Chapter 14. Recruitment
Grace Mendeva had hauled a mountain of luggage from her family home. Even by carriage, it amounted to nearly four loads. She claimed two whole rooms—one as her bedroom, the other as her wardrobe. The mansion had plenty of space to spare, so Ji-hyuk didn't care if this foul-mouthed healer took two rooms or three.
Grace's skills were rusty at first, her real combat sense dulled after two years of idleness. But with her innate talent and burning thirst for revenge, she quickly regained her edge.
Ji-hyuk never skipped daily training with Mahushu either. Once she had picked up a decent foundation, he ramped it up to full-on combat simulations. He even brought along healer Grace for backup, just in case.
Kayak watched quietly from his window as the man and woman sparred.
The hero fought bare-fisted instead of with a sword. Nothing beat knuckles for beating without killing.
"No mercy."
A low hum rose—woooong—as Ji-hyuk's aura flared.
Mahushu gripped her short spear tight, her face tense as she settled into stance. It was far more structured than before.
"Come at me like you mean to kill."
"...Yes, sir."
Mahushu was already thinking the same. With their power gap so vast, there was no room for holding back. Even if she thrashed desperately, it was doubtful she'd land a single hit.
Ji-hyuk went hard from the start, charging in a flash and swinging.
Whoosh!!
Mahushu twisted away in panic, whipping her spear around. She tried to create distance, but he stuck to her relentlessly. This was where the flexibility and adaptability he'd preached came into play. She used everything around her—even kicking up dirt now and then.
But nothing fazed Ji-hyuk. His powerful fist slammed straight into her solar plexus.
Thud.
Pain-laced breath burst from Mahushu's lips. She didn't lose focus, countering instantly—but this time, a fist cracked her jaw. Her head snapped back.
Agh.
Her vision flashed white. Instinctively, she reeled back. But Ji-hyuk closed in, sweeping her leg and smashing another fist into her chest.
———!!!
She crashed to the ground.
"Ack—!"
Mahushu writhed in agony, teeth gritted. She couldn't breathe.
Ji-hyuk raised his fist to smash her face—then stopped dead. Had it connected, her features would've been pulp.
She gasped for air, steadying her pounding heart.
Ji-hyuk's expression darkened. Mahushu's stomach dropped.
"Why does it feel like you've got less grit than before?"
The mixed-blood suin had no words. Ugh. She dragged her aching body up slowly, feeling pathetic. He was right—she hadn't shown the pride of a true warrior.
"You cocky about your skills? Come on, Mahushu, don't make me laugh. A great warrior? You're not even worth the dirt on its claws. I said come at me like you wanna kill. But this? Whining 'cause it hurts? You kidding me?"
He unloaded mercilessly on the bowed Mahushu.
"You fight without a whimper even if an arm flies off. Even if an eye's gouged out, you glare back with the other. Transcend the pain, got it?!"
"I'm sorry, Captain. I'll do better."
"'Better' ain't enough. Fight like this is do-or-die. Got it? Answer me!"
"Yes, sir—YYYYYESSS—!!!"
Mahushu squeezed her eyes shut and bellowed skyward like a rage-fueled recruit.
Ji-hyuk took a deep drag from his cigarette and beckoned Grace, who was spectating.
She rose leisurely and approached.
"Heal her."
Grace cast her heal on Mahushu. The wounds vanished cleanly.
"Train more. Train like hell. ...I'll be watching."
"Yes, Captain."
Ji-hyuk left the mixed-blood suin and headed back inside with Grace. The chain-smoking healer, trailing close, murmured slyly.
"...Isn't that a bit harsh? She's a girl—go easier."
"No real combat training, she dies later. This is me going easy. ...Dead girls don't care about gentle."
Grace's heart skipped. ...He was right. What good was kindness to the dead?
Her first impression had been a prickly bastard, but he was turning out a damn fine captain. Only three days in, and she could already feel how much his comrades respected him. The rumors were spot-on—he was exceptional. With him, things felt solid.
...Revenge might actually work.
Damn.
Ji-hyuk halted mid-stride, spinning with a sharp exhale. Grace stopped, glancing up curiously.
"Got anyone to recommend? We're recruiting, but no good fits yet. ...No pressure—just asking, y'know."
Grace hesitated. One name sprang to mind. ...But was he really recommendable?
"There's one guy, but..."
He was one of the three survivors from that horrific incident.
"Who? Spill. It'll be fine."
Grace finally gave the name.
"An orc named Grendal. ...Old teammate. I know he's in the capital, but that's it."
"Grendal?"
"But odds are slim."
Ji-hyuk grinned.
"Same as you. ...When you want something bad enough, you move."
True enough. She'd been desperate. ...And he probably was too.
· · ·
Grendal rose at dawn, gathering the kids' piled laundry and heading to the backyard. He dumped it into a large metal tub, poured water, and stomped it vigorously to wash.
Since joining the orphanage, rain or shine, his mornings started with laundry. Once done, he'd hang it to dry and prep breakfast. Then the raucous bell rang.
- Rise and shiiiine!
The headmistress's shrill voice roused the groggy children. They washed up quick and gathered for breakfast.
Short-staffed, Grendal pitched in everywhere. After feeding them all, he taught a simple reading lesson—his one area of expertise doubling as teacher duty.
