Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Free-for-all (3)

TL by Myoni

Edited by Myoni & Yoni

Sponsored by Anonymous

Was it because he turned into a Blazing Spear Soldier?

However, the bright light was floating above other undead as well .

‘It’s the effect of the skill . ’

He thought he was seeing the lights because of the ‘Soul Exploitation’ skill .

Muyoung immediately turned his Status Viewer and read his newly acquired skill .

Skill Name: Soul Exploitation (F)

Description – Absorb undead with an art score above 70 to increase your stats . There is a very low possibility of obtaining one of the skills the undead possessed .

The efficiency varies depending on the Art Score, Skill Rank and the material of the undead .

Muyoung’s eyebrows twitched slightly .

‘Huh . ’

He wasn’t this surprised when he created the Blazing Spear Soldier .

Fire Dragon Woo could be classified as a top ranked material, but due to the property of the undead, he wouldn’t get stronger .

Unless it was strengthened by the necromancer personally using his magic or through equipment or fusion .

Although it couldn’t be said that all undead couldn’t develop, it was very rare . So eventually there would be a time when the undead would be discarded and when that time came, Muyoung could use this skill .

‘I could even gain their skill . ’

Muyoung concentrated on the last part of the description .

Even though the possibility was low, there was a chance to obtain one of the skills the undead possessed .

That meant, if he was to create someone with a really good skill, he could cast Soul Exploitation to obtain that skill .

Although that was only when that low possibility worked to his favor…

However, once he cast the spell, the undead would become useless . This skill seemed to be best used when the undead was about to be discarded .

‘The Skeleton of Fire and Ice . ’

Muyoung raised his head .

The half-collapsed Skeleton of Fire and Ice had its head completely lowered next to him .

But, there definitely was a bright light hovering above it .

It meant it was possible to use Soul Exploitation .

The light started to slowly dim and it looked like after a period of time, he could no longer use it .

‘Soul Exploitation . ’

Muyoung approached the skeleton and cast the skill .

Soon a blue light appeared out of Muyoung’s hand and stole the light above the skeleton’s head .

[It is a work of art with an art score of 71 . ]

[After examining the material and the skill rank, you have exploited 4% of its stats . ]

[The Skeleton of Fire and Ice has a total of ‘187’ stats . ]

[‘7’ of the stats will be randomly distributed to your stats . ]

[Strength +1, Agility +2, Intelligence +1, Fighting Aura +1, Magic Resistance +2 . ]

Sadly, he wasn’t able to obtain a skill .

Well, it would have been weird if he was easily able to obtain a skill when it said the possibility was low .

The fact that the skill used the total amount of stats as the standard drew his attention .

There were many cases where the undead made with top quality materials would develop multiple stats .

If Muyoung was to use this skill on those undead, he would be able to gain more stats with the same effect .

‘My stamina is recovered . ’

Another thing .

He could feel his body getting stronger through his skin .

However, there was another effect .

The wounds inflicted during the fight with Fire Dragon Woo healed at a visible rate .

‘Looks like the Soul Exploitation skill can even heal my wounds . ’

Muyoung slowly nodded his head .

The skill he obtained after ranking the Art of Death skill to C rank, it could be incredibly useful depending on how he used it .

He was positive that his skills were one or two levels above a normal necromancer at the very least .

As his movements became more natural, Muyoung turned his Status Viewer to see his increased stats .

Achievement Effect -> Gremory’s Anguish (A, +3 to all abilities)

Class Effect -> Death Lord (Lord Class, Ruler of Death)

Stats ->

Strength 67 (41 + 26) Agility 61 (43 + 18)

Stamina 67 (39 + 28) Intelligence 36 (18 + 18)

Wisdom 35 (17 + 18) Fighting Aura 42 (24 + 18)

Magic Resistance 30 (12 +18)

Special Note: Fighting Aura has been awakened .

Equipped and Invoked Equipment: Anguish (Strength +5), Herculean Strength Leather Armor (Strength +3), Lunatic Sovereign’s Set (All Stats +15, Stamina +10)

‘My basic stats have increased . Magic Resistance as well . ’

Normally, stats increased by skills or equipment were considered ‘support’ stats .

Curse-type skills would usually reduce the ‘support’ stats by a percentage and if people went into high ranked ‘Anti-Magic Fields’, they would not receive an increase of stats from skills . However, there was no problem if his basic stats increased .

On top of that, Magic Resistance was a stat he wasn’t even able to increase by one until now .

Although he did develop the stat, methods to increase it were almost nonexistent . Usually, it could only be raised with the help of equipment or an achievement, but now there was a way to increase it without difficulty .

The strong who placed at the top would normally pay a lot of attention to Magic Resistance . Due the characteristic of the Underworld, they didn’t know who would use what skill to threaten them .

No matter how strong you were, if you were careless, you would die . It was because of this, Muyoung was able to successfully complete his assassination against someone with a large difference in stats .

While he rubbed his chin, thinking about something momentarily, the Blazing Spear Soldier regained his original appearance .

“Master . ”

Muyoung glanced towards the Blazing Spear Soldier .

“You can talk?”

“Please give, me orders . ”

Was it because he was only half-dead?

Or was it because he had more intelligence and wisdom than his other undead .

Muyoung couldn’t help, but ask .

“Do you have any memories of when you were alive?”

“I only remember, a little . ”

Hmm . Muyoung crossed his arms .

His intelligence was enough, but his memories weren’t completely intact .

If he still retained his memories, it would have been a big help in dealing with the other four judges, but the problem was his memories were too ambiguous .

If they found out that he was an undead, Muyoung would lose his Blazing Spear Soldier and arouse their attention .

