Seong Jihan was taken aback by the sudden emergence of a linked quest. He recalled the linked quest he had received during his time in the Bronze League.

[Prevent the attack of the Flesh Golem created by the Apostle of Destruction, Black Hand. If you use the Blessing of the Crystal, you can narrow the gap of power!]

So this linked quest was a continuation of that defense challenge, he thought, recalling the time he defeated the Flesh Golem.

He examined the new quest:

[Linked Quest Traces of the Apostle(1)]

In a certain location of the Valley of the End, a being neither of light nor darkness is hiding. You must lure this hidden being out.

Deal a blow to the Archangels Sword in the Angel Factions main camp and the Reapers Scythe in the Demon Factions main camp to obtain fragments of both relics.

Reward: 20,000 Achievement Points

Note: Divine Fragments can only be obtained from the opposing base.

Upon completion, the quest continues to Traces of the Apostle (2).

The Archangels sword and the Grim Reapers scythe were symbols planted at the heart of each base. Players typically avoided these symbols due to their reflective properties. The connection between these symbols and revealing the Apostles presence was unclear, but obtaining the fragments would not be easy. Especially since he couldnt strike his own bases divine relic.

I need to gather full buffs, Seong Jihan decided, understanding the buffs cumulative effect in the Ravine map.

With that, he transformed into lightning and dashed towards the mid lane.

Mid Lane

The mid lane was alight with a fierce duel between a mage and an archer.

Hes quite skilled!

Indeed, controlling him isnt easy!

Amidst the minions battles, the two players unleashed a barrage of skills and magic. They anticipated each others moves, dodging and countering with precision. Their rivalry was legendary, having faced off countless times in the Silver League. Both acknowledged each others skills, believing this rivalry would persist even in the Gold League.

Their intense battle paused momentarily as they both sized each other up. Thats when an unexpected voice interrupted, Excuse me.

From the northern creek, Seong Jihan, wielding the Phoenix Spear, appeared. The two players were clearly startled, wondering why he was there.

Ill be taking a kill, Seong Jihan casually remarked.

What? Before they could react, Seong Jihans shadow pierced the head of the Angel sides archer.

?!

The mage looked in shock.

Ill also take the team reward, Seong Jihan added nonchalantly.

With a single swipe of the Phoenix Spear, Seong Jihan effortlessly vanquished ten angel minions that were advancing. In a matter of moments, the mid-lane was cleared.

The leader of the guild, Lee Sung, stared at Seong Jihan in disbelief. He had been fiercely battling against the opposing mid-laner, each acknowledging the others skills. Yet, with just one move from Seong Jihan, his opponent was eradicated.

Is he really just level 30? Although Lee Sung knew Seong Jihan was incredibly powerful, seeing him in action was entirely different. This is no ordinary game, he thought, feeling like all his efforts had been effortlessly crushed. For the first time, he felt like he was facing an insurmountable wall.

Good day then, Seong Jihan waved at the stunned Lee Sung and disappeared. Moments later, notifications flooded the screen, announcing Seong Jihans relentless rampage across the battlefield. It seemed he had moved on to the bot lane.

Looks like hes riding the momentum, one player commented. Despite the brief moment of embarrassment, they soon accepted the inevitable victory that lay ahead. Hoping they wouldnt face him as an opponent in the next game.

* * *

40 minutes into the game, the Angel faction found themselves backed into a corner, their defenses shattered. For a map like the Valley of the End, which typically had an average game time of over 3 hours, it was astonishing to see it nearing its end so quickly because of one player.

The viewers found the game to be too easy for Seong Jihan. They never expected him to dominate so decisively right from the start. The level difference was astounding! Even if this was his first time on this map, his performance was unparalleled.

As he reached 20 kills, the opposing players gave up, flooding the chat with their frustrations and pleas for the game to end quickly. The viewers were amused by the players reactions, empathizing with their feelings of helplessness against such a formidable opponent.

This game is so messed up!

I wouldnt want to play either. Getting taken down by a summoned creature two at a time.

LOL!! The Dark Elfs eyes keep getting bigger, so cute

Those dark eyes make her look like a ghost.

But shes still pretty, so she passes!

Only two defense towers stood in front of the Angel factions main base. At the center of the base, Seong Jihan met Ariel, the Dark Elf. The once tiny elf had grown significantly, now reaching Seong Jihans shoulder. She looked almost identical to her appearance in the Survival map.

