Chapter 621

“Mm!”

The eyes of Osolo, disguised as Lee Yeolsan, trembled.

He had already been greatly shocked when they entered the slums through the portal.

Deep down, he had looked down on Neo Seoul, yet it was astonishingly developed.

Up until then, he had brushed it off.

After all, El Harun had developed to a similar degree as well.

Though the direction of that development was different.

What truly shocked him was after entering Neo Seoul itself.

The area around the portal was already quite developed, but it could not compare to Neo Seoul inside the walls.

At the sight of the skyscrapers piercing the sky, the clean streets, and the cityscape at the forefront of technology, Osolo and the Shadow Tribe were left speechless.

Compared to Neo Seoul, El Harun—which they had inwardly considered the greatest in the world—was nothing more than some small provincial city in the countryside.

“So ten million people… live inside this place?”

“There are another ten million outside the walls as well, so in total, twenty million people live gathered on this tiny patch of land.”

“Incredible.” 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

At his subordinate’s reply, Osolo unknowingly revealed his true thoughts.

Even El Harun’s population had only been a few hundred thousand at most. Yet Neo Seoul held a population dozens of times larger.

He could hardly believe that so many people lived packed together in such a cramped city.

“And despite so many humans living together, there are no problems?”

“I heard the mayor of this city is an extraordinary man.”

“Mm! Hard to believe. That mere humans could possess such ability.”

A deep furrow formed between Osolo’s brows.

The Shadow Tribe he led possessed an extremely special ability.

As long as there were shadows, they could perfectly hide anywhere and completely steal the appearance of whomever they desired.

And Osolo, as their leader, possessed an even more special power.

He could absorb part of another’s memories as well.

The ability to steal both appearance and memory and become identical to someone else was perfectly suited for infiltration and assassination.

It was a power humans could never compare to.

Because they possessed such abilities, they could proudly hold their heads high even within El Harun, where countless races gathered.

That was why Osolo regarded humans as insignificant as dirt beneath his toenails.

Occasionally, rare individuals with special abilities appeared, but humanity’s overall capabilities were far inferior to the Shadow Tribe.

But the moment he saw the inside of Neo Seoul, he had no choice but to admit that he had been prejudiced.

This gigantic city built primarily by humans far surpassed El Harun, which had been created by countless races together.

Even if El Harun had remained intact, challenging Neo Seoul would have been utterly absurd.

The potential of humans, who had built such a city atop the desert, suddenly felt terrifying.

At that moment, one member of the Shadow Tribe spoke cautiously.

“We don’t have time to stand around here. We must approach the target quickly. If we delay, they may realize the people have been replaced.”

“Right! Let’s move.”

Osolo nodded and headed toward the North District.

Thanks to disguising themselves as the monster hunting team led by Lee Yeolsan, they passed through Neo Seoul’s inspections with ease. But as his subordinate said, if they delayed too long, someone might notice.

The destination of Osolo and the Shadow Tribe was the North District.

Fortunately, since Lee Yeolsan operated there, no one suspected them.

The place they headed for after entering the North District was the building where Serion resided.

As befitting the building of the ruler of the North District, countless troops guarded it, but no one questioned the entrance of Lee Yeolsan and his men.

“Hey, heard you hunted a Crown Lizard?”

“You won’t have to work for months now.”

At times, people who knew Lee Yeolsan casually greeted them, putting Osolo on edge.

Whenever that happened, Osolo searched through Lee Yeolsan’s memories and answered as similarly as possible.

“Got lucky. Even I didn’t expect to catch one this big.”

“Heh heh! That’s just how awesome your skills are, hyung.”

By using the sort of replies Lee Yeolsan would have made, he narrowly avoided suspicion and climbed to the tenth floor of the building.

The reason he stopped there was because only authorized individuals could go any higher.

Lee Yeolsan did not yet possess the qualifications to ascend further.

Still, Osolo, disguised as Lee Yeolsan, was not disappointed.

He had already expected this much.

From here on, the abilities of the Shadow Tribe were needed.

They released their disguises and returned to the Shadow Tribe’s original forms.

“From now on, we infiltrate Serion’s residence through the shortest route. Everyone follow me.”

“Yes!”

Osolo and the Shadow Tribe silently seeped into the ventilation shaft.

The vents were so narrow that even a child would have difficulty entering them. But the Shadow Tribe possessed the ability to freely alter the size and form of their bodies according to the situation.

To them, the size of the vents posed no issue.

The problem was the detectors installed inside.

As befitting Serion’s residence, detectors had been placed even in the vents to prevent intrusions.

But Osolo and the Shadow Tribe easily disabled them with their unique abilities.

Several times while climbing upward, they encountered detectors and defensive barriers, but they neutralized them all and finally arrived at the floor they sought.

The floor where Serion stayed.

Their target was Serion herself.

Though they had reached her floor without much difficulty, now came the real problem.

Serion was protected by numerous barriers and troops.

Sneaking in quietly like before was no longer possible.

“Hoo…”

Just as Osolo exhaled deeply—

“Who are you people? How did you get up here?”

One of the elves guarding Serion’s residence spotted Osolo and approached.

This was the place where Serion, queen of the races, resided.

Because of that, only a select few races were permitted entry.

