Chapter 253

Every time I looked at the character sheet, I noticed a mix of Korean and English.

Why was this in English and that in Korean? What was the standard? Couldn't it be consistent even in a game?

Thinking about it now, I guess it was just the director's preference.

Pushing aside trivial thoughts, I honed in on the unique job titles of three characters.

Lucas was titled [Night Closer]. Evangeline was the [Frontier Guardian]. Damien was known as [Magibullet Marksman].

Both Lucas and Evangeline had retained their unique job titles from the game.

'First, Lucas's Knightcloser.'

There was a lot of debate among the viewers about what this title meant.

Did '나이트' refer to a knight, as in 'Knight', or did it mean night, as in 'Night'? And how should 'Closer' be interpreted? (TL Note: 나이트 is transliteration. It's 'Na-i-teu'. Also, the second part was 클로저, which is 'Keul-lo-jeo'.)

After heated discussions in the community, my viewers concluded the following:

When Lucas wore his unique gear and used his ultimate skill, he shone like the sun. Thus, late-game Lucas got the nickname 'Sun Knight.'

The sun rising on the battlefield.

So, he was the one who ends the night (Night Closer).

While this interpretation was popular, I preferred a less common one.

In baseball, a 'closer' refers to a 'relief pitcher.'

The ultimate player who ends the game and ensures victory.

So, Lucas was the knight who concluded the war on this front and ensured victory - 'Wrap-up Knight.'

Anyway, every time Lucas's job title came up, the chat erupted.

People insulted each other, saying the other was ignorant about the English language. They argued over whose interpretation was right and whose was flawed.

Eventually, mentioning Lucas's job title in chat was even banned... It's just a job title, not something significant...

Reminiscing about my streaming days, I shook my head to snap back to the present. Let's leave that story there.

'Next up, Evangeline.'

Frontier Guardian.

There wasn't much room for interpretation here.

Guardian of the Border.

The one who guards the front lines.

A fitting title for the heir of the Cross family, who had been guarding this fortress city at the southernmost tip of the continent.

'I've never seen Damien's job before.'

Magibullet Marksman.

It's also the title of a famous German opera. (TL Note: The Korean word used here was 마탄의 사수. This literally translates into 'Demon's Archer'. But, in this context, we are talking about Magibullets. Also, 마탄의 사수 is the Korean title used for Der Freischütz, which translates to 'The Marksman'. As such, I translated it as Magibullet Marksman.)

I'm entirely ignorant about that side of things, so while I've heard of the opera's name, I'm not familiar with its content.

'Well, I'll understand it as an advanced title for a magic archer.'

Anyway, these were their job titles. Now, let's check out their ultimate skills.

I tapped on Lucas's ultimate skill [Divine Descent], Evangeline's ultimate skill [Final Fortress], and Damien's ultimate skill [Showdown] to bring up their descriptions—

"Senior! What have you been doing there the whole time?"

Huh?

A voice suddenly called out.

Startled, I looked up to find the other four party members staring at me. Evangeline was waving dramatically.

"We called you over to celebrate, but you're over there cackling like a villain... Come over! Join us!"

"..."

Hearing that, I felt... odd.

It was like being the parent at a child's school performance, engrossed in recording the event with a smartphone camera.

Of course, understanding the exact stats of the party members through the system window was crucial.

But right now, it was a time to celebrate these folks' successful third class advancement.

"Fine. I'll figure out the ultimate skill description later. It's much quicker to get a feel for its performance in actual combat anyway."

Rather than the system window, I looked at my colleagues with my own eyes.

I closed the system window and approached my party members. Clapping my hands, I asked, "Alright, what should we do for fun?"

***

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Downtown Crossroad. The barracks.

"I'm back. Phew... The others are having another drink and will come later."

When Kuilan returned to the barracks.

Clang-!

"Cough!"

Kureha, who had been cooking something in the kitchen, dropped a plate. Startled, Kuilan rushed into the kitchen.

"I told you I was going to eat, you should've rested. This guy seriously never listens...!"

Kuilan's eyes widened in shock.

It was only then that he noticed his brother's right arm had turned mummified.

Kureha hurriedly pulled his sleeve down to hide his right arm, but it was too late.

"Brother, your right arm...?"

"Ah, this, well..."

Waving his hand, Kureha gave a wry smile, "I ended up in a situation where I had to use force... haha. That's how it happened."

"..."

"It's just like my left leg! I got used to it quickly. It's not inconvenient at all! Really, you don't have to worry!"

Trying to sound upbeat, Kureha was met with Kuilan's somber voice, "Why did you keep it a secret from me?"

"...There was no point in telling you."

Facing his visibly upset brother, Kureha defended himself, "It's a curse that can't be cured anyway. I thought I'd rather hide it than cause unnecessary worry."

"...Kureha."

Picking up on something, Kuilan asked slowly, "Is that curse because of the blood that flows in our veins?"

"..."

"A monster wolf in the dungeon said something. That I'm his descendant... The curse on your body, is it related to that wolf monster?"

There was no hiding it now.

Kureha slowly nodded, "Yes."

"You knew from the beginning. That monster blood runs in us."

"...Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Anger flashed in Kuilan's eyes.

"Why is it that only you know everything?"

"..."

"Do you have other secrets from me?"

"Kuilan."

"Tell me. Everything. Now."

The little brother, who once was so tiny that Kureha could lift him with one arm, had grown into a young man, taller than Kureha himself.

Looking at his brother and the coin necklace around his neck, Kureha closed his eyes tightly.

Old memories flashed by.

The Chinese Maple Tree.

Their father who cursed Kuilan.

The villagers turning into wolves.

