Episode 52
Before going up to the 50th floor, Taehyun checked the condition and equipment one last time.
The same was true for Ayoung, the strategist from her previous life who didn’t know that a phoenix was waiting on the next floor.
‘Send down monsters according to the number of people. What a nasty guy.’
Taehyeon and Ayoung faced a total of 98 monsters while climbing the 49th floor.
Most of them were A-rank monsters, and in the latter half, there were quite a few S-rank monsters.
In particular, there were many cases where Ayoung’s skill ‘Amazon’s Awe’ did not work due to the dragon tribe’s unique magic resistance.
Considering that.
Taehyun’s impression was that it was at a level worthy of the name of a double dungeon, no, it was more than Apocalito, not less.
of course.
‘It would have been at this level for Yoo Ah-young’s attack force to have suffered damage close to annihilation… .’
weird.
Like I left something out.
‘It’s not enough.’
For some reason, I couldn’t shake off this uneasy feeling.
On the other hand, Ayoung, who was involved in the attack, had doubts about the current situation for other reasons.
“Hey. “I’m sure there won’t be three of them coming from the next floor, right?”
It was a plausible assumption.
“No matter how much I think about it, he is the owner of this dungeon. “I think they are playing a trick on us.”
Ayeong’s sarcastic tone made me chuckle.
Of course, Taehyun would have been at a loss if he hadn’t known that there was a phoenix on the next floor.
“Let’s go once everyone has rested.”
Taehyun strengthened his fighting spirit and climbed the stairs to the next floor.
“hey. “Let’s go together.”
Ayoung hurriedly followed behind.
* * *
Double dungeon ‘Temple of the Phoenix’.
It wasn’t until Taehyun reached the 50th floor that he realized why it was named that way.
‘Now it feels like a temple.’
The view you see as soon as you climb all the stairs.
Taehyun opened his mouth without realizing it.
The same was true for Ayoung, who was following behind.
“what? Could it be that there are really three… wow.”
The size of the 1st to 49th floors was by no means small.
However, the size I could see now was as if all the 49 floors I had passed were put together.
Statues of unidentifiable shapes are erected here and there, and flames are burning from ten pillars.
At the center.
A monster with blue flames on its body was looking solemnly at Taehyun and Ayoung.
S-class monster Phoenix.
It is a monster that uses flame attacks as its main weapon, and its characteristic feature is that it has a superior regenerative ability compared to ordinary S-class monsters.
Making items using by-products from the Phoenix is like a dream for those who have awakened production skills, and if they succeed in making them, a minimum rare level is guaranteed.
The Phoenix potion that Taehyun drank was also one of the representative items.
‘In addition to its ridiculous regenerative abilities, it has high magic resistance, making it difficult to deal with.’
Although I had followed many high-level players in my past life, this was the first time I had seen a phoenix.
This is because the area where it appears is as frequent as its rarity value.
“Phoenix?”
Ayoung also looks a little embarrassed at the identity of the monster she later confirmed.
It was a natural reaction to see a 5-meter-high phoenix looking down at oneself in a huge temple.
‘I don’t know anything special yet.’
Taehyun looked at the Phoenix with a dejected expression.
I didn’t find any special traps while climbing up to the 49th floor.
That’s why even more so.
I expected that there would be some special device on the 50th floor.
‘For example, by chance or something like that.’
Despite such expectations, the 50th floor was magnificent enough to match the scale of a temple, but there were no special devices in sight.
The phoenix also had an unremarkable appearance, except that it was engulfed in blue flame.
‘Is this guy’s magic stone special? Even if you make just one more bottle of Phoenix Potion, there will be plenty of business left… .’
While Taehyun was thinking that, Ayoung muttered in a nervous voice.
“Be careful, Taehyun Kim. That phoenix… “It’s a blue flame.”
“… … ?”
How about a red flame and a blue flame?
When Taehyun responded as if he was wondering what was going on, Ayoung let out a small sigh.
“The Phoenix that uses blue flames has the ability to mind control other monsters.”
“… … !!”
A hypothesis passed through my mind.
Only then does it feel like the pieces of the puzzle that were scattered and invisible are being put together.
at that time.
Someone’s voice sounded in Taehyun’s head.
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[Did we finally get here?]
Although it is an unidentified language.
I could clearly understand its meaning.
The language of monsters.
