SWY 126

“Are you really alright?”

“Of course! Just trust me.”

“Thank you.”

Randall gave Goran a reassuring pat on the shoulder, then turned to Sharhan’s group.

“What do you think of using the corpses as well?”

“It’s risky, but… it might work.”

Since the corpses were drawn to noise, if the enemy was already making a racket, there was a good chance the corpses would target them. With many to rescue and few on their side, they had to use whatever they could.

Once everyone agreed, Randall explained the location of the secluded house he’d mentioned. Goran, once a guide, immediately recognized it and confidently said he knew the place.

“Then I’d better get going. If I’m gone too long without a word, it’ll raise suspicion.”

“Here, take these.”

Sharhan handed Randall two smoke stones. When he asked visit our sitewhat they were, Sharhan explained their use, and Randall’s eyes lit up. He promised to meet again at dawn and left with a determined look.

They didn’t give him a firestarter since Randall said he could manage the fire. Sharhan’s group agreed to lie in wait nearby, and as soon as the flames rose and the smoke spread, they would launch the assault.

With plenty of time until sunset, everyone got to work. Samson left with Goran to gather more materials for traps. Ardelle, unable to bear the stench in the cave, crouched by the entrance.

Sharhan and Lestel sat side by side, shoulders touching, waiting for the two to return.

When they came back much later, their arms were full of vines and stones. Sharhan and Lestel stood to help them carry the load and set it down.

“You didn’t run into anyone?”

“No. We took the opposite side from the storehouse.”

Samson grinned, looking far more relaxed. Meeting his brother Randall seemed to have eased his anxiety. Sitting down, he began crafting traps using the dry vines from the cabin and what they had just gathered.

Sharhan watched Samson’s hands with curiosity. Samson cut the vines into even lengths, tied several together, and added a stone on one end.

“Is this a trap?”

“Not exactly. It’s more of a hunting tool. You grip it and swing it at your target. If you throw it at someone’s legs, it’ll wrap around and stop them from moving. It won’t kill them, but it’ll buy us some time.”

It didn’t look hard to make, so the others joined in and, under Samson’s guidance, helped make traps. They ended up with just under thirty, split seven each. Afterward, Samson shared some edible herbs and [Read on]roots he had gathered, along with water, to satisfy their hunger.

As they ate, the sun began to set. Since it would be hard to move in complete darkness, they decided to leave before night fully settled and headed toward the storehouse. From afar, they saw a flickering red light, likely the fires set by the storehouse guards.

Keeping quiet, they crept as close as they dared and hid in the trees. Not long after, five men appeared carrying sacks.

Though there was no sound, the sacks moved. There were children inside. Sharhan clenched his jaw, his shoulders stiff with tension. He was worried one of the others might leap out impulsively.

Thankfully, no one moved until the men passed, joking with each other. Sharhan’s chest heaved as he let out a deep breath of relief.

Time passed, and their bodies grew stiff, both from staying still and from the deepening cold. Sharhan kept clenching and unclenching his hands to keep them from freezing. He glanced toward the tree where Lestel was hidden.

He couldn’t see clearly in the dark, but it felt like Lestel was looking back at him. Most likely, he was.

‘Once we attack… everything will be resolved before dawn.’

It also meant the time to confirm the doubts in his heart was drawing near. His heart pounded fast and hard. Taking a deep breath, Sharhan rubbed his sweaty palms on his trousers.

‘You have to ask, Sharhan. No matter how scared you are, you know you need to know.’

Even after resolving himself, part of him still wanted to turn away. But he had never once run from a harsh truth. Even when he fled with his sister and abandoned his family, he hadn’t hesitated once after deciding it was the best option. It was the same when he chose to become a mercenary, knowing it might cost him his life.

But when it came to Lestel, he always hesitated. He kept his feelings buried because it was Lestel. If he revealed them too easily, he feared even their antagonistic relationship might break beyond repair. And he would never see him again.

Lestel was always the one exception for Sharhan. And he believed he was the same for Lestel. They’d been cautious with each other because they were so precious, so absolute to one another.

“Sharhan!”

Sharhan snapped out of his thoughts at Lestel’s voice and looked toward the storehouse. Flames were rising, and thick smoke filled the air, clearly visible even in the dark. That was the signal.

“I’ll go lure the corpses.”

Goran jumped down first and sprinted away. He really was fast. The rest of the group grabbed their weapons and ran toward the storehouse.

“What’s going on?!”

“Put out the fire, quick! The back of the captain’s quarters is burning!”

“There’s smoke rising from the storehouse too!”

“Shit, put it out! Get water!”

