Chapter 257

00257 Let's go, my love...

[Quest - Revenge on the Sword Saint! Revenge! Revenge! : You, who have harbored a desire for revenge against the Western Queen and Sword Saint Hayuri, now it's time to reap the feelings you've suppressed. Return to her what you've suffered. (0/1)]

[Reward - Access Permit to the Secret Shop, ???????]

"Oh..."

Not a bad reward. It was not an access pass to the secret shop but an access permit. It was worth 5 million points since it meant I could enter anytime I wanted. A feeling of success, maybe. If this war ends smoothly, there should be accumulated points, and I might be able to bring in a few more decent artifacts.

The remaining reward was not yet revealed, but I thought it would probably be disclosed only after capturing the Sword Saint.

Roughly estimating, I thought it might be a completely new species evolution, weapon enhancement, or something like that. However, considering it wouldn't change anything to think about it now, I gave up thinking about this matter.

As I was quietly pleased, Jung Ha-yeon also smiled. I put magic into Mysteltainn again and started moving her because I wanted to play a prank on her.

Creating a V-sign with both hands, just like what Lee Wanyong did on the city wall, Ha-yeon blushed deeply. It was an unexpected and quiet behavior.

Although I didn't say anything, she probably knew it was because of this spear.

"Ta... Taesung, c-could you please e-explain?"

"Of course, it's a unique artifact I could make thanks to you. It has the function of exerting dominance over surrounding plants for a certain period."

"Oh... I see."

"It's not certain, but it seems your body is also classified as a plant. Probably the reason why pregnancy doesn't work well."

"Oh... I see."

Ha-yeon's expression at this moment was a bit downcast. Perhaps she might have thought that there was no hope for her body. However, that expression was quickly replaced. Something extraordinary seemed to have come to her mind, and she was looking at me with unusual eyes.

"Taesung-ssi."

"Yeah?"

"Perhaps... is it possible?"

"What are you...?"

Somehow, I had a feeling of what Ha-yeon might be thinking about. If the spear had the ability to exert dominance over plants, it would naturally apply to Ha-yeon as well. If that was the case...

"Taes... Taes... Taesung-ssi's seed... to accept it, my... my... my egg..."

"................................."

It was an explanation that couldn't be expressed, an extremely revolutionary idea. Whether she had thought of such an unprecedented method in the direst of circumstances, I couldn't be sure, but it couldn't be denied that there was a possibility. If I used magic to examine Ha-yeon's body, understanding her physical structure wouldn't be a difficult task. Although it would be a matter of determining whether the internal structure was completely different from humans, thinking about the possibility of pregnancy between different species, their internal structures were likely to be quite similar.

'Commanding the egg.'

It was an absurd idea. Ha-yeon's proposal was so bewildering that I felt like coughing in disbelief.

"I-if it makes you uncomfortable... b-but I... I also want to have a child."

It was quite a gamble for her, who had never made any demands on me before. Although I didn't like the idea of having many children, I had already accepted them as family, so it didn't seem too bad.

Above all, I was very excited about the possibility of what the reward for her quest, a half, would be like. Even though Rava had some resemblance to me, and the future child of Chang Je-ri would likely resemble me as well, Ha-yeon's child had a high chance of being an entirely new species. Especially the idea of a half born from the certain Green Skin pregnancy felt uniquely special. It was inevitable that my heart would flutter a bit.

After taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth.

"After the war."

"Y-yes!"

Since the war was imminent, I hadn't dealt with Choi Seulgi yet. If, by any chance, we succeeded here, it might be my turn to face Seulgi.

If this attempt were to succeed, and we could definitively have a new child, it would bring about a strange feeling. The stakes would be raised a bit more.

Amidst Ha-yeon and me being caught up in such emotions, a faint voice of the goblin echoed.

"If you have no more business, it's probably best to go down now."

It seems that the attitude has changed now that all the points have been spent. After nodding, I promptly closed the door to the item shop. Suddenly, my vision flipped, and it felt as if my body was falling downward. Ha-yeon probably returned to her original position as well.

"Whew..."

I check my body's condition. I read the quest again and, most importantly, squeeze Mysteltain with my hand.

Levatein, Dainsleif, Mysteltain - three weapons that can be considered beyond the standard. I probably couldn't handle this greatsword before. I swing the spear once, and indeed, I feel a substantial force.

After taking out Levatein, I switch back to Mysteltain. In an instant, the Levatein in my hand transforms into Mysteltain. Swinging the spear down on the ground:

Quaddddukk

With a sound, a quite large dent appears.

"Hmm..."

Leaving behind the humans of the northern part who stare at me blankly, I move my steps. Before the war breaks out, spending time with the tribe members seemed like the best option.

Despite being a temporary fort of the Blood Dagger Clan, located below the wall, it appeared quite small compared to Brother's Land. Nevertheless, looking at those fellows who managed a relatively decent life, I felt grateful.

"For the Blood Dagger!"

As I pass by, the orcs naturally look at my face.

"Hakajin."

