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[Chapter 172]

[The Other Side of a Hero (3)]

Finally, Ye-gyeong was defeated.

Eun-ha watched the Seoul Namsan Tower's steel frame melt and collapse, unable to withstand the heat in the end.

Even with an ideal body from the elixir, I can't do anything about the recoil from the gift and <Amplification >.

The recoil came.

Perhaps because he used the gift and <Amplification > simultaneously, the pain was greater than expected.

The fortunate thing was that he didn't receive many wounds.

It could be said it was thanks to the Twelve Seats, Pandora Clan members, and other Players helping.

"Pappa." "It's okay. More importantly, mana stones should have fallen around there. Can you bring them to me?"

"Pupupu."

"Yeah, alright. You rest too."

Enduring the pain.

Eun-ha smiled bitterly.

He was about to have Buldak thoroughly search around where the steel frame collapsed but gave up.

Buldak was very tired too.

Instead, he could just ask other people.

"Hey, Noh Eun-ha! Are you alive!?"

"Hyung, please put on some clothes..."

"Hey, then what should I do? When I transform into Blade Wolf form with <Beast >, my clothes get torn. Then you should give me the clothes you're wearing on top."

"Alright, take my outer clothes and wear them. Instead, go over there and find the mana stone Ye-gyeong might have dropped. Search thoroughly. There might be skill stones too."

"This guy's giving orders right away..."

"Me, Clan Lord. You, clan member."

"Tch, fine!"

Jin Pa-rang approached just then.

Eun-ha handed clothes to the naked man while asking him to search the area where the fire hadn't gone out yet.

Jin Pa-rang grumbled and turned his back to leave searching for mana stones.

Meanwhile, other clan members arrived too.

"I heard your condition was very serious, but seeing your face it seems it was needless worry. You're alive and well."

"Hearing you say that, it seems you were worried about me too?"

"...For now, because you're the Clan Lord. Don't state the obvious as if it's obvious."

"Don't state the obvious... I saw earlier you made a new magic? It looked good?"

"What about you?"

Hoshimiya Kaede tapped.

Eun-ha smiled at her who he seemed to have seen after a long time.

Then Kaede snorted and followed Jin Pa-rang to search for mana stones.

Other Pandora Clan members rejoiced at Eun-ha's revival as if it were their own.

Getting scolded by Min-ho.

Hearing nagging from Seo-na and Eun-woo.

Hearing A-ra say she was worried.

Yeon-hwa smiled softly.

Chang-jin wiped his chest.

Gu-rae was the same.

"By the way honey, wasn't Riel nursing you? Then where is Riel?" "Her? Right now she's probably eating Choco Pies deliciously at the cathedral." "Huh?"

"She's safe too. She'll be fine."

Like that, Eun-ha caught up.

It wasn't just them who came looking for him then.

Eun-ha turned his gaze to people approaching him, the Twelve Seats.

"Pandora Clan Lord. I'm really glad you're safe."

"Thank you for helping earlier."

<First Sword> Ji Yong-hyun.

He extended his hand to Eun-ha with a benevolent smile.

Eun-ha grasped his hand.

Right then─

"─Hey! Noh Eun-ha! No, no. Pandora Clan Lord! I helped take down that thing too, right?"

"Sigh, are you really a child? Do you have to nail it down like that? I already feel awkward coming late..."

"You owe me. So sometime soon, let's have a match...oof!" "Eun-ha, no, Pandora Clan Lord. You don't need to listen to what this person says. Rather, those who owe a debt are us who couldn't protect Gangbuk in time despite having the duty of Twelve Seats."

"..."

<Yamma > Kang Hyeon-cheol, <Holy Mother> Park Hye-rim.

The two put on a comedy.

Eun-ha slightly nodded to Park Hye-rim who covered the crazy squid's mouth and ignored the thing that wasn't even human.

"...I'm hungry."

He decided to ignore <Silent > Yu Su-jin too, who grabbed Park Hye-rim's clothes and stated she was hungry.

"Hello. We meet again."

<Witch of Time> Priscis Memory.

She wearing a pointed hat approached and greeted Eun-ha.

