Chapter 1108: Scorched World.

Great Demonic Gate.

It is a giant Demonic Gate that occurs according to a cycle.

It possesses a size on a different dimension compared to other Demonic Gates, and the number of monsters that emerge from it is incomparable.

Overwhelming size and a barrage of numbers.

If it couldn’t be stopped, it could cause damage not only to the surrounding area but to the entire region.

In the old past. Not long after the Blood Demon War ended.

There is even a record of the entire region of Yorun becoming a wasteland due to the failure to properly handle the occurrence of a Great Demonic Gate and its aftermath.

Of course, currently, countermeasures against monsters are established, and the state of the monsters appearing was green and blue, so it wasn’t very dangerous.

With just a systematically completed Sword Brigade, dealing with it wouldn’t be that difficult.

‘If usually the head of a prestigious family were to go, they could handle it alone.’

A martial artist of the Hua Jing level. If someone above that level goes, the Great Demonic Gate becomes a non-issue.

‘……If it were a Red Great Demonic Gate.’

The story changes slightly.

‘Because the level changes.’

Like its name, a Red Great Demonic Gate is literally a backlash of the Demonic Gate, including Red monsters.

Monsters that were already numerous pour out.

It meant that Red monsters would mix in among them.

A Hua Jing level martial artist couldn’t stop it even if they died. When the Red Great Demonic Gate first reacted, it wasn’t anyone other than the Heavenly Venerate who blocked it.

Even the Heavenly Venerate, who possessed overwhelming power in terms of firepower, couldn’t properly block the Red Great Demonic Gate.

‘It’s happening here?’

Not just a Demonic Gate, but a Great Demonic Gate.

To think it’s even a Red grade, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘So that’s why I wondered why the Namgung Family requested support from the Alliance.’

So that’s why.

Thinking about it like that, it makes sense, but…

‘Why did they only send us?’

Given the situation, it didn’t make sense that only we were sent. Especially concerning Demonic Gates.

‘They should have sent the Wind Dragon Brigade then.’

The study of demonic cultivation and formations is overseen by the Wind Dragon Brigade. Therefore, it would have been reasonable to entrust it to the Wind Dragon Brigade or the Flying Dragon Brigade, not the combat unit, the Blue Dragon Brigade.

‘Sending the rookies bundled together.’

It was a part I couldn’t understand at all.

‘What is Sword Venerate thinking?’

As I was trying to understand the intention behind coming here.

“Snap out of it.”

“……”

Hearing the voice, I focused my eyes. Soi spoke to me while I was spacing out.

“What are you thinking about during a mission?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Focus.”

Soi spoke and turned her head forward again. Seeing that, I held back a sigh.

‘Seriously.’

We were currently climbing the mountain range indicated by the Namgung Family.

Following the path guided by the Namgung Family members, we continuously climbed the high and rough terrain.

The higher we climbed, the more I realized.

‘The terrain is terrible.’

They said the Great Demonic Gate was preparing to crack open at the summit of the mountain range. The location was awful.

‘If it’s such rough terrain, it’s good for monsters to rampage, but troublesome for us to fight back.’

Why did it have to open in a place like this? I thought the Namgung Family was incredibly unlucky.

Remembering that, I looked at the personnel. Currently climbing were Do-yun and I, along with Soi and Father.

Namgung Jin was staying at the family estate, as were Mi Hyoran and Hyeon So-yeon.

Mother naturally did not accompany us. I don’t even know where she’s resting.

‘Hmm.’

We climbed for quite a while longer. Following the guide, we kept climbing, and during that time, no one spoke much.

It was a situation where we were just climbing the mountain. Just as the desire to fly kept rising.

“We’ve arrived.”

The Namgung Family member who reached the top told us.

“It’s that.”

I looked where he pointed.

‘Ha.’

Seeing it, my eyes narrowed. It was literally true.

‘It really is a Red Great Demonic Gate.’

There really was a Great Demonic Gate.

Its size was incomparable to a normal Demonic Gate. Even after climbing the mountain, it looked like a small hill in stature.

Five strands of energy, like red mist, were tied around that Demonic Gate like rings.

‘…That means it will erupt in five days.’

Those rings break one by one each day. That is the rule of the Red Great Demonic Gate.

It means that this Great Demonic Gate will finally erupt in five days.

The problem is.

‘…These people don’t know that.’

That’s the problem. Such formations are known from the appearance of Red Great Demonic Gates.

Meaning, they don’t know it now.

If that’s the case.

‘The timing won’t work out for the investigation team to return and send reinforcements.’

Five days was far too short. The Demonic Gate would likely erupt by the time we returned.

