I Became an Illegal Cheat User

68 – Illusion (2)

Boom─!

The slide was pulled back, and thunder echoed.

Crackle─!

A bullet infused with lightning was fired from the muzzle.

I focused on the illusion’s brow.

The bullet, enhanced by the cheat and the effect of ‘Lightning (B)’, flew toward its target at lightning speed.

But to the illusion, it seemed to move slowly.

With a mere flick of her hand, she deflected the bullet.

As soon as I saw that figure, I sent a Thunderbolt from my left hand.

And the moment I gripped the gun, I pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Boom, bang! Bang bang!

The slides of the guns in my hands recoiled, scattering shell casings everywhere.

With that, the sound of thunder echoed relentlessly, and blue flashes flickered incessantly.

Head, heart, solar plexus, lower dantian… each blue trajectory aimed for a fatal spot.

Yet, two tentacles that sprang from the tailbone of the Illusion seemed determined to allow not a single bullet through.

Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-ching─!

They moved with such dazzling

Kwaaah──!!

The lightning energy condensed in the two guns shot forth like a flash towards Hyunhwang.

– ……!

The smile that had lingered at the corner of Hyunhwang’s lips vanished.

Unlike the previous attack, it seemed the ‘lightning explosion’ could not be so easily dismissed.

Crossing its arms and tentacles, it took a defensive stance.

And as if that wasn’t enough, it wrapped itself in magical energy and raised a barrier in front.

But it was overlooking something.

That my attack could pierce through its magical energy.

– …Huh?

Hyunhwang tilted its head in confusion.

As the massive magical barrier came into contact with the lightning energy, it began to melt away.

Moreover, the magical energy wrapped around its body started to dissipate as well.

In a moment of utter incomprehension, Hyunhwang’s gaze turned towards me.

And just as I heard a voice whispering in my ear, “How…?”

Pazizizizizik─!!

『…Kyaaah!』

The lightning energy struck Hyunhwang.

Finally, I had dealt a significant blow that made it scream.

I seized this opportunity without hesitation.

I fired both guns directly at all of Hyunhwang’s vital points.

With a rough thunderclap, a blue flash erupted.

And just as the bullets were about to hit their mark.

Paaahh!

Magical energy burst forth from Hyunhwang’s body.

As a result, the lightning energy supporting it dissipated.

Cha cha cha ching!

The bullets, which were just about to pierce its vital points, ricocheted away.

I clicked my tongue at the disappointing sight.

– Hah…, it’s been such a long time since I felt this thrill!

The enchantress trembled as if in ecstasy, summoning her magic.

In an instant, the burns on her body vanished, returning to the pristine form she had just moments before.

At the sight, I let out a deep sigh.

“…Damn that regeneration.”

Of course, there’s more to it than just regeneration; her physical strength is formidable as well.

But no matter how strong the body is, like steel, it will inevitably break under accumulated damage.

Yet, the Fallen recover from their injuries with a regeneration akin to that of monsters, which feels utterly unfair.

Moreover, their regeneration increases with their rank.

The top-tier Fallen, the Named, all possess astonishing regenerative abilities.

To the extent that even if their limbs are severed, they can recover in the blink of an eye.

That’s why I aim for their vital points.

‘If only my thoughts could manifest, I’d rain holy grenades down upon that b*stard’s head…’

The holy grenade (A+) crafted from the combined efforts of the production instructor, Noah, and my alchemy.

If I detonated a box of such bombs all at once, I might inflict damage without needing to land a bullet on a vital spot.

But it’s not the right time yet, so I’m holding back on using the bombs.

‘I need to detonate them the moment he lets his guard down.’

Using the bombs now, when there’s no opening, would only serve to heighten his alertness.

So I must wait just a little longer.

For the moment when his defenses slacken.

– Oh darling, my heart is racing. Is this what they call love?

A man-eating enchantress in love?

“Love, my ass. It’s a death sentence.”

I pulled the trigger at her absurd words.

Of course, the bullet ricocheted off her tentacle.

– If you say that, it makes me feel a bit hurt, you know?

She didn’t look hurt at all.

I scoffed and pulled the trigger again.

No, just as I was about to pull it.

“Uh…?”

My mind went blank, as if shrouded in fog.

And then, the thought of rushing to her and comforting her began to take hold of me.

In that moment, I realized I was ensnared by enchantment.

‘…Transfer.’

Thunderbolt to the inventory.

Awakening potion in my left hand.

As soon as the two items switched places, I hurriedly opened the cap of the awakening potion and poured it into my mouth.

“…Phew!”

Only after drinking every last drop of the potion, leaving not a single drop behind, did my muddled mind begin to clear.

Seeing me like that, the enchantress spoke in a voice reminiscent of a child scolding a wayward sibling.

– Oh dear, you shouldn’t drink such a bad potion.

“Don’t you feel my charm?” she added, stomping her foot with a thud.

At that, a purple mist began to seep out from beneath her feet.

The enchantress waved her hand with a flourish.

At her gesture, the mist, which had been spreading slowly, suddenly…

…whoosh!

