What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 324

Sub-Male Lead’s Strike – #324

#324

Each One’s Great Adventure (2)

Swish—smell of water. Swoosh—scent of grass. Chirp chirp—cicada song.

The air is humid, and the breeze is slightly cool on this August morning.

“Here. This is your share for today.”

David said kindly, looking at me.

In his hands was a snack basket covered with a white cloth.

It wasn’t as delicious as what Laurence made, but the Crown Prince’s ‘rations’ and snacks were always at a 5-star hotel level.

My offering bloomed into a wide smile. How exciting!

“Thank you. I will enjoy it.”

“Yes. You need to gain more weight to assist His Highness.”

“I will keep that in mind, David.”

“Supplies are precious, so be sure to return the basket.”

“Of course.”

I hugged the basket full of food and happily promised.

Cedric, the Crown Prince, was seen taking a walk along the riverside with Charles.

-Clatter, clatter…

Originally, this was not my responsibility.

David had his subordinates prepare the Crown Prince’s snacks, and I remember he started bringing them from my second day at work.

As far as I knew, he didn’t like snacks.

He would eat them if offered, but he wasn’t the type to seek them out. Now, he seemed even more particular about food.

He didn’t seem to have an appetite since coming to the battlefield, and David brought different things every day, but he barely took a bite.

The leftovers eventually came back to me.

At first, I politely refused, saying there was no need, but the middle-aged man insisted that I, who was doing volunteer work, needed to eat more.

I couldn’t win against an elder who said that much.

“Hmm.”

Still, I was worried about the Crown Prince. His cheekbones seemed more prominent.

Octopus, eel, or abalone… Shouldn’t he at least have some black-boned chicken soup?

“Are you planning to share it with the children again?”

I was caught!

“Ah, yes. I can’t eat it all by myself.”

I nonchalantly lied and lifted the cloth.

David, completely fooled, simply smiled gently and said nothing more. Let’s see, what’s on the menu today…

“Wow.”

Three boiled eggs. Two nicely sliced baguettes. A piece of Reblochon cheese, full of summer flavor.

A slice of Jambon de Bayonne [a type of cured ham from Bayonne, France] with a matured aroma wafting up.

There were even six sweet Mirabelle plums! The little ones would definitely love them.

These days, the Homing people were eating regularly thanks to the Imperial Army’s help, but it was still hard to taste high-end cheese or unspoiled fruit.

Ham was even more precious. Hino would be happy if I gave it to him.

I could add some meat to the Stamppot [a traditional Dutch dish of mashed potatoes and vegetables], which was full of mashed vegetables.

“Thank you so muc-,”

That’s when it happened.

-콰아아앙!

Something exploded in the distance! I was startled and raised my head.

It was in the direction of Mount Trossart. ‘Aaaaaaah!’ A piercing scream echoed.

‘Heeing!’ In the distance, Charles stopped, raising his front hooves.

The only thought that flashed through my mind was:

‘Monster appearance, evacuate immediately.’

“David! This way!”

“Yes, I understand!”

Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult because it was a drill we had been repeating for several days.

I quickly grabbed him and ran to the waterfront.

Recently, intermediate or higher-level monsters had been appearing at the Trossart field base.

The exact reason was unknown, but it was said that it was not a natural phenomenon.

Therefore, mages were engraving defensive magic circles everywhere and guarding the front lines in three shifts a day.

They had never come down this far, but it was a topic everyone had been concerned about lately.

-슥!

I heard the Crown Prince draw his sword. The commotion grew louder in the direction of the barracks, which had been quiet.

I sat David down by the river and hurriedly turned around.

Crimson mana was rising between the white tents and the blue sky.

Woo-oong, paaaaa! The bursting noise pierced my ears.

The presence of warriors drawing swords and spears was also clear. Clang, clang!

“Protect the civilians first! Gather the workforce and residents to the riverside!”

“Yes!”

“Do as we trained, do as we trained!”

“Yes!”

“All combat mages, assemble!”

The shouts were heard from very far away and echoed loudly right in front of me.

Answers and shouts of spirit went back and forth busily. I fidgeted and peeked out.

Yoanner and the residents would be safe.

I didn’t have to worry; they would take good care of the children. The problem was something else.

“…My bag.”

My grip tightened involuntarily.

The torn bag was in a straw backpack, which was too big to carry while volunteering.

It was also cumbersome because of the hot weather.

So, I left everything except small items like my journal and notebook in the barracks.

“I’m going crazy.”

Inside was Dduk-sim, wrapped in a handkerchief. Damn it!

“Heineken?”

I wandered around with my mouth covered with my fist. I didn’t even know David was calling me.

It’ll be okay. It really will be. I muttered those words like crazy.

The monsters were sure to be swept away before they could even get near the military camp.

Dduk-sim had exhausted all his energy and was asleep.

So, they wouldn’t attack because they reacted to his divine power.

If they had sensed it, the Crown Prince would have noticed it first. The little bird would be safe. Please.

“Don’t move from here.”

The Crown Prince immediately turned to David and said. I had the illusion that our eyes met for a moment.

The orange eyes seemed to deepen slightly,

“Heut!”

-Clatter, clatter, clatter!

He fluttered his black hair and ran somewhere.

It felt like a warning, but it must have been my imagination?

He didn’t seem to have a priest with him, so I was worried if Aether and the Hyegeom [likely a special unit or weapon] were enough.

At the same time, the servants working in the military camp began to flock this way.

They all had serious expressions. Some people were carrying bundles.

The atmosphere was completely different from the training that had taken place yesterday or the day before.

There were at least two hundred people.

“Everyone, wait here!”

“You must not go outside the military camp, do you understand!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Follow the Imperial Army’s orders until further notice!”

“Yes!”

“If you see a monster, go straight into the water! The distance doesn’t matter! Go in as soon as you see it!”

“Yes!”

Three or four knights drove the crowd like sheep while riding their horses.

The terrified civilians huddled together in a circle.

Several children were crying, already frightened.

I stood on tiptoe and looked around. I saw familiar faces over there.

Hino, Kuhn, and everyone else were gathered.

A sigh of relief escaped me, but a creeping sense of tension overflowed.

My mouth felt parched with self-reproach.

I should have brought Dduk-sim with me. I should have taken care of him every day.

I didn’t know what to say to the Crown Prince or David if they found out, so I greeted him alone every morning and came out.

Because of that shallow fear.

…Jeong Eun-seo. Why do you only think of yourself?

“Excuse me, Knight, may I ask you something?”

In the end, I spoke to a passing knight. Fortunately, she recognized me.

She was a patient I had taken care of for a while at the relief center.

“What’s wrong, volunteer?”

“Did the monsters come down near the military camp? Is it intermediate level?”

“…”

Then the knight pursed her lips and looked around.

The gathered civilians were too busy comforting each other to pay much attention to us.

The murmuring was so loud that our voices seemed to be easily buried.

After confirming that her superior was moving away, the woman quickly lowered her head towards me.

A thin whisper flowed in.

“Upper level or higher.”

“…”

“They are confronting our forces on the ridge.”

I tried to raise the corners of my mouth. Upper level. It was a level I had only seen during the monster subjugation.

“It’ll be okay, right? His Highness the Crown Prince and everyone else are here. There are so many personnel stationed here…”

“There are too many of them.”

“…”

“So stay here and don’t move. We’ll protect you.”

She nodded her chin with a determined face and disappeared.

I blankly opened and closed my mouth.

I wasn’t a prince now, so I couldn’t know the exact situation.

For example, what attributes did the intermediate-level monsters that had appeared so far mainly have, and what patterns of attacks did they use?

What was the presumed reason for their appearance? How many casualties were there?

If those guys attacked, would the defenseless Dduk-sim be safe?

I didn’t know anything.

“David. I’ll go to the barracks.”

I quickly handed the basket to the middle-aged man and checked my shoelaces.

The ribbons were tied tightly. It would be quick to run there and back. I can do it.

“What? You,”

“I’ll be right back!”

Thump! I immediately ran forward, looking straight ahead.

“Heineken!”

“Hey! You there!”

Thud, thwack! My shoulders and elbows, which collided with the soldiers’ armor, were numb.

But this was my karma.

It was my fault for being selfish and not taking care of Dduk-sim.

Ugh! I almost tripped over a stone several times. And I kept running.

The priests who had joined last widened their eyes and looked at me.

“Catch that guy, it’s dangerous!”

“Hey! Where are you going!”

“Oh my god!”

The knights and soldiers raised their voices, and the residents were shocked.

Soon, the sound of clanging followed me. It was the sound of armor and boots running.

Goosebumps rose on my spine, and I felt a sudden fear, as if I had committed a crime.

No, I had committed a big crime.

“I’m sorry! I left a friend behind!”

I almost screamed and entered the barracks area.

I safely passed the tree with two large branches.

Ugh! I almost got caught several times, but I barely slipped through the cloth and ropes.

I didn’t have athletic skills, but my stamina and strength weren’t bad.

If I kept my mind focused, I could run without stopping.

I hid behind the blacksmith’s drawer, panting.

“Where did he go? Straight?”

“If he did, we would have seen him right away. He wasn’t that fast.”

“Then you go to the left, I’ll check the right!”

“Okay!”

Busy footsteps echoed from a block away.

I caught my breath and constantly scolded myself.

It’s your fault if those people are in danger. This is a huge nuisance. So you have to come back quickly.

Just take care of Dduk-sim and come back as soon as possible.

“Hoo, hoo… Ha, haa…”

I quickly raised my head and looked around. Fortunately, it was a familiar landscape. Because the situation was urgent, my sense of direction seemed to be getting better. There was no one around.

Even the village dog that the Imperial Army was taking care of was nowhere to be seen. But I was almost there.

-타닷!

I ran back to the tent where I was staying.

My forehead was wet with sweat, and my heart was pounding with fear, but I didn’t stop.

Dduk-sim was my only friend right now.

Maybe forever.

-펄럭!

“Dduk-sim!”

When I opened the small tent entrance, I saw the backpack placed in the corner of the bed.

I hurriedly rummaged through my luggage and found the wren. Thank you, God.

The body that my lips touched was breathing warmly. The little one was unharmed.

Seeing him sleeping soundly made my heart ache and my earlobes hot.

I quickly tried to put him in my arms—

-사아아······

“Huh?”

A round, familiar energy rose from my fingertips.

I was shocked and looked at it. It wasn’t a mistake. My mouth slowly opened.

Golden, brilliant grains were dancing in front of my eyes.

“It’s Aether. No, wait…”

Holding Dduk-sim preciously in one hand, I shook the other hand vigorously.

I focused on my heart, closed my eyes tightly, and imagined pouring out Aether.

But there was no more. It was the same result even if I held my breath or jumped in place.

One grain floating like a firefly was the end.

“Haa… Heok, cough! Ahem.”

I lost a little strength, but I didn’t give up. I wrapped the golden particles and took them with Dduk-sim.

Anyway, it was a good sign.

Even if it didn’t all come back, it was a sign that I still had Aether.

Maybe… The Crown Prince has a great sense, so he might recognize it.

“Hoo. I have to go now.”

After repeatedly checking the journal and notebook in my belt pocket, I quietly opened the tent and came out.

The outer area was very quiet. The two soldiers who were chasing me were nowhere to be seen.

For some reason, I felt a chill.

“…”

It was a sparkling morning, but strangely, the air felt ominous.

That’s strange. This is a very familiar atmosphere.

-······쿵! 쿠웅! 쿵!

And in the distance, the ground rumbled slowly. Moreover, the vibration was getting bigger and bigger.

It meant that the epicenter was approaching. My eyes widened in proportion to the vibration.

쿵! 쿠웅! 쿠우웅······!

“Huh?”

A strong déjà vu hit the back of my head hard.

A chilling sensation that made the hairs on my skin stand on end swallowed my whole body.

I slowly raised my head, muttering ‘no way’ like a madman.

At the same time, a huge shadow began to occupy the sky from the other side.

The view darkened as if dark clouds were gathering.

Only then did I understand why people in movies react so slowly.

Why, when you watch something like —

-크허어어어!

“Aaaaaaah!”

There are extras who don’t run away quickly and just stand there watching the dinosaurs!

-크아아아아······!

“Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy!”

That’s me!

-콰아아아앙!

The guy crushed the barracks over there with his huge tail.

Crack, crash! The thick cloth and thick stakes collapsed helplessly like tissues and toothpicks.

In an instant, my mouth dropped open and my body froze. It felt like my bone marrow was evaporating.

“…Jeong Eun-seo-eok!”

I was completely lost and ran desperately in any direction, just trying to survive.

I can’t even open a personal sanctuary right now. I’m not wearing armor, and I don’t even have a shield.

I’m just a regular person! But that guy!

“Why are you here!”

-쿠웅! 쿵! 쿠우우웅!

It’s the Tyrant Electric Dragon! The guy I saw at the monster subjugation!

“Really crazy writer, crazy development, crazy world line—”

-크러어어어!

My ears hurt!

I barely held on to my legs, which were trying to bounce out due to centrifugal force (Kuaaak!), and succeeded in making a sharp turn.

When I turned the direction, I saw an open cargo wagon in front of me. Ack! Toegye-gong [likely an exclamation of surprise or a reference to a historical figure], hooray!

“Quickly, quickly, quickly, quickly.”

Squeak! I ran at full speed until the soles of my sneakers became hot.

I had to hide before that guy turned the corner like me. That guy isn’t just an upper-level monster, he’s a legendary monster!

What the hell is going on? What’s going on!

-벌컥!

“Keuheok, cough cough!”

Damn it! The wagon was full of dusty dirt and straw.

I hurriedly covered my mouth with my sleeve and climbed into the cargo hold.

Then I quickly closed the back door and held it tightly with both hands.

I couldn’t lock the door from the inside, so this was the only way. Heok, heoeok, hook, hoo…

-쿠웅, 콰앙, 콰아앙······!

Ha… I leaned my forehead against the door, panting like a dying person.

Whether it was the grace of God or something, the Electric Dragon was moving away from me.

For now.

*

At that time, the southern border area of the Empire.

-Huh?

Hanan Lumayan turned around.

When she frowned, Isabel, who was dwelling in her body, tilted her head.

‘Is something wrong?’ A gentle question resonated in her soul. The king opened his mouth calmly.

-······There is something, but I cannot know yet.

Suddenly, a sacred premonition came over me.