Emperor of Solo Play Chapter 108:
Chapter 108 – Catacombs (3)
When he was filming the Waltz video, a thought had gone through Hyrkan’s mind .
‘This won’t make any money…… . ’
However, his prediction had been very off, and he had been very happy at being proven wrong . The Waltz video allowed Hyrkan to make a leap into becoming a star .
With this as context, today’s footage might be a big failure .
‘This will make me some money . ’
At that moment, Hyrkan felt something entirely different from when he had filmed the Waltz video . His hunch, intuition and instinct was the polar opposite of what he had felt that time .
‘I really feel like this will be a jackpot . ’
Hyrkan had finally exited the tortuous maze, and he had arrived at a new entrance .
It was the entrance to an Instant Dungeon, where he wouldn’t be able to come out once he entered . It was clearly evident that this place was where the Catacomb’s Stage Boss was located at .
Hyrkan didn’t show any hesitation as he jumped into the stage . He didn’t have any worries . He had plenty of consumable Items . Moreover, his body was itching at the thought of getting out of this boring Catacombs .
In the end, he reached a massive graveyard . The graveyard was large enough to be reminiscent of a small domed stadium . It was a cemetery filled with skeletons of Chimeras . It was also filled with the ownerless armors and weapons .
It was a Dungeon befitting the name of Catacombs . It was mass graveyard for the Chimeras .
[Who dares to wake me from my rest!]
There was an ogre here .
No, it wasn’t an ordinary ogre . It was a skeleton made out of ogre bones, and it had a clear and distinct emblem… It was the trigon emblem . The ogre had a big emblem belonging to Prince Dean engraved on the chest armor it was wearing .
[What are the Guards doing?]
Its voice was very menacing, and it let out a roar . The ogre skeleton’s right hand held a fearsome and large iron mace . Its left held a weird looking lantern . It was a gem hanging on a chain, and it was giving out a purple light .
Even at this point, Hyrkan’s intuition still hadn’t thought this would be a jackpot . Hyrkan was trying hard to come up with a method that’ll allow him to dispose the Catacomb’s Boss Monster and the Guards .
It happened at that moment .
[You disgraceful bastards! Get up! Get up and get rid of this being, who interferes with my rest!]
The Gem Lantern held by the Catacomb Guardian let out a powerful purple light . Something akin to ghosts started to exit out of the purple light, and it was being absorbed into skeletons scattered in the surrounding .
At that moment, Hyrkan had a hunch .
‘Maybe?’
This Boss Monster’s special ability was quite clear .
It was a type that can summon Skeleton underlings . Basically, this type of monsters were labeled Lich style monster . They were pretty rare to come across, but they weren’t an anomaly . They weren’t that special .
This would be true if the opponent hadn’t been Hyrkan .
‘Finally, I’ve finally achieved a great Matchup . ’
He was Warlord’s best Necromancer, and he was a new breed of Necromancer… . He was the Hahoe Mask Hyrkan, who had founded the Hahoe Mask style .
‘This is a really big Match up . ’
If these confluence of factors weren’t present, this battle wouldn’t have been given any special meaning by Hyrkan .
‘I can get 10 million at the very least . ’
Since he was the Hahoe Mask, this Boss Raid was special . It’ll be memorable one .
It was a battle between the Lich Style Boss Monster and the Hahoe Mask Necromancer . If one was fan of the Hahoe Mask and a fan who enjoyed watching Warlord, this was a matchup impossible to ignore .
[You **** . You will pay the price of waking me from my rest!]
Hyrkan let out a roar, then he let shouted towards the Catacomb Guardian .
“You’ll make me pay the price? How dare you! I am the Hahoe Mask, yet you want to make me pay?”
Hyrkan spoke his line as he acted out the scene .
This battle would be worth a lot . This was why he had to act cool and act the part!
Of course, he regretted saying it the moment the words left his mouth .
‘Those lines didn’t sound too great . It’s embarrassing . ’
Of course, an NG was always possible in acting . With the Catacomb Guardian letting out its angry words in front of him, Hyrkan earnestly thought about his new lines .
‘Yes . This is it . ’
He finally came up with a new line . Hyrkan made a pose, and he once again yelled out his words .
“A price…… You will feel it in your bones as to who I am . ”
The line he gave was still very corny .
