Chapter 185 : Chapter 185

Chapter 185 : Launch (2)

A massive crack formed on the dome that had stood its ground for 300 years since Adjak cut the Demon King's head.

Soon the crack grew uncontrollably large and started to collapse.

Rummmmmmmmble──.

With a roar, the dome collapsed, and thick dust rose where the debris of the dome fell.

The dome used to tear and heal as if it were a living creature, but at the moment of collapse, it was no different from any ordinary structure.

Boom! Boom!

Debris fell at a terrifying speed and crushed the surroundings, but the expedition members did not make a fuss.

Instead, they tightly gripped their respective weapons and prepared for the upcoming war.

There might have been some who did not expect today to be the day the expedition advanced into Myeolji.

The departure started right now.

No grand departure ceremony, nor the Expedition Leader's fancy speech was needed.

The process itself of the expedition members, who gathered in front of the dome once a day, pounding on the dome with all their might was the time to strengthen their resolve for the departure, and the sound of our attacks ringing on the dome was the speech.

A dome that would have naturally disappeared if left alone.

But we wanted to create the start of the expedition with our own hands.

And we achieved it.

After the dust cloud cleared, I shouted at the top of my voice.

“All troops──!”

My voice rang out in front of the silenced Myeolji.

“Advance──!”

No further words were needed.

Everyone who came out here risked their lives, and knew their duties well without me encouraging them needlessly.

The expedition took its first step toward Myeolji.

***

The expedition advanced slowly, step by step.

A fierce battle didn't break out immediately upon entering Myeolji.

Grrrrrrr…….

Because the debris of the dome poured over their heads, beasts and lower demons were incapacitated even before fighting.

“Don’t get excited. Calmly finish off the enemies!”

“Yes, understood!”

“Take responsibility and kill the beast in front of you.”

Squelch! Slice!

The expedition is one organization, but didn't follow a single command system.

In other words, it didn't matter if I didn't control everyone.

Because the heads of each group became commanders and led the expedition members around them.

With the shouts of commanders heard from all directions, the expedition advanced slowly and only finished off the enemies buried under the debris.

Of course, not all beasts met death helplessly.

Kuoooo!

The guy who pushed away the dome screaming was a Grade 2 Beast Janreum, resembling a rhinoceros.

Even though half of its body was crushed, the guy who stood up toughly opened its jaw wide and ran toward me.

But a Grade 2 Beast or such was no longer my opponent.

I took one step forward and drew my sword.

Slash!

There was no need to continue with the next movement.

A diagonal line was drawn on Janreum's body, and soon its movement stopped.

Battles broke out everywhere, but the expedition advanced step by step finishing off enemies.

Of course, there were times when some expedition members went a few steps ahead to easily kill the buried enemies.

“Molik! Don’t rush, advance slowly!”

“Yes, I will obey the order!”

But every time that happened, those forming the same line with them raised their voices and restrained them.

The expedition didn't need to be swept away by the excitement of war. Advancing slowly and finishing off all enemies was the goal we set.

It was a scene closer to a slaughter than a war.

But if we don't kill the enemy, it would be the expedition's turn to die.

There were no those with weak wills enough to sympathize with the enemy in the expedition.

Groans of beasts and demons continue everywhere.

Before we knew it, the battle near the dome entered the finishing phase.

We won the first battle without any expedition members getting hurt.

“Whew…….”

“Is anyone hurt? Everyone check your surroundings.”

No one expressed joy particularly.

Because this was just the beginning.

The expedition will be a long-term war, and if we slip up once, we might lose our lives.

So even though the war situation in the early stage turned overwhelmingly, the expedition advanced slowly with tension.

***

Blaaaaaare──!

While advancing forward dealing with the incapacitated beasts like that, the sound of a horn rang loudly.

I knew immediately what it was warning about.

Numerous demons in front of my eyes. How many they were, the swarm of demons pitch-black filled the horizon of the vast Myeolji.

Keldric called me with a look full of tension.

“Polarin…….”

“It’s okay. They don't look that strong.”

Intermediate demons were mixed in between, but most were lower demons.

Moreover, I don't know why, but the demons' running form was also clumsy.

“We will pour arrows first.”

“I will stand at the vanguard.”

Bea and Everchen also prepared for battle and the separate unit with me weren't only them.

“Myeolji juniors! Leave the demons to us!”

“……Siriel, it’s our first time inside Myeolji too.”

Siriel and Kiyot also threw jokes, and Blaze blocked my front and grinned as if confident.

“If everyone steps up like that, what am I supposed to do?”

I complained for no reason, but it was true that it felt reassuring.

Still, it's a fact that there are many demons, so I didn't relax my tension.

Whishhhhh!

Bea's light arrows split into several branches and knocked down the running demons.

Kaboom!

Kiyot's axe made an explosion sound and split the demons.

