Surviving on the Northern Front with Gukbap

Chapter 47 : Duel (2)

Duel (2)

After a tumultuous first day back in the village, morning came.

I ate a simple breakfast of fondue bread, then braved the snowy path to the hills near the village.

"The accuracy of your arrows depends on how much you can stabilize your upper body."

Yesterday, Flaco threw a fit, claiming he didn't want to teach me, but now he had become an unexpectedly passionate teacher.

He looked at the target he'd drawn as an X on a tree trunk and spoke.

"First, rest your jawline on your left collarbone. Then push the bow forward as you draw the arrow at the same time. Like this, so the ends of the bow limbs come slightly forward from your face."

Tung. Whoosh. Thock!

The arrow pierced the exact center of the X with not a hair's breadth of error.

It was as if he was demonstrating why he was Granfen's only hunter.

"Letting go doesn't mean you're finished. As you watch the arrow fly, you need to nock the next arrow and draw again. That's one full motion. Got it?"

I nodded.

"Hmph. Give it a try."

I took a deep breath and looked at my target.

'Just think of it like shooting during military service. Go over what I was taught and simulate it.'

There were two days left until the duel. To master "Hunting Time" in that period, I had to become proficient in archery first.

'I finally found an opportunity, so I'll make the most of it.'

Squeeeeeak.

The drawn bowstring groaned.

I released as steadily as I could. Tung.

The arrow cut through the air and struck.

Thock!

Flaco blinked.

"?"

I, the shooter, was also surprised.

The arrow I had shot hit the very center—the intersection point of the X.

It was on par with Flaco's accuracy.

"Go, go again!"

His voice sounded like a hiccup as I took my stance once more.

Tung. Whoosh. Thock!

"......."

"......."

This time, it was even more astonishing.

The two arrows in the wood were so closely stuck together, they could've been chopsticks before breaking apart.

'Was I, who dreamed of running a soup restaurant, actually a prodigy in archery?'

—Such an outrageous thought crossed my mind, like the title of a pulp NovelBin.

"Ian, you... is this really your first time shooting a bow?"

Flaco frowned in disbelief as he asked.

Of course, I'd shot guns, but never touched a bow, so I nodded.

With a look of irritation, Flaco spat on the ground.

"Ptoo! Looks like you have more talent than I thought. But that target's hard to hit, you know?"

He then shot at a farther target.

Again, the arrow landed dead center.

Thock!

But so did mine.

"This time, I'll shoot in succession!"

So I followed, firing one, two, more than ten arrows in a row—even then, nothing changed.

All were bullseyes.

'What is this? Did I get archery skills as a bonus just for being Korean?'

I was doubting myself, and before I knew it, Flaco's eyes had changed as he looked at me.

Before, he'd been full of frustration, envy, and jealousy,

but now his eyes were oddly sticky.

'What's wrong with this guy?'

At that moment, Flaco suddenly grabbed my shoulder and shouted.

"Ian!!"

"Yes?"

"You are truly... the most gifted I've ever seen! When Burt returns, come be my disciple! I'll train you myself! Hahaha!"

"......"

"My successor has finally appeared! Hahaha!"

Honestly, there was no one sane in this village.

"... Fine, so now please teach me 'Hunting Time'. I think that's enough archery basics for now."

"Right, right! With your talent, you'll master my secret art, 'Hunting Time', in no time!"

Although I was briefly pleased to get to the main course faster than expected,

I focused and listened closely to Flaco's explanation.

This wasn't a game where you could learn something with a click;

this was reality, where perfect understanding was needed.

"Hunting Time begins with awareness of your internal clock."

Flaco's explanations were lengthy and abstract.

But I had been summoned from a modern world overflowing with fantasy content.

Even if the explanation was a mess, I could understand it perfectly.

"So—it's about reading the target's and your own internal clock the instant you shoot and then launching the projectile at a calculated speed and trajectory, right?"

