Chapter 70
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Seoul, Demons, and a Saintess - 4
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At the heart of the Great Sanctuary of Bukaksan was a circular space covering an area of 19,410 square meters.
Known as ‘Saint Park,’ it was teeming with all sorts of flora, much like a real park. This was not the result of landscaping, but rather the natural blossoming caused by the life force emanating from a ‘Holy Relic.’
This was the most concentrated nexus of holy power in all of South Korea.
And at its center, a massive white altar had been prepared.
It was a stationary object that greatly amplified the effects of holy magic.
There, the Saintess, Emilia Müller, stood, preparing to cast ‘Holy Field.’
The vexing, foul attitude that had made one scowl was gone; she now stood demurely with her eyes closed.
Meanwhile…
“As long as we and the <Barrier of Faith> are here, nothing can threaten her life.”
Peter Clark, captain of the White Tree Guard, spoke with overflowing confidence.
It was less arrogance and more a well-founded statement brimming with conviction.
“Yes, I’m sure you’re right. I have no doubt.”
Woo Seong-mun, standing beside him, nodded and gazed toward the white altar.
Currently, 11 knights, excluding Captain Peter, were guarding the Saintess’s perimeter.
Twelve holy knights of B-rank or higher—they were the elite holy knights known as the ‘Highguards.’
“Indeed… with that skill, a collaboration of twelve holy knights, she would be safe even if a nuclear bomb went off.”
The <Barrier of Faith> they cast while in a circular formation boasted an absolute defense capable of blocking any attack, which was why assassinating the Saintess was considered virtually impossible.
Yet, for some reason, Woo Seong-mun shook his head.
“However, Peter… nothing will ever reach your Barrier of Faith anyway. Because… this location we've provided will not permit any external infiltration.”
This time, it was Woo Seong-mun who displayed confidence.
He hadn’t even considered the possibility of someone attacking this place. It was a reasonable assumption. Not only was the Saintess’s arrival in the country a secret, but the Great Sanctuary of Bukaksan itself was a hidden location.
“Furthermore, a B-rank magic defensive barrier and a total of 15 anomalous wave detectors have been installed.”
Naturally, the internal defenses were also flawless.
“Haha—a shield that nothing can pierce in a place where not even a mouse can enter…”
The two leaders bantered back and forth, subtly showing off their respective capabilities.
However…
*Tsk, the egos of those two are about to be bruised a little today…*
Lee Hyun-wook clicked his tongue inwardly.
He was over a hundred meters away from the two men, but he could hear their conversation.
This was thanks to the 50-fold sensory enhancement—specifically hearing—provided by ‘Hugin.’
*Well, this is an unavoidable problem…*
It wasn’t that their preparations were lacking or that they were careless.
*It’s because there is a flaw within… in the very place they trust the most.*
Through Hugin’s eyes, Lee Hyun-wook observed the 12 high-ranking holy knights.
*Right there, among them, is a Death Knight, one of the <Four Knights of Death> as he will later be called.*
A villain who would become the vanguard of the Necromancer’s army of death and trample the world… he was none other than one of the ‘Highguards,’ concealing a blackened heart beneath white armor.
Lee Hyun-wook knew that he would detonate a massive bomb in this place.
But he couldn’t just eliminate that bomb ahead of time.
*I can’t just point him out as a traitor without any evidence.*
Although the Saintess trusted Lee Hyun-wook and had tasked him with rooting out the traitor, a reckless accusation was more likely to backfire. Especially since everyone already thought the Saintess was in an abnormal state…
*Therefore, for the sake of a perfect purge that won't fester later, this incident must be allowed to happen.*
For that moment, Lee Hyun-wook planned to hold his breath and wait.
“…By the way, who exactly is that man, Lee Hyun-wook?”
Just then, Peter mentioned Lee Hyun-wook’s name.
“To be able to use Hugin like that, just how large is his mana pool…?”
“Hmm, I can’t give you the specifics, but he is one of the rising stars who will lead this country.”
Through Hugin, he could see Peter glancing at him with a look still full of doubt.
