When winter passes, spring arrives.
We locked eyes for about five seconds.
“Alright.”
I changed my mind and agreed to her request to join me.
“Oh…!”
With a soft gasp, her eyebrows arched into a perfect curve. Soon, a bright smile spread across Im Hanna’s lips, which had been tightly pressed together.
“Suhyeon! Are you serious? Really?”
Im Hanna’s face lit up with relief, but I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I looked up at the empty space above us. A new message from the “Blessing of the Battlefield” had just appeared.
“Updating user Jeong Ha-yeon’s information.”
Jeong Ha-yeon’s information was updated. I quickly gauged the distance and direction. It turned out to be almost identical to the information updated for Im Hanna.
Without a second thought, I decided Jeong Ha-yeon would be the next rescue target.
Having made up my mind, I finally looked at Im Hanna. Now that the decision was made, it was time to act.
“Yes. But there’s one condition.”
“A condition?”
“While you’re with me, you must follow my instructions without question. If you can’t commit to that, I can’t allow you to come along.”
“Of course, I’ll keep my promise.”
Im Hanna nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, her earlier defiance already forgotten.
“Promise me. As long as you let me come with you…”
”…”
Her unwavering confidence was not entirely reassuring. However, there was something I needed her to do, so I approached her quickly. Without hesitation, I lifted her into my arms in a princess carry.
Im Hanna let out a small scream.
“Oh, my!”
“Even if…”
“Mercenary Road…?”
“Even if I tell you to turn back during the journey, you must comply.”
Im Hanna blinked her eyes in confusion.
But soon, she gently lowered her eyelids and slowly wrapped her arms around my neck. As her smooth touch reached my neck, I started running without delay.
“I… I can run just fine on my own…”
Her belated complaint faded as soon as I picked up speed.
Im Hanna’s agility stat was 92 points, just 6 points shy of mine. While 92 was certainly fast, the difference was significant when considering the equipment I had. Moreover, since we were bypassing enemies rather than confronting them, carrying her was the best option for now.
Clang, clang, clang!
Boom, boom, boom!
The deeper we went into the battlefield, the more devastating the scene became. Arrows and magic rained down like a bombardment, and thick smoke rose dozens of meters into the air.
“Don’t scatter! Gather together!”
“Wait! Don’t go! Help me! Save me… Aaargh!”
The sounds of battle and desperate cries for help echoed around us.
“Mercenary Road…”
”…”
The cacophony of explosions and cries blurred together, but I passed them all without hesitation. I dodged the bombardment and leaped over any enemies in my path.
My focus was solely on the rescue. Whatever happened to the other users was none of my concern. Just taking care of the people I knew was overwhelming enough.
As I ran with all my might, I suddenly felt a warm touch gently brush against my cheek. When I glanced down, I saw Im Hanna looking up at me with a dazed expression. But our eyes met only briefly before she turned her gaze away and lowered her hand.
“There was… blood on your face…”
”…”
Her soft voice from below stirred a slight sense of guilt in me. She had agreed to come along, but I was planning to send her back soon. Since I had chosen Jeong Ha-yeon as the next rescue target, I intended to ask Im Hanna to accompany her to the safe zone. That way, I could move on to the next target without having to return.
‘She’ll understand.’
But considering the circumstances, I steeled myself and charged through the ash-laden smoke.
The distance to Jeong Ha-yeon from where I met Im Hanna was 110 meters. Once we passed this area, the second rescue point would appear. As we neared the target, I took a deep breath.
As ash clung to my face, my vision darkened. But as soon as we emerged from the smoke, my sight cleared, and I came to an abrupt halt.
The screams continued to echo.
I gently set Im Hanna down and surveyed the area.
The place had already been ravaged, with no large groups of enemies in sight. Likewise, there were no other users around. All that remained were streams of blood flowing across the ground and countless bodies strewn about.
Jeong Ha-yeon’s information was being confirmed amidst this pile of corpses.
My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly activated my third eye. I began to scan the heap of bodies for any sign of Jeong Ha-yeon.
