Chapter 315
Chapter 315
Ji-hyun's reason for raising the difficulty level was actually quite plausible.
It's a monumental first place finish, and if we're going to do it, we might as well do it on an overwhelming difficulty level and crush it with overwhelming skill, so no one else can even try.’
In other words, perfect teabagging against the other class.
It was a record of Ji-hyun's deeper meaning, saying, ‘You guys won't even be able to challenge me, so you might as well play on an easier level.’
‘No, she’s just a bad person, no matter how you look at it.’
The only good thing is that the bad person is on our side.
I think there are some who can pass this level, but I don't think there are any who can break the record.
That's how brutal this battle was.
As soon as it ended, everyone just lay on the ground, muttering "Oh my god… seriously."
But it wasn't all bad, either.I was able to learn the data of the higher wind spirits, as well as the patterns of when multiple spirits attacked at the same time and how to deal with them.
‘At least Ji-hyun is looking out for me.’
The training room of the academy is empty after the children have all gone home.
The old man corrected my stance in preparation for the upcoming battle.
"There, you'll want to extend your arms a little farther down and in a straight line. The aura will eventually extend out through your hands."
"And there, keep your feet on the ground!"
"Your aura flow is shaky. Concentrate a little more."
Even though I had only moved slightly in response to the old man's words, sweat was dripping down my body like rain, as if I had been running for a long time.
"Alright, that's it for today. I'm sure you won't be killed by a blind attack."
The old man glanced at the time, while I lowered my fist that was still extended in front of me, and sighed heavily.
"It's thanks to you. Ever since I became an elder, you've been spreading the essence of Aura."
Not only the basics of the Aura Style, but also the techniques created by other elders and masters.
Recently, Kwok Chun-sik shared with me a few of his favorite techniques.
"Since you've become an elder, we're one family, so what’s there to hide? More importantly, do you think you can learn it as well as me just because I taught it to you?"
The old man clicked his tongue as he said that.
"Vito Corleone has been blessed with a lot of luck. Not only does he have tremendous talent himself, but his child also inherits such talent."
"You're the same, aren’t you? Your son is rumored to be on his way to becoming the next Aura Master."
"You bastard, he spent decades studying the Aura Style, he deserves it!"
……I don't know if other people can become Aura Masters by practicing for decades, but the old man is pretty strict with his children.
"And what about your granddaughter, Yeon-ah? I heard she recently joined the Aura children's class."
This is the new information I learned while talking to Jiyun.
Suddenly, the old man's expression, which had been drawn in the middle of his forehead, instantly relaxed when I mentioned his granddaughter.
"She must be a genius, she's already memorized the basics, hahahahaha!"
……You're so lenient with your granddaughter, unlike your son.
I hope she won't have any trouble when she grows up.
"Well, I'm going to wash up and get back to work. What about you?"
"I'm going to go inside and get ready for something else, too, eek!"
The old man, who had been fixing my posture for a long time, stood up and stretched.
"All right, then. Take care of yourself, and try not to get hit by a real surprise attack."
"You don't need to worry. Whose disciple am I?"
"Hahaha……right?"
* * *
Entering the DMZ, all of Corleone’s troops assigned to this operation were holding their breath, preparing for the battle that was about to take place but for some reason, there's a sense of relaxation in the silence.
It's been a long time since they've fought a war.
It's a tense situation, but I wonder if it's because the targets are monsters that it feels lighter.
-We're about to reach the drop-off point. I hope everyone is ready.
The voice in the headset causes the group to stand up and prepare for the drop.
Well, technically, they're just about to jump.
-Fingers crossed.
With the last voice in their headsets, they all plunge headfirst into the water below.
A landing pad is created by clearing the surrounding trees for a safe landing.
Once we're safely on the ground, the people who were waiting for us turn toward me.
"Where are the others?"
"They all arrived earlier and are waiting for us."
"Really? We'd better get going."
"Yes."
And with that, the assembled forces walked toward the location of the main base.
The meeting place was the city of the Spirit Kingdom that we had succeeded in capturing last time.
It was a place that was currently being maintained and serving as a forward base.
"They say the DMZ is a mysterious place, and I can certainly see why."
Han Seo-joon, running alongside me, muttered as he looked around.
My assistant and bodyguard come with me, as this war has become quite the business for Corleone.
"Admittedly, it was a bit strange at first."
It was a mysterious place, untouched by humans for decades.
In the meantime, the mana that envelops the entire forest has made the plants even greener and more unique, creating a landscape that looks like something out of a fairy tale.
"Such a cruel place."
Suddenly, an elk jumped out from the center of the forest.
The men from the previous mission flinched as if they were about to run.
The air was tense at the sudden appearance of the creature. But then Han Seo-joon took a step forward as if he was happy to see them.
