Ch.15First Mission

They were no easy opponents. If not for Theo and Flora, it would have been me lying on the ground.

Saeirin calmed her excitement and turned to look at Karnok.

“Deputy Commander… these people…”

“Ah, those people aren’t reincarnators. They’re just ordinary people who learned their techniques.”

These are ordinary people?

Saeirin frowned. Their movements were a bit clumsy, but they were skilled enough to be mistaken for well-trained soldiers.

Karnok approached and slowly examined the children. All three were unharmed. They had managed to safely complete the battle by covering each other’s vulnerabilities.

Even Flora, whom he had worried might be traumatized by her first kill, seemed fine. Karnok tossed a bandage to Saeirin while lifting one of the fallen villagers from the ground.

This one was still breathing—evidence that Saeirin, Theo, and Flora were still inexperienced.

“Ugh…”

“Answer my questions. If you answer sincerely, I’ll at least spare your life.”

“I-I…”

While Karnok interrogated the survivor, Saeirin wrapped the bandage around her hand—thin enough not to interfere with wielding her sword.

The pristine white bandage immediately turned red.

“Is… your hand okay?”

Theo asked. Instead of answering, Saeirin swung her sword with her bandaged hand. There was a stinging pain, but not enough to prevent her from wielding it.

Besides, she was already accustomed to such wounds. Her palms had been torn several times during sword training.

“Saeirin. If you keep moving like that, you’ll have scars on your hand…”

Saeirin nodded at Flora’s words. Indeed, if she continued to receive such repetitive injuries, scars would form on her palm.

But that was fine. In the White Frost tribe, calluses and scars on the palms were a source of pride. They were proof that one was a dedicated and excellent member of the tribe.

“It’s fine. No problem.”

“Hmm…”

While the trio of Saeirin, Theo, and Flora were conversing, Karnok approached. The man he had been interrogating was already lifeless, rolling on the dirt.

The interrogation was over.

“Is everyone ready to move? The reincarnator is up there.”

No one suggested resting at Karnok’s words. Though they must have been tired from the intense battle, no one showed it.

Karnok smiled slightly.

“As we go up, we’ll face their attacks. They’ll use any means necessary to win, so it’s best to be careful. Especially watch out for arrows flying from a distance and traps set throughout the mountain.”

“Is that information reliable?”

Theo asked. Karnok answered while slowly loosening his shoulders.

“Didn’t I tell you? About my blessing.”

“Your blessing, Deputy Commander…?”

“Lies don’t work on me. I was blessed with the ‘Scale’s Lever.'”

“Scale’s Lever?”

Saeirin and Flora also listened attentively to Karnok’s story. They too hadn’t heard what Karnok’s blessing was.

“The ability to distinguish between truth and lies.”

“Oh…”

“That’s a bit scary.”

“It’s quite a tiresome ability. I can’t control it.”

Karnok said with a laugh. Saeirin looked up at his face. Somehow, it seemed like a bitter smile.

The moment they reached the middle of the mountain, Karnok’s demeanor changed instantly. The relaxed looseness disappeared, replaced by a sharp alertness.

His smiling face also changed. His curved eyes opened sharply as he watched ahead.

“I’ll clear the path, follow slowly.”

Right after Karnok finished speaking, a sharp whistling sound was heard. The sound was close. As Saeirin turned her gaze, Karnok’s sword swung quickly.

Clang-!

“A-An arrow…!”

As the arrow Karnok deflected fell to the ground, the enemy’s ambush began in earnest. Karnok’s movements were ghost-like. Moving silently, his slashing attacks took the enemies’ lives instantly, like the scythe of a grim reaper emerging from behind a curtain.

His footsteps were light. Even while moving up the mountain, his speed didn’t diminish. As if he were running on flat ground.

Saeirin narrowed her eyes and focused intently on Karnok’s movements.

He was moving at such a rapid pace that she could only follow the faint afterimages he left behind, but she could vaguely discern how Karnok was moving.

‘Is he stepping on mana…? No, he’s releasing it…’

It wasn’t simply a power that could enhance the body. By releasing it outside his body, he increased his speed even more. It was a power with countless applications.

“Guh, guaaack!”

“He’s not someone we can handle! Call the branch master!”

“P-Please spare me! I didn’t want to do this! I didn’t want to be a bandit!”

Karnok mercilessly slaughtered even those who surrendered after throwing down their weapons. It was an action possible only for Karnok, who possessed the blessing to distinguish between lies and truth.

