3. Start training (4)
No one knows the true identity of the dungeon.
Except for one person, Ian, a regressor.
The Pride Empire, the largest nation of mankind and the forefront.
To the north is the land of demons.
Humans and demons, who had only had minor quarrels, openly opposed each other at a certain point in time.
The starting point is before Ian even came.
The war started like that.
There are two methods of invasion of the demons that Ian has figured out.
to strike openly on the ground.
And, using an unknown ‘portal’ to create a dungeon in human land and attack from the inside.
Ian couldn’t figure out the identity of the portal.
In any case, those who professionally solve such dungeons and fight demons and monsters on the northern front are the warriors.
“A grade dungeon, it has been about 5 days since it appeared. The monsters that inhabit it are the Red Ogre and the Half Hydra. The boss monster has not been identified.”
“… What?”
Kylie, who had been drinking cold water, gave a sharp shot.
Beatrice, who was seated across from her, had the same reaction.
“Are you kidding me?”
Sylvia, who was sitting next to her, also raised her eyes.
Arya blinked as if she was just thinking about those words.
Penny didn’t know why they were doing this.
‘Why are they fucking?’
Arya pondered for a long time before opening her mouth.
“You don’t know the boss monster?”
“yes. It hasn’t been long since it appeared, and it’s an A-class dungeon, so it’s not easy to organize a scouting party.”
“What does that matter?”
“… yes?”
Penny can’t follow Arya’s words.
Even more embarrassing was the reaction of the rest of the members agreeing with Aria’s words.
“Ian gave me all the information about SS-class dungeons.”
Those were Sylvia’s words.
Penny then realized why they were doing this.
‘Philip… . Did you even know the information about the dungeon?’
I don’t know if such a thing is possible.
But judging from their reactions, it seems to be true.
Philip, who knows the dungeon, provides information to Ian, and Ian informs them.
In the process, Ian wrapped it all up as if he had done it himself.
A plausible process was completed in Penny’s head.
“I think we promised to provide a better environment than before. I didn’t do anything right.”
Kylie grumbled.
Penny couldn’t just sit still.
“So! You wouldn’t have done this if you hadn’t just let Philip’s papers burn!”
“His Philip, Philip!”
Kylie, impatient, jumped up and pointed.
“Same goes for the drunkards from last night, looking dirty for Philip! Who the hell is that bastard!”
“How many times have I told you! The real manager of this party behind Ian!”
“That’s that shit again!”
Kylie nervously threw the glass away.
The glass passed the side of Penny’s face.
At a speed faster than the wind, my hair was about to be torn out.
Penny swallowed involuntarily.
Even though he was a warrior himself, he couldn’t react at all.
“Listen carefully. Philip is Ian’s attendant.”
“That’s because you were tricked… .”
“What we were deceived about was money and business! How many times do I have to tell you to understand? Wasn’t this already agreed upon?”
“How can you be sure of that? You guys might be tricked!”
“How sure? All of us have been with Ian since the beginning!”
“what… ?”
“It was Ian who took us, who had no money, and put us in this seat! Of course, I didn’t know the truth at the time!”
“No way… .”
There is a crack in the truth that Penny had believed so far.
A very large, dangerous crack.
I couldn’t believe it.
From the beginning, there was disagreement with the warrior party.
Those who deny the existence of Philip and myself who wants to know it.
However, it made sense that Ian had tricked them, so they agreed to kick him out.
The problem was then.
The party got louder and louder.
I believed that I would just have to get in touch with Philip, but they say that Philip is not that kind of person.
It doesn’t even seem like a lie.
“So, then I spread it, what the hell is the girl Sylvia… .”
“Sylvia the beggar girl?”
Sylvia tilted her head in puzzlement.
Beatrice seemed to know.
“Ah, that kind of thing was going around anyway. I thought it was just nonsense from people who have nothing to do?”
“What… ?”
Penny looked at Sylvia with questioning eyes.
“I’m hearing this for the first time? It seems like they were talking about something at a drinking party… .”
