Chapter 43: Eastern Front (4)

Upon swallowing the magic orb, the blood within my body boiled like lava.

At the same time, the magic power also surged violently, as if it would evaporate all the moisture in my body.

Intense pain struck momentarily, causing my body to stagger.

‘…It hurts like hell.’

Perhaps because of the experiences I’ve had so far, I didn’t lose consciousness or my sanity despite the overwhelming agony.

The chills and headaches from the magic imbalance tormented me again.

But now, there was something more important.

‘I need to intervene at the exact right moment.’

Even though my magic power has increased, compared to Isabel, I’m nothing more than a fly.

If I act recklessly, I’ll be trampled by the rampaging magical beast and turned into flat jerky.

‘Isabel is struggling not only because of the disadvantageous terrain of the Black Field but also because of that insane regenerative ability.’

No matter how much she tears it apart, the Chimera regenerates endlessly, steadily draining her stamina.

On top of that, the black mage’s spells are annoying her, making her situation even more difficult.

‘I need to deal with the Chimera first.’

The Chimera, which resembles a wolf and is estimated to be a Grade 2 magical beast. 

Even with my increased magic power, it’s impossible for me to kill it alone.

Then, I’ll have to rely on Isabel’s strength.

‘Hoo… Let’s bring back that sensation.’

The time I used the power of the Dragon Heart to completely scatter and neutralize the Chimera.

Recalling that day, I spun my magic power tightly, trying to evoke a similar sensation.

The anti-magic energy that destroys magic.

Honestly, I still don’t know how to summon it.

All I can do is gather my magic power to the best of my ability and maintain a sensation similar to that time.

‘Not yet, not yet.’

The moment the Chimera is injured and tries to regenerate.

That’s the moment I need to seize.

.

.

.

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“For a disciple of the War God, you’re quite lacking in substance!”

“You octopus-headed bastard…”

“If I kill you and hang your head, that human’s face might be worth seeing.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“Kuhuhu, it seems you haven’t grasped the situation. One of your comrades seems to have run away… Hmm?”

The black mage, puzzled by the sudden surge of powerful magic.

Tracing its source, he realized it was coming from the fool who had come with the War God’s disciple.

‘What is this…’

But even so, the amount of magic power alone wasn’t threatening to him.

He was a black mage who had achieved the 7th Circle, and he even had a Chimera comparable to a Grade 2 magical beast.

A mere 4th Circle with a bit more magic power couldn’t possibly turn the tide of battle.

That’s what he thought. 

But…

‘What is this terrifying energy?’

A chilling sensation that made his skin crawl. 

An instinct screaming at him to turn and run immediately.

It was dangerous. 

He had to get out of here.

For some reason, feeling a threat to his life, he tried to escape by controlling the Chimera to leap away.

But it was impossible.

“Where do you think you’re going, octopus head?”

The War God’s disciple blocked his path and unleashed a barrage of attacks.

“Come out! Come out, I say!”

“Do you think I’d let you pass?”

“You damn…”

There was no time to curse.

The moment the Chimera tried to regenerate its torn wounds.

“Here, doggy, I picked this up for you.”

The one who wielded the sword, radiating a brilliant yet terrifying energy.

Swoosh!

Kwaaaaang!

As the Chimera’s body and his sword collided, the sound of something being sliced apart and a deafening roar echoed.

Before he could even recover his consciousness.

Thud!

His neck was twisted backward.

***

“…You’ve worked hard.”

“No, well… I just landed the final blow.”

“But are you okay?”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. What if you collapse again?”

“Thanks for your concern. Let’s head back first.”

The Chimera was safely dealt with. 

Along with the black mage who controlled it.

‘The aftermath is bigger than I thought.’

Summoning that sensation consumed a significant amount of magic power.

The recoil made my body creak, and muscle pain spread uncontrollably.

But at least I didn’t lose consciousness.

‘The destructive power is terrifying.’

