Disciple Of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 306

That’s just how humans are.
When many gather, conflict is bound to arise.

“But why have you been speaking informally since earlier?”

Indeed, it was safe to assume that things wouldn’t just pass without incident.

A man, seemingly displeased with Number 3’s words, was frowning.

He looked to be nearing forty years of age.

“Huh?”

Number 3’s response to that.

“Does my informal speech bother you?”

“…You keep….”

“We’re all equal here anyway. Didn’t you serve in the military back in your day, old man?”

The man who had objected to his audacity shut his mouth.

“Ah, are you a martial artist? Whatever. Do we really need to use honorifics here? You’re speaking informally too.”

“Show some respect.”

The older man said in an annoyed voice.

“I am….”

“Wow, don’t tell me you’re about to say what sect you’re from or who you are?”

“……”

“Looks like you forgot.”

Smirk.

Number 3 had a smile on his lips.

However, his eyes were as sharp as a viper’s.

“This is the Silver Star. There’s a penalty for revealing your identity during new guild member training. Can you handle that?”

“……”

He couldn’t win with words.

“You’re free to leave if you really want to, old man.”

Number 3 opened his mouth as if doing a favor.

“If you’re unhappy with doing something with me, there’s nothing I can do.”

As he looked around, the smile on Number 3’s lips grew even deeper.

Now that the training had started and quite some time had passed, most of the new guild members had already formed groups.

If he left this party now, he would end up having to ask to join another group, which would put him in a disadvantageous position.

“Will you listen to informal speech while speaking informally? Or will you go over there and use honorifics?”

Number 3 was aware of and taking advantage of this entire situation.

“Tch. Someday, you’ll pay the price for that insolent mouth.”

“Old man. What do you expect me to do if you say that?”

Number 3 said.

“Should I go forward with someone who might become a threat? Or should I make a decision here and send you away?”

“You…!”

“Old man. Think carefully, okay? As you know, we haven’t passed the final test yet. We could be eliminated here.”

“Kuhhh!”

“Or….”

Clang.

Number 3 drew a sword from his waist.

“Should I organize the hierarchy once as you wish?”

Only then did a faint smile appear on the man’s face.

“Oh! You seem confident?”

Lee Rowan watched the whole process, recalling a memory from a certain day.

-Let’s have a ranking battle.

It was a memory from the past, a time when he had been part of the special forces heading to Einheart.

‘Those guys….’

Back then, when they were ordered to carry out the terrorist attack on Einheart, they had completed their mission, which could be considered a success, but in the end, the entire special forces team had been disbanded and gone missing.

Even Baek Cheong, who had been the leader of that special forces team.

“……”

If there was any good news, it was that he had confirmed she was alive.

“So, try it if you want.”

“That’s what I wanted.”

The two were about to clash immediately.

The others were just watching them.

“…They’re coming.”

It was Lee Rowan’s voice that was heard then.

Clang!

Everyone who had been standing still drew their weapons and took their positions.

Even Number 3 and the older man, who had seemed about to clash just moments ago.

They immediately stood back-to-back, guarding all sides.

“That was close.”

Presences were felt from all directions.

“He’s a special recruit after all.”

Monsters had already surrounded them and were approaching.

“Old man. Are we going to have a ranking battle now?”

“Damn it.”

“How about this instead?”

Number 3 said, still with a smile on his face.

“Let’s see who catches more monsters. That’s how you and I will determine our superiority.”

“……Fine.”

“The rest of you too. You know this training lasts for three days, right? If you switch groups, you’ll just get ostracized. Let’s properly establish the hierarchy here and do well for three days.”

Number 3 was definitely taking control of the atmosphere.

Even the dissatisfaction that had been directed at him was being transformed into something else.

“Then, for now, I’m the leader. I’ll be in charge of the command?”

Having said that, Number 3 slowly opened his mouth and lifted his heels.

“Charge!”

* * *

Number 3’s first order was absurd.

It was questionable whether a command was even necessary.

-Charge!

It was simply to go forward and annihilate the enemy.

However.

Swish!

The temporary group members faithfully carried out Number 3’s orders.

In fact, that was what the group members had wanted.

Even though the Silver Star guild members were new, there were very few who could be called novices.

Most of them were players or martial artists who had experience fighting monsters.

Swish!

They weren’t afraid of mere goblins or orcs, nor did they need complex strategies.

However, that was also a misconception.

“Kuh!”

This was not a gate [a portal to another dimension].

Those were not ordinary monsters either.

Monsters born within the barrier.

Their level was.

“These aren’t just ordinary monsters!”

They were far from ordinary.

They were all different.

Also, there were cases where goblins would suddenly swell in size and become as big as orcs.

“Damn it!”

That’s how humans are.

If the situation is within the level they have grasped and thought about, there is no problem, but if a situation beyond that arises, they panic.

Unless they are veterans with overwhelming experience.

“Keok!”

It was inevitable that they would be flustered and make a fuss in this sudden situation.

It was then.

“Number 40! Number 32, old man! Left!”

Number 3’s voice.

