Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Dwarves have dark vision. Since they originally lived underground, it wasn’t strange.

Although it doesn’t mean they can see through darkness like daylight, they can relatively perceive objects clearly in the dark.

So, Asturk could see the man approaching.

‘A big dwarf?’

Asturk was confused!Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

***

“Isabelle.”

“Oh, uncle?!! How did you get here...?!”

“Are you hurt?”

Ivan walked towards Isabelle and stood by her. He briefly made a ‘hmm’ sound and placed his hand on Isabelle’s shoulder.

“Yes! Yes, I’m fine!”

“Good. Stay still in this spot.”

Guardian duty was part of the elite training, but ensuring perfect safety in the dark was challenging. Ivan, being efficient, didn’t dwell on how his words might sound.

‘I’ve seen this before... like in romance novels!’ Isabelle’s eyes rolled.

The tension eased, and she sighed. Her legs trembled; the fear of an unexpected encounter with a man in a life-threatening situation couldn’t be ignored. Plus, the words ‘Stay in that spot’ sounded like a knight in a story asking to wait until they defeat an ancient dragon. ‘

‘This is a confession. Huh, awkward... well, can’t help it. Accepting it right away seems a bit much, so yeah. I’ll ask him if he’s free this weekend. As a reward.’

***

A pistol in his left hand, a longsword in his right. Five daggers at his waist and an axe slung across his back.

Ivan took a quick inventory of his weapons and walked slowly forward.

Ivan took a low breath.

There are some signs that are common to all creatures. Hormonal mechanisms.

The enhancement of the body by magic, the extreme streamlining of the neurotransmitter system, leads to a number of cascading effects. Among them is the amplification of each of the sensory organs.

Take the sense of smell, for example. It’s able to pick up even the smallest odors in the air.

Therefore, detecting the volatile odor produced by evaporating sweat becomes possible. In the realm of superhumans, this is an extremely important indicator.

Because you can read the opponent’s emotions.

Even in this primitive pre-modern society where the word ‘hormone’ doesn’t exist yet, the human structure follows the same laws, so body odor subtly changes with emotions. This becomes a physical indicator of emotions like ‘survival,’ ‘fear,’ and ‘affection.'”

When a living being feels fear, cortisol is secreted. This unique scent was slowly permeating among the dwarves.

“Are you scared?” (Ivan)

“Nonsense!” (Asturk)

Asturk asked, alone. Since war ultimately involves a psychological struggle, it’s challenging for a fight to occur when one side is pushed back in morale. Instinctively, he categorized the fight with Ivan as a ‘war,’ deliberately ignoring the fact and raised his weapon.

“Cleansup Unit. Those fuckers... I’ll kill them and honor the spirits of my comrades who left before me!” (Ivan)

“Well, that’s what you all say.” (Ivan)

It took Asturk some time to relalize.

That’s what you all say?

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. Who is he currently talking to?

It was a matter-of-fact confession that Ivan heard such words several times, and he had killed them all.

Asturk raised his axe with a determined gaze. In sync with his movement, everyone in the prepared formation raised their weapons.

Clank, clank.

The heavy noise of metal friction echoed in the passage.

Ah, Grip Gun.

Memories of the previous battlefield where he faced Dwarven guards on the gangway.

It was during the Mine War.

Ivan thought while holding his sword. A narrow indoor space with limited visibility, Dwarves filling the entire corridor. Formidable guards impervious to axes or bullets.

Back then, he wasn’t alone. By his side were other comrades who always supported him.

Now, they are gone. In the midst of deep loss, Ivan gripped his sword.

However, they are not the military force of those days. At best, there are around thirty of them. Even with a generous estimate, it doesn’t exceed fifty. A small infantry unit.

And he is not the Lieutenant Ivan Petrovich of that time.

Ten years have passed since the Mine War.

Ivan has accumulated ten years’ worth of experience.

***

-Bang—!!

It starts with gunfire. The goal is to secure visibility simultaneously with the threat.

Close-quarter combat is always a crossroads between life and death, where one stakes their life.

In the midst of clearly unfavorable situations, amidst enemy lines.

He had forgotten this sensation, the rush towards the enemy’s heart. For four years after the last battle, there hadn’t been a situation worthy of being called combat.

So, in this familiar battlefield, Ivan was experiencing an almost nostalgic feeling.

Being a highly objective person, he considered himself flawed.

This feeling became even more pronounced in everyday life. Among people who laughed and chatted casually, he felt a sense of isolation.

Thus, here. In this moment of life and death. He could be someone necessary.

He was still living in the war, despite hating the battlefield, despite living a mundane life, despite longing for his homeland.

Feeling the scent of missed comrades, Ivan counted his steps.

Now, one step.

There, 86cm ahead, were the ‘heads’ of those guys.

***

What kind of feeling should one get from the cannibal who faintly smiles while ‘slaughtering’ comrades?

With every breath, comrades fall one by one.

Block, kill, don’t! Stop! My arm! Agh!

In the midst of this, screams couldn’t surpass syllables. On that battlefield where only the terminal echoed.

The Cleansup Unit’s cannibal continued ‘work’ silently, without saying a word.

Shattered armor flies above heads. Torn limbs and droplets of blood scatter in the air.

It’s a storm. A form of disaster each individual cannot resist.

Literally sweeping, holding weapons, rushing.

Finally, even when it swiftly approached in front of his eyes.

His breathing was unchanged, just like the beginning.

“I am... I am Senior Lieutenant Asturk, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion under the 5th Dragon Brigade, ‘Webmaker’ Engineering Corps. What is your name?”

“Ivan Petrovich.”

“Hah...”

Asturk nodded.

He had heard that Ivan was dead.

So, that’s how it was. He was alive. If the reason he could intrude into this forest at the most precise moment was that, it could be understood.

“That beard. Are you imitating us?”

“...?”

Ivan’s face distorted for the first time.

Though Ivan was a very pragmatic guy, he never disregarded the insult to the Sun King.

Instead of answering, he swung the axe a nameless soldier was holding.

***

“Now you can move.” (Ivan)

“My legs feel loose now.” (Isabelle)

Isabelle laughed as she heard Ivan’s approaching footsteps.

It was a battle that could be clearly felt even by just hearing the sound. Even standing still right behind, she could feel the heat of the battle reaching her.

Honestly, it was overwhelming.

She stretched out her arms and said, “Lift me up.”

It was better to be carried than to wait for her legs to recover.

As Ivan was an efficient person, he lifted her without saying a word.

Soon, warm hands wrapped around his neck.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Yeah.”

“Today might be a bit much, but can I treat you to dinner tomorrow evening?”

Ivan was currently an undercover agent in the reconnaissance headquarters.

Being an upright person, he didn’t embezzle money from the guarded subject.

“No.”

“Ugh.”

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