Solo Max-Level Newbie

**Chapter 329: Gate Opening Before 11 Hours (4)**

The fiery explosion incinerated the trees in a straight path.

Boooom!

Though it wasn’t comparable to a dragon’s breath, the condensed beam of fire was unimaginably powerful.

“Aaaaargh!”

“Krooooaar!”

The Water Dragon Clan and Armored Drakes behind were inevitably caught in the attack.

Before their screams could even fade away, the engulfing flames evaporated them down to the bone.

“My goodness…”

“I have met spirit-user rankers before… they could barely handle monsters from the 10th floor at best.”

The players from the Fight Daddy Guild gulped down their dry spit.

Especially Yoo Jin-ah, who looked back and forth between Jinhyuk and the salamander with a completely changed expression.

[Yoo Jin-ah’s affection level has increased by +30.]

[Displaying such formidable power signifies a deep bond between the Tamer and the summoned beast. Yoo Jin-ah is revising her judgment of you.]

[Overall affection level: 20]

Seeing the rampant flames, Jinhyuk scratched his chin, seeming troubled.

Hmm.

Was that too flashy?

Using his abilities without restraint to increase affection was good, but the stage was set too grand.

Such a fireworks display was akin to advertising the presence of an intruder here.

‘But with Cheon Yuseong drawing all the attention, it should be fine.’

Most of the magic reactions nearby were currently heading towards the coast.

By the time they would notice this place and deploy troops, they would have already delved much deeper.

It was right then.

Ding-dong!

[You have received a video call request from ‘Slave No. 2’.]

[Will you accept?]

Slave No. 2… was Melanada, the one he planted within the Mine Association.

Although she was to report immediately with important news, contact had been sporadic due to the Mines being quiet lately.

But now trying to make contact at this timing meant…

“I’ll accept.”

Jinhyuk activated the video chat.

[An advanced magic stone possessed by the other party and your ‘Blood Spirit Red Phoenix’ from the Sacheondang Sect have been consumed.]

[A ‘Third Communication Network’ has been established.]

Melanada, with her long braided hair entwined, appeared on the screen.

“I wanted to contact you sooner, but the surveillance was too intense… I barely managed to create an opportunity now.”

“It’s okay. What’s the matter?”

“You’re on that island in the East Sea, aren’t you? The one trying to stop Shub-Niggurath or whatever it’s called?”

Indeed, as expected, Melanada was privy to the highly confidential information shared only within the association and top guilds.

“Not only the upper management but… the Mine Association is also involved?”

“Right. And there are vampires involved. They possess terrifying magical power and seem to be high-ranking, equivalent to a clan leader.”

Startled, Jinhyuk’s fingers tingled—the ring of Brahman responded to the term ‘clan leader’.

“Besides you, has anyone else from the association come? For an affair of this magnitude, there should at least be one person from the Round Table, right?”

“Yes, in fact, I wanted to discuss that. His codename is Arthur, but he is more commonly referred to by his real name, Nietzsche. You’re strong, I know, but be very careful with this old man. Even before the Tower appeared, he was considered a person of danger globally for his exploits.”

Nietzsche…

The name identical to that of a famous philosopher.

Whether it’s a coincidence or not, if Melanada is terrified, he’s not someone to be taken lightly.

“Any additional information on Nietzsche?”

“He wields powers over Nothingness. Within a certain range, all unique abilities and skills are sealed. In other words, you have to fight with purely physical capabilities. And considering he will likely be escorted by vampires, it’ll be quite tricky to face him.”

A player who can seal abilities combined with clan leaders.

Definitely… it would be troublesome.

“If you want, I could dig deeper into their plans. It’s riskier but if it’s necessary, I must.”

“No, that’s enough information. Going any deeper could risk exposing your identity.”

Had he been caught off guard, it might have been dangerous.

But with advanced knowledge, he now had time to prepare against it.

“Thank you, that was a tremendous help. Truly.”

“As someone with the brand, I have no choice. It seemed like siding with you was more promising for my survival.”

Indeed. With the brand of the soul imprinted on her, there were no other options for Melanada.

A bomb was effectively strapped to her neck.

“One day, I’ll remove the brand on you.”

“Really?”

Melanada’s face softened with emotion for the first time.

Hope blossomed within her at the thought of one day breaking free from the dire constraints.

“Yes. So don’t be too gloomy. I’m not planning to exploit you for a lifetime.”

There was a way.

Should he one day reach the summit of the Tower, he would also find a way to remove the restrictions.

Of course…

There was still plenty of time until reaching the summit of the Tower.

Until then…

“Let’s just focus on getting through today. Got it?”

He fully intended to thoroughly exploit her.

＊＊＊

The raiding party, led by the Fight Daddy Guild, penetrated deeper into the island.

Despite frequent encounters with Water Dragon Clan members and Armored Drakes, the Fight Daddy Guild maintained their composure and formation as they continued.

Crash! Boom!

“Kroarrr!”

Heavy footfalls exploded against shields.

“Raise the shields!”

“Let none through!”

“Bro! Two more coming from the side!”

The tank line was pulling aggro from the medium-sized Armored Drakes.

“Idiots! Ignore the metal-covered ones in the front! They won’t die no matter how much you hit them!”

The Water Dragons riding on the backs of the Armored Drakes were screaming instructions, aware they needed to take out the long-range damage dealers and healers at the back instead.

But then…

[Area taunt skill activated!]

