Raising A Hero – Chapter 67

Ch 67: Ghoul Horde.

The evening sun, which had been painting the sky red, had now completely disappeared beyond the horizon. The whole world soon became a dark, pitch-black expanse.

Grace climbed onto the bed and lay down. Strangely, her heart was pounding.

Not long after, Ji-hyuk entered the room. Having even arranged for a watch, he sighed lightly and twisted his stiff neck left and right. She quickly sat up straight. He gestured with his hand for her to lie down, since he was fine.

“Just lie down comfortably.”

Ji-hyuk sat on a chair and gulped down a glass of water. The flickering candlelight danced in the air.

She lay back on the bed again and squeezed her eyes shut. With her vision gone, all her senses focused on her hearing. The rustling of fabric, the creaking of the floor, even his light sigh—she could feel everything.

Soon, Ji-hyuk entered the bed. At that moment, Grace’s breath hitched. He glanced at her side. Then, he spoke to her, who seemed a little stiff.

“Want to hold hands and sleep?”

Ahㅡ.

“…I’m, fine.”

“Really? If you want to hold it, you can grab it without saying anything. If you want to hug, you can hug. Got it?”

Ji-hyuk patted Grace’s arm once and closed his eyes with a long exhale.

Suddenly, her chest ached. Could she really be this comfortable? Reig and her comrades had died such terrible and unhappy deaths, and yet, could she be so at ease?

Ah, ahㅡ.

Anxiety returned. Her breathing became shallow, and her heart was pounding. It felt like she was going to die. She was afraid she would suddenly die like this.

Then, the captain suddenly embraced Grace. And he whispered softly, “Shhh.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s okay. It’s not your fault. So, you can let go of the burden in your heart now. You were just unlucky. It was an accident. There was nothing you could do.”

Reig, Reig, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m the only one alive, I’m sorry…!

She forced herself to be unhappy with terrible guilt. She belittled and destroyed herself. She didn’t accept any happiness. She refused any peace. …She thought that was the price of survival.

“Grace, it’s okay. Accidents always happen. Your abilities have limits. You shouldn’t let that ruin your life. Surviving isn’t a sin. Reig would be glad you’re alive.”

No, no.

“I’ll definitely get revenge for you. And let’s get out of this. Let’s shake it off now. I will definitely get revenge for you. Okay? Believe me. The captain can do it. So, trust the captain. I’ll be by your side.”

Ah, ah ah ahㅡ.

In the end, Grace cried. Sorry to her dead lover. Sorry to her dead comrades. Sorry that she was alive.

“The world is sometimes cruel. But you can’t collapse because of it. If there’s misfortune, there’s also good fortune. …Meeting your comrades now is also your good fortune.”

Her symptoms soon improved. After crying for a long time, her heart felt much lighter than before. It wasn’t that she had unloaded all her burdens, but she felt a lot more at ease.

Ji-hyuk stroked Grace’s head, who was nestled in his chest, and whispered.

“Chain smoker, curser…, and now a crybaby, huh?”

“…I’m not a crybaby. And I’m not a curser either….”

“It’s okay. If you want to curse, you can. If you want to cry, you can cry. …There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to do what you want. Do as you please until your heart is relieved.”

Hehㅡ. Grace snorted and, getting out of the captain’s arms, turned and lay back down.

…This b*tch, whining.

Ji-hyuk lay down straight again.

“…Good night, Captain.”

“You too.”

Soon, even breaths could be heard. Ji-hyuk closed his eyes, listening to it as well.

· · ·

Thump thump.

━ Captain.

Ji-hyuk opened his eyes with a start. He quickly got out of bed and flung open the door. It was Kayak.

“It seems they have arrived.”

“Understood. I’ll go down there soon. Get the others ready too.”

“Yes.”

He turned around again. Grace was also awakened by the commotion. She quickly got up and hurried to prepare to leave.

Ji-hyuk strapped the Holy Sword, which was on his bedside, to his waist and went outside with Grace. The teammates and the knights quickly gathered. The villagers also got up one by one and headed to the temporary shelter.

Soon, the Ji-hyuk team and the knights all gathered. The hero glanced at their faces. The view was clear thanks to the bright moonlight.

“The ghoul horde will be here soon. It won’t be an easy fight. Those guys move even if their arms and legs are cut off or if their torso is torn apart. Their only weakness is their head.”

Ji-hyuk tapped his head with his index finger.

“The goal isn’t to catch the ghoul horde. The goal is to safely protect the villagers while defeating the sorcerer.”

“Understoodㅡ!”

“I trust that each of you has memorized your roles. Then, I wish you good luck. Everyone, to your assigned positions.”

While the hero team broke through the ghoul horde and took down the sorcerer, the knights were to protect the villagers. The knights paired up and scattered to their respective positions.

