796

 [Chapter 201]

[Great Escape(7)]

The jewel in Jo A-ra's hand.

The greenish blue jewel that looked like a seed was something never seen before.

What on earth is this?

Even searching through memories from before the regression.

Information about the trophy before his eyes didn't come to mind.

That jewel was something not yet discovered in this world.

It's not a mana stone or skill stone.

It's also far from a core stone that creates dungeons....

Eun-ha examined the jewel closely.

Basically, mana stones emitted blue light, and skill stones emitted yellow light.

Also, both mana stones and skill stones had rough corners like stones fallen on the roadside.

They looked just like unrefined jewels.

But what was in Jo A-ra's hand was a blue color close to green.

Among trophies with similar colors, there was the core stone of dungeons.

A mana stone held by a dungeon's boss monster that was created under the dungeon's influence.

But that too had rough corners like an unrefined jewel.

Compared to that, how about the jewel in Jo A-ra's hand?

It's well refined.

The luster is pretty too.

With corners forming curves.

An oval-shaped jewel.

The thought that it reminds one of a seed also originated from the jewel's shape.

Anyway, the jewel was neither a mana stone, skill stone, nor core stone.

Is it perhaps a soul stone?

But it's a bit different from that....

On the other hand, Eun-ha also recalled the soul stone held in a ma's body.

The shape of a soul stone was a perfect sphere.

The color was clear blue.

But if there was a similarity between this jewel and a soul stone─.

─The light moves occasionally as if it's alive.

That was it.

The radiance condensed inside the jewel was moving occasionally.

As if saying it was alive.

"─What should we do with this? Since it came from <Florist >, wouldn't it be better to give it to Dark King Clan?"

At that moment, Jo A-ra asked.

Eun-ha, who had been lost in thought, came to his senses at those words.

"...Yeah, let's do that."

A jewel with nothing revealed about it.

Eun-ha was tempted by that jewel.

But it couldn't be helped.

In principle, trophies obtained through raids in Uijeongbu were distributed according to contribution points.

But considering the relationship between <Florist >, <Phantasm Poem>, and Dark King Clan, it would be proper to yield.

Surely everyone who participated in this raid would try to yield the reward to Dark King Clan.

So Eun-ha was about to give up, but─.

"─Thank you for coming to support. Please take that, Pandora Clan."

"What?"

After settling the situation.

<Gatekeeper > Ko Eun-sil approached.

She, substituting for the Dark King Clan Lord, decided to pass the ownership of the jewel to him.

Eun-ha was puzzled.

Then Ko Eun-sil smiled bitterly.

"If <Requiem > hadn't helped, Yeon-ji probably would have died resenting us. That would have been something we couldn't do to Yeon-ji, me, or our clan members."

""...."""

"So I'll give it as a token of gratitude. <Requiem >, player Jo A-ra. Thank you so much. Let's eat together later when you have time. I'll treat you."

"Ah.... No! I didn't do much! So please raise your head. And.... I'll eat deliciously if you treat me. I'm looking forward to it. But huh? <Requiem >?"

"You're happy about free food...."

"Shh."

"So it was Jo A-ra."

Ko Eun-sil bows her head deeply.

Jo A-ra waved her hands while on Eun-ha's back.

Soon Ko Eun-sil raised her head.

She turned her gaze to Eun-ha.

"And Pandora Clan Lord."

"Yes."

"It's awkward to say this suddenly after conveying gratitude... But I have a request."

"Please speak. We're uncomfortable just receiving this too."

Acting Dark King Clan Lord.

Probably if there was no special incident, she would formally become Clan Lord when returning to Seoul.

So she had to think about what would happen right after, not now.

In a way, the reason Ko Eun-sil yielded the jewel as a token of gratitude could be said to be to erase debt.

Sure enough, Ko Eun-sil had the future in mind.

"─The situation isn't very good now so it's hard to know what will happen... But probably after finishing the recapture war, they'll select new Twelve Seats along with Uijeongbu restoration work."

"..."

"At that time, I hope the Pandora Clan Lord will support player <Wind Technician> Chae Seon-woo as the Twelve Seats to replace our Clan Lord."

<Phantasm Poem> Do Wan-jun died.

The ranger seat among the Twelve Seats positions became vacant.

Dark King Clan wants to reclaim the lost seat.

Whether a clan has a Twelve Seats or not.

That divides the class of clans.

Ko Eun-sil, as acting Dark King Clan Lord, absolutely doesn't want to see the clan's class fall.

