Chapter 370
Chapter 370
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 370
Chapter Title: Racial War (9)
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The message announcing that Lamenting Gremory and the 'Demons' had entered the Racial War appeared before the eyes of every race.
The emergence of the Demon Gods and Demon Kings was more than enough to upend the entire structure of the Racial War.
"...Han Shin, did you know about this?"
Lee Hyuk-soo asked, gazing at Han Shin.
The meaning behind his question was simple.
Since you're contracted with a Demon God, did you get any prior warning?
But Han Shin's expression remained stiff.
He, too, hadn't anticipated the Demons' appearance.
Demon God Belial hadn't shown up himself, but there was no way he was unaware of such a decision.
In other words...
Belial had deliberately withheld the information from Han Shin.
It was a matter of such gravity, or perhaps in Belial's eyes, Han Shin wasn't even worth sharing that level of intel with.
Or it could be that the internal power struggles among the Demon Gods or the weight of the decision from their 'Great Nine Lords' was so immense that the ripples didn't reach a mere contractor.
To the Demon Gods, human contractors were like pawns on a chessboard.
Useful at times, but soldiers who had no need—and shouldn't know—about the moves that could flip the entire board.
Lee Hyuk-soo read the complex emotions in Han Shin's face but didn't press further.
It was a silent affirmation.
...In the end, we have to carve our own path through everything.
"Don't worry. The Demons will be top seeds anyway."
Adora said.
As she pointed out, they wouldn't have to face the Demons right away.
The real problem lay elsewhere.
"Didn't they say we need to finish in the top thirteen races? With the Demons added, that's already thirteen including the Twelve Races, isn't it?"
Reaper Johnson's question was spot on.
Their goal wasn't just reaching the top seeds—it was clearing the Racial War without penalties.
But the Demons' addition slashed those chances dramatically.
"...Park Chan-woo. Why hasn't that guy shown up?"
Ling-Ling asked, looking at Lee Hyuk-soo.
The Demons' participation had plunged the Racial War into unpredictable chaos, and the only 'wildcard' they could count on now was those three words: Park Chan-woo.
Lee Hyuk-soo met Ling-Ling's gaze steadily, unflinchingly.
His eyes were deep and serene, harboring an unshakable conviction.
"He's coming."
His voice was low, yet it carried an oddly resolute strength.
"At the most crucial moment, in the most decisive way. So we just do what we have to. Fight our best every instant and survive. That's how we prepare to welcome him."
"You expect us to believe that blindly? What the hell is he even doing out there?"
"...He's far away, but he's definitely on his way."
There were no further explanations or excuses.
But the weight of those words seemed to reach the other team members.
What they could do now wasn't doubt or despair.
It was thrashing to take even one more step forward on this hellish stage.
That was what mattered most.
Right then, the next system message floated into the minds of all race representatives.
The end of the long wait.
The matchups for the second round were finally being announced.
At the end of the system's announcement, the names of each race's second-round opponents began appearing in vivid red letters before their representatives' eyes.
The humanity representatives' gazes locked onto the name of their new foe.
After a brief loading time, the question marks vanished, revealing their second-round adversaries at last.
"...The Demon Wolf Clan?"
Reaper Johnson furrowed his brow.
They were those cunning-looking wolf beastkin who had eyed humanity with greed just moments ago.
Aurum spoke up in a grave tone.
His usual lighthearted demeanor was gone.
"The Demon Wolf Clan are brutal warriors. Those bastards..."
He glanced around cautiously, as if choosing his words.
Everyone here thought of him and Eugene as ordinary human Awakeners.
No need to reveal his true nature recklessly.
"...They're among the most ferocious beastkin races I've encountered across multiple Abysses in the past."
His teammates listened quietly.
Aurum's spirit magic and illusion abilities had proven reliable time and again, and the intel he provided was trustworthy.
Aurum continued.
"The Demon Wolf Clan possess both the ferocity of wolves and the slyness of yokai. Each individual is a powerhouse in combat, but their true terror lies in pack hunting and their ruthless exploitation of weaknesses. They overwhelm foes with direct, destructive force rather than illusions or tricks."
His voice carried deep wariness toward the Demon Wolf Clan.
