Chapter 269: Episode 269

A Location Transfer Marker could be placed on any patch of ground, even a piece of earth torn from the plains themselves. The Black Tiger Tribe’s specialty was raw strength, while Kadum, a hunter, possessed blinding speed. From the very beginning, Ashuanin had anticipated the Thousand-Mile Eye and used them both to his advantage.

’He used Kadum instead of Krodin to stay out of her line of sight,’ Taehyun deduced, a grim smile touching his lips. ’And he had them hurl the debris despite the shield to get the marked fragment close without arousing suspicion.’

Kadum must have slipped beneath the rock as a Black Tiger warrior lifted it, carving the marker in the one spot Hyacinth’s aerial view couldn’t penetrate. The passing gargoyles and dungeon residents had served as the perfect distraction, drawing her gaze away at the critical moment.

The Black Meng Lord, Ashuanin. His stats might have been lower than the other mercenaries, but Taehyun’s choice had been anything but a mistake. He was, in fact, beyond satisfied. Ashuanin was putting on a masterclass, demonstrating precisely how a true commander leads a battle.

“You bastards will meet your end here today,” the lord declared, his voice booming across the field. “Don’t even think about returning!” With a surge of tremendous power, Ashuanin personally charged to the front.

[S-Rank Mercenary, Black Meng Lord Ashuanin, has used Lone Body.]

[For a set duration, Ashuanin’s defense is converted to attack power.]

[For a set duration, Ashuanin’s magic defense is converted to critical damage amplification.]

[Lone Body uses remaining: 1/1]

Kumakuma and Tartas were already holding the S-rank raiders at bay. All that remained was to shatter the shield, which was already spiderwebbed with cracks. With a ferocious glare, Ashuanin pronounced their doom.

[S-Rank Mercenary, Black Meng Lord Ashuanin, has used Sentence of Doom.]

[The God of the Black Moon temporarily descends and swings the Scythe of Doom.]

[Sentence of Doom uses remaining: 1/1]

The chilling energy of the black moon gathered, coalescing behind the lord into a reaper of terrifying proportions. It raised its scythe.

“We have to block it! Perun!” one of the raiders shrieked.

“I’m shooting, damn it!” Perun snarled. “But that blasted teddy bear is in the way!”

“You cannot pass,” Kumakuma growled, his voice a low rumble. Having activated Advent of the Tyrant, he stood his ground like an immovable mountain. Dozens of sniper bolts struck him, but none could pierce his hide.

In that brief moment, the reaper swung its scythe, striking a crack in the shield with perfect precision.

[The Hyacinth Raid Party’s party-wide shield has been destroyed.]

The barrier finally shattered into a thousand glittering shards. Without a moment’s hesitation, the two Death Knights spurred their steeds forward, their Mounted Charge aimed at sowing chaos. From within the Fog of Malevolent Spirits, Raviz cast Black Hole, pulling the scattered raiders into a single, vulnerable cluster.

“Rock pile, go!” Ashuanin roared.

“Krrrrgh’. It’s hot,” Tartas bellowed. “I need to release this heat!”

It was the same devastating pattern he’d used against Chan-hwi. Tartas launched himself into the air with a savage leap, his massive form hurtling toward the black hole.

[S-Rank Keeper, Cinder Golem Tartas, has used Heart of Embers.]

[Tartas unleashes a burst of embers in the designated area.]

[Heart of Embers uses remaining: 1/2]

The world erupted in fire. Embers spewed from Tartas’s core like a volcanic eruption, bathing the area in searing heat. Taehyun’s forces were already empowered by various buffs, and though Tartas was a Keeper, the sheer destructive power of his skill was immense. The raiders scrambled to defend themselves with their own limited-use skills, but the tide of battle had irrevocably turned.

The sudden shift was enough to jolt MacPain from his leisurely bloodlust. The time for toying with S-rank soldiers was over. He twisted his body and plunged into the Fog of Malevolent Spirits.

“First, I’ll kill those annoying pests!” he roared.

“We cannot allow that. Mo,” Maurat stated, stepping into his path.

“You will not reach them until you defeat us. Mo,” Gottman added, flanking him.

