Sword Lessons from an A-Rank and the Sudden Troll Gate
Unfortunately, Kim Ha-yeon never got her burger. Poor thing—she couldn't introduce me to a swordsmanship teacher.
...Anyway, my resolve to learn the sword hadn't changed, so I messaged Yoon Seol-ah right away.
Wow... just how far can this girl go? My awe was short-lived. She helped me out this much—I had to shower her with burgers.
Yoon Seol-ah, receiving the message and the follow-up burger barrage, seemed a bit flustered. As a Hunter Association employee handling field management, she'd met plenty of hunters, but most didn't pay much attention to staff like her. Except for a few weirdos.
Park Chae-rin. One of Korea's rare A-rank hunters and a star of the renowned Geumryeon Guild. She was so sociable that good stories followed her everywhere. But that was that, and this was this.
Teaching swordsmanship was like sharing one's very identity. Any swordsman with pride would hesitate.
I figured it'd take a while for a reply. Or maybe a flat-out "no."
But in the end—
Hmm. Things were looking up.
The appointed day arrived, as per the message. In the meantime, I'd binged every swordsmanship video on NueTube for thorough prep. I grabbed Full Moon and headed to the meeting spot: the famous Geumryeon Guild building. Faint golden accents on the structure made it a perfect match for the guild's name.
"Someone from Geumryeon Guild... Even a B-rank would be a blessing."
I'd praised Seol-ah's connections before, but too much expectation just bred disappointment. That saying about learning from anyone in a group of three? Even an F-rank hunter would teach me something. Though honestly, I hoped not...
No matter what, that'd be a bit much.
"Wah!!"
"Hieeek!"
What the—?! Someone suddenly yelled from behind and grabbed me hard. I practically leaped in shock.
"You're that kid from Inbyeol...!"
A familiar, bright voice. I turned to see someone straight out of TV standing there.
"P-Park Chae-rin?!"
"Oh? You know me? I'm honored!"
"I almost fell!"
"Huh? You talk better than I thought? Knew it, so I caught you!"
Ah, this move felt familiar. Looked like another exhausting day ahead.
This woman ignored my words entirely and started shaking my hand like we were old pals.
"Uh, enough with the handshake. I'm twenty-five."
"Wha—? I thought you were Seol-ah's daughter..."
Did she really watch the Inbyeol video? Who the hell spread that rumor?
"Anyway, you're here to learn swordsmanship, right? Looking forward to it!"
"Y-Yeah... Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Ha-neul."
"Pretty name. Let's go—time for some hands-on practice at the outdoor training ground!"
Ooh... Geumryeon Guild's training ground. I wondered what facilities a top guild had, what hunters trained there. Full of anticipation, I trailed after Park Chae-rin.
Passing the guild's flashy building, we reached a surprisingly ordinary lot. Without the sign on the chain-link fence, I'd have mistaken it for an apartment complex badminton court.
-Geumryeon Guild Outdoor Training Ground
...Kinda feels like a sports club.
"Here's the outdoor training ground. Internal facilities are staff only... Sorry. But it has everything you need!"
As Park Chae-rin said, it was sparse for a famous guild, but the essentials were smartly placed—clear they took hunter training seriously.
As we entered, all the trainees' eyes locked on us. Well, duh—an A-rank from TV shows up.
Park Chae-rin ignored the stares and led me to a wooden dummy like in those Chinese wuxia flicks.
But... how do we even train? I'd never done this, so I stood awkwardly until she tossed something from the weapon rack.
A wooden bokken. Smart—no one uses live steel for practice.
I reached for it but fumbled the catch. The price was steeper than expected.
Thwack—!
"Ow!!"
Straight to the crown of my head. Park Chae-rin looked shocked, but someone else beat her to it.
"Pfft..."
Laughing? Sure, catching a bokken on your head is comical, but she didn't check if I could catch it.
Rubbing my head and picking up the fallen bokken, she approached with an apologetic wave.
"Sorry, sorry. Didn't think you'd miss. I'll buy you something tasty later."
She's trying to bribe me with food! Treating me like a kid!!
"...So, Hanwoo beef then?"
"Sure! As much as you want!!"
Too pricey for a scolding. Park Chae-rin seemed a bit over-the-top. Hanwoo for a bokken hit? Still, her fault—she owed me.
"First, let's check your skills. Show me what you got!"
"Got it."
High on dragon form buffs, I tried Body Enhancement [D] Lv.1 for the first time. My body lightened instantly, the bokken feeling way lighter.
Mana drain detected in wearer.
Recharging mana from ambient air.
Current air status: Low mana density
...And now mana drain kicked in. Useless like this. Burning mana to fight mana-free? Total contradiction.
I shelved Body Enhancement for emergencies and went raw.
I assumed basic stance from NueTube vids, pointing the bokken at the dummy.
"...Okay! I get your level—stop there."
"...Huh?"
I hadn't even swung yet? She judged from stance alone?
"Your form's a mess. Never touched a sword before? Heard you cleared the White Tower..."
Her eyes screamed "how do you fight?" Standing out twisted lives—common knowledge.
Problem: my growth skills were too flashy for my current power, outshone by B-ranks. Word spreads, headaches follow.
Anticipating the question, I answered smoothly.
"Oh. I was punching through before—short range, risky, y'know?"
"Fair point. Posture correction first?"
Park Chae-rin's lesson was pure passion for hunter training. Her light vibe melted away, eyes blazing. Nearby hunters tuned in unnoticed.
Posture fixes, power timing, techniques. Reps to ingrain them flew by.
"Whew, your enthusiasm fired me up too—been a while."
"You've got a gift for teaching. Won't be bored in retirement."
"Haha. Food time? This big sis'll stuff you with Hanwoo!"
"You'll regret saying that!"
Wiping sweat, turning from the dummy, I spotted a black dot in the sky behind her.
What the...? I looked up; she turned, face paling.
"H-Ha-neul! Run!"
"Huh? What—"
Shrieeeek—.
Before I finished, the dot swarmed, blanketing the area.
"Ugh... what just...?"
"Shh. Quiet."
Following her lead, I scanned around. Stone walls, dim lantern light—a cave.
...A gate.
But we weren't alone. Guild trainees, nearby pedestrians—many swept in.
"Wh-where are we?!"
"What's happening?!"
"Wh-what...?!"
Civilians' murmurs grew. Yelling in an unsecured dungeon? Suicide. But they didn't know.
Park Chae-rin stepped up.
"Everyone! Calm down. A-rank hunter Park Chae-rin is here with you!"
"No loud noises till safe! Monsters might hear!"
Her commanding presence soothed them, but too late. Two trolls emerged from the gloom.
"A-rank monster: Cave Troll...!"
A trainee spotted them, reciting info in horror. Park Chae-rin took point, drawing swords.
"Geumryeon trainees: Protect civilians first. Ranged awakeners: Support me."
"Yes!"
"Ha-neul... you just cleared the White Tower, so protect civilians, okay?"
I nodded at her worried look. She charged, dual-wielding at the trolls.
Her skill was pure A-rank—no waste. But trolls were tough. Weighty pickaxe swings clashed; her blades shivered.
Experience kept her holding, barely. One sword deflected the pick, the other slashed—
New Moon is nearby Full Moon.
Resonating with New Moon.
Moonlight Energy: 2%
...Huh?