Chapter 250: Episode 250

The heat radiating from the fighting stage was immense, a constant roar of flame. The fire scorching the earth below was so intense that just standing still was enough to drench a man in sweat.

[System Message: The effect of Vesta’s Crimson Flame Gauntlets has been activated.]

[System Message: Vesta’s fire attribute power is doubled.]

[System Message: An aura of crimson flame spreads around Vesta.]

The crimson gauntlets seemed fused to his arms like a part of his armor. He had likely chosen this battlefield specifically to leverage his equipment’s effect. Vesta drew forth the crimson aura and settled into a fighting stance.

“To think a mere Dungeon Master would dare to face me with the same class. How utterly pathetic. I will grant you three free hits. Come.”

Since Taehyun had never engaged in direct combat, it was natural to be underestimated. The entire continent knew that Balak’s Dungeon Master was a non-combat class. To any observer, the outcome was obvious. But being unable to fight due to his class didn’t mean he was unskilled.

[System Message: You have cast Perseverance’s Protection.]

[System Message: For a limited time, your defense and magic defense will increase.]

[System Message: For a limited time, your physical resistance and magic resistance will increase.]

[System Message: Due to the effect of Vaddon’s Mithril Armor, your defense and magic defense will increase further.]

“You really mean that, right? No take-backs.”

“Of course. It’s infuriating, but you did give me this chance. Consider it a small courtesy.”

“Then I won’t hold back.”

Taehyun grinned. The sight of a Dungeon Master with no combat experience acting so relaxed was laughable.

’Pathetic. Come at me with whatever you have. After those three hits, you’ll be kissing the floor.’

This was a level of mastery he had achieved through years of relentless training. Though he was a raider now, he hadn’t forgotten the art of boxing.

“Alright, here I come!”

“What?!”

Taehyun, who had been taking light steps, shot forward. No, he simply vanished. Vesta, caught off guard, instinctively threw up his guard. In that same instant, a fist of terrifying power erupted from below.

’CLANG!’

A deafening screech of metal on metal. Taehyun, having already seized the low ground, grinned and aimed for his chin. A clean hit could have rattled his brain and knocked him unconscious. Vesta reacted instantly, blocking the punch with his elbow.

’Kuh! My S-rank Crimson Flame Gauntlets… they were shaken! What in the world are those things made of?!’

His entire arm trembled from the impact. His guard had nearly been broken.

Only two free hits remained. Taehyun, clearly aiming to end this early, was already preparing his follow-up.

“Grit your teeth, you bastard!”

“Don’t make me laugh!”

“Ah, just kidding.”

The fist that had been rocketing toward Vesta’s face suddenly changed its trajectory.

[System Message: You have cast Balance Breaker.]

[System Message: You strike Vesta’s leg, shattering his lower body’s balance.]

The mithril gauntlet crashed into his knee. Unprotected by armor, Vesta’s face contorted in pain. His balance was shattered. Unable to absorb the shock, his legs buckled, making a proper guard impossible.

Taehyun, remembering the final courtesy, focused all his strength into his right fist.

[System Message: Charging Focused Strike.]

[System Message: The energy of all your strength stats is gathering in your right fist.]

Power swirled around his arm. The Dungeon Master’s eyes now glowed with a cold blue light as he smiled cruelly.

“This time, you’d better bite down hard.”

—

—”This time, you’d better bite down hard.”

The three-hit courtesy offered to a novice had backfired spectacularly. Inside the dungeon, the soldiers from both sides watched the screen with bated breath.

“Is… is that guy really a Dungeon Master?!”

“This is bad! Sir Vesta is going to be taken down in one blow!”

“Dammit! What kind of courtesy was that? Even for an S-rank raider, that was a terrible judgment call!”

The raiders were in chaos at the precarious sight.

“There’s truly nothing Taehyun can’t do. How can he be so magnificent? I was so upset a moment ago, but now… it’s all gone.”

“Hmph. A leader should be at least that capable. Youth is truly an enviable thing.”

“There is nothing the Master cannot do. This is why I serve him. Today, the Master will write a new history.”

Balak’s main forces roared as Taehyun created the opening. The two sides watched with wildly different emotions, each gripped by tension.

And as the charged blow descended, a collective gasp and sigh rippled through the onlookers.

[System Message: S-rank Raider Vesta has cast Cross Guard.]

[System Message: He withstands the impact of the Focused Strike.]

Vesta, who had promised three free hits, had used a skill to block the final blow. The raiders let out a collective sigh of relief, wiping cold sweat from their brows.

“He broke his promise, but that’s how it should be. This is a fight to the death; there’s no room for courtesy.”

“That’s right. It was a justifiable move.”

“Now the real fight begins. He’s impressive, but once Sir Vesta gets serious, no one can stop him.”

He was a boxer who had dominated not only in Rule Maker but also in direct combat. His pride was tarnished, but the real battle was just beginning.

Balak’s forces, however, were furious.

“That’s not what he promised! He said he’d give him three hits, but he used a skill to block it? How cheap!”

“The very definition of a low-class mongrel. Had I been the one to step up, I would have pulverized that man’s body without leaving a single speck of dust. How regrettable.”

“Hah. A man shouldn’t go back on his word. He calls himself an S-rank raider, but I suppose his idea of ‘courtesy’ was using a skill.”

If not for the Cross Guard, the blow would have landed. But Vesta had broken his word, and the opportunity was lost. The soldiers of Balak were both disappointed and utterly disgusted. It was no exaggeration to say the S-rank raider’s reputation was now in tatters. They glared at the opposing raiders and began to cheer with renewed vigor.

“Go, Taehyun! Take down that pathetic loser in one punch!”

“Grr! Sir Vesta, show that demon true despair! Make him regret ever challenging you!”

