Chapter 138
The Empire possessed quite a large landmass.
This was due to its gradual expansion of territory and its ancestors' original settlement on a vast plain.
No matter how many Cities were built and Villages established, it was difficult to fill the entire Plain. There was no reason to do so in the first place.
As a result, the Empire's Territory contained quite a few Plains interspersed throughout. Among them were a couple of Plains situated along the Border of the Ruryeon Kingdom, although that Kingdom had now fallen and its people had become *Ordinary Persons*.
The Extermination Squad, having received news that a Demon was approaching one of these Plains, was already waiting.
A low murmur. Countless people could be seen gathered together. Knights of the Empire and the soldiers who followed them. The forces of the Kingdom, burning with vengeance after losing their country. And even adventurer groups composed of Otherworlders.
Perhaps because some of the forces from the neighboring country were also included, the Personnel gathered were quite numerous despite the haste.
An ominous war cloud hung over the Troops because there were those who had encountered Beled. The Refugees from Ruryeon had diligently spread tales of the Demon's terror, after all. Indeed, they had fought hard, but the Kingdom had fallen in just two days. The shock was bound to be immense.
The 2nd Knight Commander and the 5th Knight Commander, sensing the atmosphere, shook their heads.
“This isn't good. Momentum accounts for more than half of a battle, and they're already scared.”
“It's because they heard unnecessary things from the Refugees. The Demon will arrive soon. Tsk.”
Given the gravity of the situation, two Knight Commanders were participating this time. They couldn't gather more due to the urgency. The 3rd and 4th Knight Commanders had already been dispatched to the fallen Ruryeon Kingdom.
“Haa, just yesterday I was trying to pick up a handsome guy among the Refugees. What is this, overnight...?” “Stop chattering and come up with a plan, Odelia.” “Then I'll encourage the scared ones. Serena, you tell the Troops the strategy. You're good at that.”
Still, perhaps because two Knight Commanders were present, some order was established. The 2nd Knight Commander personally stepped forward to encourage those who were severely frightened, and Serena arranged the people into formations to prevent chaos.
As they prepared, something began to appear beyond the horizon. It was a grotesquely writhing body and crimson flesh. This was the exact appearance of the Demon rumored among the People.
“He's here!”
“Mages, begin your Incantations!”
Those who spotted him immediately began their response. Mages prepared their Magic, and archers drew their bows. Around that time, the creature, having apparently spotted the Military, charged straight ahead with fierce intensity.
*Thwack! Crash!* Countless arrows and Magic flew towards the creature. Each time, Beled either spread his flesh to block the attack or endured it with his body. He merely flinched occasionally, but his advance never completely stopped. The people who witnessed this cried out in alarm.
“Damn it, he won't stop!”
“What kind of body is that?”
Although they weren't professionally trained like Knights. Nevertheless, the level of the Otherworlders was not to be underestimated now. Among them, Mages, in particular, possessed powerful single-strike abilities.
Yet, even after such Mages attacked all at once, the Opponent appeared unharmed. Of course, they didn't know what was happening inside, but his outward appearance alone was enough to demoralize the group.
“Front lines, advance!”
Serena said so, and stepped forward with Odelia.
This was bad. If panic spread, it would clearly hinder their combat power. That's why they stepped forward. They believed that if the Commanders themselves took the lead on the front lines, the morale of the Soldiers would automatically rise.
Among those on the front lines, there were many Otherworlders besides the Knight Commanders. Since they revived even if they died, their lives were relatively less valuable. This was, in fact, the greatest advantage of Otherworlders. Among them were Chaerin Yu and Hanbyeol Shin, who was still seething with anger.
After the Ranged Barrage ended, direct combat began.
“Waaaaah!”
With a battle cry, countless individuals charged towards the creature. Beled responded by creating red, tentacle-like growths from his body.
Thwack! Thwack! Chilling piercing sounds echoed among the Otherworlders.
“Do you think this body will be pushed back just because a swarm of flies attacks?”
Indeed, just as he said, the front lines that charged in a group didn't exert as much power as expected.
But they weren't being pushed back helplessly either. Rather, a small number of Personnel were holding their own against the creature.
The creature's Attacks were certainly fierce, but not impossible to block. The Knight Commanders, in particular, weren't particularly afraid of it. They had already experienced dozens of Battlefields and encountered Demons a couple of times.
Naturally, they had many experiences where their lives were in danger. To them, this level of threat was nothing.
“I'll give you the stab I couldn't deliver last time...”
*Slash!* Hanbyeol was also holding her own. Although she was still slightly outmatched, the Rank 1 in the country could not be ignored. She was at a level where she could soon achieve S-rank.
Moreover, she still harbored resentment towards the creature. Perhaps because she swung her sword with anger, the Spiked Tentacle it shot out didn't feel particularly heavy.
“Cast support Magic!”
“Maintain the Deterrent Maneuver!”
Those in the rear weren't just watching either. They gathered mana to cast Buffs again, and carefully shot arrows, aiming for the creature's body. Although he called them “flies,” a swarm of them was certainly annoying.
And from the start, Otherworlders naturally felt less fear of death. Under the continuous offensive, Beled gradually faltered.
And seizing that opportunity, Hanbyeol Shin finally landed a hit.
*Slish!* With the sound of flesh tearing, her sword made an impact on the creature's main body. Unlike the flesh that sprouted from its body, blood seemed to flow within his main body, as bright red blood splattered onto the ground.
Hanbyeol, seeing this, grinned and said.
“Finally got a hit in. How's that feel?”
“You...”
Beled's hideous expression twisted further.
The creature, bleeding from its body, opened its mouth.
“Originally, this body intended to merely pass through with the head of your king. There was no need to expend great power to dominate you all.”