"Yes, that's fine."

At this, Eun-ha readily agreed.

He knew <Wind Technician>'s skills well.

It was enough to become a Twelve Seats.

Of course, his personality was ambiguous.

A player difficult to handle, lazy, and light as the wind.

But because of that free-spirited personality.

In the previous life, <Wind Technician> didn't join either the faction supporting the Fairy or the opposing faction.

There might be rangers who could replace <Wind Technician> if we look.

But it's difficult to judge what kind of person they would be, what schemes they might have inside.

Though he's difficult to handle.

At least he didn't bite his master.

Eun-ha was satisfied with that.

Moreover, Dark King Clan was receiving support from Hana Group where Yoo Do-jun was.

To strengthen his influence.

Eun-ha had to empower people who would become his allies.

"─Thank you. I hope we can maintain a good relationship with the Pandora Clan Lord in the future too."

"Yes, me too."

On the battlefield where shells were still falling.

Pandora Clan and Dark King Clan formed an implicit alliance.

☆

As soon as the situation was settled.

Eun-ha and the players moved to escape Uijeongbu.

There were no obstacles to moving.

The giant plants blocking the way had long disappeared.

The wounds of people injured in battle or hit by shells were all completely healed.

Thanks to this, the marching speed was fast.

Moreover─.

─The shells stopped falling.

Did the people who went ahead stop it?

At some point, the bombardment stopped.

The sound of bombardment disappeared.

Eun-ha roughly grasped the situation.

Then he looked for Mok Min-ho.

"Min-ho."

"What?"

"I'll go ahead first. You carry A-ra instead."

"We could go together, why specifically?"

"I think a riot has broken out."

"Ah.... Okay, got it. I'll lead the clan members."

"Yeah, I'm counting on you."

In the previous life.

People angered by the military's bombardment massacred soldiers.

The situation grew uncontrollably.

Eventually, they even killed the commander who allegedly ordered the bombardment.

The result that followed after that was─.

'─Fairy, this matter cannot be overlooked. The people here, no, the entire nation won't let this slide this time!'

'...'

'The Fairy gave wrong orders and many people died. And Uijeongbu was devastated like that!! Even if others don't, I will definitely hold the Fairy responsible for this. Know that.'

'...I'm sorry. Really..., I'm sorry. I have no face to show you all.'

It couldn't have been worse.

Unfortunately, Lim Ga-eul arrived at Hoeryong Station at that time.

The enraged players spat out all sorts of harsh words at Lim Ga-eul.

<Abyss > Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong, who killed the commander, denounced such a Fairy representing the players.

In the end, the Fairy bowed her head and apologized in front of everyone.

The Fairy's authority plummeted to the bottom.

Players' support left.

It brought about the result of the Mana Management Organization breaking away from the Fairy's authority.

Damn it.

It shouldn't happen like that again....

He couldn't let it be like that in this life either.

He barely came this far.

The Fairy's position was being maintained quite stably.

It was the change he had cultivated so far.

But because of this incident, everything he had cultivated could crumble.

He couldn't let that happen.

He entrusted Jo A-ra to Mok Min-ho and ran to Hoeryong Station at full speed.

"─Damn it."

But when he arrived at Hoeryong Station.

Eun-ha realized he was finally too late.

Bulletproof helmets were fallen on the ground.

Traces of blood were rampant everywhere.

Players couldn't control their anger and scuffled with soldiers.

There was no way soldiers could handle them who had experienced all sorts of real battles.

""""...."""

As proof, they were bound surrounded by players.

Regardless of gender, their clothes were stripped off and hands and feet were tied tightly, looking just like defeated soldiers.

"─It's the Pandora Clan Lord."

"It's <Crimson Wing>. He was alive."

"But why did the Pandora Clan Lord come here alone?"

Eun-ha walked towards them.

The players recognized him.

They made way.

The soldiers who were bound naked raised their heads.

Please save us.

Desperation seemed to dwell in the soldiers' gazes.

Eun-ha ignored their gazes.

He looked for clan members.

"─Eun-ha."

"Noona. The kids?"

Soon Eun-ha found Pandora Clan members.

Among them, Ryu Yeon-hwa approached first.

Relief was evident on her face.

She seemed to have worried about him.

But it wasn't an atmosphere where they could chat.

Eun-ha asked about the clan members' survival first.

"Everyone's safe. All the injured people were healed after being exposed to the light that spread from Uijeongbu just now."

"Really? That's fortunate. Then did everyone else besides us recover too?"

