Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: 2-2. The New Land Granted to Us
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***
Rumble rumble rumble.
A low, feeble cry.
I never imagined a Lord-class monster would make a sound like that.
Nor that this beast would collapse so quickly.
Metatron's power, unleashed in a full explosion during the fight, had truly been astonishing. And that made sense—she had poured out her combat skills without restraint, knowing she’d need to set up the holy domain afterward.
By concentrating every ounce of power without holding back even a drop, she felled Karnum far faster than I’d anticipated.
Metatron had bound Karnum with magic but hadn’t delivered the killing blow.
“Why not finish it off?”
“Lord-class monsters can sense each other’s auras. Killing it here would tip them off.”
“Then the holy domain?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll start by manifesting it in a limited area and wait.”
If the holy domain suddenly spread across the region, the Lord-class monsters would notice immediately. So Metatron planned to begin in a narrow radius.
At the same time, she created provisional holy domains at three distant locations. These were positioned along the paths of the encroaching enemies, narrowing their encirclement. They were pre-set for instant teleportation of teams to confront the Lord-class monsters.
Having everyone converge on Metatron’s position at the center would cause chaos, and by the time they rushed over, the Lord-class monsters might catch on and flee.
Or summon nearby monsters for aid.
Better to intercept them along their advance.
Once combat began, Metatron would expand the holy domain across the Noryangjin area, enveloping it like a dome. That would block reinforcements from surrounding monsters and hinder any Lord-class escapes. Of course, since the domain wouldn’t be fully complete, the Lords might break through, so the dedicated teams would need to perform.
The provisional domains had been pinpointed via satellite coordinates and sent to Michaela in advance. Magical catalysts to aid teleportation had also been scattered there.
That was necessary because Metatron’s main holy domain was still under construction and couldn’t function properly yet. We needed to assist with the teleports from our end.
“Beginning holy domain deployment.”
Metatron started harmonizing the mana scattered everywhere from the magic stone detonations. First, the holy domain formed only around the narrow Dongjak-gu Office area. The air itself seemed to shift, making the environmental change palpably clear.
I stood guard around Metatron, monitoring the situation. She completed the main domain and the three provisional ones far quicker than I’d expected. They weren’t fully functional, but her skill was impressive nonetheless. As expected of the top-ranked Archangel.
“Metatron, time to call in the teams.”
“Understood. Make contact.”
I tapped on my phone screen. What a bizarre era—magic and technology coexisting.
On second thought, coordinating instant teleports via cellphone was pretty absurd.
But hey, if it’s efficient, what can you do.
My chat partner was Michaela. Gloriously, the Archangel’s number was saved in my phone.
I’d asked casually for it, but Shui-el, who’d been beside her, had been so shocked she dropped the snack in her mouth. According to Shui-el, I was the first to get Michaela’s number right in front of her. Michaela had smiled brightly and given it to me.
“Angels don’t need phones among ourselves. I only kept it to contact the less magically adept family members, but no one ever called, so I’d even downgraded my plan recently. Now I can talk with you, Yu Je-a.”
Michaela had looked a bit excited saying that—like a girl thrilled with her first phone. That innocent expression on her stunningly alluring face was unforgettable. And dangerously heart-stopping.
-Michaela, preparations complete.
-Heading there with the teams now.
The reply came instantly.
-Wishing you good fortune.
-(*｀д´)/ Gonna kill ’em all! Rawr!
Michaela… your emoticons are cute. Guess you’ve always wanted to chat like this.
No one in the family ever messaged her.
Those heartless jerks. How long had she waited for her first phone to ring after buying it? Suddenly, I felt sorry for her, tears nearly welling up.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, a flash of light erupted beside me.
Teleportation.
One team was coming to guard Metatron at the center.
But an unexpected figure arrived.
“Shui-el, entering the stage!”
