The gym quickly became filled with screams and panic after Henriâs sudden transformation.
âKuaaak!!â
âN-no! Please let me out of here!!â
People pushed each other aside towards Henri by all means to survive.
The memory of being infected by parasites earlier also added an instinctive fear in their minds.
âY-youâŠH-how dare you, my daughterâŠY-youâre worse than a beast!!!â
âW-wait a minute, I was being controlledâŠkeuk!â
Meanwhile, Henri was watching everything with a wicked smile.
âHuhuhu, you all look more like insects now~ Itâs very pleasing to see~â
Slowly raising his index finger, a highly condensed light was emitted.
Baaaangâ!
The beam of light penetrated through the crowd of people, causing those who were touched by it to burst into flames.
âAaaaak!â
âH-hot! H-hot!!!â
âAaaak! Somebody put out the fire! P-please!â
An excruciating pain enough to make death feel more comfortable. However, not even a quick death was allowed to them.
Unlike the attacks from earlier, the flames burned particularly slowly this time.
Those who couldnât just stand and watch came closer to help, butâŠ
âKyaaak!!â
As if the flames were alive, it clung to their bodies and persistently burned.
Like that, many were burned alive.
The smell of burnt flesh stung the tip of everyoneâs nose as they watched in a daze, unable to recklessly approach.
Just then, a roar like that of a lion erupted and echoed loudly.
âHow dare you!!!â
The angered Dokgo Hakju released his mana resolutely.
Countless blades began to emerge and swirl around him.
< Sword Rain >
An Arcane magic unique to him that had made him an A-Rank hero.
Thousands of blades created from mana. It was no exaggeration to call him a one-man army.
âWhatever it takes today! Iâll definitely kill you right here!!!â
Soon, the blades in the air converged towards Henri at supersonic speed.
Baaaaangâ!
Baaangâ!
Bangâ!
Shockwaves erupted in the area as clouds of dust rose and obscured the view.
âDiiiiie!!!â
Dokgo Hakju shouted, pouring out every drop of mana into his attacks as if he was releasing all of his pent up anger.
The bombardment of blades that had fallen so indiscriminately continued for a minute before everything fell silent.
âHeukâŠHeukâŠâ
He breathed heavily, sweat dripping down his face.
With a mixture of anxiety and expectations, everyone looked to where Henri was.
How long was it?
When the cloud of dust finally settled, Henri was still standing and smiling nonchalantly like before.
âHa~ Is it already over?â
He pretended to yawn in an exaggerated manner as if to ridicule everyone.
On his rainbow colored shell, other than a small scratch, there was no significant damage.
âI-Impossible!â
Dokgo Hakju shouted in disbelief.
He had a bewildered expression like that of a man who had all of his common sense shattered.
How durable was Henriâs body to have withstood such attacks?
AndâŠ
The others who were watching the scene together lowered their heads in despair.
If an attack by Dokgo Hakju, who was among the most powerful here, didnât work, then how were they supposed to defeat such a monster?
âNowâŠitâs really over.â
Someone unconsciously blurted out, but it could be said that everyone was thinking the same thing.
Just as despair was growing, a womanâs resolute voice echoed loudly in the gym.
âEveryone, get a hold of yourself!â
Those who had their heads lowered turned their eyes to one place.
Standing there was a large woman. It was Kim Taehi.
With an imposing expression, she shouted.
âWeâll just be playing into his hands if we give up here! Donât you think we should at least fight until the end?!â
Was it because they had felt the sincerity contained in her voice?
The eyes of those who were dull and gloomy, one by one, began to show signs of life again.
âYeahâŠletâs try again!â
âRight! Weâve already killed him once!â
âFuuck! Itâs do or die!â
Those who had once again resolved themselves, as if trying to overcome their fear, shouted fiercely and rushed at Henri.
âDiiiie!â
âYou dung beetle!! Fuck you!â
At the forefront, Kim Taehi, whose entire body was covered by graphite, advanced like a rhinoceros.
âHuu? That armor seems pretty sturdy.â
Another beam of light stretched out from Henriâs fingertips as Kim Taehi paved the way by receiving the attack with her whole body.
Baaangâ!
Struck directly by the attack, she fell back like a cannonball and rolled across the floor.
In the midst of that, she squeezed out her voice and shouted.
âKeepâŠgoing, this is our last chanceâŠâ
Along the path she had opened, countless people at the back charged at Henri.
âOraaah!â
âDie, monster!!â
Trainees, faculties, heroes, and reporters who had come to see the school festival.
***
Reaper Scans
[ Translator â Yasi ]
[ Proofreader â Karane ]
Join our Discord for updates on releases! https://discord.gg/reapercomics
***
Having used up all his mana, Dokgo Hakju forced himself to throw another blade, and even Yeom Gangjun, who was on the floor with a serious injury, shot a flame as he vomited blood.
Everyone fiercely shouted as they bombarded Henri with their abilities.
Bang, bang, bangâ!
BangâBang!!
