713

 [Chapter 182]

[Life of the Weak (4)]

<Star-Counting Witch> Song Yunseo.

Song Yunseo, who possessed the gift of seeing confirmed futures, was a figure Eunha who returned in time couldn't handle as he wished.

For some reason, she showed behavior that deviated from Eunha's expectations.

Did she see some different future because she has <Future Sight>?

To think someone who should have originally become one of the Twelve Seats resigned as a candidate and disappeared...

The 2nd Generation Twelve Seats Selection.

At that time, Song Yunseo was being recommended as the replacement for the 1st Generation Twelve Seats <Heavenly Sound> Oh Geonhu.

But unlike in the previous life, she didn't show herself and unexpectedly sent a letter to Fairy Im Gaeul resigning as a Twelve Seats candidate.

As a result, <Big Data> Mo Rayul was selected instead.

In a way, did she keenly notice a disadvantageous position for herself and run away?

However, from Song Yunseo's standpoint.

The Twelve Seats position could be considered poison for her.

In the previous life, her reputation became very bad due to the calamities that occurred in succession starting with the Seoul invasion.

'What's the use of seeing the future? It's fragmentary so it's not really helpful, and you can't prevent it anyway.'

People even devalued her abilities to that extent.

As a result, she lost her dignity as one of the Twelve Seats over time.

Since she couldn't protect people safely as a disaster warning system, naturally the approval ratings for the Fairy and Fairy government who promoted her as one of the Twelve Seats dropped and.

As a result, it could be said that as she lost her dignity, the Twelve Seats pursuing public and private interests lost their balance.

The Twelve Seats turned their backs on the public interest of protecting the country by protecting the Fairy.

Thinking about it now, it was good that person didn't become one of the Twelve Seats.

Thanks to that, <Big Data> could take the blame that the Fairy government should have taken.

In the end, the navigator position among the Twelve Seats was inevitably bound to be blamed.

But Song Yunseo avoided that position in this life as if she knew like a ghost.

Thanks to that, <Big Data> took the blame, her authority dropped greatly and.

Moreover, Fairy Im Gaeul was able to shift some responsibility to her.

The future flowed as Eunha had hoped.

Is it good luck? Or did she disappear knowing this in advance?

Her actions were just strange.

It probably wasn't a coincidence.

Considering that she cast concealment magic on Ha Baekryeon and made people around not pay attention to her internal mana.

So she was a variable.

For now, a variable in a good sense.

I don't know what she's thinking until I meet her.

Still, she was favorable to Baekryeon in the previous life, so I shouldn't think badly of her.

But I have no idea where this person is...

Eunha inwardly clicked his tongue.

Song Yunseo's whereabouts were unclear.

The news that Fairy Im Gaeul was looking for her was very famous.

But unfortunately, it seemed she couldn't find Song Yunseo's traces.

Even if rumors of the <Star-Counting Witch> were found, by then she had already left that place.

That's what Eunha knew.

"Do you know someone called the <Star-Counting Witch>?"

"Who's that?"

"Someone with very flashy nail art."

"?"

"She'd be wearing sunglasses too... Someone very sensitive about fashion."

"?"

So just in case.

Eunha asked Ha Baekryeon to find Song Yunseo's whereabouts.

Ha Baekryeon didn't seem to know.

She didn't seem to know what kind of magic was cast on her, so it made sense she wouldn't know about her.

There's no use looking for the <Star-Counting Witch> like this.

I don't know where she is or what she's doing, but it's probably best to leave her be for now. She'll probably reveal herself when the time comes.

Unable to find Song Yunseo's whereabouts.

Eunha decided to give up.

At that moment─.

"─How long are you going to touch my head?"

"Ah, sorry."

Pouting.

Ha Baekryeon had puffed up her cheeks.

She had been enduring because of the macaron, but it seemed she couldn't endure any longer.

Only then did Eunha take his hand off Ha Baekryeon's head.

☆

Eungdal Mountain, Taebong Mountain, Jinjae Mountain.

