Chapter 248
Chapter 248
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 248
Chapter Title: The Lion's Counsel
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Baek Si-woo struggled to suppress his rage.
He already knew the Lion was right.
Though he was easily swept up in impulsive emotions due to the demonic energy corrupting him, the real Baek Si-woo was rational and exceptionally talented.
It wasn't just because his class was the SSS-grade 'Sword God'.
Even back on Earth, he had possessed a brilliant mind and outstanding character.
That was how he had become the leader among his elite friends.
Baek Si-woo fully understood why the Lion was trying to hold him back.
But his altered temperament made it hard to control his feelings.
“If you choose to turn Massive Guardian into a wasteland, your goal will never be achieved.”
At that moment, the Lion's eerie voice applied the brakes.
“Is what you want Seo Woo-jin's death? Or pointless venting?”
There was only one answer to that question.
“…I'll vent later.”
After hunting Kratos and attaining the dignity befitting a king.
Then he could settle everything.
Everything connected to Seo Woo-jin.
Thanks to the Lion, Baek Si-woo barely managed to regain his reason.
“But is the Sword Ghost really that strong?”
Baek Si-woo asked.
He had long known that Sion's Ban Slaine had reached the superhuman realm.
But he hadn't imagined that even teaming up with the Lion would mean one of them would surely die.
“There are monsters in this world that surpass common sense. One of them is the Sky Tower's Sword Sage.”
An unparalleled existence even among the Empire's guardians.
His age, his exact level of power—nothing was clearly known about this transcendent being.
And Ban Slaine was a powerhouse comparable to that Sword Sage.
“There are only five beings across the entire continent who have reached a realm that can restore their youth.”
Sword Sage, Ban Slaine, Jenonia, Ardethos.
“Who's the fifth?”
“…I'll explain later.”
The Lion dodged Baek Si-woo's question.
He was curious about the reason but didn't press further.
Right now, he was more interested in Ban Slaine than some mysterious figure.
“So the Sword Ghost is one of the strongest in the world.”
“Indeed. Even if you and I attacked together now, we couldn't take him down easily.”
“But once I attain that dignity, then it would be possible?”
The king's dignity.
He didn't know exactly what it meant, but the Lion was confident.
“Once that time comes, no one will be able to look down on you.”
Baek Si-woo nodded at the Lion's words.
His rage had long since faded.
As the Lion said, surpassing Seo Woo-jin in power and dignity was what mattered now.
“Alright. Then we should hurry.”
Baek Si-woo turned his body again.
Seeing this, the Lion let out a sigh of relief.
‘Good.’
If he had kept being stubborn, even the Lion would have had a headache.
In the worst case, he might have had to resort to force.
It was fortunate that it hadn't come to that.
“How much farther?”
Baek Si-woo gazed at the endless snowfield and asked.
“A week should be enough.”
“That long?”
Baek Si-woo furrowed his brow.
At their speed, they could cross an average kingdom in a day.
Yet a week?
“The North is beyond our reach. We have almost no information on the climate or terrain. Plus, the monsters here are hostile even to Apostles.”
“Hmph, trash like that…….”
“Best not to underestimate the Demon Realm.”
The Lion cut off Baek Si-woo.
“There are reasons it's called the Demon Realm. Especially the North.”
More than the monsters or demonic beasts, the North's unique traits were troublesome.
Even for the Lion, a moment's carelessness could mean getting lost or caught in annoyances.
“So enough chatter. Follow me.”
The Lion brushed past Baek Si-woo and took the lead.
“Tch.”
Baek Si-woo clicked his tongue at the Lion's back but said no more and followed.
With that, the two vanished into the blizzard.
* * *
“White Emerald Lovely Smash!”
Kwaaang-!
The massive hammer shattered ice chunks flew everywhere.
Amid them, glimpses of mangled monster remains could be seen.
“Does that skill name even mean anything?”
“Just shouting the last 'Smash' would suffice.”
Emerald this, lovely that—who knew why those words were tacked on.
Given the carnage from Goo Dong-hwan's skill, something like 'Massacre' or 'Destroy' would fit better.
“Well, we can't choose skill names ourselves.”
Gye Soo-ji and Lee Ji-ah let out wry chuckles as they watched Goo Dong-hwan massacre the monsters.
But even amid this, the two didn't stop.
Lee Ji-ah's fist punched a massive hole in the Ice Troll's chest, while Gye Soo-ji twisted and ripped off its head entirely.
Crack- splat-!
