Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Combat Training Begins
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Martial arts and skills alike showed visible growth in their achievement levels.
Thanks to the abundant ki in the surroundings, his internal energy was steadily accumulating at a fairly rapid yet stable pace for the Nature Primordial Art. It wouldn't be long now before his foundation was solid enough to dive into full-fledged heart method cultivation.
'Once I start training the Heaven and Earth Unification Divine Art, I should be able to practice footwork as well.'
Footwork was, in truth, one of the most crucial martial arts for any martial artist.
No technique could be unleashed while standing dumbly in place—it was the true foundation of a warrior.
Yet Su-hyeok still hadn't learned any footwork for two reasons. First, the only footwork he knew was the supreme art called Taiji Eight Immortal Steps. Second, to even begin practicing the Taiji Eight Immortal Steps, he needed to have at least reached the first star in the Heaven and Earth Unification Divine Art.
That was why he hadn't picked up any footwork yet.
Still, with his basic spatial awareness, he wouldn't run into major issues unless he encountered an overwhelmingly powerful foe.
And once he mastered both the Heaven and Earth Unification Divine Art and the Taiji Eight Immortal Steps, Su-hyeok would truly become a first-rate martial artist.
On the Central Continent, a first-rate martial artist was someone who could leisurely battle a tiger.
They were the ones truly worthy of being called experts.
Su-hyeok was confident he'd reach that realm before this two-week practical training ended.
After all, retracing a path he'd already walked once before, his progress was monstrously fast.
"You've all worked hard enduring two weeks of theory lessons."
As he reflected on his growth, Shar's voice rang out. She'd entered without a sound.
Su-hyeok's eyes snapped open, and he clicked his tongue inwardly.
'I probably need to hit the peak realm to sense her presence.'
Shar's movements were silent and stealthy.
Not because she was a master of stealth arts, but because she was that much of an expert.
By Central Continent standards, Su-hyeok figured she was at least at the super peak realm.
"I'll cut to the chase. As you know, practical training starts today. You'll cross into the other world with me and Earth's active Awakeners for proper combat drills. Naturally, there's a high chance of injury. And you could even die if you're careless."
Unlike her usual self, Shar's face bore no smile as she spoke in a deliberately grave tone.
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
Awakeners made good money.
But it came with equal danger.
Blood money. Life allowance.
These were the terms that always followed talk of Awakeners.
They'd known it intellectually, but now it was their reality.
The weight felt entirely different.
"I'll take three questions, as usual."
Shar scanned the classroom.
No one raised a hand, their faces uniformly grim.
She stared at them intently for a moment, then a smile crept back onto her lips.
"Looks like you're all mentally prepared. Good. Let me introduce the instructors who'll lead you through two weeks of practical training."
With a snap of her fingers, unfamiliar faces flooded into the classroom in an instant.
Their auras were sharp, heavy.
Not one looked like someone to take lightly.
Even by Su-hyeok's Central Continent standards, none seemed below peak realm.
'Ho... They're really thorough.'
Su-hyeok was inwardly impressed.
Training Awakeners while deploying top-tier instructors to minimize casualties in case of emergencies—it showed just how much Earth, and Korea in particular, valued their Awakener talent.
"After yesterday's exam, we divided you into groups of three by lottery. Now, I'll call out each group and their assigned instructor. Get ready. Group 1! Oh Se-young, Kim Yi-han, Lee Sung-gyun."
"Your instructor is Park Ji-woon. Better known by his moniker, Crazy Runner."
"Ah..."
Admiring murmurs rippled through the room as Shar called names and nicknames with a hearty laugh.
And it didn't stop there.
Each subsequent reveal stunned the class.
Among them were executives from the Awakener Association and top brass from guilds as powerful as major corporations.
Guilds took a cut of an Awakener's earnings in exchange for management—growth support, item provision, generous salaries. Most Awakeners dreamed of joining one for stable advancement and a secure future.
And from the looks of it, standing out in this exam could land them a guild spot.
Most hoped their instructor was guild leadership.
And most got their wish.
"Group 8... Yang Su-hyeok."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "It's nothing short of the World Tree's blessing, wouldn't you say? Good to see you all again. Ha ha!"
Shar's booming laugh swept over the three standing before her.
"Baek Yi-yeon, Jin Chang-hyeok, Yang Su-hyeok."
On the first day of training, the three who'd tried talking to or questioning Shar had all ended up together.
"Just to be clear, this wasn't intentional. It was a pure battle of luck—drawing lots. Heh heh."
In the bright atmosphere, Su-hyeok glanced between Shar, who grandly called even lot-drawing a 'battle,' and the other two.
