Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 19

“Again, they’re all sprawled out and fallen. If you want to swim, why don’t you head to the ocean or a pool? Why struggle in a swamp? Is it fun? Does the swamp water taste good? I just can’t understand the mindset.”

‘Damn it,’ someone thought.

Wasn’t it said that camaraderie flourishes in adversity?

The first-year B-class students all glared at Jaehyuk with a single mind.

Due to the terrain adaptation training extended by two more hours compared to the previous week, they couldn’t help but groan, and he kept provoking them.

“Aigoo, well done. Very well done. With a posture like that, of course, you fall over easily. Did you all earn a group certification as negative examples?”

“Ugh! Just shut up! Because you keep stepping on our backs, we can’t straighten our spines properly, you pest! Do you think we’re doing this on purpose?”

Unable to hold back any longer, Jinsung burst out in anger. The consequence was dire. With a sudden movement, the delicate balance of his body broke, causing him to topple forward.

In a flash, Jinsung ended up buried in the swamp with only his behind sticking out.

Jaehyuk, perched atop Jinsung, seemed genuinely amazed.

“Is this guy’s first skill 『Chair Generation』 or something?”

“Ugh! Blub-blub-blub-blub!”

Even acting carelessly created a picturesque scene.

Jaehyuk, seated on Jinsung’s rear, shone brightly amidst a hellscape covered in filth.

It looked so natural that it could have graced the cover of a magazine.

“His appearance being so decent just makes it more infuriating.”

“Why did God give that face to such a guy…”

“Ahhh! I can’t take it anymore! Don’t hold it against me, Kang Jaehyuk! You should experience having swamp water come out of your ears at least once too, right?”

Things were in chaos.

While others were covered in mud and filth, Jaehyuk was clean, and this increased the students’ ire to the point of frenzy.

They wouldn’t hesitate to work together to shove Jaehyuk into the swamp, even if just once.

“…”

Kim Jinmyung just watched over the students.

Considering the remarkable achievements made by B-class students over the past week, he refrained from intervening prematurely.

In Kim Jinmyung’s teaching career, such rapidly growing students were certainly a first.

Look at them, cooperating seamlessly in the swamp. They were almost ready to play soccer in the swamp soon… or perhaps he was exaggerating too much seeing their frequent falls.

Regardless, at the center of this remarkable growth was Kang Jaehyuk.

The speed at which he adapted to the swamp was awe-inspiring every time he recalled it.

It was possible thanks to the noble(?) sacrifices of classmates who became stepping stones during the training…

‘From just the second day, he grasped the swamp’s characteristics and adjusted his movements to receive less resistance.’

One could call him a living textbook.

The other students were actively being influenced by Jaehyuk in real time.

Jaehyuk had persistently tormented and provoked them, encouraging them to naturally observe and try to imitate his moves.

Though they couldn’t match his level of mana manipulation, causing the gap to widen increasingly.

‘He is smart, knows how to perfectly control his body, and his mana management skill is at an upper-level player standard.’

The more the kids challenged him, the more Jaehyuk seemed elated.

Kim Jinmyung, watching him intently, found his expression gradually darkening.

No matter how many times he reconsidered, the result of Jaehyuk’s mana measurement was disappointing.

‘Why did the heavens bestow such a brilliant talent with such a filthy skill?’

Be content with the temper that was granted…

“… Alright, everyone calm down and gather around.”

Checking the time, Kim Jinmyung gathered the students.

Nearly half of the students have fainted, and those who were mentally sound crawled and barely stood in front of Jinmyung.

Only Jaehyuk stood unaffected, without even a disrupted breath… yet no one questioned this.

“Tomorrow, a monster will be released into the swamp.”

“Are, are you serious?”

“We can’t even run in the swamp yet, and you’re already bringing monsters…”

Wasn’t the progress too fast?

As the terrified students made faces like they were about to cry, Kim Jinmyung reassured them.

“… It is odd for anyone to run around in a swamp. Anyway, the joint training will be conducted with C-class, so it won’t be dangerous. Even if an emergency occurs, the instructors will ensure everyone’s safety, so rest assured.”

“Yes…”

While the students were far from reassured, Jaehyuk’s eyes had been sparkling since earlier. He looked so delighted that it was as if you could see a tail wagging behind him.

Kim Jinmyung unintentionally smiled and dismissed the students.

***

– In the upcoming joint training, provoke Kang Jaehyuk.”

– Is that the answer? Are you saying I can earn 20 credits just by doing that?”

– Indeed. How could I lie to someone like you who will debut in the association’s third strategy team immediately after graduation? It might be unsavory to get involved in trivial matters, but just this once, believe in me. The higher-ups will not forget your cooperation.”

First-year C-class, Park Shiwoo.

He was a promising talent who had received a red evaluation.

Both teachers and students showed favor towards him.

However, what Park Shiwoo needed wasn’t simple goodwill but tangible rewards.

In other words, credits.

The more credits one amassed, the better. They were a currency for exchanging for elixirs or items.

‘Kang Jaehyuk… It seems like he’s fallen out of favor with the association’s teachers, just as the rumors said.’

The brother of Kang Daesung, who crippled the head of the association before fleeing abroad.

It was natural for teachers from the association to dislike Kang Jaehyuk.

The moment he provokes Kang Jaehyuk, something bad was likely to happen for Kang Jaehyuk.

But what could he do?

‘It’s not my concern what happens to others. I have my own life to live.’

Park Shiwoo was twenty-eight years old.

Relatively young for someone who awakened with a top-tier first skill.

