The 31st Piece Turns the Tables
chapter-162

Raise…

Sensing their presence, Ungus swiftly grabbed the two axes by his feet and held them in his hands. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward Seol and Jamad, who were at the vanguard.

His movements were instinctual and instant.

However, Seol and Jamad were able to respond in kind.

The lantern behind Seol lit up, breaking into fragments before wrapping around Seol's hands.

Fwirl!

Crackle!

[You enter the Night Crow form with Shaman ‘Jamad, the Volcanic’.]

[You absorb Jamad, the Volcanic’s stats.]

[Your class is changed to Fighter.]

CLAAAAAANG!

Before Ungus could even swing his axe, Jamad caught his wrists.

Creak…

"You've got quite a sear on you, don't you? Ambika must have taken extra care of you,” laughed Jamad.

Creaaak…

Ungus drooled over himself as his grip on the axes tightened. Jamad, observing in the Night Crow form, watched Ungus with concerned eyes.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting for so long. I heard you've been waiting for me."

Jamad couldn't help but reminisce about their past after seeing Ungus utterly devoid of reason.

It was a memory from their childhood.

- Why are you black?

- They told me that being black means you’re strong.

- But I’m strong and not black…?

- That’s weird? No, I bet you’ll turn black later too.

Jamad laughed.

"Haha... Yeah, you were right, Ungus. I turned black too.”

“Krrrrrr….”

Craaackle!

[Ungus, the Black, used Lightning Shamanic Spell: Lightning Devil.]

[For a short while, all attacks discharge a small amount of electricity.]

“Kraaaaaaaah!”

Ungus swung his axes at Jamad.

Claaang!

Craaaaackle!

[Jamad used Volcano Armor.]

Rumble!

Jamad defended against the attack with a fiery layer of rocks that shielded his skin. And of course, he followed it up with a counterattack.

Fwoosh…

BAAAAAAAAM!

“Krghhhh…”

Jamad struck precisely at Ungus’s abdomen, sending Ungus off into the large tree.

Crackle…

The tree slightly cracked from the impact.

“Let me help you rest now.”

“Krrrr…”

In the past, there was an event in the Troll Tribe Alliance that brought together children who were likely to lead the next generation.

It was during a Great Tribe Meeting, a fairly frequent occurrence at the time. Back then, Jamad was just a child with ambitions greater than he was ready for.

- I will become king.

- What?

- I will become king and free the trolls from the Old Gods.

- Bwahahaha! What a psycho. Ungus, let’s just go.

- He must be out of his mind…

Jamad stood out as the most unique among the five brothers of the Rock Molar Tribe.

Not only that, he distinguished himself from all of them.

However, the other successors of the different tribes scoffed at his ideas.

- Let’s go, Ungus.

Back then, Ungola tightly gripped Ungus’s arms to pull him away. However, Ungus instead approached Jamad and asked a simple question.

- …How?

- What?

- How are you going to do it?

Ungus was the only troll who had asked Jamad how he would achieve his ambitions.

“Let me answer you that question now, Ungus.”

Ungus also had grand dreams like Jamad.

But now, he faced Jamad while channeling lightning through his axes.

Pitter… Patter…

Pour…

As the rain grew heavier, Ungus stood up from the tree.

“Krrrr….”

His body shone with light.

Glooow!

[Ungus, the Black, used Lightning Shamanic Spell: Lightning Fast.]

[In exchange for greatly increasing your speed, leave afterimages trailing behind.]

Fwip!

Though Ungus had lost his mind after being cursed, his skills were still the same. Suddenly, Ungus completely vanished from Jamad's sight.

Fwip…

Despite the highlands filling with Ungus's afterimages, Jamad remained steadfast and focused on Ungus’s presence.

In a flash, Ungus appeared before Jamad.

BAAAM!

But his attack was effortlessly blocked.

Fsssss…

Jamad slowly began to radiate an immense amount of heat.

“And so… Die here,” said Jamad.

Craaackle!

“Where I can see you.”

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

As Jamad continued his battle with Ungus, Seol looked through Ungus’s information.

[[Ungus, the Black]

Rank: Legendary

Estimated Level: 26~37

Ungus, the hero of the Black Thunder Tribe.

