Chapter 211: Reinvasion (8)
Chapter 211: Reinvasion (8)
The Demonic Humans, immediately realizing that the Moon Shadow Party had arrived, hurried to report to the Ego Artifacts.
The Demonic Human in charge of intelligence, who had gathered the information to report on behalf of the group, hurriedly knocked and entered the room to make the announcement.
"They have arrived!"
[It is fortunate we finished our preparations in advance.]
[Respond as planned and continue to report.]
"Yes, sir!"
Having finished the report to Mallos, Catric, and Ereon, the Demonic Human quickly hurried out of the meeting room.
A plan for how to stop the Awakeners had already been somewhat established.
Once the Demonic Human vanished, the Ego Artifacts embedded in the bodies of the Ma-in, who sat in their chairs with vacant eyes, began to converse.
[What persistent pests. How did they find us so quickly?]
[The problem is that they arrived this fast.]
Unlike their previous relaxed demeanor, a faint sense of displeasure and anxiety could be felt from Mallos and Ereon.
They had always considered the worst-case scenario and had handled matters with swiftness to avoid this very situation. However, seeing Han Shin and his party appear even faster than anticipated, they couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
They had already experienced two bitter failures at their hands. Furthermore, the lives of Mallos, Catric, and Ereon depended entirely on this operation. Even though they currently lacked physical forms, they felt a sense of déjà vu, as if their hearts were pounding with anxiety.
[Still... we only need to hold out a little longer.]
Ereon, who had been silent, spoke in a low voice, and the other two agreed.
The Black Spire was already operational.
They could feel the Dimensional Barrier gradually weakening, leading them to expect that this time, they would finally be able to tear a significant hole in the barrier blocking Nippur.
They had already made contact with Nippur once, and the response had been positive, stating that the weakening of the Dimensional Barrier was becoming progressively evident. Hope was high, as they had even heard that the demons in Nippur were currently preparing to send reinforcements immediately.
Since Han Shin’s party was currently about five kilometers away, there was enough room to stall for time.
[We need to get used to these bodies quickly, so let’s focus.]
[Indeed. They should buy us enough time.]
The Ego Artifacts had not yet found their original demonic bodies, but they had prepared a temporary measure: seizing the bodies of the Demonic Humans.
Ereon, who was well-versed in the type of dark magic that dominates the mind, was the only one among the three who possessed this knowledge, but he had shared it. For now, the three of them had to join forces to overcome this ordeal.
Having heard the news of demons who had been helplessly captured while in their Ego Artifact states, they knew they had to create bodies they could move according to their own will.
Though clearly weaker than when they were demons, they could freely use powerful dark magic and strengthen their physical forms if they had the backup of the Black Spire.
★ ★ ★
Han Shin’s party advanced rapidly, tearing through the swarms of monsters reinforced with dark mana.
In the process, even though they used Kang Yujin’s psychokinesis efficiently, the fact that her energy was being continuously depleted was a drawback. Nevertheless, they moved toward the Black Spire without major issues.
Monsters that were merely sub-species of the Great Serpent were not enough to stop Han Shin’s group.
After traveling for about ten minutes, Han Shin’s party was slightly surprised by what appeared before them.
In the middle of this desert, where thunder crashed and wind and rain lashed down, a vast number of tents had been pitched, forming a makeshift village.
"What is this?"
Han Shin, the knight in silver armor, couldn't help but mutter in confusion.
He was leading the way alongside Grace, but he maintained his guard and continued forward.
As they drew closer, they saw people with hollow eyes staring at them from within the tent village. For a moment, he wondered if they were monsters with transformation abilities mimicking humans, but they were not.
Such monsters were weak anyway, and even if they were ambushed, they could respond sufficiently, so they immediately spoke with the people there.
As a result, they learned that these were residents of Marrakech who had been dragged away by the Demonic Humans.
"Those bastards... just to activate the Black Spire..."
An oath escaped his lips.
The moment he realized the situation, the thought that struck him was that the Demonic Humans intended to use these people as an energy source to power the Black Spire, just as they had done in London.
