Chapter 251: Bloody War (5)
c1M068This morning was peaceful again.2mron
eyEThough, of course, there were no birds chirping or leaves rustling in the wind—it was the heart of winter.msL1bR4
LOv59TdFwoooosh.vqX
MCz7JThe biting wind swept across the area. In front of a solitary platform, countless heroes stood lined up.YCSvrW
A2xFAll of them had been summoned from different parts of the world for the extermination operation against Fermush.MQp
3Daay“If they called us in this early, today must be the big day.”DAEz
CB9BA bearded man scratched his jaw as he muttered. A man nearby overheard and replied.Uy3jc
NVav“Seems like it. It’s chilly, the sky’s overcast—a perfect day for demons to come out and play.”i0Ki
xfGqHG“Judging by your green armband, you’re a senior-class hero like me. Where are you from? You don’t sound familiar…”ZxNin1y
Dv73B“First Battalion of Japan.”sAU
yAvED5F“Ah, that explains the bow on your back. Lucky you, being in the rear guard.”deCi
ivRpnC“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.”fGSYcCd
o3ZIZm“That’s true too.”H9sY
QKAv9IThe 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.3q0
5y26V“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.”sqa0
oicVThe bearded man turned and tapped the archer on the nape. The archer squinted, then smiled.CN6CG
CsKn“Your bald head makes it easy to remember. I won’t forget.”U0vHk
NyFUHK“Hey! No bald jokes!”TUx1ZE
3bkC“Haha, I didn’t mean it like that. By the way, why do you think we were gathered here?”AjXU7
rCBKT7i“Hah, you know how it is. Before any big operation, the higher-ups always give some motivational speech or whatever.”IYX9c1
rews0w“True.”0amfm
ohpj“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.”J82
X9U“You’re right.”oJk
k0VnThe archer nodded quietly. The bearded man continued.7v9Kr0
gU1“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.”XVsUSVK
m9FoFHis expression was a mix of frustration and concern. The archer glanced around nervously before whispering.AUy
bnIcr“We’re being watched.”7Hu7Ee
LSSwsjh“Good. That means they’re listening too.”q1M0l
OHcQS7WThe bearded man snorted sarcastically and kept talking.l8pwaeH
RqJiJ“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.”csyFg
XmgUJ0Z“I get your point… but still, he’s one of the Seven Stars.”93bee7
6JNIv3n“So what? To a Corps Commander, it doesn’t matter if you’re one of the Seven Stars or just a foot soldier…”HSKcw
SPJJust then.dQ9zb1
K7ZcrTap, tap.CN4GluV
MCjHsBEveryone’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.2XEC
6XI3The bearded man swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple, hidden beneath his beard, bobbed heavily.JG0Ycj
cTh0L‘…Even though I said that, the truth is…’NxR
YBl1The man was speechless. His mere presence stirred the air. An aura so dark it almost seemed demonic.nKTHIvA
18S0UAjImmediately, all the heroes stood at attention. The earlier relaxed atmosphere vanished.tDAL
BddBpTap.yi6
JX80VoHeavenly 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.pNV
D3XkP0wThe young man glanced around with indifference. Many felt their bodies tighten under his gaze. Especially the bearded man, who lowered his eyes nearly shut.6BX
Nv3qq57“……”cqZz6wx
gtJ2Once the silence was absolute, Kang Geom-Ma let out a deep sigh. Everyone tensed up instantly.QRM7bV
dlkIs he looking down on us? Is he about to give a sermon?GaO
P1ftfTap.ThPcaYB
11rjThe boy stepped forward. One more step. He stopped right at the edge of the platform. One step more and he would fall.YMX
FkdfxThen he sat down. Legs dangling, bringing himself to their eye level.iOG
qDMprHe looked at the heroes, who didn’t dare meet his eyes, and spoke. His voice was dry, but surprisingly warm.ZaIJ
o5i6p“Thank you all for gathering so early.”HK0LLJG
v44The unexpected humility made a few raise their heads.guJ5
hgmN“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.”6ey
bY0He scratched his head with one hand, the other still in his pocket.apXs
yZVb“But they told me it’s tradition… So I’ll keep it short. I’m not good at speeches, I hope you understand.”XLMJoUg
cLk6Many thought his attitude was very human.5NQD
DFo“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.”mbelJQ
0rUkxLHis voice, still calm, held everyone’s attention.E7B4
96f“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.”3vk
uulcziHe spoke clearly, with short phrases and pauses that gave weight to each word.maE
raL2Q4o“Because I know I’m responsible for your lives. That’s why I can’t afford to show weakness.”0bRlcNr
qxU6wwEBy bringing himself to their level, he lowered his own authority.GH3Y
h0s“I’m just a kid. Probably the age of your children. It’s not strange if you don’t trust me. But remember this.”xemPQuo
vZy4m8And at the same time, he showed them he would fight alongside them.5RW3
84kGfv“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.”CDvr8Ch
WdasKang Geom-Ma stood, dusting off his coat, and concluded with a few words.Hr7Rm
