Chapter 104 : Behemoth (3)
Chapter 104: Behemoth (3)
Splash! Splash!
They advanced through the deep waterway.
They had expected it to be difficult, but the journey proved far harsher than anticipated.
Some sections were deeper than thigh level.
There were also muddy areas where, once you sank in, climbing back out was nearly impossible.
Moreover—
Splaaash!
Humans weren't the only ones in the water.
The water suddenly split apart at incredible speed.
“Aaaagh!”
Someone’s scream disappeared together with a spray of water.
[Medium-sized Monster ‘Mega Piranha’ has appeared!]
It possessed jaws powerful enough to bite a person cleanly in half at the waist.
Its body also easily exceeded two meters in length.
“They’re coming from the sides in a swarm!”
Numerous shadows darted beneath the water at incredible speed.
The soldiers splashed desperately as they struggled to form a proper formation.
However, moving through water was nothing like fighting on land.
Crunch!
Crack!
“Aaagh!”
“My arm! M-My arm!”
Bones snapped.
Flesh was torn apart.
The water instantly turned crimson.
[Low-tier Spell ‘Area Freeze’ has been activated!]
After a three-second cast, Kang Yohan unleashed his mana toward the incoming Mega Piranhas.
Craaack!
The water froze solid in an instant.
Now!
“O Great Lord of Thunder!”
Rodbrock swung both of his axes like a madman, carving open a path.
“I’m going.”
Seo Changhee charged alongside the Viking warrior.
The sight of the two of them charging forward while cleaving the gigantic Mega Piranhas apart was remarkably impressive.
Good.
Once they escaped this area...
There was still hope.
Everyone desperately pushed forward.
Ten minutes.
Their breathing had become ragged, and every muscle in their bodies screamed in agony.
Yet their struggle to survive continued.
“Kroooar!”
Along with the Mega Piranhas, giant Crocodiles also appeared.
One exhausted mage was caught.
One of their precious combat forces had been lost.
It was an incredibly painful loss.
Fifteen minutes.
During that time, they lost another thirteen soldiers and Hunters combined.
They couldn’t even tell how many of the porters in the rear had fallen behind.
Twenty minutes.
The water looked as though someone had poured barrels of wine into it.
Like the Nile River in the Bible.
The stench of blood was enough to make their heads spin.
Even so...
They continued onward.
One step after another.
Stepping over the corpses of their comrades.
Swallowing splashes of blood as they advanced.
There was no heroic tale adorned with glorious embellishments.
Only a dark reality that no epic would ever record.
Then...
After struggling through the mire and finally climbing onto solid ground—
“So you said they’d all come this way.
Looks like your information was wrong.
A significant portion of the enemy’s main force seems to be missing.”
“My apologies.
It seems they split into two groups.
Still, the one who killed our leader and Jakan is here, so this wasn’t a complete waste.”
A new obstacle appeared.
Belond and the Beast Race.
The very ones they had assumed had already escaped the temple.
And—
‘Murim.’
Typical black robes with swords hanging at their waists.
Each one was a formidable expert in their own right.
Among them, the one who stood out the most was the man standing beside Belond.
The Blood Wind Squad Commander whom Mary had mentioned.
Jin Hoa.
“Well, even this is a decent harvest.
Kill them all.
Leave not a single one alive.”
They weren't given even a moment to catch their breath.
Shing!
Jin Hoa drew a sword that emitted a cold radiance like freshly fallen snow.
“Huff... Huff...”
“D-Damn it...”
Hope vanished from the faces of the soldiers and Hunters.
They had barely escaped the hellish waterway.
And without even a moment to rest...
Another enemy awaited them.
Even Robert and the knights couldn't bring themselves to say anything to raise morale.
The situation was simply that hopeless.
‘...This really is the worst.’
Kang Yohan narrowed his eyes.
[The current targets possess the title ‘Servant of Death’.]
Just like the ‘Knight’s Token,’ it was a title that could only be obtained after fulfilling very specific conditions.