By the time about half of the hidden enemies had fallen due to Karnok, the firmly closed mountain fortress door flew open violently, and a boy and a large man appeared from inside.

-Stop!

It was a shout filled with immense power. Similar to the roar of a giant beast. Saeirin, Theo, and Flora covered their ears and frowned.

“Ugh…”

“Wh-What kind of voice…!”

“It feels like my ears are going to tear…”

It wasn’t just a loud voice. The trembling shout contained a strange power.

“Finally showing yourselves…”

Karnok said as he dragged out a bandit who had been hiding. However, the boy and the large man who appeared didn’t look at Karnok.

Both stared blankly in one direction. It was toward where Saeirin, Theo, and Flora were standing.

Thud-

Just as the boy and the man were about to approach Saeirin’s group, Karnok appeared amid a rough gust of wind and blocked their path.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

At Karnok’s words, the boy, Akmin’s expression twisted violently. He had opened his eyes in a new world with a new body. He had built his own forces to seize this newly gained opportunity and finally established a mountain fortress. Everything was perfect.

Except for the existence of Cheongik, who hunted and killed reincarnators like himself.

“What an annoying fellow…”

He knew he would be discovered eventually. Ever since he realized that this world did not welcome reincarnators.

That’s why he dug traps and waited. It wasn’t a meaningless action. He had roughly gauged the opponent’s fighting style and skills from inside the fortress.

He came out like this because he judged he could win.

Also.

Whoosh-

Akmin swung a greatsword much larger than his height.

“Branch master, I’ll handle this one. Capture those ahead. You can kill the man. Especially treat the white-haired one with care. She’s going to be your brother’s wife.”

Akmin thought it was fate. The moment their eyes first met, his heart beat fiercely. A cold girl with white hair. Like snow that had settled on the mountain.

‘I want to possess her.’

He was certain. He thought all of this situation was fate, meant to bring about the meeting between that girl and himself.

Everyone present could hear Akmin’s voice. The expressions of Saeirin, Theo, and Flora twisted.

“Th-This bastard…!”

Theo’s face turned red. Not from embarrassment, but from anger—the blood in his entire body began to boil with rage.

Flora was also furious. She raised her sword to cut down the one who had hurled insulting words at her friend.

In contrast, Saeirin, the target of the harassment, remained calm. She was used to such reactions. She also found it natural.

This body, her younger sister’s body, was too beautiful. She understood why men would be so desperate.

Saeirin touched her face with a sad expression.

“It’s burdensome… this beauty…”

“Are you c-crazy…?”

“That confidence! I like you even more. Come to me.”

Akmin shouted, cutting off Theo’s words. Instead of answering, Saeirin raised her sword and pointed it at Akmin.

“Ahahahaha!”

Karnok burst into laughter. It wasn’t a lie. It was the truth. His subordinate was genuinely burdened by her own beauty.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed so pleasantly. Karnok lightly swung his sword.

Swish- Crack-!

The long slashing sound broke into two syllables. At that moment, the man called the branch master who had been advancing toward Saeirin’s group collapsed.

“Huh…?”

“I was thinking of playing around a bit more, but I can’t. I need to cherish what I’m raising.”

“What are you—”

Crack-!

Before Akmin could finish his words, a silent slash tore through the space where he stood. With a clean strike that didn’t even give him time to react, Akmin’s head was separated from his body.

“This…”

Akmin continued to babble. But no voice came out. Only his mouth kept opening and closing from the severed head.

Thud-

Karnok took out a large cloth from inside his garment and wrapped the severed head. It was a cloth made specifically for storing severed heads. No blood leaked out.

“Is everyone alright? Any injuries?”

Everyone nodded at Karnok’s question. After the first battle, Karnok had handled all situations. There hadn’t even been a chance to get hurt.

“Then shall we head back?”

“Ah, yes…”

“Yes…”

Theo and Flora answered Karnok’s question. Karnok looked at Saeirin. He was waiting for her answer.

After hesitating briefly, Saeirin hurriedly ran over and picked up the greatsword that had fallen to the ground.

“If you’re going to leave this behind, I’ll take it.”

“That sword…?”

“Yes.”

“It might be a bit heavy for you to use…”

“I have a hobby of collecting swords.”

Karnok nodded. This too was the truth. There wouldn’t be any particular problem with her taking it.

“Then go ahead. But will you carry it for me?”

“Yes…!”