Chapter 953

EP.953 Part 2 Chapter 9 Section 10 OOO’s Sword

North of the Han River, A-Rank Monsters are scattered everywhere.

The reason why there are many A-Rank Monsters despite the existence of an S-Rank Monster is due to Ymir gaining sentience after devouring the Dragon that appeared in Seoul and the three Great Power candidates.

In New Seoul, there are countless humans.

And there, a guardian deity protecting ten million humans resides.

To subdue this guardian deity, the power of just one monster isn’t enough.

A truly massive amount of strength is required; thus, Ymir began gathering A-Rank Monsters.

After all, even if they become S-Rank, they would still be weaker than Ymir herself.

Even with numerous A-Rank Monsters gathered together, none could stand up to Ymir, who ruled over all monsters in Seoul with overwhelming power.

North of the Han River, confined to a specific area.

It wasn’t easy to cross south of the Han River due to a certain monster stationed at Yeouido.

While some did manage to cross the river, most were repelled by the fierce defenses of humans from Incheon or Gyeonggi Province.

Ymir realized something important.

When monsters die, it doesn’t simply end with their death—they provide humans with greater power.

On the other hand, staying quietly in Seoul meant random humans would come and perish instead.

Judging that it was better for A-Rank Monsters to conserve their strength underground until they could consume all the citizens rather than recklessly heading south to kill humans…

…all for the day when they would eventually move south, beyond Seoul, into New Seoul.

Thus, even though these A-Rank Monsters could claim dominion over regions like Gangneung or remote mountain areas, they chose to bow to Ymir and stay united.

Ymir was the King of Seoul, with countless prey available underground, and occasional stimulation from those who ventured into Seoul.

But the thought of heading south to feast on countless humans terrified them.

Humans—those with powers unlike any normal human—who seemed impossible to defeat no matter how strong they became.

Among these powerful beings were even those with strength comparable to Seoul’s guardian deity.

It didn’t matter if Ymir was the target.

If I am killed…

Monsters began closely monitoring the situation based on their survival instincts.

Who are these magic girls in colorful uniforms fluttering about? Who are they targeting?

If they’re after me, I’ll resist and call for Ymir’s help. But if they’re after Ymir…

KIIIIEEEE!!

As Ymir was attacked, some monsters fled upon seeing her being assaulted.

Those who had been contentedly feeding on scraps given by Ymir hastily abandoned their posts and ran away.

BOOM! CRASH!!

While fleeing, they didn’t care if they destroyed buildings, trampled houses, broke streetlights, or left giant footprints on the roads.

Escaping north of the Han River was the only way to survive.

If the magic girls win, we’ll surely be next. And if Ymir wins, she’ll grow stronger and eat us or kill us.

Monsters grow stronger by consuming each other’s cores.

In short, as long as there are no stronger enemies around, we won’t be eaten by anyone.

KUHUUUUUUUUNG!!

Monsters rampaged through the northern part of the Han River.

Apartments toppled, buildings collapsed with monster-shaped holes, subway entrances crumbled underfoot, and more chaos ensued.

And then…

“Is it done?”

At the moment someone said that,

The monsters sensed doom.

Whereas before they had existed in the lower and upper realms of the same sky, now they realized they were ascending to a higher dimension.

If A-Rank Monsters were playing within the atmosphere, Ymir had now broken through the ozone layer.

Soon.

AAAAAAIIIIIIEEEEE!!!

All remaining alarms in Seoul blared urgently.

An SS-Rank Monster alert.

Ymir, evolving into an SS-Rank at the top of Namsan Tower, began surveying her surroundings like a god.

Then…

KWAHHHHHHH!!

She unleashed a massive breath attack, instantly turning the city into rubble.

Not only A-Rank Monsters but everything in Seoul seemed destined for destruction.

* * *

“Commander, what have you done?!”

“Haha, fighting an SS-Rank is a first for me too.”

I’m surprised myself.

This was my first time using the DLC function, and I never expected it to get THIS strong.

Fortunately, not only has my power reached SS-Rank, but the core of magic power clenched in my hand has also reached SS-Rank.

“Think positively. Just acquiring that core alone will yield more value than anything gained from Seoul.”

Obtaining an SS-Rank Core is extremely rare.

Given that only limited entities can produce such cores, this must be DLC’s reward for hardcore players—an opportunity to obtain an SS-Rank Core.

Why does the phrase “Is it done?” appear here?

– Again with theキュキュ?!

Who would’ve guessed his actions would manifest like this?

His habit of spamming “Is it done?” to ensure victory against opponents has led to this unexpected result.

