BRAND NEW WORLD

Chapter 74 74: A New Judgment from the Sky

After the academy group left, I turned to face the forest and drew a sword from my spatial storage. Why? Because my search skill had detected a figure moving quickly—heading straight toward me.

Both hands gripped the sword tightly. I took a deep breath. I settled into my stance. Before long, the moving figure shot out from the forest and charged at me.

CLANG!

The figure blurred as it emerged. But once it came closer...

"Axxel!?"

"Luna!?"

• •

After the shock passed, Axxel took two steps back and lowered his sword. I also put mine away.

"Sorry, Lun. I thought you were an Elite Goblin," Axxel said with a wry smile.

I could only take a deep breath at his comment.

"..."

"Anyway, why are you here? Where's Key?"

"She's lagging. Actually, we got lost after leaving Rantjah City and accidentally ran into a few Elite Goblins on patrol. We kept encountering them—one after another—until we ended up here. What about you? What are you doing here?" Axxel answered.

I then explained the situation.

"I see..." Axxel murmured. "These Elite Goblins... do they also come from the Forbidden Land?"

"That's my guess as well."

Before long...

"Xel!" someone called out.

A woman emerged from the forest.

"Key?"

"Xel, you're so fast. I could barely... keep up? Luna?" Key said.

"Hi, Key! How are you?"

Surprise flashed across Key's face when she saw me.

"Ah, I'm fine. By the way, what are you doing here?" Key asked.

So, I explained again why I was here. Key then fell into thought. As if remembering something...

"Oh, no! There's a horde of monsters heading somewhere!" Key exclaimed.

"Hah? What do you mean, Key?" Axxel asked.

"The reason I was late catching up to you is that my area detection sensed a swarm of monsters moving together in one direction," Key replied.

"A swarm of monsters?"

"Yes. It's a mix of several types. There are Elite Goblins, High Orcs, Kobolds, and even Trolls among them. They're moving together like a single group," Key answered.

"Wait a minute. Isn't it strange for them to move together like that?" Axxel asked, confused.

"I don't understand it either, but that's the reality," Key replied.

"..."

"If what Key says is true, then we need to warn the nearest town."

"Which town is closest?" Axxel asked.

"Tazik City. Nine hours by regular horse. But riding Putih, we could cut it down to three."

"Then someone should head there first to warn them while the others follow," Key said.

"No need. We can get back to Tazik City quickly."

"With what?" Axxel asked.

"Teleportation magic."

"Oh, right, I forgot you could do that, haha," Axxel said.

"Alright, then..."

With a snap of my fingers, a large magic circle appeared beneath our feet, and then a light enveloped our bodies and our vision. Before long, the light faded, and the scenery around us changed.

"This is..." Key murmured.

"This is the western gate of Tazik City. Let's go."

After that, we hurried into the city.

• •

Once inside, we first rushed to the Adventurer's Guild. The faces of the guild staff turned pale after hearing our report. At first, they didn't believe us. However, with Axxel and Key's A-rank adventurer IDs, the staff immediately connected us with the Guild Master. After reporting the situation, the Guild Master announced the guild hall.

"Attention, everyone!" the Guild Master called out loudly from the second floor.

"This is an emergency. I have received information that a stampede is heading this way. Therefore, I am declaring an emergency request," the Guild Master's voice declared firmly.

Hearing this, a commotion erupted in the guild lobby. Adventurers whispered among themselves.

"In that case, we'll wait at the west gate."

After that, I, Axxel, and Key hurried back to the west gate of Tazik City. We then informed the gate guards of the situation. The guards rushed to report to the Mayor of Tazik City.

[Three Hours Later...]

Several adventurers and security forces flocked to the city's west gate. Melee fighters would stand guard outside, while archers and magic users positioned themselves atop the city walls.

"I'll go on ahead, okay?"

"Okay! We'll catch up on foot," Axxel replied.

• •

After thirty minutes of riding Putih...

There!

