Surviving on the Northern Front with Gukbap

Change (4)

How many pieces of homework have piled up for me?

'Schutmann, Jeros, battalion commander, spirit stone quarry, stack Labyrinth.'

And finally, the princess of the inn who's sleeping—Plerine.

My head felt like it would explode in front of these scattered assignments,

But just the thought of picking up my kitchen knife made me feel refreshed again.

After all, brooding isn't going to bring satisfying answers anyway.

'Getting stronger is the best way to prepare.'

On the Belkhazium continent, in this medieval fantasy, your life force, negotiation power, and problem-solving skills all boil down to 'martial strength'.

"It's not much different than I expected."

That was my impression as I entered the officer training ground.

It was almost the same as the soldier training ground.

"Kukuk. Not much different, but soldiers can't come here."

Just like Jeros said.

The soldier training ground was crawling with people,

But having this vast space only for officers would obviously make things much more comfortable.

'Right now, only Jeros and I are in the training ground.'

Well, we had just returned to the village, after all.

Maybe it's not the same for me or Jeros, but the other officers must be busy managing troops or writing reports.

By the way, shouldn't this squinting bastard be managing the special operations unit?

"Kukuk. How long's it been since I last taught swordsmanship?"

Jeros said, drawing his sword.

His squint was bent just a little.

He seemed to truly enjoy this.

Of course, I was excited to learn after such a long time too.

A bit nervous, even.

"The last time was during the sparring tournament, so just over two months ago."

"Has it only been that long? Kukuk."

Jeros aimed his sword at me and continued.

"Let's see what the genius outsider who became 3rd-rank in two months can do."

My eyebrow must have twitched unconsciously.

It had been a long time since I'd heard the blatant word 'outsider' from Jeros's mouth, of all people.

Maybe that's why.

'Damn, that pisses me off.'

Trying my best to control my expression, I reached for my kitchen knife.

"Kukuk. Don't tell me you're just going to go at me as you are?"

"Why? Can't I?"

I'm someone who can overwhelm even 3rd-rankers without any food buffs.

I was curious how long I could keep up against Jeros in this state.

But Jeros raised the corner of his mouth as he spoke.

"Come at me with your full strength. From here on, I'm going to thoroughly crush you—I just won't kill you."

I could feel sincerity in his words, so I replied.

"You're not just taking your anger out on me, are you? This is supposed to be a swordsmanship lesson, you know."

Ignoring my sarcasm, Jeros assumed a preparatory stance.

An abnormally low center of gravity.

And his sword in his right hand was held at a slanted angle that hid it from view.

"!!"

I had to grit my teeth to keep a straight face.

It was a stance I'd never seen in Granfen,

But I still recognized it from my knowledge of sword styles.

'White Fang?'

Whenever I'd fought against the Duchy in the game, I'd often seen that peculiar stance.

The White Fang stance of the Kaischen Duchy's knight order!

'He doesn't have the short sword that should be in his left hand, but I'm sure of it.'

Sweat trickled down my back before the fight even started.

I'd never imagined I'd discover Jeros's true identity like this.

That maniac was a White Fang.

'He must still be an apprentice. He hasn't been given the Whitefang surname yet.'

That explained why Jeros, despite being 4th-rank, had been doing guard work.

Then what has he been doing in Granfen all this time disguised as a guard?

'...... For now, instead of thinking, I need to move my body.'

I walked to a corner of the training ground and opened my backpack.

If I had to clash at my maximum, I needed to prepare.

〈Strength slightly increases.〉

〈You've consumed the complete Korean food 'plain rice' and gained a bonus effect.〉

〈Your increased strength will not diminish. (30 minutes)〉

Then I chewed on a sugar candy for dessert before returning to my starting position and assuming my stance.

"Kukuk. Now that's a good expression."

I couldn't afford to lose focus.

I needed to push everything to the limit.

After all, when would I have another chance to spar with an apprentice knight of White Fang?

"Come at me."

Before Jeros even finished his sentence, I tore off from the ground.

Thud!

Jeros seemed to loom large as the training ground background stretched behind him.

I could feel strength overflowing from my body.

The strength buff from the rice ball made me different.

So much faster, and—

Whoosh—ching!

I could even unleash Sword Energy.

Of course, my release was clumsy compared to the company commanders, so Jeros deflected it easily.

Ching, ching, ching!

But just being able to attack before closing the distance was a huge advantage.

With this, I closed the gap—?

'Wait.'

Thud!!

"??!!"

The world turned upside down.

I had definitely been charging Jeros just a second ago.

Thump.

No surprise, I rolled across the floor under the law of inertia,

Then I shot up, alert for a follow-up attack, and looked at Jeros.

His squint hadn't wavered at all.

'Did he hit me with his left fist?'

The side of my face tingled.

It was a good thing I managed to pull up mana just before getting hit;

Otherwise, my face would have been smashed in.

"Ptuh!"

And that's not all—

If that guy had been gripping a short sword in his left hand?

