Chapter 146: Battle of the Bir Plains (3)

The inquisitors of the Church of Muldine had a unique appearance. They held a sword in one hand, a mace in the other. Additionally, they wore full plate armor with the robes of the Church of Muldine priests layered over it.

Dark energy continuously emanated from their entire body! They were truly figures that exuded a truly overwhelming presence.

“You say amusing things, filthy heretic.” The Inquisitor in front of Kai dismissed his words as a joke and swung their mace through the air. “But once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. You will pay for them. Muldine! I shall capture this heretic and present him to you at once.”

Boom!

The inquisitor’s mace struck the ice and barely missed Kai, hitting the ground with incredible force.

They’re fast.

And they were strong.

Crack!

The thick ice field they stood on began to crack under the power of the blow! If that mace struck the ground a few more times, it wouldn’t be surprising if the ice shattered entirely.

I have to finish this before that happens.

After all, Kai was the commander of this army. His role was to boost his allies’ morale and lead the war to victory. In other words, he didn’t need to fight on the front lines for long, as he usually did.

Be quick and decisive.

He would pour all his strength into ending the fight as quickly as possible.

With his target set, Kai quickly said, “Supernova.”

[All stats increased by 47.]

[You are fighting an enemy higher level than yourself.]

[Courageous Knight effect activated.]

[All stats temporarily increased by 10.]

It was a truly powerful skill that boosted 57 to all stats in an instant!

The explosive effect of Supernova was thanks to the effect of Holy Ring Petra.

It increases the power of all skills that consume Holy Power by 30%.

Stacked with Saint of Glendale and Saint of Whitehall, the effect skyrocketed to 55%. Moreover, this incredible boost didn’t just apply to Supernova. In short, thanks to a single Eternal Legendary ring, Kai’s strength had reached another level.

“Solaris Blessing, Solaris Amor, Haste, Bless, Holy Enchantment...”

[Physical/Magical defense increased.]

[All attack power increased.]

[All speeds increased.]

[All stats increased.]

[Holy energy imbues your weapon.]

.

.

.

Buff after buff after buff!

Kai’s abilities rose dramatically with each surge of holy power from the Church of Solaris.

Of course, the inquisitor wasn’t about to sit back and watch.

“

Aah

, I can’t stand to watch such a disgusting sight any longer!”

The inquisitor dashed across the ice field, sliding forward as they swung their sword at Kai.

And it was precisely at the moment Kai’s buffs had finished casting.

Whoosh!

The fast and sharp sword cut through the air. It was such a terrifying attack that if it struck an average level 250 player, they would lose 80% of their HP in an instant.

But Kai took a light step forward, his expression unchanged.

Whoosh!

At the same time, his figure vanished from the battlefield.

Even amidst the chaos, the eyes of those who witnessed the scene widened in shock.

Unknown disappeared?

What kind of skill is that? Does the Church of Solaris have a skill similar to Blink?

No, he didn’t disappear...

Unknown reappeared behind the inquisitor in an instant.

He just moved really fast!

He moved so fast that they missed it!

Just how high must his Strength stat and Speed buffs be to move that fast...?

As Kai began to draw the astonishment of the other players, his sword began to spin with a thunderous roar.

“Flood of Blades!”

“

Kugh!

I-Impossible!” the inquisitor screamed as they were struck by a sudden attack from behind.

The fact that their level 350 self couldn’t keep up with that speed was shocking! However, what was even more terrifying was that it wasn’t just the speed that was overwhelming.

Flood of Blades took 18% of their HP in one hit. Not bad.

Unknown’s attack power defied all logic.

Of course, the one suffering the most was the inquisitor themself.

“

Kugh

... Unholy power... is invading my body... Muldine!”

The Church of Solaris's holy power was the only known counter to the Church of Muldine. And Kai’s attack, drenched in that energy, was far from weak. On top of that, he was under the effect of over a dozen buffs.

My Holy Power is draining like crazy every second...

