Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Floating Island Siege Battle
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In an indoor space reminiscent of a Korean office, a woman was rubbing her hands together with an excessively friendly expression plastered on her face.
"Ohohoho! Welcome~ I'm Yun Hye-mi, president of the Straight Clan!"
"Yes, hello."
Yun Hye-mi, the president and colleague of Kang Geom-il, was rubbing her hands as vigorously as if they were her feet.
The tall man before her had been dispatched directly from headquarters and was one of the top-tier Outsiders, a supernova on the verge of entering the ranks of 'Transcendents from Another World'.
His name was Shin Jin-pae.
He was renowned for his exceptional skills, yet humble and frugal.
Of course, rumors and reality often differed.
'I need to secure a solid connection here!'
Unaware of her resolve—or perhaps not—Shin Jin-pae smiled gently and got straight to the point.
"How are the preparations?"
"We've made all the necessary arrangements!"
"Hmm. I'm looking forward to it. The previous broadcasters would fizzle out the moment they encountered mana."
He had come to inspect and oversee the operation of the broadcaster produced by Yun Hye-mi's clan.
"If it's a proper product, our president will ensure the Straight Clan receives due compensation."
"Ohohoho! Oh, no need~ This all started because we wanted to do some good for everyone. Compensation?"
Yun Seok-il, who had been listening, couldn't help but think, What a load of bullshit.
Recalling how often Yun Hye-mi sang praises of headquarters and points made his head throb.
Yun Hye-mi, who had been laughing ohohoho, glanced at Shin Jin-pae's expression before speaking.
"But... are you sure about this?"
"About what?"
"Well... publicly unveiling the broadcaster we've developed not just to headquarters affiliates, but to the entire community first."
"Hahaha. Isn't it all just advertising?"
"But users will find ways to get them anyway, and the harder it is to obtain, the more valuable it becomes..."
Yun Hye-mi trailed off as she realized Shin Jin-pae was watching her silently with a smile.
Satisfied with her reaction, Shin Jin-pae spoke in an even softer tone.
"I have no choice in the matter. It's the president's directive."
"Ahaha. Yes! If it's the president's will, we must follow!"
This wasn't mere flattery.
The president of headquarters was famous for turning any venture into a success. His insight and orders were to be obeyed.
"Well, come this way."
Though she claimed preparations were complete, there was nothing particularly special.
It was simply operating the broadcaster already distributed worldwide from this location.
Yun Hye-mi glanced at the broadcaster Yun Seok-il had set up.
The device itself was quite large, about the size of a table, but easy to operate.
"The broadcast location is Floating Island, correct?"
Headquarters had graciously allowed the Straight Clan to select the site, boosting their prestige.
And the location chosen by the Straight Clan was where their ace currently resided: Floating Island.
"Yes. Our users—Outsiders—tend to avoid going there. Special privileges are sealed, and the persecution isn't light... I understand wanting to watch safely from afar."
"......"
Realizing Shin Jin-pae was watching silently once more, Yun Hye-mi stopped her chatter.
She cursed him inwardly as an annoying prick but maintained a maximum smile outwardly.
'Truth is, we chose Floating Island because someone there wanted to buy broadcasters in bulk.'
It was a no-loss proposal, accepted and praised by headquarters, proving it a wise decision.
"Also... many want to see footage of the annual Hero Tournament held on Floating Island. That's why we picked it."
"Well done. Then let's begin."
"Yes, yes. Alright, everyone. Start it up!!"
The staff responded to Yun Hye-mi but felt displeased by how Shin Jin-pae treated their president like a subordinate.
Yun Seok-il felt the same.
She might scold them usually, but she always took good care of them.
'If Geom-il were here, this parasite wouldn't dare act up...'
Sighing, Yun Seok-il operated the machine at Yun Hye-mi's signal.
Soon, all procedures were complete, and the machine activated.
Two massive screens stood in front. One displayed community chat; the other prepared to broadcast Floating Island.
💬 Community Chat — User123 Whoa lol, this actually works? A broadcaster immune to mana?? — SkepticGuy No way it works. Just hype again. — ClanFan Straight Clan has Kang Geom-il. They must have talented creators. Worth expecting. — ExplorerX Showing Floating Island? Anyone been there? — BreakingNews Hey hey, breaking news: Almiras is down? — FastNews Your news is slow as fuck, moron lololol Shin Jin-pae snorted at the community chat before focusing on the broadcast screen.
Soon, the screen lit up.
🔴 BROADCAST START 🔴 [You fuckers listening? All your precious Ten Great Families' heirs are here packed in. Even more of those esteemed academy students. Think carefully, yeah?]
The voice that boomed as the footage began left everyone dumbfounded.
