Chapter 65
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 65 - How to Deal with Abnormal Situations (14)
I know when this chaotic atmosphere comes out.
An atmosphere of confusion and fear when something unexpected happens.
“Are you okay, kids?”
Choi Garam quickly opened the door and came in, explaining the situation as quickly and calmly as possible.
“Suddenly, all outer areas of the danger zone expanded rapidly.”
Her stern expression seemed to reveal the seriousness of the situation.
“Gates have arisen beyond the fort into the territory of the midland squatters. That’s an unusual speed.”
“Then is this the sound of battle?”
Choi Garam nodded her head at my words.
“Right. It’s a wartime situation now. Everyone, be careful. Don’t go outside the fortress.”
Then she motioned for us to follow her.
We followed Choi Garam’s steps as she walked. People passed by us, busily moving magic stones and cannons.
Calmy had already arrived at the place Choi Garam had guided. And his face was strangely stiff.
“This is the inner shelter. Stay here.”
“Yes.”
“Hold on a little. If we activate the barrier, the situation will calm down.”
After explaining how to use the shelter, Garam Choi quickly disappeared into the distance as if she was in a hurry.
I patted Min Jaeyoon, who was snuggling into my arms. And I also hugged Shin Baran, who was looking around for no reason.
“It will be fine. Everyone is a veteran.”
So, it’s different from the nightmare that happened to me long ago.
The two of them calmed down little by little, as if my words had made sense.
The problem is…
“Park Siwoo.”
It’s Calmy, who looked at the faintly glowing Blue Twilight as if possessed.
Calmy was still looking blankly at his holy sword, as if he hadn’t heard me.
“Park Siwoo!”
Only after I shouted did Calmy turn his gaze this way.
“You come here too.”
At my words, he nodded his head, put away his sword, and came towards me. Then I somehow felt relieved.
“Are you okay?”
“I am. What about you?”
“I have no problem.”
Calmy’s face looked a little pale as he said that, so I was still worried.
The moment I was about to say something, a dazzling light enveloped the fortress. Someone’s joyful voice was heard.
“Done! The barrier has been activated!”
My ears were deafened by the shouts of people. Since we couldn’t see outside from the inside shelter, we had to assess the situation only by sound.
“Is it all over?”
“I guess so…!”
When the shouting subsided, Choi Garam came to get us again. We moved back to the room.
Even on the way back, Calmy kept coming into my sight.
And when I got to the room,
“The situation isn’t good.”
Shin Bareun said something different from the good news we had expected.
“The fortress’ barrier blocks the outside and the inside. That means we’re isolated.”
Min Jaeyoon was shaking and Shin Baran asked curiously.
“I-Isolated?”
“But communication with headquarters is possible, right? If we ask for support—”
At those words, Shin Bareun shook her head.
“Headquarters probably doesn’t have the capacity right now. And this Bucheon Seoul-Incheon fortress is a place of relatively low importance. As for support… It’s going to be difficult.”
At those words, everyone’s faces darkened. Shin Bareun continued calmly.
“Don’t worry, students. I will protect you no matter what.”
I quietly listened to Shin Bareun’s words then opened my mouth.
“So are we going to continue to live in our rooms or inner shelters?”
“Right. When the situation is stable, we will allow you to move around for a while, but other than that, it’s prohibited.”
In the end, we have to rely on the hunters.
While I was contemplating whether to just leave everything to the veteran hunters, Shin Baran raised her hand.
“Excuse me!”
“What?”
“By any chance, can we help too?”
“You’re students. The existence we need to protect.”
“But we also came there for practical training.”
Shin Baran shrinked at Shin Bareun’s words, yet she continued to speak steadfastly. The way she looked up at her older sister while clenching her fists looked quite earnest.
“It’s not like we want to be put on the front lines. We want to be of some help while experiencing actual combat, even if only from the rear… So, how about working…?”
