Chapter 17. Game 3, Set 2 (2)

In stark contrast to Yuri's displeased expression, Johan's face was the brightest it had been in recent times as he faced her.

Johan replied in a tone that suggested he had no idea why Yuri was in such a bad mood.

With a voice brimming with cheerfulness and freshness, he asked,

"What's the matter?"

"Is there something wrong with my eyes... Why is that damn thing here?"

"Oh, you rascal! To call our Bungbungi a damn thing! Cancel those words right now! I clearly said that old objects have souls! Our kind Bungbungi is hurt!"

"What, dog barks! No, didn't you promise? If I reach Crom in two days, I don't have to drag that damn thing anymore! The physical training is over!"

"When did I say that?"

"You old geezer!"

"Hehe, don't you remember?"

"......?"

"When did I say the physical training was over? I said if you reach Crom in two days, we move on to the next stage."

"......?!"

At Johan's words, Yuri's eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

'Surely... that's right.'

And she realized.

She had been played by the old man's wordplay.

As Yuri's face grew more and more sullen, Johan's expression became increasingly radiant.

It was as if the mental anguish he had endured during the voyage due to Yuri was being healed with a swish.

"Hehe, foolish child, even if you have mana, physical and bodily training is a lifelong endeavor!"

With a voice full of mockery, Yuri ground her teeth.

She tried to calm her anger and spoke calmly.

"Fine, okay. I'll give you a hundred concessions on that. But old man..."

"Why do you keep calling me?"

"What is that thing!"

She pointed at the resurrected Bungbungi and shouted.

Where her finger pointed, there was nothing that should have been there.

In response to Yuri's anger, Johan scratched his ear.

"What? Is there a problem?"

"Problem? Problem? You just said there's a problem?"

With Johan's innocent tone, Yuri finally couldn't hold back and exploded.

"No, where did you sell the cart wheels!"

That's right.

The cart Johan brought.

The resurrected Bungbungi was now embarrassing to even call a cart.

Both wheels were missing.

In response to Yuri's rage, Johan answered as if he were delighted.

"Hehehe. After all the mana training and the improvement in your body, would the same level of difficulty be enough for training?"

Having said that, Johan quickly climbed onto the wheel-less Bungbungi.

He then shouted, placing his prosthetic leg on the railing.

"There's no time, kid! Hurry up and move! Are you going to leave me here?"

Seeing Johan, who was excitedly shouting, Yuri muttered under her breath.

"Damn old man..."

Even as she cursed, she grabbed the cart's handle, as if her body still remembered the cart-pulling endurance training.

"Alright, let's go!"

Thus, on the first day of their arrival in the Nijer administrative district, Yuri's grueling training began anew.

* * *

It had been half a month since Yuri and Johan arrived in Nijer.

At the end of the Coldwall Mountains, which divide the Nijer and Baltan administrative districts.

Thud, thud, thud.

As time passed and the sun began to rise.

The continuous sound finally ceased.

And at the source of the sound.

Creak.

The door of the forge, which had been emitting white steam for two days, burst open, revealing a towering old man over 2 meters tall.

His broad face and the stiff white beard that grew roughly.

And the imposing, muscular build that exuded a sense of intimidation.

"Hmm..."

Ralph Schnell, who had been hammering iron until just a moment ago, gazed at the east where the sun was rising.

His face, illuminated by the sunlight, clearly showed his discomfort.

"Who's causing trouble so early in the morning..."

From the east.

A strong aura of killing intent was rapidly approaching, disrupting Ralph's work.

The intensity of the killing intent was enough to break his concentration and make him come outside.

Therefore, Ralph intended to split the waist of the uninvited guest who had no manners.

Until the guest revealed himself, that is.

Creak, creak.

A strange sound accompanied by a yellow cloud of dust approached.

And within it, a pair of piercing blue eyes.

"Damn... I'll kill... Damn... I'll, kill..."

The continuous curses were filled with killing intent.

A strange cart without wheels.

And a ragged-looking boy pulling the cart with all his might.

The giant man could only stare blankly at this bizarre sight.

