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chapter 52
Ding!
A message window descended from the middle of the sky in the world of consciousness.
[‘Unexpected Event: Defeat Calamity Mama’ has been created!]
[Event: Defeat Calamity Mama]
[You are currently fighting a massive curse called Calamity Mama, injected into you by another, in the Imaginal World.]
[‘Calamity Mama’ represents the two disasters people feared most in the past: tiger attacks (Ho-hwan) and smallpox (Mama).]
[Defeat the Calamity Mama attempting to strike you.]
[Success: Acquire ‘White Tiger’s Might’ and Spear Demon]
[Failure: Become Spear Demon’s prey]
However, Lee Hyun had no time to pay attention to the message. One moment of carelessness could cost him his life.
Bwaaaang!
Crack!
The tiger was violently thrown back, snapping two chestnut trees.
Kuh-huh-huh!
Yet, it rose again uninjured, moving once more. Its hide was incredibly tough, and it seemed almost insulted to be outmatched by a mere human in strength.
At the same time,
[Calamity Mama summons the Spear Demons within its belly!]
The eerie wind it exhaled coalesced into human forms. Figures with blue faces wielding spears or swords—Spear Demons.
The difference from the folklore?
“W-We’re awake!?”
“Finally… we’re out!”
“Everyone, focus! To survive, we have to replace ourselves with it!”
They wore clothes similar to Hunters.
‘Are these the people who died long ago at the hands of the Mountain God?’
[Spear Demon]
According to ancient legend, those devoured by tigers become slaves even in death.
The enslaved spirits try to tempt others to take their place.
—Origin: ‘Tiger Beatings’
When dungeons first opened and the world was overflowing with <Stories>, the time when the Mountain God Mo Jeong-gyeon was active was so chaotic that the fate of nations hung in uncertainty.
Hundreds of Hunters and Fiends died at Mo Jeong-gyeon’s hands, many of whom remained bound as spirits even in death. So this phenomenon wasn’t surprising.
‘The number of Spear Demons in my Guardian Tiger talisman seems considerable. The key is their skill level…’
Lee Hyun moved quickly and opened the Hwa An Geum Jeong.
[Using ‘Sacred Artifact: Hwa An Geum Jeong,’ you can see through your opponent’s weaknesses!]
‘Let’s take a look.’
“Hmph! Clearly just rookies—why be cautious?”
“Only Mo Jeong-gyeon could be a real match!!”
Vwoooosh-
Two flashes, loaded with magical power, stabbed at Lee Hyun. He blocked both attacks with the axe while interchanging Gal-yuk and Gyo-hyeol, slamming his shoulder into the ground with a forceful thrust.
A charging motion reminiscent of an enraged bull—his signature move from his Jet-era days. Now amplified by Seolhon’s strength, it was far more devastating.
“Gah! What kind of strength…!”
“No, this can’t be!”
Bwaang!
Crash!
The two Spear Demons couldn’t withstand Lee Hyun’s power and were violently thrown back.
‘Their skill level is roughly A to A+. Some even reach ranker-level, but that’s old-school stuff.’
Lee Hyun analyzed their fighting styles and abilities at a glance.
‘With my current skill, I can easily take them all down.’
His dash was packed with destructive energy. Some of them even suffered broken spears.
Then came two lightning bolts hurled by their helmets—no, axe strikes.
[Rage Strike (E) activated!]
Bang! Bang! Bwaaaang!
Every strike of the axe unleashed sparks like bombs.
“This is impossible! They’re not even rankers yet, how can they have this much power?”
Even as he barely blocked the sheer force of the axe, the electric blue lightning erupting from the impact was far more catastrophic for the Spear Demons.
“The problem is, Rage Strike grows stronger with each stack…!”
[Each consecutive attack adds a stack. 1, 2, 3…]
[10 successful hits.]
[All stacks accumulated.]
Fzzzzzt!
Lightning arcs jumped into the air, connecting,
[A bolt of heaven strikes!]
Kabrrrrrr!
The lightning met the storm in the sky, forming a massive strike.
Bwa-bwa-bwaaaang!!
