novelDemon King of Iron, Enroth (3)
| ← Ch.214 | Ch.216 → |
What were the lands called territories?
Muyoung didn't know the true worth of his 'land'. So, you could say his attributes as a lord were below average.
He was just ruling his territory because it was a necessity.
However, he didn't think they would develop so much on their own, enough to stop Shar-Shazar's attacks.
Muyoung changed his perception. And he heard that the dokkaebis were the one who led the defense against Shar-Shazar's attacks.
The dokkaebis had a long relationship with Muyoung. After their leader 'Seohan' had died, they were unstable for a bit before a new leader had appeared.
"My name is Dontak. I am the head of the 2, 000 strong golden dokkaebi tribe, and currently the leader of all the dokkaebis in our territory."
A new leader. It was a face Muyoung had never seen before. But, he had heard about the golden dokkaebis. They had gold skin and were the most talented among all dokkaebis.
However, their numbers were so small that they couldn't contest for the 'Oom' position.
While Muyoung was away, they had joined his territory.
However, from Dontak, Muyoung couldn't feel much respect towards him. Although Dontak spoke words of respect, there was no respect to be found in his behavior. Rather, he seemed to be checking Muyoung out to see how strong he really was.
'He's strong. '
He really was strong.
Of course, he was strong in terms of dokkaebis. Dontak seemed to be confident in his own skills, and wasn't satisfied with his current position.
Eyes of defiance. Muyoung didn't dislike it. However, he didn't like those who spoke words of respect but behaved differently.
"Are you in charge in place of Seohan?"
"Yes, as we couldn't continuously keep the position vacant..."
"That means it was just temporary."
Temporary.
Dontak flinched after hearing those words.
He probably never thought Muyoung would say it to his face.
However, this was because Muyoung had never appointed Dontak as the leader of the dokkaebis.
Although Dontak could step up during times of crisis in order to protect the territory when Muyoung was away, since he had returned, he needed to correct the chain of command again.
"For two years, the dokkaebis have united under my command. In fact, the unit I lead is the strongest unit within the territory."
He appealed himself to Muyoung. However, Muyoung wasn't persuaded. Muyoung didn't believe in people who just talked the talk without walking the walk.
"I have never seen your skills. So, you will need to prove them."
"What do you mean?"
"Rescue those who were captured by Shar-Shazar. Including Arand."
Muyoung had heard that a lot of people from the territory were taken and imprisoned by Shar-Shazar and his army.
He heard that, due to his unique tastes, he wouldn't easily kill the ones he had confined.
In fact, since he confirmed that his people had been taken hostage, he needed to rescue them.
Arand was the one with the fastest sword moves within the territory. Currently, he was a hostage.
Dontak's expression hardened.
"It will be hard with just the dokkaebis."
"You are greedy."
"...?"
"A rescue needs to be done with the least amount of people. Were you planning to take all of the dokkaebis? You are trying to get everyone killed."
Taking all the dokkaebis to rescue hostages.
That was like saying he was going to go for an all-out war. This was a truly foolish way.
Dontak's face turned red. Muyoung didn't care, and continued to speak.
"I'm going to hunt Shar-Shazar. I need a smart hunting dog. I don't need a dog that just barks."
A hunt!
Shar-Shazar was acting like he was the owner while Muyoung was away.
But the owner had returned.
All that was left was for them to hunt the one that was pretending to be the owner!
'Enroth. '
In fact, Muyoung could take of Demon King Shar-Shazar on his own.
However, if he were to attack Shar-Shazar, Enroth would inevitably know about it.
Enroth. The one who could be called the Demon Emperor rather than a Demon King.
To meddle with him, Muyoung needed to make preparations. It was best to have many hunting dogs.
Also, if he were to attack Enroth, Demon God Amon would appear. Attacking without any preparation was like suicide.
"Yes, I will do it. With 300 dokkaebis, I will rescue the imprisoned and Arand."
Muyoung liked his confidence.
Before Dontak could be allowed to glare at Muyoung with eyes of defiance, he would need to prove himself.
"Everything must go quickly as planned. Take care of it within 7 days. Meanwhile, I am going to bring together all the other species living nearby."
He would do the same with the fire tars. If they cooperated half-heartedly, it would be no better than working separately. Even if he needed to use a bit of force, he needed to unite the strength of all those who lived by.
Especially, if he could get the fire tars to join them, it would be a great help.
As he wasn't in a bad relationship with them, things could work out smoothly. And if everything went smoothly and he won against Shar-Shazar and Enroth...
'I will have the qualification to get in the demon gods' fight. '
It was the same as obtaining that qualification.
Amon and other demon gods would start to pay attention to Muyoung.
Before, he needed to get stronger while avoiding their attention, but now, it was the time to slowly emerge.
Muyoung got up from his seat.
There was no time to waste.
***
The fire tars were giants that spouted fire from their entire body. That was why they used the 'Poom tree' to neutralize their fire. To them, the Poom tree was like their mother and their protector.
Of course, they lived near Poom trees, and after Muyoung had solved their problem with the bugs, their relationship wasn't bad.
With just his seven bone dragons, he went to visit their village.
However, the number of warriors had been noticeably reduced, and he was unable to see Ogar.
'It's strange. '
Ogar had once told Muyoung that he was going to 'build a kingdom of fire tars'.
