Dokdu, watching the swarming spirit beasts, shouted.
"Attack!"
Questions could come later.
To survive, the wanderers joined forces and began attacking the spirit beasts.
Having gathered to kill the Black Centipede, they had come fully prepared.
Rumble, rumble.
However, the spirit beasts poured out quite literally endlessly, and above all, Dokdu's command was utterly useless.
―'Attack! Attack!'
Looking at Dokdu, who was merely shouting pointlessly, the wanderers had no choice but to gather with their team members and try to deploy a formation.
However, because they moved impromptu, they invaded each other's spaces and immediately scattered, ultimately failing their formation.
Moreover, Dokdu, the commander, completely gave up, so in the end, everyone had no choice but to fight haphazardly.
―'Retreat!'
When the formation completely collapsed, Dokdu finally came to his senses and shouted loudly.
―'Retreat! Retreat!'
At Dokdu's cry, the wanderers withdrew their attacks and tried to escape the forest.
However, a strange thing happened.
No matter how hard they tried to leave the forest, the exit could not be seen.
As if they had fallen into a formation, they continued to wander in circles within the forest.
―'It's the Demon of the Forest!'
The worst situation had occurred.
Having lost the Black Centipede and with spirit beasts pouring out in the forest.
Even the Demon of the Forest, who was said to turn the forest into a prison for ten days once he appeared, had shown up.
"We have to get out somehow!"
Geumhwa shouted then.
"The spirit beasts popping out all at once must definitely be controlled by the Demon of the Forest!"
Beonrang shook his head.
"You're wrong. As long as the Demon of the Forest has appeared, there is no path."
Because he was from a tribe in Jiaozhi, he knew well about the Demon of the Forest that had appeared long ago.
"The only way to survive is to endure in this forest for ten days."
Even if the Demon of the Forest appeared.
They would merely be trapped in the forest for ten days; he did not act directly or reveal his appearance.
In other words, if they could somehow hold out for just ten days, they could survive.
―'Aaaaargh!'
―'Kuhuk!'
Even in the meantime, the wanderers were constantly screaming and falling.
Even in this situation, Dokdu, rather than commanding the forces, was panicking and focusing solely on his own safety.
"We must scatter as much as possible!"
Unable to watch any longer, Beonrang shouted to the wanderers.
"The spirit beasts are being commanded by the Demon of the Forest! Our chances of survival will only be higher if we each scatter!"
"Let's scatter!"
Hearing those words, the wanderers scattered in all directions with their comrades.
'This is not a formation.'
Even while retreating, Bu Eunseol was analyzing the energies that had blocked the forest from the outside.
He had somehow become a leading grandmaster of formations in the martial world, so even if it was a completely unknown formation.
He had reached a level where he could grasp its structure to some extent just from the energy it was emitting.
'It's closer to a spell, but...'
What was unfolded in this forest was not a formation, but the technique of a barrier that divided space from space.
It was closer to being unraveled as a spell using the earth's dragon pulse or the earth's energy.
'Which means it can be unraveled somehow.'
"Pull yourself together."
As Bu Eunseol was deep in thought, perhaps thinking he had become depressed facing death.
Jeong Jinbang approached and spoke vigorously.
"Don't they say even if you fall into a tiger's den, you can survive if you keep your wits about you?"
He gripped Bu Eunseol's shoulder as if to encourage him.
"If we hold out somehow, the ten days will pass by in no time."
Then Geumhwa said.
"It's going to be okay. We will definitely make it out alive."
Beonrang also spoke in a low voice.
"Just block the poison well. We'll take care of the rest."
Wolyeong, standing beside him, also said.
"If you get injured, I will treat you, so please rest assured."
Bu Eunseol smiled.
Most of the wanderers in Jiaozhi were criminals.
Even if they weren't, they had the selfish habit of only thinking about their own safety.
But the Thunder Strike Team was different.
They had a strong bond and camaraderie, just like the wanderers of the Central Plains.
'I wasn't going to care.'
When the time came, he had intended to make an appropriate excuse or quietly slip away to find Pahon.
However, their attitude had changed his mind.
"Thank you."
Bu Eunseol showed a faint smile.
From now on, he intended to definitely return the Thunder Strike Team safely from this hellish forest.
* * *
The place where the Thunder Strike Team settled was a small clearing inside the dense, rocky forest.
Other wanderers would have looked for a slightly more comfortable and cozy place.
However, Beonrang, who had much experience living in the forest, judged this place to be suitable.
