The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (98)

“Unit Commander.”

“Lord Lucael…!”

As Lucael entered, the soldiers in the barracks quickly stood up from their seats.

One soldier lying on a bed.

At first glance, his injuries were serious enough to be concerning.

Lucael asked.

“What happened?”

“While performing reconnaissance around the gorge… we were attacked.”

“…You were attacked?”

Lucael’s eyes wavered.

Who would dare threaten soldiers in this place?

Lucael’s gaze turned toward Iculed’s Gorge.

To attack enemies, one would have to pass through that terrible gorge.

But the same applied to the enemies as well.

Unless they came through this gorge, attacking them would be impossible….

However, there was a reason.

“We went a bit deeper for gorge perimeter duty. Honestly… we just wanted to assess how the terrain had changed due to the recent severe snowstorms….”

“Such foolishness…!”

At the soldier’s continued words, Lucael frowned.

Due to excessive ambition, they had gone deep into the gorge and encountered the enemy.

The soldier bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, Unit Commander.”

“…First, treat the injured quickly.”

Lucael turned to look at Arteon who had followed behind.

“Introducing the unit members… will have to wait. Your position is 1st Squad leader. Go to the barracks where the 1st Squad is.”

“…Wait a moment.”

Then Arteon, who had been looking at the injured, spoke.

The wounds on the soldier lying on the bed were quite different from ordinary cases.

‘This wasn’t caused by a sword… or axe-like blade.’

The leather armor was torn, and the wounds looked like flesh had been ripped out from within.

As Arteon walked toward the injured, the soldiers watching him flinched and stepped back.

Arteon looked at another soldier beside the injured one and asked.

“Were you there together when the attack happened?”

“Y-yes. But who….”

“Do you know… what the attacker looked like?”

“Huh? Ah, well… it happened so quickly that I don’t remember clearly, but….”

At Arteon’s question, the soldier recalled the situation.

He had no intention of denying that it was excessive ambition.

It was true that they had entered a bit deeper than the designated area, just wanting to do a little better.

And that creature that had charged at them through the snowstorm.

“The height….”

“Over 2 meters tall, with coal-black skin?”

“…!”

At Arteon’s words, the soldier’s eyes shook greatly.

“Y-yes. Incredibly tall… I’m not sure about other things, but the skin was really black. Really… black enough to think of a lump of coal.”

Since it was such an urgent and dangerous moment, he couldn’t remember well, but those two characteristics came back clearly.

At that answer, Lucael narrowed his eyes and looked at Arteon.

“Do you know something?”

“…It’s the Chevilk Tribe.”

Chevilk.

A very small minority tribe within the Kar Tribe, and though they were Kar Tribe, they weren’t recognized even within their own people and were treated like slaves.

Their characteristic was that most adults grew over 2 meters tall, and among them, the large ones nearly reached 3 meters.

‘Plus the black skin.’

Those with completely different level of black skin from ordinary black skin, along with their large height, possessed beast-like characteristics.

Despite having huge builds, they had incredibly fast movements.

Moreover, their sharp claws had hardness comparable to decent metal even without using mana.

‘For example….’

They were merciless creatures that could hardly be called human.

However, despite the Chevilk Tribe having such incredible physique, movement, and reflexes, they had a fatal weakness.

Inversely proportional to the time they possessed strong power, their strength rapidly weakened after turning thirty.

Moreover, their numbers were extremely small.

Therefore, even within the Kar Tribe, they were treated as inhuman and used merely as tools.

“Chevilk Tribe…?”

“Yes. They’re a minority tribe within the Kar Tribe, beast-like creatures.”

Arteon briefly explained about the Chevilk Tribe.

If he explained too deeply, the situation would become complicated again.

Lucael’s eyes narrowed.

“I’ve been in this Northern Region for quite a long time, but this is the first I’ve heard of such creatures. Lieutenant Arteon, how do you know this?”

“My late father was once severely injured by them. My father also fought in this Northern Region.”

“…I see.”

The northern battlefield was a place where countless people were dragged, injured, and died.

There was no better excuse than this.

Then Arteon stood up from his seat.

If the Chevilk Tribe was here….

‘This might become… a more difficult situation than I thought.’

Beyond simply being strong, they were considerably resistant to cold compared to ordinary people.

Among the Kar Tribe, the Chevilk Tribe was truly specialized for the Northern Region.

Perhaps this battle.

‘From the moment we enter the gorge… it might be dangerous.’

There were too many things to confirm.

But in such a snowstorm situation, body temperature dropped much faster than usual.

Even reconnaissance wasn’t easy.

“For now, everyone prepare and stand by. We’ll move after checking the weather.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Yes.”

“Captain Isaac, please guide the 1st Squad leader. I seem to have something to do first.”

