In Greek mythology, Medusa was known to have two more sisters.
The immortal goddesses, Steno and Euryale.
'They are also stronger than Medusa.'
Therefore, the gods of Olympus, believing their mighty power would be a threat in the future, buried the two sisters deep within a volcano.
There, they were burned alive while living forever, eternally cursing their immortal bodies.
Of course, this setting existed only in the Tower of Trials and not in real-world mythology. However, perhaps it could also be said that the original source was a lie?
'In a way, it's ironic. Well, that is basically what life is all about.'
Fiction became reality, and appropriate strategies had to be made in this distorted world.
Like right now.
"How dare… you utter those words right now!"
Kukuku!
Medusa's body began to swell.
"Ahem!"
"Kuak!"
"W-what strong magic…"
The players of the Fathers of Fighting Guild gasped.
The energy radiating from Medusa constricted their entire bodies, making them unable to lift even a single finger.
It was as if puppies stood before a ravenous tiger.
Such was the extent of her force.
Rumble!
The players didn't even dare raise their swords or shields and instead bowed their heads instinctively.
But one among them refused.
'I cannot fall apart like this.'
Lee Young-kwon gritted his teeth.
The Tower of Trials had become reality, and they were only two months into the ascent.
No matter how much they had leveled up or cleared dungeons, they were still no more than fledgling chicks.
That meant he lacked the resolve and experience needed to fight with his life on the line.
This was why not everyone in prestigious guilds could be brave.
'I know… what we lack.'
But—
Humans were adaptive creatures. When thrown into absurd situations, they grew to survive them.
They could not simply groan and remain weak forever.
"Attack at once! Do not back down!"
Lee Young-kwon shouted.
As his Collective Command ability activated, a golden cloud spread around his body.
[Raid morale increased by 30%]
[All ATK and DEF increased by 10%]
The radiant energy dispelled Medusa's oppressive force.
At last, they raised their weapons.
"Damn it! Either way, we die!"
"Right! We have pride too! We can't leave everything to player Kang Jin-hyuk!"
"As expected, we entered this competition with odds of a thousand to one~"
All forms of magic converged on Medusa at once.
They poured in every last ounce of mana, carrying their hopes of victory.
Kwang!
Puang!
Cracks spread across the marble floor as debris rained from the walls.
A thick cloud of dust rose where the attacks had landed.
It was proof of the sheer magnitude of magic unleashed.
But…
That was all.
No matter how many high-level skills they used, it was insufficient against a monster of this caliber.
"Humans truly are an ungrateful race. Can't you see I am speaking with this insolent man?"
Medusa sneered as crimson flames ignited along the whip in her hand.
Swish!
The whip shot forward, targeting the tank at the front.
"Kuak!"
The tank raised his shield.
"You think you can stop me? Did you believe I relied only on petrification?"
The raw power of a snake capable of crushing a beast's spine was another of Medusa's strengths.
The whip wrapped fully around the tank.
Crack!
"Ack!"
His shield and armor shattered in a single blow.
The body inside was mangled beyond recognition.
Blood spilled across the floor.
Medusa's blood-soaked form sent a silent warning.
Do not interfere while she devoured her prey.
"Ugh…"
"A t-tank couldn't even survive one hit…"
The morale granted by Collective Command evaporated instantly.
It was inevitable.
Their strongest magic had failed, and Medusa crushed a tank effortlessly.
This was a fight they could never win.
Continuing would be like smashing an egg against a rock.
"Leave, you insects. None of you are even worthy of becoming my statues."
Her whip moved again.
To finish off the broken remnants.
'No matter how hard we try…'
Lee Young-kwon clenched his jaw.
But—
Kwang!
The whip ricocheted midair.
The unstoppable attack had been blocked.
"Don't teachers in Greek schools teach not to bully the weak?"
Jin-hyuk clicked his tongue, holding his shield firm.
He had intended to set a trap for Medusa after letting Lee Young-kwon fight—if time allowed.
But the gap was simply too vast.
It would have ended in corpses.
"T-thank you… for saving us."
"I'll handle the angry worm. Captain, evacuate the raid team immediately."
Jin-hyuk drew a clear line.
Those who could help might stay.
The rest were baggage.
"…"
Lee Young-kwon trembled, but only briefly.
Anger here would be arrogance, not courage.
"I wish you luck, Player Kang Jin-hyuk."
He bowed.
Medusa did not interfere as the others retreated.
This man interested her.
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Her full attention locked onto Jin-hyuk.
"Is the 'angry earthworm' you speak of… me?"
"Haha. As someone from the physiology department, it's hard to distinguish reptiles from arthropods. Don't they both crawl?"
"Oh? I won't grant you a graceful death. Will you continue provoking me with that mouth?"
"I don't plan on dying here. Honestly, this place isn't dangerous enough for that."
Jin-hyuk remained calm.
Medusa's expression twisted further.
Why provoke her?
Because there was one final condition.
The boss had to be sealed within a barrier.
And for that—
[Medusa activates Lv10 'Gorgon's Realm'!]
Woong!
Magic flooded the temple.
Exactly as planned.
'…She took the bait.'
The Gorgon's Realm slowed abnormal movement instead of boosting offense.
A double-edged sword.
From Medusa's perspective, one human posed no threat.
She had turned countless humans into stone.
Confidence came naturally.
But—
When one keeps winning, it simply means the right opponent hasn't appeared yet.
"Don't be arrogant just because you're facing newbies."
"Impudent human! I'll devour you alive!"
Medusa spat purple acid.
Empowered by her realm, it could corrode anything instantly.
'She's aiming for my legs.'
Snakes favored fresh prey.
Jin-hyuk focused magic into his legs.
Tat!
Sword Demon Emperor's Steps activated.
His body vanished.
Before the acid touched the ground, he appeared above Medusa.
He seized her by the neck.
Woong!
Ancient runes erupted into the air.
[Barrier 'Sealing Coffin' is activated!]
A complex technique.
The reason he hated using barriers in battle.
Even for him, controlling runes and mana precisely was never easy.
A blue veil enclosed Medusa.
"You think this can restrain me?"
She struck.
Kwakwang!
One side of the barrier shattered.
'Too fast.'
He needed minutes—not seconds.
Jin-hyuk halted his movement skill.
He activated Giant Grasp.
Shhh!
Medusa scoffed.
"To face me head-on…?"
Her tone softened.
Not mercy—hunger.
"Have you finished fluttering about like a fly?"
"Just say it plainly. You're overcompensating."
"Huhu. Angry from one hit?"
She laughed.
"But strengthening those feeble arms—did you truly believe that would work?"
"Weak?"
Jin-hyuk tilted his head.
He had only used this once.
It wasn't weak.
Rift and adaptive stats surged.
The Giant Grasp was far more than a holding tool.
'That'll do.'
His fingers latched onto something.
Puak!
He tore a five-meter stone pillar free.
"Strength, huh? Seems the lady is confident. Then let's see who lasts longer."
Medusa raised her head.
Kwang!
Pop!
Pillar against whip.
Pure brute force.
And then—
'What?'
A strange sensation spread through Medusa.
No killing intent.
The attack wasn't meant to kill.
He couldn't be—
Medusa's eyes narrowed.
"You… damn squirrel!"
Jin-hyuk smiled through the shield.
"Oh? You noticed? Too bad. A little more brain and you might've realized sooner."
The trap was complete.
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