Chapter 116: World Tree Revival Operation (2)

Like his other allies, Kim Ki-Rok wore a grim expression as he loosed arrows at the flying monsters, all while keeping a close eye on the movements of the demons and Black Wizards.

He had deliberately positioned himself in an exposed spot so he could oversee the battlefield and issue commands clearly. Thanks to the distance, a mana shield, and the way he covered his mouth with one hand, there was no risk of his orders being overheard.

The problem was that a few Black Wizards and even a demon had started watching him. Fortunately, their interest faded just as quickly. They seemed to decide that a mere Level 70 Hunter wasn't worth the trouble.

"Commander Richard," Kim Ki-Rok called. "You should immediately transfer command to your vice commander and head to the rear to join the Saintess. Be ready to move the moment the ritual ends."

—Wouldn't it be better for me to join the High Elves directly?

"They won't act on it if you go alone. But if the Saintess moves with you, the High Elves will likely sense something and act in concert with her."

—Understood. I'll transfer command to my vice commander, join the Saintess, and wait for the ritual to conclude.

After receiving Richard's response, Kim Ki-Rok didn't draw another arrow. Instead, he adjusted his radio. "Heroes. Switch to channel two."

The nearby Hunters exchanged glances with him and changed frequencies.

"This is just a proposal, so you're free to accept or decline." Kim Ki-Rok said with a certain weight in his tone. "If the World Tree we just managed to revive is burned by the demons, everything ends. The demons will act as soon as the ritual concludes, so some of the Hunters must join the High Elves and help stop them."

Indeed, the Gate's clear conditions were to revive the World Tree

and

repel the Black Wizards, demons, and monsters.

"Guildmaster Lee Yeon-Hwa. Guildmaster Jang Baek-San. Guildmaster Baek Min-Hyuk. I propose that you join the battle to hunt the demons. Will you accept?"

Kim Ki-Rok was calling on the three highest-level Hunters involved in the Gate clear.

—You want us to fight against a Level 120 monster?

"We're ready to help you," Kim Ki-Rok replied.

—Ready?

"Yes. We have reinforced A-Class gear available for rental, along with A-Class food and buff scrolls we 'coincidentally' prepared, plus buff potions. With these, your combat power will be equivalent to that of a Level 110 Hunter for about an hour."

—We're still ten levels short.

"Exactly. That's why it's just a proposal."

Even with the help of the High Elves and the Saintess, they would still be facing level 120 demons. The Hunters couldn't give an immediate answer in the face of a life-or-death decision.

"The ritual is complete! Switch back to channel one!"

The Hunters quickly changed back to the frequency shared with the elves and paladins.

—The World Tree has been revived!

Serena's voice came through, brimming with joy. Having removed her earpiece and turned off her radio to focus on the ritual, she hadn't yet heard that the demons had arrived with the Black Wizards.

"Ah, ah... High Elves, please wait next to the World Tree."

—Huh?

"The demons made their move as soon as the World Tree was revived."

The two demons had risen from their seats the moment the ritual ended, their smiles replaced by grim expressions as they took flight.

—Is this the worst-case scenario we feared?

High Elf Warrior Mair calmly assessed the situation.

"Yes. They hadn't anticipated we would use the Potion of Growth. Though they had arrived on the battlefield with Black Wizards, they had been waiting in the rear. Now, they've taken to the skies." Kim Ki-Rok looked up briefly to confirm the two demons flying overhead, then lowered his gaze again as they stared directly at the fortress. "I'll dispatch Saintess Renee, Commander Richard, and the strongest among our heroes. Currently, there are two dem—"

An explosion of black light cut him off. Five new Black Wizards and a third demon appeared on the field.

"No, three demons at the northern fortress now."

—Another one?

"Yes. I don't know if they sensed the revival of the World Tree, but one more appeared while we were talking. The first two have already moved, and the latecomer is currently speaking with the Black Wizards, likely assessing the situation."

The two demons that had been glaring at the fortress with steely expressions began to move. The elf warriors hastily loosed arrows and cast elemental magic, but the demons advanced unhindered, slipping past every attack.

Explosions rang out behind them. Without turning around, Kim Ki-Rok knew the demons were attacking the protective barrier. His eyes remained fixed on the newly arrived demon as he asked, "Do you think you'll be able to stop them?"

—Yes. We will stop them.

"Since the safety of the World Tree is on the line, be straight with me. Can you take on three demons at once?"

—If it's Saintess Renee, Commander Richard, and warriors like Lee Yeon-Hwa, Ji Cheol-Hyun, Baek Min-Hyuk, and Jang Baek-San coming to back us up, then we might actually have a shot.

"What's the likelihood of casualties?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

He knew it wasn't an easy question to answer.

"Ms. Serena?"

—There's a non-zero chance there will be casualties.

"Understood. Then I'll find a way to keep the late-arriving demon occupied."

—What?

"If the group you mentioned can handle the first two demons without losses, then that leaves just one, right?"

