Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Hunting the Ice Worm
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“……That thing?”
The century captains expressed their dismay.
They were all too familiar with the Ice Worm’s majesty, having witnessed it every year.
In fact, a few among them had barely escaped with their lives from it before.
A monster that even knights couldn’t face without preparation.
And they were supposed to hunt it with just one low-rank knight and some soldiers?
After they’d already fought a bloody battle?
“Does it seem impossible?”
“Yes.”
One of the century captains nodded.
The others didn’t voice it, but they thought the same.
“We don’t doubt Lady Ailin’s strength, but the soldiers are exhausted from the battle with the Tranga.”
The mother Tranga had been a truly formidable monster.
Facing it with nothing but soldiers, no knights—it was no wonder they were worn out.
“The Ice Worm has stopped moving right now.”
“But we don’t know when it might start again, do we?”
The soldiers had witnessed the Ice Worm bursting out, too.
Something that massive appearing out of nowhere—it was impossible not to notice.
They’d sighed in relief when it suddenly froze, but thinking back on it now darkened their vision.
“It’s only ‘stopped’ moving. Its body hasn’t actually turned to stone, so we can’t take the risk.”
Countless soldiers’ lives hung in the balance.
They couldn’t gamble on something so uncertain.
“If it starts moving and strikes the knights from behind, there’d be no turning back.”
Seo Woo-jin stepped forward.
This was the logic he’d used to persuade Ailin.
He thought it would convince the soldiers, too.
But he was wrong.
“What does a D-rank know?”
“Quit your yapping and stay in the corner.”
The soldiers still harbored no goodwill toward Seo Woo-jin.
His intervention only backfired.
‘Ugh.’
The distrust they held for him ran deeper than he’d thought.
He’d figured leveling up would’ve changed their perception a bit by now...
“No, he’s not wrong.”
Then someone spoke up in Seo Woo-jin’s defense.
‘Jo Han?’
It was the century captain who’d thanked him that morning before heading out to subjugate the monsters.
Seo Woo-jin looked at him in slight surprise, but Jo Han didn’t even glance his way as he continued.
“If he’s right, it could be disastrous. The Blue Shield Knights are the greatest pillar supporting Massive Guardian. If that pillar cracks...”
Then subjugation wouldn’t even be the issue.
Massive Guardian itself might collapse entirely.
Soldiers alone couldn’t hold back the monster hordes crashing in like tidal waves.
Not even Van Slaine could manage that.
One hand couldn’t fend off ten.
Jo Han turned to the other century captains and spoke in a heavy tone.
“And since when have Sion’s soldiers been cowards?”
The century captains’ faces hardened at his words.
“That’s too harsh, Jo Han.”
“We’re not cowards.”
His words naturally provoked backlash from the century captains.
“Hmph! Sion’s glory begins at Massive Guardian. And Massive Guardian’s fate is monster subjugation. If you’re not a coward for fearing that, then what are you?”
It was a sharp rebuke.
But it rang true.
It was something every citizen of Sion possessed.
The pride of being the North’s guardians, wasn’t it?
Facing a beast that might inflict massive damage on the knights and their lord, yet making excuses and shrinking back.
No one could argue against Jo Han’s point.
“He’s right.”
Breaking the brief silence was an elderly-looking century captain.
He nodded toward Jo Han and said,
“If we ignore this chance, we ought to strip off our soldier badges in Sion.”
The other century captains sighed as the old man spoke with a firm ‘damn right.’
“It’s ridiculous to oppose the old man when he says that.”
“I agree with Jo Han, too.”
“We’re not the weaklings from the south.”
Jo Han bowed his head to the elder who’d first sided with him.
“Thank you.”
“What’s there to thank? I just spoke my mind.”
The old man brushed it off, but in truth, he was the most senior among the century captains.
Not one person here hadn’t owed him their life at some point—his skills and character were exceptional.
He’d guarded Massive Guardian alongside Van Slaine for decades, so no one could refuse to follow.
“We’ll obey your orders, Lady Ailin.”
Jo Han and the other century captains saluted crisply.
“……Thank you, Pedro.”
The elder, Pedro, gave Ailin a gentle smile.
“Prepare for battle!”
“Prepare for battle!”
Once decided, action was swift.
Exhausted to the point of collapse, not a single soldier complained.
“Our target is that Ice Worm over there!”
At Jo Han’s shout, the soldiers’ expressions changed.
They hadn’t imagined fighting the Ice Worm.
Yet they silently prepared for battle.
Ice Worm, Tranga, Snowul—whatever.
No matter how strong the monster, they fought to protect Sion.
That was the greatest duty of soldiers under Massive Guardian.
After recovering the bodies and gathering the wounded who couldn’t fight,
“Form ranks!”
The soldiers lined up before Ailin.
