Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: 63. Leviathan (1)
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1.
Resistance headquarters.
In that underground facility in Edelstein, there was only one top priority they pursued.
“Everything must be under perfect control!”
They tolerated no variables whatsoever.
It was only natural.
No matter the reason, if the location of the Resistance headquarters leaked to the outside, the Resistance would suffer an indescribable blow.
Thus, within the Resistance headquarters, everything—from entries and exits to meals and even bathroom breaks—was strictly controlled.
It was a level of control that went beyond stifling, feeling like a noose around the neck, but the Resistance members gladly accepted it.
Given their situation and the formidable existence known as Black Wing, they had no choice but to endure this much frustration.
But lately, things had changed.
“Conquering Blue-rank gates two in a row? Impressive.”
“Impressive? Two in a row is just the beginning. From now on, they’ll be clearing Blue-rank gates every single day.”
In the face of this monumental achievement, the Resistance members showed an excitement unlike their usual selves.
And that excitement naturally led to complacency.
That was the reason.
“A Blue-rank portal has been activated!”
One of the stockpiled Blue-rank Mystic Gates activating—an utterly absurd event.
The most unacceptable incident in the Resistance headquarters, where everything was supposed to be under control.
Naturally, when it happened, Supreme Commander Sigmund and the executives were horrified.
The meeting ended immediately.
The interrogation of Albie concluded.
Everyone rushed to assess the situation.
“Who the hell is it?”
“From what we can tell, five people entered.”
“Five people?”
“We don’t know their identities yet. We’re investigating.”
The moment they heard that, Supreme Commander Sigmund and the executives instantly knew who it was.
“El Pam’s party!”
Who those five were.
And what their goal was became immediately clear.
“They plan to conquer this place. On their own!”
Of course, knowing didn’t mean understanding.
Quite the opposite.
‘What the hell are they doing?’
In that instant, everyone’s minds filled with questions.
It was hard enough to understand why El Pam’s party had faked their deaths, but now they were tackling a Mystic Gate solo afterward?
It was as good as faking death to commit suicide.
That was why.
‘We can’t try to understand El Pam’s party.’
At that point, Supreme Commander Sigmund took a different approach.
‘First, identify which Mystic Gate they’re targeting.’
The reason for conquering a Mystic Gate was always one: the boss monster and item inside!
“What was in the Mystic Gate they entered?”
In response to her question, Cheki immediately answered.
“The Ring of Poseidon!”
“And?”
“Huh?”
“What boss monster is inside?”
To the follow-up, Wild Hunter instructor Bell replied.
2.
A scorching desert, and atop it appeared El Pam’s party.
“Ah.”
One of them, Dibo, let out a long sigh.
It wasn’t because it was a desert.
To other adventurers, deserts were hell, but to El Pam’s party, they were no more threatening than their own front yard now.
“Leviathan, of all things.”
The reason for the sigh was none other than the fact that this Mystic Gate’s boss monster was none other than Leviathan.
It was a monster worth sighing over.
For starters, Leviathan was one of the dragon race. And it was far stronger than the same-race Manyon.
To the point where one Leviathan could take on three Manyon!
That was why even adventurers seeking the Dragon Slayer title hunted Manyon but fled at the sight of Leviathan.
“Five of us.”
And now, they had to take down that absurd Leviathan—not with hundreds or even dozens, but with just five people.
Normally, this warranted not a sigh but a scream of despair.
Yet it ended with a sigh for one reason.
“We’re counting on you, Boss.”
Because the one who had brought them here was none other than El Pam.
Of course, no one thought it would be easy.
If they did, there wouldn’t have been a sigh.
‘It’ll be tougher than ever.’
That was why they steeled themselves.
‘Which means we all have to fight together.’
To break through this extreme difficulty, teamwork was the only thing needed.
“Just tell us what to do.”
In response to his comrades’ resolve, El Pam said.
“There’s nothing for me to order.”
“Huh?”
“Exactly what I said. There’s no teamwork in this conquest.”
Dibo asked in shock at the response.
“You’re doing it alone?”
“I have no choice but to do it alone.”
No one was surprised by the answer. Instead, they narrowed their eyes, showing dissatisfaction and sullen expressions.
“Boss.”
It was only natural.
“We didn’t come here to twiddle our thumbs and watch. We’re here as your comrades.”
The reason they endured that insane training was to fight alongside El Pam as his comrades.
For them, the most painful thing was doing nothing like this.
Moreover, they had experienced it before.
‘We’re not sucking our thumbs here too.’
Manyon!
When facing that monster, in the end, only Kiri had stepped up front, risking her life.
The rest just watched from behind.
With that pent-up frustration still lingering, were they to feel it again here?
“Boss, are we not good enough? If so, just say it.”
“Yeah, if you don’t need us, say so. That way we can get over it.”
“Unlike those two, I’m perfectly satisfied with the current situation! So do as you wish, Boss!”
To his comrades, El Pam said.
“That’s not it. I have no choice but to do this alone this time.”
“No, but... wait, huh?”
With those words, El Pam pulled it out.
Hydra’s heart!
‘Ah!’
