I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 551

The moment the shadow wolf slammed down its greatsword, a black tsunami surged forward.

As if to swallow the entire zone, its fierce approach made me flinch slightly.

But I couldn’t just take it lying down. I could overcome that with light, its greatest weakness.

"Lackey! Light!"

"A-Understood!"

Before Lackey cast Light, I decided to handle the urgent threat first.

At the very least, scorching with Eye Lantern so that shadow tsunami wouldn’t submerge us.

Chiiiiik!

As expected, the core nature hadn’t changed, so I could break it with Eye Lantern.

Since Light was a low-tier spell, it took Lackey very little time to cast it.

Thanks to that, we avoided the shadow tsunami engulfing us, but a bigger problem arose.

’The ground...’

Originally, a zone strewn with countless bones. Gloomy as it was, color did exist.

But because of the tsunami it just unleashed, the entire ground was stained black.

An effect as if the whole area was consumed by shadow. I felt the illusion of having stepped into the Shadow Forest.

’But it’s different from the forest. This is closer to true shadow.’

A shadow’s weakness was light, but paradoxically, shadow only existed where light was present.

Though the weather looked overcast with storm clouds, light was not entirely absent. It was an optimal condition for manipulating shadows.

’...Looks like we’re in big trouble?’

I looked around. Thanks to Lackey’s Light magic, the shadows couldn’t approach us.

The problem was that our radius of movement was severely lacking. I asked Lackey.

"Lackey. Can’t you expand the light a bit more?"

"I can. But then I cannot control it."

"You can’t control it?"

Lackey nodded. It seemed to be an either-or situation.

In that case, having it follow us continuously was much better. Since we wouldn’t have to worry about underfoot.

Instead....

Hu-ung!

It meant we couldn’t block that shadow wolf’s attacks, I suppose.

Now that the field was set, the wolf gripping the greatsword leapt high. If it had only leapt, that would have been fine.

Chwaak!

But as it swung its sword with all its might in mid-air, black Sword Qi flew out. Not just one, but multiple slashes.

Though it was a sword made of shadow, given that it took physical form, physical power was bound to be infused in it.

’Fast!’

Ordinarily I’d block it with Eye Lantern, but the speed was too fast.

So I hurriedly raised my sword. Since Aura was already active, blocking wasn’t hard.

Kwaang! Kwang!

The shadow Sword Qi and the Sword of the Heavenly Demon collided. Upon impact, the shadow Sword Qi scattered into particles.

The power packed inside was so mighty it didn’t feel like mere shadow.

Had I taken it bare-bodied, I would have suffered significant damage even with Body-Protecting Gangqi deployed.

Kkumul-kkumul-

"Hmm?"

The issue was that this wasn’t the end. Black marks wriggled on the Aura that blocked the blow.

Squirming as if alive, the black marks slowly began devouring the entire Aura.

Even though we were inside the light, it appeared to absorb the Aura. I hurriedly scorched it with Eye Lantern.

Hu-ung! Hu-ung!

Meanwhile, the shadow wolf indiscriminately fired Sword Qi slashes from a distance.

The more I blocked, the more shadows encroaching on my Aura grew, leaving even Eye Lantern helpless.

’I can’t even use Sword Qi!’

Enlarging Aura crudely was one thing, but Sword Qi was in the realm of technique, making it complex.

On the other hand, firing arrows had a speed issue right off the bat. Just swapping weapons took time.

I glanced at Lackey. Realizing early on that something was wrong, he was taking a battle stance.

"Huuup!"

Peo-eong!

Lackey quickly thrust out his massive palm, delivering a Palm Strike.

A huge air pressure blasted from his palm, obliterating all the shadow Sword Qi.

Seeing him use pure martial arts instead of magic after a long time. It was quite powerful, proving he hadn’t neglected his training.

The problem was....

Flicker! Flicker!

"H-Hey! The, the light! The light is going out!"

Unfortunately, incapable of multitasking, the Light magic began to flicker out.

If Light went out, the shadows on the ground were bound to swarm us.

In the end, I had Lackey maintain the Light spell continuously.

It practically sidelined one person, but doing just this was pulling his weight.

"Bbareumbo. Looks like you need to step up."

"...."

Instead, I decided to have Bbareumbo step in. In a crisis like this, everyone had to join forces.

Realizing the shadow wolf’s skill was extraordinary, Bbareumbo complied without complaint.

Chwaak!

As Bbareumbo lightly swung his arm, five branches of Sword Qi shot out.

Shattering all the Sword Qi fired by the shadow wolf, reaching all the way to the wolf itself.

Did the Sword Qi work on the wolf, then? Not at all.

