The Knight King Who Returned with God

Chivalry (1)

The party leader and raid tank, Chief Kim Jinsoo, swallowed hard as the approaching army of skeletons closed in.

"Damn, there's a lot of them."

"C-Chief, should we distribute the potions?"

"...Distribute them at the maximum limit."

Unlike private hunter guilds that could afford to lavishly invest in gate raids, the association's raiding party had limited resources and budget.

Guilds could supply short-term enhancement potions and emergency recovery potions without restraint. But for the association, even basic supplies were rationed.

After all, the Hunter Association was just another government institution, and like any government agency, it was bound by strict budget constraints.

"Well, at least it's a relief that our enemies are just skeletons."

"Don't let your guard down. Even a blind sword can be deadly."

Skeletons were among the easiest of the undead to handle.

Strength comes from muscles, after all. Even though awakened hunters had shifted towards magical power, the fundamental principle of strength remained the same for living beings.

Skeletons, devoid of any flesh, moved purely through lingering will or magical force. Their raw power was weak, but the real threats were the skeleton archers firing blind arrows and the occasional skeleton mages.

Kim barked orders to his subordinates.

"Assistant Manager Sa, Employee Park—both tanks, fall back! Assistant Manager Han, join the second dealer squad and stay in reserve!"

They were the youngest and most talented members of the party. Kim designated them as reserves and focused on spotting any lurking skeleton mages.

"Mansik! How many archers and mages?"

"I count thirty archers and two mages!"

"Anyone with sniping skills, take them out first! Shield bearers, hold the line against the incoming ones! I'm counting on you, bastards!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the skeletal army charged. The sheer weight of colliding bones made his shield feel heavier.

'This is heavier than I expected… Is it because this is a crimson gate?'

Still, as a B-rank tank, it wasn't beyond his ability to endure. With one hand, he blocked an incoming skeleton warrior, and with the other, he crushed its skull using his war hammer.

—Whoosh!

An arrow whistled through the air, slipping between a skeleton's ribcage. Fortunately, his shield was long enough to block it. Otherwise, it would have struck his knee.

"What the hell? Are skeleton archers actually sniping?!"

Momentarily startled, Kim smashed another skeleton and yelled.

"Archers, mages! Take those bastards down fast! Skeleton archers' blind arrows are the worst!"

"S-Sorry!"

In retaliation, the association's hunters began sniping the skeleton archers. One by one, the archers collapsed as their skulls were pierced. A grin spread across Kim's face.

—BOOOOM!

A magic circle flared ahead. The skeleton mages had begun casting their spells.

'Damn it, we don't have a single mage, and even those damn bones have spellcasters?'

The high cost of hiring a magic tower mage was well known. Kim swallowed his frustration at their underfunded organization and shouted:

"I'm! Right here!!"

His voice carried infused mana, raising his threat level instantly. The skeleton mages shifted their focus onto him.

Thanks to this, the bombardment spell that was about to fall in the middle of the formation veered off course—directly toward him.

—KRAKOOM!

"Gaaah…!"

A bolt of thunder struck directly from the magic circle. But Kim endured. He could handle it.

"Chief!"

"I'm fine… Just a little tingly. This armor's expensive—"

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him. Kim's gaze met something eerie.

A severed head resting on its waist. A towering warhorse.

A headless knight.

"Dullahan…!"

Paralyzed by the residual magic, he couldn't react in time. The headless knight charged with its massive steed and slammed into him.

"Guhh?!"

Kim was sent flying. Voices calling out to him quickly turned to screams.

The dungeon's boss, the Dullahan, had begun rampaging with its colossal sword.

"Gaaah…!"

"What the hell?! How is it swinging that greatsword so fast?!"

"Block the breach! Don't let them through!"

The charge had shattered the formation, allowing the skeletons to swarm in.

Individually, skeletons weren't terrifying foes. A properly arranged formation, even one made up mostly of D-rank hunters, could handle them.

But skeletons were deadliest in chaotic melee combat.

Unless their skulls were destroyed, even severed finger bones could keep moving. Once mixed into friendly ranks, they became a nightmare to fight.

"Chief Kim!"

From the reserves, Han Hari and her team anxiously watched the battlefield crumble.

"What do we do? Assistant Manager Han, we have to help him!"

They needed to provide support. That was their role as reserves.

But Han Hari's eyes instinctively turned to the man standing behind her—Leon.

If anyone could turn the tide, it was him.

The self-proclaimed Lionheart King who had slain even the Great Demon.

"Your Majesty! Please, we need your aid!"

All eyes turned toward Leon.

But under their expectant gazes, Leon merely looked bored.

"A king does not lead the charge in such petty battles."

"What? What do you mean…?!"

"You must find your own way to earn honor. You expect me to sully my blade on mere bones?"

The Knight King made no move to draw his sword. His disdain for the undead was evident.

"I won't stain my blade with such wretched creatures. Even looking at them disgusts me."

What the hell is he saying?!

Hari immediately understood—this man had no intention of intervening.

His gaze remained locked on the headless knight, watching with interest.

"Assistant Manager Han! What do we do?!"

"Ah, damn it! Reserve unit, move out!"

Hari drew her sword. While the others rescued Kim and stabilized the formation, she had one clear target.

"I'll take the boss. The rest of you, cover our allies!"

She sprinted forward, leaping from skeleton to skeleton, closing the gap to the Dullahan in an instant.

'Now!'

A silent, perfect ambush.

Yet, as if sensing the attack, the Dullahan twisted its massive sword behind its back, blocking her strike.

"It blocked that?!"

Her surprise attack had been foiled instantly. But she had a follow-up plan.

Using the Dullahan's own horse as a stepping stone, she spun midair and slashed at its chest.

—CLANG!

Her sword barely scratched its armor.

'Damn it… I should've gotten a better sword!'

It was the best weapon within their budget, but the dungeon boss's armor was far heavier than expected.

Still, she had successfully drawn its attention.

Unlike before, when it rampaged wildly, the Dullahan now focused solely on her.

"Come at me!"

The knight pulled its reins, preparing for another charge.

A devastating impact was incoming—one that had sent even a B-rank tank like Kim Jinsoo flying.

But just as the strike landed—

—FWOOOSH!

Flames erupted, cushioning the blow.

The Dullahan hesitated, realizing it was no ordinary fire.

Hari smirked.

"Sorry, but my skill covers a wide area."

She had been waiting for this moment.

Now that the boss was isolated, she activated her full power.

Her sword roared with fire, engulfing the Dullahan in an inferno.

—GAAAAAAAA!

A monstrous howl erupted.

Hari didn't stop—she thrust her blade straight into the Dullahan's head.

—CLANG!

"What?"

The impact felt… wrong. Like hitting solid steel.

'Did it block that mid-flame?!'

—Hoh…

A low voice of admiration echoed.

And through the flames, a fist came flying.

"Ugh…!"

Hari tumbled backward, stunned.

How?!

Her attack had done nothing.

Just then—

"Hah! Splendid!"

A voice thundered across the battlefield.

Everyone turned to see the golden-haired man stepping forward.