บท 77: CHAPTER 73 A Glitch in the Matrix
"If we quit now, then all the dead would have died for nothing."
Leone
.....
Compared to the ice bears or even the Ice Elves next to him, the long hair was giving off an oppressive amount of pressure. If this wasn't the boss of the Dungeon, who else could it be? It had been a long time, the boss also observed me.
["So it was true. The trash ended up being useful after all."]
["What did you say?"]
["...?"]
I had replied without realizing, and the boss was shocked.
["You. You speak our language?"]
I was equally shocked, as I thought they were speaking in one of the languages I know.
I was able to understand the magic beast's language. Not only that, I was, in fact, able to speak it. Words that I had never learned were flowing out of me like it was my native tongue.
"You... You can speak the language of the magic beasts?"
Park Heejin was running out of things to be surprised by from me. Her question gave me confirmation that I was indeed speaking and understanding the magic beast's language.
'Is this also an effect of the System? Does it mean I am multilingual and could understand languages of other worlds? It seems far-fetched, but who can deny the possibility?'
Something like a universal translator. I looked back at the boss. The boss was looking at me with an amused face.
["So we can communicate... How interesting. There is someone I want to introduce to you."]
The boss gestured behind him to an Ice Elf.
["I believe you are already acquainted."]
I was familiar with this one.
'That is the one...'
It was the ice elf that shot an arrow towards Han Songyi when their group had first entered the Gate. I could not forget that arrogant face. Just like back then, a sneer decorated its lips.
["He has told me that there was someone strong among the humans. He wished to duel that someone, so-"]
Swiss
Swiss
Swiss
Pierce!
Pierce!
Pierce!
The smiling face of the Ice Slayer was now decorated with Knight Killer, Golden Claw, and Casaka poison fang sticking out of his head, heart, and throat.
Daggers were thrown at a speed that no one saw coming before it was too late.
"Ah!"
The scream came from the Hunters' side. Yoon Gijoong quickly covered his mouth after unintentionally screaming.
Thud.
The Ice Elf fell. I stretched a hand toward its corpse. The daggers that were stuck to its head, heart, and throat lightly trembled, then shot forth into my hand. I grabbed the daggers as two of them disappeared. I held Knight Killer in a reverse grip.
["Anything else?"]
The boss spoke with awe.
["...You truly are very strong."]
And got down from the horse. However, the boss did not appear to want to fight yet; it did not raise a weapon or give off a sense of hostility.
["However, you should know."]
With a carefree expression, it continued their conversation.
["That even you cannot win against this number."]
I looked over at the ice elves. There were at least 50 of them. But there was nothing that concerned me. Even if it was the strength of the boss, the trash mobs around the boss were no match for me. As a testament, I had just killed an Ice Elf with but a throw of my daggers. And I deliberately threw daggers in the place where most species have weak points.
The boss continued,
["I have a proposal."]
["A proposal?"]
["Yes. I think you'll find it to your benefit as well."]
["..."]
I knew that humanoid magic beasts had some semblance of intelligence.
["...Let's hear it."]
The boss smiled, expecting that response.
["Before that, I have a question."]
["...?"]
["You are not human. Why are you among the humans?"]
["I don't know?"]
["Ha ha. Are you not aware?"]
The boss chuckled, then pointed to its temple.
["In our head, there is a voice whispering to us without rest. It tells us to 'kill all humans.' But in front of you, the voice becomes silent."]
Ah, is that so? If that was the case, I knew the story.
'The word "human" is probably referring to Hunters. And also normal humans in case of a dungeon break.'
On the other hand, after coming out of the underground temple with the System, my identity had changed to a "Player." In a strict sense, I was probably registered differently than Hunters, aka Awakened Beings.
'That's why he's mistakenly thinking I'm not human. Maybe it could be more than that after all; my existence is a mystery.'
I thought I was right on the mark. Mistaking the look on my face for agreement, the boss nodded.
["There is no need for us to fight. We want to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed on our end."]
The boss got to the point.
