Chapter 38: Heroic Shield, the Wall of Despair (4)

Heroic Shield, the Wall of Despair (4)

What determined the level of metal? Under the assumption it was being used to make a weapon, hardness was one of the most important evaluation factors. However, in many worlds, the existence of mana completely changed the criteria for evaluation. How would this metal react to mana? What change could mana cause to it, or how much could it contain?

"Magic metal is really a wonder..." The Brenite mined in Orde was an exceptionally light and sharp metal, caused by exposure to the mana flowing through the mining area. When mana was added to it, these characteristics were only reinforced. However, its hardness wasn't particularly good; thus, it was not suitable for armor. But for arrowheads and javelins, it was perfect.

"It's so pretty."

-If anyone heard that, they might think you were confessing your love to a woman.

"But it's really pretty."

-...500 HP Bonus!

"Why?!" It would have been enough to just tip the spears with the metal, to conserve resources that were already scarce, but Kang Shin-hyuk wanted to make at least one made entirely out of the Brenite he had. The resulting shiny metal spear was a product that demonstrated Kang Shin-hyuk's ability as he had been forging tirelessly for the past week.

[Brenite Spear That Never Fades]

[C+ rank]

[Special Abilities: Robust, Split]

* Robust: The spears hardness and attack power has increased.

*Split: When throwing the javelin, there is a 50% chance two more spears aiming at the same target will be created. The created spears will disappear after hitting the target.

The notification window indicated that he created another artifact. It was so beautiful to him that he wanted to embrace it and roll around on the ground with it. It was C+ Rank, which he was especially happy about. And it had two abilities, not just one. It was even better than the one he made for himself.

-This administrator is even more amazed at your metallurgy, making such artifacts in such a short time.

"Did you know about my metallurgy?"

-I did, from the moment you joined.

He wasn't sure if that meant when he joined the Hero Universe, or if he was talking about his previous life as Anvil.

―Metallurgy has grown to C-rank! Your resistance to heat will be higher, and the likelihood of a positive effect will be added to your finished product has increased.

―The synchronization has greatly accelerated. Current assimilation rate of 7.4%

―The spiritual potential that the soul remembers has been drawn forth. Spiritual Power has grown to C+ rank. The influence of spiritual power has been increased and can be used more skillfully.

A person who had just started metallurgy would not be able to raise his skill rank so fast only in the course of ten days. This was evidence that Kang Shin-hyuk had been able to make a leap to the next level as a blacksmith, thanks in part to the half-remembered instincts of a prior life.

"If you were Lee Manwoo, you'd think I've changed too much in such a short time.

-Dear member, the quest deadline is still ten days off. While such dramatic growth may be difficult to achieve once more, one more step should be possible.

That would mean going up from C rank. While he didn't know what that meant in blacksmithing, it was a huge gap to cross for any other ability. To achieve it in just one month...Kang Shin-hyuk considered it but shook his head as he remembered his conversation with Lee Manwoo.

"Well, he said I was a weird guy from the start."

-So you've realized it. He won't be dazzled by this kind of change, though; he doesn't have enough skill to notice this level of growth.

"And by the time my synchronization reaches one-hundred percent, it'll be so advanced it'll be unrecognizable."

-Of course.

"...Wow." He didn't expect the administrator to confirm it. But he couldn't help but wonder what would happen next after that moment came. Would he recover all of his memories, HP, and abilities? Anticipation and fear mingled inside of him. He knew he would just have to wait for things to become clearer.

"I can clear the quest quickly now. I'll spend the rest of my time working."

-100HP Bonus to a member with cool eyes!

-Myu!

"What? You think I'm cool too- oh, you're hungry." He decided to give Onyx some of the leftover Brenite he acquired in exchange for water.

-Myuuu!

While Onyx chewed away at a spiritual power filled Brenite dagger with the happiest face in the world, Kang Shin-hyuk packed up the Brenite spear he had just made with the steel javelin and a new sword.

"Anvil, are you ready?"

"I am." Milan and his soldiers were lined up, much more energetic than they had been ten days ago. Before, they had been half-starved and dehydrated, but now that they were able to acquire both food and water through their deal with Shin-hyuk, they had turned completely around.

"All that remains is the decisive battle." Milan stepped forward stiffly. In the last battle, he had a general leading his army. That general had been killed, and now this prince had to lead the army himself. He was nervous, and Kang Shin-hyuk could hear his voice trembling earlier when he was rallying the troops.

"Don't worry about it. You can do this. You guys will win." Over the past three days, Milan and his soldiers had been practicing non-stop. Kang Shin-hyuk had been forging non-stop in the meanwhile, going through the supply of Brenite he traded for.

