Strike 114

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Hyun-soo returned to the hospital in Jin-seop’s car.

After getting a mold of his right arm for the production of a protective glove, he sat face to face with Jin-seop.

“The protective glove will cost about 100 million won.”

It was an amount that shocked Hyun-soo.

“The right hand only plays a supporting role, but support is important, too. That’s why it’s so expensive—it’s a glove that’s as thin as possible while absorbing shocks. It will be custom-made in the USA.”

Jin-seop mentioned what he considered key.

“It’s estimated that the left hand can exert about 50% of the power compared to the past right hand. It’s slow, but let’s keep raising it so that you can get used to it, and we’ll also do rehabilitation to make the right hand more perfect for everyday use.”

There was other important information.

“How much will that treatment method, which is waiting for FDA approval, cost?”

Hyun-soo had recently heard about the possibility of this treatment method.

‘It must have been unavoidable.’

Hyun-soo was already struggling with hospital bills.

It was impossible for him to be presented with another treatment method and its costs in that situation.

“Treatments that are first introduced in the medical field are very expensive. This particular treatment involves injecting a substance to revive paralyzed nerves and gradually repair damaged muscles. You should expect it to cost about 100 million won per injection.”

Even Jin-seop thought that the amount was too excessive.

However, Hyun-soo said with a strong voice,

“I’ll receive it.”

Jin-seop was a bit surprised.

‘You’ve changed a lot.’

Jin-seop remembered how Hyun-soo used to panic at the desk over a few tens of thousands of won for medicine.

Every time he came to the hospital, he looked defeated.

But now it was different.

Hyun-soo’s confidence that he could solve the issue of hospital bills with his abilities was evident, and his expression of certainty exuded an indescribable aura.

“See you next time.”

Hyun-soo headed straight home.

On the way back, he explained what had happened to the people in the Bright Future Guild group chat who might have been worried.

[Kang Hyun-soo: I’m sorry for causing you worry.]

[Kim Hye-in: It’s okay, I’m glad everything worked out.]

[Kang Hyuk-su: That’s possible ^^ Congratulations.]

Hyun-soo smiled slightly at everyone’s congratulations.

Having returned home, Hyun-soo gathered his thoughts in front of the capsule.

In fact, when Hyun-soo realized that Barad considered him as his successor, he was puzzled.

He thought that Barad might be overestimating him.

But after visiting the Arham territory, he became confident about one thing.

‘I am qualified to stand at a higher place.’

He had been a weakling.

But not anymore.

Although it was a small elite group, the Guild Bright Future was gradually establishing its position.

And the immense size of the Hwarang Guild that he heard about from Nel.

He thought he could certainly chase after it.

What was needed for that?

‘A higher title and territory.’

Hyun-soo never forgot Nel’s words about a user being able to obtain territory and become a lord.

To keep moving forward, he needed a higher title and territory.

For that, his achievements in the Goyard Kingdom were also necessary.

But he thought of it as a problem to be solved gradually.

For now, Hyun-soo entered the capsule.

[Connecting to Ares.]

And as he connected, Hyun-soo had a puzzled expression.

Because the knight Luke he had brought with him was fidgeting.

“You’re here.”

“What’s the matter?”

At Hyun-soo’s question, Luke handed him a letter.

It was a letter sent by the Duke Luckburg.

Hyun-soo, who had parted ways with him in the game just a few days ago, read the urgently sent letter and had an intuition. ‘This is it.’

Hyun-soo judged that he must achieve great merits for his country.

He felt this was the perfect opportunity.

However, as he read the contents of the letter, his heart grew cold. “Is this happening at the border right now?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Send a letter to Duke Luckburg, tell him I will comply with his request.”

“Yes!”

Hyun-soo started preparing to leave for the borderlands.

***

With a fierce sound of clashing, a knight from the Goyard Kingdom fell, not lasting even a minute. “Not so tough after all!”

Frak, watching the opposing camp of the Praham Kingdom, smiled confidently as he saw Spear Heaven smile slightly.

“Wow!”

The soldiers of the Praham Kingdom cheered passionately at their victory.

In contrast, the Goyard Kingdom, having lost three times in a row, seemed to have significantly lowered morale.

The Praham Kingdom and the Goyard Kingdom often engaged in nerve-wracking events at the border, but neither wanted a full-scale war and thus, engaged in minor conflicts.

This small war has been going on for seven years.

Knights who had not been barons for more than a year from each country were selected to compete, five from each side, in a tournament style.

‘I’ve waited for this day, Barad.’

3 : 3.

For six years, the two countries had been evenly matched.

And for the seventh year, today, Spear Heaven had made extensive preparations.

The one representing them was none other than Frak, a descendant of Spear Heaven, essentially his trained disciple.

Rumors were rife that Spear Heaven’s descendant had already risen to much higher ranks.

These rumors were spread by Spear Heaven Ben himself.

Moreover, the Praham Kingdom is known as the blacksmith’s nation, rich in mines and blacksmithing materials, home to many foreign guilds that adorned Spear Heaven’s descendant with artifacts closest to legend.