I wasn't familiar with this "internal clock" concept, but the theory itself wasn't difficult.

It was a skill tailored to increase accuracy at range.

"Perfect understanding! Definitely worthy of a genius hunter. Good. Now, let's move on to practice."

Flaco took the lead, weaving through the forest and scouting ahead.

"I'll teach you how to find and track prey later. For now, focus on Hunting Time."

Following him, he suddenly stopped and pointed ahead with his finger,

signaling for me to look.

'What? There's nothing there.'

I squinted, trying to see what he meant,

but only after a while did I finally spot a small, white rabbit in the distance.

'He saw that from here?'

At that moment I realized he really was a 2nd-rank hunter,

Flaco's bow snapped: Tung!

Startled by the sound, the rabbit kicked back and darted off.

But its reflexes and bounding speed were in vain.

The arrow pierced the direct center of the rabbit's body.

'To hit something that small and fast at this distance...'

From the time the rabbit started running to when the arrow struck,

only about one or two seconds passed.

Flaco's arrow seemed to follow the rabbit, as if predicting its movement.

"Did you see? This is what you do. Next prey is yours."

Nodding vaguely, I followed Flaco.

This time, the target was a white fox.

At Flaco's hand signal, I drew the bowstring tight.

'Read the target's internal clock.'

Internal clock. Internal clock.

I focused all my senses, echoing Flaco's theory as I released.

Tung! Pff.

The result—

"Don't just freeze when you miss! Follow up immediately, what are you doing!"

It was a dismal failure.

"... Yes."

I answered as casually as I could, though honestly it stung.

I nailed basic archery on the first try.

So I thought Hunting Time would also come quickly—how vain.

A stationary target and a moving animal were worlds apart.

'It was weird how easily I picked things up until now. I'll take my time learning this.'

Walking and mind-controlling myself,

a deer-like creature appeared, head in the ground, digging through the snow for food.

It was bigger and slower than rabbits or foxes, so should be easier,

but I didn't let my guard down and drew the bowstring.

Tung! Tungtung!

But all I could do was watch its hooves scatter the snow,

its rump swaying as it disappeared.

Another failure.

Pulling my arrow out of the snow with a bitter heart, I asked,

"It's harder than I thought. Flaco, how many tries did it take you to succeed when you first learned?"

Flaco stared at me for a moment and answered.

"I got it in one try."

The answer was so shocking I reflexively asked, "What?"—

but his next words were even worse.

"Once you learn mana and basic archery, as long as you grasp the theory and principle of the internal clock, you can use Hunting Time immediately. Understanding the principle is the key."

"......"

"But why can't you do it?"

A feeling of dread crept over me.

Could it be that I wasn't able to use Hunting Time?

* * *

Drizzling sleet fell at Granfen's soldier training ground.

Today, for some reason, there were more soldiers gathered than usual,

but the atmosphere was unusually lively for a place called a training ground.

That was because today,

the duel between the Outsider and Sergeant Pab was set to take place.

Sure enough, not just soldiers but officers too had arrived early to secure good viewing spots.

But the outcome of the duel wasn't their focus.

"Do you think the outsider will actually show up?"

"They say he hasn't run away yet, according to the guards."

"Who knows. I heard he's close to that lantern-jawed squad leader, so maybe they smuggled him out."

They were more interested in what the outsider's ultimate fate would be.

As the soldiers were chattering away,

a man the least suited for a training ground appeared, his bald head gleaming.

At this, the soldiers snapped to attention and shouted in unison.

"We swear by the Iron!"

It was the battalion commander, with his usual subtle smile.

"Loyalty shines upon you. At ease, everyone."

But as usual, no one actually took his words at face value.

The subordinates gave him a wide berth, ensuring his comfort as much as possible.

And then, at the very center of the training ground,

stood a gaunt man, nearly two meters tall.

He was holding a buckler and an arming sword.