It was brutality that didn't pale compared to Goo Dong-hwan's.
“Whew, scary.”
Kang Byung-gyu shuddered as he watched the two women.
Pew-!
Pulling the dagger from the Ice Troll's head, frozen blood poured out.
“No wonder it's the Demon Realm.”
At first, it had been boring.
No matter how far they walked, they hadn't even spotted a monster's shadow.
Admiring the pristine snowfield lasted a day or two.
After that, it just gave them headaches.
Then, starting exactly on the third day, they began encountering monsters.
One, two, ten.
The numbers gradually increased, and by today—a week in—
Over a hundred Ice Trolls finally appeared.
Individuals at least five times stronger than regular trolls.
With them swarming, the heroes inwardly cheered.
But that didn't last.
It didn't take long to realize hunting on this snow-and-ice-covered land wasn't easy.
“Damn, balance is so hard!”
Goo Dong-hwan's grumbling reached them.
Feet sank deep into the piled snow, and the icy ground was too slippery.
Even foes they could sweep away instantly elsewhere were giving them trouble.
“Be careful! Their claws are coated in deadly poison—even a graze is dangerous!”
Eirin kept warning the heroes.
“Ice Trolls have lower regeneration than regular trolls but superior defense! Aim for the head over their furry bodies—it's more efficient!”
Eirin shouted again as she decapitated an Ice Troll.
‘Hmm.’
Seo Woo-jin, watching from behind, nodded.
Ice Trolls were strong.
Nightmares for regular soldiers.
But not a big challenge for heroes.
They just needed time to adapt to the North; the fights themselves were overwhelming.
‘Still not enough.’
Seo Woo-jin felt a growing impatience.
For some reason, an uneasy feeling had been nagging him lately.
‘What is it? Why this anxiety?’
There was no way this came from nowhere.
Something was definitely happening.
‘The problem is I can't tell what.’
The Iair army had the Emperor and Ban Slaine, so no issues there.
Unlikely the commanders who faced the 'Black Presence' would turn.
‘Then it must be something else.’
He racked his brain.
Few things could threaten him now.
‘The Apostles, maybe?’
His brow furrowed.
‘What the hell are they plotting to make me feel this way?’
Seo Woo-jin was convinced the Apostles were up to something.
He just didn't know what yet.
‘Divine Dragon Eye.’
He decided not to lower his guard.
Activating ‘Divine Dragon Eye,’ he encompassed the surroundings in his perception.
‘Huh, a lot.’
Within 10 kilometers, there were monstrous numbers of monsters.
As Eirin said, it felt more dangerous than before.
‘Oh? That one's here too.’
A particularly potent demonic energy stood out.
A familiar aura to Seo Woo-jin.
Ruler-class monster, Draycas.
‘This is away from their territory.’
Seems the Draycas had moved further south too.
‘Not bad?’
Just scanning 10 kilometers.
Yet countless monsters registered in his senses.
Including a ruler-class one.
Considering the heroes' levels, not huge threats, but the numbers were insane.
Keep heading north and hunting them—massive growth potential.
‘They're adapting too. Speed will pick up.’
Compared to their first Ice Troll encounter, the difference was stark.
‘At this rate, they can hit level 100 in 10 months.’
Impressive pace.
Seo Woo-jin smiled inwardly.
The stronger his comrades got, the safer they'd be.
‘Best if we all survive and return home together.’
The other heroes weren't his concern, but these were different.
He wanted them all to make it back alive, no matter what.
For that, they needed max strength.
‘To survive the Great War of Descent.’
He briefly thought of the Demon King, shook his head, and scanned again.
‘Nothing suspicious.’
He'd wondered if Apostles were nearby—no sign.
Of course, one surpassing ‘Divine Dragon Eye’ detection or outside range was possible.
But no immediate threat.
‘Still, stay vigilant.’
Can't afford another slip-up from carelessness.
He knew he couldn't protect them forever, but until they were strong enough, he'd watch their backs.
Kwaaaaang-!
The all-white land stained red caught his eye.
“Da-hye?”
Ice Trolls and frozen ground alike blazed—Kim Da-hye's 'Napalm' for sure.
One shot nearly wiped them out.
“Da-hye really suits mob farming low-level trash.”
Specialized in massacring hordes of weaker foes over single powerhouses.
Thanks to that?
Despite being mere C-grade, her leveling matched A-grades.
Fwaaaah-!
Then a bright light burst.
Amid the glow brighter than the snowfield, Kim Da-hye's smiling face appeared.
She was the first in the North to level up.