180. Auror (2)
#180
About thirty minutes have passed since Lycopos’ attack. The setting sun became more intense and set the sacred site on fire. The crater, which was completely dyed red, was personally explaining why it is called a pool of light.
But unlike the beautiful scenery, the situation was miserable. The red color that contributed to coloring the crater was not just the sunset. Crimson stains created by the blood sprinkled over the eyes remained throughout the shrine. Corpses were rolling among the densely grown sword spirits. Darman said.
“I will spare the lives of those who convert even now. “Disarm your shields and drop your weapons.”
“Shut up.”
“If you accept our recommendation, we will not only spare your life, but we will also promise you much better treatment than you are receiving now. It also gives you a place to be saved on the soon-to-be apocalypse day. You and Geomsung deserve wings.”
“You are better at using your tongue than with your sword.”
Nabirose growled. Even though she had become Changi, her eyes were burning as she stared at Darman without any sign of retreating.
A translucent curtain was rippling between the two people. The hemispherical shield surrounded not only Nabirose but all remaining survivors. He was an auror of Alogin, one of the elders. Three elders and fourteen participants were lined up along the inner rim of the hemisphere, standing on guard.
“Can’t we just kill him? “That bitch made me like this.”
Ajie, who was standing next to Darman, muttered irritably. Her left elbow was cut cleanly off. It was Nabi Rose’s work that dug into the gap where Star’s Protection ends. Darman shook his head.
“Be patient. “Alibrihe makes the arms and legs anyway.”
“That’s true, but… it makes me angry.”
Ajie threw a dagger. Kang! The blade that hit the shield bounced back helplessly. Darman cast his gaze behind Butterfly Rose and opened his mouth.
“It is futile resistance. “You know that old man doesn’t have much time left.”
Nabirose frowned instead of answering. It was frustrating, but it wasn’t wrong. Jaifa and Alogin were leaning side by side on a rock rising in the center of the hemisphere.
Jaipa was playing like someone having a nightmare. Blood was still flowing out of Alogin’s red-stained stomach without stopping. It was a wound suffered by Darman.
“···I’m fine, Nabi Rose. “Please hold on just a little longer.”
“Please refrain from speaking. The wound opens up.”
“Heh, heh… I never thought that an auror I’d never used in my life because I didn’t want to see it would help me like this…”
Alogin clucked helplessly. It was a dangerous laugh that felt like my soul was going to escape with every breath I took.
His auror was to create a powerful shield using mana from himself or those around him. For Alogin, who had lived a life as rough as Nabirose or Jaifa in the past, that ability was nothing more than a shame and a subject of ridicule.
How many times have I been told to put up a shield and hide like a girl? But now that ability has become a lifeline that saves his life and the lives of innocent people, and life is something you never know.
“It’s okay in its own way… ugh.”
“Alogin…”
Nabirose gritted his teeth. Although he and other participants were providing mana, the problem was that Alogin’s life was running low. It was obvious that the moment this shield collapsed, most of the participants would be wiped out.
Moreover, the entity on which to place hope was unclear. Alogin and other elders said that people who sensed that something had happened in the sacred place would come to help, but she gave up when she saw thick smoke rising from the bottom of the mountain. There was a high possibility that tragedy had already occurred below. But there was another issue that shook her heart the most.
‘Ronan.’
She thought of her student’s face and twisted her lips. Ronan heard a loud noise that seemed to take her out of the world, and then she disappeared from view. Part of the crater had collapsed, so it seemed like he had fallen down there, but there was no time to go rescue him. Schlieffen glanced back at her and sent her a message.
[I will come back.]
[Don’t talk nonsense. Schlieffen.]
[You can. I will return after ensuring Ronan’s safety.]
[Even if you have two lives, I cannot allow it.]
Nabi Rose firmly expressed her refusal. It was more than brave, it was reckless. If it were only Darman or Ajie that were here, I might have been able to try, but unfortunately, the situation was worse. The man who was watching them from the other side of the shield spoke in an angry voice.
“Please give me the Little Duke of Grancia. “I took advantage of this moment when I was off guard and did something like this.”
A featureless mask covered his face. A sharp, deep stab wound ran from the man’s left collarbone to his right side. It was a wound inflicted by Schlieffen’s storm sword.
He was one of fifteen assailants who took advantage of the fierce fighting. Six men and women wearing identical masks were wandering around the shield.
The gangsters, presumed to be Nebula Clazie, were less skilled than Darman or Azie, but they knew how to fight systematically, and quite a few participants lost their lives to their swords. Darman said.
“How many people were killed by the Little Duke?”
