Chapter 1155. Operation: Dawn (4)

— Mr. William.

“Yes?”

— I sent you the coordinates. Focus

only

on my words from now on. You don’t need to think about anything else.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young, there's something in front—”

— You can ignore it. The operation will start now...

I saw a black energy rushing upward.

‘He’s telling me to ignore that?’

A direct impact could leave the command center, where Mr. Lee Ki-Young was located, partially destroyed. Instructing me to ignore it was easy, but I couldn’t do that, so my hand swung my sword toward the black energy before I could even think of anything else.

It could be said that I ignored his command.

When I came back to my senses and was about to give an excuse, I heard his voice again.

—

Haa...

I told you that you can ignore it.

It was my first time hearing him sound kind of angry.

“I’m sorry, but... just now...” I mumbled.

Logically, the situation was hard to accept.

How come he told me to ignore it?

What exactly did he want me to do?

I was bothered by the unfamiliar way of communication.

— This won’t work.

“Pardon?” I asked.

— I’m sure I told you not to doubt me... I told you not to think too much about it and to... prioritize my orders...

“I’m sorry. What should I—”

— No. If you’re going to behave like this, things are going to become harder...

“...”

—

Whoo...

why is he doubting so much? He should just do as he’s told. This fool is more disappointing than I thought.

“Excuse me? Mr. Lee Ki-Young? What did you—”

— It’s nothing. Then... the first thing I need to do is help you trust me. How about a simple test?

“When you say a test...” I asked.

— What do you see in front of you?

I looked forward and saw two groups fighting each other. Swords and spears were clashing before me, and I heard the screams of both humans and monsters. I was witnessing a war—a battlefield was right in front of me.

— Can you start heading that way?

“What?”

— Close your eyes and walk.

“...”

— I know my request is kind of strange, but this is important to me. I want to trust you as well, Mr. William. We don’t have time for me to explain every little detail. So... it starts now. Can you do that?

“Yes, I’ll try it,” I replied.

He was right; there was no time for me to hesitate, so I closed my eyes.

I couldn't see anything, but the noises around me had gotten louder.

“Push forward!”

“

Screeeeeech!

”

“Barrier! Where are the priests?”

“We have received an order! Move! Let’s move!”

“What about the front line, sir?!”

“It’s an order! Move!”

“

Grrrrr.

”

— Don’t stop and keep walking.

I heard a

squelch,

and with a

fwoosh

, it felt like something sticky landed on my face.

The sound I heard in the distance was now right next to me. Being surrounded by cries, shouts, and wailing was anything but pleasant. Actually, the word "fear" would be more fitting to describe my current feelings.

How could I not feel fear when I was unarmed in the middle of the battlefield?

I recalled Mr. Lee Ki-Young’s actions during the mock battle, but this was different. Back then, he was making sure of the familiar terrain, but now, I was standing on a battlefield full of unknown variables.

Despite the hint of uncertainty, I didn’t open my eyes because I trusted him, so I took a deep breath and continued walking.

“You bastards!”

“

Grrrrr.

”

“Blessing of the Sea!”

And then.

— Open your eyes.

I heard his voice again. I opened my eyes slowly and saw a giant monster opening its mouth to swallow me whole. However, I didn’t move because he hadn't ordered me to move.

Boom!

I saw a giant pushing the monster away with its shield.

“What the hell?”

“...”

“Why are you just standing there? Do you want to die, William?!”

“Henry?” I asked.

‘Is this... really possible?’

“Good timing, William. Do something about this place,” Henry said.

“No, Henry. That wasn’t the order I received,” I told him.

“...”

“...”

“

Ah

, really? Then I’ll see you later,” Henry said.

My words were absurd, but Henry simply lowered his head without questioning it. It seemed like he trusted Commander Lee Ki-Young enough that he didn’t question his command about me taking a stroll through the battlefield.

It was understandable, as Henry had been seeing many interesting scenes since the start of the battle.

Doubt turned into certainty, and certainty turned into loyalty.

‘Wh-What is this?’

I couldn’t understand it.

The things that were happening were things I just couldn’t understand with common sense. I walked as he instructed, and I felt someone unleashing a massive spell again, but I still walked without stopping.

My body reacted to it at first, but I knew there was no need for me to react.

As expected, the demons' attacks missed me.

The unpleasant clumps of poison that the demons spewed missed me as well.

The enemies' attacks couldn't land on me at all. They were all blocked by debris from a crumbling temple, a magic barrier, and the vanguards.

‘What the hell... is going on? What... kind of magic is this?’

It was to the point that I thought he possessed some kind of strange type of unique ability. Perhaps it was a type of holy power I couldn't see or feel. Perhaps he had some kind of supernatural power. I felt like that was why their attacks couldn't land on me.

