Chapter 365: Knight of Ruin (4)

Of course, Kai also knew that the NPCs were virtual personalities developed by Pegasus Corporation. But knowing something and accepting it in the heart were two different things. The gap between the two was unimaginably large.

In fact, there were far more NPCs than players around Kai. First of all, his own territory's citizens were all NPCs, including the merfolk, elves, dwarves, and birdfolk. The Holy Blood Order of the Solarian Church and the faculty of the Arkan Academy were also NPCs. Lastly, the same went for his summons and the cute gods. In fact, there were barely any people left in his game life without NPCs.

This was certainly different from the usual players who only stuck together with other players.

Of course NPCs are just programs, but...

They thought, acted and spoke like people, and even felt emotions on their own.

Because of that, Goliath’s words were no different from denying Kai’s entire gameplay style. Moreover, he couldn’t forgive someone who killed residents without any guilt just to grow stronger.

“Should I come to you, or will you come to me?”

Kai still hadn’t used any buff skills. He was literally in his default state.

Staring at him, Goliath said in an arrogant voice, “You come. And... are you sure you’re okay like that? It looks like you haven’t cast any buffs yet.”

“Buffs?”

“I don’t like people making excuses later. Don’t start whining afterwards and come at me with full power from the start.”

Kai slowly nodded at Goliath’s request. “If giving my all is what you wish.”

He snapped and four holy magic circles spun and cast endless blessings over his body.

“

Wow

. Now it finally feels like a worthy fight.” Goliath smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the golden holy power that wrapped around Kai’s whole body.

I’ll crush your full power with mine.

Goliath felt as though he could see the future. Kai, kneeling at his feet with a hollow expression. And himself, laughing as he looked down on him. The sense of pleasure from that moment would undoubtedly be beyond words.

Ah...

Goliath looked down at his two hands that were trembling with desire to tear the opponent apart right away.

Part of me wants to keep my dignity.

To be honest, he did not trust himself. He didn’t believe he could suppress this desire.

I want to rip him to shreds right this moment.

The intense murderous intent gave birth to a will that soon turned into a phenomenon. Muldine was the god who governed darkness, evil, and death. Naturally, only death remained wherever his divine power passed.

The same was true now. As Goliath pulled out his divine power to the limit, the trees and weeds around him turned to ash and vanished. Even so, sunlight couldn’t reach the two of them. Instead, it became darker than before because of Goliath’s divine power filling the area.

Goliath felt great satisfaction in the phenomenon he had created.

“Isn’t it amazing? I’ve reached the point where I can alter the game’s landscape just by releasing my energy.”

Of course, Kai had no intention of acknowledging that statement. Instead, he slowly raised his sword with a blank expression. Even the great Goliath grew tense at the sight.

No matter how powerful my strength is, my opponent is Kai, also a Mythic-class.

A massive attack would soon be unleashed. Perhaps today’s battle would erase the very existence of the Dark Zone from the map.

Goliath savored the rising of excitement and tension for a moment.

With eyes cold as ice, Kai looked at him and lowered his sword again.

Then he said, “This is the reality of the sandcastle you’ve built through meaningless slaughter.”

What?

After saying that, Kai turned his back and began to walk away.

That lunatic! Where do you think you’re running off to!

Now dumbfounded, Goliath reached out and shouted. However, he couldn’t see his own hand anywhere in his view, nor did any sound come out from his mouth. Only a heavy system notification rang in his ears, as he stood there bewildered.

Ding!

[You have died.]

[You were defeated by your old enemy, the Solaris Cleric.]

[The morale of all Church of Muldine followers has greatly decreased (30 days).]

[The God of Darkness, Muldine, expresses deep disappointment in you.]

[Your class, Knight of Ruin, has been revoked.]

[Your unique stat, Evil Deeds, has disappeared.]

[Your class has been changed to Novice.]

W-what the...!

Just like before, no voice came out.

***

Kai swung his sword just once then simply turned around. He never expected Goliath to block or dodge his attack in the first place because...

Ugh, I only wasted my Benevolence stat because I fell for his provocation.

He had given everything he could just as his opponent had requested.

Patrick, who had been summoned, asked,

—Was he strong enough to use a sword that splits the sky?

In response, Kai slowly shook his head. “No. He was a minor opponent I could have defeated easily even without you, Patrick.”

—Then why did you summon me?

Kai showed a brief expression of contemplation at his question. Strictly speaking, he had only fallen for the provocation because he lost his temper. Maybe he would end up kicking the blankets in regret tonight before bed.

“I guess... I just wanted to show what a gap really was.”

—So. Did you clearly show that gap?

This time, what rose on Kai’s face was not contemplation but certainty.

“I did. And I did it very clearly.”

Ding!

[You have defeated your old enemy, the Knight of Ruin.]

[The morale of all Solarian Church followers has greatly increased (30 days).]

[The Solarian God, Helik, applauds your victory.]

[The Knight of Ruin was a longstanding enemy who had tormented the Solaris Cleric. However, you easily overpowered him without leaving any room for excuses.]

[The Solarian God Helik, who watched this glorious duel, bestows her blessing.]

[+30 Benevolence stats.]

[Due to the effect of Witness of the Sun, your Benevolence stat has additionally increased by 15.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Acquired 10 stat points.]

—

Hmm?

Patrick sensed the erupting energy at the place where Goliath died and showed a surprised expression.

—... Was the one you fought a Knight of Ruin?