“The right is…!”

He was calmly shouting and giving orders to the group members.

The group members who had not followed his orders at first.

“Hey, special recruit! Here!”

As Lee Rowan moved, they slowly began to listen.

They had been pushed back little by little, showing gaps.

Swish!

They were now pushing back the monsters again.

“……!”

Even in the meantime, Number 3’s command continued.

“Old man, now to the right! Number 11 to the left! The rest….”

It was a fluid command, but fortunately, they were skilled enough to follow it.

Swish!

The monsters fell.

Swish!

One, two, five monsters.

The corpses of the monsters piled up, and the extent of the group members’ injuries was also decreasing.

“End!”

Number 3’s voice was the signal.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Uweeek!”

As a result of giving their all, the exhausted group members collapsed on the spot, catching their breath or throwing up.

“Whew.”

However, Number 3, looking perfectly fine, said with his sword on his shoulder.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard.”

At his playful voice, the group members who were resting looked at him.

“…….”

His appearance was so different from theirs.

“Old man. I see you caught seven monsters.”

Number 3 also said.

“I only caught one, so you won?”

It was what he had wanted.

However, the expression of the man who had been called out was not good.

“How about it? Do you want to take command? I wouldn’t refuse….”

“No.”

They had clearly been growling at each other just a moment ago.

But now.

“You….”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“You…!”

“I can’t hear you well?”

“You do it!”

The man, nearing forty, had no choice but to acknowledge Number 3 with his head bowed.

During the battle, Number 3’s skills were not particularly outstanding.

Or rather, it could be said that he hardly stepped forward.

He had left all the fighting to the group members, only directly stepping in and swinging his sword in some urgent situations.

However, the process was important.

“Impressive.”

Number 3 had executed perfect command.

“Was the initial order to charge to gauge our skills and identify our strengths?”

At someone’s voice, most of the group members nodded.

Having experience, they had felt it.

“Well, something like that?”

Number 3’s answer to that was also affirmative.

“It’s hard to ask if they’re a player or a martial artist. And if we just clash swords, we’ll just waste our stamina.”

Number 3 said as if it was nothing to ask.

“It’s better to see and evaluate directly.”

Indeed, Number 3 had observed the chaos caused by the initial charge.

Who was a player, who was a martial artist, what martial arts and skills they used.

And he had evaluated their level.

“Accordingly, he moves the group members to the right places, and compensates for their weaknesses….”

A voice continued.

“He did that in such a short time?”

It was easy to say, but it was difficult to actually do.

To properly gauge their skills and push the group members into the right places and situations.

Above all.

“…….”

Number 3 naturally took command and led everyone.

Even though someone’s objection or individual action during the battle could endanger the whole group, Number 3 naturally took command.

Therefore.

“I admit it. You’re the leader.”

“Me too.”

“I admit it too.”

Number 3 had his skills acknowledged.

Smirk.

Number 3 smiled as if he knew it would happen.

It was then.

“You….”

The man who had first clashed with Number 3 said.

“Are you a player?”

At that question, the atmosphere, which had been somewhat relaxed, turned cold.

Asking about someone’s identity.

It sounded like he was going to create another form of discrimination, and it also sounded like he was going to bring Number 3 down.

It was also something that shouldn’t be done during training.

“Ah, the misunderstanding….”

The man hurriedly waved his hand.

“I don’t misunderstand.”

Number 3’s answer to that.

“I know you’re not stupid enough to think of bringing me down after acknowledging me. You’re just curious, right?”

Number 3 nodded.

“That’s right. I’m a player.”

A rule that you shouldn’t reveal your identity.

The one who broke the rule by asking the question and the one who answered it.

“Thank…you.”

Number 3 had taken the man’s sin upon himself.

He had declared that he would not accuse the man of his sin.

Everyone was nodding.

At this moment, even the slightest distrust that had existed towards Number 3 had vanished.

“To think there was someone like this among the players… The Silver Star is indeed amazing.”

“That’s wrong.”

Number 3 answered the man’s mutterings.

“It’s just that players haven’t had a chance to properly show their skills. There are many who are quite amazing. Including me, of course.”

Smirk.

“So, let’s do it properly, us.”

Number 3’s eyes were now on Lee Rowan.

“Ah, and thanks for earlier.”

If Lee Rowan hadn’t moved first in response to Number 3’s command earlier, it would have taken quite some time to move the other group members.

However, as Lee Rowan, who was a special recruit, immediately responded to Number 3’s command, the other group members had no choice but to take notice.

Therefore, Number 3 was expressing his gratitude.

“Let’s make our group number one.”

Lee Rowan looked at Number 3 with strange eyes.

‘He didn’t just evaluate skills and identity.’

The argument before the battle, and the first charge.

In that process, Number 3 had also seen.

‘Personality, tendencies, behavior patterns.’

So, even if he hadn’t moved, Number 3 would have succeeded in moving the group members as he pleased.

A rather interesting fellow.

‘Interesting.’

Lee Rowan was enjoying this childish play even more.

“They’re coming again.”