Chapter 830: Episode 3 Part 2 Chapter 07 – The Kingdom’s Darkness
Link, start.
I logged into Tera.
Right before my eyes was the familiar chest area of a maid’s uniform, and I could feel the soft touch of thighs behind my head.
However, the back where I lay felt chilly. It was as if I were lying on hard rocks.
“Hikari?”
“I’m sorry, Phoenix Sir. We’re trapped.”
“……What?”
When I woke up, my arms were tied with ropes, and Hikari’s arms were similarly bound.
“Tied up…?”
“We’ve been captured. By the people of Gaia Kingdom.”
How could I, who had come here dreaming of leading epic battles against SS-Rank Monsters and enemies in cutscenes, find myself in such an absurd situation?
“What is this…?”
Hikari and I were locked in a prison.
While I was logged out, I must have passed out, and now we were imprisoned in a cold brick-floored dungeon.
“What happened?”
“…We were detained because we witnessed a large-scale defection.”
“What? Detained just for seeing it?”
“Yes. This place is where the Border Guard imprisons people. There are many others captured besides us.”
“Seriously?”
They weren’t arresting those committing crimes but instead those who merely saw crimes being committed?
“Are they going to brainwash us or something? Are they crazy?”
“…It seems so.”
Hikari shook her head.
“Phoenix Sir, do you remember the first group that escaped near the border? They were slightly shorter than me, but still taller than armored soldiers.”
“Hmm.”
I remember them. Desperately breaking through the border guards, they ran towards the Vishnia Kingdom with frantic faces.
If it weren’t for the Sand Dragon, that tall group would have caught everyone trying to enter Gaia Kingdom, including us.
In the narrow gorge, chaos erupted as people and carriages overturned while fleeing from the guards.
But this mass defection…
It’s incomprehensible.
“To explain this, I need to tell you about Gaia Kingdom’s customs.”
“Go ahead.”
“Alright…”
Hikari explained.
Gaia Kingdom is divided into three main classes.
One consists of the purest bloodline—”Royal Blood.”
These individuals possess no mixed heritage; their magic power is purely Earth Attribute. Numerically speaking, all other attributes—Water, Fire, Wind, Light, Dark, Metal—are at zero, except for Durability and Earth Attribute, which range from 1 to 99.
Considering Spirit Ji Ryun has only Earth Attribute at 99, these individuals can indeed prove themselves as the purest bloodline of Gaia Kingdom.
Thus, they are regarded as the closest beings to the goddess and occupy the highest social strata in Gaia Kingdom.
As everywhere else, pure-blood supremacy exists.
If even a single point of any attribute other than Durability is detected among the seven attributes—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, Dark, Metal—these individuals aren’t classified as pure-bloods.
So what do we call those who aren’t pure-bloods but have a mix of different magical powers?
The opposite of pure-bloods, these are the “Mixed Bloods,” whose blood and magic are blended.
Originally, everyone in Gaia Kingdom might have been pure-blooded.
However, interactions with other kingdoms led some pure-bloods to fall in love with foreigners or spirits.
Human hearts are unpredictable.
Despite maintaining purity supposedly enhancing one’s lineage, some pure-bloods fell in love with outsiders possessing different magical attributes and willingly gave up their status as pure-bloods.
These individuals inherit any magical attribute from their parents aside from Earth. While Earth magic remains dominant, other magical powers cannot be entirely ignored.
Children born from such unions possess both their parents’ magical powers, making them impure in terms of Earth Attribute.
Initially, these “Half-Breeds” or “Quarters” faced disdain and contempt. With their small numbers, they were discriminated against without much concern.
But the number of mixed-blood individuals grew exponentially over time.
As years passed, no matter how diluted the blood became, the faint traces of inherited magic within couldn’t be erased.
Just as multiplying 1/2 infinitely never results in zero, the pure-blood population gradually decreased until the mixed-bloods outnumbered them, becoming the majority in Gaia Kingdom.
Facing this new reality, the pure-bloods established a new system of domination—the Pure-Blood Supremacy.
Regardless of the amount, only those with absolutely no magical attributes other than Durability remained in control, ruling over the mixed-bloods.
A mere 1% ruled over the remaining 99%.
From this perspective, it didn’t seem too bad. Mixed-bloods, already integral parts of society, merely had to say “yes” to the pure-bloods.
There was no reason for anyone to risk their lives escaping in mass defections.
Yet such incidents occurred because the citizens deemed it necessary.
Something significant must have driven them to attempt breaching the border with their bodies.
If this posed a problem for pure-blood rule, then we must have witnessed something truly problematic about their governance.
‘Absolutely terrible luck.’
Had I just crossed the border, none of this would have happened.
“Rather, if they arrested us claiming we were searching for mysterious blue flames, I might have understood.”
“That’s right. There’s someone here who defeated a monster.”
Hikari stroked my head. I heard laughter, but her chest blocked my view.
“Hikari, quiet. Someone’s coming.”
I heard footsteps approaching from afar. I lifted my head from Hikari’s lap and stood up.
“Stop.”
The person approaching was a bearded man, estimated to be around 140cm tall, resembling a typical dwarf.
Judging by his brown uniform and the respectful demeanor of the other guards, he was undoubtedly of high rank.
