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The Great Demonic Gate.

A massive Demonic Gate that appears in cycles.

It’s on a completely different scale compared to other Demonic Gates, and the number of demon beasts that emerge from it is incomparable.

Its overwhelming size and sheer numbers.

If it’s not stopped in time, not only the surrounding area but the entire region could suffer damage.

In the past, shortly after the Blood Demon War ended, there was a record of the Great Demonic Gate appearing and causing devastation in the Yoryeong area due to improper handling.

Of course, currently, measures against demon beasts are well-established, and the demon beasts appearing are of green and blue levels, so it’s not particularly dangerous.

With a well-organized Sword Team, handling it wouldn’t be too difficult.

‘If a clan leader from an ordinary clan goes, they could handle it alone.’

A Transformation Realm Martial Artist or higher could deal with the Great Demonic Gate without issue.

‘……But if it’s a Red Great Demonic Gate.’

The story changes a bit.

‘The level is different.’

As the name suggests, the Red Great Demonic Gate is a backlash of the Demonic Gate that includes Red Demon Beasts.

Even though there are already a lot of demon beasts pouring out, the fact that Red Demon Beasts are mixed in among them is a problem.

A Transformation Realm Martial Artist wouldn’t be able to stop it even if they died trying. When the first Red Great Demonic Gate appeared, it was the Heavenly Lord who stepped up to stop it, but even he, with his overwhelming firepower, couldn’t fully contain it.

‘And it’s happening here?’

Not just a regular Demonic Gate, but a Great Demonic Gate.

And it’s even a Red-level one, so it’s no wonder it’s shocking.

‘So that’s why the Nangong Clan requested support from the alliance.’

Now it makes sense.

Thinking about it, it’s understandable.

‘But why did they only send us?’

Given the nature of the situation, it’s hard to understand why only we were sent. Especially since it’s related to the Demonic Gate.

‘They should’ve sent the Wind Dragon Order.’

The Wind Dragon Order oversees research on the Demonic Sect and formations. So instead of sending the combat-focused Blue Dragon Order, they should’ve sent the Wind Dragon Order or the Flying Dragon Order.

‘Sending a bunch of new recruits like this.’

It’s a part that’s hard to comprehend.

‘What is the Sword Sovereign thinking?’

While I was still trying to figure out the intention behind sending us here.

“Snap out of it.”

“…….”

At the sound of the voice, I focused my eyes. So-i, who had been staring blankly, spoke to me.

“What are you thinking about during a mission?”

“Sorry.”

“Focus.”

So-i spat out the words and turned her head forward again. I held back a sigh at her demeanor.

‘Seriously.’

We were currently climbing the mountain range informed by the Nangong Clan.

Following the path guided by the Nangong Clan’s personnel, we kept climbing higher and rougher terrain.

The higher we climbed, the more I realized.

‘The terrain is terrible.’

The Great Demonic Gate is preparing to crack open at the peak of the mountain range, but the location is a mess.

‘With such rough terrain, it’s easy for demon beasts to run wild, but it’s a hassle for us to counter them.’

Why did it have to open in a place like this? The Nangong Clan must have really bad luck.

Thinking that, I glanced at the personnel. Currently climbing were Do-yun, me, So-i, and Father.

Nangong Jin stayed at the clan, and Mi Hyo-ran and Hyun So-yeon did the same.

Mother, of course, didn’t accompany us. I don’t even know where she’s resting.

‘Hmm.’

We climbed for a while longer. Following the guide, we kept climbing, and during that time, no one spoke much.

It was just a situation of climbing the mountain. The only desire was to fly up, but we kept climbing.

“We’ve arrived.”

The Nangong Clan’s personnel, who had climbed to the end, spoke to us.

“That’s it.”

I looked where they pointed.

‘Ha.’

My eyes narrowed as I saw it. It was exactly as described.

‘It’s really a Red Great Demonic Gate.’

There was indeed a Great Demonic Gate.

Its size was incomparable to a regular Demonic Gate. Even though we were on a mountain, it looked like a small hill.

The Demonic Gate was bound by five rings of red, mist-like energy.

‘……It’s set to erupt in five days.’

Those rings break one by one each day. That’s the rule of the Red Great Demonic Gate.

In five days, this Great Demonic Gate will erupt.

The problem is.

‘……These people don’t know that.’

That’s the issue. This phenomenon was only known after the Red Great Demonic Gate appeared.

They wouldn’t know about it now.

Which means.

‘The investigation team won’t have enough time to return and send reinforcements.’