Have you arrived, inferior creature? Ariel remarked.

The summon lasts quite long, Seong Jihan observed.

Thats because your stats have greatly increased, extending the summon duration, Ariel explained.

The stat related to the shadow sword, the Sword Shadow Stat, played a significant role.

When Seong Jihan first acquired the Sword Shadow Stat, it started at a mere 5. However, with two title effects, it increased by 8, and after receiving the Moons Shadow gift, it now stood at 20. Given the in-game buff stacking, it had surged to 200%, making the current Sword Shadow Stat a whopping 60.

You should invest more in the Sword Shadow Stat. Its quite useful, Ariel advised.

I find other abilities more useful, Seong Jihan replied.

What ability could be more valuable? Ariel questioned, intrigued.

Want to see? Seong Jihan extended his hand, and Ariel nodded. The Dark Elfs form transformed, melding into Seong Jihans arm, turning back into the shadow sword, Eclipse. Handling the Eclipse now felt much more stable and seamless than before, all thanks to the increased stats.

As Seong Jihan walked past the battlefield, his target was not the enemy towers but a well behind the main base. Five angel players who had given up on the game were resting by the well, seemingly disconnected from the ongoing chaos.

Why are you here? one of them exclaimed, This isnt a combat zone!

If you come any closer, well get struck by lightning! Just end the game already another one pleaded.

Im here for a pentakill, Seong Jihan smiled menacingly, reaching out with his hand. Suddenly, the players felt an irresistible force pulling them towards Seong Jihan.

With the help of his enhanced Force ability, Seong Jihan began dragging them in, despite the sanctuarys divine protection. But the Archangel of the angel faction wasnt pleased with this sacrilege.

[The Archangel is outraged by the deeds done in the Angelic sanctuary!]

[Archangel rains down thunderbolts of judgment!]

Lightning bolts rained down, but Seong Jihan effortlessly dodged them, leaving only afterimages in their wake.

Seeing the audacity of Seong Jihan, the Archangel further fortified the sanctuarys protective barrier. The once almost invisible shield now shimmered brightly, signifying its bolstered defenses.

However, Seong Jihan was undeterred. He started channeling his inner energy into the Eclipse.

With a sweeping strike, he unleashed a potent force against the barrier. Though the shield, reinforced by the Archangels might, resisted the attack, it was not left unscathed. The protective barrier now bore a dark scar from the Eclipses force.

Your strength is commendable, Ariel spoke from within the Eclipse, Even leaving a mark on the Archangels protection is no small feat.

That was just a basic strike, Seong Jihan replied, smirking.

He then demonstrated a series of moves, effortlessly cycling between the Mountain Crusher, Horizontal Army Sweep, and Divine Earth techniques. To Seong Jihan, these were just basic moves, but their devastating power was evident.

The protective barrier, continuously battered by Seong Jihans relentless assault, started showing signs of weakening. The end seemed imminent.

Astonished, Ariel exclaimed,

[You can continuously unleash this?]

Just as she expressed her awe at Seong Jihans effortless execution of the triad technique, a massive thud resonated.

Thud!

[The Archangels sword directly protects the Sanctuary!]

The massive sword, which should have been at the forefront of the main base, now stepped forth to shield the Angels Sanctuary. Positioned just behind the barrier, the sword fortified the protective shield.

Clang!

The Archangels sword was not only more resilient than the barrier but also possessed the ability to reflect attacks. Seong Jihans sword energy was deflected back towards him.

[This might be our limit] Ariel remarked, witnessing the desperate efforts of the Archangels sword. Even an empowered Seong Jihan would likely find it challenging to penetrate such a defense.

Is protecting the well kills more critical than the main base? Seong Jihan pondered, puzzled by the Archangels desperate measures. However, he thought, This might be a blessing in disguise. Since it had come to this, he might as well obtain fragments of the Archangels sword. But to achieve that, I need to go all out.

It was time to invoke the three divine techniques within the Ascending Martial Arts of the Nameless Divine Arts.

I need to employ a technique that perfectly complements the Eclipse.

Nameless Divine Arts, Dark Shadow Technique: Dark Soul Vortex

The Shadow Sword Eclipse lost its sword form, morphing into a mini whirlwind. As it started swirling, an enormous surge of magical energy emanated from Seong Jihan.

Ariel, who was within the Eclipse, was taken aback by this unprecedented display of power,

[This force Its akin to the main bodys].