Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Star Shadow (4)

#63

The ritual Namoon held was not offering souls as sacrifices to the devil.

She separated the souls of the Kargai people including Rahir from their bodies and bound them to the plateau.

Because unlike the rotting and disappearing flesh the soul can remain forever.

However one problem was that most souls instinctively pursue rest.

The state of eternal sleep or nirvana, so-called death.

Namoon did not want that.

Because the reason she held the ritual was not for slaughter.

To maintain the spirits of the king and the people force had to be accompanied inevitably.

Here the devil appears.

All rumors have a reason.

Why did the only survivor of the plateau think Namoon offered souls as sacrifices to the devil?

That answer is in the middle of the cursed tent.

In the deep deep, darkness where starlight is full.

****

【Namoon, it is time···!】

Booom!

As the wall exploded a giant beast’s hand popped out.

A voice reminiscent of mechanical sound thunderously rang out.

【Why are you not handing over the life force···!】

“Th-that?!”

Rahir’s eyes widened.

The appearance that seemed to mix a beast’s and a person’s hand was bizarre.

Over the disheveled fur dark red energy of the curse was pouring out.

“Finally arrived.”

Star Shadow.

The true boss of the king’s tent, and the root that cast the curse on the plateau.

Bran shook off the blood stuck on the sword.

“Look well Rahir. That is the rumored devil.”

“If devil··· that Namoon offered the people’s souls as sacrifices?”

“Yes. Casting the curse on this land, and binding your souls is all that monster’s doing. Namoon was raising it by giving life force in the deepest place of the tent.”

Although the details were insufficient he said all the points.

Rahir lamented.

“On earth why···!”

“That seems better to hear directly from madam. After everything ends.”

It was not a situation suitable for conversation.

As much as it was the opponent pulled out after hardship now was the time to concentrate on Star Shadow.

A hidden boss that can only be encountered by suppressing Namoon but not killing her.

Because of the subtly tricky conditions most first cycle players pass without even knowing the existence.

‘Fortunate. Because I can meet now.’

However the price of ignorance is enormous.

If unable to eliminate Star Shadow in the king’s tent, the guy later blocks the player’s front together with his master.

In a state incomparably stronger than now.

Therefore he had to kill it here unconditionally.

“Protect Kale.”

“Wait, you···”

Gesturing to Arazan Bran rushed out.

The energy of Smash filled again on the longsword gripped with both hands.

It was the moment the downward slash was drawn over Star Shadow’s wrist.

Slaaak!

Along with a heavy flesh cutting sound the wrist was cut.

The hand fell to the floor. Silver body fluid replacing blood burst like a waterfall.

Seeing the cut surface Arazan’s brows narrowed tightly.

“Tentacles?!”

The inside of the wrist was made of numerous tentacle bundles.

Hundreds of cut tentacle strands were writhing while spewing blood.

“Oh. Damn.”

Rahir frowned.

It was a disgusting scene enough for even a beggar starved for three days to lose appetite.

From the direction the wrist stretched out a beast’s growl rang out.

【Keuha-ak?!】

It was Star Shadow’s voice.

It wouldn’t even hurt but the exaggeration.

The cut wrist returned inside the hole.

【There was a lowly one···!】

At the same time a roar rang out.

The presence was quickly getting closer.

At the killing intent surging like a wave Bran’s hair stood up.

“Damn, retreat!”

It was the moment he who took a defense posture by laying the sword down turned to the group and shouted.

Slaaaaaash-!!!

As the wall made of cloth tore a giant monster popped out.

Everyone’s eyes widened.

The kick that flew at the same time as appearance slammed Bran.

Tukwaaang!

Bran who flew as if hit by a battering ram collided with the opposite wall.

“Bran!”

Arazan was startled.

It was monstrous strength that mocked the durability of the tent.

Star Shadow growled.

【How dare, what lowly one interferes with my meal!】

The body height almost reaches ten meters.

The body resembling a human is covered with beast fur.

Sewn marks reminiscent of a stuffed doll remained in various places.

