novelraw Chapter 79 : Ambush (2)
Chapter 79 : Ambush (2)
Ambush (2)
I'd heard that Granfen's soldiers always fought on the defensive.
Holding the frontline so Heroni's soldiers couldn't get through,
and even if the line broke, never letting them into the spirit stone quarry.
So, everyone expected a chaotic fight.
By the time we arrived, we thought the beastkin would have taken the spirit stone quarry,
and that we'd have to take it back.
But the reality was different.
The beastkin bastards hadn't even set foot in the quarry, let alone occupied it.
'Jeros and Schutmann are holding them off!'
Schutmann, the squire of 5th-rank.
And Jeros, exceptionally strong for a 4th-rank.
The two of them were sweeping away enemies right at the quarry entrance.
Which meant—
'The battlefield favors us.'
Four hundred beastkin were packed into the narrow path leading to the quarry,
and now that we'd arrived, we could attack from behind—a classic pincer move.
But then—
'The battalion commander's face looks odd.'
It wasn't the expression of a commander facing an advantageous battle,
but rather the face of someone whose expectations had been overturned.
Why was the battalion commander like this?
Was it because Schutmann moved in person?
'Or maybe he was convinced Jeros was a traitor, but that wasn't the case?'
Though I felt uneasy with these doubts,
my comrades were different.
"The quarry hasn't been overrun yet?"
"Wait, is that crazy Jeros again?"
"Who's next to him? He handles Sword Energy with that much skill."
"Does it matter who? What matters is, we actually stand a chance!"
The soldiers' morale soared,
and as if to stoke the fire, the three company commanders shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Companies—charge forward!"
"Waaaaah!!"
"Wipe out those Heroni beast bastards!"
With the sound of horns blaring, companies one, two, and three charged in a wedge formation.
The beastkin, seeing our army, were visibly panicking.
"Spread out! Don't let a single one escape, spread out!!"
At the officers' sharp commands, the soldiers moved in perfect sync.
The triangular wedge soon shifted into the shape of a crane wing, closing in on the beastkin.
'Perfect.'
This kind of maneuver was possible thanks to the battalion commander's Brain Voice.
"Heh heh, looks like we're in luck."
At some point, the battalion commander resumed his usual ambiguous smile.
After observing the battlefield for a moment, he turned to the special operations detachment.
"Special operations soldiers, scatter for individual engagement. Kill as many beastkin as possible and return."
The four members of the special unit saluted and sprang forth.
My turn must be coming up too.
My heart was beating—not too fast, just right.
"... You're a bit intense, you know."
I must have been staring at him a little too eagerly.
But who could blame me—
'This is the war zone I searched for so desperately in the game Belkhazium!'
How many times did I chase battlefields for level-ups?
And now, my level—or rather, my real-world rank—was three.
In a skirmish like this, my fatality rate was incredibly low.
I wanted to get in there and show those beastkin bastards what my kitchen knife skills could do.
Rack up experience, and advance to 4th-rank!
"Heh heh. Fired up, are you?"
Nod, nod.
Hurry up, old man.
"Alright, here's your order. Ian, you stick to me—guard this battalion commander."
"...?"
He then added, "It's the most honored seat on the field. Heh heh," and I nearly pulled on his mustache.
"Why? I'm as good a fighter as any, you know."
"I know what you're capable of. But haven't I already told you? You mustn't die no matter what. Heh heh."
Disappointment poured over me,
and suddenly, memories from my days in the Korean Army surfaced.
I'd volunteered for rifleman, but thanks to the gods' mischief, ended up in the comms platoon.
'Became the battalion commander's radio operator, didn't I?'
Even during training, I lugged a field radio, always sticking close to the battalion commander.
Riding in his military SUV, guarding him.
When training ended, my buddies joked about me having the easy life.
But now—
'Am I the battalion commander's shadow in my second round of army life too?!'
Once a honey assignment, always a honey assignment?
Watching battle from the sidelines again.
It was fine then, but not anymore!
'And the difference between pixel graphics and reality is wild.'
Seeing real beastkin reminded me of when I first encountered impet creatures.
They were nothing like the cute animal-ear characters in Japanese manga.
'They're freaking repulsive.'
Most of the enemies were snake and rat beastkin,
the bottom-tier scum among beastkin, as far as I could remember.
"Don't back down! Attack!"
"Ssss, filthy human scum!!"
At last, the two forces clashed.
"Die, beast bastards!!"
"Waaaaah!!"
Kang! Cha-chang!
Puk! Pugaak!
Screams and shouts, weapons meeting in chaos.
A battlefield where you live only by killing.
Everyone unleashed killing intent, desperate to survive.
My impression from afar was simple.
'A complete madhouse.'
Bodies tangled, blood splattering everywhere.
Even watching it directly, it didn't feel real.
Of course, if I was inside that fray, it'd be another story.
"Ian, keep watching and memorize what you see. This is what war really is."
I raised my binoculars, mimicking the battalion commander, carefully observing the field.
For now, I was his shadow, but someday I might have to be in there too.
As I watched intently,
the rules of this battlefield started to reveal themselves.
