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chapter 170
“This is far rougher than I imagined…!! I didn’t expect the <Adaptation> to have progressed this much already!”
Lee Hyun couldn’t help but think he had underestimated the Deep Sea Dungeon. He never imagined that the dungeon itself had been completely ‘devoured’ by the Demon King.
“Even I have to admit, this scene is absurd. What on earth, Bokhae, is this guy going through? Why can’t I even see the main body?”
While Sun Wukong muttered to himself, Lee Hyun used all his sacred relics.
[‘Sacred Relic: Hanbing’s Veil’ draws a large amount of mana.]
Lee Hyun squeezed Hanbing’s Veil, now essentially a supply container, to fill his mana circuits and activated his lightning magic.
―ᛊ
[Generates numerous ‘Lightning Orbs’!]
Crackle! Crackle!
In an instant, a dozen lightning orbs shot out like planets, spinning rapidly and scattering in all directions.
But their rotation was much faster than before.
[From now on, all lightning magic will automatically include Diois’ Stage 2, ‘Klasma’.]
[Mana efficiency has increased.]
[Part of Zeus’ sacred relic ‘Astraphe’ blessing has been applied!]
‘As expected, it works!’
Lee Hyun’s eyes sparkled as he confirmed the message he had seen when completing the Lightning Array worked perfectly.
The advanced Diois was impressive, but even more shocking was the mention of Astraphe—a sacred relic that, according to myth, Zeus used to punish Titans and Gigantes.
Why had a part of this, which Zeus’ sons were desperately seeking, been given to him? Lee Hyun couldn’t understand the correlation, but there was no reason to refuse if it would enhance his magic. He could figure out the reason later…!
“Zeus, what the hell are you going through? Am I ending up in a similar situation?”
The scattered lightning orbs exploded simultaneously.
Flash! Flash!
Boom! Rumble!
The lightning became an intense storm, striking the sea. Sparks jumped out and became new bolts of lightning, the flames linking together to sweep away the waters completely.
It was an overwhelming spectacle, as if Lee Hyun were controlling the weather.
Thanks to this, Bang!!
Lee Hyun landed on the sea surface cleared of water. Hanbing’s Veil had created an icy platform for him to stand on.
Roar! Screech!
Meanwhile, the surrounding sea, provoked by the lightning strikes, redirected its movement toward Lee Hyun. It was as if a massive black mountain was rushing like a tsunami.
Rumble…!!
But Lee Hyun had no intention of stopping there.
“The basic principle of Diois is condensation.”
The remaining lightning currents weaved together like a dense net. A magnetic field swirled violently around Lee Hyun.
―ᚱ
[Tracing a ‘Path of Radiance’ and attempting light-speed!]
Boom! Flash!!
The magnetic explosion propelled Lee Hyun high into the sky. Spray of water soared upward, mixing with mist to create thick fog.
His target: the top of the high Beanstalk, where the giants’ castle stood.
‘Once I get there, I can see how much the Adaptation has affected the <Story>!’
Screech! Caw!
More sea creatures gathered than when he was on the water surface. Those climbing the Beanstalk jumped toward him, and flying birds attempted glides in his direction, as if trying to prevent him from reaching the sky.
“Lee Hyun, be careful! I don’t know why, but they seem extremely hostile!”
“Ha ha ha! I didn’t know our master enjoyed speed this much!”
Lee Hyun ran at insane speed along the Beanstalk. The more he moved, the more sea creatures gathered.
Boom! Boom!
The lightning orbs exploded relentlessly, now enhanced with spirit magic. This method was perfect for focusing on ascent.
The enraged sea creatures fell to the water surface, leaving black scorch marks on the Beanstalk.
[Gingaoa predicts surrounding monsters’ trajectories and derives the shortest escape route!]
[Mana circuits overheating. Yeouisae attempts super-recovery to reduce physical burden!]
[Hwaangeumjeong reads enemies’ mental state…]
…
‘When… will it end…?’
After a long ascent, dodging attacks from the sea creatures:
‘I see it!’
Through Hwaangeumjeong, Lee Hyun spotted a new world below, blanketed in clouds as if they were solid ground. And the colossal castle standing at incredible height.
But…
“Die! Monsters of the Black Sea!!”
“Why dare you defile our beautiful White Sea! Begone!!”
“Fall! Fall, I said!”
“The Beanstalk grows again! Chop the branches! Don’t let them climb!”
“Ah! It’s getting past! Damn it! Follow me, servants!!”
The world above the clouds was chaotic too.
Sea creatures repeatedly tried to climb the Beanstalk, while giants defended the castle, engaging in fierce battle.
The giants varied in size—some around three meters, others over ten meters tall.
‘They seem like inferior versions of the Giants of Logos.’
Though weaker than Logos, each was still a skilled warrior. Even the violent sea creatures couldn’t push them back.
