Chapter: 873
A disaster falls from the sky.
–Kuaaaahhhh—!!!
Dozens of multi-colored monsters tumble from the sky to the ground below.
The warriors watching this stare in astonishment.
At that moment…
“Cough! Spit!”
Tang So-yeol, after a single cough and spitting out the dirt that entered her mouth while rolling on the ground, finally gets up.
At the same time, she turns her gaze, scanning her surroundings.
It’s as if she’s looking for someone.
Where did they go? Tang So-yeol pats her stomach as she searches for her partner.
It’s been ages since they vanished. There’s no one around.
As proof, the oppressive atmospheric pressure that had been weighing down on them has disappeared.
Tang So-yeol frowns at that.
Did she lose track of the enemy? No.
‘The sensation…’
The feeling she sensed during the impact was somehow odd.
She tries to focus on that strange sensation for a moment.
–Krrrrrrr!! Kuaaaaah–!!
But there’s no time to concentrate while watching those things fall from the sky.
Tang So-yeol barely manages to gather her thoughts and shouts.
“All hands, prepare for battle!”
At the sound of her small but powerful voice, the warriors take their positions.
Kuaaaah—!!!
The sound of crying can be heard from a distance. Listening to it, she lands deeper into the forest.
As soon as her feet touch the ground, her knees buckle.
[Ugh…]
Clutching her heart, she collapses.
Thud! The mask she had on falls off.
Whack!
As if waiting for this, her bones realign, and her body shrinks.
“Huk… Ugh….”
Cold sweat pours down her face.
It would have been dangerous if she had lasted just a little longer.
“Crazy…”
If she had stayed there longer, her gas transformation technique would’ve been released.
She had barely been controlling her transformation, and it had nearly snapped in an instant.
How was her energy?
‘My energy is also significantly depleted.’
Even the reserves she thought were quite ample were almost completely drained.
It’s absurd that she’s shaken like this just from using her power once; the consumption is far beyond her expectations.
But…
‘…I guess that’s possible.’
Looking at the situation that unfolded, it’s not entirely unreasonable to think this was a viable cost.
She could tell just by looking.
Krraaaaaaaahh…!!
Boom boom-!
She could definitely feel the vibrations coursing through her body.
Countless magic portals unfurl across the night sky, showcasing a grand spectacle of blue and red demonic creatures plummeting down.
Staring at the entities created by her power, she can’t help but chuckle.
‘…This actually works.’
The power obtained through vanquishing the net is wind.
The ability to create the visual marvels she desires and longs to see.
The limitations are clear: not everything is possible, and the more intricate and detailed the form, the shorter the duration.
But…
‘This one’s pretty good.’
The energy stolen from the white monster in Hanam.
That was the power to open a magic gate.
‘It feels a bit different from the iron line.’
The Iron Line, which could open magic gates by hand, is significantly different from this power.
The creatures that spring forth from within there aren’t true monsters.
What a level-100 monster creates is the summoning of real beasts.
What she’s using is akin to the net’s wind.
‘I use my energy to birth a monster.’
It merely appears as if it were popping out of a magic gate — it’s not a true living entity.
As evidence…
‘The colors are different.’
The creatures definitely exhibit colors typical of a monster, but those colors are exceedingly dark.
They’re nearly black.
Can she barely distinguish them?
Moreover…
Kuaaaah–!!
Boom-! Bang-!
With each one that falls, a sensation travels through her.
She can immediately identify them as creations birthed from her energy.
Closing her eyes as if honing her concentration, her vision shifts.
Kuaaaah–!!
Something is rushing toward her. She sees a young man standing calmly at the front.
It’s Seongyul.
‘…’
His murky golden eyes turn her way. At that moment…
Crunch.
Her vision cleaves in two as she regains her senses.
Seongyul has been sliced apart.
‘Hmmm.’
It’s possible even at this distance. She nods.
It’s something she’s tested several times already.
She’s been able to seize the vision of the monsters she brought to life.
This duration varies based on the size and behavior of the created monsters.
