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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
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The elf woman suddenly let out a soft gasp.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
Jeong Yoo-shin stood frozen, unsure of what to do.
The elf woman blushed slightly and hesitated.
‘I should at least greet her.’
Regardless of whether she was royalty or not, she was someone Ashur knew. It would be rude to just stand there blankly.
“Hello.”
He bowed.
“H-Hello.”
The elf woman bowed in return.
“…”
He looked up to see the elf woman repeatedly tucking her hair behind her ear.
It looked like a scene from a matchmaking session.
Ashur, unable to stand it any longer, stood up.
“Princess, what brings you here?”
The elf woman addressed as Princess glanced at Jeong Yoo-shin and spoke.
“I-I heard that you came to the villa a few hours ago while looking for me.”
“That’s correct. But I intended to visit you later after you had some time to rest.”
“No, I couldn’t keep you waiting. I was on a walk anyway. And I have a message from my mother.”
Jeong Yoo-shin’s ears perked up.
Mother?
If this elf was a princess, then her mother must be a queen.
What if he overheard something confidential and got caught up in something strange?
It was best to leave.
Jeong Yoo-shin excused himself quickly.
“I’ll be resting over there.”
“Alright.”
Jeong Yoo-shin went to a large tree at the edge of the clearing and leaned against it.
A cool breeze blew through the forest, rustling his hair.
He watched Ashur and the princess talking in the distance.
He couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Jeong Yoo-shin closed his eyes and replayed his sword training with Ashur in his mind.
The elf princess was beautiful, but that was all. Her breasts were small. He wasn’t interested.
While Jeong Yoo-shin was meditating with his eyes closed…
The elf princess spoke.
“Ashur, is that barbarian boy your disciple?”
Ashur nodded.
“Yes. He’s a young man with skill, courage, and a righteous heart.”
“You think highly of him.”
“He spouts nonsense sometimes, but he’s quite endearing.”
The elf princess tilted her head.
“What kind of nonsense does he say?”
Ashur was about to tell the innocent princess about his disciple’s lewd plans, but he stopped himself.
It would be too shocking for her.
“I don’t want to sully your ears, Princess. I apologize.”
“Is that so?”
The elf princess, looking curious, glanced in Jeong Yoo-shin’s direction.
Ashur broke out in a cold sweat.
‘Could my disciple be…?’
“Princess.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. By the way, he’s very handsome. His beauty rivals that of our own kind.”
“…”
Ashur was speechless as he looked at the innocent princess.
She was practically throwing herself into the mud.
Especially after he had heard about his disciple’s outrageous plans.
Ashur decided he had to send the princess away quickly.
“Princess, I heard you have a message from the Queen.”
“Yes. Ashur Startree, the Queen has summoned you to the kingdom as soon as possible. She said it was an urgent matter.”
“…Did she say anything else?”
“No. But I don’t think it’s a simple summons. I can’t discuss it here. You can hear it from my mother directly. Then I’ll be going now.”
The elf princess turned around and left the clearing.
Worryingly, she glanced at Jeong Yoo-shin before leaving.
Ashur saw the princess off and sighed softly.
A summon from the Queen?
What was happening in the kingdom?
They said that worries increased with age.
‘I hope everything’s alright. I don’t have time for this.’
Jeong Yoo-shin, who had been resting against the tree, stood up and approached Ashur.
“Was that the Princess?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about it. She was just passing by. Now, pick up your sword.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. I need to change my plans.”
“What plans?”
Jeong Yoo-shin asked after hearing Ashur’s mutterings.
“What plans? Plans for your growth, of course.”
“Huh?!”
Jeong Yoo-shin flinched and stepped back. Ashur chuckled and raised his sword.
“Let’s go. Get ready.”
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Three days passed since they arrived in the forest.
He ran through the forest path after breakfast.
And from lunch until evening, he received swordsmanship training from Ashur.
A simple plan. But a hellish one.
Ashur carried the limp Jeong Yoo-shin over his shoulder and approached the guild members.
“Help him build some muscle.”
“Should we go easy on him? He’s young.”
“He’s leveled up quite a bit. He can handle more than most kids his age.”
“Hoo.”
The guild member’s eyes gleamed as he looked down at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Jeong Yoo-shin, regaining consciousness, looked around.
