Chapter 141
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Swamp of Oblivion (10)
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"...Is that the weak point?"
Kang I-seo looked puzzled at my confident words.
Even if others couldn't see it, it was crystal clear to me. That small glowing spot was the golem's core.
The only issue was its position high up, making it tough for melee fighters to target even if they spotted it.
"Even if that's the weak point... will an arrow even stick? It looks insanely tough..."
"Trust me and shoot."
Kang I-seo hesitated but loosed the arrow anyway.
Swoosh—
Crack!
The arrow struck true.
The golem's stance faltered for a moment, its movement and attack speeds dropping noticeably.
"What the hell?! Whose arrow was that?!"
"Who cares?! Slam it with magic now!"
Seeing Kang I-seo hit the core, the ranged fighters began targeting the golem's cores.
Of course, the battle became far more manageable.
But the golems were powerful foes in their own right. Things were easier than before, but still no walk in the park.
"...Unnie?"
"...Come out."
Suddenly, Yun Yeon stepped forward with her eyes closed.
Naturally, words slipped from my mouth at her actions.
"What are you doing? Why are you going up front..."
"Just watch."
She headed toward where the weaker clans were struggling against multiple golems.
She moved calmly, like she was out for a morning stroll.
The fighters there were understandably thrown off.
With Yun Yeon blind and advancing, it looked like suicide to everyone else.
The same went for me. But her words—"just watch"—stuck in my mind.
What the...? Is this even possible?
Everyone watching froze in shock.
"W-what? Am I seeing things?"
"Fuck... she can do that without sight?"
Yun Yeon was battling three golems.
The support from the minor clan helped, but dodging a golem's fists while blind was unreal.
Shit...
It gave me chills just watching. One solid hit would've pulverized her.
But Yun Yeon showed no fear, sidestepping a downward smash and countering with a punch.
As if her fist belonged right there.
Krunch—
The golem's famed physical resistance meant nothing as a hole punched through its midsection like paper.
Fighting by sensing ki with her eyes closed was absurd.
My jaw dropped; I couldn't speak.
While the golem staggered, Yun Yeon swept its leg in a flash.
Crunch—
Thud!
The golem's knee joint shattered halfway, and it crumpled.
Now at striking height, its core exposed for a moment.
Yun Yeon didn't miss the opening.
Boom!
A bit slower than usual, but she'd taken down another golem.
"No way..."
"Insane..."
Even mid-battle, everyone gawked at Yun Yeon, unable to look away.
Some guys stared, mesmerized.
Destroying golems blind with perfect moves? Sexy and charismatic as hell.
Wi Ho-yeon, who had half-drawn her sword to charge in, sheathed it and spoke.
"...No need for me after all."
The fight wrapped up soon after. Members of the minor clan she'd saved approached with thanks.
"Thank you, Myth Clan Master. You kept our losses low."
"Skip the thanks. It's just my duty as overall commander."
"...Still, truly grateful."
They seemed genuinely thankful from their side.
Figures. One slip, and they'd lose several members.
To minor clans, a few white golems were a disaster. Taking them down always cost casualties.
"...How'd you do it?"
"Hm?"
"...You're blind. How do you fight like that? Honestly, it was shocking."
Yun Yeon chuckled at my question.
"Training results. Some old coot trained me once."
"Old coot?"
"Yeah... something like that. And it's not without cost."
"What do you..."
As I looked puzzled, she suddenly swayed, about to collapse.
Luckily, I caught her in time.
"What the hell? Why now?!"
"...Just dizzy for a sec. Relying solely on ki sensing to circulate mana... it's a huge strain. Mana drain is massive too."
"Damn it, then why push yourself? Take care of your body first!"
"Heh... worried about me?"
Her attitude pissed me off.
"How could I not be? It's barely been any time since the poison treatment."
"...I had to step in to minimize casualties. I'll recover with rest. I won't let the weak ones die pointlessly."
"Hah..."
Actions like these were probably why her subordinates were so loyal.
But from my view, I didn't care. I just hated seeing her like this.
Because other people—hundreds, thousands—dying didn't matter. Yun Yeon did.
"...Whatever. Rest up."
"I'd do that even without you nagging. You're over-worrying."
With the site cleaned up, Yun Yeon and I returned to the tent.
"So... what now, Yeon noona?"
