Chapter 59

Chapter 58. Part 1. Squad Leaders (3)

Turn-based.

A window that pops up when an enemy spots a weakness in 'me' or when 'I' spot a weakness in the enemy.

It's one of the combat methods where help is received appropriately during a critical moment or when an opportunity arises.

That's why the turn-based window doesn't appear unless it's a critical moment or an opportunity.

Pop.

So Seohui decided to wait.

Even as Yongjin, who was standing by the back door, rushed over like a madman.

He didn't take any aggressive actions to create a situation that would satisfy the 'turn-based' condition.

"Arrogant--!"

However, the situation was not unfolding as he had planned.

Even as the distance between him and Yongjin narrowed, the weakness window did not appear.

From 3 meters to 2 meters.

Even when it narrowed to within 1 meter, the weakness window still did not appear.

'I need to take action now.'

Seohui couldn't wait any longer.

Just as he was about to reach for his waist,

Ding!

The long-awaited weakness window appeared.

[Perfect Opportunity! 'Seohui' has spotted a weakness in Yongjin. How will you respond?]

However, the information provided by the status window was unexpected.

He had intended to show a weakness and the status window had appeared as planned.

Yet, an opportunity had come to him.

▶ Attack.

▷ Use martial arts.

▷ Use the tool box.

▷ Approach the opponent.

Without hesitation, Seohui's gaze went to the bottom option.

This was the most appropriate response given the current situation.

<You have chosen 'Approach the opponent.' Which direction would you like to move in? [East][West][North][South]>

He was approaching from the west.

Therefore, the most effective method was to choose the east, behind his back.

<You have chosen 'East.' The action will proceed immediately.>

A sudden, instantaneous movement.

Seohui accurately perceived his position and Yongjin's position during this brief moment.

He extended his arm to disrupt the opponent's center of gravity,

Crash!

and with a very light gesture, Yongjin fell to the ground.

Right where Seohui had been standing just a moment ago.

"......!"

"......!"

"......!"

Perhaps his actions were a surprise to them.

The expressions of the three squad leaders, who were watching the fallen Yongjin, were clearly filled with confusion.

"Tsk tsk. I can guess what's going on."

Seohui lightly brushed off his collar with both hands.

His movements were slow and leisurely.

"Think about why the private and imperial guards usually ignore us. With such incompetent people like you claiming to be squad leaders and occupying positions... "

Seohui continued, stroking his mask and glancing at each of the squad leaders.

"How ridiculous must it have looked?"

The moment his words ended, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Yorim, who had his legs on the table, and Jipseong, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Soryeong, who was by the window, also lunged at him.

Even Yongjin, who had been lying on the ground, rushed at him again.

Combat method <Turn-based>

They might not have known, but this was exactly what Seohui wanted.

Combat method <Simulation>

Their combat power was in the millions.

Fighting all four at once was a significant risk for Seohui.

But if he dealt with each one individually, he wouldn't leave a strong impression on them.

So, instead of one, he chose four.

He provoked them all first and then intended to fight using the combat method that would allow him to use his best ability.

That was the simulation.

<Analyzing all of Seohui's abilities.>

Time stopped, and countless shadows swept past his eyes, left, right, and down.

The numbers gradually narrowed down, and in the end, only one shadow remained.

<Found. Displaying video. (1 time)>

The remaining shadow's movements began again.

However, Seohui was briefly taken aback, expecting something more elaborate.

All the remaining shadow did was:

<Slash at a 15-degree angle>

<Move half a step to the left, sword position at mid-level>

Two simple actions.

Moreover, there was an unfamiliar term he had never seen before.

'15 degrees?'

Seohui watched the shadow in front of him.

He soon deduced its meaning.

The shadow, standing in the same posture as him, made a slightly diagonal slash.

'Why is this the best method?'

Seohui couldn't easily understand the movements shown by the simulation.

Yorim, who was in the closest position, was drawing his sword.

Jipseong, who seemed to be emitting sword qi, was in a stance for a quick draw.

