by Park Saenal
It was hell. They couldn’t deal with the hardships. The field work under Piaro and Asmophel’s mental education wasn’t as hard as this.
“Pant… Pant! Th… Thirsty! Give me a break to drink water, please.”
“Pant pant! Aren’t we going to die?”
“Hah… I see my dog that died last year in that haze over there… She’s calling me over…”
“Seeing an illusion of a dog, not a woman… This guy has never experienced love…”
The limit. The soldiers were covered in sweat and on the verge of collapsing. There were some who wanted to kill somebody, some who wanted to go home, and most of them had tears in their eyes.
‘An army that can’t maintain its rank has lost its role as an army.’
‘They still have stamina but morale has dropped to the worst.’
‘Unbelievable… In this state, there will be those who run away. The army will collapse before they even fight.’
‘They’re also the elites of Reidan…!’
The eight young knights selected and trained by Piaro and Asmophel. They tried not to express it, but they were also tired. They followed Jude while looking at the soldiers and finally couldn’t bear it.
“Commander Jude, can I ask for the reason behind such a fast marching speed?”
“There is plenty of time before the arrival time that Earl Lauel specified. I don’t think we need to hurry. The soldiers’ morale has lowered and their stamina…”
Jude had been Grid’s knight for five years. It was rumored that Grid even specifically picked him. The ravaged Reidan that had turned into a desert. Grid was the great hero who saved their home, which had been abandoned. The young knights naturally envied Jude, who had been recognized by Grid for five years. They didn’t dare doubt Jude’s abilities. They believed in him and followed him.
But now they felt doubts. Jude’s way of commanding the army was too ignorant. It was illogical and inefficient. Maybe Jude was weak when it came to strategy?
Jude replied to the shaken young knights. He did it while moving forward.
“The meeting point. Quickly. Quickly. My Lord. He said it. Quickly.”
“…Hah.”
The battlefield where they would risk their lives was called a meeting place? The young knights were thrilled.
‘For him, the battlefield is…’
‘A place where he meets friends?’
‘Truly great…! This is the dignity of a veteran who has stood right beside the great hero…!’
“Heok?”
The young knights were suddenly astonished. For some reason, they thought the desert heated up even more and a sea of fire appeared in front of them.
“T-The desert is burning?”
“Heok! Stop! Stop!”
They didn’t know what was happening. The desert was burning and blocking the path to Patrian. It was impossible to jump into the fire with the precious soldiers. The young knights urgently ordered the soldiers to stop marching at once. But Jude continued to run. He didn’t shrink back from the raging fire and just advanced.
“What are you doing?”
“Please stop!”
The young knights tried to stop Jude. But it was too late. While they were taking care of the soldiers, Jude was already running into the flames.
“This is crazy…!”
Was he crazy? The moment that the young knights paled.
Swaaaah!
The flames swallowed up Jude faded away. A splendid oasis was present where the flames had been. It was clear blue water. The 3,000 soldiers of Reidan couldn’t close their mouths.
“The fire was an illusion…! Earl Ashur created a trap!”
“Commander Jude noticed it!”
“Amazing! Really amazing!”
Jude was soaking himself in the oasis. He plunged into the sea of fire only for it to be cool, making him smile.
“Water. Good. Clear. Jude. Thirsty. Drink.”
“Waaahhhhhhhh!”
The morale of Reidan’s troops pierced through the sky. Their weariness disappeared. The young knights were shocked by Jude.
‘He knew the resting point in advance? He’s thorough.’
‘Earl Ashur was aware of Reidan’s rebellion and designed something to keep us in check.’
‘Commander Jude is in a different dimension from us. He truly is Duke Grid’s knight.’
At that moment, the young knights and 3,000 troops had complete trust in Jude. Jude obtained a new title.
[Trusted Commander]
The physical strength and defense of the troops he commanded would slightly increase, while the stamina consumption rate would decrease.
