Chapter 262: The Seven Deadly Sins (3)
“…A plan that benefits all of us? What do you mean?”
Nirasha paused, her hand hesitating.
A deeper smile spread across Tristan’s lips.
“Kang Jinhyuk.”
Just a name.
That was enough.
As expected, Nirasha’s expression noticeably changed.
“…Are you suggesting we eliminate that man? With your help?”
“You’ve suffered quite a bit from Kang Jinhyuk, haven’t you? We’re in the same boat, holding a grudge.”
“Admittedly, killing him would be the best Christmas present this year. But if it gets out that we’re working with you, it won’t just tarnish the guild’s name. The guild itself could disappear entirely.”
While the ultimate goal of players climbing the tower is to prevent humanity’s extinction, the demons’ primary interest is bringing the demon race into this world.
Even without that, allying with criminals wanted worldwide would bring more harm than benefit.
“That’s true, but that would only happen if our alliance became public.”
“In ruins that can broadcast live, if you think you can prevent information from leaking… I think you’re mistaken.”
“It’s not a mistake. And it’s not baseless nonsense either.”
Because…
“We are currently working with the owner of these ruins.”
A great witch skilled in curses and barriers.
A boss monster who created seven Gate Guardians, each of which is difficult to control alone…
She could also cast a barrier to interfere with the broadcasting system.
Nirasha’s smirk completely disappeared.
An alliance of a boss monster, the Demons’ Association, and a top guild.
“Indeed… if that’s the case, it’s possible.”
It’s not something a mere player could stop.
Even a national military force would struggle.
“Can we take that as a sign you’ll join us?”
“Let’s hear your plan first.”
Though she said that, she had already half-decided.
Just a bit more assurance was needed.
“The task for you and the Gandara Guild is simple. Cut off their supplies and rear support. We’ll handle the rest.”
“The supply line… the Olympus Guild?”
“Yes, exactly.”
The second attack team currently consisted of Jinhyuk and three others, along with players from Olympus.
With the four tackling the forefront, the others handled rear support…
If the rear were wiped out, the front team would be completely isolated.
They’d be rats in a trap.
“You’ve been biding your time, drawing them in deeper. Impressive. I never thought demons could be this patient.”
“It’s a minor task. We just need you to handle the small fry while we take out the main force, minimizing your risk.”
“Good… but we won’t be attacking Olympus alone.”
“Are you asking for support? You could handle the rear yourself, why?”
“In case the plan fails, I need an escape route. I won’t show myself in that place.”
Nirasha firmly set her terms.
Tristan had no choice but to step back.
“Then, we’ll provide one Apostle to support you. The Apostle of Wrath. And Gawain will also assist.”
With the support of an Apostle and a demon leader, it should suffice.
More than enough.
Rumble, rumble!
The stone walls of the ruins moved simultaneously.
Obstacles vanished instantly, and the various monsters guarding the domain disappeared like smoke.
A clear path.
“Oppa… this seems suspicious.”
“Hyung, all the bugs have retreated.”
Yeonhwa and Taemin commented one after another.
“There’s no magic reaction in the area. It seems like all the barriers and traps in the ruins have been deactivated…”
Maria, who was using detection magic, also looked puzzled.
Meanwhile, a subtle smile played on Jinhyuk’s lips.
‘So this is how they want to play it.’
This was an invitation.
A challenge to come forward if they dared.
It was obvious bait, but it also meant they had prepared thoroughly.
Since they were clearing the path anyway, there was no reason to refuse.
In fact, it saved time, which was beneficial.
“Let’s go.”
“No, Oppa. Doesn’t this seem like a trap? Are you just going to go?”
A trap, huh…
“A trap is only a trap if it’s cunningly designed to catch you off guard.”
This was just a childish prank, hoping things would go their way.
“If you’re late, I’ll leave you behind.”
Jinhyuk led the way.
“Your confidence is… fine, I’m coming.”
Three people, shaking their heads, followed him.
How long had they walked?
They arrived at a room filled with statues of numerous monsters after a long passageway.
Known as the Chamber of Repentance.
This was the last gate before reaching the Witch of Wailing.
Simultaneously, it was guarded by the trickiest of the Seven Deadly Sins.
“Grrr…”
A phlegmy growl echoed.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A three-meter-tall Apostle emerged between the statues.
Green skin, prominent tusks.
A bulging belly and muscular arms left an impression.
But the most notable feature was the massive cart he was dragging.
The cart, filled with grotesque chunks of meat and plants, explained why he was called the Apostle of Gluttony.
Ding!
A purple status window appeared before everyone.
[To deal effective damage to the Apostle of Gluttony, you must consume the ingredients in his cart.]
[All unique abilities and skills will be nullified otherwise.]
The meat and plants in the cart contained a special substance called ‘Pectekrosin.’ Only by infusing it into their magic could they harm the Apostle.
The problem was…
Aside from the horrifying appearance of the ingredients, they were so repulsive in taste and smell that a normal human couldn’t even bring them close to their mouth.
Even those with strong stomachs would find it impossible.
“Do… do we have to eat that?”
Maria took a step back, her face pale.
“They really outdid themselves this time.”
“If that’s the only way, we have to try… but this is problematic.”
Even Yeonhwa and Taemin, who had experienced all sorts of things, swallowed nervously.
