Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 409: Rules of the Veteran Corporation (1)

“This way, we’re all going to die! Scatter and—huh?”

Paragon stopped mid-shout, tilting his head in confusion.

‘Thud!’

Two elves, previously snatched by Jumping Spiders, dropped to the ground, tightly wrapped in spider silk.

Almost simultaneously, the corpse of a Jumping Spider, pierced clean through by a spear, fell to the ground with a resounding crash.

‘Boom!’

“They’re both alive.”

Frey calmly flicked off the sticky fluids clinging to her spear.

Good.

With no casualties so far, the next step…

On the opposite side, T-Bone activated his Aura Blade, slicing through a ‘Talmite’, axe and all.

“How dare some Hell Beasts challenge the great skeleton that I am? Ridiculous. ‘Clatter, clatter.'”

‘Clatter-clatter-clatter!’

Despite the massive size difference, T-Bone, mounted on his spectral warhorse, tore through the enemy ranks with ease.

‘Grrrr!’

‘Roar!’

Anything that came into contact with the dark aura of his blade was shredded as if it were paper.

“Unbelievable….”

“Can an undead monster really wield such power?”

“This is… unreal.”

The elves who had been watching the battle stood frozen, their faces twisted with shock and disbelief.

T-Bone and Frey were overwhelming the high-ranking beasts as if the enemy numbers didn’t matter at all.

At this rate, the size of the opposing force was irrelevant.

‘And then there’s Kang Jinhyuk… he hasn’t even lifted a finger.’

Paragon swallowed hard.

Up to now, the skeleton Death Knight and the blue-haired girl had shown nothing but complete deference to Jinhyuk.

Loyal soldiers.

No—more like pawns, moving on command.

The hierarchy between them was crystal clear.

That left only one question:

‘Just how strong is this man?’

He could only imagine Jinhyuk’s strength, which clearly surpassed common understanding.

A shiver ran down Paragon’s spine.

When he’d first been ordered to follow Jinhyuk, Paragon had almost exclaimed, ‘“This is madness!”’

When Jinhyuk had suggested infiltrating the shrine with a small group, he’d thought, ‘“That’s suicide.”’

But now…

‘It’s possible.’

It no longer seemed out of reach.

Clearing out the Hell Beasts entirely. Rescuing the countless elves who had been taken captive.

‘Thud!’

The last beast fell.

“That should suffice as a housewarming gift.”

Jinhyuk began walking slowly forward.

It was time to eliminate Guntafer’s lackeys for good.

—

In the shrine’s deepest chamber…

A vast gathering of Hell Beasts surrounded the altar with the inverted cross.

These weren’t just any beasts; they were the strongest of their kind, far surpassing the ones at the entrance.

“What’s the current situation?”

Remia, seated on her throne, asked calmly.

“As expected, they’ve split into two groups,” Mordred replied. “Most of the elves are attacking head-on, while Kang Jinhyuk and a small elite team have infiltrated deeper. I’ve ensured the beasts outside are neither too weak nor too strong, so they’ll remain unaware they’re heading straight into a trap.”

A satisfied smile spread across Remia’s face.

“Good. So, they’ll soon divide themselves further.”

“Yes, thanks to a certain bat among them desperate to save herself. Isn’t that right, Melena? Betraying someone who took you in as an ally—how heartless of you.”

At Mordred’s remark, Melena bit her lip.

“I had no choice if I wanted to survive. That’s just the kind of person I am.”

“Ha! Yes, that’s you. Always ready to stab your companions in the back without a second thought. No heart, no soul—that’s Melena.”

By feeding Jinhyuk false information, Melena had successfully lured his forces toward the Black Demonstone.

Hearing that the Seven Deadly Sins member ‘Gluttony’ was guarding it, Jinhyuk would naturally focus his forces there.

Most of his team would divert to that location, leaving Jinhyuk exposed.

But…

Gluttony wasn’t there. Nor were any beasts.

Every single one of their forces was here at the altar, fully prepared.

Their priority was to eliminate Jinhyuk and prevent the gate from being activated.

The Black Demonstone was a small sacrifice to rid themselves of a major threat.

At that moment, a low growl interrupted her thoughts.

“This doesn’t sit right with me. All this effort just to kill one human?”

The hulking beast beside Remia snarled.

It was ‘Gluttony,’ one of the Seven Deadly Sins.

A grotesque monster, with a massive dual-layered jaw and rows of jagged spikes protruding from its body. Gluttony was a being that consumed everything in its path, absorbing the mana and strength of its prey.

“Don’t underestimate him. Remember, even ‘Sloth,’ one of your peers, fell to that man.”

“Are you comparing me to that lazy fool?” Gluttony’s pupils narrowed into dangerous slits.

“Of course not,” Remia soothed. “You and that disgrace aren’t even in the same league. I’m just trying to eliminate all possible variables. Surely, you understand the importance of completing this mission. It’s a direct order from Guntafer himself.”

“…Fine,” Gluttony relented, his hostility ebbing slightly.

The mention of Guntafer left even someone as arrogant as Gluttony subdued.

