Tearing the Gate Apart - Chapter 107
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 107.
Ha Gyeong’s expression hardened.
‘The Empire’s homeland is near Earth?’
In moments like these, a poker face was essential.
But he couldn’t help his shock at that statement.
Without even turning his gaze, Ha Gyeong snapped his fingers.
“Hey.”
―Why, why? I haven’t finished eating yet.
“Get over here. Now.”
―Damn.
Rokan grumbled but came flying quickly nonetheless.
He was dragging one of Blight Shaper’s legs behind him.
Ha Gyeong immediately fired off a question.
“Do you know where the Empire’s homeland is?”
―I don’t. I was born in the Bottomless Abyss.
“Then how is it that it can move around?”
―……I do know that.
“And you’re aware it’s come near Earth?”
―Yeah.
It was entirely plausible.
History bore it out, after all.
Moving the capital toward the direction of invasion was standard procedure.
Ha Gyeong narrowed his eyes and turned to Rokan.
“Why hide something so important?”
―Hey, you never asked!
“So if you’re not asked, you don’t have to tell?”
―Well, isn’t that how it works?
“Fine. Then I’m confiscating all of that body.”
―What are you talking about! That’s not the deal.
“I never said I’d give you everything. You’ve had a bite—that’s enough. Hand it over.”
―Wait just a minute!
Rokan struggled frantically to keep it.
But it was pointless.
Flying solo was one thing—he was plenty fast then.
But carrying something heavy while escaping was another matter entirely.
Ha Gyeong simply seized Blight Shaper’s body without difficulty.
“I’ll only give it to you when you work properly. Understood?”
―What! This is how you train me?
“If you’d been straight with me from the start, things would be different, wouldn’t they?”
―Damn!
Of course, that would never have happened.
Ha Gyeong had always intended to dole it out in controlled amounts from the beginning.
He handled Blight Shaper’s body like a monster trophy.
But then someone suddenly addressed him.
―Wouldn’t you prefer better information? I know far more than that fool.
“Who…?”
Ha Gyeong had no choice but to turn with a puzzled expression.
A winged hyena-like creature was standing there nervously.
Moments later.
Ha Gyeong realized the creature’s identity.
“Blight Shaper?”
―That’s right.
“What, you changed your form that quickly?”
―I can’t exactly wander around with just a head dangling.
“Fine. So you have better information than Rokan, and you’ll provide it to me?”
―In exchange, give me my body back before that bastard consumes all of it.
“Hmm…….”
It wasn’t a bad proposal.
Truth be told, Blight Shaper’s combat ability itself wasn’t particularly impressive.
Its main strength was incapacitating through illusion.
With Grief Requiem alone, everything else became redundant anyway.
When the enemy couldn’t do anything.
What use was combat ability?
To Ha Gyeong, this creature was more useful than Rokan.
‘Not bad, really.’
But he wasn’t about to accept on the spot.
He decided to press further with Blight Shaper.
“Fine. Then prove your worth.”
―What?
“Tell me something compelling. Then I’ll consider it.”
―That’s what I’m saying. Let me think…. How about this? We’ll be establishing a Forward Base on Earth soon.
“Isn’t that what you’re already doing?”
Ha Gyeong gestured at Blight Shaper.
Co-opting the DRC.
Implanting Abyss Energy into Awakened Ones and orchestrating all manner of schemes.
Wasn’t that already building a Forward Base?
But Blight Shaper shook its head.
―I’m merely a Special Warfare Commander. Something far greater is coming.
“Where?”
―First, shouldn’t I receive payment for that information?
“Not a bad point, but it’s not quality enough. We’ve already suspected that much. Here.”
Slice! Thud.
Ha Gyeong severed an ankle and tossed it over.
Blight Shaper immediately lunged at it greedily.
Unlike Rokan, it didn’t bite and chew.
It simply absorbed it instantly.
Soon, Blight Shaper’s expression relaxed contentedly.
―Now that’s better! Even brief separation was painful.
“So who’s coming where?”
―This time, it’ll likely be the Commander-in-Chief of the Pioneer Army. The location will be one of three.
