episode_0053

The attack has begun.

The knights and soldiers stepped back, holding up their shields. The wizards raised their hands in unison. Blue magic circles unfolded from their fingertips.

Pavababak!!

Most of the attacks were blocked by the magic barrier, but the arrows that could not be blocked struck the ground, exploding into shrapnel and the hot heat scratching the skin.

Although the wizards responded quickly, it was not without damage.

“Ugh…!”

“Fuck…”

The knights and soldiers groaned at the arrows they could not dodge.

“They’re coming!”

The Sanburg soldiers swung their spears and swords with shrill shouts. Their footsteps shook the earth, and their bloodshot eyes flashed with the madness of death.

“You have to join the other medical staff!”

Francia shouted urgently. She was not harmed at all thanks to the spirit field that Johan had activated at all times.

“Yes, let’s go right over there.”

After embracing Francia, John poured his magical power into the spirit circle to activate it to the limit in preparation for a possible sniper attack.

It was unclear why the rearguard had suddenly been attacked by surprise, but one thing was certain.

‘Sanburg is looking to end the war with this raid.’

The number of enemies was much greater than reported by the first officer who had fought on the front lines, and their level of armament was different.

They also know that no matter what they do, they will never win this war.

Still, the reason the hardliners of Sandburg started the war was probably a last-ditch effort to avoid being swayed by the empire.

The reason they attacked the last line of defense was probably because they wanted to leave behind some bleeding even if they had to go.

“…The troops are unusual.”

“I’m moving quickly,” said Francia, her shoulders tense as if her tension was running high.

But that doesn’t mean I panicked.

“We will join the medical team and build a defense line. Go ahead.”

“What about John?”

“I’ll check the situation a bit more.”

“…Do you have to come?”

“I know.”

It was at that time that I barely managed to send Francia away, who was full of anxiety.

“They are demons!”

“These guys, they brought the devils!”

“Special class demon!!”

A soldier screamed.

‘You brought the devil with you?’

I quickly turned my gaze. The rough mountain path was a scene of chaos, a complete mess.

Screams and shouts mingled. Flesh split and red blood spurted into the air.

A three-way battle broke out between the Imperial Army, the full force of Sandburg, and the demons.

“What is this…”

“Harsen Special Wizard…!”

An officer approached, breathing heavily. Without even catching his breath, he opened his mouth hurriedly.

“The first officer is rushing to assist, but it’ll take some time! They’re blocking the road!”

Was this a planned operation from the beginning? John’s expression sank coldly. The damage could be considerable.

“And…”

“What else is there?”

“The den has appeared.”

“A cave? In this situation?”

When John asked, the officer answered, clutching his forehead as if embarrassed.

“I don’t know the details, but a den appeared in the middle of the battlefield…!”

The sudden appearance of the lair during a surprise attack and in the middle of a battle… It was strange to think of it as a coincidence.

I don’t know how it happened, but it must have something to do with magicians, like before. They’re everywhere.

“…Okay, I’ll join you.”

Protecting the medical staff was John’s mission, but the current situation required fluid judgment.

And just because it’s called Sanburg doesn’t mean it’s immune to the demons’ attacks. It seemed like it would be difficult for them to reach the medical staff.

Rather than staying here and just stamping my feet, it was the right decision to join the battlefield and lighten the burden.

“Yes…! Good luck!”

John finished preparing right away. Even though he was preparing, he only brought a dagger and a few vials, but he didn’t know what would happen.

“Harsen Special Wizard! Let’s go together!”

A few knights followed him. It would have been okay to go alone, but this was a battlefield where demons were pouring out. It wouldn’t have been bad to take him along.

“John…!”

Francia, who had fallen behind the medical team, came running back in a hurry. Her anxious expression was evident.

“Where are you going?”

“I think I should join the battle.”

“…Huh?”

Francia’s eyes trembled slightly, her expression stiff. No matter how much of a top-class magician Johan is, you never know what might happen on the battlefield. It means that regardless of strength, you could die.

“It’s too dangerous!”

Francia’s voice trembled.

“John’s job is to protect the medical staff, so it’s better for him to stay with us…”

“Francia.”

John smiled lightly, caressing her cheek that was filled with anxiety.

“The first officer will be here soon to assist, so please stay still until then. I’ll be back soon.”

“John!”

He didn’t even look back at her call. Johan mounted his horse and grabbed the reins.

In the middle of a battlefield that has turned into chaos.

The sharp wind mingled with the smell of blood, and the winter sun illuminated the outlines of gleaming metal.

The sharp sound of iron weapons clashing between soldiers and knights, the roar of demons, and the screams of the wounded filled the space.

A fireball flew from the hill and exploded, sending shards of rock flying in all directions.

“Maintain the defense line!”

“Stop the wizards first!”

The commanding voice spread like a flame. The knights and soldiers quickly reorganized and tried to maintain their formation, but the enemies and their demons continued to surge forward.

The mountain path was destroyed by the battle, the stones underfoot were slippery with blood, and the dust obscured the view.

I could see them smelling like humans and trying to take their blood and flesh. The aura I felt was different from the demons that usually come out of caves.

“Kiaaak!!”

With a roar that shook the battlefield, the demons swarmed the soldiers.

The hooked claws shattered the shield and tore flesh. The sharp teeth bit into the nape of the neck, causing blood to spurt out like a fountain.