‘The smaller it is, the longer it lasts, and the bigger it is, the shorter.’
Additionally…
‘Even powerful monsters have shorter durations.’
That’s also true; as the distance increases, their power wanes or shortens too.
It’s a power teeming with issues, but considering that, it’s acceptable.
‘If there’s anything to worry about…’
The monsters she can create are those she has hunted so far.
No, more precisely…
‘The ones I’ve eaten.’
Only those she has consumed at least once seem to be creations she can manifest.
Kuaaaah–!!
Hearing the sound of their cries, she swings her hand slightly.
She’s giving orders.
It’s possible to share the vision of the birthed entities or command them.
However, the efficiency drops with distance.
‘Right.’
She injects commands into the monsters. This distance is just the threshold for what she has tested.
The order is to keep fighting but refrain from killing.
Given their significantly low intelligence, it probably won’t work as intended.
‘This should suffice.’
A minor pause should be enough to lift their spirits.
They’re not the sort to be brought low by such beasts.
This serves the purpose of appearing flashy and buying some time.
“…I did want to test it properly.”
‘How far can I push this power if I invest most of my energy?’ The quality is better than she anticipated.
‘…Is this the right power for me?’
The regeneration and wind techniques didn’t suit her, leading to reduced efficiency.
Maybe this life suits her well.
As these thoughts whirl in her mind…
“…Are you okay?”
Someone emerges from the forest and speaks to her.
It’s Cheol Ji-seon.
“Yangcheon-ah.”
“…Phew. I’m fine.”
“…You…?”
Cheol Ji-seon, who was about to ask a question, suddenly turns his head toward something.
Kuaaaahhhh—!!!
“…What’s that?”
It seems like he’s concerned about the monstrous cries echoing around.
Understandably, it would be strange if he wasn’t.
“…Don’t worry about it.”
“But….”
“No problem. Just focus on your tasks.”
“…”
Tang So-yeol wipes away the cold sweat trickling down her face. Cheol Ji-seon regards her, examining her hand with a slightly troubled expression.
Ignoring him, she quickly asks.
“How’s the task I assigned?”
“…Most of it is resolved.”
“Good. You’re not late.”
She instructed him to have it completed by tomorrow, so if he managed to do so by this point, he must have done his utmost.
“I also hinted at the opening side and communicated with the higher-ups, but…”
Cheol Ji-seon gazes anxiously toward the expansion.
“…I didn’t think it would truly happen.”
Boom-! Boom rumble—!!!
The branch continues to shake from the persistent vibrations; battle is still raging on.
The roars of monsters and the warriors’ clashes create chaos, stirring her stomach.
“…Monsters… Magic gates….”
As Cheol Ji-seon utters, he looks at her. Understanding the meaning in his gaze, she quickly replies.
“It’s different from what you can handle. We’re on a different track.”
“…”
“I’ll explain everything after this is over. So please stop looking at me like that.”
There’s no time to explain every detail. It’s already late.
At that moment, she was managing her fatigue.
-Processed successfully.
A long-awaited message arrived from the Dark King.
The fervor in his voice is unusually passionate for a shadowy monarch.
‘…He must be really angry.’
He’s not angry at her. Likely, he is upset about the Gyecheonmun and Ilcheonkyo situation.
And…
‘I too am quite concerned about that.’
She needed to wrap this up quickly and move on. There’s far too much to look into.
Kuaaaah—!!!
“Don’t lose your sense of reason! It’s almost over!”
“Don’t overexert yourself!”
Schwack-!
One monster’s head rolls off, crashing to the ground.
As soon as its body touches the earth, it dissolves, leaving no trace like it was never there.
“…Damn.”
The unmanned warrior witnessing this grits his teeth.
The situation is odd indeed.
“Where on earth did those monsters come from?”
“Could it be that Cheonma summoned them?”
“How can a human possibly…”
“Focus!”
“…!!”
As they continue their idle chatter in the midst of battle, someone barks an order.
Tang So-yeol shoots a terrifying glare at them.