The taunt narrowed the pupils of the Armored Drakes.

“Kraaaa!”

Fueled by an instinct to annihilate the tanks, they launched forward with their whole body.

“Stupid creatures! This is why low intelligence is a problem!”

“We should join the fray as well.”

The Water Dragons cocked their tridents behind their shoulders to throw.

A well-aimed throw could fatally impale the humans.

Yet again, their plan would not succeed.

A player suddenly appeared upon the backs of the Armored Drakes, wielding swords and spears.

“You didn’t think we were just going to stand by and watch, did you?”

“Protecting our ranged dealers is our role.”

Clang!

Swords clashed with tridents.

A bloody melee ensued.

‘I don’t even need to step in.’

Jinhyuk watched the battle from the back leisurely.

Since everyone firmly told him to conserve his mana, he was able to enjoy such a comfortable raid.

‘The balance has been shattered…’

The guild’s own strength was efficiently cutting down the enemies without taking damage.

A little more pressure and the enemy’s formation would completely crumble.

And at that very moment…

Fizz-crack!

In the midst of the Water Dragons, a spark of yellow electricity flashed.

“It’s a high-level lightning spell!”

Yoo Jin-ah, who sensed the ominous magic, shouted.

Beams of light split in multiple directions.

[Advanced Magician ‘Peshaktu’]

A named monster.

Not just another melee elite, but a magic-user capable of casting spells and curses.

“How dare you insolent humans set foot here? Do you know where you are? You will pay for defiling this sacred land with your lives.”

Peshaktu roared in fury.

“Di er Ta Orkinak!”

His sacred words unleashed…

Crack-crack-boom!

A massive bolt of lightning was summoned, targeting the dealers above.

The tanks could not react in time, and the dealers, too, were too slow to raise their shields against the impending magical attack.

They were caught off guard.

In that moment…

[‘Glacial Sculpture’, ‘Shield of Heaven’ activated!]

Crack-crack-crack!

A massive wall of ice erupted, intercepting the lightning and scattering it.

“To withstand my magic… Impressive.”

“I’m a bit surprised myself. It’s more effective than I thought it would be.”

At Jinhyuk’s words, Peshaktu’s mouth twisted with rage.

“You dare to assess my capabilities? I am Peshaktu, the magician of my clan who has practiced magic for hundreds of years.”

“Hmm. If hundreds of years of practice only got you this far, you must’ve been messing around quite a bit.”

Even just thirty minutes of daily practice followed by slacking around should make one stronger than this.

“…I will make you beg for your life. I might turn your limbs into charcoal, but if you can last ten minutes, I’ll spare your life.”

Peshaktu produced a staff created from a red stone.

The staff oozed with a terrifying energy.

Swoosh.

Jinhyuk also drew out the ‘Specter Tree Scythe’.

Adorned with a black robe of a grand sorcerer, he appeared like an ancient wizard stepped out of time.

“Screeeeech!”

The giant eyeball embedded in the scythe whirled wildly.

Kukukukuku!

Immense magical power flowed through the two artifacts.

“Confident in your magic, I see…”

Snap.

Jinhyuk flicked his finger.

An icy spear emerged from Glacial Sculpture.

“Kshtar. Be Atema!”

Immediately, Peshaktu countered with a spear forged of lightning.

Crash!

The two spears collided mid-air.

Simultaneously, Jinhyuk released spears one by one.

Slicing through the air, they collided with Peshaktu’s own spears.

Bang! Bang! Krr-boom!

“Still standing up well?”

“Don’t pretend to be relaxed! Every spell has its limits to how many times it can be cast!”

Limits…

Defying that claim, the number of ice spears increased to twenty.

Suddenly there were too many to compare with earlier.

“But, there’s… supposed to be a limit… there has to be…”

Peshaktu’s voice shook wildly, his murmurs like someone who had lost his mind.

“Now, I’m going to increase the number by five.”

[Unique ability ‘Breath of the Fire Dragon’ activated!]

The spears became engulfed in flames.

“Let’s escalate the spear’s power to match.”

[Unique ability ‘Black Tears’ activated!]

Black liquid dripped from the tip of another spear.

“Didn’t you say if I withstand ten minutes, you’d spare my life?”

Jinhyuk sneered coldly.

“I’ll set you free if you endure just one minute.”

Let’s see… if you can withstand it.

If you possibly can.

The spears vanished all at once.

Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!

Suddenly, tens and hundreds of spears became a storm, relentlessly striking.

Peshaktu desperately cast spells, but he could not withstand even half of Jinhyuk’s barrage.

The overwhelming difference in strength.

The spears razed the ground and completely obliterated the spot where Peshaktu stood.

＊＊＊

Jinhyuk walked slowly towards the ruined area.

“Oh, so you didn’t die amidst all that?”

“Krrr…”

By skillfully using shields and blinks, Peshaktu barely managed to cling to life.

But with all of his magical energy drained, his internal state was a complete disaster.

“I promised to spare you since you lasted a minute, but you’ll die anyway from mana backfire. I’d rather end it cleanly myself.”

“I’m still… not finished yet.”

A sinister smile crept on Peshaktu’s lips as he finished speaking. He took out a dagger and plunged it into his own heart.

Thrust!

Blood gushed out like a waterfall, drenching the ground.

The earth quickly absorbed the blood.

At that very instant.

Thump!

The ground throbbed ominously.

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