"Yeah, everyone else recovered too. So... fortunately the damage is small."

Though there are quite a few deaths.

There are 0 injured.

Eun-ha heard somewhat good news.

But as players were completely healed, the riot seemed to have intensified.

She pointed to one side.

"Hah...."

Players were panting while pointing gun muzzles at the wailing soldiers.

Though they didn't pull the triggers.

They were assaulting the soldiers in the process of binding them, as if their anger wasn't resolved.

"Clan navigators are writing down the names of people who rioted excessively. But...."

"Even if they're punished for this later, it won't have much effect."

This was Uijeongbu.

It was no different from a war situation.

The justification was with the players.

In reality, there would be no other means to reproach them.

"Where did Chang-jin hyung go?"

"Ah, Chang-jin.... Here he comes."

"..."

Eun-ha turned his head.

Along with several players.

Han Chang-jin was walking over.

And behind them, the commander was being dragged with his hands tied.

Eun-ha immediately headed towards him.

"Chang-jin hyung."

"Oh, Eun-ha."

They recognized Eun-ha.

They stopped walking in the middle of where people were watching.

Eun-ha looked down at the commander bowing his body.

"Hehehehehe...."

"He was in this state when I found him."

His face was swollen.

Several teeth were missing too.

Eun-ha was at a loss for words seeing the commander who suddenly giggled looking up at him.

Stygian Eye

Phantom Eye

The commander's mental state was abnormal.

It's as if his mind was destroyed.

Eun-ha immediately activated brainwashing magic to probe the commander's mental state.

Eventually he frowned.

Who made him like this?

Someone brainwashed the commander.

And destroyed his mind.

So that others couldn't figure it out.

"T-This is all the Fairy's... Guhk...!"

At that moment, the commander tried to say something.

Eun-ha quickly stretched out his hand.

He covered the commander's mouth.

"How many people heard this?"

"Only us. We caught the commander first, before other people could do anything to him."

"Well done."

Eun-ha examined the faces of those beside Han Chang-jin.

They all looked familiar.

Dominic was among them too.

They were all people who took on the role of satellite clans for Pandora Clan.

They were allies.

"Forget what you just heard. This guy was brainwashed to be like this."

"Yes, we understand well, Clan Lord. Who would believe that?"

Dominic answered.

They knew the commander was brainwashed and had his mind destroyed by someone.

But there was no way people in the world would accept it as is.

Someone might think the commander destroyed his own mind to hide information.

So they shouldn't give any room for misunderstanding in the first place.

Meanwhile─.

"─That bastard killed my friend!"

"Hey!! Where are you holding your head up stiffly!? Bow down!!"

"Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"

""""...."""

The players' emotions intensified.

They raised their voices.

Everyone glared at the commander.

"─What on earth is going on here. Explain immediately why you gave such orders!!!"

In that situation, <Abyss > Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong stepped forward.

He pressed the commander.

"Hehehehehe...."

The commander laughed like a madman.

Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong was indignant seeing the commander's state.

"Is this something to laugh about!? How on earth did you do your job to do this! Who ordered you to do it. Tell me, who ordered you to do it!!"

Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong keeps pressing.

The commander grins.

Then he opened his mouth again.

"Fa, fa, fa, fa...."

"Pandora Clan Lord. Remove that hand. I understand the Pandora Clan Lord's feelings, but now is not the time to be hitting this person. We need to ask about the circumstances and confirm who ordered this first."

"..."

Eun-ha tightly squeezed the commander's cheeks with his hand.

Then Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong cursed at Eun-ha.

What should I do....

But Eun-ha didn't even listen to Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong's words.

He just thought about how to resolve the 'problem' before his eyes.

Eun-ha fell into thought.

Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!

Kill that bastard!!

You suffer too, you suffer too.... Aaaaargh!! You bastards should suffer too!!!

The players' anger was heard.

Their sharp gazes were felt.

They were urging for a decision.

If I make a mistake, they might all turn their backs.

Public sentiment followed him.

But he didn't know how it would be this time.

Whether to save or kill the commander.

It was a situation where public sentiment could leave with one choice.

Ridiculously, in the previous life <Abyss > was in the position to make decisions as the players' representative, but─.

─Now am I in the position to make decisions?

Eun-ha smiled bitterly.

He suddenly realized just now.

He had climbed too high.

 To a position where he could shatter and fall to the ground if he made even a small mistake.

Moreover, knives were bristling on the ground.

Knives of power.