The monsters were spread out evenly in the mountains living in groups.

According to Hoshimiya Kaede's report, about 3-4 5th tier Grand Apes were confirmed in each village.

Also, each Grand Ape led about 10-20 monsters.

With at least 2 villages per mountain, the scale is enormous.

When he heard the briefing.

Eunha was dumbfounded.

It was understandable, considering such monsters were hiding right next to the city center even though it was an area not protected by the Cocoon.

Of course, the clan lords of Seongnam City listening to the briefing together seemed to know it was shameful.

They bowed their heads deeply and decided to obediently follow Eunha's words.

And so─.

[─The operation will now commence. This was Pandora Clan Telepathist Seo Dambi.]

[Sanun Clan relaying Pandora Clan Telepathist Seo Dambi's message. The operation will now...]

[This is Cheonggye Clan. The operation will now...]

The subjugation battle began.

Eunha and the Pandora Clan members. And the players of Seongnam City departed for the three mountains as soon as day broke.

The operation was simply to divide the manpower and individually crush the villages spread across the three mountains.

It had to be finished quickly.

We can't give them time to prepare.

Even if the Seongnam City players were incompetent, it doesn't make sense that they couldn't find these guys.

It means they're quite skilled at hiding themselves.

So they had to quickly overwhelm and completely annihilate them.

"─Don't let even one escape. If any of you let one escape, be prepared."

""""Yes!! Understood!!""""

While ordering extermination.

Eunha growled lowly.

If even one escaped carelessly, that one could make the monsters in other villages aware of their existence.

From their perspective, it would give them time to prepare, and on the other hand, time to escape.

Eunha didn't want to give time for the groups led by 5th tier monsters to escape like this.

So he ordered dividing forces and crushing them individually.

Mana Crusher

Somewhere in the Eungdal Mountain forest.

Eunha killed the ape-type monster guarding the village entrance.

There was another gatekeeper at that time, but its head flew off to the sword of Yoo Namhun who was following closely behind Eunha.

"Rangers and snipers spread out and surround the village. Make sure not a single one escapes."

When monsters die, they leave behind mana stones and their bodies disappear into mana.

There's no need to worry about corpses.

It's difficult for monsters living in the village to sense anomalies.

Eunha used that point to take care of the gatekeepers first, then instructed the players he was commanding.

They moved according to the plan.

The Taebong Mountain side must be doing well too.

The party led by Ryu Yeonhwa and Noh Euna was at Taebong Mountain.

Hoshimiya Kaede was there too.

Eunha wished them luck while checking the village situation.

"Casters ready."

""""..."

They're monsters living like humans.

Bonfires could be seen here and there.

Some were gathered around fires eating fruits or animals.

And some were even wearing clothes made of leaves.

Eunha carefully observed the creatures that could be described as barbarians acting like humans.

Then he clenched his raised hand.

"─Casters, commence attack in 3 seconds. Aim for the village center to attack as many as possible."

To wipe out the monsters in one go.

And to make them panic.

Eunha ordered the casters and.

Soon magic was deployed.

Explosions erupted.

Boom boom boom!!

As expected.

The monsters who noticed the explosions screamed and panicked.

Eunha didn't miss that moment.

"─Dealers and hunters now enter the enemy lines with me. Navigators grasp the situation to ensure no one escapes. Supporters provide support while watching the situation."

Eunha's signal dropped.

He jumped down from the tree.

Then Yoo Namhun fell to the ground without hesitation.

He who wasn't fazed by the impact from falling from a high place immediately moved his steps.

Players followed behind them.

"─Even among the same 5th tier, there will be a hierarchy between them. <Poison Immunity> and I will handle that one. The rest deal with the other ones, and new recruits try not to approach the Grand Apes as much as possible."

Leaving the 6th and 7th tier ape-type monsters to the new recruits.

Eunha decided to face the 5th tier Grand Ape with Yoo Namhun and other players.

Meanwhile, the boss-level monster among them was easily noticeable.

