845

 [Chapter 211]

[Seven Devils (5)]

To the terror occurring in various parts of Seoul.

Im Ga-eul, upon hearing the news, dropped everything she was doing and called in all ministers and their subordinate officials.

The Fairy Government, having experienced disasters for many years, could move quickly.

And she had complete control over the officials under her.

They became her hands and feet to carry out missions.

"Quickly grasp what the situation is like! The terror occurring everywhere now is unlikely to have happened spontaneously. They are causing it systematically."

The information coming in real-time was just devastating.

Terror caused by one person was spreading as time passed, causing unimaginable damage.

No, it was inappropriate to express it as one person.

"What exactly is the identity of those causing terror now? Having a human form, yet having a form different from humans..."

Are they commander-level monsters controlling monsters?

Then are they harboring mana stones?

The Fairy Government could hardly grasp information about them.

Just then, the screen changed and one person appeared.

The leader of the 3rd generation Twelve Seats.

It was <Index > Yoon Seong-jin.

[According to what my disciple heard, they are called Mines.]

"Mines?"

[You've probably heard of it too? About beings that transformed after perfectly accepting mana disturbances.]

At the words of Mines that only theoretically exist in mana studies, people sitting in their seats stirred.

Im Ga-eul also couldn't hide her surprise at learning of the Mines' existence.

"<Index >-nim. Then can we know their weaknesses?"

[I don't know either due to lack of information. We can't even know if the information sent by Pandora Clan is actually correct.]

"...It's probably information sent by <Cardinal >, so it should be somewhat correct."

Im Ga-eul spoke after a pause.

Looking at the unfolding situation, it seemed Noh Eun-ha probably knew about the existence of Mines.

If he knew that, he should have given me a hint earlier.

Of course, Im Ga-eul could understand Eun-ha's judgment when thinking calmly.

Even if you know about the existence of Mines.

Even if you know about them.

How could you respond to sudden terror against civilians?

Moreover, even the countermeasures against Mines that <Index > informed weren't particularly certain.

Still, Im Ga-eul couldn't help but click her tongue in regret.

"Spread information about Mines to the clans. And please ponder what the purpose of their terror might be."

In the end, she decided to focus on organizing the current situation.

Originally, terror is usually done with a purpose.

Especially those moving systematically enough to cause simultaneous attacks must surely have some purpose.

National Cemetery, bank, subway, police station, concert, department store...

Im Ga-eul bit her nails while glaring at the map displayed on one screen.

All six places were sufficient to cause social chaos.

But the remaining one place just felt strange.

Why on earth Zenith Clan...

The seventh terror location, Zenith Clan.

She wondered if they caused terror because they had a grudge against Zenith Clan.

But Zenith Clan had no connection with the other six locations.

"Please look into the situation regarding Zenith Clan in detail. It's strange why terror occurred there of all places."

Im Ga-eul instructed the intelligence director.

Then lower-ranking officials entered the conference room carrying several screens.

They turned on broadcasts covering new places where terror was occurring.

Zenith Clan was among them.

""""...."""

<First Sword> Ji Yong-hyeon was battling with an old man who seemed to be the terrorist.

The old man wasn't pushed back.

Just that alone showed the old man was an owner of extraordinary skills.

[Kkulkkul... Quite a crowd has gathered. Try stopping me. If you can stop me, we will cease all terror.]

The old man who cut off an S-rank player's breath with just one swing of his staff revealed he was the mastermind behind the terror occurring throughout Seoul.

"Is that guy the mastermind?"

Im Ga-eul glared at the old man.

The profilers present focused on what he was saying.

"It seems he's a person with strong exhibitionism. Perhaps... the reason he's causing terror now is that there's no reason at all."

One person said cautiously.

Im Ga-eul quietly repeated those words and refreshed her thoughts.

It's true he's a person with strong exhibitionism.

But is he really causing terror for no reason?

I have a bad feeling.

I can't shake the feeling that the situation is flowing centered on that old man.

She shook her head inwardly.

The Fairy's experience was speaking.

I don't know for what purpose, but their terror is aimed at the Fairy Government.

Whether to succumb to terror or not.

The prestige of the Fairy Government was at stake.

So even while feeling like she was being drawn in by them, she couldn't help but be anxious to resolve the terror.

"Keep your antennas up for information coming from Nowon-gu now. We need to gain momentum somehow. If we can just subdue the mastermind, we can turn the flow to our side...!"

And when she said that.

Im Ga-eul could suddenly infer the purpose they were plotting.

