Advance
"If I said I wasn't worried, that'd be a lie."
Cha Eun-joo quietly gazed at Sertina's back as she stood alone before the barbed-wire fence. Sending such a tiny girl straight into the enemy's lair. The thought of the burden she carried made Cha Eun-joo's chest ache.
But I believe in her.
Cha Eun-joo clenched her fist until her knuckles throbbed. Sertina had always proven herself with actions. The subtle considerations she offered, whether she realized it or not. Her face was impassive, her words few, but her gestures and deeds spoke volumes. She seemed flawless yet oddly clumsy—a girl who showed nothing but her true self, blissfully unaware of it.
So she'll make it this time too. She said there's a solid chance of victory.
That girl, who looked fragile one moment and unbreakable the next, was terrible at lying. It all showed in her actions. So Cha Eun-joo could only cheer from a distance. Because Sertina's words were more trustworthy than anyone's in this world.
Near the DMZ, players and soldiers bustled about. Operators launched drones to track Chinese movements in real time, while artillery batteries and fighter squadrons stood ready in the unseen rear.
Whirrrrr—
Combat helicopters thundered overhead in low flight, rotors roaring. Tanks with massive barrels extended, armored vehicles, and rifle-toting soldiers marched in tight formation past me.
China had completed its invasion preparations in the meantime. They'd hauled in supplies and massive matériel, erecting walls and trenches along the northern military demarcation line to brace for any counterattack.
But we hadn't sat idle either.
"We've arrived!"
President Choi Ah-rin's trump card. A massive Japanese player force had landed in Korea. Fifty thousand B-rank or higher players strong—and the numbers were still swelling.
"Hello. I'm Sumida!"
The sturdy man who introduced himself bowed deeply, face rigid with tension. Cold sweat streamed down his taut skin. He was the leader of Japan's top-ranked Omega Guild, tasked with commanding this support army.
"Hello."
I offered my hand. His grip trembled, arm muscles twitching wildly.
"Urk, h-ha...!"
Japan's government had rushed the deployment at Choi Ah-rin's plea upon hearing of China's imminent invasion. They knew Korea's fall meant they were next. Sure, they'd extracted concessions—priority access to Korea's reconstruction market, military aid pledges, and more.
Even so, their arrival in this crisis felt like pure grace. They'd sent elite players, risking their own homeland.
"Th-then I'll go set up defenses!"
Sumida bowed after a few steps, then spun around for another midway. And again after more steps.
"...?"
Quite the polite fellow, despite his rugged looks.
*
Players packed the military demarcation line without gaps, alerts maxed out. Supplies, rations, potions—stocked for a protracted war.
All preparations complete. Before pushing into enemy territory, I bid final farewells to my guildmates.
"I'll be back."
"Sniff... Lady Sertina, you have to come back safe!"
Tier waved her tear-soaked handkerchief, voice breaking.
"...I'm not going far."
Eterna Guild members, stationed nearby, gathered to see me off. They forced smiles, but worry flickered in their eyes.
"Don't sweat this side—fight hard! We'll flatten anyone who crosses!"
"You got this! Stay sharp, just in case!"
I patted their shoulders, signaling all clear.
"Yeah."
I turned to the dense forest. Pristine wilderness, untouched by human hands. Beyond it lay a world utterly alien—crowded not with friendly smiles, but hostility and bared blades.
Well, that's how it's always been.
Familiar territory now. It should be. Yet this time, I didn't want to step away, even briefly.
But I had to. No one else could resolve this.
Feeling kinda down...
I let out a heavy sigh and took my first step into the woods.
Cha Eun-joo caught my expression, eyes widening. She blurted something out of left field.
"Wrap this up clean, and we'll throw a party at HQ?"
"...Party?"
I turned to her.
"Yep! Gotta celebrate your heroics. Whole guild invited."
Cha Eun-joo clapped, beaming with excitement.
A party... I'd seen them in videos. Everyone gathered, slicing cake, toasting triumphs, wishing for brighter days ahead.
With me at the center? Heat rushed to my face.
"Do whatever."
"Hehe."
She grinned at my fluster.
Everything shows in her actions, huh.
Heat welled from my core, body flushing hot. Mood soured strangely—I quickened my pace.
"Anyway, I'm off. Hold the line."
"Yesss~"
Forest scents—crisp phytoncides—filled my lungs, easing the gloom as I plunged in.
"Hm."
Pushing through thick underbrush, my resolve hardened. I wanted to protect my guildmates. Fury boiled at those who'd dared target them. No mercy.
Lin Xiao, a conscripted Chinese PLA player on outpost duty, let out a massive yawn.
"Yaaawn."
Nothing but reeds everywhere. Overgrown weeds and cattails as far as the eye could see. Boredom gnawing at him, he pulled out his phone from inventory.
Powered it on, fiddled with the screen—then his face soured.
"What kinda shithole country is this?"
He shoved it back, grumbling.
Yang Zimin, on shift with him, elbowed him.
"Hey, phone on duty?"
"Pfft, so what? No one's catching us. We're not real soldiers—just drafted."
"Fair."
Yang nodded along.
"Yo, check your signal. This dump's got zero bars."
"No shit? Stone Age vibes."
They chuckled over chit-chat. Pride swelled for their homeland. BRICS allies and cozy Middle Eastern partners had officially backed China's North Korea occupation. Nations currying favor for aid—naturally, it puffed their chests.
Besides the crushing boredom.
"Fuck this, nap time? Jack shit to do."
Lin slumped against the outpost wall.
Arms crossed, Yang tsked down at him.
"Up. What if Koreans raid?"
"C'mon, realistically? They'd be lucky to hold on as is."
"Sigh... fine, 30 minutes. I need a break too."
"Wake me. I'll switch."
Yang sighed deeply, bored eyes scanning outside. Korea was tiny—overwhelm with numbers, done. Sertina? Ten million hits, she'd drop.
Beyond the line: endless green forest.
"This watch meaningful? Reeds hide everything. Even if someone's charging, we wouldn't—"
Yang trailed off.
Sensing the sudden silence, Lin mumbled eyes closed:
"What, ghost in broad daylight?"
No reply.
Irked, Lin cracked an eye.
"Hey. Hey. Spill—what? Actual raid?"
Yang stared into the reeds, face ashen. Trembling finger pointed.
"Wh-what the hell is that?"
"Huh?"
"Get up and look!"
Lin scratched his neck, hauled himself up, brushed dirt from pants, peered out.
His face twisted too.
"Uh...?"
A hazy silhouette beyond the reeds. Hard to make out, but closing in. Short stature.
That wasn't the issue.
"Holy shit!"
The overwhelming aura pouring from it. Blood-red power crushed their spirits just by sight.
Lin narrowed his eyes for detail.
"Fuck!"
"Wh-what?!"
His panicked buddy gawked.
Lin staggered back, quaking.
"S-Sertina... it's Sertina! Run, fuck—run!"
The nightmare of every player. Harbinger of doom herself—Sertina, gripping Blood Eater in one hand, advanced wreathed in murderous intent.