episode_0022

“…Anyway! I really think that person is the worst human being, vice-captain!”

“Uh…uh… I understand…”

After being criticized and cursed for her actions for several dozen minutes, Seris soon left as if running away.

This is because every time Hans curses or criticizes, his own actions come to mind.

…When I thought about how that weight was weighing down on myself… and the leader, who was also the one suffering, I couldn’t bear it.

Suddenly-!

“Wooow…Wooweek…”

Seris, who hurriedly returned to her room, remembered the disgusting actions and words she had made, and could no longer hold back her nausea.

“Wow…”

No… that’s not what I was trying to do…

I just… I felt so sorry towards the leader… I did that because I wanted to be of some help to the leader…

“….Isn’t he just human trash, that guy!”

“Kollock…Kellok… Ugh…”

Hans’ angry expression and swear words told me that my petty thoughts and actions were wrong.

I…I just did it because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to bear it if the leader rejected me…

“I’m not a crazy person who only thinks about himself! Aren’t you just playing with that guy!”

“Hehe… Huu…”

I realized that the blades were wrapped with the promise that they were for the leader. The leader who was helplessly stabbed by those blades… how much pain must it have hurt.

The thorn embedded in the exterior that was said to be due to fear pierces my heart.

It was so painful that it felt like my heart was going to explode at any moment, and I was so disgusted that I wanted to kill myself.

“Hmm…ah…”

Only tears flowed and fell on the floor. I have committed a serious crime that cannot be undone by any word or action.

“You idiot…! Even though you do that, you’re still human..!”

Plop-plop-!

Seris hit her face with her fist as hard as she could. If it were an ordinary human being, each blow struck would be so powerful that it would kill someone.

“…What a trashy bitch..! You are the leader..!”

Puck- Puck Puck!

However, his body, which had already surpassed that of a human, did not even allow that attack.

…no. My will… must have lost its strength because I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to endure this much.

“Black…Ugh..”

I was so disgusted with myself, I wanted to harm myself, but at the same time, I couldn’t because of fear.

….How much pain and suffering must the leader have been in all this time? It can’t even be compared to pain like mine.

So, endlessly blaming and blaming yourself. He continued to only apologize that could not be reached.

“… If you don’t even apologize. If you don’t even realize your mistake… I think you’re not even human. That person.”

“…….!”

At that time, I remembered what Hans had told me. I… What am I doing?

Seris stood up immediately on the spot.

Do you think you have the right to be crying right now? To a subject who hasn’t even apologized yet.

The wounds that the leader must have suffered are incomparably deeper than your humble depression right now, right?

….What a fucking bitch. Run and apologize right now!

“G… even now… sniffle!”

Even if it means getting down on your knees and bowing your head right now, you have to offer your apology.

With that thought in mind, Seris left the room and quickly ran to the front of the leader’s room.

“Keuheung..! Write it! Big…big hum…”

‘…Why are you shedding tears, you crazy bitch…! ‘Stop it quickly!’

Blaming herself internally, Seris tried to stop and wipe away her tears.

“Ah…Ugh…”

However, the tears showed no signs of stopping. Rather, it just flows out more.

‘….Let’s just knock on the door like this. You can think of me as a sick bitch… Just an apology.’

Thump-thump-thump.

“Da…Captain…are you awake…?”

Seris knocked on the door of the leader’s room. But no answer was received.

Thump-thump-thump.

“Da…leader…?”

Clearly, judging by the flow of mana, the leader is in this room. Although it may be faint, there is no way you can’t remember the magic power of the person you love the most.

“Sniffling… Are you… asleep?”

Probably so. It’s late now… and the leader tends to sleep quickly.

‘Uh…what should I do? If I knock any more now, it will be a nuisance…’

Seris wanted to apologize right now, but thinking that it might actually be a nuisance, she rolled out of the room.

“…Yes. Let’s wait until the leader wakes up…”

…I’m waiting patiently because I’m confident I can do better than anyone else.

From now until morning… about 10 hours must pass, but that is long enough to wait.

…Because I have to apologize for my feelings. Because being a little tired is meaningless.

“…I’ll wait.”

As I thought about my words of apology to the leader and my actions… morning came faster than I expected.

“Vice-captain? What are you doing here?”

“…Ah. I had an incident with the leader…”

“Are you waiting since this morning..?”

Seeing the mercenary member who was surprised to see her, Seris sent him off with a slight smile.

-Vice-captain?

-Didn’t you two fight?

-Oh… I’m glad? Let’s make up quickly!

Other mercenary members also spat out a word as they passed by.

The common comment was that he and the leader had a fight and that he felt a little uncomfortable.

We didn’t fight. I just… did something bad on my own.