There were no healers in the knight order, but since they were all wearing sturdy armor, they wouldn’t easily be defeated by the ghouls. The key was to smash the sorcerer’s head before too many ghouls swarmed the village.

Ji-hyuk entered the house farthest on the outskirts with his teammates.

Hoo-hoo.

A rough breath escaped. Everyone held their weapons and waited for the opportune moment. Ji-hyuk called out to Ya-el. She approached the captain with her staff clasped in both hands.

“You know that ghouls are weak against light and fire, right?”

“Yes.”

“Your role is important. You need to support us well from the back. …Grendalㅡ!”

“Yes, Captain.”

The giant Orc Grendal strode forward with a large composite bow in his hand.

“You protect Ya-el and Grace while supporting them together. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Gid, Mahushu.”

This time, the two men and women stepped forward.

“You two need to hold your ground in front, so the other three behind you are safe. You know what I mean?”

“Yep.”

Ji-hyuk called Kayak, who was left last.

“Kayak.”

“Yes, Captain.”

The Lizardman replied respectfully.

“You’re going with me.”

“I will follow you to the end.”

Everyone burned with fighting spirit. They had no doubt that the captain would be able to defeat the sorcerer. He was a man who had toyed with and killed demons as if he were playing games. They were certain that a mere sorcerer would not be a match for the captain.

“The moment you go out of the building, move according to your respective roles. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Everyone answered in unison.

They waited for the enemies in silence for a long time. Soon, something began to stir in the distance and approach.

Hupㅡ.

Ya-el covered her mouth with her hand when she saw it through the window.

The ghouls, walking with a staggering gait, all looked terrible. Not only were their arms and legs strangely twisted, but there were also those dragging their intestines, which had been ripped open and were trailing behind them. It was common for them to be missing parts of their bodies.

The number of the ghoul horde was enormous. It was so huge that it was difficult to estimate with the eyes. Honestly, Ji-hyuk was a little surprised inside.

Damn this…!

The Empire, which had left things unattended until this point, was also a damned bastard. If they had sent at least an investigation team, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad. Because of this, the villages were helpless.

“Ca, Captain, is this going to be okay?”

Gid said in a slightly frightened voice. Ji-hyuk looked at his teammates one last time and said.

“They’re just weak guys with numbers. Just keep your mind straight. Then, you won’t die.”

And he signaled to go out. They clenched their weapons again, steeling their resolve, and went out of the house.

ㅡㅡ!!

The stench of rotting corpses was so strong that it was disgusting even from afar. Ughㅡ. Ya-el, with a weak constitution, was already retching.

“Keep your minds straightㅡ!”

Ji-hyuk shouted and strode forward with Kayak.

If it drags on, it’s dangerousㅡ.

They had to find and kill the sorcerer as quickly as possible. …The hero was comforted that the ghouls were somewhat slow. However, even if they were slow, it was dangerous if they were pushed by numbers.

Soon, a bright light poured out from behind. It seemed Ya-el had created a light orb.

ㅡㅡㅡ!!!

The ghouls paused for a moment at the sight of the light. Although their actions became slower, it wasn’t enough to stop them from moving.

However, that was enough to help Ji-hyuk considerably. He glanced at Kayak and nodded. The Lizardman clenched his sharp mace and quickly followed the hero.

Soon, a fireball flew in and exploded over the ghoul horde. Dozens of ghouls tumbled down in an instant. Ji-hyuk used that as a starting point to dash forward and began to break through the ghoul horde.

The number was truly enormous. He couldn’t even estimate how many villages had been swept away.

The human and the Lizardman were slashing their weapons madly and advancing. The fire magic continued to explode within the ghoul horde.

The ghouls, which had been heading toward the village, suddenly changed their direction. They swarmed towards Ji-hyuk and Kayak.

This son of a b*tch, did he already get scared….

“Kayakㅡ! Follow meㅡㅡ!!”

Ji-hyuk swung the Holy Sword widely and advanced without hesitation. Kayak dealt with the guys sticking behind them, sticking close to the hero.

Hoo, hooㅡ.

The two breathed roughly, killing the ghoul horde that kept swarming in. The corpses, moving as ordered even if their heads were broken or their torsos were cut, weren’t afraid. …They were soldiers that were close to perfection if you count an army. They didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, and weren’t even afraid of death.

The ghouls, who had been attacking Ji-hyuk and Kayak, suddenly stopped moving and began to twist their bodies strangely. The hero felt something bad. He moved even faster.

The ghouls suddenly began to gather in one place. Their bodies began to crush more and more.

D*mn itㅡ.

The crushed flesh, gathered and mashed, began to heave again and take shape. It was the shape of a giant.

“Captaaaainㅡㅡ!!”

Kayak shouted urgently to Ji-hyuk.

“Ignore it and break throughㅡㅡ!!”

