The Fire Rose Adventurer Team
"Should we end the special training earlier than planned?"
After several consultations, the two Grade Deans ultimately decided to push forward with the training. The significance of this special session was simply too great to abandon. Whether the 3rd Academy could set a new record and write a new chapter in its history depended entirely on the students participating in this exercise.
While it was vital for the students to grow through blood and sweat, another core objective was to forge bonds of friendship and unity. Under the relentless pressure of the training, the four students were gradually aligning their efforts, learning to cover for one another's weaknesses.
Furthermore, the training was designed as a five-day itinerary, and today was already the fourth day. Only one more day remained until the session concluded. They judged that as long as they moved with a bit more caution, they could finish the training without further incident.
A short while later, as the sun began to dip toward the horizon—just as it had the previous few days—Ban Oe-min led the students to a sandy riverbank, the only one of its kind within a ten-mile radius. This was the campsite Ban Oe-min had scouted in advance.
However, unlike their previous stops, there were already people occupying the sand when they arrived.
"Who goes there?!" a clear voice rang out.
Four valiant-looking female warriors clad in leather armor stood on the riverbank. They rushed forward from the water's edge, blocking the path of Bukjin’s group with eyes full of wariness.
"And who might you be?" Ban Oe-min countered with a question of his own.
"We are the Fire Rose Adventurer Team," replied the woman standing at the front. She appeared to be in her thirties, possessing a sturdy frame and a body rippling with lean muscle. A faint, overwhelming pressure radiated from her, signaling her strength.
Ban Oe-min turned his head to look at Cho Heun. The other Grade Dean leaned in and whispered, "They're an adventuring group under the Mutual Aid Society. I heard they ran into some trouble recently and are facing a financial crisis."
Having heard Cho Heun’s explanation, Ban Oe-min turned back to the women, his expression suggesting he had reached a decision. "We are from the Provincial 3rd Junior Swordsman Academy. We intend to camp on this riverbank tonight. We would appreciate it if you yielded the space to us."
His tone was heavily commanding. All educational institutions held an exceptionally high status within the North Sea Empire. To a low-ranking adventurer group, men of Ban Oe-min and Cho Heun’s standing were essentially untouchable giants.
A flicker of surprise crossed the woman’s eyes. She called over a younger warrior, who looked to be about seventeen, and whispered something in her ear. Upon hearing the instruction, the young woman ran toward a tent pitched deeper within their camp to report.
She returned shortly after and addressed Ban Oe-min. "Our Lady has granted your request."
Moments later, the Fire Rose Adventurer Team cleared a large section of the northern riverbank for Bukjin’s group. Ban Oe-min led the students to the spot, where they began setting up camp with practiced ease.
Bukjin watched the adventurers with an intrigued gaze. This was his first time observing the lifestyle of an adventuring party up close. What surprised him most was that every member of the Fire Rose team was a young woman. However, they were far from the idealized, elegant female swordsmen he might have imagined.
The leather armor they wore was battered and worn, looking as though it had been in use for a very long time. Their clothes were stained with dust and blood, and their exposed skin had been bronzed to a deep copper by long hours under the sun. Even their long hair was tied back haphazardly with simple twine.
As Bukjin scanned them, he noticed that the cleanest and best-maintained parts of their entire ensemble were their weapons. Overall, the women looked exhausted. It was clear at a glance that surviving in Bukhwang Mountain was no easy feat for them.
In the center of their camp stood a large tent supported by a carriage, which seemed to hold the fruits of their labor. Most of it consisted of monster meat and hides—spoils taken from mid-tier beasts like mountain goats or galloping horses—along with various medicinal herbs. Even though Bukjin had zero experience in adventuring, he could tell that the quantity and value of their haul were meager. In fact, their spoils didn't even match what Bukjin’s group had gathered over the last few days.
Of course, what was visible was only the surface. It was possible the women were hiding something far more valuable out of sight. Since Bukjin lacked experience in the field, he couldn't easily judge their true combat prowess. However, he was confident that if he were to fight the muscular woman who appeared to be the captain, he would undoubtedly hold the upper hand.
"They're a low-rank adventurer team. Just being in a place like Bukhwang Mountain is a massive risk for people like them," Ak Hong-hyang said softly.
"Do you know much about adventuring?" Bukjin asked casually.
