Chapter 6. The Training Camp Opens on the First Day of Employment (1)

- Baegun Pogyok (White Cloud Security) Maeyang Branch

Baegun Pogyok, a medium-sized company operating courier services in the Hubei Province area.

Finally, my new future begins here.

"Ahem."

Seeing the sign for Baegun Pogyok (白雲?局) written in elegant calligraphy, I suppressed my mixed feelings, recalling the past three years.

My martial career is just beginning.

Mom, I'll definitely gain experience and transfer to a large company.

"Are you a new recruit?"

"Yes! Senior, I've just joined—"

"Alright, line up over there."

For some reason, it reminded me of the 306 Reserve Unit.

Although I start as a lowly new courier, I will eventually shake the martial world...

No, I don't need to shake the martial world; I just dream of a life where I can eat well and live peacefully.

* * *

"Run faster! You snails!"

"Run! Run!"

'This is a bit different from what I expected.'

While running on the training ground, drenched in sweat, I thought to myself.

Upon joining, we immediately signed the contract, and before we could even read it properly, we were thrown into the training ground to listen to a long speech by the head courier.

There were various stories, but the gist was this:

—You will become elite couriers through a month of training!

The speech, which made me want to quit, ended, and we immediately received our supplies and started an endless run.

The training, which began with the idea that physical strength is the power of the bureau, was not just a simple run.

We ran in groups, and the person who came in last had to sprint to the front.

It was Indian running.

In 21st-century South Korea, this running is also known as interval training, which has a surprisingly high exercise efficiency compared to other methods, but it has one major drawback.

It's incredibly tiring.

"Last one, sprint to the front! Hurry up!"

The instructor behind us shouted, urging us to run faster. As soon as the guy behind me sprinted to the front, the instructor shouted again.

"You're the last one! Run faster!"

Already me?

I took a deep breath and sprinted to the front. But it was only a matter of time before I was at the back again, gasping for breath.

Even with my enhanced physical strength from two years of training, I was struggling to breathe.

'They must be testing our basic physical strength.'

I understand why they make us run so hard. For a courier, martial skills are important, but physical strength is equally crucial. Since courier missions are almost like a thousand-mile march, lacking physical strength can lead to serious problems.

'But still, it's too intense on the first day.'

On the first day of a typical job, you usually just introduce yourself and sit around like an old man on leave, waiting for the regular quitting time.

But it seems this uncivilized martial world doesn't have such a culture.

It was truly a pity.

* * *

The hellish first day of training finally ended in the evening.

As soon as the training was over, all the new recruits collapsed on the ground, groaning.

"Phew, I feel like I'm going to die."

"Terrible from the first day."

"I didn't sign up for military service..."

Each of us complained, but surprisingly, no one dropped out. Even the special forces would have been impressed by this training.

Looking around, it was clear that everyone had a tough, determined look on their faces.

"Meeting like this is a kind of fate, isn't it? Let's introduce ourselves."

After dinner, we gathered in the dormitory, and I took the lead to start the self-introduction session.

I didn't want to step forward in front of the gruff seniors, but everyone seemed awkward and embarrassed, so I had to take the lead.

Just try to be less awkward.

"My name is Seong Rajun. I came from far away in Joseon. I was doing embroidery and was introduced to this job. Please take care of me."

After a round of light applause, everyone started introducing themselves, still looking awkward.

Listening to their introductions, it was clear that each of them had their own unique and tumultuous backgrounds. Just like a construction site, this place was filled with people who had experienced significant life changes.

No one had a more tumultuous background than me, though.

"Since we met like this, how about a drink?"

Gwak Dusan, who introduced himself as such, pulled out a bottle of alcohol from his pocket. He was a well-known figure in the Gangnam area and was considered the most skilled among us.

What was impressive about him was that he barely broke a sweat during the training. Moreover, his martial skills were better than the training instructors, and he even demonstrated some basic techniques in front of us.

I don't know why such a skilled person joined a courier company, but seeing him pull out the bottle, it seemed he was ready to take on the role of the eldest brother.

Everyone's eyes turned red, and they started drooling at the sight of the bottle.

"Wow, Gwak brother, you really know how to treat us. Hehehe..."

"Indeed. Hahaha..."

"Alright, just one drink each since we have training tomorrow."

"Of course. Hehe."

By the way, the "hehe" is me.

"Ugh... It's tingling."

"Ugh... It's rising!"

The alcohol warmed our bodies, which were exhausted from the endless running. Was this the after-burn effect?

One sip of alcohol went around, and then another. After a few rounds, we were already getting along well.

"By the way, Gwak brother, why did you join a courier company with such martial skills?"

