Orc Encounter (2)
Taang! Gunshots rang out at steady two-hour intervals. I'd long since stopped counting them. Still, as the evening sunset began to creep across the sky, I realized an entire day had slipped by. That meant at least six shots had been fired into the air.
The battle itself had been far more relentless.
“……”
The surroundings were deathly quiet. The search unit's squad members stood in unified silence, scanning the perimeter. They refused to let their guard down, braced for an attack from any direction. Minutes had passed since the last gunshot, yet no assault came. It was proof that every monster in the area had already been eliminated.
“Nothing here.”
“Whew……”
Only after several minutes of confirming the area was clear did I speak, prompting the other veterans to exhale in relief. It wasn't just the seniors who eased their tension. Garan turned to me, his face etched with fatigue.
“Good work.”
“…Not at all. You all worked harder.”
I dipped my head slightly. The endless string of battles had left everyone visibly drained. It was only natural—this was the result of the strategy I'd proposed. The search unit veterans scratched their heads awkwardly.
“Well, that's true enough.”
“Weren't you the one who suffered the most?”
“Still, that guy looks completely fine, like he didn't lift a finger.”
Their expressions hovered between disbelief and exhaustion. In reality, I had stood at the very front, deflecting every monster's attack and slaying the most of them. Yet I bore not even a scratch, let alone any sign of fatigue. Their bewilderment was understandable.
‘I could probably refine it a bit more.’
Even knowing that, I had no time to worry about their stares. From the monsters we'd slain in these repeated fights, I'd absorbed an enormous amount of Heavenly Fate. I'd converted some of it into Hoshin-ganggi, boosting my body's durability and capabilities. Spending more Heavenly Fate would raise its performance, but the cost doubled with every increase in strength and duration. I remained absorbed in finding the right balance between consumption and output.
‘I can still grow stronger.’
Continuous combat gnawed at the mind and wore down the body. At least for me, that risk didn't apply. It was instead the very force driving me to become stronger. The real problem lay with the other search unit members. What benefited me could prove fatal to them as exhaustion mounted. So I pushed even further ahead, drawing every monster's attack to myself. I deflected and blocked them all, doing everything I could to lessen the burden on my seniors.
“Yeah. Thanks to this guy, we survived this insane plan.”
“Think I should request a transfer to the subjugation unit when we get back? He seems talented.”
“You? Don't be ridiculous. Without the rookie, you'd be dead already.”
“Ah, come on, let me dream.”
With the tension finally broken, the squad members chuckled and chatted. Realizing the long march of battles had ended, their nerves unwound completely. Some even dropped their weapons and sank to the ground.
“Captain, at this rate, won't our unit get reassigned? This is basically a subjugation-scale mission.”
The others nodded in agreement. The number of fights and monsters slain today far exceeded any normal search unit operation. No one disputed that it matched the scale of a typical subjugation report. Garan offered a wry smile and reassured them.
“Alright, everyone, I know you're tired, but stay sharp. Let's set up camp first. Rest comes after that.”
“Ugh. Right……”
“Yes, sir.”
Though their grumbles bordered on groans, no one complained about Garan's orders. It was necessary if they wanted real rest. My seniors and I began preparing the campsite with practiced efficiency.
“Jungwoo, are you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
Only one person in this search unit worried about me. Even though I clearly looked the most unscathed, Seo Hayun still checked my condition with concern.
“Sometimes injuries don't register right away. Is there anywhere you can't move properly, or that feels off? Or maybe somewhere you can't feel at all……”
“No. I told you, I'm fine.”
Seo Hayun stubbornly continued her inspection.
“You always say you're fine. Let me see.”
“Not right now……”
I glanced quickly at the seniors busy setting up camp. They were leveling the ground, pitching tents, and driving stakes, their glares sharp enough to sting.
“It's okay. Just rest.”
“We all know the rookie worked the hardest. Hahaha.”
Their mouths smiled, but their eyes did not. I sensed something complicated in their gazes.
“Damn…… This is lonely as hell……”
“I really want a transfer.”
I pretended not to hear their muttered complaints and focused instead on Garan, who stepped in to stop them.
“It's fine. You should rest. Take the first watch tonight.”
“…Understood.”
The only sound filling the quiet campsite was the crackle of burning firewood. Seo Hayun sat with me by the fire as we took the first watch.
“Everyone trusts you.”
“…I'm grateful.”
