It was quiet. Although everyone was gathered in one place, no one spoke. They all blankly stared at the empty space ahead or the ground below. Chi-Woo responded similarly. He tried not to show his nervousness, but his lips kept becoming dry. Their meeting was over, and now all they had to do was find their enemy’s location. They planned to move as soon as their scouts returned with the necessary information. Chi-Woo fidgeted with his hands inside his pockets and unconsciously fumbled with his die. He knew they had no other choice but to fight.
However, reality was too dreadful for one to be too hopeful. Everyone knew what they were getting into, and their plan had been formulated with the sacrifice of the majority in mind. Even by their most optimistic estimation, their survival rate was at best 30 percent, and the likelihood of all of them surviving was 0 percent. Thus, Chi-Woo was in a dilemma. He wondered if he could raise the pathetic odds a little by rolling the die.
‘But what if I rolled the wrong number?’ That could mean death for all of them. During the sacrifice ritual, he realized that the World’s Milestone was a double-edged sword. It wasn’t something that he should use in bad situations, but in good situations instead, where they could afford a little accident. But even though Chi-Woo was aware of this fact, he couldn’t help but ponder.
‘Our situation is already so dire. I don’t think it even matters if I roll the die.’
‘No, I can’t rely on it.’
Chi-Woo’s conflicting thoughts warred in his head; it was then he heard a deep voice speak near his ears.
“I like the battlefield. The more difficult the situation is, the more excited I feel. My lower stomach jitters, telling me that I am truly alive.”
Having been deep into his thoughts, Chi-Woo turned to the voice a moment later. Allen Leonard approached the group with a torch and continued, “I know not everyone thinks this way. I bet some of you think I’ve gone insane after living as a hero for so long.” Allen tapped his temple and smirked. Chi-Woo wondered why Allen was bringing up the fact that he was an adrenaline junkie suddenly.
“Going to war is scary and nerve-wrecking. Being a hero doesn’t change how you feel about it,” Allen said and stood besides Chi-Woo. Then he looked upon all the heroes quietly waiting for their turn and said in a low voice. “It’s because you all want to live.” Yes, that was certainly so. It was the same for Chi-Woo and the reason why he was wondering right now whether or not he should throw his die.
While Chi-Woo was preoccupied with his thoughts, Allen reached out to him with what looked to be a cigar.
“Thanks, but I’m good. I don’t smoke.” Chi-Woo shook his head.
“What a pity. Missing out on such a fine thing,” Allen said and added that it was his last, that Chi-Woo was fortunate to be offered a drag. Chi-Woo stared at him and asked where he had gotten the cigar.
“I made it myself,” Allen said proudly. “I needed to keep my mouth busy, so I just took whatever leaves I could find and tried drying them. This strong one surprisingly suited my taste buds.” Allen lit the cigar in his mouth with the torch he was holding. He inhaled and savored the taste before breathing smoke out of his nose.
With a satisfied smile, Allen turned back to Chi-Woo again and said, “You never agreed to our plan to fight.”
“…”
“Can I ask you for the reason?”
“…It’s as you said.” Chi-Woo hesitated. “I want to live.”
Allen paused in the process of pulling the cigar back into his mouth with his teeth. He dropped his arms slowly and stared intently at Chi-Woo.
“Then, is there another way to live without fighting? If you have an idea, please tell us. If it’s from you, I’m sure everyone, including me, would be willing to listen.”
Of course, there wasn’t one. Chi-Woo fell into silence. Allen waited for an answer patiently and smacked his lips. Then he asked, “But you didn’t disagree… Does that mean you don’t have any solution other than fighting, either?”
He wasn’t wrong, but Chi-Woo was also feeling conflicted because of a different problem.
“That means you’re fighting when you don’t want to. You must think we have a considerably low chance of winning.”
Chi-Woo sighed. It seemed Allen wasn’t going to back down any time soon. Reluctantly, Chi-Woo responded, “So, does that bother you, sir? That I didn’t agree to the plan outright?”
“Yes, it bothers me,” Allen shot back immediately. “Your face does.”
