Chapter 399: If he were an enemy (1)
“There really is no way to explain this. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him fight properly, but what’s this… how can this person… how can a person be so strong?”
Lee Jihye muttered to herself with a blank expression.
Looking at how she stared at the screen with shocked eyes, it seemed like she couldn’t make sense of the scene no matter what she was thinking.
How about those who are in the middle of that crazy battlefield?
They would’ve felt his presence more than us, who could only look at a map.
‘Tactic Kim Hyunsung. Tactic Kim Hyunsung.’
From Lee Jihye’s point of view, it could be a phrase thrown around as a joke.
However, there were traces of Kim Hyunsung all over the map reflected in the magic hologram.
Their enemies weren’t beaten to death randomly, either.
Most of them were made unable to battle rather than killed.
It was perfectly normal to be dazed by the scene. Everyone knew that keeping them alive was much more difficult than killing them mercilessly.
Of course, I had similar feelings.
I knew that he was strong, but it was hard to accept that one person alone could affect the battlefield that much.
I knew that the named ones could turn the tide of war.
However, what Kim Hyunsung was showing was at a different level among the non-standard beings.
but the guy who steadily fulfilled his orders seemed a little unfamiliar.
As I looked at the armed figure standing on the screen, goosebumps began to rise all over my body.
The feeling that all of my vellus hair seemed to have stood clearly showed how awed I felt.
He looked like the warrior in stories, ready to save the day at a moment’s notice.
‘Right. Hyunsung, you are the best. Whew.’
Perhaps Lee Jihye would feel it more than me.
Unlike me, who had closely observed his performance, it was her first time to witness Kim Hyunsung’s actual ability.
She hadn’t even looked into his stats, so the shock she felt wasn’t the only one.
It was quite the sight, watching her with her jaw dropped.
I wondered if I had such an expression after giving the command in the commanding unit.
“Isn’t he great? Did you see him swing his sword in the end? No, what about when he caught the wizard before that?”
“How would I see something like that? And can you sort it out by saying that that’s great? I thought that all the named ones I’ve seen so far were monsters, but he’s even beyond monstrosity. I thought he was special since I first met him, but… no matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand him. I doubt that he’s even human, and you just say he’s amazing. Is Hyunsung really human?”
“Then what would he be?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know how to describe him, but one thing I know is that he’s special. If you think about it, it’s the same in the tutorial. How is someone… of course, memories of the past can’t be compared to the feelings I’m feeling right now, but he seemed weird since then.”
“Pfff. Really?”
“Of course, I know that you influenced this work… no, you do look the same in my eyes. Just a little less. Still, it’s undeniable that he’s an incomprehensible person. The world really is unfair. I can roughly understand why you hang on to Hyunsung, making every effort. Yes. Really… you’re not dreaming right now, are you?”
“No. Actually, even I didn’t know he would be this powerful. I just roughly expected something out of him, and he went beyond that. Do you understand the reaction of our guild members?”
“I can tell not just by looking at your guild members, but by looking at the soldiers around. How ridiculous is what I’m seeing right now? If someone like him decides to rush to kill one, I’m sure no one can stop him. No one.”
“Yes, but… don’t think too deeply, Jihye. That kind can be regarded as a different race from us anyway. And what about the unit?”
“It’s fine. They were taken over by another commander now. The crisis period has passed, and the named enemy has also been captured, so we can be a tiny bit at ease. Of course, it’s we’re not in a situation where we can rest assured yet. First, we need to finish the battle as quickly and safely as possible. And then reorganize the unit and head to Castle Rock. What the demon summoner wants the most is for us to take our time here.”
Naturally, I nodded at Lee Jihye’s voice.
We only caught the enemy commander, but the battle was still going on.
Of course, judging from the current situation alone, the winner and the loser had already been determined.
However, even a mouse driven into a corner could still sometimes bite the cat.
No matter how optimistic our situation was, we couldn’t be relaxed.
The Siege War and the Defense War were probably still in progress at Castle Rock.
If that battle’s purpose were to delay the main force’s entry, it would have been half a success for Jin Qing.
‘Although I think we can sort things out faster than I…’
“But it’s still slow.”
Considering the post-processing and the troops’ condition after the battle was over, it was a victory, but it couldn’t be regarded as flawless.
Although the enemy had been significantly damaged, our own casualties and damages weren’t low.
It’s not fatal, but if I were asked if we could continue with the next battle with no problems, I’d shake my head.
I was glad that at least Kim Hyunsung was here.
If it weren’t for the lovely returner’s performance, the situation would have been more tangled now.