He had clearly been sparring with his master a while ago and then blacked out.
But he woke up in a different place.
“What?!”
Another clearing in the forest. Weights made of iron were scattered around the area.
It looked like an outdoor gym.
Was this allowed in a forest?
No.
Was this allowed in this era?
People here were lifting the iron weights as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
The sight of their glistening, sweat-soaked muscles made his stomach churn.
‘This crazy world.’
It looked like a scene from ancient Rome, with their gladiator training.
He had thought that they were muscular before, but he hadn’t realized it was this serious.
“Sigh. Delicious.”
One man was lifting dumbbells while regulating his breathing.
“Thirty-four. Huff. Thirty-five!”
Another man was bench pressing while sweating profusely.
“Come here.”
A muscular elf beckoned to Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Wait a minute. I-I need to prepare myself mentally.”
“Your mind will follow your body.”
“Oh!”
He was suddenly grabbed by the muscular elf and laid down on a bench.
He found himself gripping a barbell.
The muscular elf grinned.
“First time? Let’s start light.”
His head was spinning.
‘Ah.’
Weight training in another world?
Did this even make sense?
It felt like a dream.
Enough.
Jeong Yoo-shin opened his eyes wide.
‘Since I’m here, I might as well do my best.’
The muscular elf, seeing his expression, licked his lips.
“Good. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
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Three hours later…
“Kyaaagh!!!”
Jeong Yoo-shin screamed as he lifted the barbell.
His biceps and chest muscles were burning.
“I can’t do it anymore!!! I’m dying!!! Stop!!! No more!!!”
“One more!!! Just one more!!!”
The men surrounding him cheered him on.
Sweat dripped from his forehead and into his eyes.
Jeong Yoo-shin screamed.
“No, I can’t!!! Please!!!”
“Just one more!”
His eyes were bloodshot, and a murderous intent surged within him.
How could they ask for “one more” dozens of times?
Muscle-obsessed lunatics!
Finally, thanks to the guild members’ enthusiastic encouragement, he managed to lift the barbell 15 more times and was released.
As he stumbled back to his tent…
The sun was already setting.
“Ah… I’m going to die.”
He muttered with a sigh, but there was no time to rest.
After dinner, he resumed his private training with Ashur.
Clang!
Clang!!!
Ashur and Jeong Yoo-shin’s wooden swords clashed in mid-air.
The guild members were sitting around a bonfire in the clearing while watching Ashur and Jeong Yoo-shin spar.
Sparks flew from the bonfire.
A muscular elf who was watching their movements spoke.
“His form has improved considerably. What do you think, Vice-Leader?”
Kila nodded.
“His sword is steady. His posture is flexible. He’s improving rapidly. The Guild Leader is polishing a gem.”
One of the guild members muttered while resting his chin on his hand.
“He’s tempting. I want him in our clan. Didn’t they say that he was just promoted to intermediate rank? Should I seriously try to recruit him?”
“Forget it. I called dibs.”
“You’re greedy. I don’t think he’s the type to be under anyone, though.”
While the guild members chatted amongst themselves…
Jeong Yoo-shin’s training with Ashur was reaching its climax.
*Clang!!!*
He parried Ashur’s attack in a half-swording stance and then struck him with the pommel of his sword.
Ashur simply tilted his head to avoid the blow and stepped back.
“Skar.”
“Pant. Pant. Yes.”
Ashur shouldered his wooden sword and looked down at the boy.
Jeong Yoo-shin, who was drenched in sweat, had a gleam in his eyes.
Clear eyes, devoid of lewd thoughts.
“Excellent. That’s enough for today.”
Ashur praised him with a smile.
Jeong Yoo-shin collapsed onto the ground while panting.
Ashur lowered his sword and looked up at the sky.
“It’s surprisingly cool for a summer night.”
The Milky Way stretched across the night sky above the clearing.
‘Beautiful.’
“Vice-Leader, bring me my sword.”
“Yes.”
Kila went into the tent and brought Ashur’s longsword.
Ashur handed his wooden sword to the Vice-Leader and drew his own blade.
Shing.
The sword gleamed as it was slowly drawn.
Ashur held his sword upright and bowed his head slightly.
“Thank you for your hard work today. It’s good to see you all training diligently.”
The guild members straightened their postures and smiled.