Axes and greatswords severed limbs, and rocks from catapults took down flying sea creatures.
‘Judging by the lack of detectable magic or skills, they rely solely on physical strength.’
By the time Lee Hyun finished assessing the dungeon giants, they had noticed his presence.
“Where’s that thunder coming from…!”
“The Black Sea! Something’s coming up from the Black Sea!!”
“Damn…! Is it another mutant using magic!? Form a defensive line!!”
“Wait! Wait! It’s not the sea creatures causing the thunder! It’s a human! A human of the Black Sea!”
The castle trembled.
A sudden lightning storm appeared. Giants, previously battered by hail from the sea creatures, were on high alert.
But suddenly, a human?
“What!? Nonsense! The Black Sea humans were wiped out by the sea creatures ages ago! And they can’t even use magic—”
“It’s real! Look over there!!”
Pointing at the Beanstalk, all dungeon giants turned their attention.
Boom!!
The sea creatures besieging the castle exploded simultaneously as white lightning struck high into the sky.
The human appeared: a man in a platinum coat and a goblin mask.
“How can such a small body have that much power…?”
While the dungeon giants stared in shock,
―ᛇ
[Summons ‘Thunder Whale’!]
Lee Hyun condensed the lightning following him into a thunder whale and dropped it into the midst of the sea creatures.
Kraaaang!!
The cloud-made sea shattered, spraying water high. The thunder whale emitted intense lightning, pushing all the sea creatures away.
‘For now, pretending to be on the giants’ side seems best…’
Lee Hyun quickly assessed the situation. By aiding the dungeon giants, he could gain their favor. This might help in exploring the Kunduun or the Demon King.
At least the dungeon giants, unlike sea creatures, had intelligence and reason.
But,
Flinch!
[Battle Sense (S+) warns of danger.]
[Boss monster appears!]
Lee Hyun stiffened as shadows covered him from above, urgently retreating.
Kraaaang!!
The thunder whale burst too easily. Lightning struck, but the beast’s skin only slightly scorched.
“The Black Sea King! The Sea King has appeared!!”
“Damn! I thought today would go smoothly…!”
“Barista! Bring the Barista! Quickly!!”
A sea creature at least 40 meters tall roared.
The dungeon giants sprang into action, aiming ten large crossbows along the wall.
They had erased the thought of the thunder-creating human from their minds.
The problem: there was more than one Sea King, each capable of overwhelming dozens of sea creatures with powerful prayers.
‘Boss monster? But how could there be three…!’
Fffft! Boom! Boom!!
Neither the dungeon giants nor the Sea Kings paid attention—they collided head-on.
Corpses were scattered everywhere.
“….”
Lee Hyun understood why the Deep Sea Dungeon had never been fully conquered. Its scale was beyond the capacity of mere raiding parties.
Dungeon giants and sea creatures: an unyielding, tense battlefield straight out of myth.
“Everyone is desperate, whether attacking or defending. It seems the battle will never end,” said Sun Wukong.
Lee Hyun nodded. He needed to secure his stake here, but it wouldn’t be easy.
[Gingaoa spins rapidly, accelerating thinking!]
In the slowed world-time, Lee Hyun prioritized:
-
Recover Kunduun.
-
Locate the Demon King.
He had no reason to be dragged into the battle.
‘If I use this chaos to quickly complete these two objectives…’
Problem:
[Activating Hwaangeumjeong to detect the location of a new sacred relic!]
[It is dispersed nearby.]
Flare!
Since arriving above the clouds, everything seemed golden, as if the dungeon giants’ world itself was a hint toward the Kunduun.
The area was vast—too vast.
Lee Hyun needed to shift perspective to narrow it down.
“Daeseong, why are the sea creatures so intent on the giants’ castle?”
“I don’t know. They have no intelligence. But,”
Sun Wukong shrugged, narrowing his eyes.
“Perhaps there’s something there triggering their instincts.”
His gaze went beyond the giants’ castle.
Lee Hyun’s eyes deepened.
“Could they be searching for the ‘treasure’ in the giants’ castle?”
“Treasure? Why suddenly?”
“I’m not sure, but if it’s related to the Demon King…”
“That would explain this odd behavior.”
“If the Demon King came to this Deep Sea Dungeon looking for Kunduun and something happened, it all fits perfectly.”
Sun Wukong’s eyes glinted.
“The giants’ treasure might be connected to Kunduun?”
“Or maybe it’s a door for the Golden Key.”
Lee Hyun clenched the Golden Key.
“Hahaha! Becoming a gentleman thief, are we?”
“If necessary, I’ll do it.”
He changed his approach. Originally planning to use only Gwireo’s power, he borrowed Jet’s power briefly—the Night Goblin had appeared.
[Step into the Dusk!]
Patsutss-
As the world’s time reset, the pure white lightning vanished into the darkness as if it were a lie.
