V57C3P2 – Kaybern’s Rage

“Stop the dragon!”

Weed tossed Van Hawk into Kaybern’s mouth.

Despite being a high rank undead abyss knight, it remained impossible to face the dragon alone. But, there was an underlying trick.

– Pwack!

Kaybern spat out Van Hawk and howled in rage.

– How dare a lowly undead dirty my mouth!

The dragon despised the undead!

For the dragon, Death Knights and lowly skeletons were all equally unpleasant, even if it was just for an instant, the dragon was infuriated.

– I must… protect the master.

Van Hawk was ejected harshly onto the ground and lifted his sword n.o.bly.

The Death Knight stood firm against the ma.s.sive Black Dragon!

His old cloak was ripped in many places and fluttered anxiously in the wind; his helm and armor were imperfect but were bolstered by the strength of his will.

– Dark Fighting Spirit!

Van Hawk emitted a smoke-like fighting spirit and raised his attack power.

– Devastating Charge!

Splat!

The courageous Van Hawk was instantly recalled by the force of Kaybern’s stomp.

In that moment, Weed hung off the leg of Torido who had transformed into a bat and was able to escape the effects of the Glacial Cage.

– You will not get away!

Kaybern wrecked the ice pillars with its body and began the chase once again.

The ground was a slippery ice rink that Kaybern crushed completely beneath its heavy steps.

“Torido, I have a task for you.”

– Anything except for charging at the dragon. Say it, master.

“Do exactly that.”

– Just pull my fangs out instead.

“Yeah, I outta pull them out and toss you to the dragon.”

Torido quickly transformed back to vampire form.

– Blood Torrent!

– Insolent vampire… Chain Explosion!

He delayed Kaybern for about 2 seconds before being scorched to a crisp.

– You run pretty well for a dwarf rat! Explosion! Explosion! Explosion!

Weed’s path began to sink 30 meters down.

The buildings sank along with the ground!

It was like an obstacle course, but there was Kaybern close on his tail.

“Four-legged Srint!”

He s.h.i.+fted directions, leapt and travelled through the dimensional gate consecutively, causing confusion.

Kaybern, after seeing Weed escape like a slippery eel, used a guided fire magic spell.

– Flames, respond to my call. Burn down my enemy!

The aura of fire swept in from every direction and ignited Weed’s body.

“Aaaaagh!”

– Squirm more. You lowly dwarf!

“K-aaagh. Ahhhh!”

Weed kept his head forward and ran vigorously even with his body on fire.

< You are suffering from the purification of fire.

Health points decrease by 570 per second. >

‘This much is not too big a loss for me.’

He took very little fire damage due to the Goblet of Flames. He acted like he was in pain as he ran towards the Bingryeong Square.

His suffering seemed so real he could win an Oscar.

He became a living flame, tripping over his feet and even rolling on the ground. Still, he pa.s.sed through dimensional gates and ran consistently.

– Stop right there! Soul Shackles!

< Your soul was forcefully chained.

Movement speed is reduced by 85%.

Combat ability and health points are reduced the further you travel from the current position. >

He fell under a restraint spell with just 400 meters between him and the townsquare!

The effects of Glacial Cage had not worn off completely either.

Weed utilized the dimensional gate but his speed was slow as a turtle.

Swift Coldwind: Kaybern is closing in fast.

Through the rumbling of the earth, he felt the presence of Kaybern.

Morata’s concrete roads shattered like puzzle pieces and buildings were knocked down by the impact of the dragon’s body.

‘What to do… What if I use Time Sculpting?’

The battle against the dragon was only just beginning and he was already resorting to Time Sculpting

– I have you now!

A moment of hesitation allowed Kaybern to catch up to him.

The enormous dragon’s charge even on the ground was formidably quick.

Swift Coldwind: K-Kaybern is… You have to get away right now!

“This is a do or die now…”

As Weed turned his head to look behind him, Kaybern’s long jaws spread open like a flytrap and approached rapidly. The fangs were clearly visible, and the odor was disgusting.

Oberon: Weed-nim! It’s me!

That instant, the voice of heaven fell upon him.

Wooos.h.!.+

A steel spear sliced through the wind!

Oberon’s spear barely missed the dragon’s left eye and stuck into its face.

– Dwarf! A dwarf again!

Kaybern checked the wound on its face and fumed with rage.

The Hermes Guild members that were waiting in Bingryeong Square were all positioned on the building roofs.

“We’ll take it from here.”

Bard Ray’s words sounded like a pledge.

***

The Hermes Guild had joined together with the Arpen Empire.

Their pride as Royal Road’s most powerful warriors remained.

‘We fought against the entire continent and lost. That isn’t something just any guild can do.’

‘Arpen Empire’s great lords? Who do they think they are? The clowns that couldn’t even meet eyes with us during Haven’s reign have met a good era.’

‘The Hermes Guild is the top. Our time will come again. I will make sure it does.’

With Bard Ray as the center, Arkhim, Boemong, Greiden, Gaushu, Lamifter and more. Players infamous across the continents were common in the Hermes Guild.

In order to protect the Haven territory and maintain their factions, they decided to take the hands of the Arpen Empire.

They heard enough of Lafaye’s concerns about the Hermes Guild splitting apart and weakening significantly. These were legitimate issues.

‘Still, if everything goes according to plan, where is the fun in that?’

