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[Chapter 173]
[The Last Nightmare (3)]
Night fell.
Caesar Hopper made other armies its own and invaded Gangbuk.
Eat.
With Ye-gyeong subjugated.
Though it's said only itself remains as the last army commander.
Caesar Hopper didn't want to leave Gangbuk and return to a life struggling with hunger.
The fate of Hopper-type monsters.
They had to live endlessly devouring things like a hungry ghost.
In that sense, Gangbuk where countless people could be eaten as the Cocoon collapsed was attractive to them.
Eat, devour endlessly.
Do not fear.
Caesar Hopper encouraged the army.
Even so, most Hopper-type monsters didn't have reason.
The rest of the army was the same.
The army simply faithfully carried out Caesar Hopper's orders according to monster habits, as it was of a different class from themselves.
Thus─
─Buzz buzz buzz buzz
Kieeek
Grrrr
Caesar Hopper's army appearing in Gangbuk's skies moved to devour tonight too.
...Strange.
Then Caesar Hopper expressed doubt.
It was especially quiet compared to before.
Humans resisting to survive weren't visible at all.
Though Players showed resistance defending the frontlines, frontlines were meaningless to those freely roaming the skies.
They just had to raid the city to seek food and further catch and eat humans.
It was then─
─This is...
The army shook violently.
Caesar Hopper smelled it too.
As it gradually lowered altitude, a faint smell was carried on the wind.
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!
A sweet smell.
Smell stores memories.
Caesar Hopper's army recalled some intense memory through the smell.
They unconsciously began flying towards the direction the smell was coming from, as if led by memory.
Then monsters trying to send the army to various parts of Gangbuk to confuse humans couldn't make normal judgments.
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!
Those who smelled the sweet scent were reacting more strongly to instinct.
They even showed signs of ignoring Caesar Hopper's orders.
Soon they reached a place surrounded by fog.
That didn't matter.
Infiltrate.
Devour.
Meanwhile, some monsters left to raid Gangbuk on their own, escaping Caesar Hopper's control.
But Caesar Hopper commanded while leading its existing army.
Hopper-type monsters cheered.
They tried to jump into the fog to find food.
Eventually what they saw was─
─Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz!!
Food emitting a sweet smell was piled up like a mountain.
They flapped their wings violently.
In that moment, even their very small reason was paralyzed.
Caesar Hopper was the same.
Eat, devour!!
Devour without leaving anything!
Caesar Hopper lost reason too.
The army commander ordered like that.
Monsters with reins loosened went wild.
It was right then─
─Activate Cocoon!!
Such a sound was heard from somewhere.
Caesar Hopper flinched.
A presence suddenly appearing around.
A feeling of something pressing down on them.
No, a sensation of degradation.
It wasn't a simple illusion.
──!!
This is a trap.
Caesar Hopper who emerged from instinct feeling its rank falling tried to urgently control the army.
But monsters who tasted chocolate didn't obey the army commander's orders.
Furthermore─
─Burn it all!!
Pour in oil without sparing!
Whoosh.
A huge explosion occurred.
☆
The operation was successful.
Eun-ha asked people who could handle wind magic to let Caesar Hopper smell chocolate when it appeared.
The reason monsters follow the army commander is because the process of obeying when meeting a higher ranked opponent is programmed.
Then it's a matter of stimulating their desires and changing the priority to desire.
No matter how much they follow the army commander, can they really overcome desire and instinct?
According to reports, it seemed monsters that weren't Hopper-type scattered and began invading various areas.
It was somewhat expected.
Players stationed in various areas will handle those mere remnants.
Demon Lamp
Meanwhile, Eun-ha received reports that Hopper-type monsters were approaching him and ordered Jung Ha-yang to activate the Demon Lamp.
Jung Ha-yang's internal mana was considerable.
When she rubbed the Demon Lamp, vast fog leaked from the lamp's mouth enough to envelop the Jongno-gu area.
The fog couldn't be thought of as magic from the outside.
A barrier that makes you lose sense of direction and prevents escape once trapped.
It was a measure to prevent Caesar Hopper's army from realizing the trap and escaping.
