Episode 11
“Follow me. This is the barracks for Squad Seven.”
We were being led to Squad Seven’s barracks by Squad Leader Seolpung and Vice Leader Naseoyu.
After a complicated process during the squad assignments, Cheongyeon Sojeo, Cheon Ju-eun Sojeo, and I were all assigned to Squad Seven.
Honestly, I was just relieved not to be placed in Mayugyeom’s Squad Four—the absolute worst case. So ending up all together in Squad Seven was an unexpectedly great outcome.
When we arrived at the barracks, it was exactly as I remembered.
The place where I had spent seven years in my past life, where I became a warrior, made many friends, and lost many as well.
A bittersweet ache welled up in my chest.
The barracks was a long rectangular building, with a central common room and the sleeping quarters at each end—one side for men, the other for women.
Vice Leader Naseoyu took Cheongyeon Sojeo and Cheon Ju-eun Sojeo toward the women’s quarters, and Squad Leader Seolpung turned to me.
“There will definitely be some who try to assert dominance over newcomers. I hope you won’t take it too hard.”
There was a hint of worry in his eyes.
I knew exactly what he was concerned about. I had already endured it harshly in my previous life.
Suddenly, vivid memories of the first time I entered the barracks flooded back.
“What the hell? Hahaha! Is that a pig or a person? Should we just throw it to the monsters to eat? There’s no way they brought this thing here to fight with us, right?”
“The third son of the Sunwoo family? Ah, I remember now. The disgrace of the Sunwoo clan. And they actually brought that disgrace into our squad? Is the squad leader out of his mind?”
“Get lost, you disgusting pig! Just looking at your face is unlucky!”
I’m not sure if you could call it hazing, but back then, the overwhelming hatred and ostracism from strangers in a strange place made me secretly cry every night.
It was unbearably painful.
Of course, I eventually overcame all that pain and changed myself, but at that moment, I truly wanted to die.
Now, thinking about stepping back into that place again stirred a strange mix of emotions.
My heart pounding, I opened the dormitory door—and there they were.
“Oh, squad leader! A newbie?”
“Hahaha! Judging by your build, you eat as much as I do! Welcome!”
There were my old friends from my past life, Bisa Young and Bae Jong-gwan, greeting me warmly in their own way.
And then, the three idiots—Ha Mu-jin, Ji Man-geum, and Man Gu-in—clustered together, sneering just as I remembered.
“What’s this? They say a pig showed up?”
“What did you expect? There’s no way a decent newbie would join. Our squad leader is the squad leader, after all.”
“Heh heh heh, that’s true.”
Still, their insults were much milder than before, and I couldn’t help but think I was glad I’d lost weight.
As I looked around with a grateful smile, Squad Leader Seolpung introduced me.
“Everyone, this is Sunwoo Jin, the third son of the prestigious Sunwoo family from Guiju. The battlefield might still be unfamiliar, so please help him out.”
“Sunwoo family, huh?”
The expressions on Ha Mu-jin, Ji Man-geum, and Man Gu-in’s faces shifted subtly.
They were from the Ha family of Guiju, the Mando clan, and the Ji family, respectively, so they knew the Sunwoo family well.
Ha Mu-jin approached me with a sly grin.
“So, you’re the infamous disgrace of the Sunwoo family? Not a person, but a pig?”
Ji Man-geum chuckled nastily in agreement.
“Yeah, that’s right. The third son of the Sunwoo family. I remember you. The idiot who used to get beaten by his little brother. But you’ve lost some weight since then, huh? Back then, I really wondered if you were even from a warrior family.”
Hearing that, Ha Mu-jin stepped forward and poked my chest.
“Hey, was it tough getting here? A pig losing weight? You better fatten up fast. You gotta catch the monsters’ attention somehow, right? Heh heh heh.”
Their rude behavior wiped the smile off Squad Leader Seolpung’s face, and Bisa Young and Bae Jong-gwan frowned, stepping forward.
