Chapter 187
Battles were breaking out everywhere. Everyone participating in the battle was relentlessly continuing their fierce fight.
The same was true for Yu Chae-rin.
Although its form was a bit different, while admirable battles were unfolding elsewhere, her fight was utterly disgraceful.
One moment she was grabbing hair, the next she was biting flesh.
No, I'm sure I fought pretty coolly at first...
As the battle dragged on, her stamina naturally dwindled, and eventually, it devolved into nothing short of a dogfight.
The same was true for her opponent, who naturally joined her in the mudslinging brawl.
After a long, messy struggle... Chae-rin finally managed to stab her dagger into her opponent's neck and claim victory.
Her opponent was an Otherworlder. The opponent turned into light and growled menacingly at Chae-rin.
Of course, Chae-rin just stuck out her tongue like a *brat*.
This was her third. Still, having taken down three people by herself, she could be said to have done more than her share.
After her opponent's *Logout*, Chae-rin took a short break.
This scene is embarrassing. I'll have to ask them to edit it out later...
She even had such unsightly thoughts while she was at it. While resting, Chae-rin briefly looked around.
The battle was still raging, but everyone looked exhausted. Most of the Otherworlders in *Lemegeton* had already *Logged out*, and most of the other *Followers* were also *Eliminated*.
The *Branch Leader*s were the only ones still relatively fresh, but if they kept up this momentum, *subduing* them would be quick.
Of course, the sudden appearance of a *Demon-person* had caused chaos, but it seemed *Yor*'s intervention would quickly calm things down.
Chae-rin stared blankly at the scene before her for a moment.
As expected of *War Content*, there was an immense amount of information to take in.
At this rate, *Million Views* would surely be a breeze.
But at the same time, the sight before her felt incredibly poignant.
Because the *Extermination Squad* wasn't the only one startled by the *Demon-person*'s appearance.
...Yes. So that was the choice she ultimately made.
The one called the *Chairman* muttered regretfully.
Huh? A *Demon-person*? Why...? Why?
Livia looked at Isolde with a slightly frightened expression.
And *Isolde*, despite carrying out the massacre, didn't seem to be reveling in it like a psychopath. Rather, she just looked angry and sad, as if venting her frustration...
Chae-rin stared blankly, taking in their appearance. It was just a game, yet the expressions on people's faces were incredibly varied. Even though they were clearly *NPC*s, the surging emotions could be felt through her skin.
It was a different kind of *Sense*, unrelated to synchronization rate.
*Seriously...*
She knew the game's technology well, but there was always something new to be surprised by. Thanks to that, for a moment, she was almost overwhelmed by emotion, but Chae-rin shook her head and quickly snapped out of it.
It was just a game, after all. She would only enjoy it as a game; getting too immersed beyond that would only tire her out.
Thinking so, Chae-rin resumed the battle.
*
Time passed. I was still chasing *Isolde*. Unfortunately, my spear was stuck in her body, so I had no choice but to use a *Blood Spear*.
Thanks to that, my *Blood Consumption* was quite high, but fortunately, there was no significant difference in performance.
Just because she was a *Demon-person* didn't mean her skin was made of steel.
*Seriously... dodging around like that was quite annoying.*
*...Still, not much is left.*
I thought as I chased *Isolde*. Perhaps thanks to my persistent pursuit and harassment, *Isolde*, who had been rampaging, was quite exhausted. Her body was covered in multiple wounds, and her breathing was ragged.
Of course, there was damage on my side too. While I was chasing *Isolde*, she still managed to massacre *People*.
Already, over 50 *Extermination Squad Members* had been killed by her as she moved across the *Battlefield*. If you included the Otherworlders who had *logged out*, the number would likely be much higher.
...Hmph.
I frowned at the strong smell of blood rising from the ground. This was by no means negligible damage, because the *Gaian*s she killed would become *Demon*ic *Sacrifice*s.
Another Demon's appearing is definitely confirmed...
That fact was somewhat bitter. Well, the *Demon's Origin* was clearly set, so there was no particular benefit for me.
After a long pursuit, *Isolde* began to glare at me silently.
You...!
She didn't say much, perhaps because she was gasping for breath, but it was clear she was cursing me with her eyes.
Perhaps her stamina had finally bottomed out from the constant chase. The mana that had been gushing out was now diminished, and the *Gate* she had been constantly using had also become less frequent.
She no longer had the strength to rampage.
She muttered, as if resenting me.
“If it weren't for you, I could have killed so many more of those bitches...”
“That's a real shame, isn't it?”
I said nothing more and hurled my spear at her neck. I could have provoked her further if I wanted to, but I didn't feel like doing that to someone who was about to die.
Thwack-!
With a chilling sound, Isolde's body collapsed.
That was the end.
The one who had briefly become a *Demon-person* met her end after a short rampage.
...
I offered a brief moment of mourning for the fallen *Person*.
Her unfortunate past didn't excuse her sins, but I could at least offer some sympathy on her way out.
*Phew... I'm tired.*
After finishing the battle, I sat on the ground for a moment to catch my breath. Although I won without significant injury, that was only because *Isolde* had targeted the *Extermination Squad* instead of me.