“Are you sure about these two?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
“Bring them.”
He received something from his subordinate, unlocked the iron bars himself, and entered. Hikari moved to block me protectively, and the man looked up at her.
“…Hmm, are you from the Vishnia Kingdom?”
“Yes.”
“Stay still…please.”
The man’s expression worsened as he pointed something at Hikari.
“Master!”
“It’s a scanner. A device that detects magic power.”
“Oh.”
Hikari froze mid-motion to protect me. Suddenly, I found myself talking face-to-face with Hikari’s chest until she blushed and moved aside, allowing me to meet the man’s gaze.
“You’ve raised a fine offspring.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
BEEP.
The man scanned us with magic and handed the scanner back to his subordinate, bowing deeply in a gesture similar to clasping hands.
“Pardon my rudeness. Noble pure-blood from a foreign land.”
“…”
I get it. Judging by the scanner’s panel through the iron bars, I understand why his attitude toward us changed instantly.
Hikari is a princess of the Vishnia Kingdom.
Given that divine officials inherit royal bloodlines, Hikari likely possesses almost no magic other than Light Attribute.
And me? Pure Fire Attribute. No other attribute would be detectable, aligning perfectly with the local standard for pure-bloods.
Which means…
“The master hails from the Land of Fire, a noble. This one is my servant.”
“Aha, indeed!”
All previous assumptions are discarded. Now, we needed a position that would earn their respect and understanding.
“My father sent me to broaden my horizons, traveling with my attendant through various countries. My credentials… Have you seen a bag like this? I kept them there.”
“I’m sorry, Master. Due to…the monster, I lost the bag…”
Hikari cleverly picked up on my cue. I patted her back.
“It’s fine. The proof of the Blue Flame House isn’t something that can be swayed by mere scraps of paper. …Still, it’s troublesome. My apologies. Verifying our identities will take some time.”
“Not at all. That’s sufficient. Your magic proves your identity, so what more is needed?”
The man waved his hands and pointed to himself.
“Commander of the Gaia Kingdom Border Defense Force overseeing the Vishnia front, Drakan. General Drakan.”
“General…”
For a general, he’s short.
But this very height proves his high standing in this country.
After all…
‘A-class Durability. Pure-blood.’
No other magic attributes can be sensed—only A-class Durability.
“You two step back. I have something to discuss with these honored guests.”
“Understood!”
The soldiers retreated en masse. Drakan scratched his head and sighed deeply.
“I apologize for showing you such an unpleasant sight upon entering our country.”
“If only we could pretend not to have seen it, but I fear the same might happen again. What’s going on? Why were they attempting to escape across the border?”
“…They were all parents trying to protect their families. Visitors staying temporarily here.”
Drakan sighed heavily.
“Seeing your appearance reminds me of my son, so please heed my words. Currently, the high priestess of this country is not in her right mind.”
“Can you insult the high priestess like that?”
“Insult? You’ll change your mind once you hear this. That witch, Echidna, is mad.”
Drakan shook his head in despair.
“She’s eager to marry off her daughter to someone suitable. The problem is, the groom she seeks has very specific conditions.”
“Specific conditions?”
“Indeed. Though it’s too vulgar to articulate…”
Drakan frowned deeply.
“He’s looking for someone 140 cm tall with…this kind of build.”
Drakan placed his hand below his waist. I immediately understood and felt nauseous.
“…Really?”
“That’s about it.”
“…”
Should I return to my original body before moving to the next city?
Though it doesn’t apply to me, it would be quite inconvenient to appear as a child in such a place.
High Priestess Echidna of Gaia Kingdom.
She’s searching for a shota.
“Separate from that, why are people defecting?”
“…They’re all parents with children.”
“Eh? Surely not…”
“That’s right. High Priestess Echidna is this kind of person… If natural ones don’t exist, she’ll create them artificially.”
“Forcing them to remain small. Preventing them from growing.”
EP.826 Part 3 Chapter 2 Chapter 08: Binushiijo Gas
Krishna, the golden spirit of Cressna, parted ways with Phoenix and Hikari for a moment.
[Tch, being treated like animals is humiliating.]
[What about trying to move? This iron bar, if we squeeze through, it might work.]
Krishna’s eyes sparkled. Both pupils shimmered with starlight, and faintly tinged black areas hinted at hidden abilities.
Swoosh.
Krishna effortlessly slipped through the iron bars. Moving to a spot devoid of shadows where sunlight sparkled, no one noticed Krishna’s escape from the cell.
[This is exactly like that person.]
[Even though being transparent under sunlight is quite abnormal, it’s undeniably effective.]
[Yes. When there’s no sunlight, we’ll need to break through when no one’s around, but…]
Krishna glanced around cautiously.
[Where is that crying sound coming from?]
[I’m not sure, but…]
[It sounds like it’s coming from underground…]
Krishna sprinted down the hallway leading to the basement. Although finding Phoenix was paramount, the unsettling images lingering in Krishna’s mind wouldn’t let him ignore what might be happening.
Many people were being dragged away by dwarves-like figures. Among them were numerous children, ambiguously appearing to be from Gaia Kingdom. Based on their expressions and atmosphere, most were presumed to be kids.