Thud!
Rumble…!
“Krrrraaaagh!”
“Kuh-huh!”
“…Where did you even come from? Are you a disciple of the Mountain God? Or a successor?”
The Spear Demon struck by the lightning was torn apart instantly.
[Rage Strike (E) upgraded to D-rank.]
[Electrified Field formed!]
[Splash damage spreads 3 meters in front of impact.]
The electricity swept like a tidal wave.
“Well, let’s just say I hate creatures like you who can’t let go even in death.”
Fzzzzzt!
“Kuh!”
“Krrrraah!”
“C-Cannot move…!”
[All targets caught in the Electrified Field suffer: ‘Paralysis’!]
[Action frozen for ~2 seconds.]
[Movement and attack speed reduced by 30% for ~15 seconds.]
[Rage Strike (D) upgraded to C-rank.]
Lee Hyun darted through the paralyzed Spear Demons with ease.
Thunk!
Thud!
“How…? We should be ethereal… how can this hit us?!”
“Goblin! The goblin mocks us… Guh…!”
[1 enemy defeated.]
[Rage Strike stacks reset; 5 stacks automatically added.]
Bwaang! Bang!
Bwa-bwa-bwa-bwa!
Each time Lee Hyun struck the Spear Demons, lightning erupted. That was the terrifying power of Rage Strike.
Not only did he crush everything in his path, but lightning could strike at any moment. The electrified ground also steadily drained their health.
[Specter of the Spear Demon rages wildly!]
Though once formidable before dying to Mo Jeong-gyeon, they were now only remnants torn apart by Lee Hyun’s axes.
Pas-sus-sus-
“This… I cannot die so futilely…”
[Cursed Incantations ‘Residual Collapse’ and ‘Great Life Absorption’ absorb energy from defeated Spear Demons!]
[Acquired Fierce Nature.]
The energy from the fallen Spear Demons was absorbed by Lee Hyun.
Crunch.
Crack.
His body began to transform.
[HP increased by 2.]
[Mana increased by 1.]
‘Yes. This is it.’
Mo Jeong-gyeon had likely hoped Lee Hyun would sharpen his mana control and strengthen immunity while overcoming Calamity Mama. That’s how one becomes a true ‘blade.’
But Lee Hyun turned it around, using the curse of Calamity Mama to his advantage. The result: White Tiger’s Might.
[White Tiger’s Might activated!]
Also known as White Tiger’s Great Calamity. A fate so dangerous it could have one devoured by a tiger, but when positively harnessed, it grants extraordinary talent, specialized skill, and unwavering focus on one’s goals.
-
Type: Trait
-
Origin: Fortune-telling Lore
White Tiger’s Might strengthened Lee Hyun’s resolve, making Rage Strike even more relentless. The Spear Demons could not inflict significant damage and were all crushed in just four breaths.
Seven Spear Demons fell in mere moments.
Then the dark shadow of Calamity Mama loomed above him.
Kraaaang!
Its jaw wide open, darkness like an abyss inside.
Bwaaaang!
“Guh…!”
Its fangs barely missed the axe.
Grrr…!
Calamity Mama clamped its jaw with sheer determination to devour Lee Hyun.
“Your skill has improved considerably. You might just serve as the gatekeeper of my fortress now.”
Above, the Snow Queen smiled coldly and waved her hand downward. Icicles fell in torrents; frost formed spikes on the ground.
Bwa-bwaang! Bang!
Krrruuuh!
Calamity Mama’s hide was cut, blood gushing. Lee Hyun and the Snow Queen had allied to drive out the intruder in their domain.
[Calamity Mama swings its tail, spreading calamity everywhere!]
It struck the ground with its massive tail; a whirlwind of cursed wind formed.
“…Damn.”
The Snow Queen’s approach was blocked. A dangerous situation where a bite could come from anywhere.
The gale attempted to sweep Lee Hyun away, but
[Curse Immunity (SS) activated; unaffected by calamity.]
Lee Hyun pushed through the wind, reaching right up to it.
“…!!”
“Stop the useless tricks—let’s fight properly. That’s the thrill of hunting, right?”
