Chapter 357: Green Skin Training Camp
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 357: Green Skin Training Camp
‘N-No way.’
Before he was summoned to the continent, he and his friends used to joke about it. It was a staple topic of conversation whenever the guys got together for drinks.
‘I wouldn’t go back, not even for a hundred grand.’
‘A hundred grand? Isn’t that worth considering?’
‘Maybe I’d waver… but still… would you really want to go back?’
He could never forget the dead-serious expressions on his friends’ faces. Even the guy who said it was worth considering had a look of uncertainty. The opinions were split fifty-fifty, but Choi Hee-chul was firmly in the “never go back” camp. No, really, if someone had offered him that kind of money back then, he might have wavered. But in the end, he probably wouldn’t have chosen it. Such was the power of that place.
For him, the military had been a demonic institution that put him through a hellish experience.
He had to calm down. This training camp and that training camp had to be different. The Orcs and small Goblins shouting right now must just be happy about gaining their independence. He’d heard that Green Skins had a three-year waiting period. It was only natural for creatures who hated being controlled to react this way upon being liberated.
But the more he looked at their faces, the more anxious he became.
“Uwoooooooooh!”
The group of Green Skins was getting closer. His group was heading into the settlement, while they were heading out. It wasn’t just the loud-mouthed Orc.
Was this the look of someone who had the whole world in their hands? Seen up close, their expressions were beyond anything he could have imagined. You probably couldn’t make a face like that even if you won the lottery.
“Giant Scream Apachi. Crugar. Congratulations. And Little Finger, you’re finally leaving the settlement. You must have had a hard time waiting for these two.”
“They’re annoying, but they’re my husbands, so what can I do?”
As the group drew nearer, Mirror Blade Hark was the first to greet them. After a small Goblin replied, the loud-mouthed Orc—probably one who liked to be at the forefront—spoke up.
“Hark. Thank you for everything. I will never forget what I’ve gained and the memories I’ve made here. It seems I left without even saying goodbye to the Three Sisters instructors. I hope you’ll pass on my regards.”
“Hahahaha. Of course. I’ll let them know. That’s a relief.”
For someone who claimed he would never forget, he looked incredibly happy. That wasn’t the face of someone sad to be parting with his so-called goblin instructors.
“I heard some new human trainees were arriving today… I suppose these are them.”
“That’s right, Apachi. As their senior, I suppose it’s fine to give them a word of advice.”
“Krrrrrk. I have much to advise my cute juniors on.”
Seeing the Orc’s lips curl into a smirk, the anxiety from before began to swell. There was no doubt. This situation was exactly the same as back then.
“If you don’t think about anything, time will pass quickly. Your body will be in some pain, but that’s just a part of the training, so don’t give up.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“Close your eyes for a moment, human.”
“..........................”
At the sudden suggestion, Choi Hee-chul squeezed his eyes shut.
“What do you see?”
‘This bastard… no way…’
“N-Nothing.”
“That’s your future, human. I’m outta here. Kukukuk. Have fun suffering.”
It was incredibly difficult to maintain his composure. A mere suspicion was solidifying into certainty. This “Green Skin Training Camp” was undoubtedly that training camp. And that wasn’t all. This time, it would be for three years, and an even more painful time awaited him.
All the bright and cheerful stories of dreams, hope, and new challenges began to sink slowly beneath the surface. It wasn’t just him. The arms of Park Deok-gu, a warrior known for his toughness, were also trembling slightly. Most of the Winter Weasel Clan was clearly shaking in fear.
“N-No… way…” someone muttered, and everyone heard it.
“You’re a cruel joker, Apachi. Well then, Little Finger. See you around. Have you decided where you’re headed?”
“I think we’ll settle in the East. I heard there’s some good land nearby… Apachi and Crugar swore it was a great spot, so I’m sure my husbands are right.”
“By the way, who ended up being the child’s father?”
“I’m not sure yet! I don’t even know who the father of the one in my belly is. It must be one of the two!”
“Hmm. I see. In any case, I’ll come visit once you’ve settled down.”
“Hark, you’re welcome anytime.”
“Thanks.”
“Later.”
The expression on the Goblin’s face as she gave a slight wave of her hand was one of unmistakable ridicule. Of course, that smile wasn’t directed at Hark. It was a smile of leisure and pity, aimed at them—the ones about to enter hell.
‘I have to get out of here, somehow.’
That was the only thought circling in his mind. Getting stronger was good, of course. But not like this.
The farther they got from Little Finger’s group, the closer they got to the Brother’s Land. He wanted to slow his pace, but his feet wouldn’t obey.
The cheers coming from behind them only made them more frantic.
Yes, this was a punishment. He was simply paying the price for neglecting his duties. But as that thought crossed his mind, he felt that going to prison would have been easier. In the end, Choi Hee-chul slowly opened his mouth to speak to Hark.
“Wh-When does the training begin?”
“It will likely start immediately. I heard they’ve prepared a great deal for you all. This is your chance to become true warriors. You’re quite lucky. I feel like I want to participate myself.”
“C-Could I possibly meet with Blood Dagger for a moment? I’d like to at least pay my respects…”
“Hmm? Right. You were a chieftain of the human race. I’ll pass on the message. Please wait here for a moment.”
“Thank you, Hark.”
“Hmph!”
Soon, the Orc began to walk away. All he could do was pray that the meeting with Blood Dagger would happen. As he waited anxiously, he heard Park Deok-gu muttering beside him.
“Master… this is.”
“Yes… I think you’re right. This air, this atmosphere… everything is just like back then.”
