638

 [Chapter 168]

[Still, The Night Passes]

The calamity struck without warning.

Just as people who had returned home after finishing their daily routines were relaxing and trying to sleep─

─Crack

The Cocoon shattered.

That sound awakened alertness in all living beings.

People who woke up almost reflexively looked out at the world in the middle of the night.

"This, this is a dream..."

"No. This can't be... This shouldn't be happening!"

"The Twelve Seats! Where are the Twelve Seats and what are they doing now!!"

Beyond the world where fragments of the Cocoon fell.

People fell into panic seeing the monsters invading through there.

But it was still too early.

An even worse terror was yet to come.

The Cocoon shook violently.

Then─

""""─Ah....""""

The Cocoon completely collapsed.

People were at a loss for words seeing brightly shining fragments falling.

The Cocoon disappearing, becoming fragments of mana.

Monsters roared loudly as the wall that had been denying their existence disappeared.

──!!

The sound could be heard from everywhere.

Indescribable sounds mixed together, stimulating people's fear.

─Whiiiiiieeeeeeaaoooo

And a sound like a heartbeat echoed throughout Seoul.

The sound woke up all the people who were still asleep, not distinguishing between south and north with the Han River as the center.

Grrrr grrrr

Kiiiiiing!!

Soon, from the Han River.

And from the air.

Also from various places in Gangbuk.

As anomalies occurred simultaneously and monsters appeared,

Monsters leading armies immediately began invading Gangbuk.

☆

In the end, monsters invaded.

Eun-ha, who had been spending time in the banquet hall, immediately headed to the window upon realizing the anomaly.

By then, other people were also surprised and heading to the windows.

Everyone closed their mouths.

""""...."""

The scenery they had been admiring as a beautiful night view just moments ago had now become a battlefield.

As monsters flooded into Gangbuk, their numbers were steadily increasing.

"This is, what..."

Someone muttered like that.

Everyone felt the same.

No one could have even imagined that Seoul, protected by the Cocoon, would be invaded by monsters.

Let alone that Gangbuk, where the Fairy Government was located, would be invaded.

Boom boom boom

At that moment,

The sound of explosions could be heard from across the river.

No, it was the sound of something collapsing.

The night was deep, but the city was bright.

They witnessed the scene of a building across the river collapsing miserably.

Soon the area across the river was plunged into darkness.

And─

"─It looks like the power went out!"

"There must be emergency power somewhere! Everyone, quickly find it!"

The power went out in Gangnam too.

Along with Gangbuk being plunged into darkness, Gangnam was also engulfed in darkness.

As the lights suddenly went out in the hall, people invited to the party screamed.

In contrast, the clan members tried to calmly respond to the power outage.

Kang Si-hyung informed those present of the problem, and Kim Min-ji shouted at the top of her lungs.

[Everyone, please calm down! It's just a power outage...]

Nevertheless, people fell into confusion.

Jin Seo-na had to calm them using telepathy.

But that was only for a moment.

─Crackle

When such a sound was suddenly heard,

Eun-ha, who had gone out to the balcony, looked up at the sky.

The city with the power out was too dark, and in contrast, the light from the Cocoon's reaction was too bright.

Damn, those bastards really...

The monsters were not satisfied with Gangbuk and were trying to destroy the Cocoon in Gangnam too.

They kept trying to enter the Cocoon without fear of their existence disappearing.

The Cocoon held out at first.

But when they pushed with numbers, some monsters finally managed to enter the Cocoon.

That means─

"─I found it! I'll turn on the power now!"

"Don't turn on the lights!!"

"...What?"

The first thing those guys will aim for is something shining brightly in the darkness.

Eun-ha quickly shouted as Lee Cheon-seo was about to turn on the power.

But it was too late.

Whirr

The lights came on in the building.

Lee Cheon-seo quickly lowered the emergency power again, and the building was enveloped in darkness once more, but─

─Kirrrrr!!

The monsters didn't miss even the momentary flash of light.

Monsters that had broken through the Cocoon immediately invaded the clan hall.

Only then did the clan members realize their mistake and manifest their internal mana.

