Chapter 189
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Strange Combination
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Meanwhile, at the [Checkpoint] on Coastal Island.
A pillar of murky emerald light erupted from the underwater vortex known as the Wrath of the Sea God. Some were entranced by the ecstatic sight, but...
Those familiar with this phenomenon let out shrill screams.
"Th-the raid failed!"
"Wait a minute! This is still the [Checkpoint]. No need to make such a fuss."
"Viscount Boletic! Where is Viscount Boletic!"
"Explain this incident right now!"
Most of those gathered here were nobles who could afford the exorbitant prices on Slayer's Coastal Island.
They quickly grasped the situation and rushed toward where Viscount Boletic was, but...
Clack, clack, clack.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this!"
"This area is reserved for the princes. We cannot permit entry."
"You fools! How can you say that after seeing this mess! At least drag Viscount Boletic out here right now!"
"Exactly! The raid didn't fail outright! The stratum is outside the [Checkpoint]. How are we supposed to handle this...!"
"Don't cause a commotion. We are the Heavenly Dragon Knights."
It was both a declaration of their resolve to resolve any issue and a warning against stirring unnecessary chaos.
In the end, it was the nobles who backed down first.
By the rules of Coastal Island, they hadn't brought even minimal escort forces.
In an emergency, they could only rely on those dispatched from the Imperial Family.
"In the end... it happened."
Meanwhile, Dexter bit his lip as he watched the same scene unfold.
Just as the mage had warned, disaster had struck.
It was clear that the Heavenly Dragon Church had orchestrated this incident deliberately.
'Viscount Boletic... from the looks of it, he had no idea about any of this.'
Viscount Boletic now appeared pale-faced and in a state of panic.
'The real problem starts now.'
He had hoped this wouldn't happen, but... in truth, this was also a golden opportunity.
'We need to respond swiftly to minimize casualties.'
There wasn't much they could do in response. This wasn't an officially prepared operation—it was a plan he and the mage Jun had devised alone.
But initial response and efficient use of the available forces were crucial.
Fortunately, there was a knight here he could trust.
"Lord Aden."
"I see, Dexter. So this is why you've looked so grim lately?"
"Yes."
"Heh..."
Aden could guess why Dexter had only now spoken up.
He probably lacked solid proof until then.
'The one who passed the intel must be that mage.'
He recalled the man with black hair and silver-blue eyes—Jun.
'They said Heavenly Dragon Church operatives already appeared on the opposite side of the island.'
That's why the golden-haired, blue-eyed warrior he'd been watching, Aiden, had rushed off.
He'd barely restrained himself from charging after hearing the foe was a level 8 user.
"So, how do you think this will play out?"
"According to the intel, the raid's failure triggers anomalies at the [Checkpoint]."
Calmly, Dexter explained the impending events, basing his words on the data from Jun.
"Then... we're at a severe disadvantage."
"Yes."
Aden was an exceptional knight, but even he couldn't protect everyone from the catastrophe ahead.
At least...
"What! Is that true?!"
A shout erupted from the White Whale Mercenary Corps, who were on standby nearby.
It was now just Eleanor and Maya left.
The one who had yelled was Eleanor.
"What happened?"
"Ah, sorry. They just... took out the Heavenly Dragon Church operatives over there."
"Hah. Weren't they supposed to be level 8?"
Dexter looked at Eleanor with genuine surprise.
In fact, his reaction was perfectly understandable.
The gap between level 5 and level 8 was immense, no need to elaborate.
Even with Black Guard Captain Tear Din there, it was astonishing.
"Ah... Captain Tear Din is currently seriously injured."
"Heh. Tear Din—that guy's survival is a relief."
He had seemed on the verge of some enlightenment recently.
As a promising talent, Aden had been worried, but hearing he'd survived proudly was good news.
"Then he'll head straight back here! That's fortunate."
"Probably... Huh? What? Hey, hey!! Captain! What's going on!"
Eleanor pressed a hand to her ear, yelling into the air. Dexter's expression hardened instantly.
Something must have gone wrong during the communication.
Rumble rumble rumble―――!!!
The problem was they couldn't just sit idly by here either.
"The, the sky!"
"Hiiiik!!"
Lightning struck in the distance, and something began emerging over the sea.
"A... a dragon...?"
"Dragon...?"
Sea Serpent.
The beast descended upon the sea amid storm clouds.
"Aiden... got taken down...?"
But Eleanor had no time to worry about that side.
The place that had brought good news moments ago had now plunged into the worst possible scenario.
* * *
It was truly a split-second moment.
