Chapter 132 : The Fourth Episode
Chapter 132: The Fourth Episode
Ding!
Golden status windows appeared one after another.
[The ‘Blessing Box’ has been opened!]
[Essential benefits will be granted for carrying out ‘Defense’, the main theme of the Fourth Episode.]
[Defense Tower performance is adjusted by +1 level.]
[The defending side’s physical defense and physical attack increase by +1% each.]
[The defending side’s magic defense and magic attack increase by +1% each.]
[…increase!]
“Bwahaha! Everything went according to my plan…no, wait. I thought it hurt like hell. What happened to Rodbrock Junior!”
“Hoeee! The Magic Conch has been contaminated.”
Cheers erupted from all around.
They had won yet again, so naturally, morale soared.
However, Yohan’s expression wasn’t particularly bright.
Hmm.
Something felt off.
The reward they had received was clearly beneficial to humanity.
But now that he knew this was exactly what the enemy had intended, he couldn’t simply be happy about it.
Could what they were after be….
Just as something flashed through Yohan’s mind.
Ding!
Another status window flashed.
[An additional reward will be granted to the individual who discovered the most Parasites.]
[You have acquired the right to select the location of the Defensive Stronghold.]
Right. He had suspected it, and sure enough, this was it.
Depending on the location of the stronghold, the Parasites’ capabilities changed completely.
Some locations were optimized for defense. Conversely, others were the absolute worst strongholds for conducting a defense.
‘The person who found the most is probably someone recruited by the Parasites.’
For reference, if the ‘Curse Box’ had been chosen, a different benefit would have been granted instead, making this method impossible to use.
A hollow laugh escaped him at the realization that they had calculated all of this before making their move.
Once again, he was reminded.
There wasn’t a single pushover in this World of Forbidden Books.
‘Still, I have a rough idea of what to do.’
Knowing incomplete information and possessing perfect knowledge.
That difference would produce completely different results.
＊＊＊
At the conclusion of the meeting in the Hall of the Dragon, peace with humanity was decided upon.
Although the Emperor’s approval still remained, the Third Episode had effectively been cleared.
‘First, we need to reorganize. I need to stockpile Potions and Scrolls too. And assign positions to the members.’
There was a day or two of breathing room before the Fourth Episode began in earnest.
There was a mountain of things to do before then.
But right at that moment.
“Are you Mr. Kang Jinhyuk?”
A bright and gentle voice came from behind Yohan.
When he turned his head, he saw a blue-eyed woman.
Platinum-blonde hair cascading down to her waist.
Skin as pure white as jade.
She looked as though an angel had manifested in the flesh.
As if she embodied all the nobility and beauty in the world. Her breathtaking presence was overwhelming.
There was no way he wouldn’t know her.
How could he possibly not?
The Imperial Princess. ‘Evangeline von Hestia’.
Since he had come to the Empire, he had naturally expected to meet her eventually, but he hadn’t expected the timing to be now.
“Greetings…Your Highness.”
Yohan immediately showed the proper courtesy.
“Do you know who I am?”
“It would be stranger if I didn’t. You’re quite famous, after all.”
“…I see.”
Evangeline nodded, her expression becoming slightly gloomy.
Then she revealed why she had come.
“His Majesty the Emperor is looking for you.”
A short sentence.
Yet the meaning contained within that sentence was anything but light.
This is unexpected.
The undisputed supreme ruler of the Empire.
To think the Emperor, who hadn’t shown himself even until the very end of the meeting in the Hall of the Dragon, would personally ask to see him.
This was effectively not optional.
“Understood.”
Whatever awaited him, he had no choice but to face it.
Who knew?
If the Emperor had taken a liking to his achievements so far, he might even give him a rather lucrative Quest.
Step. Step.
He crossed the Imperial Palace while following Evangeline.
Since this was a secret audience of sorts, both of them were wearing robes.
“I heard rumors that Your Highness may also participate in the Fourth Episode. Is that true?”