Just by looking, it was clear they'd been carefully maintained for this duel.

Pab squinted up at the sky.

The sun was directly overhead.

It was noon, the time scheduled for the duel.

'He ran, huh.'

He'd expected it,

but still felt a twinge of disappointment.

He could still picture the sharp eyes of the outsider when the duel was arranged.

Even among squad leaders, few could challenge him,

and it had been a while since he'd seen eyes like those.

As time passed, his fighting spirit only grew.

Then,

the murmuring of the soldiers swelled all at once.

"?"

Sensing something odd, Pab looked straight ahead.

Suddenly, his lips curled up.

"You're here. Outsider."

His opponent was walking through the crowd.

There was no sign of hesitation or intimidation in his stride.

But—

something was strange.

'... A bow?'

The outsider was carrying a bow.

*

There's something I realized painfully as I prepared for the duel.

Three days is an incredibly short period.

I don't know if I had ever worked so desperately in my life.

Shooting arrows, swinging my sword,

trying out different meals for the duel.

I cut down on sleep, pushed my stamina to its limits,

pouring my soul into surviving.

If I wanted to defeat Pab, one of Granfen's strongest, I had to.

And so, I'd finally arrived at the training ground, the site of the duel.

Past the makeshift tent by the entrance,

past the gambling den run by Captain Hook and his gang,

I walked in.

Crowds of soldiers.

Officers sitting like it was a parade review.

All eyes turned toward me.

Most of it was surprise, with a bit of pity mixed in.

They must've thought I'd run away, or that I'd come here to die.

One face stood out, sneering openly.

'That green-eyed jerk.'

I almost felt twisted up inside, but immediately regained my composure.

No way could I let myself waver with my life on the line.

'I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.'

The battalion commander's voice sounded in my head.

I wondered how that bald man even knew the phrase "sorry I couldn't protect you,"

or if he really meant that apology,

but decided not to dwell on it.

'Do your best.'

I ignored him and just kept walking.

Dueling was all that mattered now.

I looked straight ahead and moved forward.

Soldiers parted before me like the Red Sea.

As they murmured, the gaunt man's voice reached my ears.

"You're here. Outsider."

I stopped about five meters away from the one smirking at me.

The side conversations faded out.

With a life-or-death fight right in front of me,

adrenaline was pumping, and all I saw was my opponent.

Everything around me faded away.

'What number is this now?'

Flaco, Captain Hook's gang, the Ice Bear hunt—and now,

my fourth fight.

I should be used to fighting by now,

but my heart was pounding harder than ever.

I could sense that this gaunt man was more dangerous than anyone I'd faced before.

'Maybe I should've just run away, like Plerine said.'

It wasn't just Plerine.

Jeros, Flaco, even Ralph.

Everyone said I couldn't beat Pab.

That a 2nd-rank who used Quick Sword like me couldn't win against a 3rd-rank and his Flowing Sword.

But even so,

I had Sword Energy and the Strong Sword form, powered by rice's strength buff.

'That is, as long as I stick to my plan, I can win.'

My strategy was precise.

Keep my heart hot, but my head cool.

With that resolve, the gaunt man spoke.

"What a shame."

"What is?"

"Your look. And your courage appearing here. Now I see, it's a pity. If only you weren't an outsider, you might've made an excellent Duchy soldier."

"I already am a Duchy soldier."

At that moment, the duel arbitrator stepped out between us.

"We will now begin the duel of honor."

The snow that had let up turned into a fierce blizzard.

"Since the gods are watching, no one can interfere with this duel of honor. The loser must respect the winner's will, and the winner shall uphold their honor."

The mediator of the duel threw an arming sword over his own head.

Spinning and soaring upward, the blade twisted through the air before transitioning into freefall.

The instant that sword touches the ground—

That will be the start of the duel.

I have to stay focused.

A single moment of carelessness could mean my death.

"For the honor of the Duchy soldiers, I guess I must die."

