Chapter 167: United Kingdom (11)
Chapter 167: United Kingdom (11)
As the nearby Demonic Humans scrambled to flee, Han Shin and his party finally found a moment to breathe.
A sigh of relief escaped Han Shin’s lips, grateful that they had managed to destroy the Black Spire.
“Phew…”
Kang Yujin turned to him, her voice urgent. “Shin-a! You were hit by an arrow! Are you okay?!”
Her face was etched with deep concern. She wasn’t the only one; Grace and Laysia, standing nearby, wore similar expressions.
This was the first time Kang Yujin had seen Han Shin get directly injured since two years ago, back when he was still an ordinary person and had nearly died at the hands of an Orc while trying to protect others.
She knew that fighting Demonic Humans and demons meant facing stronger foes and that injuries were a possibility. However, knowing it intellectually didn't make seeing him hurt any easier to bear.
“Lord Han Shin, are you alright?” Grace asked, stepping up beside Yujin to inspect his condition.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
The arrow had been sharp and powerful enough to pierce even Tiamat’s Silver Full Body Armor. It was clear that the one who fired it was a hunter of considerable skill. Since the sharp arrowhead had punched through the armor and sunk into his flesh, there was no way it didn't hurt.
However, Han Shin deliberately suppressed his groans. He didn't want to worry Yujin, Grace, or Laysia, nor did he want to show a pathetic side of himself by doubling over in pain from a single arrow in front of them.
Among them, Laysia was the one who could heal his wound. As a Battle Priest of Tiamat, she could use healing spells to mend his body. She was already at his side, examining the arrow lodged in his shoulder.
“We need to remove the armor to treat this properly.”
Kang Yujin understood the underlying meaning of Laysia’s words: they needed to leave this place and head to the Sanctuary.
“Then the three of you head to the Sanctuary first. I’ll stay behind and handle the cleanup.”
The Black Spire was already destroyed, and Han Shin’s group was exhausted from expending so much power. There was no reason for them to force themselves to continue the battle. Judging by the falling artillery fire and the fleeing Demonic Humans, it was clear the tide of battle had completely turned.
Laysia nodded, grateful that Kang Yujin had immediately grasped her intent.
“I’ll treat Lord Han Shin and contact you right away.”
The decision was made in an instant, regardless of Han Shin’s own input. Usually, they would ask for his opinion or make suggestions, but for the three of them right now, treating Han Shin was the absolute priority. To them, it was only natural that he receive immediate medical attention.
“I’m still okay, I can fight a bit more—”
“No, Lord Han Shin. There might be poison or a curse involved, so you must be treated immediately.”
Grace cut him off firmly. This was the first time Han Shin had experienced such an attitude from her since they met.
Until now, Grace had always prioritized Han Shin’s will, treating him strictly as her superior and phrasing her desires as suggestions or requests. Seeing her speak so resolutely made Han Shin shut his mouth instinctively. He could feel her unwavering determination and her genuine worry for him.
“Alright…” Han Shin agreed, his voice sounding a bit cowed.
Grace immediately took Han Shin’s hand, then took Laysia’s, and focused her mind.
With a sensation of floating, Han Shin, Grace, and Laysia teleported to Grace’s Sanctuary.
Left alone, Kang Yujin immediately moved toward the rear as Wolyeong, heading for the command center.
Though the British Awakeners were seeing Wolyeong in person for the first time, they knew her well and were aware that her party was responsible for completely turning the tide of the war. They had seen the Black Spire crumble and collapse from a distance, and with the Demonic Humans beginning to slink away, the cause was obvious.
Thus, they immediately opened a path for her and guided her to the command center.
They knew Wolyeong usually traveled with a party, and they had confirmed three others were with her when she rescued the surrounded Awakeners earlier. They found it strange that she was now alone.
“Thank you so much!!”
“You saved our lives!”
The people at the command center welcomed Wolyeong with genuine, overwhelmed gratitude.
The battle wasn't entirely over, but the bleak situation had been reversed, and the Black Spire—the greatest problem—had fallen. With the Arrow Curse Barrier gone, artillery support was possible again. The Demonic Humans had lost their leadership and their morale was shattered; they were fleeing in disarray, making victory a certainty. It was basic common sense that an army could inflict massive damage while pursuing a retreating enemy.