“Six.”
“You suffered a lot. “He is a talent that we must bring along with the two swordsmen.”
Darman laughed. He was also watching Schlieffen, who was wielding the Blade of Wind, impressed. It was an ability that was hard to believe for someone of that age. It was no exaggeration to say that he was the best prospect on the continent, along with his younger brother.
smart. He raised his hand and tapped his shield as if to knock. Indeed, it was incredibly strong, perhaps because it was a barrier created with the Sword Master’s aura. Darman, seeing the survivors’ eyes burning with fighting spirit, whetted his appetite.
“then. “Negotiations have collapsed.”
It was a change of plan. It seemed like we would have to kill them all and take only a few. Darman extended his hand and aimed at his shield. Participants who sensed danger took a defensive stance. His mouth opened.
“Will there be a storm?”
At that moment, a pair of translucent wings unfolded behind Darman’s back. Quaaaaa! A wind strong enough to sweep away a house hit the shield directly. Blood spurted out from Alogin’s mouth as he displayed his fighting spirit despite being injured.
“Gagging!”
“Alogin!”
The shield was flickering like a dying candle. Next, Darman sent a signal with his eyes. He, Ajie, and other assailants all drew their swords and began attacking the shield. A sound similar to that heard in a mine rang out at rapid intervals. Cracks like ivy were spreading across the entire hemisphere. Nabirose gritted his teeth.
“this···!”
“Kill everything that breaks. “Except for the three I just mentioned.”
Darman gave instructions harshly. The participants’ faces turned pale. It was not difficult to predict the carnage that would unfold in just a few seconds. At that time, Ajie, who was twirling her dagger while humming, tilted her head.
“huh? “Who is that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Over there in the east. “Who came?”
Darman turned his gaze in the direction she was looking at. Indeed, someone was standing there. A young man was slowly walking with his back to the wall of the crater he had destroyed. Darman, seeing the familiar outline, shrugged his eyebrows.
“Is it up already? “There’s still some left.”
“···Ronan?”
Nabirose’s eyes widened. Ronan, approaching in the setting sun, looked like a statue made of freshly melted gold. In his right hand, he held a sword that looked similar to the one he usually used, but gave a completely different impression. Nabirose took a deep breath and shouted loudly.
“Stupid… hurry and run away!!”
Of course, what was important now wasn’t the sword. If I had saved my life, I would have run away or hidden, but I wondered why I had come all the way here. Even though the clothes were in tatters, they didn’t look in good condition. Darman slightly raised the corner of his mouth and gave an order to those wearing masks.
“Good. “Bring my brother.”
“yes.”
Then, half of the gunmen who were pounding on the shield turned towards Ronan. The sight of them running in perfect synchronization seemed like people sharing the same brain. In an instant, the man who reached Ronan’s nose raised her sword and shouted.
“Resisting will only make you suffer!”
At the same time, the women on both sides pulled out their ropes and swords at the same time. It was a systematic movement, as if watching a group dance. Ronan, who had been watching them indifferently, raised her sword. For a moment his arm disappeared from sight. White lines were drawn in a haphazard manner over the bodies of the assailants.
“···hmm?”
It was the moment when the man, who felt an inexplicable sense of difference, tilted his head. Pow! White lines widened and their bodies disintegrated into dozens of pieces. Blood and internal organs sprayed out in a fan-shaped manner soaked the snow. Chunks of meat cut into uniform sizes, like ingredients, fell on the floor.
“what?”
Darman and Ajie’s eyes widened. The assailants attacking the shield stopped moving. For a moment, silence fell over the sacred place. Tyr, who was struggling inside the shield, opened his mouth.
“···What did that young man just do?”
Even though Nabirose heard it, he did not respond. He missed Ronan’s move, although it was only for a moment.
He was slowly approaching, trampling on the monsters who had turned into pieces of meat. Every time Ronan took a step, the sound of flesh and intestines being crushed could be heard.
Even though he slaughtered three people, his expression was extremely calm. Suddenly, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Is that the student I knew? Ajie, who was staring at Ronan, made an interesting noise.
“Hmm… I think the atmosphere has changed a lot. “I’m not the only one who feels that way, right?”
“It seems like there was something there. “Did I get an opportunity like in a fairy tale?”
“It’s gonna be fun. I will be back.”
Ajie smiled. She started walking towards Ronan, ignoring Darman’s warning. Ronan’s movements, which she had seen a little while ago, were definitely slower than her own. She was confident that she wouldn’t get hit by the sword, so if something happened, she could use the star’s protection or other powers to escape.
“hello baby. “I am your older sister.”