The surrounding dense forest and the haphazardly scattered rocks acted as excellent barricades in themselves.
They prevented fierce beasts or enemies from charging straight in quickly and slowed their approach speed.
Because the entry paths were limited to a few places, it became extremely advantageous terrain for defense.
―'Come to think of it, hasn't the Thunder Strike Team consistently survived the subjugations until now?'
A few wanderer teams observed the Thunder Strike Team and then gathered one by one in the clearing in the forest following them.
―'Let's follow them.'
Especially knowing well that Beonrang was a forest expert, they judged it safe to tag along with the Thunder Strike Team.
Crackle.
The wanderers lit a campfire centered around the Thunder Strike Team and prepared for the spirit beasts that could pounce at any moment.
'It's troubling.'
Bu Eunseol sighed inwardly as he watched the scene.
The spirit beasts and spirit creatures in this forest were not only extremely fierce but were also moving in perfect order and launching surprise attacks under the command of the Demon of the Forest.
No matter how much the wanderers prepared, there was no way to withstand it.
Fortunately, almost no one had lost their lives yet.
But if time passed in this state, countless wanderers would lose their lives before ten days were up.
'Should I wipe out all the spirit creatures?'
Although the power in his body had vanished, the abilities of the Poison Saint remained.
If he put his mind to it, he could spread poison and annihilate the spirit creatures in the forest in a single breath.
'No, I can't.'
According to Dali's message.
In order to meet Pahon, reckless bravery alone was not enough; he had to prove his path amidst the myriad people.
'Besides, doing that would ruin Jiaozhi.'
There was only one reason vitality returned to this barren Jiaozhi and wanderers from other countries gathered.
It was because of the spirit creatures that appeared in the forest.
If he annihilated them all? The Jiaozhi Mercenary Market would completely collapse.
'I have to prove my path amidst the myriad people... I see.'
A flash gleamed in Bu Eunseol's eyes.
In this current situation, there was only one way to save the wanderers.
"Let's move to the safe zone."
Having finished his thoughts, Bu Eunseol opened his mouth to Jeong Jinbang.
"At the center where a formation or spell operates, a protected zone that blocks outside threats is always bound to form."
"The center?"
As Jeong Jinbang widened his eyes, a person among the wanderers with deep knowledge of formations spoke up.
"But the Demon of the Forest could be at that center. In that case, wouldn't it ultimately be an act of suicide?"
"We have to try as if our lives depend on it. If we just stay still like this, we will eventually be chased around by spirit beasts for ten days until we die anyway."
"How can we eliminate an entity that creates spirit creatures?"
"Think about it rationally. Why does the Demon of the Forest command the spirit creatures without revealing himself?"
"What do you mean?"
At Jeong Jinbang's question, Bu Eunseol answered.
"There is a high probability that he is a person who only possesses exceptional ability in commanding or controlling spirit creatures and spirit beasts."
He calmly explained while looking around.
"If he possessed immense power? He could easily hunt the wanderers. Why would he hide his appearance and only command the spirit beasts?"
Bu Eunseol continued speaking.
"The spirit beasts are not attacking haphazardly, but are launching surprise attacks in perfect order like skillfully trained troops. In other words, he is watching the situation from the inside and attacking people."
He spoke firmly.
"If he possessed immense power, would he need to carefully attack using spirit beasts?"
"Hmm."
Geumhwa, who had been listening to Bu Eunseol's story, nodded.
"That makes sense."
"But isn't that just a guess?"
Then Wolyeong interjected into the conversation.
"What if he is truly strong?"
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
"It will still be better than dealing with the swarming spirit beasts. In order to use a Golden Lock Formation or spell that blocks off such a vast space... the caster must absolutely manage and control it from the inside."
He continued in a loud voice.
"If we surround and attack him in the center where the spirit beasts cannot enter, we will definitely be able to take him down!"
Hearing those words, the wanderers silently nodded.
―'Well, it's better than just sitting still and dying like this.'
His proposal was like a ray of light to the despairing wanderers.
Rather than hiding and dying one by one over ten days.
Even if they lived for just a single day, it would be better to set out to find a surefire way to survive.
―'Alright. Let's give it a try!'
The scattered wanderers began to gather one by one in the clearing where the Thunder Strike Team was staying.
Bu Eunseol commanded the wanderers instead of Dokdu.
He had those with good medicine or medical knowledge treat the injured.
He determined the battle formation according to the specialties of the wanderers and constructed a formation that could deal with the spirit beasts pouring in from all directions.
