Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Dreadwhistle effect

[System Warning: Barrier Breach Imminent]

Seojun's system spoke [Host, Their barrier won't make it]

[The barrier is under attack. The barrier's integrity is deteriorating due to the effects of a high-density Dust Storm triggered by the Dreadwhistle. Vision and perception are compromised. Prepare for an encounter with hostile entities.] the white hologram make Min-seok and the others terrifed.

A dense fog of dust settled around them, obscuring the view beyond the barrier and casting an eerie, unnatural darkness.

"Wh-What's going on? I can't see anything out there!" Hannah's voice trembled as she gripped her wand tighter. Her breaths came in shallow gasps as she tried to peer through the haze.

Min-seok, who was already pale, seemed to grow even paler as his eyes darted around frantically. "The barrier...Why is it shaking like this?"

"Because that whistle attracted more than just a familiar" Seojun spoke calmly. "The dust cloud is laced with some kind of magic — it's jamming our perception"

From within the dust, a loud scratching sound echoed, like nails on a chalkboard but deeper, more guttural. Something was dragging its claws along the barrier, creating a long, grating screech that made everyone flinch. Seojun's senses were on high alert, trying to gauge what exactly was beyond the clouded veil.

"Do you hear that?" Kaeri whispered, her eyes wide with terror. "It sounds like... something is scraping the barrier."

Suddenly, a large, gnarled hand covered in scales and fur slammed against the barrier, making everyone jump. The impact rippled through the shimmering magical dome, causing cracks to spiderweb out from the point of contact.

"Look! There!" Hannah pointed, her voice barely a whisper. The shadowy outline of a massive creature with multiple eyes and a wide, gaping mouth filled with jagged teeth pressed against the barrier, its hot breath fogging the invisible wall.

[System Alert: Barrier Integrity at 65%...]

The system's calm yet dire warning rang in Seojun's mind. "Not good," he muttered under his breath. "That barrier won't hold if more of them start hitting it."

Min-seok's teeth chattered as he spoke, his voice barely holding steady. "Jae-hyun... wh-what have you done?"

Jae-hyun, despite his earlier bravado, now looked visibly shaken. He held the Dreadwhistle tightly, his face pale as he watched the barrier bend and crack. "This… this isn't supposed to happen," he muttered. "It was just supposed to attract one, not—"

A chorus of snarls and roars erupted from all around them, cutting him off. The shadows beyond the barrier shifted and swirled, countless creatures circling like sharks sensing blood in the water.

"Those aren't just ordinary beasts," Seojun observed. "Those are mythical predators."

The ground shook again as another massive figure slammed into the barrier. This one was bulkier, with tusks jutting out of its jaw, and its eyes glowed with a fierce, hungry light. It roared, saliva splattering against the weakening shield, and the barrier rippled again, more cracks appearing.

"We need to move! We need to move now!" Jin-hyu shouted, panic rising in his voice. "The barrier's not going to last!"

[System Alert: Barrier Integrity at 35%...]

"Thirty-five percent?!" Kaeri voice broke into a high-pitched scream. "It's dropping too fast!"

More of the shadowy attackers began to emerge. One of the creatures, with a serpentine body and six legs, lashed out against the barrier with its thick, muscular tail, each blow sending more cracks through the protective dome.

Silla's voice echoed in Seojun's mind. "Master, if the barrier falls, we'll be swarmed. It's too risky to stay here."

Seojun nodded, his thoughts racing. "

[System Alert: Barrier Integrity at 10%...]

A low growl resonated through the air, and a new figure appeared — a monstrous wolf with glowing red eyes. It bared its fangs, and with a deafening howl, it charged forward, slamming its massive body against the barrier. A loud crack echoed, and a piece of the barrier shattered like glass.

"We're done for!" Hannah cried out, clutching her wand tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

The barrier trembled again, cracks spreading like a spiderweb across its surface. The monstrous creatures outside grew bolder, slamming their bodies and claws against it. Inside, panic spread like wildfire among the group.

Kaeri was on her knees, her face pale and drenched in sweat as she tried to hold the barrier together with all her strength. Her arms shook, and her breathing was ragged.

"I can't… hold it much longer…" she whispered, tears starting to stream down her face.

"Use everything you've got!" Jae-hyun barked, his voice sharp and demanding. He hovered over her like a vulture. "Stop whining and keep that damn barrier up, or we're all dead!"

"But—" Kaeri stammered, looking up at him with fear in her eyes. Sёarch* The NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Jae-hyun ignored her plea and turned to Hannah. "You too! Buff her up! Now! Use all your spells!" he shouted, his face twisted in frustration.

Hannah, trembling with fear She mumbled an incantation, her voice shaky as she tried to cast every buff she had on Yuna. Her hands shook so badly that the spells flickered and dimmed.

Meanwhile, Seojun stood calm watching everything unfold. His eyes scanned the scene, assessing the situation. He could hear the barrier cracking, but his expression remained unchanged. He was used to chaos, and fear didn't affect him like it did the others.

Jae-hyun's eyes darted around, and in a sudden move, he grabbed Jin-hyu and Min-seok by their collars, pulling them in front of him.

"You two, stand here! Better you die blocking them than me!" he snarled, pushing them toward the front. A nasty smirk spread across his face as he added, "That's all you're good for, anyway."

Jin-hyu's eyes widened in shock. He struggled against Jae-hyun's grip, but he was too weak. "You bastard…!" he muttered, fear and anger mixed in his voice.

Min-seok looked like a deer caught in headlights, his legs trembling. He didn't want to be a shield, but he had no choice.

Silla's voice came, dripping with disdain. "Tsk. What an evil human, Can i eat him if he survive Master?"

Another slam against the barrier sent a shiver through the ground. The cracks widened, glowing with unstable energy.

Kaeri cried out as the barrier flickered, her magic nearly drained. "I can't... It's too much!" she whimpered.

Jae-hyun pushed harder against Jin-hyu and Min-seok, practically hiding behind them like a coward.

"Shut up and hold it!" he snapped at Kaeri, his voice full of panic disguised as anger. "If you let it drop, you're dead first!"