Level 0 Master

At the Red Team's camp, Riad held up her sword with pride as she shouted.

"Ruler of blood. Ruler of fear. One which destroys every opposition, one which reached eternal power with yourself as sacrifice!"

A bloody mist fell on them.

The ground melted.

The sunlight failed to reach the ground.

A dark despair which enveloped them in darkness began to emit ghostly wails.

"Leave us alone. End this pain."

While they lived they became sacrifices, and once they died became the sword's slaves. Her power which had stepped on the wails of those souls began to reveal itself to the world.

"Vitium Successio! Vlad Tepes et Overpower!"

If one had massive power, that meant you were a hero. Good and evil didn't matter in this world. Both good and evil spirits could create that power.

Inheriting the predecessors power under the name of blood, the Blood Ruler inhaled all the bloody mist.

"Ahhhhh!"

The screaming ghosts were inhaled once more.

She was a tyrant.

A tyrant because none could go against her.

Because none to disobey her.

With her power, she ruled over everyone.

The one who stood there was the blood queen with her destructive beauty.

The magical sword's color turned a darker shade of blood.

"Hunt down the disloyal! Then you will enjoy my glory of victory."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The three knights received the order with vigour.

The Blood Ruler left ahead, towards the upper lane. The three knights gathered to discuss their next move.

"The forest is important, but it doesn't make sense to abandon the lanes. I'm sure the princess had separated her team to cover each lane, leaving one for the forest."

They were experienced knights; they had already figured out Sungjin's lineup.

"The extra wouldn't just hang around; he would at least head to the forest to collect some crystals. It's better to gain some items after all."

"The problem then rests on whether the two of us will head to the forest, or towards the bottom lane."

"Let's play this safe. We don't want to anger the Blood Ruler again by making the same mistakes as last time."

"Sure, if we play it safe, winning won't be a problem. We can allow the two enemy gain some crystals in the forest."

"Then, two of us should head to the bottom lane. If we do that, even if the enemy heads towards the bottom lane as reinforcements we won't land in a situation of 2 against 1."

On the other hand, even if they had to face Rittier and the extra for a 2:1 fight, a joint attack of a level 5 and a level 0 wasn't enough to endanger a Level 6.

"And if they disappear from the lanes, stay in contact using Wind Spirit Stones."

That was something the Blood Ruler had already required.

"Yes. We shouldn't take any suspicions lightly."

It was said that the side which had superior military strength shouldn't try to use strategies but calmly operate as normal. It was meant that weaknesses could be revealed through extravagant efforts, therefore losing an assured victory which could have been achieved through safe and calm methods.

Although it may be true that the three knights were intellectually inferior to Sungjin, it was harder to trap those who accepted that fact and moved discreetly than those who were arrogant.

Sungjin said they could win if the enemy threw the victory. But what if they didn't throw the victory?

"Let's not jump into the turret even if they try to lure us."

"Yes. The Blood Ruler told us to kill some time for her to activate her magical sword. So let's be really, really careful."

They swore not to be tricked a second time.

And to those who were watching such a scene outside of the battlefield, the victor became clearer. What could the princess' side possibly do against an enemy who operated in a careful, safe, and orderly manner on top of their overwhelming power? Turning an enemy's power against themselves was only possible when the enemy let their guard down, or became rushed and strained. It was clear that the Blood Ruler was going to win.

While hunting monsters in the forest, Angrasil found Sungjin wondering around.

The extra. Is he aiming for the crystals that'll be generated soon?

Even a level 0 extra could pick up crystals on the ground, and that could become an item.

It should be a tiny achievement if I catch that level 0.

Moreover, the Blood Ruler thought the extra was important regardless of his level. Maybe killing him wouldn't count as his kill, but he was sure there would be a separate reward for this.

Angrasil stopped his instinct to attack.

No. We decided to play it safe.

He has been tricked before, leading to defeat.

Since I know Jenna's below and the princess is above, there should only be Rittier in hiding.

Even in a 1:1 fight, Rittier was not a problem.

Okay. Even if he tries to ambush me, it should be fine.

But still. He had to go over the basics.

I'll try not to run into the tower, even if they lure me.

Angrasil repeatedly told himself this before attacking Sungjin.

"Huh?"

Sungjin started to run as soon as he heard Angrasil's footsteps.

[Rittier! Where are you!]

[I'm hunting triants at the upper end of the forest.]

Unfortunately, that was the furthest position from Sungjin.

[Come save me! I was spotted by a knight! I'm running toward the bottom lane.]

Angrasil was able to hear Sungjin calling for help into the Wind Spirit Stone.