But I was still smiling brightly.
Their insults were far less severe than I remembered, and to me, they were all people who had already died.
Some had died trying to save me, others had died running away to survive—jerks all—but they were all dead. So even their behavior felt strangely welcome.
Grinning, I firmly grasped Ha Mu-jin’s hand.
“Good to see you, Ha Mu-jin.”
He blinked in surprise.
“Huh? You know me?”
I nodded cheerfully.
“Of course. But first, you’re going to get a beating.”
“What?”
In the next instant, his body spun through the air and crashed to the ground.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
It was a move from the Gale Eighteen Strikes, executed with Golden Nail technique.
The impact was so strong he foamed at the mouth.
Ji Man-geum, who had been laughing behind, gasped in shock.
“W-what are you doing?!”
Still smiling, I turned on him next.
“What do you mean? You called me an idiot, didn’t you?”
“You bastard!”
He scrambled to his feet and threw a punch.
Swish!
But his fist, from a mere second-rate warrior, was laughable to me.
Though my body was still second-rate, my mind was already top-tier first-rate.
Besides, the Gale Eighteen Strikes was an elite striking art. I easily dodged his punch and grabbed his neck.
Crack!
“Gah! Gah!”
I yanked him forward and drove my knee into his gut.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Finally, I spun him lightly through the air and slammed him down again.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Settling old scores from my past life felt incredibly satisfying.
Ah, this feels so good.
I floated briefly in the air, then landed lightly on Ha Mu-jin’s sprawled body.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Sorry, I’m still a bit heavy. Haven’t lost all the weight yet.
I glanced at Man Gu-in, who was sitting there with a dazed expression. He shook his head nervously.
“I-I didn’t say anything!”
He was a bit slow-witted and not nearly as nasty, so I wasn’t sure whether to leave him alone or give him a fair beating too.
Just then, the door opened, and someone entered the dormitory.
“What’s going on here?”
Seeing his face, I couldn’t help but smile again.
Finally, the leader had arrived.
Jum Taekyung, the cancerous presence within Squad Seven who constantly clashed with Squad Leader Seolpung, had come in late.
He was accompanied by his two followers—the three idiots Ha Mu-jin, Ji Man-geum, and Man Gu-in.
Seeing his followers lying in a sorry state, he glared sharply at me.
“I asked what’s going on here.”
I smiled brightly and bowed slightly.
“Nice to meet you, Leader. I’m Sunwoo Jin, the new member of Squad Seven. As soon as I arrived, these guys kindly called me a pig and an idiot, so I thought I’d return the favor. And you are?”
He narrowed his eyes but replied coldly.
“I am Jum Taekyung of the Spear Sect.”
He took great pride in being a disciple of the Spear Sect.
So much so that he couldn’t stand being a subordinate of the unknown Squad Leader Seolpung, and he refused to join in the low-level antics of his own followers.
Apparently, upon hearing that they had insulted me, he decided not to get involved.
That was fortunate for me.
His current skill level was probably mid-tier first-rate, which was a bit much for my second-rate body to handle.
I was about to let him walk away arrogantly after just stating his name, but then Squad Leader Seolpung smiled and spoke to him.
“We have two female members joining us as well. Why not join us for dinner and greet them properly?”
Jum Taekyung glanced at him with a look of contempt and just passed by without a word.
His attitude was so rude it made me boil with anger.
That bastard!
In my past life, he had constantly challenged Squad Leader Seolpung, who tried to keep the squad together, always causing trouble.
Eventually, that led to losing someone we couldn’t afford to lose.
After that, Squad Leader Seolpung had no choice but to change his approach—but by then, it was too late.
That memory made me hesitate for a moment.
If I let that guy be, he’d only become a cancer within the squad.
So it was clear that stamping him out early was the best course of action.
The problem is, his mid-tier first-rate spear skill is a bit much for me to handle right now.