‘I can use him . ’

However… It wasn’t like all paths were blocked .

Muyoung started to design a small plan .

A story that could be used even outside the Box of Trials .

A method that could keep suspicions at a minimum while gaining all the profit!

“You will act like Fire Dragon Woo from now on . Do you at least remember his way of speech?”

“I, remember . I will, do as you command . ”

Although he did pause his words, it was enough .

Muyoung put everything in order and moved out without any hesitation .

*

Taehwan had to choose .

To be satisfied or go out .

As a leader, he had tremendous responsibilities . His decision could decide whether more than ten people lived or died .

‘Was staying here really safe?’

Rocky formations . It was an ideal place to hide .

However, they had no way of knowing when there will only be 300 remaining .

And he didn’t feel like hiding either .

If they used the death of others as a stepping stone for survival, it was certain that they would continue to use it . The first time was hard, from the second, it was easy .

‘I can’t assume everyone besides the Judges are on the same side . ’

Muyoung had told them .

That there would be some who would submit to their power .

And if they had endured a month in a temple like them, there was no way of knowing for sure they were nice people .

‘He said if we want to win, we have to combine our strength . ’

Muyoung would never say anything that was impossible .

If Muyoung mentioned ‘winning, it meant that the possibility of winning wasn’t zero .

The result would change depending on their actions .

That was what Taehwan thought .

“I am gathering those that are willing to fight against the Judges . It is dangerous, so I won’t force you . I hope that those who are willing will follow me . ”

Taehwan would always respectfully state his opinion .

He believed that he couldn’t force anyone to follow when it would lead to a deadly situation .

Of course, everyone could only try to read what was on each other’s minds .

They would be safe if they stayed hidden, so would there really be people who would risk their lives .

“I’ll go with you . It’s not like we’re a 100% safe staying here either, right? If that’s the case, it’s better to make a last-ditch effort . ”

Kang Baeksoo .

He was the man who Taehwan had been through the Star of David and two Boss Battles with .

Although he was a bit sleazy, he was someone he could trust .

Kim Taehwan and Kang Baeksoo were the real big shots of the temple . If those two both left at once, there would be too big of a gap .

As Baeksoo acted, the atmosphere slowly started to change .

Finally, 7 people including Bae Suzy gathered and Taehwan didn’t scold the rest .

‘I can’t force their decision . ’

Let’s try to change the progression of the battle with these 7 people .

Taehwan left the rocky formations with a heavy heart .

Although they started with vigor, it wasn’t easy to find people .

Even when they did, people didn’t want to follow Taehwan .

Only 7 people . There wasn’t anyone who would believe in a group with a child and wounded people .

They just couldn’t understand .

The force displayed by the Judges were beyond their imaginations .

At that time, it did look like they were going to gather their forces to attack, but once they felt the difference between them, they all lowered their tails .

In reality, the people’s reactions were all the same .

“Why would I take that risk? When I could hide and wait for it to drop to 300 people . Can’t I just leave then?”

“How can I believe you enough to follow you? How are you going to do something with 7 people when we couldn’t do anything with a thousand? It’d be a relief we all died a dog’s death . ”

They were right .

Didn’t Taehwan just barely resist that temptation?

“Cowardly bastards . ”

Baeksoo ground his teeth .

‘It’s because I’m not good enough . ’

However, the first thing Taehwan felt was remorse .

It was because he wasn’t able to get people to trust him .

Maybe if he had the same strength as Muyoung, it might have gone differently .

He would have been able to lead the crowd with his overwhelming charisma .

Taehwan still didn’t give up . If he could just increase the numbers, it would also increase their strength . He wholeheartedly believed that there was someone out there with the same thoughts as him .

However… the hunting dogs were a problem .

Those who submitted to power had spotted the group of seven and started their attack .

“Shit!”

Baeksoo raised his dagger .

The number of hunting dogs was well above twenty .

“Just why are you doing this, you damn bastards!”

Baeksoo suddenly shouted .

The situation really wasn’t great .

A blood bath .

It was to the point where Taehwan was just barely able to block the front .

However, the enemies were frantic .

“You guys need to die for us to live!”

“I-I don’t want to die!”

They acted like if they didn’t kill they would be the ones to die .

There was no way they could start a conversation in a situation like this .

So the only way for them to live was to kill their enemies .

And… the side to die had been decided .

‘Is this the end?’

Taehwan felt the sky turn yellow .

It might have been best just to hide in between the rocks .

And it looked like people were going to die because of his reckless bravado .

‘I have to let at least a person escape . ’

He felt responsible .

Taehwan was willing to die .

“Huahhhhhhhhh!”

He pushed the hunting dogs away with his Shield of Eradication to force a path .

However, no matter how many dogs he pushed away, more would come and take their place .

‘Please, please!’

Taehwan gritted his teeth . Even when he received a wound or a deep slash, he wasn’t fazed .

Strength poured in .

The shape of the shield changed .

But, it was inadequate .

If he didn’t kill everyone, he would not be able to leave this place .

It didn’t matter if he was willing to die or if he obtained a unique class, the current Taehwan was unable to handle the strength of the masses .

The shadow of despair covered everyone’s face .

At that moment, they instinctively realized that there was no way out and that their deaths were approaching .

Swiiiiish!

Thud!

A red spear flew down from afar .

The hunting dog’s head which was hit by the spear exploded like a firework .

And as if it was planned, everyone’s movements stopped . At the same time, Taehwan mumbled after looking to the direction the spear flew from .

“Fire Dragon Woo…? Hyungnim?”

The Judge, Fire Dragon Woo!

He was calming walking towards them .

What was more surprising was that the man next to Woo was Muyoung .

And more than 100 people were trailing behind them .