Chapter 24

 

Why does the bad premonition never seem to be wrong?

 

Seo Woojin gritted his teeth and thought.

 

“Keep your lower body strong!”

 

Skkk-!

 

With the voice of Van Slaine, blood sprayed from his thigh.

 

A sharp pain was felt.

 

But Seo Woojin didn’t care.

 

He had suffered too much from Van Slaine until now for his movement to become stiff like this.

 

“Hmph!”

 

He planted both legs firmly on the ground and lowered his sword.

 

The air split and a black sword fell on Van Slaine’s head.

 

It was a lightning-fast attack.

 

But the opponent was Van Slaine.

 

He is one of the strongest in this world.

 

Most knights couldn’t react properly to attacks that could split their heads, but he easily avoided it by just tilting his head.

 

Kwagwagwack-!

 

The magical power that flowed from the tip of Seo Woojin’s sword plowed the ground.

 

“You’re still wasting your strength. Focus!”

 

It was tremendous power, but to Van Slaine, it seemed like a simple waste of magic power.

 

The dregs of magical power that could not be condensed into the sword flowed out.

 

Of course, this was a great thing, but Van Slein was hoping for more.

 

Then, Seo Woojin’s sword embroidered the empty space.

 

Van Slaine admired the flowing movements like water.

 

Nine months since returning from the subjugation.

 

During that time, Van Slaine had trained Seo Woojin rigorously.

 

From swordsmanship and magic power manipulation to tactics.

 

Excluding eating and sleeping, he focused solely on training.

 

Not only that, but daily practical training against higher-ranked knights was also intense.

 

Thanks to that, Seo Woojin became stronger.

 

Although his level remained the same because he could not hunt monsters, his skills themselves had become so proficient that they could not even be compared to when he was subjugating them.

 

Van Slaine didn’t consider level as the absolute measure of strength.

 

Of course, it is true that the more you level up, the stronger you become.

 

However, that alone was nothing more than an empty shell.

 

No matter how much magical power and skills you possess, what does it matter?

 

To truly become strong, one must know how to handle them properly.

 

So, he vigorously taught Seo Woojin the ways of the sword.

 

The result was this.

 

Slash!

 

‘That’s amazing!’

 

Van Slaine looked at his silver hair, which was falling down.

 

No matter how much he restricted his strength, Seo Woojin’s sword had cut through his hair.

 

Testeron, no, it was something that no one in Sion could have done.

 

And now, a mere novice who had held a sword for less than a year had accomplished it.

 

It was an astonishingly rapid growth.

 

“Let’s stop here.”

 

Clang!

 

With a clear sound, Seo Woojin’s sword came to a halt.

 

“Huff, huff.”

 

Rough breaths could be heard.

 

Well, it wasn’t surprising.

 

Seo Woojin had been sparring with Van Slaine for a whopping three hours.

 

“You seem to have improved a bit now.”

 

“R-really?”

 

“Of course. It’s still a long way to go, but it’s a remarkable progress compared to when I first saw you.”

 

Van Slaine praised him as if impressed, but Seo Woojin’s expression showed no joy.

 

It had been a whole nine months.

 

He had dedicated himself to training, even cutting down on sleep, and all he had to show for it was trimming a few strands of hair.

 

So, there was hardly any room for satisfaction.

 

However, it couldn’t be denied that there had been significant progress.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Seo Woojin bowed his waist towards Van Slaine and expressed gratitude.

 

Honestly, the fact that he was training with him wasn’t very pleasant.

 

Because he never knew when he might make a mistake and reveal that he was the Demon King.

 

Nevertheless, he accepted his proposal to start training because he needed to become stronger.

 

Fortunately, Van Slaine showed no interest in Seo Woojin’s skills.

 

He focused only on using his body and manipulating his mana.

 

Thanks to this, Seo Woojin achieved considerable growth.

 

In return, he suffered enough to almost die.

 

“No, rather, I should be more thankful to you for teaching me without questioning.”

 

Van Slaine looked at Seo Woojin with satisfied eyes.

 

“It’s been almost a year since you came here.”

 

Exactly 11 months.

 

“You’ve changed a lot during that time.”

 

In physique, personality, and mindset.

 

“It’s all thanks to everyone for their help.”

 

“Haha, what did we do?”

 

Van Slaine extended his hand.

 

It wasn’t just a gesture of humility.

 

In reality, Sion’s support was absurdly insufficient compared to other kingdoms.

 

There was no money in the kingdom, so it couldn’t be helped.

 

“But still, didn’t you train me like this?”

 

Seo Woojin was the first person Van Slaine directly taught.

 

Even the knights of the Massive Guardians only received occasional advice.

 

“All I can do is that, nothing more…”

 

Van Slaine made an embarrassed expression.

 

Then, perhaps trying to change the atmosphere, he shifted the conversation.

 

“It seems today will be the last day we spar like this.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Seo Woojin chuckled for a moment, then nodded.

 

“Yes, it seems that way.”

 

Every Hero grows with support from their respective kingdoms.

 

That period is one year.

 

After that, they are supposed to return to the empire for systematic training.

 

“I would have liked to send you after participating in this year’s expedition, but unfortunately, time doesn’t allow it.”