Ak Hong-hyang nodded. "I actually considered joining an adventurer team after graduation. I thought about supporting my family by hunting monsters and researching related materials. Based on what I see, most of the women in the Fire Rose team are likely at the 7th or 8th grade of the Warrior Rank. A few of them have very stable strides and well-contained auras, suggesting they're seasoned veterans. That’s probably the only reason they’ve managed to secure even that much of a harvest in a place like this."
Bukjin looked at her in surprise. "You were planning to become an adventurer after you graduated?"
Ak Hong-hyang nodded again. "I did think about it once."
"But with your grades, you wouldn't have any trouble getting into a senior academy after finishing here," Bukjin said, finding it strange.
Ak Hong-hyang gave a faint, bittersweet smile. "My family situation isn't great. If I don't get a scholarship, I won't be able to afford a senior academy... I had to have a plan for what to do after graduation. Besides my younger brother, I have four younger sisters. The burden will only grow as they get older..."
This was a secret Ak Hong-hyang had kept buried deep in her heart. Until now, she hadn't told anyone but Bukjin. It wasn't that she had any ulterior motives for sharing it; it was simply that, for some reason, she felt naturally at ease when talking to him. Before she knew it, she found herself opening up about things she usually kept to herself.
Once the words were out, she felt no regret. If anything, her heart felt lighter.
"But you've qualified for the finals of the Academic & Martial Arts Competition now. With a record like that, you'll definitely get a scholarship for senior academy, won't you?" Bukjin pointed out.
A bright, joyful smile broke across Ak Hong-hyang’s face. "Yes! It feels like a dream. I still can't believe it. I never imagined I’d make it to the finals. It’s all thanks to you. Thank you, Senior Bukjin."
Looking at her smile, Bukjin replied, "Opportunity belongs to those who are prepared."
"I’m definitely going to grab this opportunity with both hands," she said firmly. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Actually, those female swordsmen might be struggling, but they are very strong people. I truly respect them. I’ve heard the story of the Fire Rose team before. Their captain, Pung Sa-nang, was once known as the most beautiful adventurer in Unmong City. But I heard some tragedy befell her family... After that, she gathered other struggling female warriors to survive together, and she’s used her own strength to save many orphans in Unmong City. I was deeply moved by what they do, which is why I once thought about joining them."
Bukjin nodded as he listened. It was certainly no small feat. However, to him, they were just people passing through. He observed them only as an outsider.
A moment later, Baek Geum-un approached him. "Senior! Come on, it's time for our lesson."
For the past few days, Bukjin had been shamelessly invoking the promise made during their duel, charging Baek Geum-un one silver liang per session to give her "special tutoring" on the Jesujeon Sword Technique. It was a choice he’d been forced to make to keep his smartphone charged.
"Fine, I'm coming."
Bukjin stood up and headed toward the riverbank with Baek Geum-un to begin their practice. But just as they were about to start, a commotion erupted from the Fire Rose camp.
Baek Geum-un, who lived for drama and excitement, wasn't about to let it slide. She immediately halted her practice and dragged Bukjin along to see what the fuss was about.
"I'm telling you now, you're the one stopping the lesson! I'm not refunding a single cent of the tuition!" Bukjin grumbled as he was pulled along.
"I know! I won't ask for a discount, so just come on!" Baek Geum-un shouted back in exasperation, pulling him toward the edge of the Fire Rose camp.
From a distance, they could see the Fire Rose warriors facing off against another group of adventurers. The muscular captain, Pung Sa-nang, stood at the front, shouting in fury.
"Ju Seong! You've gone too far! You were the one who betrayed the Lady first! And now you have the nerve to come here and demand the child?! How thick is your skin?! Do you have no conscience at all?!"
The newly arrived group consisted of about thirty men. One look told you they were a rough and dangerous lot. Their armor was far superior to that of the Fire Rose team. Unlike the women’s leather gear, theirs was made of thin but sturdy iron plates, and their equipment looked several times more expensive.
Leading the men was a robust man who appeared to be in his thirties. He had sharp features, was neatly dressed, and stood tall with long black hair. Clad in iron-plate armor with a longsword strapped to each hip, he was quite handsome at first glance. However, his lips were thin and curled into a slight, mocking sneer, giving him a cold and heartless impression.