***
“Isn’t this amazing?”
“It truly is Sir Asmophel.”
“No wonder why he was called one of the pillars of the empire.”
At the rear of the 3,000 troops. The Overgeared members were escorting the supplies convoy and their speed was naturally slow. They were moving wagons and couldn’t keep up with the marching rate of the main army. The Overgeared members felt disbelief.
Asmophel was completely neglecting food transportation, one of the most important aspects. They suspected him of being an incompetent commander. However, these doubts disappeared after a while. The vibration and dust that occurred because of the 3,000 troops was huge. This disturbance was transmitted underground and suppressed the appearance of the giant worms.
‘He stopped the giant worms from showing up? It’s a strategy that fully understands and exploits the characteristics of the giant worms.’
‘Thanks to this, the rear of the army and the food supplies are perfectly safe.’
‘He lead the weary soldiers to an oasis and immediately gave them a break.’
‘He figured out the location of the oasis?’
Indeed, Lauel was great. He accurately identified Asmophel’s talents and boldly delegated 3,000 soldiers to him. The Overgeared members believed that the future was bright.
***
The fortified city, Patrian.
Earl Ashur perceived a mysterious atmosphere. Adventurers started to disappear from the streets and an unpleasant silence dominated the city. In addition, one of the traps he set up on the road between Reidan and Patrian had been destroyed.
“…Is Grid finally moving?”
It was natural for Grid to invade Patrian. Grid had killed Prince Ren who swung a blade at him. It was no different from announcing his hostility to the Eternal Kingdom. That’s why Earl Ashur was well prepared. He thoroughly defended Patrian, the only route that Grid could use to advance to the north. The sea of fire was one of the defenses.
‘It was broken so easily… I can still stop him.’
Earl Ashur understood Grid’s strength very well. He had seen it for himself. But now the situation had changed. At that time, he had been careless when facing Grid. In addition, he was confused because of the swordsman who looked like a beggar. Now he had grasped Grid’s power. He was confident that he could beat Grid because he was fully prepared.
In the first place, a magician showed their overwhelming firepower in a war. In particular, the terrain was on their side. There was no chance that Patrian would be occupied.
‘There is one variable.’
The presence of his son Bland, who was taken as a hostage. The only remaining flesh of his wife.
‘Can I turn away from him?’
His family had served Eternal’s royal family for generations. From a cold point of view, it was right to chose the kingdom over family.
‘My father, grandfather, and great grandfather would’ve all chosen the kingdom.’
Yes, he knew. It was possible to give birth to more children, but there was only one kingdom.
‘I know…’
His heart ached like it was torn. He hated his fate as a guardian that had been given to him since he was born. There was nothing more sad than having to turn away from the person he loved most in this world.
‘Bland… If this stupid father drives you to death, I will also die. Only after I smash Reidan!’
Earl Ashur stared out the window with hollow eyes. Then someone came up to him.
“I understand your sad heart.”
The man was covered by a robe. He was someone who had been staying in Patrian for a few months already. His identity? Earl Ashur didn’t know. The person was sent by King Aslan. Earl Ashur wasn’t feeling good and frowned at the robed man.
“Are you finally going to show off your skills?”
King Aslan said that this robed man was the ‘force’ that would defend Patrian against Duke Grid’s attack. In fact, Earl Ashur was aware that the robed man was someone great. But he wasn’t happy. He didn’t want a person with an unknown identity near him. The robed man faced Earl Ashur’s hostility and bowed respectfully.
“I will definitely rescue your son. Believe in me.”
“…?”
The robed man who made the ridiculous declaration. As he bent forward, his robe moved to reveal a blade that was strangely split into a Y character. It was the sword that had killed Prince Ren on a cold desert night last year. It was the emergence of the Solo Number Knight who defeated the Great Swordsman Chucksley.
Chapter 503
Chapter 503
[You have entered the Vampire’s Underground City (8).]
