Chapter 16. Ghoul Horde
Several scouting and investigation teams had returned. They'd roughly mapped out when and where the ghoul horde had emerged, and how many there were. Ji-hyuk pored over the map, cross-referencing their appearance times to predict their movement path.
These fuckers... they're heading north bit by bit? Factoring in how they'd climbed from the city of Chronostan to here before, it wasn't fast, but they were steadily pushing northward. Ji-hyuk couldn't fathom what this necromancer's game was. Or rather... how could no one give a shit when they were blatantly carving a path straight through the continent? At least ten hero teams must have spotted this by now, yet they'd all just ignored it. It pissed him off.
This shows just how selfish the current heroes are. They don't give a damn about the continent—as long as their contribution points rack up. Fucking assholes. Heroes should at least have some basic sense of justice, but these guys were way over the line. Did the world even need heroes like this? Ji-hyuk half-wanted to purge the lot of them right now.
Of course, he knew that was impossible. And even if he did a purge, would the new blood be any cleaner? Hell no. With the empire's nobles all rotten to the core, why would anyone below them be pure?
In the end, he figured the only reliable heroes were the ones he raised himself.
Anyway, with the projected path confirmed, he readied the team to move. The group consisted of seven heroes, ten knights, and seven porters. Given the sheer numbers they'd face, he figured ten knights were necessary to overwhelm with manpower.
The next dawn, after preparations were complete, they set off in wagons. Gid, yawning hugely and scratching his ass, grumbled, "Fuuuck, now we're fighting ghouls too? ...What if we run into a drake or some shit?"
Mahushu, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar term, asked Yael what a drake was. The sharp mage mimed flapping wings with her arms. "Flying monster. Huge and vicious."
"You seen one?"
"Me? Hell no. Drakes are super rare. Hardly anyone on the continent's laid eyes on one. ...And even if you do, surviving's a long shot. They're insanely strong and aggressive."
Gid jumped in. "Heard drakes hang out at the far east end of the continent. Guess even you don't know everything, huh, Yael?" He strutted like he'd finally one-upped her.
Yael shot back, of course. "Drakes don't stick to one spot. Probably just some lucky sighting. ...And quit swallowing every dumb rumor you hear. What if he actually buys that bullshit—!"
Gid just chuckled slyly, even after the scolding. Yael glared at him like he was hopeless and whipped her head away.
"Anyway, I'd love to see that fucking necromancer asshole's face. Yeah. Smash it right in, the bastard." The bald brute flexed his meaty fist, punching the air like he'd beat the guy to a pulp.
"Just tank good, you moron," Mahushu sniped.
Conversation died there.
Grace puffed hard on her pipe, eyeing the dawn sky. The ruddy light, like a sunset, was stunningly beautiful. Grendal gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to the orc.
"I'm okay. Much better."
It wasn't empty words—she really was. The panic attacks were rare now. Anxiety still hit sometimes, but not as brutally as before. She was improving, steadily.
"...Yeah, a lot..."
But stepping into the Monster Plains? No guarantees. That scared her. She'd need outside help then. Overcoming it alone wasn't easy.
Her gaze flicked to the hero. She prayed she wouldn't have to ask him. Sincerely.
The wagons rolled for two days. They reached the most recently raided village—a ghost town now, devoid of life. Emaciated beasts lay scattered everywhere. Grendal's heart ached at the sight; whenever he had time, he roamed the pens, freeing them.
Gid clicked his tongue. "Am I wrong about orcs or what?" Every orc he met was either a zealot or a saint or some shit.
Kayak chuckled at that. Gid pointed at the lizardman too: same weirdo breed.
They decided to rest there a day and unpacked. Ji-hyuk's mind wandered to the past. Back then, Elraim's team's healer Bella had scampered over at night, scared of ghosts, and slept with him. He glanced at his three women. No ghost-fearing cuties here, though. Veteran Grace wouldn't bat an eye; rational Yael wouldn't buy that crap; fearless beastkin warrior Mahushu would probably hope for a real ghost to gawk at.
Not having one pure girl around isn't so bad. Fun to tease when bored... He smirked, recalling Bella's terrified face.
Team members picked rooms. Not enough for everyone solo, so two or three per room. Ji-hyuk bunked with Kayak in the master bedroom. Necromancer could show anytime, so they stayed vigilant.
Deep into sleep, urgent knocks jolted them. Kayak bolted up and opened the door—Yael.
"L-Leader, Grace, she's...!"
Ji-hyuk rushed. Upstairs women's room: Grace thrashing in a panic attack. Mahushu huddled in the corner, eyes wide and rolling.
