Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: A New Beginning (4)
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Team Seoul City Hall's training took place at a nearby public gym.
Kim Jun-hyeong and Han Gyu-ri suggested that even with a tight budget, it might be better to use a hunter-exclusive training facility...
"If the budget's short, we have to cut corners somewhere like this. Besides, we don't need some fancy training center."
Do Ji-hyeok's firm stance, backed by his experience building Queens from the ground up, settled the matter.
And so, Do Ji-hyeok and the team members gathered at the gym, changed into training clothes.
They showed a serious demeanor, as if the earlier chatter between Bang Han-na and Do Ji-hyeok had never happened.
"Since it's the first day, spend 30 minutes warming up however you like, then regroup."
Do Ji-hyeok decided to let them move freely at first, to observe the three.
He planned to gauge their tendencies and traits before diving into serious training.
"Do people usually warm up for a full 30 minutes?"
"Right...?"
Jeong Su-in, the main dealer, and Kim Na-rae, the supporter, looked unsure of what to do.
Having only trained at government-run academy-style facilities, their reaction was understandable.
"Let's just do some stretching for now."
"Yeah, okay."
As Jeong Su-in and Kim Na-rae scattered to stretch without much direction,
"Unnies!"
Bang Han-na stepped up and led the two.
"My parents run a dojo, so I know a bit. Want to do it together?"
"A dojo?"
"Yeah! My dad's got a swordsmanship dojo!"
"Oh, really?"
"How do you do it...?"
"Let's start with stretching together, then maybe a light jog?"
Jeong Su-in and Kim Na-rae quietly followed the experienced Bang Han-na into a warmup,
and Do Ji-hyeok, watching from afar, was slightly surprised by Bang Han-na's unexpected leadership.
'Not bad.'
He hadn't expected the team's youngest to take charge.
"Two! Two! Three! Four! Now down to the legs!"
Bang Han-na demonstrated a proper warmup routine, true to her martial arts family background.
She thoroughly relaxed her whole body's muscles with stretching, then synced her breathing with a jog.
It closely matched the warmup style Do Ji-hyeok envisioned.
Except for one thing.
30 minutes later.
"Looks like everyone's warmed up nicely."
Do Ji-hyeok approached the two panting from the jog and the still-fresh-looking Bang Han-na, handing each a mysterious item.
"What's this?"
"A mana stone."
"...?"
Jeong Su-in examined the item Do Ji-hyeok handed her from all angles.
A sturdy cord necklace ended in a finger-sized purple stone, slightly different from standard mana stones.
"This is... an S-rank mana stone...?"
"Th-this is S-rank?!"
"Whoa..."
At Kim Na-rae's words, Jeong Su-in handled it like a treasure, while Bang Han-na gawked in wonder.
Observing their reactions, Do Ji-hyeok lifted the other mana stone necklace he wore and explained calmly.
"It's not much different from regular mana stones. Channel mana into it, and it glows."
Whoooosh───
Do Ji-hyeok's mana stone emitted a soft purple glow.
"Whoa..."
Bang Han-na gasped unwittingly at the gem-like shine.
"From now on, wear this mana stone every training session. The goal is to keep it glowing the whole time."
"...Huh?"
"The whole training...?"
Stunned by the unexpected method, the three nonetheless tried channeling mana into theirs at Do Ji-hyeok's urging.
But...
The light was far dimmer than Do Ji-hyeok's, or didn't appear at all.
"Whoa..."
"N-not easy."
"...Why isn't it working...?"
S-rank mana stones from S-grade gates are trickier to handle than others.
Regular ones light up brightly with brute-force mana, but
S-rank stones, grown amid immense mana flows, require even, delicate infusion for a strong glow.
'Master mana control, and B-rank's within reach.'
Based on his mana-versatility theory, Do Ji-hyeok aimed to build their fundamentals.
"It's tough at first, so practice steadily. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Bang Han-na glanced at Jeong Su-in and Kim Na-rae, who answered energetically.
Their stones glowed faintly but surely.
'...Why won't mine light up...?'
Bang Han-na poured mana into hers again.
But...
"......"
It remained dark.
The training continued.
"What's that?"
"A carrier...?"
Jeong Su-in and Kim Na-rae looked utterly perplexed.
They'd come for training, only to find what looked like junkyard suitcases laid out.
"Ugh... I thought we were done exercising..."
"Need to drag more over?"
"Nah, this is perfect. Thanks for the help, Gyu-ri."
With help from Han Gyu-ri and Kim Jun-hyeong, I'd secured the old carriers in place and approached the two standing blankly to explain the drill.
The method was simple.
Attack the carrier like a monster until all the water inside spills out.
"Since it's the first day, finish this and you're free to go."
"For real!?"
"Whoa..."
They lit up at the early dismissal promise.
"Easier than I thought?"
"Just suitcases... Simpler than expected."
