The Day of the Dwarf Hero

The morning of the decisive battle against the Dwarf Hero, Klock. I woke from a brief, shallow sleep and whispered quietly into the air.

As expected, my level hadn't increased overnight.

'The Gwangjin-gu intermediate boss.'

Most of the people in Gwangjin-gu would show up. To survive, to protect. In a way, today was the time for proof. I would finally know just how strong ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I had become.

'... What kind of bastard will come out?'

I couldn't even imagine it. It wouldn't be something as simple as a goblin or an orc. Even the dungeon I cleared yesterday had creatures with appearances I hadn't anticipated.

'Whatever it is, it won't be easy.'

My gaze drifted to Yu-ah. My sister was still sleeping soundly. There was one thing I still hadn't decided: should I leave Yu-ah behind, or take her with me?

'Will I be able to return safely?'

Even I had my doubts. What would happen if we couldn't defeat the intermediate boss? Or if I didn't make it back—what would Yu-ah do?

The reality of it chilled my heart. This cramped waiting room could become my sister's tomb.

"... Lee Seol-ah. Mr. Park."

The two of them lifted their heads at my heavy voice.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Is something wrong?"

I rubbed my face with my hands and asked, "Do you think it's better to take Yu-ah with us? Or should we leave her here...?"

A heavy silence descended instantly. Lee Seol-ah bit her lip slightly. Park Dong-bae couldn't bring himself to speak, his hands fidgeting with the wrench he was holding. Even they found it impossible to provide an answer.

"... Oppa, where are you going?"

Just then, a groggy voice broke the silence. Yu-ah, having woken up, was rubbing her eyes. I slowly approached, knelt on one knee, and met her gaze.

"Yu-ah. Oppa has to go catch a very big, dangerous monster today. It’s possible that... I might not come back."

"..."

"Do you want to stay here and wait for Oppa? Or..."

The words wouldn't come out easily.

"... I want to go with Oppa."

Yu-ah blinked. In a way, it was an evasion of responsibility. I hadn't been able to decide, so I’d pushed the choice onto my sister. Yet, unlike me, she answered without a second of hesitation.

"I want to go together."

"Uh...?"

A flustered sound escaped me. Yu-ah reached out and gripped my sleeve tightly.

"I understand everything Oppa is saying. I just have to decide, right?"

My sister's clear eyes were resolute.

"Family stays together. We shouldn't be apart."

"Uh..."

Family stays together. It hit me like a blow to the back of the head. *'Oppa, you won't abandon me, right?' 'Of course not. Family is always together.'* Those were the words I had said. A long time ago, when it was just the two of us left. Words I’d told Yu-ah while forcing a smile. What was I thinking back then? Right. I had vowed to myself that I would never let that happen.

"Ha..."

I took a slow, deep breath. Then, I let out a small laugh and ruffled Yu-ah's hair.

"Right. Family should always be together."

It felt as if the heavy fog in my head had cleared in an instant. I stood up and turned to Lee Seol-ah and Park Dong-bae.

"Plan change. All four of us are going together."

Their pupils dilated slightly. They looked surprised. Park Dong-bae nodded and replied, "Understood. Then I will dismantle the tower."

He reached his hand into the air. Soon, the tower turned into light and was absorbed into Park Dong-bae. We packed the remaining water and supplies into our bags. Just as we were about to take our first step, my gaze shifted to their hands.

"Wait."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I pulled up the shop window in the air. We weren't exactly wealthy, but there was no need to be stingy in this situation.

"It’s not great to carry those things all the way to the boss fight."

I set the category to weapons and scrolled down. I looked for E-grade equipment that would suit their traits. The price was about 100 coins each.

'This one and this one look good.'

I pressed the purchase button immediately.

Light gathered in the air, and two weapons fell to the floor. I picked them up and handed them to the two.

"Huk...!"

"Th-this is..."

"Mr. Park, since you have the Architect trait, you'll find uses for this hammer even later on."

"Can I really... accept this..."

"Of course. Think of how much the tower helps us. Please, take good care of Yu-ah from now on."

My head turned toward Lee Seol-ah.

