There are several indicators by which a Super Player’s fame as a Ranker can be measured.
Simply starting from their annual income and how broad their activities are could be judged, but in the mid-21st century, the most important measure was their popularity on I-tube—specifically, how many so-called “leeches” clung to them.
The term “leeches” that frequently pops up on I-tube and Arts refers to those who shamelessly copy high-profile I-tube channel owners’ content or Ranker interviews, twist their stories into sensational titles, and leech off views with fake thumbnails.
-A level 30 Summoner with the unique class ‘Ferryer of the Afterlife’ attempts a one-try clear of the Black Mage’s laboratory—an infamous legendary-class dungeon monster stronghold that even the seasoned veteran Wilhelm once died in
These titles were nothing but exaggerations; the content itself was usually unimpressive, sometimes even the exact opposite.
Most videos, after the Black Mage’s big story ended, didn’t even properly respond to the gigantic cockroach that appeared, and at best, the fight lasted less than ten minutes before it turned into a quick meal.
Even though these leeches knew it was impossible, they kept uploading these videos because they guaranteed a steady income.
But the biggest reason was that there was no real criticism.
-Wow… seeing stuff like this makes me think Wilhelm really is Wilhelm, taking down monsters without any guides.
ㄴ Agreed. Wilhelm is untouchable.
Comments like these became clear indicators of his popularity, and fans happily accepted the self-deprecating humor.
Thanks to that, the videos titled “Black Mage’s Laboratory Strategy” featuring Wilhelm poured in like bamboo shoots after rain, becoming one of the things Baek Jun-su remembered distinctly every day on his commute while watching I-tube.
‘A level 20 user taking on Amor de Croixoruc head-on? That’s insane.’
Even among the skilled level 30 users, Amor de Croixoruc was a monster that crushed them within ten minutes.
Even though the Ghouls were summonings from the Legendary Profession Monster Pioneer, considering the level difference, it was impossible to hold out against a normal Amor de Croixoruc.
“So I’m prepared.”
He pulled out Sabrina’s Special Bug Repellent Spray from his inventory.
Just then, Amor de Croixoruc, opening its massive mandibles, charged straight ahead.
As soon as it reached him, Baek Jun-su pressed the spray button without hesitation.
Pshhh—
Compared to the dinosaur-sized cockroach, the powder coming out of the tiny 300ml bottle might have seemed insignificant.
“The smaller the poison, the sharper it is.”
Kyeeeek!
The spray hit Amor de Croixoruc directly, causing it to fall to the ground and start writhing wildly like a trapped insect.
[Amor de Croixoruc has been infected with Insect Poison.]
[Due to the effect of Insect Poison, Amor de Croixoruc’s stats are reduced by 45%.]
However, Baek Jun-su couldn’t celebrate just from this message.
That was because Amor de Croixoruc shared not only the cockroach’s appearance but also its traits.
Just as cockroach evolve in seconds, Amor de Croixoruc would soon develop immunity to the Insect Poison on its own.
“If that happens, the stat reduction effect of the Insect Poison will disappear.”
In other words, the fight had to be finished as quickly as possible.
“Come out.”
From the black Magic Circle on the ground, three Ghouls emerged.
Seeing the unusually well-prepared Ghouls today, Baek Jun-su gave his order.
“Block that.”
As soon as the command was given, the Ghouls rushed without hesitation toward Amor de Croixoruc.
Even the cockroach, seemingly regaining its senses, opened its mandibles and prepared to meet the charging Ghouls.
Screeech—
From the wide-open mandibles, a water net in the shape of a spider web was shot out.
Although it was hard to dodge for many users—enough to lock down hordes of them as food—the Insect Poison weakened it enough to make dodging possible.
The Giant Toad Ghouls jumped high to avoid being caught by the net, while the Troll Ghouls simply crushed it.
Pffft—
Amor de Croixoruc, clearly displeased, spread its legs and flapped its wings nervously, trembling all over.
Then white eggs spilled out from inside the monster’s body, hatching into tiny Amor de Croixoruc and cockroach-like forms.
The Ghouls did not hesitate, tearing apart the charging bugs barehanded.
Kyeeeek—!
The bugs howled in pain while Amor de Croixoruc’s antennae began to swell.
“Don’t dodge, burrow in.”
The Ghouls, throwing the tiny bugs, rushed into Amor de Croixoruc’s embrace.
Like giant pillars, the long, thick pairs of antennae curved inward and stabbed down; Amor de Croixoruc twisted its body, turning the attack into a chaotic massacre.
But for the Ghouls who had already closed the distance, it only exposed gaps instead of being effective.
“Give them a hit.”
The Ghouls sent a powerful strike from under Amor de Croixoruc’s chin upward.
Flash!
Unable to withstand the blow, Amor de Croixoruc was pushed back, crashing against the wall as debris from the stone rubble scattered around the room.
For an ordinary monster, this impact would cause serious injury, but Amor de Croixoruc’s legendary senses meant not even a scratch showed.
Instead, it only made the monster angrier.
Kieek, kieek—
Amor de Croixoruc bit its iron-like defense hard.
“It’s way too strong.”
Even knowing this, the difference was beyond expectation.
