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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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Did she really not expect me to refuse?
We had plenty of knights who could tank. I could even do it myself if necessary.
And it wasn’t like we were going after the Demon King. Leventia’s presence wasn’t essential.
There was a limit to how much overkill was necessary.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. I simply didn’t want to deal with her.
“Considering the humiliation I endured while traveling with you, I’m tempted to slap you right here…”
Her eyes widened slightly. Leventia seemed to be hoping I would get angry at her.
Hoping it would lead to a new dynamic between us.
“But I don’t want to hurt my hand.”
With her defense, I would be the one in pain.
“Oh… ugh… uh…”
“You have your own duties. Go and rest.”
I dismissed Leventia and turned to the adjutant. Meeting his hesitant gaze, I shrugged.
“Let’s go.”
Silence hung heavy in the air as we made our way to the battlefield. The events of the day seemed to be weighing on everyone’s minds.
Morale was low.
I reached for my lute.
“What are you doing?”
“Everyone seems a bit down. I thought I’d lighten the mood.”
–Strum~
The melodious notes of the lute filled the air. While silence was usually preferred on the battlefield, this situation called for drastic measures.
Besides, the monsters in this area were no match for our current force.
–*Strum~ Twang!
Oops.
Lost in thought, I’d played a wrong note. But it wasn’t a problem. The music seemed to be having its intended effect, easing the tension in the air.
“Haha. Even the Sage makes mistakes?”
“I’m only human.”
“That song… it was ‘Morning on the Front Lines,’ right?”
“Yes. Shall we sing it together?”
I strummed the lute again, and the cheerful melody and lyrics of the song spread through the ranks.
And then…
“…Hmm.”
I glanced to the side. At the edge of the formation, amidst the singing and laughter,
I saw three familiar figures. Using Hawk Eye, the Archer skill, I focused on them. Claire, Leventia, and…
What was that?
What happened to her ears?
Evangeline, her ears partially severed, walked unsteadily.
No, her wide, unfocused eyes,
Her trembling lips, told a different story.
As expected, she wasn’t alright either.
“Mr. Sage?”
“Ah, what were the next lyrics?”
“Hahaha. Did you forget the words? ‘Walking through fields of orange…’”
“‘Walking through fields of orange… with a superman on a white horse…’”
As the singing grew louder, Evangeline’s face contorted in pain.
It was understandable.
This was her favorite song.
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“‘Walking through fields of orange… with a superman on a white horse…’”
“Ah… aah… uwaah…”
Evangeline covered her face with her hands. The memories flooded back.
Happy, joyful memories that now assaulted her weary body and mind.
He used to sing this song often. A cheerful, uplifting song.
A song that brought her comfort.
He sometimes missed a note or two, but she would always harmonize with him, and when the song ended, they would high-five.
“Aah… aaaaah…!”
The joyful memories brought with them a crushing wave of guilt.
‘Ah.’
‘I ruined everything.’
‘I destroyed it all.’
“Aah… ugh… uh…”
Even without alcohol or drugs, she saw hallucinations. Hyun-woo stood before her, smiling.
Just like when he left.
A carefree smile.
“Ugh… ah… aah…”
Tears dripped onto the mud-caked battlefield. As Claire, watching her with pity, reached out to support her,
Leventia gripped her sword tightly.
“Look.”
They saw where the soldiers were heading.
A massive monster, emitting a pale, white light that seemed to defy the crimson moon.
A horrifying beast with two dragon heads.
The unit, with Hyun-woo among them, was heading towards the monster.
“We have to stop them.”
Leventia muttered, her voice firm. The Sage was strong. But that monster regenerated from sword wounds and shrugged off most magic attacks.
Only they could defeat such a powerful creature.
Ordinary knights, soldiers, and priests were no match for it.
“…Let’s go.”
They were the ones who had hurt him, the ones who had broken him.
So, they had to at least make sure he didn’t get hurt.
Leventia shuddered. What if something happened to Hyun-woo?
Even with all his knowledge, could he really defeat that monster?
That creature was so powerful that even the Hero’s attacks barely fazed it.
So, they had to help him.
Even if he didn’t want them to.
Even if it was just to atone for their sins.
As Claire was about to move, Evangeline and Leventia were already ahead of her.
Evangeline, wielding the bow she had received from Hyun-woo during their solo dungeon run while Claire had been at the palace.
Leventia, wielding the sword Hyun-woo had repaired earlier that day.
As they rushed forward to intercept the monster,
“…Huh?”
The unit was easily repelling the monster’s attacks.
A white aura surrounded the soldiers and knights, empowering them.
And every time the archers’ arrows struck the small piles of stones scattered around the battlefield, the pale monster weakened.
It was working.
The monster they thought only they could defeat was being systematically dismantled, simply because Hyun-woo was there.
Evangeline stopped, staring at the scene, and murmured,
“Why…?”
He didn’t need their help.
He refused their company.
He…
Was enough on his own.
