Chapter 997
Episode 246: The Battle for the Mitra Great Desert (7)
The Bamel Alliance had deployed two teams into the Great Desert: Team 1 consisted of Jin and Luna, while Team 2 included Eltiot, Hedo, Vanessa, Owl, Yona, Quaul, and Valeria.
As Simat had predicted, the teams were deliberately split to better analyze the phenomena related to the spatial dimension.
However, Jin doubted that Eltiot, Quaul, and Valeria could thoroughly investigate the desert under the current circumstances.
Even if Team 1 managed to buy some time, Team 2 couldn’t infiltrate without being detected by the Red-Eyed Tribe. The Red-Eyed Tribe had reconnaissance ships patrolling the Mitra Great Desert, and the entire desert was saturated with hostile brainwave signals. Even Owl’s abilities couldn’t fully counteract that.
Still, since Quaul had expressed hope, they had returned to the battlefield despite the risks.
“I hope, just as Dr. Quaul predicted, we can finally uncover some solid leads this time. It would be even better if the four of you from the Underworld Royal Family could join us,” Luna said. She and Jin pushed forward through the onslaught of hostile brainwaves.
Because of these brainwaves, spatial leaps were impossible. Unless they could overcome the Red-Eyed Tribe’s interference technology, the Bamel Alliance would have to continue approaching the desert in this slow, cautious manner.
“Don’t get your hopes up too high. If we don’t find any clues today, we’ll take a slower approach from now on,” Jin replied.
“True. The Red-Eyed Tribe controls the desert, so it’s dangerous.”
“Those demons summoned by Kinzelro are also a nuisance. Even if the Laprarosa liberation device is completed, if it has to be used inside the desert, those demons will interfere until the end… Since we can’t attack them, there’s no way to stop them.”
“But somehow, I have a good feeling. After all, it’s thanks to those demons appearing that your brothers’ brainwaves manifested. Let’s stay positive for now.”
Jin nodded, and Luna cautiously studied his expression.
‘The youngest seems troubled—probably because he failed the Black Light Summoning three times.’
Just before entering the Great Desert, Jin had attempted the Black Light Summoning three times: once in Tikan, once near the desert during transit, and once after entering the desert.
But not once did the black dimensional gate leading to Laprarosa open, unlike usual.
That failure was unsettling for Jin. Until now, he had never failed a summoning unless it was the “Dead World.”
Soon, Jin forced a smile and looked at Luna.
“Understood, sister. But you’ve started to sound a bit like Sir Eltiot.”
“Tch!”
“Haha.”
Right after Luna mimicked Eltiot’s tone, a deep blue brainwave suddenly surged from the center of the desert.
The two of them paused for a few seconds, watching the faintly glowing, massive brainwave obscured by hostile signals in the distance.
“Little brother! Isn’t that… your brothers’ brainwave!?”
Beliz and Linpa. The brainwaves Jin had sensed just before the first battle ended were definitely theirs.
‘This is… from Ban, my half-brother…!’
But the brainwave now tearing through the desert’s center was unmistakably Ban’s. Jin’s heart pounded as he pulled out the Jade of Adversity.
[Myaa!]
Shuri, carrying the two of them, began racing across the desert. The distance was vast, and it took a long time, but the closer they got, the stronger Ban’s distinctive brainwave became.
‘Could it be that the variable created by Lanke’s summoning caused my brothers to be summoned from Laprarosa!?’
The brainwave felt somewhat weak for a full summoning. Perhaps something had gone wrong inside Laprarosa.
As Shuri ran, Jin felt his insides burning like dry kindling.
Luna sensed Jin’s anxiety and, while worried for her brother, felt relieved that the brothers hadn’t yet undergone the characteristic demonic transformation of the Changsung.
[Myaaah!]
Amid the explosive roar of brainwaves, Shuri’s powerful cry echoed. She had grasped the situation and was summoning the Underworld Royals in her own way.
Jin amplified his radiant heart and began releasing his own brainwave.
If the Underworld Royal brothers had been summoned to the Great Desert in any form, they would sense his energy.
Three minutes later, Beliz and Linpa’s responses came through. They had just finished a video call with Simat and were about to leave the desert.
“Jin, brothers…!?”
“Oh! I wasn’t sure, but it really was your energy, Jin! You’re the real Jin, right!?”
“Brother Linpa, Brother Beliz!”
Beliz and Linpa rushed forward and embraced Shuri.
Jin immediately recognized that the Twin Kings hadn’t experienced an incomplete summoning like the Black Light Summoning—they had fully escaped Laprarosa.
“Brothers, what happened? Are you hurt?”
“Hurt? Not at all! As soon as we came out, we took down those ‘masters’ Kinzelro summoned. There were dozens of their ships, but most melted away under Ban’s brainwave. We only had to deal with two ourselves.”
“Masters?”
“The ones with the red radiant hearts. Aren’t they masters?”
“Ah, those aren’t masters—they’re the ancient Underworld Royals called the Red-Eyed Tribe.”
