Episode 146 No.640 Countermeasures (2)
As I followed the ronin, I soon arrived in front of a huge building.
The fluttering flag depicts a falcon taking flight with its wings spread wide.
And on the signboard, in majestic letters, it is written ‘Dae-eung-pyo-guk (大鷹鏢局)’.
‘You came just in time.’
As I entered through the wide open main door, I saw the signs standing tall and upright.
They didn’t open their mouths to tell them where to go, but they blocked off places that were off-limits, so they naturally guided the ronin to one place.
Following the flow, we arrived at the training ground.
Even though the area is quite large, it is crowded with people.
Even at first glance, it seems to have a lot of spirit.
On the other side, Go Hyun-woo also caught my eye. Thanks to his characteristic friendliness, he was already conversing with some of the people around him.
He also noticed me and his eyes lit up for a moment, but we pretended not to know each other at all, just like we had planned.
Also, even while talking, Go Hyun-woo was looking around carefully and examining the faces of the ronin.
The purpose is to identify the key figures or people of interest in this strategy.
Who uses what weapon, who is more skilled, who is hiding their identity, etc.
For example,
‘Like the two behind me.’
“Does this kind of kid eat rice with a knife?”
When I turned my head towards where the voice came from, two ronin were standing there looking at me.
One of them had a mean-looking face, like a rat, and his beard was sticking out like a rat’s.
That’s why I gave it the nickname ‘Rat Boy’ in the strategy guide.
The other one had a sturdy build, but his facial features, including his eyes, were droopy and he felt a sense of indefinite resentment.
His nickname is ‘Ukul-i’ because of his appearance.
This rat and the ugly duckling seem like typical hang-ups who pick a fight with the main character and get a good lesson, but contrary to first impressions, they are actually very kind-hearted guys.
His skills are pretty good for a ronin.
So even though they spoke to me in a somewhat provocative tone, my response was gentle.
“If you want to eat and live, what else can you do? You have to eat rice, even if it’s just with knife-cut rice.”
“If you want to make a living, you should either work as a waiter at an inn or risk your life at such a young age.”
The rat’s question was still crude and seditious, but there was a hint of concern in it.
I let out a deep sigh, my expression darkening.
“Sigh… … . There are reasons for that. I can’t go into detail, but I fell out of favor with some very dangerous people.”
Since it’s a fencing club, older brothers and sisters with swords are going to chase after you.
Even though I was the one who caused it, it’s true that I fell out of favor.
At my words, Jwidol and Eokul’s expressions also darkened.
The already resentful looking Ukul-i looked doubly resentful when her expression darkened.
He spoke while sinking into that state.
“Hmm… … I guess I got caught up in Kangho’s favor.”
“What happened to my young friend… … . It really is a pity.”
The two ronin exchanged glances.
“If they are really dangerous people, they might be too advanced for us to handle. It’s better not to get involved.”
“How can we just leave someone in need?”
“Hmm… … . I see.”
Already in their conversation, I seemed to have transformed into the unfortunate protagonist.
To summarize my story from the conversation, my family was torn apart, I was separated from my blood relatives, and I was being chased by an evil group, and I barely managed to come to this country.
The two people who had been talking with their heads together soon reached a conclusion, and Jwidol opened his mouth.
“There’s nothing we can do. Our nose is only three feet long, so we can’t directly participate, but we’ll help where we can.”
“Thank you, Grandmaster.”
I recruited Jwidol and Eokul as allies.
After I finished the declaration, I went from being a ‘young friend’ to ‘Kim A-woo’.
After a while, the guards who had been standing upright and guarding their positions moved and firmly locked the main gate.
If you don’t keep the appointment time, you will be blocked from entering like that.
Then, a middle-aged man slowly walked towards the makeshift platform set up in front of the training ground.
It was not difficult to guess that he was the head of this country through his attire, the attitude with which the people treated him, and the atmosphere he gave off.
The sign next to the stage was waiting to beckon with a drum to attract attention, but there was no longer any need for that.
As the Ronin began to shut their mouths one by one and fix their gazes on the King, the noisy noise of the martial arts hall gradually died down.
After a while, the king, who had climbed up onto the stage, looked around the audience carefully, then bowed and opened his mouth.
“Nice to meet you. I am Jang Mo, the leader of this country, albeit a small one.”
Jang Guk-ju’s tone was very polite.
In general, martial artists tend to look down on ronin.
‘Those guys without foundation,’ ‘Those guys who will do anything for money,’ ‘Those guys who are like mayflies.’
But now, I’ve called these mayflies here to ask them a favor.
Also, since there might be a master among these numerous ronin, their speech naturally becomes more polite.
The king continued speaking.
“As is well known, the purpose of gathering you here today is to seek your assistance in the upcoming parade.”
The core event and goal of this dungeon is ‘Recruiting Temporary Markers’.
