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[Chapter 175]

[Cocoon Retrieval (4)]

Although they could stay in Beomgol Station village for a day without worrying about the threat of monsters.

Nevertheless, Eunha and his companions did not fully trust the Uijeongbu residents.

They took turns standing guard among themselves in an area far from the residents where they were guaranteed lodging and meals.

Fortunately.

I got the providence I wanted.

In pairs of two for 3 hours each.

The companions took turns standing guard, and Eunha stood guard with Priscis Memory.

There were no special incidents.

Eunha used the time standing guard to test Yekyung's providence.

Thanks to obtaining jamming magic, I can now create an inflection point in battle from now on.

Eunha waved his hand in a circle.

Then mana waves spread around his waved hand.

It was Yekyung's jamming magic.

The method of use wasn't difficult, and the mana consumption wasn't that large either.

Of course, if the range of the waves is widened, the mana consumption will increase.

Is it because the skill stone was so big?

It's quite convenient that I can generate waves using my body as a medium without having to wave my hand.

I can use it in various ways.

Eunha was satisfied.

Of course, there was also a regrettable point.

Can I not use magic simultaneously when using jamming magic?

It was a providence that spread waves.

The control wasn't difficult.

The problem was that in the process of spreading waves, even the magic Eunha himself was preparing was affected.

If there were advantages, there were also disadvantages.

"Is that what you obtained from this invasion? Seeing the waves spreading... It seems to be Yekyung."

"That's right. If it's okay, would you mind using any magic on me?"

"It's not a difficult task, sure."

"Thank you."

Meanwhile, Priscis Memory seemed bored too.

She spoke to him first.

Eunha practiced magic while receiving Memory's help.

I need to practice whenever I have time to be able to use it in actual combat.

It's also crucial how to apply this providence and refine it into magic.

Thanks to Priscis Memory's help.

Eunha was learning how to interfere with and jam the opponent's magic.

High-level control technique.

In a way, that was the key.

To cause jamming, he needed to be able to grasp at least partial control of the magic the opponent was activating.

Yekyung's providence allowed easy control of the opponent's magic, ignoring the structure and formula of magic that would normally be difficult.

In the meantime─.

"─Ah, so this is how you do it."

"..."

After examining Eunha's magic a few times.

Priscis Memory grinned and used jamming magic.

Jamming and jamming waves collided, and the waves she generated survived.

Eunha was dumbfounded seeing her figure out his magic just by looking at it a few times.

I was able to do this after obtaining Yekyung's providence...

This person is really amazing.

In his previous life, she became a teacher who taught magic to Ha Baekryeon.

Her abilities were worthy of recognition.

"How did you figure it out and imitate it?"

"It's because my magic specialty is magic that activates based on memory and time. Above all... My eyes are special. I can see magic formulas that others can't see well."

"...You were born with enviable eyes."

"It's both innate and acquired."

Eunha felt the wall of talent anew.

As she said, some people are born with eyes that can see through the mana melted in the world without practice.

It could be called innate quality.

People with good eyes like that usually saw the principles of the world that ordinary players couldn't see well.

An area that can't be solved by brute force.

For Eunha, who had become able to see mana more clearly than before by learning Ubo, he clicked his tongue at her quality.

"By the way, I just had a thought."

"Yes."

In the meantime, she spoke up.

She raised a finger.

When she waved her finger, mana waves spread around her finger.

It was jamming magic.

"I wonder if the Pandora Clan Lord is only focusing on jamming magic."

"What do you mean?"

"I remember the size of the skill stone from Yekyung was quite large... I wonder if a skill stone of that size would really be limited to just the realm of jamming."

"..."

"Maybe we're misunderstanding? Yekyung is a whale-type monster, and whales can use ultrasonic waves. So I think... Maybe jamming magic is a byproduct of Yekyung's ultrasonic waves."

"Ah..."

"It's just my thought though."

"No, thank you for telling me. I hadn't thought of it that way. I almost got buried in just jamming magic."

