Solo Max-Level Newbie
chapter-168

Chapter 168: The Three Despairs (2)

Through the ‘Eyes of Gluttony,’ Teresa’s information was revealed without any filters.

Name: Teresa de Lorencia

Sex: Female

Age: 22

Level: 37

Strength 50, Agility 45, Stamina 30, Magical Power 40, Holy Power 55

Stat Points Available: 0

Coins: 165,850

Occupation: Holy Knight

Unique Ability: Star’s Blessing

Skills: Lv8 ‘Holy Strengthening,’ Lv8 ‘Song of Battle,’ Lv7 ‘Blessed Touch,’ Lv5 ‘Holy Command,’ Lv5 ‘Illusionary Barrier,’ ‘Corruption’

A new passive skill was added to the original status window.

‘Corruption’

Holy knights with high levels of holy power, like Teresa, are often greatly influenced by their nature when battling formidable calamities.

It seemed that the skill had newly awakened as a result of the battle with the Three Despairs.

“Wow. Even so, that’s really something you don’t see often….”

Jinhyuk swallowed dryly.

He had met many holy knights and priests from the divine system in the past, but there was only one person who possessed that skill.

Altruistic in nature and facing despair-grade monsters, which are rarely seen even within the tower, met the exceedingly stringent conditions for this outcome.

“I really have an uncanny ability to pick people.”

With this, another useful card was added to his hand.

“Teresa.”

“Yes?”

“Congratulations.”

“What are you congratulating me for?”

Teresa’s eyes widened in unease.

Usually, when Jinhyuk offered congratulations, it meant something that pleased him, not the other person.

“Cheh, I hate it when clever kids act like this.”

Having been together for some time, she seemed to have instinctively read the pattern of his behavior.

But what can be done?

Even if she realized it, the outcome would not change.

Jinhyuk smiled thinly and spread his arms wide.

“Special congrats! You’ve been selected for a 1-day, flight-inclusive overseas trip with me as a companion!”

“Is it not possible to refuse?”

“The plane tickets are already bought. The cancellation fee would be overwhelming, I’m afraid you wouldn’t handle it.”

“……”

Teresa looked sad and hung her head.

Meanwhile,

“Hey! What about me? I’m stronger; why aren’t you taking me instead?”

Ellis was busily protesting with eyes ablaze, having switched from indifference to jealousy at seeing someone else selected.

“These high and lofty ones should not go to shabby places. That was my intention to settle within my reach.”

“Hmm, that’s true, but…it’s hard to believe that you would have such commendable thoughts?”

“Nature so vicious generally harbors much suspicion…”

“What are you saying?”

Suddenly, a cold aura erupted.

It was a rapidly sharpened murderous intent.

Jinhyuk hurriedly waved his hand.

“No, no. I just wanted to take Teresa this time. It’s easier to deal with them when there’s a sacred system ability user.”

“If that’s your reason, I suppose there’s no helping it.”

Ellis grumbled discontentedly but did not persist any further.

“You and Cheon Yuseong wait here for a while. Since the administrators will soon find out that the Murim has interfered with the system, they’ll likely open the way to the dance hall soon.”

“Sure. I’ll wait obediently.”

Ellis nodded lightly.

Good.

With the situation somewhat settled down, it was time to move.

Just as Jinhyuk was about to head to the gate with Teresa,

“Kang Jinhyuk.”

Cheon Yuseong spoke up.

The following words were somewhat unexpected.

“Come back safely.”

“Wow, it’s worth living long. The great Sword Saint himself is worrying about me?”

“I mean, don’t get yourself killed by someone else.”

Damn it, I almost got moved for a moment, but I’ll take that back.

What more can one expect from a battle maniac who knows only to fight?

Still…

‘Not a bad feeling.’

Unlike the life of lonely roaming the tower alone, there were now those who worried and waited.

‘Plus, the comrades who would serve as sacrifices to duplicity and prove useful depending on the situation.’

He hoped they would continue to be together until the day the High-Water Corporation surpassed KOSPI and joined the Dow Jones.

-He’s probably having another evil thought right now. Just killing him now might be best for humanity.

-His expression alone makes him perfectly suited to be a vampire. Should consider transforming him one of these days while he’s asleep.

-Going away with Jinhyuk alone…

With each harboring different thoughts,

A brilliant light erupted from the gate.

＊＊＊

At the headquarters of the Zhonghua Guild in Beijing, China,

the place was currently half-destroyed due to the approaching massive storm of magical power.

“This, this is unbelievable…”

“Good heavens.”

Everyone stared with stunned faces at the approaching dark clouds.

Even from a considerable distance, the oppressive feeling pressing down on the whole body was akin to facing a gigantic mountain.

…This is the end.

Regardless of fleeing now,

or gathering the remaining strength to counterattack,

the outcome will not change.

“Sigh…”

A woman with long, ponytailed hair and dressed in a black suit.

Xiao Ting, the head of security at the headquarters, tried to steady her shaky breath.

She was virtually the only player of ranker level present.

“The situation is at its worst, I know, but if we leave the outbreak unattended, we all know what will happen.”

The major outbreaks that occurred in Amsterdam, Europe, New York, the USA, and Rio, Brazil dramatically illustrated the results everyone had ingrained.

