Chapter 178: Two Gates (5)

[You defeated the boss monster, Troll Hero.]

[You have earned 2870 merit points.]

[The power of the monsters that emerged from the gate has weakened.]

"

Whew.

"

It only took twelve minutes for a level 278 Troll Hero to be defeated by a single player.

"Upgrade and Holy Chains combo works pretty well.”

The chains were so strong that even a boss monster couldn’t easily break free.

Kai smiled, pleased with the unexpected success.

And Holy Explosion... I underestimated that basic skill...

His smile slowly faded into an awkward expression. The fact that one skill had destroyed several buildings in the western part of Castle Baden like a bulldozer was astonishing. For other classes, this level of power could only be achieved by a Wizard who had completed a second job class change and was using a high-tier skill.

This Upgrade skill will be more useful than I thought for creating variabilities.

The cooldown time was only five minutes, which wasn’t too long. Plus, being able to strengthen three skills at once provided a significant strategic advantage.

"Judging by the continuous merit points, it looks like things outside are still going smoothly..."

Kai glanced at the central area of Castle Baden, where barricades were set up.

Saving the lord comes first.

After that, he could take care of the remaining boss monster and destroy the gates.

With his sword at his side, Kai cut down the monsters in the central area indiscriminately as he advanced forward.

***

"Wow."

"No way."

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"That’s insane."

Expressions of disbelief slipped out one after another, devoid of any real emotion. But what could they do? When ordinary people witnessed something unbelievable, they often found themselves speechless, so even uttering such expressions showed that they were no ordinary spectators.

"He defeated the Troll Hero... in just twelve minutes?"

"This is insane. What level are his gear and skills... or how are his stats distributed?"

"Look at him, just charging through and slicing up monsters like it’s nothing. Is he a one-man army?"

Just as they said, Kai was charging through the city, effortlessly slicing through the limbs of approaching monsters.

"

Heup!

”

One reason Kai could rampage like this was the elixirs made by Ayana's family.

[Chikapura Leaf Elixir LV.7]

Increases maximum Stamina greatly for 30 minutes.

Greatly increases Stamina regeneration for 30 minutes.

Grants Sharp Senses LV.2 for 30 minutes.

[Potion of big-eared bat swallowed by mint asio - LV.5]

Increases all stats by 17 for 20 minutes.

Reduces damage taken by 6% for 10 minutes.

"

Huff, huff!

"

No matter how much he ran or swung his sword, he never felt out of breath. The significantly boosted Stamina and regeneration kept his heart and veins strong!

First, I need to secure the western section.

Their already limited forces were spread thin, guarding the west, north, and south all at the same time. If they could focus on just one area, the situation would become much more manageable.

I can see why the low-level players were so upset about this Invasion Event.

No matter how many monsters they fought from Easy and Medium level Gates, the XP, merit points, and materials were nothing compared to what came from the Hard Gate monsters. In other words, the higher their level, the more advantageous the event was!

Kai glanced at his XP bar that was steadily rising, and nodded unconsciously.

I think I can reach at least level 320 here...

Considering he was only level 298 just before the Invasion Event began, that was tremendous growth. Especially given that XP increased as a player's level rose in

MID Online

, this Invasion Event was turning out to be quite a blessing for players.

Crack.

This made Kai even more furious.

I can't believe I wasn’t able to fully enjoy this amazing event because of those Titan bastards!

The hours he had been tied up by them could have been spent slaying hundreds more monsters or closing at least one more gate.

I’ll make sure they pay for this later.

Killing Goliath once wasn’t enough to make up for the huge losses he had suffered. With thoughts of revenge in mind, Kai's sword became even more fierce.

"Graaaah!"

"Grrrr!"

The ogres and trolls turned around after noticing that their comrades were being killed off.

"

Uh-oh!

"

"Hey, look out!"

As the monsters that had been attacking them suddenly turned and charged at Kai, the players watching shouted in alarm.

However, Kai remained calm and calculated the movements of the monsters rushing toward him.

Three ogres, two trolls, and four mantises.

With this many enemies, it was a jackpot among jackpots!

"Upgrade, Supernova."

[Supernova has been enhanced by the Upgrade skill.]

[The stat-boosting effects of Supernova have greatly increased.]

[All stats increase by 65.]

Kai’s movements became even more agile, and the strikes of his sword grew sharper.

***

Despite having fought a rough battle, his footsteps were heavy and steady, but it wasn’t because he was as tall as Goliath or as massive as an ogre. The intense weight of his footsteps came from his unwavering confidence.

“What is your name?” Count Hind, his armor soaked in the blood of monsters, asked with a slightly wavering gaze.

The players could easily understand why the usually fearless Count was shaken.

Anyone would be unnerved standing in front of someone like this...

This guy is unbelievable.

No, cause why is a Paladin leading undead in the first place?

Having annihilated the monsters in the west, Kai made the sign of the cross and slightly bowed his head. “I am Kai, commander of the Holy Blood Order of the Solarian Church.”

“...Holy Blood Order? Was there such a group within the Solarian Church?”

“It likely hasn’t been formally announced yet. It will soon be introduced by the High Priest as a new military order of the Solarian Church.”

“

Haha

... Holy Blood, you say...” Glancing at the undead, Count Hind let out a laugh, as if giving up on understanding. “Well, what does a name matter? The fact remains that you saved Castle Baden from a crisis. However... Why are you helping us when you have no connection to Baden?”

“I cannot say I have no connection,” Kai smiled and pulled out a letter that had been sitting in his inventory for a long time, handing it to the count.

“What’s this?”

"It is a letter of recommendation from Baron Arsen. He said if I brought it to the lord of Castle Baden, I would be granted an audience..."