Elite orc inspector Hakajin. Lately, his skills have skyrocketed, and he's now the leader of the 1st Brigade. Surprisingly, he's quite friendly with Lee Wanyong. It seems he was particularly pleased when he heard the news that Lee Wanyong had joined due to a shortage. After giving him a pat on the shoulder, I continued walking, and the temporary fort buzzed with activity when Hakajin called out my name.

People started emerging from the tents, and elite orc inspectors stood up straighter.

As the tribe leader, Gark, who is excelling in his duties, and Hark, who's assisting his brother as best as he can, I can see changes in their bodies and weapons. Everyone is preparing in their own way for the upcoming battle. Gark's sword has grown even longer, and Hark's twin swords feel a bit heavier.

"For Blood Dagger! For the tribe meeting..."

Seeing me approach, they seemed eager to have a tribe meeting. I gestured to Gark, indicating that there was no need for a tribe meeting.

"There's no need for a tribe meeting."

"I owe you my life."

Still grateful for the favor in Somoora, I appreciate Orbo, the Shield, more than anyone. I know better than anyone how much he has endured and supported the clan since he joined. Even when Hark, Gark, and I were often away from the tribe, it was always Orbo who guarded the tribe alone. He must have wanted to fight as well.

"I owe you a lot."

He understood the meaning of my words, and Orbo opened his mouth.

"Guarding is also a struggle."

"You're right. I made a mistake."

His words were correct. Guarding is also a form of struggle.

I turned my head, and Hakazin was also noticeable. He has always made an effort for the tribe, even though his combat ability is not high. Like the three goblin sisters who watched me trying to see my face with Mev, Bae Ahyeon also looks at me. Just like in the store conversation, Jung Hayeon is bowing her head, showing a worried expression.

In addition to these, the tribe members who have been with me since the tutorial, the tribe members who joined in Somoora, and the appearances of the tribe members who have been integrated for various reasons are captured in my sight.

Some may die when the war breaks out. Although it will be an honor for them, it may bring sadness to me.

"............!"

After Jung Hayeon recited the spell, a chair made of roots began to emerge from the ground. I sat quietly there, and everyone started looking at me.

Their eyes express trust. They admire me and think of me as an honorable leader. I feel the same way about them. They are admirable and honorable individuals. Even if I were born as a greenskin, I wouldn't have been able to grow this much without their support, and I wouldn't have met Choi Seulgi. I wouldn't have been able to make a family, and I wouldn't have been able to get close to the yearning in my heart.

Being with the warriors from the North and humans is comfortable, of course. But being with them is reassuring. I opened my mouth to the ones looking at me.

"I respect all of you."

There was no response.

Just thunderous cheers echoed.

That's how we spent time in the same place.

Each person would have harbored unknown emotions in their hearts during this time.

So, a day passed.

The next day was the same. Occasionally, Lee Wanyong's provocative shouts amused me, and the elite orc inspectors clashing swords with each other also pleased me. Tribe members who gathered in one place without entering the tents were preparing for the upcoming battle in their own ways, creating their own spaces.

Orbo, the Shield, closed his eyes, and Gark and Hark clashed swords. Mev and the three goblin sisters were still playing cards. Jung Hayeon and Bae Ahyeon were chatting, and tribe members occasionally drank while discussing the upcoming battle.

So, another day passed.

Around this time, Choi Seulgi started joining the tribe members. Now, she must be deep in thought, facing the upcoming battle with the Sword Saint Hayuri.

And

Exactly when the promised three days had passed, the voice of the Sword Saint began to be heard. The time had come for them to attack the fortress wall.

It was a clear voice.

The promised three days have passed. We raised our swords for the suffering people of the East and North. Despite your provocative actions, we have endured many times, and we still believe in the goodness of humanity. We do not want to fight.

While listening to the nonsense of the Sword Saint, I opened my mouth towards the tribe members. Lee Wanyong's skillful words were not my forte, but I wanted to say a word to those who were participating in the big battle.

"I want to fight."

- You have lost our trust. For the prosperity of humanity and the land for our future descendants, the time has come for us to make an unavoidable choice. Dear citizens of the West and South, the North and East are the cancer of the continent. If we leave them alone, their ideologies and values will eventually spread to the entire continent, threatening us. There is no fight without sacrifice. Like the words of the Moraeba on the first day, we will sacrifice!

Nonsense. I opened my mouth again.

"We do not die."

- I will watch over you all.

"I will be the first to fall."

Rather than them, I will be the first to fall.

- For this cause.

"For survival."

- ...................

"................"

- All forces... Advance!

"Let's go. My beloved brothers."

While hearing the loud voice of the Sword Saint, I whispered very softly to the tribe members. It was a small voice, but I believe it would have penetrated into everyone's ears without a doubt.

Enormous cheers were heard from beyond the fortress wall. Perhaps it was the battle cry of the humans from the West and South.

However,

Interestingly, the cheers gradually diminished and eventually became inaudible. It was completely engulfed by the voices of the Blood Dagger Clan tribe members.

Considering that they are closer to us than those far away, it is quite natural, but it made me laugh.

I opened my mouth again.

"Victory."

The voices of the tribe members, waiting as if to respond, were heard.

"Only for victory!"

"For Blood Dagger!"

That's how we waited, and the war we had been waiting for finally began.