Chapter 21. New Team.
The first round of the Hero Exam had begun. This time, there were especially fierce contenders. Among them were names Ji-hyuk had vaguely heard before. If he remembered a name, it meant they'd at least make it to B-rank hero.
Even so, the mixed-blood suin who'd endured hellish training every day was knocking out opponents left and right without mercy, advancing steadily. In fact, as Eizel's recommendation, she was already drawing attention. However, some doubted the fairness of her recommendation because she was Ji-hyuk's teammate. Fortunately, Mahushu's string of victories made those doubts vanish as if they'd never existed.
Even if it had been a personal favor, with skills like hers, writing the recommendation was no issue at all. In this world, the strong made the rules.
And so, Mahushu smoothly made it into the final eight. Now only the ranking matches remained.
Her first opponent was someone Ji-hyuk knew well: the orc Giranoshi. A fellow tutorial participant with him. In this loop, he and that bastard had some bad blood. Here of all places... Of course, three years later, the fucker's personality was still shit. He eyed her with clear contempt, her frame so much smaller than his.
A guttural roar exploded immediately.
"GRRROOOOAAARRR—!!!"
He leaped high, slamming down his massive iron club without restraint. A hit would've been fatal. He didn't seem to care about the rule that killing your opponent meant disqualification. This prick never changes.
Of course, Mahushu wasn't about to take such a crude swing. After countless mock battles with Ji-hyuk that felt like real combat, she'd already reached C-rank hero level. Giranoshi wasn't weak, but to her, he was just some orc.
She crouched low and shot forward like lightning. Her spear lashed out viciously at his side.
Crack!
It would've been a lethal stab, but she avoided piercing his body to prevent accidentally hitting his heart.
"You fucking...!"
The orc swung his club horizontally with a whoosh. Mahushu ducked nimbly and stomped her spear down on his instep.
Snap—!!!
Giranoshi swung again at her head, but she dodged swiftly once more. His face twisted in rage, eyes brimming with killing intent.
Ji-hyuk itched to jump in and beat the bastard half to death, but as a hero, stooping to his level felt beneath him. No need to tarnish his reputation over trash like this.
Anyway, Mahushu pressed her advantages, driving him back. The special training had paid off. She could've killed him ages ago if she'd wanted, but subduing him without killing took time. Orcs had stamina and recovery for days, after all.
But once both legs were riddled with spear holes, even he couldn't hold out and collapsed. Thrashing and snarling to the end, he looked utterly pathetic.
"You motherfucking bitch, I'll kill youuuu—!!"
The referee ended the match, of course. Mahushu's victory.
She claimed it effortlessly and approached Ji-hyuk with a beaming smile. Snapping to attention, she bellowed,
"Victory secured, Captainnn—!"
"Good work."
Two days later, she won her second ranking match. Now only the finals for first and second remained.
Her final opponent was the lizardman Gorica. As Ji-hyuk recalled, he'd climbed to A-rank. No way to confirm, but his stance and aura suggested the memory was spot on. Ji-hyuk figured it'd be a tough matchup for Mahushu.
But the mixed-blood suin put on a stellar show and snatched victory proudly. Even Ji-hyuk hadn't expected that. The lizardman had been a bit clumsy against her, sure, but she'd exceeded expectations.
Is she seriously gonna hit S-rank? Unlikely, but after this fight, he held a sliver of hope.
Thus, Mahushu took first place in the first exam. She was thrilled. Probably felt one step closer to becoming a great warrior.
Two days later came mission selection. With her team assembled, she just needed to pick one and head out.
Back at the mansion, Ji-hyuk gathered Mahushu's team one last time before departure: Captain Mahushu, tank Gid, dealer Kayak, mage Yael, and the new healer Brant. The five sat around the table, eyes on their hero.
"You've all worked hard preparing this far. As you know, it's Mahushu's first time leading. Things might feel awkward. But if you cover each other's weaknesses and pull together, I have no doubt you'll complete the mission safely. You're no rookies, right?"
They chuckled softly, glancing around.
Ji-hyuk continued. "I'll be heading out soon after you. You'll probably return first. By then, expect to see Hero Mahushu."
"Yes, Captainnn—! I'll definitely become a herooo—!!"
Mahushu shouted with overflowing energy. It was refreshing.
They shared a warm dinner before retiring. Ji-hyuk pulled Kayak aside with final instructions.
