Chapter 303: Meteorite Strike, Naval Battle

But compared to the consequences of the city wall being breached, this was nothing.

…

“I can’t believe that unreliable-looking Shore actually succeeded. He solved a huge problem for us. I really underestimated him…”

Gray Sky couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

“Stop muttering and get over here.” Niuniu crouched and waved him over, urging, “I reckon we’re running out of time. It’s up to us now.”

Hearing this, Gray Sky coughed and hurried to follow.

The Demon Faction’s lair was dark and gloomy, guarded by several Skeleton Knight Chess Pieces and other monsters. Most were of the Molten Slag Ash Tier, their strength considerable.

The two of them avoided some elite Chess Pieces and went straight to the spacious area where the Demon King resided.

The Demon King had a ferocious face and two horns sprouting from its head—a very classic look.

As soon as they entered the depths of the lair, several Raven Head Guards fixed their gazes on the pair, seemingly having sensed something was amiss.

They slowly approached to confirm the duo’s identities.

“You’re up. Do what we just talked about.”

Niuniu said to Gray Sky.

Gray Sky nodded, took a deep breath, and without another word, took out the Applicable Curse Formula to change his form, instantly drawing the attention of all the Demon Chess Pieces present.

“Insolent ants!”

The Demon King spoke in a hoarse voice. It raised its hand, and black qi condensed into a Greatsword as it and a host of Demon Chess Pieces charged toward Gray Sky.

Meanwhile, Niuniu, who was at the side, was ignored.

‘It worked!’

Niuniu’s eyes lit up with elation.

Just as he had guessed, the Chess Pieces of both the Demon Faction and the Kingdom Faction had little to no ability to think.

When they spotted a suspicious person, they would investigate; a disguise would definitely not fool them.

But once Gray Sky revealed himself, they focused all their attention on him, naturally neglecting to investigate Niuniu at the side and assuming he was an ally.

This way, Niuniu had the chance to set up the field!

“Gray Sky, hang in there!”

Niuniu roared while releasing his Foul-smelling Feces Qi.

“…”

Gray Sky silently dealt with the Demon Faction’s relentless attacks.

‘No matter what, I’m never teaming up with Niuniu again…’

Gray Sky thought to himself.

For a moment, the depths of the Demon Faction’s lair were filled with the clash of blades and an endless barrage of Magic Prayers.

A moment later…

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA—”

Following Niuniu’s wild laughter, a single Firelight suddenly flared within the Foul-smelling Feces Qi, then rapidly expanded.

BOOM—

[The Demon King is dead. Demon Faction Chess Pieces have fallen into disarray.]

[The lair has been damaged. Demon Faction Chess Pieces’ morale has plummeted.]

The lair began to tremble.

The Demon Faction’s Chess Pieces were all affected.

They let out roars of anger and indignation.

Some of the Demon Chess Pieces began to swing their weapons wildly, attacking their surroundings or even harming themselves in their confusion.

This plunged the entire Demon Faction into chaos.

In response, the Kingdom Faction’s morale soared, and cheers erupted continuously.

But soon, a straight crack split open the sky.

Light from the outside shone in.

The movements of all the Chess Pieces froze at that moment. Two enormous, blurry heads cast their gazes down upon the chessboard.

[The Box in the House has been opened.]

[Seeing the state of the board, the Monster Giant is stunned. The Kingdom Giant, however, is very pleased, believing its Wisdom to be profound and its strategy exquisite.]

[The two Giants further observed the situation on the board.]

[While pleased, the Kingdom Giant did not forget the contributions of its Chess Pieces. It generously bestowed rewards—which, of course, would not affect the balance of the board.]

[At the same time, the two Giants began to replenish their Chess Pieces.]

A giant hand swept by, and countless points of light rained down from the sky.

One of those points of light landed right on Wa Zai’s head.

[Acquired: Large Lump of Molten Slag Spiritual Material ×1]

“The Kingdom Giant is finally acting like a decent being for once.” Shore’s eyes lit up as he watched the points of light all around.

[The box closes again.]

After the two Giants’ massive heads disappeared, everyone frantically began to pick up the Spiritual Material on the ground. The resurrected Niuniu and Gray Sky also made it in time for the feast.

“We’re rich, we’re rich!”

