Chapter 119: Chapter 119

From then on, it was a relentless onslaught.

[Leviathan’s Wrath is activated.]

[Vital Point Stab is activated.]

As Leviathan’s Wrath activated, Jeong-Hoon’s sword pierced through the core of the Ilion Dark Golem in an instant.

[Vital Point Stab level increases.]

[Swordsmanship Mastery level increases.]

[Continuous Slash level increases.]

[Single Strike level increases.]

As he repeatedly hunted Ilion Dark Golems, which were higher level than him, his swordsmanship skills quickly leveled up, all surpassing level 7.

[Martial Artist exclusive skill, ‘Steadfast Will’ is activated.]

[‘Steadfast Will’ merges ‘Continuous Slash,’ ‘Single Strike,’ and ‘Vital Point Stab.’]

[You have acquired ‘Extinction Sword (Epic)’.]

‘Got it.’

He had acquired Extinction Sword, one of the sword techniques he had used in his past life.

[Extinction Sword]

– Type: Active

– Level: 1

– Grade: Epic

– Unleashes a sword strike that annihilates everything.

– 1st Form: Initiation

– 2nd Form: Subjugation

– 3rd Form: Annihilation

It was the result of ‘Steadfast Will’ reacting and merging Continuous Slash, Single Strike, and Vital Point Stab when their levels surpassed 7.

Extinction Sword was a sword technique that Jeong-Hoon himself had uniquely created.

Or rather, he had created his own sword technique by learning from observing others who wielded swords in the past.

‘I raised it to Unique grade, so its completeness is guaranteed.’

If he had raised it to Legendary, could he have resisted the traitors a little more?

Jeong-Hoon shook his head.

It was a pointless thought.

“Roar!”

The Ilion Dark Golems quickly surrounded Jeong-Hoon.

[1st Form: Initiation]

– Type: Active

– The first sword that unleashes the Extinction Sword that annihilates everything.

– Deals 90% damage 7 times per second and marks the target with the 1st Form’s mark.

– The mark lasts for 60 seconds and cannot be reapplied for 180 seconds after disappearing.

The first form was Initiation.

It could be seen as an evolved form of Continuous Slash.

[1st Form: Initiation is activated.]

Jeong-Hoon’s Leviathan fiercely slashed at the golems.

[Leviathan’s Wrath activated]

[Ignores defense for 10 seconds.]

As he struck 7 times per second, Leviathan’s Wrath activated consecutively and rapidly.

Jeong-Hoon used his movement technique to dodge the golem’s fist and prepared for the next 2nd Form.

[2nd Form: Subjugation]

– Type: Active

– The second sword that unleashes the Extinction Sword that annihilates everything.

– Unleashes two sword strikes that deal 90% damage and marks the target with the 2nd Form’s mark.

– Deals 200% damage to targets marked with the 1st Form’s mark.

– The mark lasts for 60 seconds and cannot be reapplied for 180 seconds after disappearing.

Since Subjugation could be used in combo with Initiation, there was no delay at all.

[2nd Form: Subjugation is activated.]

Jeong-Hoon once again targeted the abdomen of the Ilion Dark Golem.

“Roar…”

With the mark applied, the 200% damage combined with the defense ignore effect caused the Ilion Dark Golem to crumble helplessly.

[Level up!]

[All stats increased by +1.]

[Bonus stat +1 awarded.]

Monsters in Theme Dungeons gave almost three times more experience than regular dungeons, and with the level difference, Jeong-Hoon’s level was rapidly increasing.

But now wasn’t the time to be happy about leveling up.

The golems kept coming endlessly, no matter how many he defeated.

[3rd Form: Annihilation]

– Type: Active

– The final sword that unleashes the Extinction Sword that annihilates everything.

– Quickly stabs with 150% damage. (When using Annihilation, the caster’s agility increases by 30%.)

– If marked with the 1st and 2nd Form’s marks, deals 350% damage and can hit multiple targets.

The final form, Annihilation.

[3rd Form: Annihilation is activated.]

