episode_0194

Episode 194 God Killing (3)

The orange volcano I revisited was the same as usual. Many people visiting the market were busy buying things, and it was very lively.

Nothing had changed. However, I felt a sense of incongruity in the market. I knew the reason, so I headed to the volcano’s basement.

The path leading to the volcano’s basement became increasingly intense. The deeper I went, the closer I got to Ju-hwang’s smithy, and a tremendous heat enveloped my entire body.

Dozens, no, hundreds of times hotter than my first visit. The temperature suggested what was happening underground.

Eventually, I arrived at Ju-hwang’s smithy. As soon as I stepped inside, my skin began to burn. It was due to the immense heat emanating from the smithy.

I controlled my mana to resist the heat and moved inside.

Then, the sight that unfolded. The first thing I saw was magma and fire filling every corner of the volcano’s interior. They were spread throughout the space.

In the center, Ju-hwang was hammering away. Each time he struck the unfinished metal, a clear and beautiful sound echoed.

Ju-hwang wasn’t alone. There were dwarves assisting him.

Not just one, but all of them. All the dwarves called Meister were staying here.

This was the true nature of the incongruity I felt in the market. The dwarves were inside the volcano helping Ju-hwang.

“Raise the temperature more!”

“Yes!”

At Ju-hwang’s shout, the dwarves moved quickly. The internal heat increased even further.

“…….”

I watched the scene silently. If I interfered here, the worst outcome would await. How did I get this opportunity? I couldn’t ruin it.

1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours….

Time passed. I waited patiently.

Fwoosh─

Immediately, light erupted from the center. It was blinding.

At the same time, a tremendous flame shot up from the center, scattering in all directions. My skin was burning. If I was like this, I didn’t need to describe the condition of those at the center.

Then, the light and fire were sucked into the center. It was complete. I sensed it.

I immediately approached Ju-hwang. He took a deep breath as I approached.

“To finish this today… It’s really insane. Tsk tsk, look at my children.”

Ju-hwang pointed to the collapsed Meisters. They were passed out as if they hadn’t slept for days. Despite their bodies being red with burns.

“It can’t be helped. Black has been released.”

“Ugh, I thought Red was up to something, but I never expected it to be Black.”

He handed me two swords with a troubled expression. One was mine, and the other was Evan’s. After receiving the swords, I said to Ju-hwang.

“Get some rest. By the time you wake up, it’ll all be over.”

“Yeah, I need to rest. I used too much strength….”

Ju-hwang, who had barely been holding on, blinked and then fell backward, passing out. This was because he had urgently finished what was originally scheduled for completion next week today, even mobilizing the dwarves.

“…….”

The smithy’s interior became quiet in an instant. The speed and heat of the flowing magma also subsided, and a silence settled.

I turned to leave the smithy. But then, I heard the sound of someone rushing down the stairs. I looked up and saw Evan.

“Hyung-nim, I’m here! More than that, the sword….”

“Here you go.”

The moment I threw the completed sword, I lunged at him. Despite throwing it quite hard, Evan caught it well and easily dodged the attack.

“Looks like you finished your work well.”

“Haha, Hyung-nim. I’m not the me of the past anymore. This much is a piece of cake.”

“Where do you think you’re showing off?”

“Ack!”

Even if he became a hero, he’s no match for me. Evan is only on day 1, and I’m thousands of times ahead. The activity time itself was different. How dare he show off with that.

Still, he had definitely improved compared to before. He forcibly reached the master level. He had a sword, and he had gained the hero’s power, so he was ready to face a god.

Of course, there were many problems. As it was forced, it couldn’t be said to be perfectly complete. However, with Evan’s talent and my help, we could fill the gaps. In just one day.

“What about the Princess and Veil?”

“They’re learning how to handle power from the paladins.”

Evan’s hero’s power could be shared with others. And since the power derived from Hayan was based on divine power, learning from the paladins was the most appropriate.

“But what about Lana-sunbae?”

“Lana is also working hard. Under the World Tree.”

Anyway, it was a relief that things were progressing steadily. Before the regression, there wouldn’t have been even this much time.

I flicked Evan’s head and said.

“Now, you come with me too.”

“Huh? Where to?”

“Where else? You need to learn how to handle power.”

Although the source and type of power were different, there were still things in common. So, it was my turn as a senior to teach him.

“Hyu, Hyung-nim… Your expression is evil….”

“Shut up and come with me when I’m being nice.”

“Wi, will you go easy on me?”

Well, that depends on you.

