Chapter 91. The First Boss, Leang (9)

Finding Leang was not difficult.

The 2nd training ground on a low hill.

One of his daily tasks was to observe and advise the children training there.

"Hmm? Zero-kun?"

As soon as I entered, Leang greeted me, even sending the child he was instructing away.

"Hehe, hello."

"Zero-kun, what brings you here? I thought you usually use the 3rd training ground."

He knows my movements precisely.

One might think he's a stalker, but that's not the case.

'Of course, he's keeping an eye on me. I'm a person of interest.'

Third in the entrance exam.

Receiving attention from both the Yuridia and Teron factions.

The first medal recipient in this batch.

And recently, I've been given instructions to receive demerits and, more recently, merit points.

From Leang's perspective, it would be impossible not to remember me.

Well, my good looks probably play a part too.

"Hehe, I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Leang. I came to receive your guidance, as I have many shortcomings."

"Haha! You flatter me. If I don't give you proper guidance, there will be talk."

A bright smile appeared on Leang's face.

The start was successful.

'I need to gather as many puzzle pieces as possible.'

The puzzle of the character Leang.

Many pieces are missing, but the most important are two.

'The reason he brought down his own family, and the conditions for repentance.'

After learning the secret techniques of other families as a wandering knight, Leang returned to his family and challenged the head of the family.

He suddenly challenged his older brother to a duel and defeated him.

'No matter how I think about it, I can't understand it.'

Learning the sword techniques of other families is an act that erodes the pride and self-esteem of a noble.

But aside from that, there doesn't seem to be any other problem.

Some prestigious families even taught their secret techniques for money.

In other words, Leang learning the sword techniques of other families and then returning to challenge his family to a duel.

'These two are completely unrelated.'

There is no cause and effect.

To be precise, the middle part is completely empty.

The reason why 'Leang the Imitator,' who was famous for his reputation, suddenly returned to his family and challenged them to a duel.

I had to find out.

And that reason would be the 'key' to his repentance.

"Right, Zero-kun. What's the problem? Sword technique? Or fighting methods? Just say it. I'll do my best to guide you."

"Hehe, that would be good, but I came today because I have a question."

"A question? Well, that's not bad. Ask anything. Zero-kun is an excellent student, so I'll tell you anything."

Is he happy because I, who ranked third in the entrance exam, came to see him? Or is he happy because he has something to say to his subordinate?

He's giving out blank checks.

'Is it because he's a 1st boss, or because he mainly deals with Charon...?'

The difficulty of the conversation is too easy.

If he's giving out blank checks, what can I do? I should take advantage of it immediately.

I asked with a friendly smile.

"Anything... really anything at all?"

"Of course. Except for what I don't know. Hahaha!"

A hearty laugh. But it didn't take long for his smile to turn serious.

"Why did you go back to your family and challenge them to a duel?"

A direct question.

Leang's expression became blank, as if he had been hit by a rock.

"Ah... I'm sorry. I was originally going to ask something else... but since you said you'd answer anything. Hehe, was it too much?"

I scratched my head, pretending it was a child's mistake.

Leaving his family to become a wandering knight, training for 10 years, and then returning to challenge his family.

Why did he challenge and brutally defeat his older brother, the head of the family?

What hatred drove him to train for 10 years?

Why did he bring down his family, even at the cost of being branded a traitor?

This question could unravel all three mysteries at once.

The probability of getting an answer was low, but there was no harm in asking.

"...Because our family's sword technique was inadequate."

Huh? He's telling me so easily?

I was slightly surprised, but I couldn't miss this opportunity.

"Hehe, that's a bit... well, it's not really a reason, is it?"

Defeating his brother brutally because the family's sword technique was inadequate?

The reason was too weak. It means there's something more hidden.

Leang chuckled.

"I had one older brother. He was also the head of the family."

"I know. He became the head of the family at a relatively young age."

"That's right. But no one suspected it. Even I thought my brother was excellent. Except for his sword technique."

Leang started to grin, but it was a disturbing smile.

The dignified Leang looked like a completely different person.

"Zero-kun, do you know what my brother was called?"

"...I've never heard of it."

"Never heard of it... It seems my efforts have paid off."

After mumbling to himself for a moment, Leang spoke to me again.

"He was called 'Leifel the Hundred Defeats.' It means he never won a duel, not even in practice. Hehehe!"

I thought about it for a moment, but it was a new nickname to me.

I stored it in my mind and continued the conversation.

"Hehe, that could happen, couldn't it? The world of the strong is different, after all."

"Yes, I thought so too. Until my brother lost to a mere 14-year-old."

"..."

I couldn't help but close my mouth.

The head of a family losing to a 14-year-old who hadn't even entered the academy.

"The worst part is that I couldn't beat him either. That's when I realized there was an unbridgeable gap between prestigious families and third-rate families!"

Only then did I understand Leang's actions.

