Chapter 313

〈Chapter 313〉 Part 1, Chapter 14, Section 3

Kinna-ra dashed faster than any high-speed train.

No one knew her purpose or target. As she freely zigzagged across the terrain, some felt relief while others panicked.

– Pakistan’s been on a ten-year power trip.

The number of ability users generally correlates with population, so unless there’s an exceptional case like Korea, hero strength usually scales with population.

– Pakistan doesn’t even have an S-Rank, barely a couple A-Ranks.

Pakistan had never faced significant monster threats, leaving them without the power to take down an SS-Rank monster.

– Thank goodness Kinna-ra went on a rampage or they’d be doomed.

Ironically, they were relieved when the monster emerging from their land marched eastward – though hundreds of kilometers of road made by Kinna-ra’s footprints now stretched from Mohenjo-daro to the Indian border.

– Why is Kinna-ra heading toward India?

The moment Kinna-ra crossed into India, chaos erupted in their Association.

With the main force already dispatched eastward to deal with a Yasha raid, they were caught off guard by this western threat.

What are the odds an SS-Rank monster would appear at dawn?

Mahatma commanded based on conventional wisdom, but this was anything but normal.

GROOOOOOAR

The monster surged forward in undulating waves.

Oddly, it avoided villages, sticking to plains and forests as if taking a leisurely stroll. Speculation arose that it might be casually wandering. Mahatma quickly rallied western heroes to intercept Kinna-ra.

However…

– How are we supposed to stop THAT?!

India lacked sufficient forces to counter an SS-Rank monster with their main force already deployed.

What could possibly stop a monster racing near sonic speeds, triggering magnitude 4.0 earthquakes with every step?

But they had to try.

– What are the heroes doing?! The monster’s heading for New Delhi!

Naturally, Kinna-ra’s projected path led straight to the capital city, home to millions.

It almost seemed deliberate, as if targeting the most populated cities first to devour as many people as possible. Kinna-ra drooled hungrily.

As emergency evacuation orders were issued for New Delhi, a ship passed overhead.

The Baegnaroh.

Heroes who had just defeated Yasha in the east now raced westward through the skies to face this new threat.

But how?

Even these seasoned warriors who had faced multiple SS-Rank monsters were stumped – how to stop a creature charging forward dozens of meters tall?

– Keheheheh… time to release the Black Flame Dragon’s seal.

Someone cracking jokes about the situation got promptly shut down. With the capital facing annihilation and millions at risk, there was no room for humor…

KUUUUUUM!!

A Flame Giant clad in Black Dragon armor appeared, halting Kinna-ra’s advance.

And atop the Flame Giant’s head stood a blue maiden, arms crossed regally, surveying Kinna-ra below.

– Damn! I trusted you!

The Black Flame Dragon, who had previously only provided distant fire support during the Yasha raid, now transformed into a Flame Giant and began its own raid alongside the heroes against Kinna-ra.

* * *

“To subdue Kinna-ra, we need to sever the limbs first. That can be handled by four wind mages.”

I observed the battlefield – Kinna-ra’s massive body – from atop the Flame Giant’s helmet, assessing the heroes’ conditions.

“While the Flame Giant pins the head and back, each of you take one limb.”

“Isn’t that risky for an SS-Rank?”

Gaeul pointed to Kinna-ra’s grotesquely bent limbs. The arms and legs twisted unnaturally at elbows and knees, writhing like independent creatures against the heroes.

SWIIISHH.

Long claws grazed an arm as Unsah slid sideways to dodge. Her boot struck a thigh before leaping off, while Pungbaek vaulted into the air, swinging his staff.

WOOOOMMMM!!!

The Tempest Lady unleashed gales against Kinna-ra’s stomping foot while using magic to counter the pressure. Gongsung climbed up the thigh, creating numerous holes with arrows.

The heroes assigned to limbs, initially sluggish, gained confidence and began unleashing their full strength.

At least, once they believed they could overcome their assigned sections.

“At least the limbs are A-Rank level. As you can see, we’re dominating.”

Bringing four wind mages into play proved worthwhile.

No matter how Kinna-ra thrashed or tilted her body, the agile wind mages maintained their balance.

GONG-GONG!!

Kinna-ra bounced her belly against the ground, shaking her entire body. This was both to counter the mages above and attempt escape from the Flame Giant pinning her down.

“Push harder. Don’t let her open her mouth.”

I scuffed my heel against the Flame Giant’s helmet like extinguishing a cigarette, prompting him to press harder with his heel on Kinna-ra’s snout.

GUUURRRGLLE!!

Kinna-ra’s most dangerous weapon – her mouth – was effectively muzzled. Once restrained, her limbs began twitching uncontrollably.

TUDUDUDUD–

Cannons fired from the flying Baegnaroh. Anti-flying-monster artillery blazed forth, precisely striking Kinna-ra’s hands and feet.

KWA-GWANG!!

A brilliant blue explosion erupted. While regular firearms couldn’t harm monsters, these shells carried my magical power – “magic rounds.”

KEEEEEEEK!!

Kinna-ra screamed as cannonfire struck her limbs. The wind mages, following Executioner’s orders, had already boarded her back to catch their breath. Watching the SS-Rank monster suffer from aerial bombardment, Gaeul whistled in amazement.

“Amazing. Really.”

“These are magic cannons. Eventually, they’ll be able to defeat real flying monsters too.”

Thanks to their actual shell size, the Executioner could actively deploy firepower whenever heroes were in danger.

“Still, impressive how well Baek Hee-a handles both nagging AND bombardment.”

“Nagging? Aren’t you worse at that?”

