Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 418: Departure (2)

The Guild Alliance had, at most, six hours to deal with Gigantdalos.

Everything had to be resolved within that time.

‘Krrrrrrk!’

Jinhyuk began sailing at full speed.

The ship cut through the waves, surging forward without hesitation.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team inspected their weapons, preparing for the imminent landing operation.

It was then—

“Master!”

Jinhyuk’s shadow wavered, and in an instant, a blue sword aura flashed forth.

‘Slash! Thud!’

A green-glowing arrow split apart mid-air.

It was Wolyoung, who had been silently guarding Jinhyuk from within the shadows.

“What’s this? There are no other ships nearby. Where did it come from?”

“There’s no movement detected on the radar either.”

At the sudden ambush, Yoo Yeonhwa and Lee Tae-min scanned their surroundings anxiously.

But there was nothing in sight.

“…It’s underwater,” Alice muttered, peering into the rolling waves.

If she hadn’t been paying close attention, it would have been nearly impossible to notice.

Beneath the surface, figures armed with strange weapons lurked.

“Merfolk,” Jinhyuk replied.

“Ho? You’re telling me those creatures actually exist? This Tower truly has all sorts of things. Humans that can live underwater—this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing.”

Well, this Tower does house a variety of oddities.

For instance, a dimwitted vampire, a gluttonous house owner, or even a drama-addicted homebody who hides under blankets whenever they step outside the Tower.

Jinhyuk cast a sly glance at Alice.

“Why do I dislike the way you’re looking at me, Contractor?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking it’s fortunate to have such a reliable companion who will be by my side for a lifetime. Sincerely.”

“L-Lifetime!?”

Alice’s face turned bright red, her voice trembling slightly.

“Hehe… I mean, ahem! Of course! I am quite dependable. And since you’re telling the truth, it seems you don’t get seasick. Rest assured, Contractor, I will protect you for a lifetime. So don’t you dare leave. Contractor? Answer me. Hey! Answer me!”

Though Alice babbled on beside him, Jinhyuk simply stared at the sea.

“Master, what shall we do? If you command it, I will cut down the fool who dared target you,” Wolyoung said, ready to dive into the water.

“It’s fine. Leave them be. After that failed attack, they should realize they can’t handle us.”

“…Understood. If that is your will. Still, it is surprising. Typically, merfolk tend to avoid humans.”

Huh. So Wolyoung knows about merfolk?

It seemed even the reclusive martial information network was aware of the dynamics on other floors.

“That’s usually true… but the ones here are filled with bitterness. They likely want to kill any human they come across.”

Merfolk, with their unique beauty and mystique, are often revered as sacred beings.

However, the residents here did not respect them. Instead, they trampled on their dignity.

Humans had begun capturing merfolk as if they were mere pets, treating them as collectibles.

They also frequently raided the merfolk for their treasures.

Centuries of relentless hunting followed.

‘As a result, their disposition has worsened significantly.’

The once-peaceful merfolk were long gone.

In their place was a race consumed by anger and hatred over their degradation into mere playthings.

And it seemed that such hostilities would persist forever on this floor.

Jinhyuk stared back at the merfolk glaring at him.

Their green eyes faintly glimmered beneath the waves.

“Let’s move.”

Untangling the web of hatred and enmity with the merfolk was important.

But now was not the time.

Jinhyuk pressed forward toward their destination once more.

—

A colossal island shaped like a skull loomed on the vast ocean.

This was home to the largest pirate crew on the 29th floor.

The ‘Pain Pirates.’

A group of scum willing to do anything for money.

And leading them was a man named ‘Kopps.’

“Well now, what brings such a high and mighty figure to us?” Kopps asked, stroking his long black beard.

In front of him stood a chubby hamster.

This was ‘Aruty,’ the intermediate manager of the 29th floor.

‘Rustle, murmur…’

The surrounding pirates couldn’t hide their unease.

After all, it wasn’t every day that an intermediate manager—someone seen perhaps once in a decade—made an appearance.

“Squeak! I have a task for you,” Aruty said.

“A task, you say? Surely you know we don’t come cheap. So, what sort of task is it?”

“A troublesome human is heading this way. His name is Kang Jinhyuk, a player who has been making waves lately.”

“Hoho. An intermediate manager, personally concerned over just one player?”

“This is no ordinary player. He’s been destroying countless Tower residents and boss monsters single-handedly.”

“Well, well! Sounds like quite a challenge. It’s been a while since I had a chance to brush the rust off my gun barrel.”

Kopps drew a flintlock pistol adorned with intricate patterns.

“Even the higher-ups are watching closely. You must not fail. Squeak.”

“Oh, don’t worry. No matter how exceptional he may be, that’s on land. Out here at sea, he’s no match for me. Right, lads?”

“Absolutely. Hahaha.”

“We’ll send Kang Jinhyuk and everyone aboard his ship to the depths of the sea.”

“How dare he encroach on the Pain Pirates’ territory? Let’s skin him and hang his hide on the mast.”

The pirates burst into laughter, drawing their weapons.

“And besides, I have the ‘Relics of the Sea.’ Including the ones we stole from the merfolk, I possess all three relics.”

Relics specialized for this floor.

In addition to his flintlock pistol, Kopps had gathered every relic that was most effective on the 29th floor.