"......"

Spin, spin.

Biiing-gle.

Clatter.

Pop! Pab scattered a burst of blinding snow powder.

He's closing in at breakneck speed.

Incredible charging velocity.

'He's that tall and still so fast?'

The speed exceeded my estimation, but

I'd lured him toward this very situation.

Since I was holding a bow, I figured he'd rush me head-on.

I quickly slung the bow over my shoulder and drew my kitchen knives in both hands.

At the very same moment, a blade came slashing toward my chest.

'Sharp.'

I instantly realized this man was on a whole different level from all my previous opponents.

Bringing my wrists together, I swung a strong sword upward.

Cheng!

Thankfully, I wasn't too late,

the sound of steel clashing ringing out as our swords met.

Kagaak.

A contest of strength ensued.

Damn, this lunatic is strong too.

"Strong sword? I heard you used quick sword. Was the information wrong?"

No time to answer.

Instead, I stomped a knee into his flank.

Kuddok!

But my knee smashed into a shield instead of ribs.

'Damn it!!'

The pain was enough to tear a joint.

Still, I couldn't show it.

As we were locked tightly together, just as I tried to adjust my posture,

a blade wrapped in Energy came slashing for my neck.

His eyes flashed, as if he could already see my death—

Kaaang!

I barely turned it aside using flowing sword technique.

Suddenly, Pab's eyes switched to shock.

He seemed to be thinking, 'A guy using strong sword suddenly switches to flowing sword?'

Spectators voiced what he seemed to be thinking beneath their breath.

"Sword Energy? Did you see just now—that was Sword Energy, right?"

Whispers rippled among the crowd.

Pab's gaze sparkled with interest.

"The outsider used Sword Energy?"

"3rd-rank? The outsider?!"

But unlike what the soldiers were saying, I'm still just 2nd-rank.

In other words, my Sword Energy was only three-fourths real, boosted by a strength buff from rice.

The key was not letting him realize my trick,

since if our swords clashed where mine lacked Sword Energy, my blade would snap.

Kaaang! Kakang!

Sword Energy struck against Sword Energy.

Pab's attacks weren't just strong—they were menacing.

It felt like walking on thin ice as I fended them off,

but I had to wait for and seize my chance to try again.

'Shifting from flowing sword back to strong sword—'

Now, a vertical slash, right now!

Kaaaang!

I was prepared to lose an arm with that attack, and—blocked again.

But Pab's stance wavered for just an instant,

so both of us pulled back quickly.

'... So, plan A—lure with his charge, then ambush with strong sword—has failed.'

My strength-buffed, temporary strong sword wasn't enough to break through Pab's flowing sword.

But I'm not the type to only prepare plan A.

Now it was time for plan B.

Creak.

I drew the bowstring and aimed once more.

The fact that Pab had backstepped now meant—

he was at ideal range for my bow!

"You idiotic outsider. You think I'd get hit by a plain arrow?"

Of course, against a flowing swordmaster, ordinary arrows are useless.

Gazing hard at him, I recited in my mind:

'Internal Clock. Internal Clock.'

I maximized my concentration,

and twang! released the string.

The arrow shot through the swirling snow in a near-straight trajectory.

Ting!

With a hollow sound, it bounced off Pab's blade.

So in the end...

'Another failure for [Hunting Time].'

But that doesn't mean I can just stand still.

Twang!

There was always the chance that Hunting Time would trigger now, in a sudden moment of insight.

So I shot again.

Twang.

And again.

Twang. Twang. Twang. Twang.

.

.

.

"Finished with those cheap tricks?"

Pab asked with a scornful smile.

Every last attempt was blocked.

All of my arrows had been deflected by his blade.

'Well, here we are, on to plan C.'

I steeled myself to play my last card,

and aimed at Pab's face instead of his thigh or torso.

The wind was just right.

Twang.

"Useless!"