“If that is my duty, then naturally, I must.”
What a cold answer.
He had intended to at least build some rapport with her, but that seemed impossible for the moment.
Then again, considering the situation the Imperial Princess was in, perhaps this reaction was only natural.
A girl burdened with a tragic duty and task.
He couldn’t even begin to imagine how heavy the weight of that crown must have been.
There was no conversation after that.
Before long, they arrived at the innermost heart of the Imperial Palace.
“This is as far as I go.”
Evangeline gave a brief farewell.
And just as she was about to turn away.
“I hope you won’t try to do everything yourself.”
Yohan casually tossed out a remark.
“What? What do you….”
“Just because you possess a great bloodline doesn’t mean you need to live while hiding yourself behind a mask.”
“Living as I truly am…. You can say that so easily because you’re not the one involved. If you were in the same position as me, Mr. Yohan, if you knew how I felt. You would never be able to say something like that.”
“I know. At least, I know what it’s like.”
The pressure of having to live up to expectations placed upon one because of their bloodline.
The weight brought by political enemies wishing for one’s downfall and the gazes of countless people.
He knew.
Better than anyone.
“But, I learned that none of that is a reason to give up on happiness.”
“…….”
Evangeline looked at Yohan with a peculiar expression.
Because what she felt from him wasn’t some clumsy attempt at sympathy, but genuine understanding.
However, it lasted only for a moment.
Clunk!
The door slowly began to open.
“Then. I’ll see you again next time.”
Yohan gave a brief bow before stepping inside.
＊
Whoooosh.
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
An incredible array of spells activated one after another, creating the illusion that he had entered an entirely different dimension.
So. These were the mechanisms created to protect the Emperor.
They were at a level where an ordinary person wouldn’t even dare think of breaking through them.
His blurred vision gradually became clearer.
His focus sharpened.
Right then.
“Was it Kang Yohan? I have wanted to see you in person at least once.”
A dignified voice resonated from ahead.
A familiar voice.
It belonged to the Emperor of the Hestia Empire.
Depending on what kind of relationship he established from this point onward, the difficulty of future Episodes would change drastically.
Even in the upcoming Fourth Colony alone, how the Empire’s forces were utilized would be extremely important.
Fortunately, Yohan knew the Emperor well, so there was plenty of information he could exploit.
Good.
He had roughly decided on his approach.
However.
“……!?”
Yohan’s expression distorted when he looked at the Emperor to begin their conversation.
Naturally, there was no helping it.
The Emperor’s pupils were vertically slit.
His reddened eyes repeatedly swept over Yohan.
He was infected.
By a Parasite.
And not merely one of the kinds he had encountered until now.
Class-1 Combat Species ‘Armadan’.
One of the Queen’s Royal Guards was sitting in the Emperor’s seat.
Damn it.
Why the hell do these trials only happen to me?
No matter how hellish the difficulty was, this was so excessive that he couldn’t help but complain.
“I’ve felt this way since Mary, but you guys are seriously worse than cockroaches. How is there not a single place you aren’t involved in?”
“That is what we would like to say. You have thoroughly ruined every plan we spent so long preparing.”
“Well. I am pretty good at wrecking things. So. Did you call me here to deal with me?”
A location perfectly suited for setting and preparing a trap.
With all kinds of protective spells and barriers layered throughout it, this place was an optimized Hunting Ground.
“No. That would be far too comfortable a death compared to the price of your sins. I want you, who dared ruin Mother’s plans, to taste true despair.”
Therefore, this was a declaration of war.
One made by an enormous faction against a single insignificant creature.
If it exploited the Emperor’s authority, it could create tremendously lethal and massive variables.
“The stage is already set. So. Struggle to your heart’s content.”
A sinister smile appeared on the lips of the Emperor. No, Armadan.
＊＊＊
Early the next morning.
An Administrator appeared and rambled on as it explained the next Episode.
[#Main Episode (4) - ‘Colony’.]
