The twelve knights belonging to Camelot.
There were two ways to utilize them.
One was to pay Mana Stones and Enhancement Stones to appoint them as knights for actual combat.
And the other was…
“You can also use them as wraiths.”
Of course, it wasn’t all-powerful.
There was a limitation to the search range.
However, the fact that bullets and bombs couldn’t touch them made wraiths the ultimate reconnaissance tool, far superior to drones.
“…So, how should we move?”
I slowly sorted through the news I received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The 56th Division, which was under the 1st Corps, especially the 220th Brigade, had established a long defense line starting from Kookmin University below Bukhansan Mountain, running along Jungnangcheon River, and reaching Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
“For now, we need to move a bit closer.”
Our current location was near Anguk Station on Line 3.
To get the wraiths within search range, we needed to move closer to the enemy’s defense line.
Fortunately, the areas below, Sungshin Women’s University and Korea University, were garrisoned by the government forces under the Joint Chiefs of Staff, not the 1st Corps.
Having coordinated in advance with Operations Commander Yoo Seong-cheol, I decided to move there by helicopter.
Thus,
Thudududu…!
Contrasting with the clear blue sky reflected in the helicopter window, the brown-colored city below was tainted in parts, like patches of destruction spreading everywhere.
It took less than 10 minutes to reach our destination.
Since we were flying in the safe airspace secured by the government forces, there were no attacks.
We only had to shoo away the occasional wandering Wyvern.
When we arrived at Sungshin Women’s University, a Capital Defense Command officer greeted us with a sharp salute.
Two oak leaves, indicating a field-grade officer, were pinned on his beret.
Come to think of it, every officer I had encountered recently saluted me first.
I was able to confirm the situation from him.
“Welcome, Colonel Kim Jeong-gyeom.”
“…??”
Apparently, the Joint Chiefs of Staff had granted me the honorary rank of Colonel.
Since I had already declined any command authority, it was nothing but an empty title, but orders had been issued to treat me with full military honors.
“So, this is…”
It was clearly a desperate ploy by Operations Commander Yoo Seong-cheol, pulling strings behind the scenes to ensure I cooperated.
To Colonel from a reserve Sergeant? The apocalypse had surely arrived even for the military rank system.
As absurd as it was, there was no time to dwell on it.
I immediately headed to the rooftop of the lecture hall with my team, as directed by the officer.
We needed to send the wraiths to the defense line.
Kim Sol and my eldest sister mockingly saluted me with cries of “Loyalty!” and “Unity!” as if they were about to die laughing, but…
I ignored their playful antics and summoned the wraiths.
Huuup.
Hooo.
Pale, ghostly figures began to rise around me.
They were the remaining knights, except for Lancelot, who had already been appointed.
Swoosh!
I sent them out all at once.
From Kookmin University below Bukhansan Mountain to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies by Jungnangcheon River, I positioned the eleven wraiths at regular intervals.
If I could assess the enemy’s forces, it might be possible to penetrate their weakest point.
Of course, what I was really aiming for was the exact opposite.
“What are you hiding?”
The words of the Operations Commander, saying that the enemy was obsessively blocking reconnaissance, came to mind.
There had to be a secret hidden where their forces were concentrated.
Usually, the more someone tries to hide something, the more likely it is for their secret to be exposed.
Swoosh!
The wraiths moved swiftly.
Their hazy, ghost-like forms darted through the enemy lines.
Before long, I was able to share the eleven different viewpoints they each transmitted.
Like flipping through TV channels with a remote, I scanned the overall movements of the enemy forces.
And sure enough…
Camera 2 caught something unusual.
It was Percival, the wraith who was heading toward Seokyeong University on the right side of Bukhansan Mountain.
Shabby huts decorated with wood, bones, and tattered red cloth came into view.
At the center, there was even a building with a ritualistic vibe, flames rising up from the middle.
It was obvious at a glance—this was not of this world.
The interesting part was that the structures from another world were mixed with the military’s makeshift tents.
What I saw there was…
“…What is that?”
Pointed ears and a grotesquely sunken nose.
Even skin the color of muddy green.
It was a widely recognized creature of fantasy.
“…A goblin?”
In a world where Orcs, Wyverns, and Skeletons roamed, it was no longer a surprise.
But…
“Why aren’t they fighting…?”