The screams of soldiers and the sound of metal tearing mixed together in the chaos.

“Back off!”

The commander’s shouts were also drowned out by the sound of blood and flesh splattering.

Kwaaang!

A fireball exploded on the hill, cutting through the bloody air. The flames soon crawled across the ground.

A thick cloud of dust rose up, and the ground beneath their feet was covered in mud and blood.

The soldiers slipped and screamed, and the demon took advantage of the gap and rushed in.

“You son of a bitch!”

“Fuck!”

“Kkaaaah…!”

“Kiaak!”

The battle was fierce. The fierce murderous spirit passed through my skin. It was an environment where a single mistake could lead to death.

“… … .”

John’s face grew cold. It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t afraid, if he wasn’t shaken, but it was a luxury to show such emotions.

“Over there!”

The knight pointed in the direction with his hand. There was a crack where black fog was seeping in. It was a cave.

‘Space is twisted.’

A tingling sensation on the skin. Of all the caves I’ve ever been in, this was definitely the most dangerous.

“…The demons are still coming out.”

Chook! The knight said as he mercilessly cut off the head of the demon that had come in after taking advantage of the opportunity.

The demons poured out with strange screams. Long waves of monsters filled with hostility and malice, their teeth chattering.

Demons burst out of the cracks and rushed at the soldiers, thirsting for blood.

Hook-like claws tore through armor, and teeth bit into the screaming soldier’s neck.

“Kiaaak!!”

A roar mixed with the pleasure of slaughter echoed through the battlefield.

Obvious flooding.

Unlike the Sandburg Army, there was no end to it and we couldn’t wait for it to stabilize. We had to break the flow here.

‘I wish I could write a book of disasters…’

Those spells are too dangerous. Not only do they have the ability to see, but their range is so vast that even your allies can get caught up in them.

Besides… I don’t know how to stop it midway. Once it starts, it can’t be fixed, so it was impossible to take out the Book of Disaster.

“…Let’s go with the big one first.”

As John spread his fingertips, the surrounding air froze in an instant. Whoosh! Two spheres of ink and white light began to form and rotate.

Absorption and emission.

The two energies intertwined to form a spiral vortex. The intense rotation distorted the surrounding air and gusts of wind blew.

“Doing something!”

“Kill that guy first!”

“Kuaaah!!”

As the flow of mana suddenly became stronger, the gazes of the Sanburg army and demons who sensed something strange all focused on Johann.

“Please escort me.”

“Yes, yes!”

The knights spread out around John. Chaeng, Chaeng! Ssuk! Soon, the sound of flesh being cut and swords clashing was heard.

John focused his magic again, aiming his fingertips at the crack.

The sphere expanded and shook the ground. The spiraling sphere of absorption and divergence rushed in at explosive speed.

Super magic, Spiral Breaking Heaven.

Kwakwakwa-!!

The vortex exploded and swept across the ground. The demons pouring out of the cracks were dragged to the center without even letting out a shrill scream.

The pressure continued and tore his body apart, scattering red fragments into the air.

It was no different for the Sanburg Army. Even those who were fighting the demons nearby were unable to escape the spiral.

“Kkaaaah!!”

“Kirararalock!”

“Aaaaah!”

Kwaaahhhh!!

The spiral and the crack collided. A huge explosion of magical power occurred. The earth shook. An intense flash of light swept through the area.

A huge storm raged, shattering the surroundings. The earth split deeply, rocks flew away like dust. Dust flew and covered the sky in darkness.

The blood of demons and humans mixed together and poured down a red rain. Pitter-patter. Drops of blood fell on his shoulders, leaving red marks on the ground.

The rain that fell from the sky seeped into the ground, leaving a distinct aftertaste.

The screams spread out, torn apart by the storm, and became a deep echo along with the rainwater.

“What power…”

“…Did you explode dozens of shells?”

“Is this a special wizard…”

The battlefield was filled with silence as a huge explosion and ground-shaking vibrations swept through the air. Everyone’s attention was drawn to where the magic had exploded, regardless of affiliation.

As the thick dust cleared, the cracks reappeared. But… they looked a bit strange. They were twisting and emitting unknown magical waves.

“The crack is weird!”

“Are you trying to get bigger?!”

Anxiety is creeping in. If the cracks here get any bigger, some really special demons might come pouring out.

“… … .”

John narrowed his eyes. He thought it would be okay since he had done it before, but it wasn’t? If the cracks get bigger here, things will get complicated.

“Huh…?”

“Oh!!”

“The crack closes!”

With someone’s shout, the edges of the crack began to lose their light, as if they had lost all life.

The black fog scattered like pieces in the air, and the cracks in space slowly closed and disappeared into the air.

‘…The cracks will disappear?’

John’s face turned blank. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The cracks in the cave were usually never closed. Instead, they grew bigger.

So, the area where the den appears is designated as a dangerous area and is directly managed by public officials…

“The cave is closed!”

“Harsen’s special wizard closed the rift!!”

“Oh my god… You really closed the cave?”

“Wow, wow!!”

Before John could finish his thoughts, shouts of surprise and cheers filled the battlefield.

Some soldiers stared blankly at the empty space where the crack had been, holding their swords, and the magicians could not easily open their mouths as if they had seen a miracle.

In the long history of the empire, something unprecedented happened.