However, there was a smile on Hyrkan’s lips as if he liked the line he gave .
‘Feel it in your bones! That’ll be a famous line . ’
If a screenwriter could look into Hyrkan’s heart, he would have a dumbfounded expression on his face .
Hyrkan was oblivious to this fact . He was drunk on his own words . Of course, he did what he had to do even if we was drunk .
[Kill the one, who interferes with my rest!]
It had already prepared itself for battle . Ten Chimera Skeleton was staring at him . In a flash, Hyrkan held a gem in his hand . He closed his fist as if he was trying to squeeze the gem .
Drip drip!
Bright light came out of the gem as it dripped to the floor .
Koo koo koo!
The gem was absorbed into the floor, and the ground started to shake . Dirt shot up, and a golem that was as big as the Catacomb Guardian appeared .
The Golem looked like an ogre . On top of that fact, the ogre possessed two heads .
It was the Twin Head Ogre .
It was a level 110 Boss Monster, and amongst the Users, it was known to be the most difficult Ogre to deal with . It was considered to be one of the strongest Ogres in this this game .
This was obvious, but the ingredient gem of this monster was incredibly expensive . The price of a gem differed by 500 gold depending on its scarcity .
‘My one month food money was blown in one shot . ’
Hyrkan had saved this one for emergency . He really didn’t want to use this one . He prayed that he’ll never encounter a situation where he would have to use it . He kept it close to his bosom as if it was a golden ingot .
‘All right . Let’s just do this . ’
However, at that moment, Hyrkan erased all thoughts about money from his mind .
He painted a picture in his mind .
After he summoned the Twin Head Ogre, he immediately scattered 10 Skeleton Fragments on the floor . He summoned 10 Skeleton with a picture in mind .
The Catacomb Guardian had also summoned 10 Chimera Skeletons .
With each ogre as the commanders, the Undead units faced each other .
This was like the scene where actors were getting ready for a full scale battle .
Then Hyrkan flicked his finger twice to give the cue .
This was the sequel hit after the Waltz video . It was the start of the ‘Battle of the Bones . ’
The first clash was a landslide victory for Hyrkan . The Skeleton Warriors received the Skeleton Knight’s buff and the Skeleton Science’s effect . Moreover, the Skeleton Warriors were fully equipped, so they were like nightmares for the Chimera Skeletons .
Moreover, the Catacomb Guardian merely stood in the back as it directed the battle . On the other hand, the Twin Head Ogre golem used both of its hands to swing its enormous club . It ruthlessly pummeled the Chimera Skeletons . The Chimera Skeleton’s heads flew into the distance like a baseball .
[How laughable!]
When the first charge ended, the Catacomb Guardian swung his Gem Lantern once again . Another twenty Chimera Skeletons appeared .
Hyrkan once again matched their numbers . He summoned additional Skeleton underlings . There were three Skeleton Magicians mixed in with the group .
They wore luxurious robes, which was embroidered with numerous symbols . They held an expensive staff with a gem embedded on the top . The addition of the Skeleton Magicians allowed Hyrkan to win in a bigger landslide .
Three Skeleton Magician threw massive fireballs, and it ruthlessly crushed the Chimera Skeletons, who were lined up for battle . Their battle line was broken, and the Skeleton Warriors waded in as they went berserk . If this game was an AOS game instead of a RPG, a firework would have exploded atop the Skeleton Knight with the word pentakill .
[Stupid bastards!]
The Catacomb Guardian swung its Gem Lantern once again . Its third unit was summoned . It summoned 30 Chimera Skeletons this time .
Now the Catacomb Guardian held the numerical advantage .
[I’ll do this myself!]
The Catacomb Guardian had been hanging back until now, but the Catacomb Guardian moved forward as it easily shook its enormous mace .
When he saw this, Hyrkan raised the Ivan’s Sword .
The third clash would be different from the other two . It was the beginning where the ogres would clash .
The Catacomb Guardian and the Ogre Golem unhesitatingly swung their fearsome weapons at each other .
Kwahng!
The mace swung by the Catacomb Guardian crushed a head of the Ogre Golem with a single swing .
Ggah-ahng!
The weapon swung by the Ogre Golem impacted on the side of the Catacomb Guardian’s armor . It made an ugly dent .