The skinny bastard swung his sword at the arrow flying toward his face.

At the instant my arrow made contact with his blade—

Pop!

Red powder burst from the arrowhead.

Riding momentum and the wind, it covered Pab's face.

"Wha—what the heck!!"

He scrunched up his face, rubbing at it in agony.

But the more he touched it, the worse the pain would become.

Because that red powder was—

'Chili powder I bought for a lot of points from the [shop window]!'

The arrow I had just fired was different from the previous ones.

It had a special arrowhead—a diamond-shaped wooden capsule filled with chili powder.

He was so focused on deflecting it that he missed the difference.

Especially in this blizzard of swirling snow.

Of course, the soldiers were likely cursing me out,

but in a duel, as long as you don't use poison, almost anything goes.

So...

'From here, it's my counterattack!'

I kicked off the ground toward the scrawny man,

switching back to my kitchen knives,

using mana to its utmost to move at maximum speed.

Screech! Sliding and brake-stopping on the snow,

"Heeyah!"

I loaded Sword Energy into a strong sword slash and swung from left to right with all my strength.

I aimed it straight at his completely defenseless chest,

delivering an attack with perfect form!

Whoosh!

But I only cut through empty air.

What? How did he dodge that?

I could have sworn that one would land...

"?!"

Seeing Pab's face, I barely kept myself from swearing aloud.

He glared, eyes bloodshot, tears streaming down.

He's insane.

How is he enduring that spiciness?

But there was no time to be impressed with his mental fortitude.

This chance was made by planning, obsession, and luck.

I kept attacking Pab without pause with my kitchen knives.

Kaaang! Cheng! Kang!

But as the exchange went on,

either he got used to the hot sensation or something, because he started parrying my blades more easily,

and before long—

Shlak!

Suddenly, a burning pain flared up on my left forearm.

"?"

I was cut.

I could tell blood was pouring out.

Even though I'd been the one on the offensive.

Eerie.

A strange sensation crawled over my whole body.

Instinctively, I withdrew my attack and stepped back.

Pab muttered with a tinge of regret,

"Sharp reflexes. If you'd pressed in a bit more, I would've taken your head."

He strode toward me, tears flowing down his face.

"I didn't expect you to use that, outsider, but I recognize your ability."

With those words, Pab's sword vanished again.

No, not vanished—it melted into the ground like a shadow,

and soon, the shadow whipped at me like a lash.

Chang!

The first strike, I blocked.

But—

Spit!

The second, I didn't dodge in time.

To be precise, I jerked my head back, but didn't completely avoid it.

Judging by the stinging heat, there was now a sword cut across my forehead,

and warm red liquid trickled down my eyebrow.

Drip.

Blood threatened to cloud my vision.

I hurriedly shifted to a flowing sword stance for defense,

Chenjeng, cheng!

Parrying attacks and drawing on my experience as a Belkhazium veteran, I began deducing Pab's skill.

'Flowing sword form, 3rd-rank or lower skill, variable range, attack from blind angles, shadowy figure...'

I remembered.

'Whip Dance.'

This skill definitely has a flaw.

While using Whip Dance, you can't infuse your blade with Sword Energy.

So the counter is to time my own Sword Energy right as Whip Dance comes in.

But—

'I can't follow the trajectory in time.'

Cheng cheng!

What's worse, the wound on my forehead was blocking my vision.

The world,

was turning red.

'Damn.'

Is this my punishment for using chili powder?

At last, Pab's shadow whip vanished.

Or maybe I just lost track of it.

Either way,

I lost sight of his attack.

'How dismal.'

His blade was probably already closing in from somewhere.

And this time, it would be a fatal blow.

'Damn it.'

With the fear of death tightening around my throat—

"Upper right diagonal cut."

The battalion commander's voice rang in my ear.

And,

my body reacted faster than my mind.

Jjang!

Fragments of a shattered blade scattered with the heavy fall of snow.