Chapter 123: 30 Hours Before Invasion (1)
At this moment, some Constructs spread across the world were sweating.
[Will carrying it out like this be really ok?]
They were the Constructs of the Libra. On their master’s order, they were headed toward the holy ground of each temple.
The Libra was summoning the Zodiac Saints. She wanted to get rid of Lee Gun and the traitors siding with him. It was an all-out war.
Since the situation called for it, the Zodiacs would readily approve the use of their Zodiac Saints. However..
[Isn’t it dangerous to use the unknown civilization’s invasion to our advantage?]
[No, this is an excellent opportunity. The ones coming to invade aren’t normal beings.]
[!]
The Constructs relented.
The <Great Invasion>! The scale of this invasion was on a different level than when the regular red zone rank monsters showed up and made a mess.
The scale of this invasion would be on par with the one from twenty years ago, when humanity had almost gone extinct.
‘At the very least, several countries will cease to exist.’
Red zone rank monsters showing from time to time recently was a sign of this. It meant these were monsters that could ignore the divine barriers.historical
The Libra Saint wanted to use this invasion for a simple reason. Since the recent information had implicated her in the incident from ten years ago, people’s confidence in the Libra Saint was falling.
The invasion would be a good way to build up her support.
‘Fear.’
When the humans feared something, influencing them was easy.
The world was currently showing a favorable reaction toward Lee Gun and the Archer Saint. But what would happen if those two could do nothing against the attacks by the unknown civilization?
‘The ones invading this time won’t be ordinary.’
They couldn’t be compared to the monsters from twenty years ago. It didn’t matter that Lee Gun had made a name for himself as a hunter twenty years ago and neither did the three Zodiac Saints siding with him.
‘These aren’t some run-of-the-mill opponents.’
This invasion would probably change the world map in a huge way. Human territories were going to be invaded, trampled, and violated. Half the human population would be killed or taken hostage.
Of course, nothing would happen to the Libra Saint. The unknown civilization wouldn’t invade her. This was also true of the temples allied with the Libra.
On the other hand, any country showing goodwill toward Lee Gun and the countries of the Zodiac Saints who showed goodwill toward Lee Gun would be ruthlessly burned to the ground.
The only lands that would come out looking the same would be the Libra’s holy grounds. With that, where would the faith of the people be directed?
The Constructs laughed since they knew the answer.
[Lee Gun will basically fall off a cliff.]
[You are right.]
Of course, they were still worried about a wild card.
[There is word that Lee Gun’s weapon works against them.]
Heaven’s Punishment! The legendary weapon made using all kinds of odd items from around the world! Its ingredients were high-rank monsters.
[I’m sure he made it with the help of the Goat Saint, right?]
[Of course! There’s no way he could have made that item on his own.]
[I’m sure other Zodiac Saints helped out too.]
Aside from that weapon, all of Lee Gun’s eight great weapons were said to be effective in killing monsters.
[He was lucky at the time because the whole world helped him acquire those items. But things are different now.]
[That’s right. He also does not have the ingredients to make such items again.]
[He doesn’t have the time needed to gather such ingredients.]
Basically, Lee Gun and the Zodiac Saints following him would be ruthlessly crushed. They would come to regret their choice for angering that person.
The Constructs laughed as they dispersed.
* * *
[Creation Workshop has settled within the Serpent Bearer’s holy ground.]
[Occupied Territory 2, Workplace, will always have the Creation Workshop open.]
Accompanying the voice, something amazing happened.
Koo-goo-goo-goohng!
“Ahk!”
This surprised everyone coming through the gate from the hospital.
In place of the mansion was now a hill-sized mountain emitting a stream of lava. Following a passage, the lava flowed toward a certain direction, its destination a large blast furnace.
Near the blast furnace, one could see an anvil and a workbench. They were all the smelting tools he had stored within his skill space, and they were the items that the Goat Saint had been carrying.
When Lee Gun headed in that direction, walls surged up from the floor.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Then, green light gathered to form a ceiling.
Kwah-gwah-gwahng!
Finally, his workplace was complete. The workspace was around forty pyeong(132 m2) in area. It felt a bit small, but that would be enough for now.
‘I’m glad I upgraded the Creation Workshop using the points I had amassed.’
[Creation Workshop]
– Lv. 5 (Can make basic equipment)
– Current Size: 132㎡ (You might be able to make some stuff in here.)
Everyone had followed him in, and their mouths fell open.
“What the hell? Is this a smithy?”