“User Kim Joo-yeon (Deceased)”
“User Kaisa Matthew (Deceased)”
“User Shin Hyun-tae (Deceased)”
“User Brian James (Deceased)”
“User Kim Ah-young (Deceased)”
“User Jeong Ha-yeon (Critical Condition)”
”…”
“User Kate Bellamy (Deceased)”
“User Kim Ji-hoon (Deceased)”
“User Han Hyo-jin (Critical Condition)”
”…”
‘Found her.’
The moment I located Jeong Ha-yeon and confirmed her condition, I let out a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to rush forward, a sudden surge of magical energy caught my attention. I swiftly drew “Victoria’s Glory” and deflected it with the flat of the blade.
Clang!
“Ah!”
“Don’t draw unnecessary attention.”
Im Hanna had aimed “Radiant Flash, Laura Phyllis” at something. She nearly lost her grip but quickly regained it, looking bewildered.
After instructing Im Hanna to stay alert, I dashed into the pile of bodies. I already knew where she was.
Kicking aside the obstructing corpses, I finally found Jeong Ha-yeon lying on the ground, her face pale.
Her once vibrant blue hair was matted with blood, and as I looked down, I saw two arrows lodged in her abdomen. The blood flowing like a stream likely included some of hers.
The thought made my heart race, but instead of succumbing to panic, I focused on what needed to be done. I gently lifted her body, snapped the arrowheads and shafts, and pulled out the remaining arrow shafts.
“Ugh…!”
Though brief, Jeong Ha-yeon’s body trembled slightly. Her closed eyes slowly opened, and her faintly visible blue pupils met mine. A flicker of confusion passed through them, as if she wasn’t sure she was seeing me.
So, I spoke first.
“Jeong Ha-yeon. You’ve done well. You’re safe now.”
Jeong Ha-yeon’s lips parted with difficulty.
“Soo…”
But she couldn’t finish her sentence, her strength waning. Her eyes closed again, and her head drooped.
Gasp… Gasp…
Taking solace in her faint breathing, I removed the remaining arrow. Then, I channeled my magic, pressing on several points around her abdomen. Soon, the bleeding began to slow and eventually stopped.
Only after confirming this did I lift Jeong Ha-yeon into my arms and turn around.
“Ha-yeon unnie?”
Im Hanna, who had been keeping watch, looked shocked upon seeing Jeong Ha-yeon.
“Unnie… what happened…?”
“She’s not dead yet.”
I shook my head at Im Hanna, who had raised her head in surprise. I extended my arm toward her. She hesitated for a moment but quickly put away her bow and took Jeong Ha-yeon from me.
I spoke again.
“Im Hanna. It’s a bit early, but this is where our journey together ends.”
“What? But…”
Im Hanna questioned with a puzzled expression, but I continued as if it were already decided.
“You remember the location of the safe zone I mentioned earlier, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“Run back to the spot where we first met. Avoid any enemies, and be cautious of arrows and magic. And no matter how urgent it seems, don’t try to cut through the battlefield. As I mentioned, once you reach the spot, head straight out. Once you’re out, you shouldn’t encounter many enemies.”
”…”
“Please take care of Jeong Ha-yeon.”
With those words, I turned away. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to ensure Jeong Ha-yeon’s safety. But there were still too many people to rescue. So I suppressed the inexplicable emotions welling up inside me and ran once more.
Just as I had resolved before entering the battlefield, I couldn’t afford to waste a single step.
“Wait, please!”
It was then. Just as I was about to make my final point and dash out, Im Hanna’s urgent voice stopped me in my tracks.
Her actions ignited a surge of anger within me, but I turned around once more. What I saw was quite the spectacle. Im Hanna looked at me with a face full of uncertainty, her gaze flickering between me and Jeong Ha-yeon.
It seemed she still wanted to follow me. Yet, unlike before, she wasn’t being recklessly stubborn, likely because she was worried about Jeong Ha-yeon, who seemed on the verge of collapse.
Finally, as if she had made up her mind, Im Hanna spoke in a cautious voice.
