War Preparations
"Leave this war entirely to me."
That was my opening line right after the meeting began. Choi Ah-rin blinked at me for a few seconds, her expression unchanging. She was still shaking off the drowsiness, struggling to grasp the situation.
"Wait... what?"
She shook her head as if to clear the sleep, and her eyes gradually widened. Looking like a puppy suddenly jolted awake, she parted her trembling lips.
"Y-you're not saying you'll take on all ten million by yourself... are you?"
"That's right."
I let out a soft sigh as I said it. There was something I'd kept from the guild members that still weighed on me. They would undoubtedly throw a fit and tell me not to do it.
Choi Ah-rin's face slowly filled with horror.
"Sertina! Even for a world boss, ten million is impossible! There's a limit to your health!"
She practically shouted it, her voice cracking. I was a little surprised. I hadn't realized she thought so highly of me, with such genuine concern.
But I had no choice except to shake my head.
"It's fine."
Korea was currently framed as being under "Sertina's" domination. If I fought alongside the players, the current regime could be branded as one protecting a world boss—handing China even stronger justification for invading. In the worst case, they might ignore me entirely and push straight into the mainland.
If even a fraction of those ten million crossed into Korea, the damage would be catastrophic. That's why I'd fight alone. It was the only way to keep this country safe. To protect the people I cared about from any threat.
All the responsibility would be mine to bear.
"Sertina..."
Choi Ah-rin's eyes drooped sadly at the corners. Her face was pale and hollowed out; she looked like she might burst into tears any second. I quietly rose from my seat and approached her side.
"...?"
She looked up at me with puzzled eyes. Without a word, I placed my hand on her head and gently stroked her hair.
"S-Sertina?!"
A vibration ran through her head as she startled. But it was only for a moment—she relaxed, accepting my touch.
I knew. The reason she'd worked herself to exhaustion wasn't just for national stability; a big part of it was my fault. Other countries wouldn't dare touch me directly, but they had no reason to help the nation sheltering me. All I could do was express my gratitude to her for toiling without rest, sacrificing even sleep.
"Don't worry."
I soothed her in a gentle tone, then added one more thing.
"I'll win."
Choi Ah-rin rolled her eyes up to meet mine.
"Are you certain?"
Doubt lingered in her gaze. This wasn't something mere emotional reassurance could fix.
So I'd tell her. Show her a glimpse of my true power, the part I'd kept hidden.
"Choi Ah-rin."
"Yes...?"
"You've heard the rumors, right? That the world boss 'Sertina' still hasn't revealed her third-phase skills."
Her sullen expression lifted as she raised her head.
"...Huh?"
Her wide eyes were partially obscured by my palm on her head. I lifted it slightly.
"You've worked this hard because you believe in me, haven't you?"
Her shoulders twitched. Her pretty violet pupils quivered faintly.
"It couldn't have been easy, with the whole world rejecting me. Thank you. Now it's time to repay that faith."
Her eyes, now sparkling with renewed vitality, stared back at me. I extended the hand I'd been using to stroke her hair.
"So, will you believe in me one more time? Just like you always have."
She glanced back and forth between my hand and my face. Frowning in concern, she asked,
"...You're really sure?"
The question was the same, but the doubt was gone from her eyes. I nodded confidently.
"I'll win."
Her hand hesitated in the air before gripping mine firmly, as if she'd made up her mind. The tremor in her small, fragile fingers faded, her breathing steadying.
This should be enough. I stroked the back of her hand a few times to calm her fully, then explained the plan.
"The strategy is simple. As I said, I'll head into their ranks alone."
I pulled a paper map from my pocket and spread it on the table. Choi Ah-rin peered at it. On the pre-marked Korean Peninsula map, my projected path was traced in red.
"Most will swarm to kill me, but some will try slipping down toward Korea."
I traced my finger from north to south on the map. Choi Ah-rin listened intently, eyes fixed on it.
"So mobilize all available forces to build a defensive line along the Military Demarcation Line. Just block anyone crossing south—I'll handle the rest."
She looked up into my eyes.
