Chapter 67 |
◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (67)
In a fierce but brief battle, KiJun managed to extract four more claws from the wolf that swallowed the moon.
Now, only two more needed to be pulled out for the beast's front paws to transform from lethal blades into mere bludgeons, albeit ones filled with extreme cold.
Of course, they would still be immensely powerful――!
―Roarrr!
It wasn't the sound of a bomb exploding.
―Roarrrr!
“Guh, grhhhh…!”
A chilling wind, laden with frost and accompanied by a terrible shock, melted into the holy flames enveloping KiJun, generating thick steam.
Having discharged all its stored energy and returned to functionality, the Shock Absorber beeped loudly before running out of power again.
But of course, KiJun stood his ground, unyielding.
“Are you okay? KiJun!”
“Even if I'm not… I have to be! Fire!”
KiJun responded to Herbert's voice from behind, his veins bulging with effort, as he swung his shield to strike the face of the wolf, still reeling from the collision.
Blood spurted from Hati's snout as it got hit by the shield, almost simultaneously with a slug round hitting its relatively softer belly, causing significant impact and pushing the beast back. However, Hati's murderous intent remained solely fixed on KiJun.
'Is this truly possible?'
From a distance, as a dealer, Herbert marveled at the difficulty of finding a tank as exceptional as KiJun, who not only held the beast's attention with remarkable stability but seemed an impregnable iron wall.
Despite increasingly aggressive attacks, KiJun maintained a steadfast gaze on the enemy, inspiring even Herbert to believe in victory.
“Is victory within reach?”
After taking several critical hits from both KiJun and Herbert, Hati was severely wounded.
KiJun's every power was antithetical to the beast, augmented by Herbert's legendary gun and bullets, enhancing his capabilities beyond their limits.
But these factors weren't as crucial in this battle.
―Roar!
“Stay back…!”
As the tidal wave of ferocity surged towards KiJun, threatening to crush him in an instant, he faced it head-on without a moment's hesitation, his courage unwavering.
“Herbert, fire――!”
“Roger!”
―Bang!
KiJun, amidst the beast's onslaught, managed to pierce Hati's snout with his bloody fangs, halting its movement momentarily before striking with his shield, only to retreat before the beast could counterattack.
Glancing worriedly at Herbert, he asked, “You okay?”
“Ah… jammed, sorry. I'll fix it right now.”
Herbert felt a mix of joy and guilt at KiJun's informal tone, realizing they were truly fighting side by side as party members.
Yes, they were still in the same party.
But how could KiJun trust him so completely without a shred of doubt, even knowing his true nature?
‘This unity is only for now.’
Herbert envisioned the aftermath of their battle with the moon-swallowed wolf.
Inevitably, the conflict between KiJun and Herbert, dictated by the darkness coursing through Herbert's veins, would lead to a fatal showdown.
Swallowing hard at the stark image of death, he thought, ‘If one of us must die, perhaps it's better if I…’
At that moment, Herbert closed his eyes tightly, overwhelmed by the thought.
However, at that very moment, Herbert felt a foreign magical power stirring within him.
Startled, Herbert's eyes snapped open.
The magical shotgun he was holding dropped to the ground and rolled away.
―Don't move!
Lucy's sharp voice echoed in KiJun's mind as he observed Herbert.
―He might attack the contractor. Shouldn't we act before the situation worsens?
KiJun didn't respond to her but readied himself again with his two shields at the front.
His enemy was a Legendary-class adversary.
It wasn't the time to lose focus over something that hadn't even happened yet.
‘But thanks to Herbert, we've made significant progress, right? It's worth a try.’
KiJun's mind was clear.
His arms, holding the shields, were steady.
His legs, planted firmly on the ground, did not falter.
The Adamant skill was still focused solely on the two shields.
So, what was the source of his unwavering strength?
It didn't matter.
―Contractor!
‘It's okay... I won't lose.’
KiJun, gritting his teeth in response, tightened his grip on the shields and looked up at the wolf.
The beast was nearing its limit.