But after some thought, I made up my mind.
I didn’t have to deal with him directly—I could use Squad Leader Seolpung to handle it. And if that didn’t work, I could provoke him now and take care of him later.
Either way, leaving a festering wound like him alone would only make things worse.
Besides, I had already reached the pinnacle of first-rate skill before, so once my body caught up, I’d have a chance.
Alright, time to stir the pot a little.
What did he hate the most again?
A sly smile spread across my face as I opened my mouth with a mocking tone.
“Oh, come to think of it, you’re Master Joo Tae-kyung of the Jeomchang Sect, aren’t you? I’ve heard a lot about you. They say you’re called the ‘Jeomchang Sword Serpent,’ right?”
Jeomchang Sword Serpent (蜰). It meant a worm or a snake.
Among the disciples of Jeomchang, who were nicknamed after animals like Jeomchang Sword Dragon, Sword Tiger, or Sword Eagle, being called a mere serpent was Joo Tae-kyung’s current standing—and his deep source of inferiority.
Joo Tae-kyung spun around with a deadly glare and snapped, “What did you just say?”
I smiled innocently, clearly clueless about why he was so angry, and replied, “Jeomchang Sword Serpent. Isn’t that your nickname? That’s what I thought.”
He gripped his sword hilt tightly and said coldly, “You’ve done your homework too carelessly. That’s why you’ll die.”
Feigning shock, I quickly ducked behind Chief Seol Poong and said, “Oh dear, why are you like this?! Jeomchang Sword Serpent, Master Joo Tae-kyung!”
Realizing I was openly mocking him, his face twisted with rage as he shouted, “Step aside, Seol Poong! How dare you mock a disciple of the great Jeomchang Sect! I won’t let you live!”
But Chief Seol Poong just smiled calmly and replied, “You just arrived and don’t know him well yet. Just hold back this once. Besides, if you don’t release that sword, you’ll cross the line. I’m sure you don’t want that, do you?”
Though his tone was soothing, a heavy aura was steadily radiating from Seol Poong. Joo Tae-kyung hesitated, gritting his teeth.
He knew full well what kind of person Seol Poong was when he truly put his strength to use.
I clicked my tongue softly. I had hoped to rile him up enough to clash with the chief, but he’d already tucked his tail at just a stern look.
Snakes really are just snakes.
Still, Joo Tae-kyung didn’t back down completely, probably mindful of the onlookers.
“If a second-rate like you deceives a first-rate warrior, shouldn’t you pay the price?! You’re going to stop me from that too, Seol Poong?”
I answered right away.
“Oh, my apologies. I thought you, Jeomchang Sword Serpent Joo Tae-kyung, were the kind of bold man who wouldn’t sweat such trivial things, since you treated the chief so casually.”
“What did you say?!”
His face flushed bright red.
Beside me, my friend from a past life, Bi Sa-young, burst out laughing and clapped his hands.
“Hahaha! What a character! A real gem has just walked in!”
Bi Sa-young, who had always been at odds with Joo Tae-kyung, was clearly delighted beyond measure.
I smiled at him and continued.
“Besides, from what I see, Jeomchang Sword Serpent Joo Tae-kyung doesn’t stand a chance of catching up to the chief’s skill. But the gap between me and the serpent? I could close that in no time. Maybe a month or two at most?”
“What did you say?”
Now trembling all over, Joo Tae-kyung glared at me as if ready to devour me.
“Do you stand by those words?”
I grinned and shot back, “And what if I do?”
His eyes burned with deadly intent as he said, “Three months. I’ll give you three months. After that, fight me and prove it. The price will be your life. No complaints, since it’s your own challenge.”
“Fine. And if I win?”
I smiled broadly, as if certain I wouldn’t lose, and he looked like he was about to explode.
“Hah! Then I’ll die too, won’t I?!”
Though his answer was grim, I clicked my tongue and shook my head.
