CHAPTER 99

At dawn, Encrid awoke to face yet another identical 'today'.

He trained his body using the Isolation Technique.

Today begins anew.

It was mostly the same as yesterday.

Training his body while being observed by the scout and Finn.

From early dawn, Encrid, after finishing his sword training, checked his equipment.

He had forgotten to check his gear in the morning after the battle with the ghoul.

'From here, again.'

It's the start of a new 'today'.

And it's the moment to decide the direction.

Should he go back through the hole?

Or choose a different path?

He lifted his sword horizontally to the ground and tilted it to eye level.

He inspected the blade with his eyes. There were no missing teeth.

As Encrid looked at the blade, he continued his thoughts.

The most important thing in this repetitive 'today'.

'First, assess the situation.'

If there are three paths to take, he wanted to know what lies at the end of each of those three paths.

As if waiting, the three paths were laid out before his eyes.

How he would walk towards tomorrow was something to be thought about later.

After wiping the blade with the prepared leather and checking the other equipment once, he untied the leather strap wrapped around the hilt and rewrapped it.

This was a kind of mark to start a different 'today'.

Since he couldn't count the increasing number of 'todays' one by one, he devised this method while repeating the first today.

Wrapping the leather strap around the sword grip again was the second today, Encrid remembered.

"If you're leaving at dawn, shouldn't you hurry?"

Torres said while making do with jerky for breakfast.

After tasting the seasoned jerky, he often clung to Encrid every morning.

Encrid was about to speak anyway.

Just then, he saw Finn approaching.

A hand axe at her left waist, thick-soled boots, and a short sword at her right waist.

She wore thin, well-tanned leather armor. He had seen it bend well with his movements before.

'It must be light.'

That's how her armament appeared.

As a scout among the light infantry, she moved with minimal equipment.

"The ranger goes first."

That was their motto.

They walked the lightest because they walked at the forefront.

Compared to the heavy infantry, Encrid also belonged to the light infantry, but his equipment was relatively heavy compared to theirs.

Even a single longsword would be cumbersome.

So, how would their skills fare in a proper fight?

Honestly, he had been curious for days. Judging by the level of physical training from the Isolation Technique, he didn't seem to fall behind Torres.

There was time today as well.

The first step to face a different 'today'.

Eliminate the option of sticking his head into the hole from the morning.

"How about crossing the wall at night?"

Encrid spoke abruptly as he looked at the approaching Finn.

Beating around the bush only lengthens the conversation.

Sometimes, it's advantageous to reveal your purpose and intentions clearly when leading a conversation.

Encrid was very skilled in this aspect.

"Suddenly?"

"I have a bad feeling."

When the approaching Finn tilted her head in curiosity, Encrid answered without a breath.

Encrid was well aware of the nickname he was called within the unit.

Besides "Squad Leader of Enchantment" or "Spell Breaker", the most common term used to refer to him was:

'The one loved by the Goddess of Luck.'

That was it.

When another soldier or commander claimed to have a bad feeling, it was easy to dismiss.

But when he said it, it was taken a bit differently.

"A bad feeling?"

Of course, Finn might react this way because she didn't know about such nicknames, but Torres was different.

After looking at Encrid's face for a moment, Torres stroked his chin and said,

"If all three methods are fine, why not cross the wall?"

Immediate agreement. He didn't even ask for a reason. He just said it was a feeling.

What kind of situation is this?

Finn, who had been tilting her head, spoke up.

"Do you know that climbing the wall isn't easy?"

"Nothing in this world is easy."

Encrid responded to that.

When two out of three people going together are on the same side, the answer comes easily, doesn't it?

Finn didn't really care which way they went.

That's why she showed all three paths.

Finn nodded.

"Alright then."

There was no need for a power struggle.

Finn had a subtle liking for Encrid as well.

"How about a match?"

Encrid said as he tied the leather strap around the scabbard and secured it to his waist.

"Oh."

Torres responded.

The obvious target was Finn.

"With me? I'm not specialized in combat."

No way.

Someone with such a trained body couldn't possibly not be specialized in combat.

"I'm not specialized in swordsmanship either."

Finn shrugged his shoulders and showed his palms.

Seeing this, Encrid spoke again.

"Fighting barehanded wouldn't be bad either. We shouldn't get injured before an important mission."