Hell.

Yes, those places had become living hells.

Without any hope.

“But, but does this mean we have to defend this place on our own?”

“Yes, even now we should be contacting for assistance.”

“It’s impossible with just us. At least if Nangong Chun himself were to…”

The players’ faces turned ashen, retreating in fear.

Rankers might hesitate to band together even if they were here, but to fight with just these members?

What’s different from being used as cannon fodder and then dying while ordinary citizens flee in panic?

Most joined the guild not for a sense of mission but for money and fame, hence not a single one harbored the thought of sacrificing their life for others.

But just then,

A massive tremor shook the ground.

[‘The Three Despairs’ has manifested!]

Beyond the dark clouds, lightning flashed violently.

Soon after, along with thunderstorms, the form revealed was…

Despair itself.

“Kieee!”

The Black Scorpion roared fiercely.

Merely by emitting a sound.

Yet the windows of the buildings shattered to pieces.

The mere ripple of its magical power generated a physical force.

Trembling, the players of the Zhonghua Guild froze on the spot.

Xiao Ting was paralyzed, too.

‘Could it be… It was this powerful?’

What was initially felt to be a mere fraction was nothing compared to the monster fully revealed now; its true scope incomprehensible.

The Black Scorpion chased the marks branded on the players of the Zhonghua Guild, rapidly closing the distance.

1 km, 700m… 300m! Now, the building immediately in front was shattered.

Boom!

“Uaaaaaah!”

“Save people!”

“Please, someone…!”

Citizens screamed frantically, scrambling away.

But escaping within the jammed city streets was not easy.

Roads split open, and utility poles snapped like toothpicks.

The casualty count skyrocketed.

“We have to fight!”

Xiao Ting pushed through her fear, stepping forward to lead.

“Damn!”

“Damn! Everyone, attack!”

The players of the Zhonghua Guild hurled themselves forward reflexively. They knew they could not escape at that speed.

Clank! Clank!

Various weapons pounded against the Black Scorpion’s carapace.

Trained harshly, they timed their jumps from the building and struck at the Black Scorpion’s blind spots perfectly.

Of course,

The blades, layered with sword energy, did nothing more than further incense the Black Scorpion’s fury.

“Kieeek!”

A tail glowing with dark red light pierced through a man’s torso.

[The Black Scorpion uses its unique ability ‘Neurotoxin’!]

Gulping!

“Agh… Gah?”

Venom infused. From the man’s eyes and nose, thick streams of blood spurted.

An attack that easily crushed both armor and defensive skills.

With each swing of its tail,

the life of one player was reaped.

“Kuh!”

Xiao Ting lunged quickly.

Thinking she had to act, her movements became even faster.

Brilliant light flickered on the dual daggers in her hands, a level of sword energy at least 2 tiers higher than what the previous players had deployed.

‘I need to aim for a relatively soft part of the exoskeleton.’

[Xiao Ting activates Lv8 ‘Light Footsteps’!]

Dodging around the Black Scorpion’s flanks, she’s fast.

Moving with a flickering afterimage, even a casual observer couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Kieek!”

The Black Scorpion’s pincers swiped through thin air at the incredibly rapid movement.

Perhaps annoyed by the buzzing fly before its eyes,

the Black Scorpion suddenly reared up.

Boom!

Dust billowed from the ground, obscuring the sight.

Simultaneously, pincers and poison stingers in the tail targeted Xiao Ting from three directions.

However, that, too, was within Xiao Ting’s calculations.

‘Now!’

She twisted her body mid-air with all her might, aiming at the gaping underbelly with the daggers in hand, certain it would penetrate.

But,

“No…weak spot?”

Shock shook Xiao Ting’s eyes.

Not penetrating.

Not even a scratch.

As if all attacks were utterly futile.

While Xiao Ting despaired, the Black Scorpion’s pincers swiftly snapped her up.

“Aaah!”

As pressure entered the pincer, Xiao Ting let out a piercing scream.

Despite struggling fiercely, it was in vain.

A little more force, and she’d be snapped in half, a foregone conclusion.

“Block it!”

“Damn!”

Her comrades tried to save her, but once they entered the Black Scorpion’s kill zone, a heavy blood mist erupted.

Over ten players were swept away in a single blow.

Now, no comrades remained by her side. Players considered the best in China were nothing but insignificant worms before the monster.

Dimming consciousness thought.

‘It’s over…’

Nangong Chun and the other rankers had abandoned the Zhonghua Guild.

The remaining players would be horrifically torn apart.

Countless dead bodies would pile up.

Visions of crying children and fallen parents holding their offspring appeared.

But there was no way to save them. Standing against a natural disaster with human strength was impossible.

‘……’

Having resigned to her fate, Xiao Ting closed her eyes.

But at that very moment,

[Ice Sculpture ‘Sword of the Heavens’ activates!]

Ice streaks descending from the sky, and,

[Ice Sculpture ‘Sword of the Earth’ activates!]

Ice streaks surging from the ground met as one.

The air…changed.

A cold breeze gently brushed Xiao Ting’s hair.

What was this feeling…?

Though close to losing consciousness,

Her heart thumped more rapidly than ever before.