Children.
If the children were involved in something unusual…
Neither Yun Yuhwa nor Hikari residing within Krishna could overlook this matter. Even if Phoenix questioned why Krishna appeared late or got separated momentarily, investigating this issue was essential.
Waaah, Aaaah!!
The cries of children echoed from the basement. Despite feeling apprehensive, Krishna stealthily descended, avoiding the guards’ attention.
“!!”
Krishna stopped abruptly. Concealing himself in the sliver of sunlight streaming through a window, he eavesdropped on a conversation between a man and woman walking nearby.
“Is the ‘culling operation’ proceeding smoothly?”
“Yes, General. We’re starting with the children with the most mixed blood.”
Operations involving children. Krishna focused on the voice of the man addressed as “General.”
“Fortunately. It’d be problematic if the children grow. Everyone must look identical to the pure-bloods. Are there any children surpassing this limit?”
The general raised a finger. The officer beside him shook his head.
“No, there aren’t. However, there’s one unconfirmed case—the ‘Pureblood of Flames’…”
“That one is off-limits. Touching them could be dangerous. Since they communicated reasonably well, avoid stirring up trouble unnecessarily.”
“Understood, General.”
The general paused, stroking his chin. His eyes, filled with deep contemplation, gazed towards the inner part of the underground prison.
“When these girls grow up, they’ll probably engage in sexual activities, right?”
“Sex is a human instinct.”
“Exactly. Therefore, we must suppress that instinct. In other countries, sexual desire is considered one of humanity’s three basic urges, but the problems arising from it are alarming.”
The general shook his head vigorously, clearly expressing disgust.
“Child sexual abuse should never occur in this country, right?”
“Of course not, General.”
“Good. Thus, we must make a decision. To ensure no child suffers in the future and avoids distress due to sexual issues, although it may be painful now, things will improve after several generations.”
The general’s eyes revealed resolute madness.
“…To prevent half-breeds from engaging in sexual acts with smaller individuals, I will protect the children.”
Whirr, Clang.
The general pulled a lever on the wall.
Green gas began creeping into the interior of the basement.
“Sorry. This is all for your benefit.”
“Binushiijo Gas, deployment initiated.”
Pssshhh.
“Sorry, children. This is the only way for you to safely grow until you’re twenty.”
The general and officer departed.
Krishna quietly stepped inside and examined the green gas.
[Hikari, what is this?]
[…This place is truly insane. They’re completely insane.]
Within moments, Hikari identified the substance, her voice trembling with rage.
[Sexual hormone suppressant.]
[What?]
[It suppresses sexual hormones.]
[Simply put, it’s a gas that destroys testosterone or estrogen when consumed.]
[Crazy.]
* * *
Humans each have their own potential for growth.
No one knows how they’ll develop as they grow; there are cases where someone can grow over 10cm in just a month.
While the environment does play a big role in growth, in the Gaea Kingdom, genetics has an even greater influence.
What happens when someone from another country with different magical properties mixes?
If they do, their height automatically exceeds the pureblood standard of 140 in the Gaea Kingdom.
Simply put, if you add 140 and 180 and divide by two, you get 160. Similarly, half-bloods in the Gaea Kingdom experience growth due to the different elemental magic flowing within them.
However, the priestess ‘Echidna’ wouldn’t leave these people be.
The past glory…
Back when everyone in the Gaea Kingdom was under 140 – a time others might call a nation of dwarves but was actually when the kingdom was at its peak prosperity.
To revive those memories and restore that day’s prosperity, Echidna supposedly began the “half-blood purification” project.
So how exactly?
You can’t forcibly shrink people who’ve already grown without causing outrage.
Cutting off protruding parts like Procrustes would lead to tyranny, and no matter what, any priestess would be torn apart by an angry populace.
So Echidna targeted not the “adults” but the “children.”
Since nothing could be done about adults whose growth had already finished, she focused her schemes on the growing children.
No one would exceed 140 cm.
To put it bluntly.
All boys would become male Kim Nori,
All girls would become female Kim Nori.
And the boys wouldn’t stop there – all of them would be turned into Sun Icheol.
Why such a terrible act?
It’s to distinguish between “adults” and “children.”
In the Gaea Kingdom, there’s little distinction between adults and children. Of course, infants are much smaller, but once teenagers hit puberty, they only develop sexually without growing taller.
This structurally caused numerous problems.
Thinking someone was an adult when they were actually a child? That’s relatively minor.
Discovering someone who committed serious crimes was actually a child? It was enough to overturn the nation and enrage the Earth Spirit. Naturally, they received capital punishment, and measures had to be taken to prevent such occurrences.
Thus, they aimed to clearly distinguish between adults and children.
Though Gaea Kingdom adults may be short, that doesn’t mean their chests or… other parts are small too.
As proper adults, they’re clearly different from children, and people in the Gaea Kingdom use visible size differences to differentiate minors.
To make this clearer:
If young children remain perpetually small and only begin rapid growth upon reaching adulthood…
Then no one would mistakenly judge based on appearance alone and create sexual issues.
Even people from other countries visiting the Gaea Kingdom would be able to clearly tell:
A woman with large breasts is an adult.
