Plop!

Bors’ dead body fell to the floor.

Gawain was struck by indescribable nausea just then.

Bors' corpse looked truly wretched from all the arrows sticking out. However, the reason for Gawain's nausea wasn't the state of the dead man.

That body used to be a living person named Bors. But now, it was just a lump of dead meat. As such, could it still be referred to as Bors now? When one’s identity was meant for a living person?

Life and death were supposed to be two disparate things. Yet both occurred in the proverbial blink of an eye today. In that case, was it safe to assume that in this location, life and death were at its closest proximity than anywhere on Earth?

...And right in the center of this maelstrom was Kang Jin-Ho!

‘Oh, my dear Lord!’

Gawain did not hold any faith in God. Although he couldn’t say that out loud to his fellow Elder Knights, he viewed God as a disinterested bystander.

If God really was omnipotent as holy men and preachers made Him out to be, and if He really treasured and loved mankind… God shouldn't sit back and let all the misfortune and injustice run amok in the world. Whatever the justification and reasoning there might be, it didn't change the fact that God only observed and didn't do anything.

However, right before Gawain’s eyes, there stood a god.

If the qualification to be labeled as a god was something like,

“An almighty being who used incredible power no man could encroach upon to create transcendental outcomes,”

then Kang Jin-Ho was definitely qualified! Not just any god, but the god of death, no less!

A hollow chuckle leaked out of Gawain's mouth. To think he'd wake up from a three-century-long slumber to come face to face with the god of death!

He had been alive for a long time. Too long, in fact. However, he never asked for an eternal rest like this.

If Kang Jin-Ho had been sent by God to grant Gawain the eternal slumber, wasn’t it… a bit too cruel? Wasn’t this treatment too heartless?

“Sir Gawain!”

Gawain’s gaze shifted ever so slightly to his side. A handsome young man with platinum-blond hair was staring back at him. “...Yes, Sir Lancelot?”

This young-looking Elder Knight had to be the most mysterious of them all, even to Gawain, who was the unofficial leader of the Elder Knights.

Then again, Gawain didn't know anything about the Elder Knights' origins. The concept of ageless guardians protecting the Round Table already existed well before Gawain was born, after all.

If anyone knew the truth behind this mystery, it'd have to be this man named Lancelot! After all, he was the first Elder Knight.

However, he never spoke of who he was. He simply served his role as an Elder Knight faithfully and didn't seem to bother with anything else.

A man who could qualify as the most out-of-place individual among the Elder Knights was finally breaking his silence. “Sir Gawain. It’s impossible to kill that man using normal methods.”

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Normal methods? Gawain couldn’t help but frown. What a laidback way of analyzing this situation that was!

Was Lancelot trying to say they could kill that devil, Kang Jin-Ho, with abnormal methods?

Gawain quickly tried to think of one, but nothing came to mind. After all, weren't they facing a peerless existence? One without equal?

Even the Elder Knights, who believed they had attained godly strength, got squashed like bugs by that man. Even though they didn't let their guard down and tried their absolute best! They couldn't overcome the stark difference in strength and were getting massacred one-sidedly!

That was the situation so far. So, how would Lancelot even attempt to kill such a monster?

Lancelot grimaced. “You must create an opening.”

“Sir Lancelot? What do you mean?”

“Although I can’t guarantee it…!” Lancelot’s expression grew cold, focused. “Create an opening for me to exploit, and I might be able to bring out a favorable outcome for us.” Ɽà𐌽ÔＢÊṢ

Gawain bit his lip, hard. Could he trust Lancelot here?

‘...I’m not sure.’

In any other, less extraordinary situation, Gawain wouldn't have had a problem saying yes. However, the trust he was thinking of right now was different from the usual definition of that word.

Could he trust the mysterious Elder Knight named Lancelot and bet the lives of not just him but the rest of his comrades for one last desperate gamble?

That was the trust Gawain was debating in his mind.

“Give us your word, Sir Lancelot.”

