Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 417: Departure (1)

Gigantdalos.

One of the top ten sea kings inhabiting the Tower of Trials, known for its massive size.

Should it be described as a moving island?

If you were to face it for the first time, you’d be at a loss, wondering how to deal with such a monstrous being.

And the area where this absurd creature roams…

…is precisely along the path to the Pirate Island.

[Estimated Level: 170, Size: 72m (Large Species), All stats increase by 20% when fighting at sea.]

“Are you seriously saying we’re heading there on purpose?”

Chun Yoosung muttered, dumbfounded.

Though he hadn’t faced it personally, the information on the map made it clear—this was not the kind of opponent anyone should encounter.

Especially since on this floor, players suffer a penalty reducing all stats if they fall into the sea.

The terrain was overwhelmingly advantageous to the enemy and detrimental to them, a fatal factor in battle.

However, Jinhyuk nonchalantly brushed it off.

“It’s dangerous, but it’s manageable if done right. Besides, what’s there to worry about? We have solid reinforcements, don’t we?”

Following them were dozens of ships.

While most were hastily assembled vessels rated below 4-stars, the sheer number was an undeniable force.

“You’re planning to use them as bait…”

“Ahem. Bait, you say? That makes me sound like a bad guy. I’m just, you know, seeking their help to ensure we can smoothly enter the island.”

“That’s the same as using them as bait. Damn it, no wonder they gave in so easily…”

Chun Yoosung clicked his tongue, his expression darkening further.

“Don’t tell me the notarized agreement you used back then was fake, too?”

“Come on. That document has strong binding power. How could I possibly cheat?”

“Well, I suppose even you wouldn’t stoop that low…”

“Unless the agreement terms are violated, that is. As long as we follow through, the promises will be kept.”

“…!?”

A thought flashed through Chun Yoosung’s mind.

Hurriedly, he pulled out the notarized agreement he had distributed to everyone.

[The Veteran Corporation’s ship will take the lead, and if everyone safely reaches Pirate Island and exterminates the pirates, all rewards will be divided among the participating guilds.]

[Penalty for Noncompliance: 10 million coins]

Only after hearing Jinhyuk’s words did the peculiar phrasing of the document dawn on him.

Chun Yoosung pressed his temple with his finger.

“…We got swept up in the atmosphere… and fell right into the trap.”

The agreement clearly stated this:

Rewards would only be distributed if everyone “safely” reached the Pirate Island.

“In other words, if they don’t make it to the island, there’s no obligation to distribute rewards.”

Jinhyuk finished the thought for him.

From the start, he had deliberately positioned himself to take a supposed loss, all as part of his plan.

Escape Gigantdalos safely, reach Pirate Island, accomplish the objective…

…and then, with the guilds worn out from dealing with Gigantdalos, take it down himself.

No matter how desperately the players tried, dealing with Gigantdalos in the sea was nearly impossible, so he wouldn’t even have to worry about anyone stealing the last hit.

Chun Yoosung opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately stayed silent.

Whether he cursed or criticized, he knew better than anyone that it wouldn’t faze Jinhyuk.

“Hmph. As expected of my contractor. Nobles don’t concern themselves with trifles like these.”

Alice, looking proud, showered Jinhyuk with praise.

But then—

‘Rumble… Crash!’

From outside the window, a faint thunderclap could be heard in the distance.

It wasn’t a storm rolling in.

The thunder struck once and ceased.

Moreover, the lightning that followed was a vivid red.

“…”

Jinhyuk bit his lip as he stared in the direction of the lightning strike.

—

About three hours had passed since they set sail.

The Gandhara Guild, stationed at the rear of the fleet, was maintaining a slightly more distant route than the other ships.

“That guy would never have done this out of goodwill.”

Nirasha’s voice was cold and composed.

Although she didn’t know exactly what Jinhyuk was planning, she was certain they’d be stabbed in the back if things continued as they were.

And the answer wasn’t far off.

At that moment—

‘Bang!’

The door swung open as two people burst into the cabin.

“Nirasha!”

It was Ilrun and Chandra, rankers belonging to the Gandhara Guild.

“We’ve uncovered what he’s plotting through the holy relic!”

The holy relic, ‘Radiant Stone,’ granted by the gods of “Heavenly Wisdom,” revealed one of the many future dangers when a sacrificial ritual was performed with a heart.

It was a trump card rarely used due to its restrictions, but this was precisely the kind of moment it was intended for.

“Speak.”

Nirasha shot up from her seat.

“There’s a massive sea dragon lying dormant along our path.”

“A sea dragon?”

“Yes, a large species… and one with immense magical power.”

“It’s likely on par with divine or phantom beasts. If we charge in recklessly, the entire fleet could be destroyed.”

“…Ha! Look at this cunning bastard.”

Nirasha’s face contorted in fury.

All the ships were maintaining a set distance from the Veteran Corporation’s vessel.

The idea was to stay back and observe, ready to respond if any danger arose.

But that was exactly what Jinhyuk wanted.

Feigning heroics on the surface, he had planned his own escape all along.

“He thinks we’re fools, huh?”

The urge to kill the bastard swelled within her. But she couldn’t act just yet.

If the source of their information was questioned and it came to light that they’d used a sacrificial ritual, they’d be condemned as no better than the demons.

‘It’s better to pretend to follow his plan… and then turn it against him.’