The cheerful voice didn’t match the situation at all. It belonged to her—the numerology fanatic who sucked at math. She spun around gracefully, her fresh pink hair swaying. Beside her were the fallen angels Dipinel and Apinel, the ones who’d guarded Michaela before.
“Pleased to see you all.”
I meant it. My lips curved up at the sight of Shui-el.
“Leave this place to us!”
Shui-el’s bold declaration showed no particular emotion toward Metatron. From what I’d heard, she disliked her enough to call her “that bitch,” but apparently, work was work.
Shui-el was self-proclaimed and others-proclaimed idiot, but she always delivered when it counted.
Boom! Boom! Crash! Bang!
Explosions soon echoed in succession.
Black smoke began rising above the buildings.
A sure sign that the teams at the provisional domains had engaged.
Please let it go well.
“Now, expanding the holy domain in earnest.”
Her moment arrived, and Metatron closed her eyes in focus.
Whooooom!
A mana wave incomparable to before surged forth.
Now Metatron would blanket Noryangjin in holy domain, turning it into a tomb for the Lord-class monsters. The fallen angels Dipinel and Apinel stood vigil beside her, exuding an aura that permitted no approach—stern and imposing.
“Shui-el, could you brief me on the other three teams that teleported in? Their sizes, compositions, etc.?”
With the situation intensifying, I needed a full grasp.
“Got it.”
Shui-el explained quickly and precisely.
Team 1: Michaela solo.
She faced the Grand Lord-class Tarha.
Even against a Grand Lord, Michaela—the second-ranked Archangel—held the advantage.
Team 2: Archangel Uriel.
Surprisingly, the top Archangel had come too. Maybe the Anyang front wasn’t unfolding as I’d predicted. Uriel being here meant she’d crushed her own holy domain like Michaela—I’d need to get details post-battle. She was up against the Lord-class Hadam.
Team 3: 15 high-rank hunters.
Composed of 1st to 3rd-grade hunters, they were set to tackle the Lord-class Urukel.
“No need to worry too much. We had intel on the enemies beforehand, so they brought the most suitable personnel available. All teams currently fighting hold the edge.”
If it ended like this, that’d be ideal for me.
I was essentially the reserves right now.
If the three teams at the provisionals wrapped things up, I wouldn’t need to step in.
So I hoped inwardly it would.
About 20 minutes passed. Silent Metatron finally spoke.
“Holy domain deployed to the necessary level. But there’s a problem.”
“What do you mean?”
The three angels gave blank looks at my casual tone. Makes sense—I was speaking informally to the top Archangel. But it felt natural between us. Metatron replied nonchalantly.
“Michaela’s and Uriel’s sides are dominant. Victory seems imminent.”
We’d known our foes from the start—that was huge. Michaela and Uriel had chosen winnable matches. If Uriel, the relatively weaker one, had gone against Grand Lord Tarha, it wouldn’t have been this smooth.
“And?”
Shui-el murmured “Impressive…” beside me at the informal question.
“The hunters are the issue.”
“But Shui-el said they sent enough firepower to win?”
“Seems so. I watched while deploying the domain—they were clearly winning. But the hunters grew complacent, their coordination broke, and now the tide has turned.”
I could picture it without seeing.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
“Victory in sight, and they got greedy for glory.”
Metatron nodded at my words.
“Indeed… You’ve seen this before?”
Bad memories flooded my mind.
“Yeah, plenty during my Black Hyena days. Even high-rank hunters—it’s the ultimate honor to fell a Lord-class, something not just anyone can claim. So infighting in a team full of them isn’t surprising. Everyone wants to be the one who claims the Lord’s head as top contributor.”
Shui-el sighed beside me.
“Humans…”
Angels probably couldn’t fathom it.
Me? Different industry, but I got it. I’d formed the Black Hyena team and established myself as a strong leader, eliminating such issues entirely.
My nagging deputy team leader was absolutely loyal on hierarchy matters too.
