The next morning I woke up and went through my usual routine in the barracks. All the soldiers in my room were assigned to patrol duties in various places.
I remembered that Commander Gruzhnil had said I would immediately receive weapons training. Honestly, during the demonstration at the testing range, it was already convincing enough that I could at least use a pistol.
Moreover, Gruzhnil said that a pistol and throwing grenades were sufficient for me as an observer. It seemed I needed to ask Gruzhnil again, or perhaps Grelmure, who would also know about this matter.
I headed to the headquarters building. I informed the guard at the post about what Commander Gruzhnil had told me yesterday. The guard asked me to wait while contacting Gruzhnil's private office line.
After waiting for a while, the guard said I would be escorted to his office. I walked with the guard to Commander Gruzhnil's room. He rang the bell, and shortly after the door opened, revealing Grelmure standing there.
"Ohhh… forgive me, Johann. I forgot what the commander said yesterday. Alright, let's head together to the shooting range," Grelmure said.
We left the headquarters and went to one of the go-kart units. On the way, I asked where Gruzhnil had gone so early in the morning. Grelmure answered that he was already at the shooting range. I felt puzzled, and an uneasy feeling stirred in my heart. The shooting range was quite far from headquarters.
During the journey, I tried to ease my discomfort by starting a conversation and asking about Grelmure's past.
"Forgive me, sir, if I ask something personal, but I feel you are too cheerful and open to be a high-ranking member of The Graendall. Did you truly wish to become part of it?" I asked.
Grelmure smiled softly and nodded.
"I will tell you, Johann, but keep it to yourself. When I was a teenager, just like Gruzhnil, I was only a lower-class citizen. Even before we became who we are now, those were not our names. I joined The Graendall because I was often ostracized. Unlike Commander Gruzhnil, who was a mighty fighter and the strongest soldier of his era, I was the weakest soldier at that time. But that changed when Commander Gruzhnil, then a captain of the elite guard and personal protector of Emperor Gregustus' family, noticed me and adopted me. He trained me personally in his own way. Yet he did not want me to lose the positive personality I had since childhood. He said he wanted to reduce The Graendall's hierarchy that relied solely on physical strength. I was able to grow into who I am now, and he trusted me to become his personal adjutant," Grelmure said.
I was stunned hearing his story. Though both were called the strongest fighters of their time, Gruzhnil was vastly different from Hellraider. He was willing to help a much weaker soldier. Perhaps The Graendall truly still held values of honor and chivalry that guided Gruzhnil's life.
Meanwhile, Hellraider had spent his life fighting countless terrors alone across different realms.
"Is Commander Gruzhnil married yet?" I asked.
"Not yet, Johann. He's still busy grooming himself to become a better leader of The Graendall. Although I think he's more than that. But you must know that Commander Gruzhnil used to be quite temperamental, even when he first trained me. Many of the other soldiers were afraid to be around him, let alone women. But now, I hope the commander can find his true love," Grelmure said, smiling at me.
I thought Gruzhnil would have an easy time choosing a woman to marry now, given his prominent position in the military order. But what Grelmure said was true: love must grow from within each partner, not solely based on status and position.
We arrived at the shooting range. The place was many times larger than the testing arena near the factory. I assumed The Graendall wanted to train its soldiers in long-range precision.
"Ummm… sir, if I remember correctly, soldiers here must also be proficient in close-range weapons. Are they trained here as well?" I asked.
"Ohhh no, Johann. They are trained in the grand colosseum. You might have thought that place was only for the judgment arena, yes? You already saw Commander Gruzhnil training Sir Hellraider there," Grelmure confirmed. I simply nodded.
We reached one of the shooting posts. Inside, many elite soldiers were undergoing training. One figure stood out among them, wearing only simple cloth garments like mine.
I recognized him immediately—Hellraider. Behind him stood several high-ranking officers and Commander Gruzhnil.
So Gruzhnil and Hellraider had already been here earlier. Had Hellraider not refused Gruzhnil's invitation because he knew I would be here too?
Gruzhnil approached us and apologized for not bringing me along earlier.
I watched Hellraider's performance with the weapons. With incredible speed and precision, he shot down wooden targets shaped like hellish monsters. Each time a target shattered completely, he switched to another weapon.
The elite soldiers also destroyed their targets, but none as quickly or precisely as Hellraider.
Commander Gruzhnil instructed Grelmure to train me with the pistol only. I picked up a pistol from the table and took a booth at the end. Grelmure stood behind me. I began shooting at the target. I learned that this pistol used Starstones energy as ammunition in laser form.
As usual, at first I was nervous and unfamiliar with this model, causing my shots to miss. It had been a while since I had fought with a pistol since leaving the realm of terror.
