Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 345

Weapon-Eating Bastard – 345

The dwarves of the Aerial Fortress meticulously recorded the rapidly changing world.

From their vantage point high in the sky, their eyes turned towards the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

“Ugh, ugh…”

“H-How can it be…”

The dwarves trembled, their hands shaking as they worked.

With each resurrection, the Primordial Abomination gained power greater than before. It was a terrifying cycle.

But even considering that, this resurrection was unleashing power far stronger than any they had recorded before. The scale of it was unprecedented.

“The monsters… they look different from before.”

“How can they act like that?”

They recorded the ongoing destruction, feeling a sense of bewilderment and growing dread. The familiar patterns were gone.

With each wave of destruction, the Primordial Abomination revealed unexpected power. It was as if it were learning and adapting.

But now… even with that in mind, what they were witnessing was too alien, too far removed from what they understood.

“The monsters are acting like humans.”

“How is that possible?”

The monsters were being controlled, manipulated with a disturbing level of sophistication.

The Abomination’s bastards, the clones born from its flesh, were handling the monsters with unnerving precision.

Not just handling them, but commanding them with strategy.

They understood human power and were exploiting human fears and emotions, turning humanity’s strengths against itself.

Instead of just pushing forward in mindless waves, they were creating fear, instilling madness, and weaponizing the dread of death. It was psychological warfare on a monstrous scale.

“Could it be…”

One of the dwarves muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

“Are they understanding humans?”

The hands of the dwarves, who were continuing to record the unfolding horror, stopped abruptly. The implications of that single question were staggering.

Until now, the Primordial Abomination was, in effect, closer to a natural disaster or calamity – like a typhoon, volcanic eruption, or tsunami. A force of nature.

A wave of death washing over them due to some principle humans couldn’t control or comprehend. It was terrifying, but also impersonal.

But what if it gained intelligence? What if it began to *think*?

Saaah….

The dwarves’ yellow eyes contracted slightly, their pupils shrinking in fear.

Kuuuuuung!

At that moment, the dwarves heard the world’s scream, a sound only they, with their unique connection to the planet, could perceive. It was a sound of agony and impending doom.

“N-No, no! No way…”

“The ancient powers are finally being released…”

It was another sign that the prelude to destruction was beginning, the opening act of a cosmic tragedy.

The celestial energy was fluctuating wildly, destabilizing the very fabric of reality.

There were countless beings sealed in this world, slumbering for eons.

Some from ancient times, some connected to the Primordial Abomination – ancient beings with dangers of numerous types and forms – were being released, their prisons shattered.

The seals of the abominations, hidden in the Arctic, Antarctic, or within old mysteries untouched by humans, were breaking, one by one.

There was such a thing in the closest place to where the Aerial Fortress was floating, a dark secret stirring beneath the surface.

Jeju Island, Mount Halla. A place of beauty, now a potential source of unimaginable horror.

A Great Demon existed there, its power growing with each passing moment.

“Master…”

The dwarves muttered, their thoughts turning to their leader and the immense burden he carried.

“The singularities of this land…”

Above the crystal ball where the world’s appearance was being recorded, the 모습 [Korean: appearance, form] of humans continuing to fight was reflected, a flickering image of defiance against impossible odds.

Where, indeed, was the world heading? What future awaited?

They couldn’t guess. The threads of fate were too tangled, the variables too numerous.

* * *

Northern Defensive Line, Republic of Korea.

A day and a half had passed since the initial destruction began. Time seemed to stretch and compress in equal measure.

There had been a total of three major battles. Each one a desperate struggle for survival.

The monsters rushed in like crazed beasts each time, but always retreated without fully breaking the line. It was a strange, unsettling pattern.

Thanks to that, people could rest, but that rest wasn’t a real rest. It was merely a pause in the relentless cycle of fear and violence.

“Uwaaaagh! My arm, where’s my arm…”

“It hurts! It hurts!”

Behind the defensive line, in the makeshift medical unit, the screams of heavily wounded soldiers didn’t stop. The air was thick with the smell of blood and antiseptic.

The number of injured was far too high, straining the already limited resources. The reason? Simple, yet horrifying.

The monsters were deliberately trying *not* to kill the soldiers outright. They were maiming, crippling, and inflicting maximum suffering.

“Haha, damn it.”

A soldier on guard duty on the defensive line lit a cigarette, the flickering flame a small act of defiance against the encroaching darkness, bothered by the constant, agonizing screams.

“Now all that’s left is to die. Haha, just one day, in just one day…”

“…Keep it down.”

