Chapter 246: Open Fire (4)
On another floor of the Sephiroth Tree, Hwang Chae-Il had arranged it so that everything happening inside Eden could be seen from here too.
In this room, two women stood quietly. One wore a pure white outfit and was looking at the screens with worry.
Whats wrong? The second woman had the opposite appearance. She wore a black dress and was leisurely sipping wine. The scene outside and her composure created quite a contrast.
The woman in white turned toward her but remained quiet.
You want to get out and fight too? the woman in black asked.
No, its not that, the first woman replied calmly.
El. The woman in the black dress, Soo-Jung, waited for El to continue.
Im just worried about our allies. How many of them will survive this war?
Hmm Soo-Jung placed the wine glass on the table and turned toward the screens. Everything is going according to our plan.
10,000 players. This included 300 demons and 200 weaponized players created by Andras and the Caravan Guild.
Most importantly
I sense three hell kings; one of them is Leviathan, but Soo-Jung trailed off.
We arent certain of the other twos identity.
This was the main problem. Unlike Leviathan, who had shown himself before, not much was known about the other two hell kings.
Asmodeus was dead, and it couldnt be Satan or Lucifer, which left four hell kings. Leviathan was one, so the two had to be among the three remaining kings. However, the presence of Belphegors mace suggested that Belphegor was dead.
Then
But we cant know for sure, Soo-Jung announced.
That left only two known hell kings. Were they on the battlefield here? That was hard to believe, as hell kings were selfish creatures.
Satan was most likely piloting Ha Song-Su because Andras alone making the hell kings dance to his tunes sounded improbable.
Besides, Andras probably isnt betting everything on this battle, Soo-Jung continued. Andras absence on the battlefield suggested that the battle wasnt critical to him. Therefore, it didnt make sense that he would send three hell kings, including Leviathan.
El replied, I know, and thats why we have a chance to win here.
I wouldnt call it a win. Its more like we wont lose, Soo-Jung corrected El.
Both women faced the screens again. Over ten screens displayed the various battles occurring inside Eden.
Lou, El whispered, watching Lou and Leviathan fight. She could also see others, including Botis, Hal, and Hart. All Eden soldiers were fighting bravely.
Soo-Jung raised her glass again, smiled, and beautifully swirled the blood-red wine in the glass. Everything will work out according to our plan.
***
Some time had passed since the battle began.
-I won.
Hwang Chae-Il heard Botis tired voice.
Ive been watching you. Thank you for your hard work, replied Hwang Chae-Il. He had watched the entire fight from Sephiroth Tree and now had a concerned countenance.
Hwang Chae-Il added, You may retreat.
-All right.
The flame on Hwang Chae-Ils face seemed to grow with his worries. Among all the enemy groups, he was most confident about the defeat of Botis group.
The way Rohan divided his army wasnt preplanned. It was all decided by Hwang Chae-Il once they had entered Eden. And he had sent Botis to a group he felt would give Botis an advantage.
ButNnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.comethings wrong.
Botis informed Hwang Chae-Il, who didnt reply.
-Zephyr has always been strong, but not to this extent. I cant explain it, but something has definitely changed.
Hwang Chae-Il had already realized this. As he watched the screens, he realized his assumptions about the enemy were incorrect. Rohans army was much more powerful than he had anticipated.
He had expected Botis to demolish the assigned group quickly; in reality, Botis had barely won before retreating to recover.
-How is it going with the others?
Hwang Chae-Il hesitated before answering, Its about the same.
-This is a problem.
The gale from the water dragon created a small blast, but more was coming.
Kabooooooooooom!
The ground was turning over.
***
The attack just now left Hwang Chae-Il nonplussed. It was so destructive that it left the entire Eden shaken.
Hwang Chae-Il yelled in alarm, A-are you okay?! Lou? Lou?!
No answer came. The screen was filled with gray smoke, making it impossible for Hwang Chae-Il to see anything.
Enable magic. Hwang Chae-Il activated the sensor to detect different energies, but
There is too much magic here; its not working. It appeared this part of Edens functions was paralyzed.
Leviathans attack just now was remarkable, proving why it was one of the original hell kings.
Hwang Chae-Il murmured again, Lou
The other groups had already begun retreating as he had ordered. They moved to lure the enemies into the open field he had prepared.
At least, this was the plan, but
Dammit! Hwang Chae-Il swore loudly. He still hadnt heard anything from Lou.
Of course, he was concerned about Lous safety, but Lou was also a critical part of his plan. All the hell kings had to be in one place for his plan to succeed.
Hwang Chae-Il turned pale, realizing the situation was becoming too dangerous.
Just then
-I-Im retreating.
Lous voice was filled with agony.
Lou!
-I shook off Leviathan. The players are still there, but I lured Leviathan away from them; Ive done everything I can If you want to save them, do it. I dont care
That was the end of Lous transmission.
Relief filled Hwang Chae-Il. At the same time, he tried his best not to burst into laughter.
Lucifer was once the true king of hell. Even Hwang Chae-Il had heard of Lous evil reputation in his former life.
Yet, just now, Lou had risked his life to save humans. He even treated them as his equals and was ready to fight the enemies together. Hwang Chae-Il felt an oddly overwhelming emotion.
This time, he brightly ordered, Soon, everyone will be in the open field! Please get ready!
This was after he had ordered the skeleton soldiers to rescue the players. Hwang Chae-Il did not doubt that this was what his absent master would have wanted.
***
I can do this only once. Soo-Jung looked very tense. This was very different from how relaxed she had looked earlier. It was clear that she was nervous.
In the open field, their enemies gradually came together. Hwang Chae-Il had created a wall here to buy some time. Once everyone was here
Baal, Soo-Jung called out.
Baal replied, All the preparations are complete.
Soo-Jung nodded.
A giant magic circle covered the entire open field. Baal was just as knowledgeable about black magic as Lou. The magic circle was filled with Baals essence, and this would amplify Soo-Jungs power.
Ill repeat. I can only do this once. I wont be able to move for a while after doing this. Soo-Jung looked at El.
El replied with determination, I will protect you.
If Soo-Jung failed, El would have to guard Soo-Jung, who would be incapacitated.
It would be so much easier to kill them all Tsk. Soo-Jung seemed truly frustrated. She was so nervous because she couldnt annihilate Rohans entire army. Killing innocent players would make everything pointless. If she murdered them, she knew Kim Gi-Gyu would refuse to take over her position.
Therefore, the plan was to use her power, amplified by Baals magic crest, to neutralize their enemies.
-Im almost there
Lous tired voice announced.
Soo-Jung ordered, Get ready.
Meanwhile, more and more enemies gathered inside the field.