Chapter 297: Something More Important Than Pride (1)
Among the vampire clan heads, only one had black hair.
Abigail von Levishita.
That name referred to the head of the Levishita family standing before Alice.
Grit…
Alice clenched her teeth so hard they might break.
“Showing your face in front of me means you’re ready to die, right?”
Her eyes gleamed with murderous intent, and her face flushed a deep crimson.
“Fufu. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your face, sis. Why so harsh? I’m delighted to see you after such a long time.”
“Cut the crap! Every single day in that hellish pit, I thought about nothing else but killing all of you!”
Kukukuku!
Crimson droplets floated around Alice’s body.
[‘Vladimir’s Spear’ activates!]
Spears and countless spikes made of blood filled the air.
A far more ominous aura spread than when she fought the black goat.
“I agree to a fight, but how about listening to my story first? I think it’ll be quite intriguing for you.”
“No need.”
Alice flicked her finger.
The spears in the sky all turned toward Abigail.
At her command, they would instantly repeat the massacre of Romania.
However…
“The strange gate your contractor entered. He’ll die if this continues.”
“…What?”
For the first time, Alice’s body flinched.
The strange gate surely referred to the ‘Boundary-Breaking Mirror’ Jinhyuk mentioned before he left.
And knowing about it meant that Abigail’s words weren’t mere bluff.
When it came to Jinhyuk, she couldn’t just brush it off.
The spears’ momentum weakened.
“…Speak.”
“According to reports, your contractor has multiple summons aside from you. Ancient species, spirit beasts, undead monsters… really a lot. Even the clan heads would find it hard to control all those powerful summons. If they all fight with full force, it would be a real problem.”
As Abigail spoke, Alice realized what she was implying.
The fatal flaw of relying on a single individual’s magic supply.
“Magic overload… you can’t mean…”
“That’s right. So far, he’s fought battles within his limits, avoiding dangerous situations. Given your contractor’s nature, I think he calculated even that.”
However,
Could he do that now?
The forces of the Heavenly Demon Cult, the vampire clans, and the 50th floor’s thoughtforms.
The power was overwhelming.
If they all concentrated their strength on the summons, no matter how efficiently Jinhyuk distributed his magic and avoided risky fights…
He would inevitably reach his limit.
“Besides, Exenscion himself went to your contractor. You, of all people, should know how strong that man is.”
Abigail smiled sweetly.
Exenscion of Ataraxia, the new head leading Ataraxia.
Praised as the strongest among the current heads, it was Exenscion’s abilities that had confined Alice to the corridor.
‘No matter how… it’s too much for my contractor.’
To think they had prepared such a thorough plan.
Allowing a surprise attack from a clan head who was tough even in a one-on-one.
The risk was too high.
‘…I can’t lose him. I won’t let him die.’
Revenge was important, but nothing was more important than the life of a precious person.
In the end, Alice’s head drooped powerlessly.
“What do you want?”
“Fufu. I like that you’re quick to understand. The condition is simple. Put a restriction on yourself and seal your unique holy spear.”
“My… holy spear?”
“Yes. The Revelation of Genesis. That ability is really annoying to deal with.”
In a battle between clan heads, the unique holy spear was their lifeline.
A means to decisively end their opponent.
Asking to give it up was essentially asking for her life.
“And if I do that… you’ll guarantee my contractor’s life?”
“Of course. Our target is only you. The blood oath will be guaranteed by the clan’s forbidden magic.”
Her own life or Jinhyuk’s.
If she could choose only one…
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
Alice nodded.
At that moment.
Wuuung!
A grim reaper in a black robe appeared around the two vampires.
On one side of the scale was Alice’s red soul.
On the other side was Abigail’s black soul.
[The Blood Oath has been established.]
[Alice von Ataraxia’s unique holy spear will be sealed for the next 24 hours. In exchange, Abigail von Levishita and the vampire clan heads will cease all attacks on player Kang Jinhyuk and will not threaten his life unless provoked.]
The oath sealed with blood would be upheld with their lives.
‘…It’s done.’
Alice smiled faintly.
Simultaneously.
Sss…
Dozens of vampires began to rise from the shadows.
Red eyes glinted in all directions.
The vampires of the Levishita family each wore sinister smiles as they drew their weapons.
“Keekeke!”
“Hunting the former clan head. What an honor.”
“We’ll tear you apart.”
“We can finally avenge our past humiliation.”
Rapiers, daggers, and blood magic gathered in one place.
“Who would have thought the mighty Alice would throw her life away for a human? No one could have predicted such stupidity.”
Abigail also drew a scythe taller than herself.
The scythe, embedded with a huge eye, vibrated subtly.
‘Scythe of the Wraithwood.’
The scythe, with its ‘absolute judgment’ effect, was Abigail’s weapon and her unique holy spear.
Without a comparable holy spear or top-tier holy relic, she was unmatched.
But despite everything before her…
Alice stood her ground firmly.
She had no regrets about her choice.
Even if restrained, it didn’t stop her from fighting for her pride.