Jelly Cube

Queen of Hearts' Declaration

Touch of the Gentle Breeze

Holly Shield

Noh Eun-ah, Jung Ha-yang, Cha Eun-woo, Yeo U-bi.

The four quickly spread protective magic to block the monsters rushing at the building's outer walls.

It didn't stop there.

They couldn't just block the monsters' attacks, but had to subjugate them so they wouldn't run away and cause damage elsewhere.

─Spider Web Domination

Monsters that collided with the protective magic.

Suddenly, the mana rippling around them became threads so thin they were invisible to the eye.

Threads made up of dozens of strands.

Han Chang-jin pulled hard on the threads entangled on his fingers.

Then the monsters bound by the mana threads were pulled towards Han Chang-jin.

Timed with this, the clan members who had deployed protective magic unleashed their magic.

Simultaneously─

─Iron Crusher

Blood Claw

Crescent Moon Slash

Mana Crusher

Mok Min-ho, Jin Pa-rang, Choi Eun-hyuk, Yu Nam-hoon.

The four cut off the breath of the monsters that had entered in a bound state.

Only then did the incident come to a temporary end.

No, this is just the beginning.

It won't compare to Gangbuk, but soon Sadang Station will become a target for monsters too.

By now their eyes had become accustomed to the darkness.

People seemed to have calmed down somewhat, though still afraid, after the monsters were subjugated.

Eun-ha checked their condition in the darkness and opened his mouth.

"Chang-jin hyung, can you use some magic to put up a curtain around to prevent light from leaking out?"

"Yes, Eun-ha. It'll be hard for a long time, but it should be fine for a short while."

"Even a short while is good. Deploy the magic. Then Su-bin, you brighten the surroundings with magic."

"Okay. I'll do that."

"Supporters, when it brightens up, please check if anyone is injured."

The clan members waited for Eun-ha's words.

Eun-ha calmly gave instructions.

Then the clan members also found their composure and began following Eun-ha's words.

"Ha-yang."

"Yes."

Finally, he called Jung Ha-yang.

Jung Ha-yang answered.

"─Find out the route to Gangbuk right now."

"...Alright, I'll do that. Just wait a moment."

""""...."""

Receiving Eun-ha's instruction,

Jung Ha-yang nodded with a hardened face.

Tension filled the faces of the clan members including her.

─We need to quickly cross over to Gangbuk before the path is completely blocked by those guys coming up from the Han River.

Everyone read Eun-ha's thoughts.

That they would go to Gangbuk for rescue.

☆

"─I don't think it's a good idea to go by car. We don't know what the road conditions are like now. We might waste more time if we use cars and get stuck or blocked."

Communication disruptions were occurring.

Fortunately, Jung Ha-yang didn't have any particular problems thanks to having downloaded offline maps.

She spoke her thoughts while looking at the map on her smartphone.

"So to cross over to Gangbuk, we have no choice but to run there ourselves. Of course, we'll have to cross the Han River bridge where monsters will be swarming."

Witch's Model Garden.

She activated the artifact.

Then the crystal ball flashed with light and implemented a three-dimensional map for the clan members to see.

She manipulated the map with her hand and left several markers on the map where rough shapes had appeared.

"The fastest route to Gangbuk from our current location is to follow the direction of Line 4, passing through Isu and Dongjak stations. After that, we need to cross Dongjak Bridge connecting from Dongjak Station to Yongsan-dong." "Fortunately, if it's just the length of two stations, we can minimize the time to Dongjak Station by using mana to run."

"No, we can't be sure of that."

Cha Eun-woo spoke while calculating the time it would take to walk to Dongjak Station.

At that time, Hoshimiya Kaede, who had been silent until then, showed a skeptical reaction.

"Those guys broke through the Cocoon and reached where we are just now. That means we have to keep in mind that monsters are probably already lurking from our current location all the way to the Han River."

"Hmm.... So we'll have to move to Dongjak Station while being wary of monsters that could pop out from anywhere."

The distance was about 3km.

It seemed short but was actually quite far.

Considering the possibility of encountering monsters along the way, it was obvious that time would be delayed.

