Chapter 2 – Training
The high-pitched sounds of a musical instrument echoed through the village covered in morning mist.
Poro opened his eyes. In the dark room, others began to stir.
The sound of the trumpet signaled the beginning of their day as soldiers.
“Damn it. Every morning…”
Someone muttered as Poro approached the closet in the corner of the room.
Inside, there was mail, and leather boots, as well as gauntlets. He quickly changed into them.
The others silently did the same, and then they went outside. Other soldiers emerged