An All-Too-Familiar Ceiling
Long, long years. Long, long years. An easy-to-understand ceiling. As some writer once put it, every shounen manga has at least one character at the peak. A deus ex machina that simplifies the plot. Someone who steps in casually to block an enemy the protagonist could never defeat, no matter how hard they struggle.
When the enemy's executive unleashes their full power, the allies' formation crumbles, and readers wonder, How's this going to get resolved? That's when they appear—neither too late nor too early—tidying up the mess in a single panel. Whether the protagonist pushes too far, the rival goes berserk, a comrade gets captured, or the villain smirks through their evil scheme explanation. Somewhere out there, that person exists. Just knowing it makes the story feel strangely safe.
But that safety never lasts. Because in shounen manga, characters like that are too strong. A character that overpowering gets in the way of the tale. The protagonist needs room to grow, but if they step up, it's over. The comrades need to awaken, but if they draw their sword, it's done. The final boss has to feel terrifying, but if that person is still standing strong, readers quietly think, Why not just send them?
So at some point, the story makes its call. The peak must crumble. The ceiling must shatter. For the protagonist to gaze even higher, the one who stood above must vanish first. And that's how shounen manga's strongest meets their end. Heroically. Coolly. Leaving behind lines that set your heart ablaze. Usually with their back turned to their disciples, saying something like, "You all carry on from here."
In Blood, Commander-in-Chief Ena was that figure. Geomgye's Commander-in-Chief. Officially, the supreme commander of the Humanity Union Super Sword Inspection Organization Geomgye. Everyone in the story just called her the Commander-in-Chief.
Her death was perfectly executed. Narratively essential. The moment the peak falls, the ceiling breaks, and the protagonist glimpses the sky beyond for the first time. It's good. It's cool. I'll give it that.
But... that's only when I was just a reader. Back when I wasn't Ena.
Bang!
"Commander-in-Chief! Magic beasts on the Eastern Front...!"
Roen bursts in, frantic. For a man who's reached Captain Level to come rushing like this...
"I know."
This is the first battle where my death flag makes its appearance.
...But if I play it right.
'Steal one card from the magic beasts' hand.'
Handle it properly, and one Calamity Entity vanishes. If I sit this out, the calamity lingers, and the damage doubles...
...No helping it.
"I'll handle it myself."
Like this, I strip away the flags and serve up an easy win for the protagonist's party.
"Clear the path, Roen."
For my utter survival.