Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Alarm (3)

#71

Letunir was being attacked.

The likely suspect is the Abyss that changed the operation.

At first it was flustering, but Bran quickly regained composure.

Because originally he did not expect everything to flow as planned.

‘Still with this much it is the side that lasted long. Fortunate that I preempted Valkeros and Kargai.’

Even in Return Road during the game days the response ability of the Outer God forces was notorious.

Like a Jindo dog being issued in a wartime situation, those guys developed and acted corresponding countermeasures every time they became disadvantageous.

This time it was a similar case.

‘It was one of the roots that blew the cycle. Cheap bastards.’

Nullifying the conspiracy of Valkeros and Kargai would have touched their nerves.

It was the Abyss side that received strong punches in succession attempting a counter.

Informing the empire intelligence department and the Pantheon of their wicked deeds would also have played a part.

Kale who was restless opened his mouth.

“Is-is the situation serious?”

“Probably.”

Bran did not deny.

The reason Letunir was raided is nine times out of ten because of relics.

Losing powerful relics that have the value of tactical, strategic weapons was by no means a pleasant matter.

“Dangerous items have to be originally many. To reduce the damage at least what relic was robbed has to be confirmed.”

The possibility that the relevant situation is entangled with Iolien could not be excluded either.

Because this place was adjacent to Morken his base.

Even with just this far the reason to visit Letunir overflowed.

“Ah right.”

However, there was work to do before departing.

Bran turned to Arazan.

“Arazan. Put that bastard down a bit.”

“Understood.”

Behind Baihir a man with a swollen face was tied with rope.

The original owner of the Return Stone.

Urdin the leader of Letunir’s 2nd expedition team.

Crash!

When Arazan cut the rope, Urdin freed from the binding rolled while making a noisy sound.

“Eu···uuuu···.”

“What, this bastard was alive?”

Seeing the moaning appearance Ilark burst out a hollow laugh.

Because he was quietly even right after moving with the Return Stone she thought he was dead without fail.

Kale shrugged his shoulders.

“W-wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“It’s okay.”

Bran shook his head.

If when facing on the rock mountain he didn’t know, now he was an existence more harmless than a Chihuahua on a leash.

Slaak!

Taking out the canteen Bran poured water on his face.

“Puhup! Wh-what?!”

“Ouw. The rising is fast.”

Urdin’s eyes opened wide.

It seemed he returned to senses to some extent because receiving Kale’s blessing.

Meeting Bran he gasped.

“You guys···!”

“Fortunate that safe. I was worried what if becoming an idiot.”

“Damn, move!”

Pushing Bran and rising Urdin drew the hammer from his waist.

The evil god’s relic used on the Kargai Plateau.

Judging from the red energy wavering it seemed the effect still remained.

“How did all this become? Where did the king’s tent go···!”

“Hehe. Seems you were fainted longer than thought.”

Benden lamented.

Judging from still mentioning the king’s tent it seemed he lost memory from that day he left the rock mountain.

Staggering Urdin aimed the hammer at Bran.

“Guy! If not wanting the head to fly answer!”

“Energy is overflowing. Still how about calming a little.”

“Ha! Saying calm now? If not informing the circumstances immediately···”

“Kreuk.”

Just as Urdin was about to say something.

Tok.

One drop of hot liquid fell over his head.

Raising his head wondering what he froze.

“What.”

“Kreureureureu···.”

Baihir was looking down at him.

In the giant mouth enough to swallow an adult’s upper body in one bite sharp teeth were shining.

However, what truly surprised Urdin was not the wolf but the existence riding on it.

“Y-you!”

Urdin was astonished.

Arazan wearing the deer mask was aiming an arrow at him.

For him it absolutely could not be forgotten.

The monster that slaughtered most of the expedition team members alone.

Arazan recited while drawing the string.

“Throw away the weapon.”

“···Damn.”

The hammer fell from Urdin’s hand.

As expected actions are faster than words.

Bran smiled.

“Good. Now it seems ready to talk.”

“On earth what is the scheme··· huff, why is that monster together with you guys?”

“Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend. And that kind of thing is not important now.”

Explaining one by one there was no end.

Bran asked him back.

“Urdin. You love Letunir right?”

“Suddenly what nonsense.”

“Just answer the question.”

“···Asking something obvious. Devotion to the motherland is my mission and the reason for life.”

At the expected answer the corner of Bran’s mouth rose.

Like most from Letunir he was also an extreme nationalist.

Originally the reason he obsessed over relics was also to contribute to the motherland.