The sky in the footage projected a massive human hologram, like a giant embroidered in the heavens.
Shin Jin-pae recovered first and chuckled.
"So that's what she meant."
"P-Pardon?"
"No. The Murderers had already infiltrated Floating Island."
"Wh-What?!"
According to Kang Geom-il, they weren't due for another week?
But listening closely, that hooded man seemed to be a rather infamous one among the Murderers.
His face was hidden, but likely a top-tier Outsider.
One of the Transcendents from Another World... Dark All. Veil.
'Why the hell is a big shot like that there?! Is he insane?!'
Floating Island wasn't called the Outsiders' graveyard for nothing.
Special privileges sealed by default, and insanely powerful residents in droves.
The faculty.
Five Iguella—fewer than twenty in the world—comparable swordsmen and fighters, and the Ten Great Families with artifacts that slapped Outsiders' privileges in performance.
Not even top-tier Outsiders would find it an easy place to pull off something like this.
"Watch closely."
"P-Pardon?"
His voice soft and kind. Yun Hye-mi looked at him in surprise.
"You'll get quite the show."
"...Do you know something?"
"Roughly."
Roughly my ass. Explain! She ground her teeth inwardly at Shin Jin-pae, who showed no intention of elaborating.
As if reading her mind, he spoke.
"Hahaha. I'll explain, so don't glare like that. I want to stay on good terms with you and headquarters for the long haul."
Stay on good terms?
His smirk no longer seemed annoying.
🔴 THREAT CONTINUES 🔴 [And the important part. Hey, you little bunny fuck! You're here, right?! Came to kill Kang Geom-il? Why don't we try killing him first? Huh?!]
Shin Jin-pae smirked at the sneering man.
"Shall I explain while we watch how Floating Island responds?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Let's go."
Gold followed me without hesitation at my words.
"W-Wait! We must follow Kaitsu's orders...!"
No time to heed Marie.
Among their demands was Almiras.
Securing him would give leverage for negotiations.
"Please wait, Yedre."
"......"
I stared silently at Kaitsu.
But he knew.
If he tried to stop me now over some trivial reason, our deal ended here.
"Please wait just a bit longer for securing Almiras."
"Until when exactly? Until all the captured kids croak?"
"Listen, Outsider Yedre!"
Marie’s voice faltered this time.
She knew full well she had no grounds to stop me now.
"I didn't ask you, Cardinal."
Marie froze briefly, about to retort, but Kaitsu silenced her.
"First reason: to gauge their numbers. Far more than we anticipated may have come."
I nodded at Kaitsu's words: “Otherwise, there's no reason for such chaos on mighty Floating Island.”
"And?"
"Second: to fight on terrain favorable to us. As you know, Yedre, many Outsider privileges alter fields advantageously."
"Special privileges are sealed on Floating Island, no?"
I slipped into informal speech unconsciously, but Kaitsu responded smoothly.
"I suspect they've brought a way to use them."
"Rosario?"
"...Unknown."
Mentioning what Kaitsu had told me before, Marie and Revand looked confused, like it was nonsense.
Kaitsu truly was hard to trust.
Hiding facts even from presumed old comrades.
Did he trust anyone?
Was the info he gave me even true?
"Wait just a bit more, on my honor..."
I closed in on Kaitsu.
Brought my mouth near his ear and whispered.
"......"
Kaitsu replied something; I nodded.
"Fine, Kaitsu. We'll wait."
His eyes widened.
Stay calm.
I'm different now.
Think and think again.
What can you do right now?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Yaplno-kun! It's dangerous alone!] "Still gotta go."
The man responding to Blurt's worried shout: Yaplno, instructor at Prynar Academy and also in charge of Floating Island's defenses.
His martial rank: Black Mountain.
Equivalent to an Iguella among mages.
Yaplno had confidence in his abilities.
[All Floating Island cameras are out. Situation's dire. They might've seized some authority...] To the silent Yaplno, Blurt spoke ominously.
[Meaning they've possibly hacked the privilege seal, allowing them to use privileges.] Privileges.
The power that made Outsiders special.
Thinking of the atrocities and might Outsiders displayed before privilege seals existed was a nightmare.
That immense power, easy to wield without much effort, rivaled top experts in any field—magic, combat, weapons—once usable.
Some boasted overwhelming strength through highly unique effects.
And such beings had invaded en masse.
[Confirmed intruders over ten already. I know your skill, but at least join Mullin or Glkuong heading that way...] "Trust me, Chief Instructor."
[Yaplno-kun!] "Can't just sit while students are in danger. How scared they must be."
[Yaplno-kun...] Hearing the moved tone, Yaplno turned off the communicator.
Now Blurt would think Yaplno was resolved to save the students.
"Ah~ heh heh heh heh. Fucking hilarious."
