Chapter 121: The Duke, Bastro (4)

TL: Nadu

Editor: Lesurous

Sponsored by: Anonymous

There were five n.o.bles under Duke Bastro's command.

Baron Alliman, Baron Arthur, Baroness Alluna, Baron Swing, and Count Argon.

"Why isn't Alliman returning?"

As Alliman, who went to reconnaissance, didn't return even after a lot of time had pa.s.sed, Bastro raised a question.

But, no one could answer him.

It was because no one had seen Alliman.

'Was he killed?'

Bastro felt strange.

Only the fire tars could be their match in this territory.

However, didn't the fire tars leave even the Poom tree and run away?

There would have been no time for them to get rid of Alliman.

And in reality, the place they were currently occupying was very close to the Poom tree.

Blaaze!

The Poom tree was burning.

The tree that was vital in maintaining their life and the one that the fire tars respected as their mother.

It was a story that had nothing to do with Bastro.

They just burned it as it was an eyesore.

"Arthur, take a look around the location where Alliman went to reconnaissance. If there is anything strange, report to me immediately."

"I'll leave immediately."

Baron Arthur went into battle leading five thousand soldiers.

Bastro's eyes s.h.i.+ned as he watched him.

'I don't know who is disturbing us…'

The 3rd party Bastro missed.

He didn't know how big the size was or how strong they were but it was true that he was interested.

It seemed like they wanted the devils to wither away by burning the forest, burying the lake, and taking away all life around them but the uniformed movement was out of the ordinary.

It meant that the actions were through one system of command.

It meant that there was someone who reigned as a king in the fire tar's territory.

How could he not be interested?!

'I hope he isn't a coward like the fire tars.'

Honestly, he couldn't repress his disappointment for leaving the Poom tree and running away.

However, he hoped that the newly appeared enemy would be different.

Neeeeigh!

Bastro kicked the side of the horse he was riding on.

It looked similar to the h.e.l.lhorse but was a horned white horse.

The unicorn cried softly.

Baron Arthur started to reconnaissance the area that Alliman disappeared around with his five thousand soldiers.

'It must be here.'

Not soon after, he found a castle in the outskirts.

And nearby it, the equipment of all kinds of devil soldiers weren't organized and were all over the place.

It seemed like this was the place where Alliman was killed.

'Fool.'

Arthur clicked his tongue. Alliman was the type of guy who rushed headlong without thinking.

As he was influenced by the red moon, it seemed like his actions became more reckless.

'I will revenge for you still.'

Arthur was different. However, Arthur was also influenced by the red moon.

Under the pretext of revenge, he gave his order.

"Destroy the castle gate and the castle walls. I will drag out the guys inside."

A huge 5m tall devil soldier was the first to act and ran his body into the gate.

Craaas.h.!.+

The gate greatly shook.

A few devils spread their wings wide.

Woosh-!

Stab!

Dozens of arrows flew out from the inside of the castle.

The few devils who were in the sky were shot down by the arrows.

Stone flew from siege equipment towards the devil camp.

However, the numbers were small. It wasn't greatly effective.

Afterwards, the devil soldiers with their wings spread wide flew over the wall with their spears ready.

Cras.h.!.+

Soon, the gate also collapsed.

Arthur took out his sword. Soon, his authority, 'Pain's Perspiration' was activated.

Clang!

A chill colder than frost circled his sword.

The sword became frozen and even the vapor that touched the sword instantly fell to the ground as ice, an unending drip of cold.

Truly, the ability to freeze everything it touched!

Arthur and his five thousand devil soldiers entered the castle without much resistance.  

'There is no enemy?'

Arthur tilted his head.

Even the enemies who shot the arrows disappeared without a trace.

Did they run off?

However, if he wasn't influenced by the red moon, he would have thought something was strange.

It was definitely strange for those enemies who killed Alliman to give away their castle with resisting this much.

However, Arthur was excited.

They entered the castle without any suspicion and that produced an irrevocable mistake.

Claaang!

Puuus.h.!.+

The explosions occurred from all around.

'You are trying to bury the whole castle!'

Arthur's eyes widened.

He then realized what he had done.

However, the devil soldiers and Arthur couldn't be threatened with just normal explosions.

However, the explosions that were currently happening were out of the ordinary.

Holy power that was extremely hazardous to devils was also included and it had the firepower that could even melt the skin of a dragon.

If they were a bit careful, they wouldn't have suffered but they were already a step too late.

"Everyone leave the castle!"

Arthur turned his head.

However, it wasn't easy to once again cross the castle gate.