At that moment.
“Graaaw!”
The Apostle of Gluttony spotted the intruders and pulled out a mace from the cart.
The distance closed in an instant.
Bang!
The mace brushed past Jinhyuk’s head, smashing the statue behind him to pieces.
‘Still as quick as ever.’
Despite his size, his movements were as fluid as a fish in water.
If I hadn’t known his toes turned inward by 3 degrees before he fully accelerated, my head would’ve been smashed.
But the attack didn’t end there.
It was just beginning.
“Groooar!”
The Apostle of Gluttony swung the mace again.
This time, Jinhyuk deflected the attack by slightly adjusting his angle.
Or so he thought.
Sssst!
A sharp pain radiated from his shoulder.
It wasn’t the mace.
His skin sizzled upon contact with the green smoke surrounding the mace.
“Are you spreading poison because you’ve been eating spoiled food?”
Jinhyuk widened the gap further.
According to the system, normal attacks wouldn’t work, leaving evasion as the only option.
At least until he ate that food.
Of course, knowing the method and actually doing it were two different things.
“Ugh… Hyung. This… ugh!”
“This isn’t just food police; it’s the prosecutor’s office! How are we supposed to eat this?”
Taemin and Yeonhwa, who had tried to force the food down, spat it out.
Squishy gray chunks of meat splattered on the floor.
No matter how urgent the situation, they couldn’t eat it.
The Apostle of Gluttony suddenly reached for the cart.
As if to demonstrate how food should be eaten.
“Gruuuh graaaah!”
Chomp! Chomp!
Chunks of meat disappeared down his throat.
[Attack Power increased by 10!]
[Agility increased by 12!]
[Movement Speed increased by 8!]
A series of status windows appeared.
The more he ate, the higher his stats rose.
His already thick arms seemed to grow even larger.
“Enjoy your meal. Just chew your food properly, so you don’t choke.”
Jinhyuk chuckled.
“Graaaah!”
The Apostle of Gluttony roared and charged again.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
While the Apostle of Gluttony grew more powerful, the group struggled.
Despite knowing the strategy, they couldn’t implement it.
They were dodging among the statues, but it was only a matter of time before they were caught.
As the battle tilted overwhelmingly to one side…
“Finally, some peace and quiet.”
“It was infuriating to watch you rampage through my domain. Now, how should I make you suffer the most?”
A new voice interjected.
The air turned icy.
Ominous, dark energy filled the room.
The black-haired beauty walking forward was significant, but the real threat was the decrepit crone in the tattered robe.
Compared to her, the Apostles they had faced were nothing.
This aura.
This feeling.
…No doubt about it.
Jinhyuk’s eyes narrowed.
‘That old woman is the Witch of Wailing.’
I was curious about what form she’d take this time with her thousands of faces.
‘So that’s the Witch of Wailing.’
Finally, we meet.
The core of this raid.
“Demons and a boss, hiding and waiting until we’re exhausted before showing up? Isn’t that a bit cowardly?”
“Huhu. Wouldn’t ‘wise’ be a more fitting term?”
“…Who are you?”
“Tristan. You could call me a companion of Lancelot, whom you faced before.”
There seemed to be more emotion behind the word “companion.”
What was clear was that they didn’t plan to let me off easily.
Jinhyuk glanced toward the ruins’ entrance.
“If you’re expecting reinforcements, I suggest you abandon that hope.”
“Why?”
“Gandara Guild, Gawain, and the Apostle of Wrath have gone to the Olympus Guild’s location. Not that it seems necessary to double-team you, given how poorly you’re faring.”
Tristan shrugged.
“N-no way…”
Maria’s pupils shook violently at the shocking revelation.
To think that not only were demons and the ruins’ boss allied, but Gandara Guild had also betrayed them—this was beyond imagination.
If true, there was no hope.
The power difference was beyond overwhelming.
They’d be thoroughly isolated, picked off individually, and finally surrounded front and back.
Yet.
Even in this desperate situation, Jinhyuk continued to smile.
“You’re mistaken about two things. First, I was also stalling against that brute.”
“Hmm. Are you saying you did it on purpose?”
“I had to wait until you showed up. If you’d run away with your tail between your legs, it’d be a hassle to track you down.”
To hunt perfectly, it’s best to make the prey think they’re the hunters.
That kind of false confidence leads to complacency.
“Second, I knew you’d team up with Gandara.”
I considered all possible choices for the demons.
It was clear they’d ally with the Witch of Wailing, but that alone wasn’t enough to ensure victory.
Thus, it wasn’t hard to predict they’d approach Nirasha, consumed by inferiority.
“Cutting off our rear support and dividing our forces to weaken us isn’t a bad plan. It’s a fundamental strategy.”
A textbook move.
But…
A textbook move is easy to predict.
“Stop bluffing. Are you saying you anticipated all of this? If you’re trying to shake us with hindsight, you’re gravely mistaken.”
“It might be bluster, or it might not be. We’ll find out soon enough. Whether my words are true.”
“W-what do you mean?”
Tristan’s voice trembled slightly.
Despite his confident words, Jinhyuk’s calmness had him a bit shaken.
“I mean, I’ve also prepared some defenses for the rear.”
I’ve called in reliable reinforcements.
And they’re likely far stronger than what you’ve prepared.