“No, no. You can’t do that. How could you let such a valuable comrade die fighting the demons? Here’s what we’ll do: if I win, you start calling me ‘brother.’ How’s that? That’s all I need.”
He glared at me as if ready to kill, then shouted toward Seol Poong, “This is his own doing! You won’t stop this, will you?!”
Without waiting for a reply, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Bang!
The three fools from Ha Ji-man’s group, who had been silently watching, hurried after him.
“Tae, Tae-kyung! Wait!”
“Let’s go together!”
“Me too!”
Even after they left, Bi Sa-young couldn’t stop laughing.
“Hahaha! That was so satisfying! You’re Sun Woo-jin, right? Let’s be friends. I think I’m going to admire you a lot. Hahaha!”
Bi Sa-young was a disciple of the nearly extinct Bi clan.
The Bi clan’s downfall was caused by the greed of the Jeomchang Sect, which led to the bloody conflict at Muhwangchong.
So Bi Sa-young, who already disliked the Jeomchang Sect, hated the arrogant and despicable Joo Tae-kyung even more.
For him, this whole scene was pure catharsis.
Then my old friend Bae Jong-gwan laughed heartily and said, “Hahaha! I liked you from the start! I just knew we’d get along. Hey, have you ever thought about becoming tougher than the demons? If you train that solid body of yours, it could be a great armor!”
Bae Jong-gwan, the only external martial artist among the Thirteenth Generation, was just as thrilled by what had just happened.
Their warm welcome—friends from a past life who had saved and died with me—made my heart ache.
Only Chief Seol Poong looked at me with concern and asked, “Are you sure? Though they call him the Sword Serpent, Joo Tae-kyung isn’t someone to take lightly. You seem like a low-tier second-rate, and catching up to a mid-level first-rate in three months seems unrealistic.”
I smiled confidently and replied, “Then Chief, why don’t you train me? Just push me hard enough to survive. I’m ready for it. And please, speak casually now—we’re comrades, and you’re older than me, aren’t you?”
He gave a dry chuckle, then said in a booming voice, “Alright. If you say so, Sun Woo Gongja. No, Sun Woo-jin. Since you put it that way, be prepared. I’ll push you until you want to die.”
“Yes, thank you!”
Bi Sa-young exchanged glances with Bae Jong-gwan, then interjected with a wary expression.
“Wait. You want to train with the chief? That’s really not a good idea. You haven’t seen it yet, but that kind of training is only for the top masters, friend.”
Sorry, but I’ve trained with him before.
And this time, I’m not planning to do it alone.
Time to bait the hook.
I smiled and asked the chief, “Only top masters can handle it? Is that so, Chief?”
“No, I’ve been training like this since I first started martial arts.”
Hearing that, I looked at Bi Sa-young with a disappointed expression and said, “So it’s not just for top masters, but training that can make you one. You seemed like a real man at first glance, but maybe you’re less confident than you appear?”
Though still only a second-rate in skill, Bi Sa-young’s pride was sky-high. He hated being pitied or looked down on more than anything.
So moving him was easy.
My provocation made Bi Sa-young flare up immediately.
“No way! I’m someone who’s confident in everything!”
His strong denial made me respond half-heartedly, as if not really believing him but willing to let it slide.
“Oh, really? Hmm.”
Then the furious fish jumped out of the water himself.
“Fine! I’ll show you! I’ll gladly train with you for that kind of challenge!”
Of course.
Getting Bi Sa-young riled up was always this simple.
Now the problem was his bulky friend Bae Jong-gwan beside him.
No matter what others said, this guy stuck to his own beliefs and marched straight ahead, so I had to approach him more indirectly.
He laughed heartily and said, “Haha! I want to join too, but I have a grand dream. To crush demons with my extreme external martial arts. So I don’t have time for other training…”
I cut him off, eyes shining with admiration.
“Wow! That’s awesome! Crushing demons with extreme external martial arts! I want to learn that too! Chief, will you teach me some external martial arts?”
