At first, no one spoke. Even putting aside the sudden intrusion, Kim Suhyun’s behavior was just too strange.
The battlefield, which had been a storm just moments ago, suddenly fell silent. Every single user in the square stopped moving without exception. He had only just appeared, yet all eyes were drawn to him like a magnet.
Of course, Kim Suhyun wasn’t alone stepping through the warp gate. Behind him followed a woman with an explosive figure wearing a black jewel necklace, and another clad in armor that radiated an icy chill. The “Shadow Queen” Ko Yeonju and the “Sword Empress” Nam Daeun.
Behind them came a tall man with long hair, casually resting a greatsword on his shoulder, and a woman with an innocent face swinging a glowing orb. The “Silent Executor” Heo Junyoung and the “Chimera Summoner” Vivian.
And that wasn’t all. There was also Cha Sorim, the “Arcus Valkyrie” with a silver spear and a stern expression, and Seon Yuun of “Cheongung,” whose tightly pressed lips and piercing gaze cut through the air.
“Uh…”
Akino, who had been staring in a daze, reflexively reached out as Kim Suhyun approached. But just as his hand brushed the other’s shoulder, he hesitated and ultimately failed to make contact. Kim Suhyun passed by without a word. Leaving a stunned Akino behind, he kept walking—steadily, unhurried.
The first to snap out of the trance was Carpe Diem Lord. “Ha!” he exclaimed, pointing at Kim Suhyun striding forward.
“What the hell are you all doing? That’s the enemy! Can’t you tell just by looking?”
Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
Only then did the whispers grow into a low roar, breaking through the encircling siege around the square. It was around this time that Kim Suhyun’s leisurely pace finally halted. The users of the Southern Continent exchanged glances, swallowed dryly, and gripped their weapons tightly before charging indiscriminately.
“Yaaaaaah!”
“Ughhh!”
In an instant, dozens of figures burst forth from all directions, brandishing swords and spears, all rushing straight at Kim Suhyun.
“Danger!”
Akino shouted in alarm, but Kim Suhyun himself remained calm. In fact, he let out a slight sigh and simply flicked his hand lightly. Then—
Whirrrr—cutting through the air came the sound of blades.
From his waist, three swords flew out, sheathing themselves and standing upright at an angle. They began to circle around him like loyal bodyguards.
Those who had closed in felt something strange the moment they lunged forward together.
“Huh? Wha—?”
“Ahhh!”
Clang!
Amidst the surprised cries, sparks of red flames burst out with the harsh clang of steel.
The attackers’ eyes widened in disbelief. Just moments ago, they had surged in from every direction without a gap. But suddenly, it felt as if an invisible force was pulling them in, and their blades were all stopped by those three swords, as if someone was guiding their movements.
But that was only the beginning of the surprise.
“Grrr! Grrrgh!”
“What’s going on? Why won’t it move?”
They realized their weapons were stuck. No matter how hard they pushed or pulled, their blades wouldn’t budge an inch. It was as if the swords were glued to the three blades blocking them.
It was truly bizarre. Over thirty users, each gripping their sword or spear, completely immobilized.
Meanwhile, Kim Suhyun was already ready. More precisely, he had simply taken the earrings from his ears and held them in his hand—but that was enough. The earrings transformed into beautiful, pure white blades.
Without hesitation, Kim Suhyun raised the sword high into the air and spoke quietly, standing still.
“Blade light.”
Shing, shing!
At that moment, a clear resonance echoed, and Victoria’s Glory burst forth with dazzling white light.
To the eye, it was just a flash of light. But in less than a second, the scattered beams swept through the gaps in the encirclement like a tidal wave.
Moments later—
Ppit! Ppit! Ppit!
Blood shot up in all directions, weaving through the air like a spiderweb.
From necks, abdomens, armpits, thighs—blood gushed from every limb. Some users had their throats slashed more than halfway through. One man, his vision tilting oddly, touched his neck in shock. Feeling the warm blood pouring out, his eyes widened like saucers.
“Ah, ahhh!”
“Gyaaaah!”
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Screams erupted belatedly. It was an unbelievable sight—over thirty people falling at once, their bodies sliced through like stalks of straw.
“What… what is this?”
“Ah…?”
At this moment, even Carpe Diem Lord and Akino shared the same thought. But as the blood splattered onto the ground, Kim Suhyun was already preparing his second attack.
Wooooooosh!
A roaring sound echoed from the sky. Startled, everyone looked up to see Victoria’s Glory burning white-hot.
