◈ Episode 28

There was no inevitability in the meeting between the two Castus here today. Ast does not appear in the main episode, and they do not meet at all until Snowfield dies.

They were nothing more than strangers to each other. They were men with no common ground other than being of the same race.

If the foreign substance called Kim Ihyeon had not killed Shadow, if he had not brought Ast from Ullants, if he had not come to Cilicia.

Their lives never intertwined.

'… … How mean.'

However, Kim Yi-hyeon felt a strange intersection between them. In his opinion, their situations were inevitably comparable.

Snowfield suffered and was angry at the disaster. If the disaster was an irreversible trend of the times, she too wanted to become the vanguard of the great wave called Legion.

On the other hand, to Astrid, it was the man who was the disaster.

It was the mafia that had deceived and exploited the innocent Pecatum, the middleman who had embezzled her money, the compatriot who had driven her out of her hometown, and herself who had burned down her home and family.

It was no different now. There were those who tried to destroy the peace that had been achieved through hardship.

Snowfield was the disaster of 'Asterique'.

And Asterike had already learned how to stand up to those who tried to ruin her life, in that dirty warehouse of Ullants.

- Whoah!

A torrent of flames swept through the passage.

The corpses of the legions and mercenaries engulfed in flames turned to ash. Even the solid floor melted and the railings fell apart.

Snowfield could have avoided the fire by getting out of the way beforehand. The moment she saw the fire, she gave up fighting it and retreated quickly.

It was a wise choice.

'Was there anyone with that kind of ability?'

The nameless compatriot was soon engulfed in flames. Just as Snowfield was free from the cold air he exhaled, the fire did not threaten the sorcerer.

Everything but himself was burned. The flowing flames resembled blood. In the meantime, the floor finish and cushioning had melted, exposing the concrete.

'I can't just leave it alone.'

The priority in Snowfield's brain has changed. If all his comrades die and he is left alone, then the meaning of the 'war of occupation' will fade.

The action was swift.

Snowfield accelerated, kicking the ground.

As the distance grew closer, the heat grew intense. Before I could even get within striking distance of my sword, a large hand-shaped fire struck the ground.

Angry!

Flames shot up along with the explosion. Eventually, part of the 7th floor underground collapsed, and the two bodies began to fall to the lower floors.

Snowfield watched the flames as they approached her, stepping on the broken concrete. Such a wide-area attack was also her vulnerability.

Because I could only fight it with spells. Spells didn't have good fuel efficiency. Thinking about what would happen later, I had to deal with it as quickly as possible.

A javelin of ice formed in Snowfield's left hand, and she quickly shot it like a hawk hunting its prey. Even in her unsteady position on the falling platform, her javelin was flawless.

The thrown spear met the flames, and the ice spread out. The melted ice evaporated in an instant, emitting a thick cloud of smoke like a steam locomotive.

'I've seen scenes like this all my life.'

Kim Yi-hyeon felt somewhat refreshed. There were many users who used Ast in the Snowfield raid. Kim Yi-hyeon was no different.

'But it wasn't one-on-one.'

In the first place, it is absurd to think of defeating the boss alone. It is basically designed so that you have to divide up the roles to clear it.

A gimmick destroyer, a buff and debuff agent, a tanker who can withstand enemy attacks, and finally an agent in charge of dealing damage. There are often cases where this is done through tricks, but that's basically how it is.

However, it was not officially determined who was stronger in the settings. Users could only guess based on their own reasons.

Bubbling!

Some of the ice vaporized, creating bubbles in the lava. The sight of the bubbles seething and eroding the ice looked like a writhing mass of blood.

Ice and fire. At first glance, they seem like opposite spells, but when they collide, no chemical reaction occurs.

The phenomena that occur through spells are not necessarily the same as something that exists in nature. Those two spells are representative examples.

Snowfield surrounds armor with frost, strengthening physical and magical resistance, and conversely reducing the defense of enemies or structures.

As for Astra, it's even more bizarre. In fact, it's a spell closer to liquid lava than fire, but it doesn't contain any minerals.

'Well, it's a game setting.'

In other words, the spells of the two are the ability to handle something similar to ice or fire. That is why Kim I-Hyeon did not care whether the phenomenon unfolding before his eyes was scientifically correct.

"...Hyun, is this your plan?"

"Nana and that guy are trying to do something. You guys aren't suffering here for money either."

"What if that girl dies too?"

"Don't die."

Kim Hyun-i answered Bryce's question bluntly.

This wasn't some random gamble. He was the one who understood Astra's value better than anyone else in Polaris.