Its effect:
Anyone contributing to Behemoth’s feast would be exempt from becoming its target.
Additionally, all stats increased by +0.1 for every sacrifice personally killed.
In the current situation...
It was a combination worthy of endless curses.
“Seo Changhee.”
“Speak.”
“The Murim forces and the Beast Race only formed a temporary alliance.
Their coordination won’t be perfect.
Create a distraction so I can break through to the center.”
“Hmph.
As expected...
You still haven’t given up.”
“Of course not.”
If the worst possible end stood before him...
Then until the very last second, he would struggle while searching for every possible way to stop it.
Crackle!
‘Frozen Orb’ activated.
A white sphere formed above the enemy ranks.
Brilliant white ice shattered into hundreds of pieces.
Transforming into razor-sharp blades.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The ice shards ravaged the battlefield.
The assassins of the Blood Wind Squad skillfully dodged or deflected the blades.
But...
That was exactly what Kang Yohan wanted.
Those who merely knocked them away while remaining in place were fine.
However—
Slash!
Those who leaped aside became prey for razor-thin threads.
“Gah!”
“Such despicable little tricks...!”
The ones slashed by Scarlett’s Blood Threads involuntarily praised the attack.
That marked the beginning of the battle.
“As long as everyone fulfills their role, we can survive.”
Kang Yohan took the lead.
Whoosh!
He held the Burning Sword in one hand.
And Resentment of the Black Abyss in a reverse grip in the other.
“Kuhahaha!
May the blessings of Asgard be with everyone!”
“Haaah!”
Rodbrock and Seo Changhee charged into the enemy from opposite flanks.
“What are you all doing?
Our comrades are risking their lives fighting!
Are you going to cower behind them like cowards?”
Robert raised his sword, drenched in flesh and blood.
“Charge!
Forward!”
“For the Hestia Empire!”
“Damn it.
We’re going too.
If we came here as mercenaries, we should at least earn our pay.”
When someone moved forward...
Others naturally followed.
Before long, the entire force was charging while looking at Kang Yohan’s back.
The battle situation overwhelmingly favored the enemy.
The expedition was exhausted.
The enemy’s main force had been waiting in perfect formation.
Every swing of their blades sent fountains of blood erupting among the soldiers.
On top of that, the beasts controlled by the Beast Race launched surprise attacks against the rear.
More than thirty people fell.
“Sir Yohan!
Lagerseh...!”
Scarlett’s voice echoed from the distance.
Lagerseh had been the pillar of their force, commanding Divine Beasts while providing buffs and healing skills.
She had simply overexerted herself.
Fortunately...
The wound didn’t appear fatal.
However...
Ancient Blessings and healing skills could no longer be expected.
The team's only healer—the one who had repeatedly produced miraculous recoveries whenever someone was injured—was effectively gone.
If they didn’t hurry...
The casualties would only continue increasing.
Perhaps...
One of his companions might die.
That alone...
He had to prevent.
Kang Yohan unleashed the Bloodline Sword Art and pushed deeper into the enemy ranks.
[‘Blood Bind’ has been activated!]
After restricting their movement through binding and grappling—
[Void Magic ‘Black Devourer’ has been activated!]
Crunch!
He devoured them directly into the Void.
One assassin staggered before collapsing.
His entire upper body had vanished.
“Hoo...”
Kang Yohan steadied his breathing.
He had overused mana-intensive skills while simultaneously fighting in close combat.
His body was reaching its limit.
He still possessed one final trump card.
But if he used it here...
Everything afterward would become impossible.
At the very least...
He had to save it for the fifth floor.
Ideally...
The sixth.
Only then could he reach the summit on the seventh floor.
Just then—
“That’s far enough.”
Three men and women blocked Kang Yohan’s path.
The Blood Wind Squad’s elite.
Their relaxed expressions made it clear.
The real battle was beginning now.
“You know...
There’s someone over there named Seo Changhee.
He’s even stronger than me.
Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to deal with him first?”
“I wonder.
From what I’ve seen...
You seem to be the most dangerous one.”
As expected.
They were quick to judge.
