Chapter 251: Bloody War (5)

This morning was peaceful again.

Though, of course, there were no birds chirping or leaves rustling in the wind—it was the heart of winter.

Fwoooosh.

The biting wind swept across the area. In front of a solitary platform, countless heroes stood lined up.

All of them had been summoned from different parts of the world for the extermination operation against Fermush.

“If they called us in this early, today must be the big day.”

A bearded man scratched his jaw as he muttered. A man nearby overheard and replied.

“Seems like it. It’s chilly, the sky’s overcast—a perfect day for demons to come out and play.”

“Judging by your green armband, you’re a senior-class hero like me. Where are you from? You don’t sound familiar…”

“First Battalion of Japan.”

“Ah, that explains the bow on your back. Lucky you, being in the rear guard.”

“What’s the point of talking about front or rear guard against a Corps Commander? If the frontline breaks, the rear won’t last five minutes before it’s wiped out.”

“That’s true too.”

The bearded man let out a laugh. They didn’t know each other, but they spoke naturally, like old friends. That’s how heroes were. People who could joke even before battle. That’s why they were respected—and envied.

“Anyway, remember this beautiful neck of mine and make sure not to shoot this way. There’s no greater disgrace than dying from friendly fire.”

The bearded man turned and tapped the archer on the nape. The archer squinted, then smiled.

“Your bald head makes it easy to remember. I won’t forget.”

“Hey! No bald jokes!”

“Haha, I didn’t mean it like that. By the way, why do you think we were gathered here?”

“Hah, you know how it is. Before any big operation, the higher-ups always give some motivational speech or whatever.”

“True.”

“I’ve been a hero for over thirty years and I still don’t get why they do that. We’re not rookies at the guild, and at this point, we don’t need sermons.”

“You’re right.”

The archer nodded quietly. The bearded man continued.

“That kind of speech just lowers morale. And on top of that, the main person in charge of this operation is some brat—now that gives me a bad feeling.”

His expression was a mix of frustration and concern. The archer glanced around nervously before whispering.

“We’re being watched.”

“Good. That means they’re listening too.”

The bearded man snorted sarcastically and kept talking.

“A great hero isn’t just strong. What matters on the battlefield is the ability to lead. And that only comes with experience. I wonder if a kid barely seventeen can lead all these heroes.”

“I get your point… but still, he’s one of the Seven Stars.”

“So what? To a Corps Commander, it doesn’t matter if you’re one of the Seven Stars or just a foot soldier…”

Just then.

Tap, tap.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the sound of footsteps ascending the platform. It was a boy in a black uniform with a white coat draped over his shoulders—Kang Geom-Ma, the Heavenly Sword.

The bearded man swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple, hidden beneath his beard, bobbed heavily.

‘…Even though I said that, the truth is…’

The man was speechless. His mere presence stirred the air. An aura so dark it almost seemed demonic.

Immediately, all the heroes stood at attention. The earlier relaxed atmosphere vanished.

Tap.

Heavenly Sword stopped at the center of the platform. To his left stood the Sword Master. To his right, Changseong. As if both veterans were flanking him.

The young man glanced around with indifference. Many felt their bodies tighten under his gaze. Especially the bearded man, who lowered his eyes nearly shut.

“……”

Once the silence was absolute, Kang Geom-Ma let out a deep sigh. Everyone tensed up instantly.

Is he looking down on us? Is he about to give a sermon?

Tap.

The boy stepped forward. One more step. He stopped right at the edge of the platform. One step more and he would fall.

Then he sat down. Legs dangling, bringing himself to their eye level.

He looked at the heroes, who didn’t dare meet his eyes, and spoke. His voice was dry, but surprisingly warm.

“Thank you all for gathering so early.”

The unexpected humility made a few raise their heads.

“Truth be told, this wasn’t my idea. I don’t like this kind of thing. And I know that, at my age, anything I say won’t carry much weight.”

He scratched his head with one hand, the other still in his pocket.

“But they told me it’s tradition… So I’ll keep it short. I’m not good at speeches, I hope you understand.”

Many thought his attitude was very human.

“I’m not going to say things like ‘Give it your all in battle.’ You’re already heroes. It’s obvious you came here with that resolve.”

His voice, still calm, held everyone’s attention.

“I won’t say ‘Don’t die’ either. That would be irresponsible. And even less ‘Lend me your strength.’ That would be cowardly of me.”

He spoke clearly, with short phrases and pauses that gave weight to each word.

“Because I know I’m responsible for your lives. That’s why I can’t afford to show weakness.”

By bringing himself to their level, he lowered his own authority.

“I’m just a kid. Probably the age of your children. It’s not strange if you don’t trust me. But remember this.”

And at the same time, he showed them he would fight alongside them.

“I don’t shy away from the responsibilities I take on. Even if I’m young, I have enough strength to carry that burden. Well… I guess I dragged on. Seems unavoidable once you’re up here. In short.”

Kang Geom-Ma stood, dusting off his coat, and concluded with a few words.

