Chapter 78: Sudden Attack
[Your achievements will be recorded.]
[Amazing achievement! Many gods are paying attention to you!]
[You have achieved 321,000 points.]
[You have received 321,000 points.]
[Your Health Point has increased by 11,100.]
[Your mana has increased by 21,000.]
[Your Strength has increased by 10.]
[Your Agility has increased by 10.]
[Your Intelligence has increased by 25.]
[Your Dominance has increased by 20.]
[Your Divinity has increased by 5.]
[You have acquired a Pocket of Luck.]
The message window appeared in front of Lee Shin, and Lee Shin looked at the Pocket of Luck that appeared in his hands.
[Pocket of Luck]
Luck is embedded in this pocket. Perhaps you will find things that you need when you open the pocket.
# It depends on the user’s luck.
Luck Stat was not something that could be easily obtained, therefore Lee Shin immediately opened the pocket.
[You have acquired BG - 282.]
[BG - 282]
This is a Subspace Pocket created by the space-time wizard named Vuegen during his early stages of research on subspaces.
# Dimensional energy capacity: 1,000
Inside the pocket was a small, light, pure white pocket. However, it seemed like this pocket could hold many objects inside.
The subspace could use the gap it had created within the 4-dimensional space to set coordinates, and each dimension could accommodate a different amount of energy inside.
‘If it's 1,000, it won't be enough for a Titan.’
It was unfortunate, but all the items that Lee Shin had as of now could fit into this pocket.
After Lee Shin had put all the items he was carrying into the pocket, he went to the Pope who had died in front of him.
Woosh!?
Lee Shin pulled out the sword that was stuck in the Pope's chest and threw it to the ground, feeling disappointed. Those who handled divine power could not be turned into an undead. Although the Pope, who had already transformed into a demon, could become an undead, but the Pope lacked the power to be useful enough in combat.
The Pope, who had lost his ability to use divine power, was not much of a help; but what was more disappointing to Lee Shin was the Saint, because someone who had that much of a potential as a human, would have huge potential in terms of combat power as a member of the undead.
‘Well, there’s nothing I can do.’
Lee Shin thought of using their corpses as materials for reinforcement. Besides, the church grounds were brimming with corpses. It was time for Lee Shin to think about how to increase his combat power.
***
The green zone of Isocia was a region that could only be accessed by people who possessed the Green Pattern, or a Pattern more superior. To eliminate the demon realm that was outside of the Ederta Castle, Kim Kang-Chun, Kang Ji-Hoon, Ji Eun-Ju, and Shin Ha-Neul had entered the demon realm with soldiers.
Swoosh—! Thud!
The neck of the demon that was guarding the nucleus of the demon realm fell, and Kim Kang-Chun’s sword pierced the core of the nucleus.
[The nucleus of the demon realm has been destroyed.]
[Your merit points are being calculated.]
[The top two challengers will obtain the 『Blue Pattern』.]
First. Kim Kang-Chun - 38,100 points.
Second. Shin Ha-Neul - 32,900 points.
[You have acquired the 『Blue Pattern』.]
The Patterns that had been engraved on Kim Kang-Chun and Shin Ha-Neul’s bodies changed from green to blue.
[Blue Pattern]
You have acquired the qualification to go to the blue zone.
# The Health Point and Mana increases by 17%.
# The overall stats increase by 26%.
The increase in stat points, thanks to the Pattern, were like drugs to the challengers. The difference in power was clearly felt as the level of the Pattern increased. Every time the challengers swung their fists in the air, a sound of air bursting could be heard.
“Yeah man, this is the power of the Pattern.”
“Finally, I can go to the blue zone.”
[The demon realm has disappeared.]
The demon realm that had once surrounded the challengers disappeared, revealing a blue sky and a forest around them.
“The enemy’s movements are kind of strange, so we should quickly get back to the Ederta Castle,” Kim Kang-Chun said.
Kim Kang-Chun could feel a sense of unease for some reason, and he got goosebumps.