Soon Everchen also firmly put up his shield and cut down demons with his sword.

Every time Keldric's fist touched, demons burst out, and Siriel also moved quickly and took the demons' lives.

“Don’t overdo it!”

I shouted to my colleagues.

Although our side pushes overwhelmingly, since the number of enemies is large, naturally we couldn't deal with everyone.

In that case, if we try to block the opponent's path unreasonably, we could be hit by the demons flocking from behind.

I wrapped [Black Flame] around Maron and swung the sword widely.

With one sword strike, two demons' heads flew off, and black flames spread and swallowed the surrounding demons.

“Kuaaak!”

Demons swept by the flames screamed and twisted their bodies this way and that.

But the more they did, the formation tangled and the flames only continued to spread.

The number of enemies was large, but as expected, the fight wasn't that difficult.

That felt strange instead.

‘……Even if the battle is easy, it’s too easy.’

Demons rushed in continuously even while suffering.

But their attacks were clumsy.

It seemed it wasn't just because we were stronger than the enemies.

Because those guys rushed at us neglecting defense.

I wasn't the only one feeling this sense of incongruity.

Colleagues were also cutting down the endlessly flocking demons, but looked back at me as if strange from time to time.

Demons with somewhat empty eyes flocked as if asking to end it without pain.

Certainly, it didn't look like a normal situation.

I exhaled deeply and opened Ghost Eye.

The world was colored in various colors.

Expedition member's color, demon's color, and Myeolji's dead land's color.

And on the necks of demons fighting us, a strange color stood out on every single one.

‘What is that? Something like a leash?’

Jet-black leashes were hung on the demons' necks.

I don't know what that leash means, but I thought it was related to this strange fight now.

“Kuaa!”

At that time, a scream was heard from the expedition side too.

Wondering if any casualty occurred, I looked in the direction the sound was heard.

It was the direction where the Remnants were gathered.

The Remnant demon who shouted wasn't hurt. He was just shouting as if angry and cutting demons.

I said to Blaze who was fighting closest.

“Hyung, I’ll be away for a moment.”

“Go ahead.”

I ran straight toward where the Remnants were.

Bitelleanus was also fighting against numerous demons.

However, she also looked sad and in pain.

“Lord Bitelleanus.”

“……Polarin.”

“What is the situation happening right now? Something strange is hung on the demons' necks.”

But Bitelleanus answered my words with a dark expression.

“The demons flocking now are all those who received the former Demon King's Demonic Energy.”

“Then…….”

“They are just sacrifices to drain our strength.”

I expected it to some extent, but hearing Bitelleanus's words, I could grasp the situation more clearly.

It seems the New Demons are using the former demons.

Probably a power I don't know is manifesting.

A demon ran toward me. I didn't kill him and deflected the attack.

The guy rolled on the floor as he was, but staggered up again and rushed at me.

I knocked the guy down again and stopped trying to stab the sword into the guy's chest.

The demon who looked extremely scared was closing his eyes tightly as if giving up everything.

– Everyone, stop fighting! Expedition and demons, stop. If you don't rush, I won't kill either!

I spoke using Dragon Speech.

I put my wish hoping it to be conveyed to everyone in Myeolji, and perhaps that wish reached, both the expedition and demons stopped moving.

And looking at Bitelleanus, I asked.

“The former Demon King's subordinates are not fighting with their own will right now, right?”

“Correct. They are being used like slaves.”

I worried for a moment.

Wouldn't it be right to win them over like the Remnants.

The problem is that this is Myeolji.

There was no room to drive out the Demonic Energy in the body like I did for the Remnants.

There were many constraints in various ways to work in the middle of the enemy camp.

I spoke using Dragon Speech once again.

– Demons, listen. I will spare those who surrender. However, you must retreat outside Myeolji and wait for subsequent measures.

My voice seemed to ring Myeolji this time too.

In the middle of the silenced crowd, one demon staggered out and approached in front of me and Bitelleanus.

An expedition member nearby aimed a weapon at the demon.

But I raised my hand and expressed it was okay.

I didn't let my guard down. I knew well that the demon in front of my eyes couldn't hurt me no matter what he used.

“Lord Bitelleanus, do you remember me?”

“Of course I remember. You are Plocerc, who was my legion member. How you have been…… I know without asking.”

Bitelleanus responded with an affectionate voice.

But the demon called Plocerc only lowered his head and shouted looking at me.

“Lord Polarin, we cannot go out of Myeolji. The leash the New Demon Army's Legion Commander put on us is tightening our lives.”

Then, can I only kill them?

Just as I was about to firm my resolve, Plocerc continued speaking.

“……We want to pour our last remaining strength on the New Demons.”

I don't know the principle of the leash, nor in what way they intend to fight.

But Plocerc's eyes were filled with anger and sadness.

I looked at Plocerc and answered calmly.

“Permission granted.”