Kahng, kahng!
The Skeletons started to fight when the clash between the ogres started . Their weapons were impacting on each other’s armors, so the surrounding was filled with the sound of steel impacting on steel . The sound itself increased the confusion one felt .
However, Hyrkan was moving covertly and swiftly through this racket . He approached the rear of the Catacomb Guardian . Within the melee, Hyrkan accurately found the right path . He moved through the melee almost like he was threading a needle . He was able to reach the rear of the Catacomb Guardian too easily .
However…
[How laughable!]
The Ogre Golem was exchanging blows with the Catacomb Guardian, and neither combatants were retreating . However, the Catacomb Guardian must have felt Hyrkan’s approach, and its voice stabbed into Hyrkan’s ears like a knife .
[The Catacomb Gem Lantern is letting out a bleak Energy . ]
[The Catacomb Gem Lantern’s curse has seized you . ]
The Announcement was heard immediately .
It was an automatic curse that activated based on proximity of the User . Moreover, it wasn’t a curse targeted at a specific user . The Catacomb Guardian activated its special ability, which was an AOE .
‘How laughable . ’
However, Hyrkan wasn’t surprised or taken aback . Instead, he put on a **** smile .
As he put on the **** smile, he chewed on one of the three candies in his mouth .
[‘White Imoogi’s Eye Candy’ has blocked the curses effect . ]
He had put a consumable Item in his mouth, and it would help him block any debuff skills like the curse . This was the most basic strategy used by a Striker .
Of course, Hyrkan knew about the basics . The Catacomb Guardian’s curse didn’t take hold on Hyrkan . Hyrkan used his quick movements to attach himself on the back of the Catacomb Guardian .
Thanks to Twin Head Ogre Golem’s strike denting the armor, Hyrkan was able to climb it easily . As the unofficial V Gear climbing world record holder, this was like traveling in a subway . There were numerous places to grip .
After grabbing a hand hold, Hyrkan immediately stabbed the Ivan’s Sword into one of the dents .
Kah-ahng!
The armor was unexpectedly sturdy . He needed to break through this armor for his Curses to take hold . It was an annoying development .
However, Hyrkan immediately stabbed the Ivan’s Sword to the same location he had stabbed before .
Chee-jeek!
No, he didn’t stab it . He had scratched out an X on the surface of the Catacomb Guardian’s armor .
[Catacomb Guardian was afflicted with the Demon Curse . ]
[Catacomb Guardian was afflicted with Slow Curse . ]
[Catacomb Guardian was afflicted with Corrosive Ghost . ]
[Catacomb Guardian was afflicted with Darkness . ]
[Catacomb Guardian was afflicted with Lethargy . ]
The Curses swirled around the Catacomb Guardian’s entire body .
‘Voodoo Pictograph is great . It’s a great skill . ’
He didn’t have to wound his opponent’s body . He just had to draw a predetermined shape, and it would grant Curses to the opponent . It was thanks to the effect of a Skill called ‘Voodoo Pictograph’ .
It was a Skill he earned as a Quest Reward, and it was a Rare Rank Skill .
[I don’t believe it!]
After being Cursed, the Catacomb Guardian’s body rapidly weakened . Its decline was inevitable .
Hyrkan’s Demon Curse and Slow Curse was Rank A . The Corrosive Ghost was Rank B, and Lethargy was Rank C .
Moreover, his Curse Science skill had reached Rank C, so the effect and duration of the Curses increased by 12 percent .
Lastly, Hyrkan held the Ivan’s Sword, which ignored the opponent’s defense by 15% .
Kwah-jeek!
The third strike finally opened a hole on the Catacomb Guardian’s armor .
[How dare you!]
The Catacomb Guardian raged . It roughly shook its body as it tried to dislodge Hyrkan .
However, Hyrkan wasn’t some trash, who would be thrown off with such a weak shake . Moreover, its opponent wasn’t Hyrkan . It was the Twin Head Ogre Golem . One of the golem’s head had been crushed, but it still had one head left . The loss of one head had revealed the Twin Head Ogre’s increasingly tyrannical nature . It pushed hard against the Catacomb Guardian .
Kah-ahng, kah-ahng!
It swung the club with both hands . It pounded away at the Catacomb Guardian’s body like a drum . This actually caused more turbulence for Hyrkan .
