Pick Me Up!

‘Those guys…’ I had seen them before. And fought against them. The escort mission on the 15th floor, in the latter part, blocking the entrance, the black knights. Dozens of black knights were blocking the retreat route, driving the troops into a corner. Their movements surpassed the human limit. As someone in the same position, I could tell. They were of our kind. Their number is about thirty. ‘Where did they come from?’ It seemed like they weren’t there when I first looked. “Those guys will be fun to fight.” Velkist smirked. The black knight unit was blocking the troops’ retreat route and carrying out a one-sided slaughter. A few soldiers resisted but were soon trampled like ants and crumbled. The cult’s forces were pressing in from the front. The outcome was decided. It was a complete annihilation. ‘What are they trying to show us?’ I glanced at my wrist. The flesh, translucent like jelly, allowed light to pass through. My body was gradually becoming faint. A sign for our return. As Jenna said, once they were completely annihilated, we would be able to return to the waiting room. “Jenna, Kishasha!” “Yes?” “Yea.” “Pay more attention to the battlefield. If you notice anything, let me know immediately. I have a bad feeling.” Both nodded. ‘Strange.’ Call it a master’s instinct or whatever; even if it was a linked quest, there was no need to drag it out like this. A foreboding feeling came over me. I also diligently scanned the area, but the distance was quite far. While I could understand the overall flow, the details were not visible. Even with the power of deep insight, this was as far as I could go. But Jenna and Kishasha would be different. I should be able to receive meaningful reports from them. “Han.” When a general riding a white horse fell and the troops were reduced to a quarter, Kishasha spoke. “Did you find something?” “It’s that human female.” “What do you mean, human female?” “I found the female who bothered me. Asking to save humans and such. The human woman from that time is over there.” Kishasha pointed to the lower right of the battlefield. I followed the thin finger of Kishasha. Where my gaze landed, there were dozens of black knights and… “…!” When I came to my senses, I was running down the hill. “Where are you going?!” “Han, I said it was blocked!” “I can’t just watch!” I shouted as if spitting out the words and increased my speed. My hand was already on the sheath at my belt. ‘Why is she…?’ Questions followed one after another. Even as I pieced my thoughts together, my pace quickened. A full sprint. Gathering all the strength in my body, I dashed forward. The wind whipped my face like a whip. ‘I can’t understand…’ When could I ever understand? I gritted my teeth and ran. The battlefield, which had seemed far away and like a scene from a movie, was enlarging before me. The sound of spears and swords, the thick scent of blood, the smell of flesh, the desperate screams. Within that… “Pria” I shouted at the top of my lungs. The next moment, my shoulder collided with the invisible wall. I swallowed the pain that felt like I was about to shatter and corrected my posture. “Answer me! Priasis! Pria!” My voice seemed to be buried in the noise of the battlefield, and she did not turn to look at me. “Aaagh!” “Please, save me…” “I surrender, I surrender! Please…” The soldiers nearby were killed off like straw. Begging and pleading were useless. Resistance even more so. The black knights methodically reaped their lives. Within that encirclement, Priasis Al Ragnar stood with a stern expression. Her silken silver hair was dirtied with dust and blood, her pale face smeared with sweat and dirt. The formal armor she wore was dented all over. Holding a half-broken sword in her right hand, Pria shouted as if in a frenzy. “Didn’t I say I surrender!” “…” “I’ll give my life! So let these people go! Wasn’t it my life you wanted?” The black knights did not answer at all. Hot blood splattered from a severed neck, soiling Pria’s slender neck. “Who exactly are you? Why are you tormenting me so much! I only… wanted to save the people…” Her golden eyes twisted, and her voice choked with sobs. “Why…” Bang! I kicked the wall with all my might. But the wall didn’t budge. ‘What is this?’ It was incomprehensible. “Hey! Can you hear me?!” “You bastards, who do you think I am! I won’t die easily!” Finally, only Pria was left on the battlefield. Dozens of black knights surrounded her. Beyond them, hundreds of infantry were in the first line. Further beyond, the second line of infantry. And then the third. “…” All dead. Pria bowed her head. “I am of the royal family… leading the people…”  Out from the black knights’ visors, a boiling voice leaked.     The thirty black knights spoke in unison. As if in a choir. “…” I withdrew my hand from the sheath. At most, the distance was 5m. But I couldn’t possibly overcome the wall that seemed like mere paper in front of me. There was no way, and I, being a former master, knew that best. “Tell me. Where did I go wrong.”    What nonsense. I frowned. Priasis screamed with bloodshot eyes. “What do you mean? What did I sell out! To whom exactly!” The black knights did not answer. They only raised their swords, sticky with flesh, innards, and blood. I let out a bitter laugh. And quietly shouted. “Brat.” Finally, Freya’s gaze shifted. It wasn’t a loud shout, but it caught her attention. Her golden eyes which were filled with despair and resignation lit up with a spark. “… Han.” I said nothing. After all, it was over. My body was enveloped in light. ‘I have nothing to say.’ Not even a goodbye. It would be awkward to tell her to rest well. “I’m glad you’re alive.” Pria smiled at me with tears in her eyes. And amidst countless slashes, Pria’s body was hacked to pieces and disappeared without a trace. [Stage Clear!] [‘Han (★★★)’, ‘Jenna (★★★)’, ‘Kishasha (★★★★)’, Level Up!] [Reward – 300,000G, Wraith Fragment (Low)] [MVP – ‘Kishasha (★★★★)’] [Ding!] [Notification – You have 4 attempts left!] I returned through the rift in space-time. Except for Kishasha, everyone had a dazed expression. Even though the distance was far, they must have clearly seen Pria, who had been a key figure in the mission, die. ‘…’ 4 attempts left. It was a clear hint. The last message gave me confidence. ‘Loop.’ I stepped out of the rift in space-time.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!