Chapter 391: Dragon’s Lair

.

Team Leader Park Minggyu reclined on a chair after looking at the departure screen. He held his passport in one hand and closed his eyes in thought, while waiting for his flight back to Korea.

Just like what the branch managers said, the entire world was discussing how Korea would rank at the lowest. They based this conjecture on the fact that Ali had regressed back to Level 1, and how the Korean players were overall at a lower level compared to other rankers from all over the globe. Even the discussions at community sites discussed similar topics.

Of course, there were also those that wrote about their appreciation for the Food God and how he hunted Vormon. So, it was safe to say that Park Minggyu did not declare that he believed in them without any ‘rhyme or reason’.

Then, at that moment, Park Minggyu’s mobile phone rang. The caller was none other than Lee Minhwa.

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

[Team Leader. Just like you said, Let’s Eat Sect has started the raid on Vormon’s Lair.]

“Yes, that’s to be expected. Ah, what about Mage Ali?”

[He went with them.]

Team Leader Park grinned.

The truth was Mage Ali’s level has fallen to the point where his level could be considered to be far weaker than any other novice player. However, Team Leader Park was sure that Ali would be able to easily take off and soar through the skies once again as long as he went to that place. After all, Black Dragon Vormon’s Lair was a place filled with rewards that could easily surpass any of the player's expectations.

***

Black Dragon Vormon’s Lair was located in Apocalypto. The guild members of the Let’s Eat Sect were currently on their way to Black Dragon Vormon’s Lair.

Minhyuk, who was leading his guild, felt guilty and sorry for Ali. Feeling his gaze, Ali said, “You don’t have to feel sorry for me. I have actually become much stronger.”

“But…”

Minhyuk was aware that Ali’s level had dropped back to Level 1. People had mocked and sneered at Ali saying that he was now ‘playing poorly’ and that they ‘would PK him if they crossed paths’.

But just like what Ali had said, he had grown far stronger than he was before. Although he had dropped back to Level 1, he had awakened to a new God class. The class was none other than ‘Magic God, and it currently had one passive skill that was of great use to him.

(

God of Magic

)

Passive Skill

Level

: None

Mana Required

: None

Cooldown

: None

Effects

:?

? Your Magical Damage will double.

? Your Magic Cooldown will decrease by 50%.

? Your Magical Penetration will increase by 50%.

? All of your attacks against the undead will have a 1.5x increase in attack power.

The power that he was wielding now was truly beyond anyone’s imagination. His magical damage doubling, as well as the 50% decrease in cooldown and 50% increase in magical penetration literally went against all common sense.

As for Black Dragon Vormon’s Magic Book, it was a skill book that could allow him to learn even Eight Tier Magic. That was on top of the fact that Black Dragon Vormon’s magic was more powerful than ordinary mages’ magic.

And there was also the power of the ‘Mana Heart’. All this together made Ali, a novice level player, possess power that was far beyond his level. And it did not even end there.

(

Staff of Despair

)

Rank

: Absolute Demigod

Requirements

: Level 350 or higher.

Durability

: ∞ / ∞

Attack Power

: 358

Magical Attack Power

: 1,541

Special Abilities

:

? Your total MP reserve will double.

? Your Magic Cooldown will decrease by 20%.

? Your Magical Attack will increase by 20%.

? Passive Skill: Triple Target

? Active Skill: Staff’s Owner

? Active Skill: Vorrmon’s Breath

Description

: This is the most powerful staff among all of the staves that Black Dragon Vormon owned. The materials used to make this staff are materials that could not be easily obtained by anyone.

The Staff of Despair held enormous power. It was even an artifact that was on the same level as Minhyuk’s Devil Judge’s Sword, at the Absolute Demigod rank. The artifact’s rank was truly shocking. However, the problem was that it required Ali to be at Level 350 or higher.

The passive skill attached to the staff, Triple Target, was another amazing skill. It had a 1.5% chance of tripling the damage of the attack magic that the staff wielder could send out. The Staff’s Owner skill was a skill that gave the mage buffs. On the other hand, Vormon’s Breath was a skill that would allow the wielder to cast a magic that was a tier above the level of the wielder’s class. However, this skill could only be used once.

In fact, with this much power available, it did not matter who even if they regressed back to Level 1, they would still be able to easily increase their levels. Ali was originally at Level 561, but with his current state, if he reached that level again, he would undoubtedly be several times stronger than he was before.

But there was also another fact that they could not deny.

“It’s alright. We can always try and aim for the next world war,” Ali said with a smile. The truth was Ali’s participation in Athenae: World War was already confirmed.

Originally, he did not participate in Athenae: Korean War, so he did not receive the title ‘MVP’ and was not eligible to participate. However, the rules for Athenae: World War were still not yet made public during the Athenae: Korean War. Simply put, the branch managers, as well as Joy Co. Ltd., were looking for ways to continuously attract the viewers attention.

Just two months ago, Joy Co. Ltd. announced that each country could elect two players that could participate and qualify for the competition without the MVP title. Athenae: World War was a very important event for each country, and not just anyone could participate. After receiving a call from Joy Co. Ltd. Ali’s participation was already confirmed. With Ali’s participation, it was a foregone conclusion that they would receive at least one ‘gold medal’ in the Magic Field.

But what would happen if he participated in his current state? He would just perform poorly. It did not matter if his attack power was high, he was still just a player below Level 100. Seeing Minhyuk’s stiff expression, Ali could not help but say, “Minhyuk.”

“What is it?”

“I would still make the same decision even if that happened again,” Ali grinned as he rolled the sleeves of his robe to show the

X?

mark on his wrist.

“We’re friends.”

