Chapter 157: The Monarch of Greed (4)

Three figures surrounded Andvari.

General Zombie, Jean, and……

-Ding dong!

<MRG-682 ‘Undying Wyvern’ is being rented.>

The Undying Wyvern, now in the form of a half-human, half-dragon female, walked out of the Demon Warehouse.

The maximum combat power and strongest fighters of the Demon Warehouse had gathered in one place.

Soon, a voice that sounded like scraping a rock with sandpaper rang out.

[My unworthy disciple apologizes for making Master wait so long.]

The death knight, steeped in death energy and killing intent, stood tall.

Two black flower petals floating behind Jean’s back caught my eye.

So that’s what took so long.

Jean had perfectly mastered the Gluttony Slaughter secret art after tremendous effort.

However, the Gluttony Slaughter secret art alone would not be enough to defeat Andvari.

Because Andvari could also use one of the Seven Ghosts Strikes — the Greed Slaughter secret art.

That was why Jean had used the Mana Circulation Technique.

It required a preheating period, but in return, it could unleash several times the usual destructive power.

It was an A+-rank top-tier skill passed down from the Sword God, Lee Geuk. It rapidly circulated the mana drawn from the mana hall, explosively increasing the amount of mana.

He’s planning to pour everything into a single strike.

Soon, I looked at the Undying Wyvern.

Her face was heavily furrowed, as if in a bad mood.

Her tail slammed against the ground in irritation.

It had been quite a while since I last summoned her, but she was the same as ever.

At that moment.

[I thought you had forgotten about my existence. Warehouse Keeper.]

The Wyvern said without turning around.

“It’s been a while. First time since the Tower of Maslow, right? Anyway, I hope you’ve been—”

[I thought you had forgotten about my existence! Warehouse Keeper!]

“?”

The Wyvern repeated the same words.

This time with even more exaggerated emphasis than before.

It sounded strangely sulky.

……What’s with her? Why is she acting like that?

The Wyvern’s shoulders trembled slightly.

She suddenly whipped her head around and continued.

[You turned me into this ugly and miserable appearance…… and you’ve been living quite comfortably, haven’t you! Just look at that rosy complexion!]

“What? Are you crying?”

Tears were welling up in the corners of the Wyvern’s eyes.

[Kuh…… There’s no way a noble descendant of dragons would feel sadness! It’s just saliva coming out of my eyes!]

[This is all your fault, Warehouse Keeper! I’m gradually turning into a weak human…… My once strong body, my once lofty spirit…… everything!]

Upon closer inspection, the Wyvern’s appearance had changed quite a bit from before.

The scales that had covered much of her body had almost disappeared, revealing smooth peach-colored skin in their place.

Her long, thick tail had become much thinner and shorter.

[As I turned more human, I started feeling useless emotions……! Being left alone in a dark and gloomy place fills me with ominous thoughts, and your face keeps popping up in my mind! How can time feel this long! What kind of curse did you put on me, Warehouse Keeper—!]

The Wyvern vented her frustration with a flushed red face.

I had zero knowledge of psychiatry, but the symptoms the Wyvern described……

Is she feeling lonely?

It seemed that not only her appearance but also her inner self was becoming more human-like.

At that moment, Andvari’s voice rang out.

[Has this pathetic little skit…… finally ended……?]

The moment I turned my head, I furrowed my brows.

The side of Andvari that Jean had deeply slashed.

A dark, sticky liquid was flowing out from the gaps in his golden armor.

The black liquid bubbled as it dripped onto the ground.

A stench like rotting flesh instantly spread everywhere.

In that instant.

Sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff—!

The Wyvern suddenly began flaring her nostrils.

Then she bared her sharp teeth and growled.

[You…… smell exactly like that bastard. The same smell as that fly bastard who buried this body in the ground—!]

The Wyvern took a combat stance while glaring at Andvari.

Her bright yellow eyes blazed with fury.

Soon, memories from several months ago flashed through my mind.

……Come to think of it, she got beaten to a pulp by Peter Binsfeldt.