“Honestly, I find it rather baffling. What kind of achievements could an F-rank Player have amassed to become so strong… To that end, there are even rumors of fabrication circulating among my men.”
“Yes, it’s not unreasonable for you to think that… but if you were to witness the man’s deeds firsthand, you would have no choice but to acknowledge him. Lee Hyun-wook, that young blood has saved this land twice.”
At Woo Seong-mun’s repeated defense, Peter nodded.
“If Director Woo says so, then it must be true. But it seems we won’t be seeing him in action today. As long as we hold the shield, there will be no room for him to play a part.”
He held a firm belief that no problems would arise today.
*Really? Are you so sure it won’t be today…*
Just then, a voice came through his earpiece.
-The Seoul purification operation will commence in 10 minutes.
The casting of ‘Holy Field’ was about to begin.
“Alright! Everyone, move to your positions!”
Only the Saintess’s royal guards, the White Tree Guard, would remain here in ‘Saint Park.’ Even in an alliance, they did not permit outsiders to approach the Saintess.
Therefore, Lee Hyun-wook also had to move to another location with Woo Seong-mun.
But Lee Hyun-wook’s vision remained projected onto the black crow high in the sky, looking down upon Saint Park—upon the Saintess’s surroundings. The first explosion would start right there…
*I wait. And then I move one step ahead.*
***
“The casting of Holy Field begins in five minutes! Everyone, raise your swords and shields!”
A B-rank holy knight named Carlos Belfort shouted.
He was the vice-captain of the White Tree Guard.
“WTG, we never let our guard down! For the next 30 minutes, keep all your senses on high alert!”
At his thunderous command, 12 Highguards, 30 holy knights, and 10 priests moved into position. In total, a staggering 52 holy-class Players were guarding this place. It was an unbelievable sight to see dozens of holy knights, a class so rare you’d be lucky to find one in a party, gathered in one place.
After confirming all members were in position, Carlos looked at the captain, Peter Clark.
“Peter! Everyone is in position and awaiting the next command.”
At his words, Peter nodded and pulled the shield from his back.
He then surveyed the knights of the White Tree Guard and slowly opened his mouth.
“From this moment… we cast the <Barrier of Faith>.”
A short command. The 12 Highguards surrounding the Saintess gripped their shields and knelt on one knee.
Then, a white light bloomed from the center of their shields and intertwined…
Wooooo—
The mass of white light formed a giant dome, covering the area.
- The Barrier of Faith has been formed by the linked holy power of twelve high-ranking holy knights.
* Warning! Deviating from your point will ‘nullify’ the corresponding area, and it cannot be restored.
“—For the next 30 minutes, we do not move!”
The Barrier of Faith was a top-tier defensive skill that could only be used when 12 B-rank or higher holy knights worked in concert. However, to maintain the skill, they could not deviate from their fixed positions—their points.
In other words, all the elite Highguards were effectively rendered combat-ineffective.
But it was a skill worth that trade-off, as it was the safest way to protect the Saintess.
“Peter, if I happen to need the restroom, as captain, you can take over for a moment, right?”
Carlos said playfully, looking at Peter.
“Carlos, I wish you would show a little more gravity at such an important moment.”
The two men looked at each other and smiled faintly.
Comrades who had been together for seven years, they understood each other with just a look—or so Peter thought. In truth, Carlos’s inner thoughts were quite different.
*Peter… that is not your place. It was originally meant for me.*
Carlos thought this, all while wearing a playful smile.
He hated Peter. It was the result of long-harbored, secret envy and jealousy.
He had awakened sooner than anyone else here and had joined this organization before anyone else.
And he believed he had dedicated himself to the organization more than anyone else. However…
*Why on earth do I have to be treated as less than you?*
The top position was never his. Peter, who had received the favor of the former captain, Nicolas, and the Saintess Emilia, was always one step ahead of him. Even though his own level was higher…
*To think the greatest order of holy knights is decided by connections rather than skill. It’s absurd.*
This twisted jealousy gradually kindled a wicked spark in his heart.
Then, one day four years ago, a chance encounter with a man caused that spark to burst into flames.
