The Returner Wants Complete Victory

41 – 041. War (2)

I took Kyoko with me and left the place.

Because it’s impossible to talk comfortably near a place that at first glance appears to be a fierce battlefield.

Kyoko kept muttering, “I can’t do this,” but she followed me calmly.

When I thought I had reached a somewhat safe place, I entered the inn building with the broken door.

I said, sitting roughly on the dusty chair.

“Why on earth were you there?”

Although Kyoko sat across from him, she kept glancing outside the door as if she couldn’t hide the impatience on her face.

“Aren’t you a member of the Martial Artists’ League?”

“yes? “Absolutely not!”

I felt something strange, so I poked it, but Kyoko said it wasn’t and jumped up.

Of course I thought that wasn’t the case.

When the Martial Artist League was in full swing preparing for war, Kyoko and the others were being chased by armored monkeys.

“Then why were you there?”

“That… . in fact… .”

After hesitating for a moment, Kyoko began to recite the story in detail.

After they parted ways with us and returned to the city, the next day they took a step toward subjugating a high-ranking commander, Chimera, and earned a decent amount of money.

And the three survivors raised a toast at the inn where they were staying to celebrate, but the war broke out early that morning.

It is even said that the place they were staying was near a fierce battle, so while they were taking refuge, the woman who used a one-handed ax died, and only the two of them, Kyoko and the tall woman who used a long sword, were able to escape alive.

And in the process, the tall woman who was using the long sword suffered a serious injury to her leg.

There was no food or potion because they were running away in a hurry.

The Merchant’s Guild was surrounded by members of the Martial Artist League, so they couldn’t even approach it.

They somehow survived by robbing empty houses, but since there were many other people in similar situations, it was natural that unclaimed supplies were rapidly depleting.

In the end, people escaped the city one by one under the cover of night, but Kyoko and her group, who were injured, were unable to do so.

Even horse carriages have stopped running, so we have no choice but to walk, and it would take several days to walk just to Emur, the closest place from here.

In the end, it means that they were snooping around that dangerous place because they had nothing to eat.

“… “Did you really think there would be anything to eat there?”

“… yes… . Since it was a fierce battlefield, I don’t think people would have been able to search carelessly… . I knew the geography well because it was where the inn we stayed at was located… .”

Kyoko’s voice became weaker as she spoke, perhaps because she felt that the basis for her thoughts was weak.

I didn’t really have any intention of saying anything.

Blurred judgment in urgent situations is a common symptom.

Rather than thinking that there would actually be food or supplies left there, it was probably closer to hoping that there would be.

Rather, I felt an unexplainable reluctance in Kyoko’s story.

“But none of the people who went outside came back?”

The situation is that the Martial Artist League has almost taken over the Merchant’s Guild.

All supplies coming into Kirnyu come through the Merchant Guild, which means that there are currently no additional supplies in the city.

People whose livelihoods have escaped conflict zones.

In other words, except for those based in a few areas, including near Rick’s Inn, most of them are suffering from a lack of supplies.

So, wasn’t Kyoko snooping around the battlefield to find food?

However, in such a situation, isn’t it natural for people to bring in supplies from outside and sell them at a high price?

From what Kyoko says, it doesn’t just sound like food is expensive, it sounds like there’s no way to get it at all.

“yes. No one came back… . But if you leave, there’s no reason to come back, right?”

Kyoko doesn’t seem to notice anything strange.

I felt there was no need to explain, so I quietly gathered my thoughts alone.

All carriages were also stopped from operating.

Then it should become difficult for individuals to bring in external supplies.

However, it is strange that there is no such person, even though there must be someone who went there on foot.

Isn’t it more reasonable to think that there is external pressure?

It is highly likely that troops from the Martial Artist League are deployed on the road to Emur.

They may not know who is leaving the city, but they will definitely catch anyone who wants to come in.

… But what on earth is the reason for controlling supplies?

Mad Dog and the Rat have been preparing for war for quite some time.

