688
[Chapter 176]
[Baek Myeonsang (6)]
The commander-level monsters of Uijeongbu basically didn't leave the areas they had made their territory.
Perhaps the commanders had agreed not to invade each other's territories.
So Eunha was only paying attention to Gyesini's forces.
He never expected Ishimi to appear too.
Did Gyesini persuade it?
But Ishimi revealed its presence far away.
It was leading its forces southward towards Uijeongbu Station at a rapid pace.
Eunha had no choice.
While it might be possible to block Gyesini's forces and somehow escape Uijeongbu Station, there was no way they could handle Ishimi's forces too.
Moreover─.
"─2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock direction. Monsters are swarming from there. They're probably Baek Myeonsang's forces."
"Even though they must have realized their commander is dead, the fact that they're coming this way... It means those who've broken free of control have joined Gyesini or Ishimi's forces."
"It doesn't matter! We just need to burn them all!"
North, Ishimi's forces.
West, Gyesini's forces.
East, Baek Myeonsang's forces.
Monsters were swarming in.
What they experienced at the Uijeongbu Arts Center was nothing compared to this.
When so many forces were detected, they had to flee without looking back.
There are too many forces.
Gyesini's forces have already predicted our path and are holding our feet.
Eunha clicked his tongue.
Gyesini's forces were quickly catching up to them.
They were even waiting, having predicted their path.
Gyesini's ability to raise and control the dead was fully demonstrated in the urban area, showing excellent effect in tying down the group's feet.
Dead ones popping out from piles of building debris, or dead ones suddenly jumping down from buildings.
Those who couldn't feel pain kept appearing around them.
These aren't monsters.
They're not living beings either, so they revive even if killed.
This is really troublesome...!
Even crushing their heads didn't have much impact on them.
Cutting their chests was the same.
They moved without dying.
They were just puppets moving on Gyesini's orders.
So there was no choice but to detour or jump over the paths they were blocking.
"Don't waste mana on those guys. Attack their legs, not their heads or chests!"
Cut off their legs to prevent them from chasing.
In the end, Eunha had to change tactics.
He shouted to his companions.
After fighting the creatures a few times and grasping the situation, the companions followed Eunha's instructions.
When there were creatures blocking the path, Eunha and Kang Hyeonchul unleashed sword strikes to cut off their legs.
Whoosh!!
Fortunately, the dead were vulnerable to flames.
Kang Hyeonchul set fire to those who had fallen to the ground wriggling after their legs were cut off.
The path that had been blocking them suddenly became a barrier of flames obstructing the monsters' path.
Even so─.
─There are too many forces.
Ishimi's forces are moving south faster than expected.
The situation was still not good.
First, Gyesini's forces had achieved their goal to some extent.
While they tied down their feet even a little.
They bought time for Ishimi's forces, mainly composed of flying monsters, to arrive.
Eunha couldn't help but feel dismayed seeing the flying monsters passing over his head.
Soon after, the monsters flying ahead turned and flew towards Eunha.
Mana Crusher
He can't spare strength in killing.
He cuts off the wings of the flying monsters.
Eunha ran quickly, leaving behind the monsters that had fallen to the ground.
Right then, Ishimi following from behind spewed flames.
Just as the heat from the armored dragon's breath was heating up his back─.
"─Dragon's flame, huh. Delicious."
Kang Hyeonchul absorbed the flames.
He grinned after filling his stomach with Ishimi's flames.
That's a relief.
At least there's a way to counter Ishimi's attacks.
Eunha, who was about to block the flames with Buldak's power, could feel relieved.
But that was just blocking one of Ishimi's magics.
Ishimi's terror was its defense.
Its armor is so thick that most attacks don't work.
Of course, Platinum Cross might be different.
But they won't give the opportunity to deploy Platinum Cross.
It wasn't magic that could be easily used while fleeing from monsters in the first place.
Meanwhile─.
─It's Hoeryong Station.
After running, running, and running more, and running even more.
Finally, he could reach a distance where Hoeryong Station was visible.
Others also discovered Hoeryong Station and brightened their faces.
"We'll be fine once we pass Hoeryong Station. Once we pass there, they won't keep chasing us."
The starting point for the Mana Management Organization's plans to recapture Uijeongbu.
Monsters inhabiting Uijeongbu usually didn't try to go below Hoeryong Station.
The commanders even more so.