"...Dunno."
"Zone 1 can't go further like this, right? Especially with you in this state..."
As Zone 1's overall commander, Yun Yeon like this made pushing on too risky.
Unless someone else could replace her, but Zone 1 revolved around Myth Clan.
Zone 2 had Ma Clan plus Eternity, Brothers, Plum Blossom—solid names.
Zone 3 had Veritas—one of the big three—plus others pitching in.
Zone 1 is basically a Myth Clan solo show. Pushing with Yun Yeon and key members sense-deprived... too dangerous.
I didn't care if others died, but not Myth Clan or Yun Yeon.
"...I get your worry. Truth is, I wasn't planning to force it anyway."
"Then what?"
"Already told Ha Yu-ri and An Yeon-ho that Zone 1 can't advance further."
Yun Yeon wasn't dumb; she'd assessed reality.
And taken steps.
"...We'll save Zone 1 for last. Halt now, wait for Zone 2 or 3 to finish, then join them."
Best option currently.
Hold here with resupplies, merge later.
Zone 1 folks were already uneasy.
With Yun Yeon and key forces sense-blind, everyone knew.
Combat power was way down.
Her performance earlier eased some fears, but...
The issue was the strain on her body.
"Yeon noona."
"Yeah."
"Ever thought of pulling back? Like... what I said at the meeting, stay rear..."
"No, can't do that."
"Why?"
I knew why. Just hated seeing her suffer.
"How can the commander hang back? Even blind, I can fight somewhat, so I bear responsibility."
"......"
This cleared zone could still turn ugly in the Swamp of Oblivion.
Untamed land was unpredictable.
"And you should head back soon."
"What?"
"Go home. Thanks to you, the poison's cured. No reason to stay. Return to your Eternity Clan."
True. Worry for my clan was creeping in.
Was it going fine without me? Any issues? Injuries?
"I can handle myself now. Go back to your clan, no worries."
"...Got it. Just... don't overdo it."
"Overdo? I know my limits."
"Don't make me come back. Contact Ha Yu-ri if anything goes wrong."
"Yes, yes, whatever our lifesaver says. Go worry-free."
"...Jeez."
Outside the tent, I told waiting Kang I-seo and Wi Ho-yeon.
"Let's head back."
I started walking, but heard only one set of footsteps besides mine. Glanced back.
"...Kang I-seo? What's up?"
"......"
"...Kang I-seo?"
"...So devoted."
"Huh?"
"...Nothing. Coming."
...Lately, Kang I-seo had been acting off bit by bit.
Obviously, development had progressed since we left, so escorts were needed for guidance.
Hyun-jin and Sharis met us. Sharis for potential threats, probably.
"Ah... hyungnim."
"Thanks for coming out. Nothing major, right?"
"Haha, yeah... let's go, hyungnim. You've had it rough. I-seo noona too."
What's with him?
Hyun-jin's odd vibe made me glance at Sharis, but she seemed unfazed.
As we walked, Hyun-jin awkwardly spoke up.
"Hyungnim, all good there? Myth Clan Master okay?"
"Yeah, treated safely. Lost sight, so some issues..."
"Whoa... losing sight sounds horrific. I couldn't handle it. Total darkness."
"True. But blind, she still smashed a few hero-grade monsters."
"What? No way... hyungnim, joking?"
"......"
Seeing my face, Hyun-jin looked stunned.
"...For real?"
"Shockingly, yes. Tired after a few, but still insane."
"...Big three clan masters are different."
"Yeah... Zone 1 probably has more sense losses now. How's it?"
"Jae-hyo hyung lost sight. Yu-rim smell. Others fine so far."
Hah... Jae-hyo losing sight hurts bad.
Lee Jae-hyo was key firepower. Major loss.
"Other clans have some too. Luckily, overall commander just lost taste."
"Good."
Ha Yu-ri blind? Nightmare.
Her wide-range magic without friend-foe ID? Disaster.
"Anyway, glad no one's hurt. Yu-ju doing okay?"
Casual question. Seo Yu-ju the regressor should be fine.
"Ah... well..."
Incoming bad news face.
"What? Why..."
Hyun-jin's expression soured fast.
"Why, Hyun-jin? Did something..."
My heart suddenly raced.
"...Hyungnim, better see for yourself."