“Why is the story jumping around like that?”
―Can’t be helped. I recommended the most promising candidates, but the decision comes from above.
“This is getting complicated. List them.”
―Russia, the United States, and Algeria.
All places with sparse populations.
And vast stretches of land.
Ha Gyeong fell into contemplation.
‘Based on what it’s been saying, it doesn’t sound like a lie.’
Besides, with this creature around, Rokan would become more motivated as well.
For the sake of seizing that lump of imperial Authority.
Ha Gyeong sealed the spoils pouch shut.
Then he handed it to Zone.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Because it’s important. You’ll handle those bat bastards well when they come rushing in, right, Zone?”
“Hell yeah! Something that fun? I’ll defend it with everything I’ve got, bro.”
“Just until we get home. I need to head over there now.”
“Right, we’re not done yet?”
“I’ll lead the way—stay close.”
Ha Gyeong deployed the Soul Stigma.
Preparing to pierce through the Abyss Mist.
But Blight Shaper came flying over in panic.
―Hey! Hey! Hey!
“What?”
―You gave me something good. Why won’t you give me my body back?
“That was worth one foot. There’s nothing confirmed yet—what else would I give?”
―Wow! You really are stingy.
“You should be prostrating yourself in gratitude that I haven’t killed you. What was your name again? Blight Sha—. Wait, never mind that now. What’s your real name?”
―Damn it! Don’t bring back painful memories. It’s Jereon.
“Either way, I’m giving the body to whichever of you provides better information. Remember that.”
Ha Gyeong gestured at Rokan with a nod.
Then he moved forward without hesitation.
Glancing back briefly.
Rokan and Jereon were glaring at each other.
―You’re getting no seniority discount from me.
―This bastard betrayed us and has the nerve to pull rank. Besides, that body is mine originally!
―What rank does a traitor get? I’m being respectful just speaking formally to you.
―Ugh! You—
―Ha! Let’s not do this, fellow traitor.
―But there are ranks among traitors. You rotting bastard.
It was a amusing sight.
The two of them bickering over scraps of detached Authority.
Ha Gyeong could discern one key fact.
‘Getting a new body seems difficult for them.’
Or perhaps they were easily replaceable.
Rokan said that a more capable successor would only strengthen the Empire.
But if returning home meant only being disposed of?
Then both creatures’ choices made perfect sense.
Ha Gyeong moved through the Abyss Mist, lost in thought.
‘These strange creatures don’t have much nutritional value.’
He could only absorb a Noble’s Authority by destroying their Core.
Talent Devourer Veil Lancer.
Desolation Executor Blight Shaper.
These Nobles were damnably strong but useless to him.
Presently, Ha Gyeong shook his head.
‘No, wait. The situation is different now.’
To manage Rokan and Jereon, he needed appropriate bait.
A Noble’s body would serve as an excellent bargaining chip.
While contemplating such things.
Ha Gyeong arrived at the battlefield.
‘Our side…… is losing.’
Though Korea’s highest-ranked Awakened Ones had been mobilized, the battle went poorly.
It wasn’t a matter of insufficient strength so much as lack of experience.
The Eradication team members had never fought a Zardor Empire Noble before.
Ha Gyeong fixed his gaze on the Core Guardian.
‘Is that the one?’
A head resembling a puma.
A frame roughly 2.5 meters tall with a muscular build.
Enormous membranous wings attached to its back.
A typical Zardor Empire Noble’s appearance.
He’d need to make contact to determine which one it was.
Ha Gyeong gripped his sword hilt tightly.
But Rokan suddenly shot out and spoke.
―That’s a Sky Mauler. Incredible aerial speed and a master of close combat.
“And there’s the teaching payoff. See? That’s how you do it. Pay attention, Jereon.”
Jereon seemed disgruntled at being beaten to the punch.
Its expression twisted.
But it didn’t immediately blurt things out like Rokan.
It apparently needed a bit more time to adapt.
Ha Gyeong moved toward the Sky Mauler.
‘Good at close combat? That works in my favor.’
