Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 2 – Knight Lee Han Here
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"Ah, it's already this late."
Just like how players in Major League Baseball have nothing much to do when there's no game (battle), knights were pretty idle without any action.
Unless there was a war, rebellion, or aid to an allied nation, they didn't really have any work to do.
The only obligation they had was to hone their skills to prepare for any emergency.
So, for them, showing up to work was just for show—a kind of performance to demonstrate their loyalty to the king.
What does that mean?
"I'm heading out."
"Already?"
"Got something to do."
"...Ah, off to the construction site, huh."
"Yeah, something like that. Unlike nobles drowning in money and time, us commoners without a dime have to pick up side gigs, right?"
"Haha..."
The only real difference between the knight order and Major League Baseball might be that knights earned a slightly higher salary than regular soldiers.
If those with strong martial prowess wanted to make real money, they could've become mercenaries and raked it in. But knights joined for 'honor' and 'authority' instead of cash.
Their pay was barely enough to maintain their dignity, so from a commoner's perspective, it was woefully insufficient.
However.
"You're not really going there for the money, though."
"You're imagining things."
He turned and walked away, waving lazily as his goodbye.
"...A guy who could make as much money as he wants."
Jake muttered what he couldn't say outright and shrugged.
At that moment.
"-Where are you off to, Senior Ri Han?"
"Huh?"
The rookie knight Yord, who'd just been thoroughly schooled by Lee Han moments ago, approached with a greeting.
"Good day, Sir Farman. Sorry, I spoke out of turn."
"Mm."
After dealing mostly with Lee Han and getting used to casual talk, formal etiquette felt refreshing.
Especially in the Third Knight Order, full of folks from modest families.
"...Just speak casually. All this formality makes me uncomfortable."
"But..."
"It's fine. And drop the 'sir'—just call me Senior Jake like you do Lee Han. Sounds better that way."
"Ah, got it, Senior Jake."
"Phew, much more comfortable now."
"......"
"Haha, it's because I've been hanging around Lee Han too much."
Jake offered his excuse-not-excuse, and Yord chuckled awkwardly along with it.
Still, he kept glancing in the direction Lee Han had gone, his hands twitching like he was itching for more.
Jake's eyes gleamed at the sight.
"Ho, your competitive spirit hasn't died down a bit."
"...Even if I can't beat you now, it's fine to have the resolve to surpass you someday, right? O-Of course, not like that spar just now. After getting crushed so one-sidedly, I just want to chat or something."
"...Never thought I'd see the day."
It was rare. A noble's son showing fondness for Lee Han.
Was today's spar that impressive?
'Not bad at all.'
He'd always felt bad that his friend only had enemies around him. Having a junior who looked up to him was something to celebrate.
Jake was generous with his kindness to this eager underclassman.
"Lee Han's off to his side hustle. Calls it a second job."
"S-Side hustle? ...He doesn't have any sponsors?"
Yord tilted his head, looking baffled.
Even as a commoner, Lee Han was a knight.
One in the royal direct White Silver Lion Knights, the kingdom's strongest order, no less.
A guy like that would be a top investment for merchants, someone they'd kill to connect with.
Even Yord, from a humble background with no real wealth, had a sponsorship deal with a merchant.
It wasn't like he fought for them or anything—just allowed them to name-drop him. A formality, but apparently valuable to merchants.
Sponsors lined up for White Silver Lion knights, yet one was doing side jobs for cash?
...It was bizarre.
"Yeah, it's not normal."
Jake nodded sympathetically, no hesitation.
And he was the good senior to clear up his junior's confusion.
"He deliberately turns down sponsors. Even with all those merchants begging for a deal."
"I-Is that a thing?"
"That's how he rolls. Something like, 'If I take sponsorships, it'll feel awkward when I retire later'?"
"...?"
"Haha, don't try to understand it. That's just how it is."
Honorably serving in the prestigious White Silver Lion Knights meant no dishonorable discharges—retirement just wasn't a thing.
Yet this guy avoided everything to keep his retirement options open.
Anyway.
'Hardworking or just weird, geez.'
They'd known each other for years, but he still didn't get the guy.
Lee Han picked up the axe.
Kwachik!
It sliced through the air cleanly, striking the log dead-on, cracking it instantly.
Even seasoned workers had to hammer in several wedges bigger than nails before splitting a log like that. But Lee Han felled it with a single logging axe.
"Whoa, Ri Han bro's the real deal."
"Clean cut."
"Still jealous of that skill. Hey, why not ditch the soldier gig and join us full-time?"
Working at this logging company, Lee Han went by 'Ri Han' and listed his main job as soldier, not knight.
A little trick to avoid complications if word got out he was a knight.
But trick or not, he worked diligently. Among the lumberjacks, he was the ace.
"Not quitting my day job. Now quit yapping and get back to work. Why's everyone so chatty?"
"Come on, gotta talk to make this grind bearable."
"Yeah, kid's too young to get it."
"Have a drink with us later!"
"...Pass."
One constant across any labor site: folks working half-drunk.
Accidents waiting to happen, but Lee Han didn't meddle.
If they got hurt, it was on them—not his problem.
He just did his job quietly and got called a boring young guy for it.
Still.
'Boring how?'
If there was one thing he objected to, it was that he actually loved this side gig of chopping wood.
'Pulls every muscle just right.'
Made sense, really.
Out of all jobs, why logging?
To earn cash and get solid training.
In that sense, logging was perfect.
Splat!
Every swing started from his back, firing up muscles all over his body.
Not just lats and erectors, but every tiny muscle, arms, fingers—nothing left untouched.
Pondering how muscles trembled, absorbed shock, and released it made time fly. Utterly fascinating.
'And this is a skill too.'
Axes weren't just about brute force; they demanded advanced technique.
Like realizing hammering nails isn't easy the first time you try.
Axing required finesse, posture, skill, experience—the works.
Sometimes he wondered: what if he used a sword like an axe?
'They call this everyday wisdom, huh?'
Through log-breaking, he trained well and felt like a TV master craftsman from his past life—an indescribable thrill.
'Past life me and current me are worlds apart.'
Past him wasn't passionate about anything, didn't joy in moving his body.
'Life's circumstances shape you that much.'
Past Lee Han lost his parents young, raised by his grandfather.
Bullied for being orphan, he grew timid and meek. After grandpa died in high school, he went straight military to survive.
Non-commissioned officer path. Why military? No money, no talent—limited options. Military seemed doable with grit, looked decent.
Regretted it in under a year amid all the filth, but what choice? Had to eat.
Died on leave in an incident. Probably would've burned out from overwork and stress anyway.
Compared to that, current life started rough but now felt rewarding.
Still in the knight order, sure, but fulfilling, no bootlicking.
Maybe past life's constant people-pleasing left him a bit twisted now.
'Both lives as a soldier—some weird fate.'
Lost in comparing past and present, a hollow laugh bubbling up—
Sniff sniff.
"Hm?"
In this sweat-soaked place, an impossible whiff of luxury gin perfume.
And sadly, Lee Han remembered its owner.
"...He's back."
Another 'troublemaker buddy' he wanted to avoid as much as the captain had shown up.