Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Red Moon Rising (3)

“Commander Heksia?”

Keirun shook his head at Kang-jun’s question .

"If my prediction is correct, Heksia is probably one of the strongest in Earth Hwanmong . Lord has been assigned to their command . ”

"That means I will be Heksia’s subordinate . ”

He was a sovereign so it wasn’t satisfying to be under someone else . He didn’t like taking orders .

Keirun nodded like he knew Kang-jun’s heart .

"Even if you feel bad, it can’t be helped . If you become a stronger sovereign with a higher level then you can get rid of presences like dragons . Until then, you have to follow the instructions and be focused on getting stronger . ”

"Don't worry . I don’t have interest in anything other than becoming stronger . ”

No matter whose order Kang-jun was following, he was just going to fight monsters .

Sovereigns who weren’t afraid of fighting monsters could rise by leaps and bounds during this red moon .

Sovereign Hardis who had threatened Kang-jun with 500 orcs!

Kang-jun pledged to be strong enough not to be afraid of tycoon-class sovereigns .

"Then I will be going . ”

Kang-jun stepped into the portal in front of him .

Chuuuot!

A bright light wrapped around Kang-jun’s entire body .

‘This place is?’

The light was gone and the surroundings were revealed .

Kang-jun was standing on a circle of bizarre patterns and there was a big palace in front of him .

A golden, sparking palace!

[439th Army Headquarters]

The letters were displayed at the entrance to the palace like a signboard .

'Do I go inside?’

Kang-jun entered the palace .

Something like the emperor’s throne was on the far end of the palace and someone was sitting there .

Just before the throne, a pink curtain was placed and only blurred shadows could be seen, making it difficult to recognize the identity .

Who would be sitting on the throne?

In addition, 20 people seemed to be lined up on both sides of the throne .

The unusual thing was that he couldn’t even see their faces or distinguish their gender!

There were just glittering letters that told their names .

Sovereign Avia, Sovereign Paros, Sovereign Caper . . .

Kang-jun could see that they were all sovereigns .

In addition, he couldn’t see anything other than the names of the sovereigns .

"Speak your sovereign name . ”

The presence on the throne spoke at that moment .

“Lucan . You are?

"I am the 439th commander, Heksia . ”

Strangely, the familiar voice of a woman was heard . However, he couldn’t remember who it was . Anyway, it wasn’t that important .

"Where am I to fight?”

“I will let you know once all the sovereigns belonging to this army are gathered . Go to the place where the light is and wait . ”

A light flashed on one side of the palace and the word ‘Lucan’ appeared . Kang-jun moved to his position and stood there . He looked at the glittered word ‘Lucan’ that appeared on his clothes .

Kang-jun waited for a while until someone else showed up .

However, that person’s appearance was also veiled by something and he couldn’t grasp their identity .

The presence on the throne asked .

"Your sovereign name?"

“Hardis . ”

Unbelievable! Hardis! Kang-jun was startled .

Hardis was the one who attack Kang-jun today with the orc army .

He had bumped into the enemy here .

‘He must have also been assigned to this army . ’

Kang-jun’s eyes shone coldly as he stared at Hardis .

“Hardis! Go wait at the place where the light is . ”

The word ‘Hardis’ appeared next to Kang-jun . Hardis walked forward and stood beside Kang-jun . His clothes and sovereign name became shiny .

Kang-jun inwardly laughed .

A hostile monarch was right next to him .

Yet all he could do was watch .

Thanks to the red moon, there was a ban on fighting between sovereigns, otherwise he would have killed Hardis right now .

He was filled with regret .

‘An opportunity will come . ’

Kang-jun suppressed his anger .

At that time, Hardis looked at Kang-jun’s name with astonishment .

"No, are you Lucan?”

“I didn’t expect to see you in such a place, Hardis!”

"You brat! Today you were lucky . If it wasn’t for the red moon, you would have met your end today . ”

“You were the lucky one . If it wasn’t for the red moon then your head would have gone flying . "

Heksia stared at Kang-jun and Hardis before growling at them .

"Stop being so loud . I don’t have a lot of patience . Do you understand?”

Kang-jun and Hardis nodded .

In the meantime, more sovereigns kept appearing . The doors of the palace only closed when 40 people were gathered .

"I will introduce myself once again . I am the commander of the 439th army . My full name is Lotuna Heksia . You would do well to remember my name as I will be your direct superior . ”

At the end of her words, the curtain around the throne disappeared . The existence that was revealed .

A dream-like woman with mysterious blue hair . On her back were transparent wings that shone with a red light .

"Y-you are?”

Kang-jun’s eyes widened with surprise .

Everything was exactly the same except for the glamour on the wings .

She was the succubus that Kang-jun fought with at the entrance to Kwangho building a short while ago!

However, Lotuna was the commander of this army!

Lotuna Heksia!

She said that was her name just a moment again .

Kang-jun’s chest felt tight .

As Kajel had said, she was a horrifying existence that lived in 15 storey or higher buildings .

Heksia turned and gazed at Kang-jun after he cried out . She sneered .

"Lucan! It seems like you have just noticed . I remember well your bold actions against my clone . However, I will suspend your punishment until the red moon is over . After that, I will make you pay for it . ”

“ . . . . . . ”

Kang-jun stiffened .

‘Then that was just a clone?’

No matter how powerful Heavenly Cut was, it was ridiculous that it would work on an army commander .

It was possible because it was just a clone, not the main body .

Kang-jun’s question was answered . He stared straight at Heksia and said .

"If you hadn’t done something first then I wouldn’t have attacked . ”

Kang-jun didn’t hesitate to tell Heksia that her actions were wrong .

She had tried a strange attack on Kang-jun that obscured his mind .

