The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

Chapter 323

- To think you'd share a body with a dead troll. How peculiar. Anyway, when was the last time I saw a human? Hmm…

She was very chatty. After muttering to herself, she finally said.

- Ah! I remember! Azran!

Seol smiled.

- Azran was a weirdo! He barely listened to what I said. He was seriously annoying!

Ur, who was listening to the conversation inside the Void, chuckled.

- Hahaha… That's Azran for you.

After encountering the illusion of the Grand Duke of Frost, Ur behaved as if the word 'Azran' was his favorite in the world.

Hearing his name made him happily smile. And this time was no different.

- He was strong, that kid! Despite being a human, he had a pure heart… And also…

Splash—!

Water splashed onto Seol's face.

Madria was suddenly close enough to touch Seol's noise.

- He felt similar to you. Who are you?

"I've come to help the Frostmaw."

- Really? You don’t have hidden motives?

"I do. In return, I plan to take the Crystal of Dawn."

- Ah! You even know its name! How did you know?

Well, that was obvious.

'The Crystal of Dawn was created with your help, after all.'

- Anyway! So you mean I don't have to feel grateful?

"For now, yes."

- Hmm… Even though a Great Shaman has stepped up to help, the Frostmaw can't defeat the Emon.

Upon hearing Madria's words, Seol asked back.

"Why not?"

- Because they have Irizard!

"Irizard…?"

It does feel like that mole, Kuakha, mentioned that name.

'Irizard… Irizard…'

After feeling something strange, he looked over at Brutul, who was silently bowing his head.

- So you didn't know.

"No. Who’s Irizard?"

- She's the Old God of the Glaciers.

"What…?"

- She's an Old God.

"An Old God…"

That shocking revelation made Seol speechless.

"There's an Old God behind the Emon too? Then is this a battle between Old Gods?"

This was wrong. Things had gone terribly wrong.

Seol was happy at the thought of getting the crystal after smacking some moles' heads. But now, it felt as if a hammer had struck him instead.

- Yes! And you know you can't back out, right? You should also know what happens if you break a promise with an Old God.

"This is a fraud…"

- People often say that when they face unreasonable things. But listen, there's some good news for you.

Madria created something with water. It was a doll that resembled her.

- This is me.

Splash…

The doll split into two.

She held one part and said.

- This is the current me. And the other one is Irizard.

"…"

- It's okay. Irizard and I are significantly weaker compared to other Old Gods. We probably can't even muster half the power they have. Now that we've been split into two, even a quarter of that is impossible!

Given how absurdly strong Old Gods were, even that was excessive. Even a quarter of a quarter of a truck was still bigger than a human.

"Oof…"

- Ah! You just thought things got tangled, right?

"Yes."

- You're honest! I like that!

"Why are you and Irizard enemies?"

- Irizard is merely a condensed form of malice within me. You could say she's a mass of malice made for easier separation… But she ended up breaking free when she became too hard to control.

"So she must be the one manipulating and enhancing the moles from behind."

- Yes! Irizard is currently looking for me. It's giving me chills!

Despite the moles' frequent attacks, she seemed unconcerned.

"Are you okay?"

- No… I dread a future where I'm absorbed by Irizard, awakening yet another evil.

As overpowered as the Old Gods were, they also had foresight.

- However, since I met you, that future has been becoming increasingly hazy. Why is that? You're hiding something from me, aren't you?

She seemed excited that Seol's presence might erase her ominous future.

"Is there a way to win this fight…?"

- First… We have to return to the snowy mountain. Only there can I function properly.

Seol jumped to his feet and said.

"The snowy mountain… Let's do it."

- Oh… Do you have a plan in mind?

"I do, roughly."

- Really? Could you whisper it just to me?

Seol whispered into her ear.

"Wait."

Madria tilted her head.

- Wait, who?

Seol responded only with a smile.

[ Adventure 33. (Special) 'Mole Hunt'

You were blown all the way to the far northern lands near Hwigeltong by the explosion of the Barrier Stone.

Here, you've encountered the Frostmaw and got involved in their long-standing conflict.

It's already too late to flee. The Frostmaw and Emon have become aware of your presence, and they will hound you until you fall.

There's only one way to escape them.

Help the Frostmaw achieve victory.

Objective: Annihilate the Emon forces.

Caution. This Adventure is very dangerous.

Caution. This Adventure can change at a moment’s notice.

Remaining Time「Unknown」]

"Oof…"

The advance went smoothly.

Staying hidden in the temporary outpost wouldn't help this situation. With the moles' habit of moving underground, a problem could arise at any moment.

'The situation isn't ideal for waiting either.'

The Great Shaman. The Shamans that supported each element shone like stars, resonating with one another.

'They're getting closer. I'm sure… There isn't much time left.'

While Seol’s group and the Frostmaw advanced toward the snowy mountain, another Great Shaman was in motion, slowly approaching the same destination.

It seemed they would soon get there.

"Ugh… It's cold…"

"Ishi, do you want to drink?"

"No. Drinking before a fight is a quick way to die."

"Doesn't this whole situation seem like a quick way to die?"

"You aren't wrong…"

Seol asked the two humans who joined the Frostmaw Tribe's advance.

"Yeva, Ishi, are you sure? You can still turn back."

"Are you trying to get rid of us? No! I can smell it… A scent that won't let me turn back."

"Scent?"

Yeva shouted.

"The scent of an Adventure! Ah… It's been so long."

"It could be dangerous…"

Yeva and Ishi shook their heads.

"It's fine. After all, we aren't on the front line. We just intend to fulfill our support role."

"Why are you helping?"

"Because you helped us."

"Of course! We might not help much, but it's still better than nothing, right?"