'A barricade! Why was the barricade on the opposite side…?'

A barricade that was normally supposed to protect the castle wall was on the opposite side and was inside the castle walls.

For it to be free for them to come in but for it to be impossible for them to leave.

From the beginning, their enemy's goal was to lure them into the castle.

'Arrows and siege weapons flew out. That meant that they were inside!'

It wasn't hard to destroy that invisible barrier. But, in the current situation, it was hard for Arthur, requiring time the explosions weren't giving them.

Once again, he turned his direction.

By looking near the location where the arrows flew out, there must be at least one path that leads out.

Ting-

Swoos.h.!.+

This also betrayed Arthur's expectations.

There were crossbows and sieges that automatically shot out.

In the end, he wandered back and forth before he lost even his last chance.

Cras.h.!.+

As if they waited for him, everything exploded in Arthur's surroundings.

<5,124 devils="" have="" been="" killed.="">

A>

Muyoung watched the scene from afar.

Although the castle was buried, he had no signs of regret.

'Even though it was  lacking compared to the original Demon Dragon Lethal Cannon, it's effective as it was mixed with holy power.'

They tried to recreate the cannonball of the Demon Dragon Lethal Cannon which killed the dark dragon in one shot, but the firepower itself was a bit lacking.

However, Bae Sungmin's holy power was added and used as an extreme counter to the devils.

Thanks to it, Muyoung was able to annihilate all five thousand devil soldiers.

"I can just build a new castle."

Muyoung turned around and spoke to those who looked at the buried castle with sorrow in their eyes.

With the help of the dwarves, they could reconstruct the castle in a few months.

However, he needed to avoid being defeated.

Soon, Muyoung approached the buried castle.

As he looked around, a crystallization that s.h.i.+ned brightly caught his eyes.

Unlike Alliman's crystallization, it was filled with chills.

Although he just grabbed it with his hand, it felt like his fingers were going to freeze.

Gulp!

However, Muyoung gulped it without delay.

Then, his whole body s.h.i.+vered.

< p="">

< the="" blessings="" of="" the="" user,="" 'muyoung'="" will="" upgrade="" the="" rank="" of="" 'pain's="" perspiration'="" skill="" to="" 'b'.="">

Name: Pain's Perspiration

Effect: An extreme chill is placed onto a weapon.

* It freezes everything touched by the weapon.

* Be careful, as it could even freeze you.

Creeeak!

Ice covered all around Anguish.

As he lightly shook, the moisture in its surrounding's froze.

After seeing ice powder fluttering like particles, Muyoung nodded his head.

'Nice.'

You might think it was just a freezing skill but it was on another level compared to the ice type skills used by wizards.

Would it be called an 'authority' for no reason?

With just this authority, Arthur gained the t.i.tle of Baron.

Its strength didn't lack compared to top rank ice type skills like Blizzard or Ice Dragon's Breath.

'The crystallizations are appearing more frequently than I expected.'

Two crystallizations appeared after killing two Barons.

It was too lucky even considering the effects of the Devil Hunter t.i.tle.

Since approximately with calculations, you needed to kill at least twenty n.o.bles to earn just one crystallization.

"I'll return to the built stronghold."

After confirming that all of the devils became ashes, he turned his body.

He could only use this move once, not having a spare castle to b.o.o.by trap..

However, it was certainly effective.

'The wind has changed.'

If there was no miracle, he was going to create it.

Muyoung thought of numerous ways to overcome the current situation.

Alliman and Arthur were dead.

When Bastro sent more soldiers after feeling strange, there was only a collapsed castle.

"They were killed."

Indeed, as he lost two in a row, it didn't feel all that good.

Through this, he was able to confirm that his enemy was formidable but it was the truth that he looked down on his enemy.

"If I was to refuse a provoked fight, I, Bastro, cannot be considered a warrior."

About 100,000 soldiers were reduced to 90,000 already.

You could say it was only 1/10 of his army, but he gave it up too easily.

"Alluna! Swing! I'll give you guys 20,000 soldiers each. Find them and kill them cruelly!"

Even if two thousand or five thousand didn't work, it would be hard with ten thousand.

However, with 40,000 devil soldiers, they could destroy even the huge castle of humans.

He didn't believe the current apparent enemy could also face 40,000 devil soldiers as well.

Looking at the appearance of the monsters that were part of the fight, they were very lousy.

'Dokkaebis, dwarves, and elves… they are all insignificant creatures.'

The ones who have a limit from birth.

Unless they were extremely rare species like the high elves or rune dwarves, they couldn't have dared to fight with the devils.  