"As I said before, you need to support Mahushu properly. Make her truly understand what leading a team means on this expedition. ...You're smart; you get it."
"Understood. I'll take full responsibility and assist Captain Mahushu."
"Good. I trust you."
Ji-hyuk had faith in the loyal lizardman's abilities. Kayak would handle it.
That night, unusually, Yael visited Ji-hyuk's room—in sheer nightclothes, no less. He knew what that meant. But with Master Eizel next door, better to go elsewhere.
"Let's go."
Yael followed silently. They slipped into an empty room. Unable to hold back, she threw herself into his arms.
"Captain...!"
"Yeah, my Yael."
Thus began a deep, passionate night with the drug-addicted assistant.
...And two days flew by.
Ji-hyuk and Mahushu headed to the academy together. The 15th prince arrived personally with the mission scrolls. Mahushu was called first, chose a 20-point mission from the podium, and stepped down. Slaying a monster on the southern continent—solid choice, completable without issue.
They exited the academy. Her team waited nearby, bags packed.
"We'll be off then, Captainnn—!"
"You're the captain now, Mahushu. Call me 'sir.'"
"Yes, sir. We'll be off..."
Mahushu's eyes glistened as she looked at Ji-hyuk. She turned abruptly, then dashed back and hugged him tight.
"Starting with the dramatics, huh?"
He gently stroked her head. She straightened her face and bellowed,
"We'll complete the mission with excellence and return, Cap—er, sirrr—!"
"Good. Safe travels."
Kayak bowed deeply to Ji-hyuk before leaving. The hero nodded back.
And so Mahushu's team departed for the southern continent.
Sending off a team for the first time felt strange to Ji-hyuk—bittersweet.
He trudged alone toward the mansion. The dim surroundings brightened. Even early morning, the capital's streets bustled. He fell into rare deep thought.
Someone sidled up beside him: Grendal the orc.
"Why'd you come out? Wait inside."
"Kayak insisted. Said to guard you closely, Captain."
Ji-hyuk chuckled. That guy... Probably hated leaving his respected captain.
"Thanks."
He patted the orc's broad back. They walked shoulder to shoulder in silence.
Grace waited out front, puffing her pipe. Spotting the two approaching, she strolled over. They met midway.
"They go okay?"
"Yeah, all good."
Grace fell in on Ji-hyuk's other side. The trio entered the mansion, spotting team members milling at the entrance. Probably felt guilty sleeping in while the captain was out at dawn.
"Thanks for the send-off. We're leaving tomorrow, so rest up today."
"Yes, Captain."
That night, Ji-hyuk gathered everyone for final encouragement and instructions, then dinner before dispersing.
As he checked his pack, Master Eizel visited.
"...Leaving tomorrow, huh."
"Yeah..."
"Guess it's time we part, then."
Her disciple smiled and opened his arms. She hurried into his embrace.
"Wait at the cabin. I'll come. ...Or move here entirely. What do you think?"
But she shook her head.
"No, that's my home. Feels suffocating here. ...Time to go back anyway. Been empty too long; worrying me."
"...Got it."
They gazed hotly and kissed—tender, fiery. It ignited them both. Master and disciple tangled fiercely on the bed. She begged him to fill her depths with seed. He obliged, pouring it all in.
...And the next day.
Eizel slipped away at dawn, unbeknownst to her disciple. By the time Ji-hyuk woke, the fairy was gone. He felt a twinge at missing the farewell kiss but shook it off. No point dwelling on a departed fairy.
Now, focus on what lay ahead.
The hero team rose early, boarded the carriage at dawn. Six aboard, it rolled out of the capital. The rising sun lit the world. Ji-hyuk imagined Mahushu's team seeing the same.
Huuuuh...
Ludvine, across from him, sighed long at the receding capital. Her first expedition—naturally tense.
Romantic adventures, budding love...! The redheaded freckled girl still clung to those fantasies.
She glanced at the captain opposite. It reminded her of a novel: hero and mage protagonists. Felt like fate.
"Nervous?"
"...A bit."
"Everyone is at first. Just don't overload yourself."
"Yes, Captain."
Healer Grace puffed her pipe steadily. She glanced at the chatting pair, then out the window.
Huuuuh...
Gray smoke trailed into the sand dust and vanished. The carriage fell corpse-quiet.