Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Blasting Through the Gates
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A 12.7mm .50 caliber bullet enchanted with the fire attribute cleaved through space at tremendous speed.
moments later, it slammed into the body of a single 4-star magic beast, a Chaos Buffalo.
BOOM!
SKREEE!
The bullet detonated in a small explosion upon impact, and only then did the sharp sonic boom rip through the air belatedly.
It was because the mana-enchanted 12.7mm round had exceeded the speed of sound.
FWIIISH!
The Chaos Buffalo let out a grotesque screech as the small explosion erupted simultaneously with the hit.
Not only that, but despite being over 3 meters long and weighing at least 2,000 kg, it was flung several meters into the air before crashing back down.
The fallen Chaos Buffalo lay on the ground, gasping for breath.
A single shot had neutralized a Chaos Buffalo—one of the stronger beasts among 4-star magic beasts.
"Holy... "
Choi Jin-seong alternated his stunned gaze between the PGM Hecate 3 and the crashed Chaos Buffalo.
He had tested the new flame enchant skill awakened with his S-rank unique trait, Magic Bullet Sharpshooter, and its power was beyond expectations.
"Blowing away a 4-star magic beast... "
Choi Jin-seong stared at the motionless Chaos Buffalo sprawled on the ground.
He already knew it packed considerable power from prior training sessions with the Hecate 3.
But he never imagined it could send a 4-star magic beast flying.
And that wasn't all.
The immense power came with a heavy recoil that felt like it would shatter a normal person's shoulder.
"No wonder it needed magnite ore."
Choi Jin-seong nodded in realization.
A weapon capable of inflicting fatal damage on a 4-star magic beast in one hit placed enormous stress on the anti-materiel rifle itself.
A standard one might have melted after a few shots—or exploded in the worst case.
That's why Shin Yu-hyun had asked Twilight Blacksmith Kim Sang-cheol to craft the Hecate 3 using agranium, a magic alloy smelted from magnite ore mixed with other metals, as the primary material.
"Target the one near the entrance next."
Shin Yu-hyun pointed at a magic beast loitering near the entrance to Gangneung, now occupied by the horde.
"Got it."
Clack!
At Shin Yu-hyun's command, Choi Jin-seong worked the bolt.
A spent casing ejected as the next round chambered.
The PGM Hecate 3 was a bolt-action anti-materiel rifle—reloading took a moment, but its power was unmatched.
BOOM!
Moments later, the Hecate 3's muzzle flashed again.
The intense, heavy recoil transmitted to Choi Jin-seong's shoulder as he lay prone, but as a 4-star superhuman, he held firm.
The supersonic flame-enchanted round from the Hecate 3 hurtled toward the pack of magic beasts.
The distance was about 2 kilometers.
BOOM!
Roughly 3 seconds later, a thunderous roar and fiery explosion erupted amid the horde.
The Hecate 3's bullet had struck home.
KYAAANG!
This time, he targeted the red wolf pack beside the Chaos Buffalo herd.
Chaos Buffalo and Blood Wolf packs were milling about near the entrance to the Gangneung approach road, hindering Shin Yu-hyun's deployment of forces.
"Golden Bow Unit next."
"We're ready."
Kim Sung-hoon, now leader of the Black Tortoise Golden Bow Unit, grinned in response.
Behind him, former Golden Arrow Guild members stood ready with attacks prepared.
"Then fire."
"Understood."
Kim Sung-hoon nodded and turned to shout.
"Close in on them!"
"Yes, sir!"
He led the Golden Bow Unit down the hill.
Even as superhumans, sniping with compound bows from 2 kilometers was impractical.
They needed to close to within 1 kilometer max.
Kim Sung-hoon and the Golden Bow Unit deployed the footwork techniques learned in Black Tortoise Hall, ascending a hill relatively close to the magic beasts.
Distance to the horde: about 800 meters.
"Loose."
Kim Sung-hoon, positioned on the hill, gave the order.
Shwoosh! Shwoosh!
The 12 Golden Bow members unleashed their arrows.
Arrows of every hue painted the sky, arcing toward the magic beasts on the Gangneung approach.
Each member employing their personal skills.
A barrage of arrows bearing diverse attributes.
Thud! Boom! Kaboom! Kaboom!
Explosions bloomed amid the beasts, green poison smoke billowed, and blue mist blanketed the ground, freezing their feet.
The Golden Bow Unit included members who could enchant arrows with fire, explosion, poison, ice, and more.
Arrows of myriad attributes assailed the horde.
Boom!
Choi Jin-seong fired the Hecate 3 as soon as it was ready.
Kieee!
Grrraaawr!
Under the Golden Bow's arrow rain, magic beasts screeched and fell one by one.
