Chapter 37

Chapter 37

As the Red Oak Priest fell, the monsters, freed from their brainwashing, began to rampage.

The creatures that had stood side by side just moments before began tearing into each other, and soon the scene descended into utter chaos.

‘We need to get out of here fast.’

Elatra’s blessing time was nearly up.

But my mana was far too low to push through the swarming horde of monsters.

I wanted to deploy stone pillars all around to clear a path, but just maintaining the golem armor was pushing my limits.

Then.

“Gah!”

The Red Orcs, having lost their chieftain, charged toward the Daejae.

“Don’t bother me!”

I needed to leave immediately, but they kept delaying me.

Finally.

Thud-.

Thud.

The mana couldn’t keep up with the regeneration of the golem armor.

Though gaping holes appeared everywhere, it continued hunting the Red Oaks. Yet the creatures trampled over their fallen comrades’ corpses, thrusting swords and axes into the Golem.

“Gah!”

Taking advantage of a momentary lapse in Dojae’s focus, a Red Oak stabbed him in the back with a sword.

But oh no!

A fallen Red Oak grabbed Dojae’s leg.

‘Damn…’

Doja staggered, losing his balance.

And just as the Red Oak’s crude sword lunged toward Dojae.

Thud!

Thud-!

An arrow flying from somewhere blows off Red Oak’s head.

And a woman’s voice echoes.

– I’m grateful you’ve broken free from the shackles of your mind.

Dojae looked around frantically.

But in this place where monsters’ screams echoed wildly, there was no way such a clear voice could be heard.

“Who’s there!”

Dojae shouted with all his might.

Had the fight not yet ended?

– But you are Salma’s enemy. When we meet next, there will be no mercy.

Thud.

Salma.

Recalling the name, Dojae looked toward the direction the energy in the voice was directed.

A figure that appeared to be a woman was advancing, protected by a group.

And when she turned her head, their eyes met.

– Don’t even think about chasing us. He warned. There won’t be a next time.

Dojae could only watch silently as the group departed.

The time of blessing had already ended, and its backlash was beginning.

The worst-case scenario had unfolded.

“Huh.”

His body stiffened rigidly.

Dojae had become as immobile as a statue, unable to move even a finger.

Simultaneously, fatigue washed over him all at once.

Sleepiness poured over him, and the world grew hazy.

“Snore.”

“Snore.”

The Red Oaks approached Dojae in that state.

‘But I’m so sleepy….’

Do-jae’s eyes closed.

Isn’t sleep one of the strongest of the three basic human desires?

Finally, his eyes begin to close.

Amidst his drowsy mind, the snorts of the Red Oaks even begin to feel like a lullaby.

“Hey…!”

A familiar man’s voice reaches him.

The voice grew closer and louder.

“Lee-do…!”

With a final effort, he opened his eyes slightly.

Dojae saw the man’s face and smiled.

And then, when the final voice reached him.

“Mr. Lee Dojae!”

Do-jae fell into a deep sleep, relieved.

***

“Hey, how many did you catch?”

“I hunted at least fifty, I’d say?”

“Bullshit? Who do you think you are?”

“What does my status matter! How many did you catch, bro?”

“Me? I caught about two hundred, I guess?”

“Pfft. You gotta be reasonable. You’re the one exaggerating way too much, bro.”

“What the hell?”

Jang Pil-ho and Lee Ji-woong brag to each other, chattering loudly.

Yesterday, after the Red Oak extermination in Zone 3 ended, the Chilgok team members returned to the barracks late at night.

Exhausted and weary, they spent a quiet night without a word between them.

And today.

Under Captain Kim Hwan-soo’s orders, today was designated a special day off. After a hearty breakfast, the members of Squad 3 were relaxing and chatting.

“Hey, Jae-won.”

Song Ji-yoon approached quietly and tapped him lightly.

Yook Hyeon-jae, who had been reading, looked up at her face and closed his book.

“What?”

“Look at them. Isn’t it funny?”

“What? What is it?”

“Listen carefully. The two guys who were the most sensible on the scene are bragging about how great they are. Hehehe, cute little things. But you know what….”

Song Ji-yoon sat down on Yook Hyeon-jae’s bed.

Anticipating a long, uninterrupted chatter session, Yook Hyeon-jae pulls a bottle of water from his personal mini-fridge.

Knowing it was a foregone conclusion she’d soon ask for water, he placed it in front of her beforehand.

“Wow, Yook Hyeon-jae, you’re the best! Thanks.”

“Yeah, but what did you want to talk about?”

“What did you hear? So, Mom called this morning and told me… well…”

Meanwhile, Son Jeong-gyu approached Kim Jun-seo and spoke to him.

Kim Jun-seo was struggling to apply ointment to his back.

“Jun-seo, how’s your body?”

“I’m doing great. I really thought I was going to die, but top-tier care is something else entirely.”

“Still, get plenty of rest for now. I’ll apply the ointment. Come here.”

“Huh? I’m fine. It’s almost healed already.”

“Stop talking and take off your clothes.”

“Huh? Are you serious?”

Son Jeong-gyu narrowed his eyes.

Kim Jun-seo walked over reluctantly, looking embarrassed, and pulled up his shirt.

“If you just keep applying the ointment consistently, it won’t leave a scar.”

“A scar or two is fine. Isn’t it proof I fought with all my strength?”

“Shut up. You’re about to get married. Your wife is going to love that.”

“Heh heh. Yujin says she’ll love me no matter what I look like?”

SMACK-.

“Aaah!”

“Alright. All smeared.”

“Huuu. Thank you.”

Son Jeong-gyu looked at Kim Jun-seo with satisfaction.

If it hadn’t been for the top-grade potion Dojae gave him, they wouldn’t even be able to have this conversation.

