Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 195

Time flowed by faster than I could measure.

I mainly focused on developing the Ironclad Brigade and training myself.

Besides that, I worked on various projects with Jung Jin-soo and Anastasia outside the family. Within the family, I solidified my alliance with my second sister and continued to dismantle the power of the Council of Elders.

I heard that the Head of the Council of Elders and Madam Baek had some kind of meeting, but apart from occasional checks, no major incidents occurred.

The Head of the Council of Elders stubbornly stuck to his ideas even as his power was being eroded.

Meanwhile, I was….

“Maintain formation! Rearguard! Stay vigilant!”

“Don’t stop! Support team! Give me your locations quickly!”

I was taking the Ironclad Brigade around dangerous areas, dungeons, and gates for training.

-Krrrroooaaarr!

A Rank 4 Lesser Kraken.

The Ironclad Brigade was fighting that monster, which had appeared off the coast of Jeju Island.

After nearly a year of repeated training, the Ironclad Brigade’s organization was complete, except for the Brigade Lord and Vice-Brigade Lords.

‘They’re finally getting to the point where I can use them.’

The Lesser Kraken was a large monster that lived in the sea, classifying it as a Rank 4 threat.

A monster with the ability to regenerate limbs, even after being severed by primal magic, in an instant.

It was a monster that even well-prepared hunter teams were reluctant to face.

However, the Ironclad Brigade maintained their formation and attacked the Lesser Kraken without wavering.

At that moment.

Kwaaaang!

The surface of the water exploded due to the Lesser Kraken’s primal magic, and Squad 3 was knocked into the water.

It was a somewhat dangerous situation, but I remained at a distance, observing.

“Squad 2! Hurry!”

Squad 2 filled the void left by Squad 3.

It was called training, but it was an actual battle against a monster, and despite the sudden replacement of squad members, the transition was smooth.

Who would look at that and think they were a newly formed martial arts squad?

Kwaaaang! Kwaang!

As the squads rotated, the warriors and mages in each squad who were capable of long-range attacks fired magic bullets and arrows relentlessly.

Kwaga Gagaang! Kwaaaang!

Numerous lights of aura and mana dyed the sea off the coast of Jeju Island.

In the midst of all this.

-Krrrrooooo!

As all living things do when cornered, the Kraken unleashed its rage and suddenly erupted with mana.

The Ironclad Brigade’s formation was disrupted, and some were caught in the primal magic.

-Krrrroooooooo!

The Kraken’s fear followed.

Some of the Ironclad Brigade members felt disoriented, and the formation began to collapse.

A precarious situation.

Then, a thunderous voice erupted from the rear.

“Its magic is powerful but predictable! You can avoid it! Squads 1 and 2, focus! Squads 3 and 4, suppress the magic as much as possible! You can do it!”

It was Lee Young-sung, launching attacks from the rear.

The Ironclad Brigade members, jolted by his mana-filled voice, snapped back to attention and began to recover.

A 180-degree change from his usual frivolous demeanor.

With timely instructions, the Ironclad Brigade members reorganized their formation.

Zzzzzhk! Kwang! Kwagang!

Lee Young-sung’s bow then spat fire.

Every time the bowstring snapped, a storm of aura arrows shot out.

Dozens of aura arrows were planted with pinpoint accuracy.

‘Impressive.’

I had absorbed several black iron bows, but Lee Young-sung’s archery was almost divine.

The aura curved as it flew from his hand, and once fired, none of them ever missed.

“Haaaap!”

The Ironclad Brigade members, who had regained their composure in that short time, poured each squad’s firepower into the Lesser Kraken.

And then.

-Kiiiiiiii……!

Boil, boil!

The Rank 4 monster, Lesser Kraken, slowly sank below the surface with bubbles.

On the sea, the monster’s blood and black poison floated like oil.

“Uwaaaaaa!”

“We did it! We did it!”

“Aaaaaa!”

The Ironclad Brigade members cheered and rejoiced.

I smiled as I watched them, then turned my gaze to Lee Young-sung, who was taking deep breaths at the very back and lowering the bow he was holding.

* * *

It is not good to leave the monster’s corpse as it is.

Monsters are creatures with twisted mana, and large monsters like the Lesser Kraken, which are the masters of the area and large in size, can cause various disasters.