'Hmm. Still a lot left.'
Shin Yu-hyun watched, arms crossed.
The approach road he planned to take was flanked by mountains and forests, with wide fields, farmland, and the road in between.
Teeming with countless Buffalos and Blood Wolves.
"We'll take the stage."
Someone spoke up then.
Shin Yu-hyun turned.
A group in red robes stood there.
Black Tortoise Hall's ultimate firepower: the Crimson Tower mages.
Leading them was Crimson Tower's Tower Master and 6th-circle mage Lee Chae-hwa, smiling at Shin Yu-hyun.
"Can I leave it to you?"
"Of course."
Lee Chae-hwa replied with brimming confidence.
For years, the yin energy of her Nine Yin Severed Meridians had gnawed at her body, preventing proper mana control.
Surviving day by day was all she could manage.
But after receiving Exceptional Rare-grade elixir Red Essence from Shin Yu-hyun, everything changed.
Its potent fiery yang energy had rewritten her cursed constitution.
Post-transformation via Red Essence, Lee Chae-hwa itched to unleash her full power.
And now, the opportunity had arrived.
"Then let's begin."
Smiling at finally casting large-scale AoE magic, Lee Chae-hwa led her 30-odd Crimson Tower mages in incantation.
A massive mana surge emanated from the Crimson Tower mages.
Fwoosh! Fwoom!
Myriad fire magics manifested overhead.
From red flame arrows to massive fire spears.
And enormous fireballs too.
Nearly dozens of fire spells.
But that was mere appetizer.
Fire Arrow, Fire Spear, Fireball—basic 3rd-circle fire attacks.
Zzzt! Ziiing!
Centered on Tower Master 6th-circle mage Lee Chae-hwa, ten mages raised artifact staves, deploying a massive magic circle.
A gigantic golden hexagram unfurled before them.
Surrounding it, small blue magic circles spun, converging immense mana.
6th-Circle Long-Range Bombardment Magic
Plasma Breaker
Ultra-high-temperature, high-pressure plasma bombardment specialized in fire affinity.
Fwiiiish!
Shwoooo!
The Crimson Tower mages' fire magics launched toward the Gangneung approach.
Dozens of red fire spells, plus a massive 5-meter-diameter golden plasma beam.
'Spectacular.'
Red flame arrows blanketing the sky, fire spears, fireballs.
And at the center, the golden plasma pillar lancing forth.
Moments later, the spells engulfed the horde.
Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!
A colossal explosion roared.
Even 2 kilometers away, the air vibrated and the ground quaked.
Where Plasma Breaker passed, massive blasts annihilated magic beasts.
The ensuing fire spells carpet-bombed the rest.
Worthily the pinnacle firepower of Black Tortoise Hall.
"Explosions are truly art."
Most Chaos Buffalos and Blood Wolves that swarmed moments ago vanished in the blasts.
Lee Chae-hwa and the Crimson Tower mages gazed contentedly at their handiwork.
"Feels refreshing."
Lee Chae-hwa said, chest cleared.
"Built up a lot, huh?"
"Gotta blow off steam periodically, or it gets stuffy."
"Noted."
Shin Yu-hyun shook his head with a chuckle.
The Crimson Tower mages, satisfied after torching the Gangneung entrance, wore pleased expressions.
A faint smile tugged at Shin Yu-hyun's lips as he eyed the approach.
Obstructing beasts mostly cleared.
"Alright. Time to advance."
All that remained: lead the troops into Gangneung.
For the Gangneung reclamation, Shin Yu-hyun positioned Black Tortoise Sword Division at the entrance.
Essentially the rear guard.
Insurance against magic beasts escaping the occupied city.
'Just in case.'
Even further back, Vermilion Bird Sword Division members from Vermilion Bird Hall stood ready.
Double insurance.
So who held the vanguard against the occupying horde?
Clack-clack-clack.
The Skeleton Soldier legions.
Immortal King's army, spearheaded by Skeleton Sabers, Lancers, and Archers.
"Expected it, but they're swarming like ants."
Shin Yu-hyun, leading with the Skeleton Soldier legions into Gangneung, clicked his tongue.
Last time investigating the unidentified dungeon gate, he'd infiltrated quietly on the outskirts without entering.
But this time, flashy explosions from the entrance drew the enraged horde charging madly.
They must see it as an invasion of their territory.
4- and 5-star magic beasts blackened the ground as they charged.
Kieeeek!
Death Worms and Death Centipedes over 5 meters long collided with the Skeleton Soldier legions, battle joined.
Large-scale combat erupted in the magic beast-held Gangneung.
Thud! Thud!
Roooaaar!
Then the ground quaked like an earthquake as a colossal, grotesque magic beast emerged behind the Death Worms and Centipedes.