Chapter 1509. Extinction (19)

Chapter 1509. Extinction (19)

‘Is this bastard in his right mind?’

— ...

"..."

‘How the hell can someone say a line like that without even feeling embarrassed?’

I knew this bastard lived for the sake of looking cool and would die for looking cool. He was a genuine try-hard obsessed with keeping up appearances, but I had never imagined that he would say a line like that without feeling even slightly embarrassed.

‘Follow... where? Show you... a new scenery?’

Just hearing it gave me chills. It was such a legendary line that even Miss Jo Hye-Jin of A.K.A. “Don’t Stain His Pride” would have to acknowledge it. Actual goosebumps were rising on the back of my hand, even though I was normally unfazed by most things.

I wondered whether he just threw out a random line because he was annoyed with me. Even if it was the truth, that was a problem, too. In other words, that bastard Ryu Han had actually heard that line, and instead of mocking it, he was deeply moved.

‘Those Republic bastards... Damn... are they sane?’

Apparently, when the guy who said he would show him a new scenery died, he ended up becoming a wreck. Had shame disappeared from the continent while I wasn’t looking at it? Or had Commander Jin just told me an obvious lie?

"You said that? You?"

— Is there a problem?

"No... there's none."

‘This bastard is trying so hard to act confident.’

No normal person could say something

that

embarrassing and remain completely unfazed.

"T-that’s a cool line. Wanting to show someone a new scenery... yeah..."

— Not really. It was just something I said to raise the morale of the group, just like you said.

"..."

— ...

‘Then why the hell did atarashii keshiki

[1]

of all things come out just to raise morale?’

"Ah... yes... well... that’s good then. So the t-tutorial was cleared quickly... yeah..."

— ...

"..."

‘Honestly, it’s awkward even to make fun of him.’

A suffocating silence descended. I felt like Commander Jin would actually prefer it if I just mocked him. I also thought provoking or teasing him could be the better choice here, but while I was sincerely sending him my contempt, I missed the timing to raise the mood.

Even while multitasking and scanning in all directions with the Telescope, I had the urge to check Commander Jin’s face. I quietly zoomed the Telescope in on his face, but I couldn’t read his expression. Of course, I realized that he was forcibly maintaining a poker face.

‘He’s hiding how embarrassed he is, isn't he?’

— Are you finished?

‘He’s definitely embarrassed, right?’

Now that I think about it, I'd say it wasn't exactly weird. Everyone had a hot-blooded phase in their life, so naturally, Commander Jin had to have gone through that phase as well.

I was talking about the phase where one uploaded black and white photos of art to one's Instagram, black and white photos of

atarashii keshiki

, post black and white abstract paintings, or filled one's entire feed with moody black and white photos without leaving a single comment.

The story began when the young Commander Jin, who believed he was superior and special, suddenly fell into a tutorial dungeon. In reality, he was arrogant, but he had the ability to back up that arrogance, and he could adapt really quickly as well. Unlike the others who fell into confusion, he had to have calmly and coolly analyzed the situation.

Eventually, he met other survivors and formed a group with them.

‘Yeah, that’s exactly how it must’ve gone.’

Jin Cheong thoroughly analyzed their supernatural abilities, searched for hidden pieces that weren't quite hidden pieces, and cleared them one by one. Meanwhile, people like me choose to maintain the status quo instead of pushing forward for the sake of safety.

I could already see what kind of choices he had made in order to clear the tutorial dungeon. No matter how talented he was, there was no way he could face dozens of monsters alone right away. In the end, he had no choice but to deliver a line that would stir the hearts of the people.

‘Follow me.’

— ...

‘I will show you a new scenery.’

Was that cool? Was that supposed to be cool? If one simply thought about the kind of feelings Ryu Han and Jin Cheong’s other underlings had been feeling at the time, it actually sounded plausible.

I could imagine them walking through darkness so thick that one couldn't see even an inch ahead. Their food was running short, and most had already given up on moving forward. In the middle of it all, a figure stood tall. He turned toward them and declared that he’d show them a "new scenery."

"Maybe if we follow him, something will happen. Maybe that guy can actually do something." I believed these were their line of thought at the time, and I was sure they didn't think about how embarrassing and strange that line sounded back then.

‘Is this... really cool? Is it really? Damn it, I still don't get it. Wait, damn it, am I the weird one? Is it right to feel that way?’

— Then... I’ll end the call here.

Fortunately, it seemed I was not the abnormal one. I could tell because that bastard Commander Jin still hadn't ended the call. It almost looked like he would rather be teased than endure my sincere contempt and sighs. Normally, I'd enjoy watching Commander Jin feel embarrassed, but before I could even think about it, an awkward burst of chuckle slipped out of my mouth.

"Pfft—ah... W-what was that? So you did show them a new scenery, didn't you?"

‘Ah, damn, that was awkward.’

Click

.

‘Ah, damn, that was really awkward.’

In the end, he couldn’t endure it and ended the call. I wanted to keep watching him through the Telescope, but for some reason, it felt like I was staring at something I wasn't supposed to see.

Besides, I couldn't really keep my gaze fixed on Commander Jin anyway.

Probably within a day—no, within an hour, he'd compose himself again and show up, pretending that nothing had happened. By then, it would be better to raise the tension a bit.

‘Yeah, I also need to think about how to use this right now.’

By now, Everia and the Republic’s Mesla were already in motion, but Castle Rock...

BOOM!

“

Kyaaaah!

”

“

Aaaah!

Oh God... oh God...”

Crumble, crumble.

Rumble!

“

Aaagh!

Oh God!”

“For the love of God, shut up, Kennen!” Alex shouted.