It was because it was particularly large and wore a bone necklace and clothing made of leaves.

Kuooooo!!

The creature beat its chest with its fists to threaten them.

Nevertheless, neither Eunha nor Yoo Namhun flinched.

At most it was 5th tier.

At best it was overrank.

Those who personally experienced the calamity last year had no reason to be afraid.

"I'll draw aggro."

"Please do."

Its defense was quite high.

When the creature blocked Eunha's Mana Crusher, the two decided to change tactics.

Eunha stepped back to measure the distance, and Yoo Namhun rushed at the creature.

On the other hand, the creature that blocked one attack became arrogant and swung its fist.

Tyrant Paddock

The poison of the 4th tier Triangular Land Great Toad Chief.

Yoo Namhun's blade turned black.

He swung his sword towards the incoming fist.

Pshhhh!!

Corrosive poison.

The poison on the blade edge wounded the creature's fist.

As the skin melted, the poison on the blade edge dripped down.

No matter how high the defense─.

"You gorilla-looking thing..."

Yoo Namhun's magic had the power to break down the opponent's defense and inject poison into it.

He rolled his body and delivered consecutive follow-up attacks to the creature.

When the creature got angry at Yoo Namhun and lowered its guard around─.

─Horizontal Freak

Eunha attacked the creature's back.

☆

Pandora Clan new recruit dealer Oh Seonghwan.

He too was fighting ape-type monsters while receiving Eunha's commands.

Amazing! As expected of the Clan Lord!

<Quick-witted > Noh Eunha.

No, now <Crimson Wing> Noh Eunha.

Oh Seonghwan, who had been captivated by Eunha's skills since the Academy, couldn't contain his excitement at being able to see his combat up close.

He wanted to become like that too.

Eunha calmly commanding players and coordinating the battle situation, while easily handling high-tier monsters, looked so cool.

How on earth does one become strong?

How can he face Grand Apes without retreating like that?

He's facing two 5th tier Grand Apes alone.

Oh Seonghwan couldn't help but admire.

The clan members who joined Pandora Clan admiring Eunha's martial prowess like him seemed to be the same.

So much so that Oh Seonghwan's fighting spirit rose and he recklessly charged at a Grand Ape without knowing better.

Then he realized he was no match for the creature with his skills, and only then did he try to face it with the people he formed a party with.

"Kuk...!!"

But even that wasn't going well.

When facing a high-tier monster, his body involuntarily shrank from the presence they emitted.

In that state, there was no way he could coordinate well with the clan members.

To begin with, there was no established coordination between them.

At most they attacked one by one in turns.

They had just been lucky until now.

I can't do it alone.

Others need to draw aggro and disperse its attention too.

Come to think of it, didn't Eunha just work together with Yoo Namhun to kill the 5th tier overrank monster?

Even he with skills comparable to the Twelve Seats avoided fighting alone as much as possible.

But he didn't know what guts he had to try facing the creature.

Just clumsily matching with his peers and only retreating.

""""..."

Soon the clan members facing the Grand Ape with Oh Seonghwan seemed to realize they were still inexperienced.

They exchanged glances with each other.

Unlike the existing Pandora Clan members, they couldn't be called close.

Nevertheless, they awkwardly shared opinions through eye contact.

─Mana Crusher

The basics of party play was switching.

While one person faces the monster, another person stands by to attack.

And when the person facing the monster becomes defenseless, immediately strike.

Since they had never properly coordinated before, they tried to stick to the basics.

At that moment, they who had been overestimating their own skills lowered themselves.

By lowering themselves and accepting others, they were able to coordinate their strength.

We don't need to be fixated on killing quickly like the Clan Lord.

We can use tactics to drag out time and wear down its stamina in our own way.

Since the battle lines were in disarray.

They assessed that it would be difficult to expect support from other players.

So they used tactics to wear down its stamina over time, rather than using full power to fight it and making the mistake of letting their guard down.

They were called promising talents.

As they became humble facing an opponent stronger than themselves, they gradually got used to the creature over time.

