Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Testron Hates Seo Woo-jin
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#8.
Testron disliked Seo Woo-jin.
No, to be more precise, it was closer to contempt.
It wasn't simply because of his low rank.
'Weakling.'
From the moment he first arrived at Massive Guardian, Seo Woo-jin had been busy watching the eyes of those around him.
He tried to understand it as natural in an unfamiliar environment full of tension, but even after adapting, nothing changed.
He was always conscious of others' gazes, and there was no sign of any ambition to improve.
It was something Knight Testron couldn't comprehend.
For such a guy to be a hero who could become stronger than anyone else easily and quickly if he just put his mind to it.
That was why he decided not to treat Seo Woo-jin as a hero.
He thought such trash deserved to be treated that way.
But a few days ago.
His thinking shifted a little.
Seo Woo-jin, who stepped in front of Drakeas to save Airin even while trembling in fear.
Of course, he hadn't done anything directly.
But that action wasn't something a coward or weakling could pull off.
It was something impossible without staking your life.
From that moment, Testron started seeing Seo Woo-jin differently.
Well, he didn't show it, though.
"Just get stronger."
That single phrase was the greatest praise and encouragement Testron could offer Seo Woo-jin.
'What? Is he sane?'
Seo Woo-jin doubted his own ears.
It was so favorable that he couldn't believe it came from Testron.
When he looked at him with suspicious eyes, Testron snorted and turned his gaze forward.
"Of course, whether that's possible is another story."
With that, he quickened his pace.
Pfft-
Seo Woo-jin burst out laughing.
Testron's behavior was just like a tsundere.
'That monster of muscle acting like that? Doesn't suit him at all.'
The ultimate muscle freak, the most standout in the Blue Shield Knights, being a tsundere.
He couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so amusing? Let me laugh too."
At that moment, Ban Slaine's voice rang out.
They had already arrived at their destination.
"Ah, it's nothing."
Seo Woo-jin quickly composed his expression and shook his head.
At that behavior, Ban Slaine showed a slight hint of disappointment at how Seo Woo-jin kept distancing himself, but soon smiled.
"You finally leveled up. Congratulations."
He was genuinely happy about Seo Woo-jin's growth.
"Thank you. It's thanks to you, Lord."
It wasn't wrong.
If not for Ban Slaine, Seo Woo-jin would have fled Massive Guardian long ago and never even joined the subjugation.
As if understanding the implication, Ban Slaine's smile deepened.
"You seem a bit different now."
"Do I?"
It wasn't just because of the bold words.
"Your physical balance has improved, and I can sense a faint trace of mana."
It still wasn't enough to utilize.
Mana so faint that only Ban Slaine would notice it.
But the amount didn't matter.
The mere fact that Seo Woo-jin now harbored mana was astonishing.
To gain mana just from reaching level 2?
Mana was something ordinary people couldn't sense even after a lifetime of training.
Achieving it with a single level up was downright cheat-like.
He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
But the most changed thing of all was...
"Your eyes have changed."
When he first saw him, Seo Woo-jin's eyes were practically lifeless.
Timid, lacking confidence, constantly scheming to run away—that's what they showed.
But now, they were clearly different.
'He's gained confidence.'
A massive improvement incomparable to physical changes or gaining mana.
Gaining confidence meant he'd act more proactively from now on, which directly led to rapid growth.
"Have they?"
Seo Woo-jin scratched his head.
"Good, very good."
He looked embarrassed, but the previous timidity was gone, so it was satisfying.
"By the way, what did you call me for...?"
It wasn't just for chit-chat.
Ban Slaine's position wasn't that casual.
Especially not now, when the battle hadn't fully ended.
"Oh dear, I'm getting old and forgetful."
Seo Woo-jin let out a hollow laugh at the sight of him tapping his forehead.
No matter how he looked at it, his youthful appearance didn't match those elderly mannerisms.
"I called you because I have something to give you."
'Something to give?'
He tilted his head.
"Is it some kind of congratulatory gift?"
Seo Woo-jin asked with a smile.
It was meant as a joke, but surprisingly, Ban Slaine nodded.
"How did you know?"
"Huh?"
"Bring it here."
Ignoring the bewildered Seo Woo-jin, Ban Slaine gestured to the knight behind him.
The knight promptly brought something over, as if waiting.
'A sword?'
It was a sword.
A beautiful blade in a black scabbard that seemed forged from the night sky itself, adorned with ornate golden decorations.
"A hero can't go around with a standard-issue sword."
Ban Slaine took the sword and held it out to Seo Woo-jin.
