My Strange Savior - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Gia nodded as if agreeing with Kalion’s words.

Though the wind blew through the mountains, it wasn’t too cold as the trees formed a circular barrier.

Amidst the scent of damp dawn, Gia rested her elbows on her knees and leaned her chin against her palm, looking at Kalion.

“I understand. It’s a prepared endeavor, and you and your comrades are the same.”

As Gia smiled at the daunting road ahead, Kalion, finding it peculiar, narrowed his eyes.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Just because.”

“No, you’re not.”

When Gia said teasingly, Kalion shook his head dismissively.

‘Oh. You’ve gotten more perceptive.’

Fearing she might pretend to cry as she did back then, Gia didn’t like it and laughed as she shook her head at Kalion.

“What’s the point of worrying in advance? If it could be solved with such worries, it would have been resolved sooner, don’t you think?”

The words spilled out like a sigh.

“There’s an old saying that goes, ‘If worries were side dishes, the ladle would break.'”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you worry too much.”

Gia could see, from his seriously furrowed brow, what he was contemplating. She pressed her index finger firmly between his narrow eyebrows, feeling the warmth of his skin. Kalion leaned back at the touch.

“Stop making that face. You’ll get wrinkles. There’s no remedy for wrinkles.”

Kalion smoothed the area in his brows where her hand had touched.

“Anyway, it’s already happened. It’s neither your fault nor mine. We’re doing our best with what we can.”

Gia spoke as she looked at Kalion, still rubbing his forehead and taking deep breaths. 

Whether she was saying words of comfort to herself or if she wanted to say them to Kalion, she wasn’t sure, but she wanted to ease his mind even a little.

“It’s not like you forced anyone. They chose to follow you on their own. They knew what they were getting into, even facing the possibility of death.”

Gia suddenly noticed that Kalion’s hair, sitting quietly despite his imposing stature, was as black as the night sky—a stark contrast against the new sun rising to fill the space the moon had left, slowly dispelling the darkness of dawn. 

The incoming clear light shone brilliantly, illuminating Kalion’s red eyes.

“Someone is bound to get hurt. They might even die… No, they’re not going to die.”

He knows. Kalion was well aware of that fact. However, if it’s possible at all… he just wishes no one would die.

It was a small hope that weighed on his shoulders whenever he thought about it.

“Thus, don’t burden yourself too much with someone’s death.”

As she finished speaking, the bright sun rose. The brown hair, tinged with the color of warm red light behind a bitter smile, looked as if it were glowing.

“It won’t be easy… But still, try to do it that way.”

Gia stood up from her seat.

Looking at Gia standing there with a light face, as if she had said everything she needed to, Kalion could only furrow his brows.

The sun rising behind Gia was so intense that it seemed like one might get a burn if they met its gaze carelessly.

“Where are you going?”

Kalion hurriedly reached out to grab Gia, who was disappearing into the sun. It felt like she would vanish if he didn’t hold on. He wasn’t sure why, but it was almost instinctive for his hand to reach out first.

“Through. The. Day.”

As the strength left Kalion’s hand, Gia’s slender wrist slipped through his fingers and fell limply. 

He looked at the disappearing figure of Gia, who was singing a tune, feeling a sense of emptiness. He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry at the strange emotions that made him uncertain.

Before the sense of awe could fully settle, it shattered into pieces.

‘She’s truly… a peculiar woman.’

* * *

The relentless mountain trek continued. The starting point had become a distant blur, and they had climbed quite a way.

“The m-mountain… I hate it.”

Those who pretended not to hear Gia’s muttering were not only Kalion. 

The members, with somber expressions, distanced themselves from Gia, who was mumbling scary things about killing the mountain.

As soon as they opened their eyes, the routine of walking, resting, walking, eating, and walking again repeated. As an enhanced human, Gia didn’t get tired easily, so she was able to march nonstop like this.

That’s one thing about her.

These humans are impressive too.

Gia looked at Kalion and his subordinates who were walking ahead. It made her wonder how the pure physical strength of regular humans could be this extraordinary, unlike her enhanced self. Or perhaps it was their incredible mental strength.

Kalion and his subordinates looked different, especially in comparison.

Despite being able to groan and complain due to the strain, they quietly performed their duties in their respective places. And leading them was Kalion.

The word “extraordinary” slipped out involuntarily.

As the repetitive footsteps started to feel tiresome and the desire to destroy everything, rather than being oppressed by the aura of the massive mountain, began to well up, unwelcome guests arrived.

“Grk.”

Goblins, surrounding them, appeared out of nowhere. Seeing the familiar appearance of a monster she had faced directly before, Gia perked up.

“Get into formation.”

To underestimate their attack power, some aspects were more resilient than expected. Above all, their numbers were not to be underestimated as they roamed in groups.

