Sparring with Derek
“It’s really you, hyung! Wow! How’ve you been?”
Derek, still beaming with that bright face of his, came rushing over the moment he spotted me.
The only difference was his body.
“I’ve been fine, but what the hell happened to you? Your height... and your build.”
We’d been the same height back at the training camp, but now he looked at least a handspan taller.
“Hehe, I guess I hit a late growth spurt from all the training.”
“Man, that’s... enviable.”
I was already pretty tall myself, but human greed knew no bounds.
“More importantly, hyung, you’re amazing. Already a lieutenant... You hated the idea of being a soldier so much, but as expected, your words and actions don’t match.”
No, I still hate being a soldier.
Right now, I wanted nothing more than to chuck this godforsaken uniform and bolt.
“Ha... haha. But how’d you know I was here?”
“How could I not? Word’s spreading everywhere that the 1st Division’s supply company commander showed up.”
“I see.”
What a burdensome, unwelcome spotlight.
“I saw the food variety earlier—looks like the rumors weren’t exaggerated.”
“It’s not because I’m that great. His Majesty the Emperor just allocated extra budget.”
Of course, the effect made me look competent since that idiot blew the whole budget on potatoes.
“He trusted you enough to send it, hyung.”
“Thanks for the kind words. So, you’re stationed here too?”
“Yeah, I came for the rebellion suppression and ended up sticking around. The enemy might strike during the chaos, after all.”
“Makes sense.”
Rumors were already circulating that the Aditz Empire was gearing up for another attack.
“How’s Special Forces? Living up to the hype, or regretting it?”
“Totally satisfied. Tons of people to learn from, and everything we do feels meaningful—I lose track of time.”
“Yeah, figured as much.”
I felt it every time I saw him: this guy was anything but ordinary.
“How about you join us, hyung? We’re short on manpower and recruiting talent.”
“I’ll politely decline.”
Intelligence Agency was already pushing me to the brink—Special Forces? Might as well die.
“Too bad. It’s all just prejudice.”
“Sure. Anyway, you must be struggling with rations too. I’ll sort it out quick.”
“Rations? Oh, we’ve got a dedicated cook.”
“Really...?”
“Yeah, we eat as much meat as we want. Don’t worry about me.”
The grease shining on his face suggested it wasn’t a lie.
Their perks are insane.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
Can’t keep one-man-army types fueled like regular grunts, or combat effectiveness tanks.
Either way, no need for guilt toward Derek.
“Glad to hear it. Let’s catch up when we can.”
“Sure! But hyung, you busy right now?”
I was building up to send him off when Derek asked with a purposeful look.
“Uh... kinda, why?”
“Nothing major—just wanna spar?”
“Spar?”
“We’re two guys reuniting after so long. Can’t just skip swinging swords.”
Since when did guys’ culture get this hardcore?
I couldn’t relate, but as a sparring offer? Not bad.
Come to think of it, I’ve slacked off big time since taking over supply company.
Daily training dropped to two or three times a week, and actual spars? Almost none since the promotion.
Time to get my head back in the game.
There were no safe postings at Rimir Castle.
“Not a bad idea. Let’s do it.”
“Awesome! Hyung!”
With an excited Derek in tow, we headed to the training ground behind the HQ building.
“Facilities aren’t great, huh.”
“Support battalion life. Wooden swords, right?”
“Yeah, or real steel if you want.”
“I’ll pass.”
I had a fine blade, but my skill wasn’t there yet for full control.
“Haha, got it. Whenever you’re ready, attack first, hyung.”
“Roger.”
I gripped the wooden sword without refusing his courtesy and took stance.
“Oh, still using Hamus swordsmanship from training camp?”
I didn’t remember learning it, but explaining was a hassle, so I nodded.
“Familiar stuff. Got the chance, too.”
“As expected from my role model hyung.”
Why the hell did he admire me?
Weird guy.
4D? Nah, 5D.
“Here I go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Derek assumed position too, and conversation naturally ended.
That stance... interesting.
Analyzing as usual, but Derek’s form was... unique. Sword held at a slant, almost half-assed?
But knowing him, no way he’d slack in a spar.