A man with a prominent bulge in his pants is an adult.
If adults and minors were clearly distinguished this way, surely there would never be heinous crimes targeting young children.
People believed this.
– The cause of sexual crimes is the inability to distinguish between adults and children.
The priestess believed this.
– Therefore, if adults and children were clearly differentiated, such incidents would never occur.
That’s why she allegedly committed such atrocities.
* * *
“There’s no crazier talk than this.”
“That’s right.”
Through Krishna roaming the underground prison, we grasped the situation. As soon as Krishna returned to us, she handed over her magic power to Hari and detailed what she’d seen.
The Vinyushirjo Gas.
Just hearing the name sends shivers down your spine.
“Hari, did you know about this?”
“No. I’m sorry. I…”
“It’s fine. You couldn’t have known. From the situation, it seems this has just started.”
Suppressing sexual development through the removal of sex hormones!
What a terrifying plan!
“The idea is insane, but if their country had such problems, they could come up with this crazy solution. If it fixes their country, that is.”
“But people tried to flee, didn’t they?”
“Yeah. People fled, taking their children to other countries. Why else would they do that?”
“Because they realized it was madness.”
“Exactly. Krishna, is that certain?”
I patted Krishna’s back and asked.
“Is it true that women only grow up to D-cup and men only up to 15 cm?”
Kyurrr.
Krishna nodded vigorously as if confirming my words were correct. Though I’m unsure if she understood me, if the information Krishna brought is accurate, this is horrifying.
“F-cup, capable of becoming a 22 cm monster? Drinking this gas means even after maximum growth, they’re limited to D-cup and 15 cm?”
“…They say growth is suppressed by two-thirds, so it’s probably around that mark.”
“This isn’t right.”
Of course, parents wouldn’t want to turn their children into such grotesque forms and tried to escape the Gaea Kingdom with them.
“I can’t let this stand. Hari, I need to stir things up here.”
“What?”
“I’m organizing a resistance here.”
To correct Priestess Echidna’s misguided actions, I will incite a collective uprising from this fortress.
“Anyway, I planned to cause chaos in this country, so this works out.”
Overthrow the Earth Priestess and steal her magic power.
I came to the Gaea Kingdom with that purpose in mind.
Operation Name: <Kim Nori Freedom>.
EP.827 Part 3 Chapter 2 Section 09 Flame of Freedom
There’s something I haven’t told Hari.
My purpose for meeting the priestess in this Gaea Kingdom.
Steal the priestess’s magic power.
Take away the magic power of the priestess who possesses divine strength and make it my own.
There’s a reason for this.
That’s why I rushed from Vishnia to Gaea Kingdom.
To steal the priestess’s magic power, I must approach her, and I must defeat or evade anyone blocking my path like the Eight Guardian Deities of Vishnia Kingdom to reach her.
Finally, I must defeat the resisting priestess and absorb her magic power.
To go through all these steps requires considerable effort and time.
‘I can’t do this alone.’
During my 20 years on Earth, I deeply understood the limits of individual power.
No matter how powerful one may be, even at S Rank level, one cannot properly manage a country, let alone the world.
The best method would have been to sneak into the capital of the Gaea Kingdom, quietly approach the priestess, and steal her magic power. However, upon arriving in the Gaea Kingdom, I couldn’t ignore the darkness evident here.
If left unchecked, chaos will spread.
Who would willingly become a dwarf?
Who would willingly become a weakling?
Even Seok Harang rejoiced at her growing bust, and on Earth during the 20th century, there was a worst dictator who caused his nation’s downfall to increase his 3 cm endowment.
Therefore, I cannot leave this be.
But I can’t do it alone.
Thus, I move as a ‘group.’
“Hari, are you ready?”
“I shall follow Master’s will.”
Hari joined my plan.
“If it becomes known that the princess of Vishnia Kingdom interfered in another country’s coup, you’ll be politically ruined. Vishnia Kingdom will cut ties with you, and you’ll merely become one of the rebel leaders.”
“But if we succeed, right?”
“Yes. If we succeed…you’ll become the princess who rose against the injustices of a foreign land.”
A story where the exiled princess gains support abroad and returns to her homeland.
It’s a common tale.
Though it’s surprisingly happening in reality now, to achieve a happy ending, there must be no mistakes from here on.
“…This form feels awkward to move in, but…”
I checked my body’s condition.
Though I’ve reduced my size using magic, maintaining this form consumes magic power, preventing me from going all out.
To fully utilize the magic power of Blazing Phoenix, I must revert to my true form.
‘That’s not possible.’
On Earth for 20 years, I stayed hidden to conceal my identity.
But now, the revolution I’ll ignite in Tera requires a clear focal point.
‘I’ll be that focal point.’
For the humans of Tera.
For the humans of Gaea.
To create a nation where everyone can grow according to their genetic potential.
“Blazing Phoenix Revival.”
I directed magic power towards the lock.
By melting the keyhole, I prevented keys from entering.
“Master? If you do that, won’t we be unable to exit…? Are you planning to break through?”
“Yes. We’ll break out. Unless someone breaks or cuts the iron bars, entry and exit will be impossible.”
After patting the anxious Hari on the back, I pointed to the small window outside.