 

It would have been possible if the subjugation had been brought forward by a few months.

 

However, that would increase the burden on the soldiers.

 

From Van Slaine’s point of view, he would have wanted to be fully prepared before heading out for the subjugation.

 

That way, it would be possible to reduce the sacrifices of the soldiers.

 

“Well, we can’t help it.”

 

Seo Woojin also seemed a little disappointed and ate his appetite.

 

If he had participated in the subjugation once more time, he could have raised his level considerably.

 

“I heard the other guys are already over level 20?”

 

Except for Seo Woojin, most of the Heroes had surpassed level 20 a long time ago.

 

Among them, the fastest one had reached level 30…

 

Seo Woojin, who was only at level 10, was significantly behind.

 

“So, are you worried?”

 

Van Slaine asked.

 

To that, Seo Woojin chuckled.

 

“No way.”

 

Level is not everything.

 

He keenly felt that over the past 9 months.

 

Seo Woojin did not worry that he would be lacking compared to other Heroes.

 

“Alright then.”

 

Van Slaine seemed satisfied with Seo Woojin’s confident demeanor and nodded.

 

“Let’s rest today and tomorrow, and then set out the day after tomorrow.”

 

“Understood.”

 

There’s nothing particularly worth mentioning, but he has formed some connections here.

 

Since the number isn’t large, he should be able to bid farewell and finish preparations for departure in a day.

 

“Oh, and Irene decided to go with you.”

 

“…What?”

 

What is this about?

 

He had become quite friendly with her.

 

The atmosphere that had been awkward between them disappeared a long time ago as they fought side by side, and after daily training with swords, it was no longer difficult for them not to become close.

 

By now, they had reached a point where they could speak comfortably to each other.

 

“Irene is a member of the Blue Shield Knights, right?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Is it okay for her to leave the Massive Guardians?”

 

Especially at a time when the expedition was approaching?

 

“It’s a bit regrettable to lose an intermediate knight at this time, but it’s what the girl desires.”

 

Irene had become an intermediate knight through her training so far.

 

She might not be comparable to Seo Woojin, but she was also growing at an incredible speed.

 

‘No, that’s not important.’

 

Is this what she wanted?

 

For her, who takes pride in being the guardian of the North, to leave the Massive Guardians?

 

“Don’t refuse. Anyway, if you’re heading to the Empire, you’ll need a guide, won’t you?”

 

“Well, that’s true, but…”

 

An intermediate knight as a guide.

 

I don’t know what luxury this is.

 

“Phew… I understand.”

 

Since she volunteered herself, and Van Slaine approved, there was no reason to refuse.

 

He just found it a bit strange.

 

“Then, let’s rest for today.”

 

Van Slaine patted Seo Woojin on the shoulder and turned to leave the training ground.

 

‘The Empire…’

 

He had momentarily lost himself in Irene’s story, but what was important now was not that.

 

One hundred Heroes gathered in one place after a year.

 

In the midst of them, what should he, the Demon King, do?

 

It was time to think about that.

 

Their farewell was brief.

 

Actually, because Seo Woojin didn’t exchange greetings with many people.

 

Testeron, Gerald and Jo Han.

 

And some soldiers who lived and died together.

 

After finishing the brief greetings with them, Seo Woojin faced Van Slaine for the last time.

 

“Thank you for everything.”

 

At first, he was reluctant.

 

No, even now, it was the same.

 

But it was true that he received a lot of help from him.

 

He didn’t express it outwardly as before.

 

‘Gratitude is gratitude.’

 

If it weren’t for Van Slaine, Seo Woojin might not have survived.

 

Even if he miraculously survived, he wouldn’t have become as strong as he is now.

 

In many ways, Van Slaine was like a benefactor.

 

“Our parting won’t last long.”

 

The arrival of the Demon King was imminent.

 

Exactly when the war would begin was uncertain, but according to the predictions of each country, it would be within five years at the latest.

 

It could even be as soon as tomorrow.

 

When that time came, Seo Woojin would meet Van Slaine once again.

 

‘I hope it’s not the Demon King’s army against the Hero’s army.’

 

Thinking so, Seo Woojin shook Van Slaine’s hand.

 

“I hope you come as slowly as possible.”

 

In many ways, that would be better.

 

“I wish the same.”

 

How Van Slaine took Seo Woojin’s words was met with laughter.

 

Then, he looked at Irene.

 

She stood silently next to Seo Woojin, just as cold as when he first saw her.

 

“It’s a long way to the Empire.”

 

“I understand.”

 

A distant journey that takes only a month to travel.

 

“I believe you’ll handle things well, but still, take care of yourself.”

 

Van Slaine’s words were filled with concern and warmth.

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Irene hesitated for a moment and then saluted.

 

And so, the farewell came to an end.

 

No grand ceremony, no lingering goodbyes, not even the usual jokes.

 

As if it were an everyday occurrence, the two departed from Massive Guardian.

 

Anticipating a reunion not too far away.

 

‘I’m finally going back.’

 

Rather than excitement and anticipation, there was more worry and anxiety.

 

Hoping that nothing out of the ordinary would happen, Seo Woojin walked towards the Empire with Irene.