7: GATEWAY BREAKTHROUGH!
ACT 7 Gateway Breakthrough!
[TL Notes: I had difficulty with the name of Shambala’s technique since they’re only one character in Korean which could have a lot of meanings. Thus I just used the Korean pronunciation for it.]
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Jjak-tung’s body was covered with a yellow slime.
‘Slime’s Time!’ Yes, Ark wasn’t the only one with Slime’s Time anymore.
Of course, the skill was created with the Vision scroll so the effects weren’t 100% but the rehabilitation members had also eaten the Slime’s Immortality Pills. It invalidated physical attacks by 100% so it was perfect against the Nakujuks who couldn’t use magic.
“But…….”
Ark looked at Jjak-tung with confusion. Jjak-tung’s intent was perfectly clear. And it was the best way for now. If Jjak-tung died then he would just lose some stats and then revive again. He could take that penalty for the larger purpose. But it was the process leading up to death Ark was worried about, not the actual death.
‘I hadn’t thought the incomplete Slime’s Immortality Pill would give such a penalty.’
The Slime’s Immortality Pill that the rehabilitation members ate wasn’t the ‘genuine’ product. Normally it would take 118 hours to create the Slime’s Immortality Pill. Creating 6 would require 708 hours! Instead of the version made using Survival Cooking, the rehabilitation members were forced to eat the B grade products created using the Vision scroll. And only 70% of the original pill was applied. The problem wasn’t the diminished stats. The penalty applied to the B grade Slime’s Immortality Pills was unimaginable……and it was attached to the skills learnt.
-You have learned the racial skill ‘Slime’s Time.’Slime’s Time: Once a day, you can choose between two skills.
It is possible to cover your body with a coating of slime for 10 minutes. Any physical damage or fall damage will be 100% nullified. However, there is a 100% chance that magic will cause addition damage, with magic resistance decreasing by 100%.
(B grade product penalty: If you ingest an incomplete immortality pill and become covered with slime, your whole body will become sensitive and the pain felt when attacked will be amplified by 50 times)
You can call any type of slimes that exist within a 500 metre radius.
(B grade product penalty: When ingesting an incomplete product, the slimes called will not be recognized your allies. Instead they will attack all users.
It was a truly ridiculous penalty. When attacked in New World, the most pain they would feel was a mild shock. But this was x50 amplification.
“I can’t use the ‘Slime’s Time’ skill.”
Shambala had complained when he ate the B grade product and saw the results. There was no point in using the skill when the pain was a few times worse than in reality. There would be a large cost if Jjak-tung and the others blocked the gateway for 10 minutes. They would have to withstand worse pain than in reality.
“For Jjak-tung hyung and the other hyungs to use Slime’s Time…..”
‘Hyung-nims…..!’
Ark swallowed his rising emotions and shouted.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure the mission is successful!”
It was a really desperate dash.
‘Kekeke, I can’t miss such a fun scene.’
The relationship between Dedric and the rehabilitation members wasn’t that good. Before he was a summon, Dedric had been bullied in the past. Thus he was fixated on his status after growing a little bit.
‘I’m an aristocrat of the Netherworld.’ That was the motto he kept repeating to himself and he had an obsession with being the number 2.
Anyway, in the past Ark had officially declared Dedric was the number 2 so his obsession became even worse. So naturally he treated Razak, Radun, Lariette and Buksil as his subordinates.
“I’m a nobleman of the Netherworld and the number 2. I am the leader in Master’s absence!”
He acted like the leader whenever Ark wasn’t there. It was a trivial thing but Ark recognized Dedric’s arrogance. Anyway, while Ark was in the Netherworld his pets had to remain summoned. He could easily pack Radun and Razak away. However, Ark often left Lariette alone. In addition, he didn’t trust Buksil. So Dedric was the cleverest among the people Ark had left. That was the reason why Dedric’s number 2 position was solidified. And not long ago, a critical incident took place for Dedric. Ark had been sworn in as the Commander of the Dark Brothers=Baran clan alliance.
‘Wait, I’m the person immediately following Master? So I’m the actual number 2 among these thousands of allied forces? F-finally……I’ve come a long way! I’ve been rewarded for all my troubles!
The power crazy bat made a huge mistake. He revealed his true colours as soon as Ark wasn’t there.
“Huhuhu, Master isn’t here so I’m the Commander of this army! I’ll tell you in advance but I’m not as kind as Master!”
Dedric flew around Haman Fortress and stared interfering. At this point some people wanted to tackle him…… But their clan elders were completely caught by Ark so none of the Baran dared to defy Dedric. And Lariette and Buksil saw his behaviour as normal. But Dedric was hot headed and crossed the limits.
“Hey you guys, what are you doing?” (TL note: talking informally which is considered really rude in Korea.)
Dedric talked like this towards the rehabilitation members. The rehabilitation members made a dissatisfied expression and glared at him.
“What? What did you say just now?”
‘Ugh, these guys……Why do their eyes look so murderous?’
Dedric thought for a moment that he had made a mistake. But then he shook his head.
‘Ah, no. I can’t be scared. During the siege in Nagaran, Master was always the captain. These guys are Master’s minions. And I’m just under Master, the number 2! These guys are also below me! If they’re disobeying me then it means they’re rebelling.’
“What’s this? Where are you staring? Are you acting defiant? You really want to die?”
Dedric had finally pressed the switch for a nuclear bomb. And Dedric was literally flattened into a rice cake by the rehabilitation brothers. He was smashed in just a few minutes but Dedric still didn’t get it.
“Ugh. You bastards…..wait until I tell Master….you’ll die…..”
“Ha? Is that so? Hey guys, this bat wants to be hit even more.”
“Ouch, ouch! S-stop…..stop hitting…..no, no. I forgive you…..”
“Forgive us? Hah, his head has gone crazy from the pain.”
“Ouch, ouch! Huk huk huk, it hurts. Stop beating me. Please forgive me.”
In the end, Dedric was able to escape from the group assault with his entire body bruised.
‘Huhuhu, it serves you right!’
Dedric had suffered from the horrible experience a week ago so he felt pleasure as he saw Jjak-tung being beat up by the Nakujuk. However, Dedric’s laughter gradually disappeared from his face.
“Ugh, this is…..it’s not a joke?”
“Heok, being mangled by the sword…..it really feels like it.”
“Hell…..I never thought it would be this bad……”
Jjak-tung, Yapsab and Tazza groaned. The pain amplified by 50 times was unimaginable. It really felt like they were being stabbed or a mace was smashing their skulls! Their health didn’t decrease by 1% but mentally they were in a critical condition.
“Heok!”
Eventually Yapsab was unable to hold out against the pain and kneeled down.
“No, steady yourself! Ugh, if we don’t survive…..Ark and the Netherworld will be screwed!”
“I know!”
Yapsab clenched his teeth and slowed raised his trembling knees. Then he dragged his body over and grabbed the Nakujuk’s ankles.
“This fucking bastard!”
The group of Nakujuk hacked at Yapsab’s body.
Although Yapsab screamed every time, he never let go.
“Kuaaak. Rehabilitation……the rehabilitation group…..show your spirit!”
“We….for justice…..can’t give up….no!”
“Ooh oh oh oh! Let’s show them our willpower!”
Jjak-tung staggered before roaring and making an impassioned speech. Then he stomached the surging pain and muttered.
“Ku, don’t scream….. For my allies…..don’t fall……”
“It’s tough to endure…..I’d rather sing…..”
“Oh, that’s good…. Hum, ku…..okay…… Bodies of my comrades….heok, exceed….exceed….forward….forward….!”