Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Power Plant Defense
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“Priestess! Have you passed on our regards to the ancestors?”
“We’ll fight without bringing shame to our forebears!”
The three hundred dog tribesmen each shouted words brimming with confidence.
Kisua said nothing as she steeled herself and approached Ju Gonghyeok.
“What about the council chamber?”
“It’ll manifest in the meeting hall in fifteen minutes.”
“Then let’s you and I head there first.”
Thud!
The moment her foot hit the ground, her figure vanished.
Her silhouette shrank to a dot as she raced toward the meeting hall.
“Quite the impatient one.”
Ju Gonghyeok shot a quick glance at her estate before swiftly following in her wake.
The two wolves bounded lightly over rooftops until they reached the meeting hall in the city center.
They opened the doors to the former assembly hall, and a gruff greeting rang out.
“You’re late.”
Sobaek, who had been grooming his crooked mustache, narrowed his eyes and glared at Kisua.
Kisua silently raised a fist salute and took her seat.
There were seven seats prepared in the southern tribes’ meeting hall.
But only ‘Messenger Sobaek’ and ‘Dog God Kisua’ were seated.
The other four tribes had already departed for the 43rd floor the previous day.
‘It’s a bit early, but since everyone’s here, let’s start the meeting.’
A thick, grating voice echoed through the hall, followed by a message.
[The meeting between Four Heavenly King Vinecliff and the beastkin tribes will now manifest.]
[The 43rd floor meeting begins.]
Holograms of each tribe’s chieftains appeared in the empty seats.
All fully armed with weapons and armor—a stark contrast to their previous casual martial robes.
‘Though the most out-of-place one is something else.’
Ju Gonghyeok and the six chieftains’ gazes converged on one spot.
At the head seat sat a bizarre shadow.
It wasn’t a beastkin, but a demon.
“I am Azidahaka, attendant to Lord Vinecliff. Today, as always, let us join forces for the glory of you beastkin and Lord Vinecliff.”
Three dragon heads spoke in that grating voice from moments ago.
Dragon Duke Azidahaka. He was the ally Vinecliff had sent to the beastkin to conquer the 43rd floor.
A truly strange situation, but the beastkin showed no agitation.
Not just them—the other two races were also receiving aid from demon dukes.
‘Four Heavenly Kings War’
That was the grand mission spanning floors 41 to 60.
The Earthlings, beastkin, and machine god tribes who cleared the 40th floor now faced an entirely different phase.
New rival races had emerged, and they had to repel them with help from the demons of their own faction.
This massive war game spanning 20 floors was designed to create such scenarios.
First came floors 41 to 50: 「Dimensional Star Realm」.
The Dimensional Star Realm awarded its victor a ‘planet’.
‘Legion’ planets that produced soldiers, and ‘Factory’ planets that generated supplies and items.
These two types bolstered their race.
‘During the fourth round, half the weapon containers the machine gods supplied came from a ‘Factory’ planet.’
Races that racked up victories in the ‘Dimensional Star Realm’ gained a decisive edge in later battles.
‘Whoever claims more planets seizes victory in the ensuing wars.’
The five ‘Legions’ and five ‘Factories’ were buildup for the great war to follow.
Then came floors 51 to 60: ‘World Tree War’.
Here, the demons would actively join the fray.
‘Fail to secure legions and factories ahead of time, and you’ll face a world of hurt.’
Only legions could conquer certain dimensions, and factories expanded legion sizes while boosting racial productivity.
Even after the Four Heavenly Kings War ended, proper management and upgrades would make them invaluable all the way to the Babel endgame.
Ju Gonghyeok scanned the chieftains.
‘Though they probably don’t grasp it that far.’
The chieftains radiated killing intent, brimming with the will to fight.
They knew the timeless beastkin truth: smash the enemies in front of you, and everything sorts itself out—legions and factories be damned.
“I shall explain the southern tribes’ role.”
Azidahaka manifested a massive map in the meeting hall.
It was marked with human, beastkin, and machine god symbols.
“The situation favors the beastkin poorly. The Earthlings and machine gods have allied to drive out the beastkin and claim the 43rd floor reward.”