*Gordon Price… my new guide…*
That man had seen into Carlos’s heart and made a shockingly covert proposal.
Lure the former captain, Nicolas Steel, into a trap and eliminate him… Carlos followed the demand.
And when he had trapped Nicolas, an unfamiliar system message appeared before his eyes.
- (!) A quest has arrived.
It was a ‘Hidden Quest’ message with strange contents, and Carlos accepted it.
And so…
[Hidden Quest]
- From a faint light, a deep darkness blooms…
1) The Death of Emilia Müller (In Progress)
* Reward: Hidden Trait Class Change (Death Knight)
He was currently undertaking a ‘Villain Quest.’
A quest of extremely high difficulty, at that: the death of the Saintess.
*I will never regret starting down this new path.*
As he was thinking this, a white light began to spread from the Saintess’s hands.
Wooooo—!
- A Holy Field is being deployed in this area. (1%)
The first step of the Seoul purification operation had finally been taken.
It was also the moment the first bullet of the Saintess assassination plot was loaded.
“Alright! The Holy Field has begun! Everyone, focus for the next 30 minutes!”
The casting time for Holy Field was, on average, 31 minutes. If Emilia’s condition was good, it could be shortened to 28 minutes.
The point at which she would become fully immersed in the phenomenon and lose awareness was around the 15-minute mark…
*When that happens, she won’t be able to stop casting the skill…*
Carlos waited for that exact moment.
He suppressed his unknowingly ragged breath and glanced at the Saintess.
A frail but beautiful, blonde woman—
Soon, her head would be severed, and a fountain of blood would erupt.
Time passed…
- A Holy Field is being deployed in this area. (50%)
As the skill reached 50% completion, a giant white ring formed above Emilia’s head.
Woong—
This signified that they had reached the stage where the deployment of the ‘Holy Field’ could no longer be reversed.
*She’s completely defenseless now.*
In other words, the time had finally come.
He let out the hot breath he had been holding and slowly rose to his feet.
Clank—
“Huh? Vice-Captain… what are you doing right now?”
The holy knight to his right asked, startled.
“Vice-Captain, if you move any further, your ‘area’ will be destroyed!”
“Walter, I’m more aware of that than you are. What do you take me for?”
“What? Then why are you…”
As he took a step forward—
Pzzzzzt—!
One of the 12 sections constituting the Barrier of Faith shattered like glass.
- Barrier of Faith (11/12)
Crack…
The remaining 11 sections held, but the creation of one large hole was a fatal flaw. The entire White Tree Guard stared at Carlos in horror.
- Due to excessive use of holy power, your holy power will be greatly diminished for 60 minutes. (-50%)
“Kuh—”
Thud!
He threw down his shield and walked out of the circular formation.
“…Carlos, wh-what are you doing?”
Peter’s bewildered voice struck him from behind.
“Peter, you see, I received a certain quest a few years ago…”
“What?”
“So, I’m sorry, but it seems I have to kill that white whore…”
“What are you—why…”
But he couldn’t directly assassinate the Saintess or his fellow holy knights. It was because of the ‘Holy Vow.’
Which meant he needed to borrow another’s hand.
He pulled a dagger from his robes.
[Item Information]
- Name: Unknown
- Effect: Unknown
This was an item received from the ‘Shadow Baron,’ and it was a crucial key to this operation.
Shhhlick—!
He slit his own wrist with the dagger, and as the artery was severed, blood shot out like a fountain.
Drip… drip…
He raised his arm and splattered the blood in all directions.
“Kuh, Peter Clark, listen well… this is a failure of your own making!”
“Dammit, Carlos! What the hell are you talking about!”
Faced with this incomprehensible situation, deep bewilderment bloomed on Peter’s face.
“I’ve always thought this, but an incompetent fool like you has no right to sit in that position.”
“…”
“If you wanted to protect the White Tree Guard and that white whore’s life, you should have put even your trusted friends under surveillance and managed them thoroughly… I would have.”
He said this as he cast ‘Heal’ on the wound on his wrist.
In the meantime, the large amount of blood scattered about began to move on its own, coalescing into one mass.