“Ancient Underworld Royals!?”
“First, tell us how you got out. I’ve been fighting the Red-Eyed Tribe here since yesterday, and suddenly I detected your brainwaves. So I came back to the desert to investigate, but I never expected to meet you like this…”
Jin briefly summarized the current situation and the failure of the Black Light Summoning. There was no time for detailed explanations since the Red-Eyed Tribe was sure to attack soon.
“Ah, I see! The Black Light Summoning failed because a rift formed in Laprarosa. Suddenly, the void near the Twin God battle split open, and red brainwaves, demonic energy, auras, and your energy started pouring in wildly.”
As Beliz said, the rift in Laprarosa had appeared the moment the demons were summoned.
Since then, the Underworld Royals had been fighting off the energy flooding through the rift, but the entire Laprarosa had become unstable due to ‘spatial collapse,’ preventing them from using their full power.
The influx of the Great Desert’s energy into the rift itself wasn’t a major problem. What troubled the Underworld Royals was Laprarosa’s gravity.
Because of dimensional errors, Laprarosa felt as if it were compressed, crushing the Underworld Royals. Most warriors fainted under the unbearable sensation.
Beliz explained this while locking eyes with Jin.
“…So, the Twin God and Twin King brothers erected a protective shield to guard the others. During that time, another rift appeared on our side, but unlike the first, it seemed likely to close soon. However, the Twin God brothers instinctively knew it connected to Inse.”
“So… we came out through that rift.”
“Exactly. But Linpa and I couldn’t widen the rift any further on our own. That’s why the Twin God brothers used their power directly. The aftermath melted all those ships of the ‘masters’—no, the Red-Eyed Tribe.”
“Then the situation for the brothers still inside Laprarosa isn’t good.”
“We can’t say they’re completely safe, but no one died before we left. Ban is protecting them personally, so don’t worry too much. Now we just need to bring the remaining brothers to Inse.”
“Right, the Twin God… brothers… are strong. You know that, right…?”
Ban is personally protecting the brothers.
That assurance instantly calmed Jin. If it was Ban, he felt confident his brothers would be safe no matter what strange phenomena occurred.
His mission became clearer. Jin steadied his swelling emotions and reviewed the situation.
“The rift in Laprarosa is definitely related to the demons and the battle. As Dr. Quaul said, the summoning of the demons created a passage, and the battle’s aftermath widened it.”
The main cannon of the airborne fortress.
The rift in Laprarosa had surely expanded when that massive brainwave cluster repeatedly struck the Great Desert.
“A sudden surge of the airborne fortress’s main cannon power into the desert, demons absorbing that power, and some kind of repulsive reaction between dimensions likely occurred. So what we can expect now is…”
Before he could finish the thought, a massive crimson curtain unfurled above their heads. The Red-Eyed Tribe had led their airborne fortress and performed a spatial leap into the Great Desert.
Of course, it was the first time.
It was oddly reassuring to see the Red-Eyed Tribe’s fortress slowly emerging from the blood-red dimensional gate.
[“Kuhahaha! The time for nourishment has come, Jin Runkandel and Simat! Do you enjoy our company so much?”]
[“If we keep getting stronger like this, you won’t be able to handle us, huh? Heh, but that’s none of my concern.”]
Even the demon trio, the lucky charm of the group, reappeared. Sribi and Karmashu grinned widely, eager to absorb power from the upcoming battle. Only Masalun of Sorrow wore his usual gloomy expression.
[“Masalun welcomes you. You will become the food of sorrow… No, no, that creature—!”]
Suddenly, Masalun pointed at Jin and covered his mouth with his hand.
[The Crimson Jade Cat… the witch’s Crimson Jade Cat, Shuri! Jin Runkandel, have you become Shuri’s master now!?]
[Meow?]
Masalun glanced back and forth between Shuri and Jin, then thick tears began streaming down his face.
“Ah, it truly is Shuri! Then Masalun shall no longer harm Jin Runkandel. Shuri, a life that suits sorrow above all else… Masalun has long admired that beautiful Crimson Jade Cat. Oh, Shuri… please, let me touch you just once.”
[Meow-meow, ssssh.]
“Ah, here we go again with Masalun. That Crimson Jade Cat clearly doesn’t want you.”
“Do as you please, Masalun. But make sure you explain everything properly to Lanke.”
Jin, Luna, and the Pluto clan exchanged a glance and shrugged as they watched the three demons bickering among themselves like actors rehearsing a play.
“Luna noona, you should leave immediately and inform Dr. Kwauul about the situation. My brothers and I will handle things here.”
“Oh! Come to think of it, I haven’t properly greeted my brother’s brother yet. Nice to meet you, Luna Runkandel. Jin has told me a lot about you.”
“I’m… Linpa. After this… let’s talk more… Luna.”
Beliz and Linpa hoisted their greatswords on their backs and took positions flanking Jin. Seeing this, Luna felt no worry and was able to set off to find the second squad.