The Player Who Can't Level Up

“You know a way?” Gi-Gyu’s face brightened as he asked Lou. He needed something, anything, to resolve this situation. After all, dealing with the cocoon was step one in saving Suk-Woo.

-But…

When Lou seemed hesitant, Gi-Gyu yelled, “Stop stalling and just tell me!”

Even as he spoke, he didn’t stop deflecting the thorns. He knew it was only a matter before they pierced his body since there were too many of them, and Micheal’s barrier was also losing its effectiveness. Defeating a corps commander shouldn’t have been this hard for Micheal, but the barrier he had created to protect everyone was eating away at his energy reserves.

-Master, you can’t!

El warned Gi-Gyu, making it apparent that the suggestion would put him at great risk. Lou replied,

-I don’t recommend it either. Anyway, you should first wait for that annoying bastard to finish off the corps commander and join you.

“You mean Michael?” When Gi-Gyu asked, Lou answered.

-Yes. It’s time-consuming, so you need someone to protect you since you’ll be defenseless during the process.

Gi-Gyu nodded and leaped toward Michael. Before leaving, Gi-Gyu asked, “Ranker Choi Chang-Yong. Please hold your position here for a while!”

Gi-Gyu was asking him to fight the cocoon while he was away. Choi Chang-Yong stammered, “W..what?! D-dammit!”

Choi Chang-Yong’s face paled, but he quickly began using his skills to fight off the thorns. He moved efficiently, proving again that he was indeed a high ranker.

When Gi-Gyu reached Michael, he offered, “I’ll help.”

“Dammit! Fine!” Accepting the help hurt Michael’s pride, but he had no choice.

While helping Michael, Gi-Gyu asked Lou, “Now, tell me. What’s your plan?”

-Well…

Slowly, Lou resumed explaining.

-You might disappear. Umm… I mean, your existence will disappear.

This didn't shock him; instead, calm filled his eyes as he listened to the oddly nervous Lou and simultaneously slashed at the corps commander. Gi-Gyu’s attacks became faster and faster as he pushed himself beyond his limit. Being Gi-Gyu’s weakest Egos, Oberon and Hermes were the first to howl in protest as they tried their best to satisfy his need for speed.

Lou added.

-And my existence too…

Slash!

Gi-Gyu amputated the corps commander’s leg as he heard the uncertainty in Lou’s voice.

***

[You have destroyed Botis’ Corps Commander Mantaos.]

[Lou is absorbing Mantaos’ blood.]

[Mantaos has been successfully egofied.]

Usually, Gi-Gyu would have welcomed this announcement, but not today.

“Hurry!” Choi Chang-Yong screamed desperately, looking haggard and tattered. His expensive armor was falling apart, and the ten healers surrounding him were doing their best to heal his ever-increasing wounds.

Gi-Gyu called out, “Michael!”

“I’m coming!” When Michael replied, Gi-Gyu yelled to his angel, “Hamiel!”

“I am at your command, Grandmaster! I shall sacrifice my life to serve you!” Hamiel and the other two angels declared as they, along with Micheal, joined the cocoon fight along with Micheal.

“Hart!” Gi-Gyu yelled, quickly followed by Hart, who replied, “Your wish is my command, Grandmaster!”

When Hart waved his hands, black magic arrows rained on the cocoon, creating a dark barrier around it. The nearby dead enemy monsters woke up and began swarming the cocoon. The surviving griffins and the skeletons also made their way toward the cocoon.

“Lee Bum-Jun! Sung-Hoon! Yoo-Bin!”

When Gi-Gyu yelled, they all answered, “Coming!”

The Cain Guild, Sung-Hoon, and the Gypsophila Guild also joined the cocoon fight. Tao Chen and Hal were still busy fighting the last corps commander, but they were close to winning.

Lastly…

-I’ll be okay, Master.

When El announced, Gi-Gyu asked, “Please don’t push yourself too hard.”

El transformed into her human form. Floating in the air, she smiled and waved her hand at Gi-Gyu before quickly joining Hamiel and the other angels to fight the cocoon.