I didn’t bother answering with words and just stared at Evan. Despair filled his face. But he soon resigned himself and opened his mouth.

“Hyu, Hyung-nim, please take care of me….”

“Okay.”

***

Meanwhile, Lana was diligently learning magic under the World Tree, and she had just finished.

“Do you understand, Lana? Mana control is the most important thing in this magic. If you fail to control it, your very existence can be sucked in. Keep that in mind.”

“I will keep it in mind, World Tree-nim!”

“Good.”

The World Tree nodded. Lana was a smart child, so she would definitely stay within the boundaries.

“That’s the end of what I can teach you. The rest depends on Lana’s capabilities. So, it’s best to practice during the remaining time.”

“Yes.”

After finishing the conversation, the World Tree released Lana from the imaginary world. Now that he had taught her everything he could, there was nothing more he could do.

After coming outside, Lana clenched her staff tightly and exclaimed in admiration.

“To think there was magic like this….”

Magic that she had never heard of from her grandfather or Kyle. The magic created by a god brought excitement to Lana.

What would happen if she could handle this skillfully? She even thought that she might reach the pinnacle of summoners.

So, she wanted to practice this magic she had just learned as soon as possible. The glimpse of this magic at the newly learned stage was that amazing.

Afterward, Lana followed the spirit’s guidance and moved her steps. It was an open space that the World Tree had told her about for practicing magic. And just as she was about to practice magic.

“Unni.”

“Huh? Chloe. How did you get here?”

Chloe appeared in front of Lana. Chloe’s expression was not good at all.

“What’s wrong? Why does your face look like that? Did something bad happen?”

“It’s not that… Ha, Unni, can you talk to me for a moment?”

Lana tilted her head. It was surprising that Chloe had come to her first, and she was curious about what she had come to say.

“It’s about Sunbae.”

“…….”

The moment she heard those words, Lana’s face became more serious than ever before.

***

The day passed by too quickly.

After finishing training, it was the next morning, and after finishing various preparations, it was well past lunch. And I was currently staying in Ju-hwang’s volcano.

The reason was that Ju-hwang’s territory was a strategic stronghold with the volcano in the center of the six territories. So, we were preparing for the war with the gods here.

“Elena. The preparation.”

“All the elves are on standby in Hayan-nim’s territory.”

Hearing those words, I nodded. I turned my head to the opposite side.

“Commander. What about your side?”

“We are also on standby under Evan-nim in the basement of Norang-nim’s territory, ready to move at any time.”

“Good.”

This is why dwarves are good. Because they dig roads underground to mine minerals. This is also one of the reasons why we gathered in Ju-hwang’s territory.

Of course, it would have been better to strike Blue and Red directly without doing this. The opponents were still careless.

However, we were not yet fully prepared. We couldn’t just recklessly strike the enemy.

Moreover, we had to move more carefully and cautiously as we were secretly preparing without being detected by Black, Red, and Blue.

Even if Chloe was blocking them, their eyes weren’t just going to disappear. At least, we needed to appear defenseless on the surface.

“I don’t know who will attack first. So, don’t let your guard down and stay on standby. Go.”

“Yes, Saint-nim.”

“Understood.”

The two commanders bowed and left for the place where their knights were on standby. Afterward, I looked at the dwarves who were also preparing for the war.

People usually think that dwarves are far from fighting, but that’s not the case at all. With their skills, they could easily handle defense. Although the Meisters and Ju-hwang were passed out, there was no problem.

“It needs to be completed soon.”

I took out an elixir from my pocket. It wasn’t complete yet, so I hadn’t been able to drink it until now. Of course, it would be completed soon, but I couldn’t help but be anxious.

“Kyle.”

Then, Lana approached me. Her complexion wasn’t good. She had been like that since morning.

“What’s wrong, Lana?”

“Can we win?”

I replied to that.

“We can win. No, we will definitely win.”

I will make it so. I will definitely save everyone.

I fiddled with Lana’s bracelet. Perhaps this bracelet could be used today.

I wished it wouldn’t be used, but it couldn’t be helped. Lana’s second death scheduled for her is today.

Of course, I can save her. I made this magic tool for this day.

“So, don’t worry.”

“Okay, Kyle.”

I hugged Lana. Lana smiled brightly and answered, but her face was full of worries.

After facing each other for a while like that. A big shout was heard.

“Saint-nim! The beastmen have moved.”

At that shout, I released Lana and said.

“Let’s go, Lana.”

“Okay.”

So, we came out of the volcano’s basement and faced the beastmen.

The god that Lana and I would face was Red. The god of struggle.