No, it was blazing like a sword-shaped flame, so intense it scorched the surrounding space, warping it. The users of the Southern Continent stiffened, sensing danger instinctively.
Though it was already far too late.
Calmly, Kim Suhyun adjusted his grip on the sword. Glancing sideways, he swung his right arm with all his might. A red afterimage traced a semicircle in the air. Then, as he flicked the sword lightly, a sharp, ringing sound shot out like an arrow.
Shaaak!
Sensing the ferocity of the energy, the users panicked and scrambled backward, desperate to put distance between themselves and the red blade. But in just two seconds, the foremost attacker was struck like a storm. The blade pierced sharply through his abdomen, and the woman wearing a hood nearby showed despair in her eyes.
“Argh!”
Bang!
With a death scream, her limbs were torn apart and scattered. The explosion was deafening, as if a bomb had detonated inside her. The heat intensified, melting the blood sprayed by the blast like salt dissolving in water.
It wasn’t over yet.
The red blade didn’t stop with the woman’s death—it mercilessly swept through the ranks behind her.
Kwahng! Kwahng! Kwahng! Kwahng!
The thunderous sounds came one after another as users collapsed like dominoes.
Was this what it was like when mines exploded in succession? The earth shook violently, and every time it trembled, three or four people were launched straight into the air. Their bodies burst grotesquely, raining down in chunks that soaked the ground with hot blood.
When the onslaught finally ended, there wasn’t a single spot left untouched. The shapes that had been people moments ago were now a bloody mess, and the ground was so torn up it looked as if it had been flipped over.
‘What… am I even watching?’
The man who had brought Akino rubbed his eyes frantically, twice, even three times. It had only been two swings, no wild movements—just a single gesture, a single arm motion. Yet nearly a hundred enemies lay sprawled on the ground.
“Hmph.”
Kim Suhyun nodded as if satisfied, then turned around.
“Well, well. Looks like you’ve already been having a good time.”
There, Kim Deokpil was trudging down the warp gate stairs. The Mercenary Clan had crossed over long ago, and the Reverse Clan had just finished arriving. While all eyes were on Kim Suhyun, about a fifth of the enemy force had already come through.
“Eeeek!”
“R-run! It’s a monster!”
As their numbers swelled, those surrounding the square turned and fled in panic. No, it was more accurate to say they were running away in terror at Kim Suhyun’s godlike presence.
“Kim Suhyun~ Can we kill them all?”
Vivian, watching the fleeing crowd with all her might, asked in a clear voice. Kim Suhyun nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”
“Good. Then…”
Vivian smiled brightly and raised the Order of Order high.
“Come forth! Pierre! The mad flame jester who commands my death legion!”
—Hehehehe, hehehehe!
As if all preparations were complete, a magic circle appeared, and dark mist began to flow. From within it, the death legion commander slowly emerged. Vivian called out with a confident smile.
“Pierre! It’s been a while since we had a party!”
—Hehe?
“Feel free to run wild! Devour them all, every last one!”
—Hihi, hihihi!
Pierre laughed loudly as if pleased, then bit down on Vivian’s head, who was giggling alongside him.
“Hubibebebabibobebe!”
Vivian flailed her arms wildly, thrashing like a mad octopus. She barely broke free, shaking the saliva-soaked strands of her hair as she stomped angrily.
“You idiot! I said feed them, not me!”
“Huh?”
Pierre tilted his head in confusion, and the group of Eastern continent users who had been standing dazedly took a hesitant step back. Vivian gasped in frustration, waving her hands.
“No! Not them! I mean those ones running away over there! You fool!”
Only then did Pierre catch on, chuckling as he leaned back. But suddenly, his laughter stopped, his expression turning fierce as he charged forward. Watching the beast army trailing behind him, Vivian muttered quietly to herself.
“That Kim Soo-hyun guy… he must’ve known exactly what he was doing.”
“What?”
“No, no! He told me to handle this place!”
“…”
Vivian gave a sly smile and played innocent. Kim Soo-hyun sighed, shook his head, and then turned to Kim Deok-pil, who was doubled over laughing, clutching his stomach.
“We’ll take care of this area. Reverse, you move on.”
“Heh! Got it. So first, we clear the castle, right?”
With that, Kim Deok-pil drew a massive sword from his back and gripped it tightly.
“You bastards!”
His booming shout echoed through the city.
“Let’s go! Kill everyone except the black-haired ones!”
Wooooooah!
The roar that answered him shook the city to its core.
Well, that’s certainly a straightforward way to tell friend from foe.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Sorry for the delay.
I started writing late today… 8ㅅ8