["Give us the humans behind you. Then we will let you leave here alive. How about it? Do you accept our proposal?"]
Instead of an answer, I asked a question.
["Let me also ask one thing."]
["Very well."]
["Who are you people? Where did you come from?"]
["We are—"]
Suddenly, the smiling face of the boss froze for a split second. Then, he continued naturally as if nothing had happened.
["There is no need for us to fight. We want to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed on our end."]
'What was that?'
I narrowed my eyes. The boss reacted like an NPC in a video game, forced into repeating his words after trying to act outside of his program.
["Give us the humans behind you. Then we will let you leave here alive. How about it? Do you accept our proposal?"]
The boss's face showed no indication that something had happened. It continued to maintain its carefree smile. The Ice Elves behind him also did not show any reaction.
A Glitch in the Matrix
'...'
"..."
I knew something like this would happen, but seeing it in front of my eyes was no less shocking, leaving breathing creatures just becoming NPCs.
A real Glitch in the Matrix
When I observed the situation in silence, the boss pressed his question.
["Do you accept?"]
I wanted to obtain some information about the magic beasts and their goals but realized it would be futile.
'In that case...'
There was only one thing left. My reply was already determined a long time ago.
["I refuse."]
The corners of my mouth rose.
'You see, you've got such a delicious-looking shadow for me to just let you walk away.'
I would kill the boss and take its shadow for real. Unlike the OG story, I am already massively over-leveled with too much buff in stat. From the moment I laid my eyes on the long hair, this was my plan.
["You want to fight me and my soldiers? Do you think that you could withstand our numbers?"]
I smiled widely.
Soldiers?
'You think you're the only one? I got more than you too, Shadow Corp.'
"Come forth."
Following my will, the Shadows waiting in my shadow appeared behind me.
"Moooo!"
"U-uwaaak!"
Once again, the scream came from the Hunters' side. Yoon Gijoong and other hunters screamed after seeing the shadow of some of the most deadly magic beasts, the Shadow Beast, and fell on their rears.
Some of them towered over buildings and crushed the snow.
"Ah- ah..."
I glanced over at the pale faces of my teammates and felt proud. But this was a dangerous moment; there was no time to explain.
'Not that I would explain even if there was no battle.'
There were 96 Shadow Soldiers and Beasts. I stood at their head and leered at the boss.
["So. Who's withstanding whose numbers?"]
The boss finally emitted hostility.
["...You wield but a mere parlor trick. Very well, I will fulfill your death wish."]
The boss took out the two tantos at its side. I mirrored its action and held Knight Killer in my right hand and Casaka's Poisoned Fang in my left.
'A parlor trick...'
Well, I would disagree. The shadow army might have the advantage in numbers, but I knew that their overall might was lacking compared to the boss beside Gorr. I understood where the boss's confidence was coming from. But he doesn't know I have diversity with my beasts, and if I had all the named ones here, he wouldn't have that smug look on his face. But if I need more force...
'Wait, if it's powerful reinforcement I need...'
There was someone fitting. I quickly glanced over to my side. Kim Cheol was still passed out over there.
["Attack!"]
At the boss's command, the Ice Slayers aimed their bows.
"Bears and Centipedes! In the rear, soldiers in the back, beasts in the middle. Gorr, subdue five of them and kill the remaining ones. Igris, watch my back. I will handle the boss."
I placed the Shadow Beasts in front.
Hit! Hit! Hit! Hit!
Kuwaak!
The Shadow Beasts, baptized by arrows, cried out. Before the Ice Slayers could draw their next round, the Shadow Infantry charged forth with Gorr in front, followed by shadow beasts. The Mages also began their casting. My eyes flared.
'My target is you!'
Before heading out, I quickly kicked over Kim Cheol's huge axe. After all, it's a big part of getting more powerful soldiers. To the passed-out Hunter, my gaze was fixed on the boss, and the boss's on me. The four daggers clashed in a magnificent display of sparks.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Around us, the skirmish between the Shadow and the Ice Elves raged.
