Vulcan thought about countless people that he had met in Act 1 and their levels.
For Zenith-Rate warriors who had same 400 levels, some were stronger than he thought, and some were weaker than he thought.
Also, there was one other conclusion that he arrived to.
‘There never was anyone with the similar level as me who was stronger than me!’
It was not a matter of arrogance. It was something Vulcan was certain of after having spent five years in Act 1. Even when facing an opponent who was at the level that truly matched Vulcan’s actual abilities, he was still certain of a tie or better outcomes.
Vulcan believed that he was actually around level 700 in practical strength. Meanwhile, Elcane’s level was 699.
That’s how it should be, however,
‘He can detect presence of monsters… that I didn’t notice.’
Vulcan was shocked.
His stats were lacking by 200 levels.
Also, dark elves could have highly developed senses. Vulcan thought perhaps he shouldn’t be surprised.
‘Still… I never felt like this before.’
It felt like Elcane would be stronger than Vulcan even if Vulcan was really at level 700. Of course, he figured that the difference would be small, but the thought was still shocking.
A bit of time passed, and Vulcan came to an unpleasant conclusion.
‘Just like differences between Murim warriors and Players, is there a difference between humans and other beings?’
Players relied only on skills, and ordinary warriors overwhelmed Players with their talent.
However, these other beings, with their superior innate abilities, saw these human warriors as beneath their feet.
‘As if difference in talent is not enough, now it is difference in species.’
Vulcan lightly bit his lower lips.
- Haha. Don’t be so hard on yourself because you didn’t notice the monsters. It has not been long since you got here. If that was possible, even dogs or cows would have become gods.
- Also, elves are born with superior senses, so don’t compare yourself on that kind of things.
Having said this far, Phantaero stretched and moved to a different place.
Vulcan also knew what Phantaero was trying to do, so he appreciated it.
Now, the fact was, Phantaero was kind to Vulcan because he believed Vulcan was the weaker one.
Although it was just a little bit, it was frustrating.
‘Of course… I have no intention of letting it be like this forever.’
Vulcan thought about the early days when arrived at the Beloong City.
In comparison to how things were back then, this was a better treatment.
‘In the end, I just need to prove myself to them.’
Vulcan got himself fired up for his rivalry against unknown number of warriors in Act 2.
Although it was for a brief moment, his emotion was strong enough to forget about the destruction of Earth or the wish.
Elcane had his eyes closed while leaning against the airship’s ledge.
Phantaero, who was cleaning his sword, seemed like he also felt something. He cringed and also looked at the direction that Elcane was staring toward.
Vulcan also put on a serious face. He asked,
“Seems like something is coming.”
“That’s right. I can’t tell very well yet, but… Looks like he can see roughly how many are coming. The look on his face is not looking very good.”
It was as Phantaero said.
However, it wasn’t that Elcane had a serious face. He looked rather annoyed instead, so Vulcan was not concerned at all.
“Are there a lot of monsters attacking airships usually?”
“No. We use the airship because it is safer than sailing through the sea. I heard that, with a rotten luck, it can run into a swarm of monsters. It looks like we have a rotten luck this time.”
Having said this much, Phantaero smiled toward Vulcan.
“Still, you don’t have to worry. It is annoying, but it is not dangerous.”
“I see. Still… You should be prepared thoroughly. These monsters are different from Act 1.”
Worried, Phantaero said to Vulcan.
It was understandable that they were not going to count on Vulcan, who just came to Act 2. Vulcan understood this.
‘Still, if there is going to be a chance, I should do my part.’
Vulcan had no intention of leaving everything to just Elcane and Phantaero.
While Vulcan was thinking about that, Elcane was shooting arrows at an incredible pace.
It was as like watching a video with the sound muted. It was creeping out Vulcan a little.
‘It would be hell to meet him as the opponent at night.’
Still, it was too much to leave everything for Elcane to handle.
Before long, the monsters got closer to the airship.
Elcane said as he looked at Phantaero,
“I reduced their numbers quite a bit, so you take care of ones coming inside.”
“I will.”
Vulcan also took out his blade. However, Elcane didn’t even glance at Vulcan. He just went back to shooting arrows.
Vulcan finished getting ready for battle and checked the monsters.
[Harpy Queen Happy Harpy]
[533Lv]
[Legendary Griffon Calioru]
[525Lv]
[Legendary Giant Wibern Arudo]
[541Lv]
…
[Cursed Elder Gargoyle Kuruchief]
[523Lv]
Each and every one of them were powerful monsters, rivaling Ho-gyeong or Bellon.
There were almost hundreds of monsters that appeared to be as strong as a newbie that just came to Act 2. An ordinary newbie would have been shriveling from the frightening sight.
‘A hundred Ho-gyeong, huh. No. Still, they are not as much work as him.’
Vulcan judged that he could handle them on his own.