Ggah-ahng, ggah-ahng!
In the midst of the turbulence, Hyrkan enlarged the hole . His vision was shaking so much that it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if Hyrkan fell sick from the motion sickness . However, Hyrkan was like a master craftsman . His hand movements were precise .
He finally made a hole of his liking . It was big enough to put in as many Bone Explosives as Hyrkan wanted .
‘This is a battle tactic I saved for a day like this . ’
Hyrkan put the Bone Explosives into the hole .
– Kwah-ahng!
The Tablet PC was connected to bluetooth speakers, and the sound rang out in all direction . At the center of the sound of the explosion, Che-sulyun was watching raptly . She had a strange expression on her face as if she was a action movie fan watching Die Hard’s explosion scene .
‘The Bone Explosives can be used that way?’
It was a scene where the Hahoe Mask had put a hole in the Catacomb Guardian’s armor . The hole was filled with Bone Explosives, and they were detonated .
In all of Warlord, the Hahoe Mask was the only one capable of showing this scene . Che-sulyun couldn’t pull her eyes away from the scene .
Of course, a single blow couldn’t kill the Catacomb Guardian . Its armor was ruined from the Bone Explosives, but the Catacomb Guardian continued to hang on to its life .
When its HP was suddenly reduced, the Catacomb Guardian went into its next phase .
– I will not let you leave alive! Wake up! Everyone get up!
When the Catacomb Guardian went into the new Phase, it summoned 50 Chimera Skeletons . Moreover, it started letting out a purple energy, which shaved away HP went it touched the enemy .
“You are watching that scene again, master?”
“This is the best part . ”
“I know it’s a great scene, but how many times do you have to watch it??”
“It is called a great scene, because it stays cool even after you watch it again and again . Moreover, the real stuff starts after the explosion . ”
Matador Chev .
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the battle footage between the Hahoe Mask and the Catacomb Guardian . He was one of countless people, who couldn’t tear their eyes away from the footage .
‘If we immediately sell Raid Live tickets with the Hahoe Mask as the main draw, we could probably sell million tickets depending on the match up . In a year, it wouldn’t be farfetched for the Hahoe Mask will allow us to sell 10 million tickets . ’
At that moment, someone who considered himself to be the cream of the crop was also watching the same vid .
“What are you looking at, Mr . Sinclair?”
“It’s nothing”
Sinclair .
Currently, he had on a V&V emblem on his chest . When the V&V guild officer asked him a question, he gave a vague answer . The V&V guild officer didn’t want to get on Sinclair’s nerves, so he didn’t repeat his question . He carefully passed on the information .
“We’ll start the raid in 30 minutes . We look forward to working with you again . ”
“Yes, understood . Also, you don’t have to come look for me every time . You can just send me a message . Currently, I’m a normal member of the V&V guild . ”
“Ha ha . I’m just treating you like a future guild officer . ”
“Thank you . ”
After exchanging a slight nod with the him, the V&V guild officer left . When he saw the back of the V&V guild officer, Sinclair turned his head to focus on the footage once again .
While he watched the footage, he admitted something .
‘That **** Hahoe Mask . I’ll admit it . He is a remarkable **** . ’
He admitted the Hahoe Mask wasn’t a normal guy . Furthermore, he admitted the Hahoe Mask wasn’t a normal User .
‘He has the ability to command others . Now he has that special quality that makes people pay attention to him . ’
He accepted it, but he also became worried and guarded .
‘Maybe this guy might be a bigger threat than the 30 great guilds . If it is as expected, he possesses a massive amount of funds . The only thing he is lacking is level . If he reaches the level of the Rankers, less than 10 people in the entire Warlord could face him 1on1 . ’
At that moment, there was a fourth person watching the video .
“Ooh-ha-ha! It’s a jackpot! Jackpot! I knew my intuition wasn’t dead yet . Look at the view counts rise! Kyahh! I need to treat myself to some luxury on a day like this . I’ll eat until my stomach bursts!”
He put canned tuna and tofu into the Kimchi Jjigae . He brought out the tender white rice, and toasted seaweed that was glistening with oil . He sat in front of a 50 inch monitor, which didn’t suit the one room . As he enjoyed the feast, he watched a video . The main character of the footage was Ahn-jaehyun .