LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 35
Stampede Battle 3
The Heiberg Kingdom, the royal capital, was shrouded in silence.
Naturally, the residents who should have been present were all ordered to stay at home, while adventurers patrolled the capital to confirm that no one lingered in the streets.
Meanwhile, a large number of adventurers gathered in front of the main gate of the kingdom.
They were preparing to face the incoming horde of magical beasts.
Sasha stood quietly in front of the main gate.
“………”
“It’s quiet, Sasha.”
“Yeah.”
Reynold murmured beside Sasha.
Equipped with shields of differing sizes in both hands, Reynold glanced at Sasha’s profile.
Before any major battle, Sasha always maintained a wordless focus.
After this mental preparation, Sasha never lost to any foe.
“Let’s win, Sasha.”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, when this fight’s over… how about we grab something good to eat?”
“Hmm… sounds good.”
“And, well… I know a nice place. How about some fine wine?”
“…Yeah. Let’s do that.”
“…Alright!”
Reynold laughed, and Sasha smiled too.
Sasha scanned the surroundings.
Many adventurers gripped their weapons, gazing firmly ahead.
The Stampede battle. Estimated enemy count: 70,000 magical beasts.
All of them were charging straight at the main gate of Heiberg Kingdom.
The magical beasts spilling out of the dungeon were known as “Stampede Beasts”, and each of them boasted strength above the extermination rating.
Nearly all had lost their rationality, relentlessly charging forward.
They trampled over towns and villages in their path.
If all 70,000 reached the Heiberg Kingdom, it would become nothing more than a ruin.
Thus, they absolutely had to stop them.
Suddenly—a hawk soaring above Sasha and the others let out a cry.
[Stampede Beasts sighted!! Distance, approximately five kilometers!!]
This was a familiar controlled through a special ability.
Then another hawk cried out.
[Long-range attack squad, prepare to fire!! Begin the attack once they cross the designated line.
Do not let a single Stampede Beast into the capital!!]
It was Geist’s voice.
Geist, the commander-in-chief, issued orders through the hawks.
Geist continued.
[The vanguard will be led by Dark Stalker Haise. Observe…You’ll understand why Haise insisted on taking the lead.]
“…Haise?”
Sasha frowned at the unfamiliar name.
“H-Hey!?”
Leaving Reynold behind, she climbed a nearby hill for a better view beyond the main gate.
On the plains stretching out from the Heiberg Kingdom, Haise stood alone.
Ahead of the long-range attack squad and the frontline forces where Sasha stood.
Haise stood by himself.
The vanguard forces gazed at Haise’s back.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
“Tch, Geist… he didn’t have to say all that.”
Haise smirked bitterly, enduring the weight of countless eyes on his back.
The vibrations of the ground grew stronger.
The horde of magical beasts was approaching.
Stampede Beasts. Relentlessly charging forward, leaving nothing behind after their passing.
Haise muttered quietly.
“Charging forward without looking back, huh… kinda enviable.”
They ran without turning back.
For Haise, who thought he’d left his past behind, only to feel its weight anew, that single-minded determination was enviable.
Although he chose to fight alone, he felt a twinge of unease.
Standing alone at the forefront, he now fully grasped the terror of his decision.
Haise turned his head slightly to glance back.
And he saw her.
“………”
“………”
There she stood, Sasha, at the front of the vanguard.
The silver-haired girl gazed straight at Haise.
Receiving her unwavering gaze, Haise felt a swell of pride.
And, before he knew it, his fear vanished.
“Heh…”
With a smirk, he spread his arms wide.
Using his ability, [Weapon Master], two massive, rectangular tubes appeared in his hands, positioned to rest on his shoulders.
At the same time, the horde came into view.
The ground quaked.
The army of 70,000 drew near.
Haise aimed the massive tubes at the Stampede Beasts.
A hawk above cried out.
[We’re counting on you, Haise!!]
“Let’s do thisssssss!!”
The tubes fired M74 incendiary rockets.
The weapon in Haise’s hands was the M202 FLASH rocket launcher.
Eight rockets flew toward the horde, scattering and exploding on impact.
Orcs, ogres, and ape-like beasts were launched into the air, their bodies torn apart, flesh flying in all directions.
Over 200 beasts were obliterated by the eight rockets.
Haise discarded the rocket launcher and summoned new weapons in his hands.
“Take thisssssssss!!”
M134 Gatling Gun.
Originally mounted on “fighter jets,” these enormous weapons had been modified for handheld use.
Capable of firing 4,000 rounds per minute, the guns roared in Haise’s arms.
The absurd hail of 8,000 bullets per minute shredded the incoming beasts into mince.
“Uoooooooh!!”
Ratatatatatatatatata!
Empty shells piled up like mountains beside Haise.
Alone, he slew over 1,000 beasts.
The incredible display left Geist speechless.
The vanguard forces behind Haise stared in shock.
Even Sasha was astounded.
“That… that’s Haise’s ‘ability’.”
When the Gatling guns ran out of ammo, Haise discarded them and alternated between the rocket launcher and Gatling guns, unleashing relentless firepower to decimate the horde.
But—even Haise couldn’t do it alone.
When the body count approached 2,000, the beasts entered the long-range squad’s attack range.
“Geist!!”
Haise yelled, tossing the rocket launcher aside as he retreated.
He fired warning shots with an M4 Carbine in hand.
Geist roared out.
[Commence long-range attack!!]
Empowered arrows and magic spells rained down, and the battle against the Stampede Beasts escalated.