He left after saying that he hoped everyone could resolve the issue with him and the leader and return to being a harmonious mercenary group like before.

“Everyone… was paying attention. It’s all because of me…”

It was because of me again. I knew that the mood among the mercenaries had been depressed recently.

I just knew that it was also caused by fatigue due to increased workload.

Be sure to apologize. I will apologize to the leader… and restore the atmosphere in the mercenary group to the way it was before.

‘…Will the leader be awake by this time?’

Thump-thump-thump.

I was wondering if the manager was still sleeping, so I knocked on the door quieter than last night.

But there was still no sign of popularity. It seemed like he was taking a break after a series of tiring events recently.

“Vice-captain?”

“Hans..”

“Why are you waiting here…”

“Ah…yes. I have something to tell the leader.”

“Is that so? Then wouldn’t it be better to at least swing your sword at the training ground rather than waiting here in vain?”

…Because the leader might wake up. Let’s wait a little longer… then let’s go to the training ground.

Contrary to my excitement at the thought of seeing the leader soon, the tightly closed door did not open.

So… until now, Seris had been swinging the sword in a way that put her into a trance.

It’s already past lunch… It’s getting late at night, but the leader still hasn’t come out of the room.

Tomorrow I have to finish preparing for battle, and the day after tomorrow I have to go to the Valley of Death to exorcise monsters…

Before that, can I offer an apology?

okay. Before that, you will be able to see the leader. I will definitely apologize.

“…I hope it goes well.”

I hope you will accept my apology. And it goes back to being a harmonious mercenary group like before…

After that, I will convey my true feelings. I said I love you, leader, and asked if you could please be with me.

Just like that, the day came to an end.

And the next day went by, and the leader did not leave the room.

“….tomorrow. I must tell you… If I can’t, I will do it even after the battle is over.”

At our current level, we should be able to defeat even a 5-star monster without injury.

Just like that, the day of the expedition came to mind.

“…cough. The sandstorm has finally cleared up.”

The leader’s complexion, which I saw for the first time in a few days… didn’t look very good on the outside.

He looked somewhat weak, and he continued to cough as if he had a cold.

“Chief. Can you go…?”

“Of course. I don’t have any… problems. Everyone get ready.”

“Yes! Leader!”

I was still worried about that appearance, but Hans approached me and asked a question, and he answered that he was okay.

So, the Scar mercenaries began to prepare for battle in a hurry.

Ceris had to finish preparations quickly, without even having time to apologize.

If the battle is prolonged and the sandstorm blows again, it won’t be as terrible.

“Thanks to you, I was able to rest comfortably. Please take this.”

“….I will not refuse. Thank you so much… Sir. May your future be filled with only light.”

So we headed to the Valley of Death to complete the empire’s direct request.

To the place rumored to be filled with countless monsters and terrible disasters lurking.

“…If this battle is over.”

I will definitely express my heart and apologize.

Seris corrected her burning heart and walked along with the leader while holding her sword.

***

It is finally the day to head to Death Canyon.

In the meantime, in order to get enough rest, I stayed in my room, ate food, slept, and repeated.

Of course, I did stretching and exercises that could be done in the room. However, every time I moved my body too vigorously, I would vomit blood, so I had no choice but to do it in moderation.

‘Because in an important battle, no harm can be done.’

The battle with the 5-star monster was no joke. It was so dangerous that everyone could be wiped out with just one small mistake.

Also, I couldn’t be sure that I wouldn’t encounter other monsters along the way. So, I need to preserve my physical condition as much as possible.

[Name: Venice / Age: 29 / Male / Status: Indefinite.]

[Unique Ability (Magic Eye): This is an eye that can see magical power. You can see the trajectory of magic power and use magic power more smoothly.]

[Unique ability (talent identification): You can identify the other person’s talent. You can see your unique abilities and potential at a glance.]

[Unique ability (superior body): Your body is superior, as if it was created by God! Stamina, strength, situational judgment ability…. All other physical abilities are greatly improved!]

[Body Overload: Your alter ego is beyond its usable level. Your body dies at 15:32 on the 6th.]

There’s less than a week left… We’ll be able to catch the monsters inside.

The time to say goodbye to this body was approaching.

‘The battle ends safely, without any injuries.’

It is enough for me to die after this battle. Because everyone will become a light that will brighten the empire in the future.

I’m not just talking about Seris, who will become a legend in history. Because all mercenary members have overflowing talent and effort.

And I have already become attached to them. As I said before, I absolutely hate causing even the slightest harm to a character I care about.

You guys are… really great people. You can do it well.

…Even if I disappear.

As I walked toward the Valley of Death, I stored in my memory the faces of the mercenary members I would probably never meet after this battle.