Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Holy Knight Przewalski
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Renting a transport plane for strategic reasons was a piece of cake.
After all, the government and the association were eager to deploy Yoo Seongwon's team as quickly as possible.
There was just one slight strategic hiccup: the Defense Ministry didn't like Yoo Seongwon's plan to use the core dungeon as bait to lure in the Arc Demon Beasts.
(No, the urgent priority right now isn't the 'core dungeon'—it's the safety of our national forces and hunters trapped in Kaesong! If you've taken the money, just follow the orders from the ones who paid it...!)
"Yeah, yeah. Hurry up and send the transport plane. Fill it with fuel~"
(Hey, listen to what I'm... )
Click.
Yoo Seongwon just hung up, since once they boarded the transport, they'd be calling the shots anyway.
Those fancy titles like commander or army chief only meant something if Korea still existed—he figured there was no point listening to absurd orders from someone in such a desperate spot.
"No matter how you look at it, this operation's screw-up is on them versus my cool-headed judgment. It's obvious who's right."
"Very wise, Your Majesty."
"Anyway, prep to move out as soon as the transport arrives. I don't love it, but they've piled up cash and gear, so we gotta go. Tsk."
Just in case he backed out, the government and association had already stockpiled a hefty amount of magistones and cash at the Iron Fortress entrance, with measures in place to hand over whatever he demanded on the spot.
Seeing that really drove home the point: "This is a real do-or-die crisis for Korea."
"The barrier issue was nothing compared to this. Why'd they push so aggressively like it was a gamble?"
"Probably because their knowledge of SS-rank hunters got skewed thanks to you. They figured that Blue Dragon Guild guy was on your level."
"On personal combat power, sure... but I just happen to churn out a ton of byproducts, weirdly enough."
"Those splendid combat forces and sound minds you call 'byproducts'? That's the pot calling the kettle full-bellied. And you can summon even more? Anyway, I heard from Sir Yucheong that the plan's solid, but what if the Arc Demon Beasts don't bite on the core dungeon bait, like they say?"
"What else? We'd smack 'em from behind. You think we'd actually raid the core dungeon?"
Baek Gayeon nodded silently, but Yoo Seongwon's face crumpled again.
Why were there so many people itching to gamble with others' lives? Thoroughly annoyed, he shook his head like he hadn't heard and flatly refused.
"Nah, no way, hate it. What do I get out of turning around for that?"
[Honor!]
[Justice...]
"A challenge to the strongest!"
[The shining chivalry of victory.]
"The Sword Lord's new legend!" ×2
As if on cue, the four damn knights, Yucheong, and Jinseok lined up behind him, each shouting their piece.
If a nagging mother-in-law was bad, a meddling sister-in-law was worse—those loyal knights piled on, leaving Yoo Seongwon utterly speechless.
He wanted to tell them off, but with those pure, toy-obsessed kid eyes staring at him, outright denying it felt tough.
"Uh... look, kids, right now... the goal is saving the hunters and soldiers first, yeah? Let's do that. Okay? The core dungeon's just bait—the main gig is taking out the Arc Demon Beasts outside! Got it? Got it?"
[Hmm... sounds good.]
"Well, we do need to save the weak."
The knights finally bought Yoo Seongwon's excuse and dispersed back to the sanctuary gateway like they were heading to their posts.
Just as the tense haggling wrapped up, the Air Force transport touched down at Iron Fortress.
They loaded up immediately, Yoo Seongwon summoned Eldraen to board, and they all headed north together.
Their destination, naturally, was the core dungeon entrance in Pyongyang.
***
Kaesong, city outskirts.
The national forces marching on Pyongyang had managed a retreat to Kaesong, but at an enormous cost.
The troops pushing toward Pyongyang had lost or gone missing everyone except a third—realistically, they'd been killed by the pursuing scavengers and monsters. Thousands of hunters had died too, and failing to rescue those still inside the dungeon had everyone in a panic.
Even Blue Dragon Guild, the strongest and holding the rear, had suffered heavy losses among their mid- and low-tier hunters. The silver lining: the three S-ranks were safe.
"Gruesome. But why herd us here and not attack?"
"How should I know, bro? At least we caught a breather. What're HQ saying?"
"They're sending that Yoo Seongwon guy. For a whopping 100 trillion, no less."
"Whoa, that bastard's actually smart, huh? Kyaaah~ 100 trillion, damn. Anyway, if he shows, we'll probably live."
"No way to cross that magic barrier and escape anyway. And if the soldiers and us all get eaten by Constellation Slaughter King here, Korea's done for."
That's why HQ had pulled out all the stops with 100 trillion to get Yoo Seongwon.
What Go Cheonsu couldn't figure was the Arc Demon Beasts herding them into Kaesong but then going still. He worried what those things were scheming.
Whether they even thought at all was debatable, but holding back now—when they could crush them—smacked of some crueler plan.
***
"Eat up! Drink up! Woo-hooo! Great victory! Victory!"
"Quiet down, General—the Leader's in prayer!"
"Wow, leveled up a ton."
But contrary to those fears, the scavengers and Arc Demon Beasts were throwing a victory bash, offering up captured humans or chattering excitedly.
Never a proper army to begin with, they had no interest in charging Kaesong's defensive lines first and taking hits.
[It's edible enough... but it ain't like that pastor's cooking.]
[You're too spoiled by the pastor's grub. Nom nom. Ugh! All male meat here. Tough as hell! Damn it!]
[Anyway, gotta fill up... squawk, where's Przewalski?]
