Bab 5: Sacrifice & The Rebirth Of The Army

Flashback – The Night Before the Battle

Leon sat on the edge of his bed, his brow furrowed. Moonlight slipped through the window, illuminating the map spread across the floor. His fingers traced the lines on the Cursed Forest map as he frowned.

"Wolves usually travel in packs of five to seven... How could fifty gather at once?"

Amid his confusion, Leon remembered the hero he had once summoned. He raised his hand.

"Appear!"

The air in front of his bed cracked like shattered glass. From the dimensional rift, a massive figure slowly emerged, clad in dusty black armor.

Pale blue eyes without pupils stared blankly, while the sword it carried emitted a deathly aura that made the surrounding air tremble.

"Who... am I?" A hoarse voice escaped the knight's helmet as a system window appeared before Leon.

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] NAME YOUR DEATH KNIGHT

Leon exhaled, deep in thought. "How about Valker... You shall be called Valker."

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] NAME ACCEPTED!

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] Name: VALKER – LEVEL 25

Leon was stunned by the level displayed. "Level twenty-five? Higher than me!"

---

Scene Shift – Present, After the Battle

Blood soaked the battlefield. The corpses of demon soldiers lay scattered among the carcasses of wolves.

Valker stood beside Leon, his sword still dripping black blood. System notifications flashed before Leon's eyes.

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] LEVEL UP! x20

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] LEON'S LEVEL: 15 → 35

Leon walked toward the bodies of his fallen soldiers and knelt before them, his hands gripping the bloodied earth.

His voice trembled as he whispered, "Forgive me... I failed to protect you."

Then he turned to Valker, who stood silently. "But I can fix this."

Leon raised his hand, and the symbol on his palm glowed.

"Rise, my army!"

The corpses of the demon soldiers twitched, rising one by one with glowing red eyes.

The scattered wolf carcasses also stirred. Most shocking of all, an intense aura surged from the resurrected alpha wolf.

The alpha rose, its crimson eyes blazing, then approached and bowed deeply to Leon.

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] NAME YOUR DEATH KNIGHT

Leon nodded. "Fenrith... Your name is Fenrith."

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] NAME ACCEPTED!

DING!

[NOTIFICATION] FENRITH – LEVEL 20

Leon stood trembling, his face filled with resolve. "Fenrith... Attack me with your claws at full strength. Five times."

Valker immediately stepped forward. "Master, this—"

"Silence!" Leon snapped.

"This is an order!"

Fenrith growled in fear, his iron claws shaking. "But... attacking you—"

"Do it! Or you are no longer my subordinate!"

Unable to refuse, Fenrith reluctantly obeyed. Leon removed his armor and shirt, baring himself for the assault.

The first strike landed on his shoulder, tearing flesh and drawing fresh blood. Leon gritted his teeth against the pain.

The second slash ripped across his stomach, nearly spilling his intestines from the gaping wound. Leon staggered but remained standing.

When the third strike hit his chest, the sound of cracking ribs echoed. Leon fell to his knees, blood spilling from his lips.

Fenrith paused, his eyes filled with regret. But Leon lifted his head, his gaze still burning. "Continue..."

The fourth blow sent him crashing to the ground. Blood pooled around him. With the last of his strength, Leon rose again, his body barely functional.

The final strike came, leaving a horrific wound. Leon collapsed, his body drowning in his own blood.

"Thank... you..." Leon smiled weakly as he slowly stood again.

With shaking hands, he picked up his scattered armor and clothes, struggling to put them back on despite his grievous state.

"Good. You may return."

His army retreated into the dimensional rift, awaiting his next summons.

Alone, Leon reached into his pocket and pulled out the teleportation scroll Sylvaine had given him.

His bloodied hands nearly tore the paper as he activated it.

"Belphegor's... palace..."

In an instant, he reappeared at the palace gates—only to collapse, unable to endure any longer.

"Commander Leon!" shouted the stunned gate guards.

Two other soldiers rushed over, their eyes widening at Leon's condition. "Quickly... take him to the Healing Chamber!"

As they carried Leon's nearly lifeless body away, Valker watched from another dimension. His pale blue eyes flickered.

"Master... May you be safe."

=== BAB 5 END ===