The language I heard from the Death Knight Lord echoed in my head again.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
As if not expecting Taehyun to understand what he was saying, the Phoenix let out a monster-like laughter.
Ayoung was alert to the unusual atmosphere and prepared to activate the skill.
“what’s the matter?”
“… no.”
I can hear the monster’s words. rani.
It was obvious that he would be treated as insane.
“More than that, if it’s mental control, what I’m dealing with is…” .”
Tiring.
[The use of magic power has been detected. I was under ‘mental control’. It resists with mysterious power. Resistance was successful.]
At the same time as I check the message that appears in front of me.
Boom.
Ayoung’s fist passed by with the sound of the wind.
Distance and speed.
Considering everything, it was a force that would not have resulted in minor injuries if he had not bowed his head.
Taehyun distanced himself from Ayoung.
“Is it like this?”
[Hoo. Did you withstand my strength?]
A voice that clearly belonged to the Phoenix rang in my head.
Taehyun’s expression became bitter as he realized the situation.
Nightwalker, the 4th guild with many high-level players.
Yoo Ah-young, the guild leader there and an S-rank ranker in New Korea.
The reason why she in her past life suffered massive damage while attacking the double dungeon ‘Temple of the Phoenix’ and was reluctant to talk about it in detail.
“He used mental control to make his allies fight among themselves.”
If Yoo Ah-young, who can be said to be the guild’s strongest force, had gone on a rampage, they would have been in a hurry to survive, let alone hunt monsters.
It was also easy to predict that a significant number of casualties would have already occurred when the mental control was lifted.
Ayoung with blue eyes approached.
There was no feeling of death or fighting spirit, but the intimidation of an S-rank player was clearly conveyed.
“What if you get caught?”
[Skill use has been detected. The spirit of the Amazons (S) infiltrates. It resists with mysterious power. Resistance was successful.]
Ayoung uses skills while under mental control.
Quaaaaaa.
Taehyun unleashed his magical power.
Dark red magical power bloomed from the body.
[Use the skill Binding Chain (B). Explore your audience. The target has been identified.]
Ayoung’s body began to turn red.
Dozens of chains attacked Ayoung, who was radiating her spirit.
Wow. Clap la la rock.
Chains wrapped around her limbs, and the ‘Amazone’s spirit’ was lifted.
Crack. Quad deuk.
She was entangled and struggled to escape.
I couldn’t shake off the chains while the skill was off.
“I was skeptical because they sent monsters down according to the number of people.”
Taehyun was wary of Phoenix and picked her up while she was trapped.
and.
[Use skill Paralysis (B). Explore your audience. The target has been identified.]
Ayoung stiffened under Taehyun’s magic.
Even post-processing was done perfectly to prevent it from going on a rampage again.
Taehyun threw her into a corner.
“Does the Firebird use it when it makes fun of people?”
[Use skill Stone Skin (B).]
[Use the skill Stealth (B).]
Ssssssut.
Looking at Taehyun, who hides himself in an instant.
[A fun guy has come to visit.]
The phoenix’s blue eyes changed as if smiling.
* * *
Quang!
The magic bullet fired by the Phoenix exploded as it hit the floor.
This was where Taehyun, who had used stealth, was standing just a moment ago.
After confirming that it had not hit the target, the magic bullet was fired once again from the Phoenix’s body.
bang. bang. bang. Quang.
‘This bastard. Is it really a phoenix?’
Constantly parrying and dodging magical bullets.
Taehyun cursed.
Although it was similar in form to the E-grade skill ‘Fireball’, its power was close to that of the A-grade skill ‘Fire Burst’.
A technique with such destructive power has been continuously used for about 5 minutes.
Although I am using stealth.
It was natural that Taehyun was unable to close the distance and was in a hurry to avoid it.
Hwareuk. Grumbling.
After several attacks, the surrounding area was already a sea of fire.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Taehyun activated the skill once again.
[Use the skill Binding Chain (B). Explore your audience. The target has been identified.]
Srrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
As if the constricting chains were funny, the Phoenix released flames around it.
Quagwang!!
With the explosion, the ‘chains of restraint’ were canceled.
It was some kind of smokescreen.
Taehyun quickly turned back and cut off the phoenix’s wings.
Suddenly.
One wing was completely cut off by the sharp blade of the talisman.
at the same time.
