Ch.116EP.29 – King Kong and the Hybrid Clash (4)

A strange scene unfolds in the central square of the underground village as a priest in clerical robes appears and delivers a speech.

The priest spreads a miraculous logic: “Those born as nobles are all sinners. We suffer because we have no power. Therefore, we must gain power and kill all those nobles!”

While the two people are momentarily stunned by this scene of madness, Ihan soon…

“Ah, an assassination organization?”

“Yes, they seem like people I know.”

Ihan revealed part of his past to Taechang.

It was appropriate to confide in him, as he was from the same hometown and carried similar secrets.

Fortunately, since their other colleagues were scattered, this was an appropriate time to have this conversation.

And hearing Ihan’s coming out as a former cult member (possibly), he responded:

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Ah, no. I just realized anew that your life hasn’t been smooth, Instructor…”

He wore an expression of understanding.

Taechang muttered, ‘No wonder he has so many characteristics,’ and Ihan smirked.

It was just like him to respond that way.

Then suddenly, Taechang said:

“Well, from what I can see, I don’t think you need to take it too seriously. It would be abnormal for someone to declare ‘you’re also a sinner’ to a person who was kidnapped and forced to become an assassin.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Well, there might be many mentally unstable people in the royal capital who would make such abnormal statements, but you don’t really worry about such things, do you, Instructor?”

“…You’ve come to know too much about me.”

“Haha.”

As the guy said, Ihan honestly doesn’t care much whether the organization he belonged to was a cult or whatever.

Of course, there was some shock, but only at first. Once he calmed down, it wasn’t such a big deal.

‘It’s not like I killed anyone, nor did I engage in cult proselytizing.’

Originally, he was kidnapped by the Black Moon and spent years in training and brainwashing education, but the organization collapsed before he could carry out his first mission.

He became a free man afterward, so he had nothing to feel guilty about.

…But if, as Taechang said, his former occupation were to be revealed, there would certainly be people who would try to find fault.

There are plenty who would try to exploit a knight’s weakness.

However, if such people existed…

“I’ll beat them all up and then flee. I could go to the Eastern or Northern Continent.”

“Planning to take the exile route?”

“Doesn’t sound bad.”

“Hmm, please give me a heads-up when you go. I’ll come with you.”

“Why would you?”

“Because I think the kingdom will fall without you, Instructor.”

“Stop it, you’re overestimating me. The kingdom will function fine without someone like me, kid.”

“I wonder…”

I don’t think so.

The guy said that with his eyes, and Ihan was dumbfounded.

Though he was fearless in the world, sometimes such high evaluations felt burdensome, showing that he was just an ordinary citizen after all.

“A-Anyway, I don’t think you need to worry too much. Even if it were revealed, there are quite a few people who would support you, right?”

“Hmm, people who would support me… None of them seem very reliable.”

A few people who might help him come to mind, but he doesn’t really trust them.

Rather, there are more people who would try to use him.

“Haha… but there are people like Sir Jake and Sir Yord. They would believe in you until the end.”

“Those guys? Well, they are loyal, but what can I expect from them?”

“Plenty. Sir Yord will become the head of the Order someday, and Sir Jake is talented enough to become a general in the military.”

“…?”

“I mean they’ll definitely rise to prominence in the future. Looking at your connections, I’ve noticed many future big shots.”

“Wow…”

Ihan was genuinely surprised.

He had no idea his friends and juniors would become such influential figures.

Though it’s hard to imagine now…

‘Indeed, one never knows what the future holds.’

While Ihan was feeling surprised, Taechang’s next statement contained even more shocking information.

“And you know, even if the experiments you underwent were revealed, it wouldn’t be a problem. Because you’re not a Mein.”

“You confirmed that with your skill too?”

“Yes, if you were a Mein or half-Mein, it would show in your race name, but for you, it shows as a ‘question mark.’ So at least you’re not a Mein.”

“That sounds even more concerning.”

…My race isn’t human?!

The biggest shock of the day.

Ihan was stunned.

But the guy continued with words meant to reassure him.

“Th-the important thing is that you’re not a Mein. M-maybe you have the bloodline of a mystical race mixed in! S-so don’t worry…”

“…Somehow that makes me even more anxious.”

As soon as Ihan gave him a skeptical look:

“A-And! If nobles have any conscience, they shouldn’t find fault with you for having monster genes implanted! They should be the ones most criticized!”

“…?”

“Don’t you know? …Ah, right. You’ve never learned combat techniques…”

“What is it?”

New information emerged, and Ihan blinked.

Wondering what it could be.

And from the following words, Ihan immediately understood why the conscience of nobles was mentioned.

After all:

“…The reason why the combat techniques learned by nobles, the so-called prestigious family techniques, are classified as [High-Level Combat Techniques] is because they consume monster mana stones.”

Those covered in filth have no right to mock a dog with a speck of dirt.

However:

‘Wow, isn’t this a hornet’s nest, or rather, touching a sore spot?’

Ihan realized why high-level combat techniques were kept secret and unknown to any commoner.