A frivolous male voice.
Yaplno wasn't running alone.
Six others moved with him, all suspicious figures cloaked in robes.
"You guys shut down the cameras?"
"Huh? Asking the obvious? Heh heh heh heh."
"......"
"What, blaming us? The ones who let us Murderers in?"
Indeed.
They were Murderers.
And Yaplno was collaborating with them.
"Don't know your goal, but letting us in and disabling privilege seals in your sector? Thanks a ton?"
This voice was a woman's.
Yaplno ignored her and asked.
"Asking again: you made cameras go dark? How?"
"Got a privilege for that."
"Other sectors still have seals active. How's a privilege doing it? Lie properly."
"His privilege is stealthy, slips past seals."
"......"
No intention of proper explanation.
Yaplno cursed inwardly.
Trash!
About a month ago.
Someone approached Yaplno with a proposal.
Disable Floating Island's privileges, even briefly.
They'd give unimaginable rewards.
He'd ignored it at first, thinking it a joke.
But learning their scale piqued interest.
That interest wasn't about grabbing a cut for retirement luxury...
'Laugh now, trash.'
Upon reaching the destination, Great Mage's Repose, he'd reactivate the privilege seal.
And sweep these scum away.
Yes. What Yaplno wanted was honor.
The honor of punishing filthy Murderers!
Doubts about Yaplno's skills had long simmered.
He was strong, but qualified to teach? To belong to Prynar Academy?
Once started, suspicions persisted.
He'd strived in this instructor evaluation to dispel them, but no results.
Soon, expulsion loomed.
Unacceptable.
He enjoyed the perks, but more, he didn't want to part from her—his crush.
And then, Yedre: achieving what he, other instructors—even Iguella—couldn't, sticking close to his crush.
Jealousy surged at the thought.
'Didn't expect it to blow up this big...'
He'd anticipated chaos only in his sector, but Murderers operated on a massive scale.
'Won't let a single one escape.'
Trouble if these scum talked.
He didn't love killing, but these Murderers deserved death. Cleaning trash wasn't murder.
Killing them would make him the hero who saved Floating Island from crisis.
Reputation and popularity would soar.
And... his cute, beautiful her might look his way.
'Yedre! I'll prove I'm superior to you...!'
Not without pangs of conscience.
Not guilt-free.
But he could repent now. Turn back.
Soon, Yaplno and the Murderers reached the plaza of Great Mage's Repose.
Evacuation complete; no signs of life around.
"Your remaining four comrades here?"
"Yeah."
Yaplno looked up at Great Mage's Repose, slightly distant.
A grand, antique building, taller and wider per floor than others.
His love and cute students held there.
'How dare they...'
Didn't expect students as hostages.
Sorry they'd gotten involved for his gain.
Hurry in, seal privileges, and...
Bam!
"Hup!"
He deflected a flying fist with his elbow.
"Ah, fuck. That hurts like hell."
The dramatic fist-shaker was the frivolous man from moments ago.
Lowering his robe revealed golden hair, gleaming eyes, freckled Western features.
"What the hell?"
"Huh? Just wanna play~ We're pals now, gotta know your strength, right?"
"......"
Yaplno scanned the robed figures.
Some distance, but encircling him and the blond.
But so sloppy it drew involuntary laughter.
This is an Outsider.
Without privileges, nothing.
"You idiots crazy? Once I reseal privileges, you lot..."
"Shh!"
Before Yaplno finished, a punch flew; he countered with a kick.
Rumble!
His kick's shockwave roared through the sky.
Night clouds scattered.
Yaplno smashed his heel toward the rebounding blond Murderer, who was reforming a defensive stance, aiming for the brow.
Bam!
"......?"
Sound off from usual.
No, head should've exploded?
Even leveled Outsiders with enhanced physiques couldn't easily withstand Yaplno's attacks unless top-tier...
Looking closely, his body had turned metallic.
Reading Yaplno's gaze, he giggled.
"Heh heh heh heh. What's this?"
"What?"
"Diamond Steel Body, bitch!"
Whoosh!
Just a swing, and air trembled.
He struck a comical pose, yelled "Haat!", and threw a straight punch.
Boom!
"?!"
The ground behind Yaplno cratered over three meters wide.
Sloppy form, but specs insane.
'Right, privilege altering body structure.'
Impressive, but suppressible with time.
No reason to, though.
"When'd you notice?"
"Notice? Sleepy? Squinty-eyed retard heh heh heh heh. Dude, whatever, you're useless so we're killing you~"
"What?"
Not that he'd noticed intent to kill?
The surprised Yaplno heard the blond sneer.
"We already got a useful collaborator, retard~"
"......"
