Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Babel
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The power to separate Players from Non-Players.
On top of that, the power to isolate only hostile Players.
Finally.
“Grrgh!”
“M-My mana…! My mana!”
The power to neutralize a Player’s mana.
“This is just a fraction of the Magic Tower’s capabilities.”
That alone.
“Whoa….”
Marked the beginning of a monumental upheaval that left everyone awestruck.
Thump, thump, thump.
A heart pounding in fear.
Thud, thud, thud.
Now began to race with excitement.
“As expected….”
“We did the right thing coming here!”
“Woooo!”
The power the Magic Tower had just demonstrated was enough to win overwhelming support from at least one group of people.
Non-Players.
“At the very least, in this land—South Korea—Players will never be able to oppress Non-Players.”
The moment Yu Se-hwa finished speaking.
Snap.
She flicked her fingers.
Humm. Boom!
An explosion erupted from the top of the Magic Tower, above the clouds where nothing had been visible before, splitting the clouds apart.
And soon.
Fwoosh!
It unleashed a brilliant wave of light that blanketed everything in all directions.
“The Magic Tower’s territory has now been declared. South Korea is now under the Magic Tower’s domain.”
She smiled brightly.
“And within the Magic Tower’s territory, I promise that all ‘humans’ are equal beings.”
“……!”
This was the start—the true beginning of the event.
Gulp.
It was only just beginning, yet the Magic Tower had already unveiled something that would shake the world.
There were no question-and-answer sessions, no detailed explanations.
It simply announced with overwhelming power.
“However, for those who possess mana, the seal can be released in threatening situations. This, too, will be at the Magic Tower’s discretion.”
Yu Se-hwa continued.
“So everyone, rest assured.”
Rustle.
Petals drifting down.
A fresh spring breeze carrying a sweet fragrance.
“Additionally, the Magic Tower devours all gates that generate within its radius. Do you know what that means?”
Humm.
High in the sky, a blue rift seemed to flicker into existence.
It resembled the generation of a gate—now something caught between love and hate.
Pop!
But it vanished just as quickly, unable to fully form the rift.
“Currently, it can intervene in all gate generations across Northeast Asia, but in the future, the Magic Tower will operate in even more regions.”
Yu Se-hwa said.
“As long as the Magic Tower exists, we promise you complete safety from inhuman Players and gates alike.”
“Waaaaah!”
“And furthermore.”
That was when it happened.
Boom.
The ground began to rumble as if struck by an earthquake.
Despite the eerie tremors making their hearts sink, the citizens regained their composure looking at Yu Se-hwa’s smiling face.
This wasn’t a disaster—it was just a device.
Craaaack!
Then the Magic Tower began to split open.
From the center, splitting in two directions like the barrel of a railgun, something black and pointed emerged.
“Allow me to introduce it.”
Hearts pounded.
Heads throbbed.
At the same time.
Grip.
Something seemed to boil up inside.
That was the sentiment of the citizens beholding the single spear—no, a tower—that rose majestically from between the Magic Tower’s halves.
“Babel.”
“Ba…bel.”
“Those who seek power, those who wish to embark on a new path, those who desire to prove themselves.”
Yu Se-hwa declared.
“A land where all such answers can be found.”
Her resounding voice carried the weight of divine oracle.
Thus proclaims the Lord.
“I present to you Babel.”
*
*
*
“I present to you Babel.”
The citizens’ gazes were fixed intently.
“The gates absorbed by the Magic Tower are all being regenerated inside Babel, forming new environments.”
Yu Se-hwa’s explanation continued.
Humm.
Today’s scene was undoubtedly one that would be remembered for decades, centuries—perhaps etched permanently into human history.
“Only those who declare their intent to climb Babel will be able to wield mana, and to them alone….”
She smiled.
“Grace will be bestowed.”
“G-Grace?”
“You can think of it as similar to the System. However, that power can only be used within Babel.”
A dreamlike prospect.
“How does one earn the qualifications? Isn’t it all just random? I know many such thoughts are crossing your minds.”
Yu Se-hwa.
In this short time, she had studied and internalized much about Earth.
She knew exactly how to handle people and what would capture their attention.
Once she had stood alone like an ancient tree, but now she had grown even further, able to shelter those in her shade.
“No, Babel is different.”
Yu Se-hwa said.
“As I mentioned, it will be open to all who desire it.”
“……!”
“However, to fully obtain that power, one must demonstrate their ability and conviction.”
Yu Se-hwa looked down at the ant-like humans below her feet.
“Additionally, those who achieve a certain level among them will be granted new powers and qualifications.”
For a moment, it felt as if time had frozen.
“Knight.”
Knight.