Bong Gu-rae and other clan members all nodded with serious faces.

But no one suggested just guarding the hall.

Moreover─

"─Still, we need to cross the river. Gangbuk is probably unable to respond properly to this sudden situation right now. We need to run to Gangbuk as quickly as possible and help the Players who are mobilizing local forces to respond."

""""Yes.""""

Eun-ha's will was firm.

The clan members agreed with Eun-ha, who made decisions resolutely without hesitation.

Afterwards, the clan members hurriedly began preparing to cross over to Gangbuk.

"Don't be stingy with potions, make sure to bring them. Bring plenty of food in preparation for fighting for three days without sleep. Make sure to bring the artifacts I gave you."

Already in preparation for this time,

Eun-ha had stocked up on food and potions in the clan hall.

The clan members seemed to flinch for a moment, but packed the items without saying anything.

"By the way Eun-ha, what are these artifacts used for?"

At that time, Choi Eun-hyuk, who had packed lightly, spoke to Eun-ha.

Choi Eun-hyuk showed the rings threaded on the necklace outside his clothes.

"The plain rings contain a magic called Resistance that can counter the opponent's high-level control techniques. And the decorated rings contain a magic called Amplification that temporarily increases abilities. Both can only be used once, so use them sparingly."

Eun-ha explained to the clan members.

Resistance and Amplification.

The former was to prepare for the Level 3 overrank monster Ye-gyeong.

The clan members, who didn't yet know about Ye-gyeong's existence, didn't seem to realize how amazing the artifacts they were wearing were.

They'll probably find out when the time comes.

There aren't many Resistance artifacts. So I gave more to those fighting on the front lines, but I hope there won't be any shortages...

Amplification isn't lacking, but there are side effects if overused...

Either way, they need to use the artifacts sparingly and at the right timing.

Use Amplification only once a day.

Eun-ha cautioned the clan members.

"Once we enter Gangbuk, we probably won't be able to use electronic devices due to the influence of densely remaining mana. So don't communicate by phone, but through the telepathists!"

When preparations were finally complete,

Jung Ha-yang shouted.

She asked Jin Seo-na, Jin Pa-rang, and Ariel not to stay close to each other but to maintain a certain distance.

"─Bruno ahjussi." "Hmm."

Meanwhile, Eun-ha went down to the basement and moved towards the people gathered in one place.

He looked for Bruno.

"You don't have to worry too much about monsters invading Gangnam because the Cocoon hasn't broken there. Even if they attack this place, if you take shelter in the basement and hold out, Players will take care of them."

"Yes, I know."

"So you don't need to worry, but still, you never know. If something like that happens, I hope you can protect the people here, ahjussi."

"Alright, I understand."

Basement level 5 of the clan hall.

Surely monsters wouldn't come this far.

Food supplies that can last for a long time and some facilities have been prepared, so people probably won't have difficulty living.

No, now that the Cocoon is gone, the Pandora Clan hall could be said to be the safest place.

Eun-ha spoke to Bruno in preparation for any possible danger.

"─I'll help too."

"...Yes, thank you, Teacher."

Im Do-hoon, who was once his elementary school homeroom teacher and now in charge of Min Jun-sik's security, was also there.

Eun-ha expressed his gratitude for his words.

Then he spotted Han Seo-hyun among the people.

Their eyes met.

""...."""

The two were silent.

Just take care and come back safely.

And I'll come back safely.

They exchanged conversation through their gazes.

Also─

"─Eun-ha..."

"Don't worry too much and wait. I'll be back soon." "Don't get hurt."

"Okay."

Lee Yu-jung came out from the crowd.

She held his hand.

Eun-ha comforted Lee Yu-jung who was worried about him.

Then after sending her to Lee Yu-cheon, Eun-ha approached his family.

"─I'll be back."

"""...."""

His family's gazes that seemed complicated.

Gazes that didn't want to let him go.

Eun-ha, reading their emotions, answered in the brightest tone possible.

Finally, his family raised the white flag.

His father sighed.

"─Don't you dare get hurt. And... Eun-ha, take good care of Eun-ah."

