Morning passed, and even as the sun climbed high overhead, the southern continent showed no significant movement. Considering how relentlessly they had advanced until now, this was definitely strange.
Two possibilities came to mind. First, as my brother suggested, they might be deliberately stalling here—carrying out a so-called bait mission. Second, they could be setting a trap, trying to lure us out beyond the walls.
I figured the latter was more likely, but honestly, it didn’t matter much either way. The first scenario was obviously the path to our guaranteed victory, and even if it was the second, I didn’t really think we’d lose.
Why?
Simple. The worst-case scenario would be the sudden appearance of demons—but we were already prepared for that. If we used that method…
Well, I wasn’t sure if they could actually defeat the demons, but I had no doubt it would at least buy us some time. After all, these were ancient heroes who had once defeated the mightiest dragons of myth. Surely, they could hold their ground against weakened demons for a while.
Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly sensed a faint flow of magical energy. Glancing to the side, I saw two women approaching—Zegal Haesol, smiling brightly, and another woman who looked like a user from the eastern continent. I vaguely remembered seeing her when we crossed over yesterday.
“Um…”
Her voice echoed clearly, so she must have used translation magic. Ah, so that’s why Zegal Haesol came along—first the transport shuttle, now a translation shuttle. You’ve been through a lot.
“My name is Akino. Thank you so much for sending reinforcements.”
Akino bowed politely, her sincerity evident.
“It’s nothing. It’s part of the mission. By the way, how’s the situation on the eastern continent right now?”
Since this would be the last time we’d see each other, I cut straight to the point. Akino straightened up immediately.
“I’m sorry. We heard about the invasion early on…”
“No need to apologize, and spare me the long story.”
“Is that so? Understood.”
“Hmm.”
Though I spoke firmly, her calm expression showed no sign of distress. That probably meant she fully understood the gravity of their situation.
Good. She seemed like a guardian-level user, and judging by her attitude, I could relax a bit. If she’d started whining the moment she saw me, I’d be annoyed, but at least she wouldn’t hold us back.
“Only this city remains under our control.”
“And survivors?”
“About seven or eight thousand.”
“Seven or eight thousand.”
I knew the eastern continent’s population was roughly twenty thousand. That meant around twelve thousand had fallen to the allied forces—or rather, had become demon fodder.
Anyway, the important question was whether we could use those seven or eight thousand survivors as combatants.
“How many are immediately available, excluding the wounded?”
“About four thousand…”
“And if you exclude the civilians?”
“…Three thousand.”
Akino’s cheeks flushed slightly as she trailed off. I could guess why she was embarrassed, but it didn’t matter. I’d asked just in case—I hadn’t expected much. It was better to tell them to stay quietly inside the walls.
“Clan Lord!”
Just then, someone called my name. From a distance, Shin Jaeryong was jogging briskly toward me.
When he reached me, he gasped for breath before speaking.
“Shadow, hoo! A message from the Shadow Queen. The interrogation is complete.”
“Oh? Really?”
I turned around with a smile. After capturing the mage who had wielded steel magic last night, we hadn’t killed him but taken him prisoner. I thought we’d get information quickly, but it seemed we’d only just succeeded.
“Yes. The mental contamination was successful, and he spilled the information. I just confirmed it on my way here.”
“Took longer than expected.”
Though I said that, it wasn’t necessarily bad. The fact that he resisted the mental contamination for so long against Goyeonju’s unique ability—the Eyes of Temptation—meant he had strong willpower. Skilled users often held high positions and knew a lot. I wondered what secrets he’d revealed.
“What did he say?”
“May I tell you?”
“Of course. Let’s hear it on the way.”
“Yes. First, the southern continent’s forces number close to twenty thousand.”
I stopped in my tracks without realizing it.
Twenty thousand? That’s barely anything. Isn’t their population similar to ours?
“I thought it was low too…”
Reading my expression, Shin Jaeryong hurried to explain.
“After the rebellion succeeded and demons appeared, trust in Odin plummeted… Ah, Odin is the leading clan on the southern continent. Think of it like a central governing body.”
“And?”
“There was fierce debate over the rebellion led by Odin. In the end, Odin abandoned the chaos of Ragnarok and only led the faction that supported them.”
“Oh.”
I instinctively slapped my knee. This was far better news than I’d expected, and it proved my brother’s worries were unfounded.
Just then, as I was about to call a meeting, someone else called out to me.
“Mercenary Lord!”