That's when it happened.

The creature moved erratically.

─Kuooooo!!

The clan members fighting while maintaining distance.

The creature realized the situation wasn't good and attempted a frontal breakthrough.

It suddenly rushed at Oh Seonghwan, taking attacks head-on.

Oh Seonghwan was at a loss when the creature charged with its body.

Nevertheless, to somehow block it─.

─I, I have to endure!

If we're broken through like this, the people behind will get hurt.

He manifested his internal mana.

He made sure his feet didn't leave the ground to avoid being pushed back by the creature's strength.

Then he gritted his teeth and tried to counter the creature's attack.

Right at that moment─.

─Ubbo

In an instant.

Eunha appeared in front of him.

Oh Seonghwan's eyes widened.

"I'm pretty sure I told you to only check the 5th tier from a distance?"

With an annoyed tone.

Eunha swung his sword.

Mana Crusher

Magic that Oh Seonghwan could use too.

But the destructive power was on a different level.

The sword strike Eunha created with Maengoseu curved like a whip.

And wrapped around the creature's neck.

When he swung his sword again, strength entered the magic enveloping the creature's neck.

Whirr!

The sword strike unraveled and.

The Grand Ape's head fell off.

Oh Seonghwan couldn't help but widen his eyes seeing that sight.

"Amazing..."

"Save the admiration for later. Don't space out like that."

"Ah, yes! I'm sorry!"

"You guys are dead later."

Oh Seonghwan quietly admired and.

Eunha scolded him.

Soon Eunha moved positions.

 Oh Seonghwan couldn't hear at all the words Eunha muttered as he disappeared like an arrow.

Oh Seonghwan who came to his senses just continued the battle with the clan members.

But his eyes were still directed at Noh Eunha beyond.

He's really amazing.

How does one become like that?

He didn't even use Buldak's power.

Eunha was defeating monsters while moving across battle lines with Yoo Namhun.

Anomalies occurred midway and 5th tier Grand Apes popped out.

Nevertheless, the two weren't flustered and swung their swords.

Then Oh Seonghwan was shocked by the scene that unfolded afterwards.

"Woobee noona, put up a barrier around. I'm going to use poison."

"Got it!"

Noh Eunha spoke to Yeowoobi and.

He jumped towards the anomaly.

Monsters appeared from within the anomaly.

Violent Venom

He sprayed poison.

The monsters' blood became poison and started harming nearby monsters too.

Tyrant Paddock

It wasn't just Eunha.

His poison was extremely potent.

So no one could follow him as he moved across the battle lines.

Yoo Namhun who possessed <Detoxification > followed him and finished off the monsters' breathing.

Even covered in poison and blood, Yoo Namhun showed no signs of being shaken.

""""..."

A situation that would have been difficult with anomalies occurring in succession.

That situation was resolved in an instant.

Oh Seonghwan and the players were at a loss for words seeing them walk out of a world where monsters were disappearing pickled in poison.

That person is...

Our Clan Lord.

Soon Oh Seonghwan's heart was filled with emotion.

He wanted to boast to those present right away.

At the same time, Oh Seonghwan harbored an aspiration to become someone like Eunha.

Even though he became aware of his own abilities, he couldn't help but admire.

At that moment─.

"─You idiots who were facing the Grand Ape earlier."

""""..."

Ignoring people's gazes.

Eunha approached Oh Seonghwan.

Then he suddenly spoke with a sneer.

"If you want to face it that badly, I'll let you face it to your heart's content. Consider yourselves dead from now on."

""""..."

"If you don't understand when told with words, then you'll have to understand with your body."

Something seems wrong.

Oh Seonghwan felt fear towards him who was smiling ominously.

He belatedly regretted whether this person before his eyes was really the one he had admired.

☆

There's a limit to foolishness.

Even if the new recruits realized what they lacked while fighting the Grand Ape.

As Clan Lord, Eunha had no intention of letting it slide.