…Because anyone who knew was probably no longer in this world.

Sometimes, there are secrets better left unknown.

* * *

Though their conversation had gone on for a while, Ihan and Derrick weren’t just chatting idly without doing their job.

“Ho ho, thank you for your hard work, brother.”

“It’s nothing. How could I call it hard work when I’m spreading the word of God? Ho ho.”

“That’s true, haha!”

They were secretly following the priest.

‘These guys really know the structure like it’s their own home.’

The priest, or agitator, or perhaps brainwashing expert, left the village and moved confidently through the maze-like tunnels.

Dead ends were no problem for him, and strangely, no worms appeared where he passed.

‘So it’s true that the inverted cross has the effect of repelling monsters.’

‘Indeed.’

Roy Vant had five items: three potions, an inverted cross, and a torn piece of paper.

The three potions were distinguished as one made from monster flesh and others containing drugs, while the purpose of the torn paper was unknown.

And the inverted cross…

‘It emits a frequency that monsters dislike. The information was accurate…’

The inverted cross could repel low-grade monsters, though perhaps not intermediate ones.

This showed that they hadn’t chosen the tunnels as their hideout just because they had a death wish.

And when they finally saw the priest’s destination…

“??”

They were genuinely shocked.

“My, my God… Huh…!”

Ihan wasn’t the only one surprised; Derrick accidentally let out a gasp of shock before realizing his mistake and hurriedly covering his mouth.

But there was no need for that. After all:

[[[Krrr]]].

…The Sand Worm’s cry would prevent anything from being heard.

A Sand Worm measuring ‘110 meters’ was curled up there.

* * *

When people see something unbelievable, sometimes their brains can’t keep up.

Like the biological instinct that freezes one’s feet when seeing an extremely large building or creature.

…That was happening now.

‘I, I thought the Sand Worms in the South were limited to 30 meters…’

Originally, Sand Worms that inhabit deserts can grow to 80-100 meters when fully mature.

However, this is rare even in deserts, and seeing a Sand Worm over 100 meters is a once-in-a-century occurrence.

But the Southern Sand Worms are different.

Since they were brought to the Southern Continent to grow fertilizer, they underwent modifications, and since the environment wasn’t suitable for growing large, they never exceeded 30 meters.

Of course, even 30 meters is a shocking size, but at that level, mages and knights can still defeat them with effort.

They’re infinitely slower and weaker compared to those in the desert.

…But this one is different.

Even if it’s slow and weak, its ‘size’…

The word enormous is insufficient to describe its vastness.

If that thing were to rampage underground, the ground would collapse, and they would be buried under soil without a chance to react.

Shiver…

Just imagining it sent chills down their spines, and Derrick was sweating profusely.

‘So this is it! This is what they’re aiming for…!’

Derrick finally realized how they planned to throw the royal capital into chaos.

By whatever means, they had succeeded in raising a gigantic Sand Worm.

And the moment that Sand Worm rampages:

‘The tunnels will collapse.’

The collapse of the kingdom’s—no, the Southern Continent’s—largest fertilizer production area would affect ‘food.’

It might be fine immediately, but compared to using fertilizer as before, there would be a huge loss in crops.

The damage would likely increase over time, leading to food problems.

And those who would suffer most from food problems are the citizens who support this country.

And naturally, what would happen is:

‘…A peasant uprising.’

It might be an extreme prediction, but if that happens, the kingdom would collapse from both inside and out.

‘Vicious bastards…!’

Derrick had to admit that they had plotted to starve everyone to death in order to bring down the kingdom.

But Derrick couldn’t remain shocked forever, so he used his skill—[Danger Detection]—to measure the danger level of the Sand Worm.

“…It’s two levels below the Demon King. It’s huge, but you could definitely kill it, Instructor.”

“…”

“B-but you need to kill it in one go. If you don’t, it will rampage, and then the tunnels…”

“…”

“O-or maybe we should call for reinforcements now…”

“Taechang.”

“…Yes?”

“I’d like to call for reinforcements, but I think it’s too late.”

“…”

“…Do you want to escape first, at least?”

“…!!!”

Derrick finally realized.

“-Filthy rats, you’ve finally been caught.”

Just as they had been following them, they too had already known of their existence.

Countless black-robed figures had surrounded them.

* * *

The aura emitted by the black-robed figures was ominous.

The fact that so many skilled individuals had concealed their presence until now was itself an indicator of their ability.

Thirty in total.

But their individual skills were incomparable to the ragtag members of the Order of the Silver Lion.

And additionally…

“Surround them!!”

“Such damnable fellows!”

“It’s a knight of the cursed Pendragon…!! Kill him!”

[[Kill them! Kill them, kill them…!]]

And the prisoners who were gradually gathering.

Talk about human wave tactics.

It was quite a spectacle.

So many people gathered just to capture two individuals.

Looking at the massive crowd gathering:

“…Hmm, how did you know? I thought we were following you stealthily.”

“Ho ho, I too felt a chill down my spine. Truly, I didn’t sense a single trace.”