Soryeong had already thrown a dart.

Yongjin, who had approached from behind, was also in the mix.

Could this mean he could deal with all of them with just a simple diagonal slash and then moving half a step to the left while extending the sword to chest level?

'There must be a reason.'

Despite his confusion, Seohui decided to trust the simulation.

It had been verified against the leader of the Yin Ying Unit and was undoubtedly the best ability he could use.

Click. Swish!

As Seohui followed the shadow and made a diagonal slash, time resumed.

Then, he naturally moved half a step to the left, as shown in the simulation.

The two actions in the simulation were executed.

And it was.

Surprisingly, it changed everything.

"......"

Clang!

The first action, 'Slash at a 15-degree angle,' was to deflect the two darts coming at him.

The two darts thrown by Soryeong.

He had neutralized them with just one diagonal slash.

That wasn't all.

Thud! Thud!

The darts flew in two directions, one toward Jipseong and the other toward Yorim.

Yorim, caught off guard by the sudden counterattack, fell to the ground trying to dodge, and Jipseong, hit by the dart, was clutching his chest and trembling intermittently.

The second action, 'Move half a step to the left and extend the sword to chest level,' also had a meaning.

Swoosh.

As he turned to the side immediately after the diagonal slash, Yongjin's ambush from behind was halted.

Seeing Seohui looking down at him and extending his sword, Yongjin must have thought his intentions were seen through.

The sudden silence in the room.

Seohui didn't miss this moment.

"Why? Do you think I'm somewhat useful despite coming in through the back door?"

He didn't miss the opportunity to mention their inner dissatisfaction.

"Or do you think this happened just by luck?"

Yongjin's furrowed brows tightened.

His pride must have been hurt.

"Or are you blaming yourself for choosing the wrong path from the start?"

Click.

Seohui sheathed his sword.

Then, taking a step forward, he met each of their gazes and continued calmly.

"I'll say it again, I don't care what you think. If you don't like it, you don't have to receive my training."

"......"

"To be honest... I just want to finish this pointless nonsense quickly and find my own way to survive."

Seohui turned around.

Then, glancing at the frozen Yongjin, he said over his shoulder.

"But because of the eyes watching, I have to pretend to teach... so only those who show up here tomorrow should come."

It was his honest feeling.

He didn't care how to deal with them or how to lead them.

In the time he desperately needed to become stronger, he just felt held back.

Seohui turned his gaze to the door.

He had no intention of teaching today and was about to leave.

But then,

<The squad leaders' favorability has increased.>

Unexpected numbers.

And meanings he couldn't understand appeared before his eyes.

<Squad leaders' favorability>

1st Squad Leader Yorim 10/100 (↑10) Curiosity

2nd Squad Leader Jipseong 10/100 (↑10) Curiosity

3rd Squad Leader Yongjin 10/100 (↑10) Curiosity

4th Squad Leader Soryeong 10/100 (↑10) Curiosity

However, there was something he could guess.

He needed to raise these numbers.

Only then could he bring them along on missions and open a meaningful path.

<When all reach 100%, 'Missions with squad leaders' will be unlocked.>

As the text on the screen said.

* * *

Seohui returned to his quarters early.

After entering the room, he took off his mask and sat in a chair.

"What a ridiculous design..."

A mask with a tiger drawn on it.

Its absurd appearance made him laugh.

Then, placing it on the table, he leaned back in the chair and looked up at the ceiling.

"Another crisis will come."

Seohui knew.

Time never flowed smoothly.

The curse placed on him provided opportunities to turn crises into chances.

But it was structured to turn even peaceful daily life into a crisis.

"I need to pull them to my side as quickly as possible."

And in such a situation, Seohui knew what he had to do.

Complete the given tasks as quickly as possible.

During the Wu Guan Dao exam, he moved quickly to obtain the 'Bilietan.' When he was involved with Du Hong of the Thousand Sun Hall, he completed the mission and obtained an unexpected 'treasure.'

If he wasn't prepared, his chances