However the most outstanding was the two heads that each moved separately.

A red wolf and a white wolf dripping saliva.

Purple eye light was leaking from the sunken eye sockets.

“A red wolf and white wolf. How the old beasts···!”

Arazan raised an eyebrow.

Star Shadow’s two heads were both ancient beasts known to be extinct now.

While she was flustered at the bizarre monster’s appearance.

“Everyone cover your ears!”

Bang! Bran rushed out while parting the remnant pile.

A clear mark remained on the chest hit by the kick.

The atmosphere was unusual.

It was the moment Arazan moved to cover her ears.

【Kraaaaaa-!!!】

As the red wolf and white wolf’s mouths opened at the same time a chilling roar burst out.

The tent shook as if an earthquake occurred.

It was a sound large enough to vibrate the bones.

『The hidden boss of the cursed king’s tent, Star Shadow casts [Voice of the Wilderness]!』

The previous warning window appeared again.

Then the tent played the role of a soundproof wall so it passed but now it was not.

It was the moment the sound wave swept the body.

『The Voice of the Wilderness erodes the mind!』

『While exposed to the voice Mental Power continuously decreases.』

『If the mind completely collapses, the target’s soul is absorbed by Star Shadow!』

Along with the messages rising in succession the vision shook.

It was the Voice of the Wilderness one of Star Shadow’s main skills.

In fact a conditional instant death skill.

If a character with low Mental Power value or without a countermeasure is hit there were cases where the soul is pulled out at once.

『Indomitable Mental Power endures the erosion!』

『Did not shake even at the threat of a powerful opponent. Weed’s Tenacity activates!』

Of course it was not a problem for Bran.

Because he raised Mental Power to death to do this.

However, this time he was not particularly glad.

‘Should have dodged or avoided.’

Because he made a clear mistake.

Because of flying away being hit by the kick unseemly the timing was disrupted.

The original plan was to destroy the vocal organs before the Voice of the Wilderness is cast.

He did not calculate that it would power up through the previous roar.

A carelessness that could fly the happy ending in the worst case!

“Kraaaak!”

“Fuck.”

Sure enough, a scream full of pain burst from behind the running Bran.

“···Eh?”

However it was a scream of a person different from Bran’s expectation.

Turning back his eyes widened round.

“Arazan.”

“Keu···uuuu.”

Arazan clenched her teeth instead of answering.

Blood was dripping from the white ears.

A voice as if squeezing out leaked under the deer mask.

“I. Am okay···!”

Arazan was covering not her own but Namoon’s ears.

She who was receiving purification was still convulsing with eyes flipped.

Kale who tightly hugged Namoon did not even notice Arazan’s intervention and was concentrating only on purification.

“Heh.”

Bran shivered.

It was a cold judgment enough to give goosebumps.

The only point he was concerned about was also the matter of Namoon’s soul being pulled out.

To think she would throw herself.

“Hu, descendant!”

Late Rahir’s astonishment burst out.

He was emitting light like a mirror ball while trapped in the mouth of the wolf Baihir.

That was also a measure Arazan did as an improvisation.

Hueup.

Inhaling breath Arazan shouted raising her voice.

“I am okay! Go!!”

The tent shook.

Even while dripping blood from the ears the fighting spirit did not fade at all.

Bran gripped the sword hilt.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Now he will not make a mistake again.

The body of the sprinting Bran explosively accelerated.

Star Shadow extended a hand toward Namoon.

【Hand over that woman!】

At the same time Bran leaped.

Landing on Star Shadow’s arm Bran drove the sword.

Puk! Puk! Puk!

Lightning-like stabs dug into Star Shadow’s body three times.

In order from above forehead, neck, heart.

Puhwaaak!

Three streams of blood fountains surged from the places Bran stabbed.

『Refreshing combo! You consecutively destroyed the vital points of an enemy stronger than yourself!』

『Strength, Agility increase!』

He smashed all the places that had to be smashed.

The messages rising in succession praised that the aim was accurate.

A voice that lost strength due to the destruction of the vocal organs leaked from the two mouths.