The Sword Qi Bbareumbo shot passed right through the shadow wolf.

’How the hell am I supposed to catch that guy?’

Ultimately, it seemed approaching and scorching it with Eye Lantern was the only option.

To do that, I needed to coordinate with Lackey. Since he was controlling the Light spell.

"Lackey."Visit novelрing.com for the full chapter.

"Speak."

"Stay right behind me."

After instructing Lackey, I charged toward the shadow wolf.

For a second I almost stepped outside the Light range, but Lackey barely kept up.

Kkumul-kkumul-

Shadows outside the Light range waved ominous tentacles as if welcoming us anytime.

The moment I took even a single step out, I’d be sucked in. I had that hunch.

"Foolish!"

The shadow wolf sneered as I breached through numerous Sword Qi slashes to draw near.

Though it had been hovering in mid-air originally, it stepped down onto the ground to prepare for melee combat.

Having a beast’s body, yet possessing hands built no different from a human’s. I wondered how it would fight.

Chijijijik!

"Kuaaa!"

First, I had to scorch it with my eyes. Right as it raised its sword to strike down, I personally scorched it with Eye Lantern.

Whether out of pain or because its power was weakened, the shadow wolf screamed.

Seizing this opening, I slashed its torso with my sword.

Siing!

But the sensation of cutting through empty air traveled up my fingertips.

Its split body repaired itself instantly. It wasn’t much different from a Dullahan’s Wraith Transformation.

’Ah. I hate these types the most.’

Guys like this naturally had a ’true body’ inside.

In the Dullahan’s case, the coffin was both its true body and weakness. The issue was whether I could crack that weakness.

Brainless regenerators were far better; I hated these because the clear method itself was tricky.

"Paltry tricks!"

The shadow wolf went wild just from a little laser scorching. I responded while minding the boundary of the Light.

I thought it would leap around like a beast at first, but not at all.

Siing!

Surprisingly, it stood proudly on two legs, showcasing swordsmanship.

I thought it would be difficult due to its innate body structure, but that was my miscalculation.

Chaeaeng! Chaeng!

The wolf’s sword collided with the Sword of the Heavenly Demon. Astonishingly, I felt myself getting pushed back bit by bit in raw power.

On top of that, as I said earlier, it bounded around like a beast while swinging its blade.

’My movement radius is too narrow, I can’t concentrate.’

I glanced beneath my feet while parrying. Shadows beyond the Light range continuously writhed.

Lackey was controlling it diligently, but the limit was clear.

’Meanwhile, that guy is nimble.’

I followed the shadow wolf’s movements as best as I could.

Whether its pugnacity was high or it trusted its own traits, it gave no breathing room.

I wasn’t just stuck on the defensive for no reason. I wanted to dive in somehow, but couldn’t.

Kwadeudeudeuk!

When it stabbed its sword into the ground, shadow Sword Qi flew ruthlessly.

Merely parrying was barely enough, forcing Bbareumbo to step in as well.

Kkumul-kkumul-

"Hey! My hand! My hand!"

Getting devoured every time I touched a shadow was driving me crazy.

Forcing a battle of attrition like this left no answer. A drawn-out fight was suicide.

’I can’t let it keep the initiative.’

Make him defend instead of me. So I can scorch him with Eye Lantern for an extended time.

"Lackey."

I whispered softly to Lackey. Hearing my whisper, Lackey nodded.

The shadow wolf was an exceptionally intelligent entity, so there was only one chance. If I missed this chance, I intended to flee without delay.

Tadat!

I dashed outside the boundary of Lackey’s Light spell.

Immediately, I felt hands grab my ankles. Without checking, I knew it was shadows.

It felt like it climbed past my ankles to my knees, but I ignored it. Right now, I had one goal.

"?!"

The shadow wolf was visibly flustered.

It flinched, not expecting me to step out of the safe zone.

Meaning the initiative had shifted to me. I swung my sword so it could easily block.

Kkaang!

Whether out of instinct or panic.

Though my blade would have passed harmlessly through if it hadn’t blocked, the shadow wolf chose to block with its sword anyway.

I didn’t miss this moment and poured power into my eyes. To project a far more intense glow than before.

Chiiiiik!

"Kuaaaa!"

Screaming, the wolf swung its blade. Shadows had already risen to my knees.

Moving my legs was impossible, so I parried using only core strength.

Was it because it broke once and regenerated? My lower back felt uniquely strong.

Kkumul-kkumul-

Now the shadows had risen past my knees to my lower abdomen. The parts swallowed by shadows were completely numb.

Even amidst this, I scorched the wolf with Eye Lantern. The shadow wolf, realizing my time was limited, refused to back down.