It’s a difficult word to understand at first glance.
Are you recruiting sign writers because you are short on manpower in such a huge country?
The answer can be inferred by observing your surroundings closely.
If you count the flags and flagpoles surrounding the training ground, you will find that they are very few in number, disproportionate to the size of the flagpole.
There is no reason to deploy so few people at such a critical moment, so we should assume that this is all we have left.
And the reason why this is all that’s left is,
‘They’re all dead.’
Because of the successive attacks, most of the soldiers were killed or seriously injured.
However, the importance of the target is very high and it must be moved to the destination quickly.
‘I can’t say it with my own mouth.’
It is not something that can be revealed openly.
A large country like the counter-countercountries has many enemies, so as soon as news spreads that its power has weakened, checks will come in.
From the client’s perspective, they would also be hesitant to entrust a new item.
And even aside from these practical reasons, it is quite humiliating to say, ‘Our country is in danger.’
Therefore, as a last resort, the background to this temporary recruitment of ronin was to offer a large sum of money as a reward.
“Considering the importance of the trip, I have prepared a decent compensation. However, since the journey is expected to be quite difficult, I honestly hope that someone with outstanding skills will lend a helping hand.”
To summarize this simply, it would be ‘Those who don’t have the skills, get out.’
It’s not that the company has money to spare and pays out a lot of salaries.
‘There is hazard pay.’
When moving important items, there are bound to be people who aim for them.
The higher the importance, the higher the level of those targeting it.
It is also a given that those who attacked the previous enemies will attack again.
That is why, from the perspective of the company, they want to hire as many capable people as possible.
Something that can withstand an attack, or at least serve as a shield.
The problem is that the number of ronin swarming the training grounds is beyond imagination.
Among these, only a small number of capable people should be selected.
“I am grateful for all the support, but at the same time, I am at a loss as to what to do.”
At that moment, the goatee man standing next to the stage opened his mouth.
Even at a glance, the impression he has is that he is saying, ‘I am the Director General of the Countermeasures Bureau.’
“My Lord, I have a good idea.”
“Tell me.”
The general opened his mouth as he looked at the ronin filling the training ground.
“If we were to have so many warlords fight each other to determine who is superior, it would take more than a day or two.”
“I guess so.”
“I also expect that most of the battles that take place during the parade will not be one-on-one but rather group battles and melees.”
“Most of them will be like that.”
“How about assuming the same situation and having a melee to determine who is better?”
The introduction was long in order to give it its own justification, but in summary, the meaning is this.
‘Keep fighting until only the strong remain.’
The king thought for a moment, then asked the crowd.
“I think it’s not a bad idea, but if anyone has any objections or other suggestions, please speak up now.”
– Groan, groan… … .
The commotion in the room grew louder.
As a martial artist, it is not very pleasant to get into a fight like a back alley gangster.
But it was ambiguous to point out that a similar fight could break out during the parade.
And what if he’s a back alley thug?
They give a lot of compensation.
It may not be an issue for ordinary martial artists, but for ronin, it is impossible to miss an opportunity to make a big profit.
As a result, only a few unmanned people who found this method difficult to accept left, while the rest remained in their places.
The king continued speaking.
“Then I will proceed, considering there are no further objections. Bring me the wooden sword.”
At his direction, the sergeants brought wooden swords and other wooden weapons used for training and distributed them to the ronin one by one.
Although they are competing in skill, they cannot use swords, and since it is a melee, it is easy to get injured by a blind sword.
Jwidol held a pair of swords, Eokwul held a long wooden sword that suited his large size, and I held a short wooden sword.
Next, the troopers drew a large circle in the middle of the training ground and had the ronin enter it.
The scope is limited from the beginning so that they cannot run around here and there or leave the training ground.
Jang Guk-ju summarized these things.
“Any method will do. However, if the battle becomes impossible or you are pushed out of the arena, you will be eliminated. This fight will continue until it is determined that there are an appropriate number of people left.”
“… … .”
“I have one last request. I do not want any of you to get hurt. I cannot be held responsible for any injuries, so if you feel that you are too weak, please step down voluntarily.”
Even if you survive, if your injuries are severe, you will probably miss the opportunity to continue your journey anyway, so if you feel like it won’t work out, it’s better to retreat with your body in good condition.
If you get hurt for no reason and can’t participate in the parade, it will be a huge loss.
A tense atmosphere spread among the ronin, and they began to look at each other with murderous eyes.
Meanwhile, Jwidol and Eokul took their places on either side of me as if they were trying to protect me.
“Kim A-woo, just stick close to us.”
“Yes, brothers.”
We had already become like brothers, Kim A-woo and Hyung-ssi.
After making sure everyone was seated, the lord gave instructions.
“Let’s get started.”
Then the demon struck the drum with all his might.
– Boom!