Amidst the fierce war of words between the two women, the sound of cheering echoed through Balak.

—

The clang of mithril on crimson gauntlets echoed as the real battle began. The two boxers exchanged dozens of blows in the center of the stage, each probing for an opening.

“Wow. An S-rank raider offers three free hits, I rush in all excited, and he uses a skill to save himself. Isn’t that a little cheap?”

Vesta remained silent.

“Silence is affirmation, they say. So it’s true. Well, I guess it can’t be helped when an S-rank raider has lost all face.”

“Shut up!”

The light taunt fueled his rage. Vesta, clearly provoked, ground his teeth and charged. He was losing control of his emotions, but the power in his fists was undiminished. Taehyun blocked another punch and let out a roar.

“That doesn’t even tickle—!”

[System Message: You have cast Lion’s Roar.]

[System Message: You temporarily stun the opponent.]

[System Message: Lion’s Roar usage limit 1/1]

Vesta flinched as he closed the distance. Taehyun immediately adopted the Focused Strike stance again, aiming for his abdomen. Just then, flames erupted from the Crimson Flame Gauntlets.

[System Message: The second effect of the Crimson Flame Gauntlets is activated.]

[System Message: All status effects are removed.]

[System Message: For a short time, counter critical hit damage is doubled.]

“I was waiting for this, Taehyun Yoo!”

His stance snapped back into place. Vesta weaved left and right like a snake, his eyes gleaming.

[System Message: S-rank Raider Vesta has cast Crimson Flame Rush.]

[System Message: An eternally inextinguishable flame surges along the Crimson Flame Gauntlets.]

This was the skill that had turned countless S-rank guardians to ash. Facing a Dungeon Master would be no different. Vesta thrust both hands toward Taehyun’s abdomen.

’My victory! Now, perish, Taehyun Yoo!’

The end of the long battle was in sight. The Dungeon Master of Balak would be consumed by the eternal flames.

But in that instant, Taehyun’s stance changed.

[System Message: Counter has been activated.]

[System Message: You have entered a counter-ready state.]

“What?!”

“Don’t you read the system messages? It was a feint, obviously!”

Vesta suddenly recalled the first time Taehyun had used Focused Strike. His stance this time had been much sloppier. He belatedly realized his mistake and tried to cancel the skill, but the eternal flames were already swallowing Taehyun whole.

[System Message: You have been hit by Crimson Flame Rush.]

[System Message: Counter successful!]

[System Message: A counterattack with double the power of Crimson Flame Rush is activated.]

The flames consuming Taehyun’s body were violently expelled back at their source. The blast was twice the size of the original Crimson Flame Rush. Vesta, still recovering his stance, had no way to dodge.

The spot where he stood erupted in a massive explosion. With the counter’s critical damage already doubled, the reflected skill hit with four times its original, devastating power.

“Gyaaaaaaaah!”

“You’re burning up nicely. Like a piece of firewood. You should have just honored your promise. Why’d you have to be so cheap at the end?”

“Grrr…’ Taehyun Yoo… Taehyun Yoo… Taehyun Yoooooo!”

“I can hear you just fine. You’re not going to die right away, so as promised, I have a few questions.”

Vesta was incapacitated. The victory of the final battle had surely gone to the White Team. Taehyun sat down comfortably on the floor and began his interrogation.

“First. When you visited the throne room, what skill did Leon use?”

“Urk… That concerns the Tarantula faction…”

“It’s not related. I’m asking about Leon. This has nothing to do with your faction.”

“Grrrr…’ Voice of Madness. And Mind Control!”

Finally, Leon van Noah’s skills were revealed. Taehyun had experienced Voice of Madness during the succession ceremony. He had lost consciousness the moment he met the king’s crimson gaze, so the same must have happened in the throne room.

’So he uses Voice of Madness to knock them out, then Mind Control to manipulate them.’

He wasn’t a Dungeon Master or a raider, just an ordinary royal NPC. It was astonishing that such a man not only knew about the modern world but also possessed powerful mental skills. Leon’s ability likely worked regardless of rank. All that remained was to find out if it worked on Dungeon Masters.

Taehyun continued to question the broken Vesta, peeling back Leon’s secrets one by one.

—

“Your Highness. Only two territories of Count Dinen’s faction remain. What are your orders?”

While enduring another tedious day in the throne room, the report Leon had been waiting for finally arrived. He smiled with satisfaction and gave his command.

“Unleash the four raiders and begin the final stage. And when it’s time to siege Haven Territory, contact Duke Peyton. Things are about to get much more interesting. I guarantee it.”

“As you command.”

Duke Centrix, now little more than the royal family’s dog, bowed deeply. His command of the army during the civil war had been exemplary, and his fame now rivaled that of the late Viscount Crowell. Leon was already delighting in the thought of which new territory to grant him.

Just then, a soldier burst into the throne room.

“Insolent fool! How dare you enter the throne room unannounced? Do you have a death wish?!”

“S-Sir Vesta! He is approaching, wreathed in flames!”

“What nonsense are you spouting… What is that?!”

As he was about to roar at the soldier, a figure engulfed in flames staggered into the chamber.

“Grraaaah!’ Your Highness Leon!”

“…Vesta. What is it?”

“I have a message that I must deliver! I implore you, listen closely!”

“Very well. Speak quickly, before you die.”

Vesta, the S-rank Boxer he had dispatched to Balak. Judging by his state, the raid had been a failure. Leon looked down at him with cold, indifferent eyes. Vesta let out a pained groan, then finally roared with his last breath.

“Thanks for the gift you sent. I’ll make good use of it—!”

His voice boomed through the hall. With those final words, Vesta began to disintegrate.

As the S-rank raider’s body turned to ash and scattered on the wind, for the first time in a long while, the tyrant was not smiling.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep