Chapter 899

EP.899 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinass of the Heaven-Cleaving 2 Vol. 016

Penril.

In 2021, during the “Oslo Gate” incident in Northern Europe, a colossal monster first appeared that traversed Finland and occupied territories all the way to Western Russia. This enormous beast, closely resembling the original form of the ‘Wind Dragon,’ was incredibly powerful until it disappeared after consuming Undine, who was then a member of the Round Table.

Following this event, rumors began circulating across the continent about the emergence of SS-Rank Monsters, and the Hero Association mobilized all their resources to defeat these monsters, which were not found within dungeons. After the Great Cataclysm created dungeons and transformed S-Rank Monsters into SS-Rank ones that vanished, they were still believed to remain on Earth.

By 2024, humanity realized that Penril and six other great beasts possessed intellect surpassing humans and were seven transcendental entities sent to annihilate mankind.

A monstrous figure introduced itself as “Gaecheonkwang,” one of the seven leaders of the Dark Legion, and engaged in a life-or-death battle with Gawein, then the world’s strongest hero. After three days and nights of fierce combat, the match ended in a draw, revealing slight information.

The seven leaders controlling the monsters and commanding the fiends were identified as seven supreme beings seeking global domination and human extinction.

Five of the seven entities, excluding two whose whereabouts remained unknown, began active operations. Their unique magical power patterns were analyzed, and when they leaked magic, it triggered emergencies not just nationally but worldwide.

Then, in 2025…

After approximately two months of silence, the Dark Legion re-emerged, with Penril leading the charge—not in Northern Europe where it originally appeared, but in Seoul, located on the Korean Peninsula in Far East Asia.

—

“Calm down! We don’t even know if it’s really here yet!”

Xian shouted amidst the collapsing containment perimeter.

“Attention to the Association detectors! Penril’s magical signature has been detected, but no SS-Rank Monster has emerged yet! Maintain the perimeter! Don’t flee!”

Seok Harang also struggled desperately to keep the heroes’ encirclement intact, but the mere mention of Penril’s name was enough to instill fear into even capable psychics.

“What is Jeolpung doing here…?”

“That doesn’t matter now! First, we need to confirm if it’s actually them!”

Despite Xian issuing commands habitually, no one listened—except for the members of Xian’s team, <Death Dinass>.

“Auntie! Twenty hostile signatures detected near Namsan!”

Nuri scanned through the Association’s emergency network, alerting everyone about the fiends’ appearance. Unlike the fiends they had previously exterminated in Guro’s underground passage, these were genuine ones directly empowered by the Seven Leaders, each possessing at least C-Rank level magic.

“No S-Rank threats!”

“Xian-sama! They’re scattering in all directions!”

Penril’s fiends dispersed in different directions, seemingly intercepting psychics scattered throughout Seoul like the wind.

“Heroes stationed in Mapo have moved to respond!”

“Is anyone in Jongno!? Respond immediately! I’ll go myself!”

“Damn it, someone stay put! Protect Guro!”

Unfortunately, most of Seoul’s core forces were gathered in Guro. Given the presence of the fiend detention facility there, Guro was a crucial stronghold that must be defended from the fiends at all costs.

“No, this isn’t an attack targeting us here. Not now.”

Xian clenched her teeth while checking the Association’s real-time radar data. The fiends’ signals disappeared midway but had clearly scattered in all directions beforehand.

“What’s their objective…?!”

Xian’s headache worsened as the fiends merely dispersed and fled in various directions without apparent purpose. However, one thing was certain: the current situation wasn’t entirely disadvantageous to Seoul’s psychics.

Xian shouted loudly through the screens connected to Seoul’s psychics.

“Penril’s magical signature has been detected, but Penril itself hasn’t appeared yet! These are just fiends imbued with the power of one of the Seven Leaders!”

The heroes regained their composure.

As Xian said, the true Penril—an SS-Rank monster with overwhelming magical power—hadn’t shown up yet. Neither hunters nor heroes wanted Penril appearing right in the middle of Seoul.

“It’s just fiends!”

“Prevent them from escaping beyond the barrier! If they leave Seoul, civilians will suffer!”

