“Guerrilla! War! Fighter!”
“Huff huff! Guerrilla! War! Fighter!”
Originally, the salute during guerrilla training was simply ‘guerrilla,’ and during marching, the chant ‘Guerrilla War Fighter’ was to be shouted while running.
367 trainees moved in unison to the western training ground.
Swoosh.
In reality, although it was supposed to be organized, there wasn’t much sense of unity.
The pouring rain from the third day made it seem like they were just running about.
The sudden change in weather gifted the trainees with the worst possible conditions.
‘It’s not too bad, just a little tough.’
It was hard to tell whether it was sweat or rain that made their combat uniforms heavy.
Not only the other trainees but even the Squad 5 zombie squad struggled to control their limbs.
-Aaaaaah!
-Just kill meee!
Ahn Sungho’s forced march pushed everyone present to their limits. The assistant instructors and the health teacher were no exceptions.
The western training ground, carved out of a hill, had no particular structures.
Roughly protruding rocks were the only signs of human intervention.
“Halt. Line up.”
Even under Ahn Sungho’s control, no trainees were standing properly.
“Huff huff.”
“Ugh.”
It was somewhat fortunate if they could at least stand.
Many trainees had already collapsed or were retching.
But Ahn Sungho, undeterred, continued with the schedule.
“From now on, we will conduct the final training of the day. Due to the heavy rain warning, if this training is performed correctly, everyone will be sent back to their quarters.”
The schedule was slightly disrupted due to the rain, but Ahn Sungho thought it was actually a good thing.
On the third day at the western training ground, the main purpose was to understand the limit of one’s potential – their personal ‘Edeya’.
The relentless running of the past two days was all for this moment.
‘It’s not too bad.’
In a situation where they’re physically and mentally at their limits, they’re to exert all their strength explosively.
The trainees will come to accurately recognize the power they possess.
“Hmm… No matter how I think about it, the weather is too good. Everyone, line up!!”
“Aaaaaaaahhh!!”
The trainees, frustrated, frowned deeply.
After consecutive heat wave warnings, now a heavy rain warning? Really?
Ahn Sungho’s training, challenging even in a mild autumn, became even more demanding with the unstable weather, shaking the trainees’ mental fortitude completely.
Ahn Sungho continued, looking at the numbered tags on the bulletproof vests.
“You have endured well so far. Today is the first day to prove yourselves. Do you see those rocks over there?”
“Aaaaaaahhh!!”
“Collect all the strength you have and crush those rocks.”
“Ah, aah?! Aaaaaahhh!”
Raindrops poured down on the confused trainees.
“Ha. Don’t panic. I’ll give you a generous one minute. Just do your best within that minute. If possible, you’re allowed to break all the rocks here.”
Ahn Sungho walked towards the rocks to demonstrate.
His confident stride and the Ranger logo on his back matched perfectly. The black uniform added an inexplicable sense of intimidation.
‘Hmm. But, I doubt the sergeant has any kind of ‘against an army’ (對軍) techniques.’
The combat strength of the instructor was beyond doubt. He became the center of the Haeun High solely with that combat prowess.
But that was in terms of man-to-man (對人) combat.
Regrettably, he didn’t possess the power to alter the terrain or landscape.
“[Definitely Catch You]”
Ahn Sungho’s figure instantly moved in front of the rock. It was either teleportation or he ran so fast that it seemed like he folded the ground itself.
The activation of [Definitely Catch You] meant that he had physically caught the target.
Park Jinsung thought Ahn Sungho had grabbed a protruding part of the rock, but then,
Crack.
‘Huh?! What, what is that!’
Ahn Sungho had actually thrust his hand into the rock and grabbed hold of it. It seemed more appropriate to say he forcibly jammed his hand in.
‘Oh my… could it be….’
“Hup!”
With a short shout, Ahn Sungho slammed the rock down.
Crunch, KABOOOOOM!
The rocks at the western training ground were as tall as a house, judging by their size.
