Solo Max-Level Newbie
Chapter 362: Outpost Maintenance (2)

Chapter 362: Outpost Maintenance (2)

“Je, Jebaaaal!”

Orun’s hammer struck with all his might.

Sparks shot in every direction.

Only one opportunity remained.

Failure again meant the material would be destroyed.

There was no need to say that should the materials be destroyed, the life of the blacksmith who had shattered them would be at stake as well.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

As if a second had stretched into an eternity.

Orun’s eyelids slowly lifted.

At that moment,

Ding!

A pleasant sound rang out, and golden mists poured forth.

…Success.

“Woahhh! It’s, it’s done. It’s done!”

Orun exclaimed his triumph.

The ecstasy of survival and pride in success were evident.

“After all, I believed in you. I knew you would succeed, Old Man.”

“Ye, yes. I knew it too. I was just putting on a bit of tension on purpose until now. Cough! Cough!”

Orun puffed up his chest.

Looks like his old skills hadn’t completely vanished, glowing brightly at the critical moment.

‘Good.’

Jinhyuk approached the finished weapon, a satisfied smile on his lips.

A blade with a faint white glow and a hint of blue.

The 40cm long dagger was his new weapon to be used right away.

[Havellian’s Soul – Baneard]

Grade: Dark Blue

Durability: 17,000 / 17,000

Attack Power: 35,000

Feature: Due to lightweight magic, the weight is reduced to 1g. Each attack applies a bleeding effect (+100), and critical hit chance increases by 10%.

Special Skill: Havellian Species’ Protection (Passive)

When fighting together with ancient species, spirits, or summonings, attack power increases by 30%.

What a jackpot.

There were no other words.

‘A dagger with 35,000 attack power, and enhanced with magical lightness, that’s unexpectedly shocking?’

And it felt satisfyingly similar to handling the Fang that he used to wield.

But nothing was more overpowered than…

It wasn’t the weight, the damage, or criticals nor bleeding.

It was the ‘Special Skill.’

True to a Havellian’s affinity, it allowed for synergy with various species.

A 30% buff in a battle decided by a hair’s breadth means he could now fight even with higher species.

With this, he could play along with not just Kijziel, but also divine beings like Guntapheor.

“Thank you. I really like it.”

Jinhyuk moved the dagger lightly.

‘Baneard’ scattered a blue radiance as it spun smoothly in an arc.

Its balance was perfect.

And so was its sharpness.

‘I really can’t wait to get into a dungeon or labyrinth.’

He felt a tingling anticipation throughout his body.

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“Then, I should get going now. My companions are waiting in the Capital.”

“Are you attending the ball they’re organizing?”

“Lord Evraham forced an invitation on me, so I had no choice but to attend.”

“Hmm, there’s no worries about the Empire, but be careful when you go into the middle layers.”

“Is there… something happening?”

“Well, this is top-grade information from the Dwarf Kingdom, cough. Cough!”

Orun deliberately trailed off with a fake cough.

Look at this?

The old sly fox…

“Sigh. I hear that some nice wines will be available at the imperial banquet. I think I can sneak out a few jars.”

“Oh! I’m quite fond of that wine myself, would really love a taste. Goes perfectly with goat leg roast…”

“Enough. So, what’s the information?”

As Jinhyuk urged, Orun slowly began to speak.

“Well, it’s about the 20th floor. Some players from your world recently ventured there.”

If it’s about players going to the 20th floor…

This must be about Theresa.

Following the completion of the 19th floor, a grand guild led by Europe’s Olympus Guild announced a major campaign on the 20th floor.

It was the hot topic on news and various media for two days straight.

‘The former vice-master of the Olympus Guild died… and a new person took over.’

I heard he had taken radical steps to reorganize the guild and achieved remarkable results.

What was his name again?

The exact memory isn’t clear since those days were quite hectic.

The important thing is, Theresa was participating in this raid.

“What have the players done?”

“Cough. First, you already know what kind of place the 20th floor is, right?”

“I have a general idea.”

The 20th floor is a battleground full of monsters and diverse races.

Under the principle of survival of the fittest, a vast arena where everyone viciously fights for a bit more territory.

To survive, you must trample on others, and to rise, you must rip apart your neighbors.

But even there, some areas must absolutely be avoided.

The so-called ‘Lesser Kings.’

Monstrosities that occupied critical areas on the 20th floor.

Each possessed great power and influence, and even forces from higher levels didn’t recklessly invade their territories.

But now…

“Don’t tell me the players ventured into one of those realms?”

“That’s what I heard. Likely lured by the resources there, they’re currently scouting mines, trying to secure a route inward.”

If it’s tempting resources they’re after, there can only be one.

“ManaStone… mines.”

“Yes, that’s the place. The creatures occupying the mines are quite pissed off. The players might not know yet, but soon an attack squad will catch up to them.”

“……”

To think they ventured to a location completely unrelated to conquering the 20th floor.

