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Chapter 297: Something More Important Than Pride (1)

The only vampire head of the family with black hair.

Abigail von Revisita.

That was the name of the current head of the Revisita family standing before her.

Crunch…

Eris bit down on her teeth furiously.

“Showing your face before me means you’re ready to die, doesn’t it?”

Her eyes gleamed with murderous intent, and her cheeks flushed with a color as deep as blood.

“Heh heh. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my sister’s face, and you greet me with such harsh words? I’m delighted to see you after all this time. Me, at least.”

“Nonsense… shut it! I thought about it every single day in that hellish pit. The day I would kill all of you!”

Kukukukuku!

Droplets of red blood rose around Eris.

[‘Vladimir’s Harpoon’ is activated!]

Harpoons made of blood and numerous spikes filled the air.

A completely different, malevolent aura spread out compared to when she fought the black goat.

“I don’t mind a fight, but how about listening to what I have to say first? I’m sure you’ll find it interesting.”

“No need.”

Eris flicked her finger.

The harpoons in the sky all turned towards Abigail.

With a single command, the tragedy of Romania could repeat.

But then…

The following words…

“Your contractor went into a strangely shaped gate. If it continues like this, you’ll lose your life.”

“…What?”

For the first time, Eris flinched.

That strange gate must undoubtedly be the ‘Mirror that Breaks Boundaries’ Jinhyuk mentioned before leaving.

And the fact that Abigail knew about it meant that her words were not just an empty threat.

She couldn’t take threats involving Jinhyuk lightly.

The harpoons’ momentum weakened.

“…Go on.”

“According to reports, your contractor commands not only you but also numerous summons. From ancient species to elemental spirits and even undead monsters… Quite an impressive collection. Even the heads of the families would struggle to control such powerful summons. If all of them were to fight with full force, it would indeed be troublesome.”

As Abigail continued, Eris realized what she was getting at.

The fatal weakness of relying on a single person’s mana supply.

“Mana overload… you can’t be serious!”

“That’s right. So far, the battles have been manageable, but who’s to say that will last?”

However.

Could that really be the case now?

With the followers of the Demon God Church, the vampire families, and the entities of the 50th floor…

Their forces were overwhelming, to say the least.

If they were to focus all their power on the summons, no matter how efficiently Jinhyuk distributed his mana, and even if they tried to avoid a desperate fight…

Eventually, they would hit their limit.

“And on your contractor’s side, Ascension himself has gone. You, of all people, know how strong that man is.”

Abigail smiled slyly.

The new head of the Ataraxia family.

Ascension of Ataraxia.

Ranked as the strongest among the current heads of the families, Eris too had been trapped in the corridor because of that monster’s abilities.

‘No matter how strong my contractor is, it’s too much.’

Who would have thought they had planned so meticulously?

Facing a formidable head of the family and a surprise attack, the risk was far too high.

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‘…I can’t let him die. I can’t just leave him to death.’

Revenge was important but not as important as the life of someone dear.

In the end, Eris hung her head powerlessly.

“What do you want?”

“Heh heh. I’m glad you’re quick to catch on. The condition is simple. Place a gold seal on yourself and seal your unique Holy Writ.”

“My own… Holy Writ?”

“Yes. ‘Revelation of the Apocalypse.’ That ability is quite a hassle to deal with.”

In a battle between heads of families, their unique Holy Writs are a lifeline.

A critical means to cut off each other’s breath.

Asking her to give it up was tantamount to asking her to die.

“If I do that… you’ll spare my contractor’s life?”

“Of course. After all, our goal is just you. A vow of blood will be secured by the family’s magic.”

Her life or Jinhyuk’s life.

If she could choose only one…

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

Eris nodded.

At that very moment.

Woong!

A reaper in a black robe appeared around the two vampires.

On one side of the scale was Eris’s red soul.

On the other, Abigail’s black soul.

[A blood seal (禁制) has been formed.]

[Eris von Ataraxia’s unique Holy Writ will be sealed for the next 24 hours. In exchange, Abigail von Revisita and the vampire heads of the families will cease all attacks on player Kang Jinhyuk immediately and, unless provoked, cannot threaten his life.]

The oath bound by blood would be kept with their lives.

‘…That’s enough.’

Eris smiled faintly.

At the same time.

Sssk…

Dozens of vampires began to rise from the shadows.

Red eyes shone from all around.

Members of the Revisita family brandished their weapons with sinister smiles plastered on their faces.

“Giggle!”

“Hunting the former head of the family is truly an honor.”

“I’ll tear you apart.”

“Finally, it’s time to repay the humiliation from that day.”

Rapiers, daggers, and bloodline magic gathered in one place.

“Who would have thought that the great Eris would throw her life away for a single human? Who could have predicted such a foolish act from you?”

Abigail too drew a scythe much taller than herself.

The scythe, embedded with massive eyes and trembling slightly, was called ‘The Scythe of the Wraith Tree.’

With its ‘absolute judgment’ effect, the scythe was not only Abigail’s weapon but also her own unique Holy Writ.

Against it, unless one possessed a similar unique Holy Writ or a top-tier holy relic, it was invincible.

However, even with all that before her…

Eris stood still, upright.

There were no regrets in her choice.

Even if she were bound by constraints and could no longer fight for pride…

If falling for the one who had given her hope was the end…

That was an acceptable way to meet her demise.

