Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Interpersonal Combat Training
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“From now on, we’ll conduct interpersonal combat training. You might wonder why we need interpersonal combat when we’re hunting monsters, but since many monsters are humanoid, it holds great significance.”
There were many trainees, so the sparring session was divided into groups. Group 1, which I was in, consisted of close-combat classes.
“It’s impossible to become a combat master in just one month. I’ll only teach you the basics of the basics, so follow along closely. The fundamentals of combat are all the same: attack and defense. Land your attacks on the enemy and dodge or block theirs. To do that, you must understand the characteristics of your weapon and your opponent’s.”
One instructor explained from the front while two others behind him slowly demonstrated various moves in sync.
“This is how it looks when a hunter performs it.”
He demonstrated the same moves at what felt like ten times the speed, making the sword trajectories barely visible as the blades clashed with a thunderous roar.
Applause erupted from the students.
“Now, I’ll explain the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon.”
The instructor continued his lecture on weapons, and the students listened intently, knowing this might be the weapon they’d use for life.
“Now, pick one up, swing it around a bit, and find a weapon that suits your hand. Begin.”
The instructors stood in front of the weapon racks as students milled about, picking up weapons, swinging them clumsily. The instructors corrected their forms as they watched.
I didn’t use weapons, but I couldn’t tell the instructor I fought barehanded, so I chose knuckles.
“Now that everyone has chosen, line up in front of the instructor for your weapon. You can change your choice later, so don’t worry too much.”
“Tch… Do I have to do this just because of you?”
I was the only one who picked knuckles, so one instructor was assigned solely to me.
“Have you ever learned martial arts?”
“Yes.”
On the battlefields of my past life.
“Oh? Then come at me.”
The instructor didn’t take any proper stance. It was as if he was saying to attack however I wanted.
With my current stats, it was nearly impossible to hurt him anyway. Seeing it as a good opportunity, I slid forward like gliding and threw a punch.
“Huh?!”
Startled by my faster-than-expected speed, the instructor swung his hand to deflect my fist. By minimizing unnecessary movements and closing the distance in a straight line, even with my low stats, he perceived me much faster up close.
But the stat gap was too wide. Even though he reacted just before my fist reached him, he easily swatted it away. His strength was immense—even hitting the knuckles sent pain through my hand. Without them, my bones would’ve shattered.
“You okay? You’re better than I thought.”
He worried he’d hit too hard out of reflexive surprise.
“I’m fine. Can we continue?”
I said, shaking my struck hand.
“Good. Come on.”
This time, the instructor faced me in a proper stance.
I charged with full commitment, throwing punches and kicks, but his movements were several times faster than mine, so I couldn’t even graze his clothes.
“Where’d you learn? Your basics are solid.”
He asked casually while dodging.
“Here and there.”
My breath was already short, and answering made it worse.
“Now I’ll attack slowly, so try defending.”
The instructor now flowed my attacks aside, countering or pressing occasionally. But he slowed down to match me, so it wasn’t impossible to block.
From the sidelines, it looked like a decent exchange of offense and defense.
“Hmph… He doesn’t even realize the instructor’s going easy and he’s getting all excited.”
I heard the voice of the big guy who’d beaten me yesterday.
“Stop. That’s enough.”
The instructor lightly grabbed my thrusting arm, ending the training.
“Whew… Thank you.”
I bowed and caught my breath.
The gap between my past life’s memories of greater strength and my currently feeble body made spars like this extremely beneficial. I wanted to do it more if possible.
As I rested, another instructor stepped forward.
“Pair up two at a time with your weapons and spar. No attack skills today—just physical ability. Even blunt weapons can kill if swung by an awakener, but healers and instructors are watching. Go all out without worry.”
It was unclear if he was telling us to worry or not, but the students began pairing up.
That’s when the big guy planted himself in front of me like he’d been waiting.
With his massive build and training club, he looked just like an orc.
“You look fine now? Recovery skill, huh? Guess I can beat you worry-free.”
The pseudo-orc growled down at me.
“It didn’t even tickle.”
“You little… You’ve got a talent for pissing people off.”
I had no idea why he was always so hot-headed. Was he a real orc?
“Begin!”
At the instructor’s signal, everyone started sparring.
At first, everyone went easy. Most students hadn’t yet developed the sense of actually hurting someone.
Meanwhile, the orc’s club swung toward my side with considerable speed and force.
But the wind-up was too big, so I dodged easily.
As I evaded, he brute-forced the club to a stop and changed direction. Redirecting mid-swing isn’t easy, but he must’ve gotten really high initial stats.
I backpedaled from the flurry of attacks.
“Where you running?!”