Priscis Memory expressed doubt and.

It became a realization for Eunha.

I almost got trapped in a frame.

He almost unknowingly limited his imagination.

Because the magic used by On Taeyeong in his previous life was used as a reference.

The Time Witch is right.

I need to think more about how to apply this providence.

First, I'll master jamming magic and...

Eunha's thoughts deepened and.

With Priscis Memory's help, the framework of jamming magic was taking shape.

☆

According to the village chief, the monster to be most careful of in this area is a cat with one wing.

It probably refers to the 3rd tier overrank monster Gyesini, officially named by the Mana Management Organization after the 1st Uijeongbu Recapture Battle ended.

"Be careful. At first glance it may look like a simple cat, but the moment it spreads its wings, the dead will come to life and fill the area."

"Thank you for the information."

Day broke.

Eunha and his companions had a simple breakfast with calorie bars.

Afterwards, they were sent off by the village chief and residents.

"And... please do this for us."

"...Yes."

Meanwhile, the village chief kept following them and bowing his head repeatedly.

That they are here.

And that they are sorry for the past.

Please tell the people beyond the barrier, he said.

And if possible, to come rescue them by recapturing Uijeongbu as soon as possible.

However, those who received the request couldn't give him a definite answer.

Of course it was natural.

Because that's not our mission.

It's possible to pass on the message... But we don't have the authority to give an answer to those people.

That was the Fairy's domain.

Even Eunha, who was treated as equivalent to the Twelve Seats, or Kang Hyeonchul, who was an official Twelve Seat, couldn't do anything about it.

Nevertheless, Kang Hyeonchul seemed to have softened his heart a bit after watching the lives of Uijeongbu residents for a day.

"Don't worry! I'll go and speak well to the Fairy Lady!"

"Yes... I'm counting on you."

Hitting his chest with his fist.

Kang Hyeonchul boasted.

The old man grasped his hand tightly.

Soon the companions started going out by climbing the ladder.

In the meantime, when Eunha was about to climb.

"─Now... You're not coming back here again?"

"..."

With a gloomy face.

Yoo Inhoo, who was among the residents, suddenly ran out to Eunha.

Eunha looked down at him for a while.

Then he reached out and stroked Yoo Inhoo's head.

"If we pass by on our way back after everything is done, we'll stop by."

"Please... come."

"Alright."

They harbor different feelings.

Eunha knew this but still treated Yoo Inhoo affectionately.

He put a chocolate bar in his hand.

Eunha climbed the ladder outside for the last time.

"─Let's go. If we leave now, we should arrive around lunchtime."

The companions waiting for Eunha outside.

Eunha spoke to them and moved his feet.

Kaede, who had mapped out a route based on information from the old man, took the lead.

Jin Parang followed beside her and relayed telepathy to the party following behind when there was anything unusual.

"Changjin hyung."

"Yeah, what?"

Meanwhile, Eunha called Han Changjin.

He who was walking in step with the companions tilted his head.

"Sorry, but could you come by a different path while erasing your presence?"

If we assume the worst case scenario.

Monsters would reveal themselves after we enter the Uijeongbu Arts Center.

Until then, they would probably follow while erasing their presence as much as possible.

So Eunha thought to have Han Changjin check them to not give the rear to the monsters.

It's dangerous to be alone in Uijeongbu, but Changjin hyung should be fine.

Before the regression, <King of Shadows> Han Changjin.

He was someone who reached the ranks of the Twelve Seats in his previous life.

Considering Han Changjin's skills, he judged he could be trusted and entrusted with this.

Han Changjin seemed to have read Eunha's thoughts.

"You're considering the worst case scenario we talked about yesterday, right?"

"I hope it's just an unfounded worry, but I think we should assume it."

"Honestly... I think so too. We've entered Uijeongbu, but we haven't felt any particular crisis. That's fortunate but... It's also a bit worrying because it's completely different from what I was thinking."

