The breach in the barrier hinged on the delicate balance of chance and skill. The king, with his acute senses and extraordinary endurance, could quickly pinpoint the invisible wall’s approximate location and attempt multiple entries in a short span. This strategic advantage often allowed most kings to swiftly penetrate the city.
Soon after Richard’s successful infiltration, the first blue signal flare illuminated the sky. He wasted no time in rallying the disoriented soldiers. “Pursue the enemy, but refrain from initiating attacks! Escort all citizens back to their homes! Our primary objective is to eliminate the larks that pose a threat to human life!”
Fortuitously, the city was under strict curfew imposed by Sang-je. Even though it was broad daylight, the streets were eerily deserted.
“Magic truly is a marvel,” Richard mused, still grappling with the full extent of its power. The larks’ aggressive nature towards humans was instinctive, yet magic seemed to suppress this primal drive. Moreover, with a city teeming with people, it should have been a feeding frenzy for the creatures.
However, the larks’ movements were surprisingly organized. While a few did target visible humans, their numbers were minimal, and they largely avoided damaging buildings. This could be attributed to the city’s wide, well-paved roads that guided their movements.
“Our priority is to minimize casualties,” Richard declared.
The Holy City square, a prominent landmark, was situated slightly north of the city center. From this square, numerous streets radiated outward, leading to the diverse neighborhoods of various social classes.
Richard ventured into a district dominated by the homes of the lower-middle class. This densely populated area, with its closely packed buildings and numerous dilapidated structures, was particularly vulnerable to damage.
“Soldiers, assemble into teams of three! Warriors, support the soldiers while hunting down the larks!” ordered Richard.
Compared to the other kings, many of whom were in their vigorous twenties and thirties, Richard’s strength had inevitably waned. Yet, he remained a formidable force. His ability to perceive the larks’ cores allowed him to strike with deadly precision, obliterating each creature with a single, well-aimed blow.
“Wow!”
The exclamations of the onlookers drew his attention. A massive black panther was wreaking havoc among the larks, crushing them beneath its powerful paws and biting them with lethal force. In the distance, a lizard Hwansu was shaking a smaller lark violently, tossing it about like a ragdoll.
As Richard paused to observe the chaos, something darted past him, causing him to flinch.
His red fox Hwansu was rapidly growing in size. With astonishment, Richard watched as his familiar, now significantly larger, charged into the fray. He couldn’t recall the last time he had seen it so ferocious.
This was unlike his normally calm and collected Hwansu. The sight of other Hwansus unleashing their power must have ignited a competitive spirit within him. Richard chuckled, resuming his own hunt with renewed vigor.
One by one, the city’s inhabitants, previously cowering within their homes, cautiously peered out of their windows. Curiosity overcoming fear, they gathered, transfixed by the extraordinary spectacle unfolding outside.
“So that’s the lark we’ve only heard stories about,” a citizen whispered, awe-struck.
“It’s not as terrifying as I imagined,” another remarked, relief evident in their voice. “It’s just big, but it doesn’t look much different from any wild beast we see.”
Few among the city dwellers had ever laid eyes upon a lark. In the city, discussions about larks were a taboo subject, subtly discouraged. Little did they know, a long-standing, covert effort had been underway to instill fear and foster dependence on the city palace.
As the citizens watched, their gasps of admiration grew louder as the larks disintegrated into dust beneath the king’s sword. Sweating with anticipation, they cheered for the soldiers hunting the creatures. The sight of the massive Hwansus tearing through the larks left a profound impression, solidifying the belief that “Hwansus are different from larks.”
“The larks are changing direction!” a warrior shouted, alerting the others.
Richard had sensed the shift before the warning. After receiving the second signal flare, indicating a breach in the barrier, he consulted his notes, reviewing messages from Myung King and King Akil.
“Everyone, lower your weapons!” he commanded. “Do not pursue the larks!”
A loud cheer erupted moments later. With the barrier down, a wave of soldiers flooded into the city.
***
As General Lester raced towards the castle walls, the signal flare painting the sky a crimson hue, a horrifying sight met his gaze. A mass of scorpion-like creatures, a veritable army of them, clung to the wall, their menacing forms a stark contrast to the serene city skyline. Though not a religious man, a silent prayer escaped his lips.
“Oh, dear God…”
The defense of the palace was paramount, no matter the cost. Turning to the warrior at his side, he issued a decisive order.
“Signal a retreat from the wall. Holding the line is futile,” he commanded.
“Yes, General,” the warrior replied, his voice steady.
“All warriors, establish a defensive line here. Buy as much time as possible for the palace to prepare,” Lester ordered.
“Yes, General,” the soldiers responded, their voices filled with a resolute determination.
Something about the larks’ behavior struck Lester as odd. Their advance was unusually slow and methodical, almost as if they were following a strict formation.