Team 3, though? A hastily assembled hunter squad, scraping together available high-rankers…
Too bad, Michaela.
Humans are way more troublesome than you think.
“Guess I’ll have to step in.”
Metatron agreed with my intent to reinforce.
“Wise choice. Go wrap it up, Yu Je-a. You can handle it.”
Shui-el decided to tag along.
With no threats to Metatron currently, Dipinel and Apinel sufficed as guards.
Plus, these two fallen angels boasted exceptional combat prowess—enough to serve Michaela’s escorts. Reassuring.
“Dipinel, Apinel—Metatron’s in your hands.”
They slammed their polearms into the ground—thud—in response.
More trustworthy than words. I headed to the troubled Team 3 with Shui-el, at ease.
“Thanks, Shui-el.”
“Huh? I’m just tagging along to watch. What’s there to thank?”
As if.
“Who’re you fooling? You came because a no-name like me might not get the hunters to listen. With your reputation, they’ll obey.”
“I don’t like guys who are too perceptive.”
She teased lightly, then burst into laughter.
Word was Shui-el ranked low in combat among regular angels. But her authority silenced even high-rank hunters. Plus, she was Michaela’s favorite.
Mess with her, and you’d regret it forever.
“But what’ve you been up to these past few days? You feel like a 2nd-grade hunter now.”
“Joined Metatron’s family.”
“What? Metatron took a family member? Hard to believe. What changed her mind? Even when you told Michaela you’d get Metatron to deploy a holy domain, I secretly thought it’d be tough.”
“When the time comes, things change. Oaths on sand or stone both wash away in the rain, don’t they?”
“Then Shui-el’s insight won out.”
I nearly asked what she meant, then recalled her words in the Arc Tower office. Ah… that’s what she’d meant.
Don’t underestimate her. She downplays it now, but she’d hoped for this. Far from foolish—chillingly sharp at times. Michaela’s favor wasn’t just for cuteness.
“Confident, though? You’re stronger, sure—near 2nd-grade level. But flipping a fight like that? Shui-el can join if needed.”
“What? You planned to just spectate?”
“A delicate girl like me doesn’t do scary fights.”
Unbelievable. Shui-el’s “weakness” was relative to other angels. This woman could get hit by a truck and brush off the dust.
“Fine then, you can watch. As Metatron’s sole family member, don’t I have an ace up my sleeve?”
“Oho, big shot now? Metatron’s hunter’s got something special, huh?”
“Wrong. I’m not a hunter.”
Mid-conversation, we arrived.
The scene ahead was a massacre. My half-joking mood with Shui-el vanished.
The two-headed dragon Lord Urukel was shredding the clustered hunters.
At a glance, over five high-rank hunters lay dead. Severed limbs rolled about, ownerless.
Shui-el and I clicked our tongues.
They’d turned a winnable situation into this through greed.
“Hey. Think you can take that monster solo?”
I nodded at Shui-el’s question.
“Good. I’ll clear the stage. Show us what you’ve got.”
She stepped forward and shouted.
“Everyone, fall back! Shui-el’s taking command from here!”
The struggling hunters startled at the sudden angel.
“You useless fools who botched it with greed—fall back, I said!”
Surprisingly harsh from Shui-el. Furious at their infighting. Some hunters bristled, but none dared protest, retreating. Others visibly relaxed in relief. Shui-el cleared the path for me.
Lord Urukel glared at me.
Our fates intertwined, this one and I.
Last phase, I’d just drawn its attention and fled.
Now, everything had changed.
“Crossing time to repay your humiliation.”
-Kekeke. How can a puny human speak to us?
-Yeah. Time-crossing? What’s this little thing babbling?
Two heads, two quips.
Urukel hurled a hunter into building rubble, then fixed on me.
Not just Urukel—all nearby hunters’ gazes poured my way.
As Metatron’s incarnation, wielding her authority over these mere hunters, I declared.
“From now on, I’ll clean up this mess.”