“What the hell do you want me to do?! I was really... really startled, damn it,” Kennen shouted back.

Because this was the state we were in.

“Damn it! Fight back! Don’t let them push us back!”

“

Aaagh!

Priest! Priiiest!”

“The pigeons have entered the castle! I repeat! The pigeons have entered the castle!”

Now, it wasn’t just the explosions. The soldiers’ screams and the noises of the battlefield were getting louder and louder. As time went on, the underground became even more chaotic. The Alex trio wasn't bad, but instead of controlling the refugees, they were only making things more confusing.

“Shit... we’re going to die here, aren’t we? Wh-what do we do? Alex?! What do we do?!” Kennen yelled.

“It has been... a good life. Alex. Kennen,” George mumbled.

“Just... shut up already! Kennen! George! Damn it! You’re scaring everyone!” Alex scolded them.

“Death is something that comes equally to all. It comes for everyone,” George said.

“

Heuuung

... mom... mooom...”

‘These bastards are seriously crazy too.’

George had already closed his eyes, looking like he had accepted his demise. Kennen was making a huge fuss, and Alex, who looked like the only sane one, couldn’t keep his head straight because of the other two.

Thanks to their antics, the place became a sea of tears. People panicking in fear of death were everywhere, and children were screaming. Lovers were clutching each other, couples were begging someone to at least take their child and escape somehow.

Damn it, it practically looked like they were advertising that people were hiding here. It looked like a circus was performing down here in the basement. Meanwhile, that bastard, Ryu Han, wasn’t moving at all, as if he had noise-canceling eardrums.

Even if a wild party were to break out here, he would probably stay that way.

For now, it seemed best to start by spreading a faint light.

“Shit! It’s an attack!!! Run!!!”

“

Aaaaaaaah!

Moooom!!”

“

Heuuuuung!!! Aaaagh!

”

“A-actually, it’s not... an attack, everyone,” Kennen muttered.

“Just keep your mouth shut, Kenne. I’m begging you,” Alex said.

“...”

“...”

I wouldn’t exactly say it was thanks to him, but thanks to him, everyone’s attention focused this way. A sudden soft light was now gently illuminating the basement, so everyone turned toward it. Instinctively, they were calming down.

Unfortunately, Ryu Han wasn’t even reacting to this faint light.

“Everyone, please stay calm,” I said.

“...”

“The soldiers of Castle Rock are fighting with everything they have against the intruders above,” I added.

“...”

“Of course, I understand that you must be feeling confused and afraid. But I believe you all know that shouting and drowning in fear here won’t change the situation. Everyone is afraid right now. The guardians of Castle Rock must be afraid as well. They, too, must be swallowing the fear pressing down on them against the enemy.

"What we should be doing right now isn’t sinking into fear, but helping them and cheering them on,” I added.

“...”

BOOOOOM!

Rumble!

‘Everyone calmed down a little.’

It definitely felt like the diction and the light were doing their job.

“Alex,” I said.

“Y-yes?”

“Please check whether there are any items in the basement that could be used as weapons,” I instructed.

“P-pardon?” Alex said.

“Kennen,” I said.

“Y-yes, sir!” Kennen answered.

“Find out how many among the refugees are able to fight,” I ordered.

“Yes, sir!”

“George?” I said.

“...”

“Is there another exit connected to this place?” I asked.

“I will check,” he answered.

“...”

“...”

Naturally, multiple voices began to rise. What I was doing right now was...

‘Openly declaring that we should fight.’

“What are you doing right now?”

“R-right. What on earth...”

Running into opposition was only natural. It felt like I was back in the tutorial dungeon. Most of the refugees gathered here were noncombatants or people who had already lost their ability to fight. Even if one suddenly told them that they ought to fight, there was no way they would accept it.

Rather than going outside and becoming meat shields, they would inevitably think that it was better to stay here and wait until the situation was resolved.

‘Even the noble ladies of the Union of Kingdoms are risking their lives. Seriously...’

Of course, this was...

‘...Exactly what I wanted.’

At the very least, it was perfect for the play I needed to show Ryu Han.

“If we stay here and wait, nothing will change,” I said.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until a rescue team arrives? How are we supposed to fight monsters like that?”

“Even so, it’s still better than waiting here to die,” I told them.

“But...”

“Of course, I’m not telling all of you to come with me,” I said.

BOOOOOM!

Crumble, crumble.

BOOOOOM!!!

“Whether you come out with us or not is your choice,” I said.

“...”

“But if you trust me and follow me...” I paused.

‘Saying "new scenery" would be kind of random, wouldn't it? That would be over the top, too. It doesn’t really fit my character or the situation either.’

Just as I was wondering whether I ought to revise the line a little, I heard a loud

boom!

The basement door burst open, and the pigeons flooded in. The Alex trio immediately rushed out with their weapons raised, and a spear flew straight toward us. People screamed. It felt like time itself had slowed down. The pigeon’s spear avoided them perfectly and flew toward me.

I couldn't even say a single line.

In the middle of all this, that bastard, Ryu Han, didn't move even a muscle. For a moment, I felt like this whole mess happened because I tried to recycle that guy, but even so...

“I—”

The spear was still aimed at my throat, but...

“

Huh

?”

“

Uh...

”

A thin line suddenly appeared across the pigeons’ necks.

Thud, thud, thud.

With a slight delay, all of their heads fall from their bodies. When I instinctively turned around, I saw Ryu Han standing behind me. His head was tilted slightly forward as he stared at me.

“...”

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“...”

‘He intercepted it.’

The piece of ordinary trash Commander Jin had thrown away...

‘Damn it, I forcibly recycled him!’

1. A Japanese phrase translating to "new scenery," "new view," or "fresh landscape ☜