The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

Bron was a natural guide. He knew about Hwigeltong’s terrain like the back of his hand.

"This route is out. We’ll be completely exposed if we get ambushed through here."

"There's an underground cave. It's a bit long, but it's connected to the other side."

"Be careful. The bats here carry diseases."

Although some mole units were still scattered through Hwigeltong, they fortunately hadn't encountered a single one.

That meant they would be able to reach the Tomb of Breath safely.

"They probably thought we would stay inside the fortress and slowly wait for the day we die. That's because they don't have many who can properly think."

Thus, Seol, Jamad, and Bron were able to enter the outskirts of the Tomb of Breath.

The Tomb of Breath's terrain could be considered an ice canyon. The ground switched from subterranean and surface levels. The ice floors were brittle and treacherous. However, that wasn't why the location had such a notorious reputation.

"Is she strong…?"

He must have been referring to Irizard.

At Seol's question, Bron recalled what had happened here. It was a terrible and helpless memory.

- RUN!

- Bron! My Shamanic Spell has been taken over! She's absorbing my Shamanic Spell…

- Warriors of the Frostmaw! Do not fear death!

Their Blood. Their breath. Everything froze and vanished.

Many lost their lives as if they had been sculpted from ice from the beginning. Those who challenged the Old God never rose again. They felt a fear as overwhelming as death from a being beyond one's understanding.

However, those who returned from death often wished to take that challenge again. Perhaps Bron was one of those who dared to attempt the impossible.

"She was so strong that we couldn't do anything."

"It makes sense…"

Step…

Step…

As they walked past an open area with the sky visible above, a ceiling made of ice blocked out the light. Their surroundings gradually grew darker.

Whish…

Hwigeltong was inherently cold. It wasn't an environment where ordinary people could survive alone. The Tomb of Breath, in particular, was known as one of the coldest areas within it.

"It's seriously getting colder."

"Haha… Icicles will begin forming on your eyebrows soon."

"Was it always like this?"

"No, it wasn't this cold. Even the Frostmaw could freeze here… Maybe it was influenced by my Forbidden Shamanic Spell…"

Bron frowned.

"Or it was Irizard's doing."

Whoosh…

"Can you endure it?"

Fwoosh…

The Night Crow's eyes transformed and flashed a warm glow in response to Bron's question.

Thanks to Sulfur Primal Power, the cold posed no problem to him.

"It seems I only need to worry about myself…"

"Was the place you used the Forbidden Shamanic Spell deeper than here?"

"We have a long way to go. Watch your step. Although it seems solid, you never know when it might collapse."

Step…

Step…

They were walking for a while when the Night Crow suddenly stopped moving.

"I can feel a powerful energy."

"Haha… It's the Forbidden Shamanic Spell I used. It's there…"

Bron checked after confirming the Forbidden Shamanic Spell that he used.

"Hahaha! Not even Irizard managed to dispel my Forbidden Shamanic Spell! Of course! After all, this is a Shamanic Spell I risked my life to use…"

Not even a fragment of an Old God could dispel the Shamanic Spell. It showed a glimpse of how powerful Bron was at his peak.

"Bron, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"What was the size of the expedition force that lies here?"

"…"

"Is it about half the forces stationed at the fortress?"

"Hmm… I can't recall exactly since many were on the verge of death. But if I had to estimate…"

Bron smirked.

"It would be several times that."

"What…? Weren't they all elite forces?"

"Haha… That was during the golden age of the Frostmaw. I brought all of them to fight Irizard, after all."

Securing them would certainly add considerable strength. However, this situation could also be viewed in another way.

"So… even with that many soldiers, you couldn't defeat her?"

At the Night Crow’s questions, Bron replied bitterly.

"Just having the numbers on our side wasn't enough to defeat Irizard. Irizard… is strong."

"Then, why are you challenging Irizard again? After all, you couldn't take her down even with the expedition team here."

"Didn't I tell you? It's because you're here."

"…"

"It isn't a simple reason. Irizard possesses traits that make her hard to face—things beyond her absolute strength. But with you… No, with two Great Shamans, we can take her down." ṜἈＮƟ𝖇ÊṨ

"Okay, let's go with that… Then, if we recover them, will that be enough to stand against Irizard?"

Bron thought for a moment before replying.

"You've fought Branka's subordinates before, haven't you?"

"We clashed in the Library of All Knowledge."

They were stronger than the typical Frostmaw. Some of them were stationed right now at the fortress.

They were also visibly larger in stature.

"Why is there such a difference?"

"Branka’s greed led them to absorb the spirits of their ancestors into their bodies. They turned into monsters that could wield Ancient Shamanic Spells. Their savagery was uncontrollable, causing constant problems.

"A matter of pure blood versus mixed blood."

"It wasn't that simple. We started to rot from within. And I…"

"Instead of trying to deal with that problem, I removed them from my sight."

"Did you split…?"

"Yes… I exiled them all. We agreed not to interfere in each other's affairs. They're called the Icemaw. Given our strength, we thought division would be better than conflict. Clashing would surely leave both sides deeply wounded."

In other words, Branka's lineage had been separated and forced to leave the fortress and become independent.