If they were to lose now, it would also be a humiliation.

He couldn't suffer that sort of humiliation.

"I will present you the enemy's head."

"For Bastro's glory!"

Then, the rest of the two Barons left with 40,000 soldiers.

Baroness Alluna and Baron Swing also didn't think they would ever lose.

Muyoung chose guerrilla.

With speed battle as his lead, he killed off his enemies little by little.

He used the advantage of the topography, made detours, and encamped as he followed 'the ways for the weak to win against the strong' like a textbook.

Here, Bae Sungmin made a big impact.

As an arc lich, he was able to use magic and holy powers at the same time and even if it was a lich it was still extremely dangerous to a devil, therefore there were lots of use for him.

"This rat like b.a.s.t.a.r.d!"

Those were her last words.

Swoos.h.!.+

Baroness Alluna's body was frozen solid.

It was because Muyoung's sword penetrated Alluna's center.

Three in a row.

As he killed n.o.bles, he continuously earned crystallizations.

Of course, it wasn't bad to earn them. The crystallization was the devil's strength itself. As he ate more and more, he got stronger.

Clang! Claaang!

As Alluna was killed, the offsh.o.r.e devil soldiers made a frantic last-ditch effort.

Muyoung also used all his military strength.

The progress of the battle was a tie.

The situation couldn't be helped. As one low level devil soldier was a match to three dokkaebis.

They were fighting well thanks to them draining the devil soldiers' strength in advance.

Even if they were to win, they wouldn't be able to avoid a great loss.

Thump! Thump!

It was at that moment.

From afar, giants of fire approached them.

"Muyoung!"

It was Ogar and about a hundred fire tars.

As Ogar was glad to see him, he called Muyoung's name as he threw devil soldiers aside.

No matter if they were devil soldiers, unless they were n.o.bles, they couldn't easily be an opponent to Ogar.

But, he wasn't the only one.

A big fire tar, the great chieftain stood out among them.

Even the excited devil soldiers couldn't approach him easily.

It felt like there was an invisible wall that was activated around him.

'They finally came.'

After looking at them, a small arc was drawn with Muyoung's lips.

Chapter 123: The Duke, Bastro (End)

TL: Nadu

Editor: Lesurous

Sponsored by: Anonymous and Matthew C.

The great chieftain, Ogar, and a hundred other fire tars!

It was a smaller number than he had expected but it was enough to overcome this current situation.

"Haha! You are truly one heck of a guy! I never expected you to make it this far!"

Ogar continued to swing his huge spear with a smiling face.

It was a smile that didn't fit at all on a battlefield where blood and pieces of flesh were splashed across the ground, but it was proof that he was so happy that he couldn't contain it.

Since even what he was 'unsure' about had become reality.

A few hundred fire tars abandoned and left the Poom tree.

A plan to fall back.

Although he comforted himself that he took a step back to move two steps forward, in the end, it was no different than fleeing to avoid the devils.

He looked for an opening and an opportunity to attack but no one knew how long they would need to retreat.

But…

'The tables have turned.'

Muyoung had turned the tables.

Those devils that were known as n.o.bles were continuously hunted.

It was a move no one had expected.

No one had antic.i.p.ated for Muyoung.

It was an obvious thing if they thought about the first time Muyoung had appeared.

Even though he did solve the problem regarding the Poom tree, Muyoung's strength itself was lacking a lot compared to the fire tars.

But now.

Swoos.h.!.+

Baroness Alluna fluttered as she became ashes.

He killed off devils with n.o.ble t.i.tles all on his own.

Not just that.

"Oom has killed the leader of the enemy!"

"Push more!"

He also made it possible for the  few ten thousand soldiers to follow him.

This all happened in just 1 year.

'Even the great chieftain changed his mind because of this. Although, I haven't seen him yield before.'

If Muyoung didn't send the arc lich, Bae Sungmin, they wouldn't have known about the fact that they were struggling.

However, not everyone easily believed him and in the end, only the great chieftain, vice chieftain Ogar, and their tribe members arrived at this place.

But, if he was to obtain the desired results, he believed it could change everyone's mind.

It wasn't like they could just leave the devils who burned the Poom tree be.

Even the great chieftain would have allowed them to help Muyoung after seeing how they 'had a chance'.

In reality, the great chieftain's eyes constantly looked at Muyoung.

'He is an amazing person. Please look at his face until you're satisfied.'

Because Ogar felt that the person he acknowledged was also being acknowledged by the great chieftain, a strange palpitation occurred in his heart.