A man I’d never seen before came running, panting heavily, and delivered startling news.
“The southern continent has begun advancing!”
“Yes, yes! Lord Hamil ordered us to bring you here immediately!”
He gasped but hurriedly looked toward the south gate.
I moved quickly.
Climbing the walls, I found many clan members and users already gathered—everyone except me. Goyeonju sat casually on the battlements, legs crossed, while others like Seon Yuun prepared to snipe from the half-ruined watchtower. My brother smiled at me and silently pointed beyond the walls. The clan members parted to either side, letting me see straight ahead.
There it was.
Thundering footsteps—du du du du du du du du!
A tremendous vibration shook the ground as a cloud of dust rose, pale and thick. Countless shadows darkened the wasteland, charging forward with terrifying force, as if they intended to crush this fortress outright.
Twenty thousand… no, after the losses yesterday, probably around eighteen thousand.
They outnumbered us by more than three to one, but strangely, I didn’t feel overwhelmed. The users around me wore calm expressions too. Maybe last night’s battle had boosted our confidence, or perhaps we were just seasoned veterans. Either way, I spoke up, feeling optimistic.
“What about the east, west, and north?”
“Can’t see. Probably focusing their attack where the walls are broken.”
I nodded at my brother’s reply and looked ahead again. Then, a woman caught my eye. Her hair shimmered with golden light as she sprinted ahead of everyone else. A sudden thought struck me, and I activated my Third Eye.
Name: Eldora Cornelius (6th Year)
Class: The Golden Knight (Secret, Master)
Nation: Ragnarok
Clan: Odin (Clan Rank: AA)
True Name / Nationality: Owner of El Dorado / England
Gender / Age: Female / 20
Height / Weight: 164.2 cm / 52.2 kg
Alignment: Lawful Good
[Strength 100 (+6)] [Endurance 94 (+2)] [Agility 90 (+2)] [Vitality 92] [Magic 95 (+4)] [Luck 100]
(Remaining stat points: 0)
[Strength 99 (+2)] [Endurance 95 (+2)] [Agility 101] [Vitality 101 (+2)] [Magic 96] [Luck 90 (+2)]
Total: 582 points
[Strength 100 (+6)] [Endurance 94 (+2)] [Agility 90 (+2)] [Vitality 92] [Magic 95 (+4)] [Luck 100]
Total: 571 points
Seeing this information, I frowned instinctively.
Eldora Cornelius—the leader of the Odin clan—was certainly a formidable user.
But my interest wasn’t in her user info. More precisely, I was focused on her vitality. From my first run, I knew Eldora had equipment that boosted vitality.
Excalibur, which automatically adds six points to strength, and the scabbard of Excalibur, which adds four points to vitality if you possess Excalibur.
Given her class as the Lord of Swords and her title as the Sword’s Master, it was no surprise she wielded Excalibur. That meant if I could just take those two items, my strength and vitality would each jump to 105 points automatically. From that point on, neither the southern continent nor the demons would be a problem.
But, damn it… what a fool. Why hasn’t she found the scabbard yet?
“Wow, 105? That’s not just divine power—it’s practically godhood!”
Hwa Jeong muttered with a hint of regret, as if reading my thoughts.
Meanwhile, the southern continent’s forces had drawn dangerously close. They slowed their pace and halted about five hundred meters away. The dust cloud they’d raised began to disperse like a billowing white mist, revealing the full might of their army, gleaming in the sunlight.
The battle was about to begin.
Despite their considerable numbers, the way they stood in neat, orderly rows was, in its own way, quite a sight. After scanning the surroundings, I fixed my gaze back ahead. Eldora, who stood at the very front, was quietly watching me.
The moment our eyes met, Eldora suddenly gave a light wave of her hand and strode forward alone. A mage quickly followed, casting a swift sign of some kind.
For a brief moment, silence fell over the entire area.
“Ah, ah…”
Then, a young girl’s clear, amplified voice cut through the stillness, as if testing the microphone.
Eldora stopped and looked up at us with a detached expression before speaking.
“I have a message for you.”
Her voice was cold and flat, so devoid of warmth or inflection it felt more like a blunt announcement than a conversation. Was it just me, or did it come across as a one-sided ultimatum?
“Of course, I assume you are already well aware.”
Then—
“Though it may be obvious, I must say this as well.”
Eldora continued.
“From this moment forward, I will consider that you have no intention of surrendering.”
With that, she dropped a final ultimatum, sudden and sharp.
“…….”
Are you kidding me?