"You two, take the master with Kayak. Clear it with him."
"Got it."
Yael and Mahushu left. "Fuuuck, fuuuck, aaagh, aaaagh—!" Grace cursed and shivered violently.
Ji-hyuk climbed into bed, pulling her close. "It's okay, Grace. I'm here. I'll stay right beside you. All night if I have to—no worries."
He soothed her softly, like waking a nightmare-crying child. She'd been quiet lately—why tonight? He'd had anxiety himself once, so he got it. That crushing dread and shakes weren't easy to beat. Alone? Impossible.
She calmed a bit; he eased her down and lay beside her. "Sleep easy. No worries. I'm right here. Yeah, all night."
He patted her arm gently. Her ragged breaths evened out. Hooo...
Ji-hyuk worried he'd underestimated this. Her talent and experience were top-tier, but the anxiety was a wildcard. Improving, sure, but mental shit was tricky to cure fully.
Whatever, worth the hassle. Healers like her don't grow on trees. If this is the worst, he could handle it. Anxiety faded if you nuked the root cause—and once revenge was done, no more issues. Just this once. Early guild days are always rough. He never expected the 15th loop to be smooth. Panic attacks? Laughable compared to his forecasts. This is nothing...
His patting slowed. He drifted off.
Aah—.
Grace's eyes snapped open to Ji-hyuk's face inches away. Heart lurched. Brain scrambled: What the—? Then she remembered last night's attack. Leader must've watched over her all night.
Something warm bloomed inside.
Um. Ji-hyuk stirred, eyes cracking open. Ack—she slammed hers shut, faking sleep.
"...Sleep more?"
Her eyes flew open at his voice. He was smiling.
"N-No, getting up."
"Yeah, let's."
They rose. Grace felt mortified, cheeks burning. Shit, what the hell... She swallowed a thick curse. Noble-born, she'd played haughty and refined, but showing this side again? Quiet for ages—why last night? Two years had passed. Head knew it, but heart didn't.
"The thick killing intent here's the trigger. Nightmares make sense. I get it—shit like this doesn't fix easy."
Leader's calm words soothed her. "Just improve slow. You're better than before."
He smiled kindly, patting her back. ...Grace, no kid, felt his touch weirdly good. Warm, comforting.
"Remember one thing."
She peeked up at him.
"You've always got teammates who care."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The group left at dawn. Wagons rattled under morning sun. Grace puffed her pipe, exhaling long smoke trails. Yael, sensitive to evil mana, sensed the necromancer drawing near. Wolfkin-mixed Mahushu wrinkled her nose at the rotting corpse stench.
"Getting close," Kayak told Ji-hyuk.
Leader nodded. "Projections hit. No wild goose chase—lucky."
"How we handling?"
Eyes turned to him. Hero grinned, scanning the team. "No need to loop around. Quick way."
"Quick way?"
"Know the path? Just wait. They'll come to us."
Aah—sharp ones got it. Yael voiced it. "Ambush during village raid."
"Right. Make him come to us. Chasing risks flight."
They could catch a runner, but it'd waste time. Better to lure and strike.
"Won't be easy, though. No ghoul experience for you lot. And this necromancer's bold—confident in his power."
Tension rippled.
"Stay sharp like in the demon realm. ...He's demon-contracted, guaranteed. No slacking."
"Understood, Leader."
They camped overnight, hit the next village early afternoon. Two hundred souls. Rumors had them forming a militia of green youths—suicide against ghouls.
The elder bowed low to these crisis-savior heroes. Villagers gawked like at exotic beasts.
"Elder, talk private."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Secluded spot. He paled at Ji-hyuk's purpose.
"S-So, ghouls hitting our village?"
"Likely. Today if soon; tomorrow latest."
Aah—. Elder clutched his forehead, distraught. Decades of peace, shattered.
"What do we do?"
"Nothing much. Just let us rest comfy. ...And prep villagers for quick evac when ghouls show."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
Elder prostrated in thanks and hurried out. Ji-hyuk followed. Too many for one house—even elder's had seven family. Team split pairs across homes.
Ji-hyuk took Grace and Grendal to elder's. Grace, fearing attacks, shared his room. She knew he knew, but man-woman duo? Blushy. Cool exterior, but obvious.
He briefed the knight captain, who relayed to knights. Prep done. Now, wait for necromancer and ghouls—then execute.
Today? Tomorrow? Vague. But coming, no doubt. The chilling evil aura spreading in the air was ironclad proof.
It's coming. Definitely.
...The hero wondered what this damn necromancer's face looked like.