"You have a way to deal with ten million, right?"
"I do. It'll take some time, though."
I nodded. Even for me, beating ten million players one by one would be insane. Naturally, I had a countermeasure. My third-phase skills would make it possible.
"And they're not all strong ones—just a mob of ten million riffraff..."
I rested my chin on my hand, tapping the map. The wooden table rang with a clear, crisp sound.
"Obviously meant as meat shields to chip away at my HP."
I scoffed derisively. No way that would work.
"Let 'em try."
With that, I clenched my fist, crumpling the map. It disintegrated under the dense mana I exuded.
A few days passed, and the appointed time drew near.
The war was about to erupt. No more hiding it.
Standing before the barbed-wire barrier at the Military Demarcation Line, I told my guild members the truth.
"I'm handling this war alone."
"What?!"
"S-Sertina! What do you mean...!"
As expected, they panicked.
"I discussed it with Choi Ah-rin. You all just focus on blocking any enemies that cross our side, per the plan."
I cut off their protests before they could escalate. The guild members murmured uneasily.
Cha Eun-joo asked incredulously,
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Well..."
I averted my gaze, scratching my head.
"I didn't want you getting hurt in the fighting."
"Hmmm..."
Cha Eun-joo leaned in close, staring intently at my face. Her eyes probed like an interrogator's. I desperately looked away.
"There's more to it than that, isn't there?"
"..."
I stayed silent. It was an obvious reason, but embarrassing to admit aloud.
Cha Eun-joo saw right through me.
"You hid it because you were worried we'd fret, right?"
My shoulders twitched. She was sharp when it counted.
I hadn't meant to show it—it was just instinct.
"How did you...?"
"We can tell from how you always act. We know how much you care about us."
Was it that obvious? I'd thought my blank expression hid it.
Cha Eun-joo sighed deeply, stepping back and scratching her head.
"If you've made this call, there must be a solid chance of victory."
"Uh, y-yeah..."
I fidgeted awkwardly, like a guilty kid.
She closed her eyes.
"Then that's fine."
"Huh...?"
I blinked in surprise. It was over that easily?
"You're not the type to make reckless decisions."
Really? I glanced around at the others. They nodded slightly, accepting my choice.
I figured at least Cha Eun-joo would insist on coming along.
Lost in thought, I felt her hands on my shoulders.
"Sertina."
"Y-yes?"
I looked up at her—our faces were inches apart.
"We don't blame you because we trust you."
"Trust in me...?"
I blinked again. Cha Eun-joo smiled brightly. Behind her, the guild members nodded with smiles of their own—some arms crossed, others hands on hips.
Lee Min-ho stepped forward.
"Remember Seoul Forest Station?"
I recalled that moment.
"You helped in so many ways back then. That's how I got back on my feet."
"Saved this guy's life too," Hwang Cheol-ho added, ruffling Lee Min-ho's hair.
Kim Jin-woo approached with his sniper rifle slung over his shoulder, fist extended.
"You gave those damn government coalition bastards a real smackdown!"
Yunsia chimed in, hand on her hip.
"You even covered special meals out of pocket while we hid at Eterna HQ."
Lee Ye-rin laughed cheerfully.
"And the mythic recovery potions for the world boss raid? Why wouldn't we trust you?"
More voices joined, recounting my help. I stared at them, stunned.
"Uh..."
So many people believed in me? In my old world, I was always alone.
The little things I'd done had rippled into waves. A pang tugged at my chest. Feeling awkward, I twirled a strand of hair around my finger.
Cha Eun-joo said,
"See? That's our trust in you."
"Yeah..."
At a loss for words, I clasped my hands behind my back and tapped the ground with my toe.
She extended her hand to me.
"So, can you trust us a little more?"
I bowed my head. She was right. This was all my fault—my unilateral decision had confused them.
They trusted me this much, and I didn't trust them back.
I wouldn't make the same mistake again. No hesitation. I took her hand.
"Yeah. I will."
Cha Eun-joo beamed. The guild smiled warmly.
And in that moment, I resolved myself. To protect these smiles, I'd stake everything and fight.