"Of course." Milan's voice was firm now, as he shook away his doubts. It wasn't just to live that they battled. The Water Orb was the symbol of pride for the Orde people. If they ran away without it, they would be lost. Milan's face was covered by his helmet, but Kang Shin-hyuk could sense his resolution and spirit to fight.

"Alright, then let's go."

"It's time to depart!"

"We're going to capture that fortress!" There were two-hundred and eighteen soldiers remaining, including Milan, who were able to fight. One hundred of them were armed with the javelins Kang Shin-hyuk made, and another hundred abandoned their swords to pick up large shields. They were the main offensive line, archers in the back guarded by a solid formation of shields. The remaining eighteen soldiers were armed with swords and shields, and they would be the ones to clean up and push while the spear-throwers dealt with the main enemy forces. This was the formation that they decided upon to reclaim the Water Orb and Orde's pride.

"I'm sorry I won't be able to help you in the battle."

"No, you've already helped us enough." Milan looked as if he wanted to say something more, but decided to stop and stepped back. Kang Shin-hyuk responded with a small smile.

'Am I being too cruel?'

-You can do what you want. The purpose of the quest is to recover the shield.

The administrator had been sticking to short, vague answers when it came to the humans of this world's humans Shin-hyuk could only think it was out of respect for his decisions. But it felt a bit odd to him, as now the Heroic Shield was clearly occupied by the Survival Alliance, yet the quest was to take it from them.

'Is the will of the Hero Universe different from that of the administrator?' He tilted his head at this incongruity, but it wasn't a question that could be resolved so quickly. He pushed it to the side and stepped in line with the soldiers of Orde. One of the soldiers, Zeke, approached him and offered him a helmet.

"It was taken from one of the fallen, but it's better than nothing."

"I think the dead may find more use for it." Kang Shin-hyuk put it on regardless, accepting the sentiment behind it. A couple more soldiers approached him to offer him more armor; he decided to only accept their moral support.

"Soon."

"Yes, soon." As soon as Shin-hyuk finished speaking, he could see the fortress in the distance. It was protected by a valley on three sides, facing toward the only path available. As he looked at it from afar, it was easy to tell; it was shaped like a shield.

'Because it's partially buried, its hard to see up close.' It had a smooth surface, impossible to climb in the midst of a battle, and it was much too thick to break. In this world of small people, it was invincible. He wondered if maybe this world's ability to make everything small had a role in why the inhabitants were weaker.

"They're coming again!"

"They've come to offer us more treasure!"

"God's allowing us to plunder today too!"

Voices began to rise up from the fort, met by Milan's retort.

"Today, Orde's Water Orb will be restored!"

"Ooooooh!" Kang Shin-hyuk thought it was an excellent idea. He cut off the enemy's provocation and managed to inspire his troops at the same time. His voice was much more dignified now, too; he had clearly been practicing.

"To protect the honor of Orde! For our future! For Anvil! Charge!"

The two-hundred and eighteen soldiers ran forward at once. The soldiers atop the fortress looked like they were going to start shooting as soon as they were in range.

"Is it this way?"

"Yeah, move quickly."

"I know. Just a little more forward." However, the Orde soldiers weren't charging in ignorantly as they had before. They suddenly stopped, still at a distance much too far for an arrow to reach.

"Ready!" Milan took up his javelin first, pulling his arm back in a throwing stance.

"Throw!"

"What?!" Confusion briefly sprouted atop the fortress, the allied warriors perplexed as to what was happening. It took them little time to confirm, however, as one of them was collapsed on the wall with a javelin through his chest.

"Attack! They're attacking!" The alarm went up, soldiers running about to prepare for their counterattack. Orde'ssoldiers stood still for but a moment, confirming the javelin had worked and began to throw their own. The soldiers of the fortress reacted sluggishly, trying to lift their shields or fire back arrows. The Orde soldiers were prepared, the ones wielding large shields moving into position to defend the spear-throwers. It mattered little in any case, as the range of the bows made in this harsh environment could not match the javelins created by Anvil's reincarnation.

"Okay then...shall we start?" Orde's soldiers were following the plan exactly, and the stronghold soldiers had no choice but to focus on them. Kang Shin-hyuk rushed forward, aiming for the gap that had been created for him. Some of the fortress soldiers noticed him, but it was too late for them to turn their attacks toward him.

"It looks like I didn't waste my time here."

-Yes, it seems that the weapons you made were certainly worth the cost.

