Chapter 306

〈Chapter 306〉Part 1, Chapter 13, Section 23

Though the Taj Mahal burned and vanished, unrelated to that event, India’s Association was closely monitoring in real-time the expedition team temporarily named “Blue Wind Sect” as they raided Yasha.

The Blue Wind Sect, with Yasha at the center of the battlefield, prompted Indian heroes to form a long defensive perimeter, preparing for any contingencies.

There was no other option but preparation.

This was also part of the contract between the Executioner and Mahatma. Moreover, Indian heroes were well-aware of Yasha’s dangers more than anyone else.

India’s Association had failed in their attempts to conquer Yasha—officially three times, unofficially likely over ten. This formed the basis for the Executioner’s bullying of Mahatma.

Since Yasha was a monster native to Indian soil, concerns about claiming cores or byproducts came later; the priority was simply getting rid of this vile and grotesque murderer.

Thus, Mahatma volunteered to send Indian heroes as support, despite the risks. If anything happened to the Blue Wind Sect, it would fall on India to take responsibility. Regardless of their past success in China, Yasha was not just another S-Rank monster—they were in an entirely different league.

But then…

What was this scene before them?

“Aren’t they overwhelming him…?”

With fewer than ten members, only one of whom was S-Rank, the heroes moved organically, skillfully pressuring Yasha.

Indian heroes began to grow excited by the heat of battle. Their gazes fixed on Mahatma, who squirmed uncomfortably under their stares.

If seven could fight this well, wouldn’t adding our forces make it even easier to finish Yasha off?

“Executioner! Excuse me during the battle.”

—What?!

Mahatma apologized to the Executioner, his hand gripping a sharp sword.

“We will join in!”

—What?! Just wait a moment!

Before the Executioner could protest, Mahatma charged forward, followed by several Indian heroes whose eyes were ablaze with fury.

“To avenge my daughter!”

“For the souls of my parents!”

Most of these heroes had lost family or friends to Yasha, including Mahatma himself.

“Please give us the chance to defeat our enemy—!!”

Yasha was already weakened from prolonged combat.

—Wait! Attacking now is dangerous—

The Executioner screamed, trying to stop them, but the rage-filled heroes paid no heed to the foreign commander.

“Uaaaaaaah!!”

Before the Blue Wind Sect could react, the Indian heroes ignored orders and rushed Yasha. Madness flickered in their eyes as Yasha raised his guard once again.

Grrrrr….

Yasha, with a look of ten years’ worth of suffering, coiled his body tightly.

* * *

“It’s ‘<Madness Contagion>‘.”

While the Executioner was bewildered by the sudden madness of the Indian heroes, I remained unfazed, having seen this event before.

“While performing a counterattack, if the opponent notices, it loses its meaning. So we provoke them into attacking first.”

Fortunately, our side’s heroes are immune to wide-range provocations. Thanks to the protective gear I’ve equipped them with, Yasha’s tricks don’t work on us.

“Wouldn’t it be abnormal for an S-Rank monster to cower twice like this?”

“So…?”

“It means a powerful counterattack is coming soon.”

Yasha was merely taking hits. The foul odor emanating from Yasha’s innards turned the heroes into vengeful madmen, while damage gradually accumulated across his body.

“Isn’t this dangerous?”

“Eh? Well, S-Rank monsters usually don’t have a second phase unless necessary.”

“Second phase…?”

“Yes. We initially planned to kill Yasha in the first phase, but unfortunately, we’ve entered the second phase. It’s all accounted for, though, so no worries.”

Unlike the dragon-like transformations of creatures from dimensional gates, Yasha’s second phase was far more formidable.

“Miss Baek Hee-a, let me know if you feel like vomiting.”

“Huh?”

My words froze the Executioner’s face. Even among heroes known for their strong stomachs, spirits can still be shaken.

“Oh, the second phase is starting.”

