episode_0016

Is this voice… the instructor?

This is the first time a report of the chief being caught has come through.

It means that no one, except me, has been able to catch the chief.

So, those who are trying to attack the relatively easy Sangdo side will also appear.

The rules themselves are quite harsh.

Even if you form a team, there is only one badge in the end.

Eventually, someone in the team will be selected to have the badge.

Even if you are selected favorably, you will still have to confront the group around you.

On the other hand, if things go badly, the badge will be taken away faster due to the friction within the team.

So, the first thing I need to do is one thing.

Run away.

I might be criticized later for being a coward, but I never believed in such courage from the beginning.

I quickly find a place to hide and catch my breath. Even walking is a chore now…

How many minutes have passed?

I saw a cave in the distance.

“Why is there a cave in the middle of the forest?”

Well, this training ground itself is artificially made, but isn’t this a bit out of place?

But there was no other choice.

I sighed and regretted the current situation. But for now, resting is the priority.

With that thought, I took a step into the cave.

Even though I knew it was artificial.

This place was unpleasant.

In a different sense, it was eerie.

But I was familiar with the darkness.

The more I relaxed, the more random thoughts began to surface in my mind.

“I didn’t expect both of them to lose their minds there.”

I thought two would be enough with just Ad.

But now, it seems like ‘moderation’ has long been gone.

I didn’t know the chiefs would be so popular. But my friend…

After a few minutes, I reached the end of the cave.

It was good to be able to rest for a moment.

This badge.

Is it enchanted with aggro magic?

Or is it just that I fell into this trap on my own?

I never thought this place would be ordinary from the beginning.

To create such a cave in such a short time.

Perhaps the Academy shouldn’t underestimate even ordinary Sangdo. Sigh…

Thud, thud.

I heard the sound of a large group of footsteps behind me.

“They seem to know about us.”

“Well, this cave wouldn’t be in the middle of the forest in the first place.”

“Did you come in knowing? Are you stupid or arrogant?”

Although I was using fire to illuminate the inside of the cave, the firepower was much weaker than light magic.

There is a high probability that I don’t even know what these Logz are.

If I knew, I probably wouldn’t have said such things. But I was ranked 11th…

Still, it’s better not to know now.

If my reputation as the 11th here drops, it would be a shame.

I have no intention of fighting.

In this state, it’s too risky to draw Asbel’s sword, which has almost exhausted all of my mana.

“Don’t be scared! Even if you don’t know who the opponent is, there won’t be any stamina left! Charge!!”

“Stop!!!”

When I shouted at the approaching Sangdo, they froze in place as if they had heard a beast’s roar.

“…What is it.”

“I have one badge. It belongs to Ad.”

“…”

“Even if you beat me here, only one of you can have it. So who will take it?”

“Huh. Of course, it’s mine as the leader…!”

“Don’t talk nonsense!!”

“Don’t touch that badge!!”

Caught you.

It seems that only the location can be known, not the number.

In that case, I will make use of this game of tag.

I smiled invisibly at the bewildered leader.

“Cough!”

“…”

“You all know I have no stamina left.”

“We know that! Don’t be swayed by the enemy’s words.”

“But, I don’t want to fall here.”

“That’s a lie!!”

Despite the leader’s command, I continued to speak without stopping.

“But since you may not believe me, as evidence, I will stick my two swords here!”

Clang! Clang!

Shards of rock bounced up, embedding themselves in the ground with the swords of Asbel and Kraberke’s fangs.

“If you’re going to fight anyway, isn’t it a good limit for you to fight only once? And even if this is a lie, I have no stamina left.”

I tightened my grip on the badge.

“I’m going to throw this badge now. And think carefully about what comes next! You are students of the Tuaros Academy! I hope you make a wise choice.”

I threw the badge with force.

And chaos ensued immediately.

“Stop! That’s a trick…!”

Even with the commander’s rational words, they immediately began to fight the students next to them.

Is this the first time in the role of a commander?

Not everyone is as revolutionary and calm as you.

And your pride is too strong.

“Well, it’s none of my business.”

[Skill: Eholo]

Pop!

I saw an opportunity and quickly escaped the cave, checking my right hand.

Fortunately, Ad’s badge was securely held in my hand.

“It’s lucky that it’s dark.”

Ad’s badge was always in my hand.

I threw a shard of rock from the beginning.

If it wasn’t dark, no one would have been fooled.

“He fell into the trap he set nicely.”

Looking at the clock, there was less than a minute left. I need to rest here for a bit…

“Hello?”

Suddenly, a man’s voice came from behind me. Has he already arrived?

There’s less than a minute left anyway. I have no intention of letting a student who is not a senior take the badge before me.

Boom.

I quickly turned around and aimed for his neck with the sword that was left.

And.

Clang.

My sword broke again.

“?”

“…Is he really a fool?”

