Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Land of Adventurers, Serenia
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Children's patience doesn't last long. And once one starts crying, the others around them join in. They hadn't even finished cleaning up the mess they made, yet here they were whining about being tired already. Judah was curious about these kids' stats.
But strangely, while he could see his own status window, he couldn't view theirs. He had no idea what specific conditions needed to be met, so for now, he had to rely on the average stats he remembered.
As he watched the sniveling kids, Judah felt his desire to keep them around fade away. At the mention of sending them home, they bolted for the front door like they'd been waiting for it, hastily shoving their feet into their shoes while shooting him resentful glares.
"I'm telling my mom everything!"
"Yeah, sure."
With those clichéd words, they fled. Judah watched them disappear down the alley through the open front door and let out a small sigh. Telling their mom wouldn't do any good. Even if his family had fallen, he was still a noble, and they were commoners. Plus, the Sabrak family backed him. Any parent with a brain wouldn't dare show up.
He sighed again, locked the door, and finished cleaning. Once done, he collapsed onto the living room sofa. In its plush comfort, like being cradled in someone's arms, Judah stared at the ceiling.
For a brief moment, the house—silent for two years—had been noisy. A lonely place with no one to welcome him or visit. It felt like a massive cave.
"Ha, it's bittersweet."
When he'd lived alone, he could take solace in knowing his parents would greet him anytime he returned home. Here, that wasn't possible. Even a friend would have eased the loneliness.
Part of him had considered making friends, playing like a normal kid, or—as Caseun suggested—moving into his mansion to live like nobility. But what would happen to his original world then? He could forget it and live on, but death would reset him to the start, whether by murder or old age.
Being able to start over was an advantage, sure, but he didn't want to repeat it forever. Once he turned eighteen, he'd leave Serenia to find the fragments. Since he wasn't staying in this world eternally, gathering them all and becoming the rightful successor was his only option.
"Just wait till I become the successor. I'll beat the crap out of you till you drop dead."
Spitting his resentment toward Sian—who had dragged him here—into the empty air, Judah sat up.
But one nagging issue remained. Becoming the Sovereign's successor meant abandoning his humanity. Magical beasts were humanity's enemies from the start, and the Sovereign symbolized evil, opposing the Holy Kings of good. The moment he became successor, humans would fear his immense power and brand him a traitor.
"Ironically, my name's Judah too. Is it fate?"
He opened his palm and channeled mana; black energy rippled forth. Whatever—no need to worry about that now. He could ponder it leisurely later.
Alright, enough gloomy thoughts. Time to plan ahead.
He had accumulated enough knowledge. What remained was honing his body further and learning swordsmanship and survival skills to protect himself anywhere. It wouldn't be easy, but he had time.
+++
A few days later, however, Judah realized he needed a teacher.
Even with the system's help, his shortcomings were too many. Alone, he could only manage simple, repetitive tasks.
'This is a waste of time.'
He could say it definitively. This way, he'd just squander time.
Worse, he couldn't learn what he needed. Basic knowledge like cooking was fine, but swordsmanship and survival methods? Not easy. He'd gleaned some from library books, but without illustrations in this era, theory alone wouldn't solidify into skill without practice.
So he'd tried going hunting.
Unlike the game, they wouldn't let him out the gates alone. Beyond Serenia's massive walls, no one could leave without a guardian or qualifications like adventurer, mercenary, or hunter.
Alone, he was powerless. He needed to seek instruction from someone.
And one person immediately came to mind.
'Caseun Sabrak.'
A platinum-badge mercenary and Spirit Sword owner—hard to find a better teacher.
Approaching the lord was an option, but a mere townsman wouldn't get personal lessons. Caseun was different. After much deliberation, Judah visited his house for the first time with a personal agenda.
Caseun's mansion was one of Serenia's grandest.
The surrounding walls were like fortress battlements, and the buildings inside were imposing.
He knocked at the gate, and a butler appeared. After greeting him and stating his business, the butler invited him in to wait. Judah sat in the reception room as the butler left, and soon Caseun descended.
"Oh, Judah! You coming to my house—now that's a surprise."
Caseun had visited him, not vice versa. Aside from once checking the location, Judah had never come, so Caseun was astonished. After greetings, Judah cut straight to the point, meeting his eyes.
"You want to learn swordsmanship?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. Any particular reason you came to me?"
"You're a platinum-badge mercenary and hold an honorary noble title from Baekje. I figured no one in Serenia could be a better teacher. You said before—if I needed anything, to come find you. Right now, I need the best teacher out there."
"Did I mention the Baekje title? Hm, well. Hahaha. True, I'm the best, aren't I?"
