Chapter 540 – Bloody Dirge (15)
If you think about it calmly, it might be a good exchange rate.
They say that if you give me up, everyone gathered here will be saved.
I am alive, and they are alive.
If you think about which of them is more beneficial to this world…, I think the answer is set.
“You know. “How merciful the current proposal is.”
Yes, I know.
I know.
This guy has power.
Power enough to make me one of their subjects without asking for my consent.
Nevertheless, making this suggestion was literally a sign of goodwill and mercy towards me.
Now, look.
I guess it could be said to be a noble expression of how much I think of you.
At this point, I had no choice but to admit it.
“It’s certainly an attractive offer.”
This was especially true for me.
“Not everyone can die…”
I have seen the death of colleagues whom I cared enough to trust with their lives, many times.
That made it even more appealing.
I thought about this every time I watched helplessly as my colleague died.
Even if I die first, I will not watch my colleagues die first.
Moreover, those who are groaning in pain behind the scenes are more than just colleagues.
If I can just save them, what’s the big deal about me?
I’m sure he thought so.
If it were me in the past…, That is.
“… “It is also a proposal that is difficult to accept easily.”
I am a little different now.
It was almost forced, but unlike Son Si-woo, who was aloof from greed, Kim Do-jin was a bundle of desire.
At worst, he would have caught the eye of greed and ascended to the position of an apostle.
That’s why I didn’t want to die easily.
There are a lot of things I haven’t done yet.
Also, what if the women I saved from death even make eye contact with other men?
Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.
So, right now, I am fiddling with other options.
Francis Meyer and the raid.
And if the volunteer group is driven to death…, I think my colleagues and I can survive.
“…”
I know too.
How trashy my current thoughts are.
So what, what should I do?
It’s better for some to live than for everyone to die.
And if we are going to live, it is better for our children, who have a bright future ahead of them, to live.
Even if other people don’t know, our kids will definitely get S rank.
But even this is not easy.
That’s why I’m buying time.
How should I throw them out, where should I set up a retreat, etc.
Only by carefully planning the strategy can the success rate be increased by even 1%.
It was right then.
Francis, who was silently watching the situation from the side, placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Hey, buddy. There is no need to think deeply about such a ridiculous proposal.”
There is no need to worry, la.
“All my colleagues are dying.”
But there is no need to worry.
Are we all going to die together?
“Okay. So I have to save it. By getting rid of that mosquito leader.”
“But.”
“I know, I know. The opponent is stronger than you think. If things continue like this, even if I die and wake up, I won’t be able to defeat him.”
Francis smiles bitterly, acknowledging the strength of his opponent.
There is no need to worry when you know so well.
What on earth is he thinking?
Just as I was wondering, he brought his face close and whispered softly.
“I have a way.”
Eyes open, ears open.
“… “How?”
“Okay. “It’s impossible for me alone, but it’s the only thing possible with the help of a friend.”
I was puzzled.
Will I be able to deal with an enemy that is difficult for him to handle alone?
He continues and whispers.
“What does that mean…”
His innocent voice is heard clearly.
The moment he heard that, he couldn’t help but be shocked.
I thought maybe I could survive without choosing the worst move.
“What do you think? Don’t you think this will work? Huh?”
I feel hopeless that avoiding the worst is the best, and that it is the lesser evil that follows closely behind the worst.
* * *
Francis Meyer.
Humanity’s greatest hero.
Everyone gave him a thumbs up, saying he was the best, but he never thought of it that way.
He lost his parents at a young age and wandered around the back alleys of Europe.
A child who is a beggar and has nothing.
Still, he had a dream.
‘One day, I will become a hunter and bring peace to this chaotic world.’
A dream too big to be harbored by a child covered in grime.
She lost her parents to a villain who took advantage of the chaos, and it was a dream she naturally cherished as she grew up, seeing many children who were alone like her.
However, the wall of reality was very high.
No matter how I woke up, it was just a matter of standing at the starting line.
If she wanted to become a hunter, she had to learn something.
Whether it’s a sword, a bow, or a spear.
Force as a means to restore peace.
However, it was a busy time for me too.
There was no one to show their skills to a beggar who had nothing.
As a result, she despaired for a while and then changed her mind.
‘If no one teaches you, learn on your own.’
Although he realized it late, he had been putting this into practice for a long time.
For example, when I first entered a back alley after losing my parents, I blindly followed a child who seemed to have lived there for a long time and acquired knowledge about his life.
Something like learning from the movements of gangsters who brag about using their fists.
From then on, he went around and watched closely.
The appearance of a hunter fighting a monster, fighting a villain.
The wall blocked him at every moment because he had to learn by sight, but he somehow managed to learn.
In a way to gain enlightenment from what I saw in A from what I saw in B, and what I saw in C from what I saw in A.
Sometimes, I got hints from conversations I overheard while passing by.
Yes.
This vast world was his teacher.
‘There is something for everyone to learn.’
By the time he had this mindset deep in his heart.
Finally, God landed on his shoulder.
Humility (humilitas).
A mindset to humble oneself and respect others.
An attitude of always realizing one’s shortcomings and acknowledging the existence of those who are better than oneself.
That’s why he was able to become strong.
Because he learned and gained enlightenment even from those who were much younger and weaker than him.