The reason the old man is attacking Zenith Clan and causing terror now is─

─Because of <First Sword>.

<First Sword> Ji Yong-hyeon, picked as the leader among the Twelve Seats' dealer division.

The old man's purpose might be to break this country's confidence by defeating him.

If <First Sword> loses here, people will fall into even greater panic then. That absolutely can't happen.

Her hands and feet grew cold.

Im Ga-eul couldn't help but be dumbfounded seeing the screen installed in the conference room showing <First Sword>.

Many broadcasts were covering <First Sword>'s battle.

They were showing it to the citizens, believing <First Sword> would defeat the old man and suppress this chaos.

But if <First Sword> loses, that's the end.

Public sentiment would hit rock bottom.

"Stop the broadcasts covering Zenith Clan terror immediately!"

"But Fairy-nim! Even if we stop the broadcasts, news keeps coming up through SNS!"

"Kuk..."

Im Ga-eul shouted suddenly.

By then it was too late.

People's interest was directed at <First Sword>.

Stopping broadcasts in this situation could unnecessarily shake people's anxiety more.

Moreover, the outcome between <First Sword> and the old man would inevitably be decided.

Somehow Yong-hyeon oppa has to stop him.

Please, I beg you. Hang in there.

In the end, all Im Ga-eul could do was deal with the terror occurring in various places and cheer for Ji Yong-hyeon.

☆

Zenith Clan Hall, Nowon-gu.

The situation was flowing in an unfavorable direction.

"─Is that all you've got. For someone called this country's best sword, your skills are quite insignificant. <Divine Spear> wasn't this weak."

""""...."""

1:1 battle between the old man and Ji Yong-hyeon.

The battle between the two was so fast it was hard to follow with the naked eye.

Even Zenith Clan members couldn't rashly intervene in their battle.

Then when the two exchanged blows and distanced themselves, they aimed for that gap to launch surprise attacks.

Still, the old man blocked their swords with a relaxed expression and killed them.

On the other hand, Ji Yong-hyeon showed signs of struggling.

Eventually as time passed, Ji Yong-hyeon was clearly being pushed back.

His body was covered in wounds, while the old man was unharmed and fine.

Imperial Sword 8th Form

Sword Dragon Ascension

The old man even waited for Ji Yong-hyeon to activate magic.

Swords rose from the ground.

The old man lightly moved to avoid them.

Imperial Sword 7th Form

Ground Collapse

It was Ji Yong-hyeon's aim.

Ji Yong-hyeon immediately swung his sword down.

The shock starting from the sword tip collapsed the ground where the old man stood.

"Hooh."

The old man was caught.

The old man falls into the pit.

Imperial Sword 10th Form

Sword Light Pillar

Ji Yong-hyeon didn't hesitate.

He created a huge sword.

The sword created in the air plunged into the pit the old man fell into.

The ground shook.

Even drones flying in the air couldn't withstand the shock.

When the falling drones barely managed to maintain balance─

"─Cough..."

Ji Yong-hyeon coughed up blood.

The sword he summoned in the air pierced his abdomen instead.

Just before, the old man changed the coordinates of space to attack Ji Yong-hyeon.

"I'll acknowledge you're somewhat strong. But no matter how strong a human who hasn't even embodied myth is, they can't match new humans."

The old man flaunted his composure.

Nevertheless, Ji Yong-hyeon didn't collapse and gripped his sword.

He healed his abdomen with his other hand.

He absolutely must not fall.

His aim is my defeat.

He's aiming to make me suffer a miserable defeat and lower people's morale.

It's as the old man said.

<First Sword> was this country's sword.

The old man is trying to prove their forces are powerful by miserably breaking that sword.

Therefore, <First Sword> must absolutely not submit to him.

Even at the cost of death, he must not show an unsightly appearance.

I have no choice.

Ji Yong-hyeon sensed his own death.

The old man was a formidable enemy.

His power was unfathomable.

So he had to be prepared to take down the old man with the attitude of dying together.

Ji Yong-hyeon steadied his breathing.

"Hooh, you're thinking of betting everything on this attack. Yes, I'll wait with a joyful heart."

If the old man's purpose was his defeat.

The old man would wait for him to use his full power.

Sure enough, the old man watched quietly with joy.

Because of that, Ji Yong-hyeon could pour his full power into the sword in his hand.

Rumble rumble

The ground shakes.

The atmosphere fluctuates.

Cracks form in the sky.

As the sky shatters like glass, the scattered fragments become swords.

Before he knew it, the sky was dyed pitch black, and thousands of blades were flying around.