The goddess had returned.

This was the peak firepower the Gangnam Gate group could maintain for an exact minute. After that minute, El would’ve to return to her ring or sword form.

-It’s better if she is away from you.

Lou said encouragingly.

For Gi-Gyu to do what Lou suggested, El, someone closely related to the Life Root, had to remain far away from him. If she remained close as his sword or ring, Gi-Gyu might end up in greater danger. Also, it wasn’t like keeping her close for this would help anyone.

Three seconds had passed.

“Haa…” Gi-Gyu exhaled deeply, trying to focus. Lou’s suggestion was a risky move that could cost Gi-Gyu his life, so it was no wonder El was worried for him. Actually, he wasn’t just risking his life—he was also risking his very existence.

Gi-Gyu and Lou could both lose their lives and existences if something went wrong.

Five seconds had passed.

-The dark magic here is especially thick, thanks to Andras. While it’s hindering the other players, it can actually play in your favor.

Lou began explaining again. His voice was now much calmer, but Gi-Gyu could still sense Lou’s nervousness.

Lou continued,

-The dark magic here is increasing Death’s might, and I’m sure it will soon go out of your control.

Sadly, despite Death’s newfound power and size, it wasn’t enough to defeat the cocoon. The cocoon was too big, and its defense was too powerful. For Gi-Gyu to defeat this enemy, he needed to take much bigger risks.

He had to risk everything to win this battle since he would die if he lost anyway. Now, the battle wasn’t just about rescuing Suk-Woo. If Gi-Gyu lost now, he would die, and so would everyone here he cared for.

Twenty seconds had passed.

-At this rate, that cocoon will explode. You will lose this territory war, and every human on this battlefield will die.

Lou warned,

-Once the cocoon explodes, Botis will reveal itself. Even if more players are sent here, there is no way of knowing how long it will take to kill this monster.

Lou’s voice grew quieter as Gi-Gyu concentrated. Before long, he was in the deep-black sea part of his shell. But, he didn't stop concentrating.

Forty seconds had passed.

-What do you think will happen next? Botis will enter your human world. Even if Lee Sun-Ho and other powerful players help, do you think your home will remain safe? Do you think this will be the only gate break? The others will break too! Do you want everything to go according to Andras’ plan?

Schwing!

Gi-Gyu slashed Lou in the air, sending all the blood and flesh covering it flying. Before long, Lou’s summoned beings also assimilated back with Lou. Now, Lou was at his full strength. All the Egos, except El, had returned to Gi-Gyu and resonated with Lou as Gi-Gyu also concentrated on him.

Fifty seconds had passed.

Lou stated,

-You have to do this. To show the world! To establish that you are worthy of being my master! To prove that you and I are stronger together!

Determination flooded Gi-Gyu’s eyes as he grabbed Lou with both hands. However, this time, the tip wasn’t pointing at the cocoon—it was aimed at his stomach. Gi-Gyu now looked like a Japanese samurai committing seppuku.

-Just don’t die…

Lou sounded worried.

“Don’t worry.” Gi-Gyu smiled.

Stab!

The clock marked the end of a minute, and Gi-Gyu plunged Lou into his stomach.

“What the!” Lee Bum-Jun gasped in shock.

“Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu!” Sung-Hoon screamed in despair.

“Is that bastard trying to kill himself?!” Choi Chang-Yong yelled in rage.

“Oppa!” Shin Yoo-Bin sobbed.

Everyone knew Gi-Gyu was planning something, but no one had expected that.

Strangely, Gi-Gyu’s summoned beings remained calm and quiet. It was as if they had expected this. Or perhaps, they were loyal creatures who trusted Gi-Gyu blindly. With blank faces, the creatures just focused on protecting their master.

“Die,” El murmured with a voice filled with suppressed fury. With jewel-like tears in her eyes, she whispered, “How dare you cause pain to my master? How dare you force my master to risk his life? How dare you hurt my master!”

