Chapter 215: Demon King of Iron, Enroth (4)
Translation: Nadu
Edit: Sephtair
The fire tars gathered around the trial.
A huge round crystal. For ages, the crystal was considered a type of "tradition", and the results became something that was respected by everyone.
However, there was only one who had gone beyond the 57th level.
The great chieftain. Alas, he had died.
According to tradition, the vice-chieftain should have taken his place as the leader, but he was too young, and wasn"t strong enough. So, for the moment, "Yatar" had taken up the role of great chieftain.
“Hmm, it would be impossible for a dokkaebi to surpa.s.s the 57th level."
“But, he did win against the duke in the past."
“Wasn"t that possible because the great chieftain had weakened the duke?"
Opinions were divided.
They were strictly warriors, and respected those who were strong. However, Muyoung"s strength hasn"t been properly evaluated.
Yatar looked up at the sky as he held his spear.
Usually, the trial took several days. It had been two hours. Slowly, the sun was setting.
When the night came, the devils would actively start to roam.
“Get back to your positions."
“Don"t we need to rescue the vice-chieftain?"
One of the elders asked.
Really, the vice-chieftain was the one closest to the bloodline, and Yatar was just a temporary leader. The one who the fire tars truly followed was Ogar.
Yatar also knew of this truth.
However, it couldn"t be done.
They had already sent a few small groups of warriors to rescue Ogar, but no one had returned.
Annihilation.
They just kept being lost. He needed to make a decision. He couldn"t just let warriors be sacrificed.
“Don"t think about him anymore. I will not send any more warriors."
“That…!"
“If it keeps going like this, we won"t be able to survive either. The Poom tree will also be cut down."
Whenever the devils took control of a territory, that always happened, as it was their habit to destroy what was most important.
“However, I will repay the vice-chieftain"s debt. I will surely end Shar-Shazar with these hands."
Yatar clenched his fist.
A war that lasted more than a year. During that time, Shar-Shazar toyed with them. He caught fire tars, and then humiliated them before cruelly killing them.
The number of fire tars had decreased by more than half. If it continued like this, they would not be able to avoid annihilation. So, he needed to make a big decision.
If Ogar survived until then, it would be fortunate, but Shar-Shazar wasn"t the type to let his hostages live for a long time.
“The battle will take place in two days! We will prepare for an all-out war. To take Shar-Shazar"s head, a battle of great warriors will begin!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
As Yatar stomped his feet, other fire tars followed.
The situation with the vice-chieftain was unfortunate, but what Yatar had said was true. If they were to incur any more sacrifices, their odds of winning would become closer to zero.
A winning move…
He had no choice but to bet everything on the battle that would take place in two days.
* * *
Hyaaaaaaaaaa!
Pushh! Stab!
It was a slightly dark early morning. As they climbed over the fence and walls, the devils invaded the fire tar"s village while holding their breaths.
A surprise attack!
Over a thousand devils started to attack the fire tars. It was exactly the morning before two days had pa.s.sed.
“Warriors! Grab your weapon! Kill the devils!"
Yatar shouted as he twisted off the head of a devil who trespa.s.sed in his house. However, he couldn"t understand. The devils never invaded like this.
These were overwhelmingly different tactics.
It was because Shar-Shazar was arrogant.
He had always battled head on and won, as if there was no need for a surprise attack.
But, why?
‘Did information leak?"
That was the only thought that made sense.
Shar-Shazar would have also been uncomfortable with an all-out war.
But, with leaked information, they knew this was the time to invade the fire tars.
Yatar quickly got out of his house.
Already, everything in his surroundings was burning, and the dead bodies of fire tars were spread all around.
The scent of burned flesh was potent.
“You devils! I, Yatar, am right here!"
He spun his huge spear. Then, the devils rushed towards Yatar with their wings opened.
Wooong. Wooooong.
Just one devil was weak. But, if there were multiple devils, it was a different story.
The gathered demons created a vibrating sound. Every time they flapped their wings, strong winds blew, and Yatar"s flame weakened. His body wobbled.
“Useless trick!"
Yatar spun his spear faster. Then, the air returned to normal.
Like an enraged beast, Yatar rushed towards the devils and ripped them apart. The fire tars who survived the first attack began to adapt to the situation, and grabbed their weapons.
However, the devils flooded in like water. There seemed to be at least 10 times more devils than fire tars.
If they had joined forces with other fire tars, this sort of surprise attack wouldn"t have worked. As they had sent the news that they would prepare for a final attack in two days, they decided to gather forces from other areas.
But…
‘I never thought they would invade before we gathered."
‘Where would the information leak from?"
“Stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.d, did you not know that I am always watching this place?"
Crash!
A short but intense lightning bolt shot through Yatar"s spine.
“Guwaak!"
As he uttered a cry, he looked in front of him.
A naked devil. Unlike the other devils, it was yellow-skinned.
The devil who could control lightning, Shar-Shazar had shown up.
“I didn"t want an all-out attack. Are you trying to deprive me of my joy? Huh? Are you really doing this because you don"t know the true reason why I"m running the war like this?"
Shar-Shazar twisted his hair with his finger. Then, he spoke as he looked at Yatar, who seemed to be about to pa.s.s out.
