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[Chapter 198]
[Goeshini (2)]
In the previous regression, the Hydrangea Party achieved the merit of subjugating Goeshini.
However, the Hydrangea Party's merit was not originally planned in the operation.
[This is navigator Yoon I-byeol's message. Current time 3:23 PM, Goeshini has entered Phase 2. An unexpected situation occurred during the operation, and we ended up allowing Goeshini to escape. I'm truly sorry. Goeshini is currently moving towards Uijeongbu Station...]
At the time, the unit in charge of subjugating Goeshini was the unit On Tae-yang's party belonged to.
But they ended up allowing Goeshini to escape during subjugation.
This was because Goeshini showed power different from the information and threw them into confusion.
"...Phase 2?"
At that time, Eun-ha who was at Uijeongbu Station frowned hearing the telepathy.
The Hydrangea Party players who received activity restriction disciplinary action as Bae Subin caused a civilian massacre were the same.
The Second Phase.
It wasn't an unfamiliar term.
They had also heard about Phase 2 in passing at the academy.
But they had only heard it 'in passing' literally.
So it felt unfamiliar.
"Twin navigators. Is there a possibility the news that just came in is wrong?"
"There is a possibility it's wrong. Since phase distinction is quite ambiguous,
"Oh my, phase sounds sexy. If you mispronounce that it becomes..."
"Hey, what's Phase 2? Anyway, doesn't this mean Goeshini is coming this way? I was bored since they told us to standby, so this is great!"
Phase 2 simply meant a monster transforming into a different being after receiving a certain amount of damage or according to conditions.
In the past, when the 3rd rank monster Caesar Hopper transformed, it could also be called Phase 2.
At this time, if the transformed monster's danger exceeded the existing rank significantly, or if it maintained that state continuously, the rank would be elevated.
"Anyway, this isn't the time to be doing this! Everyone prepare for battle! This is the opportunity that will determine whether we keep standing by in the recapture war or not!"
"Well, we can't just sit still and watch others establish merits. I don't want to see that and get a stomachache. First I'll check Goeshini's state with my gift..."
「Since we're an independent unit, we can fight as we please, right?」
"If it's a cat... we should burn it to death. But these On Tae-yang party guys, how could they not handle one thing properly? Do they only have flower gardens in their heads?"
"Still, don't look down on it too much. Even if it's a small cat, it's evaluated as a 3rd rank over-rank. We shouldn't underestimate the opponent carelessly."
Lee Yu-jeong, Twenty-Five, Son Ga-yeon, Bae Subin, Seon Gi-jun, etc.
People who belonged to the Hydrangea Party greatly welcomed being able to defeat Goeshini.
Eun-ha was no different.
He decided to make full use of the opportunity created by On Tae-yang's party.
"─Everyone prepare for battle. Yu-jeong, prepare to deploy wide-area purification magic while being protected by Gi-jun ahjussi in the back."
Just as Bae Subin gained the alias
Lee Yu-jeong will establish the greatest merit in subjugating Goeshini and widely spread her alias
As a side note, the Hydrangea Party revealed the fact that Goeshini transforms up to Phase 4.
[─This is Jin Parang of the Hydrangea Party! The Hydrangea Party's No Eun-ha and I, Jin Parang, subjugated Goeshini! I'll say it again so listen carefully! Jin Parang of the Hydrangea Party subjugated Goeshini! This was Jin Parang.]
If Lee Yu-jeong hadn't been able to subjugate Goeshini.
Perhaps Goeshini would have been judged as 2nd rank and caused serious damage to the recapture force.
☆
Goeshini was detected near Heungseon Plaza intersection.
Eun-ha led the 2nd Supply Platoon members and immediately headed towards Goeshini.
[I'm relaying ranger Hoshimiya Kaede's message. Goeshini discovered. In 1 minute, it will be within visual range of the recapture force! This was telepathist Kim Meri!]
"Ha-yang, what do you think?"
