<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 89>
While Park Ki-hyuk was tracking down the angels by clearing out the Level Gates one by one, Kim Yeon-hee was not sitting idle either.
Of course not. As Optimum, one of the Five Great Agents, Kim Yeon-hee naturally had a say in the ‘Alliance,’ officially known as ‘Five Sisters (Five Sisters)’ established by these Five Great Agents.
“Currently, mutant monsters are being generated within the Gates. These mutant monsters have white wings, a beautiful appearance, and possess the external characteristics typically associated with ‘angels’ that we can easily imagine.”
The current findings about these mutant monsters are as follows:
First, they can freely enter and exit the Gates.
Second, they are omnivores, feeding on humans as well as other living creatures.
Third, they enhance all of their abilities—physical, intellectual, and mana—through this consumption activity.
Fourth, when they prey on living ‘superhumans,’ they steal their abilities.
And finally,
“…The villain group ‘Celutis’ has acquired these mutant monsters.”
The incredulous information transmitted through the hotline received different reactions from the other leagues.
The UK’s ‘Royal Chivalry’ doubted the very intention.
“What does Kim intend by this? The purpose behind spreading such a false rumor….”
The US’s ‘Star Hero’ took it very seriously.
“Smart Kim wouldn’t say something without reason… Hey, everyone, contact the embassy.”
Egypt’s ‘Eye of Horus’ preferred to be a spectator.
“Look into it.”
Russia’s ‘Spetsnaz’ also responded tepidly.
“Eh? So what, what do we do… Eh!?”
Aside from the US, none of the leagues treated this with much seriousness.
And it couldn’t be helped. There was no evidence after all.
Think about it. No matter how plausible information seems, without any substance, it’s nothing more than a rumor.
Especially since this is about an organization, even one as powerful as the Five Great Agents, the behemoths of the agent industry, moving rashly without proper evidence? It simply wouldn’t make sense.
If anything, the US’s swift reaction was the anomaly.
The reactions of the others were all quite normal.
However, a few days later, a single photo reversed the situation entirely.
Beautiful features, a human-like body structure.
And the pure white wings attached to it.
It was an angel. Or rather,
“Optimum exercises the rights of the first discoverer. As of this moment, the name for this mutant monster shall be ‘Archangel.'”
It was the corpse of the monster now known as ‘Archangel.’
“Fortunately, we obtained the evidence in time.”
“Mr. Ki-hyuk has done a great job.”
“Yeah, our son always does. He’s sorry.”
Due to meeting the wrong mother, he always ends up involved in big matters…
Kim Yeon-hee smiled wryly, then quickly composed herself.
Feelings aside for now. Time is pressing.
Her gaze fell on the corpse of the angel, now officially named ‘Archangel.’
“What were the results of the autopsy?”
“…First, the stomach contents confirmed that it consumed not only humans but also other life forms.”
“So it’s omnivorous. Is there anything else?”
“Fortunately, it seems that its initial specifications when it hasn’t grown are relatively low. Consuming seems to be a method to compensate for these deficiencies. Because of this, there’s a significant difference in combat power between organisms that have sufficiently consumed and those that haven’t.”
“I’ve seen Mr. Ki-hyuk’s hunting footage. The variance is certainly massive.”
“The wings show significant resistance to magic. The ongoing tests indicate that they almost entirely negate all low-to-mid-level spells.”
“…That’s not good news.”
Low-to-mid-level spells.
Classified by the ‘Class’ system, that would be Class 5 and below, or Level 7 and below in the ‘Level’ system.
According to the research paper released last year by Britain’s ‘Britannica Lab,’ the global average combat power of superhumans is around 6 Levels out of a possible 15.
Low-to-mid-level spells? It’s a well-established fact in academic circles that the vast majority of superhumans worldwide can’t reach that level.
If this is true, then most parties and raid teams currently navigating the Gates at this moment would be powerless against these Archangels.
What’s worse, if these Archangels were to feed on these powerless superhumans, that would lead to a disaster so catastrophic that even a ‘Red Gate’ level calamity would pale in comparison.
There’s no time to hesitate.
Kim Yeon-hee hurried on her way. Her phone, which she held in her hand, kept ringing persistently.
“Optimum speaking. Please connect me to the Commissioner… Yes, I’ll wait… Excuse me? Don’t you recognize this number? Ah, what is the hotline management about… Phew, please connect me to an executive. Quickly! We’re in a rush!!”