I will get you before you are saved.

The manhunt began.

Sungjin was fast due to his martial arts training. He was beyond the abilities of a high school student and nearly at the limit of a human.

But Angrasil was much faster.

A level 6 skill to adjust their physical specs was beyond the limit of a human. If they continued in this manner, Sungjin was going to get caught.

Sungjin started to calculate how to fight back in this situation. Bushes, branches, roots, rocks, and the condition of the ground—he was calculating all the geographical factors and objects to find the optimal route to retreat.

If he had a similar physical ability like the enemy, it would have been easy for him to lose Angrasil. But Angrasil's ability was way above Sungjin. The distance continued to decrease.

But Angrasil was surprised that it took so much time.

He really isn't a regular extra.

Angrasil understood why the Blood Ruler had been so wary.

That's just one more reason to catch him.

Angrasil decided to, for once in his life, drop his arrogance of his level. He called the other two knights through the Wind Spirit Stone.

[Firgrine. Nart. Leave the bottom lane for a second and come up. If you come up now, you will be able to block the extra that I'm chasing now. Let's siege him from three sides.]

[Ho? You are asking us to drop a lane to catch one extra?]

[Do it.] The Blood Ruler cut in.

[Oh. Yes, Your Majesty. We will follow your orders.]

Two knights stopped arguing.

Angrasil smiled. He was happy that he came up with an idea that the Blood Ruler liked.

I knew that the Blood Ruler thought highly of him.

Besides, the Blood Ruler was targeting Princess Ereka. Even if Rittier ambushed them, or Jenna chased after Nart while he went after Sungjin, If we don't walk into the turret, there's no reason we level 6 knights can't defeat two level 5 enemies. We finish him here.

It was not decided, but Angrasil believed that he would get the most credit if he eliminated Sungjin. Since the commander of the princess's team was Sungjin, they would become helpless without him.

When Sungjin arrived at an empty lot, the bush in front of him moved. As soon as he saw a few leaves flying, a strong wind started to bend and break its branches. The knight of the wind appeared when the wind had scattered the broken branches.

"Ugh."

Behind him was a spear of ice, and before him twin blades of wind, but Rittier still had not arrived. In this situation, Sungjin tried to run towards the remaining path towards the left, but stopped.

The burning heat made him realize that the left path was similarly a death route.

"Haha, figured it out, didn't you? You little rat."

Firgrine walked out of the path with burning chains of flame.

A perfect siege on three sides.

Sungjin quickly calculated the situation and came up with a conclusion.

There was no way out. Well, the three knights had already seen the same conclusion long before.

Without 'throwing' the victory and being careful, they were clearly the best and the most experienced knights of the kingdom.

"Now, die!"

The only way out for Sungjin was to be saved by Jenna and Rittier. But the three knights knew that so they didn't waste any time and began closing in from all sides.

Sungjin calculated the remaining time of arrival for Jenna and Rittier. It was unclear, but considering their less than clear report, it was 19 seconds give or take 5 seconds.

On the other hand, the time left for him?

There were 9.8 seconds left. That was his brain's answer.

0 seconds. The three knights closed in the encirclement.

Sungjin tried to run between the three to gain time, but the three knights didn't give him a chance.

4.1 seconds had passed.

Sungjin tried to go through Nart by a feint.

"Nice try!"

Nart laughed at him and swung the twin blades.

The wind surrounded Sungjin's body and started to slice into him.

5.3 seconds had passed.

"Argh!"

Sungjin made it out of the first attack, but the second blow cut his left arm from his shoulder. It sliced his flesh and blood vessels, finally crushed the bone.

Sungjin rolled on the ground, screaming. His blood spurted and covered the ground.

"Hahaha. You look like a wiggling worm." Nart laughed sadistically and slowed his movements.

That gave Sungjin 0.5 more seconds.

"Wait. I will deal the final blow!"

Angrasil attacked him with his spear of ice.

8.5 seconds had passed.

Sungjin rolled on the empty ground to avoid the attacks, but that wasn't enough. He wasn't able to roll one more time and lost the 0.5 seconds he gained from Nart's attack.

Firgrine threw flames at Sungjin, unwilling to lose against the other two. The three knights all had one thing in mind.

I will catch him!

I will catch him!

I will catch him!

An extra was an extra regardless of his intelligence. An extra was just like a worm when facing heroes in a sword fight.

"Wind Cutting!"

"Ice Flower."

"Flame Punishment."

They all used their skills, and therefore became certain of their victory.

We got him!

It was exactly 9.8 seconds later.

Suddenly, '___' covered Sungjin.

It was not Ereka, Jenna, nor Rittier.

