It was like the dungeon expert said; the game's flow instantly changed. The viewers and commentators all grew excited after seeing the changes on each screen. Right now, the Luvien Empire was fighting back. However, God of Archery Miao could still be seen shaking her head.
Miao had hit Assassin Rho with her Guided Lethal Shot. She did not even give him any room to breathe and continued to shoot her arrows through his back.
The pain was enough to twist and force Rho to bend back, his face turning toward the sky. However, Rho did not scream or fall even once.
Just like archers and mages, assassins also had low HP volume. But more importantly, NPCs and monsters would feel pain, unlike players. It was proven by the fact that Rho’s back bent back from the pain. So, why was he not collapsing?
That was not all; the quick-witted archers had also shot as many as nine arrows on his back during that time. Although Rho reeled back and staggered from the pain of the arrows that almost turned him into a hedgehog, he still jumped back among the mages and continued to slaughter them. The more shocking part? He was moving even faster than before.
“Please! I beg you, fall!” Miao bit her lips tightly as she continued to shoot her arrows.
However, Rho either defended against the attacks or received their brunt. He never stopped moving and continued killing the Luvien Imperial Army troops. Rho, or Minhyuk’s Shadow Luo, recalled the words he told Minhyuk as he continued reducing the number of enemies in front of him.
–
Luo had promised him. That was why he could live with this much pain. If he couldn’t kill more people here, then they would just come to bite his emperor.
A glint flashed in Rho’s eyes. Like a beast stalking for prey, he ran faster and killed his enemies even quicker.
Miao turned her head to look at the source of the sound. There, she saw Broken Fragment Arie, who crashed to the ground after being shot by her arrow, receiving the bombing of countless magical attacks. However, when the explosions disappeared, what greeted them was a nightmare.
Broken Fragment Arie was hiding safely behind a barrier. And the moment the barrier lifted, a tremendous amount of mana started swirling around him as he chanted a spell and turned it into magic.
Arie, who was left kneeling on one knee and was supported only by his staff, looked like he was about to keel over. It would not be strange if he died right away. However, he was still holding on and casting hundreds of magic spells with the help of his staff, which was shining brightly.
Arie's real name was Golden Mage Ali. He also hated how tyrannical the Luvien Empire was. He even lost the NPCs that were close to him because of them. So, he wrung every ounce of energy left in his body for them.
“Uwoooooooooooooooh!!!”
Hundreds of magical attacks bombed the enemies.
“...Ha. He- Again?” Miao was rendered speechless.
This time, she turned to look at where the Hydra was. Quite a lot of its head had already been cut off, and it also had quite a lot of cuts and tears all over its body. Hydra was none other than the Cerberus Love, Hope, and Happiness. Even they knew that these people would attack their master if they did not bite them down right here and now.
“Kihyeeeeeeeeck!”
“Kihyeeeeeeeeck!”
“Graaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Love, Hope, and Happiness roared and squeezed out the last of their strength to release one final Breath.
Broken Fragment Ruk, who was sitting atop the Hydra, jumped down.
He smiled bitterly. Of course, he also did not like the Luvien Empire. Sometimes, he also wished to be just like Minhyuk. He hoped to become the best person and receive the love and attention of many people. However, he knew it would not work out for him.
There were times when he would grow jealous of Minhyuk. However, it was fine. It was okay because it was Minhyuk.
Ruk jumped among the tankers as he squeezed the last of his strength to swing his gigantic axe.
***
Bastien’s body was shaking.
His Divine Dragon had melted more than half of the demons with the divine power that it had gathered. On top of that, the most outstanding knights of the Luvien Empire had also recovered their injuries with the help of their potions. Victory was obviously in their hands now.However, Bastien was left speechless as he watched Fragment Bein, the fragment wielding a spear.
Bein had already been slashed a dozen times and stabbed a hundred more by the knights. Yet he was still standing and killing the knights around him.
A young knight successfully stabbed his spear just right next to Bein’s heart.
“Ha- Haha. I did it. I finally did it! Now, you’ll finally di…” the young man trailed off when he caught sight of Bein’s eyes. The fragment still had the same fierce and beastly look in his eyes as he stared at the young soldier.
“Hi- hiiiik…!”
Bein pulled out the spear from his chest and used it to stab the knight in the neck. He knew that he had to kill as many enemies as possible.
That was his only reason. Bein did not want much. All he wished was that His Majesty would not carry any more burden on his shoulders.
The knight near him hurriedly cried out, “All- All together! Do it all togetheeeeer!!!”
At that moment, dozens of knights stabbed Bein with their spears. Some of the spears were broken and blocked by Bein, but some could pierce through his thighs, shoulders, and abdomen. However, the look in his eyes as he stared at the knights did not change.
“Hi- hiiiiiiik…!”
“Heok…!”
“R- Run!!!”
The mighty troops of the Great Luvien Empire began to flee. However, none of them were able to escape. Their fate was sealed by Bein’s spear that stabbed through their necks. Hundreds of troops died every second under the blade of Bein’s spear.
On the other hand, thousands of the troops of the Luvien Imperial Army died with every cast of the Transcendental Being’s Broken Fragment’s skills. However, what was surprising was the fact that the broken fragment that looked like a Demon Lord already looked like a mess. He had already collapsed on the ground but still struggled to get up, squeezing the last of his strength to summon more demons. And if that failed? Then, he would swing the scythe in his hands to the best of his abilities.