The area where these challengers were standing was a place where the enemies had no choice but to expose themselves if they wanted to attack. There were no dangerous monsters nearby, and since the challengers had already eliminated the demon realm, there was no reason for them to feel this way.
“We had quite a few injuries among the knights while breaking through the demon realm this time. Why did we have to move so urgently?” Kang Ji-Hoon asked.
Kang Ji-Hoon had not been able to understand, but since he had no way to keep questioning while inside the demon realm, he decided to ask that right now.
"Well, at least there were no fatalities, so that's a relief," said Ji Eun-Ju.
“Eun-Ju, that’s not what’s important right now—”
Kang Ji-Hoon was interrupted by an arrow which flew towards the challengers.
Swoosh—!
Kim Kang-Chun’s expression quickly hardened as he saw the arrow stuck into the ground.
“Run away, everyone!” Kim Kang-Chun shouted.
Babababaam!
The arrow exploded, and an inferno rapidly spread, sweeping across the area. Thanks to Kim Kang-Chun’s quick reaction, most of the challengers were able to go into a defensive posture and avoid the blast. However, the sudden attack was not over.
Zing—
A faintly visible arrow was aimed at Ji Eun-Ju, but it was blocked by Kim Kang-Chun’s greatsword.
Thud!
Kim Kang-Chun's hand tingled from the strong force of the arrow.
Crack—
Frost quickly appeared on Kim Kang-Chun’s greatsword.
Kim Kang-Chun clenched his teeth. Upon hearing the screams of the knights, Kim Kang-Chun confirmed the direction where the arrow had come from. A woman emerged from the shadowy forest. As she raised her hand with a cold expression, dozens of challengers appeared around her.
‘How on earth is that possible…?’
Kim Kang-Chun and his group members could not understand what was going on right now. They could not believe that those people had managed to deceive their group and come all the way here.
“We have caught four big ones,” said the woman.
“How did you get here?” Kim Kang-Chun asked, looking at the woman.
When Kim Kang-Chun asked, the woman shrugged and replied with a smirk.
“Why do you care if you’re going to die soon anyway? Kill them all!” The woman ordered.
The Patterns emitted light over the challengers, and Kim Kang-Chun and
his group members’ expressions stiffened when they noticed the green light that was slowly surrounding them.
***
Thousands of enemy troops could be seen beyond the Ederta fortress walls.
“How did the enemy manage to get there?” Jake, the president of the Privy Council, asked Aemon to get a grasp of the situation.
Aemon, the chief wizard, stiffened at the sight of the enemy’s forces in the distance.
“...There was a large teleportation reaction just a moment ago,” Jake continued.
“Is that even possible? Does that mean they broke through the coordinate blocking network and teleported such a large force here? Do they have some kind of Great Wizard on their side?” Aemon asked.
Even Aemon seemed like he was confused. He thought it was impossible for the enemies to suddenly appear here, because this was not the front lines, but the rear end.
“I think there might be a traitor,” said Aemon.
“Ha… do you have any suspects?” Jake asked, looking at Aemon.
“A few are suspects based on the situation, but it's still difficult to draw a conclusion,” Aemon replied.
Jake grabbed his throbbing head and wondered how to resolve this situation.
“Any chance of reinforcements?” Jake asked Aemon.
“To be honest… there is none…” Aemon replied.
“Don’t you have the Qualified?” Jake asked Aemon once again.
“Considering the current situation, I think those Qualified would also be in danger. Assuming that there’s a traitor, the enemies might have also gone after them,” Aemon replied, looking at Jake.
“How long can we hold out with the deflector shield?” Jake asked.
“Well, an hour? I think it will be difficult to hold it any longer,” Aemon replied.
“Just an hour? What do you mean?” Jake was surprised to hear that.
“There’s a wave wizard among the enemies,” Aemon explained.
Jake gave a look of surprise at Aemon’s words and turned to look at the incoming enemies once again.
“Isn’t he the Qualified with the Navy Pattern?” Jake asked Aemon.
“Yes, that’s right,” Aemon replied.
“Damn it! Did they have the resources to send a wave wizard all the way here?” Jake shouted in frustration.
