The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 142

“……What the heck is going on all of a sudden?”

The lights that had been dimly illuminating the artificial cave went out.

Even the flow of mana that had been circulating throughout the artificial cave stopped.

It was as if there had been a power outage in the arena.

‘Did a real power outage actually happen?’

Although mana is the main energy source, it’s not like electricity isn’t used at all.

Maybe the power went down, causing the mana supply devices installed throughout the arena to stop working.

Something like that, perhaps.

‘……But it doesn’t make sense that even the terminals are broken.’

However, that hypothesis was soon refuted on its own.

As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t make sense for a power outage or anything else to affect the terminals.

And one more thing.

‘If the system had gone down due to a power outage, the monsters should have stopped moving too.’

The restraints are manufactured in that way.

But what is the current situation?

The sticky killing intent that I still feel. The rough and savage energy unique to wild monsters.

Far from losing their minds, they’ve become even more energetic.

‘They’re not just asleep, they’re going berserk.’

It feels as if they’ve broken free from all restraints and control spells, and are now free.

The energy that is binding my body right now is that vivid and intense.

‘It’s also concerning that the operations side hasn’t shown any reaction even in this situation.’

The operations side, which should have responded immediately to the monsters’ rampage, hasn’t taken any action for a full minute.

‘Could it be the aftermath of an external attack?’

The fact that the operations side isn’t showing any action means that they are also in a situation where they can’t easily move.

And the only situation where the operations side can’t move is an external attack.

In other words, this situation is a system destruction or system failure caused by an external attack.

‘If that’s the case, I don’t have time to be calmly thinking and organizing my thoughts like this.’

With a serious expression, I turned my body and glared in the direction of the upper boss room.

‘The Korean team, as well as the other teams’ players, are in danger. Not to mention me, who’s at the forefront.’

It goes without saying, but the monsters that have broken free from the control spells are very dangerous.

All sorts of special advantages that the operations side had blocked for being dangerous would have been unlocked.

The locks that were placed on their stats would also have been released.

‘It’s a relief that I took down the Death Stalker.’

If the Death Stalker had been alive, and its restraints and control had been released, it would have been a real disaster.

If that guy started generating poison again and using it actively, the casualties would have been unimaginable.

Taking down the Death Stalker first was a stroke of genius. Of course, it was all by chance.

‘But that doesn’t mean the other two are weaker than the Death Stalker…….’

The monsters located in areas A and B of the upper boss room.

They are also powerful monsters that can compete with the Death Stalker.

The only thing that makes them better is that they don’t have poison, but they are definitely not to be ignored.

Kwaaaang! Kwaaaang!

At that moment, the sound of something strongly hitting a solid iron door echoed repeatedly from the front.

‘As expected…… they’re trying to get out of the boss room.’

Probably, the monster located in the boss room is swinging its fists to break the iron door of the boss room.

‘If it was just one, I could somehow hold out…….’

Kigigigik! Kiiiiiik!

From the opposite side, the sound of something scraping against iron echoed.

‘……Figures.’

The sound of something sharp cutting through a thick iron door.

It’s certain.

The guy located in boss room B is also trying to escape the boss room.

‘……What should I do?’

One is manageable, but it’s impossible to fight two at the same time.

No matter how good I am, I can’t fight two A-rank monsters.

I could use Resonance [a skill that allows temporary teleportation] to run away, but as soon as Resonance ends, I’d just become their meal and it would be over.

‘But I can’t run away either.’

If I run away here, the two monsters that escaped the upper boss room will head to the mid and lower boss rooms.

If that happens, a massacre will obviously unfold.

They will join forces with the lower and mid-level monsters and slaughter the players.

‘They’ll gather all the monsters that are stuck behind the iron doors and form a group.’

Once the monsters start forming groups, there’s really nothing I can do.

‘The best option is to stop these two here.’

There’s only one passage that leads from the upper boss room zone to the mid boss room zone.

If I guard that passage, there’s no way the monsters will head to the mid boss zone.

‘If only the terminals were working properly…….’

If I could have called my teammates, I could have somehow stopped them.

I clicked my tongue, looking at the terminal that was still emitting black smoke and was in a state of being fused.

‘Hah. Then, the only remaining option is to join forces with another team that is currently conducting a raid in this area.’

There are no teams raiding the upper boss room, but there should be teams that are raiding up to the rear of the mid boss room.

If I join forces with that team and respond, it might somehow work out.

Kuuuuuung! Kagagagagak!

The sound of hitting and cutting the iron door continued to be heard.

‘The iron doors of the upper boss room are sturdy. No matter how strong they are, it won’t be easy for them to break through and come out. Now is the chance.’