Though he believed it was possible, he couldn't shake his uncertainty. With so much at stake, he asked again, hoping for a clear, confident answer.

"Ms. Serena?"

—Yes, it's possible.

The moment he heard her response, Kim Ki-Rok let go of his bow, pulled a dagger from his subspace pocket, strapped it to his waist, and slotted it into a specialized device mounted on his forearm.

"I can only hold the demon for thirty minutes. Well... if I'm lucky, I might even take it down myself."

—What?

"Don't worry about it. I'll hold it back for thirty minutes."

—Then we'll take care of the two demons and join you within that time.

"Yes. I look forward to it. Please be careful. And heroes? Switch to channel two again."

The people who had been blankly staring at Kim Ki-Rok after he declared he'd face the demon alone switched frequencies again.

"You have to make your decision now."

—Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok.

"Yes, Guildmaster Lee Yeon-Hwa."

—Did you just say you could hold the demon back alone... or even take it down?

"If you check the Association's skill registry, I think you'll get a rough idea of how I plan to do it."

The channel went quiet. Then, in a calm voice, Team Leader Ji Cheol-Hyun chimed in.

—Skill, Mirror. A skill that allows you to copy your opponent's stats.

"Exactly. The effect lasts only thirty minutes, and with the level gap this wide, I'll have to use a buff scroll with some nasty side effects... But that's not what matters right now. So, will you help the High Elves and the Saintess hunt the demons, or do you want to stay focused on monster suppression?"

—Ha... seriously? They've already called us out by name, and now you're saying you'll take on a demon alone... Damn it!

How could we refuse? Could we even refuse?

Baek Min-Hyuk wanted to say.

Kim Ki-Rok let out a soft laugh at Baek Min-Hyuk's heavy sigh. "So, you're accepting."

—

Hoo...

It's going to be dangerous, right?

"It will. But with the Saintess on your side, you won't die unless it's a one-hit kill."

—What if our limbs get cut off?

"The Saintess is a child chosen by God. She carries divine power. Even if your limb is severed, she'll be able to restore it in moments."

—Fuck... I guess I have no choice. Even

you

are going up against a demon yourself.

Although Baek Min-Hyuk had muttered the last part under his breath, it was heard clearly, drawing laughter from a few nearby Hunters.

"What about the rest of you?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

—We'll do it. I mean... we don't really have a choice. Like you said at the start, if the World Tree is destroyed, we'll fail to clear this Gate.

Lee Yeon-Hwa's resolve came through clearly over the radio.

—Should we move out now?

—I'll join right away.

Jang Baek-San and Team Leader Ji Cheol-Hyun echoed their support.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded and gave the order to join up with the High Elves. Then he reached into his subspace pocket and pulled out a scroll.

[

Limit Break Scroll (C)

]

Description: Temporarily raises the rank of one skill by one tier

Effect 1: +1 skill rank for 60 minutes

Effect 2: -1 skill rank after the effect ends

Effect 3: -10 levels after the effect ends

A gust of sticky, ominous mana swept in from the front lines, making Kim Ki-Rok's chest feel heavy. He and everyone in the vicinity looked up, eyes fixed on the demon as it slowly rose.

And that's why I might have a chance of taking him down...

Kim Ki-Rok kept his gaze locked on the attention-seeking demon as he tore the scroll and activated a skill.

"Skill, Mirror."

[

Mirror (A*)

] (60 minutes)

Description: Harnesses the Chimera Doppelganger's innate ability

Effect: Copies 90% of the target's stats

Duration: 30 minutes

Cooldown: 48 hours

After making sure the scroll had properly increased the class of his skill, he checked his stats next. "Status window."

[

Kim Ki-Rok

] (Masent the Akamuse)

Level: 72

Strength: 121

Vitality: 118

Magic: 132

Willpower: 129

Skill: Record (E), Time Rabbit's Luggage (S), Mirror (A), Swordsmanship (D), Discernment (-), ...

Though he was still only Level 72, Kim Ki-Rok's stats had been greatly amplified thanks to the enhanced Mirror skill.

As the demon Masent surged forward without warning, Kim Ki-Rok leaped into the air to meet him. "Nice to meet you. I am Kim Ki-Rok the Pink Hero."

"What the..."

The demon hastily raised both arms.

An aura-cloaked dagger slammed into his guard, triggering a massive explosion. Caught off guard by the sudden strike, Masent was blasted into the ground. Meanwhile, Kim Ki-Rok briefly touched down on the castle rooftop before propelling himself forward again, landing at the edge of the crater.

Bursting from the pit and radiating with lethal intent, the demon asked, "What did you call yourself?"

"

The Pink Hero.

Remember this name, Lesser Demon Masent the Akamuse."

It froze for a moment. "How do you know my name?"

"Well," Kim Ki-Rok said, casually brushing off his hands. He tightened his grip on the daggers in each hand and smirked. "That's a secret."

Kim Ki-Rok disappeared, leaving only a faint afterimage. Masent's eyes widened as he twisted his body and barely managed to raise his arms before a thunderous impact hit.