In other words, at least 3-4 meters tall and weighing 4-5 tons.
On the other hand, Ahn Sungho was 185 centimeters tall and weighed 80 kilograms.
To slam a 4-meter rock, a 185-centimeter person would have to uproot it from the bottom first.
Unfortunately, these rocks were not simply stuck in the ground.
They were originally connected to the ground, appearing as if they had been carved and risen.
KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOOOOM!!
Ahn Sungho successively slammed the rock.
Lost fragments flew in all directions like fireworks exploding.
‘Even for the sergeant, this is impossible with human strength. Does that mean his rank has risen?’
[Definitely Catch You]
World Spirit Rank System: B⁺⁺⁺
Guarantees the capture of a designated target.
Limited to a certain distance, and the user must physically go to the target’s location.
The time taken to travel the distance is omitted.
Training beyond the limits allowed to humans is possible.
When throwing an object, a certain amount of the object’s weight is ignored (up to four times the user’s own weight).
Overall Combat Ability: A⁺(?)
Perhaps due to the weather, the expected billowing sand and dust were absent. However, the trainees who witnessed the unbelievable scene raised a dense silence.
“Crazy….”
Those who had secretly harbored complaints against Ahn Sungho silently erased their grudges.
That’s a monster.
Is someone who smashes rocks like that truly human?
At least, definitely not a high school student.
“This is how you do it. Do you understand?”
“…….”
The silence of the trainees continued. It wasn’t a protest; they simply had nothing to say.
“Trainees? Can’t you hear the instructor?”
“Ah, ahhh! Aaaaaah!!”
“Starting with number 1. Begin.”
1 out of 367.
The only trainee among them who could potentially threaten the instructor.
“Hmph.”
The representative face of the 2nd Company slowly walked towards Ahn Sungho and the rocks.
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of footsteps, muffled by the rain, seemed particularly distinct when Kim Seyun walked.
The White Jade Goblin of the 2nd Company was the only one in the battalion who could be compared to Ahn Sungho.
Who would win in a fight between White Jade Goblin and Sergeant Ahn Sungho?
For those with a penchant for gossip, these two were always an interesting topic.
It would be quite an amusing situation if one could determine the upper hand, even just through a punching power game.
Kim Seyun grabbed the scabbard at her waist.
“Let’s try this.”
She had been equipped with the Four Disasters Sword throughout this training session. It was her way of making up for the mistake she made during the Pest incident, at least mentally.
“[White Jade Goblin.]”
As Kim Seyun drew the Four Disasters Sword, the constellations etched on the blade gracefully danced.
Merely drawing the sword heightened the focus of the onlookers.
Even the smallest actions of a master in any field carry a weight of significance.
[White Jade Goblin]
World Spirit Rank System: A
Manifests the White Jade Goblin on the caster’s body.
Current Generation Goblin: Sword Expert Intermediate
Overall Combat Ability: A (B⁺↑)
The horn sprouting on her forehead began to resonate with the Four Disasters Sword.
Whoosh!
A subtle yet heavy energy rose from the hilt.
The constellations, which had been dancing with the raindrops, now exploded in sync with blue flames.
The aura, also known as sword energy, was manifested by the youthful master.
“Start, number 1.”
“Do you remember when we first met in the battalion?”
Kim Seyun quietly spoke so only Ahn Sungho could hear.
“…I remember.”
“I acknowledge you as a sergeant… but still, if we fight, I’ll win.”
“So, you’re speaking informally because of that? Oddly enough, you only burn with fighting spirit towards me. It’s better to let that out on just anyone. This is advice.”
Kim Seyun stood in front of the rock. She hadn’t realized how enormous it was until Ahn Sungho had slammed it.
‘Hmph… Sergeant Ahn Sungho managed to smash so many of these….’
“Hurry and start, number 1.”
“Haaaaaaap!!”
The sword energy, rising more than a meter high, vertically split the rock.
Crack-crack-crack-crack!!
The blue flames easily penetrated the rock like slicing through soft tofu. While not smashing it in one blow like Ahn Sungho, it was sufficiently powerful.
