I Became an Illegal Cheat User

112 – Greed Raid (6)

Am I really of any use?

Do you really need my help?

…the meaning reflected in Arthur’s gaze.

In that gaze, I felt not just awkwardness, but a twinge of injustice.

‘…Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this powerful.’

I thought that with the weapon’s “Ignore Defense (Dragon Scale Destruction),” it could at least break a claw.

But I never imagined it would cleave through not just the claw, but three fingers along with the scales.

‘Well, then again… Ascalon is no ordinary dragon-slaying sword.’

And rightly so, Ascalon is the sword wielded by the devout martyr, Saint George.

Thus, unlike typical dragon-slaying weapons that are lethal only to dragons, it possesses a deadly power not only against dragons but also against foes with magical attributes and the very embodiment of evil, the corrupted.

Yet, by a stroke of luck, Grid had transformed into a dragon.

Kraaak─! Kraaak──!!

「Kraaah……!!」

The creature’s inherent magical and evil attributes were now augmented by dragon attributes.

The power Ascalon could unleash had reached its peak.

It had become, quite literally, a bizarre weapon exclusive to Grid.

‘But even so, can it really cut through bones that are harder than scales?’

Though transformed, Grid’s current form was that of a dragon.

And dragon bones are harder than scales, the finest metal material for crafting.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, a cheat popped into my head.

‘Ah, right.’

Super Accuracy.

That cheat was currently activated.

It was always active; in fact, it was extremely rare for it to be deactivated, so I had completely forgotten about it.

‘Then it makes sense.’

One of the effects of Super Accuracy, “Magic Penetration.”

With that effect combined with Ascalon’s “Ignore Defense,”

it should be more than enough to slice through the finest metal material.

Just as I was mulling this over,

「Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

The Grid, who was screaming in agony as if the entire world was crying out, called out my name.

With eyes filled with anger and fear, it glared at me.

“What the…!!”

No, to be exact.

“What the hell…!!”

I gazed at the Ascalon, which was burning with a fierce flame in my hand.

“This sword?”

I raised the sword.

Then, the Grid trembled, its body shaking violently.

Flap!

It flapped its wings in a hurry, retreating far away from me like a ordinary person who had seen a gun.

“……”

I was speechless at its absurd behavior.

‘…Even if it’s sensitive to pain, it shouldn’t be like this.’

I didn’t even swing the sword.

I just simply raised it.

But why is it running away like that?

‘No, what’s going on? Is it weaker than before it transformed into a phase?’

The Grid before its phase transformation was indeed much weaker than a dragon’s body.

But it was extremely greedy and arrogant, fitting its named title.

It didn’t hesitate to use defense items or summon a monster legion to kill me and Arthur.

But now, the Grid isn’t even using its head.

It’s not utilizing any of the strengths it has as a dragon.

No, it’s not just that – it’s being consumed by its weakness of being sensitive to pain.

Of course, it’s also because of the Ascalon, the extreme damage weapon, that I’m holding.

But even if it had transformed into a dragon…

If it had been waiting for the moment to fight me…

Shouldn’t it not be intimidated just by me raising my sword?

Am I the only one who thinks that?

“Um… is that really the fallen one from earlier?”

Of course, it is Arthur.

– Is that really the same one who fought against you, my lord, last time?

Tera, who had been quietly supporting Arthur, asked with a hint of doubt.

“…It should be, right?”

I ended my sentence with an uncertain tone, but it was clear that the frightened dragon was indeed Grid, the embodiment of greed.

“Well… if he’s that scared, that’s good for us.”

Thinking back to the fierce battle at the outpost, I felt a bit… no, a lot disappointed.

But the fact that he fears Ascalon to such an extent raises our chances of victory, tipping the scales of battle in our favor.

So, unlike some boyish manga where the hero would shout, “Are you really my enemy? Stand and fight!” I had no intention of empowering him.

In fact, I hoped he would continue to be afraid.

So that we could fight easily.

So that we could escape this place quickly.

As if agreeing with my thoughts, Tera said, “That’s true.”

Arthur nodded, increasing the amount of magical energy he was channeling into Excalibur.

– Yes, my lord is right.