That wasn’t all.
[The Occupied Territory 2 will start its function as a workplace.]
[The attribute of the Serpent Bearer’s holy ground(1/1) will be applied.]
[Attribute of the Serpent Bearer’s holy ground(1/1): Increased Regeneration]
– The body will infinitely regenerate within the relevant region. (Does not discriminate between items, holy items, and living beings!)
– The regeneration speed and the range increase within the royal presence.
The entire island became filled with green lights that looked like fireflies.
This surprised the Archer disciples.
“Uh!”
“Regeneration?”
Surprisingly, the wounds on their arms started healing, albeit at a slow speed.
That wasn’t all.
“Saint-nim’s weapon!”
Yes, the bow in Hugo’s hands was also regenerating.
“No way! Even a weapon..”
Hugo was surprised. This was the bow that had broken in half when he fought the Secretary.
Of course, the broken parts of the bow didn’t immediately reattach themselves. However, the green firefly lights flew toward the bow. And when they touched the bow..
Flash!
[The weapon is regenerating under the effect of the Serpent Bearer’s holy ground.]
The small abrasions on the weapon were being restored. As for the broken or missing parts, they were growing at a very slow speed. However, they were clearly regenerating.
Realizing something, Hugo turned his head. ‘What about Kevin!’
Kevin had his right arm severed by Lee Gun.
If this was a place where everything was regenerating, Hugo wondered whether Kevin’s arm would regenerate.
It seemed everyone else had the same thought. Their gazes headed toward Kevin.
Kevin had also come through the gate, but he was just glaring at Hugo as if he were envious of the Archer Saint. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
Hugo glanced at Kevin’s right arm. Unfortunately, Kevin’s arm was showing no signs of regenerating. Moreover, it seemed the healing wasn’t extended to Hailey either.
‘The effect of the holy ground can be used only by the Archer and the Serpent Bearer?’
This shocked Hugo.
‘Only those allowed by the Zodiac of the Serpent Bearer can receive the buff.’
It wasn’t the case with a debuff, but only one’s disciples could receive the benefit of the holy ground’s buff.
This was abnormal.
Hugo had no idea who the Zodiac of the Serpent Bearer was, but this being had allowed the regeneration to be used by people from a different temple.
‘Considering it is a Zodiac Gun serves, it seems to be a very wonderful being.’
Hugo’s eyes twinkled as if he was deeply moved. His gaze held respect. He was going to speak to Lee Gun and express his thanks to the Zodiac of the Serpent Bearer. However..
Ggahng!
A clear metallic sound reverberated through the island.
Ggahng Ggahng!
It was different from the playful look Lee Gun had up until now. With serious eyes, Lee Gun pounded with his hammer.
[It has transitioned into a manufacturing chamber!]
[Personal Characteristics of <Master Craftsman>, <Perverted Eyes>, and <Freak Genius> have been activated.]
The slime in Lee Gun’s right hand changed into enormous tongs. Lee Gun’s left hand held the hammer.
Something lay atop the anvil. It was an object Lee Gun had been trying to create since before. He was pounding it with his hammer.
Ggahng!
[Hammer That Grants Achievements(SS)’s durability has increased.]
[Hammer That Grants Achievements(SS)’s vitality has increased.]
[Hammer That Grants Achievements(SS)’s defense has increased.]
[Hammer That Grants Achievements(SS)’s surplus ability has increased.]
It seemed Lee Gun felt hot. He took off his shirt. The first place to come into view was his sweaty back. Unlike twenty years ago, Lee Gun’s body had no blemishes now; it was well-defined with muscles.
Due to this, Hailey fainted while standing.
At that moment..
Cheeeek!
The Archer disciples were surprised by the incredible surge of heat.
“What kind of heat is this?”
The Archer disciples followed the god of the sun. However, even they would have suffered burns if they hadn’t set up a barrier beforehand. Moreover, it wasn’t just simple heat.
‘I can feel magical energy from the heat.’
Even the owner of this holy ground, Lee Gun, was taking damage from it.
[This flame contains a special energy!]
[Caution! Handling it improperly may endanger your life.]
As expected, wounds started to appear on Lee Gun’s body.
“Uncle!”
The surprised Chun Sungjae was about to rush forward with a healing elixir, but Lee Gun seemed oblivious as he pounded with his hammer.
In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the pain.
Unable to watch this any longer, Goat turned to Hugo. “Shouldn’t we stop him, Saint-nim? He’s regenerating, but his entire body is blackening!”