They talk about ascending the tower for humanity, meanwhile, they’re busy securing their own interests.

And this greed will lead to the worst outcome.

‘No matter if large guilds are allied, they won’t stand a chance in a war of attrition…’

No one but Jinhyuk can understand how brutal the chaos on the 20th floor can be unless they’ve experienced it themselves.

That’s why,

Only Jinhyuk could predict the situation the guilds on the 20th floor will face soon.

＊＊＊

Kwaaaaaang!

Cooocooocooocoo!

The massive explosion shook the ground as fountains of blood erupted.

Pandemonium.

That was the only word to describe the crisis at hand.

“Argh! My… my leg…”

“Healers! What are you doing right now? Healing can’t keep up!”

“Damn, we’re all ready to drop! We’re out of mana, what do you expect us to do?”

It had been three days since they reached the 20th floor.

But it felt like three years, each day’s onslaught of monsters was a nightmare.

That’s when.

“Everyone, follow me! I’ll buy us some time!”

Theresa stepped forward to put the crumbling line back in order.

[Theresa activates her unique ability ‘Star’s Blessing!’]

As dazzling light fell, monsters’ attention turned to Theresa.

Executioners, wearing black hoods and wielding scythes, simultaneously changed their target.

“Kill… kill them. Offer them to our God!”

“Set up the altar of blood! Build it with flesh and bones!”

“Kieeeek!”

The force they were currently fighting against was ‘The Doctrine of Ghosts.’

Residents who worshiped demons, fanatics long robbed of their sanity.

With no fear of death, this army was a headache in itself.

Their determination to kill their foes even at the cost of their own lives meant casualties within the attack squad spiraled out of control.

Kwakwakwakwa!

Theresa swung her sword made of starlight.

“Keuh!”

“Kuaaaah!”

Under the concentrated strike of the sacred blade, Executioners were sliced apart.

Despite the Executioners striking back with their scythes, they couldn’t inflict critical damage on Theresa, clad in heavy armor.

In no time, Theresa, having reorganized the front lines, plunged into the heart of enemy lines.

A protracted battle would be a loss in the long run.

She needed to capture the enemy commander to quickly end the fight.

Kwaaang!

Different from other Executioners, a fanatic wearing a white hood.

The ‘Elder.’

That creature was the leader of the fanatics.

Theresa accelerated.

Ordinary fanatics and named Executioners also moved to protect the Elder.

The wall thickened.

“Protect Theresa!”

“We must support her to break through at all costs!”

The ranks of the attack team braced themselves, veins popping.

Kwaaang!

Kwaaaang!

The support fire from ranged dealers continued.

And taking advantage of the chaos.

“This ends now.”

At last, Theresa reached the Elder.

Her sword soared high into the sky.

At the same moment.

“Tou Ark. Akraba.”

The Elder invoked a blood-red curse magic.

A curse that bound the space and twisted the limbs, restraining the entire suit of armor.

Crack!

The white armor began to crumple.

“Keugh…”

Pain twisted Theresa’s face, yet she didn’t cease her strike.

‘This is nothing…’

She knew players who had faced far worse situations.

Who had fought and won in far more desperate conditions.

So, she couldn’t whimper in pain here.

She couldn’t be stuck in the same place, unable to defeat even such enemies!

Ssssshk!

Theresa’s sword cut through in a clean arc.

“Ak…ra…ba…”

Whoosh!

Blood sprayed out like a fountain.

The Elder’s form began to crumble.

And with that, the battle was over.

＊＊＊

About an hour passed since the conflict ended.

The attack squad was busy tending to the wounded, setting up camp.

“Damn it. What kind of floor is this? There should be some limits. It’s too much!”

“At this rate, we’ll all die of exhaustion. Can’t even remember the last time we had a decent rest. Bloody hell.”

“Seriously. Jumping in blindly like this, it’s all to get that ManaStone or whatever, isn’t it?”

Those still fit grumbled their complaints.

Despite gnawing hunger, the fatigue kept them from swallowing meat jerky and water.

‘Everyone’s exhausted.’

Theresa looked at the camp with worried eyes.

Low morale at this point was dangerous.

Without some kind of turnaround…

The siege of the floor—and the collapse of the major guilds gathered here—might just happen.

Europe’s influence would plummet.

‘We can’t let that happen.’

For the sake of the Rosenberg family, she had to prevent this at all costs.

“Sigh.”

Theresa hurried towards the biggest tent.

“Ms. Theresa?”

“What brings you here?”

Two players guarding the entrance of the tent immediately stood up.

“Is Mr. Phaeton inside?”

“Yes, the raid leader and vice leader are currently in a meeting. If you have business, please wait a moment. They’ve ordered not to be disturbed.”

“It’s urgent. I must see him right now.”

“But, but…”

The male player hesitated, trailing off.

Just then.

Boom!

A heavy impact shook the ground.

“Ahhhh!”

“What on earth is this?”

“Call the rankers, now!”

A disturbance occurred on the outskirts of the tent.