"Thank you…"

Transferees sometimes surprised Seol—some of them, at least. Despite the situation being behind their capabilities, a few still tried to help him. This time was no exception.

"Don't die."

"Okay!"

"Ishi, you heard that?"

"Yeva, he was talking about you."

"Pf."

"Pft."

"Are you a kid?"

"Are you an adult?"

The emotions Seol felt while talking to them washed away instantly.

"The snowy mountain is in sight!"

"There it is!"

Before they knew it, they had reached the snowy mountain's vicinity.

Although many years had passed, the ice fortress still boasted a grand presence. 

Brutul asked Seol.

"We don't have proper siege weapons. So why…"

"We're going to set up a camp here."

"H-here?"

"Yes."

"But we will become an easy target! There are many moles, and we might get ambushed once the night falls…"

"I know all that. It's fine."

"…"

"Trust me."

"We're going to believe the Great Shaman. Prepare the camp!"

"Yes!"

Whoosh…

As dusk arrived, the Frostmaw became busy setting up the camp until nightfall.

'The moles seem to be watching.'

They likely expected some movement as soon as they reached the snowy mountain. Yet, contrary to their expectations, the Frostmaw had taken a disadvantageous position, which seemed to have made the moles cautious. They were hesitant about attacking and possibly reconsidering their approach.

Before long, the night fell, and darkness surrounded them.

"Make a fire."

"Yes!"

Although it wasn't an ideal decision, they had no choice. After all, Ishi and Yeva wouldn't last the night without fire.

Seol sat on a throne adorned with skulls—a chair befitting a Great Shaman.

Two additional chairs had also been prepared. Brutul sat in one while the other remained empty.

"Why did you ask us to prepare an extra chair?"

"Let's call it a welcome gift."

"A welcome gift…?"

"Just watch."

Despite the words coming from a Great Shaman, the Frostmaw couldn't help but feel uneasy.

They had set up camp very close to the enemy and were acting as if they had all the time in the world. Even though it was for a single night, it was nerve-wracking.

Seol closed his eyes and started counting.

"Ah, come to think of it, they might mistake us for moles."

He gave an order to Yeva.

"…"

Yeva nodded after hearing Seol's instruction, then strung an arrow.

"I'm really going to shoot it."

"Yes. They're almost here."

"Okay!"

Peeeew—!

[Yeva used Fare Shot.]

[Consume Magic Power and an arrow to shoot an illuminating light.]

[The size and pattern of the light can change.]

Pzzzt…

The entire area lit up as if it had been struck by lightning.

"I-It's them!"

"We're surrounded by moles!"

Seol turned his head in the direction of the sound.

There was a swarm of rats. Moles had gathered like a horde of rats, blocking the path to the snowy mountain and partially encircling the campsite.

"Grab your weapons and prepare for…"

Swoosh…

Seol raised his hand at Brutul's outcry, asking him to stop.

"B-but…"

Seol smiled as he watched the scene.

"They're here."

"Who is…?"

"Can't you hear it?"

Boom…

Boom…

Boom…

It was undoubtedly the sound of drums.

Crunch…

Crunch…

Along with it came the sound of footsteps. 

The moles hesitated as the sound drew closer, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

"E… Eek…"

"Those guys… are strange…"

"A dangerous smell…"

Even though they were more intelligent than before, they still fell far short.

"Oof…"

Beings covered in snow were approaching the campsite, and the one leading them breached the camp's perimeter and drew closer to Seol fearlessly.

"Wh-who's there?!"

"If you come any closer, we're going to respond with force!"

Seol waved his hand, signaling them to hold back.

"B-but…"

"Let them be."

Step…

Step…

Boom…

Boom…

The beat of drums, the crunch of footsteps in the snow, and the seemingly endless procession—a long line stretching as far as the eye could see.

A snow-covered figure slid closer and took a seat at the prepared chair.

"To think a guest would be playing the host…"

Seol grinned and said.

"I've been waiting."

"Long time no see, All Knowledge."

"I quit that."

"Damn… Well, it didn't suit you anyway… Hahaha…"

Brutul's face hardened.

"This voice…"

Swoosh…

The figure took off its frozen cloak and tossed it aside.

"It's been a while, Brutul."

"This can't be… There's no way…"

Boom…

Boom…

"Even a brief warm-up feels refreshing. Perhaps we could rest inside the fortress since we’re weary from the long journey."

Seol nodded.

Bron's forces then began forming ranks in perfect order.

"Prepare yourselves. We're going to dine in the fortress."

"Hahaha!"

"We're finally back to this damn place!"

The light from the flare still hadn't faded yet.

Now, the moles naturally understood the situation.

"E-eek! I-it's him!"

"Kiik! I'm scared!"

"He came back! He came back! Even though he died!"

"The dead have returned!"

"This can't be… Retreat! Return to the fortress!"

Whoosh…

The last remaining Great Shaman of the Waterfall. The pillar who supported the vast ocean.

"I've missed you little rats."

"It's Bron! Bron!"

"Run! It's really Bron's scent!"

Bron, the Great Hail, and his soldiers had returned to Hwigeltong.

The moles raced to the fortress to escape.

Tadada…

[Helper, 'Bron, the Great Hail' has appeared in this adventure.]

[Helper, 'Bron, the Great Hail' will join you in this adventure as an ally.]

[Faction: Bron's Frostmaw has joined Faction: Frostmaw.]

[Faction: Frostmaw is being restructured.]

The Great Shaman of the Sea and the Great Shaman of the Earth had gathered in one place with a common purpose.

Krrr…

Massive spheres of water started to form around Bron.

Whoosh…

"I have returned from hell."