Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Blocked
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‘…It’s blocked!’
Seo Woo-jin was stunned by the solid sensation transmitted through his hand.
Of course, he hadn’t expected a single attack to kill Luunbali.
It was a monster on the same level as Gerald and Reina, after all.
Even so, this was a sword infused with Ban Slaine’s teachings.
He had thought it would at least lessen the impact…
‘Damn it!’
He could see Luunbali’s finger blocking “Karaniel.”
A finger, of all things?
It was so absurd he couldn’t even laugh.
“Huh? What’s this? An attack? You attacking me? Huh?”
The creature’s smile was chilling.
“No good? I wanted to ask you something? You just gonna die? Huh?”
Startled by the sudden explosion of killing intent, Seo Woo-jin leaped backward.
Kwa-duduk-!
The ground where he’d stood moments ago caved in.
‘I didn’t see it!’
He hadn’t even seen what the attack was.
“Everyone, get back!”
Seo Woo-jin shouted toward the rear.
If they got caught up in the fight, they’d just die pointless deaths.
But that wasn’t possible.
“Captain! The surroundings…!”
When had they appeared?
Demonic beasts radiating thick killing intent began encircling the group.
Even his “Divine Dragon Eyes” hadn’t detected the movement.
“Run? Can’t. Huh? All die here.”
Luunbali cackled.
Individually, the demonic beasts weren’t that strong.
The Platinum Knights—all upper-class knights—and Crusiel’s elites could handle them easily.
But there were just too many.
He couldn’t comprehend where such a horde had been hiding.
Seo Woo-jin tightened his grip on “Karaniel” and glanced at Ronain, who was scanning the surroundings warily.
“I’ll take that one. Sir Ronain…”
“Yes, we’ll hold off the demonic beasts.”
Breaking through seemed impossible, but they could at least keep them from interfering with Seo Woo-jin.
“I’m counting on you.”
He had no spare capacity to protect the others.
Just dealing with Luunbali in front of him would be tough enough.
‘For now, hold out.’
He decided not to use “Celestial Wing.”
The side effects were too severe.
Unless victory was assured, he had to save it.
Instead, he’d focus purely on defense until Ban Slaine arrived.
If Crusiel had seen the signal flare, they’d be rushing here.
He just needed to endure until then.
“Huh? Waiting for something? Someone else coming? Strong?”
Had it read Seo Woo-jin’s mind?
Luunbali looked around with intrigued eyes.
“Hey, Luun-something.”
Seo Woo-jin called out to it.
To draw its full attention to himself.
Fortunately, Luunbali turned its gaze toward him as intended.
Perhaps because he’d already provoked it once, the previous killing intent was gone.
In its place were eyes brimming with curiosity and mischief.
Seo Woo-jin swallowed dryly and spoke.
“You’re strong, right? Stronger than Gerald, maybe?”
“Gerald? Dark Elf? Oh, that guy? Dead, probably? Don’t need dead ones. Am I stronger?”
Its usual chaotic speech was hard to follow, but one thing was clear.
‘It’s stronger than Gerald.’
A hollow laugh escaped him.
For such a dimwitted-looking thing to surpass that monstrous Dark Elf.
He wondered if it was just bluffing, but shook his head.
The demonic energy emanating from Luunbali clearly surpassed Gerald’s.
“Hold the line! Don’t let them get close!”
“Damn, how many are there?!”
“Kreurk!”
The battle had begun—screams and shouts rose from behind.
“What about Reina? Stronger than her too?”
Seo Woo-jin asked again to keep Luunbali’s gaze from turning.
“Reinaaa?”
But the reaction was off.
The playful atmosphere vanished, replaced by heavy demonic energy pressing down.
‘Hmm.’
Seo Woo-jin frowned.
“Why Reina? How do you know? Where is she? Left me alone, went somewhere?”
It felt like he’d touched a nerve he shouldn’t have.
‘Are they close?’
From its reaction, they might be quite familiar with each other.
That would be trouble.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem to know she was dead yet…
‘If it finds out she died because of me, all hell will break loose.’
A chill ran down his spine.
“Tell me? Answer? Quick?”
With a thud, Luunbali took a step toward Seo Woo-jin.
At the same time, his knees buckled.
The oppressive pressure intensified.
‘Ugh!’
It hadn’t lied about being stronger than Gerald.
‘…This won’t work.’
Stalling with talk seemed impossible now.
If he stayed put, he’d collapse without doing a thing.
Better to fight while waiting for Ban Slaine.
“Find out for yourself, you bastard.”
Seo Woo-jin kicked off the ground and soared.
Kyahaha-!
As if it had been waiting, Luunbali burst into laughter and nodded.
“Huh? Huh? Got it?”