It was similar to the Belkhazium game I knew,
just as Jeros had taught me.
― Lower ranks can't defeat the higher ones."
A rank 0 soldier, unable to use mana, was slaughtered by any mana user.
'Put it in modern terms: Rank 0 fights barehanded, rank 1 has a knife.'
Rank 2 learns knife skills,
Rank 3 carries a pistol,
Rank 4 wields an assault rifle.
It was an extreme analogy, but it worked.
So the guys with pistols—3rd-rank—tried to take out as many lower ranks as they could
before meeting another 3rd-rank gunman and engaging in a duel.
'That's exactly what the special unit's for.'
They were seeking out rivals of equal strength to fight.
So here's how it goes:
'If I, a 3rd-rank, get mixed in there and run into a 4th-rank, I'll get obliterated.'
It was unlikely, though.
Of Granfen's 500 soldiers, there were only five fourth-ranks—battalion commander, Jeros, Lantz, Hank, Ralph.
The enemy would be similarly composed, so my chance of meeting a 4th-rank in that melee was about 1%.
'And the battalion commander has chained me here because of that 1%.'
Thinking about it made me feel regretful and indignant.
Honestly, there was a 99% chance to earn experience!
I wanted to hit 4th-rank as soon as possible.
"Heh heh. You wish you were in there too, don't you?"
The battalion commander read my mood like a ghost.
"I want to grow stronger, after all."
"That's an excellent attitude. But hold back for today. Your chance will come soon."
With those words, he stared at a particular spot.
Curious, I followed his gaze.
'Pab?'
The gangly platoon leader was swinging his long arms, mowing through beastkin.
Choochook! Chaak!
Literally carving them up.
He was using the Whip Dance skill that put me in danger during our duel.
But it was different now.
'He's way beyond the level he showed in our duel.'
His sword was curving like a real whip.
If he'd used Whip Dance at that level against me before—
'It would've been hard for me.'
Of course, I've gotten much stronger myself and wouldn't lose to Pab now,
but there's no denying he's much more formidable than before.
As Pab was carving up beastkin like a demon—
"!!"
A shockwave hit, sending Pab flying backward.
No mana user was nearby, so it had to be—
'A 4th-rank mana attack!'
Cold sweat trickled down my throat.
I'd thought the odds were 1%—
but Pab just got hit by a 4th-rank right on cue.
That could've been me. Creepy.
'Is Pab alright?'
I looked for him right away.
He was twitching, but alive.
As expected of a master of the Flowing Sword, he managed to defend himself.
Still, he was barely on his feet, blood trickling from his lips.
He clearly couldn't keep fighting.
As nearby soldiers rushed to help Pab,
a huge gray beast barreled toward him with thunderous steps.
Its size—and shocking speed—meant it was a 4th-rank.
But that didn't help Pab's odds at all.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
'Huh?'
Closer and closer.
At this rate, Pab would die.
Someone I actually knew—dying, just like that?
Thud. Thud. Thud.
A drinking buddy from yesterday, really about to die?
Thud!
Kagagag—kagagak!!
With a tremendous crash, the rhinoceros beastkin skidded to a stop.
Someone had blocked its path.
The beastkin quickly back-stepped,
and then I saw who had stopped the rhino.
'The green-eyed one.'
It was Hank.
The rhinoceros beastkin recognized Hank and started yelling—
I couldn't hear, but judging by their faces, it was a mix of rage and delight.
For Hank, it was the same.
'Rivals on the battlefield, huh.'
I focused in.
I didn't care if Hank died or not,
but it was rare to witness a 4th-rank fight up close.
And I was curious about Hank's skills too.
'Here we go!'
After an exchange of words, the rhino charged at Hank.
The massive mace targeted the small man,
but Hank deftly dodged and parried every blow.
Why wasn't he drawing a weapon, acting so relaxed?
'More importantly, it's clearly different from the duel I witnessed before.'
Even among fourth-ranks, battalion commander and Jeros were simply another tier.
Compared to their duel, this one between Hank and the rhino felt plain—
easier to follow, too.
Still, one thing was certain.
'Hank is dominating.'
Flustered, the rhino started swirling energy through its mace,
releasing waves of force all around.
Nearby soldiers were nearly swept away,
but then Hank darted deep inside the rhino's guard.
Puhuk!!
The rhino's face exploded.
A giant horn jutted upward.
Blood gushed like a fountain,
and the beast's huge bulk crashed down.
'A martial artist, huh.'
Hank's fist—his gauntlet—was coated in meat and blood.
He glanced in my direction,
or rather, probably at the battalion commander standing next to me.
'He's trying to impress the battalion commander even now?'
What a piece of work.
He should be checking on Pab rather than showing off.
"Don't resent him too much, heh heh."
The battalion commander's words shook me from my thoughts.
How does he always know what I'm thinking?
"I don't really resent him. It's Hank who has it out for me."
The battalion commander lowered his binoculars and spoke.
"Is that so? Well, it probably is my fault that Hank resents you. Heh heh."
I dunno, old man.
