Actually, Dad Was a Hero

Chapter 51: Sacrifice Contract

900 million.

That was the number of viewers currently watching the battle unfolding in the Sydney Opera House Square in real-time.

An overwhelming number, accounting for approximately 1/8th of the world’s population and exceeding even the viewership of the World Cup finals.

Whether at home, at work, or on the streets, anyone with eyes was glued to their TVs, computers, and smartphones, witnessing firsthand the scene that was turning their known world upside down.

The area around the Opera House was cordoned off by the Australian military for safety, but there were plenty of buildings in Sydney that offered a view of the Opera House. The high-end telephoto lenses attached to the broadcasting cameras perfectly captured the tense battle scene regardless of the distance.

“Damn it, what the hell is going on?”

“Why is he just taking a beating? Fight back! Kill them!”

But the 900 million people who had been excitedly watching the screen just moments ago were now tense and anxious.

“Is he running out of stamina?”

“No, those monsters are using dirty tricks!”

“It was too reckless from the start. He should have attacked with the military!”

“Idiot! Don’t you know the military has already been wiped out?”

“Nukes, we need to use nuclear missiles! What is the US doing?”

“Nuke Sydney? That’s a genius idea!”

“Go for it, Grey Knight! I bet 200 euros on you!”

“You’re all wrong! The world is going to end! We’re next!”

Daytime, evening, midnight, dawn. Time zones varied across the world, but people watching the screen simultaneously were all chattering in their respective languages.

The current situation was disadvantageous, or rather, desperate, in anyone’s eyes.

Grey Knight, who had been overwhelming the enemy just moments ago, was now only dodging attacks, unable to counterattack.

Perhaps he might lose.

Grey Knight, the only one who could stop the powerful monsters that even the military couldn’t handle, might die.

If he were defeated, there would be no way to stop those monsters.

As such despairing observations increased, the number of viewers continued to rise.

Some sat in front of the screen seeking hope amidst despair, while others sought to witness the beginning of the end.

The entire world was focused on one man.

A man confronting a formidable enemy with only his highly trained swordsmanship and physical strength, having exhausted all his magic power.

***

Wheeeeeeee―!

Teano’s arrow once again flew towards Jin Beom-Min’s forehead.

In a position where he could lean back to dodge, Tyrel’s small dagger, coated with sharp silver magic, was already flying towards him.

Jin Beom-Min quickly deflected the dagger on the right and twisted his body urgently.

Clang!

The dagger bounced off, emitting an ear-splitting sound.

Although the dagger Tyrel threw was small, the magic contained within it was quite heavy, making it difficult to deflect with pure strength alone.

Whoosh!

Teano’s arrow grazed Jin Beom-Min’s head.

Even though the arrow didn’t make direct contact, the helmet Jin Beom-Min was wearing was dented, and fragments scattered.

It was due to the powerful magic imbued in the arrow.

“Ugh……!”

Jin Beom-Min quickly pulled out the fragment embedded near his eyebrow and crouched down.

Boom!

The arrow that hit the ground exploded, scattering sharp pieces of stone in all directions.

Jin Beom-Min staggered from the impact but didn’t take his eyes off Tyrel and Teano.

He had to find an opening and approach them to have a chance of winning.

However, no matter how long he endured, he couldn’t find that opening.

Tyrel’s daggers moved nimbly, hindering Jin Beom-Min’s movements, and Teano’s arrow attacks were impossible to deflect without magic.

Therefore, blocking and dodging their attacks made it difficult to even maintain his current position, let alone advance.

The sweat dripping from Jin Beom-Min’s forehead mixed with the blood near his eyebrows, turning crimson.

‘Is there no other way but that……!’

Jin Beom-Min bit his lip.

***

“Is there no way?”

Reaper asked in an anxious voice, taking her eyes off the scope.

The barrel of her sniper rifle was steaming hot, and the surroundings were littered with spent cartridges.

Not just her, but the entire Ghost Squad had used all their firepower to attack the two dark elves.

But it was all for naught.

Physical attacks were completely blocked by the powerful defense magic, and the numerous bullets merely became a metal carpet covering the ground around Tyrel and Teano.

“Even for Jin…… I think it will be difficult this time……”

Sandman said in a resigned tone, and Imp nodded in agreement.

“We need to retreat for now. If Jin can just recover his strength, those bastards……!”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Do you think they’ll just stand by and watch us retreat?”

At Ogre’s retort, Imp held up a grenade and said,

“We have smoke grenades. We can cover our retreat with smoke.”

“We only have one, right? Can you shoot it accurately?”

Sandman asked, and Imp replied while loading the grenade,

“At this distance, it’s a sure hit.”

“Okay, then to Jin……”

[……It’s useless.]

Jin Beom-Min responded through the communicator before Sandman could finish his sentence.

“What? But the current situation……”

[Dark elves can see in the infrared spectrum. They can easily see through smoke.]

At Jin Beom-Min’s words, the Ghost Squad members looked at each other with disappointed expressions.