It was a giant spider.

"Kiaaaahhhhhh!"

The giant spider was struck by the attacks. This giant spider was called the "Daughter of Arachne." It was the second strongest monster in the forest.

The spider attacked back with rage. The magical spider web tied up the three knights, and the spider's poisonous spit lowered their defenses.

"That wasn't there!!!"

The three knights couldn't understand this irrational turn over. It was an empty lot until a few seconds ago. Where did this random spider come from to stand between them?

"Ahh. That was the perfect timing for its revival." Sungjin kindly explained while standing up.

The sight of him picking up his purposely sacrificed arm was full of leisure. Sun Tzu mentioned using nature and geography, but Sungjin knew better. In this world, mid-level monsters were also a part of nature.

Usually, players attacked the enemy from behind while the enemy was chasing the monster, but Sungjin understood the principle enough to apply it according to the situation.

How do you win against an enemy who won't throw the victory?

You make them throw it.

The Six Secret Teaching and Three Strategies of Huang Shigong book said to "make a careful enemy become arrogant, and a thorough enemy tired."

"What? What are you saying...?"

The three knights were confused.

He lured them?

He lured them to attack the spider?

Impossible.

If the spider had already been revived, they would have been more careful. If the spider was revived a little later, Sungjin would have died. A plan depending on a miraculous coincidence was not a strategy. That was just an empty dream.

It was then, that Jenna walked into the empty lot with Rittier.

"Oppa! We are here just like you told us yesterday!"

"We came following your ordered timing. Is everything okay?"

"Ah. Yeah, it was within the time frame. Good enough."

Sungjin greeted them with a grin on his face. Not everyone was a genius like him. It was impossible for others to calculate their movements on seconds.

A good commander shouldn't blame the soldiers who couldn't conduct the perfect operation. A good commander should have the ability to understand the capacity of the soldiers to plan his operation accordingly.

"Huh? Oppa, you lost your arm? Oh my god! That must hurt."

Jenna started to gather tears in her eyes while holding Sungjin's arm.

"It was a necessary pain."

Sungjin smiled and told her not to worry.

Actually, his body was sweating in pain and shock, but thinking of the dead children who suffered even more, and in an attempt not to worry young Jenna, he stood still.

"The siege timing was 0.6 seconds later than planned, so I had to be caught slightly earlier."

"W... W... What?"

Too surprised, the three knights forgot that they had to fight against the spider.

The idea of using the spider had already broken their frame of logic, but it wasn't realistic. It was impossible to calculate the spider's revival by seconds to make the enemy use their skills in that exact moment after all.

But if he did?

This was no longer a coincidence.

If the extra lured them in by counting every second and made them act as he had planned?

This crazy coincidence was no longer a miracle of God…

But a trick of the devil.

It was true.

The 9.8 seconds Sungjin calculated was not how long he could hold up against the attack, but the revival time of the spider. And naturally, he called Jenna and Rittier on his planned time.

The feelings the three knights felt reached beyond shocked, and became fear.

This... this is not an extra nor a human being!

This was a devil, a devil that had the battlefield in his palm to control.

"Okay. Finish them."

"Okay,Oppa!"

Jenna's tail stiffened, and raised her hammer.

A three-layered magic formation was spinning under her feet. The raging scream of Thor tore through the sky.

This was the ultimate spell that destroyed the three knights once before, Mjolnir.

White lightning covered their vision, sentencing their end.

In a normal situation, they could have stopped it or avoided it since it was an ultimate magic spell with a long casting time.

But currently, they were tricked by Sungjin and stuck in the spider web. The poisonous spit destroyed their immune power, and just staying alive was a challenge.

Moreover...

"A joint attack is part of a fight. We didn't promise a duel, so here we go."

Rittier explained before attacking them with his gigantic sword, and he was right. His joint attack was clearly the final blow.

Kaboom!

Thunder shook the air, and the hammer of Thor crushed the ground. Lightning burned everything up while the gigantic sword of Rittier slew the three knights.

"Good job."

When Sungjin complimented her work, Jenna jumped like a puppy.

"Wow. Sungjin Oppa, you were right! Wow. They really attacked the spider at the perfect timing!"

"I had my doubts on your capability of counting the time by 0.1 seconds yesterday..."

Rittier bowed to Sungjin in respect.

"I realized again that you are above my judgment."

Rittier was astonished by the unreal situation.

Without him, he had no chance against the three knights. But under the pressure of the Blood Ruler, we won without any bloodshed. What a surreal person.

[Sungjin. Thank you. I see that we really have hope.]

