Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Jang Warwolf
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Jang Warwolf.
Cross Alliance.
A massive religious organization born from those who banded together under the symbol of the cross.
They walk their own path, separate from the Human Federation united under the banner of survival, maintaining their own distinct sphere of life.
That doesn't mean they completely ignore the dangers posed by aliens.
The Cross Alliance has been expanding its own pre-existing military force, which predates the alien emergence, to bolster its strength.
And their prime example of such support is right there.
Holy Knights, Holy Warriors, Paladins, and so on.
Called by all sorts of titles, they wield "Holy Weapons"—powers akin to those of superhumans.
A branch of hyper-technology distinct from Core Weapons.
They're generally rated as inferior in average performance to Core Weapons, but when it comes to offensive applications, Holy Weapons are considered superior.
"What are those guys?"
"Do we really have to take classes with them?"
The cadets mostly reacted with unease.
The Cross Alliance is insular.
They have almost no interactions with other groups.
Their world is like another dimension, with entirely different common notions and culture.
"The principal's at it again with his nonsense. Does this noble self really have to mix with those deaf-mutes?"
Even Zhonghua Young Master Lun Xin seemed displeased with them.
"It's only half a year anyway. Just ignore them."
"Hmph. Our Golden Young Master is so laid-back."
He just nodded.
By now, he'd grown accustomed to that taunting tone.
In fact, it would feel stranger if she didn't talk like that.
"Don't pick fights for no reason. They're no pushovers either."
"What? Are you comparing me to those fanatics right now?"
"I'm not talking about skill. It's more about their mindset."
The vibe they gave off was a bit off-putting.
Ever since the space pioneering era began, faith in science had deepened, causing religious groups to huddle even more among themselves.
Of course, as a religion deeply rooted in old times, there was hardly any disconnect in how the lay believers appeared.
'But it's completely different for their military force.'
It made you hesitant to approach them.
That was the right way to put it.
Even if you pushed past the reluctance and tried talking, you'd feel the conversation veering off-track the more it went on.
Their purpose in life was just too different from the start.
A life for God.
Blindly devoted to the point of discarding their lives without hesitation for the group's cause.
Thanks to the aliens, they cooperated sometimes, but without that, they might have split off and formed a wholly new faction in short order.
"You think the mindset of Liu clan's firstborn—like myself—is somehow inferior to those guys? I can't just let that slide."
But Lun Xin, stung by my offhand comment, suddenly acted out.
"What are you doing? They're fresh arrivals to the academy. Don't start trouble."
"Watch closely."
"Giz. Stop him."
Giz strode forward, but it was already too late.
Lun Xin had approached the clustered trainees and openly picked a fight.
"Trainee Holy Warriors, huh? Let's see your skills. I'll show you a move from Lun Xin, the one who'll write new history for China."
Loud voice.
Every eye in the auditorium turned their way as people filed out.
Everyone seemed intrigued by how the trainees would respond.
'Huh...?'
But surprisingly, there was no reaction.
Like a dog barking at nothing, the hundred trainees didn't even glance his way as they kept marching toward the exit.
"Hey, you guys. Didn't you hear me? Stop for a sec!"
Flustered by the total mismatch with his expectations, Lun Xin closed in on them.
And the moment he reached to tap one on the shoulder—
Dozens of weapons sprang out, all aimed at Lun Xin.
"Whoa..."
Surrounded by spear-tips and blades that would pierce flesh with the slightest twitch.
Lun Xin froze mid-motion, hand still outstretched.
The auditorium, buzzing moments ago, fell into utter silence as if by agreement.
How long did that last?
Fortunately, before things worsened, a voice broke the tension.
"Sheathe your weapons."
The weapons retracted the instant the voice rang out.
So seamlessly that a bystander wouldn't have a clue what just happened.
Only then did Lun Xin relax, stepping back a couple paces.
But he couldn't stop the slight tremble in the hand gripping his mechanical spear.
"You want to test our strength?"
Pushing through the trainees came a single man to stand before Lun Xin.
'Jang Warwolf!'
It was him.
A man staring at Lun Xin with gray, emotionless eyes that betrayed nothing.
"Are you their leader?"
"There are no superiors among us. Only those who step forward first and those who follow."
"So you're the top dog here, right?"
"If it's that simple for you to judge, think of it that way."
Flat, emotionless voice.
"Then you'll represent them for the initiation rite. To the sparring room. Follow me."
"Not possible right now."
"What? You backing out?"
"We cannot miss the appointed prayer time."
Even Lun Xin couldn't argue with the need for prayer.
So he had no choice but to schedule it for a later time and let them go.
Confirming the trainees had all left the auditorium, Lun Xin turned back toward us, muttering.
"Not a beehive, but what kind of humans..."
Beehive.
Fitting description.
He'd nearly gotten himself riddled with holes just for reaching for a shoulder.
Part of it was being caught off-guard, but their response was instantaneous and perfectly coordinated.
"So, you fighting tomorrow?"
"For those guys, it's lucky. Their humiliation's been postponed."
"Hmm..."
Anyone else, maybe, but against Jang? Hope he's okay.
