All throughout our return to Crossroad via the base camp, Kuilan had drooped his shoulders, not uttering a word.
Not just Kuilan, but all the mbers of the Penal Squad wore somber expressions, keeping their lips tightly sealed.
Everyone was so cheerful when we captured the Demon Gatekeeper.
I inwardly groaned, observing the downtrodden atmosphere.
Sure, it might be a downer if ones ancestors were rumored to be such monstrous wolves.
Koreans say they have a bear among their ancestors...
I almost began recounting the garlic and mugwort-scented love story of Dangun and the bear-woman, but I held back. Now was not the ti for jokes.
"Everyone worked hard today."
Upon our return to the mansions backyard, I briefly addressed the party before disbanding.
"It wasnt intentional, but we got to et the enemy leader of this defense battle in advance. And thats a significant gain."
I recalled the surprise attack by the vampire lord, Celendion, from the dungeon.
Back then, we got thoroughly thrashed. The entire main party was overpowered without putting up a fight.
Yet, thanks to that defeat, we found a clue to beco stronger, which eventually led to his defeat.
The sa goes for this ti.
This encounter will be the key to our strategy.
Lunared, the Wolf King.
Like Celendion, the vampire lord we previously defeated, hes a nad monster commander.
Of course, Ive killed him countless tis in the ga.
He doesnt possess intricate chanics or a diverse set of skills like Celendion. Hes just purely, physically strong.
His stats are high, and each of his blows is painful. Sotis, this kind of opponent can be even more botherso.
And... he plays a lot of dirty tricks.
Unlike his straightforward combat prowess,
The Werewolf Legion is known for their unpredictable actions.
In the ga, theyd use diversionary tactics, ambushes, and even strategies outside the fortress. They were truly despicable.
Why would they resort to underhanded tactics in a battle?
Wolves are clever animals. Theyre even more so when it cos to hunting. Its highly likely theyll act brutally and deceptively in this defense battle.
A cunning and dirty monster legion led by a purely powerful commander.
Thats the werewolves. Simply terrifying.
Based on my in-ga knowledge, I briefly briefed on the standard way to confront Lunared and his legion.
Although its a topic well continuously drill into, ntioning it on the day we saw the enemy leaders face would be more effective.
...Thats it for now. Well have another tactical eting soon.
Looking at the still pallid Penal Squad, I offered a gentle smile.
Tonight, no more worries. Rest well.
...
Kuilan didnt respond, hanging his head low. I clapped.
Okay, disband! Go eat, clean yourselves, and sleep!
***
Crossroad barracks. The Penal Squads quarters.
Hmm
Kureha, who had been cooking with his left hand, relaxed his tense shoulders.
My right hand has turned mummy-like... making household chores difficult.
During the last defense battle, in the process of suppressing the mages, he had exerted his right hand which activated the curse. As a result, just like his left leg, his right hand had beco mummified.
He had put on a facade of health to hide the truth from his younger brother, taking care of all the household chores. Thankfully, it seed he hadnt been found out yet...
How much longer can I keep this hidden?
Kureha glanced down at his right arm, concealed by a glove and long sleeve.
...No, hiding isnt the problem.
How long could he live like this?
Sooner or later, hed have to keep exerting himself, and not just his right arm and left leg, but... his entire body would be consud by the curse.
When we reclaim our holand, we can break the curse that binds us. Just hang in there a little longer, brother.
Suddenly, he rembered words his younger brother had told him the previous day.
...
A bitter smile ford on Kurehas lips.
Holand, indeed.
Even if I were to return there now, this curse...
Suddenly, noisy footsteps echoed outside the inn. Kuilan and the Penal Squad mbers entered.
Kureha quickly adjusted his right sleeve and greeted his brothers with a calm smile.
"Youre back? You worked hard today."
"Uh-huh, yeah..."
Kuilan avoided Kurehas gaze and responded weakly.
The other Penal Squad mbers also couldnt et Kurehas eyes as they shuffled in. Kureha grew curious.
"Whats going on? Everyone seems drained today. What happened?"
"No, nothing... Nothing at all."
Stamring, Kuilan collapsed onto a bed without washing and stared blankly at the wall. The rest of the Penal Squad did the sa.
Kureha, furrowing his brow, asked with concern, Youre not hiding anything from , are you, Kuilan?
No, brother... Im just tired.
Kuilan, who had been staring at the wall, suddenly turned and inquired.
"Brother. The Leaf Fist technique you passed on to ..."
"Yes? Sothing confusing about it?"
"You said you learned it from our father."
"Yes."
"And he inherited it from our grandfather."
"Yes, its a martial art passed down through our lineage."
"..."
"Is there sothing you dont understand? Should I give you so pointers?"
As he said this, Kureha realized hed made an error. If he offered to demonstrate the technique, his mummified right arm would undoubtedly be revealed.
Fortunately, Kuilan shook his head and buried himself under the covers.
"Im just tired, let rest for a bit, brother..."
While it might seem comical for such a large, bear-like young man to act this way to outsiders, to Kureha, Kuilan was still his younger, smaller brother.
