Chapter 150: South Korea’s Power

There was no need to dwell on the strength of the Demon Clan.

Their physical strength could tear steel like paper, and their skin was tough enough to deflect metal. 

In terms of physical performance alone, they were a race incomparable to humans. 

From a purely combative standpoint, the Demon Clan was born superior.

However, humans possessed an intellect that the Demon Clan did not. 

Based on this intellect, they faced the Demon Clan and demonic beasts using strategy and tactics.

Of course, many within the Demon Clan also possessed human-like intelligence. 

However, their numbers were not high, and due to the nature of their race, their instincts often overrode their reason once they became excited.

This was why humans, though physically weak, were able to survive. 

They gained the upper hand in war through cooperation and strategy. 

On the Gritia Continent, humans were one of the few species capable of standing against the Demon Clan.

The same was true for Earth. 

Of course, it would have been virtually impossible for the peaceful Earth of the past to oppose the Demon Clan. 

But current Earth possessed powerful firearms and Awakeners, creating an environment where it was actually easier to deal with the Demon Clan than on the Gritia Continent. 

In fact, had they not hunted down the leaderless Demon Clan and driven them to the brink of extinction?

Shouldn’t the same be true now?

No. 

The situation was not like that at all.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

This was the mechanical warfare the United States took such pride in. 

Normally, most members of the Demon Clan would have been unable to withstand that firepower and would have been incinerated. 

However, there was no significant damage. 

There was a reason why the damage was minimal despite the countless missiles and shells flying in.

It was because of the massive existence protecting the demonic troops.

“Kuoooooh!”

The creature spreading terror in all directions was a Dragon… no, it was a Wyvern. 

A Wyvern that had grown so massive it was reminiscent of a Dragon was protecting the Demon Clan’s forces from the American bombardment. 

And it wasn’t just protecting them.

-Flap!

With a beat of its mana-infused wings, the shells and missiles heading toward the demonic army flew back in the opposite direction.

“K-Boom!”

It was a sight where the side that fired the weapons suffered the damage instead.

But how? 

Had Nepas’s experiments reached the point where a Wyvern could be made into a giant species like a Dragon?

No. 

The Wyvern’s growth was due to evolution. 

Creatures that had consumed Awakeners who had taken the Evolution Potion—known to the world as the Awakening Potion—underwent mutation and evolution. 

This Wyvern had grown massive by consuming an Awakener.

As if it yearned for a Dragon and mimicked its form, the Wyvern had grown enormous. 

It wasn’t just its appearance, either. 

As if that desire to resemble a Dragon had been granted, it had gained scales harder than before, superior physical abilities, flight, and even a type of magical power. 

In a way, the Wyvern stood on the boundary between reinforcement and evolution, enough to be called a mutant Dragon.

Protected by such a Wyvern, the Demon Clan’s army marched forward.

“Thud, thud, thud.”

They were ruthlessly devastating the city center.

“W-What are we supposed to do about this!”

Of course, besides firearms, there were American troops and Awakeners. 

Having joined the battle with memories of the previous demon subjugation, they were now in a state of panic. 

They could feel a level of power and military strength that was incomparable to back then. 

The fear of being crushed instantly if they rushed in recklessly began to dominate them.

“How are we supposed to fight that monster!”

“This isn’t what they told us!”

They weren’t just talking about the giant Wyvern right in front of them. 

There were evolved demons who had swallowed Awakeners turned into Evolution Potions. 

These demons, having undergone gigantism, ability enhancement, mutation, and molting, were not beings they could handle.

If firearms worked, it might be different, but the giant Wyvern was protecting them, and facing those who had become incarnations of destruction was an impossible task.

The Awakeners had joined the war for the safety of their nation. 

But now, the eyes of those they encountered were filled with fear and a desperate desire to flee this place.

And soon they turned to run away. 

The United States was finished. 

Since the other countries in the alliance were no different, they now had to find their own way to survive.

Just as everyone was about to turn their backs on the United States…

“Do not be afraid.”

A voice suddenly rang out. 

If anyone else had told them not to be afraid, curses would have flown instantly.

Who could see that sight and not be afraid?

However, no one in the area could refute or get angry at those words.

Because…

-Slice!

Along with the horrific sound of flesh and bone splitting apart.

“Thud!”

The giant Wyvern—the creature that could be called a mutant Dragon—was split in half and collapsed.

And then, the person appeared.

“You may rest easy, for we have arrived.”

A handsome blonde man. 

It was Leon. 

He, who should have been in South Korea, had appeared in the heart of the United States, in the middle of a fierce battlefield.

“L-Leon?!”

“The Leon?”

There was no one who didn’t know the man once called the God of Creation. 

He had been with Nepas in the past but was now the formal disciple of South Korea’s Kim Si-won. 

While questions arose about his sudden appearance, one thing was clear.

‘I’m saved!’

Though the age of gods had set, he was a divine being who had reached the realm of creation. 

His appearance meant that everyone here could be saved. 

However…

‘…Why?’

Even as they felt relieved, doubt was bound to arise. 

Although they were American citizens, they were well aware of the atrocities the United States had committed until now. 

