Medieval Fantasy Barbarian

In his past life, Ivan was an exemplary law-abiding citizen.

Not only had he never hit anyone, but naturally, he’d never been hit either.

Even after falling into the game world, he only struggled at the beginning. Once he got somewhat stronger, he didn’t feel any particular crisis.

Therefore, Ivan was too strong, and the beasts and monsters living in the forest were boringly weak.

So, this was the first time in his life that he was properly punched.

“…Urk!!”

The air quickly escaped from his lungs. His body bent involuntarily from the pain he’d never felt before in his life.

“Get up. I didn’t even hit you that hard, don’t exaggerate.”

Far from taking advantage of the opportunity to attack, the old man leisurely stopped and looked down at Ivan.

Ivan gasped desperately, filling his lungs with much-needed air, and was shocked.

‘What kind of monster is this?’

He’d known all along that this old man was no ordinary person.

However, Ivan had never doubted his own victory regardless of how strong his opponent might be.

It was faith in the robust body of the game character he had inadvertently acquired, and the strength he had built up through consistent training.

And now, that faith was shaking. Ivan’s pupils trembled.

“Have you ever seen such an impudent fellow? An elder is speaking, and you’re just lowering your head disrespectfully?”

When the old man raised his fist, Ivan instinctively put up his guard.

Boom-. Despite blocking, the heavy impact resonated through his bones.

As Ivan staggered backwards, the old man slowly followed and pounded his guard fiercely.

“Why do you keep running away? Did I misjudge you?”

Running away. The moment he heard those words, a large fireball surged within Ivan’s heart.

He was unbearably ashamed of himself for shrinking like a turtle after just one hit, let alone extending his fist.

‘That damn old man…’

This time, Ivan caught the old man’s fist.

And, abandoning any concern that his opponent might die, he drove his fist into the old man’s side with full force.

Clang-. It sounded as if he’d struck not a human body but a piece of iron.

Instead, his own fist tingled. But definitely, there was a sensation in his hand.

Ivan was certain that the attack had landed quite effectively.

“Your punch has some bite to it. But you’re still a greenhorn.”

The old man spat out saliva mixed with blood.

Nonsense. Ivan swung his leg like a whip, but the old man avoided it by lightly leaning back.

The sound of cutting through the air resonated eerily.

Ivan continued his attacks, but they kept missing by a paper-thin margin. That gap felt both immediately reachable and impossibly distant.

Suddenly, the old man staggered as if slipping on the ground. Ivan didn’t miss the opportunity and launched a heavy punch.

“Naive fool. You actually fall for this.”

At that moment, the old man flowed like water into Ivan’s embrace, grabbed his outstretched arm, and threw him to the ground.

With a booming sound, the ground was deeply dented.

“Kuhak!!”

His body stiffened, unable to withstand the sudden impact. Blood flowed from Ivan’s mouth.

Ivan barely lifted his head to look up at the old man. It didn’t seem possible to win at all.

‘I think I might really die at this rate.’

Despite thinking that, Ivan realized that the corners of his mouth were involuntarily rising.

The worthy opponent he had so desired, no, a wall that seemed insurmountable, was right before his eyes. The boundary between life and death gradually blurred.

“…Heh.”

“You’re laughing? You’re an interesting fellow.”

As if in response, the old man also smiled brightly and stomped his foot down.

Ivan hurriedly rolled to avoid the attack. There was no room to feel emotions like shame.

Ivan, who had barely stood up, exchanged blows while still being one-sidedly beaten, just like before.

He blocks attacks he can block, and endures with his body those he can’t avoid. He swings desperately even if his fists don’t reach.

At the same time, he captures the old man’s fighting style with his eyes. The way he swings his fists, the stance of his feet on the ground, even his subtle breathing.

Ivan desperately begs for teachings. No, “steals” would be the more accurate expression.

His attacks still cut through the air, but they penetrate more precisely.