The two Minotaurs were not just for show. They stood firm, ready to avenge their previous humiliation. In such a critical moment, MacPain knew he couldn’t afford to fight them both. Scowling, he opted for a frontal assault.

[S-Rank Raider MacPain has used Merciless Touch.]

[S-Rank Soldier Maurat has used Thunder Strike.]

[S-Rank Soldier Gottman has used Blood Prison.]

The three S-rank powerhouses collided. He had charged forward intending to smash through them, but no opening appeared. They might look like Minotaurs, but they were S-rank combatants on equal footing, and two against one was an impossible equation. Left with no other choice, MacPain prepared to unleash his special ability once more.

’That’s a bit dangerous,’ Taehyun thought, watching the scene unfold. He had witnessed the devastating power of the Berserk Lord in Hylon Forest—it was on par with Wigan’s Advent of Behel. If MacPain used it now, in front of the Fog of Malevolent Spirits, even the long-range fighters wouldn’t be safe. Taehyun activated the item he had prepared.

[Forced Location Change has been used.]

[The location of S-Rank Raider MacPain will be forcibly changed from the Revived Plains to Aslan, the capital of the Aneis Kingdom.]

The raid party had already used Return and Item Block, but they couldn’t prevent a Forced Location Change on an S-rank raider.

’The item itself is extremely rare, but for a threat of his caliber, it’s a worthy trade,’ Taehyun mused. ’He’ll be a nuisance for King Leon, but that’s not my problem.’

S-rank exclusive items were notoriously difficult to obtain. Forced Location Change was almost never in the System Shop, but using it on MacPain was a satisfying move. Taehyun pictured Leon sitting on his throne and smirked.

—

A thunderous explosion rocked the capital, a city already grim from recent civil war. Just as a fragile stability had begun to return, this new disaster struck. The people trembled, their eyes fixed on the man who had appeared before the royal palace.

’GRAAAAAAAAGH!’

It was a scene of pure madness. A single roar shook the entire city. The man, accompanied by a colossal warrior, began to indiscriminately rampage through the capital.

“R-Run! It’s a monster!” a citizen screamed.

“The tyrant has created a monster! The Aneis Kingdom is doomed!” another cried in despair.

“Aaaaaah! Somebody save me!”

The people fled in terror, but they could not escape the reach of an S-rank raider who had lost all reason. His instinct for slaughter took over, and he brought his axe down on every person he saw.

Just then, a true superhuman emerged from the royal palace. “You baaaastard!” Duke Centrix bellowed, his face contorted with rage as he took in the pandemonium.

[Advent of the Lord has been used by the Centrix Knights.]

[The Centrix Knights have used Cross Rupture Sword.]

The swordsmanship he had perfected over ten years of training flared to life. A slash imbued with a tremendous wave of mana shot forth, the cross-shaped energy wave swallowing the Berserk Lord whole. But while the man screamed in agony, his summoned warrior, Belkarium, remained unharmed. The duke instantly recognized the effect of an ‘advent’ and ground his teeth.

“GRAAAAGH! Destroy! I will destroy! Massacre! A great massacre!” The Berserk Lord ignored the duke standing before him and resumed his destruction. At this rate, Centrix would have no choice but to obliterate him along with a portion of the city. He first sought permission through his communication device.

“I permit it,” came King Leon’s voice. “However, you must capture that bastard. We need to find out who sent him.”

“Understood, Your Majesty,” the duke replied.

As long as he was taken alive, it didn’t matter. A special ability of that level meant he was at least an S-rank raider. By carefully controlling his power, Centrix could neutralize him without killing him. He settled into a sword-drawing stance, his eyes gleaming.

[Dimension Slash has been used by the Centrix Knights.]

[Dimension Slash uses remaining: 1/1]

If Cross Rupture Sword was his main skill, Dimension Slash was his hidden trump card—the ultimate technique that sliced through the very fabric of space. Without delay, Duke Centrix aimed for the man’s limbs and drew his sword. The dimension in the designated area split apart, unleashing its power with a deafening roar as buildings collapsed. Simultaneously, the severed section of the city fell utterly silent.

The dismembered man fell with a heavy thud.

