In the Tower of Trials, numerous weapons exist.

Swords, knives, spears, bows, blunt weapons and various magical tools, to the holy relics.

There was truly a wide array of armaments.

Among them, there were two weapons that were notorious for being particularly challenging.

The first one was firearms.

In fact, among the many players, only a handful primarily used firearms.

The reason was simple.

Ordinary bullets did not affect demonic beasts, thus only magic-infused bullets could be used.

However, these magic bullets were not only very expensive, but also took time to reloadwhich was another disadvantage.

Of course, thanks to the gamers in Korea who came up with a method to synthesize magic power in their bodies to create magic bullets, this method briefly became popular.

But, due to the incredibly complicated process of magic synthesis, the trend didnt last long.

And secondly, there was the type of flexible sword known as the snake belly sword.

Unpredictable trajectories.

Dangerous enough to injure even the user.

Only a few martial artists could properly wield it; it was not a weapon meant for ordinary players.

Most were tempted by its style, only to be more often cut by their own weapon than by demonic beasts.

However, there was a ranker who insisted on using these weapons that others shuddered to choose.

Step by step.

His main weapons were a pair of pistols in both hands, and the supplementary weapon was a snake belly sword at his waist.

Jinhyuk walked towards two demonic beasts.

Kieeeeee!

From the spiders gaping maw, a green liquid spurted out.

The acidic substance spread with a sour stench, scouring the area.

Hisssss!

By the time the green acid had started to dissolve the ground, Jinhyuk was already gone.

Kie?

He reappeared under the spiders thorax.

Bang!

A red flash burst from the pistol.

[The special effect Precision Shooting of the blue-graded Kruger (pistol-type) has been unlocked.]

[Effect: If an attack is made with the same force on the same spot, a critical hit is guaranteed with a 100% chance. (Margin of error 0.015%)]

A condition that required extreme acrobatics.

Kruger had a reputation as a weapon more for show than actual combat.

Of course, such conditions were negligible for Jinhyuk.

Moreover, Rick had specially enhanced it to a blue grade, so the weapons base damage itself exceeded 10,000.

Thud!

The bright red beam that pierced through the tough hide soared out the other side.

Kieeeeee!

Even with part of its body gone, the spider immediately swung its forelimb.

Against injuries of this caliber, insect-type monsters can continue attacking unless theyre completely incapacitated.

As the sharp claw flew towards him, its trajectory was redirected by the blades attached to his pistols.

Almost simultaneously.

The muzzle was now pressed directly beneath the spiders jaw.

Thump!

This time, the flash completely shattered the spiders head.

Huuu.

Jinhyuk steadied his breath.

Squirming.

The magic power erupted from his heart, traveling through his fingertips into the pistols.

[Ice Bullets () are complete!]

[Flame Bullets () are complete!]

Internal magic synthesis.

Two types of elemental bullets were created instantly.

Just then.

Vrooooooom!

A sharp tail whizzed past Jinhyuks face.

A movement too fast for its bulk.

Human melt consume.

Sharp teeth reminiscent of blades dripped with a clear fluid.

Usually with a brain, youd run away first, but I guess thats why youre guarding this place with such aggression.

One in each hand.

The pistols simultaneously fired.

Fwoooosh!

The combination of fire and ice created a dense cloud of steam.

How can such deception allow escape.

The cobra, obscured by the mist, instinctively stretched out its tongue to sense body heat.

Although the sudden and bright flashes were powerful, with its characteristic flexible movements, the cobra was sure it could evade.

If it could strike with its fangs and inject venom in between

It was possible.

Just need to avoid ten times

Surely, it resembled one of the common weapons humans used called arrows.

A fatal weakness with a gap existing between attacks.

Exploiting that was not too difficult.

The cobra was determined not to make the same mistake as the foolish spider.

Swish swish swish!

The cobras body glided over the ground.

Plop!

Bullets embedding in the earth.

One shot.

Thwack! Thwack! Thw-thw-thwack!

Two shots. Three shots six shots twelve shots.

This is the end!

But.

Thwack!

The gunfire didnt stop.

A brighter, more distinct light than before began to rain down through the steam.

What is?

Countless bullets reflected in the yellow pupil.

Ill just tell you one thing since you seem to have some intelligence.

The reason even a strange and disadvantageous weapon could reach the pinnacle of power.

It wasnt just because of the ability to create various elemental bullets.

Not even because of the ability to maximize penetration by finding weaknesses.

There are no delays with me.

Rapid-fire.

Converting magic into bullets and firing them took less than a second.

That was indeed the same ability that even the legendary Sword Saint, Chun Yuseongjo, struggled against in the past.

Kwakwakwa!

All critical hits.

The beams pierced through the scales, like thorns.

Then.

[Black Cobra uses Lv18 Molting!]

Right before becoming a pincushion, the cobra shed its skin and attempted to flee.

Intelligent, it knew when to give up quickly.

It may seem cowardly, but its smart battlefield evaluation.

However,

Jinhyuk had no intention of letting the retreating creature go.

Zzzt zzzzt zzzt!

He drew a long sword from his waist instead of his pistols.

[The snake belly sword Red Scale awakens!]

As magic infused the seemingly ordinary long sword, it rapidly split and elongated.

