Chapter 243: Fourth Return, Earth (10)

"Hmm."

Minerva waved her arm at a giant monster, as large as a giant itself. The wind transformed into a violent storm.

Wooooong!

The giant slammed down its arm, crushing the storm and causing it to burst outward.

Minerva kicked off the ground, dodging the attack.

Koooong!

The ground burst open, scattering a tsunami of debris in all directions.

"He's strong."

[Are you alright?]

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Even though he's strong, it's not to the point of worry."

Woooong!

The monster's arm moved again.

Just the act of swinging caused the wind to rise. Minerva rolled on the ground to evade.

Paaaang!

The wind shot out like a cannon, colliding with the monster's arm.

As the wind shattered, the arm was repelled. Barkaza clapped his hands towards the disheveled monster.

Kiiiiing!

A rainbow beam was fired at the monster. It stabilized and opened its mouth.

Kuh-heung!

A beast-like howl spread, swallowing up the rainbow lights with its roar.

Minerva and Barkaza, even fighting together, couldn't easily overcome this foe.

They were among the top in Class A. Minerva grumbled as she lifted her body into the sky.

"Our master really. How much hatred is there?"

[What do you plan to do, Your Majesty?]

"Well."

Minerva narrows her eyes.

The monster was strong.

It wasn't just physically powerful but also possessed a formidable aura. Knocking it down easily was nearly impossible.

"If I draw out all my strength, I might be able to put it into a near-death state... but then I'd be summoned back."

Minerva was the king of spirits. By her own power, she was far stronger than Taesan was now.

However, she was currently summoned by Taesan, and her limited power was weaker than Taesan's. Compared to the monster, she wasn't significantly superior.

Moreover, the reason Minerva was present here was due to the spirit god. Beatrice had acted as the agent for her descent.

And that power was not permanent but consumable. The more she used it, the less time she could stay here.

"Let's take it slow for now."

The monster slammed its arm down, sending wind spreading in all directions.

Minerva flicked her finger.

She took control of the wind generated by the monster's movement, concentrating and swirling it right below its arm.

And she detonated it just before it reached her.

Koooong!

The monster was repelled.

She was the king of wind spirits. The wind itself belongs to her.

She didn't use her own power but manipulated the wind created by the monster to blow it away.

"Even if we manage to win, nothing changes, does it?"

[That's true. The main actors are different.]

Barkaza clapped his hands. The monsters charging at them were defeated by a rainbow beam.

"Then let's enjoy this situation. Tormenting these damned things. How delightful."

Minerva smiled slyly and raised her hand. A small storm gathered there.

The situation for the players in Seoul was dire.

The majority of the monsters they faced were Class C or the lowest of Class B. Considering even Hard Mode players barely managed to defeat Class D, victory seemed virtually impossible.

But they did not falter.

Kim Hwiyeon swung her weapon and shouted.

"Shield role to the front! Hard players, fall back!"

Her command smoothly coordinated the players. Easy and Normal players confronted the monsters while Hard players pulled back to catch their breath.

Crrrrunch!

"Cough!"

"Ugh!"

The Easy and Normal players who stepped forward vomited blood.

But they did not die. Kim Hwiyeon quickly shouted again.

"Hard Mode players, back to the front!"

Those who had retreated to recover their health with potions now stepped forward again, while Easy and Normal players staggered back.

Seo Jangsan, holding off the monsters, muttered.

"This is a good method after all."

Easy and Normal Mode players were not much use.

Perhaps they were at the beginning, but by this point, the gap between them and Hard Mode was too vast. Dozens of them together couldn't take down even one Hard Mode monster.

The situation was even grimmer for the monsters. Easy and Normal modes offered little advantage in combat.

Thus, Kim Hwiyeon devised a completely new strategy.

They were safeguarded by the system. No matter the severity of the attack, they wouldn't perish as long as they retained some health.

Under normal circumstances, they couldn't survive even a Class C attack and would perish instantly.

However, Taesan had now established a domain through alchemy.

A zone where monsters were weakened and humans were strengthened, including boosts to health and defense.

Most Easy and Normal players had traded attack power and stats for heavily armored gear that enhanced their defense.

It was a risky strategy, but they could survive at least one attack.

Consequently, Easy and Normal Modes assumed the role of shields.