Duke Centrix watched him drop and finally caught his breath. ’Who in the world summoned such a madman here?’ Ever since the internal strife began, there hadn’t been a single quiet day. Now, a rampaging raider had appeared to tear his city apart. With a heavy sigh, the duke began dragging the man back toward the royal palace.

—

Meanwhile, with MacPain gone, the raid party found themselves in an even more desperate situation.

“You’re not just going to stand by and watch, are you?!” Hyacinth yelled at Turner.

“I’m not that irresponsible,” he replied coolly. “I’ll start helping now.”

“Hah’. I’m using Location Transfer,” she said, her voice strained. “Please get rid of the melee fighters first.”

“I will. By the way, since you’re not using a Coin to Save a Comrade, I assume that bastard MacPain activated his special ability again.” It would have been a formidable power if he could control his sanity, but alas, he could not. Turner clicked his tongue and finally entered the fray.

[S-Rank Raider, Blue Crow Turner, has used Battlefield of the Void.]

[A skill-nullification zone is declared around the caster.]

[Battlefield of the Void uses remaining: 1/1]

Crow feathers scattered, staining the ground black. It was the same limited-use skill he had employed against the Eleonora raid party. Though they were now a commissioned party, they were not so oblivious that they missed the zone’s declaration.

“This skill…!” Sihan exclaimed, his eyes widening as he fought an A-rank opponent. He was once a comrade, but now, he was just another enemy. A bitter expression crossed Turner’s face as he spread his wings.

[S-Rank Raider, Blue Crow Turner, has used Falling Wings.]

[Enemies within a certain range are pushed back by the power of wind.]

One by one, Taehyun’s soldiers were swept away by the wind. All but a few of the main forces were pushed back from the raid party. Seeing his chance, Perun assessed his three remaining sniper bolts and made a decision. ’The reload is almost up, but if she’s using Location Transfer, I need to inflict some serious damage. I’ll aim for their main forces with these three shots.’

The crossbow bolts were ranged attacks, and even one of immense power couldn’t pierce the Fog of Malevolent Spirits on its own. But he hadn’t relied on simple bolts when hunting Titans.

[S-Rank Raider Perun has used Armor-Piercing Transformation.]

[S-Rank Raider Perun has used Precision Shot.]

The number of enemies was considerable, but he could still break through. He aimed precisely at the figures within the fog and fired.

The first shot rang out, flying toward the mage who had cast the fog.

[A-Rank Hero Soldier, Lich Big Dream, has sustained a critical injury.]

[The activation of Fog of Malevolent Spirits has been canceled.]

A second shot followed, this one for the archer whose traps had been sowing confusion.

[A-Rank Top-Tier Raider Hera has sustained a critical injury.]

Two shots, two targets down. The lich had taken less damage due to its undead nature, but the other was not so fortunate. Satisfied, Perun aimed at the mage beside him. At that moment, Turner, who had been pushing back the soldiers, moved to block his shot.

“Don’t touch that mage,” Turner warned, his voice low. “If you fire, your head will fly.”

“Come to think of it, I heard the Eleonora raid party was stopped here,” Perun mused, his eyes narrowing. “Turner, did you really come here on a commission? Or perhaps…”

“I don’t think this is the time for conversation,” Turner cut in.

He was right. From the left, a paladin was approaching with thirty dolls in tow, wielding a special ability that could stop time in a given area. If he reached the heart of their formation, they would be in grave danger. Perun sighed and fired his last shot at the silhouette on the far right.

A sharp ’ting’ rang out as the final armor-piercing round was deflected by a shield that materialized at the last second.

[A-Rank Top-Tier Raider Eleonora has used Divine Revelation.]

[A shielded zone is declared in the field around the caster for a set duration.]

[Divine Revelation uses remaining: 1/1]

’She had a skill like that? Why didn’t she use it sooner? Wait… Eleonora?!’

His gaze snapped to Turner. Perun surged forward and grabbed him by the collar. “You damn bastard! You’ve been looking down on this raid from the very beginning! If you’re going to act like this, get lost!”

“Hyacinth, use Location Transfer,” Turner said, ignoring him completely.

“I will, so both of you, please stop,” Hyacinth pleaded. “We need to manage our stress levels, too.”

At last, a teleportation circle shimmered into existence. The raid party vanished, transported to Hylon Forest as they escaped the Revived Plains.

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