A strike that no one would believe came from a 4th Circle. 

It flowed from the tip of my sword.

Well, it’s not all joy.

Considering the preparation needed and the recoil making combat difficult, it’s clear I still have a long way to go.

I sent Gray ahead in case of any unforeseen situations, but if I had known it would turn out like this, 

I would have kept him as a living crutch. 

I feel a bit regretful.

“Let’s get out of the Black Field and contact Gray first.”

“Yeah, and let’s head back to the defense line.”

With the black mage dead, the supply of black magic was cut off, so the Chimera should be easier to handle now.

Of course, assuming they haven’t been wiped out.

We dragged our tired bodies forward.

It took more time than when we entered the Black Field, but we finally managed to escape.

Tap tap.

“Gray. Can you hear me? We’re safe. How’s it over there?”

The crystal orb, slightly cracked from the battle’s aftermath.

It seemed to be working, so I sent a message.

But there was no reply.

“…No, Gray will be fine. That quick-footed guy wouldn’t get caught.”

I didn’t think he was dead.

But the lack of a reply suggested that the situation wasn’t what we had anticipated.

“Let’s hurry.”

“Yeah.”

Isabel rushed toward the defense line.

I followed her.

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.

.

.

.

The state of the defense line couldn’t even be described as good.

The walls we had barely repaired had collapsed again.

And the number of corpses scattered around was overwhelming. 

The stench of decay was unbearable.

I didn’t have high expectations.

I had already resigned myself to the fact that many would die when hundreds of Chimeras appeared.

But I thought that killing the black mage would reduce the damage.

At least this much would be manageable. 

Even if these people couldn’t be saved, we could prevent it from spreading to the civilian areas.

But I was wrong.

The hellscape before me negated all my plans.

“Ugh…”

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts.”

“Hik! Please, save me!”

The Chimeras hadn’t disappeared.

Instead, they had become more violent and stronger.

Why?

‘Damn it, why did things turn out like this?’

The answer was right before my eyes.

A massive Chimera, tall enough to easily leap over the piled-up walls, was rampaging.

It looked as big as a mansion.

And the magic power it radiated was undoubtedly that of a Grade 1 magical beast.

“Theonar! Senior Isabel!”

Gray, who had spotted us from afar.

He came running, covered in blood.

“Gray, what happened?”

“I don’t know. The Chimeras started merging one by one, and that thing appeared.”

“Since when?”

“About… less than two hours ago?”

‘I had a feeling this might happen.’

The moment I saw the giant Chimera, one thought crossed my mind.

Could it be that killing the black mage caused it to go berserk?

It wasn’t certain, but listening to Gray, it seemed to fit.

‘But I couldn’t just leave it alone.’

I believe I made the best choice given the situation.

Even if the outcome wasn’t good.

“The knights… are they idiots? They’re nowhere to be seen after this transformation. They probably ran away.”

The 3rd Knight Order sent by the Empire as reinforcements.

I thought they would at least not run away, given their reputation.

Even if they acted like jerks to the soldiers or us, I thought they would do their part.

I thought they would live up to their name.

But what do you know?

As soon as they judged the situation too difficult, they abandoned the wounded and retreated immediately.

‘Those petty bastards.’

There’s no one more foolish than those who are only interested in making a name for themselves and showing off their strength.

Abandoning their comrades under the pretext of being wounded will have serious repercussions.

‘Of course, that’s if they survive here.’

The Chimera, having devoured countless corpses, continued its rampage as if unsatisfied.

“Theonar.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t step forward this time. You could die.”

“…But you’re going to do it, right? I’ll do as I please.”

“Fine. Do as you want. But don’t act on your own like before. Coordinate with me.”

“Of course.”

Looking around, there weren’t many who could continue fighting.

About 20% of the total force?

Though this number includes those with minor injuries.

“Let’s go meet the commander. We need to discuss what’s next.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”