Tera moved the drone golem, positioning Arthur next to me.

In response to their actions, I heightened the output of the divine power that was strengthening both Arthur and myself.

The consumption rate of the divine power increased as a result, but…

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Grid, that coward, fears Ascalon now.

I planned to finish this quickly before all the divine power was exhausted.

With that thought, I looked at Arthur.

Just then, Arthur, who had been looking at me, met my gaze.

He nodded.

Reading my thoughts, Arthur nodded and took his stance.

The drone golem prepared for the charge.

Following her lead, I gathered strength in my legs and feet, readying myself.

I prepared to strike the telekinetic floor.

“Huuh.”

I exhaled deeply.

And the moment I inhaled.

“Haah!”

Boom, I stomped my foot.

I struck the telekinetic floor.

I soared toward the grid.

Swaaak!

As my body shot forward rapidly,

the wind slammed against me fiercely.

Yet, despite the resistance of the wind,

「Iiiiiiiiiiiiiin……!!」

The distance to the grid closed in an instant.

Flap!

It flapped its wings.

Its body recoiled, wings coming toward me.

Six pairs of enormous wings fluttered.

Whooosh─!

A gust of wind surged.

But the wind was completely blocked by the aegis I thrust forward with my telekinesis, having no effect at all.

The wind from the creature trying to widen the distance between us also failed to reach me.

「oooh, jiimaraaa……!!」

Kraaah──!!

A roar filled with fear echoed from its mind and body.

As it did, the six pairs of wings on its back flapped incessantly.

Each time, a strong gust rushed toward me, but

it was repeatedly thwarted by the veil of the aegis.

It could not prevent me from closing the distance.

‘Still, it keeps doing that….’

It’s irritating.

To the point of annoyance.

‘I should just cut off its wings.’

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I infused my sword with magic.

I filled it to the brim, enough to activate the injector containing the mana recovery potion.

Then, I recalled all the Aigis that were shielding me from the gusts of wind in front of me.

As if waiting for this moment, a fierce gale slammed against my body.

The speed of my body, which was flying toward Grid, rapidly slowed down.

I wrapped myself in telekinesis.

I fixed myself in mid-air so I wouldn’t be swept away by the wind.

I managed to stop myself from being blown backward.

However, the speed that had been decreasing in proportion to that came to a halt.

The distance that had been narrowing with the creature began to widen again.

But it doesn’t matter.

Whether the distance increases or not.

I’m going to cut off its wings along with this gust.

Clang.

I raised my sword above my head.

Whoosh!

The holy flame extended to five meters.

I lack talent in swordsmanship, so I can only extend it this much.

Still, it emitted an overwhelming energy, thick with magic.

‘This should be enough to slice off two or three of its wings.’

Of course, Grid’s wings are dozens of times larger than the blade I’m manifesting.

But it’s not impossible at all.

My cheat.

The Ascalon I hold.

That makes it possible.

To slice off its wings with a toothpick-like sword.

“Uwaaahhh……!!”

That’s what Grid knew.

「Haaahhh!!!!!!」

He tried to stop me from doing what I wanted by flapping his wings fiercely.

But my body was fixed in mid-air due to my magical power.

The whirlwind couldn’t push me back, and it couldn’t interfere with what I was trying to do at all.

Then Grid stopped flapping his wings.

Instead, he took a deep breath.

His chest expanded greatly as he continued to inhale.

And then, like a balloon about to burst, his chest swelled up.

Puuuh!!!!!!!

It wasn’t a destructive light made of magical power.

He spewed out a hot breath made of flames.

Hwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!

An incredible heat that seemed to melt everything.

The dragon’s breath, filled with that heat, was a massive wave of flames that surged towards me.

But I remained calm.

And I remained cool-headed.

I raised my sword above my head.

I released the massive magical power I had gathered in my sword.

I scattered the holy light that enveloped Ascalon.

Swish!

Then, a massive sword in the shape of a crescent moon cut through the dragon’s breath.

Hwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!

Then, a white flame imbued with divine power engulfed the massive wave of flames.

「aaahhh!!!!!!」

Grid let out a scream filled with despair.

As he did, he breathed out even more fiercely.

