Gierszal

Gierszal is a Level 3 Guard in Mikhail's team. His caution during the Ramman expedition gives way to greed and then self-preservation, culminating in his abandonment of the teammates he was assigned to protect.

Biography

The Ramman expedition and betrayal

Gierszal joins Seol Jihu's Ramman Village expedition as a quiet defensive specialist. He warns that mutated monsters may have grown stronger and helps protect the party's center, yet he also supports pressing deeper into the hidden facility after Seol urges retreat. His reasoning is practical but self-interested: returning with a High Ranker would create trouble if the site proved empty. That vote helps place the group inside the Nest's chamber, where caution can no longer undo the danger. (Chapters 36–39)

During the battle, Gierszal initially obeys Seol's order to guard Maria. When Veronika and Mikhail fall, however, he runs past both instead of retrieving them, using the remaining party as bait for his escape. The Nest's pursuing tentacles kill him and absorb his body, allowing it to recover from a near-fatal wound and worsening the crisis for those he abandoned. His death prevents the social punishment his surviving teammates intended, but they still treat his choice as a decisive violation of their bond of trust. (Chapters 39–40)

Appearance and personality

The corpus provides no detailed physical description of Gierszal. He is initially reserved, raising a hand rather than speaking during his introduction, and voices sensible concern about underestimating mutated monsters. Under pressure, his fear overrides his assigned duty: he hesitates when told to leave Maria, then chooses solitary escape once he concludes that remaining means death. (Chapters 36–37, 39)

Abilities and class

As a Level 3 Guard, Gierszal fights with a shield and is placed beside vulnerable party members. He helps move the stone sealing the hidden facility and stands ready to protect Maria during the Nest battle. The corpus does not name a class skill or demonstrate a distinctive technique; his equipment and formation role establish defensive specialization, while his final decision shows that this protection depends on his willingness to hold position. (Chapters 37–39)

Relationships

• Mikhail: Gierszal is Mikhail's teammate, but abandons him after he is incapacitated, destroying their bond of trust. (Chapters 36, 39–40)
• Veronika: Gierszal expeditions with Veronika and runs past her injured body rather than carrying her to safety. (Chapters 36–40)
• Seol Jihu: Gierszal accepts Seol's leadership until he supports entering the dangerous chamber and later deserts the formation. (Chapters 36, 39–40)

Items

Gierszal uses an unnamed shield and spear. Both are swallowed with his body by the Nest and are later expelled as evidence of his death. (Chapters 39–40)