‘If we have the sword in hand, we can deal with any variables that may rise. There is no guarantee that the Arpen Empire won’t fall just as we did.’

‘We are the best. We will grow our forces from inside the Arpen Empire and wait for the next opportunity.’

The commanders and lords of the Hermes Guild did not give up.

After the defeat at Garnav plains, they were disheartened. But their situation wasn’t that bad.

It was the greatest faction filled with players with the best skills.

If they were to display their true power in the dragon hunt they could mesmerize all players, so that the name of the Hermes Guild would s.h.i.+ne once again.

Meanwhile, they had to stay under the influence of the Arpen Empire, but compet.i.tion against the other great lords was plain meaningless.

“All make preparations for battle.”

When Bard Ray’s order came, the Hermes Guild members were already prepared for combat.

Even when the dragon was causing utter destruction, they weren’t afraid but instead they held their breath for the right moment. They believed they stood a chance if a perfect net could be set up.

Gaushu held up the Spear of Death.

“I’m sorry for Lancelot but… Weed’s presence is on another level. I’m sure he will understand us doing a little bit to save Weed.”

Slaughter Calcus held a sword in each hand.

One was for thrusting into the dragon’s body. It was a demon sword that leeched the enemy’s blood and health points and converted them into damage.

It was a weapon that was sealed for a long time, but he unveiled it for the dragon.

“We could abandon Lancelot, but not Weed-nim; what we do must be for the future of our Hermes Guild.”

If Weed were to die in the battle against the dragon and the Hermes Guild come out ahead, the outcome was clear. Those already despised by the world would be surrounded by all sorts of dark rumors.

Bard Ray: We will prove our strength so no one will dare question us. That is the way of the guild that I lead. Understand?

The Hermes Guild had gathered with the intention to win against the dragon.

They did not think of any other possibilities.

Indeed, they had complete confidence to come out as winners.

They were Royal Road’s most powerful warriors.

‘My sword is the only thing I trust.’

The G.o.d warrior Bard Ray commanded them.

In politics, territorial expansion and many other fields, they had always walked the path of conquest.

***

Weed was able to slip away as the Hermes Guild began their engagememt.

“Watching a fight is always fun.”

The Hermes Guild vs. the Black Dragon Kaybern!

A truly intriguing fight.

It wasn’t at the Bingryeong Square where they originally planned, but the main street close to the shopping district which would all be turned flat with the start of battle.

– Cavalry advance!

The Hermes Guild cavalry pointed their spears and began galloping forward.

Neigh!

The steeds had their eyes covered with patches and earm.u.f.fs.

It was to prevent them from sensing the dragon’s presence to ensure that they only respond to the knight’s orders.

The knights from every street corner joined at the main road and charged at the dragon.

“Ready spears!”

“Throw!”

The knights released their spears in one motion, sending them soaring toward the dragon.

– Raging fire, Global Thunder!

Kaybern cast advanced fire, thunder, dark magic, ice and wind type spells wildly.

AOE spells ranging from dozens to hundreds of meters in radius caused huge explosions.

Crrrrumble.

Morata’s buildings fell like sand castles and knights were flung into the air.

With each strike of lightning the road was carved deep and dirt flew all over the ground.

Dozens of electrified players fell simultaneously.

“It will be dangerous but stick as close as you can!”

“The wings are our first priority. Do not go for the body, but its wings.”

Thousands of Hermes Guild members gathered on the rooftops.

They swung their weapons from the ground and also flew through the sky and latched onto the dragon’s body.

“Power Smas.h.!.+”

“Take this on for size. Piercing Pain!”

The skills used by the Hermes Guild members were fantastic

Rankers famous throughout the continent were common to see.

It was worth noting that the players who succeeded in climbing on top of the dragon used only three skills.

The Hermes Guild conquered the Central Continent and acquired various powerful combat skills. They were using the skills with the highest penetration possible.

Weed watched from afar, impressed by the spectacle.

“They do fight well. They were well prepared it seems… Like diligent students that poured everything into the exam preparation. That is why they had the Central Continent in the palm of their hands.”

With each spell cast by Kaybern, hundreds of players died.

– Imprudent humans… Wind Slas.h.!.+

Even then, the Hermes Guild refused to let up, proving that they had earned their reputation.

“It’s doable. Everyone on the offensive!”

“Kill the dragon! I will take the honor!”

Back at Garnav Plains, their morale had been at its worst even before the war began, but now that they were fully prepared, it was an entirely different story.

– 1,000 lords of the Arpen Empire!

With a good show in just one battle, they could become lords. It was well worth betting their lives. All the broadcast stations and the viewers were excited.

– That is the real side of the Hermes Guild.

– They have regained some of their image from when they reigned over Versailles.

– Still, they didn’t reach the North. They got their b.u.t.ts handed to them.

– The guild is strong because of a minority of elite members… Well not really a minority because it’s certain that they are the strongest faction. No one can fight as well against the dragon as they are doing.

– The a.s.sault squad of the Central Continent players also fight well.

– Nah… There is still a gap in skills. I bet the Hermes Guild ran boss monster raids thousands of times.

They fought so valiantly that it drew out cheers from the viewers.

Whenever the Hermes Guild members got overwhelmed by magic or got killed by the swing of the dragon’s tail, the heat of battle raged even more violently.

(To be continued…)