Chapter 45: The World Tree (5)

Krian and Theodore successfully dispersed the horde of monsters, and as Adam Hyung drew away a boss monster, it was time for my Head Hunter Unit, to shine.

The boss monster we had to subdue was Saengdium.

I had long memories associated with subduing Saengdium.

In fact, Saengdium was the very first boss monster I encountered during my first expedition. And it was also the creature that Adam Hyung had defeated on that first expedition

I remember feeling a strange admiration for Hyung back then.

Saengdium was a bipedal creature with two thick legs and long arms.

Its skin resembled that of raw, slimy chicken.

Its head was peculiarly large, with rolling eyes and teeth eerily similar to a human’s.

Because of its uncanny humanoid features, it was even more grotesque.

Beginner mercenaries were most afraid of this very creature, Saengdium.

Its bizarre and eerie appearance, combined with its bipedal stature making it look even bigger, was daunting.

For those seeing it for the first time, it was hard to grasp how to subdue it.

‘...That made Adam Hyung look even more impressive.’

Due to its great height, Saengdium’s head, which was its only vulnerable part, was hard to target.

So, the main strategy in subduing was to bring Saengdium down.

No, in fact, that was pretty much the entire game plan.

Once Saengdium was down, it couldn’t get up easily.

Of course, it wasn’t as easy as it sounds.

Just getting close to Saengdium’s legs was challenging, let alone inflicting damage.

Therefore, we had to help each other distract Saengdium to attack.

As Krian and Theodore took down the monsters near Saengdium they hadn’t finished off, we looked for an opportunity.

In boss monster subduing, it was crucial not to prolong the battle, so we had to start quickly.

As we circled around Saengdium, Shawn said to a mercenary following him,

“Burns, how do you feel facing Saengdium?”

Burns was a newbie in our Head Hunter Unit.

Given that the Head Hunter Unit was somewhat avoided even within the mercenary group, each new recruit was precious.

“It looks less grotesque than I thought!”

At the spirited remark of the newbie, a few members of our unit burst into laughter.

I liked this atmosphere.

Without breaking my concentration, I smiled as I gazed at Saengdium.

Seeing Burns’ response, Shawn also laughed and exclaimed, “The newbie’s doing great!”

“If you’re in the Head Hunter Unit, you have to be this good!”

Burns said, revealing his pride in being a part of the Head Hunter Unit.

Jackson shouted, looking out for the newbie,

“Burns! Don’t forget! When subduing Saengdium-”

“-Watch out for its arms!”

“Exactly! And always trust your instincts! Once in battle, there’s no formation! Don’t die stupidly!”

“Yes, sir!”

Then, at that moment, our window of opportunity opened.

“If ever in doubt, follow the vice-captain- Ready!”

Upon my signal, everyone halted their conversations. For a brief second, they steered their mounts to the side.

-Thump...! Thump...!

The vibrations created by Saengdium walking on the ground grew stronger.

We slowly approached the boss monster.

Shawn began to casually twirl a hook tied with a rope.

“Go-”

-Whoooom...! Whoooom...!

Suddenly, the sound of Adam Hyung’s horn echoed across the battlefield.

Everyone in my unit recognized the sound and immediately distanced themselves from Saengdium.

“What’s happening?”

Shawn shouted in confusion.

After moving back to a safer distance, I also looked toward the direction where Adam Hyung’s horn had sounded, my brows furrowing in concern.

That was a signal that something had gone wrong.

“Vice-captain...! It looks like another boss monster has suddenly shown up near the captain!” Baran quickly assessed the situation and reported from behind.

True to his words, chaos was erupting in the direction of Adam Hyung, signaling the presence of a new boss monster

‘Davrak’

A boss monster that moved faster than any other had appeared.

Between our prior night’s reconnaissance and Davrak’s ability to swiftly traverse great distances, we were caught off guard.

Burns, the rookie, voiced his thoughts amidst the sudden turmoil.

“Shouldn’t we... need to go help the captain?”

Screams and shouts grew louder, accompanied by the ground-shaking roar of Davrak.

“...”

I hesitated for a moment, then turned my gaze back to Saengdium.

“No. We continue with our original plan.”

Burns, seemingly not expecting this choice, raised his voice in disbelief.

“But the captain’s unit is significantly smaller this time-”

“It’s okay.”

I wasn’t displeased that Burns had doubts.

On the contrary, I admired the courage it took for him to voice his concerns.

I looked back at Burns and said, “You just don’t know my Hyung yet.”

With those words, we began our assault on Saengdium.

