episode_0409

As the preparations for battle concluded, the day began to fade away.

The dark mist started emitting a sinister energy as the night grew darker.

The ominous atmosphere naturally furrowed brows.

The punitive force began using fire to illuminate their surroundings and started taking a rest.

I met with someone from the upper ranks and listened to the stories circulating within the punitive force.

“The Princess asked about that?”

“It seems like the students are interested, hence her curiosity.”

Surprisingly, Mona Hwangnyeo had inquired about the unique equipment used to tempt students by summoning the head of the upper ranks.

“So, what did you tell her?”

“I mentioned that we plan to provide it to all the students. She didn’t inquire further, probably wary of deeper implications.”

“It seems like the students have been asking you about it.”

“Yes. I think so too. Since then, students have subtly approached me regarding the matter.”

“You haven’t revealed anything yet?”

“No.”

“Good job.”

Even if it meant students actively engaging in combat to obtain the equipment they desired, it seemed necessary.

It occurred to me that showcasing the unique equipment before coming here was a wise move.

Perhaps it wasn’t just about handing out equipment; there might be another means like equipment enhancement left.

Having effectively utilized the enhancement system when building rapport with the first-year students, I planned to do the same with the SSR characters this time.

Thinking their weapons were superior, imagine their reaction to someone bringing in a dazzling +12 enhanced unique equipment.

“I can’t resist that.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of students dying to enhance their gear, shouting for upgrades.

“And due to fairness concerns, we need to select a few additional participants from the general attendees, but we’ve encountered a slight issue in this regard.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I’m unsure whom to choose.”

“Aren’t there any standout performers?”

“There are skilled individuals, but the significant skill gap between students and general participants is problematic. Excluding students, assessing their contributions is challenging as they tend to remain stagnant.”

Having fought alongside the SSR students, the comparisons must have been more pronounced.

“I’ll observe closely during this upcoming battle.”

“Oh! Thank you.”

Handing over the most challenging issue seemed to brighten the face of the upper-ranking official.

“Though my observation may not change much…”

Since the plan was to offer something other than unique equipment, it wouldn’t hurt to hear Mona Hwangnyeo’s opinion.

No, wait.

“Mona Hwangnyeo doesn’t need to worry about this; I should ask Chechen.”

Chechen would swiftly resolve our dilemma.

Given the pile of nobles needing attention on that end, he would handle it effortlessly.

“Oh, they’re coming!!! Argh!”

At that moment, a familiar man’s cry echoed from afar.

More of a shout than a cry, its content was unsettling.

With the mist continually feeding him information, his nerves were on edge, making it impossible to ignore his significant shout.

“Faster than I thought.”

I hoped for a bit more time to rest, but the monsters weren’t known for their kindness.

Kwaaang!

A massive rock flew and crashed into the ground not far away.

Kreeeeeeeek!!!!

The monster’s howl coincided with the flying rock.

※ ※ ※

Why are so many of them gathering like this?

Did the mist, which was said to possess life, attract the monsters?

Should we consider the mist as living beings?

Crash!!

“Argh!”

In the darkness, I was completely caught off guard by the sudden attacks.

Hiding my body and continuously dispelling the mist was the only thing I could do at the moment.

Despite it being such a simple task, I couldn’t understand why I was so distracted.

Reflecting on it, even when I was in the military, I felt useless in combat.

“Ah!”

To survive, I moved to a less conspicuous spot.

I had heard not to move, but the situation was too urgent.

With monster attacks coming from all directions, how could I just stand still?

“Ugh!”

But that was a hasty thought.

Not long after moving, a massive fireball flew towards me.

It happened so quickly that there was no time to escape.

Before I could even scream, I tightly shut my eyes.

Boom!

Close by, I heard a scorching heat and a deafening explosion.

My ears were ringing, my face burning, making it impossible to open my eyes easily.

“Am I dead?”

Feeling the pain all over my body from the explosion, I thought I might have died.

However, as the throbbing pain gradually subsided and my ringing ears returned to normal, I realized I was alive.

“I’m not dead! How did I survive?”

Thinking I had perished without a chance to react, I was bewildered.

I couldn’t understand how I had dodged the fireball flying towards me, but I saw a familiar man standing in front of me, shielding me.