Because chasing her all over the place had actually resulted in even greater *Stamina Consumption*, I wanted to rest for a bit.
Sitting on the ground, I looked around for a moment. Although there had been some confusion because of *Isolde*, the tide of battle was quickly turning in our favor.
The *Branch Leader*s were being pushed back, and the *Follower*s supporting them had largely been *Eliminated*.
Amidst all this, one unmissable scene was captured.
Aargh!
Livia, who had been holding up well, finally exposed a weakness. Her magic seemed to be waning, as the flames blooming from her hands had weakened.
*Reilly* didn't miss that opening and, with a *Charge*, finally slashed *Livia*'s *Shoulder Blade*.
Compared to her scream, the wound was surprisingly shallow. Compared to the long duration of the fight, it was just a small wound.
However, a *Mage* should never have allowed close combat in the first place.
Even if she was skilled in combat, it was still the case. The *Person* who had engaged *Livia* was a *Monster* of *Commander-level*.
Swish-!
Reilly*'s sword swiftly descended towards Livia*'s neck, a clean Strike without a hint of hesitation.
Fortunately, this time I could step forward without hesitation. After all, my reason for joining the battle was to help *Livia* cling to life.
Incidentally, the sight of *Nikki* had also given me courage.
Clang-!
My *Ink-black Spear*, which had intervened, deflected *Reilly*'s sword.
It was a sword imbued with *Sword Aura*, but I had grown enough to block even that now.
!
Had he not expected me to intervene as an *Intruder*? Confusion flickered across *Reilly*'s face and on *Livia*'s, who had almost died too.
“Yo-Yor!?” “...Sir *Yor*.”
So, we were on the same side, after all? Unlike when he tried to *subdue* me before, he was now addressing me with the title 'Sir'.
Of course, it was just words; his voice was utterly chilling.
What are you doing? Surely you're not protecting that *Branch Leader*, that *Terrorist*? ...I hope not.
Hmm, I'm afraid that's right.
I affirmed, then glanced back for a moment.
Turns out she's an old *friend* I used to know. I'm a bit weak when it comes to friendships, you see.
I already have a few *Kin* and a few *Friend*s, so shouldn't I take good care of the ones I do have?
As if moved by my words, *Livia*'s eyes welled up for a moment.
It seemed she had been under a lot of mental stress during the fight. Her appearance was disheveled, and her face was covered in sweat, with strands of hair sticking everywhere. Honestly, it wasn't a pretty sight... but I felt a sense of familiarity from it.
Yes, the *Kid* from back then was exactly like that, always running around and getting hurt, and prone to crying. Her vulnerability often made me look after her; it seems I'm only remembering it now. It was amusing to suddenly recall her old face, so I chuckled cheerfully.
Of course, *Reilly* spoke with a troubled expression even amidst that.
“Do you know what you're doing? You are aiding an *Opponent* on this perilous *Battlefield*. If you're not careful, you could be implicated as an accomplice and punished, you know? Are you not afraid of that?”
“Oh, is this a threat now? To me, who single-handedly took down a *Demon-person*?”
“No, it's not that... I'm just worried. It will harm your reputation. Why are you doing this?”
Although I had sided with the *Opponent*, *Reilly* couldn't take a hard line.
In the first place, it would be difficult to defeat me by force now. As Reilly said, my contributions were significant. I had captured several Demons before, and I had single-handedly hunted a Demon-person here.
They couldn't simply ostracize me just for siding with the *Opponent* once, unlike *Nikki*.
Of course, with his dignity as a *Knight Commander*, he wasn't going to back down either. *Reilly* placed his hand on his sword hilt and spoke.
Stand aside. I can let this slide for now. Otherwise, I will report this to *Your Majesty*.
“Go ahead.”
“...Hm?”
“I said, go ahead. Can they even remove me just by reporting it?”
Now, my head felt clearer. Come to think of it, I didn't need to be so mindful of others' opinions.
I could just act however the hell I wanted.
What could they even do if I were a bit annoying?
No. My reputation was too high for that. The connections I'd built by appearing on *Otherworlder* broadcasts were not to be ignored.
Moreover, they had already tried to *Capture/Detect* me once and realized how much effort it took. With all the trouble the *Demon*s were causing, they wouldn't be able to pull that stunt again.
All I had feared was their gaze... Once I let that go a little, my mind felt surprisingly at ease.
“Ugh...”
Indeed, it seemed he knew there was no proper way to control me.
Even after I told him to do as he pleased, he just stood there silently.
In the end, it was *Reilly* who backed down first.
“...The battle is urgent, so let's discuss this later. However, the treatment of that *Person* must be properly decided.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I nodded vaguely. As *Reilly* said, the situation was indeed urgent.
I looked at *Livia*, who was still bewildered, and said.
I just saved your life, so you're going to listen to me now, got it? Huh? Uh-huh...
She nodded awkwardly.
I didn't bother tying her hands.
I saved her life, so she'd probably stay put on her own.
Anyway, my initial objective was achieved. Now, all that remained was to stop the *Altar*.
That's when it happened.
*Whoooosh-!
...!
Once again, an immense aura spread throughout the entire *Battlefield*. Dense *mana* was present, just like the first wave. The second floor of the *Altar* had already been activated.