“We’re all dead anyway. Damn it. Damn it…”

The soldiers on the defensive line were talking with shadows cast over their eyes, their faces gaunt and hollow. The weight of their situation was crushing them.

People tend to think differently when given time to rest. But in this case, that time was a breeding ground for fear.

The fear of death, the fear of the monsters, the fear of the unknown. It was a suffocating blanket of dread.

They felt it would be better to die quickly than to end up like those miserable injured people constantly screaming behind them, their bodies broken and their spirits shattered.

Taaang!

At that moment, a gunshot rang out from somewhere far away, and something like people’s screams echoed, quickly cut short. The sound sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

The soldiers quickly got up and looked beyond the horizon, scanning the desolate landscape, but no monsters were visible. Only empty fields and the ever-present threat of what lay beyond.

Then what was the meaning of that gunshot just now? What horrors did it represent?

…They didn’t want to think deeply about the meaning of that sudden gunshot that often rang out on the defensive line. Ignorance, in this case, was a fragile shield against despair.

“By the way…”

A soldier sitting in the sniper’s position glanced at the top of the defensive line, his eyes narrowed in disbelief.

“…Are those people losing their sense of reality or something?”

In this moment when despair and fear covered the defensive line like a shroud, there was a group of people with indifferent expressions, calmly sharpening their dulled blades. They were an island of serenity in a sea of chaos.

“They must be crazy. Or maybe they’re brave because they’re swordsmen.”

A soldier smoking a cigarette in the assistant sniper’s position muttered sarcastically, his voice laced with a mixture of envy and disbelief.

It was then.

“Not all swordsmen… warriors are like that.”

A voice different from the two soldiers’ was heard, a voice of authority and experience.

“Company Commander.”

“Salute!”

The soldiers quickly hid their cigarettes behind their backs, snapping to attention.

The company commander shook his head, a weary smile on his face.

“It’s okay. It’s a waste of cigarettes in this situation. Smoke when you can. We don’t know what tomorrow holds.”

“…Yes, Company Commander.”

The officer called the company commander glanced at the warriors of the Soongmoo Yi family [Soongmoo Yi: a renowned family of martial artists]. Their presence was a stark contrast to the fear and uncertainty that gripped the other soldiers.

In this moment when anyone alive, or perhaps even those who had died and become corpses, were making distorted expressions, the warriors of the Soongmoo Yi family were just calmly continuing to do their jobs. Their focus was unwavering.

As if this was everyday life, a routine task to be completed with precision and discipline.

“It’s not because they’re warriors, but because they’re the Soongmoo Yi family.”

At the company commander’s words, the soldiers all looked at the warriors of the Soongmoo Yi family, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and respect.

Although the words were sarcastic, they even held a sense of awe for the warriors. They were legends in their own time.

The warriors of the Soongmoo Yi family always threw themselves into battle first and were the last to sheathe their swords. They led from the front, inspiring those around them.

Unlike ordinary soldiers who were just shooting from afar, they were fighting monsters in close combat, facing the horrors head-on.

Yet they weren’t afraid. No, even if they felt fear, they overcame it, channeling it into a fierce determination.

That, the soldiers couldn’t quite understand. It was a level of courage and commitment that seemed almost superhuman.

“Even if they’re the Soongmoo Yi family, they’re still people, so how can they be like that?”

“They say that for them, this is just one of the battles that continues every day. I thought it was nonsense when I heard it.”

“Yes?”

“They talk about struggle and stuff, but ordinary people like me can’t understand it. It’s a different world for them.”

The company commander glanced at the soldiers, his expression thoughtful.

“But I understood this one thing. They were confident of victory. They truly believed they would prevail.”

Their confidence in victory was like a religion, a deeply ingrained belief that fueled their actions and inspired those around them.

And that belief was being sparked by just one person. A charismatic leader.

A young man in his early 30s who was leading them, his presence radiating strength and resolve.

At the joint meeting held at the command post, the company commander saw the strong faith of the Soongmoo Yi family warriors towards that young man. He was their anchor in the storm.

‘The 모습 [Korean: appearance, form] of the people below changes so much depending on who’s in command.’ He realized the importance of leadership in times of crisis.

Feeling his own inadequacy, he shook his head, pushing aside his self-doubt and focusing on the task at hand.

“Anyway… what brings you here? Did you come out for patrol or something?”

“No. There’s something to announce. And… I thought I should see your faces, to let you know we’re all in this together.”

The company commander took a slight breath and spat out the words as if sighing, the news he carried heavy on his heart.