"And you, glutton. That iron pipe doesn't suit your trait at all. Don't go dying while acting cocky in the front; stay in the back and shoot at their weak points. It even has a scope, so if you practice a little, you'll get the hang of it."

Lee Seol-ah hugged the crossbow to her chest and shouted, "Si-woo! You're the best! From today, I’ll be your loyal hound! Woof woof!"

"Aigoo, such a precious gift...! I'll risk my life to make sure this weapon—no, the food you've given me—is worth it!"

Lee Seol-ah's exaggerated behavior. Thanks to that, even Mr. Park stepped forward, as if not wanting to be outdone. The corners of my mouth curled up before I knew it. Finally, I looked at Yu-ah. I still had a scroll left, but...

'It's highly likely to be useless in front of a boss.'

My eyes scanned the shop quickly. 'Something intuitive that can definitely buy us time.'

I had about 110 coins left. I soon found the perfect item.

"Yu-ah."

I bent my knees to match her eye level and hung the whistle around her neck.

"If we're fighting and you get separated from Oppa or Mr. Park for even a second, and a bad monster approaches, blow this as hard as you can. Understand?"

"Yes! If I blow it hard, Oppa will come save me, right?"

"Of course. I'll be there in less than a second."

Yu-ah gripped the whistle and nodded bravely. Now, the preparations were mostly done. There was no reason to hesitate any longer. I took Yu-ah's hand firmly.

"Alright, let's go."

We left the magic circle and ascended to the surface. The Konkuk University Entrance Station intersection was bathed in sunlight. The streets were bursting with palpable tension. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Numerous groups of survivors were heading along the road toward the Children's Grand Park. Their expressions were varied: those dragging their feet, those with heads bowed, those sharpening weapons. Vacant eyes and murderous gazes coexisted.

"There are... really a lot of people."

Lee Seol-ah swallowed hard. Several groups cast greedy glances our way. When I placed my hand on my short sword, they flinched and looked away.

"Don't pay attention to them; just look ahead and walk. Our destination is already set anyway."

I walked silently, holding Yu-ah's hand. It wasn't a long way. A half-torn sign was welcoming us.

The plaza in front of the main gate of Children's Grand Park. The moment we arrived, we saw hundreds of people. The plaza was already packed.

'... Everyone must hate the idea of dying.'

I took a spot near a half-destroyed flower bed on the outskirts. Naturally, the gazes of those around us drifted toward me. Their eyes scanned me from top to bottom.

"Why are they staring at us so much...?"

"They're keeping us in check. If you've survived for five days, you know how the world works now."

I narrowed my eyes and scanned the surroundings for the same reason.

'Looks like there were a lot of people hiding.'

Most looked pathetic. Kitchen knives, baseball bats, or iron pipes were the extent of their armaments. The hands holding the weapons were trembling—proof that they weren't used to fighting. Of course, not everyone was like that. Even among them, I saw people with flashing, sharp eyes. Most of them were alone or had already formed parties and were holding their ground.

"Oppa... there are so many people..."

Yu-ah hid behind my back.

"No need to be scared. Oppa is the strongest."

I smiled lightly at my sister. The hand holding me tightened.

Then.

"Alright, alright!! Everyone, calm down and focus on what I have to say!!!"

A booming voice rang out from the center of the plaza. Everyone's gaze turned toward it.

"We don't have time!!! Everyone, focus!!!"

It was a familiar silhouette. Neatly styled hair, combat gear that looked at least B-grade, a luxurious longsword at his waist, and a megaphone in his hand.

'... So you were here.'

Choi Kang-min. He was shouting from a platform.

"Greetings!! I am a survivor just like all of you!! I’ve heard that the intermediate boss will appear here soon!!"

Hundreds of eyes were fixed on Choi Kang-min. He gripped the megaphone, wore a sorrowful expression, and continued.

"How much has the world changed in the last five days! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Haven't you all seen it for yourselves! The hellish time where we lost beloved friends and had to let go of the hands of precious family members!"

Choi Kang-min's voice trembled slightly. A truly disgusting display. The bastard was acting with all his might.