The soldiers and officers of the 220th Brigade didn’t react at all, even as goblins, dressed in ragged clothing, passed by.
No, they themselves were… different somehow.
Their shiny flesh-colored skin was mottled with patches of muddy green skin.
They were wearing military uniforms.
With old insignias still attached, even…
“Did you call for me, Brigade Commander?”
They began speaking to each other.
Using salutes and honorifics.
They were definitely human.
At least, for now.
The brigade commander spoke.
“Is the altar set up?”
“Yes, it’s finished. It would have been much easier without those government bastards’ interference.”
“It can’t be helped. Who would’ve thought they’d catch on so quickly? What’s done is done… But we must be extra cautious from now on.”
“Of course. I’ll pass that message along to the others as well.”
Phew.
The brigade commander flared his grotesque nose and leaned back in his chair.
“What about the anti-air defense line?”
“It’s holding cleanly. Not a single bird will make it across. They won’t suspect a thing.”
“Good. Keep buying time. They may not be able to push their way through openly, but… it will be a hassle if things here are exposed.”
“I understand.”
Up to this point, it sounded like a typical conspiracy.
The leadership of the 220th Brigade had transformed into something monstrous.
But with one remark from the aide, the scene unfolded like something out of a movie, crashing into my reality.
“And as per your orders, we’ll begin manpower recruitment from Banghak-dong starting today.”
“Right, starting nearby can prevent unnecessary rumors and people backing out… Well, the Uijeongbu side will take care of their area.”
Banghak-dong.
That was where my older brother and his wife’s newlywed home was located.
The ominous term “manpower recruitment”.
The brigade commander asked,
“How many have agreed to join our side?”
“Not many. We haven’t forced anyone, and the talk of sacrifices has put many off. Still, we have about five hundred who are willing. All of them have been registered and assigned.”
“That’s a bit low. Well, it doesn’t matter… It just means we’ll have more sacrifices.”
“Indeed. After all, we’ve gathered nearly twenty thousand.”
The brigade commander, who had been tapping the table rhythmically, continued.
“The unfit should be weeded out. The High Priest has personally offered them a chance for rebirth, but they don’t even know how fortunate they are…”
“The few who lead will always guide the world forward. It seems the Brigade Commander has shown great foresight.”
“Enough of that. Stop with the flattery, haha.”
A wheezing laugh escaped from the brigade commander, a raspy sound of air slipping through.
With that, the figures slowly began to fade.
Whoosh!
I recalled the wraiths.
Though the conversation was puzzling, a few things were clear.
The enemy was working with the goblins, monstrous beings from another dimension.
Moreover, they were gradually becoming goblins themselves.
And…
“…Sacrifices?”
They were holding other people captive to use as sacrifices.
I didn’t know what their ultimate goal was, but one thing was certain:
They had abandoned their humanity.
They were willing to offer their own kind as sacrifices.
What’s worse, their next target was Banghak-dong, where my brother’s house was.
“…It can’t be helped.”
I made up my mind.
I would take them down while moving up the line.
However, the problem was the method.
At first, I considered using to carry out an indiscriminate bombardment from the helicopter.
But the range was only about 50 meters.
Even with enhancements, it wouldn’t reach the anti-aircraft guns scattered across Bukhansan Mountain and the defense line.
“…Do I really have no choice but to break through on land?”
Of course, that wouldn’t be easy either.
The enemy had firmly established their defense line, and the area around Seokyeong University, where the headquarters were located, had several times more troops.
But then, a good idea came to me.
I had just gained new forces.
“You called for me, my lord.”
It was Lancelot, one of the skeleton knights, renowned for his exceptional combat prowess.
He could easily deflect bullets and bombs fired by the enemy.
I had a plan to add one more new force to this.
In front of me was an old, majestic motel… no, a castle.
Each of the twelve wraiths of Camelot had their own backstory.
To appoint one as a knight, the cost was 500 Mana Stones and one Enhancement Stone.
I had enough Mana Stones, but I only had one Enhancement Stone left in my possession.
—-
[Enhancement Stone (D)]
Attribute: None
Options: [Penetration], [Strength Enhancement]
—-
Lancelot gave a brief introduction of the remaining knights.
“Lionel and Gawain…”
Now, the only thing left was to decide which wraith to summon.