And if it meant falling for the one who showed her hope…
It wouldn’t be a bad end.
Of course, she had no intention of going down without a fight.
[Alice unleashes the unique ability ‘Blood Lord’!]
The air changed dramatically.
As if igniting one last flame before being extinguished.
Alice began to gather her magic.
“My name is Alice von Ataraxia…”
The noble true ancestor observed and scorned everything.
“I am Ataraxia itself, and all of Ataraxia exists for me.”
Even without her holy spear, her words carried the weight of an absolute ruler.
“Come. If any of you dare to challenge this might, now is your chance.”
Alice assumed her stance.
That was all.
Yet…
“Ugh!”
“Hmmph.”
The once confident vampires involuntarily took a step back.
The nightmare of the past stirred forgotten memories.
The horrific trauma of an entire great clan being wiped out by a single true ancestor.
At that moment.
Swish!
The head of the vampire at the back flew off.
Blood dripped from the horizontally swung scythe.
“I don’t need cowards in my clan.”
Running meant death.
Abigail spoke coldly.
“Without her holy spear, Alice is a toothless tiger. We can definitely hunt her down. Surround and wear her out. Do you understand?”
“Yes, understood.”
“Right. We were fooled by her intimidation.”
“Kill her!”
“Raaah!”
The vampires leaped at once.
‘…Never come here. It’s a trap.’
Alice murmured for the first and last time.
—
Wuuung!
White runes appeared above Belthor’s head.
A seven-layered multi-formula.
‘Unbelievable…’
Belthor swallowed dryly.
At first, he thought an insane idiot had come to him.
The barrier master profession was a path chosen only by weirdos and fools.
Moreover, when Jinhyuk said he had only three hours to advance, even the slight expectation he had vanished.
But how…
“Kukuku… Khahaha! This guy is completely insane.”
Belthor couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
His top disciple in life had barely managed to grasp a six-layered barrier.
Yet, here was a player outside the tower using a seven-layered barrier.
He could only laugh.
“I’m still far from done.”
Jinhyuk used another skill.
‘Battlefield Selection’ caused the surroundings to transform.
The scene changed completely.
They were now in a library.
Specifically, the place where Belthor had learned barrier arts in the past.
Through the open ceiling, the pitch-black night sky and its bright stars were visible.
As if showing the beginning and end of the barrier master’s path.
“Ah…”
A sigh mixed with complex emotions escaped Belthor.
Finally.
[Due to the trait effect of ‘Blessing of the Stars,’ all stats increase by 5%!]
All stats exploded in an instant.
Pazzz!
The barriers Jinhyuk had set up fused into one, forming a grand barrier.
Although self-taught and imperfect, it had a commendable form.
[The 11-star grand barrier ‘Twilight Marsh’ activates!]
In the shimmering golden waves,
Belthor stood still, as if nailed in place.
Instead, he calmly voiced his thoughts.
“You… are an interesting guy.”
That was probably his way of complimenting him.
“Thank you for saying so, but didn’t you mention breaking my barrier initially?”
“Damn it. How can I break this with simple methods? You pass. If I don’t pass someone with your skills, no barrier master could ever advance to the second stage.”
To break an 11-star grand barrier, even Belthor would need to use his full power.
In other words, the test was over.
“Wait, wait a minute. Where are you rushing off to? Don’t you know a raw gem like you needs lots of time and effort to reach its true potential? I know the situation outside is intense. So I’m saying, instead of risking your life out there, why not stay here and train thoroughly? With your skills, I could teach you my newly developed dimensional barrier…”
The grumpy elder was now an excited child, buzzing with enthusiasm.
Yes.
Jinhyuk knew.
Though he had kept denying it, this man loved the field of barrier arts more than anyone else.
He cared deeply, so much that he had the right to hate and resent it.
“I’m afraid I must decline that offer.”
Alice, Chun Yoosung, Teresa, Wolyoung, and Master…
Yuyeonhwa, Taemin, Goguma, and all the guilds around the world.
Everyone was fighting for humanity’s survival.
The external situation was being conveyed through the status window.
Hold on! Just a little longer…
He will definitely come. Do not give up and keep fighting!
The Samurai Guild has landed in Korea. We will join you immediately.
Even now, they were risking their lives, waiting for Jinhyuk.
“I know where I need to be.”
Having accomplished his goal, he had to return.
“It was short, but thank you. Thanks to you… I think I can cherish this profession even more.”
Jinhyuk smiled warmly, bidding his final farewell.
[You have acquired the Lost Language.]
[You have completed the second advancement of the Barrier Master profession.]
[Your role has changed from Interpreter of Runes to Creator of Runes.]
With each step…
…new hieroglyphs appeared, marking his journey.
He was now a creator, exploring and shaping the world of the lost language.
“Why is it that I can never hold onto the things I want the most?” Belthor muttered, roughly tousling his hair.
But despite his words, a satisfied smile graced his lips.
“Go and show them what you’ve got, young barrier master.”