In the meantime, I’ll quickly go to the mid boss room and find people who can help me and form a party.

That’s the most certain way to get through this situation safely.

I immediately dashed towards the mid boss room.

* * *

The mid boss room zone of the open raid was a scene of chaos.

“Kyle! Behind you!”

“Kuh!”

The monsters that had escaped the mid boss room began to gather one by one, forming groups.

The number of monsters in those groups was as many as nine.

“……Lesser Failer.”

“That makes ten.”

No, now it’s ten.

Ten monsters of C-rank to B-rank level had formed a group.

“……This is dangerous. It’s not a force that we nine can handle.”

Four members of the British team, including Kyle.

Five members of the American team, including Dahlia.

It was virtually impossible for a total of nine people to stop that group of ten monsters.

“No, there are only two B-rank monsters. We can defeat them if we try. The problem is that even if we defeat them, it’s not the end.”

Dahlia unleashed a superheated inferno, checking the approaching spider-type monster.

“This is the rear of the upper boss room. It’s a place where there are still many un-raided boss rooms. The numbers will keep increasing.”

Whirr! Whirr!

Dahlia’s blue flames completely burned the spiderweb trap that the Cosmo Tarantula was laying.

“And the bigger problem is…….”

Then, just as she was about to burn the spider as well.

Grrr!

A red wolf intervened. It was a Hell Wolf with strong fire resistance.

“……As expected, these guys. They’re coordinating with each other.”

The Hell Wolf protected the Cosmo Tarantula.

In other words, the monsters are coordinating with each other.

“Is it because they were connected by restraints before? They have no hostility towards each other at all.”

“……Does that make sense?”

Kyle asked, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t know. But if that’s not the case, it doesn’t make sense that they’re coordinating.”

“I guess so…….”

Kyle weaved through the monsters using speed and wind from the front.

Dahlia actively backed up Kyle.

“Let’s think about it later! Right now, it’s not important how they’re coordinating!”

“I know!”

Kyle answered Dahlia’s shout with a shout of his own.

After that, the conversation between the two almost stopped.

They focused on the battle, only giving each other the necessary briefings.

A great battle ensued, worthy of the elite teams of the United States and the United Kingdom.

Even though it was their first time working together, their front line didn’t waver.

Above all, the coordination between Kyle at the forefront and Dahlia at the rear was truly fantastic.

“That’s eight! No, seven!”

Fortunately, as time passed, the number of monsters decreased.

For some reason, no more monsters were being added.

Thanks to that, there are currently seven monsters left. As the number decreases, the burden on the party is also significantly reduced.

At this rate, it won’t take long to catch the remaining seven.

“Everyone, just a little more! We just need to hold on a little longer!”

Kyle at the forefront shouted, swinging his sword at the Hell Wolf.

It was an encouragement to invigorate everyone who was getting tired, and at the same time, a roar to steel his own will.

Swishhhhh-!

At that moment, Kyle’s sword cut off the Hell Wolf’s head.

The Hell Wolf’s head spun around in the air and flew away.

The Hell Wolf’s body, having lost its head, collapsed to the floor.

“Dahlia!!”

At the same time, Kyle shouted.

“Thanks! Kyle!”

Whoosh, Whirr!

At that moment, Dahlia’s mana expanded even further.

“You damn bastards. The shield that was protecting you is gone now.”

A hot energy filled with anger.

The highest firepower cannon, which had been suppressed by the Hell Wolf, a counter to fire magic, and had only been able to assist, had completely finished warming up.

‘The Reincarnating Bird’s Rondo.’

The most powerful magic that Dahlia could use.

A bird resembling a phoenix flew through the air, dancing among the monsters.

That’s why it’s a rondo [a musical form characterized by a recurring theme].

The waltz presented by the fire bird completely burned the lives of five monsters.

“……Acting tough. Tsk.”

Dahlia desperately tried to catch her ragged breath and cursed.

At that moment, Dahlia’s body tilted. She had used too much mana, causing a moment of dizziness.

Thud.

Dahlia knelt down on one knee.

“Dahlia!”

Sarah, surprised, called out to Dahlia.

“I’m okay! I’m okay, so focus on dealing with the remaining two!”

“……Okay!”

Sarah immediately focused on backing up Kyle again.

The remaining two monsters are characterized by their speed, so finishing them off is quite tricky.

To finish them off properly, the rear guard needs to properly tie up their feet.

“Haa, haa…….”

Dahlia knelt on one knee, looking at the floor and taking a deep breath.

‘I thought I was confident in my stamina…….’