Shore grinned, cackling with glee.

Although the Kingdom Giant was both incompetent and a troll, its generosity was undeniable. This round of rewards included at least a hundred Large Lumps of Molten Slag Spiritual Material.

However, no matter how fast the five of them were, they couldn’t possibly collect all the Spiritual Material, because the other Chess Pieces were also gathering it.

“Not bad, kid. You were finally reliable for once, crushing that meteor all by yourself.”

Niuniu praised.

“Of course.” Shore’s nose was in the air, looking incredibly smug. “This Mage will carry you all, alright? This match is in the bag! I’m calling it!”

He grew more and more arrogant as he spoke.

But what happened next left him rather stunned.

[A new round of the game has begun.]

[The two Giants have decided to clash head-on again, but it seems they intend to make some changes to the battlefield first.]

[The box opens once more. The two Giants take a paper boat and a turtle shell and toss them onto the board.]

[The paper boat transforms into a massive sailboat. The turtle shell becomes enormous, covered in barnacles and white bones. The Chess Pieces are all placed inside them.]

[The Giants then bring over a cup of water and pour it onto the chessboard’s front line and battlefield.]

[The area outside the city walls is submerged by river water, giving the Water Monsters in the moat a much larger combat area.]

The box was closed once again.

Having regained their ability to move, everyone recovered from the shock.

“This CG is so well made,” Shore marveled with a TSK TSK. “They’re really burning through the budget.”

“It suddenly turned into a naval battle,” Guagua exclaimed. “How interesting.”

Niuniu patted the ship and looked at Wa Zai in the water. “It’s your time to shine now.”

“Watch me.”

Wa Zai was incredibly excited.

He dove headfirst into the water. When he reappeared, he had already transformed into a giant Deep Sea Worm with a ferocious, gaping maw.

Many of the Frogman players had chosen the Deep Sea Worm for their Fire Ignition.

Although this would negatively affect their land combat abilities, it could be said that it maximized their strengths.

In specific environments, their power could be fully unleashed.

Like right now!

“WOOO—”

The horn for the attack had sounded!

On the great sailboat, the Chess Pieces quickly adapted to the current situation, steering the rudder and controlling the sails. Although their skills weren’t great, the advantage was that the players didn’t have to do it themselves.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!—

Cannons roared, the water’s surface trembled, and waves surged.

The Demon Faction was not to be outdone.

Although the Demon King Chess Piece had been destroyed and their morale had taken a huge hit from the damage to their lair, the situation wasn’t completely one-sided. This was thanks to their inherent strength and the numerical advantage they’d gained when the Giant Beast slaughtered the Kingdom Faction’s forces.

From the holes in the ship’s hull—which was formed from the turtle shell, barnacles, and bones—shot out spiky balls of flesh. These were explosive Demons whose power was not to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, the Water Monsters, now in their home turf, began a fierce battle. For a time, the currents churned as blood dyed the seawater red.

GLUG GLUG GLUG.

After transforming, Wa Zai’s massive body became the most terrifying hunter on the battlefield, devouring enemies one by one with its horrifying mouthparts.

Of course, he had to chew for a long time, and he couldn’t actually eat them. He definitely had to spit them out.

‘…Why is there even taste feedback for this?’

Wa Zai couldn’t help but complain in his mind.

‘Having taste feedback is one thing, but the key is that this Demon tastes disgusting…’

The ranged siege weapons on the city wall and the wall of flesh also fired without pause.

Perhaps because that last shot had used up all his energy and luck, Shore missed several shots in a row with his Magic Cannon, leaving him thoroughly depressed.

“Hey, you little Soldier, do you even know how to steer? Let me, let me!”

Guagua elbowed the Soldier Chess Piece steering the ship aside and excitedly grabbed the helm, shouting to those behind him.

“I’ll steer the ship! I’ll leave the winged ones to you!”

Gray Sky was just about to reply when the ship suddenly lost its balance, and Guagua’s startled cry reached his ears.

He shook his head helplessly, steadied himself, and then took out the Applicable Curse Formula.

Niuniu was even more excited now. Thick clouds of Feces Qi were already rising from the ship he was on, and it looked like it smelled awful.

“Yes, yes, yes! Right over there, where the most monsters are!”

“Get this damn ship over there for me!”