Only then did everyone finally understand.
“No one can fight by my side from now on.”
3.
Gelimer.
He heard the news almost simultaneously with the Resistance command.
“What the hell is this?”
And his reaction upon hearing it was no different from the Resistance leadership.
“Hydra’s heart is gone? El Pam’s party is alive?”
Faced with the successive reports, Gelimer was so flustered he wore a blank expression.
It was a humiliating situation for him.
He was the greatest scientist, one who could comprehend any event in the Maple World.
For him not to understand something was unacceptable.
“A Blue-rank Mystic Gate?”
Then, upon learning El Pam’s party had secretly launched a solo conquest of a Blue-rank Mystic Gate, Gelimer’s expression turned colder than ever.
Gelimer understood.
“So that’s it.”
What El Pam’s party was aiming for.
“Conquer it before I can do anything—that was their goal.”
And the moment he grasped that aim, Gelimer’s face twisted in unprecedented fury.
“You damn rat.”
It was the third time.
“How dare you!”
This was the third time he’d been bested by El Pam’s party.
For a scientist, the first failure might be tolerated, but the second never could be.
Let alone losing three times to the same foe?
Unacceptable.
“You.”
What fueled his rage even more was that, at this moment, Gelimer had no way to deal with El Pam’s party.
No matter how great Gelimer was, he couldn’t interfere with an ongoing Mystic Gate conquest.
Nor had he tampered with it in advance.
Which meant he had to watch their conquest from afar, hands tied!
Gelimer’s fury surpassed mere curiosity.
“I need to eliminate them.”
Normally, he’d capture El Pam’s party, torture them, and learn how they defeated Manyon, but this time was different.
Gelimer wanted to dispose of them cleanly.
So he prepared.
“Beril.”
“Yes, Father.”
Genelord he had created—among them, the strongest, Beril! He gave her the order.
“Kill El Pam’s party. Use any means necessary. The most certain method. After killing them, bring me their heads and hearts. I need to confirm they’re real.”
“Yes, Father.”
With that calm response, Beril rose from her seat.
And moved immediately.
To carry out the order.
No matter what obstacles arose, Beril had no intention of stopping.
Gelimer had no intention of stopping either.
“Hm.”
But the moment an old man emerged from the shadows, things changed.
Gelimer said.
“Beril, stop.”
“Yes, Father.”
Beril halted instantly, and in the meantime, Gelimer looked up at the old man and bowed his head.
Shaa!
In that instant, a massive snake behind the old man bared its fangs toward Gelimer with fierce hostility.
Swish!
Beril, without hesitation, raised her massive scythe and aimed it at Akairum.
“Beril! Kneel!”
Thud!
At Gelimer’s stern command, Beril dropped to her knees on the spot without a moment’s delay.
“I apologize. It’s programmed to react to attacks on me.”
What followed from Gelimer was a sight incomprehensible to anyone who knew him.
He was a scientist who valued nothing in the world more than himself.
In other words, the being before him was one that even made Gelimer bow.
“Legion Commander Akairum, what brings you here?”
Akairum!
One of the Black Mage’s legion commanders, a priest who once served the Goddess of Time!
A being who could crush Gelimer’s life at any moment.
Moreover, Akairum had one more fact.
“You tampered with the Mystic Gates.”
He was the creator of the Mystic Gates.
Of course, not alone.
Precisely, the Mystic Gates weren’t originally overflowing with monsters and items like this.
The purpose of creating them was to gather energy, twist time, and resurrect the Black Mage.
With Gelimer’s help, Akairum turned the Mystic Gates into monster-infested arenas.
“I never permitted it.”
Akairum had warned Gelimer and everyone who knew the Mystic Gates’ secrets.
Don’t touch the Mystic Gates.
Leave them as is.
If you must do something, use the martyrs.
Yet Gelimer had defied every single one of Legion Commander Akairum’s orders!
Killing Gelimer on the spot wouldn’t be amiss.
“Is that why you’re here?”
But facing Akairum directly, Gelimer showed no panic, surprise, or fear.
Akairum killing him was entirely understandable, and since it was, there was no reason to panic or be surprised.
Of course, he had no intention of dying meekly.
Gelimer was prepared.
‘The moment he tries to kill me, all Genelords attack Akairum.’
He was ready to struggle.
“No.”
But at those words, Gelimer gave a faint smile and bowed his head.
“Then what brings you here?”
“Don’t touch El Pam’s party.”
At that, Gelimer’s face soured.
Any other order he might accept, but leaving El Pam’s party alone? Hard to swallow.
“It’s not my order.”
“Ah!”
But Akairum’s follow-up forced Gelimer to suppress his rising dissatisfaction.
In the Maple World, only one being could command Legion Commander Akairum.
“Understood. I shall comply.”
The one even Gelimer had to bow to.
Thus sulked Gelimer.
“Is that all?”
To his question, Legion Commander Akairum shook his head.
“Then you have more to say?”
“Indeed. The time has come.”
At Legion Commander Akairum’s response, Gelimer wore a smile more intrigued than ever.
“I see. Finally, the time to open the door has arrived.”