“But, the others…” someone cautiously asked Wolyeong, noticing the absence of the Knight, Grace, and Laysia.
“The Knight was injured, so they went to receive treatment.”
“Ah… I see… Is it a serious injury?”
The Knight who had come from another world to help the people of Earth—the man who had slain countless demons and Demonic Humans and single-handedly destroyed the Black Spire that could have summoned an even greater evil—was injured. Everyone in the room looked worried.
Since he had only been hit by a single arrow in the shoulder, one might assume it wasn't a major wound.
But you never know. I hope Shin-a is okay…
However, Kang Yujin didn't voice this, fearing the arrow might have been lethal or that Han Shin’s condition could be critical. Nothing would be certain until she heard from Grace or Laysia that he was safe.
From the command center, Kang Yujin watched as Wolyeong while the Demonic Humans who had invaded London were completely wiped out.
Fortunately, she was no longer needed. The Demonic Humans, who mostly belonged to large French clans, failed to restore their chain of command and couldn't coordinate their movements. Their desperate flight continued to the end, and their attempt to escape via the Eurostar—which they had seized during the invasion—was thwarted through cooperation with the French government.
In the end, most of the Demonic Humans were either killed or captured, and the situation was brought under control.
Following the suggestion of the command center, Kang Yujin went to a lodging prepared in the rear to rest.
Having heard from the Korean Association officials about the lengths the Wolyeong Party had gone to in order to save them, the British treated her with the highest level of hospitality. They were truly shocked to hear that the party had jumped out of a plane to arrive as quickly as possible.
While many London citizens had lost their lives and casualties were high, the Wolyeong Party had played a monumental role in resolving an incident that could have devastated not just London, but the entire UK and beyond. It was already expected that they would receive various rewards, including knighthoods.
Even though the situation wasn't fully settled, everyone anticipated this, and it was mentioned to Wolyeong as she went to rest.
Hearing this, Wolyeong didn't care much for the rewards. To her, the only thing that mattered was Han Shin’s safety.
“Then, please get some rest…”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Finally alone in her room, Kang Yujin washed up first. Since she couldn't go to Grace’s Sanctuary where Han Shin and the others were, she had no other choice.
Not knowing when they would emerge, she felt the need to clean her body, which was a mess from the battle. She was worried that touching the injured Han Shin with dirty hands might have a negative effect.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, there was no contact while she was washing. Just as she finished and changed into clothes from her subspace—
[Noona, are you alone? If you speak to me in your mind, I can hear you.]
Han Shin’s voice echoed in her ear.
He was sending a message through the Manager App, something he was trying for the first time. It was a feature that allowed him to speak to his followers individually. He’d had no reason to use it until now, but the situation finally called for it.
[Yes, Shin-a. I’m alone in the room. You can come out.]
Kang Yujin spoke to him in her mind as instructed.
Immediately after she finished, a cluster of light gathered around her. Kang Yujin knew exactly what this phenomenon was by now.
The light soon transformed into Han Shin, Grace, and Laysia.
“Shin-a! Are you okay?! How are you?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, Noona.”
Kang Yujin immediately checked his condition. Han Shin was wearing ivory-colored pajamas. Grace and Laysia had insisted he take off his armor and change into something comfortable.
Since they were in a private room and could have stayed in the Sanctuary indefinitely if needed, it was an act born of their desire to let Han Shin rest in comfort.
“There isn’t even a scar. Thank goodness.”
“Yeah. Laysia fixed me up perfectly.”
“Thank you, Laysia.”
“Hehe, it’s only natural. It’s my job.”
The girls, who had been too tense to relax after finding out Han Shin was hit, finally looked at ease now that he was healed. Grace didn't say anything, but a soft smile, quite different from her usual expression, graced her face.
“Noona, what happened to the Demonic Humans?”
“Their retreat was cut off, so they should be in the final stages of cleanup. They told me they didn't need my help anymore and suggested I rest, so I came here.”
“That’s a relief.”
It was the result he had expected, but Han Shin wanted to be sure.