NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 354
Chapter 355
“Wow, how can that kid be so full of energy right after waking up?”
“That’s why people need to live healthily.”
Yeon-woo mumbled as he watched Kim Yoo-min dash away, his eyes swirling. Namgung Seong retorted, as if implying we weren’t living healthy ourselves. It’s not like we don’t wake up at dawn to train and exercise. We’ve ascended to the Master level, so maybe we lack a bit of desperation compared to Kim Yoo-min, but—
Even Christopher would find those siblings hard to handle. As you know, Kim Yoo-min has shown remarkable fights against Christopher since his Expert days. And Kim Hyun-soo’s overwhelming destructive power is well-known.
Honestly, using that destructive power against humans feels rather pitiful.
Kim Hyun-soo only resorts to violence when he deems someone an enemy, so there’s no need to feel sorry for them, but still.
“You two, what are you doing? Aren’t you focused?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
Baek In-hwa seemed displeased with their chatter and pressed them as if to scold. Who would question their focus while dealing with the remaining remnants? People can die even amidst such processing.
The more they handle in front, the less the potential casualties can be. It’s clearly an obvious fact that they need to take this seriously.
“Alright, everyone, just a little more hardship.”
At Yeon-woo’s words, the hunters around Seolpungdae nodded. Hmm, I didn’t expect them to react this much. I felt a bit like a labor supervisor.
*
Even with the self-sacrifice for handling the remnants, there were just too many undead. No matter how much we reach the realm of superhumans, fatigue doesn’t just vanish.
Once I finished enough to be satisfied, I joined the hunters and moved back before exhausting all my energy.
Of course, nobody would complain about us getting out. Everyone knew how long we held up in the middle of the undead.
“I wonder how long it will take to deal with all of them.”
“We won’t be launching an all-out offensive every day. It could take about a week.”
It seems Baek In-hwa’s analysis would be slightly more accurate than mine. I was just a foot soldier in the cemetery wars back then, while Baek In-hwa, as the lord of the Ice Palace, would have participated in such large-scale suppression campaigns as a commander.
“Then we can take a break, huh?”
“Are we going to take a break?”
Shar asked at Yeon-woo’s words. Yeon-woo nodded as well. Of course, having them around would speed up the handling of remnants. However, considering we need to fight the Demon King right after, we needed at least a bit of rest.
I’m aware this decision could lead to more casualties, but this battle involves risking their lives too. Charging into the Demon King’s main forces implies that if we lose, it means death with no other meaning attached.
That shouldn’t happen. It’s not just because I value my own life, but because losing mine wouldn’t just end there; it had reached a point that’s far beyond a mere personal issue.
It’s not just about Shar and Tae-oh. Now that the name of the Dragon’s Contract is so significant.
It had been growing gradually, but this cemetery war situation compared to before would be like propelling it with a rocket engine.
When the Dragon’s Contractor began to supply pointless things to the world, Toyo’s Demon King sparked a global war.
As a result, the number of people saved could easily be estimated in the hundreds of thousands. There were questions about how they knew and managed to stop it. However, it was an incredible decision that ultimately led to saving far more people, despite feeling like a loss at the time.
In such a scenario, if word got out that Yeon-woo had gone to fight the Demon King and met death, the overall atmosphere in society would plummet.
There would eventually be people raising the flag vowing revenge, but I couldn’t guarantee they’d show up quickly.
“I think that’s a good idea. There are things we can’t handle here.”
Baek In-hwa replied while sipping tea at Yeon-woo’s words. While it seemed like he was just having tea, what was in that cup was probably vodka. Disturbing, those Ice Palace folks.
“Really? Then you all go ahead. I’ll stick around for a day or two more.”
“Are you going to help out with the Chuncheon Sword Squad? Sure thing.”
“How did you know??”
Well, that’s just how predictable he is. Should I say he has pride in his family name? He seems highly loyal since he gives his all without much hesitation. Not that he was exactly hired.
“Hm? Is the discussion already over?”
“Uh, we’re just about to start….”
Yeon-woo sighed deeply as he saw Nea entering the tent. The group looked at her, puzzled, but Namgung Seong’s expression hardened as if he realized something.
“First, we need to wait for Kim Yoo-min and the professor to arrive. In the meantime, let’s grab something to eat.”
Saying this, Yeon-woo poured out foodstuffs and cooking utensils from Relin’s Warehouse. The friends nodded, seemingly just as hungry.
Not long after, the tent entrance fluttered once more. I already knew footsteps were approaching.
“Wow, it smells delicious.”
“I’m starving. Isn’t there any left for us!?”
“Did you catch that rascal?”
“He was very adept at running away. Unfortunately, I missed him.”
“Wouldn’t it have been possible to catch him if he helped?”