The Goyard Kingdom also fielded one of the top five talents of the kingdom as their first knight, but he lost miserably three times in a row.

“Despicable wretch.”

He glared at Barad sitting not far away.

Peace? He too desires it.

But who holds the reins is important.

And to think, all they offered in this process was just a blacksmith?

Of course, he liked artifacts.

If Spear Heaven and Barad were to fight now, Barad would win, because of the sword made by Hyun.

However, artifacts can have their counterpieces, and it’s highly likely that was Hyun’s counterpiece.

Then, the sound of a horn.

The second thing Spear Heaven had prepared.

Hearing the horn, Spear Heaven felt exhilarated.

It was the sound of the nobility he had summoned leading their soldiers.

Normally, neither camp would bring so many soldiers, as it was merely a place for a show of nerves.

And the owners of this horn too would typically bring only about 100~300 soldiers.

But the number wasn’t what mattered.

They are raising a flag with the emblem symbolizing a noble family of the Praham Kingdom.

It’s a show for Barad.

‘Goyard Kingdom can no longer gather strength.’

Would the disgraced nobles of the kingdom lend him their strength?

Of course, as discussed with his confidant, Barad’s relationship with Luckburg could be a small link.

The problem was that this link did not exist.

The sound of the horn echoed once more from afar.

And Ben caught Barad sitting in the chair in his sight.

Barad.

He just closed his eyes with a sigh-laden expression.

His right hand, resting on the armrest, clenched tightly.

‘Today, I hold the reins.’

This meant that Spear Heaven could start a war at any time.

Then.

The sound echoed again.

But this time, the sound was unusual.

The confidant said with an excited expression, “Your Majesty, it seems a large army is approaching.”

“Is it Duke Luward?”

Luward, the foremost noble of the Praham Kingdom, was a man who had countless nobles under him.

“It seems so. It appears he wants to bolster your spirits today.”

“…I told them to send only the minimum number of troops.”

Spear Heaven laughed at this, as if appreciating the heart of a subject who thinks of the king.

Then, the sound of the horn echoed again.

Spear Heaven looked puzzled upon hearing it.

A horse’s neighing was heard beyond the horizon.

His sharp senses caught the sound of a single horse neighing.

Soon, a man on horseback appeared over the horizon.

‘Who is that?’

He looked puzzled.

Presumably, he was from the Goyard Kingdom.

The man, galloping at full speed, was notable for his brown coat.

Flapping his coat, he quickly arrived at the Goyard Kingdom’s camp.

***

Sitting in the chair, Barad had closed his eyes.

The fourth knight was finished, “Now, only the last knight remains!”

The voice of Frak, the descendant of Spear Heaven, seemed to mock him.

The morale of the enemies was rising, while that of his own troops was dwindling.

The nobles of the Praham Kingdom appeared with the sound of the horn.

All of them had come here to protect Spear Heaven.

‘I have done what I had to do.’

Barad had to protect the throne.

That’s why he had expelled Luckburg and the nobles.

The countless people who followed him were now jeering at Barad.

‘Even so, it’s my clear fault.’

Not being able to unite them, leading everyone to scatter.

If it’s not my fault, whose fault could it be?

Once again, the nobles of the Praham Kingdom arrived.

The morale of the Praham Kingdom’s camp rose further as they shouted the names of those nobles.

Eventually, Barad slowly closed off his hearing.

He couldn’t hear anything.

Silent tranquility.

In that silence, he organized his thoughts.

Both nations want peace.

And the dominion.

That dominion must be passed to the Praham Kingdom.

How?

Barad must go first, show a small courtesy, and talk about peace.

It will be an event recorded in history.

But it was something Barad had to do.

Then, he suddenly thought, ‘In the end, I am alone.’

15 years ago, he had his children, his wife, the Duke Luckburg, and the nobles.

But in the end, he became alone like this.

Then.

“Y…our Majesty.”

An indistinct murmur was heard.

Having closed off his hearing to organize his thoughts, Barad slowly awoke from that darkness.

“Your Majesty.”

It was a familiar voice.

Finally, his closed hearing and all senses snapped awake at once.

In that moment.

“Long live His Majesty Barad!”

An unknown cheer was heard.

Armies appeared from eight locations.

The ones thought to be nobles of the Praham Kingdom.

They were all wearing armor symbolizing the Goyard Kingdom and carrying flags representing the top nobles of each kingdom.

And in front of them, mounted on horses, were the top nobles of the kingdoms.

The nobles of the kingdom, with Luckburg in the lead!

Duke Luckburg slowly nodded his head with a small smile.

Barad looked around.

The Goyard Kingdom’s army filled the horizon.

Those who surrounded the Praham Kingdom’s army.

Barad didn’t know why the demoted ones had come here.

Then he noticed Hyun-soo in front of him.

Hyun-soo, who gave a small bow, said with a youthful smile, “I will go.”

Barad’s heart warmed.

Hyun-soo, after a small bow, unsheathed his sword and walked forward.

His destination as he continued to walk, with the hem of his coat fluttering.

Standing in front of Spear Heaven’s descendant, he said, “The last knight. Viscount  Hyun-soo.”

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