“What are you doing? Chit-chatting during combat? Do you all have a death wish?!”
“I’m sorry…!”
“Pull yourselves together. If you don’t want to buy the farm here.”
His icy tone makes the warriors harden their gazes. As Tang So-yeol pointed out, the battle is still ongoing.
Fortunately…
‘There are no casualties.’
A few are injured, but no lives have been lost. Perhaps each of them possesses considerable strength? Although that’s hard to tell…
‘Something about those monsters…’
Perhaps less ferocious? Or lacking in some way? They felt somewhat weak compared to the power they exhibited.
Why? Even though she wonders, she’s grateful.
Thanks to that, they’ve avoided casualties.
“There are only a few left…! Concentrate!”
Kreee–!!
Now, at most, there are fewer than ten remaining.
The branch is a battleground but appears to be nearing resolution.
The warriors are fatigued but not overly strained.
Thus, just as they all band together to wrap everything up,
Kwaaaahhhhh—!!!
Light pours down from the heavens.
Kyaaaaaahhhh—!!! Kyaaaaaahhhh—!!!
A wave of scorching heat cascades across the ground. It’s a breathtaking display of flames.
“This is…!”
“My Lord!”
The warriors gaze upward with hopeful eyes.
As far as they knew, only one person could possess such brilliant blue flames.
“…Confucius…”
Tang So-yeol whispers, her eyes fixated on the sky with her comrades.
Beneath the rising moon, stands a young man.
Goyangcheon, looking slightly fatigued.
He furrows his brow as his eyes gleam with light, waving his hand gently.
Whoosh whoosh—!!!
The flames twist and engulf all the monsters.
In an instant, the inferno scorches the entire horde, leaving only a vacant space above, where Goyangcheon lands.
“…Phew…”
“My Lord…! Are you alright?!”
Goyangcheon, however, doesn’t respond to the warriors’ words.
He simply scans the area, surveying each individual before asking.
“Is anyone injured?”
“A few have minor wounds, but there are no casualties.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Phew. He lets out a quiet sigh.
Tang So-yeol approaches Goyangcheon without delay.
With every step, hesitation fills the air.
She recalls Goyangcheon exuding sharp energy while wielding the Ilcheong Sword earlier, a memory that lingers.
“Your Majesty…”
“Report the situation.”
“…”
At his authoritative command, Tang So-yeol subtly fiddles with her lips.
“…Under directive, while apprehending a criminal, the Ilcheonggeom brought in by the blood slave confessed.”
“Really?”
Her response, almost dry, sounds like she anticipated it.
“It seemed he was acting unpredictably due to heightened emotions. As I had planned to eliminate him due to his potential danger… the Heavenly Demon intervened.”
“The Heavenly Demon?”
Goyangcheon’s brow knots in answer.
“But they all survived?”
His tone seems oddly rigid, but the tension of the situation blinds him to it.
“Yes… he called it a gift for thwarting the plan.”
“…Hmm…”
He seems to contemplate, covering his mouth thoughtfully.
In truth, no one realized the true reason he was covering his mouth was due to worry of being detected.
“…This is troublesome.”
“I can’t be sure whether he’s truly gone. We must stay vigilant; I have no inkling of what he desires.”
“…That makes sense. Very much so.”
Just as he prepares to utter something, Tang So-yeol stares quietly at him.
“…What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Your Majesty, did you injure your hand?”
“My hand? No, I’m fine…”
“Just a moment.”
Before Goyangcheon can finish, Tang So-yeol seizes his hand to inspect it.
“…I told you, I’m really not hurt, right?”
“…”
Indeed, she’s truly not injured. Even if she were, she’s already finished healing.
Goyangcheon retreats his hand and continues speaking.
“First… let’s tidy up the surroundings. Then….”
–Confucius?
A voice resounds. Gu Yangcheon turns to look at the source.
In that moment…
–Is Confucius the Heavenly Demon?
“…”
Goyangcheon freezes mid-sentence.
Caught red-handed.
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