Chapter 312

〈 Chapter 312 〉 Part 1, Chapter 14, 3

To put it bluntly, it was a monster I had never seen before.

A human with a horse’s head stood on all fours with its neck stretched high into the heavens, galloping across the ground like some kind of bizarre quadruped.

Heeheeheeeekkk!

The monster emitted an otherworldly sound I’d never heard before. It was a beast in human form: a horse’s head atop a humanoid body, running like a spider on all fours. This clearly magical creature was undoubtedly a “monster,” emitting a distinct magical reaction.

Koooggggghhh!

With every step the monster took, massive tremors shook the earth. And as the mud that clung to its skin like a second layer began to peel away, the true nature of the monster’s hide was revealed beneath.

Ripppp.

As the mud fell off, a steel-like skin came into view. Though it appeared smooth at first glance, the veins beneath pulsed and twisted like tangled rivers beneath the metallic surface.

Takgadak, Takgadak.

The monster sprinted eastward like a madman. The sudden appearance of an SS-Rank Monster tearing through the landscape was enough to send shockwaves of fear through anyone who saw it. Those who realized where it was headed were thrown into even greater chaos.

New Delhi.

The monster was charging straight toward New Delhi, and the first to respond were none other than the “esteemed ones” from the Guild.

-Guild transmission.

-The horse-shaped monster spotted in Mohenjo-daro heading east has been named <Kinna-ra>.

-The target is an SS-Rank Monster. Intercept Kinna-ra with full strength.

As always, the esteemed ones simply named the monster and issued no further instructions.

The monster Kinna-ra was clearly chasing something as it barreled eastward.

***

“Where shall we set the battlefield?”

I asked the Executioner casually while kicking off the ground and dashing forward. With each step I took, Kinna-ra had to take three strides to keep up, and Baegnaroh was hurtling this way with its core engine practically on fire.

“Let me mark three possible spots.”

I sent over three potential battlefields to the Executioner. All led to New Delhi, and they intersected where I would drive Kinna-ra east and meet Baegnaroh coming in from the west.

[This one!]

“The best choice.”

The Executioner selected the most suitable location from my picks.

Jaipur, Bargarh.

One of the thirteen great magical battlegrounds in the world, a place destined to become a city of true monsters—a hellish magical arena.

While I considered planting some preemptive bombs, I decided it’d be better to just obliterate the land entirely by taking out Kinna-ra.

“Alright then, let’s go. I’ll adjust the direction subtly, so follow along.”

I turned toward Bargarh. Kinna-ra followed closely behind, its long tongue dangling from its jaw as it pursued me without slowing down.

Gugugugu.

With every stride Kinna-ra took, earthquakes registering above magnitude four rippled through the ground. But I moved faster than the seismic waves it generated, maintaining my speed without faltering.

Right before being caught, I spread my wings to create distance.

Just as it seemed I’d be devoured, I kicked off the air, releasing magic power to evade its snapping jaws.

Kinna-ra had already failed to eat me more than a dozen times, and now it was utterly enraged, breathing heavily as it chased after me.

‘India’s borders are far behind us.’

Following the invisible straight road created by the magical gear’s navigation system, I dashed ahead, leaving clear hoofprints on the path below.

Though this chase seemed one-sided, retaliation was imminent.

Bargarh.

That’s where Kinna-ra will die.

***

15 minutes later.

Dudududu.

The engines of the Baegnaroh were roaring with what looked like suspicious overheating, blasting magic power as it soared through the sky. Having momentarily shaken off the fighter jets escorting it from Kolkata, the Baegnaroh approached the designated area.

-All personnel, prepare for combat.

Heroes emerging onto the deck responded to the Executioner’s orders by readying their weapons or summoning their magic powers in preparation for battle. Thanks to Phoenix’s earlier predictions of the arrival time, they were exactly on schedule, meeting the approaching expedition team and the monster at the designated spot.

-Again, confirm: What is the enemy’s weakness?

“None.”

