Chapter 198: The South’s Calamity (2)

“Huff, huff.”

Hagio steadied his breathing.

Tension was evident, but not anxiety. No matter that they were made from the Bone Dragon’s bones, they were no match for a Graduate. Especially since Hagio was advancing toward the next stage, skill-wise, there was no issue.

Moreover, he wasn’t alone in protecting the orphanage.

The third-ranked Godok, Gael.

An absolute powerhouse unmatched by anyone except Harang and Maya was also guarding the surroundings, giving the children a sense of safety as if within steel walls.

‘Reliable.’

Hagio nodded.

Truthfully, when Gael revealed those shocking facts, his trust had nearly crumbled.

But not now.

Gael’s love for the children was genuine.

His actions to protect them were utterly dependable.

‘So, I need to let him go.’

Having made up his mind, Hagio approached Gael and spoke.

“Gael, I can handle things here alone now.”

“What? Trying to kick me out?”

“Not kicking you out. I mean there are other places where your strength is needed more. Beyond the orphanage children, there are others to protect.”

“That’s…”

“The Eddy Mercenary Corps, the tavern owners. Aren’t you worried about them?”

“…….”

Hearing Hagio’s words, Gael’s expression hardened.

He was right.

Though recently he’d only gone between the orphanage and the training ground, before that, he’d spent much time with Daereon and the Eddy Mercenary Corps. It was because of the beggar, no, the Sword Demon’s advice. His words that resting was part of training still lingered in his mind.

‘I still don’t fully understand how resting is part of training.’

Gael didn’t entirely agree with that.

But the important thing was that the bonds formed then were precious to him.

“Don’t hesitate anymore. I’ll say it again: I can protect the orphanage alone. Protect the Eddy Mercenary Corps and Marzen’s merchants. That’s what you need to do.”

“…….”

Gael didn’t speak further.

But his eyes said enough. Glancing at Hagio, he moved quickly. Heading toward where the dark energy was strongest, he saw several Dragon Fang Soldiers facing off against Eddy Mercenary Corps members.

He recognized one.

It was Daereon, the talkative former assassin who chattered non-stop by his side despite his reticence.

Daereon had reached the Peak-level Expert realm, showcasing sharp swordsmanship, but he faced five Dragon Fang Soldiers—too many for him to handle alone.

Clang!

Clang!

“Damn it! Anyone there? I can’t handle this alone! Townsfolk! Save Daereon! Save me! If I die, I can’t repay the money I owe you! Hey, anyone who lent me money, come help me quick!”

Swish—

Clang!

“Ugh! I’m gonna die! I’m really gonna die!”

Even while clashing swords with the Dragon Fang Soldiers, Daereon kept talking.

Watching briefly, Gael smirked and stomped his foot.

Clang—

Wooong—!

Boom, boom, boom!

Instantly moving behind the Dragon Fang Soldiers, he swung his extended Aura Sword horizontally.

Crack, crunch. Their bodies, supposedly made of dragon bones, shattered like cookies.

Seeing this, Daereon, wide-eyed, belatedly cheered.

“W-Wow! As expected of Boss Gael! I knew I could count on you!”

“I probably lent you the most money, I’d wager.”

“Huh? Uh, wasn’t that a gift?”

“It was a loan. Pay it back after today.”

“Uh, well…”

“I’m busy, so I’m off.”

Swish.

With that, Gael moved to confront another darkness.

The situation was dire, but a faint smile lingered on his lips.

That was because, wherever dark energy gathered, he saw Eddy Mercenary Corps members.

‘Strange.’

It made sense for Harang, Hagio, or Elder Sword Demon to stand boldly against a crisis. They were absolute powerhouses far beyond Dragon Fang Soldiers.

But the Eddy Mercenary Corps members were different.

Many were only at the beginner Expert level, and countless hadn’t even reached that.

Yet, none fled the situation.

They gave their all, risking their lives to protect weaker merchants and passersby.

To Gael, it was a novel sight.

Even if protecting Marzen’s streets was part of their mercenary contract, sacrificing themselves to save others?

This was entirely different from what he’d learned, seen, and felt in the village.

“Haaap!”

Wooong—!

Crack.

Boom, boom, boom!

Gael swung his sword.

He swung, swung, and swung again.

Fighting them wasn’t difficult. But their numbers forced him to move faster, swing harder. It should have exhausted him. It was supposed to.

Yet, strangely, Gael wasn’t tired.

