Changsik shouted in shock.

What What is that? What are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to

...fight it.

Fuuu at least its a doll. If it was a monster

No. Haaah that isnt necessarily the case.

Seol continued.

Right now that doll is the most dangerous thing here.

...What?

If its 25% of his strength back then

Finn had entered the Labyrinth of Penance after acquiring Blood of Origin from the Ancient Red Palace.

That was the moment Finns explosive growth began

Finn became incredibly powerful after clearing the Labyrinth of Penance, meaning he hadnt yet reached his prime while undergoing the trials within.

When one considered the situation in that manner, there was no way a doll, who was only 25% as strong as Finn, could defeat Seol. However, the truth was different.

There were two reasons for this.

First, Finn entered the Labyrinth of Penance much later than Seol.

Seol had a clear direction for his piece, and it also possessed plenty of skills.

And he likely has a few Exceptional Skills as well.

Seol possessed two Exceptional Skills as well. Karens Sunset Draw was only usable in specific situations, and Night Crow was still incomplete despite holding lots of potential.

Possessing multiple skills meant that you had various paths to achieve victory.

Seol, as he currently stands, isnt powerful enough to overcome them all.

Second, it was a horrible matchup.

Finn had extraordinary skills that were fatal to Seol.

Since Seol didnt have many skills at the moment, Finn Modria was the worst opponent he could face right now.

'But just because I know that doesnt mean its a fight I can run away from.'

Seol had advantages to his side as well.

First, Finn Modria only has 25% of his original stats from when he cleared the Labyrinth of Penance.

While a 75% penalty was significant, considering how The World of Eternity granted more stats with progression, Finn Modria was currently at a similar level to Seol.

Second, if the labyrinth was emulating Finns fighting patterns through the Penance of Pain, it should replicate them exactly as Finn did.

However, Finns fighting pattern was entirely created by Seol.

Which also meant that Seol could predict most of what the doll would do.

And that will be active too.

Lastly, Seol had experienced the Final Penance before.

He knew about the special environmental changes that became active during the Final Penance.

Not only did Seol know about them, but he also understood that leveraging those changes was the key to turning the tables.

Step.

Seol took a step toward the central square, glancing at Changsik.

During this I wont be able to protect you.

...Ill protect myself, dont worry. Ill try my best to help.

Fuuu

Tension filled the air as the two expected a brutal fight.

Seols heart felt heavier with each step he took.

Sometimes, some fights were unavoidable.

Seol stopped thinking about his odds of winning.

If he had to fight, all he could do was try his best.

Step.

I want you to stay behind me first.

...Huh? O-Okay.

Changsik took a step behind Seol, his senses sharp.

Step.

As Changsik fully stepped into the square as well, a message popped up.

[You have arrived at the end of the Labyrinth of Penance.]

[The Linked Adventure continues.]

[This Adventure is very dangerous.]

[You can only collect your rewards after all of the Adventures have been cleared.]

Frssss

An ominous energy began swirling around them.

[You begin your next Adventure.]

[Your 18th Adventure is starting.]

[Adventure 18. Division of Pain]

[Adventure 18. Division of Pain

At the end of the Labyrinth of Penance lies a certain individual's pain.

It is likely a pain that has been etched into the labyrinth.

Objective: Defeat Record of Pain: Finn Modria

Caution. This Adventure is very dangerous.

Remaining Time [N/A]]

Its starting now.

The soul doll began moving with the messages.

Fwoooosh!

Finn immediately gathered a red, coarse energy in his hand and released it. It was a swift attack that was difficult to handle.

[Record of Pain: Finn Modria used Blood Curse.]

[The target struck by the projectile will bleed excessively.]

[The target struck by the projectile will have blood clots.]

A projectile shot out from Finns hand like a bullet.

Seol, as if expecting this, hid Changsik behind him.

Ffft!

Krgh

Blood Curse didnt deal significant damage on its own, but its difficulty to defend against and the compounding effects often led Finn to use it as an opening move in a fight.

In exchange for its quick speed and powerful effects, the cooldown for the ability was quite long, typically allowing for only one use per battle.

[You are affected by Record of Pain: Finn Modria's Blood Curse.]

[Ring of Grace activates.]

[It deflects Blood Curse.]

Thankfully, Seol had already prepared a provision for the curse.

Seol, after nullifying the curse, moved on to the next step.

Glooow!

Fwirl!

Fwirl!

He summoned Karen and Karuna from his hands.

Finn, as if he had been waiting for this, gathered a red energy in his hands.

Its coming.

[Record of Pain: Finn Modria used Exceptional Skill: Ruby Mirror.]

[Mimic the targets familiars.]

[The mimicked familiars are limited to 50% of the original familiars stats.]

Finn used his Exceptional Skill.

Ruby Mirror was the skill Seol had been worried about.

This skill was practically a nightmare for any class that used familiars like summoners or necromancers.

If Finn were only capable of this, fighting him would have been manageable. However, almost as if to mock the notion, Finns doll began using more skills.

Fwooooosh

A red fog encroached into the area.

[Record of Pain: Finn Modria used Exceptional Skill: Clogged Flow.]

[Enemies affected by Clogged Flow will temporarily be unable to use a skill.]

[Clogged Flow does not affect Exceptional Skills.]

[The Spell Resist Dice are rolling.]