Guess I’ll find out on clash.
I tightened my grip and closed distance.
Clack!
First clash in mid-air. Looked flashy at a glance, but nope.
What... the fuck.
Like hitting a massive boulder. No matter how much power I put in, Derek didn’t budge.
Have to go technique then.
No guarantees, but no other options.
“Hah!”
Stepped back, aimed low.
Clack!
Another mid-air clash. Frowned as the feint failed.
Did he read that already...?
Plan was fake high, switch to overhead. But he stepped in, blocking the path.
“Ugh.”
Once read, it’s over—but he pulled back like giving me a pass.
“Good idea, hyung, but your motion telegraphed it.”
“R... right?”
“Keep going.”
Less spar, more lesson. I hadn’t expected to beat him anyway, so I threw what I could, learning.
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!
Dozens of clashes. Each one I puzzled over, but he blocked effortlessly, like seeing the future.
This level... almost Alpen lieutenant tier?
Had to clash to know, but winning chances? Zero, like against Alpen.
Overhead.
Clack!
Low then close in...
Clack!
Overhead smash.
Whoosh!
Blocks the sword, dodges body feints by ghosting distance. Godlike movement—had to admire it.
“Hah...! Hah...! I surrender, surrender.”
After over 30 minutes of intensity, I hit my limit and dropped the sword.
“Hmm, your stamina’s improved a ton though.”
“Gotta earn points.”
“Pardon...?”
“Nothing.”
Brain starved for oxygen—words slipped out unconsciously.
“Want some water?”
“Nah. Just need a breather.”
Lay on the ground, gazing at the setting sun.
“So, hyung, no frontline combat posting ahead? You started in vanguard company.”
“Wanna stick with supply, but postings aren’t up to me.”
Orders from above were transfers, plain and simple.
“True. If I were your superior, I’d slot you in combat for sure.”
“Ugh, please don’t.”
Chilling just imagining it.
“Why not?”
“Didn’t feel it in our spar? I’d instant-die on the battlefield. Instant-death.”
“Nah, you’re better than that. And you were a total newbie at camp. This progress in months? Serious talent.”
His voice rang with scary sincerity.
“Thanks... but really, not that good.”
“Haha, same as camp—you undervalue yourself too much.”
No reasoning with this guy.
“Anyway, thanks for the spar. Learned a lot.”
“Sure. I’ll keep teaching, so just follow me.”
“Huh...?”
Meant to be one-off, but his words felt off.
“You said it yourself—battlefield instant-death level. Can’t just watch my hyung die.”
“Even if you do...”
“No way. Don’t know supply side, but combat’s my expertise. Trust me fully.”
Words from a sword clan heir. Sword enthusiasts would grovel to learn, but not me.
No way in hell. I’m at my limit already.
Busy enough—add physical training? Overwork death incoming.
“I’d love to, but I’m swamped. You saw the mess hall, right?”
“I get it. But evenings are free?”
“You need rest too.”
“For you, hyung, I can spare after-hours.”
Brother volunteering overtime. Touching—nearly nodded.
“Gotta manage condition. Battle could drop anytime.”
“Exactly why we must. Hyung, off-record, but you heard the rumors? Aditz prepping an attack.”
“Yeah, but just rumors.”
If real, we’d be on high alert, gear checks everywhere.
“Rumors with basis. Intel says supplies gathering at Belgium Fortress.”
Belgium was their frontline, closest to Rimir.
Supplies there? Basically confirmed.
Knew it’d come eventually, but this fast?
“Signs showing and it’s this quiet? Doesn’t add up.”
“Quiet prep behind scenes. Not announcing to avoid tanking morale—it’s rock bottom.”
Logical, reasonable explanation.
“Ugh.”
If true, and battle imminent, no excuses to skip training.
“Gotta do it, right?”
Derek smirked, bait perfectly laid.
Damn, why won’t anyone leave me be.
Cursing this shitty world, I nodded weakly.
“Yeah. Looking forward to it.”
“Great choice! A real man, a soldier—gotta handle a sword right.”
That hooked-fish grin. Clearly thrilled to grind me.