─They're coming.
Not long after.
A sound vibrating the air was heard.
Players hiding their presence outside the fog with Noh Eun-ah, Park Hye-rim, and Priscis Memory's power tensed.
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!
They entered straight into the fog without any suspicion.
Eun-ha and other Players smiled with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, snipers and rangers kept looking up at the night sky as if rummaging through it.
Navigators focused too.
Soon Eun-ha heard telepathy.
[I relay Sniper Bong Gu-rae's message. After checking, all Hopper-type monsters entered the fog, honey. ...Honey, your brain is so sexy? You're a total brain sexy man. ...This was... Telepathist Jin Seo-na.]
Hearing Jin Seo-na's telepathy that seemed somewhat self-deprecating.
Eun-ha chuckled.
Soon similar content telepathy from Kaede arrived through Ariel.
Jung Ha-yang reconfirmed too.
To this, Eun-ha asked the Mana Management Organization Control Bureau telepathist waiting nearby to relay a message.
"Please tell the Fairy to activate the Cocoon now." "Yes, just a moment."
Soon the Cocoon activated.
Those waiting outside the fog could see pure white light starting from Jongmyo's main hall illuminating the night sky.
""""...."""
Players naturally lowered their guard and looked up at the night sky.
The Cocoon's barrier melting into the night sky.
The reassurance of being under the Cocoon's protection boosted their morale.
It seemed they realized how precious the Cocoon taken for granted in daily life was now.
But they couldn't spend time like this.
"Ha-yang, tell people. Tell casters and supporters to pour magic that burns well into the fog."
"Okay, got it."
Whether higher or lower in age.
Whether more or less experienced.
All Players present followed Eun-ha's orders.
They carried out Eun-ha's orders.
Starting with Noh Eun-ah, casters and supporters who were preparing deployed magic to pour oil into the fog.
"Hunters, rangers, snipers, casters. Everyone who can use fire magic attack."
They would have been degraded in rank under the Cocoon's influence.
Of course, Eun-ha didn't greatly expect the creatures' rank degradation.
Though the probability of existence becoming uncertain was high when penetrating the Cocoon's barrier, existences like those naturally occurring inside the Cocoon weren't greatly affected.
However, he could expect the effect of trapping them with the Demon Lamp followed by the Cocoon, and lowering their activity.
Anyway, as Eun-ha intended, now the inside of the fog became a sea of fire.
"Eh... Pandora Clan Lord. What's the fun in this? I thought I'd fight those creatures directly..."
"Minimizing damage is important. If you want to fight that badly, jump into the fog and fight."
"Tch."
The sound of flames flaring up.
The sound of creatures screaming as they burn.
Various sounds were heard.
It was thanks to Jung Ha-yang adjusting the Demon Lamp to loosen the connection between outside and inside.
Thanks to that, they could even attack from outside to inside.
Eun-ha quietly smiled watching the flames visible beyond the fog.
On the other hand, Kang Hyeon-cheol had a displeased face.
He just snapped his fingers according to Eun-ha's signal.
"Why did you bring me if you're going to do this? If you're going to trap them and set fire, you should have brought other guys instead of me..."
"The Blaze Clan Lord came to mind first as the person who's best at trapping and setting fires."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"An insult."
"This guy really..."
"Instead of cursing, snap your fingers more and set fires. You probably couldn't even think of setting fire to Jongno-gu because you're afraid of the Fairy, but this is a great opportunity." "Huh? That's true. To think I can set fire to the Fairy's front yard...!"
Kang Hyeon-cheol was simple-minded.
Eun-ha let him set fires to his heart's content while watching inside the fog.
I can't let my guard down.
The opponent was Level 3.
His operation was actually a way to annihilate the army it led, but insufficient to actually kill the army commander.
Eun-ha didn't loosen the string of tension.
Sure enough─
"─Kyaaaah!! Army commander! The army commander is trying to come out!" """"...!!""""
A hole opened on one side of the fog.
They found a gap by risking their bodies.
Come to think of it, finding a gap was a very simple matter.
The direction attacks were coming from outside was an escape route after all.
So by sacrificing a considerable army and sticking close behind them, they could come out.