Grief filled El as she flew toward the cocoon with her sword held high.

Kaboom!

The time limit on her evolved form had already passed. Her last attack was enough to shake the cocoon. El, on the other hand, turned into a cluster of light before falling to the ground in her sword form. Hamiel, looking tattered, quietly retrieved El and moved away.

“W-what’s happening?!” Choi Chang-Yong murmured as he saw Gi-Gyu kneeling with Lou in his stomach.

Every player became very quiet, waiting nervously for what was about to come. But when nothing happened, Choi Chang-Yong shouted, “Ackkk! Focus! Concentrate on the thorns! Stop that cocoon!”

Wondering about Gi-Gyu wouldn’t help their situation, so Choi Chang-Yong decided to take action. Early on, he had decided to trust Gi-Gyu and stick with it. This made things simple for everyone else. All they had to do was continue to fight.

“Vortex!” Choi Chang-Yong screamed.

“God’s Hammer!” Michael yelled at the same time. A storm covered in blue electric current and the God’s Hammer made of light blocked the thorns.

“I summon the dark barrier. I summon the black arrows.” When Hart murmured his incantations, black fog and magic arrows rained on the cocoon.

Boom!

The unpleasant bursting sounds rang again.

Choi Chang-Yong shrieked, “Fuck! Dammit! What the hell is that thing made of?!”

Despite their powerful attacks, the cocoon seemed unhurt. Only Gi-Gyu had managed to damage it significantly till now. Realizing their attacks were useless, Choi Chang-Yong and the rest looked at each other in despair,

Tao Chen said to Hal, “I think I should go and help them! Can I leave you here? Can you manage?”

“Of course. I think you can help them more than I. Please take care of my grandmaster,” answered Hal. Hal and his knight’s order decided to finish off the remaining corps commander alone while Tao Chen joined the fight against Botis.

Tao Chen inhaled deeply. His long beard danced as his magic swirled around him.

“Hupppp!” Tao Chen shouted and swung his Green Dragon Crescent Blade. It shot a giant magic storm and sliced the thorns closest to him.

Impressed, Choi Chang-Yong exclaimed, “Tao Chen! He’s as powerful as expected!”

Unfortunately, Tao Chen’s attack didn’t improve the situation much.

“Isn’t Kim Gi-Gyu ready yet?! Just what is he trying to do?! Should we send a healer to him or something?!” Choi Chang-Yong screamed. Gi-Gyu was still on his knees with Lou sticking out of his stomach. The healers tried to get closer, but the skeletons appeared from nowhere and stopped them. There had to be a reason why Gi-Gyu’s creatures were acting this way: The players felt hesitant to do anything.

Then suddenly, Gi-Gyu’s head moved a little. His face looked up again, making everyone pause. Every player, including Michael, stood quietly. Shockingly, even the monsters took a pause. Hart took a step back, and Hal just dodged the corps commander’s attack without fighting back. Hamiel and the other angels stood in the sky, frowning. Michael couldn’t breathe, Lee Bum-Jun’s legs shook, Sung-Hoon could barely hold onto his sword with his trembling hands, Yoo-Bin stared at Gi-Gyu dreamily, and Lim Hye-Sook’s eyes widened in shock.

“W-what the…?!” Choi Chang-Yong murmured.

Tao Chen mumbled, “T-this is…!”

They were world-class high rankers. They didn’t feel this anxious or afraid even when entering an S-Class gate. But now, extreme dread controlled their whole bodies.

-Death is everywhere. Prepare yourselves, Slaves! Your king has returned! Get ready to pay for your sins against me! How dare you not bow down to your king?!

Lou’s vicious voice, which only Gi-Gyu could hear before, rang like bells as he spoke through Gi-Gyu. “I shall bury you in the ground.”

As Gi-Gyu stood up, his mouth oozed blood, and his body exuded black smoke. Then, he displayed his blood-soaked pearly whites with a wide, creepy grin. Laughing loudly, he shouted, “Worship me! Your king has returned.”

It was the return of the King of Hell.