Grumbling.
A blue flame burned.
The area that had been cut out was regenerated.
Taehyun used stealth again and circled around the guy.
‘No matter how you look at this guy, it doesn’t seem like an ordinary phoenix.’
Otherwise, there was no explanation for why he was engaging in such a tight battle with Taehyun, who was already at the level of an advanced S-class player.
Above all, it is incomprehensible that S-class monsters dominate S-class monsters.
This is because mental control is commonly used on those who are lower in rank or have weaker magic resistance.
Taehyun took a leap.
This time, it was time to aim for the place where the magic stone was located.
Chi profit. Chii Iik.
A rain of fireworks fell across the area.
Even though I was wearing ‘Stone Skin’, the pain was enough to make me frown.
It was natural that hiding would be lifted.
[human. Is there anything else to show?]
Taehyun’s expression changed due to the phoenix’s composure.
What’s the downside after learning the language of high-ranking monsters?
It became clearer to me that they viewed humans as nothing more than toys.
Naturally, the memory of being attacked by Asmodeus came to mind.
“On the subject of monsters. “Don’t look down on humans.”
Tiring.
[Use the skill Knight King’s Tempest (B).]
Kugugoogung.
The ‘Knight King’s spirit’ was activated, and an intangible energy pressed down on the large body.
As the Phoenix flame wavered, Taehyun increased his output even more.
That’s it.
Grumbling.
The two energies tussled and made a hissing sound.
‘Let me add one more.’
Taehyun once again used ‘Chains of Binding’ against the Phoenix.
Churrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Sigh.
The chain was wrapped around the body of the guy who was caught up in the struggle of strength.
The blue flame that seemed to turn the entire area into a sea of fire began to weaken little by little.
Sigh.
“Mr. Phoenix. “Is there anything else left to show you?”
With a bitter laugh.
Taehyun repeated exactly what he had heard a moment ago.
Contrary to expectations, the Phoenix’s body began to shake.
‘Is this kid smiling?’
[I never thought it would show itself like this to humans.]
Suddenly. Clang.
The phoenix’s body began to grow even larger.
From 1 meter, 2 meters, 2x, 3x.
It was natural that magical power increased with size.
Eventually, when the size of the large body exceeded 4 times the original size.
Kwasik. Kwazijic.
The ‘chain of restraint’ could not withstand its magical power and broke helplessly.
“… … .”
[human. Let me ask again. Is there anything more left to show?]
Grumbling.
The blue eyes of the phoenix looking down at me from above flashed.
‘This guy… ‘You caught it?’
Looking at Ayoung, fainted and stuck in the corner.
Taehyun was speechless.
Her mind was blank for a moment, but her eyes quickly came back to life.
Ayoung stirred and moved her body.
No, I tried to move.
“What is this?”
I could see magical chains binding my body.
In addition, the effect of the skill was evident in the lack of feeling in my hands and feet from the neck down.
Taehyun appeared in her panicked mind.
The lack of feeling in her arms and legs was probably due to Taehyun’s skill ‘paralysis’, and the chains binding her body were clearly a skill she was unaware of.
“her. “You used a skill on me that you wouldn’t even use on monsters.”
I expected that Taehyun might have another hidden skill.
I never thought that the target would be myself.
She looked at the ceiling of the temple and sighed.
He, the head of the 4th guild, was like this because he was under the mental control of a monster.
‘I’m going crazy with embarrassment.’
If this fact became known to the public, it was clear that those who looked down on her because she was a woman would bite her like wolves.
That thought didn’t last long.
Kwaaang.
An explosion sounded again.
The ground shook all the way to where she was.
Due to the impact, my body shook and I was able to look towards where Taehyun was.
and.
I was speechless at the sight of the monster that came into view.
“That… .”
S-class monster Phoenix. Even a phoenix clad in blue flames with a special ability called mind control.
Although it was a rare enough monster, its current appearance was completely different from before it lost its mind.
The body, which was already small, has now become so large that it is difficult to look up.
Its size was enough to make its presence felt even in a huge temple.
Grumbling. Grumbling.
Blue flames continuously spit out from its large mouth.
There was a new model moving quickly underneath it.
A dagger called Talisman.
It was Taehyun, with dark red magic flowing from that dagger.
“no way… Grand Phoenix?”
