Chapter 123: The Trap (9)
Chapter 123: The Trap (9)
The Black Spire collapsed under the Silver Knight’s warhammer.
That it fell to a single blow was partly due to Han Shin’s superhuman strength—a level of power fueled by the Dragon’s power that ordinary mortals could hardly imagine—but the nature of that power played an even greater role.
As Han Shin drew upon the Dragon’s power, cloaking his entire body in a silver aura, the energy surged through his warhammer and infiltrated the structure. It greedily devoured the dark mana, tearing it apart from within.
In an instant, the magical framework of the Black Spire was pulverized by the Dragon’s power. This energy was then converted back into pure mana and absorbed directly into Han Shin.
Originally, the source of dark mana was mana itself; by purging the impure influence of the Evil God, one could reclaim a portion of that mana. And the amount here was staggering.
Because he was currently clad in his silver full body armor, Han Shin couldn't see the back of his hand, but the silver dragon crest representing Tiamat was glowing brightly as it drank in the mana.
He wasn't aware of it yet, as the mana absorbed this way wasn't immediately available for his use; instead, it was being stored separately without his conscious realization.
After leaping back to avoid the crumbling spire, Han Shin joined Grace in mopping up the remaining demons before heading back toward Kang Yujin and Laysia.
With their commander, Barrow, dead and the Black Spire they were sworn to protect destroyed, the outcome of the battle was already decided.
Even before the spire fell, the tide had turned in their favor as Han Shin and his allies specifically hunted down and eliminated the Mage Demons. The collapse of the spire was the final, fatal blow.
It was a sight that made both Awakeners and demons freeze in their tracks.
Rumble—!
The thunderous roar of the massive Black Spire collapsing into rubble was a magnificent spectacle.
Some demons attempted to flee, but Kang Yujin crushed them all with her psychokinesis. In the end, every last demon was annihilated.
The results of this unexpected battle exceeded all expectations.
They had turned an overwhelming defeat into a victory and slain every threatening demon in the vicinity. Furthermore, the Black Spire—the purpose of which remained unknown but had cast a shadow of dread over everyone’s hearts—had been leveled.
Of course, some of the Awakeners who came as reinforcements were injured or killed, but compared to the total defeat they had suffered in the first battle, the casualties were remarkably light.
The Awakeners celebrated their victory, hugging and praising one another.
Amidst the cheers, all eyes began to turn toward the figures at the heart of the triumph: Wolyeong, the Knight, and the two newly appeared Awakeners.
A psychokineticist draped in a black robe and veil, two knights clad in silver full body armor, and a martial artist.
Since the four of them had been fighting at the very front of the vanguard, they stood some distance away from the rank-and-file Awakeners.
‘Hmm…’
Feeling the weight of the crowd’s gaze and hearing their murmurs from afar, Han Shin felt a wave of pressure.
It was rare for him to be the center of so much attention.
Though he had recently begun appearing in public as the "Knight," he still wasn't used to this kind of thing. His personality simply didn't lean toward enjoying the spotlight.
As he was debating what to do now that the battle was over, an employee from the Korean Branch of the Awakener Association came running breathlessly toward Wolyeong and the Knight.
“Lady Wolyeong! Sir Knight! I am so glad you are safe!”
Since Han Shin was maintaining his silence to hide the fact that he was from another world, Kang Yujin naturally took the lead in responding.
“Yes. Thank you for coming to help.”
“I will escort you to a place where you can rest immediately.”
“Please do.”
The cleanup of the battlefield was the responsibility of the other Awakeners.
The four individuals who had secured this great victory deserved the highest level of treatment and much-needed rest. No one would object; it was only right.
The group was driven to a forward base in a vehicle provided by the staff, and from there, they were taken by helicopter to a luxury hotel.
They were assigned separate rooms, and the staff member didn't ask any questions about the two unidentified Awakeners. Their priority was letting the four heroes rest after such a grueling and meritorious battle; questions could wait.
“Please call me immediately if you need anything.”
The employee bowed deeply and disappeared.
Once alone, the four of them gathered in Han Shin’s room to discuss their next steps. Since Grace and Laysia had already been seen by countless Awakeners, they needed an explanation.
