Chapter 1092: Scorched World.

Woooooooong–!!

A Demonic Gate appeared. A red Demonic Gate possessing a huge size.

It was a Demonic Gate of a huge and ominous size that the people of this era had never seen before.

“What is that–!”

“It’s red?”

Everyone panicked at the strange phenomenon. It was only natural. Because they wouldn’t have seen a Demonic Gate like that in this era.

“If it’s red… surely not. Red grade?”

One of the onlookers murmured.

At those words, everyone else flinched. Red grade?

“…Nonsense. A Red grade, suddenly.”

“That hasn’t appeared for several hundred years!”

“They said it hadn’t appeared even once since the Blood Demon’s Blood Calamity…”

How could such a bizarre thing appear at this moment?

It was a disaster no one had anticipated.

And.

Grrrrrrrrrrr—!!!

Everyone got goosebumps from the rough sound coming from inside the Demonic Gate. Because this would also be a roar and presence they were hearing for the first time.

Thump–!!

Crackle–!!

A hand stretched out from inside the Demonic Gate.

It slowly revealed its body. I frowned looking at it.

‘Red Stone Bear.’

A red monster in the form of a bear. That was the name given because its body was hard like stone.

It was the same as the one I had just hunted.

Roar–!!!

The creature, having fully revealed itself, let out a roar. The entire forest was enough to echo with that rough roar.

“Kuhhuk!”

“Aaaargh!!”

The monster’s presence overwhelmed everyone. It wasn’t good.

‘At best, they’re peak level.’

The majority of people were stuck at that level. Those who had reached perfected peak were two.

No, three.

Poison Dragon and Sword Phoenix. And…

My eyes briefly turned towards someone.

Not long after, they turned back to the monster.

‘Defeating that thing in this situation is a bit of a stretch.’

They hadn’t surpassed the Martial Realm, but they had reached the perfected peak. They were certainly strong for their age, but…

‘Without experience, it’s meaningless.’

As long as they lacked experience subjugating Red monsters and didn’t know the methods, their current level was meaningless.

Two methods for monster subjugation.

If you couldn’t crush it with overwhelming force, you had to find its weakness. The protective barrier shielding the monster rotated ceaselessly. However, that barrier wasn’t strong all over, and weak points existed in the gaps of its rotation. Attacking that part at a single point would disable the barrier. The one who discovered this was Woo Hyuk from my previous life. Since such a method existed, sword corps founded based on the perfected peak had succeeded in subjugating Red monsters, but…

‘Now.’

It’s impossible right now.

‘Ssk.’

What should I do? If I wanted to step forward comfortably, it would be right for me to just catch it myself. At my current level, a Red monster was all the same unless hundreds of them charged.

The problem is.

‘I shouldn’t step forward.’

Right now, there are things I need to do, so I shouldn’t show off my strength more than necessary. If they knew my current level had reached Transcendence. Leaving aside how I could have reached that place at this age. It would attract the attention of the monsters within the Alliance.

‘Troublesome, then.’

It would also become known that I had stolen and used an identity. Worst case scenario.

‘Far from finding out what I need to from Father, I might suddenly have to fight the Three Venerables.’

As much as a situation where I’d have to fight the current Three Venerables could arise. If possible, hiding my strength was the right move.

Furthermore.

‘I just need to hold out a little longer.’

Anyway, this place is Ha-nam. Since a being of that magnitude had roared and expressed its presence. Reinforcements would arrive before long. I just needed to hold out until then.

Thinking so, I observed the situation.

“All personnel, prepare for battle!”

The one who looked like the most senior among the Iron Dragon Unit personnel shouted. This was training where those of unit leader rank and high seniority were excluded. It was mostly composed of rookies, so their combat power wasn’t that high, but…

“…Don’t get excited and watch the situation!”

Still, as they were personnel of the Martial Arts Alliance, they weren’t just riff-raff. Since they were all sword corps members who subjugated monsters, fortunately, they could quickly shake off the recoiling from the monster’s backlash.

It’s just that.

Kuaaaaaang—!!!

“Aaaargh!!”

Even outstanding martial artists have their limits. The strength of the Red monster couldn’t be handled by such means.

Ku-eo-eong—!!!

The Red Stone Bear started rampaging, using the strength contained within its body. Unlike its rough build, its strength was immense, and because of that, its speed was also fast. Its bulk was the size of a large residence. Whenever it swung its hand, the surroundings started getting smashed.

“Watch your distance–…! Kuhhuk!”

The bear’s claws flew in. Just as it was about to crush the man.

Ssssk–!!

Clang–!!

Ku-eong!!

A flash of light spread, deflecting the Red Stone Bear’s hand. A floral scent spread as leaves fluttered in the wind.

‘…Sword Phoenix.’

So-i had flown in and struck the Red Stone Bear’s arm away. Moreover, it wasn’t solely her strength.

“Thank you.”

So-i looked back and offered thanks. The attack just now wasn’t So-i’s strength alone. I saw the hidden blade that flew in. It was Poison Dragon.

“…”

Poison Dragon nodded with an expressionless face. They had attacked together. While the Red Stone Bear was briefly deflected, So-i shook her arm. It seemed her wrist was strained from the attack just now. The pained expression was brief.

“…Everyone, we must hold out until reinforcements arrive!”

So-i shouted, emitting her sword aura.

