Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 264

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 264

In a forest within an uncharted territory.

Three figures stood tall, gazing at the aerial fortress.

Around them, a group of masked individuals stood silently, heads bowed.

As if worshiping the figures at the center, these madmen in masks remained motionless.

Moved.

The three figures spoke the word simultaneously, without a moment’s delay.

The monster-like beings surrounding them raised their heads, their shoulders twitching as they writhed, ready to pounce at any moment.

“Any news from the Greedy One?”

“Lee Gunseong refused to enter the aerial fortress.”

“What is his intention?”

“It is of no concern. We need only take steps toward our noble cause…”

Unlike the usual behavior of the Behemoth’s followers, their voices contained clear reason.

However, their expressions and tone were far from those of living people.

Their expressions, the movement of their lips, the movement of their pupils—none of it moved, as if they were wearing well-made masks.

They were clearly human, yet they did not appear human.

“…However, Lee Taeshin remains. We cannot know what that adversary will do.”

“A foolish human who thought he could bear the weight of an era alone…”

“His celestial aura has already vanished from the sky. It is no different from death.”

“We cannot be so quick to judge.”

“Life and death are not important. We need only entrust the affairs of that cursed family to Lee Gunseong…”

“He, too, has accepted the mask. Do not call him by name.”

“I do not acknowledge his mask.”

The three, with human faces, continued to speak with expressionless faces.

“In any case, he will handle the cursed family.”

“Those heretics will become sacrifices for the great cause.”

But when they reached the word ‘sacrifice,’ their shoulders trembled, as if feeling a certain delight.

“In the end, everything will begin with the cursed successor and obtaining that sky fortress…”

“With this, everything will change.”

Successor.

That was how people referred to Lee Cheol.

The adversary of fate, who inherited the power of the primordial beast and traveled around collecting numerous fragments.

Cabal, Behemoth, the Nine Dragons, the Dawn Society, and even the Soongmoo Lee Family.

All seemed to consider Lee Cheol’s existence to be of great importance.

“No one will be able to understand the heavenly principle…”

“We will make this world into its correct form.”

Woo-oong!

Even as the three apostles spoke, the aerial fortress continued to change.

Several figures wearing white masks bowed before them.

“Apostles. What should we do?”

“We will begin the great cause… We are going to the aerial fortress.”

With the words of the apostle standing at the very center, the masked people around them began to rush forward, emitting strange screams.

Their goal was the aerial fortress.

* * *

The bridge of the aerial fortress descended.

In truth, it was more like a pillar descending from the sky than a bridge.

An opaque pillar reminiscent of a rainbow.

The Soongmoo Lee Family’s forces, having completed their brief rest and reorganization, immediately advanced towards the nearest bridge.

And, as I expected, organizations appeared to block the Soongmoo Lee Family’s advance.

“Commander! A report from the vanguard! Masked *괴인s* [strange beings] have charged at the front!”

“Communication from the left flank! There has been an attack by an unidentified knight group. The Twin Dragons are resisting!”

Various organizations rushed in to stop the Soongmoo Lee Family’s advance, which was in formation.

‘It has begun.’

The only condition for crossing the bridge was ‘those who are alive,’ but there were no other special restrictions.

However, as soon as we heard the telepathic message, everyone, including me, realized that there were some constraints.

‘There are a total of seven bridges. You must seize them first on a first-come, first-served basis. Otherwise, you may be blocked from crossing.’

I couldn’t explain it exactly, but I intuitively felt that there was a reason why they were divided into seven.

In order for us to cross the bridge, we needed to defeat the leading competing forces and drop those who were following us.

Kwaang!

A roar erupted with the explosion, and *군기* [military discipline/spirit] soared.

This place was already a battlefield.

All sorts of energies, boiling like a furnace, spread out like mist.

“Hey! Shouldn’t we start moving soon?!”

Lee Seohyun asked urgently.

The entire main force was engaged in battle, but the Cheollyeong Unit and I had not yet used our full strength.

The reason was simple.

The role of the Cheollyeong Unit and me in this battle was not to fight other forces.

Guerrilla force.