But the sword I had fired didn’t waver at all, flying straight towards its target.

Without any deviation, it flew towards the wing I was aiming for.

And following the sword, the white flame blazed fiercely.

Devouring the unclean black flames, it continued on its trajectory.

And not long after.

“Ahhh, nooo…!!”

Its swollen chest returned to its original state.

No more dragon’s breath escaped from its maw.

Accordingly.

Screech──!!

Kraaah─!!

“Gwaaah…!!”

A massive blade severed its wings with a brutal slash.

And following that.

Fwoosh──!!

The three wings, now cut, were turned to ash.

At that moment, Grid’s body, thrown off balance, tilted precariously to one side.

Simultaneously, it came to a sudden halt in mid-air.

Though it didn’t plummet into the void below, buoyed by its magical power,

it was as if it had been bound in the air, unable to move.

In a literal sense, its movement was sealed by the severing of its wings.

“Uwaaah…!!”

Its enormous form writhed in the air.

The surrounding space seemed to ripple, suggesting it was using telekinesis.

However, its telekinetic grade was the same as mine—Grade A.

No matter how much its abilities had been enhanced by its corruption, its fundamental grade remained unchanged.

The speed at which it distanced itself from me was as slow as a slug crawling along.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue at its pitiful appearance, grimacing.

Focusing my magic into the sword, I stepped onto the telekinetic floor and approached it.

In response, Grid, writhing in pain yet desperately trying to distance itself from me, screamed as if in a fit.

“Uwaaah! Nooo, stop it…!”

Like a child throwing a tantrum.

‘…Has becoming a dragon caused a decline in intelligence?’

As far as I remember, dragons are certainly arrogant, but they should be smart, right?

‘Is it because it’s not the real thing?’

Hmm, that could be it.

Grid’s dragon form wasn’t something that existed before.

It must have changed by merging the three sources he had stolen with the power given by the Apostle.

While his strength has grown, there could be side effects that lead to a drop in intelligence.

And perhaps it’s also due to the dragon’s chronic issue, its only flaw: ‘sensitivity to pain,’ that he appears in such a state.

‘Well, whatever the problem is, it’s good for me.’

Just as I was thinking that.

「Jooorrrrrrrriiiiiiiggggggggghhh……!!」

Grid let out a sound that was grating to the ears and raised his hand.

Then he swung it directly at me.

Buuum!

With the sound of the wind being crushed, darkness loomed above me.

A perfectly intact palm, with fingers unscathed, came crashing down to squash me.

It was certain.

His intelligence had indeed declined.

More than I had anticipated.

“Are you asking me to cut off the other hand too?”

Then I should do it personally.

But this time, it should be the whole hand, not just the fingers.

Woom.

I infused magic into Ascalon.

The white blade ignited with holy flames, flaring up.

Pusshh, I activated the potion injector.

The expended magic power rapidly replenished.

At the same time, I added the restored magic directly to the holy flames of Ascalon.

Flarrrrrrrrrrrr!

The intensity of the holy flames surged.

The size swelled in an instant.

Clang.

I let the sword hang loosely.

Gripping the hilt with both hands.

And just as I was about to swing upward.

Whoosh!

A black flame erupted from the creature’s hand.

Screeeech!

Its sharp tail lunged toward me.

Hum, hum, hum─!

A tremendous energy began to gather in the gaping maw of the beast.

“Ha.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“So you’re not completely devoid of thought.”

I realized my mind wasn’t blank, despite the creature’s relentless assault and its preparation for a decisive strike.

But that didn’t change anything.

Rustle─!

Even if I protected my hands with magic.

Rustle─!

Even if it ambushed me with its tail.

Whoosh─!

Being cut and burned would be the same.

Hummm─!

And the breath it prepared for its critical strike.

Fwooosh──!!

Would never reach me.

Clang.

I thrust Ascalon forward like a shield.

And activated the ‘Holy Flame Barrier’ inherent in the weapon.

A wall of sanctity materialized before me.

At the same time, its breath collided with the barrier of destruction.

Flash!

A light composed of black and white spread throughout the world.

Kwaaahhh──!!!

The power of the dragon.

The light of destruction that annihilates everything.