At that moment, the Transcendental Being’s Fragment, who had been stabbing the knights of the Luvien Empire, suddenly stopped. Dozens of spears and broken sword blades were embedded all over his body. This grotesque and devilish appearance would scare away most of the knights. However, Bastien could tell that the fragment was already dead. He died with his eyes wide open.
Bastien felt goosebumps rise all over his body.
At this moment, Bastien firmly regretted ever coming to the Transcendentals’ Holy Land.
***
Duke Ruffiso found the situation completely ridiculous.
His prediction was entirely off the mark. He had expected to lose only around 270,000 troops of the imperial army. However, they have already lost 300,000 more than his estimate. Then, a series of notifications rang in his ears at that moment.
The notifications were about their successful hunt of the mini-bosses and elites. However, Duke Ruffiso still had an incredulous look on his face. Why? Because he was fully aware of what they had done before they finally succumbed to their death.
Duke Ruffiso had acknowledged Brood and Effis’ prowess and tactics. The two had forced him to take several bottles of potions far more precious than the Elven Tears. Because of that, he could no longer use any more potions. Brood and Effis looked like they could no longer fight. However, the two endured and persisted, trying their hardest to deal a blow to him.
Effis approached and grabbed Ruffiso tightly by the ankle.
When he kicked Effis away, Ruffiso saw Brood stumbling before him. He knew that he would not be able to win against this man if he fought against him one-on-one and without being able to use potions.
Thankfully, Duke Ruffiso, powerful himself, was leading an army of talents. And with their joint attacks, they could make Brood and Effis suffer miserably.
“Are you doing this for the Transcendental Being?”
“...”
Duke Ruffiso understood even if they did not say anything. After all, Brood’s right hand was already crushed and broken, while his left hand was filled with gashes and tears. Yet he still stared at him unblinkingly with his swollen eyes. Even though his face was bloody, battered, and bruised, his eyes were still filled with venom.
“Too bad. I intend to tear apart that Transcendental Being today.”
At that moment, Effis, who had been kicked away, dragged his body and hugged Duke Ruffiso tightly. Duke Ruffiso had realized he had let his guard down for a moment. He struggled to get out of the firm hold of Effis, who was gritting his teeth so that he could buy one more second.
Brood gritted his teeth, his entire body that was filled with gashes, starting to drip blood once again as he lifted his sword. “You won’t– You won’t be able to beat him.”
Dozens of swordlights shot out of Brood’s sword and shot toward Duke Ruffiso.
Blood spurted out of Duke Ruffiso's and Effis’s bodies. It was a very reckless and stupid move. However, they could still inflict a severe injury on Duke Ruffiso with such a move.
The exhausted and drained Effis collapsed on the ground. Duke Ruffiso’s eyes grew bloodshot at the absurdity of the situation. However, when he deigned to look down at Effis, he saw a faint smile on the fragment’s face.
Brood immediately collapsed right after Effis. It was only natural. After all, the two were just working on fumes. They had long reached the limits of their bodies.
“...Bastards!!!” Duke Ruffiso roared in anger. However, his roars soon turned into maniacal laughter. “Kihihihihi… kihihihihihi… Very well. I will show you two to that Transcendental Being you loved so much.”
Duke Ruffiso immediately pulled out a rope.
***
“PD! Our viewership ratings have reached 38%!”
ATV Broadcasting Station’s ratings were steadily increasing. Perhaps it was only natural, no? Duke Ruffiso, currently being displayed on their screens, was considered one of the strongest existences in the Athenae worldview. His appearance was more than enough to pique the interest of the viewers.
However, PD Kim Daeguk was now considering whether he should change the view that was being broadcast. Why? Because Duke Ruffiso had dragged the bodies of the already dead fragments, Brook and Effis, while taking out some rope.
Duke Ruffiso was known for tying up the kings, emperors, nobles, and aristocrats that he had killed and hung them on the walls of the kingdoms and empires that he had successfully invaded. His actions had a lot of intended meanings. One was to sow frustration in the people's hearts, and the other was to show the end of those who those people had considered gods.
Duke Ruffiso reveled in the frustration and despair that flashed on the faces of the people after he had tied and hung those that he had killed by their necks. And that was what he was trying to do now, too.
PD Kim Daeguk thought.
Duke Ruffiso, who was very familiar with and skilled in this aspect, did not take too long to finish tying the rope around the necks of Brood and Effis. Then, he dragged them toward the walls and pulled them up as if raising flags on a flagpole.
PD Kim Daeguk shook his head when he saw this scene.
They might have high ratings, but they would surely suffer from the backlash of presenting such a scene.
“Change the scene…”
However, PD Kim Daeguk could not finish his words. This was because a notification appeared on the monitor.
PD Kim Daeguk could see the man who appeared in the blink of their eyes. The man was around 185 centimeters tall and sporting silver hair that reached his waist. He was also wearing a white robe and holding a single sword. He had smooth and fair skin, a sharp jawline, a straight nose, and a clear and bright pair of eyes underneath his wrinkled brows. The man looked old. However, he was so handsome that even PD Kim Daeguk felt his heart skip a beat.
He appeared in a blink and cut off the rope that tied his fragments, allowing them to lay down comfortably in their eternal rest. Then, he turned his head to look at Duke Ruffiso as he took one step forward. The moment he took that step, the air grew tense and sharp, and the ground shook and trembled. Even PD Kim could feel it through the screen.
This was the appearance of the Transcendental Being, a man so handsome that even another man could fall in love with him.