With him as opponent, Lun Xin's win rate was zero.
No doubt about it.
Even if miracles stacked up to land a fatal blow, the outcome wouldn't change.
To begin with, that guy—
'No. I don't know much about this era's Jang Warwolf yet.'
I'd been gathering info on him steadily, but it wasn't substantial.
The group was too closed-off.
Especially info on trainees groomed as future Holy Warriors.
'At least I can recognize his face now. Count my blessings?'
Among the Miracle Generation 5, the four Cradle of Heroes Academy cadets were already famous.
Even pre-superhuman, they'd been hyped as promising stars, frequently featured in media for PR, so their faces were well-known.
Jang, on the other hand, was shrouded in mystery.
His name would only spread after becoming a Holy Warrior and making his mark.
"Anyway, don't get cocky."
"Unnecessary worry. Just keep those eyes wide open and watch, big nose."
This guy's hopeless even when you worry for him.
I shook my head, watching Lun Xin's retreating back as he sauntered off.
At least thanks to him, we'd gained a spectacle the whole school was buzzing about.
'Hope it doesn't end too pathetically.'
For both sides' sake.
I had no idea what the principal was thinking bringing them here, but I wanted to believe it wasn't just to stir up conflict like in the Practical Combat class.
*
The next morning, a day later.
With classes yet to start, people gathered in droves outside the sparring room.
Maybe because the opponents were new faces, even my crew—who usually ignored others' matches—stuck around for once.
Roze pressed right up to the transparent barrier separating the sparring room from outside, scrutinizing the trainees.
"I wanna try it too."
"Sparring?"
"Yeah. Their style seems kinda unique, right?"
The Cross Alliance's fighting style definitely differed from ours.
Unlike our cadets, who trained in martial arts with low reliance on weapons, every one of them carried a weapon without exception.
Most common among the trainees was that twin-branch spear.
Max length around 5 meters, with a built-in power pack in the shaft for beam attacks.
Emitters at the split between the two spearheads and at both ends of the opposite tips.
'Pretty decent output too?'
High-performance enough not to underestimate.
The Cross Alliance poured special effort into weapons and armor, and these trainees had dedicated at least a decade to mastering a single one—their combat prowess was no joke.
"You dare raise a spear before me?"
But Lun Xin felt differently.
He'd transcended the Zhonghua First Spear, proclaiming himself the Universe's Greatest, heir to a thousand years of Liu clan spear mastery.
To him, the spear was the essence of his arsenal.
Shape might differ, but facing an opponent charging with a spear, he'd never entertain defeat—not even a speck.
"Match ends when one side is incapacitated or signals surrender. Correct?"
But Jang, stepping up as opponent, spoke as if Lun Xin's feelings were irrelevant.
His demeanor was so mechanical, you wondered if he even knew a match was coming.
Lun Xin sensed it too and, without further ado, tilted his spear toward Jang.
"I'll smash you flat."
A sudden thrust.
Lun Xin's mechanical spear clashed with Jang's twin-branch spear in ready stance and bounced off.
Harnessing the rebound without resisting, he whipped the spear like a reed, stabbing faster than before.
'Not bad?'
Better form than expected.
Boosted by the mechanical spear's thrust, the lightning strike looked plenty threatening even from afar.
And the speed kept climbing.
It wasn't just me who'd improved since last semester's Practical Combat class.
Lun Xin had grown leaps beyond his freshman days.
During the outing period, he'd advanced further; now, he could probably hold his own solo against the instructor who'd been our TA.
'No, actually...'
The match unfolded increasingly contrary to expectations as time passed.
Jang seemed barely able to keep up with defense alone.
As Lun Xin's attacks grew fiercer, wounds started appearing.
I kept my eyes on Jang.
Even in this pinch, not a flicker in his gaze.
Judging by expression alone, Lun Xin looked like the one on the ropes.
"Huh?"
"Didn't that just stab him?"
Just as things seemed precarious, the incident finally erupted.
Lun Xin's spear plunged deep into Jang's side and withdrew.
With a mechanical spear, wounds weren't simple cuts.
The spinning head's torque transfers fully—half the body could've exploded.
Yet Jang showed no irregularity.
"...He's fine? We imagining things?"
"No. I saw it clearly."
Roze shook her head, eyes glued to Jang.
"A power? Like instant recovery or regeneration?"
Self-regeneration powers.
Commonly called "Healing Factor."
Seeing Jang fight unscathed despite clear injury, nine out of ten would suspect a Healing Factor.
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Seems pretty strong too. Healing a wound like that in seconds."
This type of power wasn't highly prized, honestly.
Unless extraordinarily potent, Healing Factor recovery didn't surpass humanity's medical advancements.
And on the battlefield?
Against endless alien swarms, how useful really?
Even with a Healing Factor, getting devoured ends it.
Avoid that, but exposed to alien corruption? Even Healing Factor slows down eventually.
'Pure martial artists often prove better.'
If there's an upside, it's slowed aging.
Hence, it's the power rich old folks fearing death crave most.
Thinking about it, even I felt a bit envious.