The two had already destroyed the 8th floor underground and were now at the lowest level. The black smoke had mostly been dissipated by Metro City's ventilation system.

The bounty hunters have not yet regained their senses. They were caught in the fight, freezing and burning to death while feasting on the corpses of their comrades.

Boom, boom!

The Outlaws who were still on the lowest floor also hurriedly climbed the stairs. This was a battlefield that the culprit should not approach.

Kim Yi-Hyeon picked up [Ivory]. He fired at the walker aiming at the lowest floor from the other side.

It was out of range, but the threat alone was enough. As Walker turned his gun, Bryce cursed and supported Kim Hyun.

"Damn it. Can't you at least talk before you shoot?"

"Isn't it the one who gets hit while fighting that's the problem?"

"...Okay, I'll take care of him."

Kim Yi-hyeon glanced downstairs, chuckling.

In less than five minutes, half the area of ​​the lowest layer was frozen solid. Sticky magma flowed over the ice.

It was time to slowly focus again.

I told Bryce he wouldn't die, but that didn't necessarily mean Asterike could overwhelm Snowfield one-on-one.

Rather, it was generally accepted among users that Snowfield was advantageous. Astra had a major flaw in its settings.

So, Kim Lee-Hyeon prepared one more move.

'The next one is the last one.'

Now I had to hold my breath.

* * *

'How strange.'

Snowfield sensed a change.

The flames surrounding the enemy were growing bigger and bigger. While the perceived temperature was rising, the pressure was actually easing.

Unlike the first time, the flames did not form a clear shape. They just came at me from the front, in a distorted shape, without any plan.

"Haa, haaah…!"

The bright yellow eyes visible through the fire had vertically slit pupils. It gave off a wildness that seemed more like that of a bird than a human being.

'Is this a runaway?'

It was something that could have happened. No, it was more absurd to use a spell with this much output without any restrictions.

Perhaps due to Castus's uniquely strong body, his internal organs did not seem to break down. However, his mind did not seem to be in good shape.

Things got easier, Snowfield thought.

Before his eyes, a high wave of fire was crashing down. Instead of retreating, Snowfield charged forward, scraping the ice with his sword.

Ki-gi-gi-gone!

Ice shards flew out with a friction sound. Each and every single grain seemed to have its own will, and was wrapped around the sword, spinning at high speeds.

The gap narrowed in an instant.

Three steps. Just before being engulfed in flames, Snowfield swung his sword upwards.

The power condensed to its limit exploded, causing thousands of ice picks to rise. The densely packed ice formed a barrier.

It was the most violent collision ever. The heat alone melted the ice, creating puddles everywhere.

Snowfield didn't watch the results.

fault!

The ice wall, built like an uphill slope, was blocking each other's view. She whipped her dull body and started running down the wall.

This was Snowfield's decisive move.

My body, already exhausted, demanded rest. I couldn't drag it out any longer. Rather than gradually wear myself down, it was better to end the adventure in one go.

As we reached the top, we saw waves of blazing fire crashing down against the ice wall. The wall was collapsing from the ridiculous heat.

The distance to the enemy is about 30m.

Snowfield kicked the step, straightening his bent knees. His body shot out like an arrow leaving the protest.

The remaining distance was 20m. Asterike still could not catch sight of the approaching Snowfield. Flesh was revealed between the raging flames.

Snowfield put strength into the hand holding his sword.

"Shoot."

No one heard the voice, except Chelsea, who had a small receiver in her right ear.

The order was carried out almost without delay. Ever since the battle began, Chelsea had been waiting for this moment.

A bullet was fired secretly from somewhere in the station, traveling diagonally. The sound arrived much later than the bullet.

As confirmed in the previous operation, Chelsea's shooting was indeed excellent. The bullets hit the target without a single error.

Precisely, it pierced Asterike's psyche.

'What happened?'

Snowfield felt as if time had slowed down. She couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened.

From the start of the battle, sniping had always been the enemy's domain. Snipers positioned here and there were constantly targeting the Legion and Outlaws.

Even if you calculate it from an angle, it couldn't have been the Legion's doing. Several hypotheses instantly came to mind.

Misfire? Infighting? Or some kind of plan?

It was just random thoughts.

Snowfield remembered his duty. He would advance and extend his sword when he entered the gap. It was so clear, there was no reason to hesitate.

The sight of his people falling seemed to be in slow motion. And Snowfield witnessed it.

'...fire?'

Instead of blood, fire poured out of the hole made by the large-caliber bullet. Not the ominous red color that had been there before, but a clear orange color.

It was different from the hateful fire that burned down my hometown. Unlike the terrifying pale flames, it was like a pure light of life―

The thought is cut off like a film break.