Could this be a valuable experience? Who knows. But seeing that trained body made him want to spar.

It was a competitive spirit.

Just like Torres, Finn, despite her liking for Encrid, suddenly wanted to spar with him.

'It's been a while.'

She once burned with a passion for training.

She stopped when she reached his limits.

Even now, she wasn't someone who would easily fall to an average opponent.

Though Encrid's swordsmanship, which defeated the ghoul, was impressive.

'If it's without swords.'

She didn't think she would lose easily.

Everyone has their specialty, and Finn's specialty was hand-to-hand combat.

"Oh, it's been a while since I've seen this."

One of the scouts said. Despite his bandit-like appearance, he had a gentle manner of speaking.

He was also the one who had dried Encrid's clothes on a branch.

Hearing him say it had been a while suggested that he already knew of Finn's skills.

"Stop the unnecessary chatter."

Finn's eyes gleamed. She already looked ready for combat.

"We do have time until nightfall."

Finn finally agreed.

Encrid untied his scabbard again. He also took off his gambeson and leather armor, leaving only a thin shirt secured with leather at the chest, and faced him.

The scouts and Torres had already formed a large circle, creating space.

Torres, standing near the center, chuckled.

"Somehow, this seems like a familiar sight."

He was likely referring to the promotion duel.

Torres recalled Encrid from that time.

Encrid, when he had faced him.

'He's changed a lot.'

There had been significant improvement compared to then.

At least, that's what Torres thought.

"Let's do this."

Soon, the duel between the two began.

Finn's specialty was close combat. She had no intention of hiding it.

She moved her feet side to side, quickly closing the distance.

Encrid had learned striking techniques from Audin.

He spread his feet front and back, stepping forward with his left hand extended straight.

Rather than rotating side to side, a straight punch had a shorter path.

Therefore, it was faster.

It was a punch that resembled a sword thrust.

Seeing this, Finn displayed an almost acrobatic movement.

With eyes wide open, she dodged the incoming punch by lowering her body. Moving just as much as needed, Encrid's thrusting punch barely brushed past her hair.

'This is...'

The movement reminded him of the time when he was assigned to guard Leona Rockfreed.

Back then, when he climbed to the second floor to save Leona, Encrid dodged a thrown dagger with just a tilt of his head.

It was a rush that reminded him of that movement.

Finn dodged his punch in a similar manner.

His focus sharpened. He could see the path her body was taking, and his gaze naturally shifted to Finn's face.

It was as if light was emanating from her eyes.

She closed in for close combat.

'A tackle?'

The thought was brief, and his decision was quick.

Whoosh.

Instead of the outstretched left fist, he drove his right elbow downward.

If she didn't dodge, it would have punched a hole somewhere in her lower back with its aggressive force.

Finn evaded even that.

Her movements were snake-like. Her waist bent smoothly, and before he knew it, she had stepped to Encrid's right side.

Not only did she position herself, but both of her hands grasped Encrid's wrist and forearm.

Encrid instinctively flexed his muscles, pulling his arm out of Finn's grip.

At the same time, Finn hooked her leg around the inside of Encrid's shin.

The ensuing battle was about who could lock the other's joints first.

Dodging, blocking, grappling.

Before they knew it, they had rolled on the ground several times.

There was a loud thud as their heads hit the ground.

Without realizing it, Finn's foot or hand occasionally landed in Encrid's groin.

'Ail Caraz Style.'

Encrid recognized the technique Finn was using.

It was one of the many techniques Audin had taught him countless times.

Ail Caraz is one of the most notorious prisons across the continent.

Long ago, one of the prison guards developed this technique.

It was a method designed to subdue prisoners with excruciating pain but without causing injuries, known as Ail Caraz Martial Arts.

Focused primarily on joint locks rather than strikes, it was nicknamed the "King of the Dirt".

The nickname was earned by rolling on the training ground floor of Ail Caraz and attaining the title of king.

It was a skill as infamous as its name.

Encrid countered several times with the Valaf-style joint locks he learned from Audin, which he called "bedroom battles".

However, his opponent's skill level was much higher.

So.

"Do you concede defeat?"

Just when he thought he had blocked well, he found his neck trapped between Finn's legs.

If she applied more pressure, his neck could break.