He had no weapon in his hands. With his bare hands? And not even a senior…

No, he’s ranked 10th.

Pop!

The man grabbed my arm that held the sword.

I tried to escape, but his strength…!

Thrown to the ground without being able to resist his speed and strength.

I managed to avoid major injuries, but I couldn’t avoid all of them.

And in the current state, it was impossible to eliminate them completely.

Swish!

Startled by the sound of the sword flying, I quickly dodged his fist.

Then, taking advantage of the close distance, I struck his chin.

I’m not sure if lying down helps with the transmission of force.

But I don’t intend to waste my turn with such thoughts.

I quickly knocked the man down and was about to apply an armbar.

“Time limit of 1 hour has passed. Everyone return to the classroom.”

Should I be grateful for this?

Or should I be disappointed?

“Thanks for the badge.”

I think I should be happy now.

[Achievement: True Predator]

***

The next day after the game of tag.

Although Sara, who had been stealing badges unilaterally, was a bit upset, she was able to resolve it quickly and go back to her usual routine.

I also investigated the achievement “True Predator,” but since there was no change in my body or any new skills, I decided to leave it for now.

What else is there…

Walking to the training ground for the third time today?

-There was a report that someone left a sword at the training ground three times yesterday.

-It seems to have a connection, as the captured person caused severe damage, so collect it as soon as possible.

I didn’t even know that the sword had a connection.

So I thought someone would bring it.

“Of all times, I got distracted by the achievement…”

I sighed.

I didn’t know I could climb the mountain again so quickly.

It’s still tough.

It was more peaceful than yesterday, but still tough.

How long have I been walking?

[Two swords command the connection]

[Two swords command the connection]

[Two swords command the connection]

.

.

.

[Two swords command the connection to come quickly]

“Why are you calling it so special?”

We’re not even that close.

It’s a bit burdensome.

As I grope my memory and clear the last leaf at the end of my progress.

“What is this.”

Yesterday, there were caves and many trees planted… Now, it was a scene where all vitality was sucked into just two swords, leaving a desolate field.

Could it be possible to absorb magical power from nature? This is crazy…

No, it’s not the time to be amazed!

I’m screwed.

I have to grab it quickly and run away.

If this scene is exposed to someone, rumors like ‘The fool acted like a fool’ will definitely spread.

Trying to run quickly towards where the two swords are stuck.

[Warning: Do not approach the two swords]

“What do you mean?”

Normally, I would have listened to the sword’s request. But not now.

Despite the warning from the sword, I kept running without stopping.

At that moment.

[Warning: Avoid the two swords]

[A presence has been detected within a radius of 2m]

“Huh? 2m?”

A shiver ran down my spine at the immense presence behind me. If I stop, I’ll die.

I ran towards where the swords were without even looking back.

Whoosh!

I heard a sound of a missed swing.

I don’t know who it is, but I have to keep running.

If I think about the distance, I won’t be caught before I catch the sword first.

“And once I grab the sword…!”

Thud!

I heard an ominous sound from behind. Should I look back?

No.

There’s nothing I can do by looking back.

I kept running without stopping.

[A presence has been detected within a radius of 1m]

[A presence has been detected within a radius of 90cm]

The fierce gaze of the beast seemed to want to tear my throat apart immediately, sending chills down my spine.

However, the stronger the presence, the easier it is to locate its position.

When will she! Where will she aim her weapon!

[A presence has been detected within a radius of 1cm.]

As soon as the notification appeared on the status bar, I lowered my posture.

Whoosh.

I saw a blade passing above my head. And next to it, I saw a woman.

Before she could take her stance again.

I grabbed the two swords.

“Who are you!”

“What? Are you a fool?”

A tone that seemed disappointed without any apology.

She was Kadia Jurma.

There was no contact point, but I remember her clearly because of her swordsmanship.

No, it seems to be more because of her personality.

“What is this?”

“It’s an honor that the fool remembers. This is glorious.”

It sounds like open mockery. Is honorific language just for show?

I can’t ask.

“How can I forget a brute warrior who fights so crudely.”

“What?”

His expression twisted. No, you started it first.

Why are you trying to fight again! I don’t want to fight with you!

“So, what’s going on?”

I quickly changed the subject of the conversation.

“…I just wanted to fight the owner of that sword.”

“So are you going to do it?”

Please say no! Please!!

“I like sparring, but… I prefer fighting people based on skill. It doesn’t seem like it would be fun, so I’ll pass.”

Putting the sword called Kadia back into its sheath, he left the spot.

Lucky, right? It feels like being seriously insulted, though?

I wanted to fight right away.

There was nothing good for me in fighting her.

‘Fighting with a brute warrior only brings trouble.’

After some time, I put the weapon in my bag and left the training ground.

***

“What’s going on at the training ground.. Steven?”

“I think you need to go back home for a while.”

“…Why?”