“Ugh!”
Swing the sword with great spirit.
From left to right.
Teuong!
A powerful sword strike that seems to split the castle in half is blocked by the opponent.
But he was smiling.
‘It’s much better than before.’
Because the current strike shook the Jinjo’s defenses much more intensely than the first strike.
So it was disappointing.
If only I had a little more time.
I wonder what it would have been like if the weight on my back had been a little lighter.
But that’s only for a moment.
He swung his sword again without delay.
Churrrr!
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of sword strikes decorate the air in a spectacular manner.
Jinjo, who responded to this, was quite surprised.
‘… The momentum has changed.’
The opponent’s momentum became even more intense.
I definitely thought that what I showed a little while ago was my full potential, but maybe it wasn’t.
But that was all.
If the opponent resisted even more fiercely, that was fine.
If I can overcome him, the man who cannot easily accept my suggestions will also change his mind.
“Does this strength still remain?”
“I still have a lot of left to show you, so relax! Chaaa!”
Do not slow down the reins of attack.
He draws hundreds of lines with a quick sword technique, and delivers an explosive blow with a strong sword technique.
It wasn’t just that.
All kinds of techniques that can be performed with a sword emerged from Francis.
It was just amazing.
How can one person learn so many different sword techniques and so deeply?
This was possible because he accurately penetrated the essence of the sword.
Whether it’s a quick sword, a strong sword, or a fantastic sword.
In the end, its essence embraces one thing in common.
‘Cut.’
Cutting down the opponent.
However, the only difference is how it is cut.
Of course, realizing its essence was only possible because Francis’ talent reached the sky.
Chaechaechaeang!
Pow!
Scar Gagak!
Every time you attack in succession, you feel it slowly.
The opponent’s once strong barrier was slowly starting to crack.
The same goes for Jinjo.
“Indeed.”
Even though he made all kinds of sacrifices, he must be said to be the one who put him to sleep ten years ago.
But it was a question.
No matter how much hidden power there is, is it possible for there to be this much of a difference?
A question that arises in times of urgency.
The composure he can show because he is strong.
In other words, it was carelessness.
‘Now!’
Heat it hot.
I use my soul as fuel to make the flame that burns stronger.
Such changes were seen in the sword.
The shape of the magic power that smoothly wrapped around the sword changed.
In a merciless form, as if burning with the sword as fuel.
‘There is no next time.’
I’m putting everything I have into just this one move.
Coogung!
Francis rushes, collapsing the floor of the old castle with just one leap.
What came to mind in that split second was my first realization.
The first thing to pay attention to when exchanging attacks with an opponent with a sword.
It was none other than clearly understanding when to step back and when to move forward and then taking action.
He who had been constantly moving forward until now has finally met.
When to step down.
This was the final blow for that time.
「Burning Soul」
A world that I managed to climb to by burning my entire soul.
Things that were invisible or unseen are clear to the eyes.
The flow of magical power in the world.
Colorful magical powers leaking out from living, breathing things.
And the true power of the Jinjo that has rarely been seen.
‘Is there such a difference?’
Francis smiles bitterly.
It was because I realized how foolish and reckless my charge had been.
But it’s okay.
Because now I can correct my recklessness.
While running, his new model accelerates once more and arrives in front of Jinjo.
“This… !”
A look of disappointment appears on Jinjo’s always easy-going face.
His breakthrough ability just now was that surprising.
“Hey, Jinjo.”
He throws back his sword, which burns everything it touches, and cries out.
“Go this time.”
To hell.
Purr!
The only blow allowed to him, who was forced to step into a new world, exploded.
Squeak-
Low noise in contrast to the loud blow.
At the same time.
Puhaak-!
A huge fountain of blood surged from Jinjo’s body.
“Ugh… !?”
Painful pain accompanied by massive bleeding.
Jinzo, with his face distorted, clenched his teeth and lashed out at the opponent in front of him.
It was a very harsh and bloody blow.
So much so that I thought of death, even just for a moment.
But it was not enough.
“I don’t know what kind of power I gained from burning, but I think I lacked understanding… !”
Lips that protrude.
Naturally, power was not something that could be easily handled even if it was obtained.
The higher the level you gain, the more you must understand it deeply to properly handle it.
That was correct.
But it was wrong.
I didn’t embrace it from the beginning.
There is no hope that this blow will suffocate him.
Francis, who was rapidly losing strength, shook his head and answered.
“No, that’s enough.”
To completely focus your attention.
It was when he felt something bad coming from the low voice and was about to pull back.
Puhak!
Suddenly, a sword came out in front of my eyes and pierced Jinjo’s chest.
“Wow… !”
Death is much closer than during the crisis 10 years ago.
Strangely enough, what was in his eyes when he faced the fear that every living, breathing creature in this world must experience at least once was not fear or fear, but rather question.
‘How…, How… ?’
I couldn’t understand.
Where on earth did this sword that suddenly pierced my heart come from?
He lowered his eyes, where half of the light had disappeared, and only then did he realize.
Where did that sword come from?
“… Ha, haha.”
Kim Do-jin was seen standing behind Francis.
Stained with blood, tears, and grief.
With a truly miserable face, the sword he held pierced my heart.
“Cough… !”
With Francis standing between him and himself.