"I, too, failed to protect my younger sibling! I don't want you to experience that regret that tears your heart apart! How long are we going to just keep losing people!!!"

"..."

"If we fight individually like this, we'll all be wiped out again! We must join forces. For the children left behind, and to protect the precious people still by our sides, we must break through this monster and survive!"

"He's right..."

"Our Jin-ho... Daddy will protect you."

Voices of agreement flowed from here and there in the crowd. A provocative speech that tugged at emotions. Of course, not everyone reacted that way.

"What kind of bastard is that guy, acting like that in front?"

"Let's just stay put. Why go out there and..."

Some stepped back in suspicion. Some just watched the situation. Agreement, suspicion, and apathy. Various reactions intersected. Choi Kang-min's words weren't finished.

"Now! Those who want to protect their families, and those who are weak without combat experience, please come to the front first! Our elite squad will build a defensive wall to block the front and sides for you!"

Choi Kang-min's shout echoed through the plaza. People couldn't easily step forward. Accepting the speech was one thing, but participating in the battle was another. A tense silence hung in the air. That was when it happened.

"L-let's go! How long are we going to just tremble in fear! I have to protect my own family!"

From within the crowd, someone shouted at the top of their lungs and jumped forward. It was a middle-aged man holding a blood-stained pipe. That was the start.

"That's right... I'll do it too! We can't just die like dogs here!"

"Honey, Su-jin! Stay close behind me. Daddy will protect you!"

Once the dam broke, the mob mentality spread rapidly. The one or two who had been hesitating started to move. Soon, dozens of people were scrambling to the front lines.

"So... what should we do? Just listening to him, he sounds like a con artist..."

"Wait."

I answered firmly. I had no intention of joining them. This scene was no different from what I had seen at the supermarket on the first day.

'Spoiler.'

I looked at the bastard and activated my trait. Above Choi Kang-min, who was smiling on the platform, translucent text appeared.

I let out a dry laugh. How could a person be so unchanging? "We'll wait."

I didn't bother telling the other two. It would be hard to explain, and it would only add to the confusion. Even if I stepped forward here, they wouldn't believe me.

"Um, Si-woo. Are you sure it's okay for us to just stay by ourselves?"

Lee Seol-ah asked cautiously. The people were already building a defensive line according to the instructions. It was a fairly decent formation. Choi Kang-min's group, standing nearby, also exuded an aura of experience. Seeing hundreds of people lined up, she seemed to have become anxious. Park Dong-bae also swallowed hard and watched my reaction.

"No need to worry."

I replied calmly. "We just need to do well on our own. Whatever they do, ignore it and focus only on your own roles."

The two nodded and gripped their weapons tightly. Their lips moved, but they didn't say anything more. The timer in the air ticked down rapidly. As the time approached, the air became suffocating. I held Yu-ah's small hand tightly. It was covered in cold sweat.

"Yu-ah."

"Yes, Oppa."

"The scroll and the whistle I gave you earlier. No matter what happens, never forget them. Understand?"

"Yes! I'll hold them tight!"

My sister patted her chest and answered bravely. Finally.

— KWA-A-A-ANG!

The moment the countdown hit zero, the sky split open like a glass window. Space twisted, and a pitch-black crack opened its mouth. An overwhelming wave of magical power. The breathing of the hundreds of people filling the plaza stopped in unison. Choi Kang-min still looked relaxed; everything was going according to his plan. But then.

— Ding!

— Ding! Ding!

Suddenly, warning sounds began to ring out like crazy. The splitting sky stopped for an instant. And text appeared in the air.

"Uh...?"

A dumbfounded sound escaped Choi Kang-min's lips. The message didn't end there.

"What, replaced...? Wait, what is this...!"

Choi Kang-min's face turned pale. The pitch-black crack tore open violently once more. Something fell through it.

— KU-U-U-UNG!!

The ground shook. A massive cloud of dust slowly cleared. What revealed itself within wasn't a monster or an orc. It was barely the size of a child. A man wearing steel armor covered in scars, carrying a battle-axe larger than his own body on his back.