“Listen well, Hari. Birds are beings that fly in the sky.”
“Blazing Phoenix Revival.”
“Bang.”
KWA—ANG!!
With immense blazing phoenix flames, the wall shattered.
A wide hole opened centered around where the window was, and outside was still pitch dark night.
“Of course. Arson tastes best at night.”
Just as sparks shine brighter in the darkness.
Flames burning under the sunlight aren’t as radiant as those blazing in the deep night.
“Hari, stay within the barrier with Krishna. If you leave, I’ll kill you.”
“Wha, what?!”
“It’s because I have trauma regarding people leaving barriers.”
I formed a barrier centered around Hari.
The blue flames became a new prison within the jail, and blue flames also ignited inside.
Now, no one from outside can enter the flaming prison, and Hari inside cannot leave.
“But what if someone needs my help?”
“Do you have the power to help?”
“Well…if a child is dying in front of me, I can’t just watch, right?”
“Hmm. Good point.”
Though it varies from person to person, seeing a child die before your eyes makes even good and kind-hearted people rush out despite the barrier.
“Here, take this.”
I handed Hari a cylinder filled with special power.
Though it drained more of my strength, I can recover magic power while fighting.
“If you need to help someone from inside, chant the spell and press this.”
“What is this?”
“A magical item that can subdue everything outside, even ordinary people. By the way, the spell is this.”
I quietly whispered the spell only to Hari.
While I was ensuring Hari’s safety, the entire prison went on emergency alert due to the blue flames breaking the walls.
This emergency will soon spread throughout the border fortress.
“What’s going on?”
“Th-the inside is strange! There was an explosion where the foreign VIP was held!”
“Guh, why can’t we open it?! What’s with these flames?!”
From the perspective of the fortress owner Drakan and others, they see blue flames forming a wall within the iron bars. Touching the bars will result in fiery flames clinging to their hands, consuming all their magic power. They’ll collapse from magic and stamina depletion.
‘The blazing phoenix is truly amazing.’
It easily neutralizes people without killing them.
Seongju brainwashed Shin-ra and granted the power to neutralize beings with magic power, but now this attribute originating from Seongju will greatly aid in toppling the root of evil.
The beginning starts with the coup and revolution here at this fortress.
“To boys, the freedom to be muscular shota. To girls, the freedom to become H-cup.”
This is a revolution for bodily freedom.
“Operation Name: [Hydra].”
I dashed out of the prison.
Fluttering my blue wings, I surveyed the area where we were confined.
“Oh.”
A fortress stood within the cave.
Fitting its name as the Cave Kingdom, the cavern was as wide as a major city center.
Behind the fortress stretched several buildings forming a border village.
With an estimated height of 200 meters between the ceiling and floor, can this truly be called a cave?
“There!”
Small guards spotted me and hurriedly approached.
They hadn’t slept properly, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes while rushing from all sides.
“Ah, exciting.”
Anyone waking up suddenly isn’t in their prime condition.
Due to the sudden situation, none can think clearly.
Is there a special attack method against me flying in the sky?
Bang!
There is.
A sniper shot flew toward me, and I inspected the magic bullet aiming for my heart.
“This is…”
Poof!
The magic bullet in my hand exploded instantly.
At the same time, my hand got drenched in water.
“Indeed. They’re not completely stupid.”
One by one, guards climbed onto rooftops, rifles in hand.
Though shaped like rifles used in modern times, they loaded them with water-element magic bullets.
“Still, it seems they don’t fully understand the blazing phoenix yet.”
Fwoosh.
“The blazing phoenix burns water too.”
Limited to magic-generated water though.
“And you don’t need to see this.”
I immediately folded my wings and descended.
Based on the information from Krishna, I stopped far below where I escaped.
Knock knock knock.
“I’m breaking the wall. Step back.”
After lightly knocking towards the inside.
“Blazing Phoenix Punch.”
I infused magic power into my fist and shattered the wall.
Thanks to controlling the debris so it didn’t fly inward, fortunately, those in the prison remained unharmed.
“Wha, wha…!”
“Half-bloods. Are you adults?”
I looked around at those larger than me, having shrunk to Nuri’s size.
Much smaller compared to Hari, but from Nuri’s perspective, they were incredibly huge beings.
“Who are you?!”
“I’ve come to rescue the children.”
Approaching the frightened individuals, I grabbed the iron bars on both sides.
Squeak.
The iron bars opened sideways, and I gestured for those inside to come out.
“I’ll give this to two of you to destroy other iron bars elsewhere. I’ll handle soldiers coming from above…or below.”
“If we do this…”
“Green gas has been dispersed where the children are.”
“!!”
The prisoners’ eyes flared with killing intent.
I passed the blazing phoenix spheres to those I designated and gathered magic power at my fingertips.
“Over there!!”
Voices of approaching guards echoed from afar.
I hurled the object I manifested with magic power at the similarly grim-looking individuals.
“Ready to fight?”
“…Is it true that gas has been dispersed where the children are?”
“Of course.”
“…Damn it, damn it!”
The men moved beside me.
Though they seemed awkward handling weapons engulfed in blue flames, they shouldered the flame-spewing guns familiarly.
“One well-aimed shot. The flames will consume and neutralize them automatically.”
