Chapter 3

 

“Haah- Haah-“

 

A white breath scattered into the air.

 

“It’s so cold.”

 

I heard someone grumbling from the front.

 

Seo Woojin completely agreed with those words.

 

The cold beyond Massive Guardian was on a different level than anything I had ever felt. 

 

It was the kind of cold that seemed to freeze one to the bone.

 

“How much farther do we have to go?”

 

Seo Woojin asked, rubbing his clothes.

 

“Not much left.”

 

“You said that an hour ago, didn’t you?”

 

He had heard the same thing two hours ago, and  three hours ago too.

 

Seo Woojin asked Irene while glaring at her, but this time, there was no response.

 

“Darn it.”

 

The curse slipped out involuntarily.

 

Even the native soldiers from the northern region were trembling with cold. 

 

So, how could Seo Woojin endure?

 

He didn’t have any special abilities like other warriors or knights. 

 

Even the road to the camp was so difficult, and the prospect of dealing with the monsters ahead seemed even darker.

 

“I should have run away after all.”

 

Instead of pondering over various things, he should have tried something, anything. 

 

But now, there was nothing he could change by regretting.

 

He could only hope to stay safe next to Irene until the subjugation was over.

 

“This year seems unusually colder.”

 

One of the knights behind them spoke in a serious tone.

 

“The temperature has definitely dropped much more than last year.”

 

“Is this also a sign of the Demon King’s return?”

 

“According to the records, abnormal climates are one of the signs….”

 

From the conversations between the knights, Seo Woo Jin could feel a deep sense of anxiety.

 

‘I guess they’re nervous too.’

 

The knight Seo Woojin was looking at was a real powerhouse in itself.

 

Even Irene next to him, if she were on Earth, could be in a girl group with her delicate physique. 

 

But what about the power she possessed?

 

Even if a hundred Seo Woojins rushed at her simultaneously, they wouldn’t even touch her clothes.

 

‘How much stronger do these supposed heroes get?’

 

In this world, there were beings even stronger than Irene. 

 

There were dozens at Massive Guardians alone, and Van Slaine was a monster beyond comparison.

 

Yet, they couldn’t face the Demon King and eventually had to seek help from another world.

 

And these heroes were beings capable of defeating the Demon King and growing strong enough to reach the realm where they could face such formidable enemies.

 

“Maybe I’m the same.”

 

At the moment, he was just an ordinary person at level 1, but at level 5, he would have the strength of a low-ranking knight. If he surpassed level 10 and reached 20 or 30?

 

“Maybe I’ll be on par with Van Slaine?”

 

He couldn’t be sure, but at least he would be stronger than Testeron.

 

“When that time comes, I’ll repay all the hardships I’ve endured so far….”

 

As Seo Woojin was lost in various thoughts to forget the cold, a warning burst from the front.

 

“Stop!”

 

At the same time, Irene grabbed Seo Woojin’s shoulder and stopped him, then immediately drew her sword.

 

“Prepare for battle!”

 

The command echoed once again.

 

Seo Woojin, who was bewildered by the sudden situation, could now clearly understand what was happening.

 

“Draw your sword and get ready.”

 

Monsters.

 

It was clear that monsters had appeared at the forefront.

 

Seo Woojin felt his hand trembling.

 

Although a month had passed since he was summoned to this world, monsters were still something out of a fantasy.

 

Even when he heard about participating in this subjugation, he only felt vague fear.

 

But now, with the battle right in front of him…

 

“It’s scary.”

 

However, he couldn’t just stand there, so he pulled out his sword with trembling hands.

 

Sshlink-

 

It was a standard-issue sword, not much different from the soldiers’ weapons, but the sharp friction made the hairs on his body stand on end.

 

“Draconis!”

 

“Defense formation!”

 

Irene’s expression hardened.

 

They were still far from reaching the subjugation area.

 

Seo Woojin had been told it was almost there, but they hadn’t even arrived halfway.

 

In terms of location, it was the beginning of the subjugation area.

 

But to encounter Draconis in a place like this!

 

It was definitely not an ordinary situation.

 

Kwoooh-!

 

Dracnois, one of the top predators in the North, roared.

 

Although there was only one, Irene’s face showed a tense expression.

 

“Is, is it strong?”

 

Seo Woojin, hearing the creature’s roar, asked in a heavy voice.

 

“It’s a dragon species. One of the strongest monsters in the North. It’s usually not encountered in a place like this, as it considers itself the ruler of a whole area….”

 

While speaking, Irene discreetly observed Seo Woojin’s condition.

 

A stiff expression.

 

Lost gaze.

 

Trembling hands full of fear.

 

He seemed to be trying to act calm, but an unmistakable terror was evident.

 

If left like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if he panicked at any moment.

 

“Don’t worry. Although Draconis is a powerful monster, the strength of the subjugation force is more than enough to deal with it.”

 

The Massive Guardians’ soldiers were the best.

 

They had survived battles with monsters every year, and it was only natural for them.

 

Moreover, the knights possessed much greater power than those soldiers.

 

The strength of the knights gathered here was beyond imagination.

 

And wasn’t there even Van Slaine?

 

He was already powerful, and he had achieved enlightenment and even reconstructed his body…

 

Honestly, dealing with one Draconis shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Irene nodded her head.

 

Were those words comforting?

 

Fortunately, Seo Woojin could calm down a bit.

 

But the problem was from now on.

 

As Irene turned her head forward again, her expression became serious.

 

It was true that there was no need to worry about one Draconis.

 

Although there would be damage, there was no problem with hunting.

 

However, the problem was that such a creature appeared from the beginning.

 

It seemed like this subjugation would be quite dangerous.

 

Nevertheless, Irene did not express that to Seo Woojin.

