"Do not keep provoking me. If we go for a proper fight, we might suffer, but you won't survive here either."
Cadrick's anger was clear. Even his voice sounded like that of a child unable to control their rage.
"Yes. Yes, old man. I understand you have plenty of undead troops, so stop talking. I've been told implants cost a lot these days."
"This… this fucking person! I will kill you!"
Cadrick's face flushed red as a massive explosion of magic erupted from his staff.
Kukuku!
[Cadrick activates unique ability Gravekeeper of the Black Tomb!]
[Special Skill Guardian of Pyramid activated!]
"C-Cadrick! Are you using that here?!"
"There will be no mana left to face the boss after this!"
His fellow necromancers shouted to stop him, but it was too late. Cadrick was hellbent on killing his opponent.
"Shut up and follow orders!"
Even if the boss fight failed, he would tear this bastard apart. The Demonic Human Association might complain, but he didn't care.
The ground began to crack.
"Ack!"
"Kuaak!"
New undead rose, mummies wrapped in bandages, their Egyptian-style crescent swords and gold-and-jewel armor glinting in the light.
"Huk! Huk! Huk…"
Cadrick had to calm himself. His face pale from the skill's magic consumption, but satisfaction gleamed in his eyes.
"The Pharaoh's bodyguards…"
Seeing this, he realized directing everything himself might have been too ambitious. Perhaps giving orders while letting subordinates handle the work was wiser.
'If only the subordinates were actually useful…'
Even a few competent units would suffice. Strong undead required immense mana, not everyone could summon them.
"You still have that arrogant mouth. Fine. I'll show my true power."
Cadrick gathered magic again.
Tsss! Tsss!
His staff flickered—no magic came out.
"Shhh. Did I overdo it?"
He clicked his tongue briefly, then called for help, grabbing a necromancer by the neck.
"C-Cadrick, sir! Ack!"
Swish!
Cadrick absorbed the necromancer's vitality. They twisted and struggled but could not escape.
"Quiet… struggling will only make it worse."
Swish!
"Kuak… ack!"
Screams faded. The dried-up necromancer crumbled to ashes.
"Disgusting. Aren't you on the same side?"
"Huhu. We are, which is why we dedicate our lives to victory."
"You call killing people without consent dedication?"
"Perhaps. Ask him yourself in hell."
Cadrick, replenished with magic, stroked his staff.
Thud! Thud!
The undead frontlines, pushed back by the Moai statue, now advanced as reinforcements arrived.
Woop! Bang!
Golden spears pierced stone statues, the force behind each strike overwhelming.
'At least the power of a Death Knight… enough to destroy ten Moai statues at once.'
The Moai statues were strong. Even with increased undead, changing the tide was impressive.
"How is that? Can you still speak after seeing this?"
Cadrick grinned, watching Jin-hyuk bite his lip.
"Puahaha! At a loss for words? Naturally, you're excited."
"Uh?"
Jin-hyuk tilted his head. What was with this old man?
"No… I'm speechless because it's ridiculous. Were you planning to attack the boss with just this?"
No matter how impressive, the necromancers would have been wiped in five minutes.
Still, Cadrick thought it was a bluff.
"Whenever cornered, people talk nonsense. Well done. Let's end this boring conversation."
Cadrick commanded.
"Kiik!"
"Kuak!"
Mummy soldiers roared, black smoke seeping from their mouths.
"Kill him."
In a nearby forest, two figures perched on a tree branch.
Melena and Li Qiao, sent by the Demonic Human Association, observed the battle.
"Hmm. More reckless than I expected."
"Destroying the first group was fine, but not retreating? Foolish."
"Puah! Not courage, stupidity. Did he misjudge the power difference? He thought only skeletons and Durahans were present, but Cadrick's unique skill is no joke."
Black magic that resurrected many corpses made Cadrick dangerous. Jin-hyuk, however, seemed too relaxed.
"And because he's foolish, we don't need to intervene."
Cadrick could handle it—at least, that was their assumption.
Psss…
A strong energy radiated from the masked man.
"Uh?"
"What is that?"
Not magic or divine power—something cold and ominous emanated from the dagger in his hand.
"W-what? What kind of absurd skill is this?"
Melena and Li Qiao were stunned.
Even confident, strong opponents wouldn't expect to face such a large undead army solo.
Gulp.
Li Qiao swallowed hard. Jin-hyuk had likely used half his strength against the stone statues—but if this was a trap, forcing Cadrick to act recklessly…
This could end disastrously.
[Sword Grave activated!]
Goosebumps rose. Jin-hyuk smiled.
'Ice Formation' and 'Blessing of the Stars' were strong, but Sword Grave was thrilling in a way only veterans could appreciate.
'Magic and divine abilities can't give this feeling.'
His black-energy-covered dagger moved left and right, slicing the air.
Finally…
'Oh! I did it.'
He reproduced part of Soul Chasing Sword Dance, once used by Chun Yuseong.
[Understanding of Soul Chasing Sword increases.]
Years of in-game neglect were no longer an issue. With his new swordsman skills, the gap didn't matter.
Woong! Woong!
The wind howled as black flames spread around him.
'Fifth form.'
Even Chun Yuseong couldn't reach this level.
'Soul Chasing Heaven Destroyer.'
The essence of the sword.
"What…"
Cadrick's eyes widened.
Jin-hyuk swung horizontally. Wind and magic combined.
The mummies stood no chance.
"Kuaak!"
"Kuak!"
Bodies tore apart, blackened flesh exposed.
A shockwave reached Cadrick's barrier.
Kukuku!
"Uhhh…!"
His three-layered shield shook. The dagger struck relentlessly.
Slash!
A terrifying sound accompanied the strike. Cadrick looked down—his arm was gone.
"T-this cannot be…"
All mummies were destroyed in one swing. His arm severed.
Rumble!
He realized why Alex had died: even skilled disciples could not stand against such a monster.
Running was the only option.
"Death Knight… stop him! Now!"
Stone statues were irrelevant. Undead, necromancers—nothing mattered. Escape was imperative.
Cadrick picked up his severed arm, spun, and headed for the northern gate.
No—he tried to flee.
"If you want to leave, ask permission from the opponent first."
The voice he dreaded sounded behind him.
[Black Moon Night activated!]
The sword, reflecting the black moon, descended upon Cadrick's face.
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