NOVEL WEB Chapter 186
The Wolf, back with the Fairy, watched as the Floating Island plummeted down to the ground. The Mages who couldn’t float were either seeking help from other Mages or blankly staring at the sight on the back of an ancient dragon in the high sky.
“……”
He reduced his speed as much as possible. Still, he couldn’t stop the devastation. An area spanning dozens of kilometers was obliterated. And it didn’t end there. As a shockwave shot out, raising clouds of dust, it threatened to engulf the Mages, but the storm the Wolf created countered it. Even so, it was a mere hold against the force, pushing them back.
Destruction, obliteration. The aftermath of the Falling Island was a product of a cataclysm that even Great Magic couldn’t conjure. From this far away, the Wolf could clearly see the windows of Semnan City shattering into pieces.
—Approximately 160km. The distance between Namak Lake and Semnan City. Time passed, and with night covering the land, it was likely the residents had evacuated, but this was far more powerful than he had expected.
Moreover, it didn’t stop there; the space magic was completely wrecked, and buildings entangled in overlapping coordinates started to collapse like a flood. Though it couldn’t compare to the prior Falling Island, it couldn’t be ignored either.
“Ah……”
Their stronghold. The Square, humanity’s last bastion, had fallen. The Mages’ report and fort. Its value was not something that could be quantified with mere currency. Imagining how much time, money, and effort would be required to rebuild something like that was unfathomable.
Even recalling its symbolism…?
It wasn’t surprising to understand the reluctant expressions of the Mages rubbing their eyes in disbelief. When they finally touched the ground, they stood there, fixed in shock.
“…Are you okay?”
“……”
The same went for Hong Yu-ri. Though she was likely anticipating this, the shock was undoubtedly immense. Perhaps the least shocked was Baek So-yul, who had just entered the Square. When their eyes met, the Wolf nodded.
“…Ah, yeah.”
After a pause, Hong Yu-ri answered, dazedly, but her voice was void of vitality. The Wolf sighed and surveyed the surroundings. Of course, with them being in the Fantasy World, there shouldn’t be any Diseases lurking around.
The Floating Island had fallen, but the Wolf didn’t view it entirely negatively.
…Because there was hope.
Of course, he had already pushed a bit of distance away from the Disease knowing it would also crash, yet that alone couldn’t shake off the shock. The aftermath of the collision wouldn’t let anyone escape unscathed. The realization slowly dawned on the faces of the Mages.
Even if the Square had crumbled, if they could just kill the Disease… But that was nothing more than an optimistic thought. Maybe if it had been a direct hit, one could think it might die, but considering just the aftermath, it was hard to imagine it did. However, it was also true that they had pushed it back. At least the possibility was opened.
“Kyu… Kyuuh!”
As the explosion startled the Fairy, peeking out from between her fur, the Wolf reassured her by patting her head. Yet inside, a resolution was swelling.
There was no choice now.
With the Square fallen, it truly meant humanity had lost all means to oppose the Disease. Therefore, they had to defeat it here and now. Opportunities wouldn’t come again. If he couldn’t defeat it, he wouldn’t grow. He wouldn’t be able to move forward.
[Lv.50 Achievement Condition: Defeat the one who sickens the land]
That was what he had longed for the most. With resolve strengthened, the Wolf turned back to the material world, leaving behind the worried gazes and the awed, hopeful eyes of others.
—It was time to cross the line once more.
***
In the deep of night, a sound echoed. The returning Wolf began his Detection.
…Nothing was felt.
But just because he couldn’t feel it didn’t mean it wasn’t there.
“……”
Something was there at a distance that could not be sensed by his Detection. Within the ruins of the fallen Square, a monster writhed.
…He had anticipated it would be alive, but it looked more intact than expected, likely because the scorched scales had regenerated in that time.
However, while there were no visible injuries, it was clear the beast was fatigued. Its breath had grown rough without it knowing.