Something whip-like lashed out towards the battered Indian heroes. A torrent of black magic energy erupted from Yasha, sending the heroes flying in every direction. I quickly issued commands.

“If this was the second phase we anticipated, there’s no need to worry. Just follow the plan.”

Follow the plan: lure attacks, dodge, and strike the core.

“From here on out, watching should be less grotesque since the second phase has begun.”

Yasha’s body gradually darkened. The monstrous appearance from earlier disappeared, and his misshapen limbs straightened.

Kreeeeaaa!!

Yasha stood tall, firmly planting his legs. His pitch-black body emitted wisps of dark mist.

“Now! Aim for the abdomen!”

Just as Yasha was about to stand upright, I gave the command to the heroes and Black Flame Dragon.

I’d always wanted to try this.

Attacking during transformation.

While everyone else fell back, only the expedition team’s heroes charged Yasha.

* * *

Thud-thud.

Hwakwon and Unsah propelled themselves off the ground, landing on Yasha’s knees. Tendril-like intestines reached out like demonic hands toward them.

Ssssshhhhh!

An arrow fired by Gongsung sliced through the intestinal whip blocking their path. Hwakwon smashed the obstacle with a fiery punch, while Unsah leaped higher, wrapping her spear around the whip.

– Route secured. Come this way.

A stream of blue magic power flowed from the heroes’ armor, creating a path through the air. The blue canaries flitted through the intestines, carving a route wide enough for one person.

“…”

No time for hesitation. Hwakwon and Unsah pushed off Yasha’s knees and leapt higher.

“Hyaah!”

“I’m going!”

Hwakwon climbed Yasha’s thigh, incinerating any intestines that blocked his way.

Unsah used the intestinal cables to propel herself higher, removing each segment with her spear infused with magic.

Whenever obstacles appeared, arrows or magic projectiles flew in to clear the way.

Usa, Gongsung, and Tempest Lady’s covering fire opened the path for Hwakwon and Unsah to reach Yasha’s lower abdomen. There, they plunged their weapons deep into the beast.

“Hwakwon!”

“In one go, one, two—!”

Fire gathered in Hwakwon’s fist, and Unsah channeled magic into her spear tip.

“Three—!”

Together, they unleashed their attacks. Targeting the exposed colon meant for use as a whip, they struck a weak spot where Yasha’s magic protection hadn’t fully formed yet.

Keeeiiiiiiiiik—?!

Focused on transforming, Yasha failed to notice the two climbing up from below. Having been attacked three times in the same area, Yasha released the magical barrier surrounding his belly in agony.

“Guh…!”

The blackened skin split open, revealing writhing intestines. Though nausea hit both heroes, the greater danger was that these writhing masses were attempting to crush them.

“The intestines are falling…?!”

Plop.

Massive organs burst forth, threatening to crush the two heroes suspended mid-air.

At that moment, a gust of wind swirled around them.

Thud!

“Senior!”

“Retreat!”

Pungbaek grabbed Hwakwon by the collar and Unsah’s spear, fleeing at full speed. A chunk of expelled intestine dropped heavily to the ground, narrowly missing them.

Fuuuushh—!

The fallen intestine oxidized, releasing a putrid stench. Maggots and flies swarmed it, all exhibiting signs of monstrosity.

“This…?”

Hwakwon felt his stomach drop. Even before Phoenix’s naming of the second phase, he had been tirelessly burning away the bodily fluids and parts scattered by Yasha. His instincts warned him that this too must be burned.

“This needs to be burned…!”

But there were too many scattered organs. Despite being S-Rank, Hwakwon couldn’t handle them all while keeping an eye on the still-living Yasha.

– Hwakwon, focus on Yasha.

Phoenix’s voice rang out immediately. Before he could ask about dealing with the scattered parts, black-blue flames rained down from the sky.

Whoosh!

The flames from Black Flame Dragon engulfed everything around Yasha. Equipped with S-Rank fire attributes, the dragon’s power was amplified subtly by Phoenix above.