The reason he brought Urdin was just because one place of the Return Stone remained, but perhaps it could be used usefully.

Nodding with arms crossed Bran gestured with his chin to behind him.

“Then the thoughts rising while looking at that would become many.”

“What?”

Urdin turned his head.

Letunir beyond the wasteland was contained in his vision.

The city in crisis, with smoke rising as if bombed.

“What.”

“Listen without asking anything. A thief entered your country. Not only stealing treasure but also killing people so the expression robber would be right.”

Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend.

Approaching to the side Bran tapped his back.

“And we will enter Letunir. To catch the thieves said earlier. If you cooperate the work would become much easier.”

“······What do you want from me.”

“While going around with us inform the locations of secret passages and traps. It would be good if confirming what relic was stolen too. Still nominally an expedition leader that much can be done right.”

Letunir the entire country being a castle and fortress was notorious for complex structure.

Because facilities and relics specialized in defense are placed in various places if entering without preparation sudden death was easy.

Although Bran remembered the internal structure quite well, it would not be as accurate as accompanying a local guide.

Can he surpass the Rahir navigation?

“If refusing will you kill?”

“Of course.”

“···Originally there was no choice. I’ll cooperate.”

Ptui. Urdin spat on the floor.

Although no manners it was refreshing so he liked it.

The point of really not asking anything.

From the point of not urging life with unnecessary arrogance it could be known he really loves the country.

“Thought well. You know what is the choice for the motherland.”

“After cooperating with you guys I will act freely.”

“Do as you like. Because our purpose is catching the thieves.”

Of course if usable relics remain he might ‘frost’ them.

Urdin said.

“Have to depart hurriedly. Even if looking close the distance is considerable. If Poran Forest even running as fast as possible it takes one hour.”

“I was thinking of doing so anyway. Ilark will you carry Benden?”

“Sure. Come here dwarf.”

“Hehehe. Although I expected it would become like this.”

Benden let out a laugh mixed with resignation.

Ilark carried him who walked toddling on her shoulder.

Even though raising the enormous size backpack together Ilark had no sign of hardship at all.

Kale carefully opened his mouth.

“Gueu··· I can be carried by Bran though.”

“Enough. Because one increased the heavy person has to get down from the wolf.”

“Th-that so?”

“Yes. And what is good about being carried by me? Just hot and only sweat smell.”

“······That is the good thing though.”

Kale muttered to himself.

Of course in a voice small enough even an ant cannot hear.

Glancing at Urdin Baihir stood his mane.

“Ureung!”

“Damn, why doing that again. I threw away the weapon.”

“He says he dislikes you.”

Arazan said.

“What?”

“Bran. Can I move with the mouth? Baihir says he does not want to carry that guy on the back.”

“Do as you like.”

As long as there is no problem with speed it did not matter.

He wanted to run once anyway and the opportunity came just in time.

Urdin who did not understand the conversation frowned.

“······Not departing what are you doing?”

“Movement preparation. There is no room to waste even one hour.”

“What kind of··· euk?!”

It was then.

Urdin’s legs left the ground.

Because Baihir bit near his nape and lifted.

Whether really not wanting the face was crumpled tightly.

“Urung.”

“Sorry Baihir. Later I’ll let you wash the mouth with river water.”

Arazan stroked Baihir’s mane.

Confirming the group was ready she concentrated her mind.

Hwaaaa···!

The wind that slid on the ground wrapped their legs.

『You entered the influence range of Arazan’s skill, Gale Step.』

『The white wolf’s wind pushes your back. Movement speed increases very greatly!』

『Stepping on flat ground. Movement speed increases due to Blessing of the Cavalry!』

Soon translucent messages rose in succession.

All abilities obtained in this journey.

Feeling the change Bran whistled.

“Killing.”

The body became light to the point of seeming it would fly.

Although Blessing of the Cavalry was good, as expected Gale Step was an absurd fraudulent skill.

Ilark who similarly received the buff let out perplexity.

“Eh··· Bran. I’ll just not use heat.”

“I also think that is good. Please spare me.”

Benden also added next to him.

Indeed, if adding the heat booster here Ilark would really take off.

Bran nodded meaning do so.

“Hey. Wait···”

Just as Urdin who instinctively sensed crisis was about to say something.

Boooom-!

Bran and Ilark, Baihir kicked the ground at the same time.

The late roar rang out behind.

Along with the sensation of the world pressing him Urdin’s vision went dark.

****

“What. Fainted again?”