In response to Yeon-woo’s question, Kim Yoo-min grumbled. That kid must think my stamina and mana are infinite? I glared, and Kim Yoo-min quickly avoided my gaze.
“We worked well together because we’re siblings, but with ordinary Masters, the more people there are, the less coordinated they become. Yeon-woo might be an exception… but let’s just say the possibility existed.”
“My brother said that, huh? Why didn’t you come to help!”
“I was too tired to go, alright? Can I just sit and eat? Professor, you should eat too.”
“Haha, I’ll enjoy it.”
As the siblings sat down with their usual smiles, Yeon-woo was engulfed with a dilemma. How in the world should he even begin to explain this?
Grabbing his throbbing head, he tried to choose his words while Namgung Seong urged him on with a nod. There was no way to avoid it now. With a firm resolve, Yeon-woo squeezed his eyes shut and spoke up.
“Everyone knows about the Violence Cult appearing, right?”
“That’s why it was so noisy. So it was those guys?”
“Yes, it’s natural for them to show up during wars. They were causing trouble as usual, so I suggested we deal with Toyo’s Demon King first.”
“Hmm, did Toyo lose to War Leader there?”
“No, Toyo won. But then Hwayo’s Demon King showed up.”
At Yeon-woo’s words, the tent fell silent for a moment. They looked bewildered. They had definitely come to catch Toyo, but suddenly Hwayo appeared? What was going on?
“I’m sure you have much to say, but let me finish. It seems like you’ve always disliked Saturdays, and they offered to lend us War Leader to use against Toyo.”
“…Are you kidding me?”
Baek In-hwa asked with a serious expression. Hearing that, the Choi family and Namgung Seong shook their heads. It might sound insane, but it was all true.
“So, it was such a great offer that we accepted it. Under the condition that War Leader would fight for us if he’s still alive after battling the Demon King.”
As Yeon-woo continued, the group could only ponder the immense question: Huh? So, he would fight if he was still alive after defeating the Demon King? Just what could the Violence Cult gain from doing that?
“Okay, everyone looks all puzzled now. Let’s change the thinking a bit. Instead of asking, ‘What are those guys after?’, let’s start with, ‘Oh, right, they’re just a bunch of lunatics!'”
At Yeon-woo’s heartfelt advice, the group’s faces visibly relaxed. They were initially thinking in the wrong direction, and just steering them straight was enough.
“So, after we suppress all the undead and enter the Sacred Grounds, War Leader will be there with us. He likely won’t want to play nice, so he’ll probably take the lead. This is difficult to convey, but I hope it gets across.”
Everyone shook their heads in unison. That makes sense. Honestly, I’m unsure myself. How did it even come to this? But, thinking back, it wasn’t my fault that I had to explain it so anxiously.
“Well, that’s what’s happening! What can we do; that’s the situation. Everyone rest well, and we’ll regroup here once the hunt is nearing its end! The end!”
Yeon-woo stumbled over his words, unsure of how to finish, and burst out of the tent. Amidst what felt like a storm had passed, Nea was taking care of the kids, who munching away at their meals.
“…Should we eat?”
“Well, I guess it’ll work out somehow. If it comes down to it, I’ll handle it myself.”
With Kim Hyun-soo’s reassuring remark, the chaotic tent finally calmed down. This is why a person’s usual conduct is important.
*
“Ahhhh.”
“Ah! You’re so unfair, sister! Me too!”
The two kids dashed towards the dormitory beds they hadn’t seen in a while. With the sound of springs, the kids bounced up. There was a bit of dust, but it looked clean enough, so the cleaning lady probably took care of it. Thank you. Thanks a lot.
“Phew, this trip was tiring for me too….”
Nea sighed as she collapsed onto the couch. How adorable. Nea loved wandering outside, but it seemed like this long-distance trip wore her out.
By the way, Yeon-woo tires out after just a 10-minute walk outside. How does he manage to train every day? Well, it’s work, so he just does it.
‘Though those words are falling short as I have to run out again…’
Sigh, I wonder why it’s so busy. With that thought, Yeon-woo told Nea and the kids.
“I’ll go check on the lab, so just rest here.”
“Got it. What do you want for dinner?”
“I’m tired, so let’s order takeout. You should rest too.”
Seeing the two kids gleefully tumbling on the bed, Yeon-woo chuckled as he stepped out the door. He needed to meet Riley.
Just in case, if Yeon-woo died, he needed to prepare to transfer the contract of Tae-oh and Shar to Riley or Nea.
The fight against the Demon King was a life-or-death matter. I might mention it isn’t just about the lives of Shar and Tae-oh, but the most precious ones are undoubtedly the lives of the two kids.
‘As long as I don’t die, that’s fine, but just in case, I need to be prepared.’
(To be continued in the next chapter)