“……Jin, then what……?”

[Sigh…… We have to try something.]

***

After finishing the communication and catching his breath, Jin Beom-Min suddenly realized that Teano was saying something.

“……Impressive. To hold on this long in that condition.”

Teano spoke, an arrow nocked on his bow.

It was the first sign of composure he had shown since he started attacking relentlessly after the dark elf knights fell.

It meant that his situation was that comfortable.

Jin Beom-Min kept his eyes on the three daggers circling Teano and the bow in his hand.

He was taking a break for now, but it was clear that the attack would resume as soon as he moved a finger.

Then, rather than making a hasty move, it was better to buy time and recover as much stamina and magic as possible.

“The result of…… practice and training. You seem to have…… prepared a lot as well?”

Jin Beom-Min responded in Dark Elf language, catching his breath.

“One can lose once, but not twice. It’s the ranger’s creed.”

Teano’s tone contained not only pride in himself but also respect for Jin Beom-Min, who had endured the attacks so far.

“……Yes, I think I’ve heard of it.”

Jin Beom-Min let out a brief sigh and then spoke again.

“……But there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Leaving aside those stragglers from before……”

Jin Beom-Min gestured with his chin towards the corpses of the dark elf knights scattered around.

Their bodies were mangled beyond recognition, caught in the explosions caused by Teano’s stray arrows.

“……Why didn’t you attack together with the Sphinx? If you had attacked with the Sphinx when I was weakened, you could have definitely won……?”

Originally, Teano’s skills were not enough to face Jin Beom-Min.

However, with the Sphinx’s weakening magic in effect, even Jin Beom-Min would have had difficulty dodging his arrow attacks.

Moreover, if Tyrel’s dagger attacks had been added to the mix, they could have definitely captured Jin Beom-Min.

But they didn’t. They just watched as the Sphinx’s illusions disappeared one by one and only started attacking after all the dark elf knights had fallen.

Jin Beom-Min was very curious about the reason.

“Haha, humans. They can’t help but be curious even when facing death.”

“Isn’t that why we’re strong? Unlike you, who can’t accept anything new even after living for hundreds of years.”

Teano sneered, but he didn’t loosen his grip on the bowstring.

“Fine, it seems like a cheap gift for your journey to the underworld, so I’ll tell you. The reason we didn’t attack then was……”

His gaze briefly lingered on Tyrel before returning to Jin Beom-Min.

“……Because the Sphinx had to die for me to protect my daughter’s soul.”

“Soul……? What do you mean?”

“Sacrifice Contract.”

“……Don’t tell me……! You made a Sacrifice Contract with your daughter’s life?”

Jin Beom-Min asked with wide eyes.

Sacrifice Contract.

It was one of the magic contracts used in Jindar.

This magic took effect with the consent of both parties, and when the conditions of the contract were met, the magic automatically activated and collected its due.

And the price that the ‘Sacrifice Contract’ collected was the soul, that is, the contractor’s life and magic.

“……The Sphinx needed a powerful soul to research new magic. And I needed a helper who could face you.”

“You’re crazy……!”

“Not at all. I had faith. Faith that you could defeat the Sphinx. And……”

Teano continued with a meaningful smile.

“……Faith that you would be sufficiently weakened in the process.”

“Father’s plan was perfect……!”

Tyrel chimed in from the side, as if in admiration.

“……Then those guys were a kind of insurance……”

Teano nodded at Jin Beom-Min’s words, pointing to the dead dark elf knights.

“That’s right. They were meant to gauge how much strength you had left. Well, they served their purpose. They let me know that you have no more tricks up your sleeve.”

Jin Beom-Min chuckled and replied.

“Hmm, well…… Do you really think I have no options left?”

“……Don’t bluff. You would have used them already if you had any.”

Teano remained calm, but Tyrel seemed flustered by Jin Beom-Min’s words and gestured to Teano.

“……Father, now……”

“Yes…… It’s time to end this.”

Just as Teano was about to pull back the bowstring again, Jin Beom-Min spoke again.

“By the way…… To risk your child’s life to win…… You’re a ridiculous father.”

“You can’t always protect them forever. You’ll understand if you have children too.”

Hearing those words, Jin Beom-Min chuckled as if he had been struck by a blow and nodded.

“……Yes…… You’re not wrong……”

Seeing Jin Beom-Min looking relieved, as if he had shaken something off, Teano tilted his head in confusion.

“Now that I think about it…… I think I’ve been too protective of my children……”

“How long are you going to keep talking! Stop with the nonsense and die!”

Tyrel interrupted with a sharp shout and stretched out her hand. Simultaneously, the three daggers circling around instantly pierced Jin Beom-Min’s body.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Crimson blood splattered, but Jin Beom-Min, unfazed, slowly brought his hand to his left ear.

“……They’ve grown quite a bit now……”

As Jin Beom-Min removed the crude-looking, old brass earring from his ear, a small blue spark flew out.

“……They’ll understand this much, right?”

And then, a change occurred.