Keeeek—

Monstrosities writhing from Yasha’s scattered organs perished in the flames. Comparing the flames covering his own hands to those consuming the monsters, Hwakwon caught his breath.

“Purifying flames…!”

Whether white or black, ever since Phoenix’s ‘blue flame’ mixed in, monsters couldn’t withstand the fire. All that remained was to follow Phoenix’s and the Executioner’s orders to completely defeat the foe.

BOOOOOM!!

Yasha staggered, clutching his face with both hands before letting out a howl. Immense magical energy surged outward, knocking back unprepared Indian heroes.

“Crap, this much magical energy…!”

Despite the roar seeming like a threat, the contained power was immeasurably dense. As hero morale slightly wavered, the Executioner’s voice boomed.

– Focus! We’re not at a disadvantage yet!

“That’s true, but still…”

Pungbaek shook his head, horrified by the sight of Yasha continuing to vomit intestines.

“When does this end?”

– The more desperate they get near death, the more they flaunt their strength. Don’t worry; right now, they’re probably strategizing an escape in their mind.

Phoenix’s sharp and cold analysis kept the heroes vigilant against Yasha.

Though Yasha seemed intent on wiping out all nearby heroes, upon reflection, he appeared somewhat uneasy.

– We’ve interrupted the transformation and the desperation phase is over. Now we just need to finish him off properly.

– Everyone, proceed according to the plan. Ignore the Indian heroes; they’re nothing but hindrances now.

The Executioner’s order rang out. While Black Flame Dragon circled overhead, keeping Yasha in check, supporting heroes from the rear gathered towards the center.

“My turn finally?”

Among the heroes forming the circular formation, Phantom holding a golden-toothed dagger loosened up with a side-to-side neck stretch. Although he had waited until now to deliver the final blow, no one criticized him.

“Don’t overdo it.”

“Oh, worrying already?”

Phantom casually hung his golden weapon at his side, waiting for the signal. They awaited the imminent ‘signal.’

Crunch.

Yasha’s belly rippled, forming a mouth-like opening that stretched wide.

– There it is, Yasha’s main body!

– Go!

All heroes rushed forward without hesitation. Archers cleared paths with covering fire, while Pungbaek and Unsah swung their weapons to eliminate obstacles.

Keeeeeek!!

Yasha’s main body opened its mouth, spewing acidic saliva aimed directly at the heroes. However, a black fireball from Black Flame Dragon intercepted it in an instant.

Pssssshhh—!!

Steam billowed everywhere, and amidst it, a rocket-like streak of azure flame shot upward. Hwakwon carried Phantom on his shoulder, leaping mightily toward Yasha’s main body.

“Sis! Now!”

Intestines shot toward Hwakwon from both sides. With great effort, Hwakwon tensed his arms, allowing Phantom to leap lightly off them.

Crack!!

The intestines whipped Hwakwon like a lash. Though he protected himself with flames, the stench from the intestines threatened to overwhelm him.

“I never thought I’d do something like this.”

Phantom chuckled bitterly, raising his golden-toothed dagger high. Magic flowed into the blade, causing the folded teeth to extend skyward. Yasha’s main body gaped at the glowing golden aura emanating from Phantom’s weapon.

I need to escape. Just as it tried to close its mouth and retreat within,

Whoosh.

Fiery explosions erupted inside its mouth, disorienting it. From atop Black Flame Dragon, Phoenix stood up and flicked her finger. Yasha’s main body had no chance to escape.

“It’s over!”

Crack!

Phantom swung his golden-toothed dagger. The crude and fearsome golden blade embedded itself precisely between Yasha’s main body’s eyebrows.

Woooom—!!

The Calipera, an S-Rank light attribute weapon lodged in Yasha’s belly, began emitting massive magical energy.

BOOOOOOM!!

In a tremendous explosion of light, Yasha and the surrounding area were consumed.

Soon after.

News spread worldwide that the S-Rank monster, Yasha, had been defeated.