“If we succeed, Guntafer will reward us handsomely. Both of us.”

“….”

“So bear with it, even if it bruises your pride. This strategy isn’t about underestimating your strength.”

“Tch. Fine. But I want 100 elf prisoners. I came all this way, so I should at least get a taste of elf meat.”

“Of course. Consider it done.”

Just then…

‘BOOM!’

The shrine’s main entrance shattered.

A cloud of dust and debris filled the air as the stone gate crumbled.

“They’ve finally arrived.”

Remia’s lips curled into a smile.

She could hardly wait to see their faces as despair consumed them.

But then…

“…Huh?”

Something felt wrong.

Through the thick smoke, multiple figures began to emerge.

“Wow, so this is the infamous altar where demons commune with their Demon King? Quite a spectacle. Really unnecessarily grandiose, though.”

Jinhyuk, T-Bone, Frey, and even the High Elves—all the members who had entered the shrine arrived at this location.

“How…? They should have concentrated their forces on the Black Demonstone….”

Remia’s voice trembled violently.

She was used to controlling situations exactly as she wanted, orchestrating them with precision. The current turn of events was utterly baffling.

“Explain! Why have you come here?”

“I knew it was a trap.”

– “The tea you brewed by the lake… I’d love to have it again. It really suited my taste.”

The tea she referred to had been made from random weeds plucked from the area. No one who participated in that meeting had liked it. Least of all Melena, who had vocally expressed her disgust at its taste.

For her to now say she wanted to drink it again…

It was a signal. A way to communicate that the call was made under duress. And that the information she was providing should be taken as the opposite.

“Besides, demons rushing into a long, drawn-out battle doesn’t add up in the first place.”

“Damn that Melena! That deceitful wench tricked me again!”

Enraged, Mordred swung his sword.

‘Clang!’

“Ugh!”

A red flash deflected Mordred’s blade.

Jinhyuk put Fang away and instead drew Barnard and Crimson Lotus.

“People call our corporation ruthless, exploitative, and downright evil.”

Well, they aren’t wrong. We overwork, oppress, and squeeze the life out of everyone. This place is the epitome of a villainous company, one nobody joins willingly.

“But one thing is guaranteed: the safety of our employees.”

No one, not even the highest divine beings of the Tower, can harm a member of Veteran Corporation without my permission.

‘Rumble!’

Mana coalesced around Jinhyuk, exuding a chilling aura of malice, free of even a trace of humor. The sheer killing intent was on an entirely different level from anything seen before.

“Frey.”

“Yes.”

“Rescue Melena.”

“Command received.”

Frey spun her dual spears like a windmill.

“T-Bone, secure the path to the inverted cross altar with the elves.”

‘Clatter.’ “Understood. What about you, Master?”

“I’ll take their leader’s head.”

This battle hinged on how quickly Remia, the succubus, could be eliminated.

—

‘Wooooong!’

Various elemental magics flared to life at the fingertips of the High Elves.

“Our role is to support the human so he can focus on combat.”

“We must ensure this mission succeeds at all costs.”

Water, ice, fire, and wind swept through the battlefield. As elite nobles, their magic was nothing short of dazzling.

The fight had begun.

‘Boom!’

Jinhyuk plunged straight into the heart of the enemy.

[The unique skill ‘Mantra Taming’ has been activated!]

Mantra Taming, a mental manipulation ability.

It wasn’t highly effective against high-ranking enemies, but even a brief distraction was enough.

‘Roar!’

Several beasts faltered, confused, and even turned to attack their own allies.

Jinhyuk used the opening to push further forward.

‘Boom!’

Thanks to the High Elves’ support and the flanking efforts of T-Bone and Frey, Jinhyuk avoided being surrounded. He could focus entirely on the foes in front of him.

‘Fwoosh!’

In his right hand, Crimson Lotus burned with the ‘Primordial Flame’, and in his left, Barnard shimmered with the ‘Blessing of the Stars’.

Fire and divine energy—both were incredibly effective against demonic beasts.

And then…

As the initial forms of ‘Phantom Blade Dance’ unfolded, an unstoppable storm of slashes tore through the battlefield.

‘Slash!’

‘Screech!’

Everything his blades touched was severed.

With accelerated movements and foresight-like precision, Jinhyuk’s attacks were impossible to counter.

Until…

‘Clang!’

For the first time, his sword met resistance.

“Heh heh heh! Finally, I get to face you. I’ve been waiting for this day.”

Mordred and Tristan, survivors of the Round Table Knights, stood before him.

‘Groooan!’

The pressure transmitted through Crimson Lotus and Barnard was substantial. Both knights seemed enhanced, likely having received ‘Succubus Venom’ from Remia, boosting their strength and speed.

However…

‘Whoosh… BOOM!’

Mordred suddenly shifted to a defensive stance—not against Jinhyuk, but against Tristan, who had swung her spear.

“Tristan! What in the hell are you doing?”

“Tch. I missed.”

“Don’t tell me… you’re another traitor working with him? Damn it, have you both turned against me?”

Mordred’s rage boiled over, his composure shattered.