"I feel the same. That's why I'm asking you this."

"I'll naturally disappear along the way."

Saying he's confident in stealth.

Han Changjin added shyly.

Eunha wished him good luck.

Not long after, Han Changjin quietly disappeared.

I hope nothing happens...

It's unsettling that we haven't encountered any monsters at all, as Changjin hyung said.

Eunha explained to the companions why Han Changjin disappeared.

Then he looked up at the sky.

As they headed towards the Arts Center, a wisteria tree rising in the distance could be seen.

"...It's Player Bang Yeonji."

""""...."""

That is what former Twelve Seat <Florist > Bang Yeonji turned into when she couldn't overcome mana overload while protecting the recapture forces.

Kang Hyeonchul explained in a bitter tone.

The companions blankly stared at the huge wisteria tree standing tall in the ruined city.

Soon they hurried on their way again.

☆

Around lunchtime.

Eunha and his companions arrived at the Uijeongbu Arts Center as expected.

"It's strange that only this building remains intact. Why did the monsters leave this place alone?"

Kang Hyeonchul expressed doubt.

He muttered to himself.

The doubt was soon resolved.

Grrrr

Uijeongbu Arts Center Grand Theater.

The monsters gradually revealed themselves on the path leading to the grand theater where the cocoon was installed.

Their tiers were quite high.

Because they had made their nest, other monsters couldn't come near.

Furthermore, the monster occupying the grand theater as its territory─.

"─Judging by its appearance similar to the 4th tier Liger Swallower, it seems to be a subspecies. I think its tier is 4th tier."

""""...."""

The Blaze Clan's navigator immediately analyzed the monster.

A 4th tier monster.

The monster that was curled up sleeping on the stage raised its head sensing their presence.

Eunha and his companions ended up battling a 4th tier monster.

But the battle wasn't as difficult as the companions thought.

"Blaze Clan battle song start! If the opponent is a subspecies of Liger Swallower, it's an easy win! Right, guys!?"

"Isn't this the one we took down in Uijeongbu before! It's an easy win!"

Kang Hyeonchul and the Blaze Clan members had ingrained knowledge of dealing with Liger Swallower.

Film Disposal

Also, there was one more Twelve Seat besides Kang Hyeonchul.

Priscis Memory's magic completely blocked the monster's magic from affecting allies.

Above all─.

─Skill No.001

Hamper Wave

Because Eunha matched pace with Kang Hyeonchul and sometimes interfered with Swallower's magic.

I need to master it to the point where I can implement it immediately just by reciting the name without having to imagine it specifically.

It's not the end just by creating magic.

You have to make it so you can use it freely in actual combat situations.

To quickly implement complex and specific imaginations, you need to create a process where your subconscious can immediately recall when you recite the name.

For this, most players used easy-to-understand names or languages only they knew, or set rules only they knew.

In Eunha's case, he basically names magic in English.

On the other hand, he assigns numbers to assist imagination until the magic can be activated naturally.

Skill No.001

Hamper Wave

Assuming there are skill slots.

Assigning newly learned magic to the front, preventing it from getting mixed up with existing magic he's learned.

And when he judges that the newly learned magic won't be confused with existing magic he's learned.

He removes the assigned number to activate magic faster.

Imagine waves spreading out centered on me.

To acquire new magic.

And to not interfere with Kang Hyeonchul and Blaze Clan's coordination.

Eunha participated in the battle without directly stepping forward.

But even that alone prevented Swallower from exerting its power properly.

The waves he spread at exquisite moments interfered with Liger Swallower's magic and further damaged its circuits.

And so─.

"─Yeah, if we came to Uijeongbu we should at least warm up our bodies like this!"

"Even 4th tier is nothing! Now it feels like we've really come to Uijeongbu."

They killed Liger Swallower.

Kang Hyeonchul swung one arm in circles while continuing to warm up his body.

Jin Parang had a refreshed expression.