That overwhelming energy was blocked by the shield and spread out in all directions.

Kraaahhh──!!

Grid let out a monstrous roar.

The light of destruction pounding against the shield grew even stronger.

But the holy flame shield I had activated.

As described, ‘It can block the breath of a dragon.’

The creature’s breath could not pierce the shield.

Thus, the breath, unable to advance due to being blocked by the shield, ultimately.

Kwaaahhh……

Rapidly lost its momentum and scattered into the atmosphere.

Shuuuk….

White smoke billowed from its maw.

At the same time, its body swayed as if intoxicated.

It looked as if it would plummet into the void at any moment.

It seemed that not only the magic power in the air but also the dragon heart.

It had drawn upon most of the magic power within its body.

「…….」

It gazed at me in silence.

Perhaps because it had been thwarted even in its final desperate strike, it looked utterly despondent.

But, well, what of it?

“This is all your doing.”

Who told you to transform into a dragon, anyway?

“You were better off before you transformed.”

Especially when we fought at the outpost.

The half-man, half-dragon form was more troublesome than it is now.

Of course, my strength has grown since then, so if we were to fight again, I would undoubtedly win.

What I mean to say is that the Grid of that time was far more enjoyable to face.

Flame.

A holy fire erupted from Ascalon.

Unlike just moments ago, the intensity was enough to engulf the sword.

But even this was sufficient to behead a foe who had lost their will to fight.

Thud.

I slammed my foot down, channeling my psychic energy.

I leaped toward its neck.

Clang.

I raised my sword high above my head.

Yet, the creature made no move.

Without a hint of resistance, it simply stared at me.

Well, I suppose.

It truly had no means left to resist.

A hand with severed fingers.

An arm with no wrist.

A tail split in two.

Wings thrown off balance.

And nearly depleted magical energy.

Beyond the lack of means to resist, it had exhausted all its strength.

All it could do was gaze at me in despair.

“Don’t you know?”

「……?」

“That you fight worse than mere illusions?”

「……!!」

At my taunt, its eyes widened in disbelief.

And just as its gaze shifted from despair to rage.

Rustle─!

I severed the b*stard’s neck.

Before he could make any foolish moves, I personally cut his life thread.

Yet, as if to mock my mercy.

Whoosh!

From the severed neck of the dragon, before the phase shift.

The humanoid Grid sprang forth.

At the sight of such a creature, I swung my sword without hesitation.

Whoosh!

However, Ascalon failed to cleave his body in two.

It merely passed through as if slicing through air.

I looked at Ascalon in disbelief.

Flames flickered, the holy fire still burning bright.

Yet the fact that he wasn’t severed meant.

A death-evading item.

It was as if he had used ‘Resurrection of the Marionette (S).’

– Hehehehe.

Grid sneered, a hint of venom in his gaze.

The emptiness I felt moments ago vanished, replaced by arrogance in his eyes as he looked at me.

– Yoo Jin, did you think I would die so easily?

“…….”

– I’ve prepared far more than you imagined.

“…….”

– This death-evading item is no different.

“…….”

– I didn’t even use it during that massive explosion just to toy with you. After all, with the power given by the Lord, I can survive just fine.

“…….”

– Why the surprise? Are you at a loss for words?

Hehehehe.

Grid laughed, clearly reveling in my dismay.

– It’s a pity your damn helmet hides your expression.

Though he spoke thus, his expression was quite triumphant.

But that was only for a moment.

As I continued to remain silent, showing no reaction at all.

– …Hmm, without a reaction, it’s no fun.

Grid, who had been laughing for a while, suddenly wiped the smile off his face.

– If you had reacted, I might have stayed a little longer.

Behind Grid, a crack opened, as if to add, “This is your doing.”

Grid stepped closer to the crack.

And just before he was about to enter, he turned back to me as if something had occurred to him.

– By the way, did I say I fought worse than the bewitched?

Perhaps my recent teabagging had been so humiliating, Grid’s expression twisted in a grimace.

But that expression was fleeting.

– But in the end, it’s you who will die, not me. And the last thing you faced was me, Greed.

He chuckled, a vile laugh spilling forth as he spoke of my defeat.

