Owner of Twilight Intuition – Chapter 148

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒𝟖

I, who had sealed Arnela with some leeway, contemplated for a long time afterward and ultimately decided to use Arnela as a sacrifice. The reason was that if I chose Arnela instead, I wouldn’t be able to seal any more raid bosses.

Thanks to this, ‘Ust, Devouring Life’ was renamed to ‘Ust, Swallowing the Bitter Cold,’ and I could see that its appearance had also changed into a pure white tree.

And……

‘Thank you. You’ve finally allowed me to lay down my long-held burden.’

‘How did you know?’

When I sealed Arnela and went to find Chase, he abruptly started with thanks. So when I asked how he knew, Chase showed me a ring with a blackened gem.

‘It’s a ring that can confirm life and death. I was able to know through this.’

Chase unexpectedly gave me a simple answer. After exchanging various stories, we moved on to the reward. I, who was inwardly anticipating what he would give me, fell into deep thought after seeing a golden, glittering rope.

This kind of rope is the reward for even taking care of a raid boss?

However, when I actually checked the rope, I realized it was a more special item than I had thought.

[Gem-Eating Snake] (Rare)

Description: A magical creature created to find hidden places or treasures, or even traps. It has the drawback of needing to be fed gems every time it’s used, but it possesses exploration abilities superior to most explorers. Additionally, if the exploration fails, you might obtain a special item the snake possesses.

*Can use the A-rank skill ‘Exploration Wave (LV1~30)’ depending on the gem consumed.

*Upon exploration failure, it spits out a consumable item with a low probability.

‘Exploration skill?’

Reading the description, it was an item that could use an A-rank exploration skill. Although it had the drawback of needing to be fed gems every time it was used, I liked the fact that it had an exploration skill that wasn’t easily obtainable.

‘If it was an item I didn’t need, I was going to enhance it and put it up on the Real-Time Auction House, but……’

Since this Gem-Eating Snake seemed like a somewhat necessary item, it didn’t seem like I could hand it over to the Real-Time Auction House.

‘It can’t be helped. I have no choice but to catch another raid boss.’

However, when I thought about the remaining bosses, the only one left was ‘Deronak, Breathing Flames’ in the Harpe Empire. The remaining raid boss was a flying type, which I disliked, and the other one had its related area occupied by the Yonggammusang Guild.

Anyway, after receiving the reward and finishing everything related to Arnela, I returned home and attempted the Random Skillbook task.

The reason I didn’t try it right away was that I only had one remaining title change left. And after contemplating whether to learn an A-rank skill or an S-rank skill with the Random Skillbook, I ultimately chose an S-rank skill, but……

“I just wasted time.”

If I had known it would be like this, I should have just learned an A-rank skill.

I, who had splendidly wasted a whole day yesterday, let out a sigh and moved towards the area where Deronak was. Thinking that if I caught Deronak, I would try the Random Skillbook task again after that.

‘Anyway, I have to learn the remaining skill.’

After walking for a long time to reach Deronak’s location, I tilted my head at a faint sound I could hear.

Kwaaang!- Kwakwakwaang!!━

“……?”

An explosion? Could it be that someone is fighting?

It wouldn’t be strange to hear explosions since players could be anywhere, but thinking that the location was where Deronak was, I started to move with quicker steps.

‘Surely someone isn’t fighting Deronak, right?’

As if mocking my prediction, when I arrived there, I saw dozens of players diligently fighting against Deronak.

‘I’m a step late.’

What should I do if they catch Deronak?

According to the information I read online, raid bosses that appear unrelated to quests reappear after a week. Since Deronak was also that type of boss monster, if they caught Deronak, it meant I wouldn’t be able to catch it for the next week.

‘Should I look for another raid?’

I knew I couldn’t, but the situation naturally made me think of other raids. First, let’s pass on Houron since it flies in the sky. Then, there’s only Heights left, but to meet Heights, I have to go to the Karzen Kingdom……

“Huh? What’s this b*stard?!”

At that moment, the player who spotted me snapped irritably and spoke again.

“Get lost right now! Can’t you see we’re hunting?!”

“I’m just watching because I know you’re hunting.”

“What?”

I wasn’t good-natured enough to speak respectfully after being told to get lost. Anyway, at my answer, the player who was making a bewildered expression tried to approach me, but someone next to him stopped him first.