Explosions reminiscent of a war, and everyone who was risking their lives in order to kill Henri.
The sight of such people with noble determination was like a scene from a movie.
HoweverâŠThe ending wasnât as beautiful as such.
âHeheâŠNo matter how desperate insects try, theyâre just insects after all.â
An earnest attempt by everyone had ended in failure.
There were only a few scratches here and there on Henriâs colorful shell.
âAhâŠA-ahâŠâ
âN-no wayâŠWh-what the hell is that monsterâŠâ
How could there be such a strong monster in the world?
After experiencing such a phenomenon that was completely incomprehensible to common sense firsthand, a darker shadow than before loomed over everyoneâs faces.
Henri who was watching it all showed a look of disappointment.
âWell, that seems to be all. It doesnât look like thereâs anything else to see, so letâs get down to business.â
His wings spread fully and between it, a sphere of light resembling the sun gradually emerged.
Sensing the sinister mana emanating from his body, everyone faltered back in a panic again.
However, it wasnât outdoors, so how could they avoid it in this enclosed space?
Eventually, the sphere of light that had risen like the sun, brightened up the inside and illuminated everyone.
As a result, the temperature rapidly rose and the gym quickly became filled with hot air.
Everyone felt as if they had entered the middle of the desert.
âKueuuuk!â
âM-my bodyâŠMy body is burningâŠ!â
Heat that seemed to burn their lungs every time they breathe.
The moisture in their bodies was quickly evaporating, and for some reason, even their mana was drying up and gradually depleting.
In such a situation, the first to collapse were the elderly and women with weak constitutions.
And then one by one, the heroes also fell.
A-ahâŠat this rateâŠ
Kim Taehi tried to get back on her feet. However, there was no strength left in her body due to the artificial sun.
âŠIs he trying to kill everyone in one breath?
Collapsed on the floor, she felt despair.
Henri seemed to have read Kim Taehiâs thoughts as he looked at everyone who had fallen.
âDonât worry too much~ I donât want to really kill you guys either~â
âWhâŠatâŠ?â
Was he saying he was going to be merciful now?
Even though everyone knew the evil Henri would never do that, just in case, people watched his mouth with hope in their minds.
Soon, Henriâs mouth tore open on both sides, forming a smile.
âI told you a little while ago. Iâll let you experience hell. So Iâm afraid I canât let you die just like this~â
He moved leisurely and approached a man nearby.
It was a hero with a sturdy build who had desperately attacked him earlier.
âWh-why are you coming this wayâŠStay away! Stay away!!â
With difficulty moving his immobile body, he slowly tried to crawl away.
âMy pretty~ I choose you.â
âG-get away! Wh-what the hell are you going to do to me?!â
The man looked up at Henri with a deeply terrified expression.
âHuhu~ Youâll make a good mother.â
âM-mother⊠Wh-what do you mean?! N-no! No! No! No! N-no!â
Piikâ!
A long stinger protruding from Henriâs tail penetrated the manâs stomach.
And like flies laying eggs in other insects, the stinger wiggled and something was injected.
âKkeuaaaak!â
The man seemed to be in pain as he frantically screamed and struggled.
While his abdomen, like a pregnant woman, swelled up more and more.
After some time, the moment his abdomen had swelled to the point where it could hardly get any bigger,
âPwok!
Through the skin of the manâs abdomen, two insects crawled out.
Colorful beetles resembling Henri.
On their backs were still remnants of the manâs blood and guts.
Henri looked at them lovingly and spoke.
âAiya~ My pretties must be really hungry. I knew you would be, so I had prepared food. Make sure to chew slowly and eat a lot~â
âKieeek! Kieek!â
The insects quickly looked around. They crawled and sank their stingers into the abdomens of those nearest on the floor.
âN-no!!! Stay away! PleaseâŠKeuk!â
âKeuaaak!â
Soon, the victimsâ abdomen tore open and two insects hatched from each.
âKieeeek!!
The four newly hatched insects dug into the bodies of those nearby.
Kim Taehi closed her eyes tightly when she saw the same terrible scene repeating itself.
A-ahâŠEveryone will really die at this rateâŠ
The insects doubled each time.
Before long, the number would grow exponentially.
And if such prolific insects attacked a nearby cityâŠ
Itâs all overâŠ
Now, it wasnât just the problem of the gym or institute.
If they didnât stop these insects from increasing here, there would be an unprecedented catastrophe.
But when everyone had collapsed, how could they stop such insects?
Meanwhile, Henri wasnât just sitting idly watching the insects.
âOho~ You still have some energy left? Good, good. I was bored waiting, so play with me.â
While wandering around the gym, he helped the insects reproduce by shooting light beams at those who could still move.
We have to deal with him and his insectsâŠThereâs really no way!
Finally, an insect also started crawling towards Kim Taehi.
The face of her daughter who she couldnât protect a long time ago passed through her mind.
Just as she felt her own end,
Crackleâ!
Along with a deafening sound of thunder, the insect was killed.