“I… I don’t understand what’s happening. G-Getting stronger is good, but… this is a little different from what I imagined. Did you see the Orcs’ faces just now? I’ve never seen Orcs look that happy. They looked happier than if they’d won a war. We might… we might have really come to hell, Master.”
“S-Still, he’s a chieftain I have a relationship with. Perhaps he’ll show some leniency…”
“If you consider that we came here to be punished, that’s not necessarily the case, Master.”
Park Deok-gu was right. Choi Hee-chul quickly began to scan his surroundings. If his prediction was correct, their communal life was about to begin. The first thing to do was to check for any liabilities. The Winter Weasel Guild had a fairly high proportion of wizards.
The number of female guild members wasn’t small, either. They were strong women, so they would manage, but he was anxious all the same. In the heavy atmosphere, even the female guild members were trembling with fear.
“Wh-What is this? Is… is it really that?”
“I-I don’t know either.”
He wasn’t alone. He had to protect his guild members somehow. Just as he was thinking about how to negotiate with Blood Dagger, it wasn’t Hark who returned.
Instead, a trio of Goblins wearing red hats slowly came into view. He never imagined he would see those hats again. As Choi Hee-chul swallowed hard, the Goblins opened their mouths.
“Welcome to the Green Skin Training Camp, humans!”
“Welcome, humans.”
“I was supposed to meet with Blood Dagg—”
“Lord Blood Dagger has said he will meet with you separately at a later time!”
‘D-Damn it.’
“Trainee Green Skins are not permitted to see the Chieftain so freely. You will have one opportunity to see him during your training!”
He wanted to explain, but the atmosphere was already past the point of conversation.
“From this moment on, you will discard your names! Choi Hee-chul will be Chieftain Trainee Human. The rest will be called by number, starting from Trainee Human No. 1! Until you earn back your names, you will live here for three years!”
“......................”
“I can’t hear a response…”
Everyone was stunned, wondering what was happening. He was finally starting to understand why this training camp had been recommended as their punishment. In the end, Choi Hee-chul had no choice but to slowly speak.
“U-Understood.”
“Your voice is too quiet!”
“Understood!”
“I see a few humans who can communicate. But there are still some who haven’t opened their mouths! Were you forced to come here! Is this training camp a joke!”
“N-No, sir!”
I was forced to come here. I absolutely did not come because I wanted to.
“We’ve heard your story well. Are you not here because you failed to notice the Half-Minotaur Wingrin’s desertion! A healthy body makes a healthy mind! From this moment on, the use of magic is strictly prohibited. We will assign you your quarters after some basic physical training.”
“U-Understood!”
“All responses will be a sharp ‘Rah!’”
“R-Rah!”
The sudden start of physical training was absurd. They were being run ragged under the pretext of a “fitness test.” This was no ordinary place.
“Did you come here to play! Any human caught using magic will be sent straight to hell!”
“R-Rah!”
“Are you going to fall out on the very first day! You have no grit!”
“R-Rah!”
“Don’t stop, run! Run, humans!”
“R-Raaah!”
One hour. It had only been one hour. And in that single hour, so much was happening. There was no time to look around the Brother’s Land. He didn’t know where he was, what he was doing, or what this place was for. Everything was unfamiliar and terrifying. There was no sign of Blood Dagger or his commanders. Before they could even adapt, the sudden fitness test continued relentlessly.
“Push-ups!”
“This is to measure your basic physical fitness. I will only count it as one when your chest touches the ground!”
“R-Rah!”
Fuck… this is hard.
The only thought in his head was how hard it was. Wizards were physically weak. Choi Hee-chul was also a wizard, and without being able to reinforce his body with magic, he was reaching his limit. If his chest didn’t touch the ground, the Goblins would pop up like ghosts and scream in his face.
‘Damn it… Damn it…’
The strange atmosphere and peculiar pressure were making him lose all will to resist. He was bending his arms, frantically looking around.
“I said your chest has to touch the ground! Human! Can’t you do it properly!”
“R-Rah!”
“Human! What are you doing! Human! You call that a push-up! Human No. 234!”
“R-Raaah!”
It was Ha Ju-yeong, one of the guild’s executives. Just because she was a wizard didn’t mean she was weak, but her stamina was particularly low. Since she barely had enough time for her research, neglecting physical training was somewhat of a given for a wizard. But such excuses wouldn’t work on these little demons.
The sight of three Goblins surrounding her and screaming was, in a way, terrifying. Thanks to them, the attention was diverted, which he was grateful for, but a strange sense of unease washed over him.
“Human, your chest must touch the ground! Human!”
Even during the guild’s training sessions, wizards didn’t do proper push-ups. Literally just bending their arms a little was the extent of their physical training. Her stamina was already depleted from the previous torture-like ordeal; there was no way she could endure this. But he started to worry. Ha Ju-yeong was muttering something under her breath.
“Human! What are you doing! Human No. 234!”
Tears were already welling up in her eyes. Seeing her repeatedly try to open her mouth, Choi Hee-chul could only pray that she wouldn’t cause any unnecessary trouble.
“Human No. 234!”
“Human No. 234! Are you not going to answer!”
“Human!”
“I don’t see any tears! Human!”
She was holding on. She was holding on well, despite the extreme situation.
Just as Choi Hee-chul nodded to himself, she magnificently betrayed his expectations.
“Th-This is…”
“...................”
“This is how wizards are supposed to do it!!!!! Sob…”
The voice burst out.
The Goblins’ bewildered expressions.
The gaping mouths of her fellow wizards.
Ha Ju-yeong, who seemed to have surprised even herself, clamping a hand over her own mouth.
A heavy silence fell over the training ground.