If they carelessly moved south below Hoeryong Station, they would be quite far from the territories they occupied.
Meow meow
Perhaps because of that, the creatures' movements became more fierce.
The dead crossed over nearby terrain with grotesque movements.
They persistently clung on, trying to obstruct Eunha and his companions' path.
Of course, they resisted fiercely too.
It was truly a war between people trying to go outside the boundary line of Hoeryong Station and monsters trying to pull them inside the boundary line.
Phantasmal Beast Transformation
Phoenix's Wings
Film Disposal
Blast Cross
The outcome of the war was Eunha's victory.
While Priscis Memory blocked the monsters' approach with protection magic.
He, who had flown up with wings of flame, unleashed Blast Cross towards the rushing forces.
Whoosh!
A barrier of fire rose in the monsters' path.
Except for the dead, the monsters' movements faltered.
There were no monsters that jumped into the fire to chase them.
Good, this will do.
From now on, gradually reduce speed, go down to Manwolsa and then spend the night and depart in the morning.
And so Eunha and his companions were finally able to pass Hoeryong Station.
They cheered in triumph.
But that was only for a moment.
─Kuooooo!!
Meow meow
When the barrier of fire disappeared.
They crossed over Hoeryong Station.
When Ishimi and Gyesini crossed the boundary line, the monsters naturally followed the commanders southward.
"What! What is this! Weren't those guys supposed to falter once we crossed Hoeryong Station!?"
"It seems they've taken a liking to us. I guess we must look delicious?"
Kang Hyeonchul cursed.
Priscis Memory didn't lose her smile even in this situation.
Meanwhile, Eunha clicked his tongue.
It seems they're absolutely determined not to let us go...
It was utterly disastrous.
It completely defied expectations.
Eunha could only feel dejected.
After a day passes, I'll become unable to fight properly due to
If that happens, we'll be caught by those guys, and that's the end.
Eunha looked up at the sky.
The sky was gradually darkening.
In 2-3 hours, it would be pitch black.
Night is coming soon.
It's becoming night when monsters grow even stronger.
The situation was worsening further.
"
"I do. It's called Extract, and if it were just me, I could move as far as France or Italy."
"...Dobong Station would be enough."
"No problem. But there's an issue. I've already left traces all over the world as I traveled, but you all haven't left any traces."
"What does that mean?"
"Simply put... My magic isn't just teleportation magic. It's magic that omits the process of moving, you could say. But the laws of the world are such that if there's a cause, there must be a result. If we create the result of moving to Dobong Station while omitting the time process, we'll have to return to where we are now at least once later to supplement the cause. By walking."
"...How long do we have to return?"
"Hmm, it's best to return within 24 hours of me using the magic. If we don't return within 24 hours, we'll receive a penalty."
"..."
"I'm fine since I'm free from such restrictions... But would that be okay for you all?"
"No, let's just run."
Finally, at the words that they'd have to return to Uijeongbu within 24 hours.
Eunha grunted and refused.
Then there was no choice.
We have no choice but to go down to Manwolsa Station and find a place to hide somewhere.
Should we go underground like the Uijeongbu Station residents did?
Damn it...
It was a situation that made him curse involuntarily.
Eunha whipped his legs that had been running non-stop since leaving Uijeongbu Station.
The others seemed to be reaching their limits too.
It was understandable.
Any more forced marching was impossible.
They inevitably had to take time to recover their strength at Manwolsa Station.
Finally, Manwolsa Station came into view.
"─Let's rest in the underground waterways or something. Hyung, when we enter Manwolsa Station, erase our presence as much as possible.
"Eunha... It doesn't seem like that will be necessary?"
"What?"
"It seems that way."
Night was falling.
There was no time left.
Eunha was giving instructions to people while running towards Manwolsa Station.
Then, Han Changjin interrupted him and spoke.
Priscis Memory also supported him.
It was incomprehensible.
When Eunha asked again─.
─Huh?
Eunha could finally see it too.
Far away, in front of Manwolsa Station, at a point where the intersection was visible.
Eunha found figures lined up on both sides.
It was hard to make out the figures' forms from so far away, but there was one noticeable figure.
Hair color reminiscent of blue hydrangeas, a refreshing color.
─Han Maeryu, Special Dish
Infinite Shower
At that moment, Eunha saw.
Suddenly, dozens of magic circles appeared in the air.
Magic that seemed reminiscent of Yekyung's magic.