Now wasn’t the time to rush.

They had to catch up to the Veteran Corporation’s location immediately.

Whatever stunt they pulled to awaken the sea dragon, staying nearby would at least provide a chance to escape.

“Right now…!”

Nirasha’s command was cut short.

‘Boom!’

An enormous geyser erupted from the water’s surface.

“Grooooar!”

The roar was deafening, as if it would rip their eardrums apart.

The silhouette of an unimaginably colossal divine beast obscured the moon in the night sky.

The sea dragon ‘Gigantdalos’.

This was the ruler of the vast seas.

—

“Aaaaah!”

“It’s a massive beast!”

“Evade immediately! Slow down and steer to the side!”

Chaos erupted among the allied fleet.

A sudden appearance of a large species left everyone in panic.

The greatest shock, however, came from the shattering of their assumption that the Veteran Corporation would be targeted first.

‘Crash! Crash! Crash!’

Gigantdalos rampaged, obliterating five ships in an instant.

The strikes were so overwhelming that no one could even consider dodging or blocking them.

The only silver lining was that Gigantdalos only recognized objects above a certain size as threats, sparing the lives of the players for now.

Of course, those who fell into the sea were no longer combat-effective.

“Ah, see? Night fishing is dangerous. I was just trying to catch a tuna, and all sorts of things decided to show up.”

Jinhyuk reeled in his fishing line, retrieving a mana crystal attached to it.

A pungent odor wafted through the air.

After being soaked in water filled with miasma for eight hours, the crystal had absorbed the foul scent perfectly.

Nothing worked better to awaken Gigantdalos.

“Tweat…! Tweaaaat!”

Even Goguma shuddered at the sight of the half-dissolved crystal.

“Well, we’ve bought enough time, so let’s make a swift escape.”

Claiming later that he had no choice but to leave for the island alone for the greater good would provide a sufficient excuse.

Besides, Oh Ji-won of the Veteran Corporation had pledged to stay behind and ensure no casualties occurred, serving as a minimal safety net.

But then—

‘Vroooom…’

A sharp sound of wind tearing through the air was followed by…

‘Boom!’

The side of the ‘White Pearl’ ship burst into flames.

It was a powerful magical attack, strong enough to destroy the escort drones as well.

“Brother! The Gandhara Guild is attacking us!”

“Damn it! Are they insane?”

Lee Tae-min and Yoo Yeonhwa shouted in unison.

As they said, 17 ships from the Gandhara Guild were closing in at remarkable speed.

Adding insult to injury, they unleashed a barrage of bombardments.

‘Hoho, would you look at that?’

Jinhyuk’s eyebrows arched sharply.

Their assault meant they had uncovered his plan to use the sea dragon as bait.

But…

‘How did they pinpoint the sea dragon’s exact location?’

Even Aruty, the manager of this area, only knew about the sea dragon’s existence, not its precise location.

So how?

“Kill him!”

Their frenzied screams left no room for further speculation.

Their intent to kill was unmistakable.

Seventeen 5-star ships and one 8-star ship.

Though the performance difference between the ships was staggering, if the Gandhara Guild was willing to sacrifice more than half their fleet, the outcome could become unpredictable.

That is, if they engaged directly in the current situation.

‘Krrrrrk!’

As Nirasha’s fleet drew closer—

Another ship charged in from the side.

This ship, small and agile, was designed with a sharp prow solely for ramming and sinking other vessels.

The ship rammed straight into Nirasha’s side.

‘Boom!’

A sharp impact reverberated through the air.

“Ugh! What now?!”

“Hehehe!”

“Battle! It’s battle! Can we kill them all? Huh? Can we just kill them all?”

A voice dripping with madness sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

“Who… are you?”

Nirasha’s pupils trembled violently.

There was no way she couldn’t know.

How could she not recognize them?

Rankers who enjoyed tearing and killing living beings more than climbing the Tower.

Though they were not widely known among the general public due to their tendency to linger on certain floors, any high-ranking player would have heard of these deranged twins.

‘Casey’ and ‘Judro.’

The blond sadistic killers.

“Hehe. Whose head will look the prettiest? That guy? Or maybe that dude over there?”

Casey, armed with a massive halberd, leaped toward Nirasha’s ship.

Ignoring the numbers disadvantage, he plunged straight into the enemy’s center.

‘Slash!’

A crimson mist of blood erupted.

The phrase “cut them in half” came to life in that instant.

Casey began butchering the players on the deck.

“Aaaaargh!”

“These lunatics! We thought they were gone after wiping out the hobgoblin species!”

“Kill him now! Don’t let that other bastard join the fight!”

They had to end it while only one of the twins was present.

Their synergy when together was said to be overwhelming, even for top-ranked players.

But it was already too late.

Judro had already gripped his war hammer and shield.

‘Boom!’

The damage caused by the sea dragon paled in comparison to what the twins unleashed.

“Damn it!”

At this point, Nirasha had no choice but to admit it.

Pursuing Jinhyuk while fending off these two leeches was impossible.

Moreover, she had missed the timing to retreat and was now trapped in Gigantdalos’s domain.

“Go ahead and keep fighting amongst yourselves. I’ll be back before it’s too late.”

Jinhyuk waved at Nirasha with a grin.

“I’ll kill you! I’ll tear you apart alive and kill you, you bastard!”

Nirasha’s enraged screams echoed across the sea.