Ayoung has been confident ever since she entered the double dungeon.
Her expression darkened for the first time.
It was because I remembered information I had recently collected overseas.
Night Walker was the best intelligence agency in New Korea, and one of the leading intelligence guilds among world-class guilds.
Information about the Abyss that players cannot help but use.
It was especially important for collecting and handling information there.
Taehyun in his previous life was a porter and didn’t know.
Top rankers like Ayoung, who handle information, discovered one thing in common while fighting against countless monsters in the Abyss.
Unlike monsters with limited grades, they are exceptionally strong and possess the danger of mutations.
Among them, they call it Grand to distinguish it from other monsters and add + to the normal grade.
Although it is imperfect, it is recognized as being comparable to the next level of monsters.
The monster I see right now was like that.
It’s an absurd size for an ordinary phoenix.
To Ahyoung, it looked clear that it was the Grand Phoenix, or in the Oriental style called Phoenix.
S+ grade monster.
Although it is imperfect, it is an entity that can be placed in the category of SS-class monsters.
“Why is that guy here… .”
No, it wasn’t like her to assume something that had already happened.
He was able to mentally control even the dragon race, which had high magic resistance.
As if that wasn’t enough, it has now grown in size and is unleashing incredible firepower.
Just by looking at it at a glance.
It seemed like the five S-rank rankers had to come together to hunt stably.
‘It makes sense for Taehyun to be the tank and me to be the dealer. There is no other way to avoid mental control… .’
The moment when Ayoung completed her plan.
Suddenly.
Taehyeon’s talisman cut down the Grand Phoenix and passed by.
A blue flame that immediately regenerates wounds that would be fatal to an ordinary S-class monster.
Contrary to expectations, Taehyun was doing well against Grand Phoenix.
Suddenly, an interesting thought passed through Ayoung’s mind.
‘Hmm… Shall we watch this a little longer?’
Ayoung watched the battle between the player and the monster with narrowed eyes.
‘Stone Skin’. ‘Stealth’. ‘paralysis’. ‘The spirit of the knight king’. ‘Chains of bondage’.
Except for the ‘Knight King’s spirit’ obtained from the Death Knight Lord, these are skills equivalent to grades D to A.
Due to Taehyun’s improved abilities, he was showing as much power as an S-class player.
Taehyun, holding the talisman in reverse, succeeded in disrupting the attack with his flashy movements.
The blade surrounded by magic aimed at the eyes of the Grand Phoenix.
at the same time.
The fireball spit out by the Grand Phoenix passed Taehyun and flew towards Ayoung.
‘Huh?’
I was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected spark.
Susssut.
Taehyun closed the distance in an instant, flipped Ayoung over, and then leapt.
“What are you doing? “If you come to your senses, you should talk.”
Quang. bang. Kwaaang.
Taehyun said while dodging the attacks that continued to pursue him.
“huh? Ahaha. Thanks to you, I survived. “Can you please untie this for me?”
“If you let me go. “Is there a guarantee that you won’t be subject to mind control again?”
Ayoung smiled awkwardly at the indifferent look in her eyes.
“don’t worry. Because I also brought some buff potions. “If you eat that, you’ll be fine for a while.”
“Buff… .”
Her words reminded me of a skill I had forgotten.
Taehyun opened the status window and quickly activated the party system.
and.
[Skill Lord’s Heart (B) has been used. All party members’ abilities increase by 10. Time limit is 10 minutes. 9 minutes 59 seconds… .]
Ayoung’s expression changed as if she was surprised at the message that came to mind.
‘Surely he even had buff skills?’
Strength is 10. Stamina is 10. Speed is 10. Magic power is 10.
Like other skills.
This time, the effect was just as good as that of an S-class awakened person.
‘There are only six skills identified… As expected, it was a good idea to invest in you.’
Unlike the situation where she was being chased, a smile appeared on Ayoung’s lips.
“As much as you rested, you should at least act as bait.”
Kwaaang.
After avoiding another flame, Taehyun released the ‘chains of restraint’ and ‘paralysis’ that had been placed on her.
It looks like they are about to make a range attack.
It was the moment when magical power gathered in the mouth of the Grand Phoenix.
Coo!
Taehyun used the ‘Knight King’s spirit’ to hinder the movement.
Quang!