Go Myunghwan turned to Park Heejin.
"Should... Should we also help out?"
The woman shook her head.
"This is not a fight that we should be joining."
It was a chaotic battlefield where giant black monsters of horror were swinging their claws, axes, swords, skills, fists, tentacles, destroyed black shadows were instantly regenerating, and high-level magic beasts were mercilessly attacking with swords and arrows.
'What could we, a B-ranker and two C-rankers, even do in this situation?'
All they could do was pray. Park Heejin stared at the form of Jinwoo clashing with the long-haired White Walker.
"Aah!"
A yelp escaped from his mouth. This was indeed a high-level Dungeon's boss! A casual observer might think that they were evenly matched, but I wasn't using my full strength as he was a very experienced opponent, and this was the chance to learn more. But with me using only half of my strength, I was still slowly pushing him back. Various cuts appeared here and there on my body.
But they were repairing faster than he could inflict damage on me. This fight could end with one punch, but as the cape baldy says, it's no fun when you can just defeat your opponent with a punch. Plus, this was my preparation to fight Dragon King.
I wanted to see how he would hold out for another three minutes. Even as I fought the boss, the regeneration of my army continued to drain my mana, which was so minuscule that I was generating mana faster than that.
...
*POV Switch*
The Mages had finished casting their spell as they all combined their spells. A fireball much bigger than an exercise ball fell into the middle of the Ice Slayers.
BANG!
Boom!
It was the power of the leveled-up mages. The deafening sound of the explosion woke up Kim Cheol.
"Mmm..."
He raised his head.
Clang! Clang! Bam! Boom!
In his blurred vision, he saw the terrifying Ice Slayers fighting unknown black monsters. He looked up and saw how easily the black minotaur cut through anything that came its way, while arrows fired at him just fell to the ground after colliding with its skin, displaying its strength and durability.
The beast didn't seem to be interested in fighting as he was holding five Ice Elves in his hands, slowly tightening his grip while looking at the fight of his lord with great interest.
'What... the hell... is this? Is this Hell?'
He had no idea what was going on, but he knew why he was on the ground. The hand that struck him on the back of his head! That nearly broke his skull. He knew he had internal bleeding in his head.
And it was a wound deliberately inflicted on him. That voice he heard while falling down!
'It was Sung Jinwoo!'
Once he regained consciousness, the humiliation and rage he felt made his hands tremble. His hands found their way to his huge axe, which was conveniently right next to him. Now that they were surrounded by the Ice Slayers, they were all as good as dead, and he was already dying. At the very least,
'Sung Jinwoo. I will kill that fucker before I die.'
His heated gaze found Jinwoo's back.
...Found him!
The fucker was fighting an Ice Elf and seemed to be enjoying it, but his back was wide open. This was his chance. Kim Cheol shot up from the ground and ran forth.
"Waaaaaah-!'
Sensing the powerful reinforcement running to him, Jinwoo celebrated in his mind,
'Yes, come to me, my lovely Iron... No, it sounds too... if it's you.'
Jinwoo believed in Kim Cheol.
Kim Cheol reached Jinwoo and swung his huge axe at the E-rank Hunter's neck with all his might.
"DIE!"
The boss in front of him, Kim Cheol, is behind him. Seemingly between a rock and a hard place, Jinwoo shouted,
'Igris!'
As if waiting, Igris rose from Jinwoo's shadow and deflected Kim Cheol's axe.
Clang!
"What?!"
Kim Cheol's eyes widened, revealing the bloodshot whites. Before he could say anything, Igris's sword dug itself deeply into the A-ranker's chest.
Stab!
The sword pierced straight through his heavy armor and the muscular man and came out of his back.
"Cough!"
Jinwoo quickly backed away from the boss.
...
*Jin-Woo POV*
'Yes. I believed in you, Kim Cheol. I believed that this is exactly how you would act.'