"We'll discuss how to dispose of the mana stone and skill stone after returning to Gangbuk. Let's find the cocoon first."

The higher the tier of the monster, the higher the probability of a skill stone dropping generally.

Eunha said while collecting a skill stone and mana stone about the size of a finger span.

The companions didn't express any objections.

They headed straight for the space behind the stage.

""""...."""

When Priscis Memory waved her hand.

The concealment magic that the 1st Uijeongbu Recapture Forces hid behind the grand theater stage about 9 years ago was released.

The cocoon revealed itself as the air suddenly started melting.

"The condition looks fine."

Knock knock.

Jin Parang gently tapped the cocoon with the back of his hand.

Besides Jin Parang, other people also approached the cocoon closely to examine its condition.

It's as I know.

Like before the regression, the cocoon was safe.

Eunha raised the corners of his mouth seeing the cocoon without any scratches.

Soon the Mana Management Organization's Maestro checked the cocoon's condition and said.

"It's fine. There's nothing wrong. I can only say this was really lucky."

The Maestro laughed casually.

The companions felt relieved.

It was worth coming all this way.

The problem was from now on.

They had to move the cocoon.

They came out onto the stage, struggling to pull the huge cocoon.

"Now we have to take this back to Gangbuk..."

It's fortunate there are wheels at least.

Kaede sighed thinking about what lay ahead.

Although Bae Subin cast a lightening magic, there was nothing they could do about the size.

In the end, they had to safely escape Uijeongbu while paying special attention to ensure the cocoon didn't break.

Complicated expressions settled on their faces.

But there's no choice. We have no choice but to move the cocoon while avoiding monsters' eyes.

Eunha couldn't not understand their feelings.

But it was unavoidable.

They had to be prepared for the fact that it would take a lot of time to safely transport the cocoon.

It was then.

─Meow meow

A sound like a cat crying.

Such a sound was heard.

They were startled by the sudden sound in the grand theater.

Meow meow

It wasn't a mistake in hearing.

Where is the sound coming from?

The group deployed detection networks.

""""...."""

But the detection networks were silent.

The presence was that faint.

Soon they pressed their backs together in a formation surrounding the cocoon.

They strained their senses while keeping silent to find the direction the sound was coming from.

And finally─.

─Meow meow

The group found the source of the sound.

A seat near the entrance of the grand theater.

It was there.

A cat poking its head out was crying as if singing.

Fireball

3rd tier overrank Gyesini.

It was definitely it.

Bae Subin immediately activated magic.

A huge fireball engulfed the seat where it was.

Meow meow

But it nimbly jumped out of its seat.

Gyesini, having avoided the fireball, climbed the stairs with cat-like steps.

It glanced back as it went out the open door.

Meow meow

As if saying see you again later.

It swished its tail and left the grand theater.

""""...."""

They couldn't even sense its presence.

The people with their backs to the cocoon belatedly realized their mistake and froze.

They were all people who had confidence in their skills.

They couldn't believe they didn't notice Gyesini opening the door and approaching.

But that's the kind of monster Gyesini was.

Until it spreads its wings... Gyesini can conceal its presence to the point players can't notice.

Eunha was frustrated too but.

Having faced Gyesini before the regression, he accepted the situation.

The problem wasn't that they didn't notice Gyesini's presence.

The biggest problem was─.

─I thought monsters would aim for us, but I didn't expect Gyesini itself to appear.

The fact that a commander-level monster had just marked them as prey.

There's no way it gave up fighting and just left the grand theater.

It went outside because there were no forces it could command in the grand theater.

It will surely be waiting outside.

Sure enough─.

""""─...!!""""

As if it was a lie.

Suddenly, monsters' presences were caught in the detection networks one after another.

They were shocked.

In the end, the worst-case scenario had occurred.

☆

"─However they found out, they're currently swarming towards the Uijeongbu Arts Center. These cunning bastards were hiding their presence at a distance that wouldn't be caught in detection networks."