“They won’t die, right?!”
“They won’t die. Prioritizing rescuing the children.”
“Kuh…!”
I seek revolutionaries, not rioters.
Bang!
I deflected a magic bullet flying from afar with my hand.
Then I responded with a magic bullet materialized in my hand.
“Blazing Phoenix in the Hole.”
“Aaaah!!”
The guy hiding behind cover screamed as he collapsed after being hit by the magic bullet following a parabolic trajectory.
Groaning in pain from the flames sticking to his body, he fell to the ground.
Psshh—
“That’s what happens.”
“…Terrible.”
The fallen soldier’s helmet rolled aside.
His head was completely bald and shiny.
“Listen up! We’re about to rescue the children!”
You shouldn’t start with grand plans.
Telling them outright “Let’s overthrow Gaea Kingdom!” would only backfire.
It begins.
“Head underground! There are children below!”
Right now, it’s just about saving the kids.
All we need to do is remind the refugees trapped in these iron cages of the one goal they must achieve.
And thus.
Waaaaa!!
With the mixed-bloods seeking asylum as the core group, we declared war against the border guards of Guyana Fortress.
“For the future of the children!!”
‘This is terrorism.’
“Let the oppressed people of Guyana ignite the blue seeds of revolution.”
‘Blazing Phoenix Revival.’
“Light the flames of freedom!!”
For the freedom to have sex with ripped muscles and huge breasts!
EP.828 Part 3 Chapter 2-10 Hero
Waaaa!!
A roar echoes throughout the fortress.
The guards stationed at their respective posts begin to fall one by one to the rioters breaking out of the iron bars.
“What? Damn it! What’s going on here?!”
“A rebellion! The prisoners are rioting!”
“Suppress them! Execute them all with cannons!”
“Impossible!!”
“Why!!!”
Drakan grabs his subordinate by the collar and yells from above.
“I told you to execute them! Was my order unclear?!”
“We’re already firing! But their resistance isn’t ordinary!
“Firing and they’re still resisting?! Damn…!”
Drakan releases his grip roughly and grinds his teeth.
“This is why I didn’t want to recklessly attack the parents… If anything happens-”
“Report! The rioters are heading underground! It seems they’re going to save the children!”
“What…?!”
Drakan feels his blood drain from his body.
“Hold them back! Do whatever it takes to defend the underground! If it’s exposed, we’re screwed!”
“Holding them back! But th-…”
[Report! We’ve spotted what appears to be the enemy leader!]
The moment the subordinate’s shout ends, magic power begins to surge from the crystal ball.
“What’s…that?”
In the crystal ball, men armed with blue rifles are seen firing magical bullets at the guards.
Each one of them handles their rifles like expert marksmen, refusing to yield even against regular troops, instead accurately sniping the guards and setting them ablaze with blue flames.
Aaaaah!!
Anyone touched by the blue flames begins to burn.
Their clothes remain unscathed, but their magic power starts burning.
“Guh…!”
Drakan pulls his hair in despair at the pitiful sight of his subordinates.
“Who’s the leader?”
[That person there!]
The crystal ball points to a boy flapping blue wings in the sky.
Drakan is startled upon seeing him.
“Phoenix…? How could this be…?”
The reason is unknown.
However, it’s clear that Phoenix is skillfully issuing orders to the people while ‘sniping’ the guards.
Hwaaak, Hwaaak.
Every time flames bloom from Phoenix’s hands, arrows of fire curve through the air toward the guards.
No matter how much cover they use, the arrows fly like birds with free will, curving elegantly and impaling the guards.
“Guh…!”
[General! Urgent report!]
A scream from the adjutant reaches Drakan’s ears.
[The rioters are about to enter the basement! If this continues-]
“Cover it up.”
[…Yes?]
“Cover it up! Destroy the entrance completely to block access!”
[Bu-but then I…!]
“Fool.”
Drakan speaks firmly into the crystal ball.
“You’re making a noble sacrifice for the Kingdom of Guyana.”
[Ah… ]
Despair seeps into the adjutant’s voice.
Drakan waits anxiously for any news from underground, feeling a deep sorrow.
“I knew this would happen.”
[I can’t die like this! I can’t die like this!!]
“The explosion in the basement can be triggered remotely.”
…
Drakan presses the red button.
Instantly, the adjutant’s voice cuts off, and Drakan looks up as he sees the prisoners heading underground become confused.
“Nothing happened here today.”
“…As per General’s orders.”
The officers all nod grimly.
Drakan lightly flicks the sword at his waist and points to Phoenix flying in the air.
“I don’t know what that person’s purpose is, but that Phoenix is likely ‘him.'”
“That ‘monster’ you mean, the one who defeated that creature…?”
“Yes. He’s hiding himself in human form. Therefore…we must kill him at all costs.”
Drawing his sword, Drakan steps outside.
“Bring out Titan! We must kill him at all costs!”
“””Yes sir!”””
Together with the officers, Drakan begins running somewhere.
* * *
“Our cause is justified.”
Intercepting Dakan’s conversation through magical communication, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his actions.
“To think he’d bury the children alive just to erase the existence of the basement. Remarkable.”
The parents will naturally try to dig their way in.