"I'm concerned that it's at an intersection. Since the surroundings are wide open, if monsters swarm from each road we're likely to be surrounded. And Goeshini has the power to control the dead, right?"
"Meaning it can instantly fill the surroundings with dead beings."
Heungseon Plaza where 5 roads intersect.
Goeshini was in the center.
It was in a position suitable to be attacked from five directions.
The situation seemed to be luring the recapture force.
A situation that might seem advantageous to the recapture force at first glance could be reversed at any time considering Goeshini's abilities.
The moment they surround Goeshini, Goeshini could raise the dead and surround them.
Eun-ha agreed with Jeong Ha-yang's judgment.
Soon he told Jin Seo-na.
"Seo-na, relay to platoon members. Tell platoon members in the back to separate and take on the role of securing Uijeongbu-ro we're running on now, out of concern for being surrounded by Goeshini."
"Okay, got it. I'll relay that."
"And Riel, relay to Eun-ah unnie, Eun-woo, Riya unnie, Woobi unnie and supporters in front. There's a high possibility Goeshini will summon dead beings around when we reveal ourselves. So ask them to deploy purification magic timed with when Goeshini activates its ability!"
"Okay! I'll relay it right away!"
To make this operation successful.
Pandora Clan devoted their efforts to subjugating Goeshini.
While Jeong Ha-yang searched for information related to Goeshini in the Player Library, other clan members put their heads together on how to deal with Goeshini.
Fortunately, fighting Sindorim provided a lot of reference for how to respond to it.
The power to control the dead.
The difference was that in Sindorim's case, he stimulated memories and emotions to create ghouls that felt as if they were really alive.
In Goeshini's case, it created ghouls by summoning beings remembered by mana dissolved in the atmosphere.
If he had to compare, Eun-ha rated
Goeshini's power was simply advantageous for dealing with large armies in comparison.
Of course, Goeshini's true power was─
Just then, Eun-ha woke from his thoughts hearing voices.
"─Okay, good! Kitty's coordinates confirmed! It's in visual range, I'm sending to unnie and Ha-yang Lord!"
"Kitty coordinates registered in library! Notifying all platoon members of real-time location!"
"I'll register Goeshini's biosignals in the witch's model garden! Min-ji, Ga-yeon, Tae-hee, Gu-rae, Si-hyeong and other Pandora Clan guardians and snipers standby in the rear from now! Gu-rae, command Pandora Clan snipers to snipe the target when you receive the signal! Seo-na!"
"...I'm relaying it now."
"Please relay to the 2nd Supply Platoon! Tell casters and supporters to keep purification magic in casting state until the signal is given!"
Goeshini was coming into view of the 2nd Supply Platoon too.
Then Jeong Ha-yang quickly relayed and slowed her pace along with some people.
Naturally, a formation was created with all dealers and hunters running in the lead.
Soon Jeong Ha-yang expanded the small witch's model garden she had deployed and turned it into a strategy base.
Navigators stuck close to her, and telepathists acted as messengers for the navigators they were in charge of.
Clack!
At the same time, snipers used equipment to climb to rooftops along building exteriors.
Snipers took positions maintaining a certain distance and adjusted scopes on Heungseon Plaza.
Meanwhile, people assigned as attackers with Eun-ha approached Goeshini.
Goeshini discovered them coming without concealing their presence too.
Their eyes met.
Nyaa nyaa
It wags its tail.
As if it had been waiting for this moment, it spreads single wings from its back.
Eun-ha instructed Jin Parang.
"Parang hyung! Contact Kaede immediately and tell her to participate in battle!"
[Got it!]
Goeshini's surroundings start to be covered in dark, turbid mana.
Goeshini's trait that even Hamper Wave couldn't do anything about.
Eun-ha manifested internal mana.
Meteor Shower
The first to move was Kaede.
Kaede who was assigned to the search team shot arrows from somewhere.
The light beams falling around it were like signal flares.
