515 lines
10 KiB
Markdown
515 lines
10 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
title: "Chapter 3: If You Need Training (2)"
|
|
slug: "ch-3"
|
|
novel: "The Player Hides His Past"
|
|
number: 1
|
|
views: 2850000
|
|
likes: 198000
|
|
wordCount: 3600
|
|
createdAt: "2020-01-17"
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
|
|
Episode 3. If You Need Training (2)
|
|
|
|
Dodge the claws and teeth of the angry gnolls.
|
|
|
|
Make a fist.
|
|
|
|
I was just repeating that simple action.
|
|
|
|
But I could feel it.
|
|
|
|
That there was not the slightest hint of grace in my actions.
|
|
|
|
What happens if I cant dodge?
|
|
|
|
If the attack misses, will I be chewed up?
|
|
|
|
Would I bleed to death?
|
|
|
|
These are the kinds of thoughts that any human being would have.
|
|
|
|
Grandfells mind and body completely ignored them.
|
|
|
|
His pride is heavy and unshakable. Even if it were to sink and drown under its own weight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The setting was displaying the stats of a lowly demon hunter by a hundred percent, or even more. At this point, I was surprised.
|
|
|
|
You must be seriously ill, I thought.
|
|
|
|
He was a dangerous bastard who valued style over life.
|
|
|
|
But call it a setup effect.
|
|
|
|
After all, my hand-to-hand combat skills were terrible.
|
|
|
|
Cause I didnt learn how to fight.
|
|
|
|
Puck.
|
|
|
|
This is a fist thrown with all my might.
|
|
|
|
Crunch!
|
|
|
|
It didnt do any significant damage to the gnoll.
|
|
|
|
Isnt this a disadvantage in a long battle?
|
|
|
|
Its a waste of durability, but I have no choice but to use it.
|
|
|
|
I made a very rational decision.
|
|
|
|
My behaviour didnt change.
|
|
|
|
Its pathetic.
|
|
|
|
I was like a swan on a lake.
|
|
|
|
To others, I must have looked like I was disciplining a plaything.
|
|
|
|
But Im serious.
|
|
|
|
Just as the swan flaps its wings to stay afloat.
|
|
|
|
Im dodging and ducking as best I can.
|
|
|
|
The words that came out of my mouth were unrelated.
|
|
|
|
Do you still lack discipline?
|
|
|
|
It was then.
|
|
|
|
I heard Seo Jung-yeons shout.
|
|
|
|
Im done casting! Dodge!
|
|
|
|
Flames erupted from her wand.
|
|
|
|
Another angle
|
|
|
|
I walked with the same grace this time.
|
|
|
|
The flying spell was Fire Arrow.
|
|
|
|
Not that I know anything about mages.
|
|
|
|
I know its low-level magic.
|
|
|
|
Moreover, the projectiles were slow.
|
|
|
|
I might just miss.
|
|
|
|
I make a guess and think about my next move.
|
|
|
|
For some reason, the gnolls didnt move.
|
|
|
|
Crack, crack!
|
|
|
|
The tail twitched.
|
|
|
|
There was no more growling.
|
|
|
|
I looked at them and said.
|
|
|
|
Discipline is ineffective with wild dogs.
|
|
|
|
There are degrees of shamelessness!
|
|
|
|
Even as I said it, I couldnt believe it.
|
|
|
|
But he didnt spit in my face after all.
|
|
|
|
Be careful, Lee Ho-yeol.
|
|
|
|
Its all in the past.
|
|
|
|
Aaaah, I got hit!
|
|
|
|
Boom.
|
|
|
|
Seo Jung-yeon clenches her fist.
|
|
|
|
I dont know what kind of bullshit shes going to say.
|
|
|
|
I shifted my gaze to Nol.
|
|
|
|
Pow!
|
|
|
|
The gnolls burned to ashes, and only an item remained.
|
|
|
|
[Crude Arrow]
|
|
|
|
[Rank: Normal]
|
|
|
|
[Limit: None]
|
|
|
|
[Effect: None]
|
|
|
|
[Description: A crude arrow].
|
|
|
|
[Crude Defence Longsword]
|
|
|
|
[Class: Normal]
|
|
|
|
[Limit: Lv.30]
|
|
|
|
[Effect: When attacking, has a low chance to cause the status ailment Rabies]
|
|
|
|
[Description: The blade becomes dull, reducing attack power].
|
|
|
|
When you join a party, experience is shared by default.
|
|
|
|
Items are prioritised for acquisition based on your contribution.
|
|
|
|
Of course, this system only applies to Rare and above.
|
|
|
|
So its a no-brainer.
|
|
|
|
Thirty-two arrows.
|
|
|
|
I thought that might be enough for now.
|
|
|
|
Ill just have to hunt down other Gnoll archers to get them.
|
|
|
|
I took the bow from my inventory.
|
|
|
|
It felt solid in my hand.
|
|
|
|
Shooting Mastery (21%): Increases the accuracy of your shots.
|
|
|
|
Only 21 per cent proficiency.
|
|
|
|
I was more concerned with questing than hunting.
|
|
|
|
Thats a lot for an archer class.