“It’s Director of the Management Bureau speaking. This is Kim Yeon-hee. It’s an emergency. What I’m about to say is the truth…”
“Please connect me to Director Ji Seong-cheol of the Executive Department. Seong-cheol, it’s me Kim Yeon-hee. I don’t have much time, so listen carefully…”
Secure safety by involving the police, blockade the Gates through the Management Bureau, and finally request support and the crucial investigation cooperation from the Executive Department.
“Cooperation request is confirmed!”
“Everyone, set out!”
It’s really a race against time now.
“Set out!”
Helicopters filling the runway all started their engines simultaneously, and the hangar doors opened as the rotors began to spin slowly.
Squeak-!
A group dressed in combat gear appeared.
An investigative team composed of elite members of Optimum.
And at the head of that team,
“Let’s go.”
Was White Tiger Park Min-ji, accompanied by 283 others of the White Tiger Brigade.
They set out.
Long trenches were dug, and the Goblin army was firing arrows.
Skeletons armed with shields were advancing toward them.
The war here was ongoing.
Craaaaack!
One skeleton, despite the rain of arrows, leapt over the trenches and slashed through the goblin skulls. Following that, the line began to collapse like dominoes.
And through that gap, I charged forward.
Hiss!
My path through the smoky battlefield was clear.
Far ahead, the castle loomed in the distance, in a straight line.
It’s not far now.
Go on.
With my thighs aching as if they were about to burst, my body soared forward, leaping high.
Bang! Bang! Roaaar!
I dodged exploding traps.
Tatatata-tatatatat!
While deflecting incoming arrows,
Forward! Forward again!
But the closer I got to the castle, the more numerous and powerful the arrows became.
Among the barrage were definitely those aimed carefully at vital spots, and there were also special arrows – poisonous ones, explosive arrows – appearing not infrequently.
A hail of arrows poured in so thick it blocked the view.
To counter that, I increased the output of the ‘Auto Shield.’ A hexagonal magic array, moving at light speed, deflected the arrows.
At that moment, an unfamiliar sensation caught my foot.
“!!”
Another trap, just when I thought I had forgotten.
Immediately throwing myself to the ground as a rumbling roar followed, and the ground collapsed. At the same time, thick smoke filled the area with a greasy odor, and nets from all sides rushed toward me.
An acrid smell stinging my nose.
It was a sensation-disrupting drug. The net also had a ‘Mana Drain’ spell cast on it, which began to siphon away mana upon contact.
I quickly channeled a demon and unleashed it.
Geomho-ryu’s Sheathed Sword Technique:
Moonlight Slash
A flash of white wiped everything in a straight line.
However, my legs were indeed stopped.
And the goblins on the castle walls seemed to have achieved their purpose, cheering wildly with ‘Kyaack, ackkk!!’
“Huff.”
I erected an earthen wall using the earth magic ‘Dig’ and hid behind it briefly.
Huff, spitting the dust that had filled my mouth irritably.
“Headache.”
Goblins possess skills no regular monster would have. Not only do they craft their own weapons, but they also lay traps and manufacture poison, utilizing their handiness to compensate for their feeble bodies.
That’s likely why goblins get stronger the more they gather.
There’s a difference between a group of dozens and a tribe of hundreds. And the difference between a battalion of thousands and a ‘city’ unit of tens of thousands is another matter entirely.
The goblins in front of us now are this ‘city’ unit.
The Gate’s name is ‘Ascalkum City,’ which means ‘the city ruled by Ascalcum.’
At this point, you might be wondering:
Why am I, the one hunting down the angels—now, the ‘Archangels’—why am I grappling with goblins?
Yes.
It’s a very appropriate question, and it addresses the central issue.
To sum up: Ascalcum, the ruler of Ascalcum City, was devoured by the Archangel.
Normally, when the boss of a Gate is defeated, the Gate clears and closes. However, it seems this Archangel, having eaten Ascalcum, has taken over its position.
But really? No matter how cunning the goblins are, can a boss meant to guard a Level 4 Gate be devoured so easily? And then, by simply eating it, does the Archangel naturally take over as the ‘boss’?
Something feels off, but the evidence in front of me indicates just that.
Look at those goblins on the castle walls aiming crossbows at us. That’s proof. The sturdy fortress, the disciplined troops, and the crossbows charged with supernormal power, they’re all proof.