“I guess so. You’re a bookworm who only knows magic. Well, there is such a thing. The person who picked you up in the past and raised you until now is a human named Philip. I heard it’s popular in Superbia, but it’s been quite a while since we left there. I actually heard about it yesterday.”
Beatrice was as calm as anyone else would say.
Penny could never be complacent.
“Or was it Ian? You do a lot of that. It’s about exaggerating or refining whatever you’re talking about.”
Philip, Ian.
Ian, Philip.
The two shimmered in Penny’s mind like a haze.
‘what… . how this… .’
“Tsk. That’s not helpful. Ian would have been better if this was the case.”
Penny’s embarrassment was broken by Kylie’s words.
Although she came here for Philip, she was also a greedy woman.
Fame, money, recognition.
I couldn’t stand still at this insult.
“So, did you enjoy such a splendid night thanks to me, who is worse than Ian? Yes?”
“Kuhm.”
Kylie turned her head away and averted her gaze.
The stain on his collar was red from the binge drinking, and his body still smelled of alcohol.
“You must have received a lot of money that had nothing to do with dungeons or demons while working with nobles. It’s funny that it’s all because of me who is worse than Ian.”
The other warriors also shut their mouths.
In fact, he talked to the nobles, shared drinks, and received money for nothing.
Ian has thoroughly ruled this out.
If you have time to hang out with nobles, have a light drink.
When they drank, they made them drink only among themselves.
Knowing the personalities of the four people I saw in the second playthrough, I did it to prevent accidents in advance.
Of course, they have no way to know that.
In addition, all financial support or favors not through Ian have been rejected.
So, for the first time, they drank in peace and enjoyed the shower of goodwill.
“This thing, Philip… . ha, that’s crazy First I’ll find out more. That said, aren’t you guys the ones who can’t go to the dungeon?”
“Sounds natural.”
Kylie snorted.
Sylvia and Beatrice also looked confident.
No matter what anyone said, they were mankind’s strongest force.
However, Arya noticed a bit.
“In that case, please allow only our party to enter this time.”
Several parties can enter the dungeon.
There is no particular limit, but basically only up to three parties.
This is because too many people can get tangled up and get hurt.
Arya’s request was a question not only to Penny but also to the other warriors.
Even if you don’t receive the reward, there are many people who want to see the first party at least once.
And first party parties enjoy showing themselves superior in front of them.
However, Arya has now rejected it.
“Do you even need to do that?”
“Ugh… . It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a dungeon. Aren’t you sure? I don’t even know the boss monster.”
Penny looked around at the other three.
Sylvia seemed to agree, and the other two looked a bit regretful.
“What would you like to do?”
“Hmm… .”
The two who were worried soon nodded to Arya’s opinion.
“It’s okay to do that just this once.”
“That’s right, it’s us, but nothing special will happen, right?”
“All right. That’s what I’m trying to do with some power. We will inform you of the departure schedule again. Then, please rest in peace.”
Penny left the parlor with the four warriors.
“ha… .”
Even when I let out a deep sigh, the discomfort inside was not relieved.
couldn’t stop
Penny strode along, organizing her work.
‘Dungeon poisoning. And, Ian. I need to recognize this guy.’
***
“Whoa, whoa… .”
Breathing in and out violently, and heart beating as if it were going to run out.
His whole body was wet with sweat, but he felt refreshed.
You can feel the lively blood flowing through your body.
“Whoa, whoa… .”
Vivian was running.
Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth.
Support the upper body by giving strength to the stomach, and only the front part of the feet touches the ground.
It’s been a week since I’ve been following Ian’s instructions.
The first time I ran, I was out of breath, but now I can do it.
The speed was also much faster, so it was close to Ian’s suggested time.
I ate well, moved well, and slept well for a week, so I gained weight in a healthy way.
He was still skinny, but he was beyond skinny.
The clothes Ian bought me were too big when I first received them, but they are gradually fitting my body.
I felt that not only my appearance was changing, but also my inner self.