“You’re the one who worked hard, Guild Leader. We just followed your lead.”
“That’s right. Thank you, Guild Leader.”
Ashur smiled gently.
“I’m pleased. I’ll show you a sword dance today.”
The elf master slowly began to move, his sword flowing through the air…
So that Jeong Yoo-shin and the guild members could see it clearly.
Sparks flew from the bonfire, and the sword danced like the wind.
A galaxy of stars seemed to flow from Ashur’s movements.
The captivating, mesmerizing flow of the sword was like the Milky Way, scattering and gathering beneath the sky.
‘Beautiful.’
Jeong Yoo-shin, forgetting to even breathe, watched his master’s sword dance, etching it into his memory.
His mind raced.
He instinctively knew.
‘This is…’
The path his master was showing him.
It was also a lament, his master’s resignation to his inability to find an answer to the madness.
That feeling…
That sword dance…
He etched it into his mind.
The starlight sword settled like a feather on the madness that plagued him.
It would be light at first, but it would grow heavier with each drop of sweat and blood he shed.
On a summer night…
Before a blazing bonfire…
The boy, once a madman, etched his master’s sword into his heart.
How much time had passed?
Flick.
The elf flicked his sword, as if shaking off the dust of the world.
Ashur looked around at the guild members and smiled.
“Look at all of your dazed expressions. You’ll catch flies in your mouths.”
“As always, it was magnificent.”
“Sigh. Is there a special occasion today?”
The guild members replied with smiles.
Jeong Yoo-shin, on the other hand, sat quietly with his eyes closed.
He had done this as soon as Ashur’s sword dance had ended.
Ashur gestured.
“Everyone, go to sleep. Leave Skar here. Go quietly.”
““Yes.””
The guild members replied softly, stood up, and returned to their tents.
Jeong Yoo-shin, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, finally opened them.
Starlight glimmered in his clear eyes, then it slowly faded.
Ashur slowly spoke.
“How was it?”
“It was a beautiful sword dance.”
“Good.”
Ashur approached Jeong Yoo-shin and stroked his hair.
“Please don’t.”
“Tsk. You’ve witnessed a sword dance that’s worth a fortune, and you won’t even let me pat your head?”
“…”
“You know where to bathe, right? By the lake. Someone you know is waiting there. Go.”
“Who is it?”
“Someone you know.”
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
Who?
“Can’t you just tell me?”
“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you. You’ll be surprised.”
Surprised?
Could there be anything more surprising than his master’s sword dance?
“Alright. I’ll go and see.”
Jeong Yoo-shin went into the tent, gathered some clothes and toiletries, and came back out.
Ashur had already disappeared.
‘What’s this?’
Jeong Yoo-shin scratched his head.
Was it a woman?
Was a busty noona waiting for him?
Could it be Karin, who was worried about him?
No way.
A cool bath in the lake with a naked, busty noona on a hot summer night?
The thought made him grin.
Jeong Yoo-shin walked briskly along the forest path.
After about 30 minutes, he arrived at the lake.
The tranquil lake reflected the stars, its surface shimmering gently.
‘I should at least see her face before bathing.’
His heart was pounding with anticipation as he looked around.
There was no sound.
‘Did Master make a mistake?’
No way.
Ashur wasn’t the type to play such pranks.
‘No, I can’t be sure.’
He was the one who had kidnapped him, after all.
Jeong Yoo-shin searched around the lake, but he couldn’t find anyone.
“Sigh.”
He didn’t know what was happening. Should he just bathe?
Just as he reached down to untie his waistband…
Rustle.
The bushes rustled. Jeong Yoo-shin turned his head.
Someone slowly emerged.
“Oh?!”
A large build.
Tall.
An elderly man with a mix of white and black hair.
“That old man?!”
“It’s been a while.”
Ragna Helblade.
The barbarian smiled at him in the moonlight.
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T/N – Oh, so Ragna is Ashur’s replacement? I certainly think the old man is qualified.
Also, Ashur really goes all out for his disciple. The fact that he’s so frustrated in not finding any solution to the MC’s madness shows just how much he cares for the MC.
If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.
I feel sad whenever I see an empty comment section. It’s like how Skar feels disappointed whenever an old, sweaty, muscular man pops up instead of a busty big booty noona.