Ungus, born with the power of lightning within him, was destined to become the true chief of the Black Thunder Tribe. However, unexpectedly, he chose to wield those same powers to challenge Ambika, the primal god of lightning and the origin of his abilities.

After his defeat to Ambika, his soul became tethered to the Thunder Highlands.

The only way to free him from this curse is death. However, it will not be so simple.

Basic Skills: [Unknown 2], [Lightning Fast 3], [Lightning Devil 4], [Unknown 3], [Unknown 2], [Unknown 2], [Unknown 3], [Unknown 1], [Unknown 1], [Unknown 2], [Unknown 3]

Unique Skills: [Unknown 2], [Unknown 3]]

For now, Seol gave Jamad full control of his body and only watched from the sidelines.

‘A Legendary-rank shaman… Is this the first after Magra?’

Back then, even the mere sight of Magra filled Seol with a sense of worry that seared him to his core.

But now, even in the presence of another Legendary-rank shaman, perhaps even stronger than Magra, that same sense of worry never came.

‘Did I… grow?’

It was likely because Seol had grown unbelievably since then. Not to mention, when he first met Magra, Seol was barely around level 20.

It has been a while since then.

And now... it was time to see the difference.

‘Though it might be more accurate to say that Jamad will be the one doing it.’

After all, Jamad was controlling his body right now.

Fwip!

Craaackle!

[Ungus, the Black, used Lightning Shamanic Spell: Magnetic Field.]

[The caster’s surroundings crackle with electricity.]

[Lightning skills become much more potent.]

‘...It’s coming!’

Splatter!

Fwoosh!

An axe grazed Jamad's face.

Jamad twisted his body to avoid the attack, then retaliated with a kick.

Crack!

It landed on Ungus’s chin.

“Krggg…”

Jamad used this momentum to continue his offense.

[Debauchee's Movements activates.]

[Dodge rate increases by 10%. Accuracy increases by 5%.]

Jamad’s left hand moved quickly to unleash another attack as Ungus defended it with his axe.

‘No, that’s a feint.’

Jamad quickly shifted his stance then used a skill.

[You used Kick the Sky, Kick the Ground.]

[One of two skills will activate.]

Fwirl…

Ungus leaped back in response to the unpredictable attack, but it was already too late. Jamad's strike dipped down, targeting his lower body.

Jamad's foot moved almost like a snake, twisting and coiling downward.

BAAAAAAM!

“Kahhhhhh!”

Wobble…

For a moment, it appeared as if Ungus's leg had completely given out.

“Krgh!”

Crackle!

The energy surrounding Ungus changed once more.

It seemed like his combat instincts had finally come back to life.

[Ungus, the Black, used Thunder Shamanic Spell: Crash.]

[The caster’s surroundings become completely silent for a second.]

[The target is afflicted with Abnormal Status: Dizziness.]

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!

Riiiiiiiiiiing

As a painful, high-pitched screech filled Seol’s ears, Ungus charged in once more.

[Ungus, the Black, used Thunderbolt Shamanic Spell: Lightning Bolt.]

[Upon collision with the caster, the target is dealt with immense lightning damage.]

Craaaaaackle!

An orb of lightning began charging toward the black shadow.

“Th-that’s!”

“Watch out!”

The trolls of the Black Thunder Tribe turned pale, while the members of the Alcatron expedition party continued to nervously bite their nails.

Ungus was nothing more than a monster that ceaselessly shot off bolts of lightning.

Even Ungola, the chief of the Black Thunder Tribe, found himself quietly muttering under his breath.

"Jamad... Please confront the truth... Is this truly the future you desired...? My older brother, he..."

Ungola trailed off as he gritted his teeth, unable to finish his words.

Each time he laid eyes on them, Ungola's mind would be flooded with memories from their past, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions within him.

- Alright, I’ll be the king.

- Then I’ll be the general. What about you, Ungola?

- …What’s even left?

- The general’s right-hand man.

- What kind of pointless title is that?

- It’s something that I just came up with.

- I don’t want to do it!

- Watch your words! Because of your actions just now, you have been demoted to left-hand man.

Craaaaackle!

BOOOOOOOM!

Ungola couldn’t think after seeing the massive explosion.