"Come back without getting hurt. If anything happens to you, Mom really..."

"Don't worry, oppa. I'll protect Mom and Dad!"

His father placed his hand on his shoulder, his mother hugged him tightly.

Then Eun-ah squeezed in and hugged him tightly too.

"─I'll be back. Don't worry."

Receiving his family's concern.

Eun-ha felt their warmth.

☆

[Pandora Clan telepathist Jin Seo-na. Relaying navigator Jung Ha-yang's message. Confirmed presence of eight monsters 100m ahead at Gyeongmun High School intersection. Split into 4 each on left and right. Average rank estimated to be Level 6.]

Eun-ha left the clan hall.

Hell was already unfolding even though they hadn't crossed over to Gangbuk yet.

Monsters were roaming the streets.

"...Yeon-hwa noona."

"Yes."

"I'll take the right."

"Then I'll take the left."

Even as they ran, monsters were appearing everywhere.

Monsters that had been searching for people inside buildings rushed out sensing the mana they shed.

If it was like this on the main road, how would it be elsewhere?

And as if to prove this, screams of people and roars of monsters could be heard from everywhere.

─Right Step

Han Mae-ryu, Ice Road

On a night where screams didn't cease.

Eun-ha and Ryu Yeon-hwa ran down the main road where even lights weren't properly on, and simultaneously spurred forward.

Gyeongmun High School intersection.

The two who arrived first among the clan members split at the intersection and swung their weapons.

Mana Crusher

Han Mae-ryu, Waterfall

Left and right.

The two who took charge of each road quickly dealt with the monsters.

Nevertheless, monsters seemed to appear endlessly.

"Only deal with the monsters you can see. We can leave the rest to other Players."

As soon as they took one down, another appeared.

Eun-ha clicked his tongue and transmitted.

The clan members fighting in pairs of two followed his words.

That's how they were able to reach Dongjak Bridge heading towards Yongsan-dong.

""""...."""

Looking at the violently churning river water,

The clan members standing in front of the bridge all flinched.

It was too dark to see beyond the bridge.

They could only see cars on the bridge and something fallen within visible distance.

But suddenly─

─Drag drag

Something visible within ten steps.

That thing on the bridge was suddenly dragged under the bridge.

Those who recognized the shape in the darkness realized that the thing being dragged was a human corpse.

Ribbit ribbit

Croak croak

Sounds like frogs or toads could be heard from the darkness.

The clan members deployed their detection networks.

But the Han River, where mana was densely dissolved, interfered with their detection.

They couldn't confirm how many monsters existed in the darkness.

To this, Eun-ha─

"─Jo Ara, Bae Su-bin."

"Huh? Uh..." "...Why. What is it?"

"Brighten up the surroundings." """"...!!""""

"We can't fight properly if we can't see clearly like this."

"U-Eun-ha! Think about it carefully. If we light up here, all the monsters in the river will..."

"Yes, that's right. That will only let those guys know we're here."

Looking out into the invisible darkness,

Eun-ha headed towards the bridge.

Jo Ara and Bae Su-bin were startled and tried to stop him.

"If you can't do it─"

But he didn't care.

He spread his arms horizontally.

Buldak landed.

"─Then I'll do it."

With a whistle,

Buldak cried out as if piercing the darkness.

Then with a whoosh, there was flame.

Buldak's body was covered in flames.

Familiar Transformation

Phoenix's Cloak

Eun-ha with a cloak of flames on his shoulders.

Then as he lightly flicked his finger, flames blazed up and illuminated the darkness.

""""...."""

Now they could see it wasn't just the river.

They were on the bridge too.

Monsters peeking their heads out of the river water, those fighting Players on the bridge or waiting for an opportunity, they all looked at Pandora Clan.

Their eyes glowed in the brightened darkness upon seeing the phenomenon of flames burning.

Their numbers were countless.

"Drink potions in advance. Don't drink when your mana hits bottom, but drink in anticipation of it hitting bottom. Those guys won't wait for your mana to recover."

Winter Blooming Coldly in his right hand.

Winter Creeping in Snowflakes in his left hand.

Eun-ha swung his swords.