Hwakwon answered on behalf of everyone. A monster without any weaknesses—it sounded absurd, but unfortunately, Kinna-ra had no specific vulnerabilities like internal organs that could be targeted to easily bring it down, unlike Yasha.

-Yes. However, we have other methods, correct?

“Four wind-elemental mages standing by.”

Pungbaek, Unsah, Gongsung, Tempest Lady—there were almost too many wind-attribute specialists. Including Phantom, who could transform into a wind mage, there were a whopping five.

“This is definitely a premeditated lineup, isn’t it?”

“Of course. Wind elements deal double damage to durability types. We’ve gathered five of the top wind mages from Korea here today.”

When facing enemies without physical weaknesses, use elemental magic to exploit their vulnerabilities.

Phoenix delivered a short lecture on elemental theory to the heroes early in the morning, and through countless battles, the heroes had come to intuitively understand the relationships between different magical attributes.

Ironically, these wind mages would be countered by Hwakwon, Phoenix, and Black Flame Dragon, who were participating in this battle—but for now, they were allies.

“But, Executioner… Are you really going through with this plan?”

“Yes.”

The Executioner firmly supported Phoenix’s strategy and staging. Beneath the beret, black eyes sparkled with anticipation and excitement.

“…Feels like you’re stealing all the cool scenes.”

“Do we fight for coolness? Is it really necessary to go this far?”

“She said it herself, didn’t she?”

Phantom, transformed into Cheongnyeon and waiting outside, reminded the heroes of her words.

“We must win fights we can surely win… in style.”

“…And whose definition of ‘style’ is this, exactly?”

“Still, there’s nothing we can do. Both the commander and our ace are enthusiastically supporting this right now.”

Samsa shook his head at how deeply the two had synced with Phoenix’s spirit sensitivity. The Executioner seemed restless, eager to issue commands at the perfect moment, while another key player clenched and unclenched their fists meaningfully.

“…Hyanggyae…”

Though others paid no mind to his muttering, what Huayeom was about to say was painfully obvious.

“Ah. Huayeom, you’re not leading the first strike.”

“What?! What do you mean, miss?! Ah, no, Phantom!”

“…This guy keeps slipping up and exposing my identity. Whatever, it doesn’t matter.”

Phantom effectively gave up on hiding their identity. The heroes were already aware of it, though an unspoken tension kept them from mentioning it outright.

“In any case, you’re not doing the first strike. Right, Executioner?”

[Correct. The first strike belongs to someone else. Huayeom, please follow up.]

“…If that’s the Executioner’s order…”

Huayeom clearly felt disappointed. Meanwhile, the Baegnaroh had arrived at the appointed location: Bargarh.

“Hey, something’s coming-”

“Ta-da!”

Phoenix gracefully descended onto the deck, holding a core in one hand while transforming another core into earrings and clipping them onto her ears.

“Huh? Surprised? I’ve been preparing for this.”

Phoenix turned around and peered down from the deck, spotting the frenzied horse-headed quadruped monster charging toward them in the distance.

“Then let’s begin the Kinna-ra Raid. The raid starts…”

Phoenix stepped onto the railing of the deck. The heroes, following prior arrangements, joined her on the deck.

“Executioner! Countdown for drop-off!”

[3, 2, 1…]

The Executioner, somehow prepared with a button in hand, raised it high.

[Drop!]

Click.

At the Executioner’s command, Phoenix—Cheongnyeon—leapt off the deck. Not as an SS-Rank Fire Mage, but as an EX-Class Special Ability user and Beast Tamer, plummeting hundreds of meters from the sky.

Kueeerreeeeeek!!

Kinna-ra greeted the heroes leaping from the deck. Its gaping maw revealed wriggling tentacles, ready to ensnare and devour them.

“By the sole sun of this world, I decree-”

Cheongnyeon began chanting. Removing the earrings from her ears, she held both cores in her hands, bringing them together in front of her chest.

“Manifest! Servants of the Eternal Flame!!”

From the center of Cheongnyeon’s clasped hands, a massive blue flame erupted, quickly growing to towering heights exceeding forty meters. Over the giant blue flame emerged armor resembling the scales of a Black Dragon.

