Chapter 126: The Trap

Inyuu Kogo sighed as he looked at the sword stuck in his chest and rolled his eyes.

"

Ha…?

Is this how I’m going to die…”

Cough!

Kohei, who was lying on top of Inyuu Kogo, coughed up blood, which landed all over Inyuu Kogo’s face.

"Ugh! What is this?" Inyuu shouted at Kohei in disgust, frowning.

Inyuu furrowed his eyebrows as he felt some wriggling movements on his face. When Inyuu Kogo tried to grasp at the blood on his face, he found several small larvae-like creatures, writhing in agony.

"Huh? What the hell…?” Inyuu Kogo muttered.

"Master! Are you okay?" The next moment, Kanoko, who had rid the surroundings of demonized humans and demonic beasts to some extent, knelt beside Inyuu Kogo and checked on his condition.

"Oh... Ah right, I was stabbed by a sword—" Inyuu Kogo muttered.

Thud.

Kohei barely managed to lift himself up, but then collapsed back onto Inyuu Kogo’s body. Upon seeing that, Lee Shin withdrew the Martyr he had plunged into their bodies and put it back in its sheath.

"What happened to Kohei, Mr. Lee Shin...?" Kanoko asked Lee Shin with a worried voice.

"He'll be fine now. I just removed the cause of the infection," Lee Shin replied.

The Pestilence King infected living beings by putting parasites in one’s body using its tentacles. Since the infection had progressed considerably, it was difficult to separate the parasite from the host without a sufficient amount of divine power.

- This level of infection isn't that difficult to heal, master.

.

With Martyr, healing one person was a piece of cake; but there were dozens of infected humans lying around. At Lee Shin’s current capacity of divine power, it was impossible to heal them all.

The original power of Martyr was the power to destroy demons. Without divine power, Martyr would only kill those who had already become demons. However, there was no time for Lee Shin to replenish sufficient divine power and save them.

“Move these infected people using the Skeleton Crows. They will be able to survive if they can have sufficient time to receive treatment using divine power,” Lee Shin said, looking at Kanoko and Kogo.

"But what about you, master?” Kanoko asked Lee Shin.

"Since I finished dealing with the Pestilence King, I will be heading south," Lee Shin replied.

The invasion of the Fifth and Third Demon Corps would soon begin. Lee Shin had to hurry if he did not want to be late.

***

Dark red blood stained the vast land. A massive number of troops filled the battlefield. The power of Bilone's army could clearly be seen.

"If we can't defend this place properly, the later battles would turn out the same way,” one of Bilone’s officers said.

"Are you trying to say that this is not a fight that we can avoid?"

"Yes, that’s right," the officer of Bilone replied.

"No, stop sounding so weak,” Zhuge Yun interrupted the officer. "If we give up on our base and pull back the frontline to the rear, the enemy could be dispersed into other countries."

“Hey, we’re just trying to boost our morale since there’s no other way. Why are you wasting our time like this? Do you want Bilone to lose or something?” Wang Zhaoren asked Zhuge Yun and laughed.

Zhuge Yun smirked in response.

"Let's stop this pointless argument. With support coming from Stan and Aman, we have a chance of winning even in a direct confrontation,” Zhuge Yun explained. "We've also gathered all of Bilone’s combat forces. Therefore, the Demon Corps would not be able to defeat us.”

Their eyes turned to the plains. In the distance, they could see a dark wave approaching them. Even Bilone’s leaders, who had been restraining each other until recently, now waited for the beginning of the war with nervousness.

Amidst the black waves were name-class demons that stood out from the crowd even from such a distance. If they could not deal with those demons, they would not be able to defend this place, no matter how many troops they had. However, Bilone had as many Qualified as they had soldiers.

"You damn demonic beasts, I really don’t want to see you again,” Cui Qian muttered as he drew his sword and got into position.

Cui Qian’s Black Pattern was shining.

"Ugh! I really don’t want to see them again."

"By the time this war ends, I'll get the White Pattern, so I’ll stay away from the front line," said Cui Qian.

"Ha, say that after you survive this battle.”

The next moment, the soldiers of Bilone and the Demon Corps clashed. It was a war between humans and demons. Black blood splattered in all directions and bloody flesh was everywhere. At first glance, it seemed like the humans were winning the battle, but the name-class demons of the Demon Corps had not even made a move yet.

Kuoooo!

A fierce roar echoed from the Demon Corps’ side, and the name-class demons started to push past the demonic beasts and rushed out.

Crack!

Swoosh—!

"

Keugh!

"

"

Ahhhh!

"

A demon jumped out from among the demonic beasts, bit the neck of a Qualified and let out a fierce roar.

"It's a name-class! Watch out, everyone!”

"It’s a male demon! There's a high chance of a female demon around him, so be careful!"

The battlefield was getting hotter. Every time the hot blood splattered into the air, the temperature of the battlefield rose a little. Cui Qian, wiping his sweat and breathing heavily, looked toward the Demon Corps, which was constantly charging forward.

‘The real deal hasn't appeared yet.’