Thinking he had the upper hand, his club came crashing down on my head.
Luckily, he relied on strength without skill, so the motion was wide. I slipped in and planted a fist in his gut.
Thanks to his Reinforcement skill, he didn’t even stagger despite the impact and counterattacked.
I couldn’t dodge the club right after my strike. It slammed into my shoulder diagonally.
A scream escaped as I dropped to one knee.
[Agility has increased by 1.]
My body desperately needed to move faster, so Agility rose.
“Stop there!”
The instructor intervened, and a healer came to treat me.
“I’m fine.”
I grabbed my broken shoulder and stood.
“It’s broken?”
“It’ll heal if left alone.”
The pain was dizzying, but considering the skill I’d gain later, it wasn’t bad.
“Trainee Choo Kang-min. Was that necessary? I said treat it like real combat, but it’s still sparring—ease up before impact. Save your strength for monsters, not fellow trainees.”
The instructor lightly scolded the orc, Choo Kang-min.
“Yes~”
Choo Kang-min replied half-heartedly.
“Then, Trainee Choo Kang-min, find another partner.”
“I can keep going.”
I cut in.
“You sure?”
“I’m good now.”
I brushed myself off and stood before Choo Kang-min.
“We continuing?”
“Fine by me.”
Seeing me charge instead of flee enraged him further—veins bulged on his grinning forehead.
I narrowly dodged his club swings while landing punches, but his Reinforced body took no meaningful damage.
We repeated me getting hit and standing, until the instructor stopped paying close attention.
[Agility has increased by 1.]
Agility rose again, and now his attacks stopped landing.
I hammered his torso as he swung in fury, but he took no damage either.
“Stop!”
After a long spar, the instructor signaled the end of class.
“Huff huff… We’ll settle this later.”
He panted, trying to step on me but tiring instead. I ignored him and left the gym.
* * *
As I ate in the cafeteria, Choo Kang-min’s gang approached.
“This punk, still eating?”
“Yeah. I’m hungry. Gotta eat well to keep that bulk, right?”
“Just take the hit. Come out.”
“Let’s eat first, eat first.”
Ignoring them to finish, he grabbed my collar.
“Hey! I’ll call an instructor. Stop it!”
A woman saw us and intervened, making Choo Kang-min release me.
“Don’t worry ab—!!!”
I turned to tell her I was fine but jolted back in shock.
Her image was so different I hadn’t recognized her, but up close, I knew. It was Bae Na-young, the villain infamous in my past life.
Back then, villains were as big a problem as gates and monsters. Not all awakeners were heroes—many betrayed humanity.
The Dark Witch Bae Na-young, who deprived countless hunters of their senses, trapping them in darkness before mercilessly killing them. Her face had matched her notoriety, corpse-like and pallid. Now, she was just a kind-looking beauty in her early twenties.
Seeing a villain I couldn’t have faced in my past life made cold sweat pour.
“What? Nervous now? Trying to look good for a girl?”
Choo Kang-min sneered at my reaction.
“Hey, mind your business. He’s our friend. Friend.”
Choo Kang-min pressed my shoulder and told Bae Na-young.
“I’ll get an instructor.”
Bae Na-young turned away without a glance.
“Fine, we’re going. We’re going.”
Choo Kang-min and his gang left as if they’d known.
“You’ve got it good, huh? Making friends. But it ain’t over—see you later.”
He growled low as they departed.
“You okay?”
“Ah… Yeah.”
Bae Na-young approached and asked.
No matter how I looked, she didn’t match my past life memories. She seemed so kind. Was it an act? Was she committing crimes dwarfing Choo Kang-min’s behind the scenes? Or had I mistaken her?
“Um, may I ask your name?”
“Bae Na-young.”
Fuck, it’s her.
“You’re Lee Ji-seok, right?”
“Huh? You know me?”
Why? What did she want?
My regeneration couldn’t handle instant-kill attacks—that’d be game over. My ability was undeveloped now. Even a fraction of her past life power could obliterate me. Sure, being in the academy made it unlikely, but instinct kept me tense.
“Yeah. I’ve always admired how hard you train. Pushing yourself to the brink every time—how do you do it?”
She must’ve seen me train near death.
“Gates are dangerous. Gotta work hard to survive.”
“Right. What a dumb question. I need to train harder too.”
No, take it easy. If you get stronger, we’re all dead.
“Well, enjoy your meal.”
“Yes…”
Bae Na-young greeted and returned to her seat. Eating with other students, her social skills seemed fine.
Tension drained as she left. Never this scared since regressing.
Still, I finished eating and headed to the dorm.
“Took you long enough. Hurry up~”
Choo Kang-min’s gang waited in front of the dorm.