Using my keen sense of hearing, I detected several carriages two kilometers away, heading toward me. Moments later, I saw carriages and mounted knights approaching.

"L-Lady Luna!" called a knight at the front of the column.

"Why is Lady Luna here? Weren't you left behind?" asked another knight.

"Fool! Surely Lady Luna flew here, isn't that right, my Lady?" said a third knight.

"Ahaha..." I could only smile wryly.

"By the way, are you all alright? Did any monsters attack you?"

"No, my Lady," the other knight answered.

"Then just continue to the city, alright?"

"Yes, my Lady!" the knights replied.

After that, the knights and the academy members continued their journey toward Tazik City. As the rear of the column drew near...

"Big Sis Luna!" called Princess Verni and Lenti.

"You two! Are you alright?"

"We're fine. These two have been with us the whole time," Princess Verni answered. Behind her were two familiar faces—Ryda and Hellen.

"Hey, Lun!" Ryda and Hellen called out.

"Hey!" I replied. "Thank you for looking after them."

"Don't worry. That's our job, after all," Ryda said with a smile.

As we were chatting...

WOOF!

Everyone was startled by this...

"What is it, Putih?"

Putih stared into the distance from where the academy members had come. I followed its gaze and activated my detection skill.

"!"

Many monsters suddenly entered my detection range.

"What's wrong, Lun?" Hellen asked.

"It seems the monsters are getting closer."

Hearing this, fear and worry surfaced on Princess Verni and Lenti's faces.

"Ryda, Hellen, please take them to the city first."

"Alright. We'll come back after we've brought them safely there," Ryda answered.

Princess Verni opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. After they had left Luna alone...

"I know Big Sis Luna is very strong, but... is it really okay to leave her alone?" Princess Verni asked, her face worried.

"Don't worry. We're talking about Luna. I'm sure she'll be fine," Hellen replied.

"A-alright, if you say so," Princess Verni said.

• •

Back to Luna...

"Now it's just the two of us, Putih."

"Did you forget about us?" someone called out.

I turned...

"Axxel! Key!"

"You didn't forget about us, did you?" Key said.

From a nearby spot, Axxel and Key emerged, smirking.

Did Axxel cross paths with Ryda?

"Of course I didn't."

"How many monsters are we facing?" Axxel asked.

"Do you know the term 'stampede'?" Key asked.

"Stampede?" Axxel murmured, thinking for a moment.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's the term used when a horde of monsters moves together in a single herd...?" he added.

"Yes, that's it!" Key exclaimed.

"In that case, Lun, I'm counting on you!" Axxel called out, giving a thumbs-up and a grin.

I could only shake my head.

[Some Time Later...]

"One kilometer left!" Key announced.

We could now see the horde in the distance.

"Heh, it's been a long time since we last did a raid like this," Axxel said, smiling.

Axxel is right. For some reason, my heart beats faster the closer they get. There's also a sense of nostalgia and longing—for the times we did this together with friends.

As I was lost in thought...

"Looks like we're not late for the party," someone said.

I turned to look behind me... Ryda and Hellen were there. As Axxel and Key turned around...

"Huh? BIG SIS!?" Axxel shouted.

"AXXEL!?" Ryda shouted.

Immediately, Ryda hurried over to Axxel and hugged him. Time seemed to freeze as they embraced. There was no sound except the whisper of the wind and the pounding of hearts.

"..."

"Sorry, guys, but can the reunion wait? There's something a bit more urgent," Key interjected.

They then released each other, wry smiles on their faces.

"Hehe, sorry..." Ryda murmured, her cheeks flushing.

"Th-then... Lun! Give us the buffs!" Axxel said awkwardly.

I could only smile at them. After that, everyone drew their weapons.

Axxel rested his greatsword on his shoulder.

Key flourished her whip and dagger.

Ryda twirled her spear.

And Hellen produced a bow from her spatial storage.

Not to mention Putih, with its fangs, claws, and magic.

I wanted to call Griffa and Riffon, but... they can't leave their children.

"What's the plan, Lun?"

