Flesh and blood splattered.
Screams and shouts ran rampant, and in the gloomy atmosphere, murderous intent flashed. In a battlefield that could well be described as chaos, Kang Sihyun and his companions, except for a certain individual, kept their mouths shut tight and swung their swords.
"Argh!"
The screams that followed each strike were unfamiliar. They did not belong to Irregulars. The sensation of cutting through flesh was also different from what they were used to. Had the number of enemies been halved, they might have had the luxury to ponder over this unfamiliar sensation. But such leisure was far from their current predicament. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, they couldn't tell.
Swish, swish.
They had to keep swinging their swords. Cutting down those who surged forward, and then cutting them down again. To entertain even a sliver of frivolous thought would mean being swept away by the flood of people and meeting death. Therefore, the group spared their words and moved their bodies.
"Aaargh!"
As those cut by the sharp blades screamed and fell to the ground, others controlled by Septimus trampled them to death. There was no need to consider beheading those who might rise again. The cruel Septimus did not care in the slightest whether the humans under his control lived or died.
Perhaps that's why.
"Damn, it's a bomb!"
Among those charging in, some were holding bombs that seemed like they would explode at any moment. Kang Sihyun swung the weapon he held in his hand urgently.
Boom!
A loud explosion was heard, and its aftermath sent hundreds flying. Kang Sihyun, who had cast a barrier just before the explosion to protect his companions, turned his gaze away from the tragic scene that unfolded before him. The silence that followed the induced tragedy did not last long. A thousand had died, but over seven thousand remained. In front of them, humans still controlled by Septimus formed a sea of people.
Kang Sihyun swung his sword again. He used his skills to push people away with water and checked on his companions intermittently, providing healing when needed. Despite running around busily by himself, it was not enough. Hands and blades flew at him from all directions, grabbing him and bringing pain.
As many as he cut down, that many seemed to aim to kill him. Danger lurked from every direction, and in a situation where it was difficult to even keep himself unharmed, let alone meticulously check on his companions.
"Luo Yixiang!"
Using his psychic power to lift a person, Luo Yixiang screamed in horror as the deputy guild master of Jincheng, under the control of Septimus, apparently lost his life. The sound of his teeth grinding seemed to reach Kang Sihyun. Kang Sihyun rolled his eyes to glimpse the scene before gripping his weapon tightly again.
No one knew who would be the next to die.
"Aaargh!"
One person.
"Kuhuk!"
Two people.
Kang Sihyun's gaze, as he cut down the enemies blocking his path, remained solely on Septimus. The one who trod on people and reigned like a king smiled smugly upon seeing Kang Sihyun. That attitude, as if to say come if you can, grated on him. Snap, his arms were grabbed by the crowd. Crunch, someone bit into his flesh.
Slash!
Kang Sihyun cut off their arms and squinted his eyes shut. A headache started. As he swung his sword with his eyes closed, Kang Sihyun eventually lifted his eyelids again after a while to grasp the situation. A brief respite allowed him to regain his composure, and his blue eyes began to objectively analyze the situation.
The conclusion was obvious.
Disadvantageous.
In other words, reckless.
Impossible.
With just these people, breaking through the pouring crowd and killing Septimus was an impossible task.
Only with the mighty and omnipotent power that had killed Decumanus would there have been a chance. But Kang Sihyun was still unable to use that power. All he could do with the strength he mustered was shoot arrows that could pierce through anything, but that alone was not enough to kill Septimus.
Crack.
Kang Sihyun clenched his sword tightly, his eyes widening with rising anger.
Damn that power, power, power.
It had always somehow worked out. His quick wits had helped, and as if God himself had assisted, something had always been there to aid him at crucial moments. He had always managed to overcome in some way and reach this point.
But why.
"Why won't it work this time!"
He had tried to use the power several times but failed without even a hint of success. All he could do was cut down the innocents being controlled and glare at the source of all problems with bloodshot eyes.
Injuries covered his body. Among the group, someone had their shoulder deeply cut. Lee Hamin was fighting with one eye closed. A long gash was on his left eye, and blood was profusely flowing.
"Ah..."
As he cut down people, seeing others die one by one, Kang Sihyun had to feel the futility of it all.
The term "hell" was fitting.
Then who had pushed their backs into this place? Who had brought them to this hell?
Kang Sihyun knew.
It was himself.
As this realization dawned on him, his mind raced even faster. Seeking any possible way to turn the situation around, Kang Sihyun tensed his toes. There was still some time left in the duration of his acceleration. With the agility of an S-grade, if he added acceleration, he could reach Septimus, even if just for a brief moment.
Emerging from the haze of confusion into reality, the boy's eyes regained their luster amidst the war.
If they couldn't defeat the enemy, they had to ensure that the group could survive and return. For that, they needed someone who could capture Septimus's attention and interest.
Fortunately, there was someone perfect for that role.
Someone lost their eyes, another lost an arm, and yet another had broken bones. In exchange, the battlefield, which had dwindled from ten thousand to a mere three thousand, breathed in. As if everything slowed down in an accelerated thought, blue eyes gazed at Septimus. He, too, looked back at Kang Sihyun.
