Chapter 39 : Swordsmanship Training #6 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

Throb. His chest began to throb. The reason to get stronger. The sincerity perceived in his gaze. An orphan. A child who lost his family. As she pieced together these fragmented pieces of information, one conclusion formed. "...Revenge." Did he decide to become stronger to avenge his lost family? Was it really that Kim Geun Cheol resolved to become strong to take revenge for his parents? "Like me...?" Woo Yoori murmured, her voice tinged with emptiness. She too had experienced the loss of a family member: her slightly awkward brother. He was competent, but he perished five years ago. Awakeners from the fallen Russia colluded with minor Chinese generals and monsters from another dimension, infiltrating various nations and supplying large quantities of drugs made from monster materials. These drugs allowed even ordinary people to feel fragments of magical energy. While they couldn't awaken anyone, they granted the sensation of magic—a foreign allure—and provided a highly addictive pleasure, spreading rapidly. Humans, whose judgment was impaired by these drugs, blindfully believed the extreme lies that they could awaken through them. However, the most terrifying aspect wasn’t the addiction. Those who excessively consumed these drugs transformed into creatures similar to monsters or strange beings. Their bodies twisted, developing chitin. These devolved monsters attacked nearby humans to sate their hunger. They were parasitic weapons created by the strange beings. Weapons disguised as drugs. Eventually, a large-scale extermination operation began, during which her brother died. Woo Yoori, amidst her tears, vowed to become stronger. She vowed to become a genuinely strong educator to prevent those she taught from dying. She pledged to strengthen the awakeners' forces and join the front lines. "Oh." She realized she had spoken harshly without knowing. "No, it's just that..." Guilt weighed heavily on her. Had she known the circumstances, she wouldn't have said such things. She thought it was tragic for someone so young and inexperienced to die on the battlefield, so she spoke harshly without realizing it. She had insulted someone who had sworn to avenge their family. Even if weak, determination could lead anyone to strength... She spoke harshly without truly understanding. Words, once spoken, couldn't be taken back. A hot sensation crept down her spine, and regret slowly bubbled up. "Damn..." She felt the throbbing in her chest. Woo Yoori collapsed onto her bed. "I didn't know..." It was all because he seemed just a bit awkward. * * * "Sihoo! Let's play!" "Stop yelling in the dorms!" "Come out quickly." With that, Sihoo came out swiftly, and they headed to school together. "Hey, Sihoo. I practiced the swordsmanship you taught me yesterday in the dorm. Can you check my stance later? I feel like I've become a sword master." "Geun Cheol... No matter how I think about it, that's nonsense." "Huh? Do you want to see it? Should I show you here?" "Don't pose on the street!" "Why can't I do anything, Sihoo? If I can assess the results of my learning, I don't care about others' gazes." "Please, care a bit!" How does one even manage to do that? Anyway, they entered the classroom together. As they entered, Ken and Brian greeted them warmly. "Hey, scream guy's here." "Oh! Madness Screamer! Nice to see you!" "Yeah, good to see you." He returned their greetings casually and went to his seat. "Hey, Ryu Cheon Hwi? A friend came, and you don't even greet him? Do you still call yourself a friend?" "What?! This idiot is spouting nonsense right from the morning! Who said he's a friend?" "Me." "Shut up!" Despite his cheerful greeting, Ryu Cheon Hwi remained as prickly as ever. "Have you forgotten our bond over cola, you jerk?" "This Taliban jerk, talking about cola! If you want, I'll buy a truckload of explosives like that for you, so stop talking to me!" "Damn, sweet! Deliver it to my dorm!" "Damn it!" With his arms crossed, Ryu Cheon Hwi turned his head towards the window. But really, would this guy deliver the cola? Anyway, as he was preparing for the morning theory class. —Thud. Someone suddenly approached him from the side. "Hmm?" Starting from the feet, he saw large sneakers and black leggings-like training pants. It was Woo Yoori, the swordsman who had spoken harshly to him. "What, Woo Yoori?" "...Hey." Avoiding his gaze with a hesitant expression, she called him. Did she have something to say? "Yeah. What is it?" "You... wanted to learn swordsmanship, right?" "What?! No way!" Was she going to teach him?! "Are you really going to teach me?!" "You asked to learn first, didn't you?" "Hey, hey! Thank you! Really, thank you!" He didn't expect she would agree to teach him so soon! She must be softer at heart than she lets on. His gratitude for Woo Yoori, no, for Miss Milk, was beginning to overflow. Great. Wasn't she