Chapter 725 – Wait (1) #PART2
“Mm.”
“Tch.”
“Hoo.”
Nam Taemin finally couldn’t hold it in and spoke.
“Hyung, if something’s bothering you, just say it.”
“Hm? No, it’s nothing really…”
“Nothing? Then why have you been groaning like that this whole time? What is it? Come on, just say it. It’s bothering you too, right? Why that guy’s being so quiet.”
That guy—the Ten Thrones, Vassago.
The brothers’ car sped down the road. With the appearance of the Demon King’s Castle, civilians had already evacuated. Players had taken the lead in guarding the city.
It looked like the early days of the Cataclysm all over again—hard to look at.
Taemin clicked his tongue and continued.
“I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sit right with me. For one of the Ten Thrones, Vassago hasn’t done anything—like, at all. Up until now, every one of them at least struggled or lashed out in some way, didn’t they?”
“That’s true.”
“Hyung, are you really going to respond that weakly? The conversation’s going nowhere.”
At his only younger brother’s nagging, Nam Cheolmin shrugged.
“It’s definitely unsettling.”
“Go on.”
“Since the siege began, surveillance on the Demon King’s Castle has been tightened, but there’s been absolutely no movement. Even when we’re going all out trying to break the walls, there’s not even any resistance.”
And yet, they hadn’t achieved anything.
“The Ten Thrones… just how monstrous are they?”
The fighting spirit of a player.
“Looks like, once again, we’ll have no choice but to rely on Mr. Hoyeol…”
His grip tightened unconsciously in frustration. But Taemin quickly shook off the negativity. Now wasn’t the time for that—they had to focus on the problem in front of them.
“That’s why the Holy War Alliance are gathering, right?”
The reason the assault on the seemingly defenseless Demon King’s Castle had been slow?
Because the core forces of the alliance had been stationed in Seoul to block the invasions of the Demon Realm and Agares.
“Tch, this should’ve been the time to start the Demon Realm expedition.”
Seeing Taemin’s disappointment, Cheolmin tried to reassure him.
“It can’t be helped. The cursed flesh suddenly came to its senses. Breaking through entities that have each reached the Realm of Anomaly and advancing into the Demon Realm is way too risky.”
In the skies of the Demon Realm, the cursed flesh that had once burned with killing intent toward the Silver Evil Eye had changed.
In game terms—it was like their aggro had reset.
“You know that better than anyone, don’t you, Taemin?”
“…I hate to admit it, but yeah.”
“If you had to guess their level?”
“No idea… but one thing’s certain—they’re in the Realm of Anomaly.”
“If you say that, then it’s even worse.”
Even within the Holy War Alliance, there weren’t many who had reached that realm.
Between those who had and those who hadn’t—there was an insurmountable wall.
“Guess the Demon Realm expedition is off the table for now.”
So instead—
“Let’s hunt Vassago first.”
That was the reason for the alliance’s assembly.
In other words, the reason there had been no progress in attacking the Demon King’s Castle was simple: there were too few who had reached the Realm of Anomaly.
Cheolmin made his assessment.
“As long as Vassago isn’t showing any other tricks, the only conclusion is that he’s not in a complete state. Maybe… we might actually be able to take down one of the Ten Thrones ourselves.”
“I really hope so.”
“Let’s do our best, Taemin.”
*
*
In front of the Demon King’s Castle.
“Looks like quite a few Senior Mages showed up?”
“Indeed.”
“Has the Yusra Kingdom army arrived too?”
“As you can see.”
“And…”
He tried to ignore it, but—
“Long time no see, Hisagi.”
“It has been, Taemin.”
“Just don’t drag us down.”
Hisagi responded with his usual cold smirk.
The Holy War Alliance didn’t hesitate. Even if their opponent was the Demon King of the Third Throne, these were elites who had faced enemies far worse.
The pointed hat twitched.
—Good. I was in the mood to smash something anyway.
When Jesse stayed silent, the hat continued.
—This might sound cold, but will worrying about it change anything?
“I know that.”
—Then stop worrying. Jesse, your thoughts are making my head messy too! I’m even starting to talk like that Chief because of you!
Hoyeol’s intentions.
Everyone gathered here had their own answers—but none of them could be certain.
‘After all, the real Hoyeol still hadn’t appeared.’
Of course, not everyone shared the same mindset.
At the very front—
a man who always pushed ahead of everyone else.
“Well then.”
As if enjoying all the attention pouring onto him, his shoulders puffed up more than usual.
Senior of Flame Mage, Bensch William.
“Let’s see… shall I finally release all that pent-up heat?”
After recovering under the care of the Healing School, this was his first proper stage.
Just as Bensch’s imagination began to heat up—
“……!!!”
Bensch. The Senior Mages. No—the entire alliance.
A telepathic message pierced into everyone’s minds.
Someone capable of projecting telepathy on that scale was rare.
Sure enough, the voice belonged to Tower Master Marcelo.
‘The Tower Master… to everyone at once…?’
That alone was shocking enough—but what followed was even more so.
Marcelo spoke.
“He has returned.”
Even as he said it, he could hardly believe it himself.
“Chief Lee has regained all of his positions…!”
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pindang/n: sorry for the late update, I’m struggling lately