This means that they are not a group of idiots who will starve to death as a group because they do not have the supplies to survive for just one or two months.

Moreover, if they run out of food, they will not just quietly starve to death, but will start an all-out war.

In the end, the strategy of cutting off supply is extremely inappropriate for use within this small city.

And basically, didn’t I start the war by leaving Kirnyu?

So, why are you acting like you want a long-term war when you should have aimed to end the war quickly before I return?

It’s not like they took too many drugs and went crazy.

It is correct to think that there is something I am missing.

I didn’t think I would find anything more if I asked Kyoko.

It was the moment I got up to go see James as planned.

Ding ding ding ─

Piyuwoong─

In the distance, a red signal flare flew high into the sky, forming a tail, with an urgent bell ringing.

“ah… . late… .”

Before Kyoko could finish muttering, shouts and the sound of steel clashing began to be heard.

*

In the middle of the battlefield, two men stood facing each other.

Even though the surrounding area was filled with shouting and screaming, the surroundings of these two were peaceful, as if they were in another world.

“I’m sick of it. “Don’t you think so?”

James said, holding a greatsword larger than his height over his shoulder.

Then the man standing across from James pulled out his sword without saying a word.

Strangely enough, the blade was stained dark red.

Was it that color originally? James thought for a moment and wondered what it was like.

“If you get hit five times, even a bastard will curl his tail. How long do you think you can survive by throwing away your subordinates?”

Despite the continued provocation, the man across from him just stared at James with wide eyes without any reaction.

It’s like a doll with no emotions.

James frowned.

Kang Hyuk, this isn’t the first time you’ve encountered that man.

Of course, even before an all-out war broke out, the Martial Artists’ League and Mad Dog were often embroiled in petty disputes.

It was different each time as to which side started the fight first, but James Miller always took the lead.

And for James, Kang Hyuk was one of his welcome faces.

In order to stop James from misbehaving, the Martial Artist League had to send out all of their elite soldiers every time.

Anger, murderous intent, and the will to win.

In the past, those emotions could definitely be read from facial expressions.

Tung─

James flicked the great sword draped over his shoulder.

The great sword bounced back after receiving the recoil, made a large circle, and struck the spot where Kang Hyeok was.

Quang!

But Kanghyuk was no longer there, and the floor suddenly cracked and a stone bounced out.

Kang Hyuk, who avoided the great sword by moving one step, quickly narrowed the distance and swung his sword, and James’ great sword, despite its huge size, was quickly retrieved and struck off Kang Hyuk’s sword.

‘what?’

In the process, James felt a sense of discomfort whose cause was unknown.

Five times since all-out war began.

The Martial Artists’ League has been fighting Kanghyuk one-on-one, as if they were raising him to be James’ opponent.

The result was a 5-game sweep.

James overwhelmed Kang Hyuk all five times, and Kang Hyuk barely succeeded in escaping after being wounded and throwing his subordinates as bait.

And today, already the sixth time.

Perhaps because of his lack of ability to learn, Kanghyuk attacked him one-on-one again, and James promised that he would kill Kanghyuk at least today.

Hiss!

“Ugh!”

Kang Hyuk’s sword passed right in front of James’ nose.

It was only then that James realized the identity of his discomfort.

‘It got faster.’

In those few days?

A great sword that is over 2 meters long, and a sword that is just over 1 meter long.

It was a fight where Kang Hyuk had to close the distance, and James had never once given Kang Hyuk any space until now.

In the fifth battle that took place just a few days ago, Kang Hyuk dug in too hard and was unable to completely block the great sword, so he ran away with a broken arm.

However, Kang Hyuk was able to get into the gap between James very easily today.

James swung his sword horizontally.

First of all, it was an action to widen the distance.

However, as if Kang Hyuk knew, he laid down on the floor and as soon as the great sword passed by, he bounced like a spring and swung the sword.

Fit─

“Holy sh*t… !”

Blood lines were drawn on James’ arm.

It was the first wound I had suffered two weeks after the war began.