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

When they arrived at the destination Urdin was fainted with eyes flipped.

The appearance of dangling limply reminded of a prisoner who was hanged.

Still he was a friend with dignity when first seeing, how it became like this.

Pet!

When Baihir opened his mouth Urdin rolled and fell.

Unseemly rolling on the floor he opened his eyes.

“Hueeuk! H-here?!”

“Weak.”

Arazan clicked her tongue.

Somehow it was a situation similar to when dropping with rope.

Realizing this is inside the Letunir walls Urdin muttered to himself.

“······Crazy guys.”

It was an impossible speed.

Although he fainted it seemed not even ten minutes passed by sense.

Kale also carefully raised his head.

“Uaaa··· a-already arrived?”

Because he had eyes closed from the moment of departure it was hard to grasp the situation.

If not using Arazan’s slender waist as a support he would definitely have been thrown off on the way.

Looking around Kale’s mouth opened wide.

“Uwa.”

The scenery was completely changed from before.

Not forest, not wasteland a city was surrounding.

An eerie city, completely different from the places passed until now.

Bran raised an eyebrow.

‘It seems like entered a gothic horror novel.’

If Kargai was Mongolia here reminded of medieval Europe.

Stone buildings, spires rising in various places were adding an eerie atmosphere.

Judging from the houses stuck tightly this area was estimated as a residential area.

Although the most important element people were not there.

“Already hit.”

Bran twisted his lips.

The other group also let out a lament.

On the street where the poor should be swarming only silence and the smell of blood were circulating.

Although regrettable it did not seem evacuation succeeded.

Hundreds of red beads emitting blood scent were scattered on the road.

It was evidence the cleaners swept and passed.

‘Strange. Even if the cleaners’ doing it is too clean.’

But it was a bit strange.

A question point he also felt at the previous campsite.

Although clean meal is the cleaners’ specialty, unless preying on sleeping or already dead prey some traces are left to some extent.

Like bloodstains or torn clothes.

However, in this place and the campsite now only the beads those guys discharge remained and were rolling.

‘Well. Will know soon.’

Of course there was no need to dig deep here.

Because while chasing the thieves he would soon reach the truth.

Judging from the otherworld presence still not felt the cleaner guys also seemed to have entered deep into the city.

“Good. Let’s depart in 5 minutes. Our goals are largely two.”

Clapclap. Bran clapped to draw the group’s attention.

“Catching the thieves who caused this mess, finding the otherworld rift. Of course the thieves are also important but pay attention to the rift too.”

“Otherworld rift?”

Kale tilted his head.

Even if the rest are so the last purpose was not understood.

“Yes. You see that cloud?”

Bran pointed at the sky with his finger.

The ominous red cloud was still slowly swirling above Letunir.

“That is the evidence. A phenomenon that appears when the space of the area is twisted. It means a passage connected to the otherworld is open somewhere in Letunir.”

“H-how do you know all that kind of thing?”

“Just what··· experience.”

He could not say he knew through the game.

Appropriately passing Benden’s question Bran continued.

“First let’s search the surroundings. If discovering anything suspicious say immediately. Prepare so you can fight anytime.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“You also remember everything said earlier?”

“···Yes.”

Urdin nodded.

Although not pleased now he had no choice but to follow.

Because recovering the relics, and saving Letunir in crisis were matters possible only if living first.

The group who received the mission began to scatter forming teams.

Ilark with Benden, Arazan with Baihir.

Bran was a team with Kale, Urdin.

Urdin said.

“First I recommend going up the spire. Because more things can be seen.”

“Oh. I was going to do so anyway.”

Bran smiled.

As expected local so experience was felt.

Securing vision is the basic of all operations!

However, since only seven spires visible to the eyes there was need to decide where to go up.

Just as about to move to the tallest looking spire among them.

Spit!

Something that flew quickly passed while grazing Bran’s cheek.

“Keuk.”

“B-Bran! Are you okay?!”

Kale was startled.

One long arrow was stuck in the paving stone.

Although okay there was no time to inform the well-being.

“The guest treatment is really bad···!”

“Dodge!”

Bran and Urdin threw their bodies almost at the same time.

It was the moment Kale’s body pulled by Bran was covered behind the building.

Puseok!

An arrow that flew again drove down on the place they were standing.

“Euat!”

“Quite.”

Bran admired.

It was an archer of considerable skill.

If not reflexively twisting the head it would definitely have hit the forehead.

He didn’t know he would meet people this quickly.