"You're right. Can you tell us the reason?"

"I was curious too."

Gwak Dusan looked at us like we were chirping baby chicks.

But I was genuinely curious.

Who wouldn't be curious if a Seoul University graduate joined a medium-sized company as a new recruit?

Courier companies are generally seen as tough and not very prestigious, so genuine experts rarely join. Why would a skilled driver do delivery work?

He should be in F1.

But seeing someone like him join, it was impossible not to be curious. As I leaned in with a curious expression, Gwak Dusan reluctantly and embarrassedly explained.

"Actually, I want to get married."

"Get married...?"

"Yes. I've wandered around the martial world, earning a small reputation, but... who would marry a wandering swordsman?"

What is this?

Such a practical reason.

"Even someone like Gwak brother can't find a match?"

Gwak Dusan nodded heavily.

"Who would give their daughter to a wandering swordsman? For us wandering martial artists... the only way is to fall in love and get married!"

"Really?"

"I missed my prime, I'm getting older, my beard is growing... I thought I might die alone, so I decided to settle down somewhere. I saw that Baegun Pogyok was hiring couriers and thought this place would be good. I thought being a courier would be better than a wandering swordsman."

It was a sadder reason than I expected.

The atmosphere became heavy. Looking around, everyone nodded in agreement. But I had a question.

"Then why not just fall in love?"

"Ahem! Let's stop this conversation."

Seeing his sensitive expression, it seemed Gwak Dusan was a lifelong bachelor.

I'm not, though.

* * *

The training process at Baegun Pogyok was, in a word, like a military training camp. There was no difference.

'I'm still having military dreams and now I'm re-enlisting.'

By the way, military dreams are flashbacks caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from military service.

Is there anyone who can heal my wounds?

"Up! Up!"

Waking up to the instructor's roar, I scratched my messy head. As the saying goes, the Ming dynasty clock keeps ticking, and this training was already in its final week.

From the last week, we were to start serious martial arts training. We were to learn Baegun Pogyok's sword techniques, which I was most looking forward to.

"Alright! Morning jog, start!"

"Yi (一), Er (二), San (三), Si (四), Yi (一), Er (二), San (三), Si (四)...!"

"Sing the company song during the jog. The company song, we go on courier missions."

"We go on courier missions!"

"Start the company song~!"

"High mountains, deep valleys~♪ Silent~ Central Plains♬"

After the morning jog, the serious martial arts training began.

This week's training, where I would learn techniques, was the part I was most looking forward to, as I had only learned basic martial arts so far.

But... it was a bit different from what I expected.

"Third move, Dragon Emerges from the Cave!!"

"Haah-!!!"

The senior courier, dressed in red, shouted, and immediately drew a wooden sword, twisting his body to thrust it high, mimicking a snake emerging from a cave.

The stance was to instantly pierce the enemy's neck, but if someone is that easy to kill, it might as well be a natural death.

"Fourth move, White Snake Clears the Wind!!"

"Yurii-!!!"

Again, he held the wooden sword, twisted his body, and took a stance to block and counter the enemy's attack.

The sword technique we were learning was the Baegun Sword Technique, created by the first head of Baegun Pogyok, consisting of 12 moves.

After practicing, I realized it wasn't something the head had created himself but rather a combination of a few basic moves from the martial world.

At first glance... it didn't seem very advanced.

'Is this really okay?'

I was a bit worried.

But according to Gwak Dusan, it wasn't necessarily so.

"Martial arts aren't just about the moves."

"Then what's important?"

"Application."

After the afternoon training, in a more relaxed atmosphere, I asked Gwak Dusan about my concerns, and he kindly explained.

According to him, martial arts aren't just about the moves.

More important than the moves is the routine (套路) created by combining them, which is repeatedly practiced until it becomes second nature, and how it is applied in real combat.

"Also, the widely known moves in the martial world are often solid and orthodox, with few weaknesses."

"They are proven techniques."

"Exactly. Martial artists are often tempted by unconventional and powerful moves... such moves are often called evil techniques (邪派). But in the end, these moves are very weak against orthodox techniques as one becomes a high-level practitioner."

Cheating is countered by the true path.

"So, it's better to steadily master these orthodox moves, fully internalize them, and then expand your application methods. It takes longer, but it's the right path."

I nodded, finished the conversation, and went outside the dormitory. Looking up, I saw a thick, moon-shaped dumpling floating in the sky.

'I miss Seoul...'

As I was lost in thought, gazing at the moon, someone tapped my shoulder. Turning around, I saw the instructor.

"Call everyone to gather in front of the training ground."

What's going on?