My Catastrophic‑Level Summon Devours Gates - Chapter 273

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 273
The moment my eyes opened, I straightened my clothes and stepped outside.
“Hah.”
The air was cold.
No.
It was the atmosphere that made it feel that way.
Like the atmosphere from my first encounter with monsters at the Gate.
My body reacted to the killing intent emanating from the North.
“Hunter, did you get some rest?”
Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon approached and greeted me lightly.
“Yes, thanks to you.”
The tent that the Rift Bureau used.
It guaranteed a standard of living similar to a studio apartment, which was incredibly convenient.
I should try to get one later.
“By the way, I think the Response Department Personnel should rest a bit longer.”
“Pardon?”
“According to our reconnaissance, most of them are just small-fry monsters.”
The Response Team Hunters were elite.
Expending stamina and mana against low-level monsters would be wasteful.
“Still, we can’t leave everything to Hunter Park.”
“Come on. I’ll just stand back with my hands behind my back and watch anyway.”
As always.
My people would handle it all.
One of them had already rushed onto the battlefield on his own, danced with his sword, and hadn’t come back.
“Please conserve your strength in case formidable enemies like Drakes appear.”
Even with full power, the odds against an SS-rank Monster aren’t favorable.
But if another S-rank like Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon lends her strength, wouldn’t it be worth attempting?
“Understood. Then I’ll preserve my stamina.”
I had worried her pride might be wounded, but it seemed like needless concern.
She’s quite reasonable.
Most of the S-rank Hunters I’ve met so far had such high pride that I expected them to refuse requests to observe the situation.
Let’s keep the Rift Bureau Hunters as our trump card.
“So, how should we construct the defensive line?”
There are four paths leading to the First Defensive Line.
Rather than facing them on open ground, it would be more efficient to block them at the chokepoints.
“Leave one to me.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Actually, I think I’d be more comfortable alone.”
Ah.
So that’s what he intends to use.
“Using Metamorphosis is better done alone, anyway.”
Rampage Form ― Metamorphosis.
In exchange for losing rationality, stat increases are guaranteed.
A state where wind-like Aura is released in massive quantities, dealing damage to the surroundings.
“Still, the moment the state is lifted, it becomes dangerous.”
Rampage Forms always come with a Penalty.
Sir Isra’s [Metamorphosis] brought exhaustion symptoms upon skill deactivation.
Even after facing five Homunculi, the signs of fatigue were unmistakable.
“Do not worry. By absorbing some of the Damage, I can recover Health and Mana.”
Ah.
Right.
With only enemies around, theoretically infinite power.
“Infinite power.”
The thought tumbled out of my mouth unbidden.
“Infinite power?”
A question mark appeared above Ingrid’s head.
“During the reconnaissance sweep, there were an insane number of Monsters along the roadside.”
“Yes. There were.”
“Metamorphosis only lifts when complete exhaustion sets in.”
“Then Iron Head will just keep dancing with his blade?”
“Surely not.”
…Or would he?
Could it really be true?
I had never tested the Skill’s limits, so I couldn’t be certain.
If it really is infinite power, I’ll need to command him forcefully to stop.
Or approach and retrieve him into the Death Space.
“Right. If it looks like it won’t work, we’ll just kidnap him as needed.”
Having found a solution, my mind felt considerably lighter.
Either way, one route was settled on Sir Isra handling it exclusively.
Personnel for the remaining three routes were quickly assigned.
【Khahahaha! You acknowledge this Death Guide’s abilities!】
“Keep your words brief.”
【…Yes, sir.】
The Malnourished One took charge of one sector.
“I shall offer victory to my Master.”
Ingrid, the magical corps, and the Death Giants were also deployed.
Pines and I took the final chokepoint.
【My Liege. I shall defend this passage even at the cost of my life.】
“If it looks like you’ll die, I’m retrieving you.”
After all the effort I went through to create you, and here you are talking about sacrificing your life.