Five days is far too short. By the time we return, the Demonic Gate will have erupted.

“It really is the Great Demonic Gate…… and it’s red.”

So-i approached the Demonic Gate and spoke. Drawn by its radiant color, she blankly walked closer.

Then she suddenly reached out her hand.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the Demonic Gate.

Thud-!

Father grabbed So-i’s hand.

“Step back.”

“Ah, ah……! Sorry.”

So-i quickly retreated, and Father examined the Demonic Gate.

“The energy surrounding it is…”

“Do you know why?”

“I haven’t figured it out yet, but the number has significantly decreased compared to the time of occurrence.”

“…The number has decreased?”

“Yes.”

“Is there no other reaction?”

“Correct.”

“When did it appear?”

“Less than a month ago.”

“…”

Considering the timing, I’ll know soon.

‘This must be because of me too.’

It probably happened around the time I came here.

While I was inspecting the Demonic Gate again, So-i approached and spoke.

“It’s fortunate that the Demonic Gate hasn’t opened yet… but judging by its condition, it could open at any time. And if it does, we don’t know what will happen, so we should probably request reinforcements.”

She’s right. Originally, with the appearance of the red, we should have received reinforcements, not just an investigation.

‘But the Nangong Clan probably didn’t want that.’

Receiving help from the Martial Alliance to resolve this might somewhat lower the Nangong Clan’s standing.

That’s why the Clan Leader, Nangong Jeohwi, probably only wanted an investigation.

‘What should I do?’

The situation didn’t look good. Then…

“…The ring. It’s disappearing…”

Father muttered something while looking at the Demonic Gate.

“Do you know the cycle of this ring disappearing?”

“According to those on guard… it seems to disappear one line at midnight.”

“One line at midnight. Every day?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Father continued with a calm expression.

“This gate will likely open in five days. If we report now, it’ll be too late.”

“…!”

Hearing this, my eyes widened.

He figured it out just like that?

Well, considering the daily disappearance and the circumstances, it’s something that can be predicted.

‘But still.’

It was surprising to me that he was so certain.

“Five days later…?”

Hearing this, So-i’s eyes widened.

“You’re saying the Great Demonic Gate will open in five days?”

“Probably.”

“Then, I’ll send a request for reinforcements immediately.”

“Sending it is reasonable, but it’s already too late.”

If it’s going to happen in five days as predicted, reinforcements will arrive too late.

“Let’s head back first.”

Father turned around as if the confirmation was complete, and we returned to the clan.

* * *

“…Five days, you say?”

As soon as we reported to the Clan Leader’s office, Nangong Jeohwi’s expression hardened.

“That’s the prediction.”

“…Hmm.”

“Of course, since the Wind Dragon Order didn’t come directly, it’s not certain.”

For a professional confirmation, the Wind Dragon Order would need to act.

But since that wasn’t the case, I added that.

However.

“Five days, huh.”

Nangong Jeohwi was already deep in thought after hearing this.

“We’ve sent a letter to the Martial Alliance regarding the investigation. Normally, we’d wait a few more days, but if the prediction is correct, there’s no time, so we proceeded.”

“Thank you. If the Deputy Lord’s words are correct, we’ll need to be cautious as well, so I’ll consider it a courtesy.”

“Thank you. Also…”

After pausing briefly, Father spoke to Nangong Jeohwi again.

“In case of unforeseen circumstances, I’d like to see the reports from your own investigations. Is that possible?”

The reports from the Nangong Clan’s own investigations. At this request, Nangong Jeohwi’s expression stiffened slightly.

It seemed slightly uncomfortable to request the main family’s reports, but…

“I’ll prepare them for you by today.”

“Thank you.”

Nangong Jeohwi accepted this.

After leaving the Clan Leader’s office, Father spoke to us.

“There’s no further investigation or activity planned for today, so take some rest.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

After giving the order, he disappeared alone.

So-i, who had been watching, also moved with a worried expression still on her face.

“Baek, my friend. What are you going to do?”

Do-yun asked me.

“Well. What about you?”

“I’m…”

Do-yun glanced in the direction where Father had disappeared and then…

“…I think I’ll rest for now.”

He said he’d take a break. It felt a bit hard to believe, though.

“Alright. I’ll do some training.”

I didn’t interfere or pick a fight.

Leaving Do-yun behind, I moved on.

The excuse was training, but there was someone I needed to meet.

I moved to meet him.

“…So. Why did you come…?”

A young man with a slightly swollen chin, gently massaging it with an egg.

I faced the awakened Nangong Hyeong.

 

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