NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
In the world where Park Jeongjae lived, the phenomenon of humans dying and crossing over to this world was oddly common. However, in a strict sense, it was incredibly rare—almost nonexistent, given that historical accounts in newspapers or news articles related to such events had never occurred even once.
Despite this, Jeongjae quickly accepted the fact that there were quite a few cases of Earthlings reincarnating in this world. After all, it was beyond the realm of his understanding when he was crushed under the fallen books from a toppled bookshelf, unaware that the library’s shelves weren’t properly secured.
It was quite bewildering and ridiculous that he unexpectedly reincarnated as a talented wizard in a world embroiled in a war against the Demon King, instead of peacefully resting in a book.
Thus, it wasn’t all that surprising that in this world, a deceased Earthling with special abilities could make waves. As long as one could accept all that had happened without exception.
What would happen if one didn’t accept it? He couldn’t just commit suicide again, aiming for a reincarnation back to Earth; that was just too uncertain.
Fortunately, it seemed that humans crossing over from Earth were mostly endowed with special abilities. Jeongjae proved to have inherent qualities befitting a Grand Mage.
Completing the three-year program at the Imperial Magic Academy in just three months through a speed run, this bold individual from this world was assigned under the command of Walter H. Hellhound, who was chosen by unanimous decision from the Imperial Assembly to stop the Demon King.
This was what they commonly referred to as the “joining of the Hero Party.”
However, after attending the academy for three months, Jeongjae had learned that life in the Hero Party wouldn’t be filled solely with dreams and adventures.
The Empire’s situation was so dire that they could compress a three-year course into just three months and award him a super-speed graduation. The war against the Demon King was assessed to be the worst in history, plagued with unfavorable circumstances.
Entire towns were left in ruins as young men were conscripted en masse, shattering any agricultural bases, and even renowned heroes were at a loss for effective solutions to resolve this crisis.
Amidst all this, a descendant of the hero who had once flourished in this world centuries ago, Walter, received the Holy Sword’s selection and was appointed as the next generation’s hero to lead this war.
Walter’s command was splendid, and his unit consistently emerged victorious even while others faced defeat. Branded as the Miracle Hellhound, this daring young hero soon began to gather the best talents from across the continent to form a party tailored exclusively for himself.
Rose Caprice, the Emperor’s daughter, known as the Iron Wall Knight, clad in heavy armor said to be impenetrable, was not only recognized as the strongest knight within the Empire due to her personal prowess, but she also had a track record of successfully leading several defensive battles.
Rose Caprice was known to be particularly close to the Hero and was famous for her flexible thinking contrary to her straightforward demeanor.
Margaret, from the Kingdom of Elves, Eramenia, was someone that Walter Hellhound had gone to considerable lengths to recruit. Even after the alliance agreement between the Audrich Empire and the Kingdom of Eramenia, the elves had harbored long-standing reluctance towards direct cooperation with humans.
Unlike her father, who resolutely opposed joint military operations with the Audrich Empire, Princess Margaret had shown her intent to compromise from the very beginning. After discussions with Walter Hellhound, she recognized his qualities and the validity of his claims, joining his party. She was not only an outstanding archer and a noble beast slayer but also a significant figure symbolizing the alliance between humans and elves.
The legendary hunter, Bernard Silverpoint, had a slightly delinquent appearance but was undoubtedly the greatest hunter on land. Famous for hunting everything from beasts to humans to spirits, he joined the party as a bounty hunter employed by the hero.
The target was, of course, the head of the Demon King. Bernard grumbled that only individuals with overly noble personalities were found here, yet he wasn’t particularly guilty of laziness or ineptitude in performing his duties.
Rather, he was considered an expert in his responsibilities, something that his honorable companions all acknowledged.
The only Earthling participating in this remarkable party was none other than the Grand Mage, Park Jeongjae. Jeongjae, who had grasped his abnormal magical talents and abilities during his three months at the academy, had secretly anticipated this development.
Honestly, there were moments when he thought he had become the proud protagonist of a light novel, lost in dreams of sweeping away his enemies with his superior powers and becoming a hero.
The reality, however, did not flow that way. On the day the village was engulfed in flames at Walter Hellhound’s command, Jeongjae began to develop a negative perception—that the pink future he envisioned for himself was just a smear of diluted blood.
That day marked a humiliating defeat—the Empire’s defense line ultimately collapsed, and the city, once home to more than 30,000 people, was surrendered intact to the Demon King’s army.
Upon their rapid arrival after fighting in another area, the group of five heroes quickly grasped the fact that it was impossible to defend the city with the remnants alone.
It was as if a battlefield erupted, not a siege, and the situation had been resolved in an instant. The gates were shattered along with the walls, and the soldiers, who had resolved to fight to buy time for those left inside, were mercilessly slaughtered by the enemy.
Walter Hellhound, with a grim expression, adjusted his golden spectacles and gave his orders.
“Rose, head to the gate and command the remaining soldiers to buy us some time. Remember, it’s about stalling, not holding back. If you feel you’re in danger, retreat into the city immediately and fall back slowly.”
“I understand, Walter. I will do so.”
The red-haired knight, Rose Caprice, heeded the hero’s command and swiftly rode towards the gate. Without hesitation, Walter turned to Margaret and Bernard to give his orders.
