Chapter 53: Chaos

The ambush had begun.

The knights and soldiers raised their shields and retreated. The mages simultaneously raised their hands. A blue magic circle unfurled at the tips of their fingers.

Fwoosh!!

Most of the attacks were blocked by the magical barrier, but arrows that could not be stopped embedded themselves in the ground, exploding and sending shards flying, while the intense heat scorched the skin.

Though the mages acted swiftly, they still suffered some losses.

“Ugh…!”

“Damn it…”

The knights and soldiers groaned as they failed to dodge the arrows.

“They’re coming!”

The soldiers of Sanburg let out sharp cries as they swung their spears and swords. Their footsteps shook the ground, and their bloodshot eyes gleamed with madness, prepared for death.

“We need to join up with the other medical teams!”

Francia shouted urgently. Thanks to Yohan’s constant activation of the Yeongryujin, she was unharmed by the attacks.

“Right, let’s move that way.”

Yohan grabbed Francia and, to guard against potential snipers, poured magic into the Yeongryujin, activating it to its maximum.

The reason for the sudden surprise attack on the rear forces was unclear, but one thing was certain,

“Sanburg is trying to end the war with this assault.”

The number of enemies was far greater than reported by the First Officer, and their equipment was different.

They, too, understood that no matter what they did, victory in this war was impossible.

Still, the hardline faction of Sanburg likely initiated the war as their last resistance to the empire’s influence.

Their reason for attacking the rear was to leave some bloodshed behind even if they were to fall.

“…The enemy force isn’t normal.”

Francia, hurriedly moving, turned her head and spoke. Her shoulders were tense, as if her anxiety was palpable.

But she didn’t panic.

“We’ll join up with the medical team and establish a defense line. Go quickly.”

“What about you, Yohan?”

“I’ll assess the situation first.”

“…You must come back, right?”

“I will.”

Just as Francia, filled with anxiety, was sent off,

“Monsters are here!”

“They brought monsters!”

“High-class monsters!!”

One soldier screamed as if in terror.

“Monsters?”

Yohan quickly turned his gaze. The rugged mountain path had turned into a chaotic battlefield, with screams and shouts mixing.

Flesh tore, and blood splattered into the air.

A three-way battle broke out between the Imperial Army, Sanburg’s forces, and the monsters.

“What the…”

“The Harssen High-Class Mage…!”

An officer, panting heavily, rushed over. Without even catching his breath, he spoke hastily.

“The First Officer is rushing support, but it’ll take some time! They’ve blocked the path!”

Was this operation planned from the start? Yohan’s expression grew colder. This might be a significant blow.

“And…”

“What else?”

“The Magul has appeared.”

“The Magul? In this situation?”

Yohan asked, and the officer answered with a troubled look, clutching his forehead.

“I’m not sure about the details, but the Magul appeared right in the middle of the battlefield!”

A sudden Magul appearance during the ambush… it was hard to call this a coincidence.

Whatever the cause, it was likely connected to the mages, as they were always involved in such occurrences.

“…Understood. I’ll join the front lines.”

Yohan’s mission was to protect the medical team, but this situation required flexible judgment.

Moreover, Sanburg was not immune to monster attacks. It seemed unlikely they could reach the medical team unscathed.

Staying behind and doing nothing was not an option. Joining the battlefield would ease some of the burden.

“Right…! Wishing you good fortune!”

Yohan quickly made his preparations. Though it was only a dagger and a few potions, one never knew what might happen.

“The Harssen High-Class Mage! We’ll go with you!”

A few knights followed him. Yohan could go alone, but with monsters flooding the battlefield, it was better to take them along.

“Yohan…!”

Francia, who had retreated to the medical team’s rear, rushed toward him, her anxiety clear.

“Where are you going?”

“I think I need to join the battle.”

“…What?”

Francia’s face stiffened as her eyes trembled slightly. No matter how strong Yohan was as a High-Class Mage, there was no telling what would happen in the battlefield.

Even the strongest could die.

“It’s too dangerous!”

Francia’s voice shook.

“Yohan’s mission is to protect the medical team, so it’s safer for you to stay with us…”

“Francia.”

Yohan gently stroked her cheek, smiling lightly.

“The First Officer will arrive with reinforcements soon. Stay put until then. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Yohan!”

Even as she called out, Yohan didn’t look back. He mounted his horse and grasped the reins.