“Poison Dragon and I will take the front line. Please provide support.”

Saying that, So-i and Poison Dragon charged at the Red Stone Bear. Although they were the most rookie-like of the group, they both knew. That their own levels were the strongest among them. Thus, seeing the monster, they charged first.

‘…Ahaha.’

There wasn’t even hesitation. To charge recklessly at a monster they didn’t even know what it was.

‘That person was like that even back then.’

The wisest among the wise. Fitting for a person who received all the respect from heroic women, their disposition seemed to have been like that even when they were young.

‘Poison Dragon is like that too.’

While So-i went forward swinging her sword. Poison Dragon followed closely from behind.

Ku-eo-eong—!!!

As if the fact that it was knocked away was a lie, the Red Stone Bear roared with all its might. It charged along with its roar, and meanwhile, the Alliance’s martial artists also started charging with full force.

‘Wow.’

‘Even now, they’re still righteous.’ If they were the Alliance members I knew, some would have run away the moment So-i and Poison Dragon charged. The feeling that it was quite different from back then evoked deep feelings. Seeing that, I too narrowed my eyes.

I had no intention of charging properly. As I said, because I had to hide my strength.

However.

‘Still, it wouldn’t be right to let them die.’

This incident occurred because of me. It would be extremely unpleasant if those who shouldn’t die were to die because of it. I intended to help while hiding my strength. Just as I was thinking that and about to move.

“W-what should I do about this…?”

Do-yun, who had been beside me from some point, said anxiously.

“A Red monster…! I’ve never even heard of such a thing…”

“…”

He looked terrified, his eyes wide open. Seeing that, I put on a calm expression.

“I know.”

“What should we do…?”

“What do you mean, ‘what should we do’? We have to fight. We’re a sword corps.”

As this is a place we entered to catch monsters, we must fight. There was no time for whining. As I spoke with that meaning.

“B-but. What can someone like me possibly do getting involved in a fight like that?”

“…”

Do-yun said, sounding anxious and scared. I, who was just about to move forward, sighed at his words.

“Hey.”

“…Huh?”

I said, filled with annoyance. There’s a limit, and this was a bit much to bear.

“Hiding your strength is fine, but acting like that in this situation is a bit much.”

Freeze.

Do-yun’s body stiffened at my words. At the same time, the anxious trembling in his eyes disappeared, and he looked at me with a strange gaze.

“Whether you do or not, I don’t really care. Just don’t do that crap in front of me. It’s annoying.”

I said brusquely and moved forward. I didn’t care about Do-yun’s reaction. The reason I said this to him was none other than this.

‘He’s hiding his strength.’

Do-yun.

That guy was hiding his own strength. This guy was stronger than So-i or Poison Dragon fighting in front. Since he reached the Martial Realm, it was natural. I didn’t know why such a guy was hiding his strength and acting so pathetic, but…

‘Who cares.’

I didn’t care. He didn’t seem to have any intention of causing trouble, and it seemed like there might be some reason.

‘At least he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.’

For now, I intended to just let it slide. I just didn’t like him doing that crap in this situation.

‘It’s not like I can talk.’

Tap.

I raised my hand. Gathering a small amount of energy on my finger.

Thwip–!

KWAANG–!!

Ku-eo!

I flicked my finger, shooting out an energy wave. The shot-out energy wave disrupted the Red Stone Bear’s actions. The martial artists attacked in the resulting opening or escaped danger. One by one, I moderately helped their momentum, and furthermore, participated in direct combat. Pretending to just watch was enough. Since I had beaten the Thunder Dragon right in front of my eyes, I couldn’t just stay behind. I repeated the fighting, moderately sparring.

Time flowed like that.

“Hoo.”

“Kuhhh…”

Although not much time had passed, many people’s breathing had become rough. This was the same for So-i and Poison Dragon.

Ku-aaaaaaa—!!!

Conversely, the Red monster showed no signs of being that tired. It was because they couldn’t break through the barrier, thus failing to inflict damage. It was when they were starting to feel a strange suspicion.

‘They must be wondering why their attacks aren’t working.’

It seems they’re thinking, ‘How is it still so unharmed after all these attacks?’

‘If they don’t know the reason, it can’t be helped.’

It was unavoidable if they didn’t know the monster’s characteristics.

‘Hmm.’

I frowned. What should I do in this case?

‘Should I help a little more?’

There was no point in trying to exert less strength. If it became like this, I thought it would be better to provide definite help. So, just as my heart reacted, intending to exert strength.

Fwoosh.

“…”

I felt flames. But they weren’t mine. I lifted my head.

Then.

KWA-AAAAAAAAAAAA—-!!!!!

A tremendous crimson flame poured down from the sky.

Ku-ooooooar–!!!

The Red Stone Bear screamed, caught in the flames. It was overwhelming. It was immense heat. It looked like a beam of light falling to deliver divine punishment. Just as everyone was stunned by the tremendous light.

“Unit Leader-nim!!”

So-i shouted to the sky with a bright expression. As everyone lifted their heads at her voice.

“Ah…!”

“That’s…!”

“Someone was floating up in the sky, looking down this way.”

“The owner of the flames, emitting a red glow.”

“S-Sin-ryong.”

“It’s Sin-ryong!”

“…”

Sin-ryong Gu Cheol-un.

He had arrived here.