“Goblin Swordsmanship!!”
The Four Disasters Sword amplified the energy possessed by the White Jade Goblin.
The three split forms of Kim Seyun were all serious and deliberate. Each one, embodying a sincere strike, simultaneously attacked horizontally, upper right, and upper left.
Boom… Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble, Boom.
The rocks, precisely split into equal sizes, fell to the ground along with the raindrops.
“Kim Seyun did it!!”
“Crazy… As expected, is the Goblin among the top in the battalion?”
The trainees, forgetting their roles, simply exclaimed in pure admiration.
If Ahn Sungho’s feat showcased the magnitude of power, Kim Seyun’s displayed sharpness and precision simultaneously.
“…….”
Ju Ye also silently appreciated the superhuman achievements.
Currently, in terms of rank, Ju Ye was higher and as an instructor, a superior.
However, superhumans like Kim Seyun would pay little heed to ordinary people like Ju Ye.
‘Damn it… It’s all about the inherent value you’re born with.’
Knowing it yet unable to stop the bitter smile that crept up.
Ju Ye pressed down her combat cap deeply to hide her sullen face.
‘Different levels of value. Can’t even imagine catching up…’
‘Hmph… I still have a long way to go. I’ll catch up soon enough, just wait.’
Kim Seyun sheathed the Four Disasters Sword back into its scabbard.
Ahn Sungho truly was a monster among monsters.
Kim Seyun wanted to destroy as many rocks as Ahn Sungho, but she had to be satisfied with just one.
Although their styles were different, the difference in power was stark.
“Next. Number 2, come out.”
“Real golden spoons, all of them. Someday, I’ll throw those shiny golden spoons, including everything else, right into the trash.”
The magic swordsman of the 10th Squad, the deputy, became the representative of the 2nd Company.
Byun Kiyoung, the second trainee who was called out, followed up with an attack on the rock.
‘Byun Kiyoung is… sadly, in the same category as me.’
Ju Ye thought this, watching Byun Kiyoung begin his struggle.
[Pulls out what was tucked in and swings it]
World Spirit Rank System: B⁺
Overall Combat Ability: B
An Edeya that can become an incredible power depending on the environment, but still at the level of ordinary people.
Byun Kiyoung pulled out everything he could, throwing, swinging, and stabbing.
“Break!”
It would have been best if he could just pull out the rock itself.
Unfortunately, the rock was still too big for Byun Kiyoung to pull out, and it wasn’t even embedded in the first place.
After a minute of wildly hitting it with a tree, it was the tree that ended up shattered.
“Damn it!”
The rock Byun Kiyoung hit only ended up with its top broken and full of cracks.
Compared to the two superhumans, it was a mediocre effort, but still respectable.
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll score considering the damage you did to the rock and the characteristics of your Edeya.”
Ahn Sungho fairly scored, even those Edeyas that could only scratch the rock, taking their characteristics into careful consideration.
“Hm. Is it already my turn?”
“Now, next. Hm? Ah… the last one….”
Ahn Sungho’s hand, busy scoring, stopped at the number 367.
Finally, it was the last turn.
‘This is somewhat intriguing.’
Aside from Kim Seyun and Byun Kiyoung, there were no particularly special trainees.
What was interesting, however, was the notable performance of the Light Zombie Squad.
[Break it down!]
[It’s a contest to see whether I break or you break!]
Despite being assigned to the 5th Squad, considered a less favored group, all 30 members achieved excellent results.
They achieved this peculiar outcome by relentlessly hitting the rock as if they were devouring it.
[We did it!]
[We actually did it!!]
With relatively poor Edeyas and absolutely inferior combat power, they overwhelmed trainees who were superior to them.
It was as if they were declaring that the gap in rank with others was not even a gap.
And finally,
“Hehe.”
Park Jinsung, representing the epitome of the term ‘inferior,’ stood in front of a massive rock, six meters in size.
Leave a Reply