“Huh? Really? Are you serious?”
Bae Jong-gwan, who had always been looked down on for training ‘external arts’ like a quack medicine man, was surprised and grabbed my hand.
Seol Poong, watching nearby, added, “Come to think of it, this guy said something similar earlier. He wanted to see whose skin was tougher—the demons’ or his.”
“What?! He really said that?!”
He did, though it was a lie.
I’d said it earlier to avoid Mayu-gyeom, who was trying to put me in his squad.
But Bae Jong-gwan, unaware of that, looked like he might kiss me out of admiration.
Fearing that, I gently pulled my hand back and said, “Yes, that’s right. But my goal is to fly like a flying tiger and ram demons head-on with my tough body. Wouldn’t it be amazing to fly like a cannonball and shatter demons to pieces?”
“Fly like a cannonball… and shatter demons to pieces?”
His eyes glazed over as he repeated my words.
Thinking I had him hooked, I added one more line.
“Then wouldn’t the martial world call me something like ‘Iron Meteor’ or ‘Diamond Rain’?”
“Cheolsin Meteor… Geumgang Rain Star?”
There was no need to explain what the fiery blaze in his eyes meant anymore.
In my past life, I had no intention of learning the boxing techniques that Chief Seolpung promised to teach, nor did I want to learn my friend’s external martial arts.
In fact, I even thought less of him for it.
Back then, I realized too late.
That there would come a moment when, even after all your weapons were broken, you’d still have to keep fighting.
That you had to train every possible skill you could.
The same went for Bae Jonggwan’s external martial arts.
He was always practicing it day and night, and people mocked him as a quack medicine peddler. But in the end, he proved its worth by single-handedly holding off ten Gan-gwi demons.
Though, in the end, he stayed behind and never returned.
That’s why, in this life, I intended to master everything.
And I vowed never to let my friends, who died so miserably before, suffer the same fate again.
“To never lose my precious people again.”
That was the ultimate goal I set for this second life.
Compared to that, my determination to become stronger and my decision to properly fight the Blood Sect were just steps toward achieving that goal.
Of course, my power was still weak, so there wasn’t much I could do yet.
For now, I had to train as if I were dead.
Suddenly, memories from my past life surfaced.
The front lines collapsed in the seventh year, but the beginning of the downfall was in the fifth year, when the Blood Demons first appeared.
So before that, I had to quickly regain the skills I had lost in my past life—and go even further, reaching the pinnacle realm I had never set foot in before.
A realm where I wouldn’t have to fear fiends like Hyo-gwi or Ju-gwi—the minimum condition for me to take control and act on my own.
If I could reach that point, then this time for sure…
I gritted my teeth, igniting my fighting spirit.
This time, it would never end like it did before.
I vowed that once again.
The very next day, Chief Seolpung’s training began.
The dawn training was like a flying squirrel darting through the dense forest canopy.
“Alright! Let’s go!”
The chief nimbly climbed up the trees like a cat and leapt from branch to branch.
He was even wearing a steel vest weighing at least thirty kwan—about ninety kilograms—and had his eyes covered with cloth.
Bisa-yeong watched with a pale face but clenched his teeth and launched himself forward.
“Hmph! For a disciple of the Bi Sect, this is nothing!”
His vest weighed about ten kwan of steel.
Jang, who hadn’t lost much weight yet, and the burly, muscular Bae Jonggwan were both bare-chested. Still, Bae Jonggwan looked hesitant and couldn’t bring himself to start.
So, having already experienced this training in my past life, I smiled confidently and went first.
“This is nothing. I’ll go ahead!”
I climbed the tree and was about to take off lightly…
Crack!
The branch I stepped on snapped easily.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Jin! Are you okay?!”
I fell to the ground, sprawled out like a frog.
Then it hit me.
Ah, I only did this training after I had lost weight last time, didn’t I?