Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Sword Forms Amidst the Assault
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‘He seems just like a child born and raised here.’
Song Se-yeong, who was following behind Jae-hyeok, exclaimed in admiration several times.
The first-year noble boy had a perfect grasp of the surrounding terrain.
Whenever he took a rugged path, it drastically shortened the travel time, and when he unusually chose a safe route, it meant he was avoiding danger.
Even though they arrived at the herb-gathering point several times faster than usual, not a single Kang Pharmaceuticals employee looked exhausted or injured.
‘His actions are rough, but his consideration runs deep.’
He had been kicked off a cliff by the seat of his pants, thrown into a thorny vine thicket by the scruff of his neck, and swept into rapids after having his back stepped on.
Song Se-yeong had been subjected to Jae-hyeok’s violence multiple times in that short period and felt his anger surge more than once.
However, he couldn’t retaliate with violence.
Whenever he turned around after being hit or thrown by Jae-hyeok, he faced the result of avoiding a geographical trap or a monster ambush.
‘He must be a supporter?’
Judging by Jae-hyeok’s ability to detect danger far faster than him, his Insight stat seemed extraordinarily high.
Considering his grade and age, he was on the level of a genius in the supporter field.
‘So even nobles can lead through their own effort and talent.’
Song Se-yeong’s parents were workers residing in a viscount’s estate.
Because of that, having witnessed noble life since childhood, he despised nobles.
Arrogant fools who relied solely on their innate status and power.
Everything about them, from one to ten, was the worst.
But Jae-hyeok felt different.
Just the fact that he had studied the island’s geography to provide the Kang Pharmaceuticals staff with a fast and safe route made him seem like a genuinely good person.
‘He got familiar with the terrain naturally through training? Do you think such an obvious lie would work on a second-year?’
Song Se-yeong knew well how complex and treacherous the terrain around here was.
He clearly saw through the fact that Jae-hyeok had diligently studied it just for a single day of substitute work.
‘A hardworking and humble noble, no less…’
It was truly the first time he had seen such a thing.
Jo Sung-hyeon spoke to him as he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Jae-hyeok’s back.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? The world speaks ill of House Kang, but seeing him makes you question if that’s really the truth.”
“…Shouldn’t a family’s reputation be separate from the individual?”
Song Se-yeong’s noble phobia was severe.
He would skip noble-related news immediately upon encountering it in communities or media.
However, he knew about the infamous historical event where House Kang produced two terrorists.
No matter what kind of person Kang Jae-hyeok was, he had no intention of evaluating House Kang positively because of it.
‘He might be hiding his true nature and acting to improve his family’s reputation.’
Before long, suspicion crept into Song Se-yeong’s eyes, sharpening them once more like at the beginning.
Jae-hyeok was scolding Manager Gu and the team leader.
“Why are you sweating? Exhausted from just that?”
“I drank too much the night before…”
“What a cheap excuse.”
“…….”
Is it an act?
For an act, he’s way too rude…
“Let’s take a break and have some food.”
Manager Gu and the team leader were skilled representatives of Kang Pharmaceuticals.
The fact that these B-rank players were sweating was a sign that the other employees might be getting tired.
Sure enough.
At Jae-hyeok’s words, the employees began spreading out mats as if they had been waiting.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you take a look at my sword forms?”
Jo Sung-hyeon and a few others approached Jae-hyeok without resting.
That day, lost in a trance while performing the forms.
Jo Sung-hyeon had unleashed his talent explosively and elevated his swordsmanship realm by several levels, after which he had relentlessly trained the Kang Family sword forms.
But practicing alone hadn’t improved his skills as he’d hoped, only intensifying his thirst.
He wanted to check his skills once more in front of Jae-hyeok and receive advice.
‘So that’s why he came all this way.’
Jae-hyeok nodded, reading the earnest desire in Jo Sung-hyeon’s eyes.
“Sure.”
Honestly speaking.
Jae-hyeok wished Jo Sung-hyeon would leave this place right now.
A person in a similar situation to himself.
For someone under assassination threats, this isolated Gate was extremely dangerous.
Tamed monsters could attack like last time, or perhaps an even greater crisis could arise.
But Jae-hyeok swallowed the words he wanted to say.
He couldn’t turn his back on someone yearning to grow stronger.
Just like he couldn’t ignore Da-hee, Do-jin, and Hae-rin.
‘Besides.’
This guy hasn’t brought up the potion deal even on pain of death.
He seemed afraid Jae-hyeok might leave if they dealt with potions first.
“Let’s begin.”
***
The Kang Family sword forms, flashy yet precise, naturally drew people’s gazes.
Kang Pharmaceuticals employees, who had been eating their lunches while staring intently at Jae-hyeok and Jo Sung-hyeon’s group, began rising one by one to join the training.
Even Manager Gu and the team leader participated.
It was exactly the same as the day they first learned the forms from Jae-hyeok.
“What am I even doing this for?”