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!
Level 3 Caesar Hopper and its army finally revealed themselves from the flames.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha wasn't flustered.
Except for the army commander, those creatures were continuously exposed to fire magic anyway.
It won't be difficult to deal with.
Eun-ha stepped forward gripping Winter Blooming Coldly.
Kang Hyeon-cheol followed with a thud.
"Ha-yang, undo the Demon Lamp's magic. There's no need to trap them in the fog now that they've come out. Rather, we could get lost in the fog."
"Okay, got it."
"Yeah, this is how it should be. Let me fight a bit too. I've been wanting to swing my sword after just running for days."
"That's great. Take care of it."
"Aren't you going to fight?"
"The commander should remain. Ha-yang, have clan members participate in battle too."
Eun-ha decided to observe the situation.
This worked out well.
A Level 3 that's rarely seen.
The creature was considerably damaged too, and the army was neutralized.
With this many people attacking, killing it wasn't impossible.
In other words, it was an opportunity to achieve merit.
It was also an opportunity to face a high-rank monster that couldn't normally be met.
Eun-ha immediately deployed clan members who came along.
"Ugh! What are you doing suddenly appearing! This is my prey!"
"It's such an honor to fight alongside the Twelve Seats! I'll do my best!"
"What are you saying? Move! I said it's my prey!!"
The person who rejoiced first as soon as receiving Eun-ha's instructions was Choi Eun-hyuk.
Choi Eun-hyuk near Caesar Hopper gladly jumped in.
Of course, Choi Eun-hyuk's sword couldn't wound Caesar Hopper's armor.
There were situations where he was sent flying back, overwhelmed in a contest of strength.
Jelly Cube
Spirit Talisman
Then, Noh Eun-ah activated magic.
She caught Choi Eun-hyuk with protective magic that looked like blue jelly.
Soon she swung her fan to cast buffs on clan members jumping at Caesar Hopper.
"Hmph, you look ridiculous. Isn't it embarrassing to get attacked after rushing out so excitedly?"
"...You'll be like that soon too." "I won't be like that."
Choi Eun-hyuk who came out of the jelly.
Mok Min-ho approached and sneered.
Choi Eun-hyuk gripped his sword again with a blank face.
"You can't take that thing down alone. We need to join forces."
"You attack first. I'll fight by inflicting wounds on wounds you make. Frustratingly, I don't think I can break its armor with my strength alone."
"I should be able to break the armor with my strength. But we'll have to rely on your gift for the decisive blow. I'll draw its attention while inflicting wounds on its armor."
"...Alright. Then I'll look for weak points in the meantime."
The two grinned.
Soon they split left and right simultaneously without exchanging signals.
The Wall Breaker
Taking advantage of the gap while Kang Hyeon-cheol was facing it.
Mok Min-ho attacked Caesar Hopper.
It flinched at Mok Min-ho's presence and turned to block with its wrist.
─Crack
A crack formed in its armor.
Its armor was already at its limit due to fierce battle.
Mok Min-ho's attack became the trigger.
While it greatly flustered and retreated, Mok Min-ho smiled at the corners of his mouth.
Immediately─
─Sword Spirit Return
Crescent Moon Slash
Choi Eun-hyuk who suddenly appeared shattered its cracked arm.
"Hey! I said don't touch what's mine!?"
Caesar Hopper's arm fell off.
The Players who cut off its arm were two, Choi Eun-hyuk and Mok Min-ho.
The news spread quickly among those present.
Kang Hyeon-cheol fumed angrily.
☆
Including Kang Hyeon-cheol.
Pandora Clan members were excited.
Not just that.
Smiles spread on the faces of all Players participating in the operation.
Because it was an extremely easy environment to subjugate a Level 3 monster.
While doing so, if they took down a Level 3, they were guaranteed at least an Inheon grade medal when evaluating merits later.
Naturally an Inheon grade artifact too.
Eun-ha understood their hearts.
It's killing two birds with one stone, gaining experience facing a Level 3 and raising clan members' value.
Eun-ha instructed Jung Ha-yang too.
To not miss this opportunity and participate in battle.