“And even though fire tars have the blood of warriors, they are no different in front of death. Isn"t that so?"
Shar-Shazar seemed very relaxed.
“Our vice chieftain… what happened to our vice chieftain?"
Yatar struggled as he got up. Although his blood spilled from his wound, it was instantly cauterized and he quickly recovered and regained his normal appearance.
But, the inside of his body was thoroughly destroyed. He justdidn"t show it.
Shar-Shazar smiled brightly.
“He is still alive. He has a great mentality. I never expected him to resist that much against the great abyss. Even so, he will probably die in an hour or two."
“Then… I can kill you with a light heart."
“You? Will kill me?"
Shar-Shazar clicked his tongue.
Then, a circle of strong electricity was created around him.
“You think you can break through my "lightning"?"
Zzzzaaaappp!!!
The current became stronger.
The circular wall of electricity that Shar-Shazar had erectednly a very select few would be able to break through this wall. Certainly, a mere fire tar wouldn"t be able to do so.
Although the fire tars were the top predators among the monsters, to devils, especially in the eyes of demon kings, they were no different from other species. Beings that could die if they were stepped on.
“Then, try it. I won"t even move a finger."
This too was a continuation of his game. Shar-Shazar liked these sorts of games.
However, Yatar didn"t really have any other choice but to play.
Shar-Shazar spoke.
“If you do not do it quickly, the fire tars gathered at this place will all die."
Even as they spoke, the fire tars were dying off. As it had been almost a year since Shar-Shazar had shown himself, it wouldn"t be easy to defeat him.
If there was any possibility of success, it would be that Yatar could obtain a win by taking advantage of Shar-Shazar"s carelessness.
Yatar would also well know this.
He held his spear and took a deep breath before he ran towards Shar-Shazar.
Zaaaapp! ZZZZZZaaaaap!
Yatar"s whole body burned. Although fire tars contained fire due to their natural const.i.tution, they neutralized it with the roots of the Poom tree around their waist.
However, this electricity was different. The electricity flowed through Yatar"s whole body, and pierced through his spine and brain. Suddenly, as his mind went blank and he lost his sight, he clenched his teeth.
“At least you… no matter what!"
After the great chieftain had died, though he had gained this position only temporarily, there was no way Yatar didn"t have a sense of responsibility.
He had a great responsibility to lead his tribe and end the war.
To do this, he needed to kill Shar-Shazar. Even if he were to lose his life, he must accomplish this. That was the only way he could save face.
Yatar"s whole body slowly moved forward.
He pa.s.sed through the strong electricity and slowly, step by step, headed towards Shar-Shazar"s heart.
When he had exactly four steps left, Shar-Shazar couldn"t help but be slightly nervous as well.
Shar-Shazar never expected a fire tar to break through the wall. However, the result betrayed those expectations.
Stomp! Thud!
He approached. One step, then another.
Now, he was really in range, at a distance where their breaths could reach one another.
Shar-Shazar"s body shook lightly. And his finger moved without anyone noticing.
Zaaaaaappp!
The electricity became much stronger. The electricity that became twice as strong penetrated Yatar"s body. Then, Yatar"s whole body began to melt.
If it reached this point, living things wouldn"t be able to move any further. This would normally be the case.
However.
Stomp!
A step!
Yatar"s face melted grotesquely. His spear became dust, but even then, he stretched out his hand.
Thud!
And he touched Shar"Shazar"s chest.
That was all.
“Although your courage is worth noting, it is time for you to just die."
Shar-Shazar smiled, but it was slightly twisted. Shar-Shazar hadn"t expected Yatar to scratch his pride by reaching him.
It was then…
“What a s.h.i.t show."
Shar-Shazar tilted his head for a moment.
From his side, a voice was heard.
Shar-Shazar turned his head.
Then, he saw a man who stood in his circle of electricity as if it did not affect him at all.
Shar-Shazar never thought he would fail to notice someone come so close to him.
More than that, Shar-Shazar didn"t notice the man until he spoke.
But the man didn"t look at Shar-Shazar.
He looked towards Yatar, who was on the verge of burning up.
“As promised, I will be taking charge of the fire tars. Do you have any objections?"
Yatar looked at the man.
To be exact, he looked at the man"s shoulder, and smiled brightly. Then, he slowly closed his eyes as he collapsed.
“Who are you?"
Shar-Shazar asked as he became slightly cautious.
The man looked around. As if he didn"t expect to be in a warzone when he emerged.
But he didn"t show any signs that he was averse to war. Rather, the man could be native to the battlefield.
“I just became the owner of this place."
Swoosh!
The man took out his sword.
“Also, you don"t need to hear or remember my name."
He spun his weapon.
The weapon was black and emitted a very ominous energy.
The ominous energy surpa.s.sed the demon king"s darkness. Shar-Shazar instinctively knew this.
The man flapped his six grey wings. At the same time, the electricity dispersed.
The wall had vanished as he flapped his wings.
Shar-Shazar looked at Muyoung as if he couldn"t believe his eyes. However, the man acted as if it was nothing.
Rather, like Shar-Shazar, the man smiled mischievously and continued to speak.
“Since you will die at my hands anyway."
Swooosh!
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew and fluttered Muyoung"s clothing.
Then, the number on his shoulder was made apparent.
127!