The Duke's Son :Re
Chapter 97

Chapter 97

“Holy shit! Department Manager Gu, are you crazy?”

“What the hell are you doing, bringing over the orc bastards? Is that mind of yours just for decoration? Are you trying to get us all killed?”

The frantic team leaders unleashed a barrage of curses and criticisms. They were all going to die here anyway, so who cared that this person was a superior?

Department Manager Gu kicked an orc warrior that was closely chasing him before he encouraged the two team leaders, “The forest is burning. The security forces would’ve noticed such a big commotion and should be arriving soon. We just have to hold out until then and we will have a chance to survive.”

“How can we hold on? Do you already have dementia at your age?”

“...Before I am your superior, I am an elder. Watch your words.”

“We’ll all be dead soon. Your age isn’t going to stop me from running my mouth.”

An orc warrior was nothing more than a D-class monster—it was elite and formidable compared to most C-class monsters, but it wasn’t a level that the team leaders would be afraid of. However, that changed in front of superior numbers.

There were only twenty employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals, while the number of orcs was close to a hundred. Moreover, they had seven orc mages.

Orc mages specialized in supporting their allies using powerful fireballs. Even at this moment, most of the orcs were buffed with Haste, which was why the Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals employees couldn’t escape their pursuit.

“Shit, shit!” Song Se-Yeong repeated.

The boy had played a huge role in their initial escape by using the orc mages’ fire tactics against them to burn a path through the forest.

Now, he had been cursing for several minutes. That he’d left his junior and fellow student to die to an ogre disturbed him greatly.

“Jae-Hyeok will be fine.” One of the employees helped support Song Se-Yeong, who was as limp as a wet rag.

Song Se-Yeong wasn’t comforted at all. His expression crumpled as he said, “He’ll be okay? You didn't stop that naive kid from being reckless. Now you want to comfort me after the fact?”

“Whatever you might think, Department Manager Gu used his AOE taunt Skill to lure the orcs away. Wouldn’t that have eased Jae-Hyeok’s burden a bit? The only thing we know for sure is that we are going to die. Haha.”

“......”

Song Se-Yeong closed his mouth.

All the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals were players. They were also older than he was, so they could be called his seniors. That was why he’d misjudged them.

They are weak.

Talented players wouldn’t go foraging for herbs every weekend. And if they were high-level players, Lion’s Castle wouldn’t have allowed them to enter out of suspicion of their intentions.

He shouldn’t have expected help from these people in the first place.

Kang Jae-Hyeok, you really...

Had he sacrificed himself just to help the weak?

Aristocrats... The title meant that the previous generation, or the individual themselves, had fulfilled their duties as a player. It represented a noble character. But all the other aristocrats that Song Se-Yeong had seen so far were unworthy scum... Is it different when it’s a ducal family?

Song Se-Yeong’s expression changed as he came to his senses. Straightening his back, he walked without the help of the people around him. “I’m sorry, I made so many excuses and blamed you unfairly.”

He didn’t blame the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals. Instead, he only felt grateful that they tried their best and sorry that he couldn’t have done more.

I will also do my duty.

Song Se-Yeong had made a vow when he’d entered Lion’s Castle: he would be a true player, different from the aristocrats.

Now was the time to live up to that vow.

“I will work with the department manager and team leaders to hold back the orcs! Everyone else, hurry and run away during this time!” Song Se-Yeong shouted vigorously. As he started to cast, the final dregs of his mana radiated from his fingertips.

The team leaders, who had been blocking the orcs' advance from the rear, suddenly turned and rushed toward him.

“Team leaders!” Song Se-Yeong’s expression brightened. He thought the team leaders were responding to his call. “You guys were dragging your feet. For a moment, I was worried that you both fell asleep!”

The team leaders brushed past Song Se-Yeong without slowing down. “We’re leaving. You and the department manager will have to give it your best.”

“Uh?”

“Uhh?”

Song Se-Yeong’s smile stiffened, and the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals were stunned.

This was the worst-case scenario: two B-class players who were supposed to be reliable were fleeing to save themselves. Everyone’s eyes then focused on Department Manager Gu.

He isn’t going to abandon us, too, right?

Will we be okay?

“......”

Department Manager Gu read the meaning in the employees’ eyes and cursed the team leaders in his heart.

