Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Drakeas's Territory
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#20.
“Perimeter alert.”
At Jo Han’s command, the soldiers in his century dropped into low stances and entered a vigilant formation.
“Have we entered Drakeas’s territory?”
Seo Woo-jin asked Jo Han in a low voice.
“That’s right. From here on out, we move as stealthily as possible.”
Drakeas’s territory was vast.
Thanks to that, even its massive ten-meter body wasn’t easy to spot.
That was why they were scouting like this.
“How long does it usually take to find Drakeas?”
“If we’re lucky, an hour or two.”
“……And if we’re not?”
“Tomorrow, maybe?”
The margin for error felt way too wide.
“Don’t worry too much. Even so, with all the subjugation experience we’ve built up, we usually find it within a few hours.”
If Jo Han said so, then it must be true.
He was a veteran among veterans.
“What happens when we spot it?”
There was no way a single century could take on the beast.
“We retreat immediately.”
Then link up with the main force and proceed with the subjugation.
“But couldn’t a knight order handle Drakeas on their own?”
Hadn’t three knights taken on the first one they’d encountered?
“That was possible because it was outside its territory. A Drakeas in its own domain is a different story.”
“How so?”
It couldn’t be some nonsense like even a mutt bites harder in its own yard.
“For one, there are other monsters.”
“……Other monsters?”
“The title ‘Ruler-class monster’ isn’t just for show.”
Drakeas actually ‘ruled’ over hordes of monsters in its territory.
“It means we can’t just fight it one-on-one like before.”
And the numbers and ferocity of those minions were more threatening than anything they’d faced so far.
“Ah, excluding the ice worm, that is.”
At that, Seo Woo-jin fell silent.
Jo Han continued his explanation regardless.
“Plus, this is its front yard. It knows how to use the terrain, weather, and even time of day to ambush you. It’s cunning like that.”
Blind charges only happen when it’s out of its territory.
“Definitely a step up in difficulty.”
“Exactly. No matter how strong you’ve gotten, complacency is the last thing you want.”
‘Complacency?’
Seo Woo-jin let out a hollow chuckle at Jo Han’s words.
As if he had the luxury to get complacent right before facing that monster.
Even after getting stronger, it was the same.
After the fight with the ice worm, Seo Woo-jin had erased the word complacency from his dictionary entirely.
‘I can’t let that happen again.’
Jo Han nodded at Seo Woo-jin’s expression.
Honestly, subjugating Drakeas wasn’t that dangerous.
They’d taken heavy losses in the past, but now with intel and strategies in place, casualties were almost nil.
Even so, Jo Han was scaring Seo Woo-jin half to death.
Part of it was just to mess with him, but mostly to drive home the no-complacency rule.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m not……”
“Shh!”
Jo Han raised a finger to silence Seo Woo-jin.
It was sudden, but Seo Woo-jin could guess what it meant.
‘This soon?’
They’d definitely spotted Drakeas.
Jo Han cautiously pointed to one side.
Following his finger, Seo Woo-jin spotted a black silhouette.
It was too far for details, but it was unmistakably Drakeas.
“Time to head back.”
Jo Han unfolded the map, marked the spot, and began a careful backward retreat.
Drakeas’s eyesight was beyond imagination, so any flashy moves had to be avoided.
But things didn’t go as planned.
“……Fuck.”
Jo Han cursed.
Drakeas’s head, which had been facing away, was now turned straight toward them.
They’d been spotted.
It wasn’t anyone’s fault or mistake.
Just plain bad luck.
“Battle stations!”
“Captain!”
The soldiers cried out in shock at Jo Han.
A single century against Drakeas?
It was suicide.
But he had no other choice.
Escaping as a group was impossible.
Better to send one as a messenger while the rest bought time.
No, they had to.
“I’m counting on you.”
Jo Han’s gaze fell on Seo Woo-jin.
“……What is it?”
“Go straight to the main force and report our position.”
“I refuse.”
Seo Woo-jin shook his head firmly.
He was the strongest here right now.
He’d grown to the point where he could match a senior knight, so of course he had to stay.
“No time to argue! Head to the main force now……”
“Stop.”
Seo Woo-jin cut Jo Han off.
He drew his sword.
A black blade, like it had been forged from the night sky itself, gleamed into view.
Seo Woo-jin’s eyes locked on Drakeas.