“It really is a Great Demonic Gate… and a red one at that.”

Soi said as she approached the Demonic Gate. She seemed drawn to its brilliant color and approached blankly.

She suddenly reached out her hand.

Just as her outstretched fingertips were about to touch the Demonic Gate.

Kwak-!

Father grabbed Soi’s hand.

“Get back.”

“Ah, Ah…! I’m sorry.”

Soi quickly retreated, and Father examined the Demonic Gate.

“Do you know what the surrounding energy is?”

“We haven’t figured it out yet, but the number has significantly decreased compared to when it first appeared.”

“…The number decreased?”

“Yes.”

“Are there no other reactions?”

“That’s correct.”

“And the time it appeared?”

“It hasn’t even been a month.”

“……”

Considering the timing, I understood immediately.

‘This is probably because of me too.’

It must have occurred around the time I came this way.

As I was examining the Demonic Gate again, Soi approached and said.

“It’s fortunate the Demonic Gate hasn’t opened yet… but judging by its state, we don’t know when it might open, or what will happen when it does, so I think we should request reinforcements.”

That’s right. In the first place, since a Red one appeared, reinforcements should have been sent instead of just an investigation.

‘The Namgung Family probably didn’t want that.’

Getting support from the Martial Alliance to resolve it might potentially lower the Namgung Family’s standing somewhat.

Because of that, the family head, Namgung Jeo-hwi, probably only wanted an investigation.

‘What should I do about this.’

The situation looked a bit grim. Just then.

“…Ring. Disappearing…”

Father muttered something while looking at the Demonic Gate.

“Do you know the cycle for these rings disappearing?”

“According to those on guard duty… it seems one strand disappears every midnight.”

“One strand at midnight. Every day?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Father continued with a stoic expression.

“This gate seems like it will open in five days. It’s too late to send a report.”

“…!”

Hearing that, my eyes widened.

He figured that out immediately?

Well, considering the information about disappearing daily and the circumstances, it’s something one could predict.

‘Still…’

It was surprising to me that he was so certain.

“In five days…?”

Hearing that, Soi’s eyes widened.

“Are you saying the Great Demonic Gate will open in five days?”

“Probably.”

“In that case, I’ll send a request for reinforcements immediately via letter.”

“Sending it is reasonable, but it’s already too late.”

If it erupts in five days as predicted, reinforcements would arrive too late.

“Let’s return for now.”

Father turned around, as if his confirmation was complete.

We returned to the family estate just like that.

---

“…You mean five days?”

As soon as we went to the Family Head’s chamber to report, Namgung Jeo-hwi’s expression stiffened.

“That’s the estimation.”

“…Hmm.”

“Of course, since the Wind Dragon Brigade didn’t come directly, it’s not a certainty.”

For professional confirmation, the Wind Dragon Brigade would need to move.

Since that wasn’t the case, I added that remark.

However.

“Five days.”

Upon hearing that, Namgung Jeo-hwi was already lost in thought.

“I sent a letter to the Martial Alliance regarding the investigation. Normally, we’d need a few more days to observe, but if the prediction is correct, there isn’t enough time, so I proceeded with the action.”

“Thank you. If the Brigade Leader’s words are correct, we must also be vigilant, so I consider this a courtesy.”

“Thank you for your words. Also.”

Father paused to gather his thoughts, then spoke to Namgung Jeo-hwi again.

“In preparation for any potential situation, I would like to see the reports you compiled through your own investigation. Is that possible?”

Reports investigated directly by the Namgung family. Upon hearing that request, Namgung Jeo-hwi’s expression stiffened slightly.

He seemed slightly displeased at the request for the main family’s reports, but…

“I will have them prepared by the end of today.”

“Thank you.”

Namgung Jeo-hwi accepted.

Afterward, after leaving the Family Head’s chamber, Father looked at us and said.

“There will be no further investigation or activities today, so take some rest.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

After giving the order, he disappeared alone.

Soi, watching him go, also moved away, her worried expression unchanged.

“Friend Baek. What are you going to do?”

Do-yun asked me.

“Hmm. What about you?”

“I…”

Do-yun glanced towards the direction Father disappeared after my words, then…

“…I’m thinking of resting for now.”

He said he would rest.

Though his words felt strangely untrustworthy.

“Okay. I think I’ll do some training.”

I didn’t interfere or find fault.

Leaving Do-yun, who said he’d rest, behind, I started walking.

Although the pretext was training, there was someone I needed to meet.

I moved to meet him.

“…So. Why did you come…?”

A young man was gently stroking his slightly swollen jaw with an egg.

I came face-to-face with the awakened Namgung Hyung.