“We don’t have much time left. You need to escape through the secret passage,” Aemon suggested to Jake.
Jake, the president of the Privy Council, was one of the key figures in Merteng. Jake’s death here would be too great of a blow to the country. Therefore, Jake had to be kept safe at all costs.
“Okay, I will,” Jake replied to Aemon.
“Take this with you,” said Aemon, looking at Jake.
Aemon took out a notebook from his pocket and unlocked the encryption spell with his mana before handing it over to Jake.
“What is this?” Jake asked Aemon with a curious look.
“This is the information on the suspected traitors. You need to locate them,” Aemon asked Jake.
“...” Jake could not say anything for a moment.
Jake, who received the notebook, saw Aemon’s determined look.
“Isn’t it possible for the deflector shield to defend by itself?” Jake asked Aemon.
“If that’s the case, the shield will be breached within 5 minutes,” Aemon replied to Jake’s question.
“I’m sorry,” said Jake, looking at Aemon.
Jake had to keep his face from revealing too much. Jake had always got annoyed at his own incompetence in situations like this.
“Please do your best to come back alive,” Aemon said, looking at Jake.
“I will try my best,” Jake replied.
Jake clenched his teeth and left the magic tower. Aemon’s gaze settled calmly upon the monitor. Aemon could see their enemies. He put his hand over the deflector shield generator and infused it with mana.
“Bring it on. I’ll block everything,” Aemon muttered with glaring eyes.
***
Ha… ha… ha…
The panting sounds echoed, and all thirty of the knights who had come with the challengers had died, except for five of them.
Kim Kang-Chun, Shin Ha-Neul, and Kang Ji-Hoon were all covered in blood and dirt, and all the artifacts that Ji Eun-Ju had been carrying were completely broken and unrecognizable. In short, they were a mess.
“We can’t go into the castle! We have to go south,” Kim Kang-Chun suggested.
“No man, we might all die before we even get there,” Kang Ji-Hoon rebutted Kang-Chun.
“There’s no other way though. The president of the privy council and minister of defense are in the castle right now. They will probably escape through the secret passage,” said Kim Kang-Chun.
“Wouldn’t it be safer to stay inside the castle?” Kang Ji-Hoon asked.
“Judging by their current situation, it does not seem like it,” Kim Kang-Chun replied.
Kang Ji-Hoon clicked his tongue at the relentless enemy siege in the distance. The deflector shield of the Ederta Castle was shaking wildly.
“I can’t believe a wave wizard has arrived. Have they given up on the other sieges?” Kang Ji-Hoon asked.
“Looking at the situation, I think the chief wizard is probably the one controlling the deflector shield,” Kim Kang-Chun replied.
Even as the challengers ran about frantically, they all continued to search for the best solution. The enemies had been chasing them like crazy, and the castle seemed like it would collapse at any moment.
‘If we can just deal with that wave wizard, we can significantly extend the time it takes for the Ederta Castle to fall.’
Kim Kang-Chun quickly came up with a plan on the spot.
“Eun-Ju and I, and the two of you with all the knights, we will split up like this,” said Kim Kang-Chun.
“Huh? Why? Where are you two going?” Kang Ji-Hoon asked.
“It seems like it would be better for us to split up and disperse the enemy’s siege. If we keep going like this, all the wizards in Ederta will all die,” Kim Kang-Chun replied.
“Are you trying to go after the wave wizard or something? No way! That’s too dangerous,” Shin Ha-Neul protested.
“I have no other choice. This is the best option that we have right now,” replied Kim Kang-Chun.
Despite Shin Ha-Neul’s protests, Kim Kang-Chun was determined to go after the wave wizard.
“We don’t have much time, so you guys just keep heading south and try to shake off as many enemies as possible. Eun-Ju and I will go after the wave wizard,” Kim Kang-Chun instructed his team members.
“Do you think we will be alright?” Ji Eun-Ju asked Kim Kang-Chun, her voice was filled with concern.
“Well, it’s a bit risky, but I think we can manage it,” Kim Kang-Chun reassured Ji Eun-Ju.