Every time my heart beats through my body, my mouth fills with breath, and my muscles scream.
I realized that my body was alive on this earth.
I was full of energy every day, and while I ate, rested, and ran, I had no thoughts.
like me
like me
The words that had stuck more firmly to my heart than to my mouth gradually fell away.
Another horse took its place.
‘I can do it too.’
The last 10 laps of the day, a week since I started running.
Vivian, who finished the race, stood in front of Ian with her heart racing.
Raising the slime hammer, he looked at his pocket watch.
‘Are you late today… .’
My posture has improved, and my speed has picked up a bit.
It was not easy to reach the time zone Ian wanted.
I got used to being hit by that hammer, but I still wanted to live up to Ian’s expectations.
“Hmm.”
Ian, who was looking at his pocket watch, raised his hammer.
Thinking of getting hit again, Vivian lowered her head.
‘But tomorrow must be… .’
“Congratulations.”
“… yes?”
“I got it on time. today.”
Vivian was startled and raised her head.
The hammer in my hand was gone.
“For now, let’s just do it like today.”
“… !”
Vivian closed her mouth tightly and took a deep breath.
Water flickered in his widened eyes.
“To reach it in a week, good job!”
Mercy, sitting on Ian’s shoulder, praised.
Katie didn’t say anything, but I could sense that she looked at Vivian favorably.
Vivian was a very strange person.
Even with the eyes closed, subtle emotions are conveyed.
“Even if this guy spoke so bluntly, he would still be happy in his heart!”
“Quiet.”
Came in on time.
It met Ian’s expectations.
In a different sense than when I was running, my heart was beating loudly.
“Kiyaaah-!”
As if bursting with emotions that were bubbling up inside, Vivian shouted, cheering.
A few wannabes around looked at her, but didn’t care.
Ian smiled as he saw Vivian happy to the fullest.
‘He laughs often these days.’
Vivian smiled and looked at Ian.
With my heart pounding for complex reasons, I felt the person in front of me was too big.
His smile, though very silly and light, was warmer than the spring sunlight.
*
As the days went by, Vivian’s flesh and muscles got better and her stamina improved.
After a week of running, Ian also added quickness training.
Two hourglasses placed at a certain distance are reciprocated and overturned within time.
Agility was also important to deal with any situation.
Like running, it was slow at first, but Vivian quickly got used to it.
Ian also re-taught the process of opening the mana circuit.
It was about recognizing incoming breath and clearly awakening each and every sense of the body from head to toe.
Vivian repeated circuit training whenever she had a chance.
Ian was too eager to see it, but he didn’t stop it.
Endurance, quickness training.
And training to open the mana circuit.
After all that process, finally on the morning of the 14th day.
“I will use magic today.”
Ian declared.
“yes!”
*
behind the camp.
There were sparse people in the space wider than the playground.
This is because it is dangerous because it is a place where practical skills are practiced.
Swords were wielded everywhere, magic and arrows flew around.
Ian and Vivian also settled in a corner.
A scarecrow made of straw was seen in the front.
“Don’t be too nervous.”
“Yes, yes… .”
Vivian was excited just this morning.
It was also a magic that was used in 14 days, and I was curious about the results so far.
However, when I faced the situation where I would use real magic, my whole body trembled.
‘What if it doesn’t work out? If I betray Ian’s expectations because I’m incompetent… . I bought you nice clothes like this… .’
It was a monumental day, so I wore the magician’s robe that Taylor had given me.
The olive color matching her eyes was neatly decorated on a white cloth.
I wore it to cheer up, but it was rather burdensome.
On the other hand, Ian was calm.
I couldn’t tell if I wasn’t expecting it or if I didn’t suspect failure.
“One shot of the ice spear. Fast, precise and strong. You need to pay attention to all three conditions.
“yes… !”
“And don’t close your eyes when casting. You must have practiced.”
“Yes, I will try…” .”
take one big breath
Vivian opened and closed her eyes, opening the mana circuit.
Immediately after that, every wannabe in the vicinity had to turn their heads towards Vivian.