In particular, the containment and blatant hostility toward South Korea was something even a three-year-old child could recognize. 

If they who committed it knew, how could South Korea not know?

Especially since South Korea had not responded to any requests for help until recently, why would Leon and his forces appear now?

Perhaps he noticed their gazes and doubts.

Leon’s closed lips parted slightly as ge said, “Are we not all part of the same humanity? Even if we keep each other in check and act as enemies, our commonality as humans must take precedence over anything else when facing a common foe…”

“…”

At those words, everyone stood there dazed, as if they had been struck in the head with a hammer.

They felt ashamed. 

Until now, they had ignored South Korea and thought of it as just a small country in Asia. 

Because they had the pride of being a superpower like the United States, the leader of the world, they had scoffed at South Korea’s achievements every time.

And that distorted heart led to blatant hostility and exclusion. 

Everyone knew that was wrong. 

Nevertheless, they had said nothing to the government or America’s policies because of the trivial pride mentioned earlier.

Their pride as the world’s leader did not allow for a rising South Korea. 

If the general public felt that way, what about those at the top? 

Everyone knew very well that it was a mistake, an act of evil.

But because of pride, they had watched and acquiesced despite knowing they were on the wrong path.

Yet, South Korea had willingly rushed to America’s crisis. 

Hearing him speak of a single humanity, they couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

However.

“Just now… did he say ‘we’?”

Someone voiced a question.

In fact, South Korea had risen to its current position thanks to Kim Si-won and Leon. 

Excluding those two, the rest were unremarkable; essentially, those two were all of South Korea’s power. 

But now, Leon used the term ‘we’ to announce that someone else had arrived.

Leon simply left a single smile and in the next moment.

-Rrrrrip!

A dimensional gate opened according to Leon’s authority. 

To be precise, he created a door that eliminated the concept of distance by splitting through dimensions.

And then.

“Step, step, step—”

There were those walking out of that door. 

They were Asians. 

Dozens of Asians, whose physiques were smaller compared to Westerners and who didn’t seem to possess anything special, revealed themselves.

‘Only these people?’

Since Leon was a powerhouse who had absorbed the Rank of Creation, his presence was immense even if he appeared alone. 

However, these Asians had no such presence at all. 

Why had he brought these people, who looked like ordinary Awakeners at a glance, to this battlefield?

“We are the disciples under the master’s teaching.”

Leon’s master. 

That was Kim Si-won. 

And those who appeared here were also Awakeners who had received Kim Si-won’s teachings.

“Kim Si-won’s…”

“…Disciples?”

Those who knew the meaning of the name Kim Si-won were shocked. 

They knew Leon was a disciple. 

But they had never dreamed he would have other disciples or students.

It was only natural. 

Teaching them had been done in the utmost secrecy.

In fact, while teaching Leon, Kim Si-won had selected and taught talented individuals among South Korea’s Awakeners. 

Of course, the results could not be compared to Leon, who had carved the Rank of Creation into his physical body. 

But Kim Si-won was a man who had crossed over to the Gritia Continent empty-handed and reached the top. 

Naturally, the Awakeners who received his teachings were able to reach their own achievements and levels.

It was not a trait, but pure Martial Power. 

That was why the American Awakeners had not noticed their strength at all.

South Korea’s emergency power, prepared for his own death. 

They had finally appeared in this place at Leon’s request.

-Shring—

Everyone drew the swords at their waists and in that moment.

“Gasp!”

“My god!”

The American Awakeners, who had been ignoring the small Asians until a moment ago, were startled. 

This was because their momentum changed the moment they held their swords.

How should it be described? 

It felt as if they were looking at well-forged blades. 

They were emitting a momentum that was unthinkable for the weak Awakeners they had seemed to be just moments before.

“Sword Formation!”

As mentioned earlier, unlike the Demon Clan, humanity possessed intellect. Strategic action. 

And within that strategic action, there were structures like Sword Formations that could deal with enemy forces more efficiently.

Having learned and devised such Sword Formations on the Gritia Continent, Kim Si-won had Leon and the others master them. 

Through the completed Sword Formation.

-Swish, swish, swish!

They instantly cut through the swarming demonic army.

“Uoooooh!”

Naturally, to break the formation, Ogres whose physical strength had been enhanced dozens or hundreds of times swung their clubs. 

However.

-Slice!

Their bodies met their end, split in half along with their clubs. 

It wasn’t just them. 

The Demon Clan army, which had undergone various evolutions such as reinforcement, mutation, molting, and hybridization, met death without even being able to use their strength properly.

It was only natural. 

This Sword Formation was a sophisticated type that combined everyone’s strength into one.

That formation, devised long ago to reach the pinnacle and free the Asran Kingdom from the rule of the Galas Empire, finally began to shine.

Kim Si-won’s strength was not just his own Martial Power. 

Various military tactics such as Sword Formations, strategy, and tactics that he had devised and created over a long time breathed within his mind. 

And through such military tactics, an Awakener could reach a level where they could face the Demon Clan.

And.

“Haaaahp!”

Combined with that Sword Formation, the power of the overwhelming existence known as Leon was enough to reverse the situation of the war in an instant.