From the moment Kim Kang-Chun and his team arrived on the Isocia continent, they had never had an easy time. Their path was always filled with enemies, but the team had always managed to overcome the odds. They had come this far. Kim Kang-Chun believed that they could do it again this time.
“We will go together like this, and when we reach the fork in the road, we will split up,” Kim Kang-Chun said.
“Okay,” another member of his team replied.
The challengers who were chasing after Kim Kang-Chun’s group sent signals to each other calmly after seeing them split up in opposite directions at the fork in the road.
“We’re splitting up here too,” said the leader of the rival team.
One team followed Kim Kang-Chun and Ji Eun-Ju, while the others headed toward Shin Ha-Neul and Kang Ji-Hoon.
"Eun-Ju, listen carefully. Don't let them know our intentions. We'll try to narrow the distance with the wave wizard and the troops while making it seem like we’re trying to escape from other teams. The wave wizard will cast a large-scale spell to break the deflector shield for sure. And at that point, we'll charge and make a sudden attack,” Kim Kang-Chun explained.
“Alright,” Ji Eun-Ju replied with a worried look.
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” Kim Kang-Chun reassured her.
Although Ji Eun-Ju nodded her head at Kim Kang-Chun’s words, she could not help feeling anxious.
Wooong— Bam!
The onslaught by the rival challengers decreased in intensity. It was definitely easier for them to handle the attackers when fewer people were chasing them.
‘Great!’
The wave wizard was casting spells from behind the enemy lines. Although there were soldiers protecting her, it was not a problem for Kim Kang-Chun to break through as long as the wave wizard was busy doing other things.
At that moment, a huge mana wave could be felt from where the wave wizard was. At the same time, Kim Kang-Chun and Ji Eun-Ju’s eyes met.
‘Right now!’
Kim Kang-Chun and Ji Eun-Ju immediately turned and ran toward the wave wizard. Those who realized their intention called for help to block them, but it was already too late as Kim Kang-Chun and Ji Eun-Ju were one step ahead.
“Ji Eun-Ju!” Kim Kang-Chun shouted.
The distance between both of them and the enemy troops was so close that the enemy's spear could reach them at any moment. The ground rose from under Kim Kang-Chun’s feet. The soldiers guarding the wave wizard swung their swords at Kim Kang-Chun, but Ji Eun-Ju’s persistent spell was able to stop them.
At that moment, Kim Kang-Chun’s sword, imbued with mana, swung toward the wave wizard.
“Keugh!” The wave wizard groaned in pain.
Having just cast a large-scale spell, the wave wizard was one step slower to unfold her magic. When Kim Kang-Chun’s sword and her wave collided, the explosion billowed out for a long time, and another slash of the sword came at her and sent yet another explosion.
Kim Kang-Chun, who was determined to take her life, narrowed his eyes at the flow of mana that he sensed from her. The way the opponent tried to deal with this situation was much better than he had expected.
Kim Kang-Chun had no choice but to retreat because of the enemy's persistent counterattacks. Kim Kang-Chun desperately looked at Eun-Ju as he was being overwhelmed by the enemy's offensive. They had decided earlier that if he could not finish the battle, Ji Eun-Ju would.
‘Damn it!’
However, Kim Kang-Chun saw the faltering look in Ji Eun-Ju’s eyes. Once again, she was hesitating to kill a person. Kim Kang-Chun, who thought that she would not be able to deal the finishing blow, gritted his teeth and rushed toward the enemy.
The wave wizard fell to the ground, and the hat and the large robe that had covered her face made way to reveal her appearance. She did not even look like an adult. It seemed like the face of a high school student.
‘Was this why?’
Although killing a child was not something that Kim Kang-Chun wanted to do, this was a world where if you did not kill, you would be killed. Moreover, the culprit who contributed to the deaths of thousands of people in Merteng was this young wave wizard.
Kim Kang-Chun could not imagine how many more victims would arise if he did not kill her now.
‘I’m sorry.’
Finally, pushing aside the knights and challengers, Kim Kang-Chun approached the fallen girl and swung his sword.
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