83 – 36. Because Looking After Things from Behind Feels Familiar (3)
“What? Are we trapped?”
Ariel, unable to hide her surprise, shifted her gaze to Bianca.
Bianca, who was trying to touch the barrier blocking the passage, finally lowered her head.
“Yeah. It seems like a barrier created by magic. It seems like we’ve fallen into a trap, considering it’s blocked from the outside.”
“If it’s a barrier… can’t we break through? If it’s difficult, I can try with the Holy Sword.”
If it’s magically created, surely it can be shattered with the polar opposite Holy Sword.
Even if it doesn’t work the first time, if attempted multiple times, it’s bound to break, so it was certain.
However, Bianca did not view the plan favorably.
“If we do that, the building itself will collapse before neutralizing the barrier. Especially considering the outer wall has weakened due to the explosion incident. Wielding the Holy Sword in such a situation is akin to suicide.”
Those inside could somehow survive by creating a mana shield. However, those outside would undoubtedly be swept away by the building’s collapse without any chance.
If only communication were possible, they could signal. But in the face of an impossible escape, creating greater damage was not an option.
A situation trapped without any movement. Arielle chewed her nails in frustration. Celia cautiously opened her mouth.
“What should we do? It seems like we’ve fallen into a trap, and searching seems futile. Should we wait here?”
The enemy’s intentions are still unknown.
Is it simply for confinement, or perhaps aiming for their lives?
The only certainty is that staying still is not the answer.
“Staying still doesn’t feel right.”
“Then do you plan to search? It could be a trap, you know.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t even consider searching every corner.”
In a situation where they don’t know how long they need to stay here, they should at least know if the vicinity is safe.
Taking a position recklessly without ensuring safety was as risky as it gets when security hasn’t been confirmed.
“Let’s cautiously explore the vicinity before waiting for the external structure.”
“Sounds good. What do you guys think?”
Ariel’s opinion was met with nodding heads from Celia, Reyna, and Bianca.
“I also think it’s a good idea. Instead, how about dividing into teams? I believe it’s worth trying to neutralize the barrier from within.”
“Ariel? What’s your plan?”
“Bianca Unni is right. In that case, Reyna and I will look around, so Unni, please watch over Bianca Unni.”
The best thing is to break through the barrier from the outside. However, relying solely on that is not feasible.
There might be individuals among the people outside who have the talent to unravel the barrier through blunt force.
“There was no one among the participants in this search with talent in that aspect.”
As long as it is judged that the resolution will be delayed, we cannot afford to just let it be.
Since it’s a simple search and doesn’t require a large number of people, it would be better to leave the barrier release to Bianca, who has a talent for magic control.
Ariel, who attached Celia to Bianca as a precaution for potential situations, started moving around with Reyna.
“…”
“…”
The two, who had become distant. In the past, they could have stayed close and smiled, but now it was different.
Reyna had long erased her feelings for Ariel after realizing her true nature.
Ariel, having found someone she could rely on so desperately, had also erased any affection for Reyna.
In other words, Ariel and Reyna had long erased any liking for each other.
Not only were there no emotions, but the relationship had become so cold that there was naturally no conversation.
If they were to speak, it would only be when something happened.
“Ariel? Why did you stop? Let’s finish quickly and go back.”
“Just a moment… Can’t you hear the sound?”
“What sound are you talking about… huh? What is this?”
It was like that now.
How long had they walked? At some point, a loud cry, accompanied by a powerful magical wave, began to be heard from the front.
At first, I wondered if it was a misunderstanding… But soon, that thought turned into certainty.
Thud! Thud!
“The ground… is shaking.”
“Reyna, we need to go back! Enemies!”
The earth trembled as if possessed. Simultaneously, a spectacle unfolded.
“Kraaa!”
“Buooo!”
The onslaught of monsters charging like mad!
Ariel tightly gripped the hilt of the holy sword at the sight of hundreds of red eyes surging.
***
The moment Ariel was in danger, Ian immediately rushed towards 1st Platoon.
Even though he had the freedom to act, openly wandering around as a novice was bound to attract attention.
Kaien was a big help.
“He said to do as you see fit. Our platoon leader is generous in such matters.”
Absolute trust in the actions of someone you believe in,
Just like the time Kaien had given him the chance to act as a squad leader again, Ian trusted once more, allowing him to act alone.
Briefly pleased about the trust placed in him, Ian swiftly moved his feet.
“I never expected things to escalate so quickly. If I had waited for the contact from 1st Platoon, it would have been a big problem.”
He knew Ariel was in danger. However, he had never anticipated the urgency of the situation unfolding.
And that was a stroke of luck.
‘Perhaps… this time, the enemies might be targeting Ariel.’
The target of the enemies was not what he had anticipated.
Of course, it wasn’t that the enemies hadn’t targeted Ariel before.
Even during the time of Lirlys, they had only aimed at themselves after failing to target Ariel.
‘Since then, I’ve been marked by the beings from the abyss, and I became the target.’
The demons had used Ariel as bait and lured him in before employing various methods to deal with him.
But this time, it was a bit different.