"It's made of black iron, a specialty product of Jenroitz Kingdom. Its durability is famous across the continent."
"Isn't this too flashy?"
It was cool.
Worlds apart from the standard-issue sword in appearance...
But it was equally burdensome.
With skills still inferior to regular soldiers, carrying such a flashy sword made his face heat up.
"No need to feel burdened. Truth be told, I'm sorry I can't give you more than this."
Heroes from other kingdoms were growing with tremendous support.
Not just buses, but national treasure-level gear.
"Unfortunately, our kingdom's finances aren't that abundant."
Abundant? They were practically destitute.
No special resource-rich terrain, and even compensating fallen warriors yearly strained them.
Providing this sword was already a huge stretch for Sion.
"Still..."
"Take it."
Compared to swords other heroes used, it was modest.
Flashy on the outside for formality, but the blade itself only slightly better than the knights'.
That's why Ban Slaine handed it over with an embarrassed expression.
Seo Woo-jin couldn't refuse the sword half-forced into his hands.
"Ah..."
The perfect grip made him unconsciously draw it.
With a sleek shing-, the black blade matching the scabbard emerged.
He could feel its sharpness, leagues beyond the standard-issue.
But...
'It's heavy.'
Too much for the current Seo Woo-jin.
Fighting monsters with it, he'd tire out and collapse after a few swings.
He'd leveled up, but only to 2.
He needed at least Airin's level to wield it properly.
"You don't have to use it right away. Keep using what you have for now, and draw it when you've grown more."
The reason for gifting it now was partly congratulations, but also a nudge.
A push to grow strong enough to wield it soon.
Sharp as he was, Seo Woo-jin understood.
"...Thank you."
In the end, he accepted it with thanks, sheathing the sword.
Sighing inwardly, of course.
"It suits you well."
Ban Slaine smiled contentedly.
Seo Woo-jin, meanwhile, still looked awkward.
'Suits me my ass.'
Pearls before swine, huh?
Imagining himself strutting with a flashy sword he couldn't even handle properly made him want to sigh.
His face was already flushing.
But orders were orders, so he'd have to carry it.
"Anyway, the battle seems to be wrapping up, so rest for today."
Looking back, the battlefield was indeed heading toward its end, as he said.
The hordes of grotesque Snowls were now scattered, being massacred by soldiers.
'I fought there, huh.'
He chuckled dryly to himself.
Somehow survived without dying and made it back.
First battle, first level up.
And a burdensome gift.
After an utterly unordinary day, fatigue crashed over Seo Woo-jin.
His body had fully recovered with the level up, but mentally, he was exhausted.
"Thank you."
He bowed to Ban Slaine, then turned with Airin.
"Good work out there."
On the way back to his assigned barracks, Airin suddenly said.
"Haha..."
He wanted to say he was fine, but honestly exhausted, so he just smiled in response.
"You need to rest well today. It'll get tougher starting tomorrow."
The subjugation was just beginning.
Snowls were fearsome, but weaklings in this northern frontier, barely worth mentioning.
Deeper in, far stronger monsters awaited.
It was obvious things would get more dangerous than today.
To avoid that even a little, he had to rest properly today.
"What kind of things tomorrow?"
Airin was slightly surprised by Seo Woo-jin's question.
"Good attitude."
Information was key.
Knowing the monsters ahead would make battles smoother.
At Seo Woo-jin's proactive attitude—different from before—Airin explained the upcoming monsters in as much detail as possible.
It continued until after sunset, dinner, and bedtime.
"That's it for today. I've taken too much of your time."
She'd gotten carried away teaching, and too much time had passed.
Embarrassed at keeping him up despite telling him to rest, Airin looked sheepish.
"I asked for it, no big deal."
Her explanations had truly helped Seo Woo-jin.
He could now think ahead about how to fight.
Sure, reality would differ...
'Better than going in blind.'
With the level up, he was honestly looking forward to tomorrow.
"Confidence is good, but don't get arrogant."
Reading his expression?
Airin warned softly.
"I can tell you've gotten a bit stronger from leveling up. But you're still weak, Seo Woo-jin."
"Ugh."
It hit right where it hurt.
"And no one knows that better than me, right?"
He needed to at least reach Airin's level for any leeway.
Until then, he was weak here.
He mustn't forget that.
'If I don't want to die.'
Seo Woo-jin gave a wry smile in response, and Airin nodded.
"See you tomorrow."
With a curt farewell, Airin left the barracks.
"Tch."
Scratching his head as he watched her back.
"Thought we were getting closer."
Guess not.
Awkward, he quickly threw himself onto the bed.