In truth, their carriers weren't ordinary.
Made from the famously tough scales of a B-rank monster.
A test of their grit and mindset.
"Don't forget the mana stones. Start whenever you're ready."
"Yes!"
As they drew their weapons, I approached Bang Han-na, who stood alone behind them, holding a small shield.
"Bang Han-na."
"Y-yes...!"
She looked stiff with tension.
I glanced at the tiny mana stone dangling over her ample chest.
'Still can't light it, huh.'
Mana stone training matters, but not worth forcing on someone who can't even handle her own ability yet.
'We can take this slow.'
Deciding to tackle the urgent issue first, I crossed my arms and spoke.
"You'll do individual training for a while."
"Individual?"
She reacted subtly to the term.
Obviously, shield specialist Bang Han-na didn't need attack drills.
How could a shield pierce tough monster hide?
There are shield attack methods, but not for her current level.
"Just block and endure my attacks until the others finish."
"Y-you're doing it personally!?"
"Don't want to?"
"N-no! It's not that..."
"Then let's start."
"Yes...!"
Bang Han-na's solo training began.
I stepped back, swung a blunt training wooden sword lightly as a signal.
"First time, so go easy."
"Got it...!"
She raised her shield tensely.
I approached, swung on signal,
Clang─!
She blocked steadily, posture set.
Two follow-up overhead strikes.
Clang─! Clang─!
Pure swings, no mana...
"Ngh..."
She grimaced, struggling but blocking, and after a few more,
Ting─!
"Oof...!"
She finally lost grip on the shield.
"You okay?"
"Y-yes, fine!"
Snapping back, she grabbed it urgently to resume,
and I inwardly admired her subtle fighting spirit, asking,
"How was it?"
"...Huh?"
"Anything you felt while blocking?"
"Uh... It was super heavy... And my wrist hurt more than usual."
'It'd be weirder if it didn't.'
Her wrist pain stemmed from the shield's design.
Bang Han-na's was a center-grip type, handle in the middle—basic round shield about 50cm across.
Great as an off-hand for sword or staff users, but...
Terrible for her, who had to tank everything solo.
'Holding out this long with it is impressive.'
Confirming her gear issue, I paused training and handed her a prepared shield.
"Here."
"This is...?"
"A gift. Use this from now on."
"...Wha, really!?"
Her eyes widened in shock at the unexpected present,
"Take it."
"Y-yes...!"
She swallowed hard, accepted carefully, and inspected it like a birthday gift.
"Whoa..."
My gift shield differed greatly from her old one.
Dark-painted, lightweight alloy, long rectangular shape—big enough to cover her whole body when crouched.
"Is this... expens, expensive?"
"Dunno. I picked it, didn't check the price."
"C-can I really accept this...?"
"Don't want it? I can take it back."
As I reached casually, she hugged it tight, signaling no way, and I smiled, continuing,
"I'll equip the others with new gear too, so no need to feel burdened. Put it on. Let's test it."
"Yes...!"
Grinning with excitement, she equipped the new shield.
"Whoa..."
Raising it, she tried poses, gasping nonstop.
"How's it?"
"Amazing! So stable... I can't believe I get to use something like this...!"
"Try it and see. I'll teach details later—get used to it hands-on."
"Yes...!"
Training resumed with the new shield.
I swung the wooden sword the same as before; she raised her shield to block.
Clang─!
The strike bounced off with a crisp ring echoing in the gym.
"!"
She startled, clearly feeling the difference.
Clang─! Clang─!
She blocked effortlessly now; I stopped at the prior count.
"Feel different?"
"Yes...! No wrist pain, not heavy! The shield's that good...?"
Furrowing her brow in genuine wonder, she caressed it carefully.
Her innocent look felt pretty cute.
Several reasons for the change, but the core was her grip.
The new one was enarm type—elbow and hand strapped directly to it.
Unlike center-grip absorbing shock via wrist, enarm uses the whole upper body, far less fatigue.
"Don't get too attached. Gear's consumable. Here we go again."
"Yes...!"
I continued her shield adaptation training,
'So that's how it works...'
Reviewing shield principles in my head, planning to raise her to A-rank tanker.
A few days later.
At the gym for regular training.
"Same drills this week. Let's get to it...—"
"Everyone, hold up!"
As I was about to start, Han Gyu-ri, who'd stepped out, returned and gathered us for an announcement.
"...?"
I stepped back curiously and listened quietly...
"Model Citizen awards ceremony this Friday!"
It was about the Model Citizen awards for Bang Han-na and me.
"Whoa... Congrats, Producer! Han-na too!"
"Congrats to both!"
"Wow... Two model citizens on our team!"
The team clapped and cheered for us,
and I welcomed the unexpected opportunity, accepting the well-wishes...
"Han-na? What's up?"
"N-nothing! Just... happy... Heh heh..."
"...?"
Bang Han-na started acting weird.