Miserable Reincarnation

58 – Black Sorcerer (1)

Early morning, in front of the west gate.

Lian sat on a bench at the corner of the street, watching a massive truck approaching from this direction. Outwardly, it didn’t differ much from regular vehicles, but for someone with a bit of military experience, it exuded a peculiar unfamiliarity, easily recognizable.

A bit more angular and rugged, perhaps.

Bang!

As if confirming that thought, the truck came to a halt, blaring its horn. The passenger window opened, revealing Muller.

“Changed the ride?”

“Sold the old armored vehicle and invested in this one.”

Muller chuckled, patting the side of the truck. The distinct sound of steel echoed.

“Rear door’s open, hop in.”

Nodding, Lian opened the cargo door and climbed onto the truck. As expected from a truck capable of carrying about 5 tons of cargo, the interior was quite spacious.

It looked more like a tactical waiting room than a cargo compartment.

“It looks like some transport helicopter.”

From the latest equipment to the interior design reminiscent of a transport helicopter. Unbelievably, it seemed like all the success bonuses from the ‘Project’ were poured into this vehicle.

Tina, who was meticulously cleaning her Daegu shotgun, tossed a combat vest towards Ryan.

“Put it on. They say you know how to shoot, right? Is that correct?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then pick one that suits your taste. I know you’re skilled, but in the military, appearance matters; looking decent is quite important. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

It means try not to look like a kid, even a little bit.

Rather than a kid throwing punches, it’s better to look like a kid with a gun, I guess.

Ryan nodded in understanding and picked up a rifle. Seeing him familiarly don the equipment, Tina’s pupils dilated slightly.

Although she said that, she seemed to be secretly doubting Ryan’s skills.

“Any other precautions?”

“… Shotguns are more effective against the undead than rifles, right?”

“Understood.”

Ryan nodded and picked up a shotgun. Naturally, he knew how to use a shotgun.

Click! Shh!

As Tina watched Ryan skillfully disassemble and check the firearm, she opened her mouth with a blank expression.

“…What’s with him?”

As if understanding, Miller patted Tina’s shoulder and said, “Don’t try to understand, just accept it. It’ll be easier that way.”

…

“Everyone, get ready. We’re almost there.”

Chen’s voice echoed inside the vehicle. Leaning against the wall, Rian immediately surveyed the exterior landscape.

“Desolate.”

It wasn’t just a wasteland enveloping Tuuras. It was the marks of shells, scattered bone fragments, and a flock of crows circling the sky with ominous cries.

It truly resembled a makeshift burial ground.

“…Time to come out?”

“Wait a bit longer. They brought the tactical vehicle.”

How much time had passed? Just as Miller had said, over the hill emerged a mid-sized convoy, kicking up dust and dirt.

Thunk.

The next moment, a robust, muscular man disembarked from the convoy. With the characteristic pomaded hair of an officer, he surprisingly had a rather affable demeanor.

One would have thought, given his association with Miller, he’d be someone constantly barking orders, but judging by his attire and gait, he was an undeniable elite.

“Long time no see, Miller.”

He addressed Miller, seated in the passenger seat, in a friendly tone.

“Captain Kevin seems to have been well. No, wait. Is it now Major?”

“Got promoted last month. If all goes well, I might hit Lieutenant Colonel in a couple of years.”

“Looks like officers are still dying out.”

As Miller promptly stepped out of the vehicle, he shook hands with Captain Kevin. The firm grip seemed oddly friendly.

“How’s the mercenary business going?”

“You know which mercenary unit I belong to.”

-Sssht!

They lit their cigarettes as if it were second nature. Exhaling wisps of smoke, Miller spoke slowly.

“So, who are these guys?”

“Don’t know yet. They’ve set up guards, but it seems there was a shortage of regular soldiers. Already lost nine, they say.”

“…What did the previous supervisor do until it got to this point?”

“Obvious, isn’t it? He scrambled to fix things on his end somehow before it reached that point.”

“He was from Matap, wasn’t he?”

Kevin nodded, rolling his tongue. From his expression, one could roughly guess how officers from Matap handled things.

“The investigative team was dispatched, and it quieted down, but they’ll surely show up again. Those bastards who stole hundreds of corpses won’t stop just here.”

“Means there’s demand for that much. Probably-“

“Dark sorcerers. Only those bastards would hoard corpses like that.”

Muller firmly crushed his cigarette butt.

