Chapter 56
Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Special Training (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Yeah, special training. You don't want to die either, right?"
"Didn't you say you'd keep me from dying anytime?"
"That only holds if your skills back it up to some extent. With your current level, it's nowhere close. If you're fine with me carrying you around in my arms forever, then sure, no problem."
Who'd want that?
He'd meant to ask with pure intentions, but the sarcasm ingrained in his body slipped out habitually, tainting it slightly. As a result, the question came across as provocation to Geon-ju, who inhaled sharply with the expression of someone who'd been unexpectedly slapped.
"Who's getting carried around?"
"You. You've already been carried plenty."
"And whose fault was that?"
"Your skills being lacking was the reason."
He'd answered straightforwardly since Geon-ju had asked, but Geon-ju got angry instead. If his skills were so lacking, why drag him along to an S-grade gate instead of a peaceful B-grade one? Why belittle and mock him nonstop? Sa-yoon rubbed his ears at the incessant grumbling.
So sensitive.
Are all kids this age like this?
It had only been a few years ago, but he could barely remember what he was like at twenty-two. Only the big events—where he'd ransacked, what he'd destroyed—lingered in his mind. His thoughts and emotions from back then were hazy.
With forced executions regressing him twenty-four hours each time, it felt more like five years ago than four, making it even fuzzier.
He seemed somewhat innocent back then, at least. One thing was certain: he hadn't whined as much as Han Geon-ju.
After a few rounds of bickering—"You're the weird one," "No, you're wrong"—Geon-ju sighed wearily and clutched his forehead.
"So, what exactly is this special training?"
"Oh dear, does your head hurt? I'm the one teaching, so why's the student hurting?"
"I haven't even said I'd learn yet."
"Do you think you have a choice?"
"...I'm at least asking what it is."
"It's nothing much. Just stick with me, hunt down a bunch of monsters. Oh, and tidy up the lower areas while we're at it."
It didn't sound like much of a "special training," but the "while we're at it" covered a lot. He needed to teach how to handle pack monsters, tips for flying types, and weaknesses unique to each monster species.
Geon-ju had innate combat sense, so he'd pick up tenfold from one lesson. Teaching should be straightforward. As Sa-yoon thought this, Geon-ju let out a hollow chuckle.
"Ever since we got here, I've been treated like a total incompetent. You think I'll even help with reducing monster numbers? Most of the kill counts so far are yours anyway. All I'm doing is getting in the way."
He laughed self-deprecatingly.
Most? No, it was all of them except one, wasn't it?
Sa-yoon nearly pointed out the error on impulse but held back at the sight of Geon-ju's smile. If he corrected him now, with all that pent-up resentment, his touchy pretty boy would scowl, refuse to speak for thirty minutes. Then Sa-yoon would get frustrated and toss him in the water. The soaked Geon-ju would sulk even more, adding an hour of silence.
He hadn't experienced it yet, but the scenario played out vividly in his mind like it had already happened.
To be precise, the part where he'd tossed Geon-ju in the water and he'd shut down in anger had happened before.
They were here to boost Geon-ju's skills, not to chuck him around as he pleased. Somehow, the main goal had shifted to melting down this pretty boy's prickly attitude. Sa-yoon decided to rein in his impulses.
He's frustrating, but I should cut him some slack. What can you do?
Jong-sik would have retorted, "Who's the one who's desperate here? Does that even fit?" But fortunately, Jong-sik wasn't around. Sa-yoon muttered inwardly words that would make Geon-ju faint for three months if he heard them, then patted his shoulder.
"B-grades have limits to what they can do. It's not like your skills are specifically lacking or anything, pretty boy. You know that, right?"
"You just said my skills are insufficient, so I need special training. Or that I couldn't even walk on my own."
"Why take it so literally?"
Can't you just let it slide?
If he was deflated by the gate's rank and Sa-yoon's jabs, he should be stumbling over words, his thinking slowed. Instead, Geon-ju sharpened up.
"Compared to the monsters here."
"Then just take me to an A-grade gate. Why drag me to this random hellhole and nitpick? If I'd come on my own, fine—but you dragged me here, and now you're pushing me this hard. Doesn't your conscience hurt?"
"Why bring up something from five years ago?"
"I wasn't seriously telling you to look it up...! ...Forget it."
I'd rather die.