“A large army of monsters has been observed approaching 100km away. They’ll probably reach here in a few hours. Prepare yourselves.”

“Ha, damn it.”

The soldier just let out a hollow laugh, the sound devoid of any real humor.

“But if we endure this one time, it’ll be over. There’s a chance to end this.”

“Yes? What does that mean?”

Just this once? How could that be possible?

They were monsters that didn’t decrease no matter how many missiles or shells they fired. Their numbers seemed endless.

So why just once? What had changed?

“Did you hear something at the meeting? Is there something we don’t know?”

It was the moment the soldier asked with a faint hope, clinging to any possibility of salvation.

Boooooooom-!

From far away, a heavy vibration sound echoed, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The air crackled with energy.

A ship was rising into the sky there, a massive vessel defying gravity.

The Soongmoo Yi family’s mobile fortress, a symbol of their power and determination.

Why was that weapon, which usually patrolled the defensive line and provided fire support, moving? What was its purpose?

“They say they’re going to take the enemy commander’s head. They’re going on the offensive.”

“The enemy commander…? Are you talking about that giant monster?”

“Yes.”

The company commander and soldiers looked at the structure rising into the sky, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and anticipation.

There was a pattern drawn on the side of that structure, a symbol of hope in the face of despair.

崇武 [Chinese: Soongmoo – Reverence for Martial Prowess].

That was none other than the Lee family’s family crest, a mark of their unwavering commitment to protecting humanity.

“We just have to wait until then. If we just wait until then… the monsters will collapse. We have to hold the line.”

Hope began to dwell in the soldiers’ dying eyes, flickering like a fragile flame in the darkness.

“So let’s hold on. Until they sound the victory. We can’t leave a wasteland behind when they return. We have to give them something to come back to.”

Eyes filled with resolute will were shining here and there on the defensive line, a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity.

* * *

Northern Unexplored Zone, Deep Inside. A place where the hand of man had never touched.

In that place untouched by humans, a monster in the form of a giant dragon turned its head, its movements slow and deliberate.

That dragon was strong. Its power was palpable, radiating outwards like a physical force.

Without complex modifiers or adjectives, that was clear. Its presence was undeniable.

Even the most valiant warriors seemed to lose their light in front of the dragon, which was like a giant mountain range, an immovable object.

It was a living disaster, a breathing calamity, a force of nature unleashed.

It was too powerful for a weak being like a human to face, a creature of immense scale and unimaginable power.

-Krrr….

The dragon, raising its head, slowly opened its eyes, revealing their terrifying depths.

Those eyes… were strange, unsettlingly so. They were not the eyes of a beast.

Instead of the dragon’s unique vertically torn pupils, round and clear pupils like those of a human were revealed, hinting at a disturbing intelligence within.

Uuuuuuung!

The dragon burst into tears, a sound that echoed through the desolate landscape.

That cry was as bizarre as those eyes, a sound that defied categorization. It was both mournful and triumphant.

Would it be too absurd to feel like priests were offering praise to God? It was a sound of devotion and sacrifice.

But clearly, that dragon’s cry was echoing as if it were communicating with someone, a telepathic message sent across vast distances.

But, it was that moment. The moment of revelation.

Hooong! Kwaaaaaang!

The sound of the wind tearing, followed by the dragon’s maw exploding in a shower of blood and scales. The attack was sudden and brutal.

Kwang! Kwaaaang!

That was the beginning. The opening salvo in a desperate battle.

The bombing that started in the sky covered the dragon with explosions, a relentless barrage of firepower.

The form that was soon revealed, however, was shocking.

The dragon’s 모습 [Korean: appearance, form] didn’t even have a scratch. The bombing hadn’t even touched the dragon in the first place. It was as if it were protected by an invisible shield.

-….

In the swirling explosions, anger was contained in the dragon’s human-like eyes, a burning rage directed at its attackers.

And, in that place, a human voice echoed, calm and collected in the face of overwhelming power.

“To be unscathed even by the mobile fortress’s bombing, it’s a real monster. We’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

“More than that, look at that. The youngest was right. It really looks disgusting. And why is the cry so annoying? It’s grating on my nerves.”

“Sister. You should call him Clan Head now, not the youngest. Show some respect.”

“That’s right, Sister. He’s our Clan Head now. He earned the title.”

“Are these impudent twins starting to crawl up? You want to die. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Ah, no. It’s not that. We’re just pointing out the facts.”

“Ah, why again….”

In front of the gigantic, monstrous monster, they were leisurely chatting, their banter a strange counterpoint to the impending battle. They were a family, even in the face of death.

