he thrust the sword towards the forehead. The Giant Snake, who had been hanging on with only a faint breath, thus met its death.

Ttiring-

[Experience points have increased by 10,000,000.]

[Obtained Giant Snake’s Heart (Rank 7-Hero).]

Experience points and items came in along with the subjugation. The heart was an item that would be usefully used in the area to be entered later.

“Black Dragon-nim!”

“Sorry for the lack of firepower!”

Right then, the twins approached close as if running.

“Hold on.”

Han-bit reached out his hand and restrained the two. It was because of the mucus and stench that soaked his body.

‘It was like this back then too.’

It was the Cube of Hell he had come to with a disciple in one turn. Thanks to that child taking on the role of the twins, it could be finished safely. The image of them running towards him while holding their noses flickered.

“Undine.”

Chwaak-!

The water that covered his body at once washed away the dirty things in an instant.

Hwareuk-

Salist, the fire spirit who came out on its own, spewed heat as if drying the moisture. It was also a small protest against not summoning it.

“Thanks to both of you.”

Seureuk-

As soon as he conveyed his gratitude, the two spirits’ forms blurred. But suddenly they stood in front.

Chwarak-!

Hwareuk-!

The condensed power of the spirits was sprayed into the air in an instant. At the same time, intense light flashed in the sky.

Kwarareung-!

Vividly shining golden lightning appeared. It pierced through the spirits’ power and headed towards Han-bit. And just before that lightning reached, Gnome, the earth spirit, moved.

Deuduedeuk-!

Rock armor wrapped the body in an instant.

Kwagwang-!

The lightning that struck that solid wall scattered while conveying a tremendous impact.

Tuduk-

Han-bit, who was looking at the rocks breaking and scattering, turned his gaze forward.

“…This is unexpected.”

A blonde man was flashing alone on the dark forest ground. Han-bit knew his face.

“I see you here, Odin-ssi.”

—?

—Uh?

—Eh?

—How did Odin come here?

—He should have reset his episode?

—??

Viewers were flustered at his appearance.

“Eh?”

“If it’s Odin, is it that vanguard Odin?”

“Didn’t he subjugate the Snow Drake with Black Dragon-nim?”

The three people watching beside him also opened their eyes wide. To that extent, Odin was a widely known person.

“…”

But the man at the center of that mystery did not open his mouth. Han-bit, who realized something was strange, put his hand on the sword hilt.

“The atmosphere seems like we have to fight, is that right?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

The answer that came back to that question was somewhat subtle. And the atmosphere of the felt power was also different from the past.

Pajik-!

A small golden form was moving here and there at the top of Odin’s head. Han-bit, who was watching that, noticed something.

‘…High Spirit?’

It was a High Spirit that was on a different level even from intermediate ones. He, who was a mid-tier vanguard, was not a player who handled spirits. But he suddenly appeared with a High Spirit, and even of the lightning attribute. How should this be understood?

“I will not be careless.”

Whether only his character was the same, Odin picked up his hammer with an honest attitude. Han-bit, who sensed that conversation was impossible, also pointed his sword.

A brief silence followed. The two people stepped off almost simultaneously.

Tat-!

Pajik-!

The distance between the two narrowed while scattering wind and electricity. And just before their respective weapons could create an intense impact…

Jjaekkak-

The bodies of the two stopped along with the sound of a second hand.

Seureuk-

A man appeared in that gap. The name tag above his head was clearly visible.

[Seongryong]

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Tak-

The man put his hand on the shoulder of Han-bit, whose body was stiff. At the same time, his vision dyed black and the sensation of transfer wrapped his body.