As the bolt of lightning flashed, it felt as if the entire Thunder Highlands was trembling.

Rumble…

Rumble…

“No!”

“Snowman!”

None of the onlookers believed that Seol would emerge unscathed after being at the epicenter of such a massive explosion.

However…

Bam! Fwip!

Bam! Bam! Fwip! Turn!

Their melee continued.

Crack…

It appeared as if the Volcano Armor had absorbed most of the impact, as remnants of it fluttered about.

“W-We should help—”

Frannan shook his head before Chameli could continue.

“No, just watch.”

Bam! Bam! Fwip! Bam!

Seol was the one unleashing an onslaught of attacks at Ungus, while Ungus was mostly busy just trying to run away.

“He’s overwhelming him…”

“Th-that must be Snowman’s real strength!”

“So there was a reason Frannan accepted someone like him as his disciple!”

A few magicians and members of the Artifact Association were in awe of Seol’s skills.

Frannan nodded along.

“I’ve heard about some exceptional transferees as well, but… this one’s a complete monster.”

Kick!

“Krgh…”

Baaam!

“Bwrgh…”

While Seol remained completely expressionless during the fight against Ungus, inwardly, Jamad's face contorted more with each passing moment of the prolonged battle.

Jamad let out a painful roar.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

- Ungus, don’t you think it’s unfair?

Even at a young age, Jamad was disillusioned with the world. Ungus, intrigued by that side of Jamad, was drawn toward him.

- What do you mean by it?

- The fact that the blood that flows through our bodies… is not our own.

- ……

- In exchange for power, the Old Gods have cursed us with barbarism, forcing us into servitude. We’ve been stripped of intelligence. We’re only driven by instinct.

- But even if it’s unfair… it’s not like we can change it.

The young Jamad was an ambitious daredevil.

- We can change it, without a doubt. I will rise up to shake the world and turn it on its head. Watch me, Ungus. You're the only troll I've confided in about this.

Ungus had a shocked look on his face.

- Woah… but I don’t want to.

- What?

- If you’re going to rise up, I’m going to rise up too.

- ……

The young Ungus pounded his chest with a fist, revealing his own ambitions to Jamad as well.

- A warrior’s blood flows through this great Ungus’s veins! I don't need thunder or lightning. I can fight whenever and wherever, as long as I have my heart. I will help you!

Pouuuuur…

The downpour only intensified the horror of the fight.

As Jamad regained his senses, he saw Ungus, who wobbled unsteadily after enduring a brutal beating.

“Ungus, why… why did you end up like this… Why did you have to challenge Ambika…?”

Fwoosh…

Baaam!

Ungus weakly swung his arm at Jamad.

“Krgh…”

Jamad accepted the attack and returned one in kind.

BAAAAAAAM!

“Kraaaah…”

BAM!

“Urgh…”

While Seol initially believed he had caught up to Jamad's experience, in the end, he realized that their fighting styles were completely different.

Seol focused on a perfect fight, allowing no attacks to land on him.

He minimized the amount of damage he took and focused strongly on counters and openings.

Meanwhile, Jamad freely sacrificed his flesh if it meant he could break their bones.

It was such an aggressive style that describing it as even shattering would be apt.

And likely because of that, Ungus turned completely defensive, unable to retaliate at all.

Jamad continued his storm of attacks, overwhelming Ungus.

“Hahhhhhhhhh!”

Flash!

Ungus, realizing that as well, prepared the final card up his sleeve.

[Ungus, the Black, used Lightning Shamanic Spell: Thunder Deer’s Descent.]

[Ungus’s physical stats and shamanic powers drastically increase.]

[Ungus’s lightning energy is enhanced and turns black.]

Craaaaackle!

Black lightning swirled around Ungus’s body.

Ungus then abandoned his axe and attempted to attack Jamad with his bare fists.

Craaaackle!

Rumble!

With each swing of his fist, black lightning surged forth.

Ungus's appearance had transformed to the extent that it bore a resemblance to Ambika, the primal god of lightning.

He grew large antlers, ferocious fangs, and bulging muscles.

However, all of it was pointless.

Jamad, with Seol in the Night Crow form, was too strong.

“God damn it!”

Craaaacckle…

BAAAAM!

