Chapter 42 (Continued)

 

It was a monster on a different level from Seo-jin.

 

Looking closer, it wasn’t even a living being.

 

It seemed to have a definite will, possibly contained in that mysterious skull.

 

‘Was she trying to awaken this?’

 

Had Seo-jin intended to pay the price of blood to awaken this giant from beneath the ground?

 

Would it have become an even greater monster if her plan had succeeded?

 

For now, it was temporarily using Seo-jin’s power as its own.

 

He couldn’t know for sure.

 

But one thing was certain: he felt a clear malice emanating from it.

 

As if it intended to complete what Seo-jin had failed to do.

 

Screech!

 

The giant let out a bizarre wail, summoning skeletal beasts wrapped in dense purple magic. They were far more powerful than the minions Seo-jin had summoned.

 

Woo-jin could only watch with open eyes.

 

He couldn’t move anymore. He had no strength left to fight.

 

However, he did not feel anxious.

 

With the Spirit Realm undone, reinforcements would arrive soon.

 

Suddenly, an illusion of a swarm of blue butterflies made of vibrant magic descended from the sky.

 

Crash!

 

In an instant, blue lightning struck, carving dozens of sword paths into the purple giant. These strikes could easily slice through steel.

 

The blue butterflies rode the rain and lightning, revealing themselves before Woo-jin.

 

Oh Baek-seo.

 

Her back, holding the white saber, came into Woo-jin’s view.

 

She had arrived just in time.

 

“Baek-seo…”

 

There was no strength in his voice.

 

It was already difficult enough just to hold onto his consciousness.

 

“You’re safe now. Sorry I was late….”

 

Baek-seo’s voice trembled. She seemed reluctant to show her face to him.

 

Arrows and magic projectiles rained down from all directions, targeting the giant. It was support fire from the Disciplinary Committee.

 

Boom! Boom!

 

The giant let out a monstrous roar as it was engulfed in explosions.

 

“Are the members… and the instructors assisting as well?”

 

“Yes. I issued an emergency summon. Doha is supporting with long-range fire alongside the Disciplinary Committee and teachers, Yesong is gathering the remaining members, and Minhyuk is helping the injured. The rest of the Disciplinary Committee will join us soon.”

 

Baek-seo answered calmly, her eyes never leaving the enemy.

 

“What about the evacuation of the students?”

 

“It’s underway. We need to hold this thing off and buy time….”

 

The aftermath of the explosion was swept away by the rain. However, the giant seemed unscathed.

 

Most of the attacks had been ineffective.

 

The numerous sword wounds inflicted by Baek-seo had already healed. The giant had monstrous regenerative abilities.

 

“Ordinary attacks don’t seem to work.”

 

Baek-seo narrowed her eyes and charged at the giant.

 

Many skeletal beasts lunged at her, but a tranquil flow of magic caused them to be sliced down in an instant.

 

Despite Baek-seo’s attacks and the Disciplinary Committee’s support fire, their efforts couldn’t keep up with the giant’s regenerative abilities.

 

If only Woo-jin were in better shape, or at least if Ha Yesong were here, they might have had a chance.

 

Even then, defeating this giant was uncertain.

 

Swoosh!

 

The giant clasped its hands together, inscribing numerous summoning circles in the air.

 

Giant skeletal arms extended from each circle, the giant manipulating them as if they were its own limbs. It moved with the fluidity of a Buddhist Asura.

 

The giant retaliated against Baek-seo and blocked the support fire with its skeletal arms.

 

“……”

 

What was its weakness?

 

It was not visible.

 

If there were any assumptions to be made about its weak points, Baek-seo would have already attempted them. She was also trying to find the giant’s weakness while fighting.

 

Screech!!

 

The giant roared again, its heavy magic surging like a storm, pushing Baek-seo back and sweeping away nearby structures.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Woo-jin was also blown away, but Baek-seo quickly caught him and distanced them from the giant.

 

“Leader, are you okay!?”

 

“I’m… fine…! We need a strategy….”

 

“Yes. Our current firepower seems ineffective.”

 

The giant remained intact, continually summoning skeletal beasts and threatening the area.

 

It was clear that it intended to carry out the massacre that Seo-jin had failed to achieve.

 

If things continued this way, it was only a matter of time.

 

As Woo-jin and Baek-seo reached a wooded area, the giant’s glowing skull focused on them.

 

‘…Wait.’

 

Suddenly, a new thought struck Woo-jin’s mind.

 

“Hmm?”

 

With the little strength he had recovered, Woo-jin grabbed Baek-seo’s wrist. She looked at him questioningly.

 

“Why?”

 

In the game, whether Seo-jin succeeded in causing many casualties or not, the giant ultimately appeared.

 

If it emerged from the test site, it would be a catastrophe.

 

Yet… in the game, this situation somehow resolved itself.

 

Even if Ahsung High managed to defeat the giant by pouring in all its resources, it would have taken a considerable amount of time.

 

There were no reports of the giant causing uncontrollable damage.

 

Nor did it seem likely that the giant would simply disappear.

 

Therefore.

 

‘There must be something….’

 

There might be something more he didn’t know.

 

Just then.

 

“!”

 

Woo-jin and Baek-seo’s bodies shuddered reflexively.

 

As if confirming Woo-jin’s suspicions, a powerful magic presence began to descend from the sky.

 

The giant seemed to sense the ominous presence as well, lifting its head.

 

As if a meteor were falling, something was plummeting toward them. On closer inspection, it was a person enveloped in flames caused by air friction.

 

The person clenched their fist and finally reached the giant.

 

They struck with their fist.

 

BOOM!!!

 

A thunderous explosion.

 

The explosive impact of the punch and the immense gravity crushed the giant’s body. The giant burst apart, its dark purple flesh scattering to the ground.

 

The force of the impact created a deep crater, and the surrounding skeletal beasts were obliterated.

 

However, Seo-jin’s crystallized body remained intact as it fell to the ground.

 

Whoosh!

 

The wind pressure and shockwave from the impact swept away the surrounding structures and trees, but Baek-seo protected Woo-jin.

 

Step. Step.

 

The figure emerged from the dust and walked out of the deep crater.

 

A man with a fierce grin, baring his large teeth.

 

“……”

 

Woo-jin and Baek-seo held their breath, staring at the person who had defeated the giant with a single blow.

 

Long hair reminiscent of Samson from the Bible.

 

A height of 2.3 meters.

 

Muscles developed like a beast’s, bulging under a tight long coat and battle suit.

 

“Baek-seo, follow my instructions without question.”

 

Cold sweat ran down Woo-jin’s cheek.

 

“Run away immediately.”

 

The strongest in Neo Seoul.

 

His final task.

 

The Outlaw.

 

Alias,

 

Goliath.

 

He had appeared.