Chapter 157: Episode 157

Africa’s greatest power had descended upon the Tanzanian Front. The tide of battle, needless to say, was completely reversed.

“N-no. What in the world…” Zhang Wei stared, his expression utterly dazed.

The Pharaoh and the Gravekeepers acted solely for the security and benefit of Egypt. In truth, they were already stretched thin just preventing Disasters in their own country. Anyone who had spent time in Tanzania knew of the Pharaoh’s arrogance and selfish nature; they never imagined she would come to their aid.

And yet.

“You… you… what did you do?!”

His gaze snapped to Yusin, who was looking up at the sky with a satisfied expression. Their eyes met.

“This is impossible! It’s a lie! Don’t tell me you’re going to claim you summoned the Pharaoh, too!”

“I did.”

That long-held precedent had just been shattered by Kim Yusin.

Zhang Wei could only manage a hollow laugh. It was all so strange. Every piece of common sense and every standard he lived by felt meaningless. He decided to just stop thinking altogether.

“Sunbae!”

As the battle stabilized with the arrival of the Gravekeepers, Hong Yeon ran toward Yusin, her face a mixture of shock and elation.

“What on earth happened? Why is Egypt helping us—!”

Just then, a curtain of sand shimmered into existence around Yusin. Everyone gasped and looked up as a woman in golden armor descended from the sky like a goddess.

“Oh.”

Yusin smirked.

“You’ve gotten better looking since the last time we met.”

Gasps of shock erupted from the surrounding soldiers. How could he speak to the pharaoh as if she were an old friend?

The pharaoh landed and wrapped her arms around Yusin’s shoulders.

And then.

She kissed him.

Not just Yusin, but everyone who witnessed the scene, froze.

“…You bastard.”

Slowly pulling away, the Pharaoh stared at Yusin with bloodshot eyes. She spoke in a low voice, just loud enough for him to hear.

“You bastard. You rotten, petty bastard.”

“…Hahaha.”

’Thwack!’

She began punching him in the side, no longer holding back. Yusin cried out and collapsed, leaving the onlookers utterly bewildered. What in the world was happening?

“Haa, honestly.”

The Pharaoh hugged Yusin’s fallen body tightly once more.

’Why do I have to love a bastard like this?’

“Yoonjeong. You’ve gotten a lot bolder.”

“Shut up.” She was still growling, her anger far from subsided. “Do you have any idea how scared I was? Just sending me coordinates and saying you were going to die here? You crazy bastard. Are you even human? Who asks for help like that? You absolute lunatic!”

“Well, you’re not wrong. If you hadn’t come, I really would have died—”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Still, Yusin hadn’t just been making empty demands. He had used the fourth floor’s Field Magic. The area around the Nile River, Egypt’s lifeline, had been designated a restricted area, requiring a large number of Gravekeepers to be deployed.

So Yusin cast Field Magic around it, just like the one he had set up around the Tower, preventing anyone from entering the restricted area for a whole month. Han Yoonjeong used that as an excuse to bring a large portion of Egypt’s forces with her. In a way, it was a trade. Of course, she had been ready to bolt over here regardless, but this gave her a justification for coming to his rescue.

“I am Commander-in-Chief Hong Yeon. On behalf of our forces, I thank you for your aid, Pharaoh Menes.” Hong Yeon approached and bowed her head deeply.

The two of them jumped apart in surprise. Han Yoonjeong cleared her throat and said, “So you are the commander of Tanzania. Your efforts have been commendable.”

Yusin laughed to himself. ’It’s so weird hearing her talk like that.’

“You saved us. Still, if you were coming as reinforcements, it would have been better if you had contacted us in advance…”

“We came on short notice, so it couldn’t be helped.” Han Yoonjeong nudged Yusin’s arm. “This bast— I mean, this man suddenly said he was in danger.”

“Ah.”

Hong Yeon’s eyes darted between Yusin and Han Yoonjeong.

“I apologize for being presumptuous, but may I ask what the relationship is between you two?”

“Hmm?”

Just as Yusin was about to answer, Han Yoonjeong threw an arm around his head and laughed.

“Well, it’s just as you see.”