Like a gas explosion, it began to spread with ferocious speed.

– Kyaaa?!

– Ggggghhh!

“Hey, you enchantress! Why are you… uh…”

“Hehehe, dear enchantress…”

And the mist ensnared not only monsters and corrupted beings but also allies.

I tilted my head at the sight.

‘Is she already using the scent of enchantment?’

The scent of enchantment is a skill of the enchantress, used in the second phase.

But seeing her use the skill already… it seemed she was quite displeased with the awakening potion.

After all, it was a potion that released her enchantment and allowed her to endure for a certain period, so she couldn’t just sit back and watch.

‘Now the awakening potion is useless.’

The enchantment that the enchantress exudes like a passive can be dispelled with the awakening potion.

However, the scent of enchantment is an active skill with a higher level of enchanting effect.

Thus, the effect of the scent of enchantment cannot be dispelled with the awakening potion.

Of course, the awakening potion hasn’t become completely useless.

While it can’t ‘dispel’ the enchantment, it does allow for ‘resistance.’

But now, there’s no need to take the awakening potion.

And rightly so.

“Noah—!”

Because we have the ‘Saint’ Noah with us.

As I cried out Noah’s name, the divine barrier that had surrounded us vanished.

Sssssss…!

Then, as if waiting for this moment, the magic of the rift swiftly approached us, devouring the light.

Moreover, the scent of enchantment reached the barrier, drawing near.

However, the magic and the scent of enchantment would not touch us.

Above our heads, at that very moment.

Kwaaah—!

Light was descending.

“I have been waiting.”

Noah, who had come down to the ground with the light, reached out toward the air.

Then, something formless fell from the sky and pierced the ground.

With a reverent demeanor, Noah grasped the object that had embedded itself in the earth.

And softly, he began to recite a prayer as he slowly pulled it out.

Wuuum….

The object in Noah’s hand began to resonate.

At the same time, the pillar of light pouring down from the sky was drawn into the resonating object.

The pillar of light gradually faded away.

As it did, the shape of the object became clearer.

And before long, the light disappeared.

In Noah’s hand was a spear made of white and gold.

The moment my gaze fell upon the spear, a name automatically surfaced in my mind.

‘Holy Spear – Areadbhar’

Noah’s exclusive weapon and an S-rank mythical weapon.

And unlike Arthur’s and Lee Seoyeon’s weapons, this spear was not sealed.

It means, quite literally, that the effects of the weapon can be utilized.

However, that does not mean that Noah can wield the Holy Spear with ease.

To use the ‘Holy Spear Aradwar,’ an unimaginable amount of divine power is required.

So Noah waited.

“In the name of the Father.”

While we were engaged in a fierce battle, he endured.

“the Son.”

When we faced a moment of crisis, he suffered.

“and the Holy Spirit.”

Enduring such patience and anguish, Noah continued to gather divine power.

For this very moment.

When the waves that we cannot withstand come crashing down.

So that he could become a breakwater capable of withstanding it.

“Amen.”

Having finished the prayer, Noah raised the Holy Spear.

And with all his might, he brought it down toward the ground.

KWAANG!

The spear’s blade shattered the floor, plunging deep into it.

WoooNG, WoooNG, WoooNG…!

The Holy Spear began to resonate in a way it hadn’t just moments before.

At the same time, the gentle light that had been flowing out began to grow brighter.

And before long…

…WHaaaCK─!

A colossal light erupted from the Holy Spear.

The light was dazzlingly brilliant, yet it did not hurt the eyes.

“My wounds… they’re healed.”

“Not just the wounds, my magical power has fully recovered.”

Like the awe of my comrades, all the minor injuries and magical energy had been restored.

Moreover, the mental damage from the enchantment and the fatigue accumulated from the ongoing battle had vanished completely.

On the other hand, the monsters and the corrupted outside the barrier were.

– Kkiieeeek!

“Uweeeek! Uweeeek…!”

As soon as they were exposed to the light of the holy spear, they writhed in agony, spewing forth black blood.

The same went for the Bewitched.

“…Kyaaak! Kyaaak!”

Black smoke billowed from the body of the Bewitched.

“Ah, no! No─!”

The Bewitched, who had been screaming, suddenly clutched their face.

But through the gaps in their hands, something was seen trickling down.

The moment I witnessed that scene, I shouted to Arthur.

“Arthur! Now!”

At my cry, Arthur raised his sword to the sky as if he had been waiting for this moment.

Golden magical energy surged from her sword, creating another barrier outside Park Garam’s wall.

Seeing the ‘Heavenly Fortress’ take shape, I immediately activated my clairvoyance.

Whoosh!

My vision expanded.

I focused my sight on the New Forward Base.

‘Transmission.’

I used 70% of my magical power.

White grenades appeared above the heads of all the monsters and all the corrupted outside the barrier.

As soon as I saw that sight, I deactivated my clairvoyance and transmitted a holy grenade into my hand.

Ping.

After pulling the pin, I transmitted it outside the barrier.

The grenade dropped with a thud.

And then.

────────────!!

The darkness vanished.