"The plan is..."

"..."

"...understand?"

"Mm!" "Woof!" Everyone nodded.

---

When the sea of monsters... drew closer.

An endless black wave crawled through the trees, crushing the undergrowth, shaking the earth—like a storm that had taken physical form.

Five hundred meters remained.

The air changed.

Heavier.

Hotter

...Wrong.

I raised my hand.

Magic circles appeared—one, two, three—layered in the air, pulsing gently like living hearts.

"Fortify. Acceleration. Reinforcement."

Beams of light fell upon their bodies, one after another.

Their auras strengthened.

Muscles tightened. Breaths steadied. Their eyes... changed.

"Alright... now you're ready."

I lowered my hand.

Ahead—

Axxel stepped forward.

The wind tousled his hair. His sword hummed softly, as if responding to something about to come.

"Everyone!" His voice echoed, strong, resolute. "We do not retreat today!"

Monsters growled.

Their voices were like a thousand rotting throats.

"We do not run—we stand our ground!"

The ground trembled.

"Protect this world we love... from those disgusting creatures!"

"YES!!" they all shouted.

That cry collided with the monsters' roar—

And the sky seemed to crack between them.

But I—

Did not move.

I rose.

Ten meters above the ground.

Wind swirled around me, pulling dust and dry leaves into the air. My hair lifted, trembling with the currents of mana beginning to rage.

I opened both arms.

And closed my eyes.

"...Rise."

Magic circles appeared.

Not one.

Not two.

But dozens—Layered, stacked, spinning in a terrifying harmony.

One massive circle—twenty meters in diameter—formed beneath my feet.

Ancient symbols lit up one by one.

Pulsing.

Breathing.

Alive.

"Silent sky... hear my call."

A rumbling sound began—

Far... very far.

"Aged earth... witness my will."

The magic circle spun.

Slowly.

Counterclockwise.

"Unleash your fury—"

The rotation accelerated.

The air grew hot.

Pressure pressed against the chest.

"—and deliver judgment."

FLASH!

The magic circle shot into the sky.

Disappeared.

Silence.

...Too much silence.

"Hah...?" Key murmured.

"What jus—" Ryda stared upward.

Axxel didn't move.

"Just wait..."

Seconds passed.

The sky... changed.

Tiny dots appeared high above.

Like stars—

But moving.

"Wh... what is that...?" Hellen's voice trembled.

The dots... grew larger.

Larger. Faster.

The air began to vibrate.

Heat touched the skin.

And when their forms finally became clear—

"M-METEOR!?" Key screamed.

The sky collapsed.

Giant boulders, blazing red as they tore through the atmosphere—ripping through the air, leaving long trails of fire behind.

The monsters finally noticed.

They stopped.

Growled.

Some tried to retreat.

Some shrieked—

Panicked cries that no longer sounded like predators.

But prey.

Too late.

BOOOOOOM!!!

The first meteor struck.

The earth split.

Fire erupted.

The shockwave swept away everything.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The next strikes came without pause.

One after another.

Merciless.

Trees were uprooted. Earth was thrown into the air. Monster bodies were crushed—burned—flung—annihilated.

The wind blasted us even where we stood.

Our bodies were pushed back.

Breaths caught.

Dust and fire obscured the view.

The sky... was gone.

Only—

destruction remained.

Then—

Silence.

Only the sound of falling debris.

Dust slowly settled.

Vision began to return.

Before us—

A forest no longer.

But a crater.

Scorched earth. Smoke billowed. And the remains of creatures were no longer recognizable.

"...."

For several seconds—

No one moved.

No one spoke.

Only—

fear.

And awe.

---

I opened my eyes.

And lowered my hand.

"Everyone..."

My voice was soft.

But enough to break the silence.

"...now."

They moved.

Key and Putih darted left—fast, like shadows. Ryda and Hellen to the right—coordinated. Axxel—Straight down the middle.

Without hesitation.

Without looking back.

Meanwhile—

beyond the smoke and fire—

Something... was still moving.