Chi-Woo was a bit taken aback, and seeing this response, Allen smiled slightly and gnawed at his cigar. “I’d show you your reflection if there’s a mirror. It looks like you just ate shit or something.”
Chi-Woo touched his face in surprise.
“Morale is important in any war,” Allen said while exhaling deeply. “A skilled general always considers that foremost.” Whether they were at an advantage or not, they had to be willing to fight. That was the only way they could fight.
“Ru Amuh seems well aware of this,” Allen continued. “No matter how scared you are, or how much you think things won’t work out, you can’t show it. Emotions can be infectious, especially if it’s coming from a commander.”
Chi-Woo snorted. “But I’m not a commander.”
“If you really think that, you have my respect,” Allen said before adding, “But that’s a scary thought in and of itself.”
Chi-Woo didn’t know what Allen meant. Nevertheless, Allen didn’t take his eyes off Chi-Woo. No matter if there were ten people or a hundred, ranks always formed within a group, which were based on several factors such as wealth, skills, connections, bloodline, and so on. In the pyramid of hierarchy among the recruits and natives, Allen believed Chi-Woo was at the peak.
Although Ru Amuh had regained power, he was still considered inferior to Chi-Woo, as the descent of Shahnaz had shown. It was Chi-Woo who had chosen Ru Amuh. Not anyone else, not even Shahnaz. And the relationship between them further cemented their power dynamics, where Ru Amuh’s attitude towards Chi-Woo went beyond simple benevolence and resembled that of a follower devoted to his leader.
And that wasn’t the end of it. Although their current enemy was the cursed ones, they still had to consider the broken ones as potential threats. Chi-Woo had managed to sweep away a whole lot of them. Furthermore, they never knew how strong these spiritual beings could become; while they could at least attempt to fight physical monsters no matter how strong they were, they had no way of tackling a spiritual monster at all. Even if more of them regained powers, it would be incredibly difficult for those who didn’t specialize in fighting off such beings to deal with them.
However, it was different for Chi-Woo. Although their situation was still dire, there were some definite improvements from before. For instance, now they didn’t have to worry about the biggest danger that had threatened all the fifth, sixth, and seventh recruits, and it was all thanks to one person—Chi-Woo. In a situation where they were trying to block a dam with many holes, Chi-Woo had basically blocked a giant hole that would have swept all of them away by himself. If the enemies who were chasing them right now had been the broken ones, and Chi-Woo hadn’t been with them…it was too frightening to even imagine the possibility. They would have been locked away in ranches, eaten to bits until they themselves became vengeful spirits.
Considering all these factors, it was reasonable to think of Chi-Woo as the most valuable position in the group. It wasn’t a position he had attained simply by money, connections, or bloodlines. Many would’ve questioned his position or the role he played if he had gotten where he was through such means. Since he had come this far through skills alone, his position was indisputable. Even those who disliked him would have to admit his unique strength and accept what came with it. Especially in a place like Liber, where heroes were gathered, one had to prove themselves to be special and different from others. If they didn’t have the skills to prove themselves, they had to know their politics. In Allen’s point of view, Chi-Woo fulfilled both criteria.
Chi-Woo was an invaluable member of the group, but he was also humble and generous. Thus, it was impossible for people to not like him. People tended to like those with humility more than the show-offs, and when they saw people like Chi-Woo, they flocked to him, hoping that he would show the same level of care to them as he did to others.
[But I am not a commander.]
If Chi-Woo had been sincere when he uttered those words, he shouldn’t be hailed as a hero, but a saint. On the other hand, if Chi-Woo had spoken tactically rather than from his heart, it meant that he also knew how to play politics. It frightened and displeased Allen that someone influential like Chi-Woo had such a negative outlook for their upcoming battle. Although he hadn’t disagreed with their plan directly, Chi-Woo’s disapproval was clear on his face.
Of course, Allen was no idiot and knew that they had a low chance of success. Still, they had to fight because there was no other option. Given the circumstances, the disheartened look on Chi-Woo’s face had been bringing the whole group’s morale down.
“Didn’t you say that you regretted… saving us?” Allen stepped on the cigar he had cast on the ground and mumbled. “When you were protecting that princess.”