I needed to consider each knight’s unique traits and how well they would complement the Enhancement Stone.
One knight, in particular, caught my attention.
A knight named Bedivere, who, surprisingly, only had one arm left.
Lancelot added further explanation.
“Bedivere was once an unparalleled genius archer. He could shoot arrows out of the sky with his own arrows. But…”
In life, he had been part of the Duke’s personal knightly order.
One day, however, the Duke’s concubine fell in love with him, and in a fit of rage, the Duke cut off Bedivere’s left arm.
This was also intended to erase Bedivere’s growing fame from his numerous achievements.
It was a short story.
Although he likely lived much longer after losing the ability to be an archer.
Regardless of his past, one word stood out to me.
He was a ‘genius archer.’
.
.
.
I paid 500 Mana Stones and the Enhancement Stone to Camelot.
Whoosh!
The wraith of Bedivere emerged from the castle.
Clank! Clatter!
Around him, an old suit of armor formed.
And soon after,
Thud!
The one-armed knight Bedivere knelt before me.
—-
[Bedivere]
Rank: [8th Order]
Description: [One of the Knights of the Round Table. Can be summoned by the power of Camelot.]
Attribute: [None]
Options: [Penetration], [Accuracy], [Strength Enhancement]
—-
Indeed, his right arm was nearly twice as thick as Lancelot’s.
This was because he lacked a left arm.
According to Lancelot, Bedivere was already quite the monster.
With his strength now concentrated in one arm, and further enhanced by the Strength option from the Enhancement Stone, he had become even stronger.
Even a simple sweep of that massive arm would likely crush most enemies.
He would surely become a powerful asset.
But I had a different use in mind for him.
“…?”
Bedivere looked at me with a puzzled expression.
It was because I handed him a strange red ball.
[STORM ULTIMATE PHAZE Bowling Ball, 16 pounds, priced at 239,000 won.]
It was still unenhanced, a pre-upgraded version that hadn’t yet caught fire.
It was time to run a practice test.
He used his large hand to hold the bowling ball effortlessly.
“You remember what you saw, don’t you?”
Bedivere nodded his head.
Just a moment ago, Bedivere, still in his wraith form, had meticulously checked the locations of the anti-aircraft bases on Bukhansan and the guided anti-aircraft guns stationed along the defense line.
And even now, the remaining wraiths were providing me with real-time visuals of the anti-aircraft positions.
They were helping confirm whether we hit our targets precisely.
A genius archer.
And with the [Accuracy] option attached to him.
I decided to put my trust in the legendary tale of him splitting arrows with his own.
Even if he failed, there was no real risk.
If the enemy came out to hunt me down, that would only make things more convenient.
Bedivere, now understanding what I wanted, nodded.
“I understand.”
“First, let’s go for target number one.”
Thud!
Bedivere stretched his arm back, the one holding the bowling ball.
His stance resembled that of a shot-put athlete.
With only one arm, he extended his front leg far out to maintain balance.
Then…
Bang!
He threw with all his might.
Whooosh!
It wasn’t just a throw.
Rather…
‘…It’s like a cannon.’
With an ear-splitting blast, the bowling ball shot forward.
The speed was incomparable to when I used .
The bowling ball soared…
Toward the vicinity of the first target, near the anti-aircraft base.
It struck powerfully, about 100 meters to the left of the base.
Boom!
The impact was so strong that the wraith Percival’s view, which was capturing the scene, wavered.
Wheeeenng-
The enemy also noticed the attack, and the air raid siren of the anti-aircraft base began to blare.
Whirr- Click!
The anti-aircraft guns at the base activated.
The massive barrel, resembling a Gatling gun, lifted its head at a 45-degree angle but…
BANG!
It was hit by the flaming bowling ball, losing its momentum almost immediately.
The barrel now drew a pitiful arc, and at its tip, a faint flicker of flames glowed like tears.
What Bedivere had thrown this time was the “Fireball” enhanced for combat.
With Bedivere’s unmatched strength, the power of his throw was amplified to the maximum.
Now, all that remained were the other anti-aircraft bases and the guided anti-aircraft batteries spread along the defense line.
A total of nine strike zones.
Bang!
With a roaring sound, the crimson meteor left Bedivere’s hand.
Those bastards who didn’t know fear of the sky.
It was time to properly crush their confidence.
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