Ji-hyuk slashed through the ghoul horde even faster as he advanced. At that moment, a fireball flew in. It struck the back of the corpse giant and exploded. The giant staggered once.

ㅡㅡ!!

The hero team, confirmed that the ghoul horde was no longer approaching, quickly moved to help the two.

The magician Ya-el, confirming the giant, began chanting a high-level fire magic this time. Intense mana began to swirl around the area.

In the meantime, Grendal put three arrows on his composite bow and pulled the bowstring with all his might. Releasing the bowstring, pulled to the limit, the arrow flew like a light and pierced the torso of the giant.

The impact caused it to fall forward with a thud. However, two more corpse giants sprang up.

ㅡㅡㅡ!!!

“This shiiiit, d*mn itㅡㅡ!!”

Gid cursed in a thick voice with a face that had turned pale.

Fortunately, at just the right time, the knights arrived and joined them. The commander ordered his subordinates to exterminate the enemies.

Ya-el, who had been chanting for a very long time, even sweating, finally completed the high-level fire magic. Although it wasn’t perfect, it was still a magical power that was on a different level from the lower level, it was enormous.

She launched it at the corpse giant. The speed was definitely slower than the lower level fire magic. However, the slow giant couldn’t avoid it and was hit squarely.

At the same time, there was an enormous explosion that made the surroundings bright. The area around the explosion was also completely devastated.

ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ!!!!

The giant’s form disappeared completely in a single shot. Everyone was surprised. Ya-el’s mouth dropped open, not knowing the explosive power would be this strong. It was the first time she had used it in actual combat.

“This shiiiit, it’s f’cking stroooongㅡㅡ!!”

Gid went absolutely wild. He jumped up and down, urging them to launch more magic.

Ji-hyuk and Kayak also glanced briefly at the enormous explosion felt from behind. The captain was satisfied.

…Well done, Ya-el.

It seemed they didn’t have to worry about the back. They also broke through the thick ghoul wall by then.

Only then did Ji-hyuk’s vision open up. In his eyes, he saw the sorcerer standing on a low knoll, controlling the ghouls. The hero immediately flew towards him.

The guy desperately began to pour out his magical energy. Two beings, who were standing next to the sorcerer as if they were guarding him, moved. Their movements were completely different from those of the insignificant ghouls. They seemed to be enhanced ghouls, fed with a lot of magical energy.🵪

Right behind was the corpse giant approaching. The ghoul horde also kept swarming in.

There was nowhere else to retreat. Ji-hyuk kept advancing. Kayak also dealt with the enhanced ghouls, rushing forward like a four-legged beast.

The corpse giant dropped its fist with the intent to crush Ji-hyuk’s body. The hero moved his body to the side, lightly avoiding the fist, then flew forward and precisely split the enhanced ghouls in half with the Holy Sword.

ㅡㅡ!!

And the hero quickly rushed towards the sorcerer. His body was already right in front of the sorcerer’s nose.

Ji-hyuk saw the guy, already rotten and festering from the magical energy. He swung his sword strongly in order to kill the guy with a single strike. However, the sword rang out with a clang, as if it had been blocked by something hard, and bounced off.

The sorcerer grinned wickedly, showing his teeth. His eyes were saying, How dare you.

…Grinning?

Ji-hyuk’s face turned cold. He sent the Holy Sword behind his waist. His posture slightly lowered. And the moment his body leaned forward slightly, the Holy Sword moved like a ray of light.

ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ!!!!

The Holy Sword, which had risen to the sky, stood tall. The barrier made of magical energy was shattered in a single blow. The guy’s body was also cut diagonally in half.

“Ah, ah ah ah ah ah aaaaahㅡㅡ!!”

The sorcerer’s scream tore through the air. Ji-hyuk was about to move to smash the guy’s head when suddenly something shot out and aimed at his face. The hero quickly turned his body to avoid it.

Something abnormally huge grew out of the guy’s severed arm. It looked more like a monster’s than a human’s.

“Kheuheuheu, euheuheuheu…!”

Judging by the ominous magical energy, it seemed to be the arm of a demon who had made a contract with the guy.

The huge arm twisted grotesquely and moved quickly. It doggedly followed Ji-hyuk to kill him.

“You son of a b*tch, you’re dead now…!”

The sorcerer glared at the hero with bloodshot eyes and spoke darkly. But suddenly, the arm grabbed the guy’s head and pulled it straight out. The head soon crumbled like a rotten watermelon in its hand.

ㅡㅡㅡ!!!

Another head grew out of the extracted head’s position. It was a demon.

━ Eehihihihihihihi

The guy quickly took control of the sorcerer’s body.

Ji-hyuk tilted his neck. …He came to catch a sorcerer, but he was about to catch a demon instead.

Soon, the area around him began to turn into a land of death.

And in this land, a demon descended.

The demon of corpses, Kebola.