My Demons

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

As usual, I settled down in front of the computer, ready to unwind after a long day at work. However, a sudden wave of confusion washed over me. Did I actually go to work today? Or was it the weekend?

On the monitor, the low-level blood knight was engaged in a frenzied rampage. He moved autonomously, slaughtering enemies, drinking blood, and reveling in his own chaos.

It was utterly bewildering.

Click, click, thud, thud.

No matter how much I pressed the keyboard and clicked the mouse, the blood knight continued to move on his own accord.

Whats going on?

Sensing something amiss, I lifted the mouse to examine its underside.

To my astonishment, my shoulders jerked in surprise. The distinct LED light of the optical mouse glowed a dark red, stained with sticky blood.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the hand gripping the mouse was rough and calloused. Was this my hand? No, it couldnt be mine.

Who am I?

After further examination, it became apparent that it was indeed my hand. Familiarly drenched in blood, but mostly belonging to someone else.

Suddenly, screams erupted all around me.

Roar!

Woooo!

Oh no, what was I thinking? I was in the midst of a war!

I swiftly raised my shield and, utilizing the blood coating my hand, cast a spell.

Wuwuuu.

The blood-soaked blade shimmered with divine light, growing in size. It elongated, thickened, becoming monstrous.

Just then, a line of pirates charged towards me. At first glance, it seemed like a single person, but no, there were many.

But they werent pirates, were they?

Ellen? Who are those people behind you? I asked, but received no response. An Indian, a Hollywood actor, a track athlete, a naked skeleton, a black and white film heroine, an idol, a white-haired old man, a monk. Silence prevailed.

I extended the elongated blade, reaching far beyond the horizon. The pirate split into two with a sinister laugh, creating a sudden sense of distance.

Kim Seung-soo, the office worker, the murderer, the blood knight, K-2 410997, the dutiful son, NuclearWar Starter, the pervert, Ji-wons uncle, the President of the Wild Grass Club, Phoenix. They all clenched their teeth, attempting to suppress something.

I tried my best to hold it back, but I failed.

Buoyed by the death of hundreds of pirates, the lord of South Harbor rallied his fleet. Their mission was to oust the remaining pirates and break the naval blockade.

Despite the great victory, the lords forces were still outnumbered. Therefore, he sought cooperation from the civilian ships docked at the harbor.

The docks had been assaulted, numerous naval vessels had been set ablaze, and many sailors had lost their lives. It was an inevitable situation that required immediate action.

Numerous archers and sailors embarked on the navy ships, hoisting the sails as horns blared and drums resounded. The large sails unfurled one by one, creating a spectacle on the open sea.

Although there were only about twenty navy ships, they were joined by dozens of pirate vessels and thirty commandeered civilian ships. Additionally, nearly a hundred smaller boats, each manned by less than thirty crew members, contributed their strength to the fleet.

As this event hadnt occurred during gameplay, I watched the fleets sortie with a mixture of anticipation and worry. I hoped that lifting the blockade would bring peace back to the city, yet I was concerned that the unfolding scenario might deviate from what I knew.

The naval battle commenced, and initially, the South Harbor side gained a significant advantage. The leading naval ships, carrying skilled wizards, broke through the straits entrance, swiftly expanding the fleets position.

I wasnt certain if it was the lords command, but the civilian ships took their place at the rear, forming the left wing of the formation. It resembled how the mercenaries had been entrusted with the left wing during the dock battle.

However, the situation on land and sea differed greatly.

Recalling the dock battle, the city had been under siege, leaving no escape for the mercenaries, including myself, or the guards positioned on the walls.

If they fled and the army was defeated, they would be captured by the pirates and forced into slavery. And if the army emerged victorious, they would be imprisoned by the lords command.

Their only option was to fight to the death.

However, the circumstances were somewhat different for the civilian ships. Unlike on land, once they escaped the narrow harbor entrance, the vast ocean stretched before them, and the pirates encirclement surprisingly loosened.

In the end, some merchant ships chose self-preservation, even if it meant being labeled as cowards, rather than fighting for the besieged city and facing certain death.

As the navy ships engaged the pirate vessels, the latter promptly fled to the west.

Initially, only a couple of ships managed to escape, but even that was enough to shake the fleet. Moreover, the pirates cunningly opened a path for the fleeing merchant ships, leading other civilian vessels to throw the messengers sent by the lord into the sea and follow suit.

The old man opened his drowsy eyes and groped around the head of his bed.

Ah, what a futile effort.

Old man, here.

The old man accepted the water bottle I handed him and eagerly guzzled it down, smacking his lips afterward.

Are you going to fight with the captain again today?

Its not fighting, its sparring. Its training!

Damn, whats the point of training? Youre as strong as a bear. A bear should fight like a bear, not like a fox.

Ah, stop talking nonsense and go back to sleep.

I snatched the water bottle from the old mans hand and left the room.

While Gillius seemed like a decent person, half of what he said was nonsensical or the ramblings of a drunk, so there was no need to pay attention to him.

Just as I was about to head to the backyard, the door across the hall swung open.

Emerging from the doorway was a little girl, Ellen, whose head barely reached my chest.

Oh, youre awake?

Yes. Good morning.

She rubbed her eyes and greeted me with a sleepy voice, her face marked by exhaustion.

Seeing her tired state, yawning and taking small steps, I couldnt help but worry. So I quietly followed her and asked.

Hey, are you okay?

Yes.

You look like youre on the verge of collapsing. You should get some sleep.

She had been deeply immersed in meditation for the past week.

Meditation to clear the mind was considered an essential practice for wizards, but she had taken it to an extreme lately. She slept for only about two hours a day and spent the rest of her time in meditation.

Despite my concerned advice, she shook her head with half-closed eyes.

Im better than I appear. And as for the sewer, dont worry, Ill go to bed early tonight.

It had been approximately a week since the battle at the docks ended.

Neither Ellen nor I were at ease, but it was a bit frustrating that our planned exploration of the sewer had not yet taken place.

We were scheduled to descend into the sewer tomorrow but if she continued in this state, I might have to reconsider.

About the sewer? What if you collapse?

Its not like that.

She avoided my worried gaze and pretended not to care.

In truth, I had an inkling as to why she was pushing herself so hard.

She seemed bothered by the fact that she couldnt participate in the battle at the docks.

There was a hint of resentment toward me for tricking the military officer into believing she was a student rather than a wizard when we were on the verge of getting caught.

I felt a tinge of guilt, but I tried to maintain a stern expression and said,

Regardless, dont act recklessly and take care of yourself. Youre still young

Ah, there you go with your lecturing again. Go warm up your body. Grania should be out soon.

Really? Then Ill head out first.

At her words, I picked up my pace and made my way to the backyard.

However, before I completely turned away, I glanced back and saw Ellen yawning, her face still drowsy.

Are you sure youre okay?

Ah, enough already.

Oh, alright.

She must be fine.