This sound�
She immediately turned her head. And there, it was Shirahui, who was barely struggling to stand.
Crackleâ!
Bang! Baaangâ!
Lightning struck the insects that were spreading in all directions and were killed one by one.
âHeukâŠheukâŠâ
The sound of Shirahuiâs ragged breathing reverberated in the gym as Henri looked at her with interest.
âOho~ This is interesting. Iâm sure youâve run out of stamina and manaâŠSo how can you still move?
As Henri had said, Shirahui at first glance seemed to have already reached her limit.
So how was such a girl moving?
Kim Taehi and the others who had collapsed looked at her in disbelief.
âNoah entrusted meâŠâ
Shirahui willed her trembling legs and stood up completely.
âSoâŠI will protect everyone at all costs!â
Her hair that had returned to normal turned a bright yellow like lightning again.
Henri burst into laughter so loudly that his Adamâs apple could be seen.
âKeuhahahah! Youâre going to protect everyone here? Okay~ Okay~ Well, thatâs going to be fun.â
Henri said, lifting his finger slowly.
âShall we see how long our pretty girl will last?â
âStop!!â
At that moment, a beam of light from Henri âs fingers stretched out towards the people on the floor.
* * * * * * * * * *
I couldnât stop thinking about Shirahui as I headed to the gym.
Damn itâŠI had a bad feeling about this.
I wish she would just hide quietly and wait, but if it was her and her urge to step forward, there was a good chance she would attack the monster first.
And then what if my reward flew away?
No, I would never allow such a thing to happen!
This was why I hated these kinds of missions where I had to save or protect someone.
To earn this reward, how much effort had I put in until nowâŠ
And to fail it? Just thinking about it felt awful.
But since there was no failure message yetâŠI had to get there as soon as possible.
I stretched my body forward and speeded up by circulating mana in my legs.
After running at full speed, it wasnât long before I arrived at the gym.
HoweverâŠ
âHuh?â
When I arrived in front of the gym, there was a thick barrier I had never seen before surrounding the exterior.
What was the deal with this barrier when I was in a rush?
I immediately drew my sword and swung at it. HoweverâŠ
Bangâ!
The walls, like the metal found on the ground of the training grounds, had absorbed the mana and my blade was repelled.
It was no different with my magic attack.
The barrier was somewhat chipped, but the thickness was too thick for me to dare pierce it when I was pressed for time.
âWhatâsâŠthis?â
âItâs a protection system at the gym. As you can see, the barrier is made of metal that absorbs mana, so itâs hard to break in with most attacks.â
Samaria, who had caught up to me at some point, kindly explained.
âOh? Does that mean the people inside are safe?â
If that was the case, from my point of view, it would be more beneficial to keep them together in a safe place.
However, at my words, she showed a somber expression.
âWellâŠI tried contacting the Director a little while ago, but I couldnât reach him. Looks like something has happened inside.â
âDamn it!â
As expected, there was no way everything would work out so smoothly. I looked at Samaria and asked eagerly.
âSo thereâs no way to get in there right now?â
âItâs impossible unless you turn off the barrier from both the inside and outside at the same time. Otherwise, we have no choice but to use heavy equipment to demolish it layer by layer.â
That was impossible. How long would I have to wait when I was already short on time?
HaaâŠDid I really have to give up here?
The efforts I had put in so far passed through my mind.
I couldnât believe I was going to have to give up a reward that was right in front of meâŠ
Irritation rapidly surged from deep within my heart.
Just as I was getting increasingly depressed, Samaria added in an uncertain tone.
âAh, actuallyâŠItâs impossible, but thereâs another wayâŠ.â
âWhatâs that?â
It wasnât time to be picky about leftover rice. Rather, for me, it was worth a try one way or the other.
âIn fact, this metal isnât capable of absorbing mana indefinitely. So if you inject mana beyond the limits of a given volume, the barrier will instantly stop functioning.â
âYou meanâŠitâll open if itâs injected with a lot of mana, right?â
âYesâŠbut itâs practically impossible to exceed the limit of this massive structureâŠâ
Samaria looked as if she had given up all hope.
HoweverâŠ
âThatâs a relief.â
âHuh? ReliefâŠWhat do you meanâŠâ
âIf all I need is to put some mana into itâŠâ
Leaving the puzzled Samaria behind, I approached the enormous barrier.
ââŠThen the problem is simple for me.â
Placing my hand on the cold metal wall, I slowly drew mana from deep within my body.
In addition to my mana stat that had been steadily rising, there was also the dragon gene that was absorbed not too long ago.
With the belief in my own resilience, I began to pour mana into the barrier recklessly.
âNo, this isnât something you can solveâŠâ
Samaria who was next to me tried to stop me. However, I ignored her and continued to inject mana into the barrier.
After some time,
âLike I said, why donât you give up and weâll find another wayâŠâ
The moment Samaria had spoken again,
Thoom, thoom, thoomâ
â?!â
The walls that seemed impossible to waver, at last, began to vibrate little by little.