When the competent Bu Eunseol commanded the wanderers instead of the incompetent Dokdu,
The wanderers, who had been drowning in despair and fear, soon regained their courage and showed the will to live.
"I will command from the center of the formation. For the front formation, Brother Beon will take the vanguard, and Brother Jeong, please take the rear guard."
Beonrang silently nodded and stood at the front.
The seasoned Jeong Jinbang also heavily adjusted his grip on his sword and took his place at the rear.
And he shouted in a gentle voice toward the wanderers.
"You must never break the formation. Normally, you would never be able to entrust your backs to each other, but for today at least, trust one another!"
Jeong Jinbang's gentle voice mixed with a joke instilled a strange sense of trust.
At those words, each of the wanderers raised their voices, telling him not to worry.
"We will move now."
In that instant, Bu Eunseol's eyes turned transparent.
He pushed the Beast Way to the extreme.
He was trying to analyze the flow of energy spread throughout the forest and find the center of the spell's secret art.
"It's this way!"
As Bu Eunseol shouted, the wanderers began to move.
Rustle, rustle.
As soon as the wanderers moved.
Dozens, hundreds of glowing eyes flashed in the darkness,
Rumble, rumble.
As if they had been waiting, the spirit creatures charged fiercely from all directions.
"Front! The Wind Wolf Beasts capable of firing blades of wind have arrived!"
Beonrang, standing at the front, roared and swung his massive saber.
A heavy saber aura drew a semicircle and severed the necks of the charging wolves.
However, the Wind Wolf Beasts trampled over the corpses of their dead brethren to attack, and their momentum did not wane.
"Half-Eye Blood Snakes are pouring from the trees on the flank!"
From the side, thick snakes poured out, wrapping around necks or legs and exposing their venomous fangs.
At a comrade's scream, a wanderer beside him threw his body and swung his sword, but the severed Half-Eye Blood Snake heedlessly opened its mouth.
Screams, the clash of metal, and the bizarre cries of the spirit creatures mixed together, instantly turning the forest into an agonizing living hell.
"Left side, two steps back! Front, advance three steps!"
In the meantime, Bu Eunseol read the flow of battle and moved along the subtle cracks in the spell.
Following his instructions, the wanderers shifted the formation, avoiding the paths where the spirit creatures swarmed.
Also, using the power of the Poison Saint, he either annihilated the poison of the spirit creatures or
He dulled the movements of the fiercely attacking spirit beasts and diverted their directions.
Because of this, the spirit beasts' momentum was inevitably broken even before they attacked, and the wanderers dug into that gap to launch a fierce attack, risking their lives.
Even while commanding the formation, Bu Eunseol covertly fired finger wind.
He blocked the movements of the spirit beasts that appeared to be the leaders and changed the flow of the battle.
Before they knew it, the wanderers' formation spread out like a water current, beginning to push back the spirit beasts.
'Found it.'
He had finally spotted the location expected to be the center of the spell that blocked the forest from the outside.
"It's over there!"
The wanderers moved in the direction Bu Eunseol pointed, desperately clearing a path.
Strange birds pouring steel-like feathers like rain covered the sky.
Wild boar spirit creatures with rock-like skin charged to shatter the formation.
With every step forward, someone fell and spat blood.
Another picked up the fallen comrade's weapon, and the comrade beside them filled the empty space with their body.
They joined forces solely for the absolute goal of survival, moving like a single living organism.
Ziiiing.
Even as he headed toward the center of the formation, Bu Eunseol constantly exerted the power of the Poison Saint.
If it hadn't been for him, half the wanderers would have already been annihilated before reaching the center.
"Just a little more, we're almost there!"
At Bu Eunseol's shout, the wanderers squeezed out their last remaining strength.
How far had they advanced?
Just as their field of vision seemed to open up, the momentum of the spirit creatures began to weaken like a lie.
As if blocked by an invisible wall.
Were they not merely circling the surroundings and howling ferociously, unable to advance further?
Finally, when even the wanderers at the rear had all crossed the boundary, an unbelievable sight unfolded before their eyes.
In the middle of the forest, filled with damp and twisted trees in all directions, there was a spacious area fully bathed in the tranquil moonlight.
A massive ancient tree, well over hundreds of years old, sat in the center, and an eerily peaceful energy lingered around it.
A small plain perfectly isolated from the madness of the forest existed there.
"Haa, haa!"
The wanderers, covered in blood and sweat, dropped their weapons and collapsed on the spot.
Some let out sighs of relief, while others quickly treated their injured comrades.
