Chapter 221: Reinvasion (18)
Chapter 221: Reinvasion (18)
As the Black Spire crumbled, the Demonic Humans scattered throughout the Desert of Death felt their strength begin to wither.
The heavy, dark clouds that had blanketed the sky started to disperse, and the thunder, lightning, and torrential rain had already ceased.
The functions the Black Spire had provided to the Demonic Humans were gone.
The backup that reinforced them with Dark Mana, the barriers that blocked external attacks, and even the weather manipulation used to thwart aerial assaults—all of it vanished in an instant.
The visual shock of the massive Black Spire collapsing was immense, but the physical sensation of their power fading was worse. As the advantages that had tipped the scales in their favor disappeared, the Demonic Humans were seized by a mounting dread.
Furthermore, they were in the middle of a desert with nowhere to hide, making them easy targets. Once the desert returned to its natural weather, moving stealthily would become impossible.
Thus, while the Demonic Humans feared Han Shin’s party, they were equally worried about the secondary force closing in: the US Awakeners.
They were already aware that the Americans were launching an attack. Various traps and obstacles had delayed their advance until now, but with the current turn of events, it was obvious they would come swarming in shortly.
The Demonic Humans knew they had to escape, but they wondered if it was even possible.
Despite the odds, some fled in a desperate hurry, while others, consumed by the realization that everything was over, attacked Han Shin’s party in a fit of suicidal rage.
‘Damn it… if only we could enter a Sanctuary…’
Until now, Han Shin hadn't felt much inconvenience and hadn't given it much thought. But now, because Tiamat was slumbering, he, Kang Yujin, and Sitri lacked a Sanctuary of their own—a fact he now deeply regretted.
If they could have simply moved to a Sanctuary, Grace’s safety would have been guaranteed.
‘At least it seems like the strongest ones are all gone…’
Sitri took the lead, slaughtering every Demonic Human that stood in their way.
Han Shin wasn't in a position to leisurely critique her performance, but it was truly a sight to behold. Sitri’s whip sword moved like a living serpent, carving the Demonic Humans into pieces.
This was Sitri’s first real combat since becoming Han Shin’s woman and a follower of Tiamat, and she had been secretly worried. She feared she might become a burden to him.
Her pride in her own skills was a thing of the past. Now, she had to abandon the Dark Magic she had used for so long and master a new power: Tiamat’s Holy Power.
Contrary to her fears, Sitri fought flawlessly, without a hint of awkwardness. The hard work she had put into training and familiarizing herself with Tiamat’s Holy Power was finally paying off.
She was especially glad that in this urgent and dangerous situation—with Grace injured—she wasn't holding Han Shin back but was actually able to help him.
Han Shin’s party retraced the path they had taken to get there. They passed through the holes Han Shin had smashed into the black rock walls and leaped over the debris.
The Demonic Humans attempted to block them briefly before beginning to slink away. They had seen enough of their vengeful comrades being decapitated or dismembered by Sitri’s blade.
With the Black Spire they were meant to protect destroyed, they had lost their purpose. Even those burning with spite could see that the gap in power meant only a meaningless death, so the movement to avoid Han Shin’s party grew more pronounced.
Thanks to that, the party was able to move much faster.
Emerging through the breach they had made in the barrier protecting the Spire, Han Shin saw the endless stretches of desert.
When he had first arrived, he hadn't thought much of it, but now the view felt different. The weight of the unconscious Grace in his arms changed everything.
As he sprinted across the sand, Han Shin heard the sound of helicopters and planes.
To him, it was the most welcome sound in the world.
★ ★ ★
The US Awakeners, who had been attacking from the opposite side of Han Shin’s entry route, had finally broken through the monsters despite taking some losses. They were currently advancing slowly, having split their forces to evacuate innocent civilians they found suffering in a tent village.
The risk of rushing blindly to provide support was too high. Having already suffered damage from the monsters once, they were being doubly cautious.
While advancing with strict perimeter security and reconnaissance, the US Awakeners saw the distant Black Spire collapse.
“The Black Spire has been destroyed!”
The commander, who had seen it with his own eyes, nodded. He had already confirmed that the storm had broken.
Though he couldn't be certain of everything yet, the commander felt that now was the time for bold action and immediately issued orders.
“Good. Call in the helicopters and recon planes immediately. We’re moving in to support the Moon Shadow Party.”
Even though the Spire was down, he believed there was still work to be done, and he was right.
“Yes, sir!”
As his subordinate moved to carry out the order, Frederick, the US commander, marveled at the Moon Shadow Party’s strength.
‘How did they destroy that Spire? Are they even human…?’
In truth, the US side was wary of the Otherworlders—the Knight, Grace, and Laysia. Of course, they were currently allies and providing immense help. That was why the US was trying so hard to recruit them by contacting Moon Shadow.
On the other hand, they didn't fully trust them. They harbored doubts.
What if they have other motives?
The reality was that having a common enemy didn't always mean you were on the same side forever. So, while one faction tried to treat the Moon Shadow Party well and scout them, another faction worked tirelessly to gather information and identify their weaknesses.
Frederick, the commander currently leading both the US Awakeners and the US military forces, was a soldier Awakener with fierce patriotism. Because of this, he observed the Moon Shadow Party closely even as he worked to bring them over to his side.
The fact that they had destroyed the Black Spire alone, without any support, reinforced his resolve.
Under Frederick’s command, numerous military helicopters took flight.
This was where the difference between the US Awakeners and those of other nations became clear. By operating in tandem with the US military, they received overwhelming support, allowing them to utilize aerial assets the moment conditions improved.
They had prepared the helicopters in advance, knowing they would be the fastest way to move. Until now, the weather manipulation from the Spire had made flight impossible, but now the conditions were perfect.
They immediately began patrolling the area, identifying and either capturing or killing the fleeing Demonic Humans.
However, their primary objective was to find the Moon Shadow Party.
They were supposed to be cooperating, yet the party had once again destroyed the Spire on their own, which was quite embarrassing for the US side. They wanted to make contact to see if there was anything they could do to help, if only to save face.
This turned out to be a great relief for Han Shin.
The first military helicopter to spot the Knight noticed he was carrying someone in his arms and realized someone was injured.
They provided immediate assistance, allowing Han Shin to quickly reunite with Kang Yujin and Laysia.
Kang Yujin and Laysia had just finished evacuating almost everyone from the Desert of Death and were turning back to join Han Shin. They had seen the Spire fall and were worried that Han Shin or someone else might be hurt. By a stroke of luck, their paths crossed quickly.
The moment Laysia saw Grace unconscious in Han Shin’s arms, she urgently began casting a holy spell.
“I think it would be better to move to the Sanctuary as quickly as possible.”
Han Shin nodded at Laysia’s suggestion.
“Let’s do that.”
Without hesitation, Laysia placed a hand on Han Shin’s shoulder. Sitri and Kang Yujin quickly grabbed her other hand, and together, they prepared to move to Laysia’s Sanctuary.
Flash!
A brilliant burst of light erupted, and the Moon Shadow Party vanished without a trace, leaving the surrounding US Awakeners and soldiers in shock.
Normally, they would have been conscious of the people around them and moved to a secluded spot before teleporting, but with Grace injured, every second counted, and they didn't care who was watching.
“Did they use a Space Movement Artifact?”
“It appears so. I’ll report this to headquarters immediately.”