My eldest brother and second sister lead the main force and advance towards the bridge as quickly as possible, and the Cheollyeong Unit, led by me, moves freely to support the main force so that it can focus solely on advancing.

It was then.

─────!

Vast energy emanated from the front.

However, compared to the amount of magic power, no noise or light leaked out.

Only a scene distorted and twisted like a heat haze could be seen.

That meant only one thing.

‘The eldest brother used the *심검* [Mind Sword]!’

*심검* [Mind Sword], severance.

The eldest brother’s *심검* [Mind Sword], which even cuts off noise and light.

What is in front that requires the use of *심검* [Mind Sword]?

Or did he just fire a big one to clear the way?

In any case, that is a signal flare.

“Cheollyeong Unit! Move out!”

“Yes!”

With my command, the Cheollyeong Unit followed behind.

We rushed out towards the left flank, where the Twin Dragons were fighting, slowing down the main force’s movement speed.

‘They are quite skilled. I can’t tell which organization they belong to.’

Knights of unknown affiliation were unleashing their auras.

Their posture and movements were considerable.

Knights in unremarkable light armor were engaged in close combat with the Twin Dragons.

“Cheollyeong Unit! Draw swords!”

Kwajik!

However, the balance of that close combat was broken by the Cheollyeong Unit, which burst in from the side.

The Cheollyeong Unit fluttered their black uniforms and extended their swords.

Tteoeong! Kwaaang!

War is different from battle.

Sudden intrusion and inducement of melee.

The warriors of the Cheollyeong Unit thrust their swords between the knights’ armor and aura barriers, pushing them away from the Twin Dragons.

“Maknae [youngest]!”

The fourth and fifth brothers found me and shouted happily.

“Leave this to us and follow the main force! You must not be late!”

“Okay! Thanks!”

“Oh! Thanks!”

The two twin brothers immediately led the Twin Dragons and began to move.

The Cheollyeong Unit filled the Twin Dragons’ empty space as if replacing them.

“Black Emperor, Lee Cheol…”

The knights paused for a moment and stepped back.

I could see their eyes shaking beyond their helmets.

“Retreat! Retreat! Do not confront this man!”

The one who appeared to be the commander of the knights shouted urgently.

Soon, he gathered his magic power to buy time and struck down with his greatsword.

A perfect 3rd class level strike.

A skilled person of this level must be a named knight.

But that didn’t matter now.

Kwajijijik!

I tore through the sword energy with my bare hands as if removing a bolt, and stepped forward as it was.

‘How, how can he do that with his bare hands!’

‘Unbelievable! That was a full-force strike!’

The knights couldn’t believe the sight before their eyes.

From the beginning, even the Cheollyeong Unit, who followed Lee Cheol, couldn’t help but feel admiration for Lee Cheol’s martial prowess.

“Could it be…”

I brushed away the fragments of aura that were scattering in all directions and slowly raised my hand.

“You don’t think you can touch the Soongmoo Lee Family and run away, do you?”

As I raised my hand, all sorts of weapons made of black energy surrounded the knights as if to trap them.

Chaeng!

And in an instant, the fallen weapons simultaneously aimed their blades at them.

The rear and sides were blocked.

The only way to escape was in front of them.

And in front stood me and the Cheollyeong Unit.

“Damn it! Attack!”

The knights turned around and charged at once.

I grabbed the Black Night in my hand and struck it down as it was.

* * *

The Soongmoo Lee Family’s main force was soon able to reach a location where the aerial fortress was right in front of them.

‘We were the fastest.’

Woo-woo-woo-oong!

A huge, opaque energy, like a rainbow, stretched towards the bottom of the aerial fortress.

And as planned, when we reached near the pillar, the direct line gathered to Lee Myeongjeong in front.

“Report!”

“No abnormalities! Everyone has arrived!”

“No abnormalities!”

In order, it was the second, fourth, and fifth.

The direct lines each took charge of the affiliated *사신대* [Four Gods Brigade] and *영검단* [Spirit Sword Unit], as well as the main family’s warrior corps, and moved.

“Casualties!”

“No deaths, thirty injured.”

Lee Myeongjeong nodded.

The role of the guerrilla force was great in being able to advance without slowing down in the midst of the chaotic advance.

