TOP 62

Chapter 62

 Human Cannon

“Prepare for the second bombardment!”

“Prepare for the second bombardment!”

Keldric shouted loudly, and the dwarves echoed him.

Watching them, I thought,

‘Fortunately, the command issue has been resolved.’

Having a supreme commander was crucial. No need to say more.

‘I suppose I could have taken command…’

But it didn’t seem like a good idea.

‘No matter how I think about it, the strategy for this trial doesn’t seem that simple.’

Simply commanding the troops to block the enemy? That alone wouldn’t change the predetermined outcome of this war.

So,

‘I need to find the strategy separately.’

I didn’t want to waste time and energy on command unnecessarily.

Besides,

‘I can exert influence when needed anyway.’

As long as Keldric was on my side, there was no need for me to take direct command. Troublesome tasks are normally left to subordinates anyway.

“Inject magic!”

“Magic injection!”

At that moment, confirming that the second bombardment was ready, massive magical reactions appeared along various points of the fortress wall.

Zzzziiiing─

‘Indeed… it’s enormous.’

The presence was overwhelming.

Judging by the magical reaction alone, at least an 8–9 star level. Truly something to be proud of.

However…

‘Hmm…’

My expression was just… subtle. I had seen the results of the first bombardment.

“Magic cannon, fire!”

“Fire!”

The magic cannon unleashed its flames once more.

Kuwaaaaaa──!

Dozens of magic shells shot toward the enemy.

Flying as if they would smash the opposition immediately.

Paaah─!

In an instant, divine protective barriers appeared throughout the human ranks.

These were holy spells cast by Gaia’s priests.

Boom! Bang!

Kwaaaaang!

Some shells hit the shields, some fell atop the troops.

“Aaaargh!”

“Uuuuurgh!”

“Advance! Keep moving! Don’t stop!”

It wasn’t exactly bad. Each shot slaughtered dozens or even hundreds.

Even when the protective barriers reduced the damage, some shells still penetrated to injure the enemy.

However…

‘Still weak.’

The second bombardment was also unsatisfactory.

Even considering the first bombardment was at maximum range, this second one was much closer. With the magic invested, the destructive power should have been far greater.

‘It was at least 8-star level magic.’

The magical reaction was immense. Capable of slaughtering roughly a thousand per shot.

Yet the actual damage fell far short. It was disappointing.

‘At this rate, we can’t win.’

Honestly, with this level of defense, stopping the enemy was impossible.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The 100,000-strong enemy force was advancing, shaking the ground.

The overwhelming presence began to spread unease among the dwarves.

“Damn it! It’s not even noticeable!”

“C-Can we… win this?”

“Don’t falter! Reload the magic cannons!”

Keldric tried to encourage them, but it wasn’t easy. The morale wouldn’t shift unless something truly spectacular was shown.

Then,

‘…What’s that?’

Among the human troops, I noticed the special unit had stopped.

And what they were preparing was…

‘A catapult?’

It seemed they judged the range sufficient.

The catapults were assembled in an instant.

Then…

Whoooosh──

Whoooosh───

Rocks began flying from the enemy catapults.

“Ah! Aaah!”

“Take cover!”

Rocks rained down on the walls.

Kwang! Kwaaaang!

Not as explosive as the magic cannon, but the weight from their massive size was overwhelming.

And…

Whooooooosh───

One rock fell directly toward my head.

“Ugh! Aaah!”

Keldric, within the strike radius, instinctively ducked in fear.

‘Dodge… hmm.’

I could avoid it if necessary, but I couldn’t let Keldric die here.

And…

‘It has to be done.’

To reverse the slowly sinking morale, one decisive strike was needed.

I made up my mind.

I clenched my fist toward the incoming rock.

‘One punch.’

[Using skill: “Divine Fist: One Punch.”]
[2,104 mana consumed.]

Because I had spent mana to restrain Choi Hyuk-soo outside, I didn’t have much left.

Still, it was enough to smash a single rock and offset its destructive force.

Thud-thud-thud.

Debris from the rock fell around me.

“…Huh? Eugene?”

Keldric’s eyes went wide, incredulous.

I spoke to him.

“Keldric.”

“Uh, yes?”

There was no solution if this kept up.

I threw a question I had been pondering at Keldric.

“You can inject magic into people, just like into the magic cannons, right?”

“I-I… I can, but a living being can’t withstand that much mana─”

Eureka.

I found a way to turn the tide.

“Bring it.”

“Ah, no─”

“Bring it. As much as you can, as fast as you can!”

“W-What exactly are you planning to do with this…?”

Items began piling up beside me.

Something large, with hoses connected to a giant container.

[Mana Battery – Consumable, Rare]

• Stores an enormous amount of mana.

• When connected, injects all stored mana into the target.

• Stored Mana: 1,000,000

• Warning: Do not use on living beings.

A mana battery. It was an item used to charge magic cannons.

‘I never imagined storing mana outside the body was possible.’

From my knowledge, only awakened individuals’ bodies could store mana.

Technically, only the body could.

‘Dwarves, impressive technology.’

Amazingly, dwarves had a way to store mana externally. This item was the result: the “Mana Battery.”