The battlefield had turned into a hellish mess.

Amidst the sharp winds, the air was thick with the smell of blood, and the winter sun reflected off the gleaming metal edges.

The clashing sounds of soldiers and knights, the roars of monsters, and the screams of the wounded filled the air.

Fireballs flew from the hills, exploding and sending shattered rocks flying in all directions.

“Hold the line!”

“Block the mages first!”

The commander’s orders spread like wildfire. The knights and soldiers quickly reorganized and tried to maintain formation, but the enemies and monsters kept coming.

The mountain paths were destroyed by the battle, and the rocks beneath their feet were slick with blood. Dust obscured the view.

Monsters, drawn by the scent of human blood, leapt forward, eager to feast.

The aura they emitted was different from the typical monsters from Magul.

“KIIIAAHH!!”

The battlefield was shaken by a monstrous roar as the monsters attacked the soldiers.

Clawed feet shattered shields, and sharp teeth tore at necks, spraying blood like fountains.

Screams of soldiers mixed with the sound of metal being torn in the chaos.

“Fall back!”

The commander’s cry was drowned out by the sounds of blood and flesh splattering.

Boom!

A fireball shot through the air, exploding on a hilltop. The flames quickly spread across the ground, crawling like serpents.

Dust rose into the air, and the ground became a muddy mess of blood.

Soldiers slipped and screamed as monsters rushed in, taking advantage of the openings.

“You son of a bitch!”

“Fuck!”

“Get off…!”

“KIIAAAAKKK!”

The battle raged fiercely. The murderous intent brushed against their skin. One wrong move could lead to death.

“……”

Yohan’s face grew cold. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t scared or shaken, but showing such emotions was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

“Over there!”

A knight pointed in the direction. There, a crack in the ground oozed dark mist. It was a Magul.

“The space is distorted.”

The eerie energy pricked his skin. This was the most dangerous Magul he had ever felt.

“…The monsters are still pouring out.”

With a swift motion, a knight cut off the head of a monster that had snuck in.

The monsters, with grotesque screams, continued to pour out, a wave of hatred and malice.

The monsters, their teeth grinding, rushed toward the soldiers, thirsty for blood.

“KIIAAAAKKKK!!”

Their roars, mixed with the thrill of slaughter, echoed across the battlefield.

There was no doubt—this was a flood.

Unlike Sanburg’s army, they couldn’t afford to wait for things to stabilize. The flow had to be stopped, now.

“If only I could use the Book of Disaster…”

But those spells were too dangerous. There were eyes watching, and the range was so vast that allies could get caught in it as well.

Moreover… there was no way to stop them once they began. Using the Book of Disaster was impossible.

“…Maybe I’ll go with something big, then.”

The mountain paths were shattered from the battles, and the stones beneath their feet were slippery with blood. Dust, thick enough to obscure their vision, hung in the air.

Creatures that smelled the presence of humans appeared, eager to feast on flesh and blood. The energy they emitted was different from the usual monsters that emerged from the magic caves.

“KIIAAK!!”

With a roar that shook the battlefield, the beasts pounced on the soldiers. 

Claws, curved like hooks, shattered shields and tore into flesh. Sharp teeth sank into necks, blood pouring out like a fountain.

The screams of soldiers and the sounds of metal being torn apart merged into a cacophony of chaos.

“Fall back!”

The commander’s shout was drowned out by the sounds of blood and flesh splattering.

BOOM!

A fireball, cutting through the air filled with the stench of blood, exploded atop a hill. The flames quickly spread, creeping across the ground like a snake.

Dust rose thickly, and the ground became a sticky morass of blood. 

Soldiers slipped, screaming, and in that moment of vulnerability, the beasts lunged.

“You bastard!”

“Dammit!”

“KYAAA…!”

“KIAAAK!”

The battle raged on. A palpable killing intent brushed against the skin. One mistake could lead to death.

“…”

Yohan’s face grew cold. If he wasn’t scared, if he wasn’t disturbed, it would be a lie. But showing such emotions was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

“Over there!”

A knight pointed in the direction. There, a dark mist was creeping from a crack in the earth. A magic cave.

‘The space is twisted.’

The air was charged with a tingling energy. This was undoubtedly the most dangerous magic cave he had ever encountered.

“…Beasts are still coming out.”

With a swift movement, a knight cut off the head of a beast that had slipped through a gap. 