“Judging by calling only our team members, it seems like something we need to quietly cover up.”

“You know it well.”

“…Those damn bastards.”

No one questioned who the curse was directed at.

Certainly, it must be the high-ranking officials in the military.

“Alright, understood. When should we start?”

“From this evening. Keep an eye on the perimeter of the cemetery, and if by any chance the corpses come back to life, don’t hesitate to finish them off.”

“Why would they come back to life when there’s no dark sorcerer?”

“Over there.”

Captain Kevin pointed with his chin, indicating the fog that covered the surroundings.

“Seems like a fog built up from accumulated death energy (死氣). The corpses that haven’t been dead for long seem to be influenced by that mist.”

“Perhaps it wasn’t artificially created.”

“If it were, a higher-ranked investigator than me would have come.”

“How many bodies are buried there…”

Lian naturally shifted his gaze away from those continuing the conversation.

It seemed like they were about to scout the surroundings; in Chen’s hands were sizable drones. Tina, who was preparing equipment, spoke up.

“Should we head north first?”

“For now.”

Watching them, Lian spoke.

“Tina, are you going alone?”

“Chen will assist with the drone, and Miller needs to guard, right?”

Tina pointed to the massive sniper rifle standing next to Miller. Well, it seemed impossible to scout with such a weapon.

“I’ll go with you.”

“Do you know how to scout?”

“I know the basics.”

“Just knowing the basics… sigh, I don’t know.”

Tina rubbed her forehead and sighed. It was more about understanding the terrain than actual scouting, given the surroundings.

Regardless of scouting skills, Lian’s abilities were genuine.

It seemed better to go in pairs into that ominous mist rather than alone.

Lian got out of the vehicle and followed Tina. A shotgun, as advised, dangled from his back.

“The shotgun, it’s been a while.”

In my previous life, I preferred rifles. Whether it was a buckshot or a handgun bullet, the fact remained the same: if it pierced through the head, you died.

“Halt.”

Tina, who was walking cautiously in the thick fog, gave the signal. At the end of her gaze, there was a haphazardly torn-up marketplace.

There were still quite a few corpses buried in the pits. However, their condition was far from what one would consider a typical corpse.

Some were missing limbs, others had no heads.

As Tina watched the scene, she grimaced and said,

“They only took intact bodies. Those bastards.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the pile of corpses began to stir. At the same time, a strange wailing echoed in her ears.

eeeh-.

But instead of being frightened, Tina stomped on the head of one of the wriggling corpses.

Crunch!

“Why did the military bury the corpses here? If they had cremated them, none of this would have happened.”

“Maybe to return as intact bodies as possible to the families of the deceased.”

However, it was hard to see the corpses buried here as ‘intact’ no matter how you looked at them.

“What’s the real reason?”

“Maybe they couldn’t be bothered. They didn’t have the capacity to care. The military probably didn’t expect the war to drag on like this.”

“….”

Although that didn’t seem to be the whole story, Lian didn’t ask any further. Tina, who was just a mercenary, wouldn’t know the inner workings of the military.

“This place is a damn mess. Even if it wasn’t for the corporal punishment, I wouldn’t even think about looking towards the frontlines-.”

Tina’s words did not reach their conclusion.

In an instant, Lian, who had approached her nose, extended his gauntlet towards her like a flash of light.

– Kwaah!

A noise that seemed to be blocked. In Lian’s right hand, which stood in front of Tina, a large arrow was held.

“……”

Tina swallowed her dry saliva as she looked at the arrow that had stopped in front of her.

“I didn’t see it.”

She had confidence in her visual acuity, but her range of vision was too short to notice.

If Lian hadn’t been there, she would have been killed without even realizing it.

The arrow wriggling like a living being soon dissipated, pouring out black liquid as if it had exhausted its strength.

Tsutsutsutsuk…!

Lian nonchalantly wiped off the liquid stuck to his gauntlet. It was a discomforting and alien magic.

“So this is black magic.”

As Lian quickly scanned the surroundings, he sensed something unfamiliar.

“Tina, can you cast a supportive spell?”

“I can. Should I pursue him?”

Instead of asking, she saw through their intentions and gave a response.

Her calm attitude was astonishing for someone who had almost died just moments ago.

She must have joined the mercenary group not by chance.

“Yes.”

“I’ll protect you.”

In the next moment, Lian’s new form disappeared.