“Just repeating what I learned from you.”

In the original game, the commander tutorial involves mysterious voice-only nagging via magical gear.

Turns out the shadowy figure was Baek Hee-a all along.

“Guess future Baek Hee-a ends up nagging present Baek Hee-a through me.”

“Ew.”

“What’s your problem?”

“Don’t you know? You always elaborate endlessly after pointing something out.”

Stung by Gaeul’s remark, I coughed awkwardly and changed the subject. We had time for banter, but we were still mid-battle.

“Oh. Perfect timing.”

PLOP, THUD!

Four wind mages simultaneously attacked their assigned limbs.

While three drew attention, Gongsung used Tubulus to create joint openings, allowing the other three to weaken the limb connections with their weapons.

“NOW!”

BOOOOM!!

The Flame Giant released its back-holding hand to grab Kinna-ra’s left arm.

CRUNCH, SNAP!

Pressing the shoulder while pulling the arm caused flesh and muscle to tear. Though roaring in agony, Kinna-ra’s other parts were in similar condition.

“Phantom.”

“Yeah.”

Phantom lightly leapt from the Flame Giant’s head, Kelleyphalos blade gleaming, aiming for the right leg joint.

SLICE!!

Phantom cleanly severed the leg. Meanwhile, the remaining limbs were torn off.

GONGSUNG & UNSAH took the right arm, TEMPEST LADY & PUNGBAEK the left leg.

KRAAAAAAA!!

Kinna-ra screamed as all four limbs were nearly simultaneously ripped off. Despite her mouth being pinned, she emitted waves of magic power in anguish.

TWITCH, TWITCH.

Kinna-ra’s body began contorting. Even reduced to a torso, it writhed in attempts to regenerate its limbs.

Phase 2 begins upon regeneration.

But I had no intention of letting Kinna-ra reach Phase 2.

“If rewards are identical between phases 1 and 2, why bother progressing?”

As Tentacle Toad said, unless a monster produces better cores or different byproducts in Phase 2, there’s no reason to let it evolve.

[Now, Hwakwon!]

Following Executioner’s command, Hwakwon, who had been burning his tail in readiness, leaped high into the air. Reaching nearly ten meters, he swung his fist wide.

Our eyes met in that instant.

Is it alright?

Hwakwon mouthed silently, causing me to grimace.

Should I protect my limbs, or let the raid conclude heroically?

‘He wouldn’t do it if I said no.’

“But your resolve might weaken and reduce damage.”

Hwakwon paused mid-air, now falling toward Kinna-ra’s back.

NOD.

Closing my eyes tightly, I reluctantly gave permission. Hwakwon smiled brightly, igniting his entire body with magic power.

“Chang-yeom—!!”

I blocked my ears with magic power. Regretting my decision instantly, Hwakwon’s magic power burned hotter and brighter than ever before.

Wind mages and Phantom disengaged from Kinna-ra’s back, while the Flame Giant stepped back to create distance.

The raid began with the Flame Giant’s announcement, but the concluding strike belonged to the Hero and Ace.

Blocking my ears with magic power, I watched Hwakwon’s finishing blow descend onto Kinna-ra’s back.

KA-JIIIIIIN!!

Ah.

Damn.

I should’ve cut the live broadcast sooner.

* * *

<Meanwhile, at Kimhae Airport>

SS-Rank Monster Kinna-ra Defeated.

Less than three hours after revealing itself, Kinna-ra met its end in the ghost town of Bangara. The expedition led by Hwakwon was broadcast live worldwide, echoing through the entire Kimhae Airport.

[KAAAJIIIIIIN!!]

“””WHOOOOOOOOOO!!”””

Whether gathered around TV screens, watching live streams on old smartphones, or viewing holograms from smartwatches, everyone screamed in unison.

Hwakwon’s punch slammed into Kinna-ra’s center back. The limbless Kinna-ra let out its final scream, smashing its head into the ground.

“How long did it take?!”

“30 minutes!”

People searched for footage of the short yet epic battle. Every channel showed real-time combat videos captured by individuals on-site.

“Hey, hey! Can you hear what Cheongnyeon-sama is saying?!”

“Damn, all I can see is her chest!”

The footage was shot from Cheongnyeon’s perspective.

Starting from the heroes lining up on the Baegnaroh’s railing, it live-streamed the descent toward the SS-Rank monster’s mouth, followed by the stunning transformation of the Black Flame Dragon into the Flame Giant landing on the ground – all broadcast in real-time.

“Damn! What are Phantom and Cheongnyeon-sama talking about?!”

Standing steadily atop the Flame Giant’s head despite the tremors, Cheongnyeon relayed the battle situation. Viewers witnessed the overwhelming suppression of the SS-Rank monster through her perspective.

However, snippets of conversation between Cheongnyeon and Phantom remained inaudible.

While the sounds of Baegnaroh’s cannons, wind mages summoning gusts, and Hwakwon’s battle cries filled the video, their casual dialogue went unheard.

Nevertheless, the live broadcast was dazzling and overwhelming. The highlight came when Hwakwon leaped high into the sky after severing the limbs.

His radiant smile toward Cheongnyeon – aimed at who knows whom – was followed by a punch plunging into Kinna-ra’s back, providing a fitting conclusion.

Blue flames filled the screen as Kinna-ra’s fiery demise marked the end of the broadcast.

“Hmm… as expected.”

In the middle of the terminal, a woman with mint-colored hair chuckled softly while watching the footage. Her striking hair drew no attention amidst the excitement.

“People who like mint aren’t weak. Hehe.”

With cat-like steps, the woman disappeared effortlessly through the bustling terminal.