Ereka sent her message of gratitude from afar with the Wind Spirit Stone.

"Oppa, you are really the best!"

Jenna's tail flapped and danced around.

"Hmph. It's not over yet. I will accept that compliment when I get the Blood Ruler."

"Okay, Sungjin Oppa."

"Now, let's all return to the base and gather. There's only the Blood Ruler left. Follow the position for the joint attack as practiced."

"Yes!"

"Yes, sir."

[Then I will leave the lane to return to the base.]

Sungjin activated the Return Stone and clenched his right fist. The victory was in his hands now.

Outside of the temple, the extras were cheering.

Although they couldn't do anything that affected the battlefield, they had witnessed the moment through the screen.

For them, it was not just a glorious moment of defeating the three knights. It was a moment where they saw a glimpse of hope for their lives, the moment where the darkness of tyranny ended to see the dawn of hope.

Now there's only the Blood Ruler left to kill!

Defeat the Blood Ruler, and the princess wins!

Then that was the end of tyranny.

"Hurahhhh!"

The crowd went wild not only because of the impressive fine play but also for the savior who was fighting for their lives.

That was why they were cheering for them harder than any sports game on earth.

So that they could win.

So they could please, win.

Win with this momentum and defeat the Blood Ruler.

It was an enthusiastic and desperate cheer that none of the pro-gamers received on Earth.

A moment later, Sungjin was cured by the Valkyrie back in their base.

[God, bless this hero and let him fight again.]

After her prayer, Sungjin's arm recovered.

"Great. Perfect."

Sungjin moved his arm to check and became satisfied.

Now I can fight without any issue against the Blood Ruler.

Next to him, Jenna, Rittier, and Ereka were rearranging their items following his order.

"You all remember the position to fight against the Blood Ruler?"

"Yes. By heart!" Jenna shouted with her flapping tail to make sure that Sungjin could trust her.

Her cheerfulness lifted up the heavy air before the final battle.

Sungjin had already explained everything.

[The Blood Ruler is clearly strong. The power from her ultimate skill that destroyed a whole mountain is almost shocking. But we can defeat her if we make it a 4:1 fight.]

[4:1 fight? Can we eliminate the three knights without damaging ourselves?]

[Yeah. I will explain that later, just focus on how to fight against the Blood Ruler. The Blood Ruler's ultimate skill is strong enough to slay the three knights at once, but we have a counter. Ereka, you probably need to sacrifice yourself while the other two deal with the Blood Ruler.]

[I had thought about that. But there are other skills as a level 8 which are incredible...]

[There is also a solution for that. Listen.]

To win, they had to catch the three knights without taking any damage, and then they had to endure the skills of the Blood Ruler without getting damaged. When she used her ultimate skill, Ereka would be sacrificed, and the other two would kill the Blood Ruler.

They already practiced the scenario many times. Their victory was 99.9% sure.

"Okay. Let's do this."

Sungjin and his team were confident.

On the other hand, the heroes supporting the Blood Ruler were in panic in the waiting room. How did the three knights die without doing anything? Were they in a nightmare?

Is this… really…

Is it really possible that the princess may win…?

The Blood Ruler was strong. She was strong enough to defeat all three knights alone. But as the team which defeated the three knights so easily, although they might face losses it was clear they had the momentum to win against the Blood Ruler.

Were we supporting the wrong team? What is… what kind of situation is this? How does the careful, stronger team die out? What should we do?

They thought they could see their grim future as Sungjin and his team marched to the top lane.

The Blood Ruler Riad was standing there like a king. She was holding the bloody magical sword with a bloody cloud surrounding her like a bad omen.

"Finally, you are here before me!"

She only looked at Sungjin as if she didn't even care about the other three.

"Yeah, I cleaned up those three. Now it's just you."

The fight started at 4:4 but now it became a 4:1 siege.

"AHaha. Those three. They were useless anyway."

Despite the situation, Riad answered with laughter.

"All I need is this sword!"

She lost the three knights, but during that time, she had collected enough crystals to activate her magical sword.

"I admit that your tactic is only enough to lure in three dogs with the princess' inexperienced team."

The magical sword roared, and the air vibrated. A bloody mist filled up the area, and the screams of ghosts echoed all around.

"But that is useless before me! Feel despair in front of my power!"

"She's coming. Get ready."

Sungjin felt her bloodlust and had no intention to argue.

Her ultimate skill right away? Even better.

He hadn't been bothered to fight back and forth using normal skills, so the situation was to his favour. It was time to destroy her level 8 power gained by numerous sacrifices with his military intelligence.

"Bloody Reign!"

Blood spurted out of the scarlet sword.