“Faust-ahh!!”
Rage flared in Leoni’s eyes involuntarily. Far in the distance, she glared at the dead Faust with a stake pierced through his chest.
“You said his main stat is sealed! What in the world is going on!!”
Leoni yelled, veins popping in her neck. But the dead do not speak. Instead, another answered her question.
“Faust’s curse worked perfectly on me.”
“What?”
The man she was about to tear apart just a moment ago. It was Kim Shimun.
“Exactly as I said. Faust’s curse worked perfectly. My main stats are completely sealed, unable to move an inch.”
At his words, Leoni furrowed her brow.
“I didn’t see you as a mocking type?”
“It’s the truth.”
“Then what about your body! Both your dark energy and main stats are sealed!”
“It’s simple. It’s an ability that doesn’t get affected by the sealed stats’ influence.”
“…”
As if it was too obvious, Kim Shimun shrugged his shoulders while answering. In fact, it was true.
“Although it’s an ability, fundamentally, physical enhancement is considered a trait.”
What Faust sealed was only alchemy and dark energy, not physical enhancement or traits. Thus, if it wasn’t directly linked to alchemy energy, like with the Philosopher’s Stone, it couldn’t affect anything.
Even the Philosopher’s Stone simply couldn’t talk.
“Maybe because its rank increased, the Philosopher’s Stone is fine.”
It was in perfect condition.
– This… really… damn…”
And it was in a very perfect condition.
“Ha…”
Leoni, more deflated by Kim Shimun’s words, had to face reality. In truth, she was aware of it too. Seeing that Shimun no longer snap his finger, it was clear that Faust’s curse, sealing his main stats, had worked perfectly.
But…
“Damn it!”
She had to face reality.
Leoni, filled with frustration, stomped the ground and pulled the greatsword embedded in it.
“Fine. This is actually better. I wasn’t particularly pleased with winning this way anyway.”
Despite the greatsword being as tall as she was, Leoni held it effortlessly in one hand.
“The Constellation that supports me doesn’t enjoy winning like this either.”
“A Constellation?”
Kim Shimun unconsciously asked back, but she responded with action instead of words.
“Brynhild! Your warrior calls upon you!”
Leoni’s powerful voice echoed,
And as if in response,
Woooong.
Brilliant light enveloped her entire body.
Soon, a full set of armor materialized around her.
Fashioned from radiant light, it exuded an unfiltered sense of holiness and might in the dimly lit iron tunnel.
“I thought this was a power I’d only use after reaching Diamond…”
Leoni, scattering fragments of light.
“I’ll acknowledge you, Kim Shimun. You’re the strongest opponent I’ve faced so far. Therefore…”
She readjusted her grip on the greatsword and charged.
“I’ll crush you with all my power!”
Shooosh!
Leoni shot towards him with tremendous momentum.
Kim Shimun’s eyes flickered with surprise.
‘Amazing.’
Truly befitting the power of a Constellation.
Just facing her charge made his skin tingle.
Given his current state of partial dragon transformation, it was an extremely perilous situation.
However, despite the continuous warnings from his transformed state, Shimun didn’t make any immediate moves.
The reason was simple.
『Constellation Odin remarks, ‘Heh? I thought that energy felt familiar; it’s Brynhild?’ and watches with a mischievous gaze.』
Odin’s reaction suddenly appeared before his eyes.
『Constellation Odin gazes at your left eye with great interest.』
Before he had a chance to ponder Odin’s reactions,
‘I need to dodge first.’
Whirr.
Kim Shimun activated Odin’s eye,
Seeing Leoni’s thrust slow down as she drew nearer, and tried to evade her sword.
Or so he intended.
Sway!
Leoni’s form, which had been darting like a beam of light, suddenly veered off course,
Bang!
And crashed directly into the wall.
***
『For a combat class, losing an arm is incredibly devastating! Even long-range healing has its limits for such an injury!』
『That’s right. Generally, proper cure for an amputation… Oh! Right this moment, Leoni is beginning to radiate light from her entire body!』
Channel Gook-Ah’s two commentators, Choi Kangyup and Song Jae-kyung, raised their voices, spitting with excitement.
It was natural.
『Didn’t she just mention that she has a supporting Constellation? That makes it highly likely that this is the power of the Constellation!』
『Now that you mention it, her formidable aura certainly suggests that!』
Constellations.
The highest concern for current players and one of the greatest mysteries of Galaxy Arena. No one knew exactly what they were or under what conditions they appeared.
But it was widely known that those supported by a Constellation became top-rank players, often at the Diamond rank or higher. How could anyone not get excited about someone manifesting the power of a Constellation?