They were coming.
Kang Yohan responded to the opening strike.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Cold steel collided against cold steel.
A shower of sparks scattered through the air.
“I heard you were merely some sorcerer relying on cheap tricks.
You’re better than expected.”
“So even Western mages learn swordsmanship?”
The expressions of the Blood Wind Squad elites turned cold.
Once someone reached a certain level...
Just exchanging a single move revealed an enormous amount about the opponent.
They immediately concluded—
Underestimating him would be fatal.
Their response came instantly.
Blood Wind Soul Formation, ‘Soul Suppression.’
A sword formation based upon Sound Arts.
Ding!
A bizarre tone, like the plucking of a zither, entered Kang Yohan’s ears.
His body leaned slightly to the right.
Both his balance and sense of direction were simultaneously disrupted.
“It must feel unfamiliar.
Our Sound Arts have never been widely known outside Murim.”
The unfamiliar.
And the familiar.
That thin boundary separated life from death.
He wasn’t wrong.
However...
This wasn't Kang Yohan’s first time fighting Murim Sound Arts.
If he had to put a number on it...
He had experienced it roughly 1,038 times.
Kang Yohan activated every spell he had prepared in advance.
[Alarm Magic ×10 has been activated!]
Riiiiing! Riiiiing!
Deafening alarm sounds shattered the perfect harmony of the sword formation.
Front.
Back.
Left.
Right.
The Alarm Magic had been carefully positioned while accounting not only for volume, but also the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding space.
“T-This can't be...
The Blood Wind Soul Formation has been broken?”
“This isn't ordinary noise.
It’s creating precise disruptions between every note.”
No one could hide their disbelief.
Naturally.
The martial art of the Divine Cult, which had subdued countless masters of the Orthodox Factions...
Had collapsed so easily.
They were witnessing it firsthand.
Yet they still couldn't believe what they were seeing.
“That bastard... just what is he...?”
Jin Hoa widened his eyes.
“I told you.
He’s no ordinary opponent.”
Belond clicked his tongue bitterly.
Meanwhile...
Kang Yohan had already reached the deepest part of the Blood Wind Squad’s formation.
‘The position couldn't be better.’
Just because a spell was low-tier...
Didn't mean it lacked value.
Everything depended on...
How.
When.
And against whom it was used.
Now then.
Your turn.
Flap!
Kang Yohan unfurled a scroll.
[‘Inferno Scroll’ has been activated!]
The Advanced Scroll he had obtained aboard the Sky Ocean.
Whoosh!
Magnificent magic circles appeared.
The runes glowed crimson.
Then he consumed the elixir manufactured by the sea otters.
[You have consumed the elixir ‘Flame Pearl’!]
[Fire-element abilities have increased by 10%!]
“Pop quiz.
What happens when you play with fire inside your own house?”
Kang Yohan smiled.
“Option one.
You wet the bed that night and your mother smacks you across the back.
Option two.
There’s no bed left to wet in the first place.”
If nothing else...
His understanding of Fire Magic—and his resistance to it—were exceptionally high.
But...
Could they say the same?
“Don’t tell me this bastard—”
“R-Run!
Everyone, get aw—”
Before the desperate warning could even finish—
BOOOOOOM!
A colossal pillar of fire erupted from the very center of the enemy formation.
Whoooosh!
Enormous flames swallowed their entire field of vision.
Neither the Beast Race nor Murim had expected such an attack.
One that bordered on suicidal.
As a result...
Both sides suffered devastating casualties.
“What a complete madman.
What happened to the squad leaders?
Are they alive?”
“The heat is overwhelming.
Most likely...”
At Jin Hoa’s question, one of his subordinates silently shook his head.
Unless someone had reached the Peak Realm...
Surviving inside that inferno was impossible.
There was only one exception.
Stagger.
Kang Yohan.
Wearing the Ring of Crimson Lotus.
He alone walked out from within the flames.
“……”
He had spoken confidently.
But his condition was terrible.
His clothes were still burning.
His entire body was covered in blood and wounds.