Geon-ju, who'd raised his voice, suddenly deflated like a burst balloon, ending the conversation. The sight—like a dog or cat raging at an unresponsive foe only to crash into self-loathing—stirred odd feelings in Sa-yoon.
He'd been treated worse than a dog plenty of times for his misdeeds, but getting it from Geon-ju felt unpleasantly different. Maybe because he couldn't retaliate like usual, it soured his mood further.
Flinch.
Before he realized it, his hand was reaching for Geon-ju. Sa-yoon had nearly tossed him again on reflex. He sighed softly at the hand he'd caught in time and reined himself in.
One more toss, and he'd really sulk. Dealing with Geon-ju at peak grievance was tiring enough. Coaxing a pouting one? No way.
Their first meeting had been better.
Back then, at least he hadn't made a fuss while pretending to be relaxed and kind.
There was a reason for the image management.
Humans preferred his humane side, but if asked which drew more popularity, it'd be first-meeting Geon-ju. People chased ideals over reality.
"You look dead inside. Why so curt again?"
"It's not curt, I'm just calling out the unfairness... Ugh, never mind."
I won't say it.
After pondering, Geon-ju mumbled softly. He'd carefully chosen words that seemed mature and calm, avoiding sounding whiny. To Sa-yoon, it looked like a kid puffing his cheeks, refusing to complain to a mom who wouldn't buy him a toy.
"What's the problem?"
"......"
"You really won't say?"
"......"
"Fine, I'll do whatever."
"Who brushes off after asking less than five times?"
"So I have to ask five times? Usually, answer after two. Even asking twice is because it's you."
He was being plenty lenient. If other guild members dared talk back, curse, or whine like this, he'd skip listening and shove them into a gate first.
Guild members who'd nearly died challenging him would lock Geon-ju in the infirmary upon seeing it. "He must have a head injury to mouth off to the Guild Leader like that."
After confirming he was fine, they'd drag him to a corner for a lecture. Short-lived, of course.
Lately, he missed those guild members he usually never wanted to see. The quick, well-trained ones who understood his messy orders perfectly and handled things.
Sure, they spread dumb rumors like the Guild Leader being gay and got excited over weird stuff, but they were too busy with work for much else. Forgivable.
Shaking off sudden nostalgia, Sa-yoon tapped his chin at Geon-ju slyly retracting his protruding lips.
"So, what's the conclusion? Don't treat me like trash?"
"You always twist it."
"Pretty boy, just the conclusion."
"...Since you dragged me to this gate, don't treat me like I'm incompetent."
"Like coddling and boiling a baby?"
"......"
It matched what he wanted, but he bristled at the "baby" bit. Sa-yoon shrugged—nothing wrong with granting it.
"Not just pretty words, but nice ones you want to hear."
"Not constant praise, just some positive words occasionally. Why do you always say it like that?"
"Fine, fine, pretty words it is."
"......"
"But how? Give you flowers or something?"
"Giving me something pretty makes it praise?"
"Why not?"
Geon-ju sighed, giving up rebuttal as Sa-yoon shot back confidently, and told him to do as he pleased. Accepting the surrender, Sa-yoon looked around. No pretty things in sight, sadly. As a substitute, he rummaged his inventory and pulled out an A-grade necklace.
A support artifact boosting resistance to water, fire, and earth attributes.
Sa-yoon, who'd worn it relentlessly before going S-grade, approached and clasped it around Geon-ju's neck.
"Wear this and let's go improve that ragtag skill of yours with some special training, pretty boy."
"......"
"Don't like it?"
"...Just what is this special training? Don't gloss over it—explain in detail."
Geon-ju's eyebrows twitched in disbelief, but he recognized the artifact's value and didn't refuse. Giving nice things really turned words pretty, huh.
Sa-yoon shifted his gaze deeper into the forest.
If memory served, a werewolf pack lurked inside. Recalling pack-hunting monsters, he outlined the training in his head and spoke.
"Pretty boy, you've never been surrounded by multiple monsters, right?"
"I have—in beginner gates."
"Those were all weaker than you."
"True... Wait, no way."
Geon-ju, checking the necklace, sensed doom and snapped his head up. Sa-yoon grinned reassuringly at his uneasy, trembling eyes.
"I won't make you fight the pack."
His gentle voice flowed sweetly. It wouldn't be long before Geon-ju ranked it among the cruelest lies he'd ever heard.