Some balance is added to his clumsy and wild stance.

His breathing, which had been flowing randomly, gradually becomes more stable.

Though the differences are insignificant, the cumulative effect of these small changes is by no means small.

The old man’s eyes twitched as he recognized the change. It was a growth so rapid that it was hard to believe even while seeing it directly.

With each exchange of offense and defense, he improves visibly. Compared to the beginning, he’s a completely different person.

His footsteps, which had been pushed back more and more, gradually slowed, and at some point, completely stopped.

The balance of power had interlocked. Ivan grinned.

“Old man, why are you staring with such surprised eyes? Are you already tired?”

“Impudent youngster…”

Thud-. Ivan struck the old man’s chin. It was the second successful attack today.

Ivan felt unbearable joy at this fact and continued to extend his fists, kick, and exchange blows.

His body creaked and screamed, but even that was a minor issue compared to the pleasure he was feeling now.

Yes, a little more-. Just a little more-.

He slipped on the floor, wet with blood and sweat. The old man didn’t miss the opening.

Watching the fist slowly approaching his chin in slowed time, Ivan felt deep regret.

‘If I could just continue a little longer, I felt like I was about to grasp something…’

Suddenly, a spark flew in his mind. Unrefined enlightenment penetrated his consciousness.

His body moved ahead of his thoughts. Ivan slipped into the old man’s embrace, grabbed the outstretched arm, and drove it down towards the floor.

Almost simultaneously with the booming sound, a deeper mark was engraved on the ground than before.

Ivan stood blankly, trying to grasp the enlightenment that still lingered in his mind.

“Wahahahaha!!!!”

The old man, lying embedded in the ground, laughed loudly enough to make his eardrums fall off.

After laughing for quite a while, the old man got up as if nothing had happened.

“I think my teachings were a bit excessive for just a meal. What do you think, greenhorn?”

Ivan was about to reflexively argue but thought for a moment. Honestly, it was true.

“…That’s true. What do you want?”

“I have some circumstances that require me to stay here for a while, so let me borrow your house. While I’m here, I’ll teach you how to clench your fist and swing a sword as a hobby.”

It was an offer with no reason to refuse. Ivan nodded willingly.

“Alright. But, calling you ‘sir’ feels a bit… What should I call you from now on?”

“Hmm, we don’t seem that far apart in age by appearance. Just call me ‘big brother’ comfortably.”

Ivan glared at the old man with as much contempt as he could muster.

“I’ll just call you ‘Master’.”

“This is what’s wrong with young people these days…”

Ivan quickly covered his ears.

“Master, let’s take turns carrying this soon.”

Ivan gestured with his chin toward the bear he was carrying on his back.

“This damned fellow. Trying to make an old man with few days left work?”

“You seemed quite energetic earlier. You only pretend to be weak at times like this.”

“That’s because you’re so weak. When I was young…”

While the two became increasingly disrespectful to each other, Ivan realized something he had forgotten.

An indescribable smell emanated from their bodies, caked with blood, sweat, and dust.

“Master, I’m just asking, but when was the last time you bathed?”

“How would I know? Only girls count such things.”

Ivan threw a greenish soap with a serious expression.

As he had somehow learned, soap made from squeezed goblin oil was exceptionally effective.

“Stop the nonsense and wash yourself cleanly with this. You can’t come back before that.”

The old man protested vehemently, but Ivan pretended not to hear. Letting him enter the house with that dirty body was absolutely unacceptable.

“Fine, ill-mannered fellow. I’ll wash because I’m dirty.”

‘You’re really the dirty one.’

Was it a big mistake to take such a person as his master? Ivan sighed and looked for a place to wash.

Just then, a suitable pond caught his eye. Ivan was about to jump into the water without a moment’s hesitation.

That is, if he hadn’t made eye contact with a woman who was already bathing there.

“…What?”

Ivan’s pupils shook violently, finding himself in a situation he had never expected.