Caught in her grip, Yusin shot her a glare that clearly said, ’Why do I have to be the sacrificial lamb for your superiority complex? Hmph.’

Han Yoonjeong could proudly say that since becoming the Pharaoh, she had never once used this power for personal gain. It wasn’t an achievement she had earned, nor was it a body she had built through her own efforts. She considered it an undeserved stroke of luck and had resolved to live as a hunter atoning for it.

But today, just this once, was an exception.

When she first heard Yusin had come to Africa, she’d been fidgeting, wanting to visit him not as the Pharaoh, but as herself. But the fact that he came with Hong Yeon had made her fret, and now, somehow, the situation had turned out like this.

And now, that same Hong Yeon was flustered before her. It was childish, she knew, but she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of superiority.

“The fight isn’t over yet,” Yusin said, pulling away from Han Yoonjeong’s arm. “This is a golden opportunity to take both Legion Commanders Selegma and Colossus down. We can’t let a chance like this slip by.”

The two women nodded.

“Yoonjeong—no, Pharaoh. Please lead the Gravekeepers and take care of Colossus. Hong Yeon and I will go after Selegma.”

Hong Yeon quickly agreed. It was the right tactical decision, so Han Yoonjeong clicked her tongue and nodded.

“Alright. Don’t overdo it.”

“You be careful too, Pharaoh.”

Han Yoonjeong smiled, waved, and flew off on a wave of sand. Watching her leave, Hong Yeon spoke in a bewildered tone.

“That’s a little different from the Pharaoh I’ve always heard about.”

“What did you hear?”

“That she’s arrogant, rude, and haughty…”

Yusin chuckled.

“The media always exaggerates.”

“That’s true.” Her tone was level, but then she fixed Yusin with a sharp glare.

“Huh? What’s wrong?” he asked.

“It seems you’ll have a lot to explain when we get back, Hunter Kim Yusin.”

“W-wait. I couldn’t tell you the Pharaoh was coming because it wasn’t part of the original plan…”

“It seems you’ll have a lot to explain.”

She deliberately repeated herself, then kicked off the ground and soared into the air. Yusin scratched his head and followed her.

* * *

A chaotic battle was unfolding. The firepower of the Gravekeepers, all certified rank-4 or higher, was overwhelming. A single one of their arrows pierced dozens of monsters, and their weapons extended and retracted at will. ‘Mowed down’ was the only fitting description. The monsters that had pushed the humans to their limits were now being helplessly slaughtered.

Above all, the spectacle was breathtaking. Dozens of sandstorms, each ten meters in diameter, rose from all directions, grinding the monsters to dust. This was the power of the Pharaoh of Egypt.

After clearing out the monsters, Han Yoonjeong rode her sand carpet toward Colossus. A moment later, constant earthquakes erupted from beyond the horizon, and the pained cries of a massive monster echoed across the plains.

“Sunbae, let’s go!”

“Right.”

Selegma had expended too many of its troops. Its garrison would be virtually undefended. Selegma’s defeat was certain.

However, Colossus’s recent advance proved that legion commanders could travel long distances from their strongholds. Selegma would likely try to flee. Yusin intended to catch it before it could disappear.

“According to the map, it’s this way. The garrison should be just a few kilometers north…”

’GRAAAAAH!’

At the sudden roar, they both turned. The other hunters fighting nearby also flinched, their gazes shifting.

-Tower Master! It’s coming from below!

Yusin grabbed Hong Yeon by the scruff of her neck and shot into the air. From the spot where they had been standing, a massive, insect-like arm erupted from the ground.

“What the—!”

A short distance away, a pillar-sized thorn jutted from the earth. The ground then burst open, and a colossal monster emerged.

“That’s Selegma…!”

Hong Yeon steeled her resolve and gripped her sword. Yusin placed a hand on his hip and smiled cryptically. He’d expected it to run, but it was more aggressive than he thought. He never imagined it would charge them first.

’GRAAAR!’

Letting out a long, piercing cry, the massive beast glared at them. It was a hulking, fleshy monstrosity. If its creator had seen it, they would have wept with rage. Its body completely ignored the basic physiology of a living creature. It stood on its right leg and two arms. Where its other arms should have been, a strange spinal bone dangled, and limbs attached randomly all over its torso flailed with every step.