Moving in all directions, they dealt with enemies who interfered with the main force’s movement speed.

‘As expected, *maknae’s* [youngest’s] ability is amazing in this kind of battle.’

Lee Cheol is excellent at individual combat, but he shines even more in large-scale battles like this.

In addition, the magic eye he possesses is excellent at reading the battlefield situation.

“Where is *maknae* [youngest]?”

“A report came in that he collided with the alliance… no, the forces of the Eiffel Magic Tower, who were chasing from the rear.”

Lee Jin-yoon reported to Lee Myeongjeong.

Then he will be late.

Unlike the main force, which aimed to reach the pillar quickly, the Cheollyeong Unit ran around and focused on the battle.

‘It would have been different if he had come quickly….’

The situation was already late.

From the beginning, Lee Cheol had stepped up to take on this role, so he had to give instructions as already decided.

“Enter now!”

Lee Myeongjeong shouted that and looked back at the main family warriors.

Already, by the decision between the brothers, the composition of the forces to enter the aerial fortress from the Soongmoo Lee Family was over.

“Then I’ll go in right away!”

The twins first led the Twin Dragons and boarded the bridge.

Their figures seemed to lengthen as they were wrapped in brilliant light, and soon disappeared.

“Then I’m next!”

Second Lee Jin-yoon followed.

One by one, the warriors who had already agreed stepped onto the bridge.

It was that moment.

“Kyaaaaaak!”

From when and where he was hiding.

A *괴인* [strange being] wearing a mask modeled after a dragon flapped his membrane-covered wings and rushed in.

Lee Myeongjeong calmly drew his sword and stood with his back to the bridge.

Kwaang!

But before Lee Myeongjeong could swing his sword, a spear scattering white and black light flew and pierced the *가면인’s* [masked person’s] body.

Thud!

Following that, a person flew through the sky and landed lightly on the ground.

“I’m late. Eldest brother.”

*Maknae* [youngest] Lee Cheol was.

Lee Cheol said, pulling out *경천* [Gyeongcheon – likely a named weapon], which had pierced the Behemoth follower’s chest.

“Fortunately… you succeeded in entering.”

“Yes, it’s not too late. It’s thanks to you.”

I looked at the bridge.

Fortunately, it seems that the Soongmoo Lee Family was the fastest to arrive at this bridge.

It was thanks to the guerrilla force’s activities, and because the main family’s warriors had the mobility to move quickly even in the midst of the chaotic battle.

“As soon as the warriors moved, the width of the pillar decreased. As we expected, there seems to be a limit to the number of people. Maybe… there is also a time limit.”

As expected, the width of the pillar was gradually decreasing.

“Lee Seohyun is currently leading the Cheollyeong Unit, and they are collecting the bodies of the fallen and the dead. In addition, they will gather the captured enemy forces in one place.”

“I understand. But really… are you okay?”

Lee Myeongjeong looked at his youngest brother.

The fact that the Cheollyeong Unit was staying behind to take care of the stragglers was because the Cheollyeong Unit had decided to drop out of this aerial fortress trip.

“I’m okay.”

I smiled and held out my hand to the eldest brother.

The eldest brother looked at it for a moment and then shook hands.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“I’m the one who should say that.”

This time, the one who decided to stay on this land was none other than….

“Whatever is in the aerial fortress, I believe you can do it if you go.”

…the eldest brother.

The eldest brother decided to take care of the forces and the warrior corps, including the Cheollyeong Unit, located here and return to the main family.

As the acting head of the family, it was because he would be in charge of the aftermath of various battles, including the protection of the main family and the alliance.

“Win and come back.”

“Yes.”

I nodded and stretched my foot towards the passage that the eldest brother was guarding, as if doing a baton touch.

“Until I return… please take good care of the family.”

Leaving those last words, I boarded the bridge.

* * *

I felt the sunlight coming down on my eyes and opened my eyes wide.

‘Did I pass out?’

It felt like I had been anesthetized.

I lost consciousness without even realizing it the moment I stepped on the bridge.

‘Where is this?’

I couldn’t feel the presence of the main family warriors who had gone ahead around me.