It was truly something to be thankful for. After hearing my assessment that no more monsters would appear nearby, Garan and the seniors had relaxed and decided to camp here. Under normal circumstances, that would have been unthinkable. It meant they trusted my senses and judgment. Garan, the leader of the 2nd Search Unit, and the other veterans were the exceptions. Most soldiers wouldn't put faith in the judgment of the newest, youngest member. A rookie was usually the least experienced and physically unprepared for brutal combat.
“You look good. You never used to make that kind of expression before.”
Seo Hayun smiled softly as she looked at me beside her. She seemed genuinely pleased, as if she herself had been praised.
“Do I?”
“Yeah.”
Her answer came without a hint of hesitation.
“……”
Her words pulled me back to the past. To the days in the special forces unit alongside countless other slave soldiers. It wasn't a time I liked to remember. Back then, my mind had rarely been this at ease. The contempt and scorn I'd endured as a slave soldier had eaten away at my body and spirit. Comfort had been a luxury. We were always thrown into battle, forced to keep fighting. It was an endless struggle just to survive. I'd known I would die someday. The only difference was whether that end came sooner or later.
“Thank you.”
“Hm?”
“If it weren't for you, I probably would've…… ended up like that long ago.”
I nearly said I'd died. Catching myself, I cut the words short and mumbled instead. I glanced toward the tents behind us. Only Seo Hayun knew I'd died once. The rest of the search unit still had no idea. Even if I told them, they probably wouldn't believe it. The fewer people who knew about my death or Heavenly Fate, the better. I hadn't even explained Heavenly Fate to Seo Hayun. Describing this power I couldn't fully explain myself felt wrong. It made me feel like I was admitting I wasn't human.
“……No.”
Seo Hayun understood immediately but shook her head in denial. Her smile was sad, tinged with self-reproach.
“I…… couldn't heal you……”
Her gaze drifted to my arm. She wore a pained expression, remembering how she hadn't been able to restore the arm I'd lost just before death.
“That wasn't your fault……”
“It was my fault.”
Her voice was firm. It wasn't just regret over failing to heal me. The real reason I'd been forced to die—the fundamental cause that had reduced me to a slave soldier constantly thrown into battle—was herself. That truth was lodged in her heart like a nail. It was why she kept trying to help me.
“No, it wasn't.”
I spoke just as firmly.
“That was my choice. It wasn't because of you.”
It was the same conversation we'd had before, and would have again. Seo Hayun endlessly blamed herself for me becoming a slave soldier, and I comforted her for it.
“Okay……”
Her voice sounded as though she was holding back tears. Seo Hayun squeezed my hand tightly.
“Jungwoo…… This time, you absolutely can't go……”
Faced with the desperate plea in her voice, I could only nod.
Dawn broke early.
“Hey, rookie. How was watch duty?”
One of the seniors packing up the tents called out to me. I tilted my head, not understanding the question. There was nothing particularly good or bad about standing watch. The senior grinned mischievously.
“Come on. You two stood watch together. The captain paired you up on purpose. Don't tell me you didn't notice, kid?”
I belatedly realized what he was implying. His intent to tease was obvious, so I frowned.
“Nothing happened.”
“……Really? No way. That's actually true?”
The other seniors helping with cleanup were clearly listening in. Lately, I'd noticed they loved teasing me far too much.
“R-Really…… Nothing happened at all……”
Seo Hayun waved her hands in flustered denial. That reaction was exactly what they wanted. I expected them to seize the opportunity and mock us, but their response was different from what I'd anticipated.
“Damn it……”
“I started this, so why do I feel hurt…… Life sucks.”
They muttered complaints as if feeling some hollow emptiness, then went back to packing the tents. The seniors trudged along, folding the canvas.
“That wasn't the intention when I paired you…… Let's finish up and move out.”
Garan, wearing a wry smile, had to step in. As I moved to help the others pack, I felt a presence and turned my head.
“……”
Sensing I'd noticed something, Garan asked sharply.
“Is something there?”
The other seniors froze mid-task and looked at me. They trusted my sharpened senses after I'd helped them so many times before.
“There's a presence.”
“A monster?”
Rough breathing and monstrous roars. I sharpened my senses further to pinpoint the faint presence.
“It's both a monster and a human. It seems…… they're engaged in combat.”
Upon hearing my answer, Garan moved at once.
“Let's go. Three of you, with me. Kalant, stop packing and hold this position. If there are any injured, bring them here for treatment immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
Leaving the squad leader's reply behind, Garan, three search unit members, and I headed toward the direction of the presence.