Hong Yeon swallowed hard and put a hand to her earpiece.

“This is Commander Hong. We have located Legion Commander Selegma. Engaging with Hunter Kim Yusin.”

Yusin uncapped a superior blue elixir and put it to his lips. Hong Yeon gripped her sword and stepped forward.

“I’ll take the front. Yusin sunbae, you provide support—”

“No.”

’Clink.’

Yusin tossed the empty bottle aside and drew up his mana.

“This time, I’m fighting, too. Not from behind you, but by your side.”

A corner of her mouth lifted in a smile, and she nodded.

“It’s coming.”

“Right!”

Selegma didn’t walk. It rolled, its round body propelled by the limbs protruding from all over its surface. It was a bizarre method of movement, but it was incredibly fast.

’Just hold on a little longer, my precious body.’

The greatest risk before any fight was the backlash from Dark Magic. Spamming Devastar repeatedly would almost certainly trigger side effects. That was why he hadn’t used it once in the previous battle. He had saved it all for this moment, for the legion commander.

Yusin slowly bent his knees and crouched, setting his back foot. As his hands swept low, black smoke billowed out from them.

-Tower Master! It’s coming!

As Selegma rolled across the ground, a building-sized leg, even larger than its body, burst out from its round form. The moment it tried to stomp on Yusin, his body, wreathed in black smoke, silently shifted to Selegma’s flank. His right leg drew a perfect arc and connected with its body.

<Devastar>

Its abdomen caved in from the impact, and Selegma flew hundreds of meters through the air before crashing into a cliff.

“Nice!”

Hong Yeon, who had been waiting with while gathering her magic, swung her sword with all her might. Five massive, crimson slashes tore across the ground, heading straight for Selegma.

This time, a large arm burst from the left side of Selegma’s torso. It used it to push off the cliff and launch itself into the sky.

Selegma’s eyes rolled. Yusin appeared even higher, surrounded by black smoke, his right foot touching his right hand in a reload of astonishing speed. He spun once in place, and another picture-perfect kick exploded forth.

Selegma’s body, which had been floating hundreds of meters in the air, was slammed directly into the ground, carving a long gash as it skidded. Boulder-sized fragments flew off, crushing nearby monsters.

“WOOOOO!”

A few hunters on the ground cheered, but Yusin felt like he was dying.

’Casting four consecutive Devastars in a matter of seconds is killing me.’

The side effects were starting to hit. The biggest risk with Dark Magic wasn’t just overuse, but using it multiple times in a short period.

As his body fell, Selegma’s smashed form shot toward him with a ’thump!’ Hundreds of limbs erupted from its body, reaching to grab him. He needed to use Devastar to escape, but his body hadn’t recovered from the recoil.

He was stunned.

Just then, a woman with flowing red hair appeared silently before him. Biting her lip slightly, her body spun like a top.

As hundreds of arms rushed in, red lines were drawn across them and were severed, raining down to the ground. Yusin watched in awe.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh? Oh. Thanks for the cover.”

The two of them landed, and so did Selegma.

“Haa.”

Yusin calmed his breathing, expelling the slowly corrupting dark mana from his body. It had been reckless to spam Devastar so hastily, but it had allowed him to immerse himself deeper. The world began to look hazy. The rings of mana became clearly visible. He gathered his mana and lowered his stance.

<Prometheus> x4

Four large magic circles unfolded around Yusin, and from within, blazing giants of flame grabbed the edges and pulled themselves out.

-Target acquired. Firing.

Guided by Ea, the four flame giants flew toward Selegma from different directions. Selegma reacted swiftly. Its flesh momentarily deflated like liquid, and it used the elasticity to launch itself away with a ’twang!’ The Prometheuses missed, and Selegma shot directly toward Hong Yeon, who was running alone.

Selegma crashed down on top of her, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the air. Yusin wasn’t worried. Instead, he stretched his arms forward and locked onto the flying Prometheuses. Then, he slowly pulled his arms back.

Fire-type magic usually focused on raw power, but this was a fourth-order spell specialized for control. The heads of the Prometheuses turned, and they began to change direction.

’Where’s Hong Yeon?’