Being in this position made him realize how strong Finn's thigh muscles were.

"I yield."

Encrid admitted defeat with his neck still being choked.

"I might not know if it's with swords, but this is my specialty."

Finn released her hold as she spoke.

Both of them were covered in dirt from rolling on the ground so much. Dust scattered from their hair as they stood.

"We need a wash. Want to come with me?"

Finn asked.

"I'll go a bit later."

It was a straightforward refusal. The suggestion was as good as saying they should undress together.

"Tch."

Finn, seemingly joking, clicked her tongue and got up.

As she dusted off her behind, she said,

"See you in the evening."

After she left,

"If you're going to be all over each other like that, why not just take a cave for yourselves?" Torres said, laughing.

Hmm?

As Encrid looked at him, confused, Torres continued laughing.

"You lasted the longest rolling around with our leader."

The soldier next to him said. Hearing that, Encrid finally understood.

'We were really rubbing up against each other.'

It had been too intense to think about it at the time.

However, one thing became clear.

'She's an excellent sparring partner.'

Not as good as Audin. Audin could immobilize him while saying all sorts of things.

But in the current situation, she was an excellent sparring partner.

He could refine his Valaf-Style Martial Arts.

Of course, that didn't mean he was going to waste today.

Naturally, he would strive to break free from today as well.

However, how many times had he faced such a situation before?

Instinctively, he knew. It was as if the ferryman of dreams had appeared and whispered.

"How will you get out this time?"

Another wall had appeared.

Could he escape in just a few attempts?

He didn't know yet, but it wouldn't be easy.

Would he be discouraged?

Not at all. Encrid remained calm.

He wasn't overly excited or distressed.

That was true.

He just thought it was essential to understand the situation properly first.

Meanwhile, finding out Finn's specialty was just a bonus.

Afterward, during the remaining time, Encrid practiced Torres' hide knife.

"Are you going to keep at it? I've taught a few times, and some just don't get it."

Torres, who had been leisurely spending time under a tree, offered serious advice.

He had previously joked about giving up, but this time he seemed sincere.

Encrid responded to Torres' earnest words.

"Is that so?"

As if he hadn't heard such words countless times before.

"Fine, do as you wish."

Torres quickly gave up. Although it had only been a few days, he had roughly figured Encrid out.

This guy was incredibly stubborn.

"Why suggest going over the wall?"

It was a question that followed his immediate trust.

"I just have a feeling it's a better option."

"And your feelings have been spot on so far?"

"For the most part."

In reality, it was the result of insanely repeated todays.

Would explaining make them understand?

"Alright, I'll trust you."

Torres nodded. Encrid didn't think it would be a problem even if he didn't believe him.

He had just anticipated that things would flow this way.

Continuous practice and training.

He took some time to wash and even took a short nap.

"It's good to get some sleep if we're going to work at night."

Torres did the same, and Finn seemed to rest well too.

After a brief nap, the sun started to set.

"You guys go to the rendezvous point. We'll leave this place."

Considering the worst-case scenario, the remaining scouts would abandon the current camp and move.

The three of them headed towards the wall.

The path was tougher.

Instead of bushes, they climbed rocky mountains in the dark.

"Isn't it lucky there are two moons tonight?"

Finn, who was leading, said.

"Is that really lucky? This path is rough."

"I told you, this route is twice as tough as the others."

Finn added with a laugh and continued walking.

Her steps were almost silent, thanks to something attached to the soles of her boots.

Encrid followed her silently.

They crossed the rocky mountain, greeted by foliage overhead.

Guided by Finn, they crossed even that.

Eventually, they arrived at a place where the wall of Cross Guard was clearly visible.

"We're lucky."

Finn said, looking at the wall.

Torres, drenched in sweat, looked up.

"Is this what you call lucky?"

"Of course it's good. We didn't encounter any beasts or monsters."

Encrid was also drenched in sweat. Keeping up with the ranger's pace was no easy task.

And it wasn't over yet.

"Now the real fun begins, gentlemen."

Finn smiled, signaling the start of the ordeal.

Climbing the wall would be harder than the rocky mountain.

But first, they needed to get close to the wall.

Encrid looked up, gauging the height of the wall ahead and thought it would be quite a struggle.

Turning back wasn't an option.

"Let's go."

He silently followed Finn.

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