When Snowfield came to his senses again, he noticed several changes that had come over him.

I couldn't feel the weight of the armor. My eye level was lowered. My whole body felt faint. My throat felt like it had been cut and my ears were blocked.

There was no spark anywhere.

What he saw through his dark and blurry vision were the barrels of countless guns aimed at him. Since when had his compatriot been held in someone's arms?

"You still have your wits about you. What a messed up body you're in."

Kim Lee-hyun said in a tone that said, "I'm going crazy."

Snowfield's appearance was hideous. The melted metal that had once been his armor was stuck to his body like wax, and in some places his bones were exposed.

No matter how you look at it, it's a corpse. It's so strange that it's still alive despite its appearance. From the perspective of the viewer, it was so strange that it was almost bizarre.

But he was still breathing. Snowfield was on his knees, staggering, as if he had no strength to move a finger.

'Well, it was a direct hit right in front of my nose.'

A talent that Ast possesses [Fire of Regeneration]. It is a passive skill that activates when certain conditions are met.

Once per battle, when HP falls below 25%, deals fixed damage to a certain area. After the attack ends, Ast recovers all HP and falls into a stunned state.

'The problem is that this doesn't explode if you die instantly.'

It will not activate if you die in one hit from the boss. Also, it is only activated when the [Blood Flame] skill is being used, so there are many situations where it is difficult to use.

If it's tricky, it's a tricky condition. But there is a way to definitely unleash Ast's talent.

Use an agent that reduces the health of allies and gives them buffs, or give Ast equipment with a similar effect.

This is the so-called 'suicide astute'.

'It's a wrong expression because he doesn't die.'

A classic tactic that isn't particularly unique. [Bloodborne] is also a high DPS skill, but this is the best when you need instantaneous damage.

It was the plan with the highest chance of success.

Asterike is inferior to Snowfield in terms of combat sense, physical ability, and spell control. The only thing he is superior to is his spell output.

So I had no choice but to use it like this.

'I hope I never have to use it again.'

It was a very dirty feeling. Kim Yi-Hyeon looked at Snowfield's only remaining eyeball and turned away. This place was still not safe.

Brother, come on!

Gunshots rang out.

The sound of Snowfield's body collapsing was heard from behind. The phrases that appeared afterward clouded Kim Yi-Hyeon's vision.

[ERROR!]

[Confirmation of death of character 'Snowfield']

[Calculate the damage rate of the scenario.]

[Now Loading… … .]

It took longer than last time.

Meanwhile, the fighting was in its final stages. The police, who had been holding out, came down and suppressed the rioters.

The number of Outlaws was not infinite. By the time Asterike and Snowfield began their battle, they were already less than half.

This was because every time I forcibly climbed up a floor while aiming for the ground, my power was completely drained. Thanks to White Fang's efforts, there weren't many walkers left.

It was no different from a purge of the remnants.

"I don't understand what happened, but it seems like that girl played a big role."

"When you open your eyes, buy me meat later."

"Haha. If you survive till the end."

Kim Yi-hyeon went back up to the cargo floor with White Fang's support. He carefully laid Asterike down in the warehouse and helped with the cleanup.

"Shit, shit. This isn't right. I…!"

I shot the Outlaw in the back as he tried to escape underground. I didn't hesitate at all. I'd been through too much to feel guilty about it now.

There were fewer White Fang members than a few hours ago. After disappearing one by one, only six people, including Kim I-Hyeon, remained.

[Loading Completed!]

[Damage rate of Main Episode 2 'Jun-dong']

[Damage rate of main episode 3 'Change']

[Main Episode 4 'Turbulence' Damage Rate]

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[Highest damage rate in Main Episode 11 'Slashing Wind']

[Damage rate of main episode 12 'Fear']

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The messages continued, saying that even the scenario after Episode 11, where Snowfield dies in the game, was corrupted.

It simply meant that Snowfield had left early, and that the future of the Legion had been distorted. It was something to be viewed positively.

'No matter what, I succeeded.'

It had great significance.

As a result, Cilicia was saved. Although there were only a few members, all of them were alive and well. Asterike was also unscathed and clean…

[The presence of agent 'Kim Lee-hyun' becomes clear.]

I thought I did pretty well.

'Still, I'm a little tired.'

[Agent 'Kim Lee-Hyeon's' rank increases.]

[The skill 'Special Weapon Production' is strengthened.]

[The upper limit of ability values ​​is expanded.]

[Agent Record Update]

[Agent Name: Kim Lee-Hyeon]

[Rating: ★★★]

[Talent: Unknown]

Today was a hard day.