novelraw Chapter 129
Chapter 129
Chapter 129
The undead that rushed in while carrying the busts and portraits of those who'd spent three generations diligently sucking the lifeblood out of North Korea were a comedy act from a distance, and they were a comedy act up close too.
“They don't die even if the busts or portraits are smashed.”
That was because they'd already gathered enough resentment to create the undead in the first place. However, they certainly grew weaker once those items were destroyed.
“Though it doesn't matter much.”
The Paradoxical Flame flowing from my body burned the surrounding resentful thoughts as it gradually spread. Those creatures instinctively tried to avoid the spreading Paradoxical Flame by scurrying along the floor.
“That facility can't avoid the flames, though.”
It didn't matter whether those idiotic undead with busts or portraits stuck on their heads dodged the Paradoxical Flame or not. From the beginning, the target was that large jar standing grandly over there, vomiting up disgusting refuse.
It couldn't move, but perhaps because it was alive, the eyes on the face of the vomiting jar glared at the Paradoxical Flame surging toward it.
“Hey, it's not going to go out just because you glare at it.”
Once it sticks, it doesn't go out until I turn it off. Just like a persistent stalker.
Finally, the spreading Paradoxical Flame crawled up the giant jar and began to burn it down.
“Testing, this is Yoo Chan-seok. Can you hear me?”
― I hear you clearly.
Once I confirmed Han Sang-ah’s voice, I replied immediately.
“Get ready soon.”
It wasn't a big deal for those two to swim against the current. They'd arrive in no time.
While watching the burning jar, I soon confirmed that the water of the Taedong River had regained its original color.
― Chan-seok, can you hear me? It looks like the ones swarming in Pyongyang are moving too.
“What about you guys?”
The sound of splashing echoed.
― We’re swimming our hearts out. Just wait a bit. We’re coming.
I sat on the ground and boiled a cup of ramen to eat.
It took a long time for me because I had to move cautiously, but Jung Oh-hoon and Han Sang-ah had no reason to do that.
After waiting for a while, the two of them popped out of the water.
“You’ve worked hard. Now let's work even harder.”
We had to run now. We had to arrive before the army of corpses that departed from Pyongyang reached Pyeongseong.
“Pyeongseong will have some level of defense, but….”
It couldn't compare to Pyongyang. I could tell just by the size of the resentment I felt.
“Okay, found it.”
While sprinting toward Pyeongseong City, Jung Oh-hoon succeeded in locating the Erosion Core.
“But are the three of us really going to clear this?”
I replied to Jung Oh-hoon’s question.
“It’s not like we're entering Gonsalok.”
Considering the skill of the two hunters ranked in the top 20 of the Hope List and my own, the gimmicks might trouble us, but it would be hard for us to be defeated due to a lack of power.
“Fine, I can't even argue because there’s no damn alternative.”
Jung Oh-hoon, having finished his words, began to guide the way.
“What are those things?”
“Who knows. Probably the Respected Supreme Leader, or rather, the Pigs?”
Jung Oh-hoon put on an absurd expression as he watched the corpses rushing in with the busts of the three generations of Kims on their heads.
Anyway, while smashing those strangely funny undead and moving according to Jung Oh-hoon’s guidance, I detected a massive resentment approaching about 5km away.
“I’ve almost arrived.”
“But we’re faster.”
Jung Oh-hoon said that and looked at the ominous black hole surging ahead. It was the Erosion Core leading to Samhyeoldong.
“I wonder what kind of fun things are waiting beyond that hole.”
I was already looking forward to it. Since it was called Samhyeoldong, I assumed it was a cave.
Without deciding who would go first, we threw ourselves into the Erosion Core of Samhyeoldong.
“It’s a cave.”
Upon entering the Erosion Core, we were inside a cave.
It seemed Han Sang-ah, Jung Oh-hoon, and I hadn't been scattered and all dropped in the same location. It was a relief, but on the other hand, it felt a bit suspicious.
The fact that the three of us weren't separated meant there was a reason for it.
― Testing, can you hear me? This is Imperial Brigade Commander Ramin.
Just then, a voice was heard from a large crystal dropped on the floor.
Jung Oh-hoon and Han Sang-ah looked at the crystal with dazed expressions. Good grief, what are you two doing.
I immediately grabbed the crystal and spoke.
“I hear you well. Report what you've contacted us about.”
At my words, the eyes of the two dazed people turned toward me. What are you looking at, you punks.
― Oh, almighty Caristol. My goodness, contact has actually been made. There’s no time.
“What are you talking about. I’d like you to speak so I can understand properly, Brigade Commander.”
At my words, the bastard named Ramin spoke immediately from beyond the crystal ball.
― The 15,000 elite soldiers of the Imperial Brigade, including myself, are scheduled to attack the temple of the wicked and false god, Ballea.
The temple of Ballea, huh? Things are turning out ridiculously again. Apparently, this was one of the gimmicks of this Grade 1 Erosion Core called Samhyeoldong.
“So, tell me what we need to help with.”
― Ballea’s temple is protected through five corrupted idols located inside the cave where you've arrived.
Then we just had to destroy those. It didn't seem that difficult?
― However… The wicked followers serving Ballea have also noticed our attack. We were originally just a vanguard unit that arrived to install teleportation magic circles.
“If you’re counterattacked by Ballea’s wicked followers in this situation….”
At my words, Ramin replied from beyond the crystal with a heavy voice.
― It’s frustrating, but Ballea’s followers are atrocious. With a force of 15,000, we won't last long.
“Tell me what we can do.”
Soon after, Ramin told us what we could do.