As if new energy surged from deep within, his senses sharpened, and his sword grew keener. His steps were light, allowing him to roam Marzen freely.

At first, he didn’t know why. Without trying to understand, he swung his sword to defeat one more Dragon Fang Soldier, raising his Aura to save the Eddy Mercenary Corps and Marzen’s residents.

But as the crisis subsided, as he’d nearly defeated the Dragon Fang Soldiers’ forces…

Gael realized.

A sword not for harming but for protecting.

That was the path he should dedicate his life to.

Crunch.

Crack—!

At that moment,

the bone fragments scattered on Marzen’s streets gathered as if alive. Merging like clay, they formed a giant, raising a massive sword meters long and roaring.

Roar—!

“Gasp!”

“Ugh, ugh…”

“……!”

A powerful mental attack, akin to Dragon Fear, brought residents and even skilled mercenaries to their knees. Fear began to grip people’s eyes.

But moments later,

Wooong—!

As Gael boldly appeared before the Giant Soldier, scattering Aura, a sense of calm began to settle in everyone’s hearts.

‘His Aura… is blue?’

‘What’s this…?’

Some Eddy Mercenary Corps members wore shocked expressions.

They couldn’t help it.

Scattered Aura, like Presence, should be colorless, or at most grayish-white if highly concentrated. A blue Aura protecting them was beyond a swordsman’s common sense.

Except in one case.

Thinking this far, Eddy, the corps’ leader, muttered in a trembling voice:

“No way…”

Not a quiet voice.

But Gael didn’t hear it. His focus was entirely on the Giant Soldier trying to dominate the surroundings with darkness and on his own emotions.

‘I…’

Gael wasn’t a warm person.

No matter how much Daereon joked lightly by his side, he’d respond with an expressionless face. When orphanage children gave him flower rings or wooden dolls, he could only manage a short “thanks.”

Unlike Harang, who’d learned to treat people warmly, Gael thought he’d never show such a side in his life.

Wooong…

But that was okay.

Even if others saw him as blunt.

Even if he seemed hard to approach, uncomfortable, cold, and rigid.

If that rigidity could build a wall to protect precious people, if that coldness could drive away those threatening his bonds…

‘That’s enough.’

Wooong—!

At that moment,

Gael’s grayish-white Aura began turning blue with a strong vibration. The deep blue Aura, rising from its roots, dyed the sword’s tip, transforming into a sharper, stronger force, as if imbued with winter’s chill. As if sensing its sharpness, the Giant Soldier stepped back twice.

“…….”

“…….”

Strangely, to those watching from behind, Gael’s sword didn’t feel cold.

It was like looking at a towering wall protecting them from within.

That feeling grew stronger after Gael shattered the Giant Soldier with one strike.

Swish—!

Crack—!

That was the end.

The Giant Soldier vanished completely, not even leaving bone fragments.

Staring at its former spot, Gael stood dazed for a moment before lowering his gaze to his sword.

Blue Sword.

Confirming the mark of the Sword Master he’d longed for his entire life, he burst into incredulous laughter.

“Haha, hahaha…”

He was happy.

But not as much as he’d expected. More than reaching Sword Master, he was happier to have awakened in a critical moment to protect Marzen.

He finally understood.

Elder Sword Demon was right.

He hadn’t wielded his sword to defeat Harang.

He’d wielded it for something far more valuable—to protect precious people.

Realizing this anew, he was about to turn to the mercenaries with a smiling face when—

Boom!

“……!”

A loud explosion from beyond Marzen’s walls.

It wasn’t over. An uneasy thought that this might just be the beginning flashed through Gael’s mind.

Bang—!

Stomping powerfully, Gael leaped over the walls toward the source of the explosion.

***

While Harang, Gael, and Hagio were busy handling the Dragon Fang Soldiers raining from the sky,

the Sword Demon focused not on Marzen’s interior but its exterior. Though it pained him to see Marzen suffering, he felt something far more important calling him.

Thus, he faced a figure.

Despite the Sword Demon, a Sword Master, arriving, the figure arrogantly showed his back.

But the Sword Demon thought it was justified.

The black Sun Tattoo on his neck.

And the long white hair fluttering in the wind.

They proved his strength.

Huff, exhaling a tense breath, the Sword Demon called out to him.

“What brings the Village’s General Manager here?”

“…….”

Only then did the General Manager turn to face the Sword Demon.

His eyes seemed devoid of any emotion.

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