But the power overflowing within him was so immense that he welcomed the penalty with pleasure, and that fact made Kai even bolder.

I can read his attacks like an open book.

The inquisitor’s mace that spun in their hand looked as if it were moving in slow motion to Kai.

“Die!”

The mace flew toward Kai, aimed directly at his heart. He took a step to the side, and grabbed hold of the chain attached to the mace. Then he looked at the shocked inquisitor and took notice of the eyes watching him from all around.

What I need to show here isn’t a fierce battle.

A fierce battle would’ve been ideaI if this were for a video to post online, as viewers would get more invested in the fight and feel a rush of catharsis when he won. But on the battlefield, such intensity held no meaning.

A good battlefield is one where we achieve victory.

The fact that their commander decisively overpowered a formidable enemy—that was the kind of impact that could instantly turn the tide and revive their morale.

That was why Kai chose to face the inquisitor head-on.

I’ll crush them from the front!

With his left hand, Kai yanked on the inquisitor’s mace.

“

Argh!

”

The inquisitor was pulled along helplessly!

Just as Kai carried the morale of his allies on his shoulders, the inquisitor bore the same burden for their own side. They couldn’t afford to show the humiliating sight of having their weapon snatched away.

But you should’ve chosen to be practical instead of protecting your pride.

Kai’s right shoulder stretched back. His body moved with the flexibility of a rubber band or a bowstring rather than that of a human.

As his shoulder reached its limit, it timed perfectly with the inquisitor’s approach, launching his fist like a cannonball.

Boom!

Crack!

The inquisitor’s helmet crumpled and flew into the air. At the same time, blood poured from their nose, exposing their face to the world.

“

K-kugh

...!”

However, Kai’s attack didn’t end there. He grabbed the dazed inquisitor by the collar with his left hand and the barrage continued.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

This was no longer a fierce battle to determine the morale of both armies. It was pure violence.

Kai used his fists instead of his sword to raise his allies’ morale and crush the enemy’s spirit.

This way is more primitive, violent, and straightforward.

Crunch!

Kai’s final blow struck the inquisitor’s face and they vanished into polygons, their HP completed.

As Kai watched this, he raised his sword high. “The inquisitors are nothing but high-level fools! We can win this battle!”

“Yeaaah!”

“Unknown is with us!”

“Unknown just took down the strongest inquisitor by himself! Let’s regroup and take them down too!”

“Kill them all!”

The guild masters didn’t miss the opportunity Kai created. Though they may have been bitter inside, they echoed his feat to boost their army’s morale.

With this, my role is done.

Kai glanced anxiously toward the east. He had bought enough time, but the merfolk still hadn’t shown up...

Did my plan fail?

That was the worst possible scenario! For now, the army's morale was high, and they were pushing the enemy back. However, as time passed, the overwhelming numbers of the enemy would become an undeniable advantage. That was why Kai wanted to end the war before the day was over.

For that, I desperately need the merfolk’s help.

Without Mimic mimicking a dragon, it was impossible to bring eight hundred merfolk at once.

And that was why Kai had planned...

Rumble!

Then suddenly, the ice field began to shake right in the middle of the battle.

“What is that?”

“Is it an earthquake?”

While the players looked around in confusion, Kai’s face started to fill with hope.

They’re here!

The vibration was proof that Mimic was close!

Kai immediately raised his voice and shouted, “Everyone, retreat! Get off the ice field and fall back to the edge of the Bir Plains!”

“W-what?”

“What are you talking about? If we don’t take this advantage, the worse it’ll be for us the longer we wait!”

"The current situation overwhelmingly favors us! There's no reason to retreat right now..."

While everyone questioned Kai's order, Seol Eun-Yeong locked eyes with Kai, after driving her sword into the heart of a dark elf.

I decided I’d repay my debt on this battlefield for sure.

The next moment, Seol Eun-Yeong sheathed her sword and shouted, “Cheonhwa is retreating according to the commander’s orders!”

“Secure the retreat route!”