Eun-ha expressed gratitude to her.

Finally─

"─I saw your attack earlier. It was really amazing, wasn't it? I can see why people around, Hyeon-cheol, kept repeating the Pandora Clan Lord's name lately." "...No. Thank you for helping earlier. And since I'm younger, please speak comfortably." "...Really? Then I'll do that. No, I only attacked the army commander you had almost killed?"

"Still, thank you."

<Thunder Emperor> Lee Do-jin.

Eun-ha conversed with him who was incomparable to the crazy squid.

It seemed Do-jin didn't know much about him.

Even meeting when he was in elementary school.

Well, I was young then too, and from that person's perspective it was probably just a fleeting connection.

<Silent > that person doesn't seem to remember me either... No, it makes sense for that person not to.

Rather, it's strange that <Witch of Time> that person remembers me.

Lee Do-jin was famous for being the kindest, most diligent, and best personality among the Twelve Seats.

In fact, Eun-ha knew his character was exactly as known to the world without an ounce of falsehood.

It was then.

"─Hey!! I found mana stones here! Howya, see, wasn't I right? I'm telling you my nose is the best?"

"Yeah, you're boasting." "Hey! Noh Eun-ha! There are skill stones here too! Not just one, but two came out! They're both huge!"

""""...!!""""

Jin Pa-rang jumped out of the ashes showing mana stones and skill stones.

Pa-rang wagged his tail back and forth raising his nose high.

To this, Jin Seo-na clicked her tongue.

[Pa-rang oppa... Do you have thoughts or not? How can you proudly bring that and boast with other people here?]

[Huh? Should I not do that?]

[Of course not! It's not like Eun-ha faced Ye-gyeong alone, we all fought together, so what will other people demand?]

A fox and wolf sparking between their ears having some kind of argument.

Eun-ha felt he could tell what Seo-na was saying to Pa-rang even without hearing the telepathy.

This is awkward.

<First Sword> is one thing... But I can't say I won't distribute spoils to others because they joined the battle late...

Those occupying Twelve Seats positions were quite experienced people.

Even the crazy squid.

They must be thinking the same as Eun-ha and Seo-na.

""""...."""

Level 3 overrank Ye-gyeong's mana stone.

And skill stones.

No one could easily speak up about spoils of considerable value.

Eun-ha expected that.

But Eun-ha's expectations were pleasantly betrayed.

"─We'll leave disposal of the mana stone and skill stones to the Pandora Clan Lord. I didn't do much besides chasing the creature."

Ji Yong-hyun spoke up.

He who was oldest among those present gave up his share without regret.

Starting with him─

"─It's not right. Even if you say you owe me a debt, I only helped a little...oof!"

"We who only returned today can't say anything about what to do with Ye-gyeong's mana stone and skill stones. This person is saying that too. Right?"

"I, I have something to say too...!" "Yes, Pandora Clan Lord. Since that's the case, you don't need to worry about Blaze Clan and Regulus Clan."

Kang Hyeon-cheol and Park Hye-rim gladly gave up their shares.

"I'm fine too. More importantly, I should go back now. I can't keep spending time here. It's the same for <Thunder Emperor>, right?"

"Yes, that's right. The fairy told us to go save Gangbuk first, so we can't stay like this. Ah, I'll give up ownership rights too. It would be embarrassing to say I have rights just for landing the final blow."

Priscis Memory smiled.

Lee Do-jin smiled refreshingly and turned his body.

"I'll relay the fairy's words. She said all Twelve Seats should do their best to save Gangbuk. Especially Hyeon-cheol. She strongly cautioned not to commit unnecessary arson getting excited about destroying monsters."

"Tch, as if I'd commit arson..."

"Hyeon-cheol, that doesn't seem like something you should say... Anyway since that's decided, Hyeon-cheol and Hye-rim, you go in a different direction from us..."

Lee Do-jin relayed Fairy Lim Ga-eul's orders.

To this, the Twelve Seats decided to leave Namsan and annihilate monsters still remaining in Gangbuk.

Then there was one Twelve Seat who hadn't given up ownership rights yet.

