Chapter 13
Chapter 13
The Sub Protagonist Felt Fear
Now that we had recovered the money we lost, Rene and I set out on our journey again.
Our next destination was Lukbranton.
It was a village where the descendants of Grun Bilgreen, the blacksmith who forged the first king’s holy sword, had gathered—and a place we had to pass through on the way to my hometown.
“What kind of place is Lukbranton?”
“It’s my first time going too, so I don’t know much. But from what I’ve heard…”
Naturally, Lukbranton was known for its holy sword.
A year from now, when demons begin to emerge, the world will fall into chaos.
And in times of chaos—
Heroes are needed.
At that time, the blacksmiths of Lukbranton would make a bold announcement:
“In exactly one year, we will hold a martial tournament. The winner shall be granted a new holy sword!”
The news ignited the ambitions of warriors everywhere.
Anyone—regardless of status—could claim the holy sword.
Even Kang Junhyuk would join the race, taking leave from the academy to grow stronger through adventure.
‘And he’ll become even more monstrous…’
I couldn’t explain all that to Rene, so I simplified it.
“It’s a noisy village full of blacksmiths.”
“Sounds like Granmold, where dwarves live.”
“You’ve been there?”
“Once, with my mother.”
Lukbranton was tied to Kang Junhyuk.
Granmold—
Was tied to Bern.
The place he went to destroy the cursed sword.
Maybe I should ask Rene about it later.
“Whoa! Stop!”
The carriage halted.
“What’s wrong?”
“The road’s blocked!”
I stepped outside.
The canyon ahead—
Completely sealed by rocks.
Too perfect.
‘This isn’t natural…’
Then—
“Hey! Fresh prey!”
“Finally!”
“There’s even a woman!”
Bandits.
On the cliffs.
“W-we’re doomed…”
The coachman collapsed.
Rene—
Was calm.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m not scared anymore.”
She smiled.
“You’re here.”
…Trust like that is dangerous.
“I’ll handle this. Stay back.”
“Yes!”
She retreated.
The bandits laughed.
“One guy?”
“He wants to show off!”
“Pathetic!”
I ignored them.
And asked—
“Do you know when humans feel the most fear?”
“…What?”
They mocked.
Guessed nonsense.
I sighed.
“You don’t know.”
Snap—
The ground shook.
“WHAT—?!”
The cliff—
Collapsed.
“AAAAAAH!”
They fell.
Fifty meters down.
Screaming.
Those who tried to escape—
I raised my hand.
“Gravity Control.”
They floated.
Helpless.
Then—
Dropped.
Crushed.
“…Damn.”
The scene—
Brutal.
But my body didn’t react.
‘Bern…’
This was normal for him.
Since childhood.
“…Still alive?”
The leader.
Barely.
“My men…?”
“Dead.”
“You bastard!”
“Don’t blame me.”
He attacked.
I cut his arm.
“Y-you… weren’t just a mage…”
“Got fooled again?”
Slash—
His head fell.
Silence.
“It’s over.”
Rene came out.
“You’re amazing!”
“It was nothing.”
“Apparently… they had a 50 gold bounty.”
“…What?”
“A-rank bandits.”
I turned to the coachman.
He trembled.
Fear.
‘…This is bad.’
Fame.
Too much—
Triggers events.
Like—
Royal attention.
Specifically—
A certain princess.
‘No… it’s fine… probably…’
Elsewhere—
In the royal palace—
Princess Charlotte Holden listened.
“A man named Bern eliminated a demon within the academy?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“…Interesting.”
A warrior princess.
Who loved strength.
“Shall we register him as a marriage candidate?”
“Not yet.”
Too early.
But—
Two days later—
Another report arrived.
A-rank bandits—
Eliminated.
Her interest—
Deepened.