“Mercenary Lord.”
”?”
“Could you… come with us to the defensive line?”
Hearing those words, the emotions I had been suppressing surged violently. I tried to swallow them down, but a few strands of anger slipped through as I spoke quietly.
“User Im Hanna.”
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
“Do my words mean nothing to you?”
At that moment, Im Hanna flinched and took a step back, her face betraying an unmistakable fear. It was then I realized I had let my anger get the better of me.
I quickly reined in my emotions and looked at her steadily.
After a moment.
Im Hanna glanced at me with sorrowful eyes, then lowered her gaze and turned away. She cradled Jeong Ha-yeon carefully and began to run.
‘At that speed… she should be safe.’
Watching her quickly put distance between us, I felt a sense of relief.
Then, I turned my back and moved on to my next target.
When I came to after being hit by the tidal wave, the battlefield had completely transformed.
Splash, sploosh!
“Help me!”
The sound of magic. Cries for help.
Whoosh, whoosh!
“Aaaah!”
The sound of arrows. More screams followed.
Without my glasses, my vision was blurry, but the cacophony around me painted a vivid picture of the chaos. Clutching his throbbing head, Shin Sang-yong grimaced.
He still didn’t know the details. Or rather, he hadn’t had the chance to find out.
The piercing scream of a woman echoed in his mind, a sound he had heard just before he managed to get back on his feet. The thought that touching something unknown could spell disaster spurred him on, and despite the searing pain in his thigh, he sprang up and ran forward, eyes fixed ahead.
Shin Sang-yong ran, and ran some more.
“Huff, huff, huff, huff!”
How long had he been running? What had happened?
His heart pounded loudly, and a sudden dizziness washed over him. He felt like he’d been running forever, yet the battlefield showed no signs of ending.
Despair gripped Shin Sang-yong. His entire body trembled with the vibrations coursing through him. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he realized he was sobbing without knowing it. His thigh felt like it was on fire, and something akin to sweat trickled down, though it was too hot and slightly sticky to be mere perspiration.
As he continued to run, Shin Sang-yong finally succumbed to the rising pain and glanced down. His eyes widened at the sight of his right thigh, drenched in blood.
“Gasp!”
At that moment, his foot struck something soft, and he tumbled forward.
Screech!
His body skidded across the ground, his face scraping harshly against the earth.
For a brief moment, Shin Sang-yong felt a sharp sting on his face, but it was fleeting.
”───! ───!”
Suddenly, shouts grew louder, closing in on him, and Shin Sang-yong sprang up as if by reflex. His thigh throbbed unbearably, but the single-minded urge to escape propelled him to his feet.
But was it too late?
Just as he was about to run, he felt a rough hand grip his shoulder. Instinctively, he turned his head, fear of death gripping him.
And in that moment.
“Gasp, hyung! Sang-yong hyung! Huff, huff!”
He saw Ahn Hyun standing before him.
Behind him, long red hair fluttered in the air.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
This chapter is one I’ve been eager to write, focusing on Shin Sang-yong.
The war is nearing its end.
Originally, I planned to include a scene where Kim Soo-hyun rescues someone again, showcasing the efforts of other users besides the protagonist. (I thought it would fit well with Kim Soo-hyun’s perspective, who is focused on rescues.)
However, to keep the pace brisk, I’ve decided to skip that part and conclude Shin Sang-yong’s segment with his reunion with Kim Soo-hyun. The detailed rescue scenes will end with Jeong Ha-yeon, and future rescues will be mentioned briefly. I’ll do my best to balance this.
The subtitle for this chapter is “When Winter Passes, Spring Comes.”
The final part will capture a fleeting moment from Shin Sang-yong’s perspective, using a “long take” style similar to films.
Once this chapter concludes, the war will likely wrap up in the next.
I hope this answers some of the readers’ questions.
And… I’m sorry for the frequent delays lately.
Fridays are the days I return home the latest from school.
I can’t promise updates by midnight, but I assure you, I won’t miss a release, even if it’s a bit late.
Thank you. (__)