However, there was a big difference between his power and monsters. Also, Vulcan was confident about mass slaughtering monsters, so he was not worried.
Vulcan activated the Thunder god’s might.
Pazizizick
Vulcan’s entire body was surrounded by golden sparks. Vulcan was about to have several hundreds of lightning magic ready, but Phantaero stopped Vulcan.
“Hey. If you want to survive in Act 2 for a long time, learn to be patient.”
Looking at Phantaero’s red cape waving in the wind, Vulcan put up a quizzical face.
However, only Vulcan knew his true strength. Phantaero, who had no idea about how strong Vulcan really was, couldn’t let Vulcan step in to the battle. To Phantaero, Vulcan was just a newbie that just got to Act 2. Letting him join the battle was like letting Vulcan throw his life away.
‘Well, do whatever you want.’
Vulcan lost interest because of Phantaero’s constant worries for Vulcan’s safety. Vulcan took a stance that showed he was not going to care at all about the battle.
Vulcan was a little disappointed about not being able to get the experience points, but he figured that he will be getting it fast as soon as he found the hunting ground he wanted.
‘Now that it came to this, I might as well watch what a 750 level brave hero can do.’
Vulcan walked away from the platform as he thought this.
Before long, monsters swarmed around the airship.
Elcane already had put away his bow and was wielding an arming sword from his waist.
He asked Elcane,
“You are not planning on letting them enter inside of the ship, are you?”
“Of course, I won’t let that happen. They are not quite inside the range yet… Sit tight and wait for a bit longer.”
Phantaero was wielding a two-handed sword with a red jewel.
Phantaero remained quiet despite violent sounds of monsters roaring and their wings tearing through the air.
Phantaero suddenly opened his eyes.
“Kuuaaap!”
Explosive muscular strength and tidal wave-like energy…
His sword was swung in a large circular motion. Without mercy, the energy exploding out from the sword exploded all monsters surrounding the airship.
BOOM BOOM BABOOM BOOM BOOM
“…!”
It was incredible. It was like several thousand missiles were launched in all directions.
It was an unbelievable scene, the kind that was difficult to find even in legends.
It was a move that could be called a special move.
Also, there was a mysterious orange aura that seemed to be making it all possible.
UUUUOOONG
It felt warm like the gentle gaze of parents looking at their new-born child. It felt full of warmth and hope, and the aura was exuding from Phantaero’s entire body.
With a blank stare, Vulcan asked Phantaero,
“Right now… This energy is…”
“Ah, this? It is the source of power that allows me to withstand this god forsaken world.”
Feeling awkward, he brushed across under his nose with his finger and said,
“It is energy for me, who is lacking in power. The energy contains the hopes and desires of the people in Hegatus, the lower dimension, who are praying.”
Having finished explaining, Phantaero slowly avoided Vulcan’s gaze.
Vulcan didn’t know what it was. He was just amazed by Phantaero’s ability to recover so quickly.
“Hopes and desires of the people in the lower dimension… It is incredible. You are not getting tired because you are able to borrow a little bit of strength from each of those people?”
“Um? Well… It’s something like that.”
Phantaero scratched the back of his head and responded awkwardly.
However, because Vulcan was not a brave hero, Vulcan didn’t possess this power despite being burdened with even heavier mission than brave heroes. Phantaero was sorry about this fact.
However, he didn’t get the chance to tell it.
Elcane said to Phantaero in a stern voice,
“We have a rotten luck. Another wave is coming.”
“Um… This time… there are more.”
Phantaero crumpled his face.
The possibility of running into the monsters they just ran into was low as it was. Now, there was another wave that was even larger in numbers.
“It seems like someone with almost god-like strength must be hunting a giant monster in the ocean.”
“That’s a possibility. It seems like these monsters are running into us because they are trying to avoid that battle.”
Before anyone noticed, Elcane already had put away his sword and was launching arrows. He said,
“I’ll reduced it to about half, so you handle about 150 of them.”
“I will.”
Phantaero answered promptly.
He took a stance to be ready for the monsters that were approaching, but someone tapped his shoulder.
“Vulcan? What is it… Um.”
Phantaero narrowed his eyes.
Behind Vulcan, who had sparks violently surrounding him, there were all sorts of lightning magic spells readied for launch.
“I have been in your debt until now. I’ll clean up this wave.”
“…”
Vulcan’s words had a bit of excitement mixed in. Having heard his words, Phantaero vacantly looked at Vulcan’s face.
From common sense stand point, Phantaero was supposed to stop Vulcan even if it meant giving him a beating. However, Phantero didn’t stop Vulcan.
Actually, he did not think Vulcan would be in danger. The thought did not occur to him at all.
‘It is not like he is stronger than me, but… How could he possess such strength!’
It felt like looking at a high class veteran magic specialist who had grunted away for over a hundred years in Act 2 just like Phantaero had for over a hundred years.
That was Phantaero’s assessment of Vulcan who used his lightning magic to the fullest