Chi-Woo stared at him, and Allen responded, “I am aware that you aren’t pleased with us.” By ‘us’, he was clearly referring to the sixth recruits. “I understand. It’s not as if this is the first time a traditional hero like you dislikes our ways.”
What did ‘a traditional hero’ mean anyway? Now that he thought about it, Zelit seemed to have used the same phrase before.
“However, there’s something you’re wrong about.” Allen Leonard suddenly put more strength into his voice and continued while looking into Chi-Woo’s eyes, “Even though among us are those with unholy and unrighteous goals, those who are self-absorbed with becoming a hero, those who became heroes by coincidence—regardless of their intentions or origins, they are heroes like us who have saved a world.” His burning eyes blazed with indescribable spirit. “They are not mindless idiots who jump straight into danger in a dire situation like this.”
“…”
“Of course, they may fall far short of your standards…but the sixth recruits were still heroes. They had resolved to risk their lives saving worlds a long time ago.”
Chi-Woo felt a considerable number of gazes on him. The heroes who were on standby were all looking at Chi-Woo. Since they had been without shelter for almost two weeks, everyone looked as terrible as they smelled. Their faces were also sunken from not being able to eat and sleep well. However, the spirit in their eyes wasn’t gone, and it grew stronger as the battle neared. As if they had experienced this kind of danger several times, everyone’s eyes glowed brightly. Chi-Woo suddenly recalled what had happened in the Celestial Realm.
[Now, those who wish to enter despite all the risks, please move to the portal on the stage.]
[…We won’t stop you from turning back.]
When Laguel explained the situation and gave them all a choice, all the heroes had walked towards the portal at the same time as if they had made the decision long ago. Like the seventh recruits, the sixth recruits must have made the same choice, because they were all heroes.
“It’s all-right even if it’s just a little bit” Allen Leonard looked fervently at Chi-Woo and spoke in a voice thick with emotions. “Even if it’s just a little…please…trust us.”
Chi-Woo’s eyes widened, reminded of the way he had asked the middle-aged man and Eshnunna to trust him a couple days ago. He didn’t know why, but his muddled head felt clearer. They had come to Liber to save it, and to save it, they needed to survive first. And to survive, they needed to fight—fight not to the death, but for a chance to live. Expression blank, Chi-Woo took his hands out of his pockets, no longer holding the die.
It was surprising. Chi-Woo was simply going to humor Allen Leonard and find an opening to send him back, but unexpectedly, he ended up making a decision because of the man’s words.
‘…Let’s trust them.’ Chi-Woo shook his head. ‘Let’s trust them.’
“I understand,” he finally said with renewed determination on his face. “I’ll try to trust you and the others.”
“…Thank you.” Allen Leonard read Chi-Woo’s expression and smiled. Just in time, the scouting team returned and said that they had verified the enemies’ location. It was now time to carry out their plan. Chi-Woo joined the recruits and started moving quickly. In his heart, he resolved to never roll the die until the battle concluded.
* * *
It was late at night. They couldn’t even spot a mouse on this quiet hill. It was silent save for the occasional wind rustling the grass. A total of 180 people were going to participate in this battle, including the entirety of those who were injured. Around 135 of them were moving covertly, and the group soon shrunk to 90 strong with 45 of them splintering off and heading towards a different location.
Those who were left continued to move forward before coming to a halt. Chi-Woo pressed his body close to the hill and crouched as low as he could manage. Sneaking glances around, he spotted a couple of cursed ones wandering around the hills on top of him.
While everyone held their breaths, Allen Leonard, who stood in the front, held up a hand to gesture at people. Then he started a countdown with his fingers. Three, two… When he was about to fold in his thumb, a few heroes swiftly moved as if they were flying. Four or five shadows approached the cursed ones’ backs without making any sound and twisted their necks at the same time. The heroes carefully laid the cursed ones down on the ground before rejoining the troops.
“The scouting team’s intel is good,” Allen Leonard said quietly. “You should move out as well.”
Another 45 people left the group. The scouting team’s reports were exact. The enemies were gathered in one area, with the mutants in the center and the cursed ones scattering throughout. In other words, they were approaching the enemies’ main base. The remaining 45 people quietly and carefully moved forward. They reached their destination without a hitch.