Thanks to the reconnaissance, I confirmed the level of the Monster Wave.
Most were between C-Rank and D-Rank.
Occasionally, A-Rank or B-Rank monsters like Ogres and Trolls were mixed in.
There were also flying types patrolling the sky, but the majority of monsters comprising the Wave weren’t high-ranked.
Still, an ordinary Hunter would find it difficult to stand against the Wave.
Stamina and Mana are consumed endlessly.
Even with good management, the mental fortitude to wield Weaponry isn’t infinite.
“My Undead army is different.”
An invincible force that never tires and knows no mental fatigue!
So then.
Let’s drag this out as long as possible.
* * *
Monster swarms descending from four directions.
Thud— thud—
The irregular footsteps hammered against the eardrums.
‘This can hardly be called an army.’
Countless monsters reflected across Isra’s retinas as she clicked her tongue.
A procession of monsters that differed by a full 180 degrees from any semblance of organization.
Looking closely, it was almost laughable.
Orcs, Kobolds, Goblins, and the like.
Creatures of vastly different sizes advancing in synchronized speed.
The sight of predator and prey—linked by the food chain—walking side by side was nothing short of farce.
‘There’s no time to dwell on that.’
The absurdity of it all.
When their numbers exceeded ten thousand, laughter ceased.
“Hmm.”
Isra tapped the Sword Hilt sheathed at her side with her fingers.
The Bone Sword of a fallen Knight.
The first Unique Item my Lord created during his Promotion Exam.
He had spoken of crafting me a finer blade.
But I told him not to worry, as I had much else to attend to, and I wielded the sword like a sacred relic.
‘If I fight recklessly, its Durability will plummet quickly.’
After tapping the Sword Hilt several times with her fingers, Isra clenched her fist with resolve.
This battle.
I won’t use the blade bestowed upon me by my Lord.
Unless a monster of Drake caliber came at me, I didn’t need to draw this sword.
“Come then. Wretched half-formed creatures.”
[Mana Emission]
A blue trajectory traced behind Isra as she kicked off the ground.
A Leap enhanced by Mana.
Before the Orc ahead could even react, I closed the distance and shattered its skull with my fist.
Boom!
Without any resistance, its head exploded into fragments.
A body fashioned from the Death Warrior as a foundation.
With a 99% synchronization rate, the 75% stat boost applied to my ability scores allowed me to reach S-rank level power.
There was no need to employ profound martial techniques or Aura.
I seized the glaive from the hand of the collapsing Orc and grumbled.
“Garbage.”
The blade wasn’t even properly sharpened.
The weapon’s balance was terrible.
It felt more like a club than a sword.
Whoosh! Huff!
“I remember now. The weapon’s balance.”
The original owner of the Heavenly Martial Body.
I had reached the pinnacle of the Continent with a single sword.
I was called the Necromancer’s nightmare.
A legendary knight who hunted even Dragons solo.
With merely two swings, I had adapted perfectly to the glaive’s handling.
“Then let me transform as well.”
[Metamorphosis]
Roooaaar!
Instead of pure magical power, a ferocious and violent black current erupted.
As the dull blade tore through the air.
A dark wind swept across the front.
The moment monsters within a 50-meter radius touched the wind.
Screech—!
Without even a scream, they were sliced into dozens of pieces and fell to the ground.
Green blood droplets were caught in the black whirlwind.
And slowly seeped into my body.
“Graaaaaaah!!”
Not my usual refined voice.
A murky, bloodlust-laden tone erupted from me.
Roaring like a beast, I leaped once more and plunged into the heart of the monster swarm.
Slash-crash!
Aura-infused wind and black sword energy tore through the creatures.
The blood spilled by the monsters was absorbed entirely into me.
It transformed back into Aura, becoming a wind that harmed the monsters.
“Ugh, ugh.”
Trolls with superior regeneration abilities.
“Grooooaaar!”
Even among A-Rank Monsters, the Ogre—counted among the strongest—found it difficult to maintain its form.