He wasn't someone who could be easily killed. Even if the demon king attacked, he had the skills and strength to not easily lose...
"Go back."
Muyoung met the chief of the fire tars.
After the great chieftain died, Muyoung thought Ogar would take his place, but for some reason, he could not see Ogar.
Because of bone dragons' presence, other fire tars were all gathered at the entrance.
As Muyoung got off of a bone dragon, the one who seemed to be the leader of the fire tars instantly denied him entry.
"Can you fight Shar-Shazar alone?"
"We are fire tars. There is nothing impossible to a fire tar."
A firm voice.
There were tense.
The number of fire tars has also greatly reduced.
Muyoung was able to read some nervousness and anxiety from them. It was something that he had never seen from them in the past.
However, Ogar was still not visible.
"Did Ogar... die?"
Muyoung spoke.
But, the fire tars had experienced an unimaginable number of battles.
Just because another war started, nothing would change drastically.
The main reason why the fire tars were acting this way. Perhaps something had happened to Ogar!
As Muyoung asked, the leader's expression stiffened.
"King of a small territory, don't worry about what we do."
"Ogar is my friend. I cannot help but concern myself."
Although it was questionable to say Ogar was his friend, Ogar really was the closest to Muyoung among those who were 'alive'. From the beginning, he was the only one who understood Muyoung; indeed, he was the only fire tar who tried to understand him.
Muyoung continued to talk.
"Also, I have taken the fire tar's 'trial'. I can't be considered a completely foreign entity."
"You cannot be recognized as a true warrior just because you have completed 18 stages."
Muyoung had won against the 18th wave in the Endless Battlefield.
However, he had another chance to enter the Endless Battlefield again.
As Muyoung showed his shoulders, the number '34' was written on it.
It was the number he reached when he completed the Oom's trial with the dokkaebis.
"This is my second record. Is this not enough?"
"34... A mere dokkaebi could reach that stage?"
"Huh."
If he cleared 34 waves, most fire tars wouldn't be able to break his record.
However, the leader still had doubting eyes.
"'Trials' completed outside are not accepted."
"If that is the case, then I will once again complete the warrior's 'trial'. If I break your record, you will tell me everything you know about Ogar, and all the fire tars will follow me."
Muyoung challenged him.
To fire tar warriors, the 'trial' was important. The results couldn't be reversed. The trial stage number written on a person's body represented how strong they were.
He could receive more recognition and respect through a trial than through a duel.
As the leader placed pressure on one of his shoulders, a number made out of flames appeared.
The number was 57!
It was a very high number. He seemed to be stronger than the vice chieftain from two years ago. Although, he was slightly lacking compared to the great chieftain.
"Alright. But, what will you wager?"
"I will also bet everything I have."
Muyoung \bet everything he had, his army and his territory.
The leader looked at the bone dragons behind him.
If his warriors could use those bone dragons, their fighting power would instantly increase.
"I accept your bet."
The leader starred at Muyoung. However, Muyoung didn't care.
'57 stages. '
It had been a while since he entered the Endless Battlefield. However, Muyoung was planning to greatly surpass the current leader of the fire tars, as well as the great chieftain's record.
*
[You have entered the 'Endless Battlefield']
[All records made in this place will be recorded on Solomon's Hall of Fame. ]
[The user's current record is stage '34'. ]
[Block the enemies. You can return at any time after you have blocked at least 5 waves. ]
[The first wave is starting. ]
[First wave - 100 goblins. ]
Nothing had greatly changed.
The Endless Battlefield.
The 'Warrior's Trial' the fire tars spoke of was actually something that the fairy Woohee had created.
However, the owner of this trial was currently missing. Due to this, the battlefield hadn't greatly changed.
The 100 goblins were closing in on Muyoung from all around.
Thud!
As he took a step, the ground shook. In that moment, the holy flames spread through the whole area.
The holy flame wouldn't die out. It was placed all around the Endless Battlefield.
Blaaaaze!
Gaaaaaaaaakkk!
Screams and cries!
And so, the waves were cleared much faster.
[You have cleared the first wave. ]
[The second wave has started. ]
[You have cleared the second wave. ]
[The third wave has...]
...
[The 20th wave has started. ]
[300 iron golems. ]
It only took 10 minutes to clear the first 19 waves, thanks to the holy flame.
But, the golems were a different story. They were artifacts, evil creatures that wouldn't die unless you destroyed their central cores.
The iron melted due to the fire, but if they still had their central cores, they could rebuild themselves.
Muyoung spread his wings, took out exactly 300 feathers, and pierced them directly into the central cores of all 300 golems.
Although the flames didn't work, the golem's movements were so slow that it was easy for him to take care of them.
[You have won against the 20th wave. ]
[Amazing! Only 15 minutes have passed since the Endless Battlefield has started. ]
[You have gained '3pt'. ]
[You will have the chance to use your points every 50 waves. ]
It was uncommon to earn points in the Endless Battlefield.
The 'shop' that appeared after clearing 50 waves was definitely different from a normal shop. You could only purchase items with points, and they were all unique and rare items.
'I can think of it as a bonus. '
Muyoung shrugged his shoulders and waited for the next wave to start. He was curious as to how far he could now go.
| ← Ch. 214 | Ch. 216 → |