Chapter 274: Chapter 274

Chapter 274: Shanghai (2)

Until the 20,000 Awakened entered Shanghai majestically, the atmosphere on GateNet was no different from a festival.

Pouring massive spiders.

Although each one was a powerful monster befitting an SS-rank gate, they crumbled helplessly before the violence of numbers.

Even Awakened from Korea and Japan, unlike their usual growling attitude, were sincerely cheering for China.

They didn't like China.

But if China collapses?

As the saying goes, 'without lips, the teeth are cold'; now was the time for China to perform.

When the atmosphere had become warm like that.

Some woman appeared beyond the camera.......

And before long, the chat window of GateNet, watched by the entire world, literally ‘stopped’.

The waterfall of text mixed with cheers, sarcasm, national pride, and hatred, which had been posted by the thousands per second, cut off abruptly.

As if someone had pulled the plug on the server.

On the screen, the corpse of Zhang Wei, called the Guardian Deity of China, was stuck on the floor.

With a hole blown through his chest.

[Texas_Ranger (USA)]: ……What was that just now?

[FireFistAce (Korea)]: Ah, is it lagging? Why is Zhang Wei suddenly lying down?

[HeavenAndEarth (China)]: Don't edit! There's no way our Lord Zhang Wei would lose to a girl like that! It's a broadcast transmission error!

However, the camera was brutally high-definition.

The heart still steaming in Magenta's hand. And Zhang Wei's empty eyes staring into empty space, having lost focus, were shown in close-up.

[Sakura_Mochi (Japan)]: Crazy…… he really died? The Tanker ranked 32nd? In one basic hit?

[Vodka_Bear (Russia)]: Hey, is this really SS-rank? A guy who said he could endure even a nuclear bomb got pierced like paper?

Astonishment spread into fear in an instant.

Zhang Wei's death was only the beginning.

Every time Magenta snapped her fingers on the screen, the heads of S-rank Hunters exploded like watermelons.

The balance of the battlefield collapsed completely.

“R-Run! We can't win against that!”

Someone's scream became the signal flare.

Hunters who lost their will to fight threw away their weapons and turned their backs.

But what awaited them was not salvation, but the predation of starving spiders.

“Kuaak! Save me! Please!”

Sticky spider webs shot from behind snatched the necks of fleeing Hunters.

In the darkness where they were dragged away, only fresh blood splashed up along with terrible chewing sounds.

Screams and shrieks bursting from all directions.

It was truly a living hell where overwhelming fear swallowed reason, a scene of pandemonium.

The 20,000-strong Awakened army China boasted about?

That was not an army. It was just a bountiful buffet for the Spider Queen.

[Breaking News] Chinese Government, “Situation controllable.” Preparing to deploy 2nd support troops!

[Breaking News] UN Security Council strongly urges China to ‘open borders’…… China refuses claiming “Interference in internal affairs”!

Even while their country's elite were being slaughtered right before their eyes, the Chinese leadership was still locking the doors.

No one knew if it was due to pride or because there was something they wanted to hide.

In the meantime, the situation on the screen was racing towards the worst.

The camera shook and focused on a man.

Thunder Emperor, Chen.

The pride of the continent and World Rank 27, he was trembling, having lost his will to fight.

Sword Emperor Wang Xiao and Immovable Wisdom King Liu were already sprawled around him, turned into half-lumps of meat.

Twitching their bodies intermittently was all they could do.

―Try running away. Hurry.

The shape of Magenta's mouth was captured filling the screen.

Like having hung prey on a spider web, she spoke mockingly with a cruel smile.

At that moment when viewers around the world held their breath.

Thunder Emperor Chen's knees buckled helplessly.

The pants of the man praised as the Thunder Emperor became damp. He banged his head at Magenta's feet, pouring out tears and snot.

Arrogant pride was nothing more than scraps of tissue before death.

“I’ll do anything! Just spare my life…… sob!”

There wasn't even a trace of a hero left in his appearance, wailing like a beast.

[ThunderGod (China)]: ……It’s a lie, right?

[Zeus_Fan (Greece)]: The Thunder Emperor…… knelt?

[Ninja_Zero (Japan)]: Is he begging for his life, right now?

That was the signal flare announcing China's fall, and the prelude to the despair humanity faced.

Amidst the screams of surviving Hunters filling Shanghai's sky, Magenta's gaze stared straight ahead as if piercing through the camera.

The corners of her mouth stretched as if tearing.

At the sight of purple venom dripping from between her sharp teeth, viewers trembled.

[GangdongMage (Korea)]: The Thunder Emperor…… pissed himself? Is this reality?

[Apocalypse_Now (USA)]: It’s over. Humanity is doomed today. That’s not a disaster, it’s judgment.

[Watching (Japan)]: Did you see her smile while looking at the screen just now? I thought my heart stopped because our eyes met.

Primal fear transmitted beyond the monitor.