“Understood.”

As the situation became serious, Lucael immediately returned to his barracks.

Isaac let out a small sigh and then looked at the soldiers in the barracks.

“First, let’s introduce those here. This is Lieutenant Arteon who joined us last. Those who’ve heard rumors probably already know, right?”

At Isaac’s words, some of the soldiers in the barracks nodded.

There were those who knew about Arteon and those who didn’t, but the thoughts in their heads seemed mostly the same.

Isaac continued.

“Don’t try to establish discipline just because he’s young or you’ll get hurt badly. Honestly, in terms of combat ability alone, he’s superior to me, so everyone be careful not to get injured.”

“…What?”

“Stronger than the Deputy Commander?”

Everyone knew Isaac’s personality of not speaking empty words.

But that same Isaac.

‘Said he’s stronger than himself…?’

‘He still… seems like just a kid…’

Everyone knew what level of skill Isaac possessed.

That’s why everyone couldn’t help but be surprised.

Arteon looked at the soldiers with surprised expressions and said.

“I’m Lieutenant Arteon. I don’t know the ranks of the others, but since we’ll be in the same unit here, I look forward to working with you all.”

“As of now, Lieutenant Arteon is the 1st Squad leader. Unit members who aren’t squad leader rank must treat him with respect regardless of their position. Now come with me to the 1st Squad barracks.”

“Yes.”

Arteon followed Isaac toward where the 1st Squad was located.

Though they were newly met unit members, they were all part of a temporarily formed special unit anyway.

“Well, greet them briefly and rest. Starting tomorrow… we’ll have a separate meeting, so let’s meet then.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

Since it was getting dark, Isaac hurriedly excused himself.

As a new addition, time together with his companions would be necessary.

When Isaac left, Arteon immediately looked at the 1st Squad soldiers who were there.

They must have been temporarily formed due to the special unit. 

‘They show no sense of awkwardness at all.’

They were people accustomed to this kind of special mission.

That meant they were skilled individuals.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lieutenant Arteon. I’ve been assigned as 1st Squad leader while performing missions here. I hope we can complete our mission safely and return to our original positions without anyone getting hurt…”

“Nice to meet you, Squad Leader. I’m Railen.”

“I’m Dorban. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Kaild.”

“Brenrik… sir.”

“I’m Sebastian.”

“I’m Kant.”

Looking at those who introduced their names in turn, Arteon lightly offered handshakes.

It was just lightly grasping hands, but even this alone could gauge what level they were at.

‘Are they all… 2nd Star level or above?’

Regular soldiers at 2nd Star level.

Most were at a level where they could hold positions of platoon leader or higher in a unit.

Gathering such people meant this mission would be difficult.

“From now on, I’ll speak casually. For now, everyone rest until there are separate orders. Probably…”

Swoosh.

Arteon looked toward the outside of the barracks.

If operational orders came down in earnest.

“From then on, there won’t be many situations where we can smile.”

Everyone nodded at those words.

Thus the first night in Aikuled was passing by.

*    *    *

Whiiiiiiing!

A blade-like snowstorm devoured the gorge.

Iryakl, a warrior of the Chevilk Tribe, stood at the edge of a snow-covered cliff looking down below. 

Though fierce snowflakes mercilessly lashed his face, his gaze remained unshaken, deep and firm. 

And soon, a massive shadow approached through the snowstorm.

A woman easily over 2 meters tall. 

Like Iryakl, her dark skin stood out strangely against the snowfield.

“One guy got badly hurt. He won’t be able to move for several days. Let’s wait inside until then.”

“…”

“Iryakl.”

At the second call, Iryakl finally nodded.

“…I understand.”

He answered briefly, then squeezed his body into the cave she had dug beforehand. 

Just being able to avoid the snowstorm was a great help in maintaining body temperature.

But even in the warm darkness, no sense of relief came.

“Just how long do we have to live like this…”

The woman muttered lowly while looking at Iryakl. 

Her fingertips trembled slightly as they gripped the hem of his clothes.

Grab!

At that moment, Iryakl grasped her hand. 

His rough and firm grip enveloped hers as if swallowing her trembling.

“Don’t tremble. Everything will… work out fine. Didn’t they say this mission would be the last?”

However, the woman shook her head and bit her lips.

“But… there’s no way those bastards will keep their promise.”

A brief silence.

Then Iryakl’s eyes flashed blood-red.

“Then…”

The resolve contained in those brief words was all too clear. 

Like flames that even the snowstorm couldn’t extinguish, his will seemed already firmly established.

Iryakl pulled her into his embrace. 

His coldly stiffened touch stroked her hair.

“Don’t worry. Everything will… work out fine.”

But the woman still remained in Iryakl’s embrace with an expression tainted by anxiety and fear.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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