People simultaneously activated magic.
Phantom Transformation
Phoenix's Cloak
Blast Cross
Eun-ha swung his sword with all his might.
Blazing flames flew towards Goeshini at rapid speed.
Goeshini expanded its single wings to defend against the flames.
But ghouls that had just taken form fell into a sea of fire.
That wasn't the end.
Magic unleashed by dealers and hunters following swallowed the ghouls.
Nyaa nyaa
Nevertheless, Goeshini cried out unconcerned.
Ghouls don't die.
They don't feel pain either.
They are just moving corpses created by magic.
The players' attacks only prevented ghouls from moving dynamically, and stopped them from mixing among players and disrupting formations.
Furthermore─
─Nyaa nyaa
Goeshini's trait wasn't over.
It stretched its neck wagging its tail in the sea of fire.
As if mocking the number of ghouls that disappeared turning to ashes in the flames, even more ghouls were created.
Not just that.
─Kieeeeeeek!!!
Monsters were swarming.
Those that had been waiting for orders at a distance without being detected by players were rushing in from all directions.
A situation was created where players who approached to attack Goeshini were being surrounded.
But everyone─
─The Lord said,
I will kill death.
Butterfly's Blessing
Sacred Photon
Gift
One More Time
Copycat's Mirror
Good Night, Good Morning
Everything was within expected range.
There was solid backup.
Players rushed at the ghouls without hesitation.
And faster than them, magic activated by supporters in the rear raced along the ground.
Green, blue, white, yellow, etc.
As light that calms mind and body spread, it dyed the bodies of ghouls that set foot on the ground.
The moment ghouls lift their feet from the ground, their bodies crumble becoming mana particles.
Nyaa nyaa!
Only then did Goeshini show a flustered appearance.
When ghouls filling the surroundings suddenly vanished futilely, the startled being tried to send out new ghouls.
Right then─
─Cold Rain Technique Ultimate
Snow Dragon
While Eun-ha raised flames to clear monsters to the sides.
Ryu Yeon-hwa rushed out.
She charged at Goeshini wearing a dragon covered in snow flowers.
──!!
Goeshini couldn't react.
Faster than it could take flight.
The snow dragon that surged vertically from the ground opened its huge maw and swallowed it.
At that moment, a silver spear flashed.
Ryu Yeon-hwa who undid the snow dragon's armor stabbed Goeshini.
She swung the spear shaft and slammed it to the ground.
─Cold Rain Technique Ultimate
Dragon's Reverse Scale
Immediately after, she activated magic on the snow dragon fragments scattered in the air.
Finely shattered snow flowers.
Snow flowers forged like dragon scales rushed towards Goeshini falling to the ground.
It didn't stop there─
Diamond Blast
Flash Rain
And
The two who were matching timing unleashed mana condensed in their devices in one breath.
When Mok Min-ho traced a trajectory, slashes with strong cutting power continuously poured out from the trajectory.
Meanwhile, Choi Eun-hyeok's sword only flashed light.
That was brief.
This time the sky suddenly flashed, and thin beams of light poured down like heavy rain.
Plucking Stars
By then Ryu Yeon-hwa grasped the trajectory of an arrow passing before her eyes with her hand.
She who landed on the opposite building exterior prepared for the next attack.
And when Mok Min-ho and Choi Eun-hyeok withdrew, she immediately dove in to fill the gap.
Lock On
Heat Beam
There was no threat from ghouls.
Supporters and casters were dealing with them.
There was no threat from monsters either.
Rangers and snipers were providing cover.
So all dealers and hunters had to do was face Goeshini.
Heavenly Net
Goeshini couldn't do anything.
Players never gave it a chance to attack.
Players divided into groups of 3 in advance were performing roles where one group attacks, another prepares magic, and the third provides overall cover.
There were no gaps.
In that situation, Han Chang-jin succeeded in sealing Goeshini's movements.
Nyaaaa!!
