NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 24
Episode 24: The Samurai Connects with a Rookie
“Seriously…!? The sub-leader of the ‘Red Dragon’…!”
“To be able to receive lessons from Brandon of ‘Strong Assault’… We sure are lucky, aren’t we?”
Listening to the murmurs of the other participants, it seems this orange-haired guy is quite the big shot.
I’ve never seen him stand before, but he’s well-built and muscular, resembling a mighty Niou guardian statue. However—
Kurosu directed his eyes to Brandon’s right leg. What should have been there was missing, replaced by a wooden stick.
A lame-legged warrior. Observing the massive blade he carries, he’s most likely a swordsman.
Be it one-armed, one-eyed, or one-handed warriors, or those who are mute, blind, or cripple—he’s duelled them all. Their prowess is never to be underestimated. Those who grasp a sword with such handicaps are of unwavering resolve, often possessing unique tactics developed from their impairments. More often than not, they can be more troublesome than regular opponents.
Though their strength can’t be judged until a battle ensues…
The title of “former A-Rank” is undeniably alluring. The instructor was supposed to be changed for this afternoon’s mock battle, but I wonder if Brandon will be sparing with us.
“Hey, you bunch of grumblers, why don’t you all introduce yourselves already?”
Prompted with seeming indifference, the three young men who had been standing glued together broke their silence.
“I’m Roy, the leader of the F-Rank Party ‘Glory of the Sword’! I registered half a year ago and just advanced to F-Rank last week. Though it might sound a bit self-promoting to say it, it was a quick promotion. I have plenty of combat experience, so I’ll try to pace myself so as not to disrupt the other rookies.”
“Same here, I’m Johan. Despite our F-Rank status, we’ve fought even with young hog goblins. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite take them down, so we’re here to gain more strength this time around.”
“Alicia. I just joined the party and I’m still G-Rank, but I’ve fought with the same enemies Roy’s party has faced, so please don’t underestimate me as just a beginner.”
…
These types are a dime a dozen, aren’t they?
“I’m Cross of F-Rank. I belong to the E-Rank Party ‘Guardians of the Wilderness’.”
“J-Julius, a solitary G-Rank adventurer. I’ve been registered for two years but have had a hard time advancing. I hope to grasp some opportunity here. Nice to meet you.”
Last to introduce himself, a young beastman did so with a tense expression, his floppy ears that swayed with his words reminding me of the exotic moon-rabbit ears my mother used to admire.
“… Huh? You’ve been at G-Rank for two years? Maybe this career isn’t suited to you.”
“Heh, saying stuff like that is kinda cruel, Roy.”
“Tch, one’s already suspicious of someone going solo, y’know.”
With these words of derision, Julius shrunk even further, his already small frame shrinking further.
“………?”
Seeing this, Kurosu felt an odd sense stir within him about why Julius didn’t retaliate verbally or physically. The thigh muscles of Julius were developed enough that, even through his clothing, it was clear a single blow would likely be lethal.
In a battle, it would be obvious who would be the victor… but…
“Enough useless talk now. Alright, let’s get started. Everyone starts with endurance running.”
“Endurance running? We thought we’d have combat training, right?”
“If that’s the case, we could do it ourselves. Teach us the techniques of top adventurers!”
The complaints of the headstrong youths were met with a look of utter exasperation from Brandon.
“You guys think you’ll always be in perfect condition for battle, huh? Encountering strong monsters on your way back from completing a commission is something adventurers face all the time. That’s why training when you’re exhausted has meaning. Stop your complaining and get ready.”
What Brandon says makes sense. The reason Kurosu has trained his companions through running before practice is the same.
In the battlefield, the most common cause of death among rookies is exhaustion. Fighting at full strength in the early stages, struggling in the middle, and being unable to act in the final stages. Such is the pattern experienced adventurers recognize. It’s when you’re exhausted that formidable enemies tend to appear.
…
“Haa… Haa… Damn…!”
“…A little… more… still running…?”
“Huh? What, you’ve only been running for an hour.”
“Just… one hour…? How much… more… do you intend… to have us run!?”
“Till I say so. You whelps are pitiable. Look at the other two over there.”
Unlike the three who were gasping for air, Julius remained calm and collected. As for Kurosu, he seemed to be yawning out of boredom.
“Cross, Julius, you guys bored?”
“Hmm? …..Yeah, apologies. I came dressed lightly today, and with this lethargic speed, it’s hard not to. If I had known we’d be running, I would have worn my iron armor.”
“Ahaha, that’s right. But I’ll try not to disrupt their pace, so rest assured, Instructor Brandon.”
“…”
Their provocation spurred the youngsters into increasing their speed. Watching the red-faced individuals run, Kurosu casually asked his neighbor.
“Julius, you mentioned having trouble advancing. Is there any reason? To me, you seem stronger than them.”
Blushing with embarrassment, Julius averted his gaze and answered in a nearly inaudible tone.
“To be honest, I’m afraid of fighting monsters. That’s why I’ve never taken any hunting commissions… You’ve probably heard, haven’t you, Cross? Rabbit beastmen are known to be cowards…”
“Hmm, having just come to this country, I don’t know much about beastmen. But if that’s the case, why become an adventurer at all? There must have been other paths available.”
“My parents passed away early, and I have to take care of my younger siblings. Since adventurers can independently decide their work hours…”
“I see. Being the breadwinner at such a young age is admirable.”
“Why did you become an adventurer, Cross?”
“It was circumstantial, you see. I was on a martial pilgrimage, and I needed an ID to enter and leave towns.”
“A pilgrimage… Hey, aren’t you afraid in battles? How did you overcome your fear!?”