[43rd Floor Reward – 「Twilight Legion」]
The map showed dragon heads and machine gods clashing around the ‘Twilight Legion’ marker.
“The northern tribe’s Dragon God is facing off against the machine gods right before the Twilight Legion seal. A head-on clash would mean heavy losses. But the machine gods just need to stall.”
Beep—
Human markers appeared behind the dragon heads.
Machine gods ahead, humans behind. No matter how you sliced it, it was a rotten formation for the Dragon God.
“And so……”
The tiger-headed hologram of Jian spoke up.
“As per Duke Azidahaka’s instructions, we southern tribes blocked the humans. But you told us not to commit fully—leave two tribes in reserve.”
“Correct.”
His right and left heads nodded at each other in affirmation.
“The dog and western tribes’ reserves will be deployed to the decisive point.”
Another beep, and a photo appeared.
A modern building familiar to Ju Gonghyeok.
It showed a facility lined with what looked like reactors.
“The ‘power plant’ currently guarded by the northern tribe. That’s your destination.”
“What happens if we defend it?”
At the tiger chieftain’s question, Azidahaka’s three heads flashed eerie smiles.
“Our demons will aid you.”
The chieftains’ faces hardened instantly.
Ukou slowly opened his mouth.
“You will?”
“Indeed. No more lurking in the shadows, directing or coordinating your race as before. This time, we’ll provide direct, physical support.”
Whumm—
The screen shifted again.
A massive golden ring draped in a blue barrier.
A ‘warp gate’ the beastkin occasionally glimpsed.
Beyond it swarmed demons.
“There’s a warp gate near where the Dragon God and machine gods are facing off. Built specifically to summon demons like us.”
Azidahaka continued smiling.
“Defend the power plant, and its energy will activate the warp gate, summoning my comrade, Myriad Evil Duke Chernobog, and his heavenly knights.”
“Duke and heavenly knights……”
Ox-headed Sabon nodded his massive head.
Even one duke was a huge force, but with heavenly knights too? The tide would surely turn.
“But if they seize the power plant and fire up the machine gods’ generator, the situation reverses.”
“Specifically?”
“Warp gate will spit out the machine gods’ allied demon duke and heavenly knights.”
Reinforcements or enemies.
At this reversal, two-headed Takaga ground his beloved sword on a whetstone and spoke.
“A warp gate spawning demons right at the ‘Twilight Legion’ or nearby. No coincidence.”
“You hit the nail on the head.”
Azidahaka’s heads chimed in one by one.
“For us, this isn’t the first time.”
“They designed this spot as the turning point.”
“The northern tribe is prepped to withdraw from the power plant. Human and machine god armies are en route.”
“Go or not. Pick one.”
Seryeon snorted disdainfully.
“Hmph, we’re already out there fighting. Backing out now would make us look ridiculous.”
“Agreed.”
Kisua nodded and rose.
“We march.”
“Siege defense isn’t my hobby, but……”
[Beastkin – Accept Azidahaka’s plan.]
[Moving to 43rd floor location.]
Dog and western tribes—combined one thousand warriors—were summoned to the 43rd floor power plant.
Seryeon and Kisua leaped atop the walls simultaneously.
Surveying the area from the high walls, Kisua frowned.
“We can’t avoid encirclement here.”
She spotted human armies and machine gods approaching, lugging two generators.
The enemy outnumbered the beastkin by about twenty to one.
The machine gods in the rear opened chest plates.
Flashes erupted, unleashing heavy alloy shells at the power plant.
“Hmph.”
Seryeon’s shadow blurred, and a sonic boom roared through the air.
The machine gods’ alloy shells crumpled completely and ricocheted away.
Seryeon reappeared on the wall, brushing metal dust from his toes.
“Same as always. Warriors like you and me knock down those iron slugs and hold the narrow paths. The rest hunt any that slip through.”
Having assessed the terrain, Seryeon continued.
“We’ve got seven hundred warriors. Split into groups of two hundred to guard three directions. Your dogs take the remaining one. Pick the top hundred as elites for guerrilla and reserve duty. Reinforce where it’s tough, strike any gaps they show.”