the heir of a renowned swordsmanship family? That promised to be a huge help, if not a certainty. Even learning Taekwondo costs over a hundred thousand won a month, so having a friend teach him was the best outcome. "Wow! I didn't think you'd agree to my request so quickly! Thank you so much! If I learn from you, I'll instantly become a master, right?" "You really... No, forget it. Hey, Kim Geun Cheol." "Yeah, what?" "About yesterday..." "Yesterday?" "The harsh words I said... it’s just that..." Was she thinking of apologizing? Such a kind-hearted person. "I'm sorry. I just felt frustrated, and..." It seemed like she was really troubled by it. If she feels this sorry, it just makes me feel more guilty. I should accept her apology and reassure her that it's okay. That's just how I am—when someone genuinely shows remorse, I feel compelled to comfort them. "Heh heh, hey. Don't worry about it. Friends can do that sometimes, right? Woo Yoori, if you look at it, I was a bit too scared too. It's understandable. It's fine, so there's no need to apologize." As I comforted her like that, "You..." She looked at me with a face that seemed touched. "Heh heh, Woo Yoori. Hey? Don't sweat it between friends. I'm okay, so why are you even apologizing?" "...I'm fine." "Yeah. It's okay. Just shake it off." "..." "Anyway, Woo Yoori? Are you going to start teaching me today?" When I asked, "Sigh." Woo Yoori let out a breath and answered. "If you want, I can teach you starting today after class, but do you have the confidence to keep up?" "Of course! I have to work as hard as I can while I have the chance to learn! I'm like a wild horse charging toward my goal!" "Alright. Then stay after school." "Yahoo!!!!" Pure joy burst forth. This is so great. Should I treat her to a meal or something? "Hey, hey! Yoori! I'll treat you to a meal or something! Join me at lunchtime!" "Tr-treat? That's alright! Who's treating who here...! I'll go!" "Okay." —Whip! Woo Yoori quickly returned to her seat. "Heh heh, such a kind soul." I've got a great opportunity here. I should make sure to learn properly while I can. Even if it's just a month of intensive learning, I should be able to mimic swordsmanship. "...Geun Cheol." Then, Sihoo came over. "Hey! Sihoo! Did you hear? Yoori's going to teach me swordsmanship!" "I thought I was supposed to teach you." "Isn't it great to learn from both of you?" "..." For a moment, a shadow seemed to flicker across Sihoo's face. Why? "Hey, hey! Don't be mad! Are you upset because I'm keeping two teachers?" "Geun Cheol... you really..." "Like I said, I feel bad relying solely on you, Sihoo." "Seriously, it's okay." "Heh heh, still. There’s a bond between guys. Don't worry. I'll definitely become stronger." "A bond between guys... sigh. Anyway, Geun Cheol. Even if you're learning from Woo Yoori, you're still going to train with me. I'll make sure to toughen you up." "Yeah, got it. If I learn from both of you, I'll get doubly strong." I feel a bit guilty, like I'm putting too much burden on Sihoo. "I'll definitely surpass you." "Stop exaggerating. I really need to push you hard. Two teachers... I won't forgive that!" "I'll show my gratitude by learning properly." Anyway, if they’re willing to teach diligently, then it’s only right for me, Kim Geun Cheol, to wholeheartedly absorb what they're teaching. If I just sit around while my friends support me, I'd be a jerk. So until Instructor Lee So-ra came in, I kept chatting with Sihoo. Then Leona approached and spoke. "Kim Geun Cheol? Which day is better for you, Saturday or Sunday?" "Oh. Leona, what's that about?" "Between Saturday and Sunday, which do you prefer?" Is this about the time she asked me to make on the weekend? "Hold on a sec. Let me talk with Sihoo. Hey, Sihoo, when do you want to meet?" "Anytime on the weekend is fine..." "Is there something planned with Sihoo too?" "Uh, kind of." "Hmm, is that so?" Leona looked over at Sihoo. It was Sihoo who spoke up first. "Leona? Can I ask what you plan to do with Geun Cheol? We should set a time." "Heh, I could just say it's a 'noble pastime.' Oh, if you're interested, Sihoo, do you want to join? Handling Kim Geun Cheol on my own might be tough." "Join? Sure! I'm grateful to go with you!" "Then let's all go together on Saturday." Sihoo and Leona began to plan amongst themselves. But seriously, what exactly are they doing that requires controlling me? "Hey Leona. What exactly are we going to do?" "I told you, a noble pastime." "Is it something like boar hunting?" "Why on earth would I hunt boars?! Have you ever seen a lady engage in such absurdity?! You wanna go boar hunting now, do you?!" She looked quite fit for monster hunting, though. "Isn't it a noble pastime..." "Humph! Do I look like a medieval noble? I'm a modern noble, thank you very much!" —Heeerk. "I'll start the morning meeting now. Take your seats." In any case, Instructor Lee So-ra entered. Let's make sure to focus on today's lessons.