Of course, obtaining an SS-Rank Core comes after defeating the monster.

For now, we must face this SS-Rank beast that obliterated northern Seoul in one fell swoop.

“Hey, isn’t that dangerous?”

Its danger is enough to make even Hydra and Azidahaka tense up and swallow their saliva.

“Do we really need to do this? It’s dangerous as we are.”

“Of course I know.”

This…

Means transformation.

Not just any transformation, but summoning one’s ‘true form,’ revealing oneself as a monster rather than a human.

“But we don’t need to.”

“What? Why? Do you have a plan?”

“Isn’t it too much for Penril alone?”

“Even Penril doesn’t need to step in?”

Precisely, it’s Banargande formed by the sync between Raon and Penril—but this isn’t Banargande’s time to shine.

“We should give her a chance to shine, right? She’s family-in-law.”

“Family…what?”

Had it been father-in-law, I might’ve ignored it.

But since he’s family-in-law in-game—and knowing how hard he works in reality—I waited for her participation.

DUDUDUDU.

From the summit of Gwanaksan Mountain south of the Han River came word that a helicopter was approaching.

“Hikari, are there any casualties at Mapo Bridge yet?”

[No. Is now the time?]

“Not yet. Just a bit longer.”

Originally, we planned to adjust the timing.

But I took precautions in case of emergencies, ensuring the frontlines at Mapo Bridge would drag out, and now it’s finally paying off.

“When the nation is in crisis, heroes always appear. Hikari, make sure all the Xroids shout simultaneously on the count of three. Got it?”

[I don’t need to do that…]

Hikari displayed live footage from Yeouido.

Unlike the news helicopters, everyone looked up at the association’s helicopter marked with a Taeguk emblem.

[Everyone’s already watching.]

Click.

The helicopter door opened.

There stood a familiar figure in a black mask, wearing a white battlesuit tailored to her body, gazing at Namsan Tower.

“Wow, this is insane.”

“Commander?”

“There’s no fairy quite like her.”

Knowing the origins of the blonde girl’s outfit design, I couldn’t help but be shocked by the battle suit she wore.

A pure white fairy.

A design akin to a princess from a winter fairy tale.

It was both mourning attire honoring her original body’s owner and undoubtedly the wedding dress the impoverished young man wished to give her.

‘He didn’t dress me in something like that.’

The man who possessed my body never dressed me in a wedding dress.

Yet this person, knowing everything, willingly stepped forward despite knowing the entire nation—no, the world—would see him.

Yes, he ascended from New Seoul to Seoul itself.

“Commander! Ymir is looking this way!”

Turning my head at Yuna’s warning, Ymir was gaping toward the helicopter atop Namsan Tower, seemingly preparing to release an energy wave from her mouth instead of a breath attack.

Everyone moved to act, but I raised my hand to stop them.

“Calm down. If the pure-hearted warrior intends to unleash all their power, shall we interfere?”

TSSS!

The girl leaped from the helicopter.

Holding twin swords glowing with blue and gold light, she soared into the air.

“All we need to do is cheer.”

For Korea’s hero.

“One, two, three—”

Light Blade!!!!!

* * *

Everyone shouts their alias.

Everyone calls out their name.

– Come back! You crazy bastard! Do you want to die?!

The voice of some man heard through Magical Gear fades away.

Since the moment everyone saw her appearance, since the instant everyone discovered her true form, only one thought remains in Light Blade’s mind.

If I disappear and leave behind only this form…

Rather, let me spread this image far and wide.

Let the image of the one I loved be known to everyone.

Let the image of the one I loved more than anyone else remain not just in my memories but in the memory of all humanity.

KYAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Fortunately, the enemy monster is a worthy opponent.

“…Watch carefully, Rusalka.”

Light Blade, Hyeonwoo Yun, concentrated the overflowing magic power from her chest into her hands.

GOOOOOOOO!!

Over her shoulder, extending dozens of meters, beams of light erupted.

Their shape resembled blades, and wielding this sword, Light Blade flew toward the monster atop Namsan Tower.

“Slash it apart—”

BZZZZZZZZZAAAAAA!!

“Sword of Rusalka!”

RIP.

The golden-blue cross-shaped blade slashed through the breath attack, splitting Namsan Tower in two.

“GYAAAAAAAH! AAAHHHHH! AAAHHHHHH!!”

“Harang, calm down.”

“AAAAHHHHHHH!!!”

The technique used by the game’s Light Blade struck, but the real Seok Harang suffered the blow.

“Indeed, spirit sensitivity. The effect is incredible.”

“GYAAAAAAAH!!!”