The administrator still gave strict evaluations to everyone but him. He couldn't help but laugh as he picked up speed towards the Wall of Despair- the Heroic Shield.

-How will you do it?

"I've thought about it, but there's really only one way I can." That was, he had to make the shield small. It had to be a size he could carry if he wanted to collect it.

-How are you going to do that?

"I don't know. I thought I'd ask you..." For the past ten days, he had been forging iron and thinking quite a bit. He even asked other Hero Universe members for ideas. But, in the end, the reincarnation of Anvil had no choice but to figure it out himself. He created it a lifetime ago, and he had spiritual power. He would have to try to talk to the Heroic Shield, just as he usually did with the Godslayer sword.

-It's the right direction, at least.

The administrator's response was positive, as always.

-Even if not, you can always try a few things until it works. As I said before, you're safe here.

"I don't plan on taking it easy like that." He had ten whole days left, but he wasn't going to let these people he had been talking to and working with die as he stood by and watched.

"I'm here." He laid his hands on the huge wall before him, activating his spiritual power. The reaction of the wall, or rather the Heroic Shield, was instantly dramatic. Tremors and vibrations echoed through it, yet given the size of it, those same tremors echoed throughout the entire battlefield, frightening the soldiers.

"He's trying to do something to our wall!"

"Kill him!"

"You do it, I'm not lowering my shield!"

He ignored the reactions of those around him, knowing they couldn't harm him even if dozens of them attacked him at once. There was too wide of a gap between them.

'Can you hear my voice?'

-Vwoom.

The will of the shield was similar to the sword when he first encountered it. He began to think it would be easy after all, but he suddenly felt an overflowing sadness come through to him.

"The energy cannon! Can't you use it?"

"It can only be used when it's triggered by a direct attack! They're throwing the spears at us, not at the wall!"

-Vwoom.

The Heroic Shield vomited forth countless emotions, like a child who was seeing his parents for the first time in a long while. It was too complex and disorganized, however, as it overwhelmed his mind.

"Get down there!"

"Fuck...!"

"Everyone get down now! The wall is too dangerous!"

"I'll kill him myself!"

-Vwoom.

Kang Shin-hyuk managed to sort through the emotions he was feeling from the shield, his brain on the verge of exploding. Sadness, anger, more sorrow...he wondered if this shield was upset that it was being used by these people. As he thought this, he felt the shield's sadness more intensely.

'I'm sorry...'

-Vwooom.

The shield seemed to be complaining, crying out to its long-lost parent. It was the same with the Godslayer sword. From the beginning, it considered him to be Anvil and treated him as such, just as the sword did.

'I'm so sorry I left you alone in a place like this.'

-Vwoooom.

'Will you come with me?' The shield let out another brief cry, affirming the question.

'It's okay. It'll work out somehow.'

-Vwooooooom.

The moment the shield accepted his will, it began to shine brightly. Synchronized with it, Kang Shin-hyuk could feel his spiritual power being drained rapidly from his body. He pulled out an Eiren jelly in a panic, consuming it quickly. He couldn't help but appreciate his spiritual power developing so much, knowing that it would've been really dangerous without it.

-Vwoom, Vwooom.

The Heroic Shield that had been vibrating violently began to reduce in size. Kang Shin-hyuk couldn't help but think of how easy it was, minus the sudden draining of his spiritual power. But for those watching from afar, it was a truly overwhelming sight.

"It really is getting smaller..."

"Does Anvil really own that wall...or shield, I guess?" The battle calmed down, the soldiers all standing slack-jawed. Zeke quietly approached Milan as everyone else was focused on Shin-hyuk and the wall.

"Sir, are you okay? We originally meant to occupy the citadel once we pushed out the collation..."

"What would you have me do? Kill Anvil and take it away?"

"No, that's..." Milan let a bitter smile play across his lips as Zeke dropped his head. It was impossible for them to compete against Anvil, who had done so much for them already.

"It was meant to be this way. We lost our Water Orb due to greed, but thanks to Anvil, we have recovered our precious treasure and way of life. If we stayed in that fortress...we would eventually be no better than the Alliance."

Only

"Sir..."

"Milan. Just call me Milan."

"Okay, Milan...what?"

"What is... it...?" Milan looked in the direction that Zeke was pointing, a frightened scream leaking from his mouth. He thought it might be the Alliance attempting to rally once more, but...

"The land... it's moving..."

"Because of the wall...? No..." Anyone who lived in this world knew what was happening.

"Anvil, run!" Milan let out a desperate shout, hoping he would make it in time.

Where the wall had been, moving up through the earth, appeared the mouth of a huge monster.