A foolish man who moved according to his feelings without thinking about the future. In a short time, I fully understood what kind of man Kim Cheol was. Kim Cheol glared at me,
"You... you…"
And those were Kim Cheol's final words.
While Igris kept the boss busy, I stood before Kim Cheol's body.
"Arise!"
Uwaaaaah!
The familiar deep scream rang forth from somewhere.
With it, a giant hand emerged from Kim Cheol's shadow.
[You've succeeded in Shadow Extraction.]
'Of course!'
I clenched my fists. I was forging a path to victory for every battle I would face. And if that's a puzzle, the last piece of that puzzle was my army. The black knight that rose from Kim Cheol's shadow was much bigger and thicker than its base. One hand wielded his giant axe. The other hand held a shield the size of an adult. The knight gave off an incredible sense of danger.
'Man, I know Kim Cheol was a musclehead, but this thing is...'
Even in this situation, I couldn't help but be amazed.
Please choose a name for the soldier.
'Oh right, a name.'
I took a quick glance at the side. Igris was being pushed back by the boss; his regeneration was the only thing keeping him in the fray. And on the other hand, Gorr was just standing in one place, holding five elves in his hands.
Slash!
One of Igris's arms was cut off.
Name.
'Oh wait, Kim Cheol. Cheol means iron, so Iron! Just like og.'
I decided on the name. The moment I made my decision, the newly born shadow earned its name.
Iron (Lv. 1)
Knight Grade
Knight grade! It was the same as Igris, but now was not the time to celebrate.
'No time to dilly-dally!'
I raised my chin at the boss.
"Iron!"
Iron moved his large body and stepped forward.
Step! Step! Step!
Its giant body was filled with power, but there was no way that this lumbering thing was going to face that nimble boss. However, Iron exceeded Jinwoo's expectations. The giant knight thrust out his chest and roared,
"WAAAAAAH-!"
A message appeared in front of me...
Ring~
The boss has been taunted.
"A taunt skill!"
Kim Cheol was an A-rank Tanker. As expected, he maintained a powerful aggro management skill, and Iron, his shadow, perfectly imitated that skill. The boss's head sharply turned to the giant knight. Leaving behind Igris, who could have easily finished, the boss ran towards Iron as if possessed by a ghost. Iron followed up with 'Strengthen' and endured the boss's attacks.
'Good job!'
I nodded in approval. Meanwhile, Igris's arm regenerated. Black smoke seeped from the wound and then reformed into the knight's arm. The boss was still focused on Iron. Iron and Igris began their combination attacks.
On the other side, I just stood there and watched how the fight was going down, just like all my shadow army as they were done slaying the Ice Elves.
...
Pov Switch
'...'
"..."
Park Heejin was at a complete loss for words. The scene unfolding before her was outside of reality. She lost the strength to be even curious at this point. At her side, Han Songyi asked a question with a tiny voice,
"Unni…"
It took Park Heejin a moment to respond,
"Huh? Hmm?"
"Are… are all Hunters' fights like this?"
The girl's voice, filled with fear, was shaking. Park Heejin's response was a little curt,
"...If that was the case, do you think I would've gotten my license?"
Go Myunghwan uttered with a blank look in his eyes,
"Are… are we in a dream?"
If this was a dream, it was definitely a nightmare. Park Heejin could only watch the magic beasts getting annihilated by "something" clad in pitch black with pitch black bodies. Some of the most dangerous monsters she had only heard of in books were here, with an open mouth. At the same time, a worry appeared in her mind,
'Once we get out, we'll definitely…'
As survivors, they'll be thoroughly interviewed and investigated. How would she explain all of this? Thinking about the things Sung Jinwoo had shown them in this place, she could not imagine how the brass will react. She voiced all of this to her fellow Hunters.
...
"I am writing a fighting sense that is longer then 10000 words." - Remark.
So world travel has started to the Akame Ga Kill.
I am currently writing it.
Now to confirm the plot points Esdeath is part of the Harem and other are Shadows.
Now if can suggest me some good shadows both humans and danger beasts it would be great help.
Thanks
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