Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 376: The War of the Stairs (1)

The Chalice of the Antichrist.

It served as a medium that allowed the avatar of ‘Guntapher’ to ascend to the 20th floor. Additionally, it symbolically supported the spiritual foundation of the cult.

‘As expected, they kept it in this room.’

A sly smile crept across Jinhyuk’s lips.

Even though they had made a contract of subjugation with Guntapher, laziness was still laziness.

That inherent idleness, embedded deep in their bones, wouldn’t disappear so easily.

‘Even if they put on an act of deception, the places they store their items and their basic behavioral patterns are easy to predict.’

Thus, he had already anticipated that the chalice would be in this room.

However, there was one issue…

Since it was a sacred object that the cult cherished dearly, it was protected by a severe and dangerous curse.

“Ouch!”

Teresa tried to reach out to the chalice but quickly recoiled in shock.

Even though she had surrounded her body with the ‘Blessing of the Stars,’ it was of no use.

The terrible venom radiating from the chalice was merciless against anyone who had not received Guntapher’s blessing.

“It’s like sour grapes beyond the wall. If Teresa can’t get it, neither can I.”

Chun Yoosung clicked his tongue.

He didn’t forget to add a comment afterward.

“Unless someone has a clever trick, that is.”

“Ahem! Ahem! Looks like it’s my turn.”

Jinhyuk cracked his knuckles as he stepped forward.

[The sacred object ‘Chalice of the Antichrist’ is currently cursed with ‘Winter Rain of the Demon Realm.’]

The curse was equivalent to an 11-star barrier.

Naturally, Teresa and Chun Yoosung couldn’t even think of touching it.

However.

‘Once you know the method to break it, it’s simple.’

Normally, people try to counter curses with holy power or healing-based magic.

It’s an obvious strategy.

Opposing attributes always guarantee the most effective results.

‘But that’s where most people make the biggest mistake.’

Jinhyuk began to gather mana once again.

There were three points where the venom was most concentrated.

Moreover, the chalice was originally crafted by a carpenter out of wood.

With those two clues in hand, the correct solution was clear.

Wooong!

The ‘Primordial Flame’ and ‘Ten Thousand Poisons Annihilation’ activated simultaneously.

He heated the wooden structure of the chalice, creating fractures, while injecting a new type of venom to further agitate the existing one.

Sizzle! Crackle…!

“Kieeeeeek!”

A beast-like scream erupted from the Chalice of the Antichrist.

And in that instant—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The venom surrounding the chalice dissipated in an instant.

[All venom has been purified!]

Perfect.

With that, one of the objectives for coming here had been achieved.

Meanwhile, outside, Tarachen and the Black Hill Tribe were buying time.

Only one more task remained.

＊＊＊

Boom! Boom!

“Kill them all! God demands the death of the inferior races!”

“Wipe out these foolish humans while we have the chance! This land belongs to us orcs!”

With deafening roars, countless fanatics and orcs clashed in a chaotic battle.

It was a bloodbath where no one could predict the outcome.

The fight had already gone on for hours, reaching its climax.

The fanatics, overwhelming in numbers, charged in like waves. But the orcs, relying on their individual superior combat skills, fought back fiercely.

In particular, Tarachen demonstrated tremendous prowess, holding his ground even against five Death Knights simultaneously.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The black winds of his blade shredded the Death Knights’ bodies to pieces.

“To suffer such humiliation at the hands of mere orcs…”

The commander of the cult’s forces, ‘Pelamon,’ ground his teeth in frustration.

The frontline was collapsing.

It was infuriating, but there was nothing he could do with his current strength.

Unless the cult leader himself arrived…

Just as that thought crossed his mind—

“You fools!”

A dense gray fog erupted from the heart of the temple.

Fwoosh!

It wasn’t fire.

The skin of those it touched didn’t burn.

Instead, it unleashed a power that slowed time, a despair-inducing force.

“Ugh… Uh…?”

“Chi…iiik!?”

Their movements slowed.

The hands wielding their glaives. The senses that reacted to attacks.

Everything changed.

Time seemed to triple in length.

Slash! Stab! Stab-stab!

The slowed movements proved fatal.

“Kraaa… aaaah!”

“Groooar!”

The orcs began to collapse in an instant.

Those within 10 meters of Sloth’s range had their time seized and were helplessly slaughtered by the fanatics.

“How can such an absurd power exist…?”

“Chiiik… This monster…”

The elite orc warriors gasped in fear.

Since they had never fought the Cult of Wraiths head-on before, they had no idea how powerful the cult’s leader, Sloth, truly was.

Or rather…

They had believed that even if their opponent was strong, Tarachen could still defeat him.

But seeing the sight unfolding before their eyes, who could still predict Tarachen’s victory?

The bizarre, reality-defying ability was enough to crush the pride and morale of the orcs.

“You miserable insects… Daring to oppose me. I’ll make you regret setting foot on our land.”

Sloth gripped his staff tightly.

[The Seven Deadly Sins ‘Sloth’ activates the unique ability ‘Stride of Indolence’!]

Within the distorted space, simply walking forward became both the ultimate defense and attack.

“Die…!”

The spear of an orc warrior moved sluggishly through the air.

“Foolish creature.”

Sloth infused his staff with mana, annoyed.

Poof…!