Their eyes met in mid-air, and Septimus curled the corners of his mouth. Taking this as a signal, Kang Sihyun gritted his teeth and transformed the sword he had been holding. The sword turned into a familiar bow. Utilizing acceleration, Kang Sihyun dodged the rushing crowd, quickly pulled the bowstring. The arrowhead was aimed neither at Septimus nor the controlled people.
The wall.
A huge and solid wall that blocked their way, preventing anyone from leaving. The wall that Haehyuk and Raohchun had tried to cut down but failed.
The wall that imprisoned them here, turning this place into a prison.
Kang Sihyun released the bowstring at that wall.
“Pierce through.”
With power imbued in his voice, the accelerated arrow pierced through the wall. A hole appeared in the high rampart, and starting from that spot, the wall began to crumble.
“Everyone, get down!”
There was no time for polite speech. Like a general ordering a retreat, Kang Sihyun shouted and turned to look at Septimus, who tried to rise as if it was futile. Thud, Kang Sihyun kicked the ground and charged towards him.
“Lee Hamin! Take care of Haru and get down!”
In the process, Kang Sihyun grabbed Lee Hamin's shoulder on his path to Septimus and pushed him back, swinging his sword. Septimus gladly responded to the audacious human who reached him.
Clang!
The sword and nails clashed. The heavy momentum pressed down on Kang Sihyun. Despite his hands trembling under the overwhelming force, he withstood and screamed with all the veins in his neck bulging.
“Get down!”
After saying so, he mustered all his strength and shook off Septimus's strike. Damn it. Swearing was heard from behind. Without looking back, it was felt that Raohchun was taking care of his guild members, and Lee Hamin was already helping Haru, who had been controlled by Pia, towards the crumbling wall. Continuous swearing flowed from Lee Hamin's mouth. Kang Sihyun, hearing this, exerted strength into his sword.
The courage that allowed the voices of the fleeing boys, the group, not to be subdued even before the suffocating momentum of Septimus.
“Don’t die, Kang Sihyun!”
Damn flag boy, planting another flag again. Kang Sihyun did not reply but grunted as he blocked Septimus's charge. It wasn’t like he had no faith at all.
I won't let myself be killed.
If the power to oppose Dekumanus, to kill the children of Gula, resided within him, he wouldn't truly die even if he faced death. With a twisted smile at the thought of relying on such an uncertain, mystical power, Septimus cocked his head curiously.
“What’s so funny?”
“Well, seems like happiness to me.”
With a dry response, Septimus laughed heartily, as if the ground itself was shaking. His greedy eyes scanned Kang Sihyun. His sharp fingers climbed up Kang Sihyun's sword, unstoppable. Although it seemed slow like a snake, paradoxically, it was a swift movement.
“Cough!”
His hand grasped Kang Sihyun's thin neck. The sharp nails dug into the neck. Kang Sihyun struggled in his grasp, glaring with bulging eyes. Lifting Kang Sihyun high, Septimus delighted in their eye contact.
“I, too, am pleased. Obtaining you would grant me another power from mother.”
Become my puppet and play.
Indeed, his guess was right. Even if it meant losing his group, Septimus would covet him if he rushed to his death.
Septimus rejoiced at the chance to fully obtain a human soul he coveted.
Kang Sihyun, with a scoff, grabbed his hand. Kang Sihyun's nails dug into Septimus's hand. The blade, moving as willed, tried to pierce Septimus's abdomen, but Septimus caught Kang Sihyun's sword with his other hand.
“Kang Sihyun!”
Was he still not down?
Lee Hamin's voice was heard from behind. Kang Sihyun, unable to voice out, desperately told him to get down. It was then that something happened.
Boom!
Something like a thunderbolt struck Septimus. At first, it seemed to be Pia, but it was not a fantastical species. A man, drenched in blood and wrapped in a murky purple aura, holding a sword, pushed Septimus away and saved Kang Sihyun from his grasp.
And then, the man quickly grabbed Kang Sihyun's shoulder as Septimus was staggering to regain his senses.
"Lee Ha―!"
Before he could finish speaking, he threw Kang Sihyun behind him. In an instant too brief to comprehend, Kang Sihyun found himself flying backward, eyes wide open as he looked at Haehyuk, who had stepped in front of Septimus in his place. The man standing before Septimus appeared like a sacrificial offering on an altar. As their eyes met, Haehyuk gave a small smile.
"Get down."
The words Kang Sihyun had been shouting came out of his mouth. At the same time, a hand reached out from behind and caught Kang Sihyun as he fell. It was Lee Hamin.
"We've lost."
Even amidst the chaos, a calm voice was heard. Kang Sihyun tried to speak, but his body plummeted down. Eventually, Lee Hamin, along with Haru, managed to break through the crumbling wall and jump down to the base below.
"You bastard!"
The enraged voice of Septimus echoed through the space. Kang Sihyun chased after the lingering image of Haehyuk disappearing from his sight.
Boom!
A loud noise followed, and Kang Sihyun, dragged by Lee Hamin, struggled. Let go, let go! The boy clenched his teeth, ignoring all the words he uttered. Bang! A small cry from a fantastical species was heard, followed by a sharp pain in the neck, blurring his vision.
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