It bubbled and boiled, and in the next moment, it floated into the air as if evaporating.
A sphere of clotted blood. The space around it began to distort…
Wooooo—
—A portal opened.
Soon, someone walked out from within.
Thud— Thud—
A very tall assailant wearing a plain gray mask and a purple robe…
“The, the Shadow Baron—!”
Peter recognized the assailant’s identity.
A Red Player with an unknown trait that allowed him to move with preternatural elusiveness using all sorts of peculiar methods. He was impossible to track because he used an unknown method of movement skills.
*Opening a portal with blood, what kind of nonsense is this…*
But right now, he seemed to be showcasing a new movement technique.
And he had done so by colluding with the man they trusted most, Vice-Captain Carlos Belfort…
And from that opened portal, assailants began to pour out.
“…It’s the Saintess! The Saintess is over there!”
“Oh, a frail beauty! Totally my type. Can’t I play with her before we kill her?”
“Heheheh—look at those panicked faces!”
Over 70 people… Players who looked lawless at a glance. It was as clear as day that they were the group who had plotted the demon summoning.
And…
Thud— Thud—
The 70-odd assailants parted to the left and right, and someone appeared between them.
A long-haired man in a black coat and a black shirt.
“The, the Sword Saint Slayer…”
The Sword Saint Slayer, Okita Kaito, made his final appearance.
His cold, sharp gaze was fixed solely on the Saintess, Emilia Müller.
Like a predator that had already decided on its prey, his pupils slowly dilated.
*If I face that man one-on-one, I won’t survive.*
Feeling the thick killing intent from him, Peter found himself trembling.
It was a prey’s instinct he had never felt when facing anyone before.
“Director Woo, are you seeing the situation here? Dammit! Please get here quickly!”
- Yes! We are on our way now!
However…
“No, no, if they come in too, it’ll get too hectic and won’t be any fun.”
The Shadow Baron said this and spread his arms.
His shadow then began to rotate like the second hand of a clock.
Tsssss—
In the next moment, it split into five streams, slithering across the floor like snakes, and squeezed into the five passages leading into ‘Saint Park.’
- Warning! A ‘Shadow Trap’ has occurred in this area.
The floors and walls of those five passages were stained black by his shadow.
Then, as the government agents who had been rushing out from inside the building stepped on those shadows…
Shushushushu—
“Ugh! Wh-what is this!”
Dozens of shadow-hands shot out from the floor and walls, grabbing the agents’ ankles.
“Ugh! This—it won’t come off!”
“Dammit, try using magic attacks on the floor!”
It was a bizarre curse that was not easily escaped, no matter how high one’s rank was.
Just like that, the reinforcements’ feet were bound right before them.
A ‘kuh-kuh’ sound of laughter leaked from behind the Shadow Baron’s mask.
“Now, Sword Saint, you have exactly five minutes. That’s how long I can hold the leashes of these guard dogs.”
At his words, Okita Kaito nodded and placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Following his movement, the seventy-odd assailants all drew their weapons in unison.
“White Tree Guard—stop them somehow, and fill the gap!”
The 40 members of the White Tree Guard, excluding the 11 Highguards, stood to block the assailants.
“—Do not spare your lives! You can hold out for the remaining 15 minutes!”
A combination of holy knights and priests, 40 of them at that.
Putting aside their offensive power, their defense should have been top-tier.
If they formed a shield line, they should have been able to hold out somehow.
But…
- Warning! The curse of ‘Grigori Azazel’ is spreading! Holy power in the area is being suppressed!
As that message appeared, the bodies of the holy knights and priests couldn’t help but flinch.
Weeweewee—
One of the assailants was holding up a bracelet.
From it, a stream of black light was pouring out.
It was the armament of a fallen angel, an anti-holy power item.
As it exerted its power, the holy power of the knights and priests was greatly diminished.
Since this was a sanctuary, its power would quickly fade, but the effect was applied for a moment.
“Ugh—!”
“M-my strength… is draining…”
“The sanctuary blesses us, so it will only be for a moment! Hold on—Keuk—”
Toward them, now significantly weakened, Okita Kaito charged.