The Wyvern had fought the Deathlord of Gluttony at the Lethe Tower.

At first, it was an even match, but once Binsfeldt unleashed his full power, she was defeated in an instant.

She was even thrown into the cracked ground and crushed like a pancake.

For the prideful Wyvern, that event must have been an unforgettable humiliation.

Sure enough.

[Warehouse Keeper…… All I need to do is kill that guy, right?]

Her eyes had completely lost it.

The hysterical appearance from moments ago was gone, replaced by a face filled with rage and madness.

Then Jean spoke.

[Individual strength alone is not enough to defeat him. I have a method, so cooperate. You two just need to draw his attention in the meantime.]

[……I shall obey…….]

General Zombie bowed his head calmly.

On the other hand, the Wyvern frowned in displeasure.

[You mongrel, a mere insect dares to order a dragon race around! How ridiculous! I will do things my own way, so whether you follow or not is up to you to match!]

At the same time.

Boom!

The Wyvern kicked off the ground and charged forward.

Her sharply honed claws rushed toward Andvari.

Slash— Slash— Slash~!

Scratches were carved into the surface of the golden armor.

Her frenzied, furious assault continued without pause.

Claw— Claw! Claw claw claw claw~!

Under the fierce momentum, Andvari was pushed back dozens of meters.

At that moment.

Boom boom boom boom boom—!

Thick golden thorns surged up from the ground.

The golden thorns accurately pierced the Wyvern’s upper body.

[Kraaaaargh—!]

Soon, dozens of golden spears began shredding the Wyvern’s body.

Stab! Stab! Stab stab stab stab~!

The Wyvern’s pained screams echoed in all directions.

But only for a moment.

Crunch—!

The Wyvern took a huge bite out of the gold.

A terrifying bite mark appeared as a large chunk of gold fell away.

Munch— munch— munch— munch— munch— gulp~!

The moment she chewed and swallowed the golden fragments, the Wyvern’s wounds began recovering in the blink of an eye.

Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch~!

The Undying Wyvern displayed extreme regenerative power every time she consumed metal.

So gold works too.

Then the situation changed.

The gold scattered throughout the golden palace was essentially recovery potions for the Wyvern.

Soon.

Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch~!

The Wyvern began mercilessly tearing into and devouring the golden thorns.

Andvari frowned in displeasure.

[How dare you leave those filthy bite marks on someone else’s treasure!]

[Kahahaha~! Only you stupid humans treat mere yellow lumps of metal like your own life!]

[……It was my mistake to even attempt conversation with a mere beast. Die.]

Andvari’s golden greatsword glowed red-hot.

Reddish-yellow mana created from a mix of gold and lava.

The aura of Greed Slaughter began to surge.

In that instant.

Swoosh— Clang!

A pure white blade deflected the trajectory of the golden greatsword.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom~!

The lava sword strike barely missed the Wyvern’s face.

General Zombie swung his white blades and shouted.

[I will assist…… the lord’s familiar…….]

[Who are you calling a familiar! After this guy, I’ll chew you up next, you bug!]

General Zombie’s offensive poured down on Andvari.

Not to be outdone, the Wyvern mercilessly swung her claws as well.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Slash—! Slash—! Slash! Slash! Slash~! Slash~! Slash! Slash~!

From the left came two white blades, from the right came sharp claws and a tail.

But at that moment.

Grab—!

Andvari seized General Zombie’s blade.

Then.

Crack— craaaaaack—

The part Andvari grabbed began turning into gold in an instant.

[……!]

General Zombie tried to pull his blade back, but.

Squeeeeze~!

Overwhelming brute strength.

He couldn’t escape Andvari’s grip.

In the end.

Slice—!

General Zombie cut off his own arm.

But at the same time.

Crack—!

Andvari’s fist slammed into General Zombie’s abdomen.

Boom boom boom boom— Boom!

General Zombie flew and crashed into the wall of the golden palace.

Soon, a wave of gold surging from the ground completely covered his body.

Andvari’s assault didn’t stop there.