Of course, she had no intention of letting them have their way.

[Eris unleashes her own ability ‘Blood Lord!’]

The air changed drastically.

Like the last flames before extinguishing…

Eris began to gather mana.

“My name is Eris von Ataraxia…”

Standing tall, the genuine article contemplated and scorned everything.

“I am Ataraxia itself, and all of Ataraxia exists for me.”

Even without her unique Holy Writ, her words still carried the undeniable weight of a supreme ruler.

“Come forth. If there are those among you who dare to undertake this great feat, now is the time.”

Eris took position.

Just that.

But still…

“Ugh!”

“Hnngh.”

The clan members, who had been brimming with confidence, instinctively stepped back without realizing it.

The nightmare of the past stimulated memories long-forgotten.

The terrible trauma where a single pureblood had swept away the noble vampires of a great house.

Then.

Shoosh!

The head of a vampire at the very back flew off.

Blood dripped from a scythe that had sliced sideways.

“I have no need for cowards amongst my clan.”

Flight meant death.

Abigail spoke with chilling indifference.

“Once the unique Holy Writ is sealed, even Eris is no more than a toothless tiger. We can easily hunt her together. Have you all understood?”

“Yes, we understand.”

“That’s right. I was too caught up in her intimidation.”

“Kill her!”

“Arrrh!”

The clan members leaped forward together.

‘…Please don’t come here. It’s a trap.’

For the first time and for the last, Eris muttered quietly.

＊＊＊

Woong!

White runes appeared above Beltor’s head.

It was a multi-layered magical formula composed of seven layers.

‘Goodness…’

Beltor swallowed nervously.

He initially thought it was just a mad fool who had come to see him.

After all, the profession of a Barrier Master was one chosen only by eccentrics and fools.

Furthermore, when the visitor mentioned he had to change classes within three hours, Beltor had completely discarded any hopes he had.

But now…

How on earth…

“Keke… Kahaha! What a completely unexpected chap.”

Unable to hold back anymore, Beltor burst into laughter.

In his lifetime, not even his most promising disciple could properly use a six-layer barrier.

And now, after his death and beyond the Tower, to see a player using a seven-layer barrier was beyond belief.

He couldn’t help but laugh.

“There’s still a long way to go.”

Jinhyuk activated another skill.

The scenery began to change due to ‘Select Battlefield.’

The place was transformed into a vast library.

Specifically, it was where Beltor had once studied barrier magic.

The open sky above and the pitch-black night, with stars that shone even brighter, were visible.

It was as if he was being shown the beginning and the end of a Barrier Master.

“Ah…”

A sigh laden with complex emotions escaped Beltor.

Finally.

[The special trait of ‘Blessing of the Stars’ increases all stats by 5%!]

All of his abilities exploded in a single moment.

Crackle…

All of the barriers that had been activated merged into one giant barrier.

Constructed by self-study, it wasn’t perfect, but he had succeeded in making a presentable form.

[An 11-star grand barrier ‘The Twilight Swamp’ is activated!]

Amidst the undulating golden waves…

Beltor stood still, unable to move.

Instead, he unreservedly expressed his inner feelings.

“You… are an interesting one.”

That was probably meant as a compliment.

“It’s nice to hear that, but weren’t you going to break my barrier earlier?”

“Damn it. How can this mere disruption method penetrate? Of course, you passed the test. If I didn’t pass someone of your skill, no other Barrier Master would be able to change classes for a second time.”

To disrupt an 11-star grand barrier, even Beltor would have needed to use his full capabilities.

In other words.

The test was over.

“Wait, just wait. Where are you going in such a hurry? An ore like you needs time and effort polished to reveal its true value, don’t you know? Yeah, I know the situation outside isn’t a joke. That’s why I’m telling you. It’s better to take your time to train here rather than going out and dying like a dog. With your potential, you could learn the new spatial barriers I’ve developed…!”

The previously grumbling adult was replaced by nearly childlike excitement and wonder.

Yes.

Jinhyuk knew all along.

Although he had continuously denied it, this man loved the field of barrier magic more than anyone.

Because he held such affection, he had the right to despise and hate it.

“Unfortunately, I have to decline that offer.”

Eris, Cheon Yuseong, Teresa, Won Young, and the teacher…

Yoo Yeonhwa, Lee Taemin, Goguma, and everyone else from guilds around the world were fighting.

For humanity.

To survive.

The outside world was conveyed through the status window.

-Hang in there! Just a little longer… just a bit more!

-He will definitely come. Don’t give up and fight!

-The Samurai Guild has also landed in Korea. We will join the Battle immediately.

Even now, at this very moment. They were waiting for him, risking their lives.

“My destination is set.”

Now that his purpose was fulfilled, it was time to return.

“It was brief, but I am thankful. Thanks to you… I feel I can grow more attached to this job.”

Smiling faintly, Jinhyuk bid his last farewell.

[You have acquired the lost language.]

[Your second class change to Barrier Master is complete.]

[Your role has evolved from interpreting runic language to creating it.]

Following his footsteps…

…new hieroglyphs appeared that he had never seen before.

A creator delving into the lost language and shaping that world.

“Haah… Why is it that the things I want the most are always out of reach?”

Beltor ruffled his hair in apparent frustration.

But contrary to his words, there was a look of satisfaction on his lips.

“Give a good show, young Barrier Master.”