“Are we starting right away?”
“No. Not yet. We have to wait until the 4th unit takes their place.” Allen Leonard stayed close to the hill and gulped. Their enemies were right in front of them. The ordinary cursed ones were the closest, and the huddled group of mutants were in the center. All the recruits were crouching down with their heads lowered.
“It would be great if they were all sleeping.” Someone spoke in an anxious voice, but another person silenced them with a ‘Hush’. None of them knew why their enemies had positioned themselves like this, but an opportunity had presented itself. Their attacks would be more effective the more enemies had gathered together. They had the element of surprise, which was the key to their strategy. When a prey who had only been running away suddenly turned back and attacked their opponent, the hunter would be startled.
Of course, if they attacked like this, the hunter might be overjoyed for having a full course meal to enjoy. While properly damaging their enemies, they needed a secret weapon that would catch their enemies off guard. They wanted to give their enemies a real taste of pain that way.
[My ancestors weren’t physically strong.]
[However, god let our ancestors use a powerful weapon for their survival.]
[Many of your ancestors here probably also used the same weapon.]
Fire. That was what the weapon was. Allen Leonard rubbed the grass on the hill and nodded. Rain had fallen a few days ago, but since this region received low rainfall, the grass was dry and twisted from the lack of water. It would act as great fuel for their fire.
Then an alert from his device told Allen Leonard that the time had come. Currently, a total of four groups had surrounded the enemy. And he just received a message that the 4th unit was ready. Allen Leonard sent a reply before removing the black cloth hanging on his hand to reveal a torch. He took out a clump of dry grass that Eshnunna and the natives had prepared and lit it on fire. Then he lit the clump of grass that the hero next to him took out, and that hero passed the fire to the next hero. It wasn’t long before the hill was cast in the warm light of fire. They could no longer turn back now.
“Ask and it will be given. Search and it will be found.” After muttering a short adage, Allen Leonard threw the bundle of burning grass down the hill. Everyone followed suit at the same time. Similar to how boiling water steamed and magma bubbled, fire burst into life everywhere and spread quickly, merging into a greater whole. Then—
Crackkkle!
The land burned. Flames that carried everyone’s wishes and hopes soared into the sky. Fires blazed from the left, right, front, and back of where the enemies gathered, closing in on them at the same time. Simultaneously, a whirlwind came to life; this was Ru Amuh’s work. He had summoned the wind and controlled it like Zhuge Liang, who brought in the eastern wind in the Battle of Chibi.
Whooooosh!
The timely gust wrapped around the flames, stoking it and pushing it to spread further. They quickly reached the center like a sailboat riding in fair wind.
Craccccckle!
The fire grew to such a scale that it looked like a forest fire and mercilessly devoured the enemies from all sides. It was so strong that they couldn’t even see the enemies anymore. Many clenched their fists as they looked on, but it was not over yet. There was no way this alone would end the battle. They never expected the fire to burn all their enemies; they just wanted to cause confusion and harm their enemies a little. Honestly, they didn’t know how effective this plan would be, but they needed to do everything they could.
“…Knock and it may open.” Expression grave, Allen Leonard was about to say something when—
Kyaaaaaaaaghhh!
A scream finally cut through the air. It seemed as if their enemies hadn’t expected the flames to grow so fast, as the disturbance was growing exponentially. Some heroes flinched, but Allen Leonard raised his hand to signal everyone to stop. ‘It’s too early’, he thought as he tightened his grip around his sword. Soon after, ordinary cursed ones began jumping out from everywhere with their bodies on fire. Even then, Allen Leonard did not move. He kept a close eye to the front as the flames reflected in his eyes. Then, after a while—
“Aghh! Ughhh!”
Allen Leonard narrowed his eyes at the single mutant flailing about to put out the fire burning its body.
Clang!
He drew his sword like he had been waiting for this moment the whole time.
Clangclangclang!
What followed was a staccato of heroes unsheathing their swords all around him.
“Attaaaaaack!” Allen shouted with all his might and leapt forward like a wild beast.
Ahhhhhhhhh!
Following Allen’s lead, the heroes charged down the hills to attack their enemies in unison.