“You three there. Please be a little tense? I really can’t say you’re my sisters and brothers anywhere. You’re embarrassing me.”

“…Hoo, I’m getting dizzy. This is too much, even for me.”

There were two women and three men, standing ready to fight.

Mugwang [Mugwang: a title or epithet], Lee Jin-yoon.

Twin Dragons, Lee Hyun-jae, Lee Hyun-chan.

Geumgeom [Geumgeom: a title or epithet], Lee Jae-hak.

Baekya [Baekya: a title or epithet], Lee Seo-hyun.

The five direct descendants of the Soongmoo Yi family were gathered in one place, united by a common purpose.

It was the direct descendants of the Soongmoo Yi family who never joined forces or walked together. Their individual strengths were legendary, but their combined power was unknown.

They were blood relatives, but they had lived like lifelong enemies, their relationships strained by rivalry and competition, and they were gathering in one place, raising their spirits, preparing for the fight of their lives.

“By the way.”

Standing at the very front was Lee Jin-yoon, her presence commanding attention.

She, who was carrying the greatsword Geosang on her shoulder, bared her teeth like a beast, a predatory grin spreading across her face.

“Is this the first time our siblings have worked together? It’s about time.”

“That’s right. Especially since the eldest sister was avoided by everyone because she acted crazy. No one wanted to be around her.”

“What did you say?”

Kooong!

Lee Jae-hak, who was answering Lee Jin-yoon, drew his dazzling sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light.

“Uh… we worked well together. We always have.”

“That’s right. We didn’t particularly want to get along badly? We just had different approaches.”

The twins of the Soongmoo Yi family, who were making playful voices, drew their swords, their movements fluid and synchronized.

“Ah, it’s really noisy. Stop talking now. We have a dragon to slay.”

Lee Seo-hyun drew the relic, the Ivory Sword, its surface shimmering with an ethereal light.

In front of the dragon, which was revealing an overwhelming aura, the five siblings were just calmly raising their energy, their focus unwavering.

The dragon’s face, looking down at that 모습 [Korean: appearance, form], distorted for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing its features.

-Foolish… humans….

“Huh? That bastard is talking? Is it actually speaking?”

“It’s telepathy. Eldest sister. It’s communicating through our minds.”

“It’s as the youngest said. Even if it’s a monster, such clear telepathy… It’s unsettling.”

High-ranking monsters can emit telepathy, a form of communication that transcends language.

But even telepathy isn’t originally at a level where conversation can be established. It’s usually just raw emotion.

At best, it’s at a level where primitive emotions are conveyed, a feeling of fear or anger.

But there was clear intelligence in that dragon’s telepathy, a sophisticated mind at work.

-Did you think that you could do anything to ‘us’ who have gained true spiritual and physical freedom by dedicating our souls and bodies to the Primordial Abomination…? You are mistaken.

The dragon looked down at the five siblings of the Soongmoo Yi family, looking down on the world with disdain.

Kuuuuuung!

At that moment, a black energy like poisonous mist rose up, swirling around the dragon like a shroud of darkness.

Kwang!

But, it couldn’t invade the siblings of the Soongmoo Yi family. They stood firm, unyielding in their resolve.

Because of the strange black energy surrounding their weapons, a protective aura that shielded them from the dragon’s influence.

Lee Cheol’s Black Qi [Black Qi: a type of energy or power].

The power of purification originating from the blood of the Soongjeong Choi family was pushing back the dragon’s energy, creating a barrier against the encroaching darkness.

-You can’t do anything to us… you should have at least brought the Abomination’s nemesis… where is he? The owner of that sword that deserves to die…. We crave his demise.

Listening to the strangely echoing voice, Lee Seo-hyun snorted, her expression one of amusement.

“As expected, that jerk’s prediction was right. He knew this would happen.”

Lee Seo-hyun lowered the Ivory Sword, which was plated with black energy, the power surging through her veins.

“You, you’re that crazy human from Behemoth, right? The masked guy. The one who’s been causing so much trouble.”

-Human? Do you think we are such insignificant beings? We are far beyond that.

Dragon race. No, the existence ‘들’ [Korean: plural marker] of Behemoth, who dedicated their souls and bodies to the Primordial Abomination and became its vanguard, spoke, its voice filled with arrogance.

-‘We’ have transcended humanity. We are something more.

-You will become like us too. You will join our ranks.

-Destruction has already begun…. There is no escape.

-Foolish humans….

Kugugugugung!

The dragon moved, its immense size causing the very earth to tremble.