I knew they were the type to prioritize their own survival, but I never thought they would abandon so many people and run.

Well, he wasn’t much different. Still, he didn’t dare to abandon dozens of subordinates. No.I’ve already sacrificed a child, so I’m already worse than them.

Department Manager Gu’s heart became bitter as he remembered Jae-Hyeok’s last appearance.

It felt as if he was being punished by karma. If he had remained calm and steady from the start, would the team leaders have run away so easily?

Probably not.

Just as he’d changed after meeting Jae-Hyeok, he wondered if the team leaders had changed a little, too. But if they had, that change had died with Jae-Hyeok.

Thoughts wandering, Department Manager Gu exposed an opening.

“Keuk!”

He reflexively raised his sword to block an orc’s mace. Then he hurriedly swung his sword while stepping back. However, dozens of arrows slipped past his guard and pierced his shoulders and forearms.

Grrrr...

The orc mages grinned wickedly as they enchanted the next volley of poor-quality arrows for the orc archers. They were happy to be able to deal with the human who appeared to be the leader so easily. Under the orders of the orc mages, the orc army rushed toward Department Manager Gu.

Department Manager Gu desperately stopped the attacks of dozens of orcs—deflecting maces, blocking swords, dodging spears, and avoiding arrows...

But he couldn’t find a way to fight back.

Department Manager Gu was a top B-class player, a promising prospect expected to become A-class within the next few years. But even he found it difficult to overcome a numerical disadvantage.

It’s amazing experiencing it myself.

Department Manager Gu trembled, not because he was being overwhelmed by the orc army in front of him, but because he was thinking of Jae-Hyeok, who had slaughtered dozens of hobgoblins in an instant.

He’d urgently chased after him, but by the time he’d arrived, the boy had already resolved the situation with the hobgoblins.

At that time, he’d been impressed. But that was it. He’d assumed that the group of low-level monsters had been easy to deal with because of their short reach and because Jae-Hyeok was from a ducal family and had awakened a Bloodline Skill.

But now that he was fighting dozens of enemies at a time himself, his thoughts had changed entirely.

That guy... what’s his identity?

How was such a thing possible?

Department Manager Gu’s mind sank deeper into thought.

He was surrounded by orcs roaring orcs. He didn’t even have time to catch his breath as he blocked and dodged, but his mind kept thinking about Jae-Hyeok.

He’s a more amazing boy than I thought... And Cho Seong-Hyeon was strangely obsessed with his Kang family’s ceremonial drill.

Recalling various clues, Department Manager Gu put the pieces together in his mind.

It was close to suicidal behavior to let his mind wander in battle, and gradually, Department Manager Gu was hit more and more. If it weren’t for the help of Se-Yeong and his subordinates, he wouldn’t have been able to avoid being critically injured.

However, Department Manager Gu didn’t care.

He struggled, grasping at a truth that hovered on the borders of his mind. Time passed. He was stabbed by spears, struck by maces, and became a ragged mess. But then—

[You have fallen into a trance.]

For the first time in his life, Department Manager Gu entered a state of extreme concentration unlike anything he’d experienced before.

Ah!

Department Manager Gu’s mind flashed. The Kang family’s ceremonial drill teachesmartial arts. The stances, breathing, movements, and intentions—all of it—were references for learning martial arts, and not just any martial arts. The ceremonial drill was profound. Department Manager Gu had the talent to reach A-class, but it was impossible for him to fully comprehend its truths.

Still, one thing came to mind.

-Your shoulders.They are stiff, Uncle.

It was something Jae-Hyeok had pointed out regarding his performance of the final part of the ceremonial drill, where the sword is thrown and caught in a reverse grip while tucking the other behind the back.

I tried to catch the sword as stylishly as possible, but I kept getting criticized.

Wasn’t style the most important thing about a ceremonial drill? The more flair, the more the Kang Family’s ceremonial drill would stand out, so what was Jae-Hyeok dissatisfied with?

Because ceremonial drill isn’t just for show.

Now all his questions were answered.

Department Manager Gu dodged a spear by leaning back low. Then he threw his sword into the air.

His other arm was fully relaxed.

Grruk?

The orcs laughed at the madman’s actions and slammed their maces down.

