Chapter 249

Evan D. Sherden, Punishment. (6)

Sherden's condition was worse than Pellati. The biggest reason was the tremendous dungeon backflow of high-ranking monsters. In particular, the two of the Four Heavenly Kings of the current Demon clan had attacked at the same time.

However, the good news was that both of the Four Heavenly Kings were killed by influential people before causing more severe damage. Otherwise, Sherden would have been destroyed beyond repair.

"Multi-shot! ......Ugh."

Jhin, who was positioned on a collapsed building's rubble and shooting arrows, suddenly noticed his exhaustion. He felt like his heart was about to burst. He would experience this when his magic was used up and depleted.

He searched his arms and put the magic potion in his mouth, but he had drunk so much potion today that he felt the medicinal effects gradually decline. His physical strength had been hefty, but his posture was not something he could afford to break. He had no choice but to hold on to his mental strength.

'If only those noisy sisters were here, it would have been much better.'

But now they were in Pellati. Apparently, Pellati was a big mess as well.

'There's no time to worry about them. Protect Sherden.'

Jhin gritted his lips and revealed his worries about Lin and Lan. Then a sharp voice flew in from the other side. It was Marie.

"Jhin, please support this site."

"Go now! But before that, you'll face some turbulence on the way!"

"Okay."

As he could oversee a wide array of operations from the position he held, Jhin was able to play the role of a leader in the junior group and support all of them from a long distance. No one else could have done this.

It was the biggest burden, but... he who dreamt of becoming a dragon could not afford such weakness.

"Anna, there."

"Melson, get out of the way!"

[Whooop!]

All the children were fighting desperately.

After clearing the 35th floor of the Sherden Dungeon, the children who had been reborn at 36 levels became elites with the ability of veteran warriors.

Moreover, the children trained by Evan, the Commander, were honed to be proficient in every situation. They were able to deal with monsters with more courageous performances than other decent guilds. The children made their presence known very well.

"The children, before I knew it..."

"I've heard that Evan went into the dungeon once more before he went on vacation, but I never thought they'd grow so much."

"We need backup here! Dungeon Knights, can you do me a favor?"

"I'm on my way! Everyone gather!"

Along with all the Dungeon Knights who followed his words, Jhin continued to wander around the Sherden Dungeon, shooting arrows.

But just as they fought to protect one person, another left defenseless died. Jhin was angry, just thinking about it.

If they had been a little stronger... if they had some more colleagues with them, they could have protected more people.

'No... If only I had led them better than that... I need to get stronger. I cannot afford more people dying.'

At that moment, Jhin's resentment was rising, and his yearning for strength became stronger; Evan and Illoin would be proud of his qualities.

'I want to be strong. I want to go much further. I want to be able to judge more deeply......!'

It was bitter to know that it was only at the expense of others that they could realize it, but it was the way of the world.

A hero could never be born in a peaceful place.

"That's it."

"It's over. There aren't more monsters coming out."

"Have you recovered the Dungeon's magicians? There isn't anything coming out anymore?"

"No! It's really over!"

The battle, which was fought to protect Sherden from dungeon backflows, land and aerial, and the pack of monsters, was barely completed after Evan arrived in Sherden five hours later.

Eric personally led the Ironwall Knights and the soldiers to order rescue operations and postwar treatment, while Evan recovered the Dungeon Knights and the witches. Fortunately, no one had died.

"I'm so glad no one got hurt."

"That's because Serena put slimes on our side..."

[Gyyuyuu!]

[Gyyyuuut!]

While looking at the Dungeon Knights members, Anna replied with a shameless look at what Evan said. There were slimes letting out adorable cries.

As she said, the Knights were relatively fine, while the slimes had large and small wounds. Despite their high level of regeneration, they were so preoccupied that they had no time to care for their injuries.

"Okay, Ray."

"After Shine ran to the mansion, Serena led us, and a powerful enemy appeared, but the slimes protected us..."

Looking at Serena's innocent face, who had fallen asleep on Evan's back while snoring, he couldn't think of such a scene, but hadn't Evan seen this in person? It was when she had gone and stopped Gefrel alone.

"Thank you, Ray."

She must have been exhausted. She tossed and turned, clinging more tightly to Evan's back and exhaling a slow breath. For the time being, she was going to stay like this.

"We worked hard, too."

"We worked really hard, Master Evan. I've been keeping the city safe."

"I said I had to protect the city, but I never imagined there would be such a hard battle..."

The witches claimed a hefty contribution in the defense until Gefrel showed up. They were able to protect the main facilities and many people, thanks to their loyalty to Evan and their admirable powers.

"Thank you all very much... I won't forget what you have done here."

Melonia nodded lightly as if that was enough for Evan's heartfelt thanks. Evan was grateful to her for not bringing up the usual, dirty jokes.

"And what about Ctheasil? Did she get hurt badly?"

"She hid in fear of being scolded by Master Evan. We'll bring her back later."