Just taking a step caused the ground to overturn as if an earthquake had occurred, and a strong gust of wind rushed in, threatening to knock them off their feet.

“The lizard is talking nonsense. It’s just trying to intimidate us.”

Kwang!

Lee Jin-yoon suddenly swung Geosang, her movements swift and powerful.

The gust of wind split apart with a tear, the force of her blow creating a shockwave that rippled through the air.

Lee Jin-yoon opened her mouth as if spitting it out, her voice filled with defiance.

“If you couldn’t handle us siblings, you would have bitten your tongue and died a long time ago. You’re all talk and no action.”

-This foolish… You dare insult us?

“Ah, I don’t want to listen anymore, so shut up. I’ll take that neck now. I’m going to end this.”

Starting with those words, the battle began.

The five siblings of the Soongmoo Yi family raised their energy, their auras flaring to life.

And they recall the story Lee Cheol had told them, his words echoing in their minds.

-That task, my brothers and sisters, you must do it. It is your destiny.

-If the five of you are together, you can do it. I have faith in you.

-I will go to deal with the danger that has risen in the south. I will protect this land, so you take the enemy commander. We must divide and conquer.

Lee Cheol believed in them, placing his trust in their abilities.

This was a reward for that belief, and also a test, a chance to prove themselves.

‘We too are those who bear our own destiny. We are not just following in his footsteps.’

Lee Jin-yoon’s eyes shone with determination.

Destruction had arrived, threatening to consume everything they held dear.

She, who had experienced the Aerial Fortress, clearly knew what it meant, the scale of the threat they faced.

Like in the fight with Lee Goon-seong, should she rely on Lee Cheol even in the destruction that had occurred? Could she always depend on him to save them?

“Bullshit!”

Lee Jin-yoon suddenly spat out profanity, her voice filled with anger and resolve.

She absolutely couldn’t do that. They had to stand on their own.

They too were swords that would endure destruction and protect this world, warriors who would not yield.

Here, they would prove their struggle, their worth, their unwavering commitment.

No, this would only be a process, a stepping stone on their path to greatness.

She would overcome destruction, not behind Lee Cheol, but standing next to him, as his equal!

Kugugugugugugu!

Lee Jin-yoon’s greatsword contained a mirage, a swirling vortex of power that threatened to consume everything in its path.

Lee Seo-hyun’s Ivory Sword, Lee Hyun-jae, Lee Hyun-chan, and Lee Jae-hak’s swords revealed a strong aura, their blades radiating with an intense light.

* * *

Southern Part of the Korean Peninsula, Mount Halla. A place of ancient power and hidden secrets.

I looked north with the Mountain Spirit, my gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

“Are you worried?” The Mountain Spirit asked, her voice soft and gentle.

“…No.” I replied, my voice firm and unwavering.

Below me and the Mountain Spirit, lava that seemed ready to burst out was bubbling, a fiery inferno contained beneath the surface.

I came here to prevent another sign of destruction from engulfing this land, to quell the darkness that threatened to rise.

With the terrestrial and celestial energies twisted, all the powers that had been protecting the world were broken, and the sealed things began to rise, their prisons shattered.

The Great Demon sealed in Mount Halla, a creature of immense power and ancient evil.

I came to punish this, to ensure that it would never threaten humanity again.

“They will do it. I don’t intend to keep them by my side forever. I believe in my siblings. They are strong and capable.”

“Well, your siblings were monsters too. They’re a force to be reckoned with.”

-Uuuuuuuuuuu….

At that moment, something like black clouds began to rise from the depths of the deep lava, a swirling vortex of darkness that blotted out the sun.

“Since the celestial and terrestrial energies are twisted, the energies of life and death, soul and body, reincarnation and elements, and yin and yang are all broken. The balance is shattered.”

At that time, the goblin Seop, who was standing next to the Mountain Spirit, muttered, looking at the distant sky, his voice filled with concern.

The color of the sky… was becoming more ominous than ever, a canvas of swirling darkness and impending doom.

This was because all the rules, balances, and laws that existed in the world were being distorted, the very fabric of reality unraveling.

“Can you do it? You? Can you stop what’s coming?”

Seop asked, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear.

I silently drew Black Night, which was hanging on my waist, the blade gleaming in the dim light.

“Yes, I will do it. I have to.”

I will block it, I will stand against the darkness, I will not yield.

I will protect it no matter what, and I will win again, as I always have.

-Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!

At that moment, the Great Demon completely rises, its form a terrifying amalgamation of darkness and rage.

Kiiiiiiiiing!

Black Night spat out its sword cry as if shaking, resonating with my own determination and resolve.