"Hya, an elk. I haven't seen one in a long time──"
──Bang!!!
And it's hit by the bullet I fired.
Han Seo-joon's eyes widened in disbelief.
I smiled wryly at him and replied.
The moment you hear the scream, not only do your eardrums burst, but the shock also reaches your brain. From now on, I'll handle it right away whenever we encounter it."
"Ah……yes."
Anyway, the group I'm bringing with me is new to the DMZ, so I'm going to have to be extra careful.
"Let's take a quick walk and I'll explain the monsters we need to watch out for."
Sonic Elephant – screams and attacks with sonic waves
Crying Bat – attracts humans with its cries, which are literally vampiric.
Axe Pigeon – Swoops down at high speeds with a hard beak, delivering an axe-like attack.
DMZ Wild Dog – Hunts by coating itself in toxic feces.
Horned Cat – A horned cat that hunts its prey by pouncing on them.
Scaled Lizard – A lizard in the form of a small white sphere. It is capable of using magic and is usually gentle, but when angered, it emits a weak breath attack.
"There are also dangerous bacterial weapons and monsters like the Red Chimpanzee. As long as we don't provoke them first, we should be fine, but let's remain cautious."
At first, it had attacked out of ignorance, but after working with the old man, it had apparently learned to fear humans.
That's a good thing.
Otherwise, this place would be even more difficult to capture.
"……You mean monsters like that roam these woods? How the hell did the soldiers on the front lines hold out?"
"According to the researcher who came with me, they didn't feel the need to come out because there's plenty of food in the DMZ itself…… Well, now that we're here, the food chain will change. Ah, we're almost there."
There were pure white lights in the distance.
As we slowed to a crawl, we were greeted by a group of people who had already set up camp.
"We got the word, Master."
"How are the preparations?"
"As per your orders, I've informed each man of the enemy's weaknesses and countermeasures, and all equipment has been issued."
"And the scouts?"
"We are currently searching for the location of the enemy's dungeons, but their guard has been tightened since we took this place."
"……This is as expected."
They're on high alert.
An entire city has suddenly lost contact with them and the spirits they sent out to find what disappeared without a whimper.
Most likely, they sensed our presence.
"Did you broadcast the time of the operation to everyone?"
"Yes. The others know it's tomorrow at noon."
If the last incident was any indication, they let their guard down when the sun is high in the sky, so we've set this raid for when they're most likely to be off guard.
"Perfect. Can we look around?"
"You're welcome to look around."
As we slowly make our way into the camp with our packs on our backs, we see the members of the organization walking around the camp.
There are a few people walking around in suits that don't seem to fit the atmosphere of the battlefield, but that's because that's what Corleone wears.
Each piece of armor is made by a renowned crafting guild and is a far cry from the armor issued by the general guild.
The life of members is the most important thing in Corleone so no expense was spared to protect it.
And most of all, it was……cool.
"Greetings, Master."
"Welcome, Master."
Every member of the organization who meets me smiles and bows, pleased to see me.
"Take care tomorrow."
"You've changed your weapon? I think it suits you better."
With that, I say goodbye and head into my tent for the night.
It was a simple tent with no bed, as I had requested. I set up a queen-size bed in the empty space and flopped down.
"I'm a little nervous."
This is my first large-scale, war-like operation, and it was my idea.
I've fought in small conflicts before, but I can't help but feel nervous about something of this magnitude.
They will move like horses to my every command.
Holding the power of life and death over everyone's lives is a weighty thing.
"I'd better be good."
I have to execute the raid to the best of my ability, I have an obligation to do that.
That's what being in charge of others is all about.
Because I was the BOSS.
"Okay, I'm ready, now I just need to execute…….
Just as I was getting ready to do that, I heard a familiar voice outside.
"No, seriously, guys. Today at the academy, I managed to capture dozens of spirits. Can you believe it?"
"Master Bevalt, you're not making sense. What kind of spirit can you capture at the academy?"
"Oh. It's true, it's true, why doesn't anyone believe me?"
This voice grumbled in frustration belonged to Jin-woo Bevalt
He too had come to the camp in preparation for tomorrow's battle.
"Does what you're saying make sense in the first place? Are normal academy students able to capture a high-level spirit and hundreds of other spirits?"
"No, seriously, the head of the academy club I’m in is incredibly strong! It's like he's not even human!"
"A~ No matter how you look at it, he's still not at the level of our master! Our master captured that giant in the Etna Volcano!"
“Anyway, our head is strong too!! He even captured the Dragon King!"
They've come all this way to see who's stronger.
In the end, they're both me, so the whole conversation about who's stronger is hilarious.
"……That sounds like fun."
Jin-woo's boss versus Corleone’s boss.
How can I stand this?