A net of mana spread on the ground where Goeshini was standing.
Han Chang-jin pulled hard on the threads entangled on his fingers.
Goeshini tried to exert force to tear the net.
It dripped poison from its huge single wing.
Heavenly Step
Tyrant Paddock
Yu Nam-hoon immediately stomped the ground.
He blocked the poison trying to spray on Han Chang-jin with his own body.
Then he threw the giant toad's poison towards the bound Goeshini.
Goeshini screamed.
And─
[─All of 1st team bombard.]
Receiving Jeong Ha-yang's signal.
Jin Seo-na sent telepathy.
If Choi Eun-hyeok and Mok Min-ho were in the 2nd team.
And Ryu Yeon-hwa and Yu Nam-hoon were in the 3rd team.
No Eun-ha and Jin Parang were in the 1st team.
─Blast Cross
Gift
Mode: Blade Wolf
Blade Thrust
Including Eun-ha and Jin Parang.
The 1st team poured attacks.
The target was Goeshini alone.
Ghouls that return to mana particles and manifest in the world again will disappear if only Goeshini is killed.
Moreover, the 2nd and 3rd teams were protecting them.
Eun-ha delivered the final blow to Goeshini with magic compressed to the limit.
─Boom boom boom boom!!
Blast Cross compressed 5 times.
Goeshini thrown high into the sky by Han Chang-jin couldn't avoid the attack.
Huge flames explode in the air, creating a cross.
Sparks fall.
Yet players looked up at the explosion driving away white clouds without minding.
"─Did we finish it?"
"Parang hyung, those words..."
Jin Parang who returned to his original form.
Choi Eun-hyeok spoke cautiously.
Regardless, Eun-ha didn't take his eyes off the dying flames.
Sonic Wave
Soon Eun-ha scattered waves.
Sonic Wave conveyed a presence.
There was no way it would die just like this.
"─Everyone, don't let your guard down."
Though he tried to end it without entering Phase 2 if possible.
It seemed that was difficult.
Eun-ha frowned and spoke.
Pandora Clan members didn't express doubt.
Since they were like that, platoon members didn't relax either.
""""...""""
Gradually they started to feel it too.
A presence that felt like a small dot in the dying flames was rapidly swelling and revealing its existence.
Their faces hardened.
Right after─
─────!!!!!!!!
The flames were swept away in an instant.
Goeshini revealed its form.
"W-what is this..."
Players were flustered.
Understandably so.
Because Goeshini's form had changed.
""""...""""
A form reminiscent of Cerberus said to guard the gates of the underworld.
Three cat heads.
And three tails.
Lastly, two wings sprouting on its back.
Winter Blooming Coldly
It had entered Phase 2.
Platoon members seemed greatly flustered by the unknown information.
Eun-ha deployed magic to dispel their agitation.
"─From now on it's Phase 2. Did anyone think it would end with just this for a 3rd rank over-rank? If so, I'll really..."
""""...""""
Red petals swirl.
People regain their composure.
In Pandora Clan's case, they didn't show much agitation.
This was because they had vaguely heard from Eun-ha and Jeong Ha-yang that Goeshini might transform to the next phase.
Rather, they were only agitated by Eun-ha's trailing words.
[This is navigator Jeong Ha-yang's message! Goeshini's Phase 2 has been confirmed, so platoon members be careful! This was telepathist Ariel! Everyone don't be disappointed that the battle isn't over yet! We will win! Go! Go! Go!]
It seemed the rear had grasped the situation too.
Ariel's telepathy arrived.
Telepathy that lowered tension.
People burst into laughter.
And─
─Whoosh!!
3 o'clock direction.
The entire road was engulfed in flames.
Players' faces brightened.
[─This is a broadcast from the 5th Communication Platoon! We apologize for the late support! From now on, the 5th Communication Platoon and 2nd Attack Platoon will participate in subjugating Goeshini!]
Reinforcements had arrived.