Upon Kalion’s command, the members formed a circle. The tightly lined-up members, forming the shape of two overlapping circles, stared at the goblins approaching with fierce determination, exhaling heated breaths.

It seemed like they were reflecting on their previous defeat in battle. The goblins’ eyes held a vengeful glint, perhaps recalling the loss of their comrades as they surged toward the goblin horde.

Spittle flew as the determined members gripped their swords, ready for battle. They confronted the goblins who charged in a reckless frenzy.

The stench reached this far. Gia furrowed her brow, contemplating how to cleanly slice through the filthy goblins with her blade.

Beyond the battle itself, having something foul stick to her body was repugnant. Memories of being covered in filth and living in a dirty shelter came flooding back.

As she drew her sword, a surge of heat rose in her cold hand. With a smooth twist of her wrist, the longsword moved like an extension of Gia’s arm.

Thud.

The members, armed and unsure of when the goblins might attack, stared intently.

Revenge for their fallen comrades, whose bodies they hadn’t yet dealt with.

The burning eyes seemed to convey this story.

Gia first gauged the distance and observed the goblins who weren’t rushing into the fray.

‘What’s going on? Why are they just standing there?’

Kek.

The goblins made an abhorrent sound, surrounding the area but not seeming to intend to attack.

Kalion also found this suspicious and scrutinized them with sharp eyes, not giving them a chance.

Thud. Thud.

The rhythmic vibrations of the ground grew closer.

No way.

Kalion widened his eyes and felt the vibrations rising from beneath his feet.

“Damn.”

A rough exclamation emerged from Kalion’s mouth, quite distant from profanity. Gia turned her head to look at Kalion, but he remained fixated in the direction where birds were flying and gnashed his teeth.

“Why… Hey, why are you scaring even me?”

Veins bulged on Kalion’s hand as he gripped the sword tightly.

“Goblins cooperating with other species. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Rockt also seemed to have realized, his voice strained as he managed to speak. The tension of the members was palpable, except for Gia, who seemed to be the only one aware of the approaching presence.

“Oh, come on! What is it?”

Frustrated, Kalion shouted, and the goblins started moving at a steady pace.

“Kek!”

The strange sound was an added confusion.

The goblins’ footsteps, awaiting something, grew louder, making their ears feel congested. Just when the menacing growl echoed through the forest.

“It’s a troll.”

In disbelief, Kalion, uttering the words with clenched teeth, pulled Gia beside him.

“A troll?”

“Be careful. Even among monsters, it’s a higher-ranking one.”

A formidable monster like a troll that would cooperate in an attack with goblins was beyond comprehension. Unable to fathom this, Kalion’s expression turned grim.

They had come prepared for any danger, but the thought of possibly meeting their end without reaching the summit chilled their rationality.

“Do not break formation.”

Kalion’s low voice made Gia gulp nervously.

How tough could it be? Stronger than the dragon they saw last time, perhaps. She had boasted for no reason at the unusual atmosphere. She slung the sniper rifle case and backpack high over a nearby tree branch.

These were important items that couldn’t be damaged or lost.

Kalion nodded at Gia’s actions. They might not know anything else, but the weapon had to be safeguarded.

Gulp. Swallowing the passing saliva, she scanned the densely packed forest.

Snap.

A strong branch broke easily.

Gia’s eyes sharpened. She had come this far; there was no running away, no avoiding it. They had to fight, for the people who trusted her and came here. She looked at Kalion’s broad back, still standing firm.

They said they would do their best. She wanted to keep that promise.

Despite their fear, whether it was Kalion’s command or their dedication as knights, seeing them hold their ground so firmly ignited a fiery determination within Gia.

A group of people not related by blood, yet standing closely together to protect each other—the sight lit a fire within her, starting from her throat and burning through her body.

Was this the heart of someone fighting to protect something? It was a feeling she had never experienced before, sending shivers down her spine.

“I’ll take on that troll.”

Kalion’s shoulders twitched at Gia’s words.

“It’s dangerous. Let me go with you—”

“No. Quickly clear out the goblins and join me. That will help me.”

At Gia’s firm refusal, Kalion clenched his lips in frustration.

“Everyone, focus on the goblin attacks.”

The order infused them with determination. A peculiar woman with a petite frame. She had suddenly come from a different world, she claimed.

Whether this was possible or not, they weren’t quite sure, but the members chose to believe and follow their leader, Kalion.

Even if it meant losing their life… Even if it meant leaping into the flames like a moth to a flame, they were confident they could dive in anytime as long as the commander needed them.

However…

The presence of the troll shook the resolve in the eyes of the members.

The troll’s appearance was unsettling. Its teeth jutted out between gaps irregularly as if they could easily shatter skulls.

It seemed like those sharp fangs could slice through their heads at any moment.

Every time the troll exhaled, its fierce breath made their noses cringe in fear.