The blades leaving afterimages as they swept across the ground, reminiscent of a single serpent.

A snake chasing a snake.

Dirt and rock were cleaved, quickly catching up to the cobra.

Just a sword think you can catch me with that?!

The cobra took a sharp turn.

True to the nature of the serpent, the motion was surprisingly fluid.

But at that moment.

Zzt!

The snake belly sword also changed its path.

A living, breathing movement.

Even more serpentine than an actual serpent, a change in direction ensued.

With that, it was finished.

Before it could react or dodge, dozens of blades encircled the entire body of the cobra.

Now you wont be able to molt.

Red blood seeped from the sliced scales.

A single eye movement would signal a swift disassembly.

What kind of its impossible

Forget that. Answer my question. Among those inside the ruins, is there a winged insect creature?

Wha I dont understand what youre saying.

Thats not the answer Im looking for.

Shsst! Crunch!

The snake belly sword dug into the flesh.

Aaaahh!

The cobra twisted its entire body in anguish.

A creature like you guarding the entrance suggests a Named monster has hatched from the cocoon. Is that right or not?

Named monsters were capable of granting a small degree of intelligence to the mindlessly following monsters.

This creature too mustve had intelligence injected by that bug.

Yeah, its true! True!

Just as suspected.

The crucial point now was how long itd been since it hatched

How many days since it hatched?

Six its been six days!

Six days meant it already had full flying capabilities.

But since a week had not yet passed, it likely hadnt developed the ability to hypnotize using dust.

One more reason to hurry now emerged.

Your information has been very helpful. Thanks.

Then undo this hurry. It hurts

Sorry, but I cant do that.

If it ran away now to alert new enemies, that would complicate things.

The creatures inside must believe the Titan Guild to be the only invaders.

With a light swing of his sword, Jinhyuk ended it.

Snap! Crack!

The snake belly sword swiftly dissected the cobras body.

1 minute 38 seconds for two Still have a ways to go before Im back in peak condition.

Rapid-fire was about 20% off from its peak, and the snake belly sword moved three degrees off its intended trajectory.

To take down the boss by today, he needed to regain a bit more feeling.

But even so,

Its a good feeling.

Pistols and the flexible sword.

These were his main weapons that hed become so accustomed to after long use.

He tried to avoid using them for the climb, keeping them hidden, but now that he did, it brought back old feelings and fit in his hands well.

If combined with his existing skills, they were bound to create tremendous synergy.

Anyway,

Its time to get moving.

If the butterfly-like creature began to stir, there would be a risk of getting delayed.

Especially with players already inside.

Wind Domain and Sword Demon Sky Command were initiated simultaneously.

Zzt.

Jinhyuk vanished from sight.

Immediately afterward, a huge gust of wind raced through the ruins with a terrifying velocity.

Huff

Phew. Phew. Phew.

That was almost death.

From deep within the ruins, panting and wheezing filled the air.

These battered and bruised individuals were from Americas large guild Titan.

A large man with a battle axe slung over his shoulder cautiously looked around.

He was the raid leader ranked Aidan.

We havent gotten far and yet were already struggling like this.

Through detection spells, the size of the ruins had been measured to be about 15km.

Naturally, as they went deeper, they expected to encounter stronger demonic beasts.

Yet, without even reaching 1km, the assault team was already fighting fiercely.

The further in we go, the harder it will become.

Aidan narrowed his eyes.

He had anticipated a difficult fight at the location of the boss monster, but the combined army of insects, reptiles, and plants proved to be more than a handful.

Information had it that a week ago, the European assault teams did not encounter such difficulty.

A discrepancy had arisen between the information and reality.

Just then.

Aidan, this Are you really planning to continue?

Next to Aidan, a woman holding a long staff approached him.

It was Mei Ling, an S-rank AoE dealer of Chinese-American descent, with black hair and soft facial features typical of her heritage noticeable.

Youve felt it too, I suppose.

Yes. The mana consumption rate of the dealers is too high. Same for the healers. If we continue like this, the front-line tanks wont hold out.

Worry and concern seeped from her tone.

That may be. But we cant back down here. Weve prepared for over two weeks; retreating now without even trying would tarnish our guilds reputation.

Countless new guilds arose daily, many vanished soon, but a few shone brightly rising up.

Currently, Titan might dominate the American continent, but complacency would inevitably lead to their downfall.

Well engage in small scale. Ill take the leading charge by myself.

Aidan gripped his battle axe.

At the forefront, he would

smash everything.

Kukukuku!

The infusion of mana unleashed a ferocious aura from his entire body.

How much time had passed?

As the assault team battled on, they paused at a new discovery.

Aidan!

Mei Ling gestured and called Aidans name.

What is it?

Look at this.

A 4-meter diameter tunnel appeared in the corridor.

This is

Yes. It leads to the boss. Judging by the pulses of mana, its definitely the shortest route.

Turns out there isnt only bad luck here.

For the first time since entering the ruins, Aidan smiled widely.

Now they could conserve their strength and confront the boss. A weight had been lifted.

Are we entering then?

Yes. Prepare immediately.

Aidan nodded his head.

But at that moment.

If you go in, youll regret it.

A strange voice cut through the ranks of the assault team.