Its two front paws were bloody, with all but one claw extracted, one eye completely burst, several teeth broken and bleeding in its mouth, and several thick silver bullets lodged in its abdomen, emitting smoke.
Despite its still daunting presence, KiJun thought, if that's a mountain, then just tear it down.
“Bring it on――!”
―Awooooooooo!
Hati responded with a howling filled with rage and murderous intent, charging at KiJun.
KiJun faintly smiled and drove the combined shields into the ground.
He then amplified and channeled the radiant and spirit power from the earth into the shields through Salutaris, with Lucy and Ur's elemental powers merging to create a blinding holy fire.
The resulting sanctity was astonishing, even to him, far beyond mere light and flame.
Facing the icy cold wolf had cemented his mastery over the 'holy fire.'
―Roarrrrr!
―Beep!
The enormous wolf, once again, failed to breach KiJun's defenses, stopping in its tracks. The Shock Absorber, having recharged at some point, commendably absorbed the impact and cried out.
Despite the trembling in his hands, KiJun forcefully pulled out the shield and, taking advantage of the wolf's unsteadiness, aimed his fangs――
―Contractor!
Suddenly, Lucy's sharp voice halted his action.
―You’re not blocking...?
Lucy, startled, dispelled the forming light barrier, and the next moment, a projectile flew from behind and struck the immobilized Hati's remaining eye, igniting it spectacularly.
―Roarrrrr!
The impact was far more powerful and elicited a more violent reaction than any previous slug rounds, effectively burning out the beast's eye with a single shot!
Could it have been the time taken to change the ammunition?
“Now's the time, KiJun!”
The marksman, having successfully blinded the divine beast, called out loudly, boasting of his feat.
KiJun, seizing the moment, swung his left shield again.
The large, sharp fang-shaped shield cleanly extracted the last claw from the beast, and at that moment—
―You have successfully extracted a part of the body from an enemy that has reached the Legendary realm. You obtained [Claw of the Moon-Eating Wolf (L)]. The eight collected trophies have combined into one, forming [Claw of the Moon-Eating Wolf (L)]!
―Butchery (R) skill has reached level 25!
Though an incredible message appeared, there was no time to inspect the Legendary-class loot.
As KiJun landed on the wolf's head, the beast, realizing his presence, frantically tried to shake him off. But KiJun, anchoring himself firmly, did not fall and, seizing the opportunity, struck again at the same spot with the shield!
―Crack!
―Roarrrr!
Finally, the wolf's hide was breached, and blood spurted high. The beast's blood, cold as befitting a creature of darkness, evaporated before it could freeze KiJun's skin, thanks to Ur's resistance.
―Roar!
At that moment, another projectile struck the wound KiJun had made, tearing through the wolf's hide and enlarging the wound.
KiJun, smirking, struck down with the shield again.
―Roarrrrrrrrrr!
As the wound widened and blood gushed out, the dying beast let out a roar filled with rage, making a final desperate attempt.
Suddenly, its entire body darkened, and a surge of black energy aimed directly at KiJun burst forth.
―No!
Lucy screamed, trying to intercept, but the dark energy bypassed her light barrier and enveloped KiJun.
―The Moon-Eating Wolf sacrifices a part of its soul to curse you with a voracious curse. However, your Legendary-class radiant and spirit power, along with the skill Salutaris (L), resist and weaken the curse.
―[Unbreakable Internal Clock (L)] strongly resists physical and mental interference.
―Successful resistance. A positive adjustment has been given to [Salutaris (L)]. [Salutaris (L)] skill has reached level 10! Your radiant and spirit power has increased by 3 each!
Then, a familiar message appeared, this time accompanied by permanent skill and stat growth.
Feeling his mana and spirit power surge, KiJun twisted his lips into a smile and raised the King of the Well high.
With all his energy focused, the enhanced King of the Well resembled a blazing lightning bolt.
“Now, die!”
The golden lightning pierced through the wolf's forehead.
The wolf opened its mouth as if to scream, but the sound faded into nothingness before reaching anyone's ears.
Immediately after, the lifeless body of the beast collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.
It was the moment KiJun achieved his first victory over an unrestrained Legendary-class enemy.
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