“We need to let people know that the Evil God is behind the portals. And since we’ve become strong enough now, I think it’s best to explain that both of them came from the other world, just like me,” Han Shin suggested.
“I agree with Shin. I’ve been thinking along those lines for a while now…”
Kang Yujin had already considered how to handle things if the two of them ever had to go public. She smiled, quickly agreeing with Han Shin’s assessment.
“While we’re at it, what if we reveal our true identities too, Noona?” Han Shin asked cautiously.
“No. I want to, but… just in case. Let’s wait a bit longer. I think it’s still too early to expose our personal lives.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
Han Shin nodded, accepting Yujin’s cautious approach.
In truth, Yujin also wanted to reveal her identity and go on dates with Han Shin in public without worry. However, she had set that desire aside after listening to advice from Grace and Laysia.
Humans were complex beings, and there had always been those who succumbed to the temptations of demons and became their pawns. It was the same in Grace’s world of Nippur and in the city of Bürg that Laysia had protected.
Those who sold their souls to demons could be more cruel and use viler tactics than the demons themselves. Furthermore, there were always those who would shamelessly tear down a hero for their own selfish gain. Thus, they had advised her to keep their identities hidden as long as possible.
While they hadn't encountered humans serving as demonic pawns yet, such people could be hiding their true nature or could emerge in the future. Agreeing with their logic, Yujin decided to remain cautious.
“Then let’s all wash up and meet back here.”
Yujin suggested they continue the conversation after refreshing themselves, and everyone agreed.
“Huh? Wait, why are you two sticking so close to Shin… Don’t tell me?!”
Yujin’s eyes narrowed as she saw Grace and Laysia subtly sidle up to Han Shin. She immediately realized what they were thinking.
“You both have your own rooms! Go wash up there!”
“We should go to the Sanctuary to change into clean equipment. Besides, the water in the Sanctuary’s bathroom is excellent for relieving the fatigue accumulated from battle,” Grace said, her expression perfectly neutral as she offered her justification.
“Then just you and Laysia go!”
“It would be beneficial for Lord Han Shin to experience the effects as well. This is all for his sake.”
“That’s right. It’s a shame Yujin can’t come with us, but it can’t be helped,” Laysia added.
Yujin wanted to snap at their blatant audacity.
But she couldn't.
Han Shin had truly pushed himself to the limit in this battle, and since they were using his recovery as an excuse, it was difficult for her to object.
‘These vixens… they’re definitely planning to have sex with Shin while they wash up.’
“Fine. But come back quickly.”
Yujin wanted to throw herself into Han Shin’s arms right now, but the current environment didn't allow for it. No matter how much the Association staff tried to make them comfortable, she couldn't bring herself to have sex in a place like this.
‘We should go home as soon as possible.’
Ultimately, if she wanted to be with Han Shin, they had to return to their house.
As soon as Yujin gave her permission, Grace and Laysia’s faces brightened.
“Then we shall return as quickly as possible.”
Laysia spoke with a gentle smile, then took Han Shin’s hand. Together with Grace, they immediately teleported to the Sanctuary.
The three of them vanished in a swirl of light.
Yujin felt a pang of regret that she couldn't join them.
‘Sigh… I wish Shin would level up quickly and make me his follower too.’
Grumbling to herself, Yujin stripped off her clothes and headed into the bathroom to wash up alone.
After finishing her shower and changing into fresh clothes, she sat down to wait for Han Shin, Grace, and Laysia to return.
‘I knew it… there’s no way they aren’t doing it.’
Yujin had taken her time washing up, yet the three of them still hadn't appeared. As expected, they weren't coming back anytime soon. She sat on the sofa, grumbling inwardly.
It was like leaving a fish with a cat.
‘Well… I wouldn't have stopped at just washing if I were in that situation either…’
This was the reason she wasn't truly angry despite her grumbling. She knew that if she were in the Sanctuary with Han Shin right now, she wouldn't have just come out after a bath.
Recalling how she had been rewarded with private time with Han Shin after helping Japan a month ago, Yujin decided to be patient and claim her own reward later.