Hugo seemed to have given up as he sipped on his beverage. “It’s fine. Gun is a masochist.”
“What?!”
He was a masochist with a regenerative ability, an ability perfectly suitable for Lee Gun.
Hugo clicked his tongue.
At that moment, Hugo looked away, and a light erupted forth.
[Your equipment has been completed.]
<Don’t Go Around Getting Hit> Armor – S rank
– Attack absorption (Up to 80% of the attack) – S rank
– Reflect (Attack damage equivalent to the total magical energy of the user will be reflected) – S rank
– I’ll kill you if you mess with my disciple skill – S rank (additional attribute)
[You have gained Zodiac EXP.]
[Your dexterity stat has increased.]
Lee Gun had placed metal in a well and was working inside the well. Then, the well emitted light.
Flash!
Along with the light, armor parts appeared out of the well. Everyone’s mouth fell open at the sight of those items.
“Plate armor?”
From the looks of it, this thing was plate armor. It had a grand design and looked like something a medieval knight would wear. This design covered the head and all the extremities, making the armor look sturdy. However..
“Hey! Who the hell would wear that?”
Hugo cast a sidelong glance as if he couldn’t believe Lee Gun had made such a thing. “I won’t be able to move wearing that!”
“Shut up! I didn’t make it for you.”
“What?”
Lee Gun then shouted, “Sungjae! This is yours. Try it on.”
“?!” Chun Sungjae couldn’t believe his ears. “It’s mine?”
“Yes. I don’t want you to get beaten up wherever you go.”
“?!” Chun Sungjae wailed. He had seen his uncle make equipment live. And as if that wasn’t enough, it was his armor!
On the other hand, Hugo was truly dumbfounded. “Hey! That costume-like armor looks to be over thirty kilograms. Do you think someone as weak as him can wear it and carry it around? He won’t be able to move.”
At that moment..
“Ohhhhhhhhh!”
Something surprising happened when Chun Sungjae touched the armor. “Wow! It automatically changed to fit my body!”
All the other disciples were surprised.
Taken aback, Hugo turned as well. He watched his son move around in a lively manner. The overly-large plate armor had changed like a T-shirt. Moreover, it looked very light.
Hugo glanced at his friend as if to ask what was happening.
Clicking his tongue, the man replied, “I made it so that it automatically adjusts its size and weight, idiot!”
“..?!” Hugo looked at Lee Gun. It seemed he wanted Lee Gun to make him one too.
However, Lee Gun didn’t even look at Hugo. It meant he wanted Hugo to pay up. “It’s also true that I’m short on ingredients.”
Lee Gun had just made the plate armor, but it merely covered the chest. Therefore, he had summoned Piggy Bank just in case.
[Pixiu can no longer throw up more of what it has eaten.]
[It doesn’t have any useful items for manufacturing.]
Lee Gun looked at the proud Pixiu, who had spat out an incredible amount of gold and gems. Lee Gun crinkled his face. Pixiu’s taste in eating seemed to be similar to its previous owner’s taste.
“Are these really the only things you ate up until now?”
[Boo-oohhhhhhhh!]
“There’s no way that can be true.” Lee Gun immediately picked up a blade in a terrifying manner. “Let’s split your stomach open.”
[Boo-ohhhh?!]
Pixiu quickly changed direction when it saw the look in its owner’s eyes.
[The frightened Piggy Bank is running away.]
[It begs you not to split its stomach open as it runs away.]
In the end, Lee Gun sighed as he watched Pixiu run toward the seashore. “I guess I’ll have to stick to my original plan of making equipment for only Sungjae.”
Before, he had been thinking about making some items for himself. Suddenly..
Boom!
Two large bags fell in front of Lee Gun.
‘!’
Hailey had thrown them. “Use.. Use them!”
She had been unconscious until now, but it seemed she had brought something.
Since Lee Gun had taken off his top, she couldn’t meet his eyes. But she still said, “One holds things that can be used as ingredients. The other holds items you made in the past. You can dismantle them or enhance them to make better weapons.”
Hugo was shocked to see the bags’ contents.
It was to be expected. These were all items that had been put on auctions for the wealthy. In the past, Hugo had tried to recover Lee Gun’s items. Therefore, this flabbergasted him.
“You were the one who bought up all of Gun’s items at the auction?”
That wasn’t all. The disciples who had been looking through the content were taken aback as well.
In a rarity, Lee Gun was also surprised. Among the items Hailey had was something familiar.
“This is..”