At the thrill that that monster seemed likely to tear through the screen and come out at any moment, the whole world had no choice but to freeze.

Who could handle that monster?

One thing was certain.

A single world ranker wouldn't be enough.

It was a monster of a level that would be manageable only if super powerhouses within the top 10 combined their strength at least.

At best, a toy to play with for a short while.

It seemed impossible to extract any more enjoyment than that from the Thunder Emperor. Magenta raised her hand.

Just as she was about to strike off the Thunder Emperor's neck.

Magenta's gaze turned sharply.

In the middle of Shanghai's ruins, which were no different from hell. A heterogeneous existence was standing there.

Magenta's eyes narrowed with curiosity.

The deadly purple toxic fog she emitted was the breath of death that melted even the lungs of S-rank Hunters.

Yet that poison was losing its power only around one man.

As if invisible black jaws were swallowing the poison.

“Hmm…… what are you to be fine?”

Magenta moved her steps as if interested.

With every step she took, the asphalt corroded, making a sizzling sound.

But the man did not move even an inch.

Neat suit attire. Unwavering posture.

It was Liang Xiaojun.

Since he was also an outstanding Awakened, he had naturally been called up for this conscription.

“Answer me, weak human. Aren't you scared? You should beg for your life like that ‘Thunder Emperor’ over there.”

Magenta scoffed, pointing at Chen with her chin.

However, Liang Xiaojun simply shook his head calmly.

“Fear is the share of those without faith.”

“Because He is with me.”

There wasn't a single tremor in Liang Xiaojun's voice.

Rather, his pupils were glistening with madness-filled conviction.

The words Kim Minwoo brought up in their last call.

―I'll send a helper, so leave that to the helper and just monitor the Chairman well. Is that possible?

Seeing that the toxic energy couldn't encroach upon him at all, Liang Xiaojun was certain.

That the helper was assisting him.

He must definitely be watching him.

He dared not show unsightly behavior in a place where His gaze rested.

―Wow, crazy. Who is that person?

―Liang Xiaojun? That Necromancer?

―No, the Thunder Emperor is wetting himself, but that person doesn't even blink an eye.

―What's with that coolness? Does he really have something to rely on?

―Truly China's last pride……. Cheer up, Liang Xiaojun!

On the screen transmitted worldwide.

The contrast between the Thunder Emperor crawling on the floor and Liang Xiaojun confidently facing the monster was dramatic.

Public opinion flipped in real-time. Not the measure of strength, but the difference in spirit was separating the hero.

Magenta smacked her lips and approached right in front of Liang Xiaojun's nose. Overwhelming killing intent weighed down Liang Xiaojun's entire body, but Liang Xiaojun's face remained calm.

“You cannot defeat Him. And…… you will have to pay sweetly for the sin of daring to defile this land, which is His possession.”

Magenta's eyes distorted fiercely.

“Shall we test whether that great ‘He’ really comes or not?”

Magenta's fingernails tore through space, rushing toward Liang Xiaojun's neck.

Unavoidable shadow of death.

However, Liang Xiaojun did not scream like the Thunder Emperor, nor did he beg for his life while crawling on the floor uglily.

He merely watched calmly.

Just like when he repented in the darkness.

It felt like time was slowing down endlessly.

The purple toxic energy that reached right in front of his nose filled his vision.

It was the threshold of death, but strangely, fear was not felt.

Instead, the unforgettable memory of that day flashed through his mind like a kaleidoscope.

The moment he first faced him, the thrill trembling from the bottom of his soul.

He knelt at once to that overwhelming thrill.

It was instinctive awe toward an Absolute.

The price for bowing his head to him was sweet.

He, who had entered the Nine Dragons Guild but couldn't be called a core member, suddenly became a magnate moving China, and grasped power where countless people bowed at a single gesture. All this glory was a miracle solely bestowed by Him.

‘Everything I have is owed to Him.’

However, I have failed to repay that grace.

Death was not fearful.

He could endure the pain of melting bones and burning flesh. But he couldn't bear the guilt weighing down his chest. The fact that he dared to let His territory be trampled by mere bugs was piercingly painful.

‘My Master, please do not forgive this incompetent servant.’

That was not a last will.

It was the most noble and solemn confession of faith.

Along with tremendous vibration, an ear-tearing harmony rang out.

Dust rose like a storm with a massive explosion sound.

Magenta's fingernails were blocked by something and stopped in mid-air. A beautiful blade giving the feeling of a violin with strings attached. That cool blade was blocking her fingernails precisely.

“Who permitted your death?”

“Don't try to die easily. You have many uses.”

Liang Xiaojun's eyes sparkled.

Magenta, retreating far back, stared intently at Kim Minwoo.

“Is it you? The one that crazy bastard was waiting for.”

“Yeah. So it was you, who tormented my believer?”

The Mythical rank sword began to hum as if wailing.