-Insane! A Constellation? D: D:
-Check out the class of Germany. They’re in Platinum and already getting Constellation support?
-It’s probably true. I heard her brother Fabian Wolf is also connected to a Constellation.
-If it’s the power of a Constellation, even Kim Shimun will have a hard time…
As proof,
The special match’s chat was also aflame with the mention of a Constellation.
-If that’s the case, even Kim Shimun will have a hard time…
-Consteallations are OP. How do you even beat that?
-I don’t know. I feel like Kim Shimun might be connected to a Constellation too.
-Yeah, I’ve heard that rumor going around overseas. People are wondering if Kim Shimun has Constellation support.
-Makes sense. Usually, people don’t openly declare their Constellation support.
-Because revealing it often brings a lot of trouble, haha.
-But if Kim Shimun has Constellation support, shouldn’t he be using their power right now?
-Exactly. But he’s not doing anything? Has he given up?
Players supported by constellations were typically overwhelmingly powerful within their rank. Thus, it was generally accepted that only the power of another Constellation or something of equivalent caliber could counter them.
The two commentators from Gook-Ah knew this fact well, too.
“『Player Leoni! Charging at an incredible speed!』”
“Ah… Player Kim Shimun, did he give up? It’s understandable since the opponent is sponsored by the Holy See, but… I still hope he does his best.”
Expressing his regret at Kim Shimun standing still without any movement.
At that moment,
『Huh?!』
『No way!』
Leoni, who was charging forward, suddenly staggered and crashed into the wall.
『Player Leoni. Suddenly charged towards the wall!』
『What is this! What on earth happened?』
-??? What is Leoni doing?
-Is it because the power of the Holy See is too strong for him to handle properly?
-Please cut back on the nonsense. Is the Holy See playing games with us?
-Just trying to mess around with him?
The two commentators and the chat box were filled with doubts and question marks.
Soon enough,
As the dust settled and the situation unfolded,
『S-she’s closing his eyes?』
『Wait, is she really fainting right now?!』
Everyone was left speechless.
* * *
The thick dust settled.
Within it lay Leoni, eyes closed and silent as death, appearing as though she might actually be dead were it not for the resplendent light that still shrouded her in full body armor.
Seeing such a sight, Shimun let out a hollow laugh.
‘I never imagined it would end up like this…’
Leoni, empowered by the Constellation Brynhild. Her aura had been so intense that even the dragonified Kim Shimun felt tingling on his skin.
Yet, she suddenly collapsed like that?
Moreover,
Soft snoring.
Could someone who fought on even after losing an arm really fall into such a deep sleep all of a sudden?
But Kim Shimun’s questions didn’t last long.
『Constellation Black Goat remarks, ‘Why isn’t this punishment over? She’s a married woman now.’ and tilts his head as he looks at Odin.』
『Constellation Odin says, ‘Well… I totally forgot. Hehe!’ and laughs cheerfully as he scratches his head.』
『Constellation Baal looks at Odin with a disappointed expression and sighs.』
『Constellation Zeus and the Constellation Heavenly Demon shake their heads in disapproval.』
The cascade of Constellation reactions that appeared before his eyes somewhat justified Leoni’s sudden sleep.
‘There must be something going on between Constellation Brynhild and Odin, though the details are not clear.’
Considering that Black Goat mentioned ‘punishment’, it probably had something to do with sleep.
‘So her well-being earlier… I see. Was she not borrowing Brynhild’s power at that time?’
When he first encountered Leoni, and even until he severed her arm, she moved without issue. But during that threatening charge after she obtained Brynhild’s power, didn’t her movement break as soon as it met the gaze of Odin’s eye?
‘Even so, I activated Odin’s eye quite late too… this is getting intriguing.’
Curiosity sparked in Kim Shimun’s eyes. Would Leoni fall asleep even without the power of Brynhild if he activated Odin’s eye?
‘Since we’re in the middle of a special match now, I’ll have to experiment next time I get a chance.’
The curiosity characteristic of an alchemist. Barely suppressing it, Shimun approached the sleeping warrior of the railroad tracks.
Just then,
Shwaeek!
Arrows whistled through the air and barraged down in Kim Shimun’s direction. He casually stepped back, easily dodging them, and then,
Whoosh.
The flame magic shattered weakly against his dragonized fist. Shimun casually brushed off the small flames clinging to his hand and turned his gaze to where the projectile had flown.
“Come to think of it, Leoni wasn’t the end.”
Shimun’s gaze shifted towards the German team surrounding the mineral cart. The Korean team defending the cart, except for Lee Sangmin, had all fallen.
“Ugh…”
Lee Sangmin himself seemed seriously injured, staggering with bruises.