“Contact the surrounding regions and evacuate civilians quickly!”

Even amid unexpected circumstances, the heroes moved calmly and efficiently. At the center of it all stood Princess Seulhwa, allowing Xian to relax slightly before calling her group.

“We should help too. If we gather together, we can handle at least a B-Rank threat—”

“Hunters retreating?! Hey!”

Seok Harang screamed. Her screen displayed the situation room of the New Seoul Hero Association branch, linked directly to her.

“Do whatever it takes to stop them!”

[No! The containment perimeter is already breaking apart! Escape rate is at 13%!]

“Damn it, ex-heroes…!”

Seok Harang clenched her fists in anger.

Approximately 90% of the hunters who came to Seoul were originally ‘heroes’ registered with the Association. Tempted by the money from cores and bounties, they abandoned their heroic duties and became hunters.

Working tirelessly for little recognition or financial stability…

With the advent of dungeons, many began hunting cores instead, prioritizing their own survival over humanity’s mission to exterminate monsters.

“So what? Running away in this situation is unacceptable…!”

“Yuna, quick question.”

Xian loaded bullets into her gun while asking Yuna.

“If either the Korea branch of the Hero Association or the government captures fiends, is there any substantial bounty or support offered?”

“…Practically none. Just a commendation plaque and certificate of merit.”

“Hmph…”

Xian sighed deeply, looking up at the sky as dusk fell and the moon slowly rose.

‘How can we mobilize the hunters?’

Normally, she’d have to think hard, but there wasn’t time for deep contemplation now.

Hero numbers were absolutely insufficient. Hunter support was essential to maintain the Seoul containment perimeter.

‘Persuasion? No, they won’t listen. Threats? What kind? Already scared people running away. Heroic duty? That’s unrealistic. They’ve been swept up in the logic of capital—’

“Ah.”

Money. Those who chose money over noble missions.

Could they be swayed by money instead? Xian asked the person she thought would know best.

“Hyunjun-nim, how much would you say the bounty should be if we placed one on those fiends right here?”

“You’re asking me? …Let me calculate.”

Though both the content of the question and the recipient seemed offbeat, Ha Hyunjun raised his hand and calculated.

An overwhelming amount that would make hunters risk their lives to hunt fiends bearing Penril’s name.

“…About 10 billion per fiend, maybe? That much would likely get hunters willing to chase down Penril’s fiends risking their lives.”

“So, a total of 200 billion?”

At that moment, Xian remembered someone.

‘This bastard.’

When she borrowed funds under the pretext of a “money cheat,” Oracle mentioned filling the maximum limit, which happened to be 200 billion. Dividing it by 10 billion per head, it amounted exactly to twenty individuals.

Perhaps Oracle, as a former member of the Round Table and a prophet foretelling the world’s end, anticipated this situation and gave Xian that exact amount beforehand.

‘Surely not… No, now’s not the time to ponder this.’

“You guys at the Hunter Guild Federation need to mobilize the hunters! If Seoul falls, chaos will ensue, do you understand?!”

[What?! We’re not like the Hero Association with enforcement powers! How can we control them?! We’re not the military! If we knew something like this would happen, we should’ve requested cooperation earlier!]

“Are you kidding?! Who could’ve predicted something like this?!”

“Wait, calm down.”

Xian calmed down Seok Harang, who started arguing directly with the Hunter Guild central office, then asked the representative.

“What’s the current hunter escape rate?”

[Currently 27%…. Who the hell are you?!]

“Introduction later. Would a bounty of 3 billion per fiend suffice to mobilize all hunters? Enough to risk their lives chasing Penril’s fiends?”

Upon hearing Xian’s question, the representative of the Hunter Guild Federation paused briefly before answering.

[We’d need triple that to entice them.]

“…”

Xian glanced at Ha Hyunjun and closed her eyes tightly.

“I’m Xian, local director of Oracle Studio. If we place a bounty of 10 billion per fiend, can we turn the hunters around?”

[That much would make them rush in with fire in their eyes. Is your side—]

Xian exhaled deeply toward the sky.