As Jeong-Hoon unleashed Annihilation, his body disappeared, and he pierced through the golems in front of him one by one.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

He consecutively unleashed Initiation, Subjugation, and Annihilation, instantly clearing the wave of enemies in front of him and shattering the cores of the remaining golems.

[You have defeated all Ilion Dark Golems!]

[Entry restriction to the outer wall of Ilion Castle has been lifted.]

A notification popped up as he defeated the last remaining Ilion Dark Golem.

[Oh… What the? Why is he so good with a sword?]

‘He’s amazing…’

Mukho and Anima were impressed.

“Ah, I used to use swords a lot in the past.”

Although he was called an all-rounder, if Jeong-Hoon had to choose one weapon he was most confident with, he would choose the sword without hesitation.

If it weren’t for the Underworld King’s Fist Technique, Jeong-Hoon would have started with a sword from the beginning.

‘B-but the bow is still the best, right…?’

Anima’s voice, asking that question, lacked confidence.

“Can’t you tell by the fact that I mainly use a bow now?”

Jeong-Hoon chuckled and proceeded to the outer wall of Ilion Castle.

* * *

Outer wall of Ilion Castle.

Three adult men were stumbling and running away along the outer wall.

“Hang in there, everyone!”

“Ugh!”

They weren’t in good shape.

Their faces and skin were tinged purple, and blood trickled from their lips.

“If it weren’t for the poison…”

It was the poison that was tormenting them.

“I didn’t know he would release the Poison Beetle Creed at the entrance…”

Lv. 230 Poison Beetle Creed.

It possessed a much stronger poison than the Lv. 140 Poison Beetle and was much smaller, making it a very difficult monster to deal with.

Having been afflicted by the deadly poison of such a monster, their lives were in danger if they didn’t detoxify immediately.

There might be an antidote if they returned to the village, but could they even make it back?

‘Damn it… How did it come to this…?’

Cain, the chief warrior leading the Irun Tribe warriors, bit his lip.

The Irun Tribe was a small, peaceful tribe living in a village.

Surrounded by forests, the Irun warriors hunted monsters and strictly prohibited outsiders from entering, protecting their village.

Then, one night, a gray castle suddenly appeared next to their village.

‘What is that castle…?’

There was no need for a search.

The gray castle was clearly visible from the village.

Cain led a few warriors and set off to investigate the castle.

But around the castle, there were swarms of monsters they had never seen before.

‘Chief! Something’s strange about these monsters!’

‘Our attacks aren’t landing at all!’

‘Damn it! We have to avoid them!’

This was the first time this had happened.

They had to retreat without even entering the castle because of mere monsters.

‘Let’s go again!’

‘We can’t back down like this!’

‘We were caught off guard because they were new, but it won’t be the same next time!’

The warriors, determined to try again, vowed to return, but there was no next time.

At dawn that day.

Ilion suddenly invaded.

‘Leave the useless old people and children, and take everyone else.’

At his command, his subordinate monsters dragged away all the people of the Irun Tribe.

Resistance was futile.

The might of the monsters he commanded forced all the warriors to their knees.

Dragged into the castle, the warriors were imprisoned and subjected to all sorts of torture.

‘They become better sacrifices when they’re beaten like this.’

Ilion said, taking one of the warriors, tearing him limb from limb, and placing him on an altar.

Witnessing that madness, Cain shed tears of blood and glared at Ilion with murderous intent, but there was nothing he could do.

‘Cain, please… Go outside and ask for help.’

‘If we stay here, we’ll all die…’

‘Damn it, that’s the eighth one already. That crazy bastard!’

The warriors helped Cain and two other warriors escape.

Outside the forest was the Sellion territory.

If they asked for help there, they might be able to defeat Ilion.

It was ironic to seek help from outsiders, whom the Irun Tribe had shunned, but this was no time to be picky.

However, they were on the verge of death before they could even ask for help.

Moreover, the path ahead was filled with Ilion Dark Golems that Ilion had unleashed.

Escape was impossible.

“…It’s over.”

Cain muttered softly.

Just then.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal clashing echoed from somewhere.

Cain immediately recognized it as the sound of sword strikes and ran towards it.

‘It’s impossible… You can’t defeat them with just a sword.’

There was no way someone could defeat the Ilion Dark Golems with just that.