Their numbers and appearance differed, but the atmosphere matched the departure ceremony on that blizzard-swept day.
“We begin the Ice Worm hunt now.”
Ailin’s signature icy voice pierced the soldiers’ ears.
“It may be far more dangerous than anything before... but we must do it.”
Ailin’s morale-boosting speech was short.
But it was enough.
Contrary to her cold tone, heat rose from the soldiers’ bodies.
“For Sion!”
“For Sioooon!”
With Jo Han’s lead shout, the soldiers’ fighting spirit erupted.
“The hunt begins!”
Hundreds of soldiers charged toward the Ice Worm at once.
Seo Woo-jin was no exception.
‘Man, I’m like a scarecrow in a rice paddy here.’
He’d done nothing to persuade the soldiers or start the battle.
He’d literally just watched from the sidelines.
But he wasn’t disappointed.
The hunt was on, and success meant another level-up.
‘I need to get stronger.’
Until then, he could endure this humiliation.
No—he had to.
‘For now, focus on that thing.’
Seo Woo-jin drew his sword from its sheath.
He wanted to use the one Van Slaine had gifted him, but that was still too much.
Gritting his teeth, he gripped the standard-issue sword and took the lead alongside Ailin.
‘Turn into experience points!’
* * *
The soldiers’ momentum was formidable.
Each one was weak alone, but united as an army of hundreds, their ferocity rivaled the Blue Shield Knights.
“3rd and 4th Centuries to the left flank! 2nd and 6th to the right! The rest, follow me!”
Ailin divided the formation, considering the soldiers’ numbers and condition.
‘Impressive.’
Seo Woo-jin hadn’t realized it before, but Ailin’s command ability was exceptional.
She’d assessed every soldier’s state in that short time and built a formation.
Seeing it right beside her, Seo Woo-jin hadn’t even thought of such things.
‘Knights are knights, alright.’
He’d known she was strong, but forgotten she was a commander too.
But Ailin wasn’t the only surprise.
No—the soldiers’ movements were even more astonishing.
They moved in perfect unison, like a single organism.
“Whoa…….”
The charge he witnessed up close stirred Seo Woo-jin’s heart.
‘4D movies can step aside.’
It was natural, since he was participating.
The soldiers moved like extensions of Ailin’s limbs, bending to her will.
“Commence attack!”
In an instant, soldiers surrounded the Ice Worm and sprang into action.
Hundreds charging a massive monster—it was a spectacle.
Seo Woo-jin ran ahead, refusing to lag behind.
Craaaack-!
But he wasn’t the first to land a hit.
The wound was far too large for a mere sword slash.
It was Ailin’s sword.
Grooooar-!
The Ice Worm twitched.
Seo Woo-jin and the soldiers froze momentarily at the sight.
Fortunately, it didn’t move further.
“Kill it!”
“You damn Ice Worm spawn! Take this blade!”
Relieved that it wasn’t attacking, the soldiers thrust their swords and spears in fury.
How many soldiers had died to these things over the years?
Countless left without even bodies recovered—so they stabbed relentlessly for revenge.
‘It’s working. This’ll do it!’
Seo Woo-jin swung his sword vigorously, convinced.
The Ice Worm didn’t move.
He didn’t know why, but even as hundreds tore into its flesh, it showed no change.
A little more time like this, and it’d be shredded rags.
Seo Woo-jin grinned in delight.
He wouldn’t monopolize the experience points since it wasn’t solo, but hey, this was something.
Maybe he’d even jump several levels at once—lost in that thought, he focused harder on attacking.
Unaware that the Ice Worm was silently gazing down at him...
* * *
“Hoo-”
Van Slaine steadied his breathing.
“Are you alright?”
Testron approached, voice laced with concern.
“I’m fine.”
The battle had been fierce.
Unlike the one he’d bisected with a single stroke, this foe was cunning enough to tax even Van Slaine.
“Any knight casualties?”
“……Three fell.”
Van Slaine closed his eyes at Testron’s grim report.
He’d tried his utmost to protect the knights.
But the beast had relentlessly targeted them, leaving Van Slaine utterly drained.
Yet casualties had still occurred.
“My apologies.”
“What do you have to apologize for? It’s my failing.”
He’d been a bit arrogant.
After reconstructing his body, he’d thought an Ice Worm would be easy prey anytime...
“Recover the fallen knights’ bodies properly.”
“Understood.”
Testron saluted sharply and turned to carry out the order.
‘Vengeance is complete.’
The beast that devoured his knights and soldiers lay torn into ten pieces on the cold ground.
It had been possible only with the knights’ aid.
“No more repeats of this... Hm?”
Gazing at the worm’s mangled flesh, Van Slaine paused and turned his head.
His expression turned urgent.
“Ailin!”