Yusin turned his head. She was already on top of Selegma’s body, her sword embedded in it as she dashed like lightning.

“HYAAAAH!”

Blood and organs gushed out wherever her sword passed. Arms shot out from its body to grab her, but she dodged them with pure agility, not even needing to swing her sword. Finally, after running in a straight line from its leg to its shoulder, she leaped into the sky. Her sword, reflecting the sunlight, was dyed red. The scarlet mana swirling around her transformed into massive wings that seemed to cover the world. Everyone watching gasped.

<Scarlet Dance>

Then, Hong Yeon, at the center of the wings, descended in an instant. Kneeling on one knee, she took a deep breath and sheathed her sword with a click.

A massive gash was carved across Selegma’s upper body, and blood erupted.

’GRAAAAH!’

Just as Selegma staggered in pain and charged at Hong Yeon, Yusin’s body appeared in front of the beast.

<Devastar>

Kicked by the dark magic, Selegma’s massive body was sent flying right into the path of the four incoming Prometheuses.

’SLAM!’

The four giants engulfed Selegma, slamming it into the ground and setting it ablaze. Selegma let out a pained scream. Yusin landed lightly next to the panting Hong Yeon.

’She was pushing herself, just as I thought.’

Yusin had been deliberately conserving his stamina, but Hong Yeon had been fighting like a demon on the front lines with almost no rest. Even against rank-1 to rank-4 fodder, the act of swinging a sword consumed significant stamina.

“Can you stand?” Yusin asked.

“Yes.”

’Rumble!’

Yusin looked ahead. The monster possessed formidable strength. Even with four Prometheuses clinging to it, the creature was trying to break free with sheer force, crawling toward them on two massive arms.

Hong Yeon shook her hair, which rippled like waves, and held her sword in one hand. She took a strange stance, like a fencer’s lunge.

’What is she doing?’

As Yusin watched, the tip of her sword reflected the sunlight, drawing a single red dot on Selegma’s forehead.

<Scarlet Lotus>

Her sword shot forward with invisible speed. The impact exploded on its forehead. Crimson mana erupted, and Selegma’s head was thrown back violently.

<Scarlet Lotus> x6

This time, six red dots appeared on Selegma’s body. Her sword, held lightly, shot out, leaving afterimages like a volley of lances, and six crimson impacts exploded in a row.

’Now!’

Yusin thrust his arms up. The Prometheuses completely engulfed Selegma’s weakened body, dragging it across the ground and burning it alive.

“Huff.”

“Haa.”

Yusin and Hong Yeon staggered toward Selegma. A moment later, the Prometheuses faded. Selegma was pushing its charred body up. Despite its super-regeneration, the damage was severe.

The two of them stopped a few hundred meters from Selegma. Yusin drew two dark magic circles, one on his right foot and one on the ground. The moment his foot stepped on the circle, ’click!’ The circles interlocked, spewing black smoke.

<Devastar – Cutter>

Hong Yeon held her sword with both hands and raised it above her head. Red mana gathered from the sky, swirling like a tornado at the tip of her sword. The tornado vanished, transforming into a massive red blade over ten meters in diameter.

<Moonlit Scarlet Cherry Blossom>

Their preparations complete, Yusin and Yeon met each other’s gaze. Selegma staggered closer, its massive palm outstretched.

Yusin bent his legs.

Hong Yeon pulled back her sword.

’Slash!’

Their attack and blade cut through the air at the same time.

Selegma fell silent and its movements stopped.

And then.

The massive body split in half. From within, a pool of blood poured out like a waterfall, its organs sloshing into view. Everyone watching was speechless at the overwhelming sight.

Selegma’s upper body tumbled to the ground, while its lower half collapsed to its knees.

“Nice.”

Yusin raised his fist. Panting, she smiled brightly and bumped her fist against his.

[You have acquired the Dark Affinity trait.]

[Magic has increased by 15.]

[Darkness has increased by 10.]

[Agility has increased by 5.]

[Stamina has increased by 2.]

[Focus has increased by 2.]

Yusin put a hand to his earpiece.

“This is Captain Kim. Selegma has been eliminated.”

A roar like an explosion echoed across the battlefield.

Tanzania had been liberated.

* * *

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep