In the northwest region of Gangwon Province, a place once bustling with human activity now lay in ruins.
In its place, high-rise buildings now waved ragged flags adorned with the savage patterns of beast skins.
In areas where humans once strolled freely, massive monsters moved without a care, their footsteps echoing like thunder.
And at the center of the city, in a building that had once been known as the municipal hall, a giant sat—one that was easily twice the size of other monsters gathered around.
“Report, Grand Shaman.”
They were the ones who had successfully taken control of the nearby territory—a great warrior leading the Green Mane Tribe.
Before him stood a figure that seed almost diminutive by comparison.
“If you even dare suggest postponing the operation again, no matter how much the shamans might insist…”
“Don’t worry.
Traditionally, the leader of the Green Mane tribe was ant to be the great chieftain.
However, with the chieftain’s death under mysterious circumstances, the responsibility of leading the tribe now rested on the shoulders of the two standing here: the great warrior and the great shaman.
For the warrior to effectively guide the tribe, he had to respect the shaman’s insights.
Yet, as a result of this delicate balance, their tribe’s advance had been stalled for quite so ti.
In the past, the shaman had spoken words that weighed heavily on their fate:
“There is certainly sothing in the east, but I cannot see it.”
“What does that an?”
“The lofty mountain range in the east… A presence there obscures my vision.”
While the shaman read the signs of the future, the warriors prepared for battle. This was the customary process of war for their tribe.
Yet, soone had blocked the shaman’s sight, preventing any glimpses of the celestial patterns above.
“There exists a force capable of obscuring the grand shaman’s vision.”
This only heightened their caution.
It was unwise to charge into a place where such a formidable presence could be lurking, especially without any information.
Then, there ca the mont of revelation.
“I can finally see the end.”
“What does that an?”
“The fight against the entity that had been obscuring the stars is finally over. Although it took longer than expected due to their advantageous terrain, we prevailed.”
“Finally!”
The warrior, hearing the shaman’s words, rose with fierce determination.
With a roar that echoed with sheer intensity, he bellowed, “Summon the warriors!”
“I have already dispatched the orders. Furthermore…”
The tribe was engaged in a campaign of conquest.
And before embarking on war, there were two essential tasks to address.
One was gathering intelligence.
And the other was…
“I have sent agents into the shadows.”
Assassination of key figures.
“The obstacles that could hinder our war efforts should have been dealt with by now.”
[Shaman: A monster wave is coming]
The ssage from Taejun flashed before my eyes.
But there was no ti to pause and read it.
“…..Gah!”
A chilling energy washed over from above.
That hostile presence was drawing closer!
A shiver ran down my spine.
I tried to hastily draw my knife, but…
The mont my hand gripped the hilt of [Dokkkogusik], I sensed sothing instinctually.
‘I’m too late.’
Even if I pulled out the knife and swung it now, there would be no ti.
I knew there was no way I could deflect this attack.
Even though I understood the futility of the action, I drew my knife from its sheath.
In that fleeting mont, words flashed through my mind like a passing lantern.
“One day, you’ll pay dearly for this.”
Not long ago, when I had briefly visited the artillery battalion and was about to leave, Commander Lee Sang-ah had said that.
“Isn’t the commander human, too? As long as you’re human, you can’t always be perfect.”
At that point, I had managed to get things sowhat organized. My fellow soldiers and I had achieved a level of growth far beyond that of others. We even perford well in the siege battle, which we hadn’t expected at all.
‘If we keep going like this, we might just make it through.’
It was a slight thought, but it had made complacent.
‘I let my guard down.’
Then ca the ssage from Taejun.
As I focused on its contents, I beca careless of my surroundings.
‘…I ssed up!’
Not only had I been negligent, but I also made a mistake. So far, I’d sohow navigated through each obstacle and survived. But after all, I’m a re human.
No one can be flawless at all tis; everyone makes mistakes.
In the past, a slip-up or two wouldn’t have been a concern.
But the problem is…
“These days, a single mistake could lead to serious consequences.”
It wasn’t a world that would let you overlook a single error with a lenient hand.
I gulped.
‘Is this how I’m going to die…? So futilely?’
Though it was just a brief mont, I felt a genuine fear rise before the looming threat of death, which had co to visit after such a long absence.
But Commander Lee Sang-ah’s words didn’t end there.
[You never know what might happen in human affairs, right? So…].
After a warning, she offered her counsel.
[Enough talk; just take this with you.]
A chilling aura lood above , threatening to split my skull.
And at that very mont—
“Grhhh!”
A beastly cry erupted from between my uniform’s chest.
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