When Ihan asked, surprisingly, the priest gave a kind answer.

He couldn’t be more relaxed.

“Heh, you made one mistake. Have you not seen this kind of paper?”

“That’s…”

What the priest pulled out was a blank piece of paper.

Very similar to Roy Vant’s torn paper.

The priest smiled smugly.

“It tears when one of our people is in trouble. You probably thought you had achieved something by capturing one of our people, but… how foolish. Do you think ‘we’ are that careless? Ho ho.”

“So, you knew everything from the beginning?”

“It may be too late to realize now, but that’s right. After all, knights of the kingdom are incredibly stupid, hahaha!”

The priest seemed pleased.

Not only had they surrounded someone who appeared to be a Pendragon knight, but he was also infinitely satisfied with the fact that he had the overwhelming advantage.

He seemed to get his satisfaction from trampling on others.

“Surrender now. If you do, I’ll let you go without pain.”

“Not let me live?”

“As if I would. Ah, you certainly seem skilled, but your companion here and your other colleagues will definitely die. We, or rather I, will make sure of it.”

It seems he already knows about the existence of the other three people besides them.

“In-Instructor…”

Surrounded on all sides.

Derrick showed a gloomy expression, realizing that the situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable for them.

‘I, I should have been more careful… Damn it!’

It was frustrating that someone with skills had fallen into such an obvious trap.

As self-reproach washed over him, Derrick prepared to draw a dagger from his bosom.

Although everything had gone wrong, shouldn’t he save those who could be saved?

“R-run, Instructor. I’ll, I’ll somehow hold them back! With Manchen Flower Rain, I can take at least half of them with me!”

“Stop it. Can you handle seeing blood from people?”

“Th-that’s…”

That’s right.

Though Derrick has taken lives, they’ve been limited to monsters; he’s never killed a person.

It’s partly because he hasn’t steeled his resolve, and perhaps it’s evidence that he’s still a modern person.

…Still.

“I, I think there are times when it must be done. …And this is one of those times.”

“…Kid, you’ve grown a bit.”

Pat pat.

“…Instructor?”

Ihan patted Derrick’s back as if he was proud of him, and Derrick wondered why he was being praised in such a situation.

He thought Ihan might have given up, but as far as he knew, Ihan wasn’t that type of person.

“Step aside for a moment. I’ll show you how to handle this kind of situation.”

“??”

Ihan stepped forward as if he was going to impart some teaching, and the killing intent from the priest and the black-robed figures intensified.

“A foolish choice.”

The priest mocked Ihan.

It seemed like the foolish knight was intent on fighting them, apparently reaching into his bosom to draw a weapon, and the priest raised his hand to give the attack order…

“─Right now, there are about 100 flame scrolls planted throughout the tunnel area, and if just half of them are ignited, the tunnels will collapse.”

[[…?]]

…The priest and the black-robed figures froze.

“…What?”

The priest wondered if his ears had deceived him.

He thought the man was talking nonsense.

But then:

“Don’t believe me? Well, I guess no one would believe just words. Let me show you something simple first.”

What Ihan pulled from his bosom wasn’t a weapon.

It was a pouch containing grape-like beads.

And suddenly, he burst one of the beads.

Crack.

He easily broke it, and the next moment:

━BOOM!!

…A scorching explosion shook the underground, rocking the tunnels.

Rumble…!

Crumble…

“…”

The priest and the black-robed figures were dumbfounded.

They were witnessing the alarming earthquake in the tunnels and were truly shocked.

But despite seeing them like this:

“Still don’t believe me? Then let’s try a bigger explosion…”

“S-STOP!!”

The priest screamed desperately.

He instinctively reacted to the object about to burst in Ihan’s hand.

“I, I believe you! I believe you, so stop right now!”

“…”

“A-are you trying to kill us all, you evil…!”

“-Why are you speaking informally?”

“…?”

“Am I your friend?”

“??”

“Damn bastard, who are you to give orders.”

Crack.

Once again, a bead burst in Ihan’s hand, and soon after:

BOOM!!

Another massive explosion engulfed the underground world.

Crumble…!

The earthquake and cracking sounds grew louder than before.

Dust fell as everything seemed about to shatter into pieces, and finally:

[[[Krrr…]]].

…The Sand Worm, no, the Mother Worm, began to make sounds as if it was about to wake up, and the priest’s face turned pale.

“Uh, uh… uh…?”

The priest’s brain seemed unable to adapt to reality and froze, and Ihan said to him:

“I could burst another one. Watch your language.”

“H-how could this…”

“AHEM!!”

“…”

“Don’t you know how to speak politely, you uneducated bastard? Where does a young punk like you…”

“…”

“Don’t just stand there, get on your knees quickly. Unless you all want to die.”

“…”

…An unprecedented situation where a terrorist trying to bring down the kingdom was being threatened instead.

It was an absurd scene beyond comprehension, and the priest:

Thud.

He was already on his knees.

“Tsk, you should have done that from the start.”

“…”

Before true madness, fake madness couldn’t even present its business card—such was the established order of things.