With this, I could do something extraordinary.

“I’ll handle it, so bring everything.”

I instructed Keldric, who still looked confused.

Keldric, bringing more batteries, warned me with concern.

“Eugene. I’ll say it again—dividing and injecting this mana isn’t possible.”

“I know.”

“The magic cannon is designed to withstand it, that’s why it works. Most items would explode the moment mana is injected!”

“I know.”

“This is insane. What exactly are you going to do?”

I explained my plan politely.

“I’ll inject the mana into myself.”

“…What?”

“I said I’ll inject the mana into myself.”

“You’re completely insane!”

Keldric’s expression turned to shock.

“What, do you not understand what I’m saying?! You’ll die!”

“I won’t.”

I had already tested it. My body could withstand around 800,000 mana.

1,000,000? No problem.

“Haa, Eugene. That’s not the only problem. Living beings have a maximum mana capacity. Even if you survive, most of this mana will be lost!”

“I don’t think so.”

“Damn it! Usually, only about 1% of a battery’s mana is absorbed before the target explodes. Unless you’re some great being, there’s no way to handle such immense mana!”

I had the Mana Overload trait, so there was no maximum limit. Even if my body got shredded, I could absorb the mana.

“Hoo.”

Convincing Keldric further was pointless. I hadn’t intended to.

“I’ll show you.”

Actions speak louder than words.

I connected the mana battery to my body.

Click.

“No! Eugene!!!!!”

Keldric screamed.

Anyone hearing this would think I was attempting suicide.

Of course, I wasn’t.

Sshhhhuuuuaaa───

Mana from the battery began rapidly filling my body.

An enormous amount.

‘Not bad.’

The speed wasn’t bad either. Felt about twice as fast as the Mana Loan skill.

In just one minute, my body held 1,000,000 mana.

“E-Eugene…?”

“I said I’m fine, didn’t I?”

“This… the battery’s fine, but…?”

Keldric double-checked the battery, still unable to believe it. Naturally, there was nothing wrong.

Now then.

“Watch closely.”

I slowly clenched my fist.

“….”

This time, Keldric said nothing. Perhaps he couldn’t.

[Using skill: “Divine Fist: One Punch.”]
[1,000,102 mana consumed.]

The massive mana within me began to surge. They probably felt it.

The surroundings fell silent.

Then, stunned voices shouted:

“W-What!?”

“How can a living being wield this much mana…!”

Of course. I was manipulating the amount of mana normally needed for the magic cannon. Perhaps even more.

The magic cannon? Inefficient, in my eyes.

One million mana swirled at my fist.

Grasping it, I looked down at the fortress.

Waaaaaah─!

The human troops swarmed like ants.

Gaia’s faithful, clad in shining white holy armor.

‘Gaia.’

Even if this wasn’t the real world.

A different spacetime in the form of a “fragment of history.”

‘At least here, they’ll feel my blow.’

I infused my fist with the will of vengeance.

Then…

Tuuuuuh─Kwaaaang──────────!!!

I unleashed One Punch.

The human mid-level commander, Izriel, stared blankly at the devastation before him.

An enormous attack had suddenly flown from the unbelievers’ walls.

This was the carnage it caused.

“Ugh! Aaah!”

“Uuughh…”

“P-Please… spare us…”

A hole opened in the center of the army in an instant.

Troops had been densely packed to assault the wall, so the damage was severe.

Izriel muttered without realizing it.

“How many… have died…?”

No one knew. Thousands? Tens of thousands? Maybe more.

“Ah… Goddess Gaia.”

He clasped his hands in prayer. Too many of her followers had died.

“You didn’t foresee this situation…”

There had been no obstacle to spreading the goddess’s blessing.

The dwarves’ defenses were solid, but based on past failures, they had prepared meticulously.

Compared to the past, they had brought an army ten times stronger to guide the unbelievers.

Until recently, the situation wasn’t too difficult.

Some humans had cursed the Pope, but that was minor.

They advanced with sudden force.

The magic cannons that had previously forced them to retreat?

This time, the number of priests capable of using Holy Shield was significantly increased.

In fact, Holy Shield blocked enemy bombardments effectively. Minor damage was acceptable, a necessary sacrifice to spread the goddess’s blessing.

But now…

What in the world was happening?

An unexpected new weapon had appeared.

Holy shields or not, this terrifying new weapon rendered them useless.

“C-Commander! Orders!”

Izriel’s aide snapped him out of his daze.

“Ah!”

He regained composure and hurriedly issued commands.

“Heal the wounded, and continue advancing!”

Fwaaaah─

Bursts of light erupted everywhere.

Priests and paladins’ holy magic.

Wounds healed instantly, and the soldiers were fine.

“Yes. The goddess protects us.”

Despite the massive attack, the goddess was with them.

Izriel reflected on his brief doubt and repented.

He then gave orders to the surrounding troops.

“They won’t be able to repeat such attacks! Calmly, advance─”

But his words were cut off.

Tuuuh-Kwaaaang────────!

The same devastating attack struck the army again!

“This… is impossible!”

Izriel gaped.

“G-Goddess…!”