“Ha.”

Ultimately, a hollow laugh escaped my lips.

At that, Grid burst into laughter, clearly enjoying himself.

– Hahaha! Why! Are you frustrated! That you couldn’t be the winner in the end!

Cheerful, refreshing, exhilarating.

The teabagging I had done was a mockery so absurd.

But it only works on those who can be affected.

“Hey, stop the nonsense and look behind you.”

In a situation like this, I felt no impact at all.

Grid frowned at my reaction.

Yet he obediently turned to look behind him.

Truly, it was an unguarded sight.

Well, since his attacks wouldn’t work anyway.

He probably wouldn’t care whether I was behind him or not.

But there was something he was overlooking.

Pwoook!

In this hidden world, I am not the only one here.

– Ha! Was that why you told me to look back?

Grid let out a hollow laugh, as if in disbelief, and looked at me.

Then, pointing to the golden sword that pierced through his belly, he spoke.

– Have you forgotten? I am currently in a state of death evasion. And that pathetic sword cannot kill me.

“I know.”

I know very well.

“But isn’t it you who has forgotten?”

– …What are you talking about?

Perhaps sensing the unease in my words, the smile on Grid’s face faded away.

And with my next words, his expression hardened.

“The sword you called pathetic, it’s Excalibur.”

– …Excalibur, you say?

Grid lowered his head in a daze.

And a moment later.

– Ah…!!

As Grid recalled what Excalibur was, he let out a cry.

He hurriedly tried to detach himself from the sword.

“You’re slow to catch on.”

Arthur’s magic infused into the sword faster.

Whoosh!

As the magic flowed into Excalibur, its divinity was unleashed.

And Grid, who was directly touched by that divinity, embedded in his body.

– Ah, no…!!

Death evasion or whatever, he was dissolved into the divinity.

Unable to even finish his dying words.

What a truly insignificant end it was.

“…So this really works.”

Arthur, having erased the rift and Grid, muttered in astonishment.

At his murmur, I deactivated my helmet and spoke.

“There’s no way it can’t connect.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the blooming sword flower on Excalibur, continuing his words.

“Divinity possesses a unique power while being akin to divine force.”

“…Unique power?”

Arthur, who had been gazing at Excalibur, turned his attention to me, intrigued by this unfamiliar concept.

I nodded at him, ready to reveal the nature of that power.

“Immortal Destruction.”

The power to bring death to that which cannot die.

The force that draws back what has strayed far from death into its embrace once more.

Thus, the power that both the Apostles and the foreign entities fear.

“That’s the kind of power divinity holds, easily dismissing something like death evasion.”

Only after hearing my explanation did Arthur nod in understanding, his expression one of realization.

And in the moment he sheathed Excalibur, a rumble echoed.

Kugugugugugugung─!

The world trembled.

The hidden realm quaked.

Before us, a crack appeared, just like the one that had manifested behind Grid moments ago.

A void where nothing could be seen.

A chasm filled with darkness.

Yet instinctively, I knew that this crack was a place that had been drawn here before it appeared.

Of course, even if it weren’t, there was no choice but to exit through this fissure.

Kugugung, kugugugugung─!

For the hidden realm was collapsing in real-time.

“Lee Yu-jin.”

Arthur, standing before the crack, extended his hand toward me.

But I didn’t grasp it right away.

“Wait a moment.”

There was still something left to do.

“Let me just grab that.”

That was the looting.

It was about gathering the remains of the dragon that had been Grid.

&

“Yujin—!”

“Uwaaah! Seoseok-ssi!!”

“Lee Yujin! Arthur!”

As we stepped out of the rift, I saw friends rushing toward us.

Behind them, Gray, Kang Cheol-soo, Lee Yeon-ji, the vice principal, and many others were leaping down from the barricade, charging toward us in a wave.

And that wasn’t all that welcomed me.

“Oh.”

A blue sky.

Not the black sky filled with demons.

A refreshing sky bathed in sunlight welcomed me.

‘That means…’

I glanced at the corner of my vision.

Then, as if to say, “Have you finally noticed me?” the minimized quest window sparkled, revealing its presence.

At the flickering of that quest window, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.