"Thought you were our instructor collaborator? A soon-to-be-fired squinty-eyed retard?"
Meaning... another collaborator besides Yaplno? Another instructor aiding Murderers?
"...Can't have that."
Fwoosh!
The ring on Yaplno's finger glowed.
Light formed a magic circle, activating its effect: privilege seal...
Crack!
"...?"
The circle shattered like glass.
"What. Trying to use privilege seal?"
"......"
"From the start, retard. If you'd handed over that ring with on-off authority after disabling, maybe. But you dragged it out for your advantage—we weren't gonna trust a thick-headed squinty-eyed retard?!"
Whoosh.
"...Kuh!"
Bad.
This guy annoying enough, but peripherals no slouches.
Six at once...
"Worried about ganging up? Weakling like you's fine solo. Hey~ no interfering?"
Murderers giggled.
Mood soured.
"Uralanrung!"
Bam bam bam!
Each blond punch cratered the ground.
Area devastated swiftly.
But... Yaplno unscathed.
Not for nothing an instructor.
Clang! Clang!
"Guh?!"
Yaplno's swift fists nailed the jaw.
Normally knockout, but metal body differed structurally, seemed fine.
Pained though; blond's movements grew fiercer.
"Fuck!"
"Hmph!"
Bam bam bam.
Nearly ten fists and kicks landed instantly.
The Murderer groaned, staggering.
Onlooker Murderers jeered.
"Yo! Losing? Heh heh heh!"
"Big talk, now losing? L?"
"Shut up!"
Irritated, he charged again...
Crack!
This time, elbow to solar plexus.
Force so great, passing wind pressure demolished surroundings.
'One down first...!'
As he raised foot to finish the coughing, kneeling foe—
Shwick.
Ominous sound; Yaplno leaped urgently.
Sword aura endlessly gouged his former spot.
The bizarre power chilled him... and he realized surroundings too dark.
"Ah?"
Turning: massive rock blotting sky.
"A, uh. Aaaaaah!"
Panic punch, but body frozen.
Glancing down: one on ground extended hand toward him.
The woman from earlier.
Caught by her green energy tendril, immobile—
Mana-reinforced boulder plummeted Yaplno to earth.
"Wha, ugh! Uwaaaaa!"
Screaming unwittingly, Yaplno smashed ground.
Rumble...
Rock curiously powdered upon impact, vanishing.
But damage matching its mass ravaged Yaplno.
Clinging to fading mind, he thought.
'...Retreat.'
Too much damage.
Hated admitting, but couldn't win solo now.
'Too careless...'
Squish!
"Kuh!"
Before judgment complete, green energy ensnared again.
Yaplno strained to break free with all might.
"Oho?"
Mocking female voice; pressure intensified.
Not just Yaplno—devastated ground cracked, quaking like earthquake.
'This... possible?!'
No chant, minimal mana, yet such scale?
Slash!
Whip crack.
Result outrageous.
Not content with long gash on chest; passing wind demolished dozens of distant houses.
Yaplno gaped, groaning in agony.
"Gaaah..."
"Kyahaha! Look at that poser squirm in pain!"
Shrill voice snapped his mind alert.
Realization dawned.
This... is an Outsider.
Outsider might with privileges unleashed!
'Should've considered.'
Possibility of his defeat.
Too late. Already struggling, whip weakened him further; green energy held firm.
"Grrrr..."
Two approached groaning Yaplno.
Blond Murderer and bushy-haired swordsman.
"Ah. Fuck. Fuck. Hurts like fuck?"
"Ah retard heh heh heh. Told ya no interfering?"
"Shut up fuck!"
Blond vented on Yaplno's head.
Strength drained; tinnitus rang.
'Dan...ger...!'
Must stay conscious.
As if reading, green energy sharpened awareness instead.
By twisting limbs.
"Kiyaaaaaaaah!!"
Green energy tightened on saliva-and-tear-streaming Yaplno in torment.
"Kyahaha!"
"Crazy bitch heh heh heh. Haap!"
Swordsman gashed chest; blond relentlessly demolished body amid curses.
"Kaaak! Kaaaak!"
Roooar.
"Huh? What's that."
Fish drifting in sky.
Floating Island's defense: sky rays.
"Kehihi. Stress not vented—perfect."
Murderers smirked, tossing ragdoll Yaplno.
Each sky ray: magical lifeform rivaling knight-mage combo.
At least two hundred.
Sky rays charged humans.
Five minutes later.
Village gone, save Great Mage's Repose.
Mountains collapsed, ground sunk meters; countless ray fragments littered.
All watched by Floating Island residents.
Murderers broadcasted it.
The presumed leader, hooded man, sneered.
🔴 MOCKERY BROADCAST 🔴 [Instructors. Nothing special, huh?]