As the thunder roared and the ruins crumbled, the monster seemed oblivious to the chaos. No, it wasn’t aware. It was solely focused on rummaging through the fallen city. With its stamina depleted, its senses would be dulled.
It wouldn’t even notice the Mages had disappeared. Not knowing the existence of the Fantasy World, it was a natural reaction.
Under the blackened night sky, the Mages were reciting their final Spell Chanting, who were on the backs of the ancient dragons, among them Square Masters, successors, and those who could fight against the Disease like Hong Yu-ri.
“―――?”
Perhaps realizing it just then, as the Disease lifted its head, the magic was already complete.
***
When the Floating Island descended onto the ground, the Disease resisted with all its might. The power it possessed to dominate the earth. Using its Earth Spirit.
Just like the Wolf created a counterwind against the storm from the impact, the Disease also created a rebound against the shock spreading through the depths of the earth.
A different scale of response. An action only possible for a monster referred to as a disaster. Only the Disease could have done this.
Though layers of the ground broke and creaked deep underground, it led to lesser damage than expected.
As the deluge of Great Magic poured down, the Disease burrowed deep underground to hide its body. Even with late movement, its unparalleled body and monstrous strength had bought it that time.
—The premise of all magic. If it doesn’t hit, it’s useless.
Moreover, a wall was created by the fragments of the destroyed city and the pieced earth, diminishing the might of the Great Magic. An ability that far exceeded common sense. It was the reason humanity hadn’t been able to defeat this disaster until now.
The Floating Island and ruins of the city began to freeze, burn, and crumble, turning into a tragic sight.
As the earth trembled, the Wolf frowned. The sound indicated that something was approaching, cutting new paths instead of following the collapsed tunnel. Sensing the threats stretching through his Detection, he swiftly leaped.
Branches began writhing and growing as they reached out. They were groping blindly for him. The Wolf dashed through the Black Forest, biting and tearing the branches apart.
As soon as the tentacles met, the Wolf’s tentacle failed to withstand the encounter, yet he held the upper hand. The Wolf’s consumption was at a far deeper level than the Disease’s. However, even so, for the monster, this level was likely just an itch.
This wasn’t enough. As long as it didn’t reveal its true form, the fight wouldn’t even be established. Fighting with just the tentacles, while the true body lurked beneath the ground, brought no meaning. Therefore, they had to force it to reveal itself.
From the dark branches, new tendrils reached for the Wolf. Though fragments of the earth rose to block the path, the Wolf dodged all of it with ease.
Why? Because he was familiar.
He had already fought it twice. Taking on the disaster known as the Disease twice and surviving both encounters had given him confidence. But now, that was bothersome.
Surviving a third time wasn’t enough. He had resolved and decided. Right here, right now, he would kill it. He would devour it…!
As conviction rose within the Wolf, void and fierce flames erupted, prompting the Mages in the sky to begin their spells.
***
When the bombardment of Great Magic was obstructed, the Mages fell silent.
“……”
They realized something they had mistakenly assumed. No, they couldn’t help but realize it.
Even when unleashing magic against the Disease fully exposed above the Floating Island, they hadn’t been able to take it down. How much less likely would they succeed against it using Earth Spirits and tentacles?
And as the tentacles rose from the dark branches, the Mages widened their eyes. Even if the ancient dragon flew, it would be impossible to evade it all. They held back their spells to conjure a new magic… but there was no need to evade. As the ancient dragon moved into the Fantasy World, all projectiles became futile.
But even that alone sent chills down their spines. They could have blocked or dodged the issued projectiles. But what if it had been just a little lower?
“……”
Just imagining the dark tentacles swinging before their eyes was enough to feel despair. While Marang, on the other hand, was dodging and enduring it without a care in the world.
Realizing once again that this was a chance that might never come again, a tense voice broke through the air.
“Ah, damn it. Can you stop shaking?”
Hong Yu-ri snapped irritably, glancing at Dorothy, who was trembling.
“I’m not shaking!”
“Bull. Stop shaking and just chant the spell. Quit being such a fool.”
“Yu-ri.”