"I'll give up if you just give me food."

""""...."""

"Su-jin..."

<Silent > Yu Su-jin boldly grabbing Eun-ha's clothes and making a deal.

She wearing headband-type hearing protection around her neck made her eyes sparkle.

Saying there's no dignity of the Twelve Seats.

Park Hye-rim sighed.

"...I have Mon Cher, want to eat it?"

Just then, there was one snack in Eun-ha's holster.

Though it became an unsightly shape melting from heat and getting crushed from impact.

The expiration date hadn't passed yet.

Eun-ha held out the crushed Mon Cher to her.

Yu Su-jin nodded vigorously.

"You, good person."

He gained Yu Su-jin's favor.

She patted Eun-ha's shoulder with chocolate smeared on her mouth.

Eventually she was made to leave, caught by Park Hye-rim and Lee Do-jin.

"To think such a person is a Twelve Seat..."

"Hey. You can't judge people like that."

After all the Twelve Seats left.

Mok Min-ho who had been quietly watching the situation and subtly admiring the Twelve Seats muttered weakly.

Cha Eun-woo next to him slapped his shoulder.

☆

"─Let's go back too."

Though creatures that noticed Ye-gyeong's death were retreating, some still remained in Gangbuk.

Naturally, there was no need to mention Yongsan-gu's situation bordering the Han River.

Eun-ha decided to return to Yongsan-gu.

Now if I go, will I get scolded terribly by noona and Ha-yang? Ah, fortunately Ha-yang is at the Mana Management Organization, right?

His physical abilities had decreased considerably.

Eun-ha quietly followed behind clan members leading his tired body.

Clan members also grasped that Eun-ha's body condition wasn't very good and were slowing their pace.

Right then─

─Rustle rustle

While going down a hill, suddenly the sound of bushes rustling was heard.

Right after, some form quickly jumped out from the bushes.

The form that charged avoiding the arrow Kaede instantly shot was─

"─Noh Eun-haaaaa!!"

""""...!!""""

It was On Tae-yang.

On Tae-yang holding a sword in a stabbing stance was rushing at Eun-ha while quickly avoiding Kaede's attack.

As if to kill him.

Why is On Tae-yang here? Why is he like that?

A sudden situation.

Eun-ha didn't understand the situation and just watched On Tae-yang.

He didn't make any response.

His body was barely able to hold a sword.

Even if he drew his sword now, On Tae-yang's sword would attack him faster.

Nevertheless, the reason Eun-ha watched the situation as if it wasn't his business was─

"─What are you! Why suddenly to Eun-ha...!" "Hey! Are you crazy? Why are you suddenly jumping out and doing this!?"

Because clan members were there.

The moment On Tae-yang revealed himself, Jin Pa-rang and Yu Nam-hoon rushed in.

The two blocked On Tae-yang.

"Move!! I'm going to kill that bastard!! If you don't want to die too, move, hurry!!"

On Tae-yang shouted loudly with veins popping on his neck.

There was no way Jin Pa-rang and Yu Nam-hoon would listen to what he said.

The two tried to subdue On Tae-yang and neutralize him like that.

And On Tae-yang who noticed that suddenly rushed at Jin Pa-rang's sword aiming for his neck.

"...You, you, what are you doing!? Are you crazy wanting to die!?"

"Noh Eun-haaaaaaaa!!"

Not fearing his neck flying off, On Tae-yang rushed in.

Rather, it was Jin Pa-rang who got scared because of that.

He who only intended to subdue lightly was startled when On Tae-yang suddenly put his neck to his sword.

And On Tae-yang escaped his position using a similar method, grazing his arm on Yu Nam-hoon's sword.

"Damn it...!!"

The two were flustered.

They who belatedly came to their senses ran towards On Tae-yang who was already trying to swing his sword down at Eun-ha.

But it was too late to chase On Tae-yang now.

On Tae-yang's sword was about to─

──!!

Metal sound.

The sword falling on Eun-ha's head was blocked by Ryu Yeon-hwa's spear and couldn't move an inch.