The spear disintegrated into dust mid-air.

Furthermore, due to the secondary effect of ‘Stride of Indolence’—‘Contagion’—the orc who had attacked began to turn into stone.

Crack…!

It took only three seconds for the elite orc to become a lifeless statue.

At this rate, no matter how many fought, it was meaningless.

In the end—

“Step aside. I will handle this.”

Tarachen stepped forward.

“Chiiik! Chief! No! Fighting that monster is too dangerous!”

“If anything happens to you, the entire tribe will be in peril. Leave this to us and escape while you can!”

The orcs tried to stop Tarachen.

Losing him would be far more devastating than the deaths of thousands of warriors.

“We cannot retreat here. If we give up now, we will never be able to defeat them!”

He felt fear seeping into his bones.

Unless he overcame this trauma, it would gnaw at the minds of the Black Hill Tribe forever.

Wooong!

A green aura surged along with the glaive.

…Piercing through that cursed energy.

The blade aimed straight for the heart.

Boom!

With nothing but that intent, Tarachen launched himself forward.

[Tarachen activates the Lv22 skill ‘The Liberated One’!]

A skill that grants complete immunity to all status effects.

Tarachen resisted the power of Sloth and soared high into the air.

“Groooar!”

From above…

…to below!

The glaive descended vertically with tremendous force.

Both its speed and power were sufficient.

However.

That was all.

“Hoo. So you’re the leader, huh? Not bad. You’re better than the rest, at least.”

The glaive trembled, frozen in mid-air.

“Gr… guh… argh!”

“No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to move. And by the way, this is how you sever an enemy’s head.”

Sloth’s fingers moved as if to slice through the air.

Or rather, he *tried* to move them.

“If you’re thinking about cutting my friend’s head off, I’d suggest you stop right there.”

A new voice rang out amidst the chaotic battlefield.

＊＊＊

At the entrance of the temple, Jinhyuk smiled softly.

“You…”

Sloth’s eyes narrowed.

“The name’s Kang Jinhyuk. I would’ve liked to greet you sooner, but I had some other things to take care of.”

“Kang Jinhyuk… So, it’s you.”

Sloth’s attention shifted from Tarachen to Jinhyuk.

“You know me?”

“Of course. How could I not know the human who made *Him* grind His teeth in rage? And after stealing the Saintess, too… Every member of the cult knows your name.”

In other words, he was famous.

“What an honor. It seems I’ve become the idol of fanatics. Isn’t that right? They say I’m well-known.”

“Not ‘idol,’ more like ‘lunatic,’ if you ask me.”

“Yoosung, that’s a bit harsh, don’t you think? You could’ve kept that thought to yourself.”

Chun Yoosung and Teresa chimed in with their own remarks.

“Hmm. So, you’ve brought along a couple of weaklings. And what do you plan to do with just the three of you? Surely you don’t think you can defeat me?”

“I don’t intend to fight you one-on-one. Your ability is far too annoying.”

‘Stride of Indolence’ was a flawless, unique ability in and of itself.

While it wasn’t impossible to counter, within the temple of the Wraith’s cult, it was practically invincible.

Yes, it was an overwhelming ability.

But there was one thing.

If that ability could be sealed from the start…

Jinhyuk pulled out a familiar object from his coat.

“Do you recognize this? I liked it so much, I decided to pick it up.”

The Chalice of the Antichrist.

The most important sacred object sustaining the Wraith’s cult appeared before their eyes.

“……!!!”

Sloth was so shocked he almost bit his tongue.

Even the deep-seated laziness and lethargy that defined him vanished in an instant.

The sight unfolding before him was that astonishing.

When he had left the temple earlier, he had doubted it, but now…

It was clear. Everything had been to acquire the chalice.

“Answer me! How… how did you know that our sacred object was here?”

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.

How could a mere player know information only the cult members possessed?

And even more unbelievable was the fact that the chalice, protected by Guntapher’s venom, rested safely in Jinhyuk’s hands.

‘Even the Saintess couldn’t touch it.’

Unless an archangel from ‘Eden’ intervened, not even divine power alone could reach it.

“I know you have a lot of questions, but aren’t there more pressing matters at hand?”

Jinhyuk casually lifted the chalice to head height.

And then—

Thud!

He let go. The chalice began to free-fall through the air.

“N-no!”

Sloth’s scream didn’t last long.

Just before it hit the ground, Jinhyuk used ice shaping to catch the chalice safely.

“Whew. Heavier than it looks.”

“Haa… Huff… Haa…”

“C-Chief! Our sacred object…!”

“That accursed heretic… What kind of blasphemy is this!?”

“Stop! Stop right now!”

“Ahhh! O Demon God!”

The fanatics, who had been immersed in their battle with the orcs, burst into tears.

With tears and snot streaming down their faces, they trembled uncontrollably, as if their nerves were on fire.

‘This is exhilarating.’

Indeed, there’s nothing more thrilling than trampling on what others hold most dear.

Humming to himself, Jinhyuk slipped a finger through the loop at the top of the chalice and began to spin it around.

“You fool! That relic is old, and its durability is weak! If you keep spinning it like that…”

Crack.

A red jewel embedded in the chalice shattered under the strain.

“Ah… Oops.”

He hadn’t intended to take it that far, but it seemed he had gone just a bit too far.