[The entrance of the dungeon is blocked. Contact with the outside world will be blocked.]
[You can’t escape the dungeon until you have died or kill the dungeon boss.]
‘Right here…’
‘Grid was able to raise his level so quickly in this place.’
‘8th city, does this mean that Reidan has seven more cities like this?’
‘A territory with eight instant dungeons, the value is astronomical. This is why the Overgeared members can dominate the rankings.’
The world’s best gaming BJ Bunny Bunny and the shooting staff of OGC Station. They entered the dungeon to shoot Grid’s hunting broadcast and were immediately perplexed.
“Huh? Isn’t it too dark?”
“Nothing can be seen.”
“Turn on the lights!”
A darkness that didn’t allow anything to be seen! The OGC staff and Bunny Bunny decided this couldn’t continue and turned on their lights. Was it a view of the city that appeared as soon as the lights were turned on? No. It was the sight of at least 50 bats and wolves.
“Heok?”
“L-Large-toothed wolves and red-eyed bats!”
They were powerful monsters that were at least level 270. Dozens of these monsters showed up? The shooting staff shrank back while Bunny Bunny showed his professionalism.
“Viewers, look at this! A huge number of high level creatures are coming! Ahh! We will be wiped out! Will we die before we can pass on Grid’s levelling secrets?”
The moment that the viewers gulped and felt great tension because of Bunny Bunny’s words.
“Pagma’s Swordsmanship.”
Grid’s dancing had become much more natural after getting the diamond capsule. His cloak flapped as he moved quickly and generated a strong energy.
“Transcend.”
Kwaaaaang!
At the same time, there was a blast of energy! The stones around Grid floated in the air. Grid’s eyes became sharper under his black hair as he swiftly swung his sword.
Pepeng!
Pepepepeok!
Every time he swung the sword, energy blades shot out and killed the bats and wolves.
“Wow.”
“Wah… So strong.”
The shooting staff let out sounds of admiration. They knew that Grid was one of the best in Satisfy, but this was the first time they saw him hunting! They didn’t think he would slay 50 monsters with levels in the late 200’s in a flash. Grid scolded those whose mouths were open with shock.
“Next time, if you act selfishly and risk yourselves, then I won’t save you again.”
“Ah…! Ah, yes! I’m sorry!”
Unlike the hurriedly apologetic staff, Bunny Bunny asked unabashedly, “The monsters that just appeared are the vampires’ familiars. Do you raise your level while hunting the familiars until you meet the boss?”
Grid asked like he didn’t understand.
“The vampires’ familiars?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. Indeed.”
“I should hunt vampires.”
“…???”
Vampires were a senior species. They were overwhelming stronger than monsters of the same level and was a monster with the trinity of physical power, magic power, and intelligence. Common players avoided hunting vampires because they were very demanding to handle. Yet Grid said he was going to hunt vampires.
Bunny Bunny doubted his ears and turned his gaze towards his camera.
“Did you hear that? Grid says that he will hunt vampires! Maybe today we can witness the huge scene where a player hunts three or four vampires at the same time…! Heok!”
Bunny Bunny’s face turned white. The buildings in the city. Grid was standing in front of hundreds of coffins, not dozens? It was the first time Bunny Bunny realized that there were so many vampires in the world.
OGC’s announcer, Park Shinye carefully speculated. “Perhaps… Grid will raise his level by quietly breaking each coffin one by one… Kyaack!”
Announcer Park Shinye shrieked. The reason why she was surprised…
“Linked Kill Wave.”
Crazy Grid. He used a wide area skill to wake up hundreds of vampires simultaneously.
-Wow, boss class ㅋㅋ
-The shooting team is wiped out!
-Sweet ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
The viewers forgot to eat their chicken. Every action that Grid showed after entering the vampire city was amazing and interesting. The immersion wasn’t a joke. However, they felt desperate. Grid’s levelling secret. It was impossible to follow him, even if they learned the secret.