The fierce battle against a level 8 user.
Just as they thought they'd won...
'I... didn't notice?'
His response was too slow to the high-energy reaction shot from the sea direction.
The moment he noticed, Jun deployed [Shield], but it effortlessly pierced through the surrounding [Iron Rampart] and [Shield].
[Shield]
Considering Jun's magical prowess, this penetration was utterly impossible.
And then.
"Aiden!!"
"Guh... ugh..."
Aiden rolled across the ground.
At least he'd reacted in time to avoid a vital hit.
"Hah...!"
An unknown mana infiltrated his body, gnawing at him from the inside.
"Captain Tear Din!"
"Got it!"
The gravely wounded Tear Din forced himself to move, rushing to Aiden and administering a recovery potion.
But another high-energy reaction surged from the unidentified enemy.
"You bastard!"
Sensing it, Tear Din swiftly swung his sword, slicing the attack apart.
However, his injured state made it impossible to block the continuous assaults.
In the meantime, Jun realized the nature of the incoming projectiles.
'Water.'
Water jets compressed and spun to their limits.
"You damn mutt."
Rage boiled over at the sight of Aiden groaning in agony from his wounds.
He chanted a spell toward the source of the high-energy reaction.
His incantation was already released, the gathered mana compressed to its utmost.
Fueled by fury, his imagery took the form of lightning.
[Lightning Call]
Was it the ultra-compressed mana, or the wildly violent imagery?
Lightning infused with Jun's rage struck ferociously.
The response was immediate.
The energy focused on Aiden and Tear Din now turned toward Jun.
'Just what I wanted.'
No hesitation if the enemy fought from range.
The foe's reaction was faster than expected, but Jun wouldn't yield easily.
[Shield]
[Enchant Support: Supporter]
[Convergence Enchant]
The ultra-compressed, spinning water jet hammered the [Shield] again.
Clang―!
Much stronger than before. Even if it penetrated, it couldn't pierce the multiple layers of [Shield] beyond.
"There you are."
Pinpointing the enemy's position, Jun prepared another spell.
'The lightning magic I fired earlier didn't land.'
No damage at all would prevent such a quick counter. Meaning lightning was completely ineffective.
Based on that, Jun deduced who was attacking.
"Dermaan..."
Through [Bright Eyes], he saw the figure standing leisurely atop the sea.
[Bright Eyes]
Once human, now no longer.
Dermaan thrust his trident toward Jun.
[Flare]
At the same instant, a crimson beam shot from Jun's hand toward the beast, while crackling lightning flickered from its trident.
Boom―!
The massive energies clashed in midair, locked in stalemate before exploding, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
As if the explosion were a lie, silence fell between them.
They had gauged each other's power through that exchange.
'Damn, he's strong.'
[Flare] was powerful, but the matchup wasn't favorable.
Water and lightning together.
What better combo for amplifying power?
The enemy seemed to realize Jun was no pushover, shifting focus back to Aiden and Tear Din.
No proper rationality left, but it knew protecting them would overwhelm Jun alone.
"You greedy bastard."
Apparently, before the Slaughter Saint died, it had signaled him something.
Probably an order to kill royalty.
'Aiden is royalty, after all.'
With blood even purer than Dexter or Javier's, it wasn't strange for the beast to target him so relentlessly.
"... "
Then, the creature swung its trident with its bony, armored arm.
Whoosh―!!
A water pillar erupted from the ground, capable of toppling giant trees in one go, surging toward Aiden and Tear Din.
'Fast!'
As a water manipulator, it had no delay even for big moves.
Jun immediately countered with a spell.
[Ice Break]
A binding spell infused with eternal permafrost imagery.
Water and ice clashed briefly; Jun was pushed back.
"Damn it!"
His injuries from the Slaughter Saint fight hadn't healed, and his overheated mana circuits hadn't cooled.
Facing what was at least a level 6 raid boss in this state, being overwhelmed was inevitable.
As Jun tried to forcibly draw more mana...
Whoooosh―!
"M-mage! Over here!"
Without time to turn at the familiar voice, Jun activated [Burning Step], pulling Aiden and Tear Din back.
[Burning Step]
What appeared was a deep blue barrier.
But instead of blocking Jun, it parted an entrance for him, and he slipped inside.
The pursuing water pillar crashed into the barrier and dissipated.
"A-are you alright, mage?"
"Wh-what the hell is going on? What is that monster! And, and...!"
Only then did Jun look up, to find...
"Why are you two here...?"
Javier gazing at Jun and his comrades with worry, and Belles in a flustered ramble.
The strange duo was there.