The Ironclad Brigade members were dragging their tired bodies and burning the byproducts one by one with aura, or dismantling the Kraken’s corpse.

There were several salvage ships and IBS [Inflatable Boat System] floating nearby, but most of the warriors were using mana to stay afloat on the water and carry out the work.

“Ugh, this fishy smell is awful.”

Among those members, Lee Young-sung, who was the vice-squad leader of Squad 2, was also grumbling and continuing the dismantling work.

“Hey! Seriously! Vice-Squad Leader! Hurry up!”

“Hey! I’m the vice-squad leader, why should I be doing this kind of grunt work!”

“The squad leader is doing it too!”

“That’s why I’m doing it too! Why are you picking on me!”

Despite being a child of Uncle Lee Baek-chul, Lee Young-sung mingled freely with the members.

I watched the disposal work and approached Lee Young-sung.

“Vice-Squad Leader Lee Young-sung.”

“Oh, aren’t you our Brigade Lord?”

As soon as Lee Young-sung saw me, he threw away the smelly Lesser Kraken corpse he was holding and dusted off his hands.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“Of course, I’d be happy to.”

I took Lee Young-sung, who was grinning, and moved away.

Lee Young-sung seemed happy just to not be working, and he was wiggling his body as if he was about to dance.

“I saw your performance today. It was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Really? I’m pretty good, aren’t I?”

“I’m being serious.”

Lee Young-sung still just smiled.

“I just shot arrows from afar. The kids are doing so well, aren’t they? You’ve been pushing them so hard, Young Master… Oh, I’m sorry. Brigade Lord knows that better than I do, right?”

“I know it well. I also know that it would have been difficult to handle them because it was a water battle.”

Some might say it’s just a Rank 4 monster, but the Lesser Kraken is a monster that can paralyze the maritime traffic network in the area.

Because the battle had to be fought on or in the water, it should have been a very difficult battle for the current Ironclad Brigade to handle.

Moreover, the Lesser Kraken commanded several monsters under its control… It was right that it would be difficult to handle with only about 50 members, excluding the support team.

“Just one question.”

“Oh, yes. Please tell me. I will answer honestly!”

“What do you think of the current Ironclad Brigade?”

At my words, Lee Young-sung smiled meaningfully again.

“How would a mere vice-squad leader know? Hehe.”

“A mere vice-squad leader who is hiding his strength as a Rank 4 warrior and is a former captain of the 1st squad of the Black Sword Unit would know.”

“…….”

Lee Young-sung still didn’t erase his smile, but he stared at me intently.

“Why? You didn’t think I wouldn’t know.”

“I knew you knew, but I was a little embarrassed because you suddenly said this when you usually don’t say anything.”

“I brought it up because I thought the probing was over.”

Probing.

Lee Young-sung always participated diligently in training and was sincere in battle, but he had rarely given his all.

In fact, he only showed enough to be appointed as the vice-squad leader of Squad 2 in the squad leader selection.

I thought he was constantly probing.

Me, and the Ironclad Brigade.

“That’s enough, just answer me. The Ironclad Brigade. What is it like?”

Lee Young-sung turned his head and looked at the Ironclad Brigade members who were cleaning up.

“Well, it’s a good martial arts squad. Everyone is fierce but doesn’t lose their composure, and their camaraderie is amazing. Their teamwork is also considerable… It’s still a bit lacking… but their potential is considerable, isn’t it?”

“Is that the opinion of the vice-squad leader?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then what is the opinion of a single warrior?”

“…….”

Lee Young-sung’s expression became strange.

“I’m a bit clumsy. I don’t know what you’re trying to say, Brigade Lord.”

“You can’t really not know.”

At my words, Lee Young-sung shut his mouth tightly.

Lee Young-sung is a great talent.

It is amazing that he reached the level of a Rank 4 warrior with only archery, which is difficult to achieve, and he even thinks of the members and gives instructions in dangerous and urgent situations.

His vision is broad.

It’s no wonder my second sister was jealous.

At that time, one of the Ironclad Brigade members approached, as if the disposal of the corpses was finished.

“Brigade Lord Lee Chul! Disposal is complete. We can hand over the minor cleaning to the military and withdraw immediately.”