Imperial Sword Special Form

Sword Dance

Thousands of swords sharpen their blades.

The swords make chilling sounds.

Eventually, endless sword strikes rushed at the old man.

Ji Yong-hyeon also charged at the old man.

I must face him with the attitude of dying together.

Even if I die here, <First Sword> must not show the appearance of being unable to defeat him.

He is this country's best sword.

A sword that knows honor and serves the Fairy must never show weakness or submit.

The reason the old man came for him instead of <Yama > and <Thunder God> must be for that reason.

────!!

A ripping sound tearing the air.

Ji Yong-hyeon, who avoided the old man's magic, was gradually approaching the old man.

His sword emitted a blue light.

Imperial Sword 6th Form

Unity of Body and Sword

I am a sword.

This sword has no hesitation.

Ji Yong-hyeon's body became light.

He, who became one with the sword, pierced through the old man's body at the speed of light.

"Excellent... attack. This is quite, impressive."

At that moment, the pitch black world cried.

The world of sword dance shatters.

The world returns to normal.

The old man whose half body disappeared soon vanishes into smoke.

Ji Yong-hyeon knelt on one knee.

His body was in tatters.

He had been hit by the old man's attack.

"─But didn't I say? Your sword cannot reach me."

"Kuk..."

And he appeared before Ji Yong-hyeon's eyes, who thought he had died.

The smoke scattered in the air gathered and took the old man's form.

The old man was fine this time too.

"Still, it was a good match. My power should have been clearly conveyed to you all, so you are no longer needed."

"..."

Not yet.

It's not over.

Ji Yong-hyeon tried to resist the old man, grasping his fading consciousness.

"It's useless. Look at the sword you're holding. Isn't your sword already broken? I know you want an honorable death, but what you're trying to do now is nothing more than dragging out a pathetic death."

Even if there is no sword.

As long as this will is not broken, the sword exists unchanging.

Ji Yong-hyeon's eyes opened wide.

No sword in hand.

But there is a sword in the heart.

That's what magic is.

The power to make the non-existent exist.

That is will, and magic.

─Imperial Sword Special Form

Formless Sword

Like swinging a sword normally.

Ji Yong-hyeon gently swung his sword.

The broken sword cut through the air in front of the old man.

"Hah, really..."

"..."

"They say humans reach a higher realm when approaching death... Congratulations. With that strike just now, you've reached the threshold of myth."

"..."

"Yes, is that so. It seems people watching you have temporarily stepped into the realm of gods by cheering with desperate hearts. But how unfortunate."

Ji Yong-hyeon's sword cut through the area.

A sword without any aura devastated the area in a radial pattern.

The old man was also hit by the sword strike and crushed.

But that was the end.

"That was a doll made in my image. The real body is here."

Space shook.

The old man who came out of subspace said giggling.

"Still, well done, human."

"..."

"You're worth researching. Originally I was going to tear your body into pieces and instill fear in those watching others' affairs from their homes, but I've changed my mind."

In the end, he couldn't cut him down.

Ji Yong-hyeon could no longer move.

He could only support his body by stabbing his scabbard into the ground.

I, must not fall.

His last remaining consciousness told him.

<First Sword> must not fall.

Ji Yong-hyeon's consciousness was fading.

Then, he heard a voice.

"─Sorry I'm late."

"..."

A man appearing in his blurry vision.

Ji Yong-hyeon confirmed the man's face.

Soon he smiled.

He moved his hand holding the sword.

His hand trembled.

"This..."

"..."

A completely broken sword.

The symbol of <First Sword>.

Ji Yong-hyeon handed over the sword.

He breathed his last.

"Damn it..."

<Cardinal > Noh Eun-ha.

He laid Ji Yong-hyeon, who died kneeling, on the ground.

Now you can close your eyes in peace.

Because from now on, he will carry the weight you were bearing.

Noh Eun-ha gripped the broken sword.

His gaze turned to Armageddon.

"Haha, you interfere again. But what can you do with a completely broken sword? There's nothing left in that sword now."

"Shut up."

The reason Noh Eun-ha gripped the broken sword was clear.

He inherits <First Sword>'s will.

And thus represents to the world that humans did not lose to the old man.

The birth of a new <First Sword>.

No─

─Whoosh!!

Flames rose on the broken blade, and sparks fluttered in the world.

The flames swirling around him created a sight reminiscent of a red lotus blooming.

"If it's not there, I'll make it."

Succeeding <First Sword>.

It was the birth of the <Crimson Lotus Sword>.