He…
Didn’t need them.
The Hero’s Party felt only one thing.
Despair.
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“We defeated it so easily!!”
“It’s easy if you know the method.”
The two-headed dragon monster collapsed, its heads severed by the adjutant’s shamanistic magic. I turned to the archers.
“But be careful. See those altars?”
“Yes!”
“If you destroy them carelessly, small monsters will appear.”
“Like that one?”
“Yeah.”
As if on cue, a pale, horned rabbit emerged from a destroyed altar. The archers, seeing the rabbit with its red eyes and sharp fangs, tensed and gulped.
“Kill them when they appear. Ah, not yet, though.”
“Uh… understood. But why?”
One of the archers asked, puzzled. I smiled and explained.
“That’s the White Beast. It merges with other monsters and strengthens them.”
In other words, it triggered a second phase. As an experienced player, I knew how to skip the second phase, but those who didn’t often struggled against the White Beast.
“Huh? Then shouldn’t we kill it now?!”
I watched the rabbit frantically hopping towards the two-headed dragon monster’s corpse and casually waved my staff.
“But you might miss it during the fight. And more White Beasts might appear.”
“Uh… right.”
“I’ll teach you how to deal with them.”
–ROAR!!!
As I explained, the rabbit slammed its sharp horn into the dragon monster’s body. The pale hide burst open, enveloping the rabbit. A moment later, the headless dragon monster began to stir.
–Ooooooh!!
A moonlit behemoth.
As the headless dragon monster, its severed heads tucked under one arm, roared,
“Sage!!”
“I- I’ll help! I’ll help you!”
“Hyun-woo!!”
Frantic shouts echoed from the distance. I had defeated the dragon monster quickly to prevent them from interfering, but…
They were still trying to join the fight, even against the White Beast.
“Um… the Hero’s Party wants to join the fight. What should we do?”
The soldiers were clearly hoping for their intervention.
But…
“There’s no need. Let’s just fight.”
I raised the Divine Mark and said to the priests,
“Prepare for healing. When the headless monster picks up its heads, it will use them to breathe fire.”
–KOOOOHHH!!
As if on cue, a breath of pale fire erupted from the monster.
The priests raised their shields, blocking the attack. The Hero arrived first.
“Don’t you dare interfere!”
“Gah?!”
My shout froze the three of them in their tracks. It was surprisingly effective.
If only it had worked this well before.
“Spearmen! Prepare javelins! Aim for the wound in the center!”
The wounds we had inflicted earlier were still visible on the White Beast. We had to focus our attacks there.
–UWOOOOOHHH!!
As the roaring monster raised its arm, holding its severed heads, a light emanated from them.
Moonlight.
An ominous, pure white moonlight, never seen before in Hardcore Mode, formed a blade that swung down towards us.
“Shadow Guard.”
“R- Right!”
A black shadow, conjured by the adjutant, absorbed the descending moonlight blade. The neutralized attack dissipated harmlessly, leaving only a deep gash in the ground. The soldiers’ faces paled, mirroring the ominous white light.
“Don’t be afraid. Attack!”
Defeating this thing was child’s play.
[Achievement Unlocked: White Beast Slain]
‘Yes! Another achievement down!’
I smiled, looking at the new achievement notification. The others were also relieved.
Despite the fear and power it had displayed, the White Beast hadn’t caused much damage.
Only one knight, who had rolled on the ground to avoid a massive attack, was nursing a sprained ankle.
“Heal.”
I healed him, of course.
“That’s the basic strategy. I’ll teach you how to deal with the other monsters next time.”
“Incredible… Truly incredible!”
The adjutant’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
And perhaps because they hadn’t been able to contribute,
The Hero’s Party members looked dejected.
I gave them a cursory smile, then turned and walked away.
Back in the command tent, I reviewed my upcoming tasks and the remaining achievement points. As I was doing so,
A hesitant voice called out from beyond the tent flap.
“Hyun-woo… Hyun-woo… Are you… awake…?”
“I’m not sleeping.”
“Can I… come in…?”
“No.”
I could practically feel her deflate on the other side of the tent flap.
“Just kidding. Come in.”
“…Thank you…”
The tent flap opened. Claire entered, her footsteps light. She looked at me intently, then murmured,
“Thank you… truly.”
“For what? For even talking to you?”
She nodded.
As Claire’s head bobbed slightly, I smiled.
“I’m a very rational person.”
“Then rationally… um… don’t you… don’t you need our help…? I… I can do anything… if you want…”
I folded my arms and thought about it.
Was there any use for the Hero’s Party?
Hmm…
Not that I could think of.
If there was, I would have used them already.
And there were no achievements that required partying with them.
“O- Or… it’s cold out here… Our tent is warmer… you could…”
It was cold.
So, I raised my staff.
“Warm.”
The tent instantly became comfortably warm. Claire’s face fell.
Seriously? She knew I had been doing this for them throughout our journey. Was this really her best attempt at persuasion?
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