She nodded too.
In the end, all Pandora Clan members participating in the operation except him ended up participating.
"But its vitality is tough. No matter how much firepower we pour in, it just staggers, showing no signs of falling..."
While quietly watching the battle.
Eun-ha muttered.
The army was almost all subjugated.
Information that the army was completely subjugated came in little by little from telepathists in various areas.
The problem was that the last army commander wasn't dying and was enduring.
It's natural since it's Level 3.
Eun-ha sank into thought.
Caesar Hopper's frightening points were swiftly flying around swinging its sword and powerful defense.
Its leg strength was amazing too.
Just before when it got angry and stomped the ground, an earthquake occurred and the ground split.
Even so─
─How will it handle being beaten by this many?
Noh Eun-ah, Park Hye-rim, Priscis Memory.
Starting with those three, supporters lowered Caesar Hopper's movement.
Besides this, they were lowering its abilities by adding various debuffs.
Casters were also pouring firepower from afar as they prepared.
Since it was trapped by the Cocoon, it was in a situation where it couldn't escape and had to face this scale.
Finally─
─There's no business like numbers.
Caesar Hopper fell to its knees.
Its wings were all burned and unable to fly.
As a result of Mok Min-ho and Choi Eun-hyuk working together to lower Caesar Hopper's health, it finally collapsed.
When Eun-ha thought that─
─Rip
The back of the creature lying on the ground split wide open.
A strange sound.
""""...."""
And something trying to come out through the split back.
People flinched.
They instinctively sensed danger and stepped back.
Eun-ha frowned.
It's metamorphosis.
This was also one of its characteristics.
Like an insect metamorphosing into an adult.
Caesar Hopper also metamorphoses to reach its complete adult form.
This was the fundamental reason it was called Level 3.
The creature coming out from inside─
─Can use magic too.
It spreads plague in all directions with its wing beats, causing infectious diseases.
A monster possessing dangers incomparable to the humanoid Caesar Hopper, like power, speed, and magic.
Come to think of it, Caesar Hopper's true body.
People who sensed danger were on guard.
But one person in particular laughed loudly seeing its metamorphosis.
"Yeah, that's it! Come on, get stronger! How can the battle be this boring?"
""""...."""
Amidst people's tension.
Only he excitedly encouraged Caesar Hopper's metamorphosis.
He was truly a battle maniac.
Crazy bastard.
Eun-ha clicked his tongue.
Then he took a step forward, dumbfounded.
It was like this in his previous life too.
"...Damage increased because they let Caesar Hopper become complete. Not only was it hard to take down, but it also took so much time just treating the epidemic afterwards."
It was due to the crazy squid's fighting spirit.
He and others present somehow waited for Caesar Hopper's growth.
Eun-ha who heard the story later was truly dumbfounded.
Why─
─Blast Cross
Wait for the enemy to get stronger.
Eun-ha thought it used a method of touching people's psyche to make them wait for it while metamorphosing.
But he who was observing from afar wasn't affected by its influence.
Maybe they lost objective judgment from being too immersed in battle.
Blast Cross
Once, then again.
While people were entranced by the flames on Caesar Hopper's body.
Eun-ha fired Blast Cross several times to finish it off before it completed metamorphosis.
Finally it disappeared.
Kang Hyeon-cheol trembled and─
"─Don't you have any romance!" "Is it okay for people to die because of romance?"
""""...."""
Kang Hyeon-cheol shouting at Eun-ha.
Eun-ha completely ignored him.
People looked at Eun-ha with somewhat dumbfounded faces.
Pandora Clan members were mixed among them too.
"No, why are you just watching it metamorphose?"
"Uh... Somehow it felt like we should...?"
"Whoever just spoke, come out." """"...!!""""
"I'll fix your mindset."
Someone among the clan members spoke.
Eun-ha's eyes flashed to find the culprit.
All clan members closed their mouths.
Players began quietly averting their eyes and leaving their spots.
"─Then does this mean all army commanders invading Gangbuk were taken down by the Pandora Clan Lord and clan members?"
"Huh, really... That
Thus the last nightmare ended, and day broke.