Chwa-a-a-a—!
A single sword strike, swung the instant it was drawn—in that short movement, the heads of eight men fell.
“N-no way…”
No matter how you looked at it, it was a scene that was difficult to comprehend.
Peter Clark’s face turned deathly pale.
He turned his head and looked at Emilia. As if she had no idea this situation was unfolding, she kept her eyes gently closed and continued to deploy the ‘Holy Field.’
*Dammit, if I touch her now, she’ll suffer critical damage from mana reflux.*
Holy Field. A purification spell of immense scale came with a significant penalty.
If it were forcibly stopped mid-cast, Peter couldn’t be sure if she would even survive.
“Do we have no choice but to move…”
“Captain! If we release the Barrier of Faith now, our holy power will drop drastically!”
After casting the Barrier of Faith, they would suffer a 50% reduction in holy power for one hour.
Furthermore, they would be exposed to the power of that fallen angel’s armament.
*Right, facing that insane monster in a weakened state is suicide.*
Peter looked at the sword-wielding demon cutting down the holy knights as he approached.
But…
“…Even if it costs me my life, I have to buy time somehow.”
Just as Peter was about to rise from his spot—
“Holy knights, hold your positions.”
A calm voice, utterly unsuited for this urgent situation, was heard from somewhere.
Everyone turned their heads in that direction.
A single figure began to appear in the gap of the ‘Barrier of Faith,’ which had been broken by Carlos’s departure.
Sssss—
As an invisibility spell was dispelled, someone’s form was revealed.
“Y-you are—!”
Lee Hyun-wook, the man called the Savior of Seoul, had suddenly appeared before them.
“I’ll fill the empty spot here.”
He said this and walked into the spot where Carlos was supposed to be, standing firm.
“How on earth did you…”
The incoming Korean government forces were struggling, caught in the Shadow Baron’s ‘Shadow Trap.’
“I was monitoring with Hugin, noticed a sign, and came right away. That’s why I wasn’t caught in the trap.”
He said this and turned his body to face Okita Kaito.
Peter watched him and shook his head.
“But you alone are not enough! That man is the Sword Saint Slayer, Okita Kaito!”
“Yes, I know.”
Lee Hyun-wook nodded and drew a sword from behind his back.
“…I may not be able to beat that man, but I can block him and buy time.”
As soon as Peter heard that, he shook his head.
“What kind of nonsense is that… you’re a control-type Player! Absolutely…”
“Peter, you can’t release the Barrier of Faith. You’re all too slow; you’ll never catch that man.”
That was true.
The moment the Barrier of Faith was released, if that man rushed in and aimed for the Saintess…
*…Right, we’d never catch him.*
Therefore, as he said, if he could clash swords with Okita Kaito and hold on, maintaining the Barrier of Faith and blocking the ‘broken gap’ was the best option.
However…
“…Heheheh, what, is there only one left now?”
“Wow—looks like that guy over there is trying to plug the hole by himself?”
The 40 members of the White Tree Guard, their last hope, had already been dealt with far too easily.
They couldn’t exert any power because of the curse of Grigori Azazel.
If the priests had used purification magic, they could have lifted the curse in an instant, but there was no time. The Sword Saint had rushed in and cut the priests’ throats first.
And so, dozens of assailants approached the gap in the Barrier of Faith—towards Lee Hyun-wook.
“Kill him—!”
At someone’s cry, the men charged.
But Lee Hyun-wook did not retreat a single step. He slowly raised both his arms.
Shiiiii—
From both his arms, black smoke began to billow.
And from within it, two massive metal boxes shot out, ascending into the sky.
Wooooo—
A quiet, mechanical engine sound, a black steel surface, and magic circuits embroidered upon it. The ‘Aerial Deployment Devices (Prototype)’ came to a halt directly above Lee Hyun-wook’s head.
“What is that…”
For a moment, the charging assailants couldn’t help but slow their steps.
Thunk—
Then, the bottom of the Aerial Deployment Devices opened.
Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh—!
From within, 110 steel beads were all ejected at once, as if from a shotgun blast.