The Genius Archer Who Became a One-Man Army

Chapter 25

When Lian first read Giap’s autobiography, he thought the level of detail was unnecessary. Looking back, he was incredibly grateful for it.

Lian and Kyle entered the alley visible from the eastern gate of the fortress.

‘He said it was around the third corner from here.’

The reason he remembered it was because he had thought at the time, ‘Why is this so unnecessarily detailed?’

After turning the third corner, Lian saw an old, signless shop.

Thud.

He pushed the door gently, but it was locked.

Lian glanced at Kyle.

“Can you handle it?”

“I’ll give it a shot.”

Kyle was filled with curiosity, but he didn’t ask any questions and did as Lian requested, slamming his body against the door.

Crash!

As expected of Kyle. The door shattered under his body slam, and Lian smiled with satisfaction.

“Thanks, Kyle.”

“No problem, but is this really okay?”

Of course, it wasn’t. But this place had been abandoned for a long time.

‘It was supposed to be a secret passage connected to the old fortress of Saleron…’

He didn’t need to find the secret passage, though. What he was interested in was Giap’s Bracelet, supposedly stored inside.

“Kyle, keep watch outside for anyone approaching.”

“Okay… but you owe me an explanation later.”

“Thanks.”

Kyle scratched his head and went outside.

Left alone, Lian smiled and started searching the shop.

‘Let’s see…’

It looked like a simple study room.

Three tables and bookshelves lining the walls, sparsely filled with books.

It looked ordinary, but Lian knew better.

It was a space disguised as ordinary.

Lian began checking the books one by one.

There had to be a secret passage somewhere…

Click! Thud!

Pulling one book triggered a mechanism, and a section of the bookshelf slid aside, revealing a passage.

‘Got it!’

Lian quickly descended the short staircase.

There were fewer than twenty steps.

On reaching the bottom, the walls glowed faintly with light emitted by mana stones.

In the center of the space stood what looked like an altar, surrounded by a few darkened skeletons.

Lian frowned at the skeletons but focused on the small box on the altar.

“What kind of place was this…?”

Questions swirled in his mind, but Lian carefully reached for the box and opened it.

Inside was a note.

Lian unfolded the paper and read the contents.

We have done all we can.

Here, in honor of the god Rikal…

…

…

…

Though our bodies may disappear, our spirits will eternally serve the god Rikal here.

To the future who reads this note.

Do not forget us.

“Rikal?”

Rikal was the deity of a religious group that had disappeared almost a hundred years ago.

He had heard that the group was destroyed because they conducted human experiments, but this was their hideout?

‘They said it was a secret passage connected to Saleron…’

Did that mean Saleron had some connection with the followers of Rikal?

He felt a moment of confusion but shook it off and looked around. After all…

‘The location was mentioned, but the exact place for Giap’s Bracelet wasn’t specified.’

Giap, you bastard.

You said it was a secret passage connected to Saleron, but you changed your story.

Well, I get it.

Calling it the hideout of a group that conducted human experiments is too impactful.

But still…

“…Could it be?”

A black bracelet was attached to the wrist of one of the skeletons.

And it wasn’t just a bracelet. Another skeleton had a ring on its finger.

“Ugh… Creepy.”

Artifacts taken from the skeletons of Rikal’s followers.

Frowning, Lian sifted through the skeletons, looking for anything useful.

But aside from the bracelet and the ring, there was nothing else of value on the brittle bones.

Suddenly,

“……”

A strange feeling came over him.

An eerie sensation, as if something needed to be done.

With the bracelet and the unidentified ring in hand, Lian turned to leave but hesitated, staring at the altar.

‘Could it be…?’

Drawing his sword, he took a deep breath and swung it at the altar.

Sparks flew, and with a cracking sound, the altar split in half.

Inside was an empty space with another black box.

The box had an image of wind on its lid, similar to the one on the altar.

‘The symbol of Rikal…’

Lian slowly opened the box.

Inside was a pair of gloves.

Half-fingered, black leather gloves with no special appearance, except for the wind symbol etched on the back.

“Is this another artifact with special abilities…?”

Verification would have to wait.

Realizing he had spent too much time, Lian hurriedly went back up.

“Oh, right.”

He also removed the mana stones lighting the place, valuable items worth dozens of gold each.

Slide.

After closing the door, he heard Kyle calling out.

“Squad Leader, someone’s coming!”

“Let’s get out of here.”