No matter how smart goblins are, they can’t compare to an Archangel, who’s consumed humans and gained enhanced intelligence.
Moreover, at the side of the Archangel are always the fanatics of ‘Celutis’ ready.
It’s the result of their brainstorming and deploying the goblins.
Thus, the goblin forces before me now are not merely a ‘city’-level threat but have been elevated to a ‘fortress’-level, capable of specialized combat activities.
“d*mn, goblins employing anti-magic defensive spell arrays on castle walls.”
It’s astonishing.
If I’d faced them for the first time, I might have broken through with sheer brute force, but now it was 9:00 PM—the final time slot of the day.
I had already experienced five battles, and though I boast of steel-like endurance, it was a stretch to claim I was in perfect condition.
Of course,
“BBreaking through isn’t an impossibility…”
The problem lies within that castle, where the Archangel sits deep inside. There’s no telling how many meals it’s consumed after devouring the boss here, so it wouldn’t do to exhaust myself recklessly.
“Ch, this is getting annoying.”
Just as I was debating whether to rest for the day and come back in the morning,
Someone approached within my detection range.
A very familiar mana fluctuation.
Yes, Jin Yu-ri.
Jin Yu-ri, wearing a dragoon suit, flew in and landed beside me.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m thinking. Why are you here?”
“I’m thinking too.”
What are you even talking about?
Looking at her skeptically, but Jin Yu-ri was gazing at the castle walls far ahead.
After staring at them for some time, Jin Yu-ri finally said:
“I’ve made my decision.”
And with her dragoon suit activated, she ascended into the sky.
“I’ll destroy that castle for you.”
“…”
I was about to shout to stop her, but she was already gone, soaring far into the heavens.
What does she think she’s doing?
Jin Yu-ri stopped in the upper atmosphere, much nearer to the clouds than the land below, and took a deep breath.
“I can do this.”
I’ve practiced a lot, haven’t I?
It might be my first time using it in a real battle, but I’ll be fine. I’m Jin Yu-ri after all. If I just follow the practice, it’ll work out.
I focus my attention. Countless lines of mana fill Jin Yu-ri’s vision.
A sight granted exclusively to the descendants of the Jinyong bloodline.
The Dragon’s eye.
I project myself onto this space of mana, what Park Ki-hyuk had called ‘truth.’
“I have defined a wizard as ‘an existence that seeks the truth in the path of magic.'”
A wizard must embark on a journey to find their own truth. This journey is arduous and endless, and eventually, many give up and choose to compromise with reality.
“But you will see it. You have the ‘Dragon’s eye,’ you will glimpse what I call ‘the truth.'”
The Dragon’s eye.
That is the privilege to peek into the truth.
“While others undergo ‘ascetic practice’ to find unknown answers, you can go on a ‘journey.’ After all, you already know the destination.”
“Got it, Jin Yu-ri? You’ve started from a completely different starting point than others.”
Over the past two years, Jin Yu-ri finally understood.
What is this ‘truth’?
Myself.
Myself.
A wizard seeks their own truth in the path of magic.
The truth that a wizard finds through this path is, ultimately, ‘myself.’
The truth that Jin Yu-ri found within herself was:
An answer as expected as it could get.
The Dragon.
The Dragon.
“Proprietary Magic.”
Dragon Speech
Punishment
Dark clouds gathered overhead, and raindrops began to fall.
Plop, plop… The raindrops grew heavier. The windstorm battered down. It grew fiercer, more intense.
The sky had already turned as dark as night.
The relentless downpour had no end, and even the strongest trees were being uprooted by the wind. Lightning now struck, making it impossible to distinguish even an inch ahead.
If the plains were like this, how miserable must the enclosed castle be?
The castle that had once protected the goblins was now filled with water, the muddy ground turning into a swamp, trapping the goblins. Their once proud weapons and armors now became their shackles.
The cries of the drowning goblins. But the storm wouldn’t even let those cries be heard, burying everything.
The flailing, drowning crowd of goblins.
Now the options left to them were two:
Perish inside the city, or open the gates and come out.
Not really much of a choice, is it?
In the end, the goblins opened the gates to survive and fled out into the open.
Natural disaster.
The punishment from nature.
That is why we call it ‘Punishment’.
This was the devastation created by a single word of Dragon Speech.