"Make no mistake—they're leagues above your average beastkin. Once they lock onto a target, their tenacity is unrelenting. Lose the momentum even once, and you'll be swept away beyond recovery."
Faces darkened further at his explanation.
An entirely different league from the Gremlin Tribe.
Lower seeds, sure, but top-tier among them—cunning and cruel to boot.
And above all...
"They're called the 'Lower Seed Slayers' in the Racial War. Don't get hurt, no matter what. They grow stronger tasting blood."
"...Damn it."
Reaper Johnson cursed involuntarily.
The excitement from before had given way to clear tension on his face.
Growing stronger the moment you draw blood? The worst possible ability.
No wonder they're Lower Seed Slayers.
They get stronger against the weak, right?
"Don't get hurt at all costs... Easier said than done."
Adrianne muttered lowly, arms crossed.
Even with confidence in defense, ending a fight unscathed against such savage wolves seemed nearly impossible.
Ling-Ling silently fiddled with her dagger.
Her assassination relied on speed and stealth, but one mistake drawing blood could spiral uncontrollably.
Lee Hyuk-soo stared at Aurum with a hardened expression.
"Is that intel solid?"
"Yes. I've witnessed other races—ones I knew—get massacred by that ability multiple times. They deliberately inflict minor wounds to savor the blood, growing stronger bit by bit before hunting in despair. Perverted freaks who get off on it."
Deep disgust laced Aurum's voice.
Fox Clan and Demon Wolf Clan could never get along.
"...!"
The new duel conditions were pure nightmare fuel.
'Bleeding effects maximized', 'wound healing and regeneration sharply reduced'.
This amplified the Demon Wolf Clan's 'grows stronger on blood' ability while making even a single scratch potentially fatal for their side.
It felt like the system was blatantly rigging the stage for the Demon Wolf Clan.
"This... this is too much! They're straight-up favoring the Demon Wolf Clan!"
Reaper Johnson vented his frustration.
Adora spoke up.
"I told you. They've reveled in the 'Racial War' for thousands, tens of thousands of years. Tribes like the Demon Wolf Clan deliberately stay in lower seeds, reaping advantages in future wars from the rewards."
Her tone was calm, but the revelation stunned the humanity team.
Staying in lower seeds on purpose for benefits?
The system wasn't fair at all—veteran races toyed with newcomers.
The 'Blood Colosseum' being one-sidedly favorable fit right in.
Ling-Ling tilted her head.
"They choose to stay low seeds and keep taking penalties?"
"Better than extinction. Sacrifice flesh to claim others' bones. Expecting fair play from the Abyss is foolish to begin with."
Adora's voice stayed icy.
Ling-Ling, still puzzled, pressed.
"But low seeds mean endless penalties. How's that an advantage?"
"Tribes like the Demon Wolf Clan slaughter weaklings in low seeds, offer the rewards to top races or Demons. In return, they get favorable conditions next war or temporary buffs. The 'Blood Colosseum' is a stage they've meticulously prepared over ages."
Adora's explanation was shocking.
Beyond unfairness—some races actively exploited the system.
Even using weaker races as sacrifices for survival.
It crushed the team's last sliver of hope.
"So... this match was rigged against us from the start?"
Reaper Johnson asked hollowly.
"Likely."
Adora nodded and continued.
"Worst case, they've scouted humanity intel and prepped this 'Blood Colosseum' to sacrifice us first. No tastier prey than fresh entrants."
Foes strong and savage, arena tailored to them.
Victory possible?
"But."
Adora's voice seized their attention again.
Her red eyes burned fiercer than ever.
"That's where the 'wildcard' transcends all schemes and predictions. And that wildcard springs from the will that refuses to yield even in despair."
"So how do we create that wildcard? Got a plan?"
Lee Hyuk-soo asked dubiously. Adora clapped once.
Pong!
Smoke billowed, revealing a Demon.
"...Dagon?"
Demon merchant Dagon.
He'd appeared here amid the Racial War.
Dagon bowed.
"Pleased to meet you. Demon Merchant Dagon at your service. Now then, shall we exploit the Demon Wolf Clan's weaknesses?"
Creak!
Dagon grinned demonically.