Before the winds of that Aura, it could scarcely hold itself together.
Screeeech!
The Ogre managed to approach by avoiding fatal wounds thanks to its thick hide.
[Aura]
[Imperial Swordsmanship (Modified)_Isra Form]
[Third Form ― Full Moon Slash]
Swallowed by the full moon, it was cleaved in two.
Even a dull blade became a formidable weapon when channeling Aura—its weakness vanished entirely.
“Graaaagh!”
Stamina and Mana depleted and recovered in cycles.
Isra advanced slowly, her wild hair streaming about her as she pushed forward.
While she single-handedly held one entire line perfectly secure,
the remaining three lines showed no sign of breaking either.
“I can’t let Iron Head have all the glory.”
【Tsk, tsk, tsk. So you’re borrowing this old one’s power as well?】
“It’s not a loss for you either. You’re collaborating with a legendary witch remembered in legend.”
【I cannot deny that.】
Ingrid and Meigers—both from the same world.
Meigers was born after the age of magic had faded into twilight.
A Grand Alchemist who pursued truth to complete the Philosopher’s Stone.
It was an honor merely to synchronize with the legendary Grand Witch she had only encountered in texts.
[Unique Technique – Eclipse X Golden Ratio]
[Multiple Incantations]
[Fire Pillar X 5]
[Mana Concentration Circle X 5]
[Release Formation X 5]
[Transformation Technique ― Flame Tower]
The Mana Concentration Circle had been the final pillar of the Armed Zombie Warrior design.
Additionally, the Release Formation created by applying Meigers’ knowledge was layered atop it.
Fire Pillars were deployed over the overlapping Refinement Circles to burn enemies, and
the Unique Technique wove them together, holding them in place without consuming Mana.
A collaboration between magic and alchemy that Ingrid and Meigers had researched piece by piece!
Flame Tower was one of its results.
Last night.
Pillars of flame bloomed one by one above the formation that Meigers had carefully arranged.
“Each of you take control of one.”
The Black Sages dispersed and took positions near the Flame Towers.
Whoooosh!
Balls of flame released from the tips of the fire pillars crashed down upon the Monster horde.
Boom!
A blast of power just shy of Burst Flare.
Successive volleys of those fireballs incinerated the monsters.
“This should hold for twelve hours.”
The Flame Tower’s greatest advantage was its overwhelming cost-effectiveness.
If I asked the Black Sage to match that firepower, he’d exhaust his Mana in less than an hour.
The Refinement Circle that Meigers had layered together drew Mana from the Ley Lines and the atmosphere, minimizing the burden the caster had to bear.
Boom! Crash! Boom!
Torrents of flame reduced the monsters to ash.
Acrid smoke blanketed the Mountain Path.
Through it came only the stench of charred flesh, the sizzle of burning, and screams.
“Grraaahhh!”
Occasionally, monsters with high Magic Resistance broke through the inferno and charged forward.
[Ranged Bombardment Mode]
Whirrrrr—
Death Giants with their left hands transformed into massive cannon muzzles.
As they released the Mana they’d concentrated, blue light erupted forth.
Even if they endured the Flame Tower’s assault.
None survived taking a direct hit from a Death Giant’s barrage, so the Front Line faced no complications.
【Kahahahahaha!】
Juan Carlos’s sector was even more overwhelming.
He positioned the Undeads secured from yesterday’s battle at the vanguard.
[Corpse Explosion]
After sweeping away the enemy ranks with explosions, he rapidly expanded his Undead Minions.
Min-ho’s line had Centauro and Xiao Zai with Predator – Rex crushing the massive creatures.
Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon surveyed each line, rendered speechless.
“Would you care for some?”
Zaugg suddenly approached and extended his hand.
Popcorn with white kernels exposed.
In other words, popcorn.
“Thank you.”
Jeon Hye-yeon tossed the popcorn into her mouth with a wry expression.
In any case, the popcorn tasted good.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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