Boom, BOOM, Boom!

The heroes all landed securely on the shoulder plates of the Flame Giant. Alone atop the Flame Giant’s helm, Cheongnyeon stood with legs stretched wide atop the Black Dragon scales.

“Chang-yeom–!!”

Cheongnyeon pulled back her right fist slightly. Simultaneously, the Flame Giant also drew its fist back.

Kroaaahh!!

Kinna-ra leaped forward, opening its mouth wide. Its elongated jaws seemed poised to swallow the upper half of the Flame Giant whole.

Puuhh.

Cheongnyeon’s low chuckle mocked Kinna-ra outright. The heroes braced themselves on the Flame Giant’s shoulders for the “opening strike.”

“Kai-”

Cheongnyoen stepped forward with her left foot, twisting her hips. It was a technique even more refined and powerful than what Huayeom had demonstrated earlier.

“……!!”

Huayeom clenched her lips tightly upon witnessing it. Though she hadn’t gotten to initiate the raid, seeing her “master” perform such a technique was certainly welcome.

“Ji-”

Kwaanggg!!

The Flame Giant jumped slightly, delivering a punch to Kinna-ra’s snout. The pose differed slightly from Cheongnyeon’s horizontal hook.

“…….”

Cheongnyeon’s earlobes flushed crimson uncontrollably. The heroes felt a strange sensation, as if their perception had been distorted.

Hadn’t Cheongnyoen’s technique been called out after the punch had already been thrown?

Keyeeeeek….

Regardless, Kinna-ra slammed its closed jaw into the ground beneath the Flame Giant. The momentum of its charge caused its body to lift off into the air.

Completely vulnerable. As soon as the Flame Giant’s feet touched the ground, the Executioner’s command came crashing down like thunder.

[Wind mages, to your positions! Subdue the limbs!]

There was no time to reply.

Gongsung lunged at the left arm, Unsah at the right arm, Tempest Lady at the left leg, and Pungbaek at the right leg.

[Huayeom, the tail!]

“Understood!”

Huayeom propelled herself upward using the Flame Giant’s right arm, leaping high into the air. The swaying tail at the end of Kinna-ra’s vertically aligned body looked ready to lash out at the heroes at any moment.

“Chang-yeom-”

This was the technique directly shown by her master. Blue flames began to rise from Huayeom’s eyes and fists.

“Kaejin—-!!”

Kwaaaang!!

Huayeom’s punch struck Kinna-ra’s thigh, causing its vertically positioned body to fall downward.

Kuuu-wung!

Kinna-ra collapsed flat onto the ground. Its horse head pinned by the Flame Giant, its limbs restrained by the wind mages, and its back struck by Huayeom.

[Now! Full attack!]

Without missing a beat, the Executioner’s command rang out, prompting the wind mages to focus their attacks on the joints of the restrained limbs.

Keerrrrrreeeeeng!!

Kinna-ra thrashed and screamed in pain but couldn’t move an inch under the combined weight of the Flame Giant and Huayeom.

“Hey, why so quiet?”

Perched atop the Flame Giant’s head with arms crossed, Phantom nudged the silent Cheongnyeon in the ribs.

“……”

Too embarrassed to speak, Cheongnyeon wanted nothing more than to revert to Phoenix, ignore public opinion, and turn this insolent second-in-command into a star in the night sky.

“Words or no words…”

Plok, plokplok!

Kinna-ra’s limbs began to bend grotesquely at the joints. Twisted in directions they weren’t meant to go, the arms and legs now pointed toward the wind mages perched atop them.

“You don’t need to comment unnecessarily when everyone’s handling things perfectly well.”

The Flame Giant had the monster’s head pinned and its neck pressed down firmly, while Huayeom was mercilessly pummeling its tail.

“At this rate, we should be able to finish it off before Phase Two.”

Gurrrreeeeeng!!

The four wind mages and Huayeom began unleashing their full might against Kinna-ra’s limbs and tail.