Crunch!

Andvari grabbed the Wyvern by the neck and lifted her up.

[……Your luck ends here.]

Crack— craaaack—

The area around the Wyvern’s neck began turning into gold.

However.

Sizzle—

The acidic dissolving liquid flowing from the Wyvern’s skin immediately burned away the golden surface.

Andvari spoke with an expressionless face.

[To think you spew acidic liquid from your skin. You too are a bizarre creature. However…….]

Strength poured into Andvari’s grip.

Crack— craaaack—

The sound of crushing flesh and bone rang out.

At the same time.

Ding dong!

<Warning! Severe damage detected on storage number MRG-682!>  

<Warning! Severe damage detected on storage number MRG-682!>  

<Warning! Severe damage detected on storage number MRG-682!>  

<Warning! Severe damage detected on storage number MRG-682!>  

<Warning! Severe damage detected on storage number MRG-682!>

Warning messages from the Demon Warehouse popped up one after another.

At that moment.

Ptui!

The Wyvern spat a thick glob of saliva at Andvari.

It hit his left eye exactly.

Sizzle sizzle~!

Andvari clutched his left eye and staggered backward.

[Kuh……! Such a pathetic trick—!]

Taking advantage of the opening, the Wyvern staggered back to gain distance.

[Is it…… still not ready…… you…… mongrel…….]

The Wyvern’s gaze turned to Jean.

There, black currents were swirling like a storm.

Wooong wooong— Wooong— Wooong wooong—

The swirling mana gradually grew stronger.

Then.

***

The third flower petal bloomed above Jean’s head.

He had reached the Three Leaves stage of the Mana Circulation Technique.

Rumble rumble rumble—

Neatly refined mana seeped into Jean’s body.

Only then did Andvari notice Jean.

[……No matter what tricks you use, all of you will be buried here today.]

Andvari clenched both hands.

Hundreds of golden spears surged up from the strata below.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom!

Then.

Tap!

Jean began sprinting between the golden spears.

『Seven Ghosts First Strike Secret Art: Gluttony Slaughter, Beelzebub』

From the edge of the Ganjang Makya, a black wave poured out.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom!

At the same time, Andvari raised both hands.

Rumble rumble rumble~!!

A golden gate surged up in front of the Gluttony Slaughter secret art.

However.

Sliiiide—

The Gluttony Slaughter secret art passed straight through the golden gate.

-Ding dong!

Ganjang Makya Sword Item Skill ‘Five Elements’

└Five Elements <S>: Using the energy of the Five Elements to directly strike mana rather than physical matter. The stronger the target’s mana, the greater the damage inflicted. Wood, Fire, Earth , Metal, Water.

The five elemental auras merged together and wrapped around the Gluttony Slaughter secret art.

It was a sword energy that cut only the target’s inner energy…… that is, their mana.

More precisely, it was a skill that delivered direct damage to the mana hall, the source of mana.

Ssssss—

The sword energy of the Gluttony Slaughter secret art began charging forward, passing through everything.

Then Andvari swung his greatsword.

『Seven Ghosts Second Strike Secret Art: Greed Slaughter, Mammon』

A tidal wave of lava sword energy surged forth.

Gluttony Slaughter and Greed Slaughter — the two secret arts collided at the center of the golden palace.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom~!

Mana against mana.

Two equal forces of mana scattered throughout the golden palace.

But at that moment.

『Seven Ghosts First Strike Secret Art: Gluttony Slaughter, Beelzebub』

Another sword strike flew in from behind Andvari.

[……Kuh!?]

Another Gluttony Slaughter secret art.

Then, Andvari and I made eye contact.

[You…… How could you…… use the Seven Ghosts Strike…….]

“I’m not just good at playing the clown, you know.”

Then.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom!

A black storm cast its shadow in front of Andvari.

[You let your guard…… down…….]

Soon, the two sword energies crossed and overlapped.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom~!

It looked like a black butterfly spreading its wings wide open.

The golden palace was completely enveloped in pure darkness.

Then.

Everything came to a halt.