My head would have flown off.

'He's insanely strong.'

It hit me again:

No matter how unbeatable I was at 3rd-rank,

In front of a fourth-ranker, I was powerless.

And not just any fourth-ranker—he was a cut above the rest.

'This pisses me off.'

Just yesterday, I was beating Ricky to a pulp and enjoying myself,

But not anymore.

'I'm still weak. Way too weak.'

People around me kept saying my progress was miraculous,

But in the end, I was still only 3rd-rank.

Tap!

I leapt and swung my kitchen knife.

Whoosh!

Not holding back on mana, switching straight to a slash.

It wouldn't kill or even hit Jeros,

But I charged at him with the mentality that it wouldn't matter even if it killed him.

Ching, ching! Chat, click, ching!

I have to get stronger.

It was way too early for me to settle.

I had far to go!

Thwack!

Jeros's left fist crashed into me again.

But this time was different.

I didn't fall over in a ridiculous heap like before.

As soon as I saw his punch coming, I brought my forehead forward instead of my cheek.

"Kukuk. Kukukuk."

Of course, I knew.

If it'd been a short sword instead of a fist, I'd have died on the spot.

But since he was using his fist instead of a sword, I just took advantage of it.

"You really are an interesting outsider, Ian. Kukuk."

"Interesting, my ass!"

I slashed at his fist in front of my forehead.

He casually drew his upper body back to the left, but—

'This is my chance!'

This time, I predicted his movement perfectly.

I closed the distance hard and reversed my grip on the kitchen knife to go for a continuous attack.

"Kukuk."

His sword came for my side.

It was simple—and fast.

I thought I'd read it, but I was the one being read.

But this guy—

'Why isn't he pulling back his sword?'

At this rate, he's really going to cut me down.

Just as that thought crossed my mind—

"Ugh!"

I instinctively switched to the Flowing Sword technique.

Ching!

I barely managed to deflect the blade, tumbled with a recovery roll, and shouted,

"Are you trying to kill me?! I seriously almost died!"

"Kukuk. Of course not. You blocked it well."

As pissed off as I was, I couldn't read his intentions.

Was he trying to kill me, or trying to teach me?

At this point, whatever—I went all in and charged him with everything I had left.

Chat-chat-ching! Kagic, ching! Whud!

I rolled across the ground again.

Dirt and dust tasted horrendous.

"Kukuk. Are you done already?"

Instead of answering, I threw my kitchen knife at him as a surprise.

Ching!

Even 'Hunting Time' was useless against him, damn it.

"Not even close!!"

Chat-ching! ... Whoosh, thud!

Roll, roll.

*

Since coming to this world of Belkhazium, I've learned a lot from Jeros.

It may have all been a joke to him,

But all of it became my blood and flesh.

'If it hadn't been for Jeros, I wouldn't have survived Burt, either.'

What Jeros first seriously taught me were mana and Dominating Sword technique.

Back then, it was theory and practice mixed together—but not anymore.

Now, it was pure, relentless practical experience.

'My sense for fighting with all my power is being pushed to the absolute limit.'

I didn't manage to land even a single hit on him,

But by now, his swordsmanship was finally starting to come into focus for me.

Kagacak! Chat-ching!

My face must have been drenched with sweat.

Beads of sweat clung to my eyelashes.

My padded armor was, of course, completely filthy.

'All my joints are screaming.'

Even with my whole body aching, as I went for one more strike—

"Kuhuk!"

Suddenly, I felt my breath stop cold in my throat.

The world spun, and my legs almost gave out, but I barely hung on.

My heart was being squeezed tight.

"Kukuk. Looks like your time's up."

I guess thirty minutes had passed.

Once my strength, focus, and stamina buffs ended, the backlash hit like a storm.

"Hngh!"

The rice ball I had just eaten almost came back up, but I barely held it in.

Then Jeros's voice came.

"Listen while you rest. Kukuk."

Bent over to catch my breath, I just listened with my ears.

"Ian, you have no talent for the sword."

"Huff... huff... huuuuuff..."

"3rd-rank is your limit. You'll never become 4th-rank."

Sweat dangling from my face dropped from the tip of my nose.

Spit dripped from my mouth.

Drip. Drip.

"That's why it's so strange. How did you become 3rd-rank in just two months? Is that your outsider ability?"

I just focused on catching my breath, not answering.

To be honest, Jeros was right,

But I didn't want to confirm that question.

Because—

'How much effort have I put in up to now?'

Ralph, Ruth, and the regular soldiers—

Every time they said I was an unbelievable genius, I replied:

That I worked incredibly hard.

That I worked myself to death.

That after the shop closed, I always swung my kitchen knife.

So—

"Don't belittle—huff—me."

I lifted my head and met his gaze as I spoke.

"Don't, huff, belittle my achievements—huff. Don't undermine them."

At my words, Jeros curled his lips as if he found it amusing.