Simultaneously, Mok Min-ho was holding his sword to On Tae-yang's neck.

"...Kuk...!"

"On Tae-yang. If you don't want to make this bigger, drop your sword." "Noh Eun-ha killed my party members! That bastard killed my comrades!" "...I don't know what you're saying, but you can't touch the Clan Lord."

"Damn it...! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!!" "Jin Pa-rang, Nam-hoon hyung. Quickly subdue him."

On Tae-yang keeps shouting incomprehensible things loudly.

The clan members' reactions were unanimous.

Reactions asking if On Tae-yang was crazy.

They gradually narrowed the distance, trying to subdue On Tae-yang like that.

But On Tae-yang wasn't going to be subdued like that.

Gift <Berserk >

Even grazing his neck on the sword.

On Tae-yang pushed away Mok Min-ho's sword with his hand and charged.

Clan members who didn't expect him to cause a disturbance even getting his hand cut on the sword clicked their tongues.

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

The three rushed at him.

But On Tae-yang who would kill them to reach Noh Eun-ha for his goal versus the three trying to subdue him couldn't be easily stopped.

Furthermore─

"─He's getting stronger!?"

"Kuaaaaaaah!!"

"Move aside. I'll join in too."

After crossing swords a few times.

On Tae-yang's abilities had noticeably grown.

Moreover, he seemed to have already grasped the three's techniques, as he easily avoided their attacks.

To this, Kaede jumped in irregularly and responded to On Tae-yang's sword with her tonfa.

She grunted and was pushed back, and in that interval Jin Pa-rang kicked him with a roundhouse kick.

"Noh Eun-haaaaa!!"

Shouting Noh Eun-ha's name like a beast.

On Tae-yang, who was sent flying by Jin Pa-rang's roundhouse kick, ran madly the moment his feet touched the ground.

He had become even stronger than before.

On Tae-yang, who had figured out how the three were subduing him, avoided their attacks. Also, as if not fearing death, he offered his body to their blades while rushing towards Eun-ha.

Nevertheless─

"─Kuaaaah...!! Let go!! I said let go!!"

""""...."""

The four were finally able to subdue On Tae-yang.

Kaede blocked Yu Nam-hoon's sword while hitting On Tae-yang's abdomen hard with her tonfa.

Meanwhile, Jin Pa-rang and Mok Min-ho pounced on him from behind.

"This guy's really gone crazy. Making people work so hard. No, do you want to die? Why are you putting your neck to the sword?"

Jin Pa-rang was dumbfounded.

He seemed to get heated up again thinking about it, as he emotionally made On Tae-yang collapse to the ground with a thud.

Jin Pa-rang, who climbed on top of On Tae-yang, grabbed his head and slammed it into the ground.

Just in case, Mok Min-ho tightly grabbed his neck.

"Move!! I'll kill everyone! I'll kill all of you!!" """"...."""

"You're all in it together, right!? You're in it together! You bastards! You killed my comrades!? Huh? Huh? Huuuh!?"

On Tae-yang struggling.

On Tae-yang's words exuding killing intent made the listeners frown.

On Tae-yang, who had been spouting incomprehensible words for a while, looked just like a madman.

He was truly a berserker, a berserk warrior.

Especially when On Tae-yang's eyes met Eun-ha's, that was the only word that could describe him.

"I've never killed your comrades. You must be misunderstanding something, but this is the first time I'm seeing you since graduating from the academy."

"It's a lie! Don't lie! Because of you just now, my comrades...!!"

"I don't understand why you suddenly jumped out and are trying to kill me. I don't even know who your comrades are. But if you really want..."

Eun-ha knelt on one knee.

Eun-ha, who lowered his posture, met On Tae-yang's eyes from a distance where On Tae-yang absolutely couldn't attack him.

While On Tae-yang growled.

Eun-ha calmly looked down at him.

Then after looking at him for a while as if thinking about something─

"─If you want to kill me that badly, then alright, let's settle this here."

"...!"

""""...!!""""

Noh Eun-ha opened his mouth.

On Tae-yang's eyes widened.

His friends looked at Eun-ha with shocked faces.