Julius nearly bumped into Kurosu in his eagerness to keep pace while running alongside him. His voice brimming with uncontained anxiety, it was clear how deeply he was troubled. What began as casual talk had now morphed into a question from someone at their wit’s end. It seemed Julius deserved a proper answer.
“Fear is not something to overcome but something to accept and endure. Humans aren’t built to be fearless; it’s normal to feel fear. You should withstand it but never let it become habitual. Those who feel no fear are either insane or dead. Fear is something only those looking forward can experience. If that’s the case, look back once and recall who’s behind you. When your legs tremble, imagine the fear of battling a mighty foe versus the fear of your young siblings starving. Weigh these two fears on the same scale, and ask, which is truly terrifying?”
” …”
“Alright! That’s enough!”
Julius, deep in thought, was brought back by Brandon declaring the run over. While the headstrong ones collapsed in exhaustion, the simulation battles between participants began without rest.
“Watching your fighting styles, I’ll give you guidance where needed. There’s no meaning unless you give it all you’ve got. Continue until one of you becomes unable to fight or surrenders!”
Each participant grabbed their chosen weapon from those hanging on the wall and split into pairs under Brandon’s instructions. Since Alicia seemed to have broken her spirit and stayed down, the numbers aligned perfectly.
Kurosu’s opponent was Johan, the lean and seemingly refined youth. They both held wooden swords, but Johan’s weapon was unusually slender. It was likely the thrust sword that Barth had taught him about back at Olaf’s shop.
Curious about how someone trained in an unfamiliar weapon fights, Brandon leaned in and whispered.
“Hey, Cross. Can you tone it down a bit?”
“What for?”
“Don’t give me that. My eyes aren’t bad. The giant’s skin you harvested earlier—there’s no way I could’ve pulled that off even if I had both legs. We can’t afford to lose rookies like this. Feel free to go all out in the later mock battles, but for now, let’s keep it light.”
“…. Understood.”
Diana had also requested the training not be disrupted. Although he had intended to hold back from the start, it’s best to placate them for now.
“You’re starting!”
Johan charged towards him with his sword raised, sword tip wildly wavering. Was it to keep him off balance or simply poor technique? Either way, he lunged forward.
“Kyaahh!”
The thrust aimed for the solar plexus but…
“…”
“Johan! Your step’s too shallow! There’s no way you can reach from that distance!”
“Argh!”
Judging the distance wrong, the attack ended far too early.
“Next time, I won’t miss!”
Instead of moving in, Johan inexplicably increased the distance. Is he incapable of attacking without stepping back first?
“Haa!”
The second attack aimed for his head. All it took was a slight tilt of his neck.
“Damn it! If you keep pointing the tip at the head from the start, it’s obvious I’ll avoid it. Not to mention, you keep your attacks single-handed! You need to follow up with a combo!”
Taking Brandon’s critique, Johan started spinning his sword around on the spot.
“Ha! Yah!”
“…”
What should he do?
Was he supposed to block the attacks?
“Don’t swing a thrusting sword like that, idiot! You’ll break it the moment they block it! When I say ‘combo,’ I mean thrust, thrust!”
Under Brandon’s berating, he resigned himself to being Johan’s practice dummy for a bit.
“Haa… Haa… Damn, why won’t you attack!? Are you mocking me!?”
“…”
“C罗斯, that’s enough. Finish it.”
With permission granted, he swept his wooden sword sideways.
“Naah…!?”
In a single strike, Johan’s thrusting weapon snapped. A weapon that could easily break with a chop was held in a ready stance… Such folly!
“Johan, get over here. I’ll give you personal lessons. Cross, standby for me.”
Watching Johan being hauled away by the collar with resignation, Kurosu turned his attention to the battle between Roy and Julius he had been observing out of the corner of his eye.
“Oi! You nerve, mocking me like that, you G-Rank trash!”
While Roy wielded a longsword, Julius faced him unarmed… Though the fight was heavily one-sided. Julius was on the defensive as Roy attacked relentlessly, his body already covered in what looked like numerous bruises from wooden sword strikes.
“You’re just not cut out to be an adventurer! Just quit already!”
Whether forgetting this was a simulation or driven by sadism, Roy delivered a powerful strike to Julius’ face. Julius cried out in pain and crumpled.
At the sound, Brandon moved to stand beside Kurosu.
“Maybe we should call it quits here…”
“I said fight until one becomes unable or surrenders. Don’t spoil the moment.”
Julius’ eyes gleamed despite bleeding from the mouth. Dragging his body, he stood silently to face Roy again.
“Wh-What is wrong with you…? Just give up already!”
The figure of the supposedly weaker opponent unnerved Roy, evident from the tremor of fear creeping into his voice.
“…If I don’t fight, those children will die…”
Julius muttered this to no one in particular, then lowered his stance.
…
Amateurish.
Kurosu and Brandon sensed the killing intent simultaneously and moved.
“Huh?”
Moving with arrow-like speed, Julius screeched to a halt before the stupefied Roy, throwing a powerful roundhouse kick aimed at his face.
“Uuuhh… That HURT!!”
“Decent power.”
Both Brandon, kneeling, and Kurosu, on his toes, caught the kick. Still, both were blown back by the force of it. The kick’s might recalled the blow of a giant. If unblocked, there’s no question Roy’s neck would’ve been severed.
“Ah… I… What am I doing… Sorry…”
Realizing his action, Julius started to apologize with tear-filled eyes.
“The simulation is over! For crying out loud, this batch is a handful…”
Summoning Roy, who was dazed and slumped over, Brandon gave his orange-haired head a pat as he exhaled deeply.
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