“Princess Margaret, please assist in evacuating the citizens remaining inside the castle towards the back gate. Bernard, be extremely cautious while hunting the orc hordes that have infiltrated the castle.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Margaret, with bow and arrows in hand, plunged into the castle.
“Uh, got it. Damn, in this chaos, I can’t even tell who’s a goblin and who’s a human.”
Walter furrowed his brow at Bernard’s grumbling and sternly warned,
“That doesn’t mean you should neglect distinguishing the innocent. Among today’s targets, there are no humans.”
“Yeah, I know. I was just complaining about how tough this is; no need to be so ominous.”
Seemingly afraid of being reprimanded further, Bernard followed Margaret into the castle. As for the hero himself, Walter Hellhound merely raised his Holy Sword, standing guard at the back gate without taking any other action.
One fortunate point amidst this misfortune was that the enemy’s siege happened with such rapidity that the gates broke down faster than the siege itself.
The heroes barely managed to fend off the enemy at the back gate, establishing the bare minimum space for residents within the walls to escape. In other words, while it might have looked like Walter was doing nothing, his very presence reassured the fleeing citizens and guaranteed at least a modicum of safety.
The situation inside the castle was undoubtedly chaotic. While it was unclear how well Rose was holding up on the walls, no matter how invulnerable the Iron Wall Princess was, she couldn’t possibly fend off all the enemies pouring past her.
Margaret was shooting arrows like a madwoman, desperately climbing up to the tower while occasionally catching her breath.
As she climbed down to retrieve fallen arrows, Jeongjae spoke to Walter.
“Should I also assist inside the castle? It looks too tough in there.”
“Stay put. There’s something I need to ask of you. Conserve your strength.”
Walter Hellhound was a handsome man with fantasy-like flowing white hair and a tall physique, but his habitual scowl lately seemed to detract from his charm.
Today, Walter leaned against the castle wall, seemingly discomforted. Jeongjae knew that the frowns and frequent adjustments of his glasses were only evident when Walter genuinely felt unease.
“Are there any injuries? Since it’s… your orders.”
Jeongjae inquired. Walter shut his lips tightly, avoiding the question. A vague sense of anxiety washed over Jeongjae. He turned his head restlessly, trying to catch sight of what was happening inside, but from this position, all he could see were the towering defensive towers rising beyond the walls.
Margaret, who had previously descended to retrieve fallen arrows, was now climbing the tower again, nimbly darting between the bricks to continue her defense while dodging enemy attacks.
Despite having missed the earlier scene, it appeared that the enemies had grown fearful of the arrows raining down from the tower, having even destroyed the stairs leading up.
Regardless, in an act of bravery that ordinary humans wouldn’t dare to mimic, Margaret, armed with her sword instead of her bow, recognized that she couldn’t hold her ground any longer atop the tower. She leaped off and stabbed at the goblins below to shake them off.
The fact that enemies had encroached upon the tower, previously untouched by attacks, signified that the destruction in the castle had all but been completed. The number of people escaping through the gates began to dwindle, and armored soldiers started fleeing even further beyond the gates.
Until now, these warriors, who had fought valiantly to prove they were not cowards, emerged not out of fear, but because the enemy had already penned them into the back gate.
The clash grew closer, the noise of battle intensified until, roughly 30 minutes later, Bernard, Rose, and then Margaret emerged in order from the castle gates. The soldiers of the Audrich Empire who managed to escape along with them numbered only about fifty.
“Is this how many we managed to hold off? You all did well.”
Walter spoke while looking at the five of them and the escaping soldiers. Though the troops were too panicked even to give respect to their supreme commander, Walter paid them no mind. His focus shifted to the refugees now out of the castle.
“What’s their number looking like, Bernard?”
“Looks like around 8,000 made it out.”
With his keen hunter instincts, Bernard had a natural talent for gauging numbers. Walter sighed and nodded.
“Is it possible for any more to escape?”
“There might be some. But if a decision needs to be made now, there’s not much we can do.”
While Rose Caprice wiped the sweat off her face with her gloves, despite the visible signs of exhaustion, she bore no noticeable injuries befitting her reputation as the Iron Wall.
Of course, this didn’t mean she hadn’t taken any risks. Jeongjae was startled to see a tiny red scratch on her face; it was uncommon for anyone to leave even such a mark on Rose Caprice.
In contrast, Margaret, whose leather attire bore numerous tears and scratches, appeared to be soaked in the enemy’s blood, looking almost like a ragged sight.
“What decision are we making?”
“Margaret, Bernard, lead the remaining soldiers as far away as possible. There’s a village about 17 km to the south; guide them there to rest for a while. And Rose, close the gate.”
Walter commanded. Margaret gasped in shock at his words, but she collected herself and rushed off with Bernard toward the scattered refugees. Jeongjae, sensing the reason behind Margaret’s shock, subtly echoed her concerns to Walter.
“But there are still people left to come out; can’t we wait a bit longer?”
“If we wait any longer, what will we face outside the gate, Jeongjae? Goblins, not humans. I understand how you feel, but we must save everyone who believed in us and made it this far. Not a single one should be left behind.”
So reasonable was his argument that Jeongjae found himself at a loss for words.