NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 366
Chapter 367
“Master, please!”
On a hill overlooking the battlefield, a massive orc was kneeling before a little boy. The War Leader of the Violence Cult was bowing before his master.
[Oh, I see what you’re wanting. But why should I do that?]
“Because it would be dishonorable otherwise.”
[Do I have to spread my arms to protect your honor? Not once, but twice?]
The War Leader remained silent, his head bowed at the Demon King’s words. And it was true. Once might be excusable, but having to borrow power from his master twice? Wasn’t that a bit too presumptuous?
Still, the War Leader had no choice but to plead with the Demon King. From the War Leader’s gaze, which awaited his master, the appearance of the hero had vanished. Different from his master’s blood-red aura, the muddy, dreary energy was unmistakably that of the Demon King.
The hero had been kidnapped by the Demon King. As a result, he would likely reach a hole in the sky where he could not be reached.
The War Leader instinctively realized that no matter how he tried, he could not ascend there. That’s why he lay flat before his master. If anyone could do it, it would be his master.
[Of course, I will grant it. I can grant it five times more. I could do it just for the sake of it, but if it’s to throw cold water on another Demon King, I’d do it without hesitation.]
“Thank you, thank you…!!”
With Hwayo’s words, the War Leader pounded his head against the ground repeatedly. Red blood flowed, but Hwayo made no effort to stop him. What would be the point?
[You’re going to die by the Demon King’s hand, Kargos. I can’t help with this one either. Keep that in mind, will you?]
Hwayo called out the War Leader’s name and said this. Kargos merely nodded, acknowledging it. He knew. That was all that mattered. Hwayo didn’t elaborate.
There was a ripping sound. Kargos lifted his head. Hwayo’s Demon King was splitting the space with his palm. The crimson Gate seemed to signify the fate that awaited beyond.
Hwayo had a complicated expression. Picking up the double axe placed on the ground, Kargos conveyed what he desired.
“Breaking a promise is not honorable.”
Leaving only that phrase, Kargos plunged his body into the Gate.
The gigantic figure vanished. Hwayo briefly watched the sight before retracting his hand. The Gate disappeared as if healing a wound.
[I still can’t understand.]
Drip, the right hand melted like liquid, returning to its original form as if time had reversed. Regardless, it was a joyful occurrence. He himself might not know it, but his warrior had sought death.
*
“Only one can go.”
“Then, it should be my sister….”
Nea shook her head.
“I would burn all my mana just by opening it. You have to go, In-hwa.”
“But how can I be of any help….”
“That doesn’t matter. You’re the only one who can go. Look around. Everyone is fighting the Demon King’s monsters. Right now, you and I are the only ones who can escape this situation.”
Nea said with a serious tone. Yet Baek In-hwa looked flustered.
Everyone in their party was a Master, but she was stuck at Expert rank. While she didn’t feel ashamed of it, having to support everyone in such a situation when she wasn’t a Master was burdening.
“Don’t be consumed by inferiority. You don’t need qualifications to help someone. You must help. There is no one else. As much as I don’t want to send you, right now, you’re the only one who can help Yeon-woo.”
“…….”
Hearing those words, Baek In-hwa finally nodded awkwardly. Despite the burden, it seemed she understood that she was the only one who could help.
Even Nea finding the route upward wouldn’t be easy. To be frank, it would be more difficult than rending dimensions.
At least, there was a trace of an opening, making it possible to see the destination. If she had ripped through when she first emerged in this world, rather than going from Yeon-woo’s side, she would have had to stake her life on it.
‘It’s fortunate that I can return what was given to me.’
Nea smiled softly. Although she couldn’t go out herself, she would go to receive him this time. So, wait for her.
Golden mana opened the path. Slowly, Baek In-hwa stepped inside. She might die. Everyone knew that. Yet, she made her decision.
‘After all, it’s the life that Choi Yeon-woo saved.’
If she were to die helping Choi Yeon-woo, perhaps that would be acceptable.
*
[Oh no, this is a bit unpleasant.]
Toyo’s face contorted. Two. Two had intervened on this side. Having uninvited guests set foot in this space was very unpleasant.
[Should I stop them? Or… hmmm.]
Toyo’s Demon King pondered while stroking his chin. One was hard to stop, but the other could be managed. However, would it be rather entertaining if others came to assist the hero?
[…Alright, shall I let them be!]
Infusing madness would be fun, and dominating their minds wouldn’t be too bad either. If those who came to help attacked the hero, that would create quite an amusing scene.
Two figures stepped into the space. Kargos, brandishing dual axes, snorted, while Baek In-hwa calmly surveyed her surroundings. Their eyes met, yet they exchanged no words as they began their sharp conversation.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to keep a promise. I agreed to help kill the Demon King and fight.”