“

Ah!

Now I remember! You’re the Saint of Glendale, Kai!”

Once his identity was confirmed by a trusted source, Count Hind warmly welcomed Kai.

“I do recall receiving a message about a letter of recommendation that had been given to an efficient and sharp adventurer. I was looking forward to it since the last person recommended was very impressive... but I was worried when you didn’t visit sooner.”

“There have been many things going on. I apologize for the delay.”

“No need to apologize. I didn’t bring it up to hear an apology. In fact, I’m grateful that you remembered to come when Baden was in need,” Count Hind smiled, his calloused hand, hard as stone, patting Kai’s hand. “But the war isn’t over yet. There are still monsters in the north and south.”

“It is only a matter of time.” Kai, exuding confidence, began preparing to leave again. “The forces in the south should be manageable for you and the adventurers. I’ll go deal with the monsters in the north, and return after eliminating the Gate.”

“Are you gonna be okay alone? If needed, I can send knights to support you...”

“No, thank you,” Kai shook his head. “I can only fight with peace of mind if you remain safe.”

“Son...” Count Hind looked deeply moved.

Of course, the players watching the exchange merely scoffed.

He sure knows how to play the game.

Well, most rankers know how to flatter their way through.

Ugh, I could be smooth like that too... I bet I could raise my affinity quickly if I had the chance...

Of course, flattery alone didn’t raise affinity. Only when it was done at the right time, in the right situation, and with sincerity did it truly have an effect!

[Count Hind’s affinity increased.]

Kai glanced at the message window with a satisfied expression, then turned around and headed toward the north gate.

“Wait!” Minerva rushed after him and asked with a bewildered expression, “The Holy Blood Order? Is that somehow related to our guild too?”

“Yes. The Pray guild will need to support me fully.”

“I’ve never heard anything about that!”

“Well, that’s because I didn’t tell you.”

Minerva looked hurt by Kai’s blunt response and asked again, “D-do I really have to hear news about my guild like this?”

Minerva’s wounded expression made it clear she wanted to be consoled.

However, Kai tilted his head as if he was confused as to why she was upset. “You didn’t hear it from anyone else. I told you myself. And this is the first time I’ve mentioned it. So, what’s the problem?”

She had heard it directly from him, before anyone else, so Kai wasn’t wrong. He wasn’t wrong, but...

What is this? Why does this feel so wrong?

Minerva felt something was off but couldn’t quite explain what.

“

Ugh

... Still, next time, please let me know about anything related to my guild first. Hearing it alongside others doesn’t feel quite right.”

“Sure, I’ll do that.”

Even the way he nodded and agreed so easily annoyed her!

However, she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud, so she let out a sigh. “I’ll be defending the southern fortress with my guild members.”

“I’ll leave it to you then. And don’t worry, the Holy Blood Order won’t be a loss for the Pray guild.”

“...Why is that?”

Kai only smiled slyly at Minerva’s question without offering any explanation. In truth, he had nothing more to say to her.

How could I explain something I don’t even know? I’ve only been told by High Priest Albert that he plans to establish a military group with that name.

Even Kai wasn’t sure what the exact purpose of the group was. However, he was certain of one thing. Now that High Priest Albert had regained full power within the church and recognized Kai as the envoy of the Solarian God Helik, he wouldn’t disappoint Kai.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah.”

Minerva wanted to ask him about the undead, but she knew it was impolite to bring that up among rankers. In the end, she said nothing and slowly returned to her guild members.

So, all that’s left is to take down the Triple-Headed Ogre.

The remaining monsters could all be defeated with enough time.

I hope I can finish before the undead are unsummoned.

Luckily, it seemed like the war would end before the twenty-four hour time limit was up.

Thanks to that, Kai headed toward the north gate with a light heart, as if going for a stroll, but then his brows furrowed.

Battle sounds...?

Of course, it wasn’t impossible. There were still adventurers and NPCs fighting at the north gate. However, the sound reaching his ears now was a bit different.

That’s the sound of someone continuously slicing through monster hide with a sharp blade.

Naturally, this wasn’t something just any fighter could do. Only someone extremely skilled could produce such a sound. And as far as Kai knew, there was no player of that level present.

The knight commander of Baden is around level 330... but I saw him sticking right by Count Hind earlier.

Unable to resist his curiosity, Kai began eliminating the monsters blocking his path at an even faster pace.

“

Whew!

”

After his entire body was covered in blood and his level increased by one, he finally saw the battle he had been so eager to witness.

“That sword...”

With light movements, a woman sprang up, stepping on the Triple-Headed Ogre's knees, belly, and shoulders in sequence. At the same time, her slender arm raised a sword that reflected the bright moonlight brilliantly. Her long, flowing silver hair shimmered in the air, as if it had absorbed the moonlight itself.

The scene imprinted itself in Kai’s eyes like a moment from a movie as she swung her sword.

“Smash.”

Her soft voice echoed quietly, calm as though reading a fairy tale to a child. But despite the gentle tone, her sword decapitated all three of the ogre’s heads in a single strike like lightning.

[You defeated the boss monster, Triple-Headed Ogre.]

[The power of the monsters that emerged from the gate has weakened.]

Kai swallowed hard as he watched the woman slowly come down from the air.

Although this was his first time seeing her in person, he recognized her immediately from videos. She was the gamer that all rankers in

MID Online

unanimously called a genius.

Though she had lost the title to Kai now, she had held the first-ranked title for over half a year—a living legend among legends.

“

Heut-cha

.”

The silver-haired swordswoman wearing a black helmet pulled low, Yoo Ha-Rin, landed as softly as a feather, letting out a cute sound.