Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Proof
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‘I can do this.’
Damian’s eyes changed.
All tension vanished.
A cold calm filled its place.
A change born from Arger Veil’s experience.
“Here I go!”
Ben moved first.
His sword flew in, slicing through the air.
Fast and precise.
An attack no ordinary soldier could react to.
But.
Damian didn’t allow the attack.
His sword swung instinctively, deflecting Ben’s strike.
“......!”
Ben’s eyes widened.
An unexpected defense.
‘How did this guy...?’
It wasn’t just blocking.
He’d read the attack’s trajectory and parried with minimal movement.
A motion impossible without extensive training.
‘Must be luck. This ends now.’
Ben swung again.
Faster, more erratic.
But the result was the same.
He blocked it again.
Without the slightest difficulty.
‘Is this... knight-level swordsmanship?’
His body reacted on its own.
Even Damian was astonished.
“You bastard...!”
Ben roared and charged.
A strike fueled by rage and pride.
‘I see it.’
In that instant.
Damian spotted the opening.
A crack in Ben’s flawless stance.
Emotions overriding reason.
‘Now!’
No more defense.
He chose offense instead.
Ducking under Ben’s swing.
He closed in and struck Ben’s wrist.
“Kugh!”
Ben groaned, dropping his training sword.
And that wasn’t all.
“......!”
The famed sword that he’d said Damian was unworthy of.
Dawn was now aimed at Ben’s nape.
A shock greater than rage overwhelmed him.
“......”
The soldiers gathered to watch held their breath.
The 1st Infantry Division’s finest swordsman had lost to a recruit from the 5th Spear Unit.
“......You.”
Ben spoke in a trembling voice.
“What are you?”
“......”
“Didn’t you say you were from the spear unit? How does a guy like that have sword skills like this...?”
His voice dripped with shock and suspicion.
Time for Eloquent Speech to shine.
“My father taught me.”
“Your father...?”
“He served as a soldier for a long time, then worked as a mercenary after discharge. He became a farmer after injuring his arm.”
Eloquence didn’t need to be flashy.
Just fill the cracks of doubt.
“I lived with him farming in Greenwell Territory. You might not know it, but it’s full of mountains there. We dealt with bandits coming down periodically, so I ended up using the swordsmanship my father taught me—a lot.”
Of course, it was a lie.
A plausible mix of truth and fiction.
“......So you lived a life no different from war?”
“It’s nothing compared to actual war, but I did risk my life plenty.”
Fights to protect property from raiders.
Meaning ample real combat experience.
“I see.”
Ben sighed.
He had no choice but to acknowledge the defeat.
“I’ve confirmed your skill.”
Talent was fair to everyone.
“Join the daily routine starting tomorrow.”
His gaze was still conflicted.
But there was at least some recognition.
“Thank you, Squad Leader.”
The immediate fire was out.
And conviction settled in.
‘With this power, I can do anything.’
He needed to grow stronger than now.
Absorb more abilities.
Devour stronger foes.
That was the only ‘path’.
“Starting today, the recruits will join the 1st Infantry Division’s routine.”
The next morning.
North training ground of the garrison.
Ben’s voice rang out sharply.
The 1st Infantry Division soldiers’ eyes turned to Damian.
‘Definitely different.’
The atmosphere had changed from yesterday.
No overt disdain or hazing.
Simple reason.
He’d proven himself with strength.
And more than that.
‘Thanks to Squad Leader Ben.’
The division’s top swordsman.
He’d cleanly admitted his defeat.
Accepted Damian’s skill without grudge.
“What’re you standing around for? Get in formation.”
Ben spoke gruffly, but that was it.
No contempt in his tone anymore.
‘Not bad.’
Of course, he wouldn’t settle for this.
He needed more recognition.
That would bring opportunities.
Opportunities to devour.
For that.
‘Lead by example.’
Not easy, of course.
He’d been far from military life.
But.
‘......My body moves on its own.’
For instance, early dawn.
Before reveille even sounded.
Damian woke before anyone else.
‘Tired.’
His mind screamed for more sleep.
But his body moved anyway.
‘All because of that Imperial squad leader.’
While others gave innate physical abilities or skills.
That Imperial squad leader gave ‘Exemplary Military Life’.
He’d wondered what kind of ability that was.
‘At this point, it’s definitely an ability.’
Habits ingrained over years.
All seeped into Damian’s flesh.
Wake first, make the bed.
Razor-sharp corners, not a speck of dust.
Changing was instantaneous.
‘Am I gonna live like this every day now?’
Dawn before the sun fully rose.
He quietly picked up a broom.
Cleaned around the barracks, fetched water.
Did what needed doing without orders.
‘Might end up the model soldier at this rate.’
A situation that drew a hollow laugh.
But it wasn’t all bad.
Such actions built positive effects.
“That recruit’s something else the more I see him.”