When Hard Mode players were fatigued or needed to consume potions, these players would step in to absorb the monsters' attacks. Meanwhile, the rejuvenated Hard Mode players would return to the forefront.

"You've realized it too. They're of no use. All we can do is use them as our shields."

"No."

Kim Hwiyeon countered Seo Jangsan's view.

"Everyone has their role. They understand and have embraced that."

She didn't coerce them. Assuming the shield role was fraught with danger. Although they wouldn't die from a single hit, the risk remained high.

So, she gave them the freedom to choose, and most of the Easy and Normal players agreed.

They desired to contribute voluntarily. That was what set them apart from Seo Jangsan's approach.

Kaaaaang!

Lee Taeyeon navigated through the monsters, her sword in hand.

[You have activated Flow.]

The monsters' attacks glided off her sword upon contact.

She energized her legs.

[You have activated Strong Blow.]

Kagagagang!

She timed her attack perfectly. Strong Blow was triggered multiple times, driving the monsters back.

Kang Jun-hyeok exhibited similar prowess. He, too, darted among the monsters, vanquishing them one after another with his Ability Sword and dark magic.

Both were undeniably formidable.

With accumulated experience, they could now defeat Class C.

But there were hundreds of monsters.

They began to be overwhelmed. Potions were not infinite, and mana was also lacking.

However, they did not give up hope.

"Everyone, hold on!"

Kim Hwiyeon shouted desperately.

"We can win!"

Crack.

Taesan stomped on a monster's head.

The head was crushed.

He leapt down, looking over.

Hundreds of monsters were charging at Taesan.

"So many of them."

Coldness gathered at Taesan's fingertips.

[You have activated Frozen World.]

Crrrrunch!

Extreme cold spread in all directions. The charging monsters froze and shattered.

[You have activated Starlight Arrow.]

A light like the sun formed in Taesan's hand. He pulled back and shot at the charging monsters.

Kooooong!

Light burst in the darkness.

In an instant, hundreds of monsters disappeared.

The monsters were nothing special. At most, they were from Class C to Class B level. Occasionally, the lowest of Class A appeared, but none were a threat to Taesan.

He waved his arm towards the charging monsters.

[You have activated Ember of Calamity.]

A flame exploded.

A devastating conflagration swept away the monsters.

But the darkness remained unchanged.

Neither the light like the sun nor the flame that could destroy the world could dispel this darkness.

[You have activated Apostle Transformation [Myriad Souls].] [You have activated King's Vessel.]

Thud!

Power descended on Taesan. The uncontrollable power was synchronized with the ring, making it Taesan's own.

[You have activated Perfect Fairy Wings.]

Wings appeared on Taesan.

Taesan flapped his wings.

[You have activated Acceleration.]

He leaped upward, reaching the ceiling with extreme speed, concentrating all his strikes and power at the tip of his sword.

Kaaaaaang!

And he rebounded.

Taesan flapped his wings to regain balance.

[Monster 10 takes 43 damage.]

The damage was minimal, insignificant.

It was to be expected. Even if Taesan mustered all his strength, it couldn't compare to the power he wielded in his past life. The force shielding the monster was of a full S-class level. There was no way he could deal meaningful damage at this moment.

'If only I had Essence Strike or Absolute Judgment.'

Essence Strike required a higher proficiency in essence perception, and Absolute Judgment was still beyond his reach.

Taesan placed his hand on the ground.

In the endless darkness, an irresistible force was palpable.

And that force was gradually weakening.

This monster existed solely to restrain Taesan. All the power it required for sustenance was directed inward, meaning it would slowly perish as time went on.

Probably within a week, Taesan would be able to leave without any issues.

The question was whether the outside world could withstand the wait.

Minerva and Barkaza were out there, but the High Gods were also aware of this situation. They would have surely prepared for it.

"They aim not at me, but at those around me. Clever strategy."

Taesan clenched his fist. He focused mentally, maintained his sense of self, and manifested the darkness.

[You have activated Darkness.]

Darkness spread in all directions.

The monster's darkness began to waver when it collided with another darkness. The deeper darkness devoured the weaker one.

Crrrrunch.

The interior of the monster started to split.

[Oh?]

A ghost made a noise. But the spreading darkness abruptly halted.

