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Chapter 237

#84. The Duke’s Invasion

The might of the Satyr military force bore down heavily as it headed straight toward the Grand Labyrinth like the tip of a sharp spear. Even the footsteps of the marching troops resounded far and wide; it was as if the whole Underworld were trembling.

Kim Jin-Woo looked up, watching the advance of the great Satyr army.

Ariane had undoubtedly pulled some sort of trick. Otherwise, there would be no way for the Satyrs, who had been struggling to navigate the 9th Floor as they hunted the Ant Ghost, to suddenly figure out exactly where the Grand Labyrinth was and head straight toward it. Perhaps the wicked woman had noticed the anomalies that had happened in the Grand Labyrinth, and had exposed everything about it.

Aside from the question of whether Luyang and Ariane could even communicate, the Satyrs could make a final push toward the Grand Labyrinth any moment. There was no time to delay. Kim Jin-Woo stared at the Satyrs one last time before hurrying back toward the labyrinth.

By the time he got back, Angela had already returned. With a rather pale complexion, she reported everything she had seen. Kim Jin-Woo simply nodded, unsurprised to hear the report, as it was no different from what he had seen with his own eyes.

“Shall we release the Vampires now to confuse the enemy?” Angela offered up a suggestion.

However, Kim Jin-Woo shook his head. Even if the Vampires, who were useful for stealth tactics, swarmed in, it was unlikely to even make a dent on the enemy’s large army that numbered more than ten thousand. In the end, it was a fact that battle was unavoidable.

All of Kim Jin-Woo’s trustworthy subordinates had to protect the center of the Grand Labyrinth, and the only powers he could utilize were the migrant races and the Vampires; he didn’t know how useful they might be in combat. Moreover, there might be Wardens among their ranks, so his hands were severely tied given the circumstances. But nevertheless, he had to fight.

“Prepare for battle. Recall all our forces back into the labyrinth, and we’ll fight our enemies from within,” Kim Jin-Woo commanded. Due to the circumstances, his demeanor, which had been heavily calm and subdued, suddenly became more intense as if he were in the middle of a battlefield. At his command, the somewhat chaotic atmosphere of the Grand Labyrinth instantly cleared up.

“Even if a part of the labyrinth is destroyed, we must thoroughly lure the enemy in to deal with them properly,” he continued.

Once the Satyrs reached the outskirts of the labyrinth, the top priority would be to somehow lure them into the belly of the Grand Labyrinth. Given its history of swallowing a mob of thousands whole, it would be able to clear out many of the enemies.

“Angela, you’re in charge of the central passageway, together with the vampires.” Kim Jin-Woo gave out instructions nonstop; at his command, the Vampires and the various migrant races scattered across various parts of the Grand Labyrinth.

“Phew.” The troops scattered in all directions, and after finally being left alone at the entrance, Kim Jin-Woo let out a long sigh. An army stronger than any enemy he had ever faced was right in front of his eyes. But somehow, at this point, he felt at ease.

The absence of Dominique and the Nagas, who had always been by his side… the news that the Usurper had begun to make his move… the fact that the Underworld System had turned its back on him. It seemed as if the existence of the Warden had driven Kim Jin-Woo crazy.

The title of ‘Undefeated’ seemed wasted, and the dignity of the Highlord felt pointless. Only with an imminent battle was Kim Jin-Woo able to regain his composure. However, as he returned to his usual self, defeat was no longer in his mind.

Out of all the enemies he had ever faced, had there ever been an easy foe? No. But ultimately, it was always he who had come out on top, victorious and alive.

“There are too many things for me to worry about…” he said to himself, but his tone was self-assured. Despite his increased responsibilities, his body started to slow. However, he reached enlightenment and realized what he had to do.

Kim Jin-Woo felt the fierce presence of the Satyrs in the distance and grabbed his spear. Even if he were to lose much in this battle and deplete the energy he needed to face the next wave of enemies, he was sure to overcome them.

With only a few hours left before the Satyrs reached the Grand Labyrinth, he was perfectly prepared for battle.

***

Thud. Thud.

The Satyrs marched forward, step by step, like soldiers at a parade. However, their momentum was so fierce and deadly that it was incomparable to a mere ceremonial event. They were more like wild beasts than trained soldiers, and they seemed to be struggling to keep their footsteps in rhythm with one another.

It was an awkward yet eerie sight, like a well-trained lion making fun of its trainer.

All of that was due to the demands of Luyang, the ruler of tens of thousands of Satyrs and a Deep Floor Duke. He watched his army with a highly satisfied expression, remarking, “It’s exactly as you said. I can feel an unusual energy from that direction.”

He looked at the woman beside him, who said, “It will be soon. The place where the demon who slaughtered my minions and stole my Labyrinth Core will soon be within sight.”

As Luyang’s insidious gaze scanned her body, the woman, Ariane, squirmed and covered herself. Even as Luyang saw her reaction, however, he smirked and smiled even more sadistically.

“If you help me take revenge, I’ll repay you no matter what,” Ariane said, biting her lip. Her expression was wretched, and yet it aroused a strange sense of expectation. Any ordinary man would have found it difficult to keep his composure before such a sight.

However, the curled corners of Luyang’s lips weren’t those of a man who was enchanted by the spectacle, and they indicated nothing but danger and ferocity. He said, “It seems you’re mistaken.” Ariane froze on the spot as Luyang continued, “Did you perhaps assume that I moved this great army based on your pathetic story?”

It seemed Ariane had wanted to frame Kim Jin-Woo and make the Satyrs fight him. However, Luyang seemed to have zero interest in her plight and simply said, “I just found prey more appetizing than that monster. You’re merely a guide; nothing more, nothing less.”