“Arise, arise, arise!! How dare you think you could touch this perfect being that Elwin has forged with countless hours and effort! Be forever mine!”
As Elwin finished speaking, the insect’s carapace throbbed proudly.
The shell began to crack in half, then—
Crack!
From the split shell, wet wings appeared and soon started whirring as if preparing to fly.
That disgusting sight involuntarily made Baek Jun-su frown.
“At least it’s not that bug we have to kill.”
From the start, there was no intention to hunt Amor de Croixoruc.
It was a situation where time was limited before the immune system to the Insect Poison developed, so the plan was to pressure it as hard as possible and then move with the Ghouls.
After all, Amor de Croixoruc was not a monster you could just catch casually.
With its excellent intelligence that grew whenever it traded blows, and immunity that developed against attacks, it was hard to consider it a level 20 monster despite being a boss.
Even after the 2040 global power normalization, not a single player had defeated Amor de Croixoruc, proving just how powerful the monster was.
“So the strategy is not to kill the bugs but to kill the Black Mage who pumps mana.”
The earlier fight was only a distraction, a way to fix the hostility meter on the Ghouls.
The trick worked, as the cockroach showed hostility only toward the Ghouls.
Kieek—!
Amor de Croixoruc screamed and flew up.
“Just buy me some time.”
The Ghouls bravely charged forward, colliding with the flying cockroach.
Even infected with Insect Poison, the difference in strength was overwhelmingly one-sided, resulting in the Ghouls’ arms being crushed or their bodies being pushed backward.
It was a crushing defeat, but the greatest strength of the Ghouls—their physical resilience that prevented death from blunt force—helped greatly.
They quickly recovered from wounds and repeated their charges.
Kieek—!
While the Ghouls and Amor de Croixoruc exchanged blows, Dahav was certainly not idle.
Thud—
Swiftly moving his feet, Dahav closed the distance to the Black Mage Elwin.
Seeing Dahav rushing in, Elwin hurriedly raised his Magic Staff and chanted a defensive spell.
“Kuhaha! You thought you could win! How dare you underestimate Elwin! The color of the spear that pierces the void is Extreme Black, soon to swallow the enemy and protect me!”
As Elwin finished the chant, three dark-colored spears formed in midair.
If Dahav had hidden behind Amor de Croixoruc, the attack could have been troublesome, but the distance had already been tightened so there was no way to avoid the assault.
Mage-type jobs have difficulty unleashing their full firepower in one-on-one fights.
Especially against an enemy who has closed the distance like now.
“Too late.”
Dahav’s dagger was thrown at Elwin.
Thanks to his height, the deadly stab was beyond what one would expect from a level 20 summoner.
But Elwin did not falter.
Although this was a low-level scenario, Wilhelm was one of the 45% of boss monsters who had survived.
Elwin immediately canceled the chant, twisted his wrist, and tried to block Dahav’s attack with his raised Magic Staff.
Just as the dagger and staff clashed midair—
Dahav twisted his body into an archer’s pose and spun like a top on the spot, swiftly closing the distance.
Avoiding the clash, Dahav plunged into Elwin’s chest and stabbed with his dagger again.
Before the blow landed, Elwin spread his left hand wide, releasing mana to create a transparent barrier that blocked Dahav’s dagger.
At the same time, he swung the base of his staff downward, aiming for Dahav’s head.
But Dahav didn’t dodge; instead, he stepped forward with his right foot, striking Elwin’s groin and momentarily breaking his balance.
“Hngh.”
Elwin gasped, clutching his abdomen and hurriedly trying to regain posture, but naturally, the staff he had planted in the air wavered.
Taking advantage of that opening, Dahav charged again.
“Told you it’s too late. Sorry, but I win this round.”
“Don’t bluff when you’re fighting a mage up close!”
This was sad news for Elwin but not mere arrogance.
It was the result of countless fights and efforts in his boxing career.
“Fighting is all about breathing.”
Being human, you have no choice but to breathe.
But breathing causes a loss of focus, making one vulnerable.
Catching the opponent at the moment they breathe in is basically grabbing victory.
And Elwin had let his guard down during a surprise attack while breathing.
In fact, his defensive stance, which never allowed openings, had started showing gaps.
Dahav smiled like lightning, pierced through the opening, and Elwin delivered a blow.
Pffft—
[Critical vital point attack!]
[Due to the critical hit, attack damage increased by 300%.]
[Half-Dragon’s special option, Dragon Fang’s Paralytic Poison activated!]
[Boss Monster, Black Mage Elwin’s high Status Resistance nullified Dragon Fang’s Paralytic Poison!]
ASA like other games, boss monsters had significantly higher resistance to status ailments than regular monsters.
While status effects like Dragon Fang’s option landed on regular monsters 10% of the time, on higher elite monsters only 5%, and on boss or special monsters, it was either 1% or outright ineffective.
Even if status ailments landed by luck, their duration and effect differed drastically compared to normal monsters.
This effectively blocked the commonly exploited ‘tricks’ using status ailments.
Dahav knew this fact well and was not discouraged.
‘If I keep trading blows while breathing, I can win.’
Just as he prepared to continue the fight envisioning the next battle in his mind, an unexpected message popped up, and he suddenly froze.
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