He hadn’t bothered controlling the firepower.
Everything had been unleashed solely to maximize the damage.
“Remarkable.
I never imagined you could accomplish this much under these circumstances.
You may be my enemy...
But you're truly astonishing.”
Belond applauded.
“A cornered rat is the most dangerous.”
Kang Yohan spat the blood filling his mouth onto the ground.
“Indeed.
You're absolutely right.”
Contrary to expectations of a one-sided slaughter...
Thanks to Kang Yohan and a handful of others fighting desperately...
The battle had remained evenly matched.
Yes.
It was certainly impressive.
But...
Only up to that point.
“If possible, I would have preferred to avenge my children with my own hands.
Unfortunately...
It seems I won't have that opportunity.”
As though planned in advance...
Belond and Jin Hoa ordered their forces to withdraw.
“Sir Robert!
The enemy is retreating!”
“Oooooh!
We won!
Victory is ours!”
The soldiers erupted into cheers.
However...
Kang Yohan’s expression darkened even further.
They weren't retreating because they had given up fighting.
They simply...
No longer needed to continue.
“What an incredibly troublesome opponent.”
Kang Yohan let out a deep sigh.
...Boom!
At that very moment—
A heavy vibration echoed from the distance.
Every hair on their bodies stood on end.
The overwhelming terror and despair they had felt not long ago resurfaced once more.
It was coming.
Behemoth.
Returning once again.
To continue the next course of its lavish banquet.
“Hurry!
Move to the Safe Zone immediately!”
Robert shouted his orders to the remaining troops.
“Please!
Take us with you!”
“P-Please don't abandon us!
Rayburn!
We're friends!”
The wounded clung to their comrades' legs while sobbing.
“I-I'm sorry.”
“Damn it!
God damn it!”
There was no choice.
They simply couldn't afford to carry the wounded as well.
Everyone shed tears of blood as they abandoned the comrades with whom they had entrusted their backs.
“Sir Yohan.
I'll support you.”
What was this foolish vampire talking about?
Her own body wasn't in any condition to worry about others.
“I'm fine.
Don't worry about me and—”
“Move aside.
Protecting a barely standing Dealer is a Tanker's duty.”
Rodbrock grabbed Kang Yohan by the shoulder.
Then practically carried him while running.
“You...
Your waist...”
He had suffered a sword wound.
A deep one.
Blood continued soaking through it.
His internal organs might have been damaged as well.
“Kuhahaha!
Something like this is only a little itchy!
It's nowhere near enough to earn me a place in Valhalla!”
Still showing off until the very end.
Even so...
He had been saved.
“Thanks.
I'll rely on you for a while.”
He should close his eyes for just a moment.
About five minutes passed.
“Aaaagh!”
“Aaaah!”
Heart-rending screams echoed from where the abandoned remained.
Then—
“……”
“……”
Everything fell silent.
As though someone had pressed a mute button.
“O God...”
“It’s coming!
Go away!
Go aw—”
“……”
Even the cries of those with minor injuries who had stayed at the rear suddenly stopped.
The voices disappeared.
One after another.
As though erased from the world itself.
At the same time...
The long line forming the rear of the expedition grew shorter and shorter.
Now...
Not even half remained.
“How much farther?”
“Approximately four hundred meters!”
Almost there.
The Safe Zone was only a few minutes away.
“T-The Rabbit Foot.”
Park Yeri, running beside Kang Yohan, shouted with a deathly pale face.
“What about it?”
“I...
Lost it.
I definitely still had it before we left...”
The Rabbit Foot was destined to be lost eventually.
But for it to disappear at precisely this moment...
No.
The Rabbit Foot always vanished at the single worst possible timing.
In that sense...
This was exactly as expected.
The biggest problem was—
Who had picked it up?
If it had fallen into the enemy’s hands...
The outcome could become catastrophic.
The answer arrived immediately.
Whoooosh!
Black flames erupted ahead of them.
The floating skeleton of a stag appeared in midair.
Only thirty meters remained before the Safe Zone.