The battle was over for now, and the long-awaited silence had returned.
I staggered back a bit, fell on my butt, then laid on the bare ground—ignoring the bewildered gazes the soldiers threw at . My head still ached from pushing my [Door] talent beyond its limit.
Lying on the ground was a habit I picked up from living alone in a massive castle I once called ho. Everywhere qualified as my bed.
This battle had been short, but exciting. I got a glimpse of what warfare was like in this world—and I have to admit, it wasn’t pretty. I can finally understand why this Earth was considered a pri realm. Even without my involvent, these soldiers would have won a decisive victory against the orcs.
In fact, I wouldn’t be offended if soone said I didn’t play a vital role in this war. What I did was quite negligible compared to Kenza.
"Clear the bridge," Kenza commanded coldly.
I heard her stepping forward, rifle slung low.
"We’re not losing war machines to a pile of corpses," she added—just as I expected she would.
If I had known we would be pushing forward, I wouldn’t be lying here lazing about. The entire purpose of this battle was to clear the bridge and create a pathway for our military vans, tanks, and other weapons to arrive. Letting countless corpses and broken gear litter the bridge would only hinder that goal.
This was where the normal troops ca in. In a war where only Ascendants and Limitless could play major roles, powerless soldiers had been reduced to nial jobs like this.
Joining the military now gave only two options for a powerless human: you either man up and go through the Ascendant surgery—hoping you weren’t one of the 49 out of 50 who died from it—or you beca a glorified errand boy allowed to wield arms you’d barely ever get to use.
I watched as soldiers exchanged disturbed glances before moving into action. So dragged bodies to the side, others shoved them into the Sabine River without a second thought. The stench of blood hung thick in the air, mixing with heat and gunpowder.
I remained on the ground, listening as boots squelched through gore. A few soldiers gagged. Others gritted their teeth, whispering complaints but kept moving.
Thud! Thud!
Thud! Thud!
I heard footsteps approaching, but I didn’t bother to check or stand. I just wanted to rest a bit before we pushed the attack. Seconds later, a figure stood over , blocking the sun.
It was Kenza, staring down with a stern gaze, probably waiting for to sit up—but I didn’t.
"Do you have sothing to say?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sigh...
Kenza sighed heavily, glancing to the sides before returning her gaze to . She crouched and stared for a few seconds before finally speaking.
"Are you alright?"
I raised another brow, confused she was talking to . Sitting up, I faced her and gave her a good look before responding.
"Do I look hurt?" I replied with a question of my own.
Kenza let out an exhausted sigh and gave the kind of look that scread, ’What the fuck is your problem?’
"You’re a very difficult person," she muttered under her breath, though I heard it clearly.
"You bled after defending us. I thought you might need so dical attention—but you’re clearly alright," she said in a frustrated tone before rising to her feet.
"Yeah..." I shrugged and laid back down, but she froze.
Maybe this was the part where I’m supposed to chase after her and say it was a misunderstanding and all that bullshit—but I’m simply not that guy.
"Just call when it’s ti to move."
Crossing my legs, I used my palms as a pillow and shut my eyes. It took several seconds, but she finally walked away begrudgingly.
How do I know?
Her footsteps were irregular and hasty—sothing I noticed as a sign of frustration. But of course, that didn’t concern .
I was more interested in sleep—sothing I deprived myself of last night just to get enlisted. It took a while, and I was quickly briefed on our task, after which we moved here. I haven’t had a mont of rest, and even though my high vitality ans I could go days—even weeks—without sleep, I enjoyed rest.
This had nothing to do with fatigue...
I just enjoyed sleeping. It was the only ti I wasn’t weighed down by the troubles of life.
After an unknown amount of ti, I heard footsteps approaching and slowly opened my eyes. They belonged to normal soldiers, all looking at with terrified expressions. It seed the bloodied condition I left Cage in was still fresh in their minds.
"S-SIR... IT’S TI TO... TO MOVE!" one of them stuttered—and his spit fell on my face.
I squinted in disgust and wiped the saliva off without saying a word. He noticed and quickly backtracked fearfully while shouting:
"THAT WAS A MISTAKE! I APOLOGIZE!"
Why is he shouting?
Why is he running?
And most importantly, why is a coward in the army?
Sitting up, my gaze locked onto his trembling figure. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, wearing oversized glasses that made him look ridiculous. Band-aids were scattered across his face from cuts and bruises. Judging by how jumpy he was, it seed he was bullied often—probably due to his small fra.
"First of all, lower your tone. I’m not going to beat you up over nothing," I said while getting to my feet.
I walked over to him. He stepped back, but I grabbed his shoulder, raised his chin, and made him look at .
"You look like a coward. Are you?" I asked, feeling him tremble beneath my grip.
The soldier nodded—and everyone around us laughed.
He tried to lower his face, but I held it in place.
"Then quit the military after this and follow . I’ll make you sothing far greater than any of these losers could ever dream of."
BUZZ!
His shivering stopped—and the laughter faded. Everyone fell silent.
"I..." his voice trailed off.
Patting his shoulders, I adjusted his collar and gave him a warm smile to ease the tension.
"You don’t have to decide now... tell your decision when this war is over," I said before turning to walk away.
But just a few steps in, I heard the timid soldier speak again.
"Jake!" he called out, more composed this ti. "Jake Anderson."
A genuine smile blood on my face.
Looking over my shoulder, I saw tears running down the boy’s face. He was probably soone who believed he had no value—treated like trash, ignored, stepped on. And finally, soone had taken the initiative to seek him out. That alone shattered the illusion of worthlessness he’d clung to.
"Stay alive, Jake. If you can’t, seek out..."
I paused, turning back fully.
"I’ll protect you until you give your answer."
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