At Evan's words, Selune replied to him. Other witches, however, seemed to want to bring Ctheasil rather than stop her.

Well, why not? She found out that the Devil Rune she created could create a horrible existence like Gefrel! Especially dangerous beings to the witches!

"As I said before, it's a common responsibility for witches. If you had solved the problem among yourselves, it wouldn't have come to this."

"Ugh, that's..."

"But Ctheasil created it."

"Of course, there are things we couldn't stop."

"Master Evan is great for getting rid of such a terrible thing."

As soon as the witches were about to sink in groups, Selune flew to Evan and somehow revived the atmosphere. Evan, who had been sighing, laughed.

"Everyone, keep up the good work. You promise me that, right?"

"I promise!"

"I'll remember!"

"So if you ever see such a terrible enemy in the future, please take care of it somehow..."

Evan once again praised the witches and asked them to help with the buildings' restoration and rescue.

As the witches, who had a corner, quickly nodded at his words and quickly dispersed in all directions, there was only one left. Of course, it was Default.

"I'm so sorry, sir."

"How long do you plan to blame yourself?"

"But I don't feel comfortable. The creatures that are born with a Devil Rune... I've heard that they might appear, but I didn't know that even the terrible Demon tribe would be able to deal with that power already."

"It probably has a lot to do with Gefrel's status and characteristics. If all the Demons had a Devil Rune, the entire city of Sherden would have collapsed without leaving a single pillar by now."

"That too, but..."

Evan patted Default on the shoulder, who still had a pitiful air about him. Although he was a year older than Evan, he still had such a tender spot in his mind. He was a peculiar fellow who had grown up in a witch's village.

"You already have that responsibility. I'm sorry, but I don't have anything more for you guys. If you're really sorry, try your best to be strong. And protect this city and me. You understand, right?

"...I see, Master."

At Evan's words, Default nodded with a stiff expression.

"I'll be strong, for sure."

"Yeah, I'll trust you."

'This guy can be strong. I've decided not to be swayed by the words 'main characters' and 'extras', but what I can't ignore is their gift.'

Evan did not believe in the unstable position of being the protagonist of the Yo-Ma Great War Series, but he already believed in his talents and gifts.

"Well then, sir, what should we do now?"

"There are still people who haven't been rescued yet."

"No."

Evan, who sent Default first, turned to the Knights and smiled bitterly.

"You've already done enough. You can rest for now. Once again, everyone worked hard and did a great job. I'm proud of all of you."

"But still, the others..."

"Resting is also work. What if another group comes in after this mess? You are important combatants, and you need to maintain power in case of a similar situation. It's foolish to waste your energy on purpose when I have others dealing with it."

"Leader..."

Evan, of course, did not think that the enemy would have enough room for them to attack where this battle had taken place. In the first place, the battle was possible because the Demon tribe paid an exorbitant price.

Evan was just trying to put the kids to rest.

"We still have the strength to move."

"It's not just about the body. Master Evan has commanded us. Everyone, head back to the Knights Headquarters."

"Okay!"

Among the Dungeon Knights members who stayed in Sherden, except for the Senior team, the oldest child was 12 years old.

It must have been tough to deal with the countless monsters and Demons. Facing the traces of destruction and despair, the monsters they left behind may be more difficult for children. Evan didn't want to hurt the tired children anymore.

"Yes, yes, Ray, let's get some rest in bed now."

Evan then led the trudging children to the Knights Headquarters.

The remains of the building were removed from all sides, the magic stone of the monster was collected, and the rescuers who found them stopped working for a while and bowed politely.

"Thank you."

"Thank you for saving my life."

"Thank you, guys."

"Thanks to you, our store has not collapsed. Hehe, you were very reliable."

"Uh..."

"Oh, no."

The children flinched at the countless thankyous. They must have never been aware of it. Evan knew some of the children blamed themselves for not doing well due to their lack of ability.

But of course, these people knew that, despite their young age, they desperately fought to protect the city and its people.

"Thank you."

"Thank you so much..."

"I lived thanks to you."

"I'll give you proper service next time. The young ones were pretty good!"

The children, who got more embarrassed, looked like they wanted to cry over the continuous thanks they received as they moved through the streets. Having fully guessed the complexity of his mind, Evan could only smile.

Many things happened before they came here, but the children had successfully become residents of the dungeon city.

'They will live here. I'm sure many things will happen in the future, but...I had no doubt that everyone would do well unless I myself forget about this experience today.'

"Right, Ray?"

Evan spoke quietly to Serena on his back, and she rubbed her forehead around Evan's neck. He grinned and fixed the lovely princess properly.

It would be okay to give her this service today.

She was also one of the proud heroes who protected Sherden with all she had.

Thus, the worst crisis that hit Sherden ended after many wounds to the city's people.

A few hours later, people found out that the Sherden Dungeon had been shut down, and that no one was allowed in.