Someone who wasn't acknowledged by anyone was acknowledged by the great chieftain.

And Muyoung was worthy to be acknowledged.

Someone who might even surpa.s.s the great chieftain before long!

Maybe someone who could change this world like he did right now… that sort of person.

"You're late."

It was what Muyoung said as Ogar made his way through numerous devil soldiers and reached the place Muyoung was at.

Ogar smirked.

"You're cold as always."

"Let's talk after we end this fight."

Muyoung's face showed how tired he was.

Although they said it was a guerrilla operation, they fought for a total of 14 days endlessly.

They were days when he couldn't sleep properly as he needed to look over every situation and give orders as a lord, and a commander.

If it wasn't for his superhuman mentality, he would have already pa.s.sed out.

This sort of rigorous schedule was possible because the person at the center of all this was Muyoung.

Ogar inwardly clicked his tongue but he still understood.

It was better than being sent away.

It wasn't as easy by looking at the current situation.

"Okay, I'll run wild."

Slas.h.!.+

Ogar's spear slit the ground.

Harmony's Crystallization.

It was the item he earned by killing Baroness Alluna.

After the fight ended, Muyoung quickly swallowed it.

< 'harmony's="" crystallization'="" has="" been="" ingested.="">

A combination skill!

Muyoung nodded his head.

If he used a skill related to combination well, it could produce a much greater effect than it states.

Of course, if not used properly, it could also produce no real results but as he didn't have any skills related to this, it was that much closer to being an advantage to him.

"Aren't you afraid of turning into a devil?"

The great chieftain who was watching him from a close range spoke.

The great chieftain. It was also the first time Muyoung had seen him this close.

However, unlike before, there was no s.h.i.+ver.

Before when he watched the great chieftain from afar, he instinctively s.h.i.+vered because he felt the difference in their 'level'.

However, now there was only a small distance between them, he didn't feel a difference between their level.

It meant that he caught up.

"Even if you take a devil's strength, you don't become one."

Muyoung answered calmly.

In the past, it was a rumor that went around before Muyoung returned in time.

That you might become a devil yourself if you continuously ingest the crystallization you earned by killing devils with a n.o.ble t.i.tle.

There was a story of such.

It wasn't a conclusion.

It was something the 'Devil Killer', the one who killed the most devils and ingested 50 crystallizations, declared.

Of course, 50 crystallizations might not be enough but it was like a miracle itself to collect 50 crystallization.

"You will become something more devilish than a devil. In the past, there was that sort of guy."

As Muyoung glanced quizzically at the great chieftain, the great chieftain shook his head.

"Anyways, I have watched your active part in this battle. Within this much military power, you successfully fought back against the devils."

"A battle isn't simply a fight of strength."

A battle can be fought by a hundred or a thousand men.

Besides the times when there is overpowering power, the point is tactics and strategies.

How well you manage the colliding strength of numerous troops.

Fortunately, Muyoung didn't seem like he didn't have any talent.

"You're right, strength isn't everything. However, there are five n.o.ble devils that came with Bastro. How many did you fight alone?"

"Two."

"Two? Amazing."

However, even the great chieftain wasn't able to fully grasp the current situation of their battle.

If Muyoung killed two and tens of thousands of soldiers, it was truly possible.

You could say just by that, he did all his work.

However, Muyoung shook his head and stretched two fingers.

"Two are left. Baraon Swing and Count Argon."

"…I can see why Bastro is in a hurry."

Regarding this, even the great chieftain seemed a bit surprised.

It couldn't be helped. Muyoung's troops that currently surrounded him, the setup itself was shabby, totally beyond description.  

With these troops, how could he kill 3 n.o.ble devils?

It wasn't an easy task for anyone.

"Is this all of the fire tars? I thought at least 500 would gather."

Muyoung spoke as he knitted his brows.

An extremely rude manner in front of the great chieftain.  

In reality, other fire tars tried to backlash but the great chieftain stopped them as he stretched out his hand.

"Since we figured out the n.o.ble devils were continuously killed, everyone would gather."

"Then it would be fine to continue the battle."

"Mine and your soldiers need to rest."

"If not now, it would be many times harder to kill Baron Swing. This is the right time."

Muyoung urged with perseverance.

Baroness Alluna and Baron Swing had left for battle with 20,000 soldiers each.

Although he had killed Baroness Alluna, guerilla warfare was also applied to Swing as well.

If not now when the devil soldiers were weak, it was possible for all the devils to gather.

The fight would become several times harder.

Muyoung's eyes faced the great chieftain.

