I Was Mistaken as the Novel’s Hidden Boss

Lee Siyeon never wore another expression other than poker face. The emotion beneath rarely surfaced as she could calmly control it. That habit earns her the moniker of 'Ice Princess'. A call which was created because of her face and signature of her power. An ice magic. 

With ice magic and her unbelievable talent in swordsmanship, she became the youngest S-class in Korea history, claiming the spot when only 20 years old. 

 

"Report! Th-the military sent an update. It says…" 

 

"What?" 

 

"The-the monster… only 'one' monster comes out of the gate…" 

 

For the first time, her face cracked in public. 

But no one could pay attention to her personal image. All three hunters, which was the first batch of support, were all shocked. None of them are foolish enough to underestimate the enemy after hearing there's only one monster in the battlefield.

 

Because it means the monster is strong enough for the gate to only send one! Shit!!

 

"Hey! Go faster!!" Bewilderment quickly turned into rage. Impatience could be seen in her face. But none of her team could blame her. After all, 'that man' is there in the frontline. 

 

"I-It's already the fastest!" 

 

"I don't care! Go faster!!" 

 

"Y-yes!" 

 

With the pilots facing the pressure, the helicopters are noticeably faster than before. But for Lee Siyeon, it's still too slow. She recalls a middle aged man's face which she greatly respects. 

 

Teacher… please, please be safe! 

 

The situation where she could only pray greatly stressed her. 

 

*** 

 

As expected. 

 

I had a hunch—no, it should be more accurate to call it a sense of inevitability. 

From when I first saw it, that one is most likely the type to tank everything. Just from a glance, one could see its skin is a natural armor. My prediction turns out to be correct since even after three minutes full of bullets barrage, we can't see any visible damage. 

 

"Commander! The bullets cannot penetrate!" One of his subordinates shouts while trembling. 

 

"Tsk, I know! Use missiles! But don't you ever stop pulling that trigger! Even if it's ineffective, we have to keep that monster here as long as we can!" 

 

The command was effective immediately, not even a minute after I issued the order, the first missile already launched. Almost like they waited for my permission. 

 

*BOOMMM* 

 

And the missile hit the bullseye in the monster's chest. 'It' bounced back, giving us a little hope which was slowly gone because no matter how much ammunition we expend, that monster won't even budge. 

 

But just when the little hope bloomed, the monster changed its stance. 

 

I widened my eyes at the unexpected turns of events. A circle full of sigils and symbols brightly lit before six spears made of fire conjured in the air. It happened in an instant. 

 

A… mage? But how the fuck did he tank our bullets??! And what the hell is that casting speed!!

 

In the middle of my bewilderment, a second barrage of missiles fired. But, before it even flew close to the target, all the six missiles exploded. The explosion is big enough to cause the military helicopters to bounce back because of the generated wind. 

 

Amidst that, I could feel the mana move. The moment I realize that, I shout. 

 

"MAGIC INCOMING!!" 

 

All of us ducked, expecting a counter attack. Seeing that fire lance countering our anti-monster missiles which could obliterate most monster, I can't help but imagine the entire batallion wiped out with just one attack. But contrary to my imagination, nothing happens. When I get up from my cover position, there is a wall of fire spanning across the beach. The wall is tall, supposedly 50 meters in height. 

 

"... a defense spell?" I voice out a bewildered question. Was this the spell it casted earlier? Why? What is its purpose? 

 

"Co-commander. That wall…" 

 

"Yeah. A high tier spell, probably fifth or sixth tier. There's no way we can break it with our current armaments." We could with our ultimate war weapons, but that's unrealistic. There's no guarantee we could request for that weapon to transfered here.

In my solemnity, I have to tell the truth. We can't do shit to that guy. It does not even counter our attack. Only focus on defense, despite having displayed a high tier attack spell. 

 

That guy clearly has enough firepower to completely obliterate our perimeters, but instead, it only uses defense. 

 

Why? 

 

No matter what I think, it's mysterious. I can't grasp its intention at all. 

 

"Teacher!" Suddenly, a woman's shout could be heard from afar. 

 

I turn around to see the source of that familiar voice. To be honest, even without looking back, I know whose voice is that. Because there's only one woman who has that beautiful voice amongst the one I knew. 

 

"Lee Siyeon." 

 

The youngest S-class in Korean history. A magic swordsman, with her signature ice magic, somehow matching with her natural white hair and blue eyes. 

 

She was my disciple. 

 

Unable to contain her joy, she leaps from the helicopters and runs towards her teacher. 

 

That kid. I bet she urged the pilots to move faster. 

 

In contrast to her joy, I cannot help but worry. 

 

This incident here will be recorded as one of a kind. Maybe the worst red gate incident in history. The possibility of them all getting wiped out here, is high. I already reported this to the higher up, the footage also sent for analysis. If those sitting in the high table are not fools, they would realize how terrible the current situation is. 

 

He just hopes they pick the right decision. 

 

"Lee Siyeon." I call her again, after we finally see each other face to face. 

 

"Teach— no, commander. Lee Siyeon  S-rank, at your service." She salutes, and I salute back. 

 

"Kim Woyong, A-rank, at your service!"

 

"M-Moojin, A-rank, at your service!" 

 

Aside from Lee Siyeon, the rest are A-ranked. I pained at the possibilities of sending them to their deaths. But, with that wall, we have no choice but to use hunters to keep that abomination busy. Until the support comes. 

 

"Commander. It's fine." 

 

Perhaps, sensing my sadness, Lee Siyeon tried to reassure me. 

 

"We already knew the news. We know defeating it is impossible, so the order should be to buy time right?" 

 

"... yes." I can't face her. "I'm sorry." 

 

This is why I hate being weak. 

 

I quickly calm myself. At least, as their commander, I should show them manners befitting one. 

 

"Sir. Headquarters says most of the S-class has gathered. They are also requesting assistance from our neighbor country. And almost all of A-class and B-class have been gathered and are currently moving en masse here." 

 

With that, I sighed a breath of relief. It may not be well, but at least, we could face the disaster with all our firepower. 

 

I turn to the first batch of support.

 

"Your role is buying time. Do not engage to defeat. Keep your wits and be careful of its fire magic. The skin is hard, probably as hard as adamantium, so don't try go toe to toe with him alone. I will believe the rest in your hands, Siyeon." And after a little briefing, I pat them all in the shoulder. Staring them one by one in the eye, I utter my true wish for them.

 

"Don't die."