Everyone who came and went was thoroughly accounted for, yet he had never seen Osolo and the Shadow Tribe before.

If strangers had come up, notice should have arrived from below.

But the elf had received no such report.

Naturally, suspicion arose.

Instead of answering, Osolo looked at the elf.

A face that appeared barely over twenty.

But definitely not actually in his twenties.

At least over fifty, and a pureblood elf.

In an instant, Osolo grasped information impossible to know from appearance alone.

Deceiving a pureblood elf already filled with suspicion was impossible.

Shuu!

At that moment, a shadow shot out from Osolo’s body like a whip and brushed past the elf’s neck.

A vivid line of blood appeared across the elf’s throat.

“An, intrud—”

Thud!

The elf’s head fell to the floor before he could cry out.

He had lost his life without even being able to react.

The elves watching from afar shouted.

“Intruders!”

“Strengthen the defenses!”

At that instant, Osolo and the Shadow Tribe attacked them at terrifying speed.

Slash!

Black blades and whips burst forth from the bodies of the Shadow Tribe.

Weapons created from their shadow-like bodies.

The weapons they created possessed power comparable to aura blades.

Slice! Slash!

Osolo and the Shadow Tribe swung their shadow weapons wildly, cutting down anyone who stood in their way.

“Aagh!”

“Th-the emergency bell…!”

They died screaming.

One member of the guard tried to press the emergency bell, but Osolo severed his wrist.

Yet even after losing an arm, he did not give up.

With his remaining hand, he managed to press the emergency bell.

Thrust!

Osolo stabbed a shadow spear through his neck, making certain to end his life.

“Damn it!”

Osolo cursed as he looked at the dead guard.

If they had been allies, he would have praised such determination.

Unfortunately, the man was on the opposing side.

Even while dying, he had pressed the emergency bell, which meant the North District elites below would soon come rushing up.

Osolo spoke to his subordinates.

“I will convert her to our side. You block the enemies coming up from below here. Ten minutes will suffice.”

“We’ll stop them with our lives.”

With that reply, the Shadow Tribe blocked the stairways and elevators leading upward.

Osolo stared at them briefly before turning away.

There was no time to hesitate here.

This was enemy territory.

No matter how powerful their abilities were, once the elites of the North District and Neo Seoul gathered, they were as good as dead.

Before all his subordinates died, he had to convert Serion.

That was the reason Osolo and the Shadow Tribe had forced their way in here.

Creak!

As he opened the door and entered, he saw Serion seated in a chair.

Serion gazed at Osolo with cold eyes.

“So the ones causing all the commotion were guests from El Harun. Judging by your appearance, you must be the Shadow Tribe. Am I correct?”

“My apologies. If our circumstances were not so urgent, we would not have committed such rudeness.”

“So you truly intend to wage war?”

“The war has already begun. We lost El Harun, and we need a new home.”

“So you intend to take Steel Fortress? Impossible. Neo Seoul’s elites have already been dispatched there.”

Serion rose from her seat.

The moment she heard the sounds of fighting outside, she had already finished preparing for battle.

Though it had been a long time since she stepped away from combat to govern the North District, she had no intention of submitting helplessly.

Even while looking at Serion in her combat stance, Osolo remained calm.

“I expected as much. Anyone with a brain would have built numerous weapons and defensive barriers to protect Steel Fortress.”

“And knowing that, you still intend to wage war?”

“Did I not say our circumstances are urgent? We are in no position to be picky.”

“So that’s why you came here? To convert me? Sorry, but I will not join your side. This is my home.”

“I never expected you to willingly fight for us.”

“And yet you came all this way, which means you have a method?”

“I possess Bark’s Scales.”

“Don’t tell me… the evil god Bark?”

“That’s right!”

“My god. The Shadow Tribe has fallen this far. How can you possibly possess one of Bark’s divine relics?”

Serion looked utterly unable to believe it.

Among Kurayan’s Twelve Great Gods, Bark was the sole evil god.

At first glance, he appeared similar to the Shadow Tribe, but their natures were completely different.

Had the Shadow Tribe followed Bark, they would never have been accepted into El Harun.

The sacred relic Osolo possessed contained the powerful will of the evil god Bark.

Anyone corrupted by that will would have their nature altered and, above all else, become obedient to the user’s commands.

“You people are insane. You dare try to brainwash me.”

“It seems you’re trying to stall for time, but it’s useless. My subordinates will stop anyone coming up here.”

“You think I’ll go down easily?”

“From the looks of it, it’s been a long time since you fought. Resist all you like. Someone like you can be subdued easily.”

Bang!

Osolo kicked off the ground and charged at Serion.

As Osolo swung his shadow whip, Serion countered with her rapier.

Clang!

The rapier and shadow whip collided in midair.

And so, Serion and Osolo clashed.

＊＊＊

“The scent of the Shadow Tribe is coming from this place.”

At Hera’s words, Zeon lifted his head and looked up at the building.

Since he had already visited several times before, it was not difficult for him to recognize what building it was.

“They’re targeting Lady Serion.”

“So this is where she resides?”

“Yes! Please follow me.”

Zeon led the way into the building.

WEEOOO!

Inside the building, the emergency alarm blared loudly.