Chapter 131 – A Step Forward


    Chapter 131 A Step Forward


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    <After>


    “Do you remember that motel in Mule, where you had given me a dagger during my first year?”


    “When you sulked?”


    “…Don’t embarrass me. Anyway, I think I changed after there.”


    “How?”


    “Who knew I would be a bloodthirsty demon? Wait, let me speak…”


    “Look at you, the notorious Lord of Mercenaries in the North. Men who are terrified of you will be shocked at how you look now.”


    “Ah, don’t say that. Do you think I allow myself to be touched by anyone else? It’s because it’s you…ah…wait!”


    **


    Whether it was a small caravan or a big n, epting new members was a risk in a world like Whole ne. Yeonju Go, while a temporary addition, had been the best of choices for now. She did more than her share in offering a training area and taking care of meals. Not only that, but I received a steaming cup of tea each morning at my desk along with a report on the current issues in Whole ne.


    However, I knew that she was appealing herself to me, which meant I needed to show her profit. Working hard was not enough, as I needed the results. The first would be the Cave of Screams.


    Therefore, I read the records on the slightest possibility of discovering a ce that warranted an expedition.


    How things that were going on inside the n was also important. Yeonju Go seemed to have belonged to another n, and she would decide after observing others. Anhyun was on an elite course, reinforcing his magic skills. Even though he was paying Yeonju Go a lot of attention, he worked hard during practice.


    Ansol and Hayeon were also doing their daily routine. It was surprising that Ansol had been able to follow Hayeon. While their ss was different, it would be enough for Ansol to be stronger in the skills she could already use.


    Vivian and Sangyong Shin were also working hard. Vivian was deciphering Anhyun’s record book, teaching Sangyong Shin, and also training alone. She seemed to have found a rival in Yeonju Go.


    Sangyong Shin always offered to do the burdensome chores first in his quiet manner, making me amiable.


    However, there were problems, and Yujung was the biggest issue. She made things awkward as she remained depressingly quiet. While I would have considered her stupid before, I could now understand what she was feeling. This stemmed from when Anhyun got a rare ss. She wasparing herself to the talents surrounding her, which gave her a sense of inferiority.


    Yujung had not achieved much after the expedition. It could not be helped. While I admit I wanted to raise Anhyun first due to his prowess, Yujung was different from him because her fighting style meant risking her life.


    I had been trying to protect her, but it had backfired. There were two ways this problem could be solved. One was getting her a rare ss, and the other was for her to ovee her current state.


    Yeonju Go would find Yujungughable, as she would see what Yujung had done as child’s ypared to her own efforts in bing one of the Top Ten.


    However, I saw Yujung differently. She was soft inside as she was hard outside. Yujung was depressed because she was weak, which had been my own problem during my first time. I closed my eyes and remembered how Yujung had stood up for me.


    I opened them and sighed. I would try to soothe her one more time, within boundaries.


    **


    The night was growingte, and I was still awake, thinking about the equipment for my party. I had forgotten to bring additional gold coins, but I would need more money for better equipment. Since I still had enough GP, it might be better to see equipment at a higher bracket.


    I drank a sip from my tea and tapped the table. Yeonju Go seemed to have added restorative herbs since it tasted fresh. I was looking over the equipment list when the door was knocked on. I answered toe in, and Anhyun slid in, drenched in sweat.


    “…Come and sit.”


    Anhyun sat in the chair I had pointed to and carefully ced his spear next to him. The heat radiating from him told me that he had been practicing hard. He hade to ask me a question, which he often did after practicing by the record book. After overseeing the equipment list, I had been ready to go see him but decided to help him out now. He really was trying hard to be stronger. I listened carefully to what Anhyun was saying and opened my mouth.


    “Your Technical Spearman ss is not only about offense…but actually uses defensive moves to keep the opponent in check, and then counter at the end. So, your ss is really about defense.”


    “I think you’re right. The record book mentions so many defense moves, which ispletely different from my expectations.”


    I smiled at Anhyun’s words.


    “The core about this ss is to increase the mana efficiency in one’s body and use it on physical moves. It will be good for you to learn how to defend yourself with a spear, as the moves will provide opportunities for you to fight back. If you get things right, you may win against those one or two levels stronger than you.”


    “…Can you exin more specifically?”


    I nodded and organized my thoughts after drinking thest of my tea.


    “ording to the record book, the moves are very logical. You need to catch the distance between you and the opponent, the opponent’s ss, the opponent’s specialty, and how the opponent uses the weapon. That means split-second decisions are key, and you need to decide the correct choices for each fight.”


    “That’s hard…”


    “Rare sses usually are.”


    Anhyun looked downcast as he grabbed his spear. The way his shoulders drooped told me how he was feeling. While he would have thought things would be easy after getting a rare ss, the reality was harsh. It would take a long time for him to be a true Technical Spearman.


    However, he turned around with an expression like he had forgotten something.


    “I… need to tell you something.”


    “What is it?”


    He hesitated at my question but spoke with a serious face.


    “It’s about Yujung.”