【Keuhaa, a, ak···.】

The large body staggered.

Thud!

The moment Bran landed Star Shadow fell forward.

The eye light subsided from the eyes of the red wolf and white wolf.

“······!!!”

Arazan and Rahir froze.

The fallen Star Shadow did not even twitch.

Removing her hands from both of Namoon’s ears Arazan burst out a hollow laugh.

“···Heung. There is reward for enduring.”

“The more I see the more amazing friend.”

Rahir also did not hide his admiration.

Just as a forbidden word starting with ‘ha’ was about to come out from his mouth watching the corpse.

【Amazing. Lowly one.】

A low and deep voice never heard until now rang out in the room.

“What?”

Everyone in place flinched.

A calm but ominous tone.

If a devil exists it seemed it would sing with this kind of voice.

A message rose before Bran’s eyes who was catching his breath.

『The hidden boss of the cursed king’s tent, Star Shadow reveals its true appearance.』

『The presence of the otherworld strengthens!』

At the same time, undulating waves spread over Star Shadow’s corpse.

Hwaaaaak!

Arazan swept by the waves shrugged her shoulders.

“Keueuk?!”

“This is···!”

Rahir’s face also hardened.

It was a different dimension from the pressure that was making the body heavy until now.

The sensation of the whole body being pressed like when entering deep water.

The previous voice rang out again.

【Although it was a shell I will not spare praise. Because it was my favorite work.】

Soon a change began to occur on Star Shadow’s corpse.

Silver tentacles were growing while tearing the sewn marks in various places of the body.

Like cordyceps growing on the back of a dead insect.

Puhwaaaaaak-!!!

Finally as the beast’s body exploded an amorphous mass came out.

When the silver blood spray cleared Star Shadow’s true appearance was revealed.

Arazan gasped.

“What. That kind of creature···!”

“Because it is from the otherworld.”

It was a just reaction.

Star Shadow’s true appearance looked exactly like seeing a jellyfish that evolved to live on land.

The translucent body was covered with thousands of tentacles.

The absorbed souls were swirling inside the body while screaming.

“Formed damn.”

Bran clicked his tongue.

As all otherworld creatures are the appearance was distant from favor.

However just because the appearance became bizarre it could not be ignored.

Although the size became smaller the presence rose double.

The presence of the otherworld strong enough to distort the atmosphere and the curse were boiling around the guy.

“This guy!”

Unable to see Arazan shot one arrow but the arrow melted before even reaching the guy.

The same as when attacking Namoon.

Star Shadow slowly began to float into the air.

【However luck ends here. You will all meet a miserable death here.】

“This monster! What did you do to my wife!”

Rahir shouted.

As long as not a fool it could be inferred that that jellyfish contributed to Namoon’s corruption.

An answer mixed with a smile returned.

【I did nothing. The master only slightly pushed the back.】

“Master?”

【Yes. A great one··· that alone was sufficient to make that foolish woman fall.】

Star Shadow’s voice was gentle.

The fact that it comes out like that even after losing the strong body was because there was surely a corner it believed.

And Bran knew what that corner it believed was.

Star Shadow that settled near the ceiling opened its mouth.

【Let’s stop here. After eliminating you I will eat Namoon. Since the sin of letting in an intruder is deep I will collect a hundred years’ worth of life force.】

“Collecting life force?”

【I will not answer anymore. Because what you will do is only despair.】

Ignoring Rahir’s question Star Shadow spread its tentacles wide.

【As long as residing in this tent, my power is infinite!】

It was a pattern announcing the start of phase 2.

Paaaaak!

Silver flash burst from the body that was undulating like a ghost.

『Warning! Star Shadow casts [Ghost Devour]!』

『Devour begins. Souls within the radius are absorbed by Star Shadow!』

Following a warning window appeared.

The particularly red window meant that it was a threatening situation to that extent.

Actually Ghost Devour was that kind of pattern.

A power-up skill that becomes unanswerable if not cut in the middle.

Rahir turned to Bran.

“Bran···!”

“It’s okay.”