Though his level was low due to his recent awakening, in terms of luck and talent, he lagged only a little behind the A-class students.

Thus, he naturally harbored ambition.

He dreamed of becoming the ace of the association, earning hundreds of billions in annual salary, and living a wealthy life forever.

To fulfill that dream, he needed to become as strong as possible before graduating.

Even if it meant stepping over a young boy.

“Please take care of me during today’s training.”

“Haha, alright.”

B-class and C-class gathered in the swamp area.

First, Kim Jinmyung exchanged greetings with the C-class homeroom teacher.

On the surface, it seemed friendly, but the C-class homeroom teacher’s demeanor was arrogant.

While Kim Jinmyung offered polite greetings, the C-class teacher only nodded his head slightly.

‘He’s younger than our homeroom teacher but so arrogant.’

‘He’s from the association, right? I heard teachers from the association are tightly knit and oppress teachers from guilds.’

‘If he acts like this in front of the students, imagine what it’s like when it’s just the teachers.’

‘… But is that really arrogance? Compared to Kang Jaehyuk, he’s quite gentle.’

‘Anyone compared to that guy is an angel.’

While B-class students shot glances at the C-class homeroom teacher, Jaehyuk was glaring at Kim Jinmyung.

‘Honestly, Kim Jinmyung. It’s because of your usual behavior that you’re treated like that. Tsk tsk.’

‘…’

When the students started moving their gaze from the C-class homeroom teacher to Jaehyuk.

“As you know, this swamp is designed for training purposes. Real swamps are located deeper within the Black Forest. Soon, the instructors will enter the forest to lure out monsters.”

Kim Jinmyung explained the training content.

“Everyone, keep in mind, the goal of this training is not to hunt monsters but to adapt to swamps where monsters are active and learn how to traverse safely. There’s no need to risk facing the monsters directly, focus solely on escaping the swamp safely.”

“Yes!”

‘Judging by the atmosphere, they’re releasing only a handful of monsters.’

Jaehyuk frowned.

He had perfectly adapted to the swamp terrain.

Unless monsters actively acted as a distraction, he could swim, grill some meat, and even take a nap in the swamp.

In other words, it was necessary to move forward.

He wanted to experience a swamp teeming with a mass of active monsters.

However, judging by the atmosphere, it appeared to be a peaceful class and this was disappointing.

‘… Well, it was said that half of the awakened remain at level 1 their entire lives. I understand why they’re obsessed with safety.’

It’s easy to awaken and become a player.

But leveling up was tough.

Gates are dangerous places, and monsters are strong.

Plenty of awakened individuals never ventured near a gate their whole lives.

Moreover, many who bravely challenged a gate ended up crippled or dead.

The establishment of player training institutions by countries worldwide wasn’t for no reason.

“They’re coming!”

Students who were on edge shouted simultaneously.

Instructors emerging from the forest were followed by three monsters.

Swamp leeches.

They were E-rank monsters most commonly seen in swamp areas.

“Ugh, they’re disgusting.”

“I heard once those attach to your body, they suck blood until you’re a mummy.”

Amid students whose faces turned pale…

“Three of them?”

Jaehyuk clicked his tongue.

“No, releasing only three monsters won’t even disturb the swamp.”

“You seem confident? Swamp leeches are among the fastest E-rank monsters. At present, they’re slithering on the ground unable to fully speed up, but in the swamp, they become significantly faster. Underestimating them will lead to serious trouble.”

Park Shiwoo, who had been watching Jaehyuk, subtly pointed out.

At that moment, the leeches, which had just arrived at the scene, entered the swamp.

The students were abuzz with chatter.

Frightened by the view of leeches speeding up immensely and disappearing the instant they submerged.

“How does it look? Fast, right?”

Park Shiwoo had already grasped Jaehyuk’s personality in a short time.

Having little patience and lacking manners, he was of the type to go after you with fiery eyes when scratched even a little.

It signified Park Shiwoo really understood why his role was to provoke Jaehyuk.

Park Shiwoo figured Jaehyuk would immediately rush into the swamp.

The C-class teacher thought the same.

He was anticipating a chain of events where Jaehyuk, lacking prior knowledge, would fall into great disgrace and even lash out at Park Shiwoo.

‘Then, we’ll slap him with penalty points right away.’

Receiving 30 penalty points just two weeks into admission?

It was enough reason to suggest expulsion.

The moment a thick smile spread across the C-class teacher’s lips.

“Are you nervous? You’ve been quite talkative about how fast leeches are, haven’t you?”

Jaehyuk, contrary to expectations, responded by returning the taunt to Park Shiwoo.

“Scared out of your wits and cramming all night, do you think you can achieve anything that way?”

And Park Shiwoo, as a promising talent marked in red, possessed a very strong sense of pride.

“… No way would I be scared of just E-rank monsters. I’ll go first, so watch and learn.”

‘Instead of provoking, he’s been provoked and fell over.’

From the very start, things weren’t going as planned, stirring up ominous forebodings in the C-class teacher.

Meanwhile, inside the Black Forest.

‘Damn… we’re screwed.’

Several A-class students, advancing through the swamp while fighting off ferocious monsters, turned pale.

They only realized too late that they had misread the map and entered the 『Swamp Leech King’s』 territory.

Kyaooorooroo!!

By the time they noticed, it was too late.

With the king’s roar, hundreds of leeches swarmed and started a massive movement following the swamp’s presence.

Here, the biggest issue was…

Slither, slither!

A portion of the leech swarm sensed the presence of other swamps outside the forest.

The joint training of B-class and C-class was underway in that area.