The knives bristling on the ground were ready to stab him at any time.

He was in such a precarious state.

Nevertheless─.

─I can't be afraid here.

He will climb even higher.

To obtain what he wants.

Even if he gets stabbed by those knives.

He will absolutely not hesitate.

Therefore─.

"─There's no need to ask about the circumstances. I, heard it clearly."

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

With a thud.

Eun-ha beheaded the commander.

He stabbed a knife into the falling chest.

☆

The recapture of Uijeongbu was almost complete.

Lim Ga-eul immediately headed to Uijeongbu upon hearing the news she had been waiting for.

"─What did you say? Say it again."

"Fairy, that's...."

"Tell me properly."

"...All the military except our platoon went up to Uijeongbu."

But after crossing the barrier at Dobong Station.

Lim Ga-eul, who was about to spend a day at Mangwolsa Station, heard news like a bolt from the blue.

The military moved.

Even the tanks that should have been stationed at Mangwolsa Station went up to Uijeongbu.

No, that absolutely can't be.

What on earth is going on!

Lim Ga-eul momentarily felt dizzy.

For the military to move on its own.

What on earth does that mean.

But hearing from a player─.

"─I, ordered it, you say?"

"Yes.... We thought it was a bit strange too, but the commander and all the officers said like madmen that it was an order issued by the Fairy...."

""""...."""

It was truly an absurd thing.

She had never given such an order.

Lim Ga-eul couldn't suppress her emotions and her face reddened.

Her breath caught.

This was the first time she encountered such an absurd thing since taking office as Fairy.

But it wasn't the time to shed tears saying it was unfair.

"Go up to Uijeongbu immediately! We must abandon all luggage and go up to Uijeongbu to stop the military!"

""""Yes!!""""

Unfortunately, the radio wasn't working.

Mana was thickly spread around.

Telepathy didn't work either because of the distance.

So Lim Ga-eul used the fastest route with her attendants.

Cradled in bodyguard Park Sang-jin's arms.

She passed through the forest that was dense like a jungle and where monsters occasionally appeared, heading towards Hoeryong Station.

And when she arrived─.

"─Ah...."

It was, all over.

She witnessed the tragic scene.

Players were dragging soldiers with bound hands somewhere, and cleaning up their corpses.

"It's the Fairy."

"Why did she come only now?"

"Crazy bitch."

"What Fairy? She's an evil woman."

""""...."""

By then, players sent cold gazes seeing her.

The players were on edge.

Lim Ga-eul unknowingly shrank back and had to rely on the aura Park Sang-jin emitted.

"Fairy... No, Ga-eul. Are you okay?"

"What should I do...."

Lim Ga-eul's body trembled.

Unlike usual, she couldn't hide her emotions and walked staggering.

She couldn't walk confidently like usual in the hostile atmosphere towards her.

It was utterly ridiculous.

Nevertheless, nevertheless─.

─I must endure.

Lim Ga-eul clenched her fists.

She decided to look for the person commanding the players who seemed to have sorted out their emotions, as calmly as possible.

Fortunately, the other side moved first.

"You came at an appropriate time."

"Ah...."

Pandora Clan Lord Noh Eun-ha.

Players commanding other platoons were gathered around him too.

They emitted an ominous aura.

There was no courtesy towards the Fairy.

But Lim Ga-eul couldn't say anything to them.

She was, a sinner.

It was right at that moment.

─Thud

Something fell at her feet.

Lim Ga-eul looked down at it.

"..."

It was the commander's head.

He was looking up at her with eyes wide open.

Lim Ga-eul flinched for a moment.

If Park Sang-jin hadn't supported her from behind, she would have fallen flat on the ground.

Meanwhile, being so surprised─.

─As expected, they resolved it among themselves.

Rather, her emotions settled down.

Lim Ga-eul barely regained her composure and turned her gaze to Noh Eun-ha who had thrown the head at her.

He was walking over.

Eventually─.

"─We suppressed all the rebels."

"..."

"They were plotting a coup saying nonsensical things. So, I beheaded the commander."

Noh Eun-ha bent his knee.

He grabbed the commander's hair and showed it to her.

Lim Ga-eul's eyes widened.

Then there was only one thing she could say to Eun-ha.

"─Good work. And really..., I'm so sorry to all of you."

Lim Ga-eul also bent her knees.

She bowed her head deeply.

Even knowing her authority would fall to the ground.

And conversely, Noh Eun-ha's authority would rise.

At that time, she had no choice.

It was the best she could do.