“Lucky. Dodging this.”

“Surely. It would be coincidence.”

Then, from the direction the arrow flew some man and woman’s voices rang out.

Not that far.

Bran slightly stuck out his head.

The superhumanly grown sense could detect their positions even in the complex city.

At the top of some spire a man and woman in uniforms were standing.

Both were holding long longbows.

“Wait. Those guys···!”

Suddenly, Urdin who confirmed the man and woman’s faces flinched.

“Acquaintances?”

“Yes. Wait a bit.”

Saying that Urdin rushed out of the building.

Although an arrow flew immediately he rolled his body nimbly and avoided.

Stopping in the middle of the main street he waved his hand.

“Vito! Rain!”

“···What. Leader Urdin?”

The woman who was drawing the string lowered the bow.

It seemed really acquaintances.

Subordinates? Or colleagues?

Now seeing the clothes they were wearing were also Letunir expedition team uniforms.

“Leader Urdin. Why is the person who should be on the Kargai Plateau here?”

This time the man side opened his mouth.

“Because of circumstances returned. Why are you guys here?!”

“Eh··· that···.”

“Is Majesty safe?! On earth what happened in the royal capital!”

The voice rang out thunderously.

No answer returned.

Exchanging gazes the man and woman shook their heads.

“Sorry but that cannot be answered.”

“Yes. Because we are no longer the Letunir expedition team!”

“··...·What?”

“We decided to believe not the stupid king but the true god. Originally we would have included the leader too but unfortunately that seems hard. Because we received an order not to let any intruder in until the work ends.”

“What kind of dog sound are you saying now! Come here immediately and inform the truth!”

Urdin let out a roar.

The face with veins bulging was reddened as if it would explode immediately.

However the man and woman did not care.

Spit!

An arrow that flew again passed while grazing Urdin’s ear.

“On the subject of hanging outsiders in bunches why so confident?”

“You guys. This what···!”

Urdin was astonished.

The woman was aiming the bow at him.

“I’ll inform the only method you can live. Bring the intruders who entered together and surrender.”

“Rather than that how about playing a game? Make those guys run and we shoot. First make leader Urdin into a leg cripple.”

“Hmm. That also seems fun.”

The woman raised an eyebrow.

In the sociopathic tone no room for negotiation could be found.

Although the pale Urdin tried to avoid her body the shooting was faster.

Just as the woman aiming at the legs was about to release the bowstring.

Puk.

Over her shiny forehead, one arrow grew.

“···Eh?”

The man’s face hardened.

The arrowhead that came out the back of the head was wet with brain fluid.

Because it was too quiet a death there was no realism.

Thud.

The corpse of the woman with eyes flipped fell below the spire.

At the same time, a dry voice was heard from behind Bran’s back.

“There seemed no need to leave even two alive.”

“Hiek?!”

Turning back Kale shrugged his shoulders.

Arazan had settled on the spire right behind them.

The string that just fired the arrow was trembling.

“Fortunate that no wound on the face. Bran.”

Meeting Bran Arazan smiled.

She also seemed to prioritize securing vision like himself.

The man who late recognized the partner’s death spat out astonishment.

“R-Rain?! This what···”

“Come here.”

Precisely he tried to spit out.

He was not given room to be surprised at the colleague’s death.

Turning his head following the unfamiliar voice the man froze.

“Hik.”

Turning the head Ilark who approached right in front of the nose was seen.

Unbelievable leg strength. Because attention was drawn to Bran and Urdin he did not notice at all.

“A-no.”

A giant grip that seemed it could grip even a watermelon with one hand was flying toward him.

Boooom-!!!

Ilark drove into the rooftop like a red bullet.

Soon, from the top of the spire where dust fluttered Ilark’s shout rang out.

“Bran, caught!”

In the hand of Ilark saying so a limp man was held.

Although the breath was barely there judging from wetting himself the breath seemed attached.

From the dumbfounded Kale’s mouth pure admiration flowed.

“A-amazing···.”

“This is why 4-person party is good.”

Bran smiled.

Filling four tightly was not only because of Weed’s Pack.

If four with different positions gather the width of strategies that can be taken itself changes.

Like just now performing lure and sniping, detour surprise at the same time.

Coming out from behind the building Bran raised Urdin.

“What are you doing? Let’s go ask.”

“Y-yes··· understood.”

There is no need to be flustered that the Outer God forces’ strategy changed.

Rather at times like this if responding calmly better results can be obtained.

Utilizing the given as much as possible, step by step.