Raizen and David stepped out of the shop, where the five knights waited silently.
Just then—
A panel appeared in front of Raizen.
[1 hour left for Fifth Wave]
Raizen exhaled.
"Let's go."
David and the five knights followed him out of the city and back through the forest path.
Thirty minutes later—
they returned to the portal.
Raizen stopped.
Not in shock.
But in appreciation.
The once empty clearing had transformed.
A New Camp
The knights had worked fast—faster than Raizen expected.
At the center stood a small wooden hut, built from freshly chopped logs.
The walls were uneven but sturdy.
Leaves layered on the roof kept out the rain, and a simple rope-hinged door hung crookedly but worked.
Around the hut:
Wooden stakes hammered in a circle
Several barricades shaped like crossed logs
A raised watch-post tall enough for one knight to stand guard
Fire pit with smoke drifting upward
Ground cleared of bushes and roots
It wasn't beautiful.
But it was real work.
For just four hours of effort?
Impressive.
Raizen nodded.
"They did well but i thought i asked them to make something else well whatever."
The six knights approached, excited.
"My lord, did you like it!?"
Raizen nodded again.
"Yes. I like it very much."
The knights lit up—
two girls and four boys, each smiling proudly.
David and the other five knights rushed over to greet them.
David immediately began bragging about his new sword, showing off like a child with a birthday gift.
Raizen didn't mind.
He opened a panel.
"System, how much time?"
[30 minutes left for Fifth Wave]
Raizen nodded.
"I still have time. Let's prepare."
He pointed at the air.
"I want to upgrade David first. How much does it cost?"
Another panel opened—larger this time, listing all 12 summoned knights.
[Upgrade Summoned Troops Feature]
David
Current Level: Bronze–1
Upgrade Cost: 400 points
No.1 Knight
Trainee → Bronze–1
Upgrade Cost: 200 points
No.2 Knight
Trainee → Bronze–1
Upgrade Cost: 200 points
No.3 Knight
Trainee → Bronze–1
Upgrade Cost: 200 points
No.4 Knight — 200 points
No.5 Knight — 200 points
No.6 Knight — 200 points
No.7 Knight — 200 points
…
[Available Points: 600]
Raizen didn't hesitate.
"Upgrade David."
[David has been upgraded: Bronze–1 → Bronze–2]
David, who had been laughing with the others, suddenly froze.
His body trembled—
Strength surged through him.
Muscles tightened.
His shoulders broadened.
His veins bulged like cords under his skin.
Even his aura thickened.
He rushed to Raizen, dropped to one knee, and bowed deeply.
"My lord… thank you for this gift.
Order me anything.
Even if you ask me to end my life, I will act without hesitation."
Raizen waved his hand.
"Okay, okay. No need to bow so much."
David smiled shyly and returned to the others.
Immediately—
"Congratulations, David!"
"You're so strong now!"
"That's amazing!"
And one of the girl knights blushed slightly.
"David… you've become more handsome."
David turned red instantly.
"A-ah—th-thank you…"
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Raizen chuckled softly.
He opened the panel again.
"Upgrade No.1."
[No.1 Knight: Trainee → Bronze–1]
The girl who complimented David suddenly gasped as strength filled her.
Her body straightened, eyes sharpened, her stance becoming stable as waves of energy rushed through her.
Raizen thought for a moment.
A name popped into his mind—
someone from his class, long forgotten.
"Remi."
He typed it in.
The name appeared above the upgraded knight.
The girl kneeled sweetly.
"Thank you for the name, my lord.
It's… a lovely name. I will cherish it."
Raizen nodded.
He handed David and Remi two Strength Potions and two Healing Potions each.
"Use these in the fight."
They stood straight.
"Yes, my lord!"
Raizen took a breath.
Then asked the question that had been haunting him:
"The old man said I can't get stronger…
that I can't build muscles.
Why?"
The system responded instantly.
[Because you were poisoned.A deadly, unique poison likely created only once.]**
Raizen went still, face serious.
"Is there a cure?"
[Of course.You will receive it as the Fifth Wave Completion Reward.]
Raizen blinked.
"What? That easily?
But you said it's a deadly poison!"
[Deadly for others.But I am a system.
Removing poison is nothing.]
Raizen sighed in relief, smiling faintly.
"I guess so…
You are the system after all."
His confidence returned.
"All I have to do is win this wave."
Then another thought hit him.
He remembered the guild.
The dungeon.
"System… is killing portal monsters the only way to get points?"
[No.After completing the Fifth Wave, you can get points from:
• Dungeon monsters
• Demons
• Wild monsters
• Humans
• Any being]
Raizen nodded slowly.
Good. I can send knights to hunt in dungeons later.
Then:
"Why does everything unlock only after the fifth wave?"
[Because these are special features meant to unlock afterward.
You will also receive special quests after the Fifth Wave.]
Raizen smirked.
"Just like a game.
Impressive."
He looked toward the glowing portal.
The swirling blue vortex pulsed…
almost like a heartbeat.
A strange curiosity sparked inside him.
Where do these monsters even come from?
What world lies on the other side?
Can I enter?
He couldn't stop himself.
"System," he asked quietly,
"Where do these monsters come from?
Where does this portal lead?
And… can I enter it?"
The reply came instantly.
[You will get that information after clearing Wave 100.And no, you cannot enter the portal.
It is one-way.
Only monsters can come through.]
Raizen's eyebrows twitched.
"Tsk… so I have to wait until Wave 100, huh?"
His tone held disappointment but also a spark of excitement.
Wave 100…
That means this world is MUCH bigger than I thought.
He sighed.
Then asked:
"How much time left?"
A new panel appeared.
[10 minutes left for Fifth Wave]
Raizen nodded.
"Still 10 minutes…"
He straightened his back and looked at his knights.
"Prepare yourselves.
Only 10 minutes left."
Immediately—
All twelve knights moved at once.
Twelve Knights Preparing for Battle
They formed a semi-circle facing the portal.
David stood in front, gripping his new Iron-Reinforced Sword.
His aura fiercer than ever.
Remi stood beside him, checking her armor straps, determination in her eyes.
The other ten knights sharpened their swords on stones, tested their stances, stretched their limbs, and took deep breaths.
Raizen stood behind them, arms crossed, rain dripping down his hair.
Waiting.
Breathing slowly.
Watching the swirling portal brighten with each second.
Fifth Wave…
The one that will free my body…
and the one that starts my real strength.
The knights fell silent, weapons pointed forward.
Only the sound of the rain…
…and the humming portal filled the air.
They waited.
Ready.