“...? What are you talking about?”
“It means I will slaughter every last one of you. If you wish to meet your end like that, then come, I shall show you my true power.”
It was right after that.
The creature's body began to writhe violently, as if announcing a Transformation.
Then, like a balloon inflating, its body rapidly grew larger. It looked as if it might burst at any moment, or as if flesh was being added upon flesh.
*Pshook! Pwoosh!*
“Ugh!”
“Aargh!”
In the midst of it, tentacles sprouted from its body, stabbing people. Its appearance was so unusual that the Extermination Squad couldn't help but falter for a moment.
“Oh, damn it...”
“Damn, his appearance really makes me want to quit the game.”
The creature's appearance after completing its Transformation was utterly grotesque. If there were such a thing as a giant mountain made of red flesh, it would probably be he.
*Meanwhile, hundreds of tentacles sprouted all over its body, writhing ceaselessly.*
It was a visual akin to something from a grotesque hentai game.
Its physiologically repulsive appearance suppressed the Extermination Squad's momentum.
Then Beled opened his mouth.
“You, in particular, are annoying.”
“!”
Dozens of tentacles enveloped Hanbyeol Shin. She managed to cut off a few, but the sheer number of tentacles bound her hands and feet. As expected of Phase 2, each tentacle was quite heavy. Hanbyeol's body was slowly lifted into the air by the tentacles.
“Ugh, let go!” “You, in particular, shall be executed first as an example. Let's see... what would be the most painful way to kill you?”
Squirm, squirm.
Numerous tentacles constricted her body. Slender tentacles climbed her thighs, while thick ones pressed against her chest and pelvis.
Whether from physiological revulsion or pain, Hanbyeol's face contorted.
“Ugh...!”
“Shall I insert a tentacle into your mouth and tear you apart from the inside? Or shall I constrict your neck and suffocate you? There's even a method of pulling you into this body and tormenting you for days on end. Which method do you prefer, tell me.”
*Riiip!* Perhaps to instill fear, the grotesque tentacles tore Hanbyeol's tight, suit-like clothing.
Though it looked like this, it was a remarkably tough garment made from the hide of a High-level Monster. Yet, the High-level Monster tore it apart effortlessly.
Thanks to that, Hanbyeol couldn't help but feel a slight sense of fear. It meant that if the creature truly wished, her own body could end up like that.
It was then that the tide of battle was slowly turning for the worse.
“Oh my, what kind of scene is this...?”
Amidst the tension-filled silence, a leisurely male voice was heard. Hanbyeol instinctively looked in that direction. Yor was casually walking towards Beled.
“P-please, put me down now...”
While princess-carrying the Editor he had seen last time.
*
I gently set Haneul, whose face was as red as a beet, down on the ground.
She seemed quite embarrassed, as she immediately scurried away into the crowd the moment I put her down.
*Was being carried really that embarrassing?*
I drew my spear and looked ahead.
I rushed here thinking it was dangerous, but...
It certainly seemed like a critical situation. The creature's body had grown abnormally large and was more hideous than before. Hanbyeol also looked to be in a different kind of danger.
“Ugh...! Help me!”
The wriggling tentacles seemed to be quite unpleasant, as she cried out urgently. It was rare for someone as proud as she to ask for help.
*Meanwhile, one tentacle wriggled and grasped one side of her chest.*
“H-huh...? H-hurry!”
“...Haa.”
Left with no choice, I stopped my observations and stepped forward.
*I never thought I'd live to see a tentacle scene with my own eyes... It's a shame, but I'll have to be satisfied with having seen it once.*
As I stepped forward, the creature looked down at me and spoke.
“Hmm? Aren't you that fellow from back then? Have you still not fully experienced my fear?”
“You've grown quite a bit since then. And your bluff seems to have grown too.”
At the word 'bluff,' the creature's body twitched.
*He probably felt a jab inside.*
*What's the point of hiding it? He has the ability to grow stronger by feeding on the fear of others.*
After he hears Barbatos's hint and thinks hard, there's no other answer. He bluffs, and if it works, he gains power according to that bluff.
That's not all.
As I approached, I noticed goosebumps rising subtly on my skin. Last time, I thought it was due to tension, but now that I'm closer, I understand. He's capable of some degree of Atmosphere Manipulation to induce fear.
It would certainly be very difficult if you didn't realize this information. If you felt even a moment of intimidation, his power would feel incredibly heavy.
And to the extent that you endured that weight, you would never again underestimate him. A vicious cycle would repeat.
“Be careful, Yor! That creature isn't an easy opponent! He's different from the demons we've encountered so far!”
It was just like Odelia, who was warning me right beside me. Of course, I heard it with one ear and let it flow out the other. The creature's Attack began immediately after.
“It's tiresome to deal with you now. I'll kill you quickly.”
Among the tentacles that sprouted from his flesh, particularly thick ones surged towards me. The sight of dozens of tentacles rushing at me was threatening in itself.
However, I decided to simply ignore them.
After all, I can easily dodge any Strike aimed at a vital spot. And even if I get hit, I can Regenerate quickly anyway. And now, it probably won't even hurt that much.
*Whoosh.* Instead, I gathered mana, gripping my spear in both hands.
*Swish!* I twisted my body to dodge a tentacle flying towards my head, then roughly swung the spear shaft using centrifugal force. Immediately after...
*CRACK!* A massive impact sound echoed loudly, all around, as if announcing a successful hit.
His mountain-like massive body, rendered meaningless, began to tilt heavily to one side. The creature's body, dented around the spear shaft, looked quite ridiculous. A look of bewilderment appeared on its face.
“!”
“!!!”
Simultaneously, exclamations of shock began to erupt one by one from the surroundings.