ewlegP“Let’s win.”Z7kA
jgYyKang Geom-Ma turned smoothly. Etched into the retinas of all who watched his back were two characters.v7mxM
mVhJ2x『Heavenly Sword』REpa
zmu2dXAThe Heavenly Sword returned to his place.6TpIoX
Cy4SEg9“Waaaaaaaah!”nvAEP
sICPoZA deafening roar of cheers erupted. His sincere speech had filled them with immense courage.fWDVm07
CC38EThe 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.gR8
xzj“Feels like we’re seeing someone out of a legend, huh?”sBVngiI
LMlQThe bearded man murmured to the archer as if speaking to himself.MXDkCy
Ltp“You’re wrong.”xOvu
3Xa39J2The archer replied, flashing his fangs in a grin.fgmj
0uM3“He already is a legend.”vmvOkJ
YaHiPX***3jG5wE
AZ3CvAs 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.mCt7q0x
V02‘A Corps Commander… and one emerging directly from the Demon Territory…’9VsiN
gXWShWLAnyone 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.3lACMS
oXFBMeanwhile, 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.bVIH
9E0KVVWWe 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.GP0T
VoqxIz‘Though nothing compared to the beasts that will emerge from there shortly.’7MI0
ElhWe took a moment to reorganize the formation—or rather, to divide the main force into their respective positions top, mid, jungle, and bottom.NcmG
g3aUoEven though the system had only been introduced the day before, the heroes moved swiftly. Despite the separation, they maintained precise order.kseMwsw
ezmVFR‘No wonder they only picked the best among the veterans. The difference is clear.’adedf
pGuw8sI sighed in relief. Soon, the Fourth Corps Commander, Fermush, would emerge from that portal. And he’d be at full power, overflowing with magic.FxyCB
ecVW2vM‘Nothing like Agor or Vesna.’BYkTx
0z27Humans fear the unknown. I had never faced a Corps Commander at full strength. Sweaty hands were only natural.0sT
LDVIDlk“Heavenly Sword.”u8mo
xrqMAt some point, the Swordmaster had come up beside me and patted my shoulder. Changseong stood at his side.PeqMAj
diFJ“It’s not like you to wear such a grim expression.”USKAH
rQKwpF“Ah, yeah.”9kjaVU
OVphyBiI hesitated for a moment but ended up asking them.Ot8
BHYIQqN“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.”YCk
ai7ut4CThey looked at each other. Though usually like cat and dog, they shared the same look this time. The Swordmaster turned back to me.hYCGALp
7k8“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.”rYtj
b77Changseong said.OSEBW
CHFmAjA“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!”RCy
REmOEAh, right. I’d forgotten what heroes are.uNfQw
jqE0NIn games, they never ran or trembled. I thought they were just data controlled by player commands. But I was wrong.VptV7Hz
8VobTEOThey’re real heroes. Superhumans shaped by Joaquin Academy’s rigorous education. Warriors who see dying in battle as an honor.pYRFd
cjvAnd I’ve only been in this world for half a year. Without realizing it, I’d been judging them with Earth’s common sense.jmd3qnF
9thUc‘I haven’t quite washed off my Earthling mindset.’qbZfj
rGldNlI let out a short laugh. The Swordmaster and Changseong smiled too. I didn’t know what their smiles meant, but they comforted me.LbLGS
23nAt that moment.hKCc6R8
lyspRumble! Rumble!sudD
aMO2vA heavy sound rattled our eardrums. Everyone turned toward the portal. The grotesque gates began to crack, shedding chunks of stone.9eePLiI
tZ38A 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.QXyu
TmSWk8“All units, to combat positions!”1LfY
75dFChangseong’s thunderous voice echoed across the field. The tank-class heroes, known as “top,” lowered their helmet visors and raised their heavy shields.TgYFvD
SA7uvc6Clang.Z4GwS
b5URbkbThe Swordmaster drew his sword with precision, holding it vertically. The blade covered half of his wrinkled face.O1vkSse
vqNBoom!tCb
khkChangseong planted his spear firmly into the ground. The earth trembled. Then he looked at the Swordmaster beside him and said.IvX
Oc6i“If I lose an arm in this battle, I want you to finally accept that duel, Nibelung.”I4R
EHAMhRThe Swordmaster let out a low chuckle. Meanwhile, his sword began to shine with white light particles—the aura of the Absolute Swordsman.UvLHyx
SMaAVb“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.”xPkX9d
Exmt“Kuhaha! I like that!”GRt
zbv0D5Changseong let out a wild laugh and crouched down, gripping his spear tightly.HHRDcMl
1s9uFsdBOOOM!Nya
mxhq1nNA roar tore through the air. The portal gates exploded into a thousand pieces. Visibility was low, but through the dust, silhouettes began to appear.GsTsA
ZrVRd6The Swordmaster and Changseong, veterans of a hundred battles, turned their backs to me and shouted my name.zgRfG
AhI9tB“Kang Geom-Ma!”6SaMiM
uHTAnd I answered.edgHbFt
Fwip“I am the sword that wins.”z4yICN8
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaAvengers assemble.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaThis men knows his stuff.