***
Near Patrian.
‘They are rabble.’
This was Marquis Valtin’s impression after he joined Reidan’s army. Reidan’s soldiers were unimpressive. They were covered with sweat and panting like a tired dog on a summer’s day.
‘They weren’t trained in the usual manner.’
Becoming this tired just from crossing the desert? Their stamina was low. It was truly pathetic.
‘Indeed… They won’t have the stamina to train normally.’
The circumstances behind Reidan’s desertification and impoverishment were well known. It was difficult to even obtain food to eat. How could they afford to train the army in the harsh manner? It was natural for Reidan’s soldiers to be weak.
‘Just gathering 3,000 troops is great.’
There were 20,000 residents and 3,000 soldiers. It seemed like all the young men had come out.
‘It will be the end of Reidan if we lose today.’
Pisik.
Marquis Valtin made a scoffing sound. Meanwhile, Lauel was talking in the guild chat with the Overgeared members.
&Jishuka: We arrived half a day ahead of schedule, but we joined just in time?
&Toban: How did you know to align the time?
&Lauel: Jude would overuse the soldiers, so I took that into account. After thinking about it, I hastened the meeting with Marquis Valtin. Well, it’s good that this is happening so quickly.
&Pon: …Jude? Why Jude?
&Lauel: What’s with this reaction? Surely you still don’t know? Jude is Reidan’s commander. Asmophel received my permission to act freely.
&Vantner: Wow. Nonsense. The great commander was Jude?
&Ibellin: Lauel. Are you crazy? What fool would entrust Jude with an army? You should’ve left it to Jishuka or Peak Sword.
&Lauel: Does the commander have a role other than directing the march? It’s a task that can easily be carried out by Jude. In the first place, I don’t want to place the Overgeared members at the front where Marquis Valtin can see. He might become wary if he
sees such outstanding people.
The convoy escort was also the most important part of the march.
On the other hand, Marquis Valtin’s gaze was fixed on Jude.
‘Amazing. He’s like an ogre.’
Large muscles harder than stones could be seen. Indeed, a person praised as the hero of Eternal would have such a great physique.
That’s right. Marquis Valtin thought that Jude was Grid.
‘He is only staring at the front?’
Grid (Jude) was just looking at the front, not even bothering to thank Marquis Valtin who brought a large army of 10,000 troops. His eyes were hollow and Marquis Valtin didn’t know what he was thinking. It was the point where Grid wouldn’t hear anything. This wasn’t a normal appearance. It was remarkable.
Marquis Valtin felt admiration.
“The small fries are here.”
The height of 20 meters. The man who appeared on Patrian’s high walls gave both Reidan and Borneo soldiers a sense of oppression and despair.
Kurururung!
There was a thunderstorm above them and rain poured down. The man’s ghost-like pale face was revealed under the flashing sky. It was Earl Ashur. The man who was still beautiful at 50 years old opened his mouth.
“I expected Reidan’s revolt, but I never imagined it would coincide with Marquis Valtin’s march. You are fools who don’t know honor.”
Marquis Valtin laughed.
“Your tough talk is still the same, Ashur! But I won’t fall for your provocations today!”
He was confident. Originally, he would be scared of Earl Ashur. However, Grid was by his side.
‘Grid and Reidan’s army will keep him in check, while my troops can easily enter Patrian and occupy it.’
He was the reinforcements, so he wasn’t in the position where he had to sacrifice his troops.
Ssik!
Lauel took a step forward as Marquis Valtin smiled. Then he politely spoke to Earl Ashur. “I am Lauel and I serve Duke Grid. It is an honor to meet one of the 10 great magicians on the continent.”
The fishing rod and bait that Lauel prepared. He threw the fishing rod first.
“As you know, Sir Bland is currently secured by us.”
Lauel glanced over at the eight young knights and Bland stepped forward from beside them.