It had definitely spotted them and was charging like mad to punish the intruders.
“You seem to have the wrong idea, so let me clarify.”
Seo Woo-jin raised his sword, aiming it at Drakeas as he continued.
“I’m the one who needs to stay if everyone’s going to survive.”
* * *
“……Scouting?”
Ailin asked as if she hadn’t heard right.
“You heard me. Seo Woo-jin left at dawn with the 4th Century for a scouting mission.”
Testron’s face twisted just like hers.
“You didn’t know?”
“I wasn’t told anything.”
“That goddamn……”
Testron’s expression crumpled further at Ailin’s response.
“I’m going to see the lord. Gather the soldiers waiting with the main force.”
She had no idea what he was up to, going off on his own like this.
‘Mr. Seo Woo-jin!’
Ailin hurried out of the tent to carry out Testron’s orders.
‘He’s gotten strong, but still……’
She acknowledged Seo Woo-jin’s growth.
A guy who couldn’t even hold a sword properly not long ago was now on par with a senior knight.
At least stronger than her.
But that didn’t make him a powerhouse like Testron or Gerard.
Those two could manifest aura, which he couldn’t yet, though they lacked experience.
And yet he was off solo like this?
In the North, where anything could happen at any moment?
Even with veteran Jo Han and his century, she couldn’t help but worry.
What if something happened on the scout?
“I have to find him before it’s too late.”
Worry etched Ailin’s face.
It wasn’t just because Seo Woo-jin was the hero entrusted to Sion.
Comrade.
He was a comrade and colleague she’d fought alongside for nearly a month.
‘Please, let him be okay……’
Ailin prayed fervently in her heart.
* * *
‘Ah, this isn’t good.’
Jo Han thought as he watched Seo Woo-jin’s back.
The hero absolutely could not die here.
They’d summoned a hundred this time, so he wasn’t the sole hope like before, but they’d built a bond.
He wasn’t even a Sion native who’d sworn to die for Massive Guardian.
Somehow, he had to get Seo Woo-jin back to the main force.
But Seo Woo-jin refused.
‘If I could, I’d drag him by force……’
Not anymore.
He was too strong now—even his whole century couldn’t take him.
Faced with Seo Woo-jin’s stubbornness, Jo Han had no choice but to pick his fastest soldier as messenger and send him to the main force.
Any longer, and no one would escape.
“I’m not sure if this is the right call.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it somehow.”
Seo Woo-jin’s voice sounded calm, whether he knew the worry or not.
“You could still escape now and live, hero……”
“I said it’s fine.”
Seo Woo-jin smiled.
Drakeas was almost upon them.
His legs trembled at the growing killing intent, yet there was that smile.
Jo Han realized anew how much Seo Woo-jin had changed.
‘Was it since that day?’
Seo Woo-jin had changed.
He’d charged into battle ahead of any knight or soldier, throwing himself in without regard for his life.
No, it almost seemed like he wanted to die.
Even now.
The soldiers were too slow—they’d all die running—but Seo Woo-jin was different.
With his physical abilities, he could make it back to the main force alive.
Yet he stayed.
‘Is it good or bad?’
Jo Han couldn’t tell.
“It’s coming.”
He’d thought they had a bit more time, but Drakeas was upon them in the blink of an eye.
“Shields up!”
Jo Han barked the order immediately.
“Hup!”
Tense grunts from the soldiers formed a solid shield wall.
‘It’ll only hold once?’
That was the limit against its charge.
‘Second time, we’re dead.’
Jo Han swallowed hard.
He’d long steeled himself for death, but now that it loomed, his body shook.
“Brace for impact……!”
“I’ll go first.”
Seo Woo-jin stepped forward, cutting off Jo Han’s rallying cry to the soldiers.
“W-Wait!”
KABOOM-!
A massive explosion rang out.
The result of a ten-meter monster colliding with a toothpick-thin sword.
The impact sent piled snow exploding into the air, blanketing the sky.
‘What happened?’
Jo Han strained his eyes through the obscured view ahead.
Seo Woo-jin wouldn’t go down in one hit.
He had knight-level skill, enough to block a few attacks at least……?
“Phew.”
Seo Woo-jin’s sigh came from within the snowstorm.
Followed by his voice.
“You’re not as tough as I thought.”
Seo Woo-jin emerged, having blocked Drakeas’s charge with a single sword, without being pushed back a single step.