With Aster interjecting, Hong Yu-ri scowled, choosing not to say anything further, merely clicking her tongue at their pitiful state. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand their feelings, but it was pitiful to see them shivering in the face of a crisis where humanity was on the brink of death.
Perhaps feeling wronged by that attitude, Dorothy whimpered, causing Hong Yu-ri to chuckle softly.
“Such damn nonsense.”
With her red magic flaring up from the back of the ancient dragon, the rich Hong Yu-ri prepared another spell.
***
…As long as the ancient dragon was present, there was no need to worry about the skies. No, in reality, they didn’t have the luxury for that. The tentacles weren’t just swinging but also shooting spines and hurling debris, relentlessly pushing in on them.
The Wolf continued to resist while dodging, blocking, and stepping over those. Even as flames ignited, he wouldn’t be burned while scaling the black tentacles.
Because he was underground. He could incinerate the land but couldn’t easily delve deep. That meant he needed more time. Even if just the tentacles were tough, the vibrations underneath were disturbing.
He had to see the end as quickly as possible.
The black flames transformed into fiery infernos, increasing in size. As he bit down hard on the approaching tentacles, the Wolf was lifted high into the air with that force. He momentarily locked eyes with the wide crimson irises but quickly spun his body.
As soon as the Wolf stabilized himself high above, he released a gust of wind beneath him. The burst of wind provided propulsion, and behind the Wolf, a black curtain obscured his sight.
Then, the curtain began to swell, moving like a parachute, enveloping the Wolf. Just as dozens of tentacles whipped around, he had already vanished.
—Invisibility. The brief moment he hid his form, the Wolf re-emerged in an even darker space. He melted into the shadow through the hole from the burnt tentacles.
And there it was, lurking, still unyielding. Just as expected, the festering wounds of the morning had healed long ago. But the ragged breath betrayed its abnormal condition. There was no hesitation now. The moment his determination to devour it bubbled up, the space in which the Wolf resided began to expand slowly.
Just as the Disease had, the Wolf was now consuming the earth. The opened void grew endlessly until it finally touched the Disease, and in that moment, it began to writhe.
He didn’t intend to let it end here. The wolf stirred even deeper underground, igniting flames, causing the Disease to twist in pain. Up to this point, the Disease, just like the Plague, also reminisced about the slim chance that he could die. The arrogant beast sensed its own mortality.
Thus, instincts whispered to the monster.
The only way to eliminate that possibility was by devouring the black beast before it! —!
As it twisted its body, tremors shook the land, and as the force of Earth Spirit erupted, the Wolf leaped directly towards the surface.
This time, the Disease didn’t pursue. He was able to escape easily. Yet, the air had grown ominous.
The black branches that were once reaching for him came to a stop, then abruptly slammed down onto the ground.
—That was the precursor.
The Wolf held his breath, or at least tried to, but the mounting tension made it impossible.
As the murderous intent focused entirely on him, the air trembled. More branches stretched out from the black ones, grasping the surroundings. The branches that had slammed down seemed to exert some force, and the earth began to shake. Within that, the Wolf felt as if the Black Forest was beckoning him. Countless claws stretched out solely to kill him—each carrying a grudge.
Creak- Grrrr—!
A bizarre sound he’d heard before erupted. The noise of scales that felt like they were carved from stone grinding against the earth. Finally, it surged up like never before. It resembled a great tree rising but appeared thousands of times faster as the titanic figure manifested above the ground. The Wolf quickly turned and started running away. The branches that were just touching the ground had started to wildly chase after him. Additionally, the monster fitting the name of disaster rose infinitely high before twisting its body and rushing toward him.
The Mages and dragons didn’t matter.
In no time, his view had turned completely black.
At this moment, all the Wolf could see through his red eyes was—
—the image of the creature, charging to kill him.
“―――――!”
As the tentacles ripped through the air and the howling jaws of the monster unhinged wide to devour him, the red eyes of the Wolf, facing the one known as the Disease, gleamed in fury.