I didn’t know that fighting monsters in real combat would be this difficult.

Once this tournament is over, I will put more effort into improving my stamina. Dahlia thought to herself.

“Dahlia!”

At that moment, Kyle’s urgent voice was heard.

At the same time, Dahlia felt a chill down her spine.

A sense that a huge death was targeting her.

A sticky killing intent, as if death was right in front of her, bound Dahlia’s body.

Dahlia slowly raised her head.

‘Bluefiend Jaguar……?’

A wild assassin characterized by its speed from its excellent leg strength.

The Bluefiend Jaguar was filling Dahlia’s vision.

A gaping maw.

If it came just 5cm closer, Dahlia’s head would be inside its maw.

And it would be chewed up and eaten.

‘Ah.’

When did it get so close?

Or was it there from the beginning, hiding quietly?

With that thought, her vision became very slow.

Is this what they call a panoramic view?

‘Am I going to die?’

Inside the Bluefiend Jaguar’s mouth.

Perhaps it had already eaten someone, as sharp teeth and a tongue covered in sticky blood came into view.

‘……I’m going to die?’

Dahlia closed her eyes.

There’s no way to do anything in this situation.

‘It’s unfair.’

So pointlessly.

Dahlia smiled bitterly.

‘……I hope it doesn’t hurt.’

And she wished.

Even if she died, she wanted to die without pain. Because she hated pain.

It was then, when Dahlia had completely closed her eyes.

Whoosh-!

A wind blew.

A clear wind, different from the hot wind coming from the Bluefiend Jaguar’s mouth.

Even though it was a clear and refreshing wind, it was just annoying to Dahlia.

‘This sound, this feeling…… Kyle!’

The refreshing sensation of the wind unique to the Wind God gently wrapped around Dahlia’s body.

And immediately after that,

Swoosh!

The sound of something slicing through a body was heard.

Beyond Dahlia’s vision, through the Bluefiend Jaguar’s throat, the scenery outside could be seen.

It was probably Kyle who had cut off the Bluefiend Jaguar’s neck.

Whoosh!

At the same time, the severed head of the Bluefiend Jaguar was swept away by the wind.

Dahlia, who had escaped danger and had fully returned to her original vision, smiled brightly and hugged Kyle, who had come next to her.

“Thank you!”

No matter how much she disliked him, he was the one who had saved her life.

Dahlia’s reaction was bound to be friendly.

“I’ll definitely repay this favor. If you need anything, just say the word! I…….”

“Really?”

Dahlia’s body flinched.

This isn’t Kyle’s voice.

This voice is…….

“It’s perfect timing. There was something I wanted to ask.”

Dahlia slowly raised her head to check the face of the man she was hugging.

“I know you’re tired. But please help me.”

“……Shin, Shin Ha-yul?”

Shin Ha-yul.

“Why are you here…….”

“Within the next 30 seconds, two A-rank monsters that escaped the upper boss room will come here.”

“……What?”

“We have to stop them in this passage. Lend me a hand.”

He was looking at Dahlia with a serious expression.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time.

Near the escort vehicle transporting The Fist.

“……Isn’t this, no matter how you look at it, too big of a figure to come?”

“…….”

The Red Magic Tower Master and the Green Magic Tower Master.

And Shin In-hyuk were on guard against the attacker with expressions that couldn’t be more serious.

“Clear the way.”

A creepy voice that was hard to describe.

“If you do, I will spare you.”

A dark atmosphere that seemed to be the embodiment of black.

“The Black Magic King…….”

The master of the Black Magic Tower.

The pinnacle of black magicians.

“What. I’ve already prepared an excuse.”

He walked towards the three people.

“You should be able to feel it. The monsters that were influenced by my mana have all gone berserk. If left unchecked, the damage throughout the United States will be unimaginable.”

His face is not clearly visible, hidden in the darkness.

Nevertheless, it was clear that he was smiling.

“Think about what is a more reasonable action, protecting the citizens or protecting one black magician.”

The Black Magic King, who had taken a position 20 meters in front, released mana.

“I’ll give you 5 seconds. Choose in that time.”

Mana that seemed to despise the world.

“Citizens or a black magician.”

The energy was so fierce that even the three 8-circle archmages were frozen.

“Death or survival.”

Just as the entire place began to be consumed by the Black Magic King’s mana.

“All three of you. Please step back.”

A pure white mana intervened.

“I will stop that person. The three of you, please stop the rampaging monsters.”

Sophia Anetschepri.

The pinnacle of magicians, existing in opposition to the Black Magic King.

“It’s been a while. About 10 years, I guess?”

She glared at the Black Magic King with a fierce look.