"Kukuk. Don't get me wrong. I'm really just curious. Because you don't have talent. Ah! Of course, you're not as bad as Ralph. Compared to him, you're fine. But with your talent, there's no way you reach 3rd-rank in two months. Never."

Jeros continued, saying, 'My eyes don't lie.'

"If you became 3rd-rank without your outsider abilities, you should be walking the path of a 'mage', not a 'martial artist.' Your miraculous growth probably comes from your talent for mana. Kukuk."

Damn it. That talk of talent, talent.

It disgusted me.

"So what."

I wanted to tack on, 'And what am I supposed to do about it?' but held back and continued.

"Talent doesn't matter. Whether I have it or not, I'll still work like crazy."

At this, Jeros looked into my eyes and said:

"Let me make this clear. You have no talent. 3rd-rank is your limit. You can't become 4th-rank. And you still want to work hard?"

I answered without hesitating even 0.1 seconds.

"Of course."

"Kukuk. Why? It could all be for nothing."

At that, I let out a small laugh without realizing it.

Naturally, Jeros's eyebrow twitched, but I ignored him and replied:

"Is there really such a thing as useless hard work in the world?"

I caught my breath, waiting to see how he would answer.

A brief silence stretched on.

"Krk. Krkukuk."

Suddenly, Jeros began to chuckle as he sheathed his sword,

Then burst into raucous laughter.

"Kahahahaha!"

What the hell? This guy.

I gave a serious answer—was it really that funny?

"As expected, Ian. Kahah! You're really an amusing guy. Kahaha... Kukuk."

He showed no signs of calming down, so I put away my kitchen knife.

"Just watch. I'll keep getting stronger—so you'll see."

"Kukuk. Why do you want to get strong?"

"To protect my shop... no, ahem. To protect our shop."

And, of course, my precious employees, too.

"That's a good reason. But being strong isn't the only way to protect something."

What is with this guy today?

Did he eat some bad stone bread for breakfast or what?

"What if someone stronger than me comes to take it away? Didn't you say low-rankers can't beat high-rankers?"

"Kukuk. It's true that low-rankers can't beat high-rankers. But that doesn't mean low-rankers can't kill high-rankers."

What kind of nonsense was that?

"Don't try to win against someone of a higher rank. Just kill them. Kukuk."

This guy's insane.

As a 3rd-ranker, I could never understand a 4th-rank's thinking, when suddenly—

"Boss!!"

I turned my head at the cry calling for me.

Standing at the training ground entrance was Harper.

He was panting as if he'd sprinted here.

"Harper? Only military officers are allowed in here, though."

"Haah... Boss, this isn't the time for that. Haah..."

But then, Harper's expression—

"!!!!"

He shone with happiness, like someone who'd finally seen the light after a long wait.

He was so bright.

What his face meant was...!

"J-Jeros! J-just wait a moment, I'll be right back! Wait for me!!"

Before waiting for Jeros's reply, I kicked off the ground.

Squeezing out every last drop of mana.

"Let's go, Harper!"

"Yes, sir!!"

I left the training ground.

Even though my body was a wreck and I could only run side-by-side with Harper,

"Huff! Huff!"

I didn't stop.

I kept running.

I just wanted to confirm it as soon as possible.

So I opened—no, burst through—the door.

"Uwaaaaah! Plerine!"

Naba was already bawling his eyes out,

Clinging in the arms of the girl who had awoken from her long sleep.

No—now that I think about it, it wasn't all that long.

"Thank goodness! Thank God you're awake! Waaah!"

"Don't cry, senior. I'm fine."

"But... nghh..."

So those two end up like that, huh?

As I was overcome with a flood of emotions at the thought,

Plerine, who had been watching Naba, turned her eyepatch toward me.

She wore her usual blank, unreadable expression as always.

"Wow, you sure slept for a long time. Did you sleep well?"

The corner of Plerine's mouth curled up just a little.

"Yeah."

* * *

"Je, Jeros! I-I'll be right back. Wait for me!!"

Jeros captured the image of Ian's retreating back as he moved farther away.

With every step he took, Ian's shoulders swayed.

He ran as if he didn't care if he ruined his own body.

It was dangerous but fascinating that he didn't collapse.

It was so very Ian-like.

"Kukuk. So this is our last time."

It was so abrupt that his first feeling was regret.

He had intended to let Ian rest a bit and then resume training.

'I didn't even get to teach him half the plan for today.'

The real problem was that Ian's talent was less than he had hoped,

and because of that, it was even harder for him to leave.

It wasn't because he was worried.

Ian's nonsense still lingered in Jeros's ears.

― Does effort ever go to waste in this world?

Without realizing it, the corners of Jeros's lips turned up in a smile.

What future awaits this outsider who's about to face off against this damn world?

"Kukukuk."

He couldn't stop smiling, but now it was time to leave.

'It'd be nice if I could get that 1 golden credit lesson fee.'

He hoped he would meet Ian again someday.

With that thought, Jeros erased his presence and disappeared.