Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: 5. You've Misjudged the Person
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Just how much of her true ability was the dual-wield specialist Mirinae showing while holding only a single longsword?
One might think it was simply 50% since she'd gone from two swords to one, but it wasn't that straightforward. Switching from a weapon you were accustomed to would slash your combat power by more than half. Even if Mirinae wasn't hit too hard since she was still using a sword, there was no doubt she was far below her full potential with dual blades.
That level was probably incomparable to Sung-hoon, who was hiding magic far weaker than that.
"Aren't you going to loot them?"
"No. You all split it."
Unlike the others checking the orc corpses for anything valuable, Mirinae simply refused with those words and returned to the wagons, where she came face-to-face with Sung-hoon. A brief silence followed. Mirinae broke it first.
"As expected."
'As expected?'
"You're strong."
"Pardon?"
"I thought I'd get to see you fight at full speed, but I didn't expect this much of a gap."
This was beyond ridiculous—it was absurd. The orcs had come at them head-on in the largest numbers, and Mirinae had taken down the most as a result. While the other warriors fought passively and avoided charging in boldly, she'd rushed to the front, drawing the bulk of the orcs. And she'd done all that without her main weapons, her dual swords, showing overwhelming skill.
Hearing this from such a powerhouse made things feel increasingly hopeless.
"Sung-hoon. I'm serious. Won't you fight me once?"
His answer was predetermined: an unconditional refusal. A direct clash would end in a draw at best—no, he'd lose, and pathetically at that. But her next words forced him to reconsider.
"If you keep dodging me, I'll attack indiscriminately. Then you won't have a choice but to fight."
"Don't you think that would bother everyone around us?"
"I do. But more than that, I genuinely want to spar with you. As far as I know, you're one of only two people in this world truly devoted to mastering martial arts. I've held back until now, but after seeing this gap, I can't anymore. I have to fight you somehow."
"Can't we put it off?"
"No. With the forced participation mission ahead, preparations after it ends will leave no time. This is our only chance."
In the end, Sung-hoon had no choice but to grudgingly accept.
The mood was high after successfully repelling the orc ambush. They'd covered nearly 50% of the journey without any damage to the cargo. Even Chae-rin, who'd done plenty of escort missions, said it was a first as she handed out dinner with a smile.
"Thanks to you and Mirinae, it felt easier. At this rate, we'll finish without a hitch, right?"
"I see. But is there no way to clear the mission faster?"
"This is already incredibly fast. Finishing in ten days would be a highest-difficulty clear, and at this pace, we'll arrive on the ninth."
Hearing it was impossible to speed up further, Sung-hoon began picking at his stew.
"Oppa Sung-hoon. Did something bad happen? You've looked exhausted the last few days."
"Something like that."
"Can't you tell me?"
"Sorry, but it's not the kind of worry I can share."
"Boo!"
Even Ellie's puffed cheeks and cute act failed to stir him. His mind was fully occupied with the upcoming duel against Mirinae.
'What to do? Head-on, I'd get crushed. I could lose on purpose here to kill her interest, but that's unlikely to work.'
She'd been doggedly pursuing him since the early days of The Mission. She'd seen firsthand that his hunting speed matched hers. For such a powerhouse to show subpar skill and lose miserably? He could already picture her reaction.
'First you avoid fighting, and now you throw the match like this? You're truly insulting me. Fine. If I corner you until death, you won't be so arrogant.'
And then, naturally, those terrifying dual swords would shred him to pieces.
The key was to fight—but in a way that at least made her feel 'satisfied.' Various methods flashed through Sung-hoon's mind.
Soon, having thought of a few, he swiftly finished his stew without hesitation and approached Chae-rin, who was still serving food.
"Let's switch."
"Huh? Switch?"
"Yeah. Looks like you haven't rested while handing out food. You should eat too, Chae-rin. I'll handle serving—go rest."
"Sung-hoon..."
Chae-rin looked at him with fresh appreciation.
It was such a simple courtesy, yet most people were mountains taller than that. They'd taken the food she'd served as if it were their due and walked off. In fact, most didn't even understand why she volunteered for it—NPCs would handle it if left alone.
"Thanks. Please bear with it just a bit."
"No trouble at all. Bring your bowl."
Shortly after Chae-rin took a stew-filled bowl to a nearby wagon, people started flocking over. Half had been on guard, half finished eating and switched shifts—the guards now coming for food.
The fare was just potato stew, but it was decent for roadside grub, tasty even, and above all, free. So most opted for it over their own rations.
"Hey, what is this? Give me a bit more."
"Sorry, but others need to eat too. Come back if you're still hungry—I'll give extras if there's any left."
"Tch, how much is that anyway? Show-off."
The man grumbled as he passed. Normally, Sung-hoon would have punished him somehow, but now he just let it go with a magnanimous chuckle. As he served one by one, he spotted his target approaching.
"Why are you serving food here?"
"Chae-rin looked like she was struggling alone, so we switched."
Instead of brushing it off, Mirinae looked up at him with some misconception.
"To hold such strength yet never grow arrogant, and care for others—you're a true martial artist. Talking with you always makes me feel my shortcomings."
"...Your speech is quite archaic."
"I lived with my elderly master since childhood, so it stuck. Another flaw to fix."
Sung-hoon had phrased it as 'middle school syndrome' politely. Once someone was smitten like Mirinae, nothing he did looked bad.
According to her, avoiding fights was mental discipline unbound by victory or defeat; humbling himself was reaching a realm of humility untouched by power. And now, taking on this menial task? She'd interpreted that her way too.
He'd reacted with awkward neutrality before, but not now. Flashing a bright smile he'd never shown her once, Sung-hoon said,
"You're the impressive one, Mirinae. Keep at it steadily, and you'll surpass me in no time."
Praising her in novel-like fashion made her cheeks flush as she turned away. It was his first such reaction, making eye contact burdensome. And that was exactly what he'd aimed for.
'Now!'
Drip, drip.
A few drops of poison from the hidden poison potion in his sleeve fell into the bowl she held out. The ominous green liquid vanished under a ladle of stew, stirred lightly to look perfectly normal.
His agility-specialized body combined with Mid Poison Technique made for a flawless move.
"Hey, how long are you gonna make me wait?!"
"Sorry."
As Mirinae stepped back, Sung-hoon smiled and resumed serving diligently. What he'd used was a top-grade poison bought for emergencies: physical ability reduction. If he couldn't grow stronger himself, weaken the opponent. Simple, right?
A warrior's pride or pangs of conscience? Not a chance. If he had those, he wouldn't have betrayed people from the Tutorial start, nor sacrificed them as offerings or scapegoats through countless missions.
Tap tap.
"Oppa Sung-hoon. You got a thing for that girl or something?"
"Huh? What're you talking about? Why would I be interested in her?"
"Dunno. You've been lost in thought since meeting Mirinae, then suddenly volunteer to serve food. To me, it looks like you've got feelings."
"Don't even joke about that. I'm serious—I'll get mad."
"Hmph."
Ellie nodded and backed off upon seeing his expression. Ignoring her, Sung-hoon glanced sideways at Mirinae. Once the poison took effect, he'd time the duel for when it fully spread.