Obviously, I knew that wasn’t the case.

However, all I could think about was his voice.

— Do you trust me now?

“No, it’s not that... I doubted you... Mr. Lee Ki-Young...” I answered.

— I’m glad. Then, can we get started now?

“Yes,” I replied.

— The coordinates...

“I think... I see the path. Is what I’m seeing right now... a path?” I asked.

- ...

“I’m sorry. I spoke out of place,” I said immediately.

— It's fine. I was just surprised... You seem to have a sharper eye than I thought.

“So...”

— Yes, what you’re seeing now is a path. I’ll just adjust the variables, so all you need to do is follow the path.

“Okay.”

I saw a path, and I could clearly see where I needed to go.

“Push!”

“

Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!

”

The warriors were creating a path by pushing back the monsters with their shields. A powerful spell wiped out the monster before me, and the temple next to it collapsed, which opened up a path.

The voice in my head confirmed that the path I was taking was the right path.

My feet gradually moved faster, and the scenery around me peeled away.

For some reason, my steps felt light, and it felt like only Lee Ki-Young and I were the only ones who existed on the battlefield. At some point, I stopped hearing the noises around me. Actually, it was more accurate to say that I could no longer hear it.

That was because I couldn’t focus on anything else other than his voice...

I couldn't hear my footsteps, my sword, and the enemies' heads flying into the skies.

I saw the enemy casting spells, but there was no need for me to stop or dodge their attacks.

As expected, an ally cast a protection-type spell. There was only one thing I needed to do—reach the destination as fast as possible, so I swung my sword until I reached the end of the path.

— Move.

“Okay.”

— I think you should head inside. I see troops who need help.

“Okay.”

I was running out of breath, but it was fun. I felt confident that I could carry out whatever he wanted. It was like I had become a god on the battlefield. I was definitely smiling right now. I couldn't remember when was the last time I smiled like this, but I was smiling like a fool.

— You see it now, right?

“I do,” I answered.

— You can become stronger, Mr. William.

“I see,” I said.

— At least, that’s what I feel. You're perceptive, and I’m also happy to know that you’re learning new things.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Thank you,” I said.

After wiping off the blood on my sword, I looked up and saw a massive, grotesque monster.

[How amusing. You ignorant mortal.]

“...”

[You dare try to challenge Chalkis of Flesh and Blood, you ignorant fool?]

As I expected from a high-ranking demon, it was arrogant. It was like the demon wasn’t expecting to lose to a human. I also wasn’t expecting to take him down with one attack, but...

‘It’s possible with Mr. Lee Ki-Young.’

The demon that once looked massive now looked small in my eyes.

[I’ll kill you, you mortal. You should feel grateful to meet your end at the hands of Chalkis of the 21st Legion, led by the Monarch of Sunset.]

I raised my sword again, and the demon suddenly fell to the ground with its head first. It happened so suddenly that I couldn’t react to it. Actually, I was sure everyone reacted the same way.

How would one react upon seeing someone slamming head first on the ground?

“This is...” I mumbled.

The demon was cowering and trembling.

It was like it couldn’t look forward.

However, as soon as the demon’s head struck the ground, I felt that something strange was going on.

I was being affected by something. I became tense, and I couldn’t move at all. It felt like I couldn’t breathe. Right when my breath grew more labored, the demon talked once more.

[M-Monarch of Sunset...]

“M-Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” I mumbled.

[M-M-Monarch of Sunset... w-what brings someone of your caliber... to seek out a humble servant like myself?]

“This... I...” I said.

— It’s okay, Mr. William. The Commander of the 21st Legion cannot make a move out of the castle. I think the demon is receiving a message from him.

“I see,” I said.

[Yes. R-right now... the vermin of Rohen... are in the city I’m in... I’m sorry. I have committed a grave sin, Monarch of Sunset. Please... show me mercy...]

“...”

[D-Did you say the head of the human in front of me?]

“...”

[Y-Yes... I-I’ll risk everything I have and offer you what you want, Monarch of Sunset. I’ll... I’ll bring it to you no matter what. So...]

Chalkis of Flesh and Blood trembled violently. It was like the demon was absorbing the ashen sunset in the sky. The demon was growing bigger, making it look even more grotesque than before.

I immediately realized that its appearance wasn’t the only thing that changed.

[The Monarch of Sunset... is—

kyaaahhhh~

He has bestowed! Pooower! Upon me!]

“...”

[I am Chalkis of Flesh and Blood! I am! Chalkis of Flesh and Blood!

Kekekekeke!

]

Its overwhelming energy paralyzed me.

And that was when I heard

his

voice again.

— Mr. William, you can win.

He

sounded confident.