Minhyuk felt warmth blooming in his chest. He felt truly happy that he had met Ali and the members of the Let’s Eat Sect. When he turned around, he saw the members of the Let’s Eat Sect with their left arms high up in the sky as they flaunted their own

X

marks.

They did not know this, but Ali’s sacrifice had allowed him to soar higher and break out of his old shell.

***

The guild members of Let’s Eat Sect followed the map to Black Dragon Vormon’s Lair. The place that was originally the Continent Cloud had transformed and changed into an unexplored land after it became the new continent, Apocalypto. That meant new hunting grounds, new artifacts, new cooking ingredients, new races. It was a new update. Everything was unfamiliar and terrifying.

However, Vormon’s Lair was definitely filled with rare and never before seen rewards. After all, the notifications before told them so.

The members of the Let’s Eat Sect traversed the path between two canyons, until a cave appeared in front of them. They immediately rushed to the depths of the cave, before a light greeted them.

“Wooow…”

“Wow…”

Everyone present gasped in awe.

“Kiyeeeeeee~”

“Kyaaaaaaack~”

There were gigantic beings that looked completely different from ordinary wyverns flying in the sky. On one side, a gushing waterfall poured down on a gigantic river that stretched out below. There was also a huge nest hanging on the precipice of the cliff. However, the location of the nest was around 20 kilometers away from them. It was like another world. Considering Black Dragon Vormon’s gigantic size, it was only natural that his lair would look like another world. Then, at that moment…

[To the ones that stepped foot in Black Dragon Vormon’s Lair, those that hunted and those that accompanied in Black Dragon Vormon’s hunt will receive rewards.]

[Your EXP Acquisition Rate and Item Drop Rate will quadruple in Vormon’s Lair.]

[Special rewards will be distributed to the ones that have contributed greatly during Black Dragon Vormon’s hunt.]

[You will personally experience the special reward.]

[Unexpected quests will appear all throughout Vormon’s Lair. Please clear these quests to receive the rewards.]

[Every time you clear a quest, you will get a fragment of the Lair’s Map.]

“…!”

“…!”

All of them were shocked. The quadruple increase in EXP Acquisition and Item Drop rates were double that of a hidden dungeon’s increase. With the upcoming Athenae: World War and server integration, this was a blessing for the Let’s Eat Sect.

But the blessings did not end there. Two people were chosen among those with the highest contribution during Vormon’s hunt. These two people were none other than Minhyuk and Mage Ali.

[You are one of the two that have made the greatest contribution during Vormon’s hunt.]

[You can go to the Lair’s Bonus Stage.]

[If you don’t accept it immediately, you will not be able to access the Bonus Stage.]

“…?”

“…?”

Minhyuk and Ali made eye contact. The guild members nodded in understanding after hearing a quick explanation of their situation.

“We’ll take a look around here by ourselves first.”

The two agreed as a bright light swirled and engulfed their bodies.

***

Ali and Minhyuk appeared at the same time inside a dark cave.

[You have to personally check the rewards for the Bonus Stage.]

[You can choose to give up on the Bonus Stage at any time. In case you give up the Bonus Stage, you will not receive any logging out penalty.]

‘We can choose to give up?’

The two looked at each other. It seemed like the two of them had the same hunch.

‘An existence that’s far stronger than what we expected will appear.’

At the very least, they were the ones that hunted Black Dragon Vormon. The fact that they could give up at any time meant that the monsters that would appear would be incredibly strong. Then, at that moment…

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Clunk, clunk—

A huge monster appeared. The monster was none other than a golem that was covered in black scales.

[Vormon’s Golem]

[Level 596]

“…!”

“…!”

The giant golem’s level was so high at Level 596. Its level was far beyond Minhyuk or Ali’s level.

“Damn…”

Ali bit his lips in frustration. He followed in the Dragon Lair, thinking that he would be able to level up more easily. But what could he do if they were suddenly up against such a high-leveled monster? Instead of being helpful, he would just drag Minhyuk down.

Vormon’s Golem slowly approached them. Minhyuk looked at the golem vigilantly, as he prepared for battle.

‘Golems have high defense. The worst part is its level is at Level 596…’

Perhaps he could only deal damage if he used his strongest skills. The golem slowly, ever so slowly, approached them. However, just when they were about to start their hunt, something unexpected happened.

Badump—

Ali’s heart thumped and then…

Thud!

The gigantic six-meter high golem suddenly collapsed on its knees. Then, a set of notifications rang for Ali.

[Vormon’s Mana Heart is protecting you.]

[Vormon’s Golem will not be able to fight back in the presence of the Mana Heart.]

[The power of Vormon’s Golem will significantly decrease depending on the power of the Mana Heart.]

[Vormon, the original owner of the Mana Heart, does not wish for a weak existence to inherit his Mana Heart.]

[Vormon’s Mana Heart will protect you until you reach a certain level.]

“Keuaaaaaaack!”

That was right. Vormon’s Golem was kneeling and lowering its head in front of Ali. At that time, the two of them could tell that this was the perfect time for them to hunt this monster. Ali immediately sent out an energy bolt.

Crackle, crackle, crackle—

But surprisingly enough…

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—

[Vormon’s Mana Heart has completely subdued Vormon’s Golem.]

Baaaaaaang—

Vormon’s Golem collapsed in a single shot. But the surprise did not end there, as the notifications came in.

[Bonus Stage. EXP Acquisition Rate is twenty times more than the usual.]

[Sub Class. His Companion’s effect has been triggered. You and your companion will have a 1.5x additional increase in EXP acquired.]

[You have gained 32,314,721 EXP.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[…leveled up.]

“…”

Minhyuk heard the same set of notifications. He looked at Ali in both disbelief and astonishment before asking, “How many level ups…?”

Ali smiled awkwardly before replying, “Thirty seven level ups…”

“…”

Minhyuk was left speechless.