“Okay, I understand. Start the withdrawal.”

I answered briefly and turned my head back to Lee Young-sung.

“Don’t you know enough about me and the Ironclad Brigade now?”

“…….”

“Are you still scared? Then why are you still pretending to be a thug? Why did you even join the Ironclad Brigade?”

Lee Young-sung hesitated and didn’t speak.

“I’ll advise you not as the owner of the Ironclad Brigade or as a direct descendant of the Soongmoo Family, but as your cousin. Make a decision now.”

Lee Young-sung stared at me for a long time and then let out a deep sigh.

Then, he opened his mouth with great difficulty.

“Just a little more… Could you give me a little more time?”

“I can’t give you much time.”

“That’s okay.”

I nodded.

Lee Young-sung smiled bitterly and looked down at his feet.

The waves, crashing and shaking, seemed to be coming stronger only to his feet.

* * *

There was a place I always visited when I came to Jeju Island.

The village of hidden mystical species inside Mount Halla.

The Mirinae Village, which was gradually making contact with society through me and Jung Jin-soo, was full of life.

I visited Mirinae Village and sat down with Elder Seop and Elder Ryeo.

“I asked you to prepare a place for training, and this is what you meant.”

It was Elder Seop.

Compared to when I first met him, Elder Seop had a much gentler expression.

“Yes, I’m sorry if it was noisy.”

“It’s not something to be sorry about. The training is being done far away, and you’re also taking care of the village’s affairs.”

Elder Ryeo, who was sitting next to him, asked with a slightly sullen expression.

“But is it okay to push them so hard? I heard they were catching monsters on the beach all day today? And training near the crater without rest….”

In fact, the Ironclad Brigade members were currently undergoing mana training at the top of Mount Halla.

“They only become useful if they keep being pushed. They’ve just started to get into the swing of things, so I couldn’t leave them alone.”

“Still, shouldn’t you let them rest a bit today?”

“It’s not like they’re sparring, they’re just training mana, so it’ll be fine.”

“……Isn’t the place where you’re training that mana a sealed area where magical energy often leaks out?”

Although the Great Demon was sealed semi-permanently, magical energy was still leaking out very slightly.

“That’s why it’s helpful. It’s great for training mental strength and mana control. I went to Daemado a while ago, and I could clearly feel that their mana control was lacking.”

“Usually, you go to such dangerous places to experience real battles, not to train.”

“Well, I went there for training.”

“That’s….”

Ryeo tried to say something but coughed lowly.

After all, he couldn’t say to the village’s benefactor, ‘Because you’re crazy about training.’

“But is it okay if they’re exposed to magical energy? They could develop madness.”

“It’s okay. They’re not that mentally weak.”

They had already fought against demon species several times.

The leaking magical energy was fine.

“……Anyway, it’s amazing. You even went to Daemado. I heard you’re experiencing real battles every day?”

“It’s still a long way to go. They need to grow more.”

Both Elder Seop and Elder Ryeo shook their heads at my words.

As Elder Seop and Elder Ryeo said, I had mercilessly pushed the Ironclad Brigade members for nearly a year.

I was training the Ironclad Brigade in various ways (the cadet corps classmates called it bullying).

Literally land, sea, and air, mountains and rivers.

There was no training they hadn’t done, and no terrain or monster they hadn’t encountered.

So much so that the guys from the cadet corps contacted me and said that I was going too far.

‘They were holding up well today, so I think I can push them a little more.’

Usually, most martial arts squads train within the family when they don’t have missions, but I was forcibly receiving all kinds of missions in the family and assigning them to the Ironclad Brigade members.

As a result, it became the martial arts squad with the highest annual mission performance in the main family.

Thanks to that.

Not only did the individual martial power improve, but the ability as a martial arts squad also increased dramatically.

They were able to catch the Lesser Kraken, which is rated as Rank 4, without any casualties.

“By the way, did you use the medicinal herbs we sent you well? You were trying to raise those guys, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I smiled at Elder Ryeo’s words.

Even while pushing them so hard, I was giving the Ironclad Brigade members the best treatment as promised.

Secret books, mana techniques, equipment, and even elixirs.

I was also paying them about twice the average wage.

Thanks to that, many warriors have recently been applying to join the Ironclad Brigade.