“Oh, uh?!”

Feeling relieved upon recognizing the man’s face, which I was quite scared of.

“Do you have any injuries?”

“No, thank you for protecting me just now.”

“I said I would protect you. Even if it seemed like I wasn’t looking, I saw everything.”

“I thought I was done for without a chance to react. Thank you. I survived because of you.”

“It’s best to return to your original position.”

“Yes, yes! Sorry for moving!”

I shouldn’t have moved; I unnecessarily attracted attention.

Hurriedly returning to my original spot, I stood quietly in the corner.

Deciding to focus on dispelling the mist without getting scared of the unpredictable attacks.

“Since he said he’d protect me, let’s trust him and keep going!”

With improved concentration, the range of mist I could dispel widened compared to before.

Having a better view now, dealing with monsters as part of the extermination squad became more straightforward.

“You’re doing great!”

Proudly acknowledging the change by myself, a compliment unexpectedly lifted my spirits.

“I got praised.”

My heart raced with excitement.

I couldn’t recall the last time I received recognition for my abilities.

Back in school, my mist ability was ridiculed by kids.

But here, my ability was proving to be quite useful.

Efforts paid off, and now I could handle the mist much better than before!

Enjoying the feeling of being acknowledged, my heart pounding with joy.

Suddenly, receiving information from the mist, my body stiffened.

In the past, I would have run away without looking back.

But now, I didn’t want to betray the man who acknowledged me and helped me in dangerous moments.

Raising my voice as loud as possible to reach his ears, I spoke.

“A tremendous creature is approaching!!! A very powerful monster!!!”

The appearance of a monster that exuded immense pressure, as if the threats until now were mere jokes.

“We need to flee!! If we encounter this one, we’ll all die!!”

Shouting in terror, hoping at least one person would hear and run.

But those who surely heard my voice showed no intention of escaping.

“Why… why aren’t they running away?”

Shouldn’t they run if someone else does to ensure their own safety?

Feeling disappointed that he didn’t trust his own words, the familiar man suddenly appeared again and said, “I know what you’re talking about.”

“You do? You know?”

How could it be an unfamiliar term when he had never encountered it before?

The information he received from the fog itself was how he came to know.

“Stronger than other monsters, more threatening, right? I sensed a boss monster, not just any monster.”

“A boss monster? What’s that?”

“In the contaminated zone, there are monsters that rule each territory. And the boss monster ruling the area we are currently fighting in is feeling disturbed and coming towards us.”

Boss monster.

Just knowing of its existence alone sent shivers down his spine.

“It is indeed dangerous, isn’t it? In that case, we should run!”

If it’s a monster ruling the contaminated zone, doesn’t that mean it’s incredibly powerful?

Initially not considering it, he recalled the reason for the failure of the Royal Prince’s punitive force.

Most likely, a monster that now terrified him had appeared back then.

“So that’s why we could only fail!”

There was no solution other than fleeing.

He couldn’t fathom confronting that entity.

He had completely lost his confidence.

Thinking he wasn’t the only one feeling this way, he looked around.

“…No one has seen it firsthand, so they don’t know. You will regret it when it appears.”

There was no sign of fear.

Had he been too vague in his words?

It seemed conveying the bleak and terrifying feeling more realistically would garner empathy.

However, as if dismissing his thoughts entirely, the stranger cut in, “To purify the contaminated zone, you must kill the boss monster you felt. In other words, the punitive force has already encountered such a creature.”

“!!!”

Had he really fought against such a creature?

“That’s impossible. How can one face such a thing?”

He had thought it was nonsense to speak without seeing it with his own eyes, but now that he had supposedly faced it, he was at a loss for words.

“It’s normal to want to flee out of fear.”

“I-it’s getting closer now.”

The creature was nearing.

Approaching rapidly.

The fog emitted a chilling, unpleasant laugh.

Whispering tales of death into their ears, yet this man could calmly speak the same words?

“But even if others flee, the punitive force cannot.”

“!!”

“And luckily, within the punitive force, there are many who can face that creature.”

“….”

Watching him speak without batting an eye, he began to think that perhaps this man was truly capable of doing so, fundamentally different from his weak and fearful self.