|
|
|
|
But even knowing the skill existed was not the same as fighting with fists.
|
|
|
|
Seo Jung-yeon turned to me.
|
|
|
|
Wow, can you use a bow?
|
|
|
|
Of course I can.
|
|
|
|
The bow was my main weapon.
|
|
|
|
The other party members chimed in.
|
|
|
|
Wow, arent you a martial artist or something? That punch you just threw was very martial artsy. What is that? Is that Tai Chi? You just threw a punch, and it looked like that!
|
|
|
|
It wasnt tai chi, it was stomping.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, thank goodness. I was getting worried because you were the only ranged dealer.
|
|
|
|
Yeah, Im relieved too.
|
|
|
|
Thats what I wanted to say.
|
|
|
|
I didnt open my mouth.
|
|
|
|
What did he say?
|
|
|
|
That you dont have to worry because Im here?
|
|
|
|
I said, Im just trying to keep up appearances. Who am I to say?
|
|
|
|
I was expecting more of that bullshit.
|
|
|
|
Fortunately, the conversation quickly moved on.
|
|
|
|
The man with the greatsword, Choi Jung-hoon, muttered.
|
|
|
|
By the way, whats wrong with him today? Hes Chul-min!
|
|
|
|
He was calling for Nam Chul-min.
|
|
|
|
Nam Chul-min had already crossed the turnstile.
|
|
|
|
He waved.
|
|
|
|
What are you doing? Why arent you coming over?
|
|
|
|
Seo Jung-yeon shook her head.
|
|
|
|
Is he usually like that? Its not like I have much experience with party hunting. Ive never seen a tanker go off on his own like that before.
|
|
|
|
A warrior armed with a shield and mace.
|
|
|
|
Han Sung-wook nodded.
|
|
|
|
You shouldnt be breathing like this from the start.
|
|
|
|
Ha, Im so sorry. Ill apologise on your behalf, Chulmin, because hes not normally like that, but why is he acting like that today? Ill try to talk to him later.
|
|
|
|
The mood turned sour.
|
|
|
|
No wonder.
|
|
|
|
Id done something that would get me in trouble in a game,
|
|
|
|
and he was doing it in a rift where his life depended on it.
|
|
|
|
At least Chulmins got a good idea of where youre going. If you meet up with another party, youll just waste time.
|
|
|
|
But dont you think youve gone too far on your own?
|
|
|
|
Yeah, I know. Ill call him, big brother. Is Chulmins tongue?!
|
|
|
|
Shush-shush
|
|
|
|
It was an ambush.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The gnolls in ambush revealed themselves.
|
|
|
|
One by one.
|
|
|
|
There were ten in all.
|
|
|
|
The arrows narrowly missed, but they were outnumbered.
|
|
|
|
Even with Nam Chul-min joining them, they were exactly outnumbered.
|
|
|
|
Chul-min, big brother! No, big brother!
|
|
|
|
But Nam Chul-min had no intention of joining them.
|
|
|
|
Choi Jung-hoons face turned red and began to contort.
|
|
|
|
No, fuck. Whats wrong with you! Hey, Nam Chul-min!
|
|
|
|
The stairs to the platform.
|
|
|
|
Nam Chul-min was there, staring at us surrounded by Nol.
|
|
|
|
I looked into his eyes.
|
|
|
|
Jet-black eyes with an unclear focus.
|
|
|
|
For some reason.
|
|
|
|
Those eyes were welcoming.
|
|
|
|
Whats ? I dont even know you.
|
|
|
|
Isnt this the time to be resentful, not welcoming?
|
|
|
|
But regardless of the question, I was acting.
|
|
|
|
Swoosh.
|
|
|
|
A steady posture that never wavered.
|
|
|
|
Like an archer drawing a bowstring.
|
|
|
|
I aimed at the gnolls, not wavering in the slightest.
|
|
|
|
Shush!
|
|
|
|
Until the moment I released the bowstring.
|
|
|
|
There was not the slightest faltering in my breathing.
|
|
|
|
Crack!
|
|
|
|
A headshot.
|
|
|
|
A precise hit to the head.
|
|
|
|
A single shot, and a Gnoll warrior falls.
|
|
|
|
And yet, I felt no emotion of joy.
|
|
|
|
The first thing Grampel learnt as the next head of the family was not to be distracted by petty matters.
|
|
|
|
The position of House Claudies head of household was one in which the slightest agitation was unacceptable.
|
|
|
|
To rejoice in the defeat of a mere gnoll?
|
|
|
|
That would be unbecoming of him.
|
|
|
|
I was in the same position.
|
|
|
|
Shush
|
|
|
|
Another headshot.
|
|
|
|
Eight left.
|
|
|
|
I nocked my arrow once more.
|
|
|
|
The gnolls didnt stand idly by.
|
|
|
|
CRRRR!!!
|
|
|
|
The Gnoll warriors charged.
|
|
|
|
Choi Jung-hoon and Han Sung-wook stopped the Gnoll warriors.
|
|
|
|
Each held off two Gnoll warriors.
|
|
|
|
But they couldnt overcome their numerical disadvantage.