Fzzzzzt!
Blue-white lightning erupted around him. Lee Hyun’s smile revealed his fangs like a mad beast.
[Wrath of the Spear Demon erupts!]
Thud!
Fwoooaak!
Blood sprayed from Calamity Mama’s left forearm, which bit Lee Hyun’s right shoulder.
Crack-crash!
A horrendous sound, yet
[Rage Strike (C) rises two ranks to A, delivering consecutive hits!]
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Lee Hyun pressed forward, eyes fierce, in a push-of-strength standoff.
“…Huh.”
The Snow Queen watched, her hands idle. There was no room for her to intervene.
Ka-ka-ka-kak!
Lee Hyun raised Gal-yuk with his remaining hand and slammed it repeatedly.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Each strike sent blood flying, tearing flesh and exposing bone.
Krrruuuh!
His right shoulder collapsed under strain. Calamity Mama clenched its jaw to withstand the pain, its claws slicing deep and exposing organs.
[Combat Sense (B) upgraded to A; adrenaline temporarily reduces pain.]
[Rage stacks accumulate.]
[Lightning strikes!]
Kabrrrrrr!
The right foreleg was destroyed. Calamity Mama roared in pain, and Lee Hyun seized the opportunity, trapping the leg with both arms and twisting it.
Udddrd-drdrd!
A goblin wrestling move—its foreleg was ripped off. Blood covered Lee Hyun, instantly evaporating from the lightning’s heat.
“Human! Impossible!!”
Calamity Mama shouted in conscious rage for the first time. Its body staggered backward.
“Ha… ha…!”
Lee Hyun tossed the leg aside. His burning gaze never left Calamity Mama. The detached limb’s energy was absorbed back into him.
[White Tiger’s Might reveals its ferocity!]
[Calamity Mama frowns at your overwhelming aura.]
Lee Hyun, drenched in blood—human or tiger, he did not know—stood tall. His gaze was fiercer than lightning.
White Tiger’s Might.
Grrr…!
Calamity Mama thrashed in pain, wary of Lee Hyun’s comparable, perhaps greater, presence.
“I have no choice… when I sent him away, I never imagined this…!”
“Your recognition isn’t needed.”
Lee Hyun dashed again. Even his battered body fought. He bounced axes into the air, using his own energy.
“Try till the end, and I’ll—what is this!?”
Calamity Mama tried releasing the remaining Spear Demons for a second wave, but its body stiffened, bound by lightning chains.
“Sorry, I can never lose in a curse fight.”
“…!!”
“You knew me, but you didn’t know me. That’s your mistake.”
“No…!”
Electrified, cursed, and relentless.
[Curses stack.]
[Curses stack.]
…
[Lightning chains strengthened.]
Calamity Mama’s eyes, nose, and ears shut; senses overwhelmed by curse. Darkness approached.
Lee Hyun snatched an axe with his left hand and struck down.
[Wrath of the Spear Demon erupts!]
Kabrrrrrr!!
Calamity Mama’s head shattered.
Psssst…
[Calamity Mama defeated.]
[Rewards: White Tiger’s Might and Spear Demon acquired.]
[Outstanding performance; additional rewards…]
Lee Hyun kneeled, exhausted.
“Ha… ha…!”
The residual energy of Calamity Mama absorbed, his body transformed again, but he was too tired.
Then,
[<Snow Queen> watches you.]
The Snow Queen approached expressionlessly.
She moved her hands slightly, scattering snowflakes. Icy white hands.
“Why? Do I look tired? Have you changed your mind?”
Lee Hyun glared sharply, still alert. Though fatigued, he seemed ready for battle anytime.
“But,” the Snow Queen lowered her stance,
“You and your companions know how I view my people. I am the great ruler of Spitsbergen, the mother of all eyes and ice. Dishonorable actions are neither executed nor conceived. My promises reflect the faces of my people.”
She touched Lee Hyun’s wounds—casually, yet gently.
“I will keep my promise to you.”
Paah!
Her mana seeped into his wounds, leaving white frost. Lee Hyun’s breathing finally relaxed.