Bran shook his head.

There was all reason for staying still.

He was concentrating only on recovery while staring at Star Shadow.

“Rahir. Don’t you smell burning somewhere?”

“Burning smell? Suddenly what words in this situation··· eot?”

Rahir’s eyes opened round.

At some point Arazan was also making the same expression.

The fact that he who decided not to make a mistake again is staying still was because he had conviction.

Conviction that he can make that jellyfish bastard into cold noodles.

Perhaps, his role ended the moment he suppressed Namoon and pulled out Star Shadow.

Around the time the warning window disappeared.

【······Mm?】

Star Shadow flinched.

The souls that should fly piercing the walls and ceiling were not visible.

From the body where the light subsided a voice mixed with irritation leaked.

【Did they run away being surprised. Even so fate cannot be avoided.】

Anyway as long as inside the tent it was within the devour radius.

Hwaaaaak-!

Flash burst again from Star Shadow’s body.

『Star Shadow casts [Ghost Absorption]!』

······However this time too nothing changed.

【Impossible···!】

Star Shadow let out perplexity.

Not even a single soul came to it.

When casting the Voice of the Wilderness in the center of the tent it could clearly absorb.

Something was going wrong solidly.

【Lowly guys. On earth what kind of thing···】

It was the moment Star Shadow turned to Bran’s group.

Pukwaaaaaaaak-!!!

As the wall that was not yet torn exploded crimson flames burst out.

There is no room to avoid or block.

The flames that covered faster than sound swallowed Star Shadow in an instant.

【Kieeeeeeek!!!】

A desperate scream rang out.

The flesh swept by the fire horse tore to pieces and perished.

“Wh-what!”

“······!!!”

Arazan and Rahir were astonished.

The torrent of flames that poured roughly disappeared into the hole in the opposite wall.

『Amazing achievement! You incapacitated a strong enemy with one blow! Weed’s Pack activates!』

『Weed’s Pack activates due to member’s growth!』

Soon as the flames subsided beyond the wall was revealed.

Surprisingly it was not the gloomy inside of the tent.

Rahir’s eyes widened.

“What.”

An open plain was unfolding far away.

It was the Kargai Plateau.

The wide horizon and star sky were beautiful.

In the place where a corridor should be only blackly burned ash powder was fluttering.

Smoke was surging over the tent that was not yet completely burned.

“Hey, I said walk a bit apart! Because control is not yet done!”

“How can I do so when history is in every place I step!”

Soon familiar man and woman revealed themselves from beyond the hole.

Glad faces.

A dragonblood woman carrying a double-bladed axe.

One dwarf whose beard and eyebrows were all scorched, turned like a black toy poodle.

Entering Namoon’s room the two spat out perplexity.

“Euhek! What is all this?”

“A-no···! The long-awaited shaman’s room!”

It was Ilark and Benden.

Although Benden’s backpack whose volume increased at least five times was also interesting the outstanding one was Ilark.

Her double-bladed axe was not simply heated but actually wrapped in flames.

The same flames as what burned Star Shadow.

“Ah, hot hot!”

In the center of the axe blade a rough and red stone was embedded whole.

The miscellaneous stone called Crimson Stone received from Alto before leaving Valkeros.

“Ah, Bran!”

Discovering Bran Ilark smiled brightly.

Stopping at a distance she waved her hand largely.

“I burned everything as you said! Benden collected all the relics! Remaining is only this vicinity and the king’s room!”

“Ilark.”

“I matched the time you said exactly but the appearance is not right! Are we really not late?!”

The originally large voice echoed to the plateau.

Sending the hidden boss in one room and asking if late.

Crunch!

Letting out a hollow laugh as if absurd Bran stomped the fragment of Star Shadow that was crawling stealthily.

【Eugik!】

Star Shadow went limp.

The guy that barely preserved only its life was taking a form similar to a slug.

Turning to Ilark again Bran raised his thumb.

“Yes. Of course.”

This is why work should be left to experts.

Purification to Kale.

Destruction to Ilark.

The pincer operation was successful.