 

‘Because subjugation is inherently dangerous.’

 

Every year, countless soldiers lost their lives, and there were even cases where knights were killed in battle.

 

So, saying there was no need to worry was close to being false.

 

Of course, Irene would do her best to protect Seo Woojin.

 

Even though he was only at the D-rank, a hero is still a hero.

 

If he grows properly, he will enter the realm of superhumans.

 

That’s what heroes usually are.

 

‘No, is the problem more about pride than that?’

 

100 heroes are scattered across the continent, growing.

 

Receiving comprehensive support from each country, they quickly become stronger.

 

What if Seo Woojin dies while carrying out monster subjugation during this time?

 

From Sion’s perspective, it would be a shame beyond shame.

 

Therefore, Van Slaine ordered Irene not to leave Seo Woojin’s side during the subjugation period.

 

Even though she was still young, she was strong enough to protect at least one person, Seo Woojin.

 

“……Tsk.”

 

That was the moment.

 

Irene, who was surveying the front, frowned and licked her lips.

 

“Stand behind me.”

 

At her serious warning, Seo Woojin did not hesitate and quickly moved.

 

And a moment later…

 

Kwooooh!

 

The howl of a wounded beast echoed.

 

“Isn’t that a little closer than before?”

 

It definitely seemed that way.

 

As if it were gradually approaching this way.

 

Seo Woojin made a doubtful expression, but unfortunately, ‘doubt’ always seemed to catch up with people.

 

“It’s coming.”

 

Kwaaaang!

 

With a loud roar, the soldiers in front were thrown into the air.

 

With a thud sound, blood poured like rain, staining the white ground red.

 

‘Crazy…’

 

Seo Woojin stood frozen in place.

 

It was the first time he had seen people dying right in front of him.

 

And it was as their bodies were torn apart and blood pouring down.

 

For Seo Woojin, who had lived an unusually ordinary life in South Korea, it was an unreal scene to accept.

 

With a roar, Draconis, who had annihilated the soldiers, was running straight toward Seo Woojin.

 

‘Is that… a monster?’

 

Externally, it resembled a lizard.

Of course, except for the fact that its size is nearly 10 meters, and it has grotesque spikes covering its back and head, it’s like a nightmare.

 

Seo Woojin, who saw the red eyes flowing like a stream of water, tried to turn his body.

 

“I’m going to die!”

 

It wasn’t a lie; if he had to fight that thing, he would barely last a second.

 

His body would be torn apart like the soldiers who just died a moment ago, unrecognizable!

 

Without thinking, he tried to run away.

 

But Irene’s movements were much faster than Seo Woojin’s thoughts.

 

Like an arrow, she ran towards Draconis.

 

“Wait a minute!”

 

Seo Woojin, who was about to flee, was shocked to see her.

 

The monster in front of him was truly a monster in every sense of the word.

 

No matter how strong Irene was, it was certain that she wouldn’t be a match.

 

She knew that better than anyone.

 

Nevertheless, Irene rushed toward the creature.

 

It was to protect Seo Woojin.

 

“Oh, damn it!”

 

Seo Woojin unconsciously turned his body in the opposite direction and started casing Irene.

 

“Crazy! Crazy!”

 

He could just run away.

 

No one would think a level 1 warrior could face Draconis.

 

No one would blame him.

 

Seo Woojin was well aware of that fact.

 

However…

 

Seo Woojin couldn’t leave Irene behind and run away alone.

 

‘She’s not even that close to me.’

 

‘She’s a knight much stronger than me.’

 

‘I honestly don’t like her that much.’

 

In a fleeting moment, countless thoughts passed through his mind.

 

Still, Seo Woojin never wanted to witness someone he knew dying right in front of him.

 

Whoops-!

 

Irene’s sword clashed with Draconis.

 

Due to the significant size difference, her sword looked like a toothpick.

 

Naturally, he thought she would fly through the air just like the soldiers he had seen a while ago.

 

But surprisingly, Irene stood firmly on the ground with both legs, resisting the impact.

 

Draconis charge came to a halt.

 

And that was Irene’s limit.

 

“Cough-!”

 

Unable to withstand the shock, Irene spat out blood from her mouth and nose.

 

“Irene!”

 

Startled, Seo Woojin awkwardly swung his sword, diverting Draconis attention towards himself.

 

Although he couldn’t comprehend it intellectually, if he didn’t do something like this, Irene might really die.

 

Fortunately, the creature turned its gaze away from Irene towards Seo Woojin.

 

“Come at me, you lizard bastard!”

 

The trembling voice provoked the creature properly.

 

After exhaling a gust of wind, Draconis began to rush towards Seo Woojin.

 

It looked as if a small building was approaching.

 

Seo Woojin shivered like a bamboo in the wind but did not evade.

 

Instead, he tightened his grip on the sword, staring straight at Draconis.

 

‘Will it work?’

 

That monster disabled Irene in just one collision.

 

Someone like him would probably be killed just by passing by.

 

But now, Seo Woojin had only this basic sword to believe in.

 

A sword that seemed weaker than one tooth of Draconis.

 

With the abilities of level 1, he had no chance of blocking Draconis with this basic sword.

 

‘But I have to do it!’

 

Draconis reached Seo Woojin in an instant.

 

The creature, seen up close, had a much more menacing appearance than a mere lizard.

 

Hundreds of sharp teeth, and four eyes with blood-red blood streaming out of them.

 

Seo Woojin, who saw the guy up close, almost peed himself.

 

‘I’m going to die.’

 

It was beyond ‘Unmeasurable,’ beyond being a ‘Demon King’ or nonsense like that.

 

He was convinced that he could never survive this.

 

That is, until Draconis stopped in place after seeing his eyes.