"Alright. Ill prepare so food, eat when youre hungry."
"..."
Kuilan didnt respond.
Kureha rose and proceeded to the kitchen to finish cooking.
The rhythmic breathing of his large brother and the soft bubbling of the pot he was tending to filled the air.
Both brothers had truths they kept from each other.
Sotis, they believed, keeping secrets was the best way to protect one another.
Blissfully unaware that catastrophe was near.
The peaceful evening wore on with just a few days left.
***
That night, while everyone was resting.
In the vacant training ground of the barracks, three individuals quietly t.
It was Lucas, Evangeline, and Damien.
Im sorry for calling you when you must be tired.
As Lucas turned to look at Evangeline and Damien, both shook their heads.
No, its fine, Sir Lucas. I actually wanted to gather everyone in the first place, Evangeline responded.
And too. Ive been feeling restless, like I cant just sit still, Damien added.
At their words, Lucas silently nodded in agreent.
All three felt the sa sensation.
- Enlightennt was right before their eyes.
The next level of combat was within reach.
But that level seed elusive, appearing and disappearing like a mirage.
Taking all our battle experiences, it feels like we are on the verge of crafting our unique combat strategy. But we cant seem to grasp its essence, Lucas said, clenching his empty hand.
Evangeline humd in agreent, Sa here. I feel like Im just one step away, but taking that step seems so hard.
Damien, blinking his round eyes, surveyed their surroundings, So, the reason were all here today is...?
Yes, Lucas answered.
On the ground of the training area, there were plenty of wooden practice weapons scattered about. Lucas kicked a wooden sword into the air and caught it, nodding.
Its for sparring. Evangeline and I have done it often.
Starting today, youll join us, Damien!
At this candid yet fierce suggestion from the martial knights, Damien chuckled wryly.
Far-Sight and my weapon... I cant control my power output...
Far-Sight automatically detects an opponents weakness, and the gun didnt understand the concept of firing gently.
There was a reason Damien hadnt been sparring up until now.
But Damien, too, was fired up.
Mastery of combat skills. Borrowing Ashs phrase, the ultimate move.
He felt close to acquiring it.
Maybe because he had faced formidable foes, he was eager to learn new techniques, his mouth going dry with anticipation.
A sparring session among peers would surely help.
Silently, Damien picked up a featherless arrow and a wooden bow from the ground.
How do we spar?
Its a free-for-all battle, 1v1v1. Either raise both hands in surrender or step out of the ring to admit defeat.
The mont Damien grasped the bow, Lucas and Evangeline took their battle stances.
Intense fighting spirit poured from the two knights, filling the training ground.
We wont go easy on you, Damien.
Honestly, Damien might be the strongest among us here, Evangeline mused.
Staring blankly at the two knights genuinely challenging him, Damien gave a faint smile and nocked the featherless arrow onto his bow.
Sohow, he felt recognized and was in high spirits.
Alright then, I wont hold back.
Damiens eyes changed.
A chilling white flash swept across his round, gentle brown eyes. Both Lucas and Evangeline swallowed nervously.
Far-Sight.
They had benefited from those eyes countless tis, but facing them as opponents was overwhelmingly daunting.
Intense tension flowed between the three. They circled each other clockwise on the training ground, waiting for an opportunity. The mont it felt like one would show a weakness and the others would pounce
Sorry to interrupt the mood.
Soone just killed the vibe.
The tension broke, leaving three flustered individuals looking in the direction from which the voice had emanated.
From the military quarters, a burly fighter erged, looking sowhat sheepish.
"Mind if I join in?"
It was Kuilan.
The Bandit King scratched his red hair awkwardly, admitting, "I dont have insights like you guys. Just feeling a bit stifled. Thought a good brawl might clear my head."
Lucas, who had been silently observing Kuilan, smirked. "Gear up and co on up. Well give you a proper beating."
Kuilan, with a wide grin, hastily equipped his gauntlets and boots, ascending to the combat platform.
The showdown between the four continued until dawn broke.
***
Dawn.
I exhaled a deep sigh, gazing at the gradually lightening blue sky.
"Whew..."
Id gone to bed early in the evening, but with the upcoming defense battle on my mind, it was already almost sunrise.
...Cant sleep, maybe I should unbox.
I took out two boxes from my inventory, placing them on the bed.
One SSR-grade box Id received as a reward from Stage 9, and an SR-grade box from Stage 8.
Id opened all the smaller boxes a while back, leaving these two precious ones untouched.
I planned to open them when I felt lucky.
Whether it was dreaming of pigs, finding two yolks in a cracked egg, or seeing a bluebird, Id decided Id unbox then.
Who knew playing these gacha gas would get soone so superstitious? But its inevitable.
In any case, no such lucky signs appeared, and the next stage was imminent.
It was high ti I unboxed these treasures.
Without hesitation, I cracked both boxes open at once. If Im doing this, Im doing it right!
Flash!
From the opened boxes, a dazzling light burst forth. I couldnt help but shout.
"Did I score the jackpot?!"
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