The scars of the fierce battle were deeply engraved on their bodies, but by combining their strength as one, they had safely arrived at the safe zone.
"We did it."
Jeong Jinbang, catching his ragged breath, looked at Bu Eunseol and smiled.
"You've worked hard."
"Don't mention it."
"Don't worry. I will make up an appropriate excuse for your background to the others."
Seeing Bu Eunseol commanding a force of nearly three hundred with a flick of his finger despite his young age.
He seemed convinced that he was a figure from the government office.
"Then do we just need to keep holding out here?"
Beonrang asked then.
"The Demon of the Forest might appear, so we should prepare."
"No, it should be fine for now."
Bu Eunseol looked around, then looked up at the bare ancient tree visible far beyond the boundary line.
"I will go take a look around the area for a moment. It's better to be certain."
"Isn't it dangerous? You should just stay here too."
"No. Since I led the wanderers here, I should check once more to see if it's safe."
At that, Jeong Jinbang and Beonrang, Geumhwa and Wolyeong stood up simultaneously.
"Then we shall go together."
Unlike the other wanderers, they had very deep loyalty.
When Bu Eunseol tried to bear the danger alone, they immediately wanted to tag along.
'This is troubling.'
Bu Eunseol intuited that in this center, to be exact in the faint crack of that massive tree, the Demon of the Forest.
No, Pahon, was there.
What if they moved together?
Not only could their lives not be guaranteed, but they could also be annihilated by Pahon.
"It's not simply because of loyalty."
Jeong Jinbang, staring at Bu Eunseol who was showing reluctance, said.
"It's because I feel that if we follow you, we will definitely be able to obtain the Black Centipede."
It was a blatant lie no matter who looked at it.
To harp on about the Black Centipede in this situation was purely to protect Bu Eunseol.
'Why are they showing such deep loyalty?'
"Earlier, you asked why we wanted the Black Centipede, didn't you?"
Jeong Jinbang saw through Bu Eunseol's inner thoughts and spoke calmly.
"Actually, we have continually recruited outside wanderers since a long time ago."
"..."
"I did it for my sick old mother, Beonrang for his son who caught a strange disease, Geumhwa to cure a disease that turns the skin white, and Wolyeong to make medicine to cure severed meridians."
They were not simply trying to get rich quick, but were mostly trying to cure the diseases of themselves or their precious ones.
They were desperately wanting the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Centipede.
"I see."
"But the ones who survived were always only us."
Jeong Jinbang spoke with a pained expression.
"The comrades we recruited every year to catch the Black Centipede all died."
The Thunder Strike Team had long struggled to catch the Black Centipede, and while repeating it, they constantly recruited comrades.
However, not a single person except for these four had survived.
"After that, whether it became porridge or rice, we tried to do it just by ourselves. But there was absolutely no way to prepare for the poison, which is why we recruited you again."
Only then did Bu Eunseol understand.
Even though he desperately wanted the Black Centipede, Beonrang had said something entirely beside the point about breaking their unity.
Because only these four had strong ill-luck and constantly survived, recruiting someone else didn't put their minds at ease.
"I don't know what will happen from now on, but we will go with you."
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
They had been plagued by guilt over losing many comrades all this time.
They would absolutely never send him alone.
"Understood. Then let us go together."
Bu Eunseol took the Thunder Strike Team and headed toward the massive tree far away.
And as if undoing a formation, he deliberately pretended to move the arrangement of surrounding stones or branches.
But in reality, he was covertly slowly widening that crack through the power of the Poison Saint.
Ziiiing.
Before long, the crack widened and a transparent door was created.
As they went inside, a rather spacious underground cavern revealed itself.
The floor, walls, and ceiling were all made of solid stone, and oil lamps hung everywhere.
So they could comfortably move around without having to light a fire starter.
As they walked for a while, an extremely unexpected scenery unfolded.
"This is..."
The group all opened their mouths.
They had expected a scene of slaughter with blood and bones rolling around, but wasn't an extremely leisurely scenery visible?
Light seeped in and softly illuminated the moss and mushrooms growing on the floor.
A wolf-shaped beast with sharp claws was licking its pup's fur.
A wild boar the size of a house dug up the ground with its nose to find glowing fruits and distributed them to small spirit creatures.
The spirit creatures were peacefully in their respective territories, not encroaching on each other.
What was heard from all sides was not threatening roars, but only low cries calling to one another and satisfied purrs.
As if it had nothing to do with the slaughter of the outside world, they had formed their own peaceful society.
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