“…?”

“We will be throwing our lives away to create that one chance for you. Even though we know we're destined to die today… Since that is the case, at least make us believe you. Make a bluff. Tell us that you will definitely bring that monster down if we create that opportunity for you!”

Lancelot clamped his mouth shut.

“Because we…” Gawain gripped the spear hard enough to crack the shaft. “...will fall for your bluff.”

Lancelot slowly nodded away. “Yes, all of you will die. However, I will ensure that the Round Table will not fall. I wager my honor and life on it!”

“That’s not a bad attempt,” Gawain smirked before powerfully swinging his spear. “Oh, my dear Elder Knights!”

Whoosh!

The powerful whooshing noise attracted the attention of the remaining Elder Knights, and Gawain locked eyes with them, one at a time.

Excluding Lancelot and the dead, only the five remained now—Galahad, Kay, Tristan, Percial, and Gawain.

Eleven Elder Knights still weren't good enough to handle Kang Jin-Ho. But now, the five remaining survivors had to stop him somehow?

‘Not a chance.’

Only death remained for them at this stage. That murderous monster thirsting for blood would never let his prey escape. Despite knowing that, none of the Elder Knights thought about begging for their lives by offering up the Round Table to that monster.

“We will die here today, sirs,” said Gawain. The look on the Elder Knights' faces became fierce, more determined. “So, cast aside any unrealistic hope, gentlemen. Remember that we're already dead men. Even our names while we were alive no longer exist. The only thing we have left is our duty and honor! And through death, we shall protect that honor! And in death, we shall fulfill our duty! This is all for the Round Table!”

Elder Knights nodded in silence.

They no longer needed to discuss plans in detail. Simply looking at each other’s faces was enough for them to think of the best way to utilize their skill sets in this situation.

What remained, then, was for these Elder Knights to work in sync to produce the desired outcome!

Gawain gripped his spear tightly, then stepped forward. The raid group now consisted of a mage, an archer, one spearman, and two swordsmen.

‘It’s not a bad team composition.’

Perhaps it was the best possible party combination under the circumstances. However, that didn't boost Gawain's confidence level. Still, he forced his reticent legs to listen to his command and bravely stepped forward. And he stood tall and pushed his chest out while doing his best to hide his trembling hands.

Death came for all men. To a noble knight, how one lived their life was not important. No, the only thing that truly mattered was how they died! And Gawain had no desire to act shamefully in the final moments of his life.

“Oh, hear ye, the warrior from the East!”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly raised his head to glance at Gawain. Blood dripped from Kang Jin-Ho’s hair.

Gawain might have witnessed many deaths on many battlefields before, but this sight still sent a creepy chill down his spine for some reason.

‘But it makes sense, doesn’t it?’

Not all deaths were equal, after all! It was not correct to equate an accidental death due to bad luck to an existence that deliberately killed others.

Gawain suddenly grew curious about something. What did death mean to that warrior from the East? What would Gawain’s and other Elder Knights’ death today mean to him?

‘It’s… pointless to think about.’

Gawain wasn’t trying to waste time here. No, actually… He did want to drag this thing out for as long as possible.

He was already a ‘dead’ man. Choosing to become an Elder Knight meant he must cast his old self away. A man who threw away his name and forgot about his old life was not a living human being anymore.

The honor of dedicating his life to the Round Table helped Gawain calmly accept his fate. But, this…

‘It seems I’m still a living person, then?’

Judging from how scared he felt, he must’ve subconsciously thought of himself that way.

As it turned out, Gawain hadn’t transcended death. No, he merely believed, like a fool, that something like death would never come for him. Even though he knew no human could avoid death in the end…!

“Oh, the warrior from the East! You will die today,” said Gawain while gritting his teeth.

Yes, there were no two ways about it. No one could avoid dying. Even if the individual in question was the ruler of death!

But that man was a human, not a god. And humans were bound to die. Just like how the Elder Knights were about to die soon!