After a few minutes.

Creak.

Finally, the wheel-less cart and the ragged boy, Yuri, reached Ralph.

"Arr, arr... arrived..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Yuri collapsed forward and fainted.

"...What kind of person is this?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Ralph looked at the unconscious Yuri with a bewildered expression.

Right at that moment.

Creak, rustle.

The already severely worn-out wheel-less cart broke apart.

The wooden planks of the cart collapsed as if a gift box had been opened.

And in the middle, a rolled-up blanket.

Rustle.

"Ahem!"

In the cloud of dust, the blanket twitched, and a deep coughing sound was heard.

Caught off guard by the unexpected presence, Ralph's face hardened instantly.

'...?!'

The twelve proud masters of the Foundry.

Ralph Schnell, the sixth sword, felt a chill down his spine at the realization that someone had hidden there, deceiving his senses.

'Who could it be?'

As Ralph raised his guard and increased his aura, a hoarse voice came from the opposite side.

"Hey! Kid, don't kick up so much dust, drive gently."

With a grumble, the blanket was thrown back, revealing a familiar face.

"Oh my, poor Bungbungi... You've worked hard. May you rest in peace."

Seeing the face of the person who looked more pitifully at the broken cart than at the unconscious Yuri, Ralph felt his strength drain away.

A defeated voice escaped his lips.

"Johan... senior?"

Hearing his name, Johan waved his hand.

"It's been a while."

* * *

Next to the forge was a two-story house.

Unlike the imposing appearance of the burly Ralph, the interior of his house was cozy and tidy.

Clank.

The owner, Ralph, placed a teacup in front of Johan and asked.

"So, what brings you here after so long? It's been 15 years, hasn't it?"

A scolding for not visiting for 15 years.

In response to the old junior's complaint, Johan smiled and replied.

"Don't you have a shard? You boasted about getting it before, didn't you?"

"Remembering something from over 20 years ago?"

"You must have bragged a lot about it."

"Hmm, anyway. Really, did you come here for that? It was there 20 years ago, but what if it's not there now?"

"That's a problem for when we get there. And knowing your character, you probably kept it well hidden. You always liked shiny and pretty things, even though they didn't match your appearance."

"Judging a person by their appearance is a bad habit..."

"Shut up. So, do you have it or not?"

"Why are you looking for it?"

"All because of that rotten brat."

Johan frowned and nodded toward Yuri, who was sprawled out like a rag in a corner of the room.

Following his gaze, Ralph crossed his arms and asked.

"Hmm, I've been curious since earlier... Who is that kid?"

"Who, that brat?"

"Is he your disciple?"

"Disciple? I don't raise such things."

"Isn't it time to start raising a disciple? Do you plan to end the Redner family's legacy with your generation?"

Johan snorted at Ralph's words.

He took a sip of alcohol and continued.

"I am the last head of the Redner family. Whether I ruin it or sell it, what's it to you?"

"That's a shame, a shame! The Redner family's machete technique is no ordinary technique. If it's lost, it would be a loss to all humanity."

"Well, you're not wrong."

"Anyway, so... Is that kid your disciple or not?"

"Not. Although I've taught him a few things, I don't consider him a disciple. And he doesn't consider me a teacher either."

"Oh? So you are teaching him something?"

"Yes."

"Most people would call that a master-disciple relationship."

"Ah, no! It's just... a cooperative relationship for mutual goals!"

"If it fits, it fits. Why complicate it?"

"...Just think what you want."

As if he didn't want to argue anymore, Johan waved his hand.

His gaze then fell on the teacup in front of him.

His brows furrowed slightly.

"Hmm... What is this?"

No matter how he examined the cup, it was clearly a teacup that would be used at a ladies' social gathering.

Johan asked in a tone of disbelief.

"Is this the latest trend in teacups?"

"That's a teacup."

"Are you crazy? Are we close enough to have tea together? Bring me some alcohol, damn it!"

"...I've quit drinking for a while."

"Time really does change things. To hear you say you've quit drinking is insane."

"Cough. As they say, ten years can change a river and