Seol wanted to ask Bron a few more questions, but they weren't in a situation where they could relax and converse.

"Wait."

"Hmm…"

"There's something."

"They're moles, right?"

"Probably, but… Something feels off."

"I've also felt it. There aren't that many of them."

"So they didn't expect us to come here. I mean, who would have thought Bron would come back alive? Haha…"

The Night Crow asked.

"What happens to the dormant forces if we make a scene here?"

"There's no need to worry about that. If the ice were fragile enough to break from something like that, it would have broken long ago."

"So I can go all out."

"Shall we do it?"

"Let's do it."

* * *

WHOOM…

The sounds of the moles moving reached their ears.

"Have we been found out?"

"Judging by the signs, they have just noticed us."

"Then, let's move quickly."

Paf—!

Paaf—!

Bron and the Night Crow dashed deep into the canyon.

At that moment…

WHAM!

"Kiik! Kiiiik!"

"They're here! They really came!"

"Don't let them in!"

A scout with sharp claws rushed toward the Night Crow.

BOOM—!

"Keek…"

BOOM—!

"Argh…"

Although they hadn't used a Shamanic Spell, the scouts were sent flying by the Night Crow's punches.

"Eek!"

"It’s a shaman! He's strong!"

"It was true! They're strong!"

"Dukoko! Dukoko! Help us!"

"Dukoko! We did as you ordered! Come help us now!"

The moles suddenly began calling out the name Dukoko.

WHAM!

WHAM!

Moles appeared from every corner of the canyon.

"Tsk…"

"There aren't too many of them. This isn't a proper planned deployment of defense forces."

"Dukoko!"

At that moment…

WHOOM…

BOOM—!

A giant mole dropped from above, and a mole Shaman held its reins atop it.

[The Vile Dukoko has appeared.]

[The Gluttonous Dagugu has appeared.]

"Kik… Kihihi… It's true. Dukoko was right! I'm going to be praised by Zakcha!"

"Grr…"

From these two that radiated a powerful energy came out a familiar name.

'Zakcha…? The one who moves along with Krom, the Shaman who has the Crystal of Dawn… Was he a great general?'

Dukoko seemed to be one of his subordinates.

Then, he needed to be dealt with quickly.

Bron asked.

"Did you come alone…?"

"Huh? Dukoko and Dagugu make two, right? Are you so dumb that you can't count…?"

"To think I would be a fool… Hey, what about your reinforcements?"

"I didn't call any! All the glory for taking your heads will be mine! Kekeke!"

- Oh dear…

- So our friend here has come alone…

- To think he would come by himself to such a dangerous place…

The viewers could almost foresee Dukoko's grim future.

The Night Crow said.

"I'll take the fat one."

"Then I'll take that brilliant Dukoko or whatever it's called."

Dukoko shouted.

"Go, Dagugu! Show them your strength!"

"Kiik!"

Crackle…

Dagugu's body began swelling like a balloon as ice soon enveloped it.

Crunch…

'Scales?'

Dukoko proudly showcased the intricate ice woven like armor.

"Dagugu is solid! He's never been pierced!"

[Gluttonous Dagugu used Body Swelling.]

[Your attack range increases by 50%.]

[Gluttonous Dagugu used Ice Scales.]

[Cover your body in scales made of ice. You receive 30% reduced Physical damage, and increases your total defense by 50%.]

"Grrr! Kwaaak!"

Dagugu charged at the Night Crow while drooling.

"Watch out!"

At Bron's warning, the Night Crow scoffed and covered its body with an Earth Armor.

Crack…

Tss…

Although he was pushed back, the Night Crow seemed unscathed.

"Kihi! You seem quite solid too."

"Really? But you don't."

"Grr… Grr…"

The Night Crow gripped Dagugu's ice scales, which shattered under his grasp.

"What…?"

"Grr…"

Wham…

The Night Crow drew its arm back and plunged it into Dagugu's body.

BOOM—!

With a pop, the ice scales shattered into pieces.

"Kiii! Kiii!"

"Dagugu! Calm down! Wh-what? How could he injure Dagugu? Dagugu is solid!"

A voice echoed from the Night Crow's gauntlets.

【It felt pretty soft to me.】

"…"

Agony wasn't an ordinary weapon, and Jamad's Mountain Fist that it covered was also not ordinary. It could easily crush most defensive attempts.

Whoosh…

Swoosh—!

Paf—!

"Agh!"

"Oops, did I miss?"

A water arrow pierced Dukoko's shoulder. Bron tried to take advantage of a moment of distraction and deal with Dukoko, but his aim was slightly off due to Dagugu's pain.

"It hurts… It hurts!"

"Eek! Eek… We're losing! Dukoko is being pushed back! Dukoko! This is different from what you said!"

"Silence! You useless fools! This is happening because you are of no help! Help? Yes, be of help! Dagugu!"

"Grr… Grr…"

"You can eat as much as you want!"

[Gluttonous Dagugu used Ravenous Meal.]

[Your size and stats increase significantly based on the food you eat.]

[If you move too vigorously afterward, you will suffer indigestion.]

Paf—!

"Kiik!"

"Wh-what are you doing?!"

Dagugu began devouring the moles… its allies.

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