That was why… That was why Gawain swore to ensure that death would come for that man, too!

Kang Jin-Ho silently shook his swords.

Splash!

Vivid lines of blood drew on the white floor.

After getting rid of the blood coating his swords, Kang Jin-Ho leisurely rested his trusty weapons by his sides and slowly walked toward Gawain.

“However, there is one thing I want to ask you…” Gawain chewed his question out. “What did you do to become that powerful?”

“…”

“We believed we were strong. But your strength makes ours look pitiful in comparison. What separates you from us? What did you do to acquire such strength?”

Kang Jin-Ho’s withdrawn eyes locked on Gawain. A short while later, the corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips curled up. “Why do you care?”

“…!”

“Nothing will change even if you know, anyway.”

Gawain chewed on his lips. He admitted that Kang Jin-Ho was right. What would change even if he learned of the truth? When he and everyone else were about to die, anyway?

“Well, the reason is simple enough,” said Kang Jin-Ho in a surprising act of mercy. “It’s because you were satisfied with what you’ve acquired.”

“…!”

“But I’m not.”

It was indeed a simple answer. But it contained everything Gawain wanted to hear.

“Ah… I see.” Gawain chuckled hollowly.

There could have been many, many different reasons. In fact, there could have been hundreds of reasons and excuses. But none of them would be as enlightening as Kang Jin-Ho's simple reply.

Gawain never doubted his strength while reaching the top. Even if someone was stronger than him, he unquestioningly believed that cooperating with other Elder Knights would be enough to kill that opponent.

But this mindset had capped Gawain's growth.

If he knew a day like this would come for him…! If only he felt the need to grow even stronger! Gawain would’ve dedicated every second available to improving his strength even further.

However, he didn't choose that path and instead decided that entering a magically-induced sleep was a better idea. All for the sake of protecting the Round Table…!

Of course, he didn’t regret making that choice. Even now, he believed he made the right call back then. It was just that…

Gawain pointed his spear at Kang Jin-Ho. “As your fellow warrior, I… As the representative of the Elder Knights, I officially express our awe and respect toward your martial prowess!”

Gawain pulled the spear back and respectfully pressed it against his chest. Other Elder Knights standing by his sides also stopped taking guard and paid their respect.

These were the Elder Knights, the guardians of the Round Table and the pride of the European martial society. Never in history had they expressed their respect toward their opponent like this. And today would be the last time, too.

Kang Jin-Ho's expression didn't even flinch once as he received the respectful bow from the Elder Knights.

“And now… Let us finish this!”

...This horrifying and torturous battle!

Gawain gritted his teeth. He forcibly roused every drop of mana and let it circulate his body at an explosive pace. Such excessive mana utilization could have led to unwanted side effects, but he didn't care about that right now. Only death remained for him, anyway!

“Let’s go!”

Gawain rushed forward at the speed of light. Percival and Tristan matched his pace, and the trio charged straight at their target. Meanwhile, Galahad jumped up in the air to yank at his bowstring.

“Freeze!” Kay roared as blinding rays of white light gushed out of his hands.

The Elder Knights, the purest distillation of all things making up the Round Table, poured out their strongest, greatest attacks without care for their own lives. Their overwhelming martial prowess created an incredible storm of mana that sent shivers down the skin of everyone watching. And such a storm barreled mercilessly toward Kang Jin-Ho!

However, his response to this storm was to bare his fangs in a ferocious smirk.

Kang Jin-Ho’s blood was boiling. His whole body was trembling in excitement!

Enemies with no attachments to life were unhesitantly unleashing their hostility toward him right now.

‘Yes, this is what a battlefield is supposed to be like!’

This was where Kang Jin-Ho had lived. And this would be where he'd live in the future, too!

‘Yes, this is it!’

Pitch-black demonic qi gushed out of the Crimson Destiny and Azuremourne.

They want to express their respect? It’s too early for that.

After all, I haven’t shown you everything yet!

Kang Jin-Ho bared his fangs and charged forward.