No, regardless of what they had done, Eunha would have eventually done this anyway by creating some justification.

These guys are giving our noona a hard time?

There were absolutely no personal feelings and.

Purely to correct the new recruits.

And to train the new recruits.

Eunha spoke the words he had planned from the beginning.

"Woobee noona. Heal that."

"That? Which one? That person?"

"No, that monster. The Grand Ape."

""""..."

Other villages would be subjugated too, so the work that needed to be done was roughly finished.

He had shortened the operation time by using Violent Venom himself.

So Eunha decided to work the new recruits for the remaining time and.

He pointed at the fallen Grand Ape with his finger, telling Yeowoobi.

It was one he deliberately didn't kill.

"...I must have heard wrong?"

"Heal the monster."

Whether people were dumbfounded or not.

Eunha pointed precisely at the Grand Ape so Yeowoobi wouldn't be confused.

"Namhun hyung, its arm was cut off so bring that fallen arm over. Woobee noona's magic should be able to reattach the arm cleanly."

"Uh... okay."

Yoo Namhun was dazed too but.

When Eunha ordered, he snapped to his senses and obediently complied.

Yoo Namhun brought the arm and threw it at the severed part of the fallen Grand Ape.

Yeowoobi sighed.

"Our Clan Lord is amazing..."

An exclamation that wasn't admiration.

Yeowoobi deployed healing magic.

She reattached the Grand Ape's arm and restored it to a clean state.

"Cast buffs on it too."

"Okay, okay, I'll do that."

""""..."

Yeowoobi didn't object anymore.

She cast buffs on the Grand Ape with an "oh whatever" attitude.

And the faces of the new clan members who realized what was about to happen gradually turned pale.

Eunha grinned.

"This kind of practical experience is rare."

""""..."

Opportunities to safely fight a 5th tier without dying are rare.

The new recruits couldn't answer Eunha's words.

Regardless, Eunha─.

"─As you saw earlier, even if an arm falls off, our supporter will heal it cleanly. So fight risking your bodies as you wanted."

""""C-Clan Lord...!!""""

"I won't accept excuses, and this is how your seniors became strong too. You were curious how Eunhyuk and the others got strong, right? This works out well. Go ahead and experience it."

""""..."

"You'll realize how humane Bruno ahjussi's training was. Ah, be careful that arms are cut off cleanly when they're cut off. Otherwise it will be troublesome to reattach. Right, Woobee noona?"

"That's true but... Try not to get cut off on purpose since they might not reattach permanently if done wrong... Magic isn't omnipotent after all..."

Eunha snickered and.

Yeowoobi sighed.

And the new recruits were just stunned, unable to believe the reality.

To this, Eunha─.

"─You fight them like you're trying to kill them if you want to live too. But don't actually kill them."

"Really... Will you... spare us?"

"Yes, I'll spare you."

The monster that submitted to Eunha.

Eunha kicked the butt of the Grand Ape that could speak human language.

The monster stumbled forward in confusion and sought confirmation from Eunha and─.

─Kuooooo!!

The creature with no choice soon charged at the new recruits in a life-or-death manner.

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

""""..."

The new recruits reacted immediately.

From then on, they had to engage in combat crossing the line between life and death.

The Seongnam City players watched that scene dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Eunha─.

─What do you mean spare?

All monsters should be killed.

Although he said that.

He planned to step in himself and deal with the creature if necessary.

Fortunately, they were somehow dodging well.

Of course, it would be difficult to kill.

Basically it was a monster for A and B rank players to face.

It was also 5th tier which is recommended for 2 or more parties to fight.

It was far-fetched for five C+ rank players who just graduated from the Academy.

Knowing that, Yoo Namhun was also ready to jump in and assist them if necessary.

Anyway, if they get beaten badly, they'll realize how precious their own lives are.

The new recruits were fighting the Grand Ape while shouting apologies.

Those who didn't coordinate at first were now starting to breathe together with the mindset that they had to survive.

Eunha smiled watching them.

As expected, working them was the answer.