On the other hand, Heksia was looking at Kang-jun strangely .

At the time, her clone was on patrol when she ran across Kang-jun and felt some curiosity .

It was because Kang-jun gave off a strange charm .

She thought there was no harm in playing for a while .

Yet Kang-jun was powerful enough to injure her clone .

However, the more surprising thing was that Kang-jun resisted her bewitchment!

Most demons couldn’t even resist it .

A fledgling sovereign shouldn’t have that power .

Of course, if he had a sovereign token that granted resistance to mental magic like bewitchment or deception then it would be a different story .

‘Anyway, he is a scandalous guy . ’

Everyone else was looking at Heksia with awe while Kang-jun was showing an attitude .

She just laughed and said .

"You don’t show any signs of repentance so it is difficult to forgive you . I will act after the red moon . There are more urgent things right now . ”

She immediately yelled loudly .

"Everybody listen! We are here because the Second Demon King Colladikus invaded this Hwamong . From now on, we will be fighting the Second Demon King and his army . Today will be a simple training exercise before the battles . ”

Training . What type of training?

Everybody gazed at Heksia .

Heksia gave an unknown smile and waved one hand .

Susususu .

At that moment, the scenery around them changed .

It was an enclosed room instead of the palace .

One corner of the stone chamber contained a gem emitting red light .

Heksia pointed to the gem and explained .

"This is a resurrection gem that is filled with the mysterious aura of the red moon . ”

She continued .

"While the red moon is up, you will be resurrected to the nearest resurrection gem when you die . ”

Resurrecting after dying? Then it wasn’t the end once they died?

Of course, that was only when the red moon was floating but it was hard to believe . Heksia shrugged .

"Even so, don’t be too relieved . The power of the red moon won’t be given so freely . Every time you use the power of the red moon for resurrection, your achievement points will be reduced in exchange . ”

At that moment, achievement points appeared in front of everyone including Kang-jun .

[Red Moon Achievement Points: 100]

“In the world of the red moon, everything is fair . No matter your power in reality, all sovereigns will be given 100 points equally . ”

Heksia swept her gaze over each sovereign .

"10 points will be lost for every resurrection . Once all the achievement points are gone, you will no longer be protected by the red moon . Do you know what that means? You will really die . ”

The sovereigns all tensed up . They had been relieved that they couldn’t die while the red moon was present . However, it was impossible without any achievement points .

In other words, they could really die!

They had to pay attention .

Suuk .

Heksia spread her arms open and exclaimed .

"Then should we begin the training? Please note that the purpose of this training is to prepare your mind for the war with the Second Demon King’s army . At the same time, it will be testing who is the strongest among you . ”

Her eyes sparkled . At that moment, the red gem on one side of the room started to shine brightly .

“There is only one winner . The one to survive until the end will be awarded 50 bonus points . Then let's get started . "

Starting? Perhaps?

"Regardless of the rules of the red moon, you can attack each other in this training room . If you die and are resurrected, points won’t be lost . ”

As soon as this was said, one sovereign pulled out an axe and struck the person next to them .

Bam!

"Kuaaaak!"

The body of the sovereign disappeared like smoke and reappeared completely fine next to the red gem .

"The losers will have to wait there . Other sovereigns, keep training . ”

“Ohh! Shit!”

The person who just died flopped down at Heksia’s words . He glared poisonously at the sovereign with the axe who struck him .

Meanwhile, the other sovereigns had pulled out their weapons .

Bam!

"Ack!"

From then on, people kept dying .

Huhu, don’t blame me since your achievement points won’t be reduced even if you die . ”

“Kuaack!”

“Sorry! This is training so please understand . ”

“Kyaaack!”

In an instant, 10 out of 40 sovereigns were moved to the resurrection gem .

There was a fierce battle between the remaining 30 sovereigns . Among them were several sovereigns who showed outstanding abilities .

Sovereigns Avia, Zenith and unexpectedly Hardis were among them .

"Kuhuh, this training is always welcome . ”

Hardis wielded a red sword and slaughtered the surrounding sovereigns . He had agile movements and the red line that sometimes extended seemed to be a combat skill . Those targeted by Hardis had their neck slashed and collapsed .

“Ack!”

“Aaack!”

Before they knew it, three, no four people were left .

One sovereign watching the situation from the side was Kang-jun .

Kang-jun stayed in the background and only attacked those who aimed for him . Of course, he wasn’t frightened or confused by this situation . He was observing the other sovereigns .

However, there were only a few remaining so he could no longer just watch .

“Bah! Kill!”

The spear wielding Sovereign Avia rushed towards Kang-jun . The voice seemed to belong to a female .

Syuok! Syuook!

The spear aimed at Kang-jun’s neck then chest .

Kakang! Kang!

Kang-jun nonchalantly blocked the spear and cut Avia’s neck .

Chwack!

"Ugh!"

Sovereign Avia was destroyed without mercy . Her body moved to the resurrection gem and was restored to its original shape .

‘T-that is ridiculous! Lucan! Who the hell is he?’

Avia couldn’t believe she was defeated and stared at Kang-jun with a devastated expression .

Then Hardis rushed towards Kang-jun .

“Huhu, you stupid boy! You are still alive . ”

The red sword aimed at Kang-jun’s neck .

Kaaang!

Kang-jun blocked the sword and stabbed Hardis’s neck .

Puok!

"Kkuck!”

Blood spurted out as Hardis’s neck was penetrated .

Now there was one left .

Kang-jun didn’t hesitate and ran forward .

“Heok! Wait!”

Zenith watched Kang-jun with an expression filled with tension .

Sukeok!

Kang-jun ran to him and cut off his head .

39 out of 40 sovereigns were moved to the resurrection gem, with only one person standing in the centre of the room .