At best, only the Double Digit demons were participating in this battle at the moment. The Solo Digit ones had not revealed themselves yet.

‘I will repay my debt to my country with my life.’

Cui Qian clenched his sword tightly and activated his mana, then charged forward again. Meanwhile, Zhuge Yun, who was watching the scene from the top of the tower, had a stern look on his face. So far, the humans had a slight upper hand in the battle, but the number of casualties was accumulating.

Moreover, the Solo Digit demons had not even appeared. Although Bilone also had a number of the Qualified with White Patterns waiting, it would still not be a good situation for them even if they won this round.

"Look over there!"

At that moment, a demon sprang out from behind the Demon Corps like a flash of light.

Thud—!

A giant demon swung a thick club and slammed it into the ground. Two soldiers were unable to avoid it and the club crushed them underneath, killing them instantly; then sent them flying with a swing.

This demon was able to create a vibration across the battlefield so strong that it could be felt even at the tower, which was located at the far end of the battlefield. When the officers felt the demon’s power, their eyes widened with terror.

“What’s that…”

"That's Number 5, Gurakan.”

His sinister face and gigantic, muscular body made it clear that he possessed incredible strength, which was also evident by the way he swung a club that looked as if it weighed hundreds of kilograms effortlessly.

Bang—!

The vibration echoed once again. The atmosphere of the battlefield did a 180-degree turn with the arrival of a Solo Digit demon.

"We need to send out the Qualified with the White Pattern now!” Zhuge Yun shouted at Wang Zhaoren, but he remained still and did not give any orders.

"What are you waiting for?!" Zhuge Yun shouted in frustration, but other officers came up to stop him.

"When is Lee Shin coming?” Wang Zhaoren asked Zhuge Yun.

"Lee Shin is not what’s important right now! Our soldiers are dying!" Zhuge Yun shouted again.

"You've lied to me. So, Lee Shin is not coming, is he?” Wang Zhaoren glared at Zhuge Yun and yelled at him.

After noticing how nervous Wang Zhaoren was, Zhuge Yun smirked.

"Lee Shin will be coming,” said Zhuge Yun.

"Things like this are happening because Lee Shin is not here on time,” said Wang Zhaoren.

“What are you saying!” Zhuge Yun replied.

“If Lee Shin doesn't come, you'll have to pay the price for it. For example, by returning your book on the Eight Formations Chart or Plantain Fan to the country," said Wang Zhaoren.

Zhuge Yun frowned, seeing Wang Zhaoren‘s obvious intentions, and covered his face with his fan, because he was afraid that his expression would give him away.

"Alright, I understand. But don't do any harm to Lee Shin. If you make a mistake and upset him, he will put pressure on us and we won't be able to win the war no matter how hard we try,” said Zhuge Yun.

Wang Zhaoren sneered at Zhuge Yun’s words.

‘You devious one... It seems like you're trying to capture Lee Shin by yourself, but I’m not going to let you do that.’

Wang Zhaoren, who thought he had read Zhuge Yun’s inner thoughts, nodded.

"Alright. Of course, you won't do anything like that too, right?" Wang Zhaoren asked.

"Of course not," Zhuge Yun replied.

At that time, soldiers’ screams echoed through the battlefield. Another Solo Digit demon had appeared on the battlefield.

"No! We must send our Qualified right away!" Zhuge Yun shouted.

Despite Zhuge Yun's urgent words, Wang Zhaoren hesitated until the very end. This time, even the officers on Wang Zhaoren’s side looked uneasy, perhaps realizing the severity of the situation.

"If we just wait a little longer..." Wang Zhaoren muttered.

At Wang Zhaoren’s words, the officers frowned. However, a moment later, all the attention immediately shifted to somewhere on the battlefield.

"He’s here!"

The Skeletons were approaching at such a speed that their presence could be felt even from a distance. Lee Shin, who had descended onto the battlefield, shot his mana into the sky.

Rumble— Crack!

Thunderclouds began to cover up the sky, and lightning bolts flashed among them.

Rumble— Pizz—

At the same time, as Lee Shin pointed his index finger to the sky and then to the ground, there was a loud sound of thunder, and a golden light flashed across the battlefield.

Khughaaah—

Kyaaah!

The moment Lee Shin appeared, the screams of humans on the battlefield were replaced by the shrieks of demons. The officers of Bilone who witnessed this let out a sigh of amazement.

Wang Zhaoren, with a smirk on his face, called for his assistant the moment Lee Shin appeared. After a short eye contact, the assistant disappeared from the scene.

"Lee Shin fights really well," said Wang Zhaoren.

"I agree. His reputation seems to be well-deserved," said the officers who were standing next to Wang Zhaoren.

"I don’t think we need to waste our troops here. Let's leave Lee Shin to fight a little more," Wang Zhaoren said.

The officers nodded in agreement at Wang Zhaoren's words, and Zhuge Yun also nodded.

‘You’re finally listening. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking, you idiot. You have no idea that your subordinate has betrayed you.’