“Alk-nim! Wait a moment! Please look at the emblem over there!”

“Emblem?”

At the word ’emblem,’ the player called Alk looked at the guild emblem drawn on my chest. Naturally, since this was the Harpe Empire, I wasn’t wearing a coat, and because of that, the guild emblem was clearly visible.

“It’s the Emperor Guild emblem, isn’t it? And since it has a silver border……”

“Yes, that’s Rudin.”

“The Emperor Guild’s Vice Master Rudin?”

Alk, who had grasped my identity, softened his previously hostile attitude, but instead showed an extremely wary appearance.

Did I come to kill them? Why are they being so wary?

“Why did you come here? Was the Emperor Guild planning to catch Deronak too?”

“No, I just came to watch, so don’t mind me.”

“Or maybe you’ll ambush us when Deronak is dying……”

“……”

I let out a long sigh towards Alk, who was speaking anxiously, and he turned his head away, pretending not to know, avoiding my gaze.

“Alk-nim. Are you going to leave Rudin like that?”

“Then what? Fight him and then fight the Emperor Guild later? Stop saying crazy things and go help over there.”

‘Were they avoiding me because of the Emperor Guild?’

Even though the Emperor Guild was strong, since these guys also came to catch Deronak, I thought they were a pretty decent guild, but it seemed they weren’t at the level to clash with the Emperor Guild.

[Deronak, Breathing Flames, uses Flame Storm.]

“Kuoooo!”

Suddenly, Deronak created several swirling flames and swept away all the nearby players. Looking at the created swirling flames, Hwaryeon of the Emperor Guild came to mind, but it was an overwhelming attack that couldn’t even be compared in size or number.

‘It’s the same Flame Storm, but how can it be so different?’

Moreover, seeing the number of people who died from the Flame Storm, it felt like my turn would come if I waited a little longer.

‘By the way, it seems much bigger than what I saw in the pictures.’

The length from its head to the tip of its tail seemed to be at least 100 meters. Also, as befitting a creature that used flame skills, its entire body was covered in red skin like a lizard, and its large size caused the ground to shake even with simple movements, making it a disaster in itself.

“Cast Flame Resistance and Healing Magic on the survivors!”

“Move quickly if you don’t want to die!”

‘Quite brutal.’

Although quite a few people died from the Flame Storm, there were still 70-80 players remaining, and judging by the atmosphere, it seemed they still had no intention of giving up.

“Rudin-nim. Can we talk for a moment?”

“Hmm? Yes, go ahead.”

It was the player who had stopped Alk earlier. While watching was fun, I decided that talking like this wouldn’t be bad either, so I nodded, and he expressed his gratitude and said something strange.

“I’ve heard a lot about Rudin-nim’s fame. Aren’t you the strongest player in Twilight? Truly amazing.”

“Well, I don’t know about that.”

While I had no intention of denying it, I decided to give a vague answer since I couldn’t figure out his intention for saying that. Thinking that I could listen properly when he got to the main point later.

“Come to think of it, Rudin-nim hasn’t had any significant achievements since becoming a hero. If you’re okay with it, wouldn’t you like to join us in catching Deronak?”

“Catch that together with you?”

“Yes, if you catch it, we’ll actively promote you. We’ll say that we caught Deronak with Rudin-nim’s help.”

‘What kind of story is this?’

It wasn’t worth listening to. I ignored the player chattering beside me and stared at Deronak.

[Deronak, Breathing Flames, uses Flame Rain.]

Kwaaang! Kwakwaang!━

‘Oh, that skill is cool too.’

When it used the skill Flame Rain, basketball-sized fireballs were falling from the sky. Also, the dozens of falling fireballs caused quite a few explosions as soon as they touched the ground, killing players. Thinking that I couldn’t see this kind of spectacle anywhere else, I leisurely started to appreciate it.

‘They need to kill it quickly so it can be my turn.’

“Or we’ll give you priority in choosing items.”

‘Even if you give me priority……’

It wasn’t particularly appealing. In the first place, if I caught it alone, I could monopolize all the items. So why would I share the items? Therefore, my answer was already decided.

“No, I’m good.”