It seemed Kargos was concerned over not having any notable achievements in the fight against Nephren-Ka. If that was the case, Baek In-hwa felt relieved.
“However, this space is exceedingly ominous.”
“I agree. Although I can’t find the hero, it might be a plan to tear everything apart.”
As Kargos raised his axe menacingly, Baek In-hwa shook her head. There was a risk that Yeon-woo might be somewhere out there, and they could end up injuring him. Kargos, detecting her intent, also subdued his violent aura.
[Good, we have polite visitors here. Welcome. You came to find the hero, didn’t you?]
A nasty voice flickered in the minds of the two. Baek In-hwa grasped her head as a headache enveloped her. What is this?
“Show yourself, Demon King!!”
Kargos shouted without a care. His voice was thunderously loud, piercing their ears, yet it was still better than the Demon King’s. Gradually, his shout lessened the tension in Baek In-hwa’s head.
[Oh, aren’t you the War Leader of Hwayo? Quite the careless Demon King. Sending your warriors to their doom.]
“No! I was the one who asked for it!! You have no right to insult my master!!”
[Tch. This is why simple-minded folks are such a bother.]
It seemed the Demon King was attempting to lure Kargos out, judging by the muttering.
Meanwhile, Baek In-hwa took a deep breath and steadied her mind. This was the Demon King’s space. Anything happening here was to be expected.
[So, you’ve come to find the hero? Shall I tell you where he is?]
“No need. I will find him myself.”
[Such ungrateful fellows. Well, whatever. I’ll do as I please. Ta-da, here he is.]
The space before them lifted like a theater curtain, revealing Yeon-woo standing dazedly. Beside him sat a bizarrely shaped figure, occupying the throne.
The Demon King. Just witnessing that figure sent chills down their spine.
[Look at how delicately captured he is, like a fragile princess. How about I kill him like this? Wouldn’t that evoke a sense of despair?]
As the Demon King’s voice cackled while extending shadows over Yeon-woo’s body, Baek In-hwa observed him intently. Despite the surrounding darkness, Choi Yeon-woo’s appearance was clear. However, strangely, his right leg was missing.
She recalled hearing stories about a prosthetic leg made from the World Tree. That piece must have been the right leg.
It was odd not to see any attacks either. Yeon-woo’s body bore only minor wounds, not showing any serious injuries.
“…It seems like a trap, War Leader. Be careful.”
“Is that so!? If a friend of the hero is saying it, then it must be true!”
He shouldn’t have responded so loudly, but this was the Demon King’s space after all. No matter how quietly they talked, it would be safe to assume the Demon King heard everything.
Choi Yeon-woo fell victim to an illusion. That resulted in his current state, and in that state, the World Tree was likely covering for him… With that thought, the situation began to make some sense.
[Did you stick rocks in your ears? You fellows are so ungrateful.]
The Demon King sighed wearily, as if tired. Well, it didn’t matter.
Madness was like a storm; as you walked through it, your sleeves would soon become soaked. Even if you ignored the tales, merely existing in this location mattered enough to slowly drive someone mad.
After all, it would be hard to touch Choi Yeon-woo’s body. The World Tree was pouring everything into protecting him. If that was the case, using his friends as materials to corner him would be rather rational.
[Then, I’ll return him to you as promised. Be sure to protect him well.]
With a light shove, Yeon-woo’s body toppled toward the ground. Falling into an entirely defenseless state, they could only wonder what might happen next.
Dashing out, Baek In-hwa used her Spell to catch Yeon-woo as he fell, and the surrounding space sharply pierced into her.
“Ugh!!”
Whoosh!! The large swing of Kargos’ axe whipped through, cutting through the space that was attacking her. There was no pain. It was Kargos, swinging his dual axes, that severed everything pressing against her.
The severed dark remnants rolled along the ground. A painful howl of a beast could be heard.
“Focus on defending, woman!!”
“Understood! I leave the front to you!”
“Leave it to me, Wooooo—!!!!”
With a grunt like a bull, Kargos roared. The entire space resonated with his powerful cry. In the meantime, Baek In-hwa spread her mana wide. The cold mana slowly enveloped the space.
‘Indeed, it’s hard to take root deeply here.’
Unfolding the Ice Shield in someone else’s territory was tough. Perhaps if it was somewhat similar in strength, but the Demon King was far beyond her.
Baek In-hwa bit her lip tightly, trying to shrink her Ice Shield as much as possible.
“I’ll wait, Choi Yeon-woo.”
Placing Yeon-woo on the ice-made pedestal, Baek In-hwa turned around. The very space itself was the enemy. The atmosphere had transformed into one that wouldn’t forgive any human stepping in, gradually shifting into an unidentified monster charging toward her.
(To be continued in the next episode)