Son Jeong-gyu turned his gaze to look at Do Jae, who was fast asleep.

‘Thank you, Captain.’

Other platoons suffered considerable casualties.

Sadly, there were fatalities, and an equal number of critically injured.

But Class 3 alone had survived without major casualties.

It was all thanks to Dojae.

‘Yet he himself never woke up. What happened…’

At that moment, Son Jeong-gyu’s eyes widened.

He then shouted toward the members who were chattering noisily.

“The class leader has woken up!”

Startled by Son Jeong-gyu’s sudden shout, several members jumped to their feet.

Those who grasped the meaning all gathered around Dojae’s bed.

“Captain!”

“Captain?”

“Are you all right?”

Do-jae slowly straightened his back and rose.

He then slowly scanned the surroundings.

After assessing the situation, he swallowed hard and asked in a hoarse voice.

“What happened? Someone explain…”

Thud.

Lee Ji-woong pushed through the members and grabbed the bed frame.

Then, as if he’d been waiting for this moment, he began firing off words like a machine gun.

“So, yesterday we started a fight with some orc bastards on the Bravo Line, right? But suddenly, the sky went pitch black. Wow… It felt like it was daytime just a moment ago, and suddenly it was night? I knew right then. We’re screwed! Then these guys just went berserk… Ugh!”

“Sorry, Captain. You just woke up, so you must be disoriented.”

Son Jeong-gyu covered Lee Ji-woong’s mouth with his large hand.

Then he pointed at Kang Eun-taek and said.

“Eun-taek, you tell them.”

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

Splash-.

Kang Eun-taek stepped forward, his hair fluttering.

Lee Ji-woong coughed and glared at Sohn Jeong-gyu, but everyone ignored him and waited for Kang Eun-taek to speak.

“First, I’ll start with the captain’s radio transmission about when the other squad leaders were to return to the Bravo line.”

Kang Eun-taek began precisely at the moment Do Jae was meeting with Altein.

With all section leaders except Kang Young-chan returning, the battle between Red Oak and Chilgokdae began.

The Red Oaks descending with the dark clouds were far stronger than before.

Facing foes so powerful that each one was a struggle, the Chilgok members fought with all their might.

The golems also vanished suddenly at some point.

It was such a grueling battle that it felt like they would have been annihilated if the squad leaders hadn’t returned.

Fortunately, the situation improved when Kim Hwan-soo arrived after some time had passed.

They were puzzled that Kang Young-chan had arrived unconscious, but Kim Hwan-soo alone was a tremendous asset.

That was when it happened.

Suddenly, the dark clouds parted, and the black smoke enveloping the Red Oaks vanished abruptly.

With the upper hand now secured, the Chilgok Unit swiftly began eliminating the Red Oaks.

Once victory seemed certain, Kim Hwan-soo issued a new order.

– Third Squad Leader. Rescue Lee Do-jae!

At those words, every member of Squad 3 immediately rushed toward the spot where the black cloud had originated.

However, even though Squad 3 started first, the one who arrived earliest was Squad 2 Leader, Shim Young-jin.

Shim Young-jin rescued Do-jae from among the monsters, and the extermination was completed by the arriving 3rd Squad and other squads.

“After finishing the battle late into the night, we carefully transported our fallen captain back to the barracks. We waited for the captain, who remained unconscious, until noon before we could report this to you.”

After listening attentively to Kang Eun-taek’s words, Dojae paused for a moment, then rose from his seat.

“Huh? Captain, why don’t you rest a little longer?”

The members of Squad 3 looked at Dojae with concern.

But to Dojae, they seemed the ones who needed comforting.

“As you can see, I’m fine. I’m not hurt anywhere.”

“Then where are you going?”

“Hey, hey, looks like the class president is heading to the bathroom. Let’s go back to our seats so he can go in peace.”

Kang Eun-taek asked, and Song Ji-yoon answered.

Do-jae chuckled at them, then said as he left the barracks,

“I’m going to see the Captain.”

“Ah…”

***

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Click-.

Do-jae opened the door to the captain’s office and entered.

Kim Hwan-soo, seated at his desk, was buried in a pile of documents and didn’t even glance at Do-jae.

“I’ve heard the gist of the situation.”

“Oh? That’s good. No need for a separate explanation then.”

Swish-swish-.

“I have something I’d like to ask the Captain.”

“What is it? I’m busy, so get to the point.”

Kim Hwan-soo set down his pen and looked at Do-jae.

He seemed to have something to say too.

“Section Chief… What exactly is Section Chief Kang Young-chan?”

“Hmm. I understand the intent of your question, but I am your superior, am I not? I think you should start by telling me what you already know.”

“Yes, then I’ll start.”

Do-jae explained about the Red Oak Priest.

The conversation he’d shared with the creature, the aura he’d sensed emanating from it.

And about Kang Young-chan’s existence.

“Reawakened One.”

“Huh?”

“Kang Young-chan is a Reawakened One.”

Kim Hwan-soo saying Kang Young-chan is a Reawakened One.

But what does Kang Young-chan being a Reawakened One have to do with the Red Oak Priest?

It’s not like the Red Oak Priest reawakened Kang Young-chan.

“The masses think reawakening is just divine fortune. That it happens suddenly one day. But it’s not necessarily like that.”

“So you’re saying there’s a method for reawakening?”

“Yes. There is a way to awaken an ordinary Awakened One to a higher dimension. And Kang Young-chan was able to rise from C-rank to S-rank through that method.”

Dojae was slightly shocked.

He thought he might be able to find the reason behind his own growth.

“What is it?”

“Do you want to know?”

“Yes.”

Kim Hwan-soo paused.

Then he uttered a single sentence.

“Then, after the Kaesong campaign ends, come with me to Tobon.”