****

Ner’s heart sank at the echoing sound of the horn across the battlefield.

Simultaneously, the sight of the newly emerged boss monster came into view.

It seemed unbelievable that such a massive creature could move with such speed, its appearance abrupt.

Although it appeared distant from Berg, the level of concern was the same, if not more intense.

Before she realized it, Ner was gripping the reins of her horse tightly.

Merely watching felt overwhelmingly difficult.

She averted her eyes once more.

It was too painful to keep looking.

All she hoped for was that the spell she had cast on Berg would be of help.

Surveying her surroundings, she noticed the elves’ guards appeared on edge.

Ascal was intently focusing on Berg’s direction.

And Arwin’s expression remained cold as ever.

While the other elves seemed slightly shaken by the appearance of the new boss monster, Arwin remained unmoved.

She looked utterly indifferent.

Whether she was good at hiding her feelings or genuinely didn’t care, Ner couldn’t tell.

Suddenly, Arwin looked at her father.

And, as if forgetting Ner was there, she asked,

“If Berg dies here, what will happen to me? Would I be free?”

Ascal frowned. “Arwin. Watch your tongue.”

“I’m curious, father. Please tell me.”

“It’s never too late to think about the problem after it has arisen. It’s too early to talk now.”

Though Ascal’s words carried a reprimanding tone, Arwin didn’t flinch.

“I never wished for his death. I don’t know why you’re so angry.”

“Ner is right here...!”

Arwin’s continuing words raised Ascal’s voice in response.

“...”

Arwin looked at Ner, then back at Ascal.

“Mightn’t it be a blessing for Ner? After all, it wasn’t a marriage she wanted in the first place. What secrets are we keeping among nobles?”

At that, Ascal clamped his mouth shut.

Ner wanted to say something, anything, given the rush of emotions she felt, but she couldn’t find any words.

She had always been this way, unable to articulate her emotions into words.

She couldn’t discern whether what she felt was frustration, fear, anger, or confusion.

“If I were to express sorrow over the death of a member of a race I’ve barely exchanged a word with, that would be hypocritical, wouldn’t it? Father, you feel the same, right? You’re not worried about Berg dying, but about the World Tree instead.”

“...”

Ascal let out a long sigh.

Then, he looked at Ner and apologized, “Ner, I’m sorry.”

But Arwin interjected again.

“There’s no need to apologize to Ner. She feels the same way I do. Do you think Ner ever wished to marry that commoner mercenary?”

“...”

Ner found herself speechless. Just a few weeks ago, she remembered soaking her pillow thinking about her impending marriage to Berg.

Although she was worried about Berg... she hadn’t forgotten the fact that she accepted Arwin to peacefully part ways with Berg.

Anything she would say would seem hypocritical.

Arwin shrugged.

“Who knows? Maybe Ner feels a sense of friendship towards that person. If that’s the case, she might not wish for him to die, but... thinking about the distant future, his death here might be for Ner’s own good-”

“Arwin!”

Ascal shouted loudly.

Startled, Ner shrank back, her shoulders jolting.

Her white tail curled involuntarily.

The brutality of the battlefield and the coldness of the conversation combined, made her feel more anxious than ever before.

She ruminated on what Arwin just said.

Could it be true?

Was she concerned about Berg solely because she regarded him as a friend?

Would his death truly be in her best interest?

...She couldn’t figure it out.

Right now, she was consumed by fear, her reason overtaken.

Above all, she just wanted Berg to return safely.

It was a sentiment that sprung from her deepest heart.

“Ner, I apologize again.”

Ascal, trying to calm his agitation, said.

Ner, being observant, nodded in response.

After a pause, Ascal added,

“... I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this incident to Berg.”

Ner nodded again.

It wasn’t a story she wanted Berg to know, either.

Ascal soon let out a deep sigh and said to Arwin,

“The problem with you, Arwin, is always the same.”

“...”

“You need to temper your cold disposition. You must restrain that wicked nature.”

But Arwin snorted in response.

“...Is it right to lock someone up in the same area for 170 years and expect them to be kind?”

“It’s a way of life every noble Celebrien Elf experiences until they come of age. All for the World Tree-”

Arwin interrupted Ascal,

“-What about the World Tree? What’s so special about that tree? How much more must we suffer due to pointless traditions?”

Even the Elf guards flinched at Arwin’s words.

However, Arwin’s icy expression didn’t waver as she gazed at the battlefield.

“...No matter how brutal, this place, beyond our territory, feels much better.”

– – – End of Chapter – – –

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