“Retreat route secured! We are withdrawing!”

With the front line held by Cheonhwa broken, the other guild masters had no other choice.

“Shit! I can’t understand at all! Titan, fall back!”

“Warriors, pull back the front line.”

“Pray members, everyone retreat!”

“It was going so well! Why are they doing this? Limitless, fall back too!”

The army that had charged forward like a flood after Kai's overwhelming defeat of the inquisitor, now withdrew like a falling tide with a single command.

The Church of Muldine’s forces were confused and hesitant and they were suddenly left without opponents! Their inquisitors that should be giving orders had already been hunted down, and the main forces were tied up by the Ironblood Knights, unable to issue any commands. In the end, their choice was to chase after the retreating enemies!

Got them.

With a sly smile, Kai confirmed that his forces had made it to the foot of the Bir Plains and raised his right hand high.

“Mimic! Now!”

With his shout, a deafening sound like fireworks echoed across the battlefield, exploding for everyone to hear.

Boom!

One side of the Suver Canal’s wall burst open and released a new stream of water.

The one responsible for this was none other than Mimic!

And not just any ordinary Mimic, either.

Kai looked at Mimic’s impressive form with a satisfied expression.

[

Mimic - Starving King Sand Worm

]

Grade: Common Monster

Level: 195

HP: 104,500

Strength: 400 Stamina: 1045

Intelligence: 110 Agility: 150

-Mimic is imitating the King Sand Worm.

-Mimic's stats have been boosted based on its summoner’s level.

-Mimic has fully mastered the King Sand Worm.

-Mimic can imitate all of the King Sand Worm’s skills.

-Mimic is imitating a Starving King Sand Worm. No matter how much it consumes, it remains hungry.

The King Sand Worm was the monster that had made Kai clap his hands in excitement the moment he encountered it in the Zigmunt Desert.

This is perfect!

The original plan was to mimic a giant monster from the Zigmunt Desert and use it to transport the eight hundred merfolk to the Suver Canal. However, the moment Kai encountered the King Sand Worm, that plan was scrapped.

The King Sand Worm is similar to the Wyrm Lizard I faced in the past.

The only difference was that it was higher in level, larger in size, and had tougher teeth! Even the level 65 Wyrm Lizard could devour mountains to create its own Sweet Home, so what about the King Sand Worm?

It would be nothing for it to chew through the rocks between the canal and the sea to open a path.

And indeed, Mimic accomplished that task flawlessly.

All the developers’ efforts are being undone in an instant.

In a game, monsters resided in specific areas for a simple reason—to eliminate variables. If lava creatures from volcanic regions wandered into forests at will, or if fire elementals crawled into the ocean and died, developers would have a major problem on their hands. That was why they fixed monsters to certain habitats.

In other words, the King Sand Worm should be forever trapped in the Zigmunt Desert.

But Mimic was different. Mimic merely imitated its target, but its essence was still that of Kai’s beloved pet. A creature not bound by the restrictions of movement.

"R-retreat... Retreat!"

As Mimic broke through the canal, the Church of Muldine's army sensed danger and hurried to retreat across the ice field.

But it’s already too late.

The water flooding from the tunnel that Mimic had carved out wasn’t from the Suver Canal. From the rushing torrent emerged figures resembling humans that spilled out endlessly.

“What are those... Humans...?”

“No, their lower bodies are fins!”

“Which means...”

“Merfolk?!”

The players were shocked, their mouths hanging open.

Then, a hearty laughter echoed across the battlefield. “

Ahahahaha!

My people! Help the hero and wipe out the dirty forces of the Church of Muldine!”

It was Karius, the king of the merfolk. With a simple wave of his hand, the waters of the Suver Canal began to churn violently. The surging waters became a tidal wave and crashed over the Church of Muldine’s forces as they crossed the ice field.

Crack!

Boom!

The ice field shattered like a toy!

Then, the merfolk drew their weapons and began hunting the Church of Muldine forces who were now drowning in the water.