Chapter 136: The Giant Destroyer (4)

Chapter 136: The Giant Destroyer (4)

TL/Editor: Rungir

Schedule: none

Illustrations: none

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The Agnes Empire was vast.

Due to its size, countless undiscovered dungeons, areas, and artifacts existed, and there were numerous exploration teams searching for them.

However, only five of these teams were awarded the title of 'Elite' across the entire empire.

These teams were made up of adventurers with skills far beyond the average, truly the cream of the crop.

Their tasks were also significantly more challenging than those of other teams.

And now.

"Huff, huff!"

Renet Ilones, a member of one of these elite teams, 'The Scouring Eyes,' was frantically running through a burning village.

"f*ck!"

Harsh swear words flew from her mouth.

Usually, she almost never swore, but the situation was dire enough for her to curse.

"What the hell is going on!"

The trouble began a short while ago when Renet's team received a request.

The request came from 'Hoire,' a small village at the eastern edge of the empire, asking them to investigate a strange relic that had suddenly appeared in the village center.

The task seemed too low-level for them, and they would have normally declined, but the team leader, Alos, sensed something odd from the relic's description in the request and decided to accept it, sending her and two other team members to the village.

'We should never have accepted that request!'

With that thought, Renet increased her speed and glanced back.

Screech!

Gurgle!

She saw many villagers, now too grotesque to be considered human, chasing after her.

The villagers had transformed into this state just a few hours ago.

A giant relic had suddenly emerged in the center of the village.

Without any warning, a bright red light burst from the relic, and anyone touched by the light transformed into these monstrous forms.

Since then, Renet had been running, not knowing the whereabouts of the other team members.

'What on earth could it be...'

Renet recalled the relic's appearance before the chaos ensued.

It looked like a snake's tongue, but thousands of times larger, a shape she had never seen before despite exploring many dungeons and remote areas. She couldn't find out anything about it even upon investigation.

'And it's incredibly contagious!'

At first, there were people who hadn't been touched by the light and were fine, but as soon as they came into contact with those who had turned into monsters, they transformed just the same.

With this level of contagion, it's only a matter of time before it spreads from this village to nearby ones.

'No, it might have already spread.'

The situation was extremely serious.

A disaster.

Her usually reliable instincts were whispering that this situation could evolve into a new disaster, potentially one of unprecedented scale, beyond any of the known seven great calamities.

'I must alert others!'

There was nothing Renet could do here now.

The best course of action was to escape and inform her exploration team and the empire of the situation.

Screech!

If transforming into a monster also drastically increased physical abilities, was that why, despite using all her mana to run, the monsters were closing in on Renet?

"If this goes on..."

With that thought, Renet's expression darkened.

Then.

Screech!

Suddenly, a monster appeared in front of her, blocking her path.

It was Albert, one of the team members who had come to this place with Renet, now transformed into a monster.

"Damn it!"

Renet cursed again as she tried to turn back, but she was too close to escape the reach of the monster's claws.

A mix of urgency and despair appeared on Renet's face.

Just as the monster's claw was about to crush her head.

"How fascinating."

An unexpectedly cheerful voice interrupted the moment.

Crack!

The upper body of the monster swinging its claw at Renet vanished.

"The Red Horn tribe..."

They were the giants from the Red Horn tribe, allied with the pro-Utekan faction.

The earth trembled more and more as the countless tribal flags of dozens of tribes drew nearer, and the sight of this giant force caused the light to fade from the eyes of the opposing giants.

The power disparity between them and their opponents was clear.

Even the forces that had not yet fully assembled were formidable.

They might have loved battle, but not to the extent of enjoying a fight they were destined to lose.

'Can we really... win against that force?'

Vatar's eyes, as gloomy as the other giants', turned towards Zion.

Whether Zion knew what he was thinking or not, he was still looking at the approaching forces of the Red Horn with a lazy gaze.

As the chieftain's eyes darkened further,

'So, Zion Agnes, you were targeting me from the start.'

Utekan, on the opposite side, was also looking at Zion.

Despite the great distance between them, it was no issue for him.

'The monster legion was just an excuse.'

Otherwise, he couldn't have moved so swiftly right after arriving in the giant's territory.

'After all, there's no better place to kill an opponent without having to look over your shoulder.'

Given the region's distance from the imperial city and its constant state of war, even if royalty slaughtered each other, they could create reasons to cover it up sufficiently.

And in fact, given the intense competition for the throne, killing each other outside the imperial city or the capital wouldn't be much of an issue.

'Of course, I'll receive some criticism.'

Thinking this, Utekan smiled wickedly at Zion, whose eyes met his.

He never dreamed Zion would actually come to attack him first.

In a way, it was a situation where he was caught completely off guard.

But...

'What's the big deal about that?'

Zion's action was utterly unexpected, but it wasn't something that could change the situation.

Nothing had changed, and Zion along with the opposing giants were still at a significant disadvantage.

In fact, it might have been more accurate to say it hastened their demise.

'Why make such a choice? I can't understand.'

Such a foolish decision.

It would have been slightly better for them to scatter and flee to preserve their lives a bit longer.

'He can't still believe the monster legion is coming, can he? Is there some other trick up his sleeve?'

In the end, it didn't matter.

Unless a force that could surpass one of the empire's top elite legions suddenly appeared, any other variable would be smashed to bits by the overwhelming difference in power between them.

Of course, Utekan had thoroughly investigated this before coming here, and no such force existed within the giant's territory.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Was the thought of the upcoming massacre exciting?

Utekan's giant forces began stamping their feet and slamming their weapons on the ground in place.

The giants' eyes sparkled with a murderous gleam.

"Your Highness, we await your command."

A giant standing next to Utekan looked at him eagerly, urging for an order.

'Zion, today will be your end.'

Just as Utekan was about to issue the command to advance,

That roar!

It was a roar.

Not of humans or giants, but from entirely different beings.

The massive roar filled the entire battlefield, causing Utekan and the other giants to turn their heads towards the source of the sound.

And they saw it.

The monster legion.

Countless monsters filled their entire field of vision, rushing towards them at incredible speeds.

'The monster legion? Why are they suddenly here...'

Utekan's eyes filled with questions at the unexpected appearance.

Then, he caught sight of Zion looking at him and smiling brightly.

Soon after, Zion's mouth slowly opened to say something.

Though too far to hear, Utekan could make out the words from the shape of Zion's lips.

Full. Force. Charge.

And at that moment.

Bwoooh!

The horn of the Blue Claw tribe sounded, signaling the charge.