The beasts were pouring out with grotesque screams, monstrous creatures filled with malice and hatred, coming in waves, their teeth clashing.

The beasts that leaped from the crack, thirsting for blood, attacked the soldiers.

Hook-like claws ripped through armor, and teeth sank into the throats of screaming soldiers.

“KIIAAK!!”

A roar mixed with the pleasure of bloodshed echoed across the battlefield.

It was a clear overflow.

Unlike the Sanburg army, they couldn’t afford to wait until it calmed down. The flow needed to be stopped now.

‘It would be nice if I could use the Book of Disaster…’

But those spells were too dangerous. There were eyes watching, and their range was so vast that even their own soldiers might get caught in it.

Moreover… there was no way to stop them once they were unleashed. Once the spell was cast, there was no turning back. Using the Book of Disaster was impossible.

“…For now, should I go for a big one?”

Yohan muttered to himself.

He stretched out his hand, and the air around him froze instantly. 

The two orbs, one dark as night and the other as white as light, began to spin and form a shape.

Absorption and Emission.

The two energies intertwined, creating a spiral vortex. The intense rotation distorted the air around it, and a powerful wind began to howl.

“He’s doing something!”

“Kill him first!”

“KKRAHHH!!”

The flow of mana suddenly surged, and both the Sanburg army and the beasts turned their attention to Yohan.

“Guard him!”

“Yes, yes!”

The knights spread out around Yohan. The sounds of blades cutting through flesh and clashing echoed as they fought.

Yohan focused on the crack again, his hand directed toward it as he concentrated on his magic.

The orbs expanded, shaking the ground beneath them. The spiraling orbs of absorption and emission hurtled toward their target with explosive speed.

High-level magic: Spiral Breakthrough.

Boom!

The vortex exploded, sweeping the ground. The beasts that had been pouring from the crack were drawn into the center, unable to even scream as they were torn apart.

The crushing pressure ripped their bodies apart, scattering them into the air as red fragments.

The Sanburg army, too, was caught in the aftermath. Even those fighting nearby couldn’t escape the Spiral Breakthrough.

“KRAHHHH!!”

“KIRRAALLAK!”

“Aaagh!”

Boom!

The Spiral Breakthrough collided with the crack. A massive explosion of mana shook the ground. The earth trembled. A blinding flash of light swept across the area.

A massive storm tore through, scattering everything around them. The earth cracked deeply, and the rocks were torn apart like dust. 

Dust swirled into the air, covering the sky in darkness.

The blood of beasts and humans mixed, pouring down like a red rain. Drip. Drops of blood fell onto shoulders, leaving crimson stains on the ground.

The rain, tainted with blood, soaked into the earth, leaving a distinct aftertaste.

The screams were torn apart by the storm, blending into the deep resonance of the rain.

“What…?”

“…Did it explode like dozens of artillery shells?”

“Is he a special-grade wizard…?”

The battlefield fell into an eerie silence, the roar of the explosion and the tremors from the ground fading. Eyes turned to the site where the magic had erupted.

As the dust settled, the crack reappeared, but something was off. It seemed to be twisting, emitting an unknown mana pulse.

“The crack… something’s wrong!”

“Could it be getting bigger?!”

A wave of unease swept through. If the crack expanded any further, special-grade beasts might flood out.

“……”

Yohan narrowed his eyes. He thought his previous method would work, but had he been wrong? If the crack expanded any more, things would get out of hand.

“Eh…?”

“Eh!!”

“The crack is closing!”

With someone’s shout, the edges of the crack began to lose their glow, as though it had lost its life force.

The black mist scattered in the air like shattered fragments, and the space within the crack slowly closed, vanishing into the void.

‘…The crack is disappearing?’

Yohan’s face was blank. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Normally, cracks from magic caves could never close. If anything, they would only grow larger.

That was why the places where magic caves appeared were designated as danger zones and managed by public officers…

“The crack closed!”

“High-grade wizard Harssen closed the crack!!”

“Oh my god… Did he really close the magic cave?”

“Wow, wow!!”

Before Yohan’s thoughts could finish, a cheer filled the battlefield. 

Some soldiers, still holding their swords, stared blankly at the spot where the crack had been, and the wizards, as if witnessing a miracle, couldn’t find their voices.

In the long history of the empire, something unprecedented had just happened.