Chapter 247: Open Fire (5)
Are we really allowed to do this? a female reporter asked her partner.
The helicopter propellers whirring was deafening. A new cable show had sent a team to broadcast the battle occurring in the Bukhan River region.
In the modern day, the most popular topics were undoubtedly the Tower, the gates, and the players. All the channels, in one way and another, dealt with these topics. Moreover, new channels focusing solely on this topic popped up every day. Despite being haphazardly produced and run, most channels received decent ratings.
Everyone in the world was watching the battle in the Bukhan River region, as it could change the history of the human race.
The female reporter thought her cameraman didnt hear her because of the loud noise. So, she yelled again, I asked you if this is really okay!
Yes! Its fine! the cameraman replied. His hands were trembling visibly, suggesting that he didnt reply the first time because he was nervous.
Again, people nowadays were most curious about the Tower, the gates, and the players. And at the moment, their greatest concern was
The female reporter asked, So you got permission for this? Are you sure?
Yes! the cameraman screamed in fear.
Their group only had a few people, so they couldnt even be called a reporting team.
There were only three of them: One helicopter pilot, the cameramanwho was also the PDand the female reporter.
Havent you noticed that no one has stopped us? And you signed the contract, remember?! the cameraman yelled.
The contract in question freed the broadcasting station from all responsibility in case a team member died while reporting this battle.
The cameraman continued, I got the go-ahead from the top, so just shut up and get ready! They told me they got an okay from the Iron Guild too! Were going live!
The female reporter tensed, reminded that they were about to film the Eden battle live. However, being on a live show made her more anxious than flying over an active war zone.
The cameraman shouted at the helicopter pilot, You know we cant go too low, right?
Their risk factor was directly proportional to the copters distance from the ground.
The helicopter pilot nodded. Dont worry! I used to be a player, remember? Even if we fall, I can save you, no problem. So dont you worry!
The pilot used to be a fairly powerful player before. But despite his claim, there was no way he could save anyone if the helicopter fell. The pilot was only trying to reassure the crew. The reporter wasnt even listening; she just nodded absentmindedly and continued to stare down at what was happening.
The camera lit up. The female reporter was a professional. She had probably fixed her make-up because she looked much better when she began.
This is All of Players reporter Kim Min-Hee reporting from With a trembling voice, she continued, The Bukhan River region. Ten thousand players have entered Eden, and the battle has finally begun.
Kim Min-Hee had no idea that this would become a legendary newscast.
***
Du, du, du, du, du.
This thumping noise created by nearly 10,000 players running toward an open field rang in the area.
This is going to be an all-out war! Everyone, please advance! Rohan ordered from the forefront. They had suffered a surprise attack, followed by the materialization of a giant wall. This was enough to confuse the players, and Rohan took this as his opportunity. The guild masters of individual groups were just as confused, so they had no choice but to follow Rohans command blindly.
All the players began to march forward. They all headed toward where Edens forces had gathered.
El said calmly, Please hurry.
Not yet. Soo-Jung kept her arms crossed as she watched the enemies approaching.
Boom!
Kaboom!
The magic category players bombarded the Eden forces with their skills, but Baal raised one of his hands and announced, Dont mind them, Soo-Jung.
The high-level players attacked with powerful skills, unaware it wouldnt work against them. The system gave players their skills, but demons strength didnt depend on that.
Baal, almost as powerful as Lou in wielding black magic, invaded the players energy and
Dispel, Baal murmured, instantly overturning the players skills. Some powerful mages could have fought off Baals move, but
Ugh!
These players were limited by the system, capable of only using their magic within preset boundaries. Therefore, they couldnt defend against Baals Dispel, and the magic category players fell one by one.
Du, du, du, du, du.
The enemies were getting closer, each holding a different weapon and armed with buffs and skills.
Still, Soo-Jung only repeated, Not yet.
No one protested until Yoo-Bin, frustration obvious on her face, announced, I cant take this anymore.
The faint smile on her lips betrayed the concern on her face. She buried Asmodeus power back inside after the last fight, but his thirst for blood and destruction remained.
But
Whack.
***
The black flames initial form was shabby, to say the least. It was hard to believe that the giant magic circle and one of the greatest high rankers, Soo-Jung, code-named Lucifer, were responsible for that flame.
Everyone was staring at it in shock when suddenly, it began to change.
Crackle.
Crackle.
Whoosh!
The flame spread like wildfire.
Ackkk! the enemy players cried out.
The tiny ember instantly transformed into black flames that created a firestorm. In no time, Soo-Jungs fire had eaten all the enemies.
Kyaaaaaaa! the players screamed as the black flame moved like a living creature.
Lou, standing nearby, mumbled, So its true that it wont kill humans.
Indeed, the black flames only stole enough life force from the players to knock them out. Once this was accomplished, the flames moved onto their next target, spreading far and wide.
The players tried to defend themselves, but
Lou continued, Its a combo of Baals giant magic circle and Edens unique energy. I doubt any of them can fight it.
Even the hell kings would struggle with this attack, precisely why they had planned it this way. Even the best players couldnt neutralize it.
Just like that, the dark flames engulfed the enemies. The players fell like bees, but the flames didnt stop growing.
Kyaa! Screams of various pitches and amplitudes rang.
It has finally begun, Soo-Jung whispered. The dark flames were like a curse. It used the life forces of its targets to fuel itself and grow. The power of the magic circle, Soo-Jungs strength, and the energies permeating Eden made the dark flames thicker and more powerful.
It grew exponentially to capture the hell kings and the other demons.
Luciferrrr! A figure in a hood screamed from far away. There was no doubt he was one of the hell kings.
Leviathan.
His body slowly but visibly took a menacing size.
Soo-Jung took a step back. Get ready. The real battle is about to begin!
She has done everything she could. Her job now was to maintain the dark flames. It seemed like a small contribution, but it was way bigger than anyone could have ever asked from her.
Lou smiled. I wouldnt have it any other way. He stepped forward. He hadnt fully recovered yet, but the overflowing Death here made him feel much better.
As was expected, El volunteered, Im in too.
The other two have begun moving too, Soo-Jung informed them. Through the dark flames, she could sense various energies moving. She was letting them know that the other two kings were on the move too.
Lou demanded, Tell me who they are!
Soo-Jung focused, trying to identify them. But before she could say anything, everyone in Eden paused.
What? someone gasped in shock.
The sky was clearing as the barrier disappeared. Hwang Chae-Il or any other of Gi-Gyus creatures werent responsible for this.
This is nuts! I cant do this Lou stepped back, losing his confidence
What the hell is happening now?! Lou spat angrily.
Kyaaaaa!
Kwerrrrrk!
Lucifer!
Three screams could be heard. One was undoubtedly from Leviathan, but the other two were from the unknowns.
Suddenly, Lou whispered, Belphegor?
The two figures grew just like Leviathan, exuding powerful energy. They were hell kings, and one of them appeared to be Belphegor, who had been assumed dead.
What was even shocking was that
There were two of them.
Whirrrr!
The sorcerous energies of the three hell kings mingled to peel away Edens barrier.
What the fuck, Lou muttered.