“Those who obtain that power will be able to wield it fully not only within the Magic Tower’s territory but beyond as well.”
“Knight…!”
This was the moment the existence of Knights was finally announced.
“…….”
Some among those watching the announcement exchanged glances.
-The situation is going south.
Not from within the barrier holding the hostile ones, but from those mixed among the general public.
-What’s this Babel? Knights? What the hell?
Originally, they had expected today’s announcement to feature Go Yohan stepping forward, fully revealing his power.
To solidify the new regime, and perhaps even.
‘Declare war on the world.’
But.
-This power feels off. I can tell from that fleeting glance. They let it happen on purpose.
Yu Se-hwa herself, reigning like a goddess in the sky, was no ordinary figure.
-One wrong move and… .
Those who met eyes conversed telepathically.
-We might not even be able to escape.
And.
Nod.
The three seemed to share the same thought.
Go Yohan had always been an unforeseen disaster, an existence beyond calculation.
The original plan was to trigger terrorism amid the general citizens the moment Go Yohan appeared, then slip away during the chaos of cleanup.
‘Go Yohan can’t protect you all.’
‘Even if he’s flawless alone, without him, they’re nothing.’
‘Your precious barrier is solid but narrow.’
They had aimed to create that crack.
-Let’s get out now.
Overwhelmed by Yu Se-hwa’s power, the Magic Tower’s might, and Babel’s grandeur.
-Exit route?
They were too intimidated to even attempt it.
-It’s flawless. Let’s toss one last gift before we go.
-Without the so-called Apostles from the gods, this might be our last chance.
-Now… .
As they quickly aligned their thoughts and perfected their plan.
“In human sayings, it seems one action speaks louder than a hundred words.”
Yu Se-hwa’s voice seemed to intrude.
Just as such thoughts crossed their minds.
-Where do you think you’re going?
Her voice echoed in their heads.
“Damn it!”
There was no time to reconsider timing.
The silver-haired man, Tiron, unleashed his full mana without a moment’s hesitation.
KABOOM!
An explosion like a nuke detonated.
*
*
*
Byul, Timothy.
And the silver-haired man Tiron—their communication channel was woven not just from mana but demonic energy, making it inaccessible to anyone else.
Within that channel.
-Where do you think you’re going?
The moment Yu Se-hwa’s voice intruded, Tiron triggered their original plan without a shred of doubt.
Detonate a massive explosion amid the general citizens, cast suspicion on Go Yohan, and escape simultaneously.
The explosion that erupted.
‘A fifth-stage demonic energy compression blast.’
Originally planned for third-stage.
Even that would have inflicted near-total annihilation on two million citizens, but driven by an ominous feeling, he sacrificed one of his horns to unleash a fifth-stage demonic energy compression explosion.
In theory.
‘Thirty million.’
A colossal blast capable of erasing thirty million in one go.
Even Go Yohan would have to sacrifice an arm to survive its immense destructive power.
Fwoosh!
Within that explosion, only its master and those he permitted were free.
Amid the towering flames and billowing smoke, Tiron instinctively leaped away, pushing off with his feet.
-Are you okay?
He shouted into the channel.
Even if Yu Se-hwa had noticed, she wouldn’t emerge unscathed.
He had funneled part of the explosion into the channel too.
-Respond!
Tiron moved frantically and demanded urgently.
Whoosh!
Black, acrid smoke swallowed everything, while scorching heat surged from all sides.
If things went well, if luck was on their side.
‘Seoul will fall.’
Smirk.
Just as he grinned in satisfaction, thinking it had gone better than expected despite the tension.
-Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?
A voice that shouldn’t have been heard.
-Or are you actually going somewhere?
That was the moment.
Fwhoosh!
The smoke that had filled the entire world vanished.
Only then could Tiron clearly see the world again.
“Ah.”
The plan he had been so confident in.
It.
“…….”
Had failed.
He had run with all his might; by now, he should have escaped the smoke long ago.
But the surroundings were still packed with millions of citizens.
Swipe.
On one side stood the dazed Byul, on the other, Timothy seething with rage.
And.
“…….”
He realized.
“When….”
Though they had been tangled among the people, now they were isolated.
The place where Tiron stood was inside a massive transparent barrier.
And the explosion he had created.
Sizzle.
Had burned away the hostile Players Yu Se-hwa had sealed earlier, now crumbling to nothing.
He couldn’t even comprehend the current situation.
-Feeling like it was all a dream?
Yu Se-hwa’s voice rang out.
-Then you should know this.
Sizzle.
Something emerged from the parting smoke.
-That this is a nightmare.
Yes, he had no choice but to admit it.
“Go… Yo… han….”
For Go Yohan was revealing himself amid the smoke.