A look without an inch of hesitation.

It might have seemed defiant but you couldn't say this wasn't the eyes of a warrior either.

Rather this look actually pleased the great chieftain.

"Good. Our tribe will help."

"Thanks."

Muyoung expressed his grat.i.tude shortly before he quickly started to move.

100 fire tars including the great chieftain and Ogar, it wasn't impossible to kill 20,000 devil soldiers that lost their strength.

Count Argon spoke to Bastro.

"Bastro, Lady Alluna and Lord Swing aren't returning."

Among 40,000 soldiers, not one came to bring any news.

Even if they were in a hurry to reconnoiter, they should have chosen an informant and sent word.

If not, it was normal for them to use magic to communicate.

But, there was nothing.

There was only one reason for this sort of case.

"…annihilation?"

"They said the fire tars have reappeared. Maybe it has something to do with them?"

Grrrit!

Bastro ground his teeth.

In total, about half of his troops disappeared without properly fighting.

He couldn't just watch any longer.

Neiggghhh!

Bastro kicked the side of the unicorn.

"I need to see it with my own eyes who the h.e.l.l he is."

Afterwards, with a big frown on his face, Bastro spoke.

"All troops, head to war."

Muyoung was also reading the movements of the devils that left the Poom tree.

"Muyoung, what are you going to do?"

Ogar asked.

By even getting rid of Swing, Muyoung had become a commander who could be trusted on.

Muyoung turned his head and looked around.

In total, well over 700 fire tars and the 10,000 troops Muyoung had were gathered.

Normally, it was normal to watch the situation but he had a chance for total victory.

'Spirit' was something you should never look down on.

Just by being absorbed in the happiness of their successes and charging towards their final victory could produce great strength.

If they were to hold back for a moment, it was possible to lose that spirit.

"Do or die."

"What does that mean?"

"Stake everything on one fight. Since the devils will no longer be fooled by the fight by the number."

Bastro would have felt strange.

On top, judging by the path of his movement, it was extremely cautious.

It might seem as Muyoung was at an advantage if he was to battle against time, but that wasn't really true.  

Burning the forest and removing their food supply was no more than to induce Bastro to be impatient so that he would make mistakes.  

If they were to go for a protracted war, Muyoung and the troops wouldn't survive.

So, it was Sydney or the bush.

Just, Muyoung had the authority to choose the terrain.

"Ogar, I need your help."

"Speak, whatever you need. If it is something I can do, I will do it all."

Ogar was born in this territory.

He should be well aware of the surrounding topography.

On the other hand, there should be a limit with Bastro.

It was the difference between a native and a foreigner who just arrived.

'I will definitely win.'

Although he said Sydney or the bush, Muyoung wasn't planning to lose.

Bastro and 50,0000 devil soldiers approached a location where both sides were cliffs.

It was because they found out that the troops of their enemy were gathered somewhere around this place.

'Needless to say, it probably is a trap.'

He had a strong feeling that he was being induced.

Bastro sent out scouts to look around the place.

And he went back to make a detour towards a path that wasn't between cliffs.  

It was because he had no reason to fight in a terrain where he was at a disadvantage.

However, Muyoung also knew that Bastro would avoid the location.  

He turned around. But, he was one step behind.

Crank! Cras.h.!.+

A rift was created on the ground.

Dwarves had dug up the ground and placed explosives in the path where they had to head back.  

Fuuuaaak!

At the same place where the explosion occurred, water gushed.

They had disturbed the groundwater.   

'He got me.'

Bastro frowned deeply.

Even though it hadn't affected his life, his movements were restricted as the ground was dug up.

As if they were waiting for this moment, fire tars and 10,000 soldiers were approaching from afar.

"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Do you think you can stop me with this shallow move?!"

Bastro soared up into the air as he rode the unicorn.

Numerous devils also spread their wings.

In reality, only a few devil soldiers died.

However, Muyoung simply made a smile.

"It seems like they can't see their wings corroding."

Sizzle!

The widely-spread wings slowly burned.

The effects were minimal but it was enough to affect their flight.

And Bae Sungmin, the arc lich, was continuously repeating spells beside Muyoung,

'Although it isn't holy water, it is water affected by holy powers. It's quite effective against low level devils.'

It wasn't easy to add holy power to the groundwater.

It was only effective against low level devils.

It was also only effective to the weak part of their skin, the wings.

However, considering how most of the devil soldiers were low level devils, he felt that it would produce a result much greater than he expected.

"Baaaastard!!"

Bastro screamed out loud with his neck veins bulging.