“Let’s win.”

Kang Geom-Ma turned smoothly. Etched into the retinas of all who watched his back were two characters.

『Heavenly Sword』

The Heavenly Sword returned to his place.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

A deafening roar of cheers erupted. His sincere speech had filled them with immense courage.

The heroes raised their weapons to the sky like spears aimed to pierce it. Drums pounded in rhythm with their hearts, and under the clear sky, banners fluttered fiercely.

“Feels like we’re seeing someone out of a legend, huh?”

The bearded man murmured to the archer as if speaking to himself.

“You’re wrong.”

The archer replied, flashing his fangs in a grin.

“He already is a legend.”

***

As soon as the speech ended, we began our march. I was at the front, alongside the Swordmaster and Changseong. Not just to maintain morale, but because, as the only ones with experience against Commanders, it was logical that we lead the vanguard.

‘A Corps Commander… and one emerging directly from the Demon Territory…’

Anyone with normal nerves would faint, foaming at the mouth, just from seeing one. And if it released its aura, the formation could collapse in seconds. That’s why, no matter what, we had to be at the front.

Meanwhile, the other leaders—like General Remi, Director Sung, and the high-ranking officers of the Association—were guiding their respective battalions from their assigned positions.

We marched for an hour until we finally reached the Gehenna Portal. A grotesque structure, covered in repulsive sculptures like crusted scabs. Its appearance alone was enough to cause revulsion.

‘Though nothing compared to the beasts that will emerge from there shortly.’

We took a moment to reorganize the formation—or rather, to divide the main force into their respective positions top, mid, jungle, and bottom.

Even though the system had only been introduced the day before, the heroes moved swiftly. Despite the separation, they maintained precise order.

‘No wonder they only picked the best among the veterans. The difference is clear.’

I sighed in relief. Soon, the Fourth Corps Commander, Fermush, would emerge from that portal. And he’d be at full power, overflowing with magic.

‘Nothing like Agor or Vesna.’

Humans fear the unknown. I had never faced a Corps Commander at full strength. Sweaty hands were only natural.

“Heavenly Sword.”

At some point, the Swordmaster had come up beside me and patted my shoulder. Changseong stood at his side.

“It’s not like you to wear such a grim expression.”

“Ah, yeah.”

I hesitated for a moment but ended up asking them.

“Aren’t you afraid? Fifty years ago, you lost three comrades in this very place. If it were me, I’d hesitate to come back. And you, Swordmaster, lost an arm to Agor just half a year ago.”

They looked at each other. Though usually like cat and dog, they shared the same look this time. The Swordmaster turned back to me.

“Dying on the battlefield is a virtue for a hero. It would be a lie to say there’s no fear—but at least today, I have less than I did forty years ago.”

Changseong said.

“Back then, there wasn’t even a hero army. But look at us now. Warriors, seniors, all united for one cause. And best of all Heavenly Sword , I’m excited to fight alongside you. I feel tingles all over!”

Ah, right. I’d forgotten what heroes are.

In games, they never ran or trembled. I thought they were just data controlled by player commands. But I was wrong.

They’re real heroes. Superhumans shaped by Joaquin Academy’s rigorous education. Warriors who see dying in battle as an honor.

And I’ve only been in this world for half a year. Without realizing it, I’d been judging them with Earth’s common sense.

‘I haven’t quite washed off my Earthling mindset.’

I let out a short laugh. The Swordmaster and Changseong smiled too. I didn’t know what their smiles meant, but they comforted me.

At that moment.

Rumble! Rumble!

A heavy sound rattled our eardrums. Everyone turned toward the portal. The grotesque gates began to crack, shedding chunks of stone.

A familiar chill. No explanation was needed. The Gehenna Portal was about to burst open, and Fermush would come walking out. We could see it clearly, like an image in our minds.

“All units, to combat positions!”

Changseong’s thunderous voice echoed across the field. The tank-class heroes, known as “top,” lowered their helmet visors and raised their heavy shields.

Clang.

The Swordmaster drew his sword with precision, holding it vertically. The blade covered half of his wrinkled face.

Boom!

Changseong planted his spear firmly into the ground. The earth trembled. Then he looked at the Swordmaster beside him and said.

“If I lose an arm in this battle, I want you to finally accept that duel, Nibelung.”

The Swordmaster let out a low chuckle. Meanwhile, his sword began to shine with white light particles—the aura of the Absolute Swordsman.

“You’d have to keep both arms to even be worthy of facing me. So guard them well. With both intact, I might even be tempted.”

“Kuhaha! I like that!”

Changseong let out a wild laugh and crouched down, gripping his spear tightly.

BOOOM!

A roar tore through the air. The portal gates exploded into a thousand pieces. Visibility was low, but through the dust, silhouettes began to appear.

The Swordmaster and Changseong, veterans of a hundred battles, turned their backs to me and shouted my name.

“Kang Geom-Ma!”

And I answered.

“I am the sword that wins.”