“What were you doing in there?”

“I’ll explain later.”

Lian dodged Kyle’s questions, and they returned to the main camp. Unexpectedly, he had obtained not only the bracelet but also a ring and gloves. He wasn’t sure what powers they held, but surviving tomorrow’s battle was his priority.

There was no turning back from this fight. And many casualties were inevitable.

If they couldn’t avoid the battle, he was determined to achieve something from it.

“Be prepared,” Lian said.

“Yes,” Kyle nodded.

* * *

At dawn, the soldiers began their preparations for battle.

As they formed the characteristic kingdom battle formation, the trumpet sounded loudly, signaling the start of the march.

Bwooo-!

With that sound, the kingdom’s soldiers moved in formation.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Each step seemed to shake the ground.

Eagle Company, integrated into the 2nd Battalion’s formation, formed a square shield wall.

The strongest battle formation.

A formation that allowed the kingdom’s forces to attack without being hit by the enemy’s attacks.

In the Kingdom of Artian, many called this formation the strongest.

But Lian knew its weaknesses.

The kingdom’s shield wall was overwhelmingly powerful when it overwhelmed the enemy with sheer numbers.

A hundred soldiers with large tower shields would form one massive shield, covering everything from their knees to their chins.

They blocked the enemy’s attacks and, when attacking, lowered their shields to thrust their spears.

But this power was only effective against equal or weaker opponents.

‘Against a powerful enemy, this formation can crumble like a sandcastle.’

The enemy they faced, the barbarian horde, was like a sharp blade, with all their attributes focused on attack.

If they could hold the line, they would win easily.

‘If we can’t hold it…’

The shield formation would collapse, leading to massive casualties.

“Kyle, Arthur.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, Squad Leader.”

Kyle and Arthur were the strongest in the 6th Squad.

Lian looked at them and spoke.

“If the formation collapses, we’ll form our own formation to fight.”

Kyle and Arthur would block the front and rear, while the other four would pair up to cover the sides.

“And I’ll cover from a step back.”

“What about me, Squad Leader?” Isaac, who hadn’t been assigned a role, asked.

Lian pointed at the two swords on Isaac’s waist.

“Just go wild.”

“…What?”

“Let’s prepare. It’s time to move out.”

Soon, the platoon leaders and commanders began to emerge.

Lian and his squad stood at attention, watching them.

Baron Biovan, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, stood on a platform and surveyed the waiting soldiers.

When the area was silent, he began to speak.

“I know this is a reckless fight.”

Many soldiers were already dissatisfied with this battle.

They knew they could easily win by holding the fortress.

They needed a justification.

“But the enemy has taken significant unexpected damage. While we could take the easy route by holding the fortress, I don’t want to just see them retreat.”

Schwing!

Baron Biovan drew his sword and raised it.

“Every year, our kingdom suffers because of these savages! We will make an example of the two thousand enemies here today, so they never dare to cross this land again!”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The drumbeat intensified, raising the soldiers’ morale.

As the officer in front struck the ground with his spear, the soldiers began to follow, raising their spirits.

“We will achieve a perfect victory and return home! On the way back, you will carry with you a glory that cannot be exchanged for anything!”

“Uwaaaaa-!”

“Uwaaaaa-!”

With Baron Biovan’s shout, the soldiers’ cheers erupted like thunder.

Biovan mounted his waiting horse.

The soldiers parted to make way for him.

“For the glory of the Kingdom of Artian!”

“For the glory of the Kingdom of Artian!”

“Charge-!”

Bwooo-!

The trumpet sounded high in the sky, and the kingdom’s army began to move.

At the same time,

“They’re coming to attack us?”

“Yes, they must be crazy to dare…”

“Hahahaha.”

Gallel laughed incredulously at the report from his subordinate.

When he stood up, blood seeped from the bandages wrapped around his leg.

“Are you okay?”

“Do you think a scratch like this bothers me?”

Compared to the wound to his pride, this injury was nothing.

Gallel picked up his axe.

“Prepare the warriors.”

“They’re already ready.”

Gallel nodded.

They had lost the first battle. He admitted that.

But that didn’t mean their enemy could come out and face them head-on.

“The gods have given us a chance to avenge our first defeat.”

They would repay it by cutting down their enemies and bathing in their blood. And one more thing,

‘That brat…’

The one who wounded his leg would be torn to pieces.

Gallel’s eyes burned with savage determination.