Caseun grinned, pleased.
"Good, good. You might even become a fine rival to Cain. Alright, but first, let's check your basic fitness."
"Check?"
"Yeah, so I can adjust the training intensity."
Fortunately, he didn't refuse. He looked thrilled, like he'd wanted this, stroking his goatee.
"If you're tired today, come back tomorrow—no problem."
He sipped his tea noisily, served by a maid, speaking leisurely.
"No, we can do it now."
"Really? Then let's head to the training ground."
Caseun set down his cup and stood; Judah followed.
Deeper in the mansion, they reached a training ground the size of a small field. Impressive, befitting Serenia's top mansion. But before Judah could admire it long, a heavy hand clapped his shoulder.
"Since you've asked me to teach you, I'll warn you now. I'll train you properly. No crying about it being too hard—it's too late for that. A man sees his decisions through to the end."
"Yes. Don't worry—I won't disappoint you."
"Good answer, Judah. I hear you run the walls every morning? Show me the results. Run laps around this training ground till you collapse."
Caseun sat under the shaded awning and waited.
Confirming he'd watch to the end, Judah stretched lightly and started jogging—not sprinting, but steady laps.
No slacking. He controlled his breathing, stepping at even intervals.
He didn't count minutes or laps—just ran.
Sweat poured like rain, but the passive skill Martial God's effect kept fatigue at bay.
After a long while, Caseun, impressed, called it quits. Then came push-ups, horse stance, fitness tests, and reaction checks.
"Excellent! Perfect!"
No, I'm totally wrecked.
Hours of nonstop movement had pushed him to his limit.
[Your body has reached its limit. Martial God's effect activates, allowing temporary combat continuation.]
Messages like that had popped up mid-test—no wonder he was exhausted.
Amid bone-deep fatigue, Judah looked to Caseun.
He nodded, thoroughly satisfied.
"Is this enough?"
"Haha, of course. Your base stamina might even surpass Cain's. Beyond my expectations. Stamina's solid, so starting tomorrow, three hours every morning. Around... 9 a.m. works. Be here."
"...Yes."
Judah flopped onto the sandy ground. Sand in his hair? He'd wash it out. Gasping, he lay there as Caseun approached, sat, and began massaging his thighs and calves. Judah tried to protest and rise, but Caseun's hand on his shoulder pinned him like a boulder.
"Just lie there. Always loosen up after exertion—no need to feel burdened."
"......"
Unsure, he hesitated, then gave in and lay still. The pressure on his shoulder eased.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, a simple 'thanks' is all it takes. Nothing more needed."
It hurt a bit, but the relief was stronger. Caseun had real skill—not amateur work.
"Judah."
"Yes."
"Why the sudden interest in swordsmanship? I heard you just read in the library. Weren't you aiming for scholar, bureaucrat, or magic swordsman?"
The abrupt question widened Judah's eyes. He pondered his answer. "Just because" tempted him, but Caseun's gaze was serious—like his parents' worried eyes. He couldn't spill everything, but the gist...
"Not a scholar. No interest in magic swordsman or bureaucrat."
"Then?"
"I'm leaving."
"When? Where?"
"The day I come of age, anywhere. I'll travel the world first. Reading books was to avoid being dismissed out there. Swordsmanship is to protect my life from danger. And above all, with strength, I won't just stand by helplessly when someone I care about needs protecting."
Caseun flinched at Judah's final words—like a blunt weapon to the head. He'd heard kids had said mean things to Judah, though adults scolded them. Still, it might've hurt deep down.
Reading to avoid scorn for having no parents.
Daily wall runs to prepare for potential bullying.
Swordsmanship for self-defense, he'd said—but really, like his parents' death, to never watch helplessly as someone precious died by another's hand.
'Strength to protect...! At this age, such thoughts...!'
Caseun had completely misunderstood. Judah meant no such thing. Gathering fragments required wandering nations, learning their cultures and etiquette for smooth travels. Books were preemptive research since reality might differ from his memories. Caseun patted Judah's shoulder encouragingly.
"No worries."
"Huh?"
Judah looked baffled, not grasping the reaction. Caseun just flashed a thumbs-up with his thick hand—big as Judah's head—grinning with yellowed teeth.
"I'll teach you properly. Nine isn't too late, really."
"Ah, yes."
"I'd love to make you a Spirit Sword wielder, but that takes talent... Nah, doesn't matter if not. I'll make you strong enough no one dares mess with you. Trust me."
Judah broke into cold sweat watching Caseun thump his chest loudly.
...Something's gone wrong.