Anyway, there were two options to choose from based on our situation.
To push our troops a little more to reach Castle Rock as fast as possible or recuperate from our losses to remain in good condition though it would slow us down.
‘The answer has already been decided, but…’
I had no choice but to worry.
Turning my head to look at Lee Jihye, I wondered if she was of the same mind.
Anyone could tell she was worried about something just by watching her tapping the table and rocking her thighs.
But she probably already knew which one was the wiser choice.
“You can return, Hyunsung-ssi.”
‘It can’t be helped.’
-The battle is not over yet. Will it be okay?
“I think it would be better to return, for now. This isn’t the end of the war.”
-Okay. Noted. I will return with the captured enemy.
“Okay.”
It’s not bad to face the enemy who would be in the siege of Castle Rock.
However, considering that I didn’t know what could happen in the future, it would be wise to maintain our power as much as possible.
In particular, managing the physical strength of the named ones was one of the essential elements.
If the returner were met with an accident in the middle of the war, our situation would become severe.
As I opened my mouth, Lee Jihye also looked at the Goddess’s Mirror to give out instructions.
However, there was still an unknown worry on her face.
‘What’s up with her?’
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. I just have something in my mind right now.”
“It’s correct to go with this now, right?”
“Ah, yes. You’re worried about the troop’s condition. I’m nervous, too, but I think it can’t be helped. Castle Rock doesn’t seem to have collapsed yet, and I know they’re in danger, but we have to hope they can hold out a little longer. If we take a wrong step and we get tremendous losses, the war will end over there. It’s probably the situation the enemy wants the most.”
“If Castle Rock falls into Jin Qing’s hand…”
“Then things will get complicated once again. If we ever come close to that time, I wonder if we’ll have to ignore the continental law and the international community and use biochemical weapons. Otherwise, the damage on us could be huge.”
As she said, things would get too complicated. It’s not something that ended with losing a foothold.
Either side could suffer irreparable damage from that single battle.
It would not be too much because there were many investments from both sides, enough to end the war.
The troops and supplies consumed by the State couldn’t be counted.
Of course, the Republic also consumed that same amount of resources to level the playing field.
It could be hypothesized that the war would end in the next fight, but it couldn’t be helped that the war’s flow would heavily tilt to one side even if it didn’t.
That was the current situation.
The demon summoner also gathered all the troops from the eastern front, and the State wasn’t going to allow defeat without a fight.
Except for the minimum army needed for defense, all interracial alliance members were brought into the war.
He was also aware of such a situation.
Since he thought that what was needed was a base, he must be focusing on it.
As I looked into the Goddess’s Mirror, I could see Kim Hyunsung, who was still on the battlefield helping the allies fight against the remaining enemy troops.
Even though I told him to return, it seemed like he couldn’t pass through easily.
But seeing that he kept heading towards us, he was just helping with one hand.
‘Right. Right. Please don’t overdo it, Hyunsung. You have to take a good rest.’
The enemies persistently fought back against the allies in retaliation.
I didn’t know if it consisted of only loyal guys, but it’s annoying to see them struggling to the end.
“Should I just wipe them out…”
Naturally, I was a little nervous about being held back.
It would be strange not to have those kinds of thoughts, considering our enemies kept screaming about claiming Castle Rock for themselves no matter the cost.
‘Would it be better to send Dialugia first?’
Or.
‘Is it necessary to open the way right now?’
It was risky to send those who had enough physical strength left first, but it was a necessary gamble considering we’re in a hurry.
I needed to consult the idea with others.
When I slightly turned my head, I could see Lee Jihye still tapping on the table with a stern expression.
Her serious face seemed to hold all the worries of the world.
I had only ever seen her like that thrice.
Remembering that she usually didn’t think about anything else when doing her duty, she looked quite different then.
Her face was too dark to say that it was the expression of someone that had won the battle, so I also became anxious.
‘Fuck. Did something happen with her?’
Maybe I was just reading too much on it.
“Jihye, what’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Is there any problem?”
“No. Not really. Our situation isn’t that bad either. I just had a delusion by myself.”
“What delusion?”
“It’s a thought anyone can have.”
“…”
“For example.”
“For example?”
“What if he were an enemy? This kind of thought.”
Naturally, I looked up straight at Lee Jihye. I could see the face of a small woman staring right back at me.
“What do you think? If Kim Hyunsung were our enemy. Do you think we could handle him?”
‘Would you look at her…’
Her expression and ambiance were far too serious to pass her thought off as a joke.