‘Even though I tried not to use the achievement points as much as possible in the special game.’
The situation was what it was, and he would gain 5,000 points anyway for completing Baal’s mission, leaving achievement points even after breaking the Black Goat’s quest.
Without delay, Shimun flicked his finger.
Then.
Clang.
An unnatural thunderous sound reverberated throughout the iron environment.
“What?! Did he just flick his finger?”
“Wasn’t his stats sealed?”
“It’s been thirty minutes already?!”
The German team watching him fell into confusion. Suddenly.
“Th-The cart!”
A German player shouted urgently.
“Let’s forget about Leoni and just destroy the cart!!”
“Right! This is a transportation match!”
At these words, the confused German team regained their composure.
The current special game was a transportation match. Therefore, if they obstructed the opponent’s transportation or destroyed the transportation goal, the arena would end with their victory.
Recalling the rules, the German team immediately changed their target.
“Bash!”
“Magnum Shot.”
They unleashed attacks towards the mineral cart, the transportation goal.
Hana.
“Roar.”
A distinct soprano pierced through the urgent situation and seeped into everyone’s ears.
Boom!
Followed by a huge thunder that reverberated in everyone’s eardrums. It wasn’t just a simple sound.
Crackling!
Blue and white lightning bolts.
They intertwined like spider webs, covering the mineral cart.
Pa-sa-sak.
The German team’s attack dissipated in despair against the lightning barrier generated in an instant.
Then.
Once again, Shimun’s movement hesitated as he tried to invoke Leviathan by flicking his finger.
The reason was nothing else but…
‘Hm?’
The activated eye of Odin. Through the portal’s wall. He captured the intricate yet familiar outlines beyond.
‘Is that…’
Shimun easily recognized their identity.
“Indeed, so this was the abandoned railway?”
He shook his head with a bitter smile.
Before long.
“Keep shooting! Pour it all out!” yelled the male assassin recklessly.
Shimun, reaching out towards Max. More accurately, he was aiming towards the familiar and massive device behind the wall.
“To establish an equivalent exchange for the Philosopher’s Stone, 100 achievement points are required.”
“Will you accept? (Yes / No)”
Without hesitation, he naturally selected “Yes” at the familiar prompt.
Woom.
Like a ripe fruit, a fresh yellow energy sprouted from the center of the massive device behind the wall.
And then.
Krrrrrrrrrr.
It seemed like it could collapse any moment. The abandoned railway shook vigorously.
“What, what is this?!”
“What magic is this again?”
The German team was thrown into confusion by the earthquake so intense that it was difficult to maintain their balance.
Thud!
Click.
Screech.
Rough and rusty sounds.
However, the constant, mysterious machine noises only heightened the tension of the German team.
Shortly after.
Clunk.
“That, that’s!”
“A cannon? With saw-like blades too?”
“Wait. No way… or is it?”
The faces of the German team turned pale at the sight of dozens of cannons and saw blades protruding from the wall, along with the surrounding machinery. And as usual.
『Activating defense system.』
『Intruders detected. Exploring.』
The uneasy feeling did not subside in the slightest.
“It’s fine! Kim Shimun will be attacked along with us anyway!”
“R-Right! We outnumber them, and we have to protect the transport target!”
“Everyone gather around the healer!”
Also.
『Special protection target confirmed.』
Misfortunes tend to overlap unpredictably at times.
『Precision search initiated.』
Shimun’s steps towards the barrier of Astraufe halted as a machine in the form of a telescope descended from the ceiling and blocked his path.
Screech.
It scanned Shimun from various angles.
『Confirmation complete. Protection priority 0. Kim Shimun.』
Accompanied by the same rigid voice as before.
『Issuing highest-level security status.』
Waa-aa-aa-aaang!!
An intense siren echoed throughout the railway. If there were any more devices ready to spring forth.
Rumble.
Clunk!
Defense mechanisms sprang out incessantly, so densely that the gaps in the wall were no longer visible. Soon after.
『Annihilation mode engaged.』
“Initiating annihilation of all targets excluding protection priority.”
The chilling content flowed through, sending shivers down the spine.
“That’s why people should do good deeds more often.”
As Shimun’s mouth involuntarily twisted into a smile.
Kwaaagagagang!!
Deafening noise filled the railway.
TL’s Corner:
For those who are confused:
In Norse mythology, brynhild is a Valkyrie, a female deity in service to the chief god Odin. When she defies him, he condemns her to life as a mortal, imprisons her in a castle surrounded by a ring of fire, and places her in a deep sleep from which only a hero can rescue her.
Also, is the abandoned railway connected to the Fervent Nightmare Mine?