I think Hank hates me and envies me simply because of his terrible personality.
How much time had passed while we exchanged this idle banter?
After spectating the fight for a while,
Ricky from the special ops unit came running over.
"On my honor of steel!"
"Report."
Clearly, he'd returned at the battalion commander's Brain Voice call.
"Enemy company commanders—five in total, including Shahino—have been eliminated. All subordinate platoon leaders have been wiped out as well. Now only rats and snakes remain."
"So at last, my long feud with Shahino is over. And our casualties?"
"We haven't accounted for every soldier yet, sir, but, as of now, there are no casualties among us officers."
The battalion commander's mustache twitched.
"Heh heh. Not a single one?"
"Yes, sir! That is correct."
Ricky's face was shining with joy,
almost trembling with awe.
It was a testament to the magnitude of this battle's outcome.
"As expected, battalion commander! Your flawless response and tactics—to you I, corporal Ricky, am in awe!"
As if the praise weren't enough, he began brown-nosing the battalion commander,
but the old man just looked over at me.
"I'm looking forward to the treatment you'll receive from now on. Heh heh."
At his words, Ricky looked dumbfounded.
No doubt, I bore a similar expression.
"Let's be on our way, Ian,"
And a short time later,
I understood what the battalion commander meant.
* * *
Hank controlled his mana to the extreme.
Towards his two arms and two legs.
Kuwoong!!
He collided with the rhinoceros beastkin.
Kagaggeu-Kagagak!!
He grabbed Shahino's horn and shoulder, enduring with all his might,
but the charging force was so great that both his legs dug into the ground.
'Still, I can hold out!'
After desperately persevering, he finally came to a stop.
Just as he was about to thrust his fist into the opponent's torso—
Tat!
Shahino increased the distance, recognized Hank, and spoke.
"What, it was you? You were so strong, I thought you were that blonde human."
Everyone, everywhere, always Lantz, Lantz.
They were really infuriating bastards.
"Now even the beast bastard is looking for Lantz."
"Khaha! Of course. You're too weak and boring!"
Whoosh!
A steel mace, as big as an adult man's torso, came flying at Hank.
It was enveloped in a fierce aura formed with mana.
Kwaang!
With overwhelming power, snow and debris exploded in every direction.
However, Hank dodged lightly with agile movements.
'Was Shahino always this weak?'
He remembered these attacks as ones he could barely evade in past fights.
"What, what's with you!"
The veteran Shahino quickly sensed Hank had changed,
and swung his mace wildly, scattering aura everywhere.
How many lives must that brute-force technique have claimed?
Kwagang! Bang!
But even if the power and range had increased,
'The speed hasn't changed at all.'
He could see through everything.
The enemy was slow, and he had gotten faster.
Realizing this, Hank felt goosebumps run up his arms.
He could finally, definitely feel it on this first deployment of the year.
'I got stronger!'
Much stronger, in fact.
Strong enough to remain relaxed against his archenemy, Shahino!
And the reason he was able to grow so quickly, perhaps,
'Is it the outsider's food?'
The outsider's food he'd eaten for every meal by the battalion commander's orders.
He could feel his condition improve immediately after eating that cooking.
At first it was merely suspicion, but as time passed, conviction set in.
The outsider's food definitely had a buff spell-like effect!
The effect peaked in the 30 minutes to 1 hour right after a meal,
and he would recall that sensation each day while training.
He trained with the effects present, and, when they faded, would recall their feeling.
After training like this day after day, he was definitely different from before.
'I got a lot stronger than I thought. With just a bit more, maybe I can catch up to Lantz!'
The seat right next to the battalion commander—it would soon be his, the 1st company commander!
Puhuk!!
Hank's fist pierced through Shahino's chin.
A horn was ripped out and blood gushed forth.
One Duchy soldier who saw this shouted,
"Company Commander Hank killed the mad horn, Shahino!!"
With the soldiers' cheers, morale soared.
But Hank's eyes were fixed on the battalion commander, watching the battlefield from the ridge beyond.
'Did you see it, battalion commander? I, Hank, have killed Shahino.'
He thought, even if only for a brief moment, that he would be the main contributor to this battle's victory.
That is, until he saw the outsider standing next to the battalion commander.
"... Tch."
Surely the outsider wouldn't get all the recognition for the battle's achievements?
'I need to do even more!'
Refocusing himself, Hank went off to search for another beastkin officer,
and saw Lantz swinging his sword.
Sseok!
Two beastkin heads fell.
Their faces weren't those of snakes or rats.
They were a dog and a cow.
'No way, officer level?'
The two beastkin corpses collapsed to the ground.
"Company Commander Lantz just took down two company commanders at once!!"
Lantz and Hank's gazes met.
"......"
"......"
Hank's brow furrowed, but
Lantz ignored him and ran off to find more enemies.
Tadadat! Chaak!
Lantz just wanted to swing his sword a few more times.
He didn't have time to care about Hank.
'Just a little more! Just a little more!'
The feeling of power Hank had experienced,
that sensation of overflowing strength!
That sense of transcendence was now dominating Lantz's brain.