Duration : 5 days
Details : Teams consisting of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 500 people must conduct a defense against the Parasites within designated areas.
Victory Conditions
At least one Defensive Stronghold must remain standing until the time limit expires.
The Queen located at the heart of the Colony must be eliminated.
Upon Failure : Five strongholds optimized for the survival of Parasites will be created throughout Europe. Additionally, 100,000 people from the entirety of humanity will be selected as prey for the Parasites.
Reward : Rewards will be distributed differentially according to contribution.
[The first Wave will arrive in 12 hours.]
It was a game in which both offense and defense were possible.
But there was a reason it was effectively described as a defense.
‘Offense is practically impossible.’
Defending against the endless hordes alone was overwhelming, and they wanted them to eliminate the Queen at the heart of the Colony?
That was no different from saying they wanted to die.
Especially now that the Emperor was infected by them.
However, only by attacking could they disperse the enemy’s forces and create an opening, so they needed people who would serve as a suicide squad.
Right then.
“Mr. Yohan. Everyone’s gathered.”
Scarlet guided Yohan toward a small fountain.
All the members were waiting for Yohan there.
He saw the precious comrades with whom he had shared life-and-death struggles until now.
“Ahem.”
Yohan cleared his throat.
“First. Thanks for gathering, everyone. We’ve ended up together through various connections and have stayed together until now, but I think we need a single organization if we want to operate more systematically and closely from now on.”
Before beginning the Fourth Episode, he intended to officially announce the creation of a Guild.
“Ohhh. Right. It’s about time we made a Guild.”
“What’s the name?”
“Of course you’ll give us great treatment, right? I’m expensive, you know.”
Everyone waited expectantly for Yohan to continue.
“Hall of Worthies Troublemakers”
He had created it with the intent of forming a gathering of exceptional talents who read and researched Forbidden Books.
Rustle.
The various rules he had written throughout the night glittered beneath the sunlight.
Based on the Joseon Dynasty, anyone who disobeyed the Guild Master would be given the freedom to choose between execution by dismemberment, execution by tearing apart, decapitation and public display, and so on.
A light workload of 100 hours across seven days a week.
Prohibition of labor unions, assemblies, and strikes.
Restrictions on the freedom to change jobs.
And in keeping with globalization, wages would be paid in Zimbabwean currency.
There were a few other trivial conditions like those, but overall, he had made an effort to comply with industry-standard contracts.
Of course. In the Apocalypse era, these were extremely conscientious and excellent working conditions.
“What the fuck.”
“W-we need to run.”
Park Yeri and Reina’s faces crumpled instantly.
The reactions of the others weren’t much different.
“Bwahaha! We already belong to a Guild, though?”
“Right. I really want to join you, but unfortunately, we’re bound by a prior contract.”
The two members of the Warhammer Guild hurriedly spoke.
Of course.
“That’s fine. The Hall of Worthies welcomes alliances and partnerships too.”
Refusal meant war.
For reference, he planned to send Vivian as the vanguard.
“Hmm. I’ve never planted roses in Vikings before, but I think some rather sturdy children would grow.”
Vivian smiled warmly like the summer sun.
“I-I will join.”
“Of course an alliance with Brother Yohan is okay.”
Unfortunately, escape was impossible at this point.
After extracting contracts from everyone like that, they could finally begin planning for the Fourth Episode in earnest.
The most important thing in the Colony was selecting the stronghold.
The problem was.
‘We had that right taken away from us.’
[Colony ‘Legion Spawning Ground’ has been selected.]
[The power of all ranged attacks is reduced by 30%.]
A stronghold designed for Parasites specialized in close combat.
The Spawning Ground consisted of numerous rooms and had many entrances while being structured like a maze, making it difficult to defend.
They would have to overcome this by coordinating with the other teams.
They had a trump card anyway, so there was no need to worry too much.
“Then, shall we go?”
If they wanted to establish their defenses inside the Colony within the remaining time, they needed to start moving.
Yohan and the rest of the members entered the Gate.