The burning houses. Screams and the smell of blood. Death everywhere.

The hellish night of the full moon...

How could he explain all of that?

"..."

The little brother who easily believed it was all the empire's fault no longer existed. Kuilan had grown up too much.

But, even if his head had grown bigger and his body taller, did he really have to remind him of those horrific memories?

Wasn't it happier not to remember...?

So Kureha hesitated, and Kuilan had staged a rebellion.

"Why can't you speak, Kureha! Does what I say not make sense to you?!"

"Kuilan, I... I just want to protect you."

Kureha reached out with his left hand and patted his younger brother's shoulder.

"Just give me a bit more time. I'll tell you everything someday."

"..."

Kuilan, who felt treated like a child by Kureha, irritably shook off his brother's hand.

"Do you still see me as that weakling kid who couldn't even walk properly back then?"

"Kuilan."

"What? You want to protect me? Cut the crap! I'm already protecting our bandits, and you!"

Grinding his teeth, Kuilan turned and left.

"Live your whole life clinging and wallowing alone like that, damn it."

"Kuilan! Wait..."

Boom!

Kuilan left the quarters, slamming the door shut.

"..."

Kureha sighed deeply and looked around the kitchen. Food, prepared but now cold, lay spread out.

No matter how much he grew, in Kureha's eyes, his brother was still that frail child from that day.

A child that needed to be fed, protected, and cared for.

"It's all because of my guilt, I know..."

He knew.

But he didn't have the courage to say.

The mistake he made that day, and the curse his brother would have to bear when he died someday...

Kureha sighed and looked out the window. The moon had already risen in the sky.

The moon, which occupied more than half of the horizon, was slowly growing fuller.

***

Lake Kingdom Dungeon. Zone 7: 'Wolf's Lair'.

Contrary to its name, it was a massive underground pub.

A creaking signboard in the darkness read 'Wolf's Lair'.

From here, a horde of werewolves poured out. Leading them was Wolf King Lunared.

With only three days left to the defensive battle from the Crossroad,

The Lake Kingdom's monster army was setting out.

Hundreds of werewolves marched in an orderly parade towards the northern gate of Lake Kingdom.

The aura exuded by the elite monsters under Wolf King was sharp as blades.

It was when Lunared and his entourage reached the square in front of Lake Kingdom's northern gate.

Flash! Flash-!

Bright beams of light shooting from the square, splitting the sky, caught Lunared's eye, making him click his tongue.

"They've already started."

Stepping into the square, the beams were even more visible.

Flash-!

Nameless.

She was swinging her sword, emitting those beams of light, annihilating the monsters. And countless werewolves were lunging at her, baring their teeth and slashing their claws.

They were the bait division, keeping Nameless occupied.

While the main force led by Lunared exited Lake Kingdom, their role was to divert Nameless's attention.

Each time they were hit by the beams Nameless unleashed, the bait division vaporized into a splash of blood.

Lunared would have loved to have a life-or-death battle with Nameless, but he was unsure of what punishment he would receive from the Demon King if he did.

"Let's play after I finish this job first, Nameless..."

Muttering to himself, Lunared led his main force towards the northern gate of Lake Kingdom.

Kuguugugung...!

The rusty iron doors, tightly closed, began to slowly part.

"...! Stop, Lunared!"

Nameless swung her sword with force as she noticed Lunared approaching the gate.

Light exploded, and all the wolves in the vicinity were decimated.

"Hah, hah, hah!"

Catching her breath, Nameless wiped the blood that splashed onto her cheek. Lunared stood still, gazing at her intently.

"You seem worn out, Nameless."

"..."

"Just a century ago, you didn't tire so easily. Now you seem to wobble even facing these lowly foes?"

"You don't seem at your best either, Lunared."

Nameless retorted coldly. A flicker of irritation passed through Lunared's eyes.

"What nonsense! I'm in top form."

"I only hear one heartbeat though?"

Grinning slyly, Nameless thrust her sword towards the Wolf King.

"Did you lose one somewhere?"

"..."

Silently, Lunared touched his chest, furrowing his brow.

When he faced the wrath of the Demon King, one of his two hearts was crushed. Not just a vital organ, the heart was also the source of his magic power. Losing one meant he wasn't at his full strength. Yet, the Wolf King smirked.

"Hmph! Do I need two hearts to annihilate a mere human? I intentionally discarded one."

"Which one did you lose?"

Narrowing her eyes, Nameless asked, "Between the heart of a wolf and the heart of a human, which one remains?"

"Why would I care? As long as one pumps blood through my body, it's sufficient."

"Indeed."

A knowing smile crept onto the lips of Nameless, who had her eyes closed, listening intently.

"Lunared. Listen. You're no match for Ash."

"What?"

"Even if I let you go now, your army will suffer a gruesome death. You'll never return here. Yet, I will still stop you with all my might."

Nameless, gripping her sword, declared with a cold determination, "Because it's my duty."

"..."

A wicked grin formed on Lunared's lips as he slowly turned towards the plaza where Nameless stood.

"I was ordered to avoid you... but I can't. I need to slap that smug face of yours before proceeding."

The royal guards tried to intervene, but Lunared, ignoring them completely, headed straight for Nameless.

Amidst a plaza littered with wolf corpses, Nameless and Lunared stood facing each other, sword against claws.

"No matter how much you sacrifice yourself here, there's no salvation for you, discarded princess."

"I never wished for any."

Nameless chuckled, "I just want to sink to the bottom of this lake and die with all of you."

The next moment, the two mighty beings charged at each other, colliding in a fierce clash.

***

Time flowed unrelentingly.

The crescent moon grew fuller.

Soon, it would be a full moon.