Ayoung used the ‘Amazone’s spirit’ to explode the magical power that had been gathering in the guy’s mouth.
Half of the face was damaged.
Grumbling.
High-speed playback.
With blue flames, the Grand Phoenix quickly regained its original appearance.
Taehyun, who was watching, shook his head.
Ayoung’s explanation followed belatedly.
Along with the meaning of the name ‘Grand’, it means that the guy in front of you should not be viewed as an ordinary S-class monster.
‘Please tell me that quickly.’
An S+ grade monster that attacks based on its regenerative power.
Considering his fighting power.
‘It would be difficult without predation.’
It was difficult to inflict damage beyond that regeneration speed with only the main skill.
Naturally, I couldn’t help but think of ‘predation’.
‘Should I use it here?’
I was worried.
If you use Predation against the Grand Phoenix in its current, fresh state, there is no way to prevent the same thing from happening before.
At that time, Ayoung stepped forward.
This was because I judged that I had seen all of Taehyun’s hidden cards.
“… … ?”
In front of Taehyun, who expresses doubt.
“You could say it’s a repayment for letting me fight alone. “I’ll show you something good too.”
Ayoung took out her hidden card.
* * *
There is a concept of runaway in skills.
wee.
A type of Berserker state that can exert extraordinary power by regurgitating magical power.
It usually happens when an awakened person overly activates a skill, and because it can cause permanent damage to the body, everyone is reluctant to do so.
But what if you could arbitrarily control that power?
Such as using unregistered skills.
Rankers, who were taking a multifaceted approach to increase their power, became interested in ‘runaway’ and a study was conducted.
Ayoung was also one of them.
His S-rank skill ‘Amazon’s Awesomeness’.
Right now, it is one of the strongest powers in the new Korea, but it was a time of rapid change.
She did not neglect training to avoid being left behind.
That’s why I was able to strengthen my body through magical power and control my runaways.
Fazizik. Pajijijik.
The magic power wrapped around Ayoung’s body created sparks.
The body surrounded by strong fine muscles became even more massive.
She, who focused on speed and magic control, bulked up to a body that only a tanker-type awakened person would have.
If the equipment I was wearing didn’t have the characteristic of being infinitely elastic, it wouldn’t be surprising if it exploded.
“Whoa~”
After completing the change, she let out a small breath.
“You can stay in this state for 1 minute. “If I can’t finish it in the meantime, I’ll leave the rest up to you.”
Without even a chance to reply.
Ayoung’s new brother has disappeared.
It was fast enough for Taehyun, who was mesmerized by the change, to miss it.
‘It was this power.’
Taehyun’s gaze turned to Ayoung, who started the battle late.
One of the Grand Phoenix’s wing ridges was being torn apart by bare hands.
A female warrior truly worthy of the name Amazoness.
That wasn’t all.
When the skill was used, an explosion occurred in the torn area.
Grand Phoenix started playing late.
That was enough time for Ayoung to rip off another wing.
Grumbling.
Soaring blue flames enveloped her body.
Chii Iik. Cheeik.
Heat penetrated through the magic wrapped around my body.
Part of the unique item she wore melted.
“Tch.”
I left the wing I had torn off as if I was regretful.
Ayoung fell from the Grand Phoenix.
Blue flames began to rain from the sky.
She didn’t mind and dug in again.
The Grand Phoenix, which had not fully recovered, screamed.
Grumbling. Grumbling.
Thump thump thump thump.
The pillar of flame rising ahead trapped her.
Just one minute like this.
The blue flames of the Grand Phoenix will melt her without a trace.
The moment you think like that.
Quang!
Kwaang!!
Kwaang!!!
[…] … !!]
Ayoung swung her fist at the pillar.
Incredible strength and speed.
at last.
Kwaaaang!!!
The pillar that failed to block ten times collapsed, allowing Ayoung to escape.
Chi profit. Chii Iik.
The blue flames of the Grand Phoenix tried to block the approach.
Ayoung, who had already gained momentum, no longer cared.
Percussion.
She leapt with her head raised and her fists clenched.
and.
A scene reminiscent of the Hulk in the movie unfolded before my eyes.
Kwaang!!!
The body of the Grand Phoenix fell to the ground after being hit directly on the head.
Quang!!
Quang!!
Quang!!
Ayoung’s two fists began to crush the Grand Phoenix’s head without stopping.