Kanghyuk’s swords were fired at the embarrassed James.

James, who was already off balance, was unable to completely block the sword strike.

The wounds on my arms and legs increased, and I barely managed to retreat, protecting only my vital points.

“Kaaa!”

James, who was retreating, screamed and threw a fist.

A strike loaded with mana.

Wow!

A loud noise rang out, like firecrackers exploding.

Kang Hyuk had already been pushed far away.

The blade that collided with James’ fist was trembling.

James suffered a fairly large wound to his side, but he took a breath and regained his stance, as if he had gained some distance.

Sabak.

Once the distance was widened, we had to attack again from the beginning.

That was the moment when Kanghyuk thought so and slowly took a step back.

Piyung─ Piyung─

From noble mtl dot com

A yellow signal flare was fired from afar behind Kanghyuk’s back.

Retreat signal.

It was a situation that would have been disappointing to anyone, but Kang Hyuk’s expression was calm.

“You’re lucky. See you again.”

After saying that, Kang Hyuk left the room without any hesitation.

Even though he was almost defeating the opponent who had defeated him five times, there was no trace of regret or excitement on his face.

James, who would normally have chased after Kanghyuk and killed the members of the Martial Artists’ League who stood in his way, stood still as if a nail had been nailed into him.

It was a signal that the battlefield was over.

*

The battlefield where the battle had just ended was chaotic.

Bodies that had not been recovered were rolling around on the floor, and the injured were groaning everywhere.

There were decent people walking around handing out potions, but it seemed like it would take some time until the battlefield was completely cleared.

“Hey, it’s okay for me to come here… ?”

Kyoko’s words were trembling slightly as if she was nervous.

“It’s an alliance.”

However, Kyoko continued to look around as if she was not at ease with my answer.

The sharp gaze of Mad Dog and the Rat members was focused on the visit of a stranger.

However, as I walked confidently, no one was quick to stop me, perhaps because they did not think I was an enemy.

They’re just strong, untrained bastards.

I was able to freely roam around the area that had been a fierce battleground just moments ago and was soon able to find James Miller.

“What is it, wizard? “When did you get back to the city?”

James, who discovered me, pretended to know me first.

I greeted him by nodding my head.

And I was about to ask about the question I had earlier, but when I saw James’ condition, I instantly forgot what I was going to say.

Potions can heal wounds, but clothes cannot be restored.

It is said that you can roughly tell how intense the battle was by looking at the clothes immediately after the battle.

James Miller suffered large and small wounds all over his body.

There were even traces of what appeared to be a fairly large wound on his side.

“Did you leave your subordinates behind and fight the war alone?”

It was the only way to think about it.

“It was 1 to 1.”

“what?”

“Kang Hyuk. “Do you know?”

Of course it’s a familiar name.

A man who is the master of the Blood Demon Blade and one of the core forces of the Martial Artist League.

But it won’t be enough to beat James 1-1, right?

“… “Kang Hyuk is that strong?”

Is this also the aftermath of regression?

Or was Kang Hyuk hiding his strength during the first episode?

… no.

It’s not that I was hiding my power.

Even after the Martial Artist League completely ate Kirnyu, I have been working here for nearly 8 months, and as such, I have had many opportunities to see the core forces of the Martial Artist League up close.

At best, Kanghyuk is on par with Noah or lower.

Although he was holding the Blood Demon Blade, a sacred item of Zamanoir, he was unable to open the Blood Demon Sword until his death… .

“James.”

An ominous premonition suddenly flashed through my mind.

“Do you remember the sword he was holding?”

“do?”

“What color was it? Was it just silver like an ordinary sword?”

In response to my question, James narrowed his eyebrows as if trying to recall a memory.

In just a few seconds as James pondered for a moment, his mouth became dry.

“no. It was dark red. Now that I think about it, it’s strange. I don’t think it was until recently… ?”

When I heard that, I felt disgusted for a moment.

People who left the city and people who did not return.

I felt like I knew what was going on with them all.