Suddenly, I felt someone behind me adjusting my hand and body posture. I glanced back briefly—it was Grelmure.
I was reminded of Simone teaching me shooting posture before infiltrating the nuclear plant with the final portal.
Why did I recall that painful memory again? Simone's actions were unforgivable, especially his last words.
But I could not dwell in that memory; I had to move forward.
I quickly corrected my shooting stance. After hitting multiple targets, Commander Gruzhnil told me to stop.
"I think that is good enough, Johann. You may train here again later if you wish," Gruzhnil said.
I stopped and placed the pistol back on the table. The elite soldiers and Hellraider also ceased their training.
I saw Hellraider immediately leave the range and head toward a hill.
Was he trying to avoid me?
I approached Gruzhnil and said I wanted to follow Hellraider. I assumed he did not know about what had happened between us two days ago.
"Are you sure you want to follow him, Johann? Should I accompany you?" Gruzhnil asked.
"That will not be necessary, sir. I believe he only wants to see the view from the hill. I will not try to interact deeply with him," I replied.
Gruzhnil looked hesitant but allowed me and said he would follow shortly. I left and saw him giving a speech to the elite soldiers.
I ran lightly along a small path lined with dense trees. Emerging from the trees, I saw Hellraider standing at the hill's peak, arms folded across his chest, staring at the distant city—just as he had done by the river.
I stood some distance away, gazing at the city as well. Suddenly he glanced at me, his expression turning annoyed.
"Yoouuu… you should have let me dieee… instead of following me endlesslyyy…!!!" Hellraider said curtly.
What was he talking about?! I felt he was ungrateful for my attempt to save him. I began to feel fed up with his complaints.
"Even if you died, you would likely be resurrected again! I feel all of this was planned from the beginning!" I said cynically.
He grew more agitated.
Would he attack me again? If he tried, perhaps he would suffer another headache.
"What do you know about all this, huuuhhh?!?! How dare you hide everything from meee...!!!" he shouted, pointing at me.
"If from the beginning you had listened to me, I would have helped you!!! But you only kept raging and trying to kill me!!! Anyone else would have run away from you, but I cannot!!! I already told you—you brought me into your world!!!" I retorted boldly.
Hellraider suddenly ran and leapt at me. I was too shocked to escape and fell backward. But instead of attacking, he grabbed the front of my collar and lifted me so that my entire body dangled.
Why was he not suffering a headache this time? Did he not intend to hurt me?
"Enough of your nonsense!!! Tell me honestly what is happening to me and all of this!!!" Hellraider demanded, eyes bulging, veins visible, teeth grinding.
I felt it was time to tell him the truth.
"You are the main character of the game The Mayhem. You are called Hellraider because you are feared by most beings in hell. Everything in the realm of terror and in this land exists in the game. The entire storyline—from beginning to possible end—will happen to us both. I have played the game many times," I said firmly while still suspended in his grip.
Hellraider looked confused, glancing around, then staring at me with anger.
"Tell meee… TELL ME NOW WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AT THE END!!!" he barked.
I hesitated whether I should say it. He did not even know his real name yet, but insisted on knowing his final fate. What would happen if I revealed it? Would the world collapse from premature spoilers?
If I refused, he might strangle me.
"T-the end of your s-story is…"
The moment I began telling, Hellraider suddenly released my collar. I landed in a crouch, looking at him.
He clutched his head and grimaced in pain again.
As I suspected, something prevented him from knowing what I knew. Perhaps this was punishment for his stubbornness.
"AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH… WHYYYY… WHY DOES ALL OF THIS KEEP HAPPENING TO MEEEEEE?!?!?!" Hellraider roared.
"Not everything must be forced for you to know!!! I may know the whole story, but you would only grow more furious, vengeful, and desperate to destroy whatever made us like this. Not every problem must be solved with violence and bloodshed, you pufferfish bastaarrdd...!!!" I snapped harshly, recalling my second time calling him that insult since last time we were in Hell.
He glared at me, then groaned uncontrollably, kicking at the grass before finally sitting down heavily, head bowed, hands gripping the back of his head and neck.
It was the first time I had seen Hellraider so pressured.
I had only ever seen him fierce and savage, crushing his enemies.
Perhaps this was the turning point where he began to grasp what was truly happening.
"S-Sir Hellraider… a-are you alright..??" I asked, crouching beside him.
"Don't try to touch me or speak again!!!" he shouted, then lowered his head once more.
I fell silent and sat beside him on the grass, gazing at the distant city.
We remained in silence for quite some time.
"Weelll… weellllll… What have you done to Sir Hellraider to make him like that, Johann…???" came a voice from behind.
I turned toward it. Hellraider remained in the same position.
It was only Commander Gruzhnil, standing alone with a slight smile on his face.