“

Oh?

How did you know?”

—How could I not. They were the ones who always interfered with us apostles and caused trouble.

He put on a satisfied smile and patted Kai on the shoulder.

—You did very well. With this, the Knight of Ruin won’t be seen in the world for a while.

“He’s an adventurer, so he’ll resurrect again soon.”

—Even if he’s an adventurer, it’ll be difficult this time. Do you know what ruin means?

“To destroy and eliminate?”

—Correct. The Knight of Ruin is a vicious class that grows stronger each time they ruin an opponent. But in return, they lose everything they have built if they are defeated.

“Which means...”

—The Knight of Ruin you faced probably lost everything and became a ruin.

Even Muldine himself likely wouldn’t have imagined such a situation.

***

The maze that had risen without warning disappeared just as suddenly.

The members of the Warriors guild who were hurriedly on alert looked stunned.

“

Huh...?

”

“What’s happening?”

The Dark Knights of the Church of Muldine who had persistently harassed them all lay cold and dead on the ground of the Dark Zone.

The one who had made that happen flicked the blood off her sword and turned away.

The guild members who immediately recognized her swallowed hard.

I-it’s Yoo Ha-Rin.

I heard she arrived at the base camp with Kai but...

I didn’t think she would actually come to help us.

Everyone there was a ranker. However, Kai, Yoo Ha-Rin, and Chris—these superstars were called the rankers among rankers.

Vulcan stepped forward among the guild members frozen in place at the appearance of a famous figure. He looked around the neatly cleared surroundings then slightly bowed to Yoo Ha-Rin.

“Thank you for the help.”

“Not really. It wasn’t my idea.”

At Yoo Ha-Rin’s cold reply, Vulcan snapped back to his senses.

“

Oh,

Goliath! Come to think of it, Goliath is still...”

“It’s fine. Kai took him.”

“... Unknown?” Vulcan’s face turned pale. “No way! Even if it’s Kai, he can’t let his guard down against Goliath. That guy is—”

“What about me?”

Vulcan quickly turned around at the familiar voice that came from behind. He saw Kai with not even a crease on his clothes. No, on closer look there was a tiny blood line near his cheek, and even that was ever so faint.

With a hint of doubt, Vulcan cautiously asked, “Goliath is...?”

“He’s dead.”

Vulcan felt the strength drain from his body at Kai’s nonchalant tone.

Right. Come to think of it, he’s always been this kind of guy.

The one who just does what others can’t or won’t. That was likely why he was so popular.

“Thank you both for your help.”

“No problem. How are the injuries?”

At that question, Vulcan looked over at his guild members.

Those who had checked each other quickly reported, “Twelve dead. Thirty-eight survivors in total.”

“

Hmm

...”

“More died than I thought.”

“Damn, Vers was just about to level up...”

The deaths of twelve top-ranked players were a major loss for the guild, but Vulcan thought differently.

It’s not that twelve died, it’s that thirty-eight survived.

Of course, that had only been possible because of Kai and Yoo Ha-Rin.

“That’s enough. That isn’t something to say in front of those who helped us.”

“

Oh

...”

“O-of course we had no intention of belittling the two of you. Truly.”

Vulcan silenced the guild members and turned his head. “How should we repay this debt?”

As if waiting for those words, Kai replied, “Please help us.”

“What’s it about?”

Even if they had received help, he couldn’t accept just any request. After all, he was the leader of a group.

Kai stepped on a helmet dropped by a Dark Knight as he said, “There’s a Church of Muldine base nearby. The two of us are planning to head there now.”

“And you need reinforcements.”

As expected, he understood without needing more words. This was the benefit of talking to someone sharp. There was no need to waste any breaths.

“Yes. Can you help us?”

Instead of answering, Vulcan put his helmet back on.

***

“This dumb bastard...”

Sting, who had been on his way to take care of the Cheonhwa guild in the west, spat curses.

Goliath had been logged out upon dying. Naturally, that threw a major wrench into their plans.

Time is running out.

If things had gone as planned, they would have killed the rankers and offered the dark lizardman tribe as sacrifice. Only then could they meet the quantity needed for the offering he and Goliath had prepared.

But it’s hopeless at this rate.

Hunting rankers in a forest where monsters like Kai and Yoo Ha-Rin were roaming was impossible.

Sting quickly ran the calculations in his head.

I can’t handle both Warriors and Cheonhwa alone while also avoiding Kai and Yoo Ha-Rin. In that case...

The only option for now was to gather the Church of Muldine’s army as much as possible and hold this position. After all, he couldn’t leave because of the plan that was still in progress here.

Sting ordered the Church of Muldine priest beside him, “Send a retreat order to those out in the field immediately.”

“Pardon...?”

“The situation has changed. Goliath is dead, so we need to pull back right now. Hurry.”

His reasoning was fair, but the priest shook his head. “I’m sorry, but as far as I know, you don’t have the authority to command the church’s army.”

He was right. Even if they were allies, the Church of Muldine would never grant that level of authority to an outsider.

Damn it. This is exactly why I needed Goliath...

If not for the need to use him in moments like this, he would have gotten rid of him long ago. Sting clenched his teeth hard now that the fool who had died caused damage even while dead.

Then the only method left is...

Running calculations in his head, Sting tightly shut his eyes.

One.

He slowly opened his eyes again and looked at the back of the priest’s head. His eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

I’ll have to kill the Church of Muldine guys to meet the offering total.