[Spell Resist Dice has rolled a 2.]

[Snowman is unable to use Passive: Enhance Summons.]

[Spell Resist Dice has rolled a 4.]

[CarryMachine resists Exceptional Skill: Clogged Flow.]

[Spell Resist Dice has rolled a 5.]

[Karens high resistance adds 1 to her dice roll.]

[Karen resists Exceptional Skill: Clogged Flow.]

Luckily, both Changsik and Karen resisted it.

[Spell Resist Dice has rolled a 1.]

[Karuna is unable to use Connected Soul.]

However, that wasnt the case for Karuna.

Damn it that was the worst-case scenario! Why did it have to be Connected Soul?!

It was fortunate that Karen resisted the Exceptional Skill, but at the end of it, Karuna's Connected Soul was sealed.

Connected Soul was a skill that doubled their stats when they were summoned together.

Since Seols Enhance Summons was sealed too, their stats had significantly decreased.

Fade

My strength is

Karuna and Karen had dire looks on their faces, recognizing that something had gone wrong.

However, Seol kept quiet. It would be hard to expect anything from them in this fight.

At this rate the most they could do is go even with Ruby Mirror.

After all, even that would be a hefty challenge for them right now.

Hrgh!

Hah!

Dash!

Karen and Karuna sprinted forth at the same time.

They tried to cover their reduced stats with a shout, but it was hard to expect their usual vigor.

It hadn't even been a few seconds since combat started for things to end this way.

Part of the reason was that most of the Blood Saints skills didnt require any sort of chant.

Regardless, Seol and Changsik lunged forth as well.

Seol, who had been in the Night Crow form this entire time, arrived at Finn earlier than Changsik.

[Record of Pain: Finn Modria used Refusal.]

[The target is pushed back.]

Bam!

Hrgh!

Seol flew back like he was a rubber ball.

Like I expected its the exact same pattern!

Refusal, in exchange for its low damage, had a very short cooldown.

This skill had an excellent matchup against classes that had to fight up close, like Seol in the Night Crow form.

After deflecting Seol away, Finn attacked Changsik.

Hraaaaah!

Watch your side!

Changsik dropped to the floor at Seols orders.

And then he quickly fell over backward.

Fwoooosh!

Finns Blood Spear would have pierced through Changsiks head had he continued his charge.

Haah

Seol scowled.

Finn is a turtle.

A turtle that hides behind its tough shell, only peeking its head out from time to time.

An adversary whose incredible defense wasn't the only problem, but also its blood-chilling attack.

Fwooosh

Fwooosh

Finns Blood Spear was still active.

Though the destructive power of Finns skills wasnt exceptionally high, getting hit by them would cause the skin to rupture, a unique effect of Finns spells.

However we arent monsters.

Unless you were a monster that could easily withstand multiple hits, even one of Finns attacks was enough to end your life.

Fwooosh!

Crush!

Fwoosh!

Crush!

Each time Finns spear struck the ground, a small explosion would occur with accompanying tremors.

It should almost be time soon

Blood Spear wasnt Finns only attacking skill, either.

Refusal was difficult to handle, and Finn had a plethora of other skills as well.

This was definitely not an easy fight.

Since Seol knew about Finns attack patterns, he approached him cautiously.

Seol looked around, waiting for a change.

I need a variable. Im pretty sure the season should change soon

And then it happened.

Rumble

The statue of the sword-wielding knight began rumbling.

[Penance: Season of Knights arrives.]

[Swords will occasionally fall over the battlefield.]

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

Damn it, not this one said Seol while pulling away.

A sword had fallen right where he stood earlier.

Fwooosh!

Clang!

Giant swords began raining over the battlefield.

Argh!

Changsik screamed in terror, trying his hardest to avoid them all.

Each time the air hinted at a flying object, a sword would land there without fail.

Finns doll also swiftly began dodging the swords.

Dash!

Dash!

As everyone on the battlefield concentrated on evading the swords rather than launching attacks, something entered Finns peripheral vision.

Fwoooosh!

A black fist.

It was Seols fist.

Despite the shock, Finns doll reflexively casted Refusal.

Baaaam!

Krgh

Finn managed to negate Seols attack through Refusal.

However, it did not take long for Finns doll to realize it was all a trick.

CRUUUUUSH!

A sword fell from the sky and landed squarely on Finn. It had been so busy negating Seols attack that it hadnt noticed it.

Seol had hoped the trick would be effective, but he was quickly let down.

Glooooow

[Record of Pain: Finn Modria used Blood Barrier.]

[75% of physical damage is negated.]

[Blood Barrier had not been casted properly.]

[50% of physical damage is negated.]

One of its arms was in tatters.

It seemed like it was still a huge blow despite negating 50% of the damage.

You still act like a turtle, as always.

Splaaash!

[Record of Pain: Finn Modria used Proud Flesh.]

[Rapidly recover 70% of the health you just lost.]

......urts.

Out of nowhere, Finns doll spoke.

Seol carefully focused on the dolls words as it creaked and groaned.

Creak

It hurts

This was the memory that Finn left behind in the Penance of Pain. A memory of Finn exhausted after a long battle.

Creak

Seol gritted his teeth as he responded, "Wait for me... I'll get you out of there, even if you don't want to!"

Rumble

The season began to change once more.

[Penance: Season of Magicians arrives.]