Instead, looking at me with pathetic contempt, it swung its sword merely to keep me from moving freely. It intended to pin me down.

"Your life...."

"Lackey! Now!"

Right as it muttered something, I yelled to Lackey.

Only then did the shadow wolf belatedly notice Lackey’s presence and glance behind.

But Lackey was already preparing his magic. Immediately after, Lackey shouted loudly:The source of this chapter is novelpi​ng.com.

"@$!"

Flash!

An intense light exploded in all directions. A light so blindingly powerful it dazed the eyes momentarily.

Though its duration was far shorter than Light, the ’Flash’ spell emitted an overwhelmingly powerful light instead.

Given its nature, it meant little in actual damage, but for disorienting an opponent’s vision, it was unparalleled.

Chiiiiik!

"Kuuuk!!"

And to a monster hard-countered by light itself, it held power no less than a Meteor spell.

Had he used it earlier, the wolf would have relentlessly targeted Lackey. There was a reason I had only one shot.

Seumeol-seumeol-

Above all, even Flash couldn’t completely incapacitate the shadow wolf.

Literally just binding its feet. Furthermore, the radius wasn’t that large.

I could never miss this chance. While the shadow wolf faltered, I gathered all my mana into my eyes.

Chiiiiik!!!

"Uaaaa!"

An Eye Lantern far more intense than before. I felt my eyes growing burning hot.

To the point I wondered if my eyeballs would burn away completely. Still, I endured it tightly.

Because the wolf’s size was shrinking to the point of annihilation. If not now, there would be no second chance.

Chiiiiik!

"Aaaa...."

Before long, the wolf shrank completely, its body melting down entirely.

Even the sword held in its hand melted away, signaling complete annihilation.

Just in case, I scorched the ground beneath as well, refusing to stop until every shadow vanished.

Chiiiiik....

Even the shadows on the ground disappeared, leaving only a barren wasteland.

I blinked my throbbing eyes several times and looked around.

Lackey was fine, and nothing particular caught my eye.

"Now it’s over...."

Hwiririk!

Just as I was about to think it was over, pitch-black shadows erupted from the ground.

Because it caught me off guard while at ease, I couldn’t stop the shadow from grabbing my arms.

’Is it not over yet?’

Seeing shadows laid out on the ground, I had wondered.

So I hurriedly scorched it with Eye Lantern, but I was already standing atop a bed of shadows.

"Lackey...!"

I tried calling Lackey urgently, but there was something far more important.

Right behind Lackey. The shadow wolf I thought I had definitely slain was slowly forming anew.

"Master! Did you defeat it?!"

"Shut up and look behind you!"

As if I wasn’t anxious enough, Lackey went and raised a death flag.

But the rising shadow wolves weren’t just one.

Shadow wolves formed in front, behind, left, and right, centered around Lackey.

"Th-This is...!"

"Kuaaa!"

Lackey hurriedly tried to cast a spell, but it was too late.

A wolf lunged and engulfed Lackey. Though weakened by Light magic, numbers rendered it meaningless.

Unable to even unleash a spell, Lackey was consumed by shadows. I strained my eyes with power.

Intending to save Lackey no matter what. But the shadow wolf’s learning ability was the problem.

Cheolseok!

"Kuuuk!"

It went straight for my eyes first, forcing my eyelids shut.

My legs were already completely swallowed, and I had no sensation up to my lower abdomen.

Just when I wondered if it was ending helplessly like this, a single thought struck me.

’Right. The sky. Clearly the sky....’

The zone that had been pitch-black despite the blazing sunlight.

Since I had felt something strange more than once or twice, it was worth gambling on.

I had postponed it because I wasn’t certain, but now beggars couldn’t be choosers.

’Bow. And arrow.’

I swapped weapons instantly. Thanks to steady practice, I could swap in under a second.

Then I aimed toward the sky. At that, the shadows’ reaction turned suspicious.

While they acted as if to kill me slowly just moments ago, now they were practically clinging to me in desperation.

Grabbing my arm to somehow prevent me from launching the arrow, but....

Paaang!!!

Too late. Covering my eyes meant nothing.

As long as the ’sky’ itself was the target, hitting it blindfolded was child’s play.

Swiiiiiiing!!!

The arrow imbued with my Aura surged high into the sky.

Because my eyes were covered, I couldn’t confirm clearly.

Still.

Kwajik!

The sound of striking the target squarely and causing a crack.

Kwajibijik!

The sign of that crack worsening violently.

Kwajangchang!

Along with the sound of something shattering to pieces unable to withstand the fracture.

Hwaaak!

Blinding sunlight greeted us.