I didn’t have any plans to grow the Ironclad Brigade any further, so I only hired administrative staff.

“That’s right, how is the state of the seal?”

The Great Demon that put Mirinae Village in danger a long time ago.

That guy, who was just a mental body, was still sealed deep underground in this sacred mountain.

“The seal is safe.”

“That’s a relief.”

I nodded and stroked the sword body of Black Night.

In the near future.

I was going to completely eliminate the Great Demon, not just seal it.

“Then I’ll get up and go see how the members are doing.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ll prepare a feast, so stay and eat.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I came out of the house and walked through Mirinae Village.

The scenery of Mirinae Village had changed considerably.

The mysterious atmosphere was still there as it was a village of mystical species, but it was much more developed, and there were things made with human technology in various places.

All of them were changes that occurred through exchanges with our company.

Recently, Andong soju [a type of Korean distilled liquor] and jerky were the most popular, or something like that.

“Huh?”

At that time, I felt a presence following me and turned my head slightly.

The figures of small boys and girls were visible in the corner of the village.

As soon as I made eye contact, they turned away and pretended to do something else.

“I was wondering when you’d show up. You were following me? How have you been?”

It was the Kyung Chang-yung trio.

I smiled brightly and greeted them.

I often visited Mirinae Village, but I only greeted them because I was busy processing work and leaving right away.

“……Hello.”

“Yes, well, nice to see you.”

Kyung Chang-yung greeted me sullenly and turned his head slightly.

I blinked, not knowing why these guys were suddenly like this.

“Hmm, by the way, you guys have grown a lot already. You were this small before.”

“……Hmph! When did we say we were that small?”

“Then you haven’t grown much, have you?”

But the reaction is strange.

Why have these cute guys changed so much?

Something cocky, rebellious, yet strangely shy….

‘……Puberty?’

Their appearance is clearly like upper elementary school students or middle school students… Do mystical species also have puberty?

I blinked my eyes wide and chuckled.

“Are you guys sulking?”

“No, we’re not! Why would we be sulking? That’s so funny.”

“Hmph! Hey! Let’s go! You’re really clueless.”

“Oh, well, I want to talk a little….”

Those were the words of Kyung, Yung, and Chang in order.

Kyung became rebellious, Yung became a bit prim, Chang is still mature… but he seems to be very aware of the others’ feelings.

‘Haha! Cute guys.’

I ruffled Kyung’s hair.

There was a story that the appearance of goblins changes according to their mental age, but I guess it’s time for these guys to have puberty.

Tak!

At that moment, Kyung slapped my hand away and glared at me.

“……If you don’t want to taste the black dragon sealed in me, put this hand away.”

……What did I just hear?

However, Chang and Yung also made slightly disgusted expressions at Kyung’s reaction and slowly moved away.

“Heh heh! You seem surprised. I think I told you before. I’ll win by wrestling when I come back… no, by a duel of souls. Now…….”

I left Kyung muttering and approached Chang.

“What is he doing?”

“……I’m sorry.”

“No, you don’t have to be sorry.”

“Just… I’m sorry.”

Chang hesitated and bowed his head, and Yung covered his face with both hands.

“Heh heh heh!”

In the meantime, Kyung continued to mutter something and was lost in his own world.

I don’t know why the embarrassment is on the part of the rest of the people.

“Hey! Stop it!”

“Ugh!”

Peok!

Yung couldn’t stand it anymore and kicked Kyung’s body, and another squabble broke out between the two.

Chang was just standing far away and laughing.

I chuckled and just watched the three of them squabbling.

It was then.

Woo Woong!

The phone in my pocket vibrated.

‘What is it? Jung Jin-soo?’

I picked up my smartphone and checked the caller.

‘Nanny?’

I answered the phone right away.

My nanny’s voice was heard from the other side of the receiver.

“Yes, Nanny. What’s wrong?”

-Young Master. It’s not that, but…….

The nanny hesitated for a moment and continued.

-I think you should come back to the family right now.”

“Right now? Is something wrong?”

I frowned.

-It’s not that something is wrong, but…….

The nanny continued slowly.

-The Lord [referring to the head of the family] is looking for you. I think he’s planning to leave the family tomorrow.