It was no wonder that no resident of this floor dared challenge the Pain Pirates.

“Squeak. Yes, quite reliable.”

Aruty gnawed on a sunflower seed.

“But just in case, I’ll prepare some insurance. Not that I’m overly suspicious, but this mission is that important.”

“Insurance? What kind of insurance are you talking about?”

“There’s a player who has sided with us. Squeak! Let me introduce them.”

Aruty nodded toward his side.

Moments later, a man and woman, drenched head to toe, stepped forward.

They were Nirasha and the Gandhara Guild’s players.

Transported to the island via Aruty’s large-scale spatial magic, Nirasha struggled to contain her anger and shame.

“Damned bastard. If only he hadn’t awakened the sea dragon…”

“Squeak! Don’t worry. While it’s true that he caught us off guard, it’s also true that he’s tied down the other players.”

Surely, Kang Jinhyuk hadn’t accounted for the Gandhara Guild joining this fight.

It would be the Veteran Corporation that found themselves caught in the trap instead.

A sly grin spread across Aruty’s face.

—

‘Krrrrrrk!’

The ‘White Pearl’ surged forward, slicing through the waves.

The distant island came into view. The destination was close.

However…

Things rarely go smoothly in this world.

“They’ve swarmed in like cockroaches.”

Chun Yoosung gripped the hilt of his blade, ‘Ryuhwa.’

More than forty enemy ships were visible ahead.

“We’ll have to break through them to land on the shore.”

Alice, surveying the enemy forces, added her own commentary.

‘Crack!’

“What’s the hesitation? Let’s hit them head-on. Battles aren’t won by numbers, after all.”

Yoo Yeonhwa, already geared up with her gauntlets, seemed eager for action.

‘Kopps is likely waiting further inland,’ Jinhyuk thought, scanning the situation.

Neither the flagship carrying the captain’s emblem nor the famed 8-star ship, known as the “Moving Island,” was visible.

‘He’s also holding back the majority of his fleet.’

Kopps had reserved more than half of his forces.

Normally, his personality wouldn’t allow such caution. He was the type to lead from the front, tearing into the enemy like a rabid dog.

That he was holding back now could only mean one thing—

…He was stalling for time.

Following orders from an intermediate manager—or perhaps even someone higher up.

‘So, it’s a time-attack scenario.’

This battle would hinge on which side wielded the sharper, swifter blade.

The outcome would be decided by who had anticipated more variables and prepared better contingency plans.

‘Vrrrrrm!’

Two pairs of swords materialized in Jinhyuk’s hands.

“Tae-min.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“No matter what, you must protect the ship. Alice will assist with anti-air defenses, but overall, we’ll have to rely on you.”

As powerful as Alice’s ‘Blood Lord’ ability was, she couldn’t handle an endless bombardment and chaotic melee alone.

Not to mention the issue of mana supply, the sheer disparity in numbers was overwhelming.

“Hyung, I’m ‘In-Dae-Nam,’ you know. The guy who solo-cleared a labyrinth.”

In-Dae-Nam—”Bald Guy.” A nostalgic username from one of Jinhyuk’s old comrades in the Veteran Corporation.

Yes.

The master of chaos who had torched hordes of bugs while cosplaying as an exterminator.

When it came to outnumbered fights, Lee Tae-min was someone Jinhyuk could trust completely.

A faint smile spread across Jinhyuk’s face.

It was then—

“They’re coming,” Chun Yoosung muttered, slashing his sword like lightning.

‘Boom!’

‘Crash! Boom!’

A barrage of cannonballs exploded, scattering crimson flames.

“Quite the flashy welcoming fireworks. Let’s clear the path first.”

The battle began.

The sky filled with cannonballs and magic aimed at the ‘White Pearl.’

Yet, Lee Tae-min’s drones and the ship’s various defense mechanisms didn’t allow a single hit.

“Dare to aim your filthy weapons here?” Alice sneered.

When her blood-forged spears joined the fray, the ship transformed into a floating fortress on the water.

Defense was secured.

‘Tap.’

Jinhyuk stepped onto a foothold crafted from his ‘Glacial Sculpting’ skill and leapt toward the approaching pirate ship.

On the deck, about a dozen pirates had taken position.

“So, you’re Kang Jinhyuk? I am the Third Battalion C—”

‘Clang!’

The burly man barely managed to block Jinhyuk’s sudden attack with his axe.

“Such poor manners. Attacking in the middle of introductions?”

“Hmm… If we’re talking about manners, maybe fixing that face of yours should come first?”

“W-What did you say?”

“Just look at the sea around us. Why don’t you start by washing your face? And while you’re at it, scrub your teeth with a brush or something. Then we can have a civilized conversation.”

Though he knew these were pirates, Jinhyuk couldn’t help but question whether this man was even human. His appearance was more akin to a monster than anything else.

For a moment, Jinhyuk thought he might be looking at a highly trained orc attempting human etiquette.

“Unless, of course, that face of yours is meant to induce heart attacks. Then I suppose it makes sense.”

“You… You bastard! Capture him alive! I’ll rip his tongue out myself!”

“Y-Yes, sir! Right away!”

Even the hollow pretense of civility vanished as the pirates surged toward Jinhyuk, radiating killing intent.