Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Original Sin (3)
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One wrong move and I'd really end up hospitalized long-term.
That thought hit me the moment I blocked the third attack.
Yoon wasn't going easy on me at all. He wasn't using his favorite guns or bombs, so he wasn't at full strength, but still. I was shocked by the sharp killing intent he directed at me.
If I hadn't parried that last attack with my sword, my artery would have been severed.
This guy knew exactly how to take down a humanoid lifeform.
Clang!
Fourth clash.
When sparring with Mushroom, we'd gone thirty-four rounds, but now my muscles were screaming after just four exchanges.
I couldn't keep defending forever.
I tensed my muscles, bracing for the next attack.
As I straightened my knee while gripping my sword, Yoon appeared right in front of me.
I blinked in surprise at my opponent, who had instantly erased his killing intent and was just staring at me.
"You still can't cross the line."
He said, looking at me.
"If you keep this up, you won't regain your full strength."
"Pardon?"
"Don't hesitate just because your opponent's human."
Yoon flicked the blade he was pointing at me.
"You're holding back to avoid killing him, so you can't push past that line."
But...
Isn't that normal thinking?
Shouldn't you try not to kill your opponent?
Even with an Enhanced Body. Like with Ma Su Sarin, if your body gets split in two, you're dead.
My power wasn't weak like before anymore.
If I messed up, I could kill him, so of course I had to be careful.
Isn't being cautious common sense when wielding a weapon?
I didn't get a chance to voice my thoughts.
The moment I was distracted, my opponent charged.
No, he was already exploiting the opening.
Ah.
I won't block this—it's fatal.
The sword tip aimed straight at my heart.
If I don't deflect it...
It'll pierce me.
KABOOM!
My arm moved on reflex.
A sword strike launched just before the blade dug into my flesh. I forgot who was wielding the sword and unleashed it. A powerful blow that no ordinary counter could cancel, to block the threat.
It was a survival instinct reaction.
The training hall wall crumbling from the impact.
I panted, my vision obscured by the thick dust cloud.
Oh no.
I screwed up.
"Ah."
I flinched at the low voice coming from within the dust cloud.
My hands were still tingling from the shock of the strike I'd unleashed. My aching arm muscles and the chipped greatsword.
It felt like I'd remembered a technique I'd forgotten.
The smell of blood.
A man emerged from the smoke.
"Now that's more like it."
Yoon spat out blood.
The wound crossing his throat and ear was already healing. His blood-soaked shirt and black hair drew my eyes.
Yoon wiped the blood from his face.
Then he grinned and ruffled his blood-matted bangs.
"You know you have to see it through to the end like this to improve, right, old man?"
"Why'd you suddenly go all out like that?"
"Next time, I'll use a rifle, so book a time."
Yoon tossed his broken sword to the ground and kicked it away.
Even as he shed his bloodied windbreaker, a satisfied smile lingered on his lips.
A type of smile I'd never seen from him before.
"Facing mediocrity will just stagnate your skills."
Didn't I graduate from that?
"Book the training hall yourself."
"Me? Book it?"
"Who else?"
"So next time, you're saying you'll come at me with a rifle, dead serious about killing me?"
"Now we both have to go all out to improve."
Yoon replied in a tone as if asking why I kept repeating myself.
I stared blankly at him.
His black eyes met mine. Cold, clear irises. I'd finally succeeded in slicing the hem of the clothes of the man with those eyes. Maybe not the clothes—perhaps nearly his neck.
It was tremendous progress. Proof that I was steadily regaining my old strength.
But strangely, it didn't feel as joyful as I'd imagined.
Instead, facing my master who looked thrilled, the emotion I felt now was...
"Show some respect for your elders."
I muttered, awed by the cruelty etched into his nature.
"Respect for elders."
"Nobody brings up age in an organization."
Yoon replied as if he'd never called me "old man."
He shoved his hands in his pockets and added,
"Don't you know what seniority means?"
You bastard.
Just pick one.
I couldn't spit out the cry echoing inside me.
Resigned, I nodded gloomily, in worse shape than when we'd started training.
***
The next day, a message came from the HR Director.
[HR Director: Let's wait a bit! ^^]
It was about Ricardo.
I didn't think waiting would change anything...
But I couldn't say that, so I sent a formal reply.
Then I stayed cooped up in my cabin all day. Didn't go out, didn't game. Just lounged long on the beanbag, waiting for updates.
Hessie and Tom sent messages congratulating me on my discharge.
They'd received their assignments too.