“Arghhh…”

Overwhelming.

Jamad's fists pierced through Ungus's stomach, emerging on the other side.

"He... He won..."

"U-Ungus!"

The nervous onlookers seized the opportunity to draw closer to Ungus and Jamad.

Crackle…

Thud…

Ungus lowered his arms, as if attempting to pull out Jamad's fist from his stomach, but lacked the strength to do so. All he could manage was to rest his arms on it.

Though Jamad’s victory was decided, he was in pain.

“Why… Why did you challenge Ambika…”

“...you?”

A quiet whisper escaped Ungus’s lips. The voice was different from before. It was clear and strong.

“That voice… is that you… Jamad?”

“U-Ungus?”

“How… are you alive?”

“I died. I died and became a shadow. All to achieve my ambition.”

“Bwahahaha… You crazy bastard… You’ve died, and you’re still going on about that.”

Ungus’s eyes were drifting away.

They were clouded, as if he was looking into another world entirely.

“...Why did you challenge Ambika?”

“Ambika is… strong. I couldn’t even reach him once… pffft… What did I expect?”

“Tell me! Why did you…”

“Because I thought I would be scared…”

“......”

“I was worried that without you… I would be scared…”

“Ungus.”

“Ambika was a monster, though, Jamad. Why didn’t you tell me that earlier, haha…”

Ungus gathered strength into his arms. It was clear he wouldn’t recover, he was just squeezing out every last drop of strength he had left.

“Come with me, Ungus.”

“You want me to become a shadow? Don’t make me laugh…”

Ungus forced out an expression.

He was clearly trying to send off his friend with a smile.

“I was cursed by Ambika. My soul cannot be revived.”

“Then…”

Ungus wasn’t the only one in pain, though. Jamad forced out each and every word through his gritted teeth, his voice trembling.

“If you can’t come with me… I will take your strength.”

“Ah… that was an option too, right.”

“Do you dislike it?”

“Not at all… Take my strength.”

“......”

Slide…

Jamad's arm was pulled out of Ungus's body, but it wasn't an action taken by Jamad himself. Ungus pulled it out on his own.

“Khhrgh… Haah…”

“Ungus…”

Ungus stumbled for a second before taking a stance.

Raise…

He raised both his arms.

“Jamad, you have the right.”

Though blood ceaselessly poured out of his mouth, he did not stop his lips.

“Make sure, no matter what… to achieve your ambition.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

“......”

“It’s our ambition.”

Ungus gave a big smile.

“I’m going to go now.”

“Farewell.”

Flaaare!

[You have changed to the Volcano Stance.]

[All attacks will spread flames.]

[An explosion will occur at the impact point of each attack.]

[Passive: Moving Flames is applied.]

[Passive: Heat and Warmth is applied.]

Ripple!

[You used Night Crow: Iron Fist Rule.]

[Passive: Moving Flames is applied.]

[Passive: Heat and Warmth is applied.]

Seol’s massive right arm completely swept Ungus away.

BAAAAAAAAM!

But he didn’t stop there, his attack even reached the large tree of the highlands.

CRAAAAAASH!

The tree uprooted from the impact and flew off.

“Th-the tree… flew away.”

“No way…”

Those who witnessed the being embodying both Snowman and Jamad were struck with awe.

[Your mana is currently below 5%]

[You have mana deficiency.]

[Your mana recovery rate is reduced by 50% for 5 minutes.]

[You have overused your mana all at once.]

[You are afflicted by Abnormal Status: Dizziness for a day.]

[The cooldowns for your skills are increased by 10%.]

The mana deficiency that always followed.

And…

[You have defeated Ungus, the Black.]

[You have received the Black Thunder Tribe’s favor as a reward.]

[You may now use the path to Alcatron from the Wet Fog Hills.]

"Wait for me there, Ungus."

Jamad lumbered over to the tattered Ungus’s corpse and placed his hand on it.

Craaaaaackle!

Lightning poured out, accompanied by immense pain, enveloping Jamad.

"Soon, I'll send Ambika there too."

Craaaaackle!

“With your strength.”

Countless messages entered Seol’s vision.

[Jamad absorbs Ungus’s shamanic spells.]

A yellow lightning flickering with black light tore through Jamad.