The magic circles flashed.
Long, sharp ice spears flew at a terrifying speed.
Whoosh!!
As if hearing the sound of rain falling.
The ice that passed over Eunha's head pierced the bodies of the monsters chasing them.
Ice spears endlessly appeared from the magic circles, knocking down the flying monsters.
But the counterattack of the people waiting at Manwolsa Station didn't stop there.
The Lord said.
I will kill death.
Someone's prayer was heard.
It was a familiar voice.
Eunha, running towards Manwolsa Station, soon realized she was there too.
And─.
─Whoosh!!
Lee Iriya, who had been reciting the prayer, activated magic.
Pure white light spreading radially from her center struck Gyesini's forces.
The dead screamed.
Their bodies turned to mere ashes and vanished.
The purification magic had worked on them.
Finally─.
─Lightning
Lightning suddenly fell on Ishimi's head.
It roared as it was struck by lightning while flying to pounce on the group.
☆
There's a lot of resentment towards Ishimi.
A few years ago, Shilla Clan lost many clan members to Ishimi in Uijeongbu.
Twelve Seats
He remembered the time when he was still inexperienced.
Lightning
So when facing Ishimi.
Lee Dojin couldn't help the corners of his mouth rising.
It was crying after being struck by lightning.
The creature that hadn't been wounded at all when hit by his magic in the past was now crying.
However─.
─We shouldn't provoke it any further. We don't have the ability to face those forces with our numbers.
Even though his insides were boiling.
Lee Dojin forcibly maintained his composure.
He knew how to judge the situation.
Although they had gained the upper hand against the forces, it was only a temporary situation.
Once they regrouped, they wouldn't be able to overcome the sheer numbers.
So Lee Dojin sheathed his beloved sword, Mistletoe.
Kuooooo
He looked up at Ishimi.
It was looking down at him too.
Wrapped in electricity with a crackling sound.
Ishimi just looked down at Lee Dojin without attacking.
Kuooo...
Eventually, Ishimi turned its body.
With that, the forces changed direction.
"See you next time."
Watching the forces turning their backs.
Lee Dojin murmured softly.
Although it's just dealing one blow for now.
Next time we meet, I'll pierce your body.
I won't let you go like this then.
Lee Dojin watched the direction of Uijeongbu until it was out of sight.
Meanwhile─.
"─As expected of Dojin oppa... So cool. His stern face is the best."
Kim Minji, who had come to rescue Noh Eunha and Han Changjin, apparently forgot her task and was absorbed in looking at Lee Dojin's profile.
☆
The Pandora Clan came to rescue them.
Watching the forces retreat.
Eunha could grasp the situation.
He couldn't help but smile.
Everyone... They came all the way here because they were worried about us.
Seeing that
Jeong Hayang, Ryu Yeonhwa, Kim Minji, Jin Parang, Bae Subin, Choi Eunhyuk, and so on.
Eunha smiled brightly seeing them.
They were smiling seeing Eunha too.
Right at that moment─.
"─Noh Eunha! Han Changjin!"
Just as he was about to have an emotional reunion with his clan members.
Noh Euna pushed past the clan members and burst forward, fuming.
"S-sis?"
"E-Euna?"
"Are you smiling right now?"
She was thoroughly angry.
With each step she took, her emotions were revealed.
The joy was brief.
Eunha and Han Changjin could only stiffen their faces seeing Euna.
"Sis, this is how it happened..."
"Yes, Euna. Calm down and listen to what we have to say. Here..."
"Didn't I tell you not to make me worry? Did I or didn't I?"
""..."
They tried to persuade Euna while slowly backing away.
But persuasion was utterly useless.
Noh Euna's eyes were saying.
That she absolutely wouldn't listen no matter what they said.
The two were at a loss for words.
We're dead...
At that moment, they could share the same thought for the first time.
Since they couldn't back away any further, they had to just watch Euna approach.
Finally, Euna came close enough that she could hit Eunha and Han Changjin if she wanted to.
"Noh Eunha, Han Changjin."
""Yes.""
She called their names.
The two responded while standing at attention.
Then they tightly closed their eyes.
The atmosphere was such that it seemed a fist might fly at any moment.
But─.
"─Please, I told you not to make me worry."
Contrary to the two's expectations.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she suddenly hugged the two and burst into tears.
"...I'm so glad you're safe."
While the two were frozen.
Noh Euna said, sobbing.