Ajie waved his hand playfully. Her pure white short hair was fluttering in the wind. Ronan tilted his head when he heard that she was his sister.
“···Sister?”
“huh. Darman is your older brother? “Then I am your older sister.”
Ajie smiled brightly. Of course, it was only her appearance that was naughty. Between her crescent-shaped eyes, she was closely examining Ronan’s vitals.
‘Honestly, it doesn’t seem like anything special. If it’s a quick sword, Darman will be one step ahead.’
When I actually faced him, the mana flowing out of his body was actually less than that of others. She was about to leap when she caught her dagger in a spin. Paaaa…! For a moment, the sword in Ronan’s hand emitted a bright light.
“Ugh?!”
A flash of scarlet struck her. Because her light was so strong, Ajie closed her eyes for a moment. She opened her eyes and froze, wondering what she had done. Ronan, who was obviously more than fifty steps away, was right in front of her.
“···uh?”
Ajie’s eyes widened. There was only a half-step gap between Ronan and her. Even though her body vision was her greatest pride, she never sensed Ronan leaping or running towards her. It seemed clear that she had done something, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. Ronan, who was looking down at Ajie as if he were looking at her bug, blurted out.
“I’ve never had a sister like you.”
“what···!”
Of course, this wasn’t what was important right now. Ajie hastily took up a fighting stance and immediately grabbed his dagger. However, Ronan’s sword was already flying towards him.
‘no.’
Ajie, who had good eyesight, was able to faintly see the path of Ronan’s swift sword, unlike the two who died first. But it didn’t mean much because my body couldn’t keep up with the reaction speed. The blade gently slid into her diagonal line and sliced through her right arm and right thigh at the same time. Then, the black water that twisted his body rose like a swallow and even cut off his left thigh.
There was no time to even activate the star’s protection. I could feel the sensation of my skin, muscles, and bones being cut. Ajie’s face suddenly distorted. A red line appeared where Ronan’s sword passed. Ajie was about to shout something.
“for a moment···!”
Sigh! Limbs and limbs severed along the line rose into the air. She fell to the floor, with only her torso and head remaining. The pain that struck her later bit Ajie. A tearing scream rang out.
“Kyaaaaaaa! “Keaaagh!”
It was a terrifying scream that made everyone in the shrine shrug their shoulders. Ronan wordlessly kicked her hard in the face. Sigh! A sound that should not come from a human face rang out, and at the same time, five or six pure white teeth popped out. Ajie, who had fainted, fell limp.
“Tsk.”
Ronan, who had kicked her away like she was trash, took another step forward. Darman muttered in a voice filled with admiration.
“This is amazing. “What on earth happened at the bottom of the mountain?”
Ronan didn’t answer. I even felt madness in the way he walked silently. Darman, who shrugged his eyebrows, was about to offer a witty provocation. For a moment his form became blurry and he disappeared from sight.
“hmm···!”
Darman reflexively raised his sword. At the same time, a fierce metallic sound rang out right in front of his nose. Kaaaaang! Even with all his strength, his body was pushed back.
“Keuuuuuuu!”
“You blocked it?”
Ronan said dryly. He could not compare to before in terms of strength or speed. He continued to swing his sword. In complete contrast to before, Darman was unilaterally pushed out. Kagak! Kang! Sparks exploded one after another and a harsh metallic sound rang out. Darman twisted his lips.
‘This is a bit dangerous.’
Cold sweat ran down my temples. I don’t know what he did, but Ronan had become a completely different person. He felt an overwhelming feeling similar to the one he felt when he received the sword from the cult leader during the initiation ceremony of Lyko Force.
I guess I’ll have to take a look at the situation first. Only Rin Dar chanted and activated his power. A pair of wings spread out over his back again. Quaaaaa! The violent wind that appeared like an explosion hit Ronan and at the same time, Darman’s body flew backwards. He spat out in an exasperated voice.
“Ha, I wonder if this will hold up too.”
Ronan didn’t bounce. He was withstanding the strong wind with his sword stuck in the ground. But he didn’t really care. Because he achieved his goal of widening the distance. At that time, La Mancha’s sword body gave off a bright light again.
“hmm?!”
It was a scarlet flash reminiscent of a sunset. A cluster of light stretched out like a hand and wrapped around Darman. For a moment, Darman felt as if something powerful was pulling him from behind. A voice came from his ear.
“Where are you running away? “The bastard called Hyung.”
“what···?”
Darman’s eyes grew so big that they almost popped out. Ronan was glaring at him right in front of him. Deep. Before he could say anything, La Mancha flew in and pierced his chest.