“It’s subtly difficult and tiring, but I keep wanting to follow along. It’s sneakily fun.”
“Is it compatible with my swordsmanship…? The more I understand and get used to the forms, the better I can wield my sword—it gives me this vague sense of expectation.”
The picky Manager Gu and the ill-tempered team leader grumbled but threw themselves into the training.
As befitting B-rank players, they were unconsciously recognizing the value of the Kang Family sword forms.
Song Se-yeong, unaware of the circumstances, looked at them in disbelief.
‘After taking the shortcut to save time, this is what they do? I thought they’d be thrilled for an early finish.’
No, why are they practicing sword forms as a group in the first place.
‘You didn’t gather here for this, right? You came to gather herbs!’
There were more than one or two things to call out.
He barely swallowed the words rising to his throat and suddenly rubbed his forearm.
Goosebumps had formed without him realizing.
It was the aftermath of being overwhelmed by the aura of people gradually growing accustomed to the forms under Jae-hyeok’s guidance.
‘Is this even possible?’
It felt like watching an army that had shared hardships for a long time.
Just dozens of minutes ago, they had been awkward with every movement—how could they adapt so quickly…?
“Keep your back straight.”
“Ugh!”
…It was the power of physical force.
‘Is this even allowed?’
Song Se-yeong, breaking into a cold sweat as he watched Jae-hyeok strike or poke those with sloppy postures with his scabbard, flinched and activated a skill in surprise.
“Anti-Magic!”
Ziiing!
A pink shield expanded over the heads of Jae-hyeok and the Kang Pharmaceuticals employees,
And after blocking the barrage of fireballs pouring from the sky,
KABOOM!!
It dissipated.
“Enemy attack!”
“Orc mages!”
The Kang Pharmaceuticals employees identified the enemies through the thick smoke and formed ranks.
They had been in the middle of sword forms, so they were already armed, and with morale high, their actions were incredibly swift.
“Oh…!”
“Is this the result of training?”
The employees exchanged glances in admiration.
“Tamed monsters. Stay sharp and don’t get excited!”
This was the second ambush following the previous one.
Monsters swarmed only on the day Jo Sung-hyeon entered, making it obvious who the tamer was targeting.
‘I tried to dissuade him because I knew this might happen.’
Tsk. Manager Gu clicked his tongue and took command at the front.
Dozens of Kang Pharmaceuticals employees formed a circular defense with Jo Sung-hyeon at the center.
“Judging by the number of fireballs, at least seven orc mages are positioned inside the forest. We need to break through one side before they set the forest ablaze and tighten the encirclement.”
An orc mage was guarded by two orc warriors, and each orc warrior commanded at least five orcs.
It meant they were surrounded by over ninety orcs at minimum.
The moment the Kang Pharmaceuticals employees, realizing the gravity and calming their minds, were about to enter the forest.
ROOOAAARRR!
With a roar shaking the sky, trees were uprooted.
Had it been crouching underground?
As a 5-meter-tall green-skinned monster rose, the entire forest trembled.
“An ogre…!”
A monster on a different level from orcs.
The appearance of an A-rank large monster instantly crushed the Kang Pharmaceuticals employees’ morale.
“Damn it! What are you standing around for!”
Manager Gu shouted, but it was too late.
Three employees were turned to pulp by the ogre’s swinging club.
“Ugh…”
The massive club, like a felled tree, was too fast and ferocious.
The targets couldn’t even dream of dodging, and no one dared step forward to help.
Instinctively overwhelmed by the difference in mass and size.
“Ice Lance!”
Song Se-yeong, one of the few able to intercept at range, kept his composure and reacted.
An elite second-year dispatched on guild missions.
Song Se-yeong was undoubtedly an outstanding mage.
His spell accurately hit the ogre’s club, freezing it momentarily.
Even if only for less than a second.
Considering the level gap between him and the ogre, it was impressive in itself.
‘Damn it!’
Song Se-yeong wasn’t satisfied.
He felt fear and frustration at the realization that he would soon witness the deaths of people he had been laughing and chatting with moments ago.
Then he saw it.
The back of a young man leaping forward by stepping on the ice shards he had created.
It was Jo Sung-hyeon.
“I’ll buy time—run!”
He was a good man.
He felt responsible for putting the employees in danger due to his own greed.
Grrr…!
The ogre’s bloodshot eyes locked onto Jo Sung-hyeon.
Simultaneously, the massive club twisted its trajectory and fell like lightning.
Toward Jo Sung-hyeon, buzzing like a fly before its eyes.
But Jae-hyeok’s Quick Draw was a fraction faster.
“How many lives do you have? Ten?”
“Gah…!”
Jo Sung-hyeon vomited blood without even screaming.
Struck in the side by the backswing, he flew off like a home run ball, becoming a star in the sky as he left the battlefield.
“…?”
“…?”
“Why hit an ally…?”
The Kang Pharmaceuticals employees, Song Se-yeong, and even the ogre and orcs.
All stared at Jae-hyeok in bewilderment.