“…”
“We’re also undeniably awakeners…!”
Shin Bareun’s eyes widened slightly.
Even though Shin Baran was trembling, she didn’t avoid Shin Bareun’s eyes. I’m sure she said she wanted to be helpful to someone like her sister before.
I thought maybe Baran was someone who couldn’t tolerate a situation where she was just being protected even though she could definitely be of help.
Shin Bareun looked down at Shin Baran for a while,
“…Let’s think about it.”
She turned around, disappeared without saying a single word.
The next day.
We were given work.
***
And Shin Baran… did great.
“Holy attribute magic stones…! are already there?”
“Oh, bandage.”
“Send Baran this way today!”
“What are you talking about! She went there yesterday too!”
Very great, at that.
Quick, quick before you even find something, right next to you if you need her. He was truly an assistant specialist.
“Miss, will you join our guild when you graduate?”
“Would you like to work with your sister?”
Shin Baran, who showed off her honed abilities to the fullest, became a popular star among hunters in just a few days. Shin Baran, who was dazed but loved in many ways, was quite cute.
But does she know what? Baran, your sister is jealous?
“Work, go to work.”
I saw Shin Bareun using her sword sheath to disperse the crowd for no reason and giving orders directly to her.
“That’s all.”
“Yes!”
“And…”
“?”
“…You’re doing a good job.”
“!”
“Good job.”
“!”
The people around them were watching with warm eyes as Shin Bareun complimented her with an unusually red face, and Shin Baran beamed at the compliment.
I thought of Shin Bareun’s side profile, helping people with a soft smile without realizing it. Could this change their relationship a little?
It’s impossible to know. So for now, let’s just say it’s cruising.
“Why?”
The problem arose from Calmy.
When Calmy protested, Choi Garam spoke crookedly.
“I told you, little hero. We can’t put students on the front lines.”
At those words, Dumdum gritted his teeth and held out the holy sword, Blue Twilight.
“I’m a hero. I have the best power to defeat monsters.”
“And a student. Still in a position to be protected.”
When Choi Garam responded firmly, Calmy shouted angrily.
“But aren’t we still short on manpower?”
Clearly, even though the hunters reduced the number of monsters, there were more coming out of the gate, so they were constantly suffering from a manpower shortage. Although there was a barrier, its durability was gradually decreasing due to the endless barrage of monsters.
As time went by and the number of gates increased, most of the monsters that came out of the gate were of the curse attribute. In this situation, it would be of great help if Calmy, who mainly uses holy attribute, participated in the battle.
If you look at the situation only based on data, it makes no sense that someone with Calmy’s level of qualifications would not participate in the battle.
Moreover, since he’s a student, he can’t be forced into the battlefield, yet he goes out on his own? At a time when they’re short on power, this must seem like a very attractive proposition.
“We’re not shameless enough to push our students into battle.”
However, Choi Garam answered without any hesitation.
“I don’t know if it’s really a situation where everyone is going to die. But it’s still worth living. Throwing a child into battle just to make life easier? I need to go and die.”
There was no seriousness in the way she spoke while rubbing the back of her neck, yet there was a certain unwavering firmness within her.
Choi Garam sighed and spoke as if admonishing.
“Little hero, you will definitely become great. Maybe even now you’re stronger than some of us. But even if you’re strong and special, that is no reason to give up your right to protection and be abandoned.”
Her dark eyes turned to me. If I felt like her eyes were reprimanding me, would it be my fault?
[There is something more important than me. Go. I’m fine now.]
But you were the one who left me to finish Mom’s keepsake, though.
“This is an order from the commander of the Bucheon Seoul-Incheon Fortress. Don’t go outside the fort. Fighting is also prohibited.”
Choi Garam put on her hat and disappeared into the distance.
Suddenly, I realized that wrinkles were forming on the face of Choi Garam, who was now approaching middle age.
Maybe my thoughts have changed over time. It’s impossible to know.