Fortunately, with the Center Core territory expansion war scheduled this year, both were staying at Center Core.
[Recruits Chat / Hessie: I'm off to E Zone tomorrow. Some repair work.]
[Recruits Chat / Tom: I'm stocking supplies at the Library of Beginnings and checking core devices for the territory expansion war.]
Just me on patrol.
Looks like I'll be eating with Jonathan Kudo from now on. They said you share meals with your partner during patrols.
It clearly wouldn't be as relaxed as before.
A bit saddened by that, I typed a message, but Tom and Hessie didn't care about my meals.
They were still furious about the kidnappers.
[Recruits Chat / Hessie: Leaving a permanent scar and only getting 20 years? Does that make sense?]
[Recruits Chat / Tom: You're really okay, right?]
[Recruits Chat / Me: I told you, teachers....]
[Recruits Chat / Tom: We don't really believe your "I'm fine" anymore.]
[Recruits Chat / Hessie: Yeah, me neither.]
[Recruits Chat / Me: I'm fine. Totally fine.]
[Recruits Chat / Hessie: But does 20 years make sense? Shouldn't it be life at minimum?]
[Recruits Chat / Me: Calm down. They've been punished enough.]
Since they're dead.
Spitfire had messaged me while I was hospitalized.
Eric Airhart, who nabbed the culprits faster than anyone.
He sent what seemed like a voice-supported message.
[Spitfire: They weren't all that interesting. Anyway, they're not here anymore ^^]
As Yoon said, no useful info extracted.
But the platinum blond elder vowed to find the mysterious newbie pulling strings from behind for me. It piqued his odd competitive spirit. Someone who didn't ping his radar right away was a rarity.
Plus, he seemed pleased that someone bore a grudge against me.
The elder was thrilled alone, saying things were getting interesting, then changed topics.
[Spitfire: By the way, did you open my gift?]
The white box from his blond subordinate.
The flowers I'd received then had wilted. But the white box was still safely inside.
I'd opened it, just didn't want to take it out.
Inside was artwork.
[Spitfire: It's the real deal, of course. Be careful with storage, given your sensitive condition.]
I know. That's the problem.
A few months ago, seeing the tightly wrapped canvas made me shiver, and I called Yoon. My grumbling master came to the cabin and recognized it immediately.
Clicking his tongue, he gave me the painting's details.
Info on a gift from an elder wouldn't be fake, and it was shocking.
Peter Paul Rubens' "Prometheus Bound in Chains."
A 17th-century Baroque master's work.
Why give this to me?
[Spitfire: Hang it in a cool, shady spot!]
Doesn't he know my cabin is smaller than one room in his house?
I wanted to donate it to a museum right away but lacked confidence to handle the fallout. Same reason I drove the luxury car from Colton.
No confidence answering where I got it.
So the artwork stayed boxed, enshrined in the cabin's coolest spot.
Still lounging on the beanbag, I gazed at the box.
I'd been indifferent to the nickname the elders gave me, but now hearing it twisted my gut.
Recently, the elders held a meeting and named a designation for Kyle there.
The one who began to move.
Titan's leader.
Kyle's nickname was, naturally, Chronos.
Unlike me, who'd turned his back on the Titans.
[Shoe: A post about From series Easter eggs popped up on the game forums. Want me to share?]
A message from my senior.
I shook off stray thoughts and typed.
[Me: Yes! Thanks. I'll check it as soon as I have time.]
[Shoe: It's not fully solved. Anyway, look later. How's your body?]
I needed to replay From E and try From K.
Games were getting sidelined by urgent matters. Couldn't cling to games with unknown payoffs forever.
But now I really should.
Rest today only.
Answering the flood of "you okay?" messages from seniors, I fell asleep. Disturbed by a chat with a senior showing no signs of ringing.
The day before patrol duty.
I surrendered to sleep, heavy as a boulder.
Even my dreams were weighty that night.
***
"Senior."
The next morning.
Sword at my side, I arrived at the designated spot and gave a faint smile at the familiar face.
"Long time no see."
Jonathan Kudo looked at me impassively.
My senior stared as if seeing me for the first time.
His face seemed to have cleanly forgotten our shared ordeal in that collapsed building. No flicker of recognition you see with acquaintances.
Does this guy not even remember my name?
Better not to expect anything.
I flashed a grin and extended my right hand.
"I'm Hildebert Talib, who passed the promotion exam this time."
Jonathan Kudo...
Seemed not to notice my right hand.
He nodded curtly, then turned his head away.
And stepped into the bustling street.
"Let's go."