The kids adored Grendal. The gentle, ever-smiling orc never raised his voice, embracing them all with equal love regardless of human, orc, goblin, or troll.
Locals called him an odd orc. How's an orc that soft?
The orphanage was dirt-poor, scraping by. Grendal handled every chore himself. Anything needing pay, he fixed solo. He'd mend the kids' ragged clothes late into the night. If someone fell ill, he'd haul loads to earn medicine money.
Nobles wouldn't donate to a "useless" place like this. They survived on scraps from alumni.
Still, the orphanage brimmed with joy. The kids saw the headmistress and teacher as parents.
Then one day, visitors sought Grendal. A man and woman.
The woman was familiar.
"Grendal."
"...Grace."
The orc hadn't dreamed she'd show. Rumors said she'd gone mad, wandering like a wreck. But she looked different—worn, yes, but her eyes burned with purpose.
...Like she'd found reason to live again.
"What brings you here?"
"Got a proposal."
"Proposal?"
The man stepped forward. A sharp-looking human.
"Hero Kang Ji-hyuk."
"...An honor, Hero. But what brings you to this humble place...?"
He could guess. With Grace, it was obvious.
"Here to recruit you."
Grendal shook his head firmly, no hesitation.
"Apologies. I swore never to return to the battlefield."
"Demon Genevy—know it?"
——!!
The orc's eyes sharpened, inner fury flickering through.
"No more. Please leave."
Grace interjected.
"Grendal, revenge is possible. A shot to kill that demon. Help us."
"Think wisely, like you used to, Grace."
"Grendal—!"
"I chose peace. I'm happy. That's enough."
"Running away again?"
Grendal scanned the orphanage.
"I'll protect these kids. That's my atonement."
"No—kill the demon. That's the only way out of this pain."
"You're deluded, Grace."
"You're the idiot, you moron. ...Don't you get it? This is our last chance—!"
Grace ground her teeth, yelling at the stubborn orc.
Ji-hyuk raised a hand to silence her.
"Enough. No point dragging someone unwilling."
He smiled casually, pulling a leather pouch from his pocket.
"Here, take it."
"...What's this?"
"You know damn well."
"No thanks. I'll pass."
"Call it a donation. No strings."
Reluctantly, the orc accepted. ...They were strapped for cash, debts piling up.
"One last thought."
"I'm listening."
"I get your stance. But helping Grace with her revenge? Not a bad idea. Might lift your guilt too, if that's the key. ...Thanks for humoring me."
"Not at all."
"And orphanages need funds. Rare chance to revenge and earn. ...Your call."
Grendal clamped his mouth shut.
Ji-hyuk patted his arm.
"Think it over. ...Let's go, Grace."
Grace glared piercingly at her old comrade, then followed.
Grendal watched them go, then turned slowly. He opened the pouch—solid gold coins, at least thirty.
Ah.
Stretched thin, it could last two months. Debts would eat most, but still.
He handed it intact to the headmistress. The old woman gaped.
"Where'd this come from?"
"A donation."
"So grateful..."
She beamed rarely. Grendal felt conflicted.
All day, he brooded. Chores slipped. Night brought no sleep.
- Aaaaaagh—!!
Comrades' screams echoed. He clutched his ears, tormented.
My fault. If I'd hit it—if I'd landed that shot...
Guilt wracked his soft heart. One mistake cost nearly all his team. The nightmare clung.
- Kill the demon. Only way out of this pain.
Grace's words haunted.
Grendal bolted upright, perching on the bed's edge. Huff, huff. Teeth ground.
His rage at the demon still smoldered. He glared murderously at the floor.
- Running away again?
Pained Grace had faced it anew. His suffering matched hers—his error slaughtered comrades. Maddening days.
Revenge possible. Kill it. He yearned to.
Success wouldn't erase all pain, but it'd ease much.
- Aaaaaagh
Screams tormented all night.
Dawn: laundry, breakfast, kids fed happily.
"Play wild today."
He smiled. They whooped into the yard. He watched fondly.
Then to the headmistress's office. She plotted the funds' use.
"Ah, Grendal. Come in."
"Headmistress."
"What is it?"
"...I must leave."
Her eyes widened. He bowed apologetically.
"Forgive me. ...Duty calls. I'll return, I swear."
She sighed softly, smiling warmer.
"If you must, go. You've slaved enough. Can't say how much you meant."
"I'm sorry. So sorry."
"Nothing to apologize for. I'm the sorry one. Thank you—truly, Grendal."
"Not leaving today. ...Date uncertain."
"Go when ready. No worries here. Achieve your goal."
He bowed deeply and left. Straight to the hero's mansion, asking passersby till he arrived.
Guards were tight.
"Who're you?"
"Grendal."
Their eyes shifted—forewarned.
"Wait."
They signaled inside. The manager emerged. Guards bowed.
"Follow me."
Orc Grendal trailed obediently. Soon, in the parlor, he met the hero.
"What brings our orc here?"
Ji-hyuk spoke knowingly. Grendal stood abruptly, bowing politely. Manners ingrained.
"I come shamelessly to beg."
"Shoot."
"I'll lend my arm. ...In return, care for the children."
The hero loved the orc's pure heart. Rare gem.
He approached, patting warmly.
"Of course. Naturally. ...Welcome aboard, comrade."