'Not bad at all.'
Su-hyeok's impression of Shar wasn't poor.
Wasn't there a saying? You can't spit on a smiling face. With her beauty and constant smiles, there was no reason to dislike her.
She also maintained discipline as an instructor, which he respected. Digging deeper, her strong self-confidence appealed to him too. He couldn't read her deepest thoughts, but the vibe she exuded was refreshingly bright.
That energy lifted those around her, making them smile.
All in all, nothing to hate.
And Jin Chang-hyeok.
His tattoos had soured the first impression, but his diligence in theory class had been impressive. Learning a bit of his backstory sparked empathy, boosting goodwill.
No conversations yet, but no bad feelings either.
Finally, Baek Yi-yeon went without saying.
"I'm so thrilled to be in Shar Instructor's group! With big bro and mister here too, it's perfect! Top-notch!"
Some might say she was similar to Shar.
Bright, fun, energizing those around her.
Her personality annoyed Su-hyeok at times, but he didn't dislike her.
"Fate's threads are amusing, so excitement's fine, but don't let your guard down. Today’s portal is rated the lowest, Grade 1. Wide area, low monster density. Understand?"
"Yes! It means a very easy portal!"
Baek Yi-yeon raised her hand again, and Shar nodded.
"Very easy, yes. But not filled with harmless idiots that can't kill humans."
Shar's voice dropped lower.
"Uh..."
Baek Yi-yeon's cheerfulness faltered, her face paling.
It wasn't just her.
Excluding Su-hyeok, the other two facing Shar stiffened.
They had no choice.
Shar was directing killing intent solely at the three of them.
Killing intent was inevitable when facing monsters, beasts, or foes with strong hostility. Most humans encountering it for the first time froze. Overcoming the survival instinct's terror to act took time.
And most novice warriors died right there in their first real fight.
Su-hyeok recalled nearly dying the first time he faced it.
A desperate lunge, a miracle like luck, saved him.
Then his own coalesced killing intent pierced the foe's gut, securing victory.
That first kill remained vivid.
He'd vomited in place, stabbed again out of fear of death.
'Feels like a distant memory now. Human forgetfulness is convenient.'
'Her control over killing intent is impressive. Refined yet wild.'
Shar's killing intent mimicked a beast's ferocity.
She could emit sharper energy, so she chose this style for one reason.
The enemies they'd face were that kind of monster.
Not purposeful malice toward humans.
Raw, instinctive hostility.
Soon, the three would be thrown into a pack of such beasts.
"Stay tense. I'll say it again: you could get hurt. Even die to a 'harmless' Grade 1 monster ripping out your throat."
Shar, smiling all the while, finally spoke.
The oppressive killing intent withdrew.
"Hah...!"
"Huff, huff."
Baek Yi-yeon and Jin Chang-hyeok gasped like they'd been showered in cold rain, drenched in sweat.
Shar's gaze had remained fixed on Su-hyeok the whole time.
Full of doubt.
"Have you ever seen real battle, soldier?"
"Eh, more or less."
Su-hyeok shrugged it off.
"I see..."
Shar's eyes narrowed.
She was the head instructor.
Meaning she had access to all trainee records.
And she'd reviewed and memorized them. Su-hyeok's file stated no combat training, let alone battlefield experience.
Yet he'd withstood savage killing intent.
Impossible for an ordinary person.
"Heh."
Shar chuckled lightly and looked away.
As expected, no probing questions followed.
'Instructor Shar trusts her eyes over papers or intel.'
The Central Continent had types like that.
Those with supreme self-confidence.
They didn't bother learning about foes.
What they hadn't seen with their own eyes didn't matter.
They trusted only what they'd witnessed.
For Su-hyeok, conversing with her type was comfortable.
"Yang Su-hyeok will lead Group 8. Any objections?"
The other two, still clutching their chests and panting, shook their heads vigorously.
They had no bandwidth for such concerns.
To them, Shar seemed determined to be a terrifying hell instructor.
"Your assigned portal's close. Even by Earth standards, an hour's run from the Awakener Association."
Her voice, previously muffled to them, now pierced sharply.
"Assume running formation now. Stay alert. No relaxing. Warriors must always suppress themselves. Group 8, ready."
Shar's eyes skipped the trembling pair and locked on Su-hyeok.
"Group 8, ready."
Having gauged her temperament well, Su-hyeok took position and called out.
"Move out."
Shar flashed a brilliant smile as she declared their descent into hell.
Su-hyeok bolted, the other two stumbling into formation behind him.
A cool breeze cooled their sweat, pushing at their backs.