“I’m placing the bounty right now. Inform them that if they capture Penril’s fiends and bring them to me, I’ll give them 10 billion immediately.”

If they value their lives more than money, offer them enough money to risk their lives.

Xian gritted her teeth painfully as she withdrew funds from her account.

* * *

On top of the Namsan Tower observation deck.

The green-haired maiden, Penril, deeply inhaled the evening breeze of Seoul.

“Huh, everyone’s panicking like crazy.”

The turmoil carried by the wind was palpable.

The desperate screams of terrified men. The cries of women abandoning their weapons to flee. The roars of monsters beginning to spawn in response to her magic.

“I don’t even need to step in!”

Penril carefully concealed her magic to avoid detection.

Yet, she poured her magic to its limits to create nineteen obedient fiends, allowing them free rein within the barrier.

As long as the barrier holds, Penril’s magical aura will spread across all of Seoul.

“Then I’ll take this opportunity to eliminate my target!”

Clapping her hands in celebration, Penril decided against a straightforward assassination this time.

“Since I’ve flown all the way here, shouldn’t I enjoy myself a bit?”

The Grand Commander would surely understand such a minor indulgence.

After all, their mission was the complete annihilation of humanity and the destruction of Earth and the world.

And perhaps indulge in some delicious ‘consumption’ of cores along the way.

“Then I’ll just sit back and watch from here… Hmm?”

Sniffing the wind, Penril fell silent.

Just moments ago filled with terror and despair, the wind now carried fervent excitement and anticipation.

“Wow, not bad. These kids have some guts!”

Those who fled began turning back to face her creations. Penril delighted in this unexpected spectacle, hoping the chaos would intensify further.

“There are still so many playing the hero game.”

Penril never imagined they’d been bought by money.

* * *

Sometimes, money does motivate people. But there are those who forsake money for something else.

Escape rate of hunters constructing the Seoul containment perimeter: 22%.

The remaining 78%, assured by Penril’s absence, the allure of 10 billion per fiend, and analysis of enemy strength leading to confidence—”This much, we can handle”—set out barefoot to hunt the fiends.

“What were you thinking, really?”

“To capture the fiends.”

Xian calmly maintained her gun while Yuna’s light stick illuminated the platform like daylight. Raon fiddled with her staff and asked.

“Is Penril’s fiend really worth 10 billion?”

Fiends imbued with the Seven Leaders’ magic were markedly different from ordinary fiends. Nevertheless, raising the bounty tenfold seemed excessive.

“C-level psychics earn about 10 billion by the time they retire, Raon-nim.”

Ha Hyunjun cited statistical data to justify the bounty’s necessity.

To S-class heroes like Princess Seulhwa, it might be trivial, but for roughly 90% of C-class or lower heroes, it was a colossal sum requiring nearly a decade in the hunting industry to amass.

“Still, it’s pretty damn costly…”

Nuri scratched the platform tiles with her sword while humming a tune, lamenting the loss.

It made sense to prepare fully, but Nuri believed it unnecessary to use guild funds for the bounty.

“It’s fine. We just need to reap profits exceeding 20 billion.”

Having invested seed money with tears in her eyes, Xian hoped for returns worth more than the 20 billion.

“And while we’re at it, let’s recover some of the principal.”

“If we’ve placed the bounty, capturing them ourselves wouldn’t raise objections. Should the fiends truly come here.”

Raon infused her staff with magic, standing at the edge of the platform. An alien magical residue lingered in the wind blowing through the tunnel.

“Auntie, will they really come here? Even one?”

“They will. Because…”

Xian smiled faintly upon hearing approaching footsteps and twirled her gun.

“The juiciest prey is right here on the surface!”

Kiiiiieeeek!!

Monsters oozing green slime emerged from beyond the tunnel.

Fiends reborn with Penril’s magic. Through her staff, Yuna detected their full strength.

“Seventeen! All subordinates of Penril! C-Rank!”

“Enough! Then everyone—”

Xian raised her left hand to signal. Heroes and hunters stationed at every staircase leading to the concourse simultaneously channeled their magic.

“Interception, commence!”

Kaahhhhaaaaang!

Penril’s fiends leapt onto the platform.