A rational assessment, devoid of emotion.
“Understood. I’ll select them before the encirclement starts.”
Kisua nodded in agreement.
There’d been that unfortunate incident before, and biased as Seryeon was, he was a battle-hardened veteran.
No one mad enough to play games on a battlefield deciding the beastkin’s fate.
“Priestess! Give me a chance to show my valor like Gonghyeok did!”
Wolf-tailed Gien piped up.
He too was a young wolf. Anxious inside that Gonghyeok, whom he’d brought, had shone against the western tribe while he’d done nothing.
Kisua slowly shook her head.
“I have a more important task for you, Gien.”
“What task?”
“Please guard the walls with Yuri, newly appointed heir.”
“Hmm……”
Gien looked dissatisfied, but Kisua’s telepathic message followed into his ear.
‘Gien. Watch the newly appointed heir Yuri for any suspicious moves.’
Startled by the sudden transmission, Gien soon nodded with a loyal expression.
“Wolf-tailed Gien obeys Priestess Kisua’s command!”
“I leave it to you.”
Kisua bowed her head.
She’d agonized over heir placements.
‘The dog tribe heirs, excluding me: four.’
Veteran heirs Guyo and Gien, and the newly appointed brothers, Gonghyeok and Yuri.
Her decision was consistent.
‘Can’t leave Gonghyeok and Yuri together.’
Accepted as heirs in haste, they were unknowns. Left alone, who knew what they’d do.
Worst case: collusion to open the gates or gang up on other heirs. Unacceptable.
“Gonghyeok and Guyo will join me in the reserves.”
“Got it!”
“As you wish.”
Gonghyeok calmly raised a fist salute.
As beastkin heirs manned the gates and warriors climbed the walls to complete positions, Gonghyeok’s shadow wobbled faintly.
The shadow stretched like a thread, slipping through wall cracks to rise in distant ruins far from the power plant.
Click—
Fire lit the cigarette tip as Ju Gonghyeok in human form took a drag.
The Gonghyeok beside Kisua was a clone; this one was the real body.
Space hummed, and heavenly knight Zoroaster appeared.
“Long time no see, Lord Ju Gonghyeok. I’m here in place of your superior, Lilianne.”
“Quests?”
Zoroaster flipped through the thin stone tablet in his hand.
“As per your previous orders, I’ve secured several. Main quest first.”
Ding~♪
A cheap electronic chime rang out with a message.
[Beastkin Main Quest: ‘Power Plant Defense’.]
- As a beastkin member, protect the power plant.
- Killing humans and machine gods raises 「War Contribution」; Four Heavenly King Vinecliff grants extra rewards.
- If the warp gate summons ‘Myriad Evil Duke Chernobog,’ his feats grant partial legion control to western and dog tribes.
- Remaining humans: 22,135. Remaining machine gods: 600 units.
[Human Main Quest: ‘Power Plant Capture’.]
- You’ve infiltrated the beastkin undetected. Sabotage the power plant—key to Four Heavenly King Vinecliff and beastkin victory—to secure human triumph.
- Killing beastkin in the power plant earns rewards from Fallen Duke Mastema.
- Activate the power plant to boost Ju Gonghyeok’s 「War Contribution」 and gain partial legion control.
- Remaining beastkin: 1,043.
Zoroaster asked politely.
“You can accept either power plant capture or defense. Which will it be?”
[‘Power Plant Defense’ Yes/No.]
[‘Power Plant Capture’ Yes/No.]
Ju Gonghyeok flicked away the spent cigarette ash.
He stubbed it out and donned the crimson hood and curse-tainted grim dog mask.
The visage of humanity’s second-worst villain, the Necromancer King.
“Both, obviously.”
Zoroaster smiled faintly.
“Business as usual.”
Ju Gonghyeok’s methods never changed.
Volcano Island, Blood Duke’s fortress, arena bets—all the same.
Kill everyone but himself and squeeze rewards from the overseers.
“Here too, a massive slaughter will be a sight. Lady Lilianne said no need to ask, and she was right. I’ll sign.”
Zoroaster scrawled his signature on the quest tablet.