“Yeah. Like, he’s got the basics down solid.”
“Thought he dropped out of nowhere...”
Positive evaluations from comrades.
At least no enemies made.
“You’re doing well.”
Squad Leader Ben tossed it out passing by.
Praise in his curt way.
“Keep it up.”
“Thank you, Squad Leader.”
But peace in war didn’t last.
As Damian adapted to the 1st Infantry Division.
The incident finally erupted.
“Haa.”
That day was the same.
Damian’s day started at dawn.
“Nice air.”
Cool dawn air pierced his lungs.
Thin fog blanketed the garrison.
‘Might as well clean first?’
Better than standing idle.
Resolved, Damian headed to the training ground.
Simple fields at each cardinal direction of the garrison.
1st Infantry Division used the north one.
“Why don’t these guys ever clean up?”
Incomprehensible.
Left exactly as after last night’s training.
Scattered training weapons, gear, even broken dummies.
“Even in war...”
Damian shook his head.
As he started cleaning alone.
“......Hm?”
A sense of unease hit.
Instinctual warning.
‘What is it?’
His gaze went far to the stockade.
Something moved along the wooden wall.
‘Beast?’
Too stealthy for that.
Clearly trained movements.
‘People.’
Abilities stolen from Imperials showed their worth.
Even in darkness, outlines clear.
‘Three.’
Black attire, stealthy moves.
Easy to guess.
‘Imperial scouts.’
His heart raced.
Not fear, anticipation.
‘Abilities.’
If he caught them?
He could take their abilities.
Surely useful ones.
‘Can’t let them go.’
Report to barracks now?
No, they’d escape.
‘Can I handle it alone?’
Cold self-assessment.
He’d already beheaded six elite Imperials.
Gained more abilities in the process.
‘No reason I can’t.’
Quick decision.
Shing!
Damian slowly drew Dawn from his waist.
East sky brightening slightly.
True dawn hour.
‘Move.’
Grabbed an extra training spear.
Approached the three scouts climbing the stockade gap.
‘Start with the rear one.’
They hadn’t noticed yet.
Aimed reverse-grip spear at them.
‘Practical Spear Technique.’
From that last Imperial soldier.
Included ‘spear throwing’.
“......!”
Rear scout turned at the presence.
The flying spear tip pierced his body.
“One down.”
Blue text appeared.
Sensations sharpened instantly.
Sight, sound, predictions.
Blending with surroundings.
“Lucas!”
No time to savor.
The other two reacted.
“Just one guy. Kill him!”
They turned, drawing weapons.
Judged killing quick and efficient.
‘One sword, the other... crossbow?’
Threatening.
Especially the crossbow.
Bolt fired silently, special make.
Damian deflected it with his sword.
Movement from multiple abilities.
‘Close call.’
Prioritize the crossbow user.
As Damian closed in.
“Die!”
Swordsman scout charged.
To buy reload time.
Swords clashed wildly.
Lethal strikes at vitals.
‘This one’s skilled.’
Not like regular soldiers.
But.
‘Slower than me.’
Damian saw every move.
Gaze, breath, trajectory—all.
‘Now!’
In that instant.
Scout’s stance faltered slightly.
Neglected defense in attack haste.
Damian seized it.
Twisted away from dagger, closed in.
Sliced deep into the scout’s side.
“Kaaak!”
Second scout collapsed, spurting blood.
New sensations surged through his body.
Not immediately needed, though.
“Y-You bastard...!”
One scout left.
The crossbow Imperial soldier.
‘What to do.’
Kill for ability?
Or capture for info?
‘Ability’s tempting.’
But info mattered more now.
Why here?
Imperial movements?
Much to learn.
Plus.
‘Capture him, and it’s solid merit.’
Abilities could come later.
Opportunities like this? Rare.
‘Spare him.’
Decision made.
Damian charged the crossbow scout.
Meaningless bolt now.
Damian sidestepped easily, slashed both thighs.
“Kaaaaak!”
Scout rolled screaming.
Mobility stripped to prevent escape.
Tore cloth quick for gag.
Precaution against suicide.
“Stay put. Unless you want to die.”
Situation over.
Two dead, one captured.
Damian’s solo achievement.
“Huuu...”
Held breath finally released.
Heart pounding wildly.
‘Did it.’
Survived again.
Grew stronger.
‘Sensitive Senses, Stealthy Maneuvering.’
Big haul this time.
Survival skyrocketing.
‘Now report this...’
That moment.
“What happened?!”
Clamor as soldiers rushed in.
Alerted by noise and screams.
‘They came on their own.’
First arrival familiar face.
“Damian? Why’re you here...?”
3rd Squad Leader Ben.
Ran up fierce, spotted Damian.
Then glanced at sprawled scouts.
“These guys...?”
“Probably Imperial scouts.”
“......What? Scouts?”