It seemed that it wasn’t just lust that showed on Luyang’s red face, as his eyes were much colder than Ariane had expected.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t be compensated for your hard work.” Luyang’s quick smirk and cackling laughter seemed frivolous, but the sheer presence emanating from him was not to be taken lightly. As expected of an Underworld Duke, he hadn’t been played by such cheap theatrics.

Ariane quickly lowered her head, embarrassed that her scheme had been exposed.

“I’ll put off dealing with you until the battle is over.” Seeing Ariane’s reaction, Luyang had a look of great anticipation. It was unclear whether it was due to the thrill of the hunt ahead of him, or if he was looking forward to laying his hands on the woman at the end of his victory.

“Until then, stand back and watch how I trample all over them.” Luyang left those few maddening words and turned toward the Satyrs once again.

At that moment, Ariane’s lips curled up as she bowed her head. Whatever the reason, as long as the Satyrs found the Grand Labyrinth, it was enough for her. She buried her true feelings deep inside, while appearing to have been crushed by the mighty Duke’s power on the outside.

***

The great army of Satyrs continued to advance. They quickly crossed the 9th Floor, which was otherwise completely empty.

“Compared to its prestige, it looks too lax.” Luyang halted his army at the edge of the Grand Labyrinth, frowning at the quiet entrance.

“I’m not sure what exactly is going on, but it’s clear that they don’t have many troops available right now.” Ariane remembered the fact that she hadn’t seen a single Naga while she was at the Grand Labyrinth, and whispered that fact to Luyang. “And even if they were around, they wouldn’t be able to stop this large army.”

She encouraged Luyang as she looked at the Satyrs, who were standing completely still. Her actions clearly revealed her intentions, so Luyang rolled his eyes and then smirked, saying, “We’ll find out soon enough.”

Ariane had revealed that Kim Jin-Woo was a Deep Floor Count, and Luyang didn’t doubt that. Although there was an unusual energy around the labyrinth, he seemed to think there was nothing to worry about. With his army behind him, his confidence was through the roof.

“Search inside,” Luyang ordered with a gesture, seeming ready to pour all his troops into the entrance of the Grand Labyrinth at any moment. A few Satyr units at the forefront of the ranks cautiously moved toward the Grand Labyrinth.

“Mm.”

A long time passed. The Satyrs who had confidently entered the Grand Labyrinth didn’t return. After a while, sensing that his earlier troops might have been wiped out, Luyang sent more troops in.

This time, he sent in twice as many Satyrs into the Grand Labyrinth, but likewise, they too didn’t return after a long time. However, unlike the first batch of troops that had disappeared without a trace, there were survivors.

A few Satyrs, whose thick hide had been ripped apart, returned and reported the situation inside.

“It seems there are more enemies than we had expected. I was wondering if they were up to something, and indeed, they seem to be trying to make use of their home ground advantage,” Luyang remarked. He had lost hundreds of his troops in a short period of time, but he didn’t bat an eyelid. Rather, he seemed satisfied with confirming the resolve of his enemy to overcome their inferior numbers by making use of the labyrinth.

“How special. I’ve never seen Vampires flock to one spot.” Luyang’s eyes lit up as he looked at one of the returning survivors holding up a Vampire by her head.

“Mm.” Ariane became uneasy at the fact that there were forces in the Grand Labyrinth whose existence she had been unaware of, but she quickly gathered her thoughts as she looked around warily. Fortunately, the arrogant Underworld Duke didn’t seem willing to delay too much.

“Tsk, weak. Too weak.” Luyang slaughtered the Vampire, who refused to talk, and wiped the blood from his hands before turning around. “If our enemies are this pathetic, even if they’re hiding in the shadows, their numbers won’t matter at all.” He seemed to be confident that the Satyrs wouldn’t lose to his enemies at all, even if they were stronger than the Vampires.

“Kill everything that moves,” Luyang ordered.

The restrained savagery of the wild beasts, which had been suppressed in order to synchronize their footwork and put on a presentable appearance, was unleashed by those few words.

Kaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Seeing the scene unfold, Luyang’s expression suggested he had zero doubts that the labyrinth would soon be captured. Ariane’s eyes also lit up as she quietly looked at the Satyrs that were charging toward the Grand Labyrinth. She clearly remembered how a mob of thousands had met their end when they charged toward the Grand Labyrinth some time ago.

It was possible that many of these Satyrs would meet the same fate. Even without luck, more than half of the Satyrs might be lost in vain, but she saw no reason to tell Luyang that fact. She continued to look at the Grand Labyrinth, unable to take her eyes off it, as if she were waiting for something.

“Looks like it’ll be over soon,” Luyang remarked. Resistance seemed meaningless in the face of such a formidable number, and the Satyrs didn’t stop rushing toward the labyrinth.

“But for a Count’s labyrinth, isn’t it quite plausible that we’ll get quite a lot of loot from this?” Luyang’s voice was trembling with excitement, as if the labyrinth had already fallen into his hands.

But at that moment, the Grand Labyrinth started trembling violently, and Luyang opened his eyes. “What the fuck!?”

“Why is…” Ariane asked, her voice full of bewilderment and confusion. Luyang didn’t seem to notice anything odd in her tone, however. After all, he was too preoccupied with what had just unfolded before his eyes.

“A fifth of the army is gone…” Luyang murmured.

Thousands of Satyrs, adding up to a fifth of his army, had disappeared in an instant. It was a catastrophic situation, but that was just the beginning for the greedy monster.