|
|
|
|
Damn it! Watch out!
|
|
|
|
Two Gnoll warriors rushed towards them.
|
|
|
|
Two Gnoll archers loading their bows.
|
|
|
|
Seo Jung-yeon, who was casting magic, cried out.
|
|
|
|
Hey, what should I do?
|
|
|
|
The Gnoll warriors left Seo and Jung-yeon.
|
|
|
|
The Gnoll archers were targeting Choi Jung-hoon and Han Sung-wook.
|
|
|
|
No matter what they did, there would be consequences.
|
|
|
|
Seo Jung-yeon didnt seem to be able to make a decision easily.
|
|
|
|
But ironically, I replied nonchalantly.
|
|
|
|
Ill leave the Gnoll archer in charge.
|
|
|
|
At the same time, an arrow left my fingertips.
|
|
|
|
A hit.
|
|
|
|
The Gnoll warrior who had been charging at Seo Jung-yeon fell.
|
|
|
|
Thanks to this, Seo Jung-yeon had successfully completed her cast.
|
|
|
|
Please. Hit!!!
|
|
|
|
Pow!
|
|
|
|
Fire Arrow stretched out towards the Gnoll archer.
|
|
|
|
Choi Jung-hoon and Han Sung-wook tangled with their own kind.
|
|
|
|
Concentrating on hitting the two of them, they didnt notice Fire Arrow flying towards them.
|
|
|
|
By the time they felt the heat, it was too late.
|
|
|
|
All that was left was a Gnoll warrior charging at me.
|
|
|
|
CRRRR!!!
|
|
|
|
I didnt have the Rapid Fire skill.
|
|
|
|
There wasnt enough time to reload my arrows.
|
|
|
|
But I did have the longsword Id acquired from the Gnolls for self-defence.
|
|
|
|
I might be able to buy some time if I swung it and parried.
|
|
|
|
But,
|
|
|
|
Im afraid not.
|
|
|
|
It wasnt my sword I lifted, but my right leg.
|
|
|
|
That leg, stretched out in front of me, struck the Gnoll warrior in the head.
|
|
|
|
Puck!
|
|
|
|
Just like in the first battle.
|
|
|
|
The option of counterattacking was not in my mind.
|
|
|
|
Hence the extreme reaction speed that my body was capable of.
|
|
|
|
Crack, crack!
|
|
|
|
Towards the Gnoll warrior who had fallen to his feet.
|
|
|
|
I will not allow you to splash blood on me.
|
|
|
|
Push!
|
|
|
|
I pulled the bowstring with an expressionless face.
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
The others, except for me, let out a sharp intake of breath.
|
|
|
|
Ha, I thought you were going to die.
|
|
|
|
I didnt realise they were ambushing me.
|
|
|
|
Why didnt you tell me about ?
|
|
|
|
No one spoke first.
|
|
|
|
All eyes turned to Nam Chul-min, who was still watching us from the top of the stairs.
|
|
|
|
If anyone was angry, it was Choi Jung-hoon.
|
|
|
|
Fuck. Hyung, do you have feelings for us?
|
|
|
|
He gritted his teeth and approached Nam Chul-min.
|
|
|
|
His voice got louder and louder.
|
|
|
|
Fuck you. Youre the one who set us up! Okay, say it was a mistake. Say you didnt know we were ambushed. But why are you just standing there, staring, huh? Say something! Say something with a muzzle!
|
|
|
|
Two people getting closer.
|
|
|
|
If they stayed still, a fight would break out.
|
|
|
|
Seo Jung Yeon and Han Sung Wook stopped Choi Jung Hoon from both sides.
|
|
|
|
I understand, but why dont you calm down a bit?
|
|
|
|
Yeah, theres no point in fighting here.
|
|
|
|
No, just stay calm. This is between me and you. Hyung! Hey, Nam Chul-min, do you really think Im something because youre following me around calling me brother, brother? Youre either my brother or youre not a fucker.
|
|
|
|
I took a step back and watched.
|
|
|
|
Hahaha! Hahahahahaha!
|
|
|
|
At that moment, Nam spat out a laugh.
|
|
|
|
At the same time.
|
|
|
|
Ji-jik
|
|
|
|
The electric light that was shining dimly began to flicker.
|
|
|
|
Did you fail, why are you suddenly laughing and shit?
|
|
|
|
Hahahaha! Haha. Thats funny.
|
|
|
|
This is funny? Fuck, did you really just say that?!
|
|
|
|
I stared at Nam Chul-min in the flickering light.
|
|
|
|
The incomprehensible behaviour.
|
|
|
|
The catastrophic atmosphere around him.
|
|
|
|
The unfocused, jet-black eyes.
|
|
|
|
The joy I felt when I saw those eyes.
|
|
|
|
Decisively.
|
|
|
|
At this moment, the words that flashed into my vision.
|
|
|
|
[Skill, Natural Enemy is triggered].
|
|
|
|
Natural Enmity: Increases your combat power by leaps and bounds when battling demons.
|
|
|
|
Another angle
|
|
|
|
I looked at Nam Cheol-min and said.
|
|
|
|
You are a demon after all. |