Chapter 134

Chapter 134

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 134

Johan’s eyes glowed coldly behind his glasses.

Behind him, Kim Jae-kyung stood with her hands politely clasped, head bowed.

She couldn’t bear to look Johan in the eye.

It was because she had failed to brainwash the members of the White Bear Caravan, causing the situation to escalate.

This failure had incurred the White Bear Caravan’s hostility, making her a laughingstock among everyone.

But that wasn’t the only issue.

Today, a series of major incidents erupted in Dongdaemun.

One incident involved Mandy, a supervisor directly under the City Hall, causing havoc.

Numerous Awakeneds from Dongdaemun were deployed to subdue her, but the operation failed.

All the Awakeneds suffered varying degrees of injuries, and Mandy left Dongdaemun unscathed.

This incident alone was a significant loss of face, but then a major incident occurred in the square.

A battle broke out between Awakeneds, leading to a massive explosion that nearly obliterated the entire square.

Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the successive incidents greatly unsettled Johan.

Dongdaemun was his domain.

It was his kingdom, which he had ruled for decades.

Today, his kingdom was trampled and defiled.

It was an unbearable humiliation for Johan.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“Have you identified those who fought in the square?”

“One has been confirmed to be Zeon, and the other is believed to be from the East District.”

“Zeon and an Awakened from the East District?”

“Yes!”

“They must think very little of me...”

Johan’s jaw muscles twitched.

Anyone could enter and exit Dongdaemun freely. Unlike Neo Seoul, the slums didn’t have barriers dividing the districts.

However, each district had strict rules.

Breaking these rules or fighting at will was tantamount to disregarding the ruler.

Johan looked at Kim Jae-kyung.

“What do you think?”

“We cannot let this go unpunished.”

“Should we wage war with Sinchon then?”

“That...”

“Then should we wage war with the East District?”

“...”

Kim Jae-kyung clamped her mouth shut.

A war with Sinchon was conceivable, but a war with the East District was out of the question.

There was an insurmountable gap between the slums and Neo Seoul.

This disparity extended to the Awakeneds.

In terms of both quantity and quality, the slums could never match Neo Seoul.

No matter how strong Dongdaemun was, it couldn’t compare to the East District.

Waging war with the East District was a guaranteed defeat.

Waging war with Sinchon was the only possible option.

However, even this would result in significant losses.

Moreover, the timing was terrible.

Due to the White Bear Caravan, both Neo Seoul and the entire slums were on edge.

“If we weaken our forces by waging war with Sinchon, we’ll become prey for other factions.”

“Ugh!”

“How disgusting! It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way.”

“I’m sorry. This is all because of my shortcomings...”

Kim Jae-kyung lowered her head.

Johan stared intently at her.

Under his piercing gaze, Kim Jae-kyung felt even more uncomfortable.

After what felt like an eternity, Johan spoke.

“Accept the West District’s proposal.”

“What?”

“Given the circumstances, we need to join forces with the West District and show that we’re not to be trifled with. If we remain passive despite the incident in my kingdom, others will think they can easily look down on us.”

Johan’s voice was icy and sharp as a blade.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop by ten degrees instantly.

Kim Jae-kyung shivered in the chilly atmosphere.

Johan wasn’t finished.

“You will handle this matter.”

“Understood.”

All the conditions to attract the attention of monsters were present.

Yet, monsters did not approach Neo Seoul.

It was as if they were afraid of Neo Seoul.

Damien’s gaze shifted to the mammoth on one side of the fortress.

Among monsters, it was relatively intact. But it was still a monster.

A large monster with formidable strength.

Most monsters couldn’t even approach the mammoth due to its overwhelming presence.

While Damien’s abilities were the primary reason they had made it to Neo Seoul safely, the mammoth also played a significant role.

The mammoth was that powerful. But even it was afraid to get any closer to Neo Seoul.

Something in Neo Seoul clearly instilled fear in the monsters.

People said there was an anti-magic force in Neo Seoul, but Damien believed there was something more.

Alexandro, having listened to the entire conversation, asked.

“So, what is it?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“If everyone knew, it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?”

“But you’re not just anyone, right?”

“That’s true.”

Damien chuckled.

Alexandro smiled similarly.

Their smiles were quite alike, having shared long years together.

At that moment.

Woong!

A powerful vibration was felt within the fortress.

Damien’s face suddenly turned cold.

“It’s acting up again.”

“Hmm!”

“Is the seal weakening?”

“Do you want to check?”

“Yes!”

The two descended the stairs together.

They headed to the fifth floor, directly below.

The items they had unloaded in Neo Seoul were stored on the first three floors.

The truly important items were on the fourth and fifth floors.

The fourth floor housed items excavated from dungeons, while the fifth floor contained ‘that one.’

The fifth floor was a special area.

Only Damien and Alexandro had access to it.

A blue barrier stretched across the entrance to the fifth floor.

When Damien placed his hand on it, the barrier was lifted.

It was a magic circle that only Damien could deactivate.

The two passed through the entrance into the fifth-floor storage.

Inside, like the entrance, a mystical blue light pervaded.

In the midst of the wavering blue light, something was floating.

A crown hovered in the air, without any support.

Embedded with a blue gem in its center, the crown emitted a mysterious aura.

Damien’s gaze towards the crown was cold.

“The Crown of the Spirit King.”

That was the name of the floating crown.

Despite its mysterious and beautiful appearance, it was a cursed item soaked in the blood of many.

Many sacrifices had been made to obtain the Crown of the Spirit King.

It was the most precious and dangerous item the White Bear Caravan had brought.

Thus, they had set up a sealing magic circle specifically in the fifth-floor storage.

Any other item would have had its power weakened. But the Crown of the Spirit King, instead of weakening, was fiercely emanating its power despite the sealing magic circle.

Alexandro spoke.

“The sealing magic circle won’t hold for much longer. At this rate, those inside Neo Seoul will notice it too.”

“Then it’s time to lay out the bait.”

“So, it’s beginning?”

“Yes!”

“A grand stage of chaos will unfold.”

“I’m sorry. Because of me, the caravan members are getting dragged into this.”

“Don’t say that. We wouldn’t have made it this far without you. Our lives are a gift from you. So don’t speak of regret or futility. We share a common destiny.”

“Let’s burn it all fiercely.”

In Damien’s cold eyes, a strange fire flickered.

[Translator – Peptobismol]