‘However… starting the threat so quickly, it’s acceptable to assume they never intended to target me from the beginning.’
Ian could see the intention was purely to aim for Ariel’s life, not to know about Alba.
‘It actually went quite smoothly, and it almost succeeded.’
Whether Ian knew that Ariel was leading the First Platoon or not, the fact that the Rear Platoon didn’t attempt to kill him before realizing the threat was intriguing.
If Ian had been waiting for the communication from the First Platoon without worry, the situation could have become very serious.
‘Of course, if I didn’t have the system.’
Ian, with a smirk, looked at the notification that had just popped up.
[Ariel Volkano is facing a crisis! Prevent her death!]
‘I never thought help would come in this form.’
Normally, it would be an annoying notification that would only make his heart race. But now, it was different.
In a situation where the judgment of the First Platoon was delayed, and communication was being delayed, it was an exceptionally good notification.
Thanks to that.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
“It’s narrow… but still faster this way.”
Even though it was cramped, Ian headed towards where Arielle was, using the ventilation ducts.
It would be more comfortable to move through the passage below. But considering the delay in explaining if he encountered the 1st platoon, using the ventilation ducts was a better choice.
Bending down caused his back to ache. But it was much faster.
How far had he run? Ian was able to reach even the spot where Arielle had hidden herself, passing by the 1st platoon members.
“Is this…?”
A gap blocked by a barrier made of magic.
Just to be sure, Ian tried to use Levrian to confirm, but he was right.
Woong!
“The only place where Levrian’s power is reacting among many gaps. It’s safe to assume that there are enemies inside.”
In the message received from the 1st platoon, it was stated that Arielle, who belonged to the leading team, had searched inside the gap of the building and lost communication.
“Then, this is the right place. There’s no reason for the communication to be cut off when the entrance is perfectly open. The problem is that we have to break through here.”
As Ian confirmed the barrier, he furrowed his brows.
No matter how determined he was, it seemed like he had prepared thoroughly.
“It’s not just a level of spreading magic. It was made with formulas. I don’t know who it is, but they were clearly determined to kill Ariel.”
Looking at this, Ian could somewhat understand why the 1st platoon members were late in contacting.
“I thought we just had to break through the barrier… but it’s different with this. It must have taken time to think about how to deal with it.”
Ian was also unfamiliar with barrier magic. But this one thing was certain.
“It’s either someone who knows how to handle magic and has learned barrier magic… or someone who has extensive knowledge of barrier magic. If not, it won’t be easy to solve.”
The personnel involved in this operation alone cannot break through this barrier.
Even if you break through with sheer force, the building itself will be destroyed and turn into dust before that.
‘Yeah… It can’t be breached through ordinary means.’
Insisting on the conventional won’t yield any answers. That meant now was the time to use Sapha.
‘Bugs… might as well use them.’
With a wry smile, Ian brought Lebreon to the barrier.
Originally, it would be repelled without any force, but…
Swoosh!
‘Exactly.’
Despite the meticulously calculated barrier, Lebreon began to dig into it like cutting through tofu.
Ian’s face turned pale at the sight.
‘Lebreon is a demon sword. Created by the Demon King Leviathan out of jealousy for the power of Elysion.’
How could a barrier made with magic stop a demon sword created by the Demon King?
But Lebreon had more advantages.
“When you confront Lebreon like this against the barrier.”
Squeak! Squeak!
From Noble mtl dot com
Following the sword, the barrier tore and repeatedly tried to restore itself.
Tearing apart. That was exactly what Ian wanted.
‘Just rotate it widely like this, create an opening, and then throw yourself in.’
If the timing is wrong, you might touch the barrier and get cut, but it’s a challenge worth attempting.
‘Whether one’s body is cut and dies in failure, or Arié dies and dies. There’s only one thing in death.’
Although I’ve uncovered almost all the hidden truths, can’t I die here?
‘Gambling is familiar.’
Of course, there was no fear. Having made up his mind, Ian swung Rebrion forcefully.
Clang!
‘Now!’
The moment a gap appeared, he threw himself forward.
Thud!
“Ah… I think I dialed the wrong number….”
After rolling on the floor once, there was a creaking sound. Fortunately, there was no issue.
Still, if he safely crossed the barrier, isn’t that enough?
It’s okay to endure the pain later. Ian didn’t forget that now is the time to concentrate.
Ian carefully moved his feet while enduring the pain.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
‘Where am I…. How far did I go.’
Where did he go, and with whom did he meet that his life became endangered? Thinking so, he looked down.
“Is that Bianca lying there…. And next to her is someone like Celia?”
Facing Celia, who was leaning against the wall, bleeding, and Bianca rolling on the floor behind her.
Brief surprise, Ian shifted his gaze forward. He could see.
“Buoo!”
“Ha… Ha…”
‘Found it.’
The sight of his younger brother, facing the horde of monsters like a madman and renewing his determination.
Ariel’s survival was fortunate, but there was no room for relief.
‘I need to prepare.’
Dangerous elements needed to be eliminated. With that thought, Ian raised Lévrión.
Lebron sword. Lol