“Are you perhaps thinking of catching Deronak alone……”

[Deronak, Breathing Flames, uses Fury of Flames.]

“It’s coming! Don’t block it this time, dodge!”

“Move behind Deronak!”

At the sudden message window, I turned my head to see Deronak with its mouth wide open. And from its mouth, a giant flame shot out, burning everything in front of it. As if that wasn’t enough, it shook its head from side to side, turning the surroundings into a sea of fire.

Hwaaaaack!!━

Since I was at a certain distance behind Deronak, I was able to avoid the flame attack, but the players who couldn’t escape to the back were swept away by the flames Deronak spewed and died without exception. The number of people was reduced by more than half from what I initially saw.

“Guild Master!”

“Ugh, retreat! Everyone get out!”

‘Are they giving up?’

I let out a small sigh as I watched them tear up Return Scrolls and escape. It seemed like the result wouldn’t have changed even if I had helped them a little. I should have just said I’d help and let them all die. Anyway, after everyone had escaped, the only ones left were me and Deronak.

It’s my turn, one way or another.

I took out the Ust card, which had changed from a grayish tree to a pure white tree.

“Title Change. Summon.”

[Summoning Ust, Swallowing the Bitter Cold.]

[Summoned Beast’s level increases by 10.]

[Related stat Summon (110) is applied.]

[All stats of Ust, Swallowing the Bitter Cold increase by 55. Health and Magic Power increase by 550 each.]

Wheeeeeeeng!━

Ust appeared along with a sudden blizzard. It seemed that even its attribute had changed after absorbing Arnela’s power, as a blizzard had been added. Anyway, I pointed at Deronak and said to Ust, who was quietly waiting for my command after being summoned.

“Catch that guy.”

“Groooo!”

Ust, which had already absorbed two raid bosses. Moreover, all its stats were increased by 30% due to the title. On the other hand, Deronak had just fought with players, so I thought it would win even if I just left it to Ust, but since there might be unforeseen circumstances, I decided to join in as well.

“Title Change. Hero of the Present World.”

[Changing title to ‘Hero of the Present World’. Remaining changes: 1.]

[Deronak, Breathing Flames, uses Flame Rain.]

‘It’s starting already.’

Since everyone had escaped and I was the only one left, Deronak’s gaze naturally turned towards me. And dozens of fireballs falling from above. While dodging all of them was impossible, there was a way to block them.

“Armor of Protection.”

Chaeng━

After using Armor of Protection, I fixed my gaze upwards and prepared to dodge the falling fireballs. I thought I could get a chance to attack if I just dodged these fireballs, but……

“Grooo!”

‘Ust?’

At that moment, Ust let out a short roar and then summoned a blue whirlwind. It was Ice Storm, the skill Arnela originally used.

Kwakwakwaang!- Kwakwaang!!━

Simultaneously, the fireballs falling from the sky were blocked by the Ice Storm Ust used and exploded in mid-air. I was impressed by Ust’s appropriate skill choice.

Wait, Ust has that kind of sense?

However, as if intending to impress me even more, Ust immediately prepared Tree of Death and Dark Ray. Thanks to this, dozens of trees sprung up around Ust, followed by a slightly bluish Dark Ray shooting out from its mouth.

Kwaaang!!━

‘Huh? Was a cold attribute added as well?’

Looking at the area hit by the Dark Ray, I could see that it was slightly frozen. That part was a bit strange, but since a cold attribute was added to the originally attributeless Dark Ray, it might be even better.

“Kuo! Kuooo!”

[Deronak, Breathing Flames, uses Destruction Charge.]

“A charge……”

Deronak, hit by Ust’s Dark Ray, lowered its stance as if to counterattack. At that moment, the Withered Roots summoned by Ust evolved into Trees of Death and rushed towards Deronak. I stepped aside, feeling like it would charge straight ahead.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!━

‘As expected.’

“Ust, dodge!”

Since I was already prepared, it was an attack I could easily dodge. Therefore, after dodging first, I ordered Ust to dodge as well, but Ust was slowly moving its roots and crawling along.

‘Ah…… Come to think of it, Ust’s movement speed is.’

Ust’s movement speed had been terrible from the first time I fought it. Realizing that fact, I looked at Ust blankly and saw it get trampled under Deronak’s feet.

Kooong!━

“……”

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