Taesan grimaced.

"Not enough."

It wasn't a matter of quality. The blackness he wielded was of the High Gods. There was no reason it should be inferior to that of an S-class monster.

It was simply that he hadn't yet mastered the control of the blackness.

The power, uncontrolled and scattering aimlessly, was insufficient to carve a passage.

[What will you do?]

"I'll have to search further."

Taesan moved.

"Cough!"

A Hard Mode player who couldn't withstand the monster's onslaught fell. Kim Hwiyeon, who moved too late to save him, realized he was already dead and gritted her teeth.

"Easy and Normal Modes! Forward!"

"Hwiyeon."

Someone grabbed her shoulder. It was the man overseeing Normal Mode.

Seeing his panicked expression, Kim Hwiyeon realized the gravity of the situation.

She bit her lip.

"...Available Hard Modes! Please come forward!"

The Easy and Normal Mode players had completely run out of health. They had been barely holding on with potions, but even those had run out.

The remaining challenge was for only the Hard Mode players to survive.

And that was nearly impossible.

"Aaah!"

"Eek!"

People started to fall one by one.

Unable to watch any longer, Easy and Normal Mode players stepped forward. But, having no health from the start, they couldn't even properly perform their shield role.

Lee Taeyeon and Kang Jun-hyeok might hold out, but both were fully engaged in blocking a Class B monster.

The monster that had swallowed Taesan stood unflinchingly there.

Monsters continued to emerge.

And people kept falling.

The situation was dire, but determination did not fade from their faces.

"Hold on!"

They shout, holding onto their faith.

"Taesan is watching over us!"

Even in the face of life-threatening danger, their faith in Taesan did not waver.

It grew even stronger. They continued to fight, believing in Taesan.

That belief kept growing.

[The proficiency of your Divine Power has increased by 1%.]

"Hmm?"

Taesan, who had been sprinting to find the end of the space, paused.

As the proficiency of his Divine Power rose, a strange sensation enveloped his entire body.

It was not simply power, but something more sublime that had taken residence in his body. Even the ghost seemed to feel it, asking in a surprised tone.

[Something suddenly changed about you?]

"I feel it too."

Crack.

Taesan crushed an approaching monster as he opened his skill window.

[Divine Power] [Proficiency: 40%] [God's power. Originally it meant nothing, but the faith of many has turned it into divinity. Though small and frail, it's definitely powered by belief.]

The proficiency had reached 40%.

This change was reflected in the description.

It talked about how people's faith had turned into divinity.

Taesan raised his hand.

Keeng.

Light emerged there.

A small, frail light. It flickered as if it would go out like a candle, but it clearly illuminated the darkness.

Taesan had seen this power somewhere before.

It was similar to the power the Demon God had wielded.

The ghost mumbled, dumbfounded.

[...Divinity? Wait. Really?]

"Is it belief?"

The people of Korea believed in him. Literally, everyone did.

Consequently, his Divine Power had been gradually increasing.

Now, it seemed that enough faith had gathered to form divinity.

[Oh, oh wow... think you can handle it?]

Taesan concentrated, attempting to make the divinity take residence in his body.

However, the light did not move. It remained flickering, just above Taesan's hand, as at the beginning.

The ghost, having barely recovered from the surprise, summarized.

[Exploits and Soul Ascension. And the faith of people. Layered upon each other to gain divinity... This is unheard of. Considering your uniqueness, it seems not impossible. But it seems you can't wield it yet.]

Divinity existed within Taesan but did not move. It was something lofty, something that could not be felt by his will alone.

[It seems to be of little significance now. Yes, this makes sense.]

The ghost sighed in relief. If a mortal managed to obtain divinity and control it, even the deeply involved ghost might not have accepted it.

But Taesan continued to gaze intently at the light.

A tiny light.

Yet, it was clearly driving away the darkness. Something that neither the Seed of Calamity nor the Starlight Arrow had achieved.

[Uh... you can't be.]

"The reason I can't wield this is because my level and power are insufficient."

He tried to place it in the ring, but the ring seemed to reject it, as if it couldn't accommodate it.

Then it might be impossible.

What if it wasn't his power, but something he had received, the power of a transcendent that he still couldn't properly control?

[You have activated Blackness.]

The shadow swallowed the light.