Crack.

But then…

Cain’s eyes widened.

Right before his eyes, an Ilion Dark Golem lost its form and crumbled.

‘No, how…?’

* * *

Ilion Dark Golems were also visible on the outskirts of the castle.

[3rd Form: Annihilation is activated.]

Jeong-Hoon used Annihilation to take down the golems one by one, clearing a path.

[Master! There are humans over there turning into grapes!]

As Mukho said, three members of the Irun Tribe came into view.

They were poisoned and turning purple, dying.

‘Poison Beetle Creed.’

Jeong-Hoon quickly recognized the Poison Beetle Creed’s poison from their condition.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Their skin turning purple like grapes and blood pouring from their noses and mouths were symptoms of being poisoned by the Poison Beetle Creed.

‘This is dangerous. I can’t detoxify that.’

Intermediate Healing couldn’t detoxify the Poison Beetle Creed’s poison.

Wheeeing-

At that moment, Jeong-Hoon’s keen senses detected the movement of a Poison Beetle Creed.

Jeong-Hoon took a stance.

‘Poison Beetle Creeds have high attack power and agility. They don’t have high defense.’

Now!

Jeong-Hoon pivoted his waist and slashed his sword diagonally.

Slice.

“Keeek!”

With a small scream, the Poison Beetle Creed’s fragmented corpse scattered on the ground.

[1st Form: Initiation is activated.]

He then activated 1st Form: Initiation and finished off the remaining two Poison Beetle Creeds.

Jeong-Hoon hurriedly approached the Irun Tribe members and checked their condition.

“Th-thank you…”

A man with disheveled hair expressed his gratitude.

===

[NPC Information]

– Nickname: Cain

– Level: 202

– Occupation: Chief Warrior of the Irun Tribe

===

He was the chief warrior leading the tribe’s warriors.

“Yes. Do you happen to have an antidote?”

“…It’s in the village.”

“Okay. Let’s head straight to the village then.”

Jeong-Hoon hurriedly summoned Michael.

“Yes, Master.”

“Michael, let’s carry these people.”

“…Have I been reduced to a mere luggage carrier?”

“So what?”

“I love it!”

* * *

[The trust of the entire Irun Tribe greatly increases.]

“Thank you so much!”

Back in the village, after using the antidote to detoxify the Poison Beetle Creed’s poison, Cain immediately knelt before Jeong-Hoon and expressed his gratitude.

“I simply did what I had to do.”

“What you had to do…”

Cain’s face went blank.

The foreigner in front of him was clearly lower level than him.

Yet he had risked his life to save them.

And he called it something he simply had to do.

‘A warrior… That’s what a true warrior is.’

He felt ashamed to be holding the same sword, witnessing the true spirit of a warrior.

Meanwhile, Jeong-Hoon was preoccupied with something above Cain’s head.

‘An exclamation mark?’

An exclamation mark was blinking above his head.

[Normal Quest: Rescue the Irun Tribe]

– Restriction: Rescue NPC Cain

– Reward: ??

– Description: Defeat Ilion and rescue the Irun Tribe.

The path-clearing quest ended at the outer wall.

The reason was simple.

“…Here’s the key to the castle gate.”

Cain had the key to open the gate.

‘Great, once I complete this, I can have the Rune that Jeong Chang-Ho took.’

Just imagining Jeong Chang-Ho’s deflated reaction made him happy.

“Yes. Is this the key that leads to the prison where the tribe members are held?”

“Yes. Please lend us your strength. We want to rescue our people who are still trapped inside.”

“Alright. I can’t refuse now that I’ve come this far.”

As long as there was a purpose, there was no reason to refuse the quest.

“Thank you so much…”

Seeing Jeong-Hoon accept the quest without a moment’s hesitation, Cain clenched his teeth with a touched expression.

‘I’m so ashamed of myself for blindly rejecting all outsiders.’

What kind of warrior was he?

He was just a frog in a well.

He was ashamed of his past arrogance and felt incredibly small in front of this foreigner.

“Then let’s get going.”

Led by Jeong-Hoon, Cain and two other warriors set off for Ilion Castle.

———