The reason Zardor Empire Nobles were troublesome was simple.
That overwhelming aerial capability.
When they flew around striking, it was nearly impossible to keep up.
Look at his own Eradication team—weren’t they suffering right now?
All four Guild Masters had gathered, yet they were getting hammered.
Screeeech! Bang!
“Ugh!”
Every time the Sky Mauler dove, Yun Chang Ho shook.
And Kang Woo Jin’s counterattacks had virtually no effect.
The moment he extended his weapon.
Six or seven attacks came flying in.
Clanging, clanging, clanging!
Kang Woo Jin staggered back under the impact.
Yu Se Ha’s support skills poured out to restore the damage.
Meanwhile, the Sky Mauler surged upward again.
Ryu Jeong Hwan and Choi Hyun Ki’s responses followed in sequence.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
But their ranged attacks only cut through empty air.
They weren’t landing a single hit.
Ha Gyeong immediately grasped the problem.
‘They’ve only experienced fights where Provocation works properly.’
Common monsters fell for Provocation easily.
Even dungeon Final Bosses were the same.
Aggro occasionally slipped, but they could mostly be pinned down.
But Zardor Empire Nobles were nearly immune to Provocation.
A completely different flow of combat from what they knew.
Even Korea’s finest Awakened Ones had no choice but to panic.
Ha Gyeong deadened his presence as much as possible.
‘I need to land a big hit with a surprise attack.’
The skills remaining to him were Bung Cheon Fist and Dead Zone.
The former would likely be more powerful and effective.
Now that he had a Noble’s body to work with.
Concealed by the Abyss Mist.
The Sky Mauler paid Ha Gyeong no attention whatsoever.
Then, the moment it lunged at Yun Chang Ho.
Ha Gyeong entered the fray.
Screeeech! Boom!
[Encountered Core Guardian, Sky Mauler.]
―Rrraaaagh?
Just before the attack struck the shield.
The Sky Mauler was sent flying with a shriek.
A grayish-white sphere had struck its flank squarely.
Ha Gyeong immediately pushed off the ground.
Boom! Whoosh!
His form shot forward in a panoramic blur.
He caught the Sky Mauler in an instant.
Then slammed it down hard.
Crash!
―Wh-what just—?
The Sky Mauler stammered, clearly shocked.
But its response was solid nonetheless.
It flipped its upper body.
Recovering balance effortlessly.
A master of close combat indeed—its body control was exceptional.
The Sky Mauler bared its fangs at Ha Gyeong and spoke.
―Where did you suddenly emerge from? Ah! So you’re that one the Marquess mentioned. The Immortal, was it?
“Becoming famous in Zardor must be an honor. When I meet your Emperor, I’ll have to give him my thanks—with a punch to the face.”
―Pfufu! How typical of an inferior species on a colonial world—your manners are utterly deficient.
“Let me ask you something. What do you people call the supreme ruler of an enemy nation?”
―Hmm? A meal’s head?
“I see. I’m starting to wonder who actually has the manners problem here.”
―The weak should hold their tongues!
The Sky Mauler immediately swung its arm.
Its form, judged on appearance alone, was clumsy at best.
Just a simple broad sweep of claws.
But the trajectory and force were formidable.
It spiraled far wider than expected.
Whoooosh! Clanging!
“Ugh!”
The impact transmitted through the blade was tremendous.
Ha Gyeong fell back, grimacing.
The creature’s other fist came up in an uppercut.
The claw attack had been a feint.
This uppercut was the real strike.
Ha Gyeong felt cold sweat trickle down his spine.
‘So much stronger than I expected for a close combat master.’
Even taking a proper Bung Cheon Fist hit, it could respond like that.
Its durability was also considerable.
Ha Gyeong’s gaze swept the surroundings rapidly.
‘My teammates are almost unconscious. I only have Dead Zone left.’
A difficult situation from every angle.
Yet there were ways to overcome it.
Ha Gyeong immediately called out to someone.
“Jereon.”
―……!
Tearing open the gate
Author |
Moraetop
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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Submissions |
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The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without written permission from Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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