Wang Zhaoren laughed at Zhuge Yun. The next moment, Wang Zhaoren looked at the battlefield. Amidst the chaotic battlefield, a challenger wearing orange glasses quickly made his way through the gaps and approached Lee Shin.

‘There he is.’

Heshis' Glasses only allowed one to lock on a target within a radius of 50 meters. The man saw Lee Shin firing spells among the demons.

‘Wow, that Lee Shin guy is surely impressive. I'm not sure what they are trying to do by doing a Lock On on such a monster… but if I succeed, a definite reward is guaranteed.’

[Lock On]

After infusing mana into Heshis' Glasses, an invisible force extended and attached itself to Lee Shin.

‘Great!’

The man quickly left the battlefield, cutting down the demons that approached him. He then returned to Wang Zhaoren's assistant and handed over Heshis' Glasses.

"Well done," the assistant said.

"Thank you," the man replied.

The assistant put the glasses away and approached Wang Zhaoren, whispering something in his ear. When Zhuge Yun saw him whispering to Wang Zhaoren, Zhuge Yun smiled, covering his mouth with the fan.

They watched as Lee Shin engaged in a fierce combat against one Solo Digit and three Double Digit demons. Suddenly, Lee Shin pushed the demons aside and began to flee to the rear of the battlefield.

"W-w-what is he doing?" the stunned officers asked when they saw Lee Shin fleeing.

"Lee Shin is coming this way!" someone shouted.

"What?" they said, trembling as if there was an earthquake.

Lee Shin, riding on a Skeleton Crow, flew toward the tower, knocking down the soldiers of Bilone who tried to stop him. Then, he forcibly broke the ceiling of the spire of the tower.

When Lee Shin landed inside the tower, he had a serious expression. The bewildered officers of Bilone trembled and looked at him.

"W-w-what are you doing!" Wang Zhaoren shouted at Lee Shin.

Lee Shin ignored him and looked around. He made short eye contact with Zhuge Yun, and Zhuge Yun signaled toward someone with his eyes before hiding his face again with the fan.

"Someone targeted me and came here," Lee Shin said.

At Lee Shin’s words, the assistant and Wang Zhaoren’s face stiffened. The others did not even understand what Lee Shin was trying to say.

"What are you talking about?!" Wang Zhaoren shouted.

Lee Shin’s eyebrows furrowed.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice? Everything has been strange since I got here.” Lee Shin looked around once again, and continued.

“Hardly any of the Qualified with White Patterns could be seen on the battlefield, considering that Bilone’s entire army had gathered. And there was someone who cast Lock On as soon as I entered the battlefield as if they were waiting for me. You were waiting for me to kill the demons and then kill me." Lee Shin glared at the officers of Bilone with a distorted face.

"Wait! I saw him! I saw the one who did that absurd thing! Bring him here immediately!" Wang Zhaoren suddenly exclaimed and pointed at Zhuge Yun. "I saw that man's subordinate doing such a thing earlier."

Despite everyone's gaze on him, Zhuge Yun laughed as if nothing had happened. At the same time, Wang Zhaoren’s assistant tried to sneak out.

“What are you saying… But who has the mana tool that was used to cast Lock On?” Zhuge Yun's gaze shifted to the assistant, and the assistant’s face turned pale.

"No... wait,

keugh…

!" the assistant gasped.

The items in the assistant’s arm floated out due to Lee Shin’s Psychokinesis. Among the items was Heshis' Glasses.

“Is this it?” Lee Shin asked.

"Well, I mean..." the assistant muttered.

"This is… Well, yeah! We were trying to help you if you get yourself in danger—" Wang Zhaoren explained.

“Stop talking shit. As you all know, doing such things secretly inside the tower is a matter of risking your life. You do know, don't you?" Lee Shin glared at Wang Zhaoren and his assistant.

Lee Shin used his Psychokinesis and lifted Wang Zhaoren and the assistant up to the top of the tower.

"Do you see them over there? Your soldiers and challengers are dying by the second," Lee Shin said.

"Let us go! Right now!" Wang Zhaoren shouted at Lee Shin.

“I think you were aware that I was fighting that monstrous Demon Corps head on,” said Lee Shin.

“Yes, I know! I was aware!” Wang Zhaoren shouted urgently.

Lee Shin’s face twisted when he heard Wang Zhaoren’s desperate shout. At the same time, Zhuge Yun looked at them with a look of disdain, covering his mouth with the fan.

"Then how come… forget it. You all should feel it on your own. Feel the helplessness and pain of standing in front of an unbeatable enemy and having to fight while sensing your own incoming death," Lee Shin said.

Lee Shin sent the two of them flying toward the battlefield on his Skeleton Crow and threw them where the Solo Digit demons were present.

The two screamed when they saw the demons standing in front of them, frantically scanning their surroundings with pale faces.

"Darn it! Everyone come here and protect us!" the assistant shouted in panic.

"You sons of bitches! Can't you see me? Come here and protect me! Come and stop this monster quickly!" Wang Zhaoren shouted.