Though the smoke obscured the view, a man who appeared to be Alfredo was screaming in front of the quarters. The man standing like a bodyguard next to him must’ve been Hoffman, the vice captain Goran had mentioned.

“There’s not much water!”

“Then get dirt or something and smother the flames!”

The closer they got, the more visible the chaos became. Randall must’ve used oil, the fire was larger than expected.

Under orders from Alfredo and Hoffman, people were scrambling, hauling water, shoveling dirt, running around in confusion.

“I can’t see anything because of the smoke!”

“The fire at the storehouse is huge too!”

“Put out the fire in my quarters first!”

Using the chaos, Sharhan’s group blended into the enemy’s ranks and rushed toward Alfredo and Hoffman. Since the storehouse required a key, those two had been the target from the beginning.

“Wh-who…?”

The smoke delayed recognition, and by the time they realized they were strangers, it was too late. Sharhan’s group killed them without hesitation.

“I-it’s an ambush!”

Screams erupted from afar, Randall had begun attacking too.

“Find the intruders!”

“Where are they?!”

“The storehouse fire’s out!”

“Ardelle, go with Samson that way!”

“Kill anyone who tries to block us!”

Sharhan and Lestel veered left while Ardelle and Samson went right, each striking down any enemies in their path. Since Randall had said his allies were already positioned by the storehouse, they didn’t hesitate.

At first, the enemy flailed in confusion, but they quickly grabbed weapons and began to fight back. The clashing of blades rang louder by the minute.

“Damn it, who the hell are you people?!”

“Doesn’t matter. Just die.”

Sharhan thrust forward with his spear, while Lestel swung his axe and brought down anyone in his way. Blood splattered in all directions. Moans and screams echoed around them.

“Randall, you bastard! You betrayed us!”

The smoke from the stones wouldn’t last forever, and as it faded, their vision began to clear. Sharhan saw Randall charging toward Alfredo, but Hoffman blocked him.

Hoffman sneered and swung his sword. The blow was sharp. Even as they fought, Alfredo continued shouting to extinguish the fire. It seemed Goran was right. His undead son was likely hidden inside.

“Put it out now!”

“Give me the key! Give me back my daughter!”

Someone lunged at Alfredo, but he was kicked away. Alfredo stomped on the man’s chest as he groaned in pain.

“Damn it, just when I’m already pissed, some pest dares jump me? Maybe you can put out the fire with your body.”

He grabbed the man by the collar and shoved him toward the flames. Randall threw himself forward and tackled the man, just before the fire caught.

Seeing Hoffman about to stab Randall in the back, Sharhan threw a trap. It spun through the air and tangled around Hoffman’s legs, halting his blade. But it only bought a moment, he quickly tore it off.

“Who are you?!”

“Why do you bastards keep asking that? What difference does it make if you knew?”

Sharhan stepped closer, smirking. A brand was visible on Hoffman’s forehead.

“I’ll kill you, rip out your heart, and whisper your name while I wish you peace in the afterlife.”

“Forget it. I don’t want some bastard like you blessing my soul.”

“Oho, you’re quite the beauty, aren’t you?”

“Why does everyone keep bringing up my damn face? Shut the hell up and come at me, you bastard.”

“I think I’d rather tumble with you in bed than fight–!”

Trying to provoke Sharhan, Hoffman staggered mid-sentence. Lestel’s axe had slammed into his shoulder, blood spraying from the wound.

“Shut that filthy mouth.”

Lestel swung his axe again, aiming for Hoffman. Seeing that Lestel had it handled, Sharhan turned toward Alfredo, but enemy soldiers quickly blocked his path.

“Leave this one to me! You all go put out the fire!”

Alfredo snatched a sword from one of his men and charged at Sharhan with flashing eyes. He really had trained as a knight’s squire.

Sharhan scoffed, parried the blow, then twisted his body and lunged with his spear. Alfredo barely deflected [visit our site]it, cursing under his breath.

“Sharhan, the key?!”

“Not yet!”

“Hurry up!”

Ardelle’s voice was tinged with urgency and exhaustion. Even Samson was fighting with a roar, it was wearing on him.

“I’m joining my brother!”

Staggering to his feet, Randall ran to find Samson. The fire and smoke had given them the advantage at first, but their small numbers were catching up to them.

“M-Monsters!”

Someone shouted in horror, Goran had arrived.

Sharhan turned his head instinctively, just in time to drive his spear into a soldier’s chest and rip it out. In the same instant, Lestel’s axe smashed into Hoffman’s head.

“Guh!”

With a groan of pain, Read onHoffman collapsed. But not before the tip of his blade grazed Lestel’s shoulder.