But the soldiers outside the fortress will arrive with equipment to suppress our revolutionary army even faster.
Flap.
I land at the collapsed passage leading to the basement.
Those fighting above start fiercely blocking the guards, allowing me to check the passage leading inside the basement.
‘It’s not something I can’t break through.’
Having used my magic power to create a barrier for Harang and distribute weapons to the revolutionary army, my power has dropped to an average A Rank level.
If I break through here as is, it’ll drop to almost B Rank level.
“Aaaack, my son!!”
“Stand back.”
“Y-you…?!”
“We’re taking the fastest route.”
Clearing away the fallen boulders one by one would take too much time.
“To everyone, absolutely no one is to enter from here on. Understand?”
“W-what are you planning…?”
“I’m opening a path.”
I concentrate all my magic power within myself.
Then I transform my body into an ethereal form and squeeze through the gaps of the collapsed underground passage.
Squeeeeak!
Penetrating through the cracks of the collapsed rocks, I pass through the passage in an instant.
By forcibly shrinking my body to smaller than a sparrow, I consumed a significant amount of magic power, but the children were more important than that.
“Aaa, aaa…!”
Slurp, slurp.
The abandoned adjutant clutches her head, trembling with fear.
“I’m going to die here. I’ll never leave this place alive…”
A shadowy darkness begins to envelop her from below.
The touch of the dark hand, sensing her negative emotions, engulfs the adjutant, pulling her into despair.
“Well, if I’m going to die anyway, might as well take those things down there with me-”
Bang!
I snap my finger at the adjutant.
The Blazing Phoenix clinging to her body burns away both her negativity and the shadowy darkness creeping around her like ink.
Thud.
The adjutant collapses forward.
At the same time, my head starts to ache slightly.
“Hmm…”
Using so much magic power at once gives me a headache.
Given how much I’ve used compared to what’s regenerating, if I keep using it recklessly, I won’t be able to fight properly.
‘But that’s a problem for later.’
MP is meant to be consumed.
I rush into the basement.
Inside, it’s not much different from a prison, and as I run through the corridor, I confirm all the way to the end.
“Uuuuuaaaah!!”
“…This is going to be troublesome explaining this to the kids alone.”
All the children are crying.
Of course they’re sad and confused being separated from their parents, and the sudden earthquake-like event must be terrifying.
‘Still, we need to move now.’
There’s no time to explain.
“Stand back.”
I melt the lock on the iron bars and swing the door open.
Among those inside, I point out older children who seem scared but intelligent and gesture toward the exit.
“I’m going to break through and open a path upstairs. You calm the children and get everyone out. This place is about to collapse!”
Did they understand my urgency?
The children stop crying and stand up.
“Onee-san!”
“Hurry up and follow! This place might collapse!”
“I-I can’t move my legs…!”
“Kuh, I’ll carry you!”
The children help each other and run after me.
Being children who tried to flee with their parents, they somewhat understand their situation and quickly follow.
“…So many.”
The number of children is similar to the number of parents.
“Dust will fly. Hold your breath for a moment.”
I bring the children to a large room inside the passage and keep them at a distance.
“Hoo.”
The image I conjure is one.
“My flames shall pierce-”
Through the heavens-
* * *
At that moment.
Krishna remained perfectly still within the barrier.
And the two people observing through Krishna sigh deeply.
[She was so thorough when casting barriers before.]
[This young lady has no intention of leaving at all.]
They both look at Hali and sigh heavily.
Hali, following Phoenix’s strict instructions, hasn’t moved a single step from inside the barrier.
[There’s an immense danger outside, so I won’t leave under any circumstances.]
[Perhaps she thought Tera’s people would act like that, so Phoenix would too.]
[There wasn’t enough spare magic power to share like this before.]
[S-Rank Seok Harang had to be dealt with, so there was no way to divide the full strength.]
[Haa.]
[Haa.]
They both sigh simultaneously.
“For someone who lived in such a world to come to Earth and endure such hardships…”
[Exactly.]
Krishna felt a lump in her throat watching Phoenix’s actions.
Distributing her power freely for the prisoners was vastly different from the time in the Blue Wind Sect when Phoenix carefully selected and distributed only enough to survive.
Even risking her own danger, Phoenix actively embraced the prisoners and instigated the rebellion.
[She really is extraordinary.]
[And this young lady too.]
Hali tightly grips the cylindrical object given by Phoenix and remains still.
Her eyes, like Krishna’s, are fixed on Phoenix, captivated by his every movement.
And.
Gugugu.
[Someone’s drawing a circle?]
[Something’s about to burst forth from below…]
Pwaahhh!
A whirlwind of blue flames erupts.
Simultaneously, Phoenix bursts out from below, unfurling her wings and breaking through the ground.
Creak.
Phoenix kneels on one knee before slowly standing up.
The adults nearby marvel at the hole Phoenix broke through.
Waahh!!
Below the hole, children wave their hands upward.
The adults throw ropes taken from the warehouse down the hole and begin descending, then start climbing back up carrying the children.
Heheh.
[Oh, she’s smiling.]
[She could smile like this all along…]
[Screenshot.]
[That’s a hero for you. Haa…]
While Krishna was completely entranced by Phoenix,
“Phoenix-sama!!”