Song Se-Yeong’s magic shield was quickly shattered, and the Skills unleashed by the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals were offset by the orc warriors’ Skills.

In the end, many attacks flooded toward the department manager, who was still in a bizarre position.

Department Manager Gu suddenly straightened his upper body and swung his relaxed arm wide. He caught the falling sword in his sweeping hand, turning the motion into a horizontal slash at the last possible moment.

His blade passed through orc heads and necks one after another.

It was a perfect surprise attack.

In the eyes of the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals, it looked like Department Manager Gu had drawn his sword from the moon.

“Too bad. I think I would’ve done better if an arrow hadn’t hit my shoulder.”

A spear-pierced back, a mace-crushed chest, and a body with blades and arrows embedded in it—dark red blood dripped from Department Manager Gu’s mouth as he examined himself.

Being pharmaceutical employees, his subordinates had thrown many potions at him, but it was useless.

Ever since he’d jumped into enemy territory and used his AOE taunt Skill, he had been relying on potions heavily. He was already suffering from potion poisoning because of the excessive use, so taking more didn’t have much of a recovery effect. It only made his headache worse.

“...You guys should leave first.”

The team leaders were right: he’d completely lost his mind. He had allowed himself to be moved by a boy who had nothing to do with him and ended up in this mess. There was no bigger fool than him.

I’m sorry.I’m leaving to join our parents first.

In the end, he apologized to his sister, who he was sure was struggling without rest even on the weekend. Then he clenched his fists with great effort and pointed his trembling blade forward.

The orcs faltered, having been intimidated by the human’s last attack.

Kurah!

Kuweek! However, the orcs continued moving after hearing the orc mages’ screams.

Department Manager Gu had lost too much blood and was no longer aware of the situation around him. He just hoped that his subordinates, whom he’d dragged into this crisis, would escape safely.

That would take some of the burden off his mind.

“Haaap!”

He squeezed out every last bit of strength and slashed his sword at the incoming orcs. It was sloppy. As he was, his sword was just a tool to use his Skills. He was in such bad physical condition that he couldn’t properly implement the swordsmanship he’d practiced all his life, let alone the tricks of the Kang family’s ceremonial drill.

Bang!Bang!Baaaaang!

However, the current Department Manager Gu was even more of a threat to the orcs.

He activated his Skills with reckless abandon. And every time he did, a brilliant aura swept back all the orcs and left dozens sliced in half. The orc army was quickly reduced to less than half.

The orcs were trivial before Department Manager Gu’s Skills.

As for why his team leaders had fled and why he hadn’t used his Skills sooner, instead falling into a crisis—It was due to the existence of the elite monsters, the orc warriors.

Kuraaaaaah!

The orc warriors roared, and new orcs emerged from the cliffs, the valley, and beyond the bushes.

It was the strength of a fresh army.

In order to turn the tide of battle, the orc warriors had to be defeated first. However, it was difficult for Department Manager Gu to aim for their lives, as they were protected by the seven orc mages.

“Run... ”

Bam!

“Go... ”

In the end, several spears and swords were left protruding from Department Manager Gu’s collapsed, mana-depleted body.

An orc approached the limp figure with a grin and spat on the ground. Then it tightly gripped its mace with both hands.

As it playfully aimed at Department Manager Gu’s face...

Baam!

The orc’s head suddenly exploded.

Then, there was the sound of approaching footsteps.

***

“Gasp, gasp! How dare orcs look down on us like we’re nothing?”

This is all due to Department Manager Gu’s misjudgment. Damn, who would’ve thought that I would run away from orcs?”

The bodies of three orc warriors and dozens of orcs were scattered around the team leaders, who were catching their breath.

Those orcs had chased after the team leaders when they’d abandoned Department Manager Gu and run away.

How dare they not know who they are facing? I’m just reluctant to go against an orc mage, but I can wipe out a bunch of trash like you alone.

Team Leader Seol clicked his tongue and stomped on an orc warrior’s head.

Just then, he heard someone’s footsteps.

“Is it the security forces?”

The faces of the two team leaders brightened.

Slash!

And that expression remained as their severed heads tumbled to the ground.

“I was looking forward to it when the kids suddenly split into two groups. I didn’t expect to draw the short straw.”

The mysterious figure turned and left, ashes fluttering around their robe.