Forces are gathering.

Eunha was able to get detailed information from Han Changjin, who had entered the Arts Center using a different path midway.

He says the monsters are gathering in a semicircle formation centered on the main entrance.

All the monsters that were in the direction of Uijeongbu Station are gathering, and there are even 4th tier monsters among them.

"But the number of monsters isn't as many as expected. It looks like a lot because Gyesini used necromancy to greatly increase its forces."

"So if we just subjugate Gyesini, the forces will collapse..."

Currently Gyesini and the monsters from Uijeongbu Station surrounding the Arts Center.

They were quietly waiting outside without rushing in.

There was no need to rush in and possibly get caught in traps that might be set up.

We'll have to come out anyway.

We can't fight while protecting the cocoon. If it was just the gathered monsters without Gyesini, we might have been able to try, but we can't do that either...

A situation where we have to protect the cocoon while facing Gyesini's forces.

Eunha bit his lip.

The forces arrived faster than he expected.

It's because of Gyesini.

Just now, that thing that went outside suddenly exerted its power and surrounded the area with the dead until its forces arrived.

Thanks to that, Eunha missed the golden time and was now trapped inside the Arts Center building.

"Changjin hyung, how was the back of the building?"

"The back of the building is a mountain, but there didn't seem to be many monsters."

Spreading a map on the floor.

Eunha conversed with his companions.

With the Arts Center's main entrance blocked now, the only direction they could go out was the back entrance.

But that was a bad move.

"It might be possible to go out the back with the cocoon. The problem is what comes next. Even if we escape through the back entrance, we'll have to pass through the path guarded by monsters to return to Gangbuk in the end."

As Bae Subin pointed out.

Unless they cross the mountain, they would have to go back and exit through the main entrance.

Then they would inevitably encounter monsters.

That thing is blocking Simin-ro, so we can't even use the shortest route back to Gangbuk.

It's an extremely cunning monster.

Gyesini concentrated on blocking that path, using the situation where we have no choice but to return to Gangbuk.

Gyeongui-ro, Uijeong-ro, Simin-ro.

No path could avoid Gyesini's gaze.

No─.

─There is one.

Just one.

To the right of the Arts Center main entrance.

There was one expressway next to Gyeongui-ro.

Seobu-ro Hyowon Overpass.

Although the expressway connected to the back entrance is said to be in a terribly damaged state now.

If we exit to the right from the main entrance and go back again, we can use Seobu-ro.

If we go straight down along Seobu-ro, it connects directly to the Seoul Outer Ring Expressway, so we can cross over to near Dobongsan Station.

Of course, the road is badly damaged, so it's uncertain if we can go down smoothly...

Seobu-ro was a road that connected Dobong-gu and Uijeongbu in a straight line.

However, there were so many mountains around Seobu-ro that we wouldn't know where monsters might pop out from.

The road was also blocked in places here and there, so it was ambiguous to use as a road.

Nevertheless, it was the most attractive escape route in the current situation.

In the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture Battle, Seobu-ro was a road that was occupied even for rear supply.

Even if monsters living in the mountains are annoying, and we enter monsters' line of sight due to lack of cover on the road, it's still very attractive.

According to my memory, commander-level monsters like Gyesini didn't appear near Seobu-ro.

Monsters rushing in at night would be quite annoying, but it was better than directly clashing with Gyesini.

"Let's divide our party."

Eunha, who finished thinking, opened his mouth.

People's gazes turned to him.

He pointed to Seobu-ro Hyowon Overpass on the map.

"While one party draws the monsters' attention at the main entrance, the other party slips out in that gap and runs like hell down this road with the cocoon."

""""...."""

"We might not be able to sleep at night keeping watch for monsters on the overpass, but isn't it safer than breaking through the forces gathered in front of the Arts Center head-on?"

If Gyesini thinks we have no choice but to break through its forces.

We divide the party in two to disperse their attention.

And thus overturn the situation.

Eunha said confidently.