The Arc Demon Beasts were stripping uniforms and boots off corpse mountains for their feast when one familiar face was missing.
Przewalski, the horse-man who flew via Divine Horse Ascension, and his minions were nowhere in sight.
[Muuuh! He said he was worried about something and left?]
[Squawk? Tolyu and the earth poison guys said nothing's up. Why'd he go? Got bored? With a feast like this?]
[Mm? Dunno. Whatever, he's gone—we get the humans. Oh yeah, grab some for Iberico on your way back. Gotta eat before fighting again... if he skips guarding the magic circle, they all slip away.]
[Squawk! Got it.]
The Arc Demon Beasts were still eating, so it would be a while before they moved.
Meanwhile, the uneasy Przewalski—about that human Yoo Seongwon—had split off alone.
He didn't doubt the humans' intel, but the patterns from the two times he'd been burned were seared into him.
[Snort... Once with 'Leghorn,' twice with 'Remrem'—that's enough. Getting hit three times by the same trick? That'd be weirder. Right, human?]
"Nah, us humans have this 'three strikes' thing where we forgive up to three... "
[Snort! Then that proves I'm superior to you humans, at least.]
That's how he'd spotted Yoo Seongwon's group trying to cross the barrier and blocked their path.
Yoo Seongwon, caught off guard that Przewalski had read their plan, stared in disbelief while radioing the approaching transport to circle back.
Snow-white fur, wings, and a faint glowing aura—pure divine messenger vibes. No one would guess it ate humans.
"Obvious backup plan like Leghorn's ace in the hole. I'm worlds different now, but if you've got one more transformation left, mind doing it early?"
[Snort! You've changed a lot. But lump me in with that 'Leghorn' level? Big mistake.]
"Mistake's in Gyeonggi, horse-face. Anyway... let's see. Eldraen, bonus target's right there. You got this?"
Kroooaaar!
Eldraen roared in reply.
Yoo Seongwon drew Titan's Stake, aimed at Przewalski, and pre-summoned Seom-myeol and Akaron—air combat ready—from the sanctuary.
Przewalski, gearing up too, pulled a book from his robes and opened it. His winged horse-headed minions gripped weapons, battle-ready.
"Religious type now, unlike last time? What's in there? Human recipes like that pastor's?"
[Snort! Your irreverence pierces the heavens. Snort! No matter. Here, 'justice' shall rise again!]
'...Why's he talking like that all sudden?'
[Snort! I am Przewalski! Normally called an 'Arc Demon Beast' of our great Constellation Slaughter King! But my true foe! When the great Constellation's nemesis appears—that is my mission! Time to fulfill my 'vow'!]
'...Mission? Vow? No way?'
[I am Slaughter King's holy knight! Przewalski! Golden Dragon Knight! I shall fell you, who slay my brothers and thwart Slaughter King! Come forth! My divine steed! My armor!]
Horse .
In chess, the knight is shaped like a horse.
In janggi too, it's the horse piece—so horses symbolize war steeds and knights.
Przewalski was both horse and knight. A holy knight with faith in his god.
Hiiiing!
[Come, my other self.]
Thus, Divine Horse Ascension meant his own ascension, but also the steed he rode.
With his declaration, a divine steed resembling his horse-head descended beside him. Crimson and white full plate mail equipped itself. A massive lance and shield appeared in his hands.
Przewalski mounted the winged divine steed, fully armored as a knight.
[Holy Knight Przewalski data logged. Master, jealous. So jealous.]
"Ooh, a holy knight from another constellation's faction! Captain scored big. Ah! Heart's pounding! Captain, I'm so jealous~"
"Where?! Jealous! Look at that! A horse riding a horse!"
Akaron and Seom-myeol's eyes sparkled as they eyed Yoo Seongwon—facing Holy Knight Przewalski—with genuine envy.
But Yoo Seongwon was dumbfounded.
The look: a winged horse-head riding a winged horse—over-the-top enough to make a Christmas tree weep. And now this Arc Demon Beast claimed 'holy knight'? Absurd.
[This form and gear exist solely for my mission and vow. Wielding great power wildly like a beast? That's barbarism. Rejoice, Yoo Seongwon—no, Golden Dragon Knight! Witnessing this is an honor for you.]
[Affirmative. Perfect grasp of chivalry. High renown. 100/100.]
"Urgh... hate to say it, but touching. Tears..."
[Establishing your own chivalry matters, but learning from a fine knight does too. Holy Knight Przewalski's words and deeds satisfy the chivalric ideal. Emulate his faith in god and chivalry alike. Fight honorably.]
[Reward: Extra reward upon victory over Holy Knight Przewalski.]
'Is this for real?'
Akaron graded the deep-voiced, lance-pointed Przewalski on his own. Seom-myeol wiped tears.
Even his chivalry trait was moved, tossing in a bonus—Yoo Seongwon was beyond words.
Fine, whatever—the horse-head was still an Arc Demon Beast.
Cannibal, humanity's threat. Couldn't fathom excusing it over a makeover.
"...Unbelievable. But I get it—you gotta go down no matter what. I am Golden Dragon Knight Yoo Seongwon! Foe of humanity! Subordinate of Constellation Slaughter King and Holy Knight Przewalski! I will defeat you now."
[I too! For my god I follow! For my honor! I shall fight! Go! My other self! Divine steed!]
Declarations done, mounted Przewalski and dragon-riding Yoo Seongwon charged, weapons aimed.
His heavenly horse minions, Akaron, and Seom-myeol followed skyward, battle joined.