Hali screams.
“Golems, ‘Titan’ is coming! Be careful!!”
Instantly.
Kwaang!!!
[Launching!!!]
The fortress wall collapses, revealing mechanical golems standing three meters tall.
EP.829 Part 3 Chapter 2-11 Once Again, That Name.
I never thought the terror attack on the fortress would end easily.
After rescuing the children, I expected some kind of crisis to arise.
“Hahaha, sweep them all away!”
But isn’t the crisis arriving too quickly?
Kwaang!!
As the wall collapses, I unleash magic power forward.
The debris and dust from the wall are blown away by the wind of blue flames I created.
The problem is the “real bullets” that follow.
“Everyone, take cover!!”
I yell at the top of my lungs while scanning the surroundings.
Thanks to my warning, several quick-witted individuals hide behind available cover.
The problematic area is the hole I created.
Chang-yeom Kai-jin.
I dash to the hole and fold my wings forward.
The X-shaped folded wings in front of me become a sturdy shield.
Tuduudu!
The sound of gunfire echoes through the dust.
The heavy sensation of bullets landing on my wings confirms they’re real bullets.
“Tch.”
Could they have switched to real bullets after seeing me detonate water-element magic bullets?
That’s unlikely.
They probably just brought golems loaded with real bullets.
“Who says dwarves aren’t involved?”
Should I call them gnomes instead?
The enemies visible beyond my wings are riding robot-like golems.
“Hahaha! Rebels! This is perfect timing! I’ll blow all of you away and claim it as my achievement!”
The man riding a differently colored golem stands out with his shiny head.
Despite not being hit by Chang-yeom’s attacks yet, his bald head gleams – it’s Drakan.
“Haha, Phoenix! Did dealing with that S-rank monster tire you out?!”
Drakan aims one arm of the giant golem at me.
The arm is equipped with several long gun barrels resembling a gatling gun.
“Hahaha! Pretending to be a child to sneak across the border! No matter who you are, those who break the law deserve death!”
Du-du-du-du.
“You’re identity doesn’t matter anymore! To us great Kingdom of Guyana, you’re nothing but a terrorist rebel!”
Bullets from Drakan’s golem rain down on my wings.
The bullets hitting my wings fall harmlessly to the ground, but I can feel the impact.
“…Hmm.”
It doesn’t hurt.
But I can sense my magic power being drained in real-time.
‘This is bad.’
It’s not a problem for me.
Even if I disappear due to my magic power running out here, I can return when my avatar is recreated.
But what about the children behind me? The adults? Hali waiting for me upstairs?
What will happen to all of them is obvious.
Whether it’s Tera or Earth, those who will do anything to silence others are the villains, the antagonists.
‘I know that well.’
That guy plans to kill everyone here.
And he’ll falsely report it as “suppressing the rioters.”
Didn’t I witness exactly that during my 20 years on Earth?
That guy plans to kill everyone here.
He’s prepared to do so by bringing these weapons himself, and if anything goes wrong, everyone here could die.
But where there are evildoers, there are always those who stand against them.
I’ve experienced that firsthand during my 20 years on Earth.
Even someone without much power can have the courage to stand up for struggling people.
And I’ve come here to ensure that courage doesn’t become reckless.
“Tera was ultimately still a place inhabited by people.”
“Huh? What nonsense are you saying?”
“No, I’m just thinking it was a good decision to get insurance.”
Click.
I snap my fingers.
Then I take a deep breath and shout.
“Chang-yeom Kai-jin!!”
The light from my wings gradually fades to blue.
At the same time, the wings start releasing intense heat.
Anyone can see I’m about to use some technique.
Actually, it’s just releasing magic power.
“Kuh! Concentrated fire! I don’t know what he’s trying to do!”
Tuduudu-du-du-du!!
A barrage of bullets sweeps across my entire body.
Some penetrate my wings and pass through my body, creating holes that lead into the cave.
“Kuh…!”
The areas pierced lose their magic power concentration.
If I replenish it, the shield from my wings will break quickly.
“Hahaha! Just showboating! Trying to fake something while making a fuss!”
“Maybe. It could be a trick.”
I extend my hand forward.
“To losers, though.”
“What?!”
“It’s over. Mass murderers.”
I point my extended hand at the ground.
“Looks like. Falling from the sky.”
“What?!”
Drakan and his subordinates look up.
I spread my arms wide to welcome them.
“Flame Butterfly Dance.”
Above the vast cavern, blue flame butterflies flutter down and cover them.
Aaaaah!!
The butterflies pass through the glass and land on the heads of the pilots sitting atop the golems.
Unable to make emergency evacuations, they scream and panic inside their cockpits.
Du-du-du-du!!
They start firing wildly everywhere.
We hide our bodies as best as possible while waiting for the golems to fall, and the golems stagger and fall forward on their knees or get shot in the knees.
Kung, Kuuung, Kung!
The golems begin collapsing like dominoes.
The barrage of bullets aimed at me gradually diminishes, and I gather my magic power while folding my wings.
“……..”
Above the cavern.
I give a thumbs up toward Hali looking down from inside the barrier.
Though she can’t see it directly, inside the barrier