Inside this cave where we arrived, besides the five corrupted idols protecting Ballea’s temple, structures were reportedly installed here and there to interfere with teleportation.
― Every time you break one, we can teleport an additional 10,000 troops.
In other words, we had to keep replenishing Ramin’s troops before Ballea’s minions annihilated Ramin’s force somewhere on the surface.
At the same time, we had to find and destroy the five idols protecting Ballea’s temple.
“So we aren't fighting directly.”
Han Sang-ah and Jung Oh-hoon nodded at my words.
― The raid will begin soon. The trumpets of advance are echoing from Ballea’s temple!
“I'll ask one more thing, Brigade Commander. How many troops are needed to destroy the temple after the protection guarding it disappears?”
This was an important issue. Even if we smashed all those corrupted idols or whatever, if Ramin had only 50 soldiers left at that point, we obviously couldn't destroy Ballea’s temple.
― To be honest, I’m not sure.
What a damn bastard. I had that thought to myself.
― However, I can send you the status of the battlefield where we stand and the number of remaining troops!
The faint light emitted by the crystal tangled together and formed a 3D map in front of me.
“…So?”
I felt like I already knew the answer, but I asked Ramin just in case.
― Please lead us. Please share the wisdom to crush the wicked followers who believe in the false god.
Damn it, you want me to command even though I’m not on the battlefield? All while finding and destroying corrupted idols and teleportation interference devices inside this cave?
Things were really flowing like trash. I extracted as much information from Ramin as quickly as possible.
Corrupted idols strengthen Ballea’s minions as time passes. If even one is broken, the energy strengthening the minions resets.
A force of 15,000 cannot block Ballea’s minions. We must destroy the teleportation interference facilities located somewhere in the cave to steadily replenish troops.
We must grasp the battlefield through the 3D map created by the crystal inside this cave and assist Ramin’s defensive battle.
Once we destroy the five corrupted idols, Ramin will launch a counterattack.
The summary was roughly finished.
“Brigade Commander Ramin, don't worry. Almighty Caristol is with us.”
After a short deep breath, I continued.
“Our piety is righteous and will not falter, and our firm conviction will become a shield and a blade to judge the wicked presence before us.”
― It is indeed so!
After encouraging the bastard named Ramin by making up some words like that, I stood up and looked at Jung Oh-hoon and Han Sang-ah.
“Let’s move, friends. We don't have time.”
“What are you?”
At Jung Oh-hoon’s words, I glanced at him.
“What.”
“That 'almighty Caristol' stuff, that isn't the skill of someone who's done it once or twice.”
Oh, my man, I haven't done this kind of thing just once or twice.
“Acting is a basic skill. If you have time to worry about that, focus on the task at hand first.”
If we didn't hurry, Ramin’s troops would be annihilated. Then it would all be over.
“How about burning through the cave wall to make a hole and then joining Ramin?”
I shook my head at Han Sang-ah’s words.
“It'll be an entirely different space.”
The location where Ramin was and the location where we were were isolated from each other in terms of space itself.
“How do you know that?”
Experience. I felt something similar when I went to hell. Since it was a hassle to explain the details, I didn't answer Han Sang-ah’s question and moved my steps.
“You’ll be trapped here forever while trying to satisfy your curiosity. Just move quickly.”
Simultaneously, I checked the 3D map displayed by the crystal.
“An outer wall, an inner wall, and a summoning tower located in the center.”
The outer and inner walls each had four gates. The summoning tower was inside the fortress located in the center, and there was only one entrance into the fortress.
If we destroyed a facility interfering with teleportation, reinforcements would be replenished for Ramin through the summoning tower inside the fortress.
It would be over if Ramin’s troops were annihilated or if the summoning tower was captured.
“Commanding, huh.”
I muttered that and clicked my tongue. Jung Oh-hoon glanced at me.
“Have you ever done it before?”
“No, but I’ll have to manage somehow.”
Actually, I had done it. No, saying I’d done it was an understatement.
750,000. That was the largest number of troops I'd ever handled. I was confident I could handle a siege utilizing around 15,000 troops.
“There is something that bothers me, though.”
“What is it?”
At Han Sang-ah’s question, I replied while scanning the cave.
“It’s Ballea, after all.”
Remember the corpses piled under the victory achieved. In other words, Ballea wasn't undead, but was a being closely related to corpses.
“It won't be good if many corpses are created during the siege process.”
But this damn bastard Ramin didn't tell me that point. Well, saying he couldn't would be more appropriate.
We had to reduce damage as much as possible. If there were too many corpses, there was a high possibility those corpses would eventually reanimate and attack Ramin and his subordinates.
I wasn't a pervert who enjoyed making an already difficult task even harder.
“Ah, this is a headache.”
This cave didn't just have teleportation interference devices and those corrupted idols or whatever.
Just as there are ants in an ant nest, there were monsters here. They weren't weak monsters either. They were monsters popping out of a Grade 1 Erosion Core.
“Undead and insects.”
Both were a perfect match in terms of being gross. Adding to that, a dark, damp, and smelly cave made it perfect.
For now, Jung Oh-hoon and Han Sang-ah were taking the lead in clearing out the monsters. What I was focusing on was looking at the 3D map and giving instructions through the crystal.
― Reporting casualties. 47 archers dead at Spire No. 3, 157 dead on the north and south walls. At the east gate….
As I listened to the report through the crystal, I suppressed an involuntary sigh. 1,143 soldiers were crushed within 30 minutes.
How did so many die in just 30 minutes? The soldiers' training level was damn terrible! If we didn't hurry and remove the devices interfering with teleportation, things were going to get seriously tangled up.