Han Shin’s party moved a short distance away from the people to exchange opinions among themselves.
"Han Shin... but it’s strange. Why would the Demonic Humans leave these people here? They’re quite a distance from the Black Spire."
At Laysia’s point, Han Shin finally sensed the oddity as well.
"You’re right. Then why are these people... Ah... could it be to hold us back...?"
"Yes. Seeing as the monsters aren't attacking these people, I think they left them here specifically for us to see."
"Exactly, Shin-a. I think that's what they're aiming for. We're fine, but this area is contaminated with radiation, so it's lethal for ordinary people."
Everyone understood clearly at Kang Yujin’s words.
The Demonic Humans had thrown these people out as bait. And a massive number of them at that.
Though they didn't know the exact count, there appeared to be at least several hundred.
The Demonic Humans were asking Han Shin’s party whether they would abandon these people or protect them.
Thinking coldly, they should abandon everyone and advance toward the Black Spire. Kang Yujin and Sitri leaned toward this opinion. To them, Han Shin’s safety was the top priority, and attempting to save these people would force them to split their forces.
Ordinary people could not escape the Desert of Death on their own.
However, they couldn't bring themselves to voice this opinion hastily. They knew Han Shin was not the type of person to abandon them. Both women remained silent, worried that suggesting a cold-hearted plan might damage their image in Han Shin’s eyes.
Conversely, Grace and Laysia, who had already walked heroic paths to protect their own worlds, could not leave them behind.
"Let’s split up."
After a moment of deliberation, Han Shin made his decision.
This was no time to dither; to save time, they had to decide as quickly as possible.
Ultimately, they decided to divide the group. Despite her personal feelings and inclinations, Kang Yujin was chosen to lead and protect the people to safety.
Kang Yujin decided to make the split as efficient as possible for the sake of helping the people. Her heart's deepest desire was, of course, to stay by Han Shin’s side.
However, looking at it objectively, she had consumed psychokinetic energy while descending from the military aircraft, and although she had tried to conserve it while slaughtering the monster swarms on the way here, it was a fact that she had used a significant amount.
In this situation, she believed that the comrades who had preserved their strength better than her would be of greater help to Han Shin.
Furthermore, she was the only one capable of providing immediate help while leading such a large group and responding to massive monster swarms without taking heavy losses.
"Noona, Laysia, both of you be careful."
"Don't worry, Shin-a. You're the one who needs to be careful. You mustn't get hurt!"
"She's right, Han Shin. Just as Yujin said, you must be careful. The two of us will lead these people and rejoin you as quickly as possible."
"Yeah, I understand."
Laysia immediately went around the tents, telling the people she would take them to safety. The people, who had been in the depths of despair, brightened at the sight of a lifeline.
The Moon Shadow Party was well-known even among ordinary citizens, and these people were no exception. Moreover, seeing Wolyeong helping the weak and injured with her psychokinesis, the people felt relieved and followed her with trust.
As the world's only S-rank psychokinetic and the one who had summoned the Otherworld Awakeners, she was a truly admired figure, even called a "Holy Mother" by some.
Watching Kang Yujin and Laysia lead the people away, Han Shin turned to Grace and Sitri.
"Then let's head out immediately."
"Yes."
"I will make sure to protect you."
Now that their numbers were split, Grace and Sitri were on high alert. The risk had certainly increased, and with it, the danger to Han Shin.
Furthermore, in Sitri’s case, she was familiar with these kinds of demonic tricks, and she was furious that they were being directed at Han Shin.
Sitri had reached a silent understanding with Kang Yujin. She vowed that if the demons tried to use civilians to split them up or take hostages again, she would ensure Han Shin was no longer caught up in it.
Just now, there were too many people, and since Han Shin would never have abandoned them, she couldn't stop him. But now that their numbers were at a minimum, the situation was different.
Guarding the rear as she followed Han Shin, Sitri’s purple eyes glowed as she tightly gripped the hilt of the whip sword in its scabbard.
‘I will protect Han Shin no matter what. Even if it means I become hated...!’