“Karaniel” plunged toward it.
Cheeeeng-!
Naturally, this attack was blocked effortlessly too.
But that was what Seo Woo-jin had aimed for.
“Jigo Flame!”
Flames of an exalted rank enveloped “Karaniel”’s blade and blazed.
“What’s this? Hot!”
Luunbali’s face registered surprise.
Sadly, no real injury, but making it feel pain was enough.
“Karaniel” targeted Luunbali’s retreating neck as it stepped back from the “Jigo Flame.”
This time, the radiant light of “Twelve Heavenly Swords” dwelled within.
“Huh? What’s that?”
Cheejeeng- cheeeeng- cheeng-!
Twelve beams of light erupted from the stabbed spot, spinning to tear Luunbali apart.
But still insufficient.
“Ow? Stings? I’m getting mad?”
Enduring such a powerful skill barehanded, its only reaction was a grimace.
‘Damn.’
As expected, but Luunbali’s body was too tough.
Not even a scratch, let alone a wound from the blade.
‘How do I take this thing down?’
Without “Celestial Wing,” proper damage seemed impossible.
“Then…”
He had to overwhelm it relentlessly, denying any chance to counter.
Seo Woo-jin activated “Swiftness.”
The sword assaulted at unimaginable speed.
So fast no sword shadows formed.
“Ah? Hurts? Stop? Stop ittt?”
Luunbali shielded its face with both hands and kept retreating.
As Seo Woo-jin intended, it couldn’t even think of attacking.
‘Good, if I keep this up…’
A triumphant smile formed, then his eyes widened.
“Stop itttt!”
Kwa-gwagwagwa-!
Demonic energy exploded from Luunbali’s center.
“Keoeok!”
“W-what is this…!”
Knights and agents behind clutched their throats and collapsed.
Even the silver plaques from the Sky Tower couldn’t block it.
‘Shit, fuck!’
Seo Woo-jin urgently drew up his mana.
A vast surge blocked the demonic energy, halting its spread.
“I said stop, didn’t I? Why not listen? Wanna get punished?”
Dangerous.
Its eyes gleamed with murderous intent, chilling to the bone just looking.
‘When the hell is he coming?’
Swallowing again, Seo Woo-jin prayed fervently for Ban Slaine not to be late.
* * *
“What’s your name?”
Ban Slaine asked Crusiel’s leader.
“…Call me No. 6.”
They had no names.
Just numbers sufficed.
Ban Slaine clicked his tongue inwardly at No. 6’s answer.
But he didn’t show it.
He was loyal to the Empire, and Ban Slaine a foreign noble.
“Understood. I’ll call you that.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
No. 6 bowed to Ban Slaine.
“No need for thanks. More importantly, how many from Crusiel entered this forest for the investigation?”
Only about thirty remained outside the forest.
“Around 120 missing—no, dead.”
No small number.
Even for Crusiel, such losses were a heavy blow.
“Any markers only you could recognize?”
Compared to Philotain Lasse, it was a tiny forest, but still vast.
Searching it all with this group would take over a week.
Crusiel markers would speed things up.
Regrettably, No. 6 shook his head.
“We did, but they’re not visible.”
Either wiped out too quickly to leave them, or someone removed them.
At least, none around here.
“That’s a shame.”
Ban Slaine sighed.
Seemed they’d have to comb the entire forest from scratch.
“If only that boy finds something…”
Mentioning Seo Woo-jin, Ban Slaine’s head snapped around.
Piiyuuuung- peong-!
A red smoke shot high into the sky, spreading outward.
“That?”
“…Signal flare. Something’s happened.”
Ban Slaine’s expression turned grave.
With Seo Woo-jin’s current skill, he could handle most foes with a smile.
Yet a red flare?
“Likely encountered one of the Apostles.”
No one else could put him in danger.
“Hurry.”
With the flare up, they needed to provide support fast.
Seo Woo-jin wouldn’t fall easily, but delay meant more casualties.
“Move at double speed!”
As No. 6 ordered and the group turned toward the flare—
“Halt.”
An unfamiliar voice rang out.
Ban Slaine drew and swung his sword like lightning.
Sugaak-!
Ultra-compressed aura shot out, slashing everything nearby.
But…
“Your body’s younger, but your skill’s as sharp as ever, Sword Ghost.”
Untouched, a voice calm as ever.
Ban Slaine’s handsome face twisted at the sound.
“Brutal.”
“Long time no see, Ban.”
A man emerged from the darkness.
Called Brutal, he greeted Ban Slaine with a cold smile.
“You dare…”
Ban Slaine ground his teeth.
A fury unlike any before.
“To show yourself before me. You must be suicidal, traitor of Sion!”