Inside a dark room, where several lieutenants were gathered, the sound of a door being violently thrown open echoed through the hall.
"C-Captain!" the soldier shouted, despair clear in his eyes.
The captain merely looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes?!"
"A-an elemental giant is approaching the city!" the soldier cried out in panic.
The captain rose from his chair.
"What?!"
He glanced at the lieutenants with a tense expression.
"Summon all soldiers."
Turning back to the soldier, he walked closer.
"How much time do we have before that monster arrives?"
"Sir… I believe one or two hours!"
"Damn it!"
"Should I gather the men, sir?"
"Call Captain Jackie and the recruit Poul, who is with him. Take them to the wall."
The soldier nodded, bowed at a ninety-degree angle, and ran off.
The captain leaned against the wall.
Perhaps the end of this city is closer than we think…
Under the daylight, the boy Jay walked with his hands in his pockets, head lowered, while his friend Kyrai walked beside him, her head held high and a bright smile on her face.
Why does that goddess keep teasing me? What did I even do for her to act like this? Jay thought, rubbing his chin.
The walk itself was calm—but his mind was not.
Questions piled up, all ending the same way.
Why does she talk to me every time she finds an opportunity? Since my mother's death, she's been like this… Could it be that she…
What did she want? Friendship? To comfort him? Or…
Lilith loves me?!
His face turned red, eyes wide.
W-What?! No, no, no! That's impossible! He waved his hands as if trying to erase the thought, then suddenly stopped.
Staring at the ground, he realized a harsh truth.
In his past life, he had never been loved by anyone other than his parents—and perhaps that wouldn't change in this life either.
Childhood friends would leave, grow apart, and follow different paths.
It had happened before.
It would happen again.
New people may come… but somehow, I'll ruin everything…
A soft touch on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.
It was Kyrai, her expression filled with concern.
"Jay! Are you okay?"
Jay nodded.
"Yes, Kyrai. I'm fine."He forced a smile.
She accepted the answer, though doubt lingered in her eyes.
After some time, they reached their destination.
Atop the city wall, Poul stared at the massive shape approaching.
Wearing his uniform, sword at his waist, he frowned.
"That's the elemental giant?"
"No," Jackie replied. "It's inside that moving mountain."
"So… like a cocoon?"
"Exactly. A cocoon that protects it from arrows."
Jackie suddenly twisted his face into a sinister grin, rubbing his hands together.
"But we don't know if that cocoon can withstand a rain of cannon fire."
Poul sighed, staring at the mass of earth.
I doubt even that will work…
After a while, something felt wrong.
The mountain seemed both faster—and strangely still.
Poul narrowed his eyes.
"Jackie."
Jackie scratched the back of his neck.
"What is it, Poul?"
"That thing… it's not stationary."
Jackie's face went pale. He rushed to the edge of the wall, teeth clenched.
"Damn it…"
Turning to the soldiers, he shouted:
"Men! Prepare the cannons!"
"Archers! Ready your arrows!"
He motioned for Poul to follow him.
Meanwhile, soldiers began evacuating the civilians, moving from house to house.
Anyone who resisted was forcibly dragged away.
Those who fought back were knocked unconscious—or worse.
Jay had been eating lunch when the tremors began.
Luis immediately stood up, opened the cellar door, and ordered everyone inside.
No one argued.
Jay had no choice but to follow.
Inside the dark basement, dust filled the air, making Jay sneeze.
Damn it… why did I agree to follow them? he thought.
Kyrai stood beside him, trembling in fear.
Jay sighed, then wrapped his arms around her, gently patting her head.
"It's okay, Kyrai. You're not alone."
Slowly, she calmed down.
Luis did the same for Mary.
The tremors intensified, bringing back painful memories.
Jay hugged Kyrai tighter.
I won't let this happen again.
On the wall, Poul heard cannon fire, arrows, and Jackie's shouted commands.
Explosions rocked the ground.
Yet the cocoon remained intact, advancing relentlessly.
"…"
Poul focused.
The noise faded into a dull ringing as he sensed a terrifying aura rising from within the mountain—growing stronger with every explosion.
He gripped his sword, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.
Jackie noticed Poul's strange focus.
A bad feeling…
"Cease fire! Retreat! That's an order!"
The soldiers hesitated, but obeyed.
Too late.
A massive figure emerged atop the mountain.
Poul extended his arm and unleashed a blast of ice.
The entire mountain froze solid.
The soldiers stared in shock.
All except Jackie.
Poul collapsed to his knees, gasping, clutching his arm as burning pain surged through him.
"Poul!"
"Don't touch me! Guide the soldiers—I'll hold it here!"
Jackie hesitated, then nodded and led the troops away.
Poul stood, drawing his sword.
At that moment, the creature leapt down.
The ground shattered.
Debris floated into the air.
Seven meters tall.
Poul was nothing more than an ant.
The giant vanished.
Poul's pupils darted around—then pressure struck his back.
Too late.
He was punched and sent flying into the wall.
"POUUUUUL!!!" Jackie roared.
A soldier grabbed Jackie's shoulder.
"Captain, we must go! His sacrifice can't be wasted!"
Jackie closed his eyes, swallowing his grief, and ran.
The colossus advanced, crashing into the city.
Houses were destroyed.
A soldier shouted—
"T-Take this, you—!"
A stone spike pierced his body.
Panic spread.
Stone spears erupted from the dust, destroying mortars and soldiers alike.
Blood streamed down Poul's face.
His vision blurred.
His body refused to move.
No… no… I won't stop…
He thought of his son.
Dark resolve filled his expression.
Pain vanished.
Ice covered his broken sword, forming a glowing blue blade.
Crystal wings burst from his back.
With a single beat, Poul took flight.
The giant sensed murderous intent.
Projectiles flew.
Poul dodged them all.
He plunged forward, stabbing the giant's hand and sliding along its arm.
Ice fragments embedded deep within the wound.
As he fell, the wings vanished.
A massive hand struck him midair.
Time slowed.
A frozen shield formed, absorbing the blow.
Blood spilled from Poul's mouth.
The giant roared and charged.
Before impact, Poul clenched his fist.
The ice fragments detonated.
The giant's arm exploded.
Poul crashed again, barely conscious.
He couldn't feel his left arm.
Breathing burned his lungs.
But the giant was on its knees.
Poul raised his frozen arm.
A massive icy spike formed and pierced straight through the colossus.
Its body collapsed.
Poul fell to his knees, blood pouring from his mouth and nose.
And on that day, history was changed.
Hyou Poul — a human who slew an elemental giant.