Prestigious families' children train from a young age and receive various support.

Losing to a child who hadn't even shed his boyish appearance.

'From then on, he became obsessed with the secret techniques of prestigious families. Because the brother he trusted lost so miserably.'

It must have been a significant shock to Leang at the time.

"Not only that, but the boy laughed at my brother, making him kneel. Saying, 'Is this even sword technique?'"

Leang's fists trembled.

He seemed to be recalling the memory.

"The worst part is that my brother endured it. Enduring such humiliation... That's when I realized the pain of the weak."

"..."

"Right after that, I left the family. I realized that everything I had built over 20 years was meaningless."

The rest is what I already knew.

Challenging knights, seeking their teachings, and abandoning his pride to rely on prestigious families.

After 10 years of training, he returned to his family and challenged his brother to a duel.

"I didn't intend to go as far as a duel. But my brother was still stubborn. So I had to show my skills... But..."

Leang's words stopped there.

His head snapped up and turned toward me.

"Do you know why I'm telling you this, Zero-kun?"

I felt it was strange, even before.

Not only did he answer a difficult question without getting angry, but he even revealed his own flaws.

"...I don't know."

"It's because I pity your shining talent."

Leang placed his hand on my shoulder and continued.

"Make sure to learn the sword techniques of prestigious families. Only then can you succeed. This world is designed for them from the beginning!"

I could feel Leang's hand on my shoulder trembling.

'So that's it.'

Third in the entrance exam.

Not only do I stand out in people's mouths, but I also seem to be overflowing with talent.

But I'm a commoner, not a noble.

From Leang's perspective, I must look like a foolish student trying to walk a thorny path.

'Pity.'

Swallowed by inferiority, Leang, who doesn't realize he's falling apart.

I genuinely felt sorry and sad for him.

'...Maybe it's because he's a good teacher.'

But Leang is a 1st boss, and I'm a gamer.

He must do what he has to do, and I must do what I have to do.

I raised my arm and removed his hand from my shoulder.

"Hehe, I see. But that's not a good enough reason to lie."

"Lie? What lie am I telling?"

"You said you received guidance from the head of the Lester family."

"...That's true, but..."

"Hehe, I actually know the real Ilseum."

Leang's body trembled.

Indeed, the claim of receiving direct guidance from Lenia was a lie.

It was time to apply pressure. I used the [Open Eyes] skill and continued.

"That can't be Ilseum. The claim that you met Lenia is a lie, isn't it?"

"That's not true!!"

A scream.

Leang's voice echoed throughout the training ground.

The children were startled and glanced over.

Woong-.

At the same time, something flowed from Leang's right hand.

A dark, ominous aura.

'Magic aura.'

It was seeping out so much that it was visible.

The flustered Leang quickly hid his right hand behind his back.

He turned his head and pretended not to notice, lost in thought.

'There must be more hidden stories...'

But going further would be dangerous. Rodelin and the 1st party will tackle Leang tomorrow, not today.

If I push further and he goes berserk here, the story will become a mess, and everything will be ruined.

'A bit disappointing. I wanted to know the full story.'

But I had to let it go.

I didn't want to ruin the game by stubbornly insisting.

If I clear this game and return to reality.

Then I'll try again to hear Leang's full story.

'That gives me one more reason to clear this game.'

I said to Leang.

"You said to learn the sword techniques of prestigious families to succeed."

"...That's true, but..."

"I don't think so. I believe all sword techniques have the same beginning and end. The difference is only in the middle."

"...!"

Leang's eyes widened in shock.

What's going on? I was just trying to wrap up the conversation. Why is he reacting like that?

'Is he about to go berserk?'

I thought he might draw his sword.

"...I'll go first. Be careful on your way back, Zero-kun."

Leang shuffled out of the training ground.

Only after he was completely gone could I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

'Phew, that was close. I need to be more careful.'

Leaning against the training ground wall, I started to organize my thoughts.

A puzzle of the character Leang.

I inserted the puzzle pieces I had just obtained one by one.

A hard worker.

An inferiority complex that surpasses that.

The sword technique of the Fleur family, Leang's family.

An obsession with the sword techniques of prestigious families.

10 years of training.

A duel with his older brother, the head of the family.

The downfall of the family.

'Finally, it's complete.'

Not entirely, but I could complete about 90%.

Moreover,

'I know how to make him repent.'

Defeating him with the sword technique of the Fleur family, which he had ignored.

This is the method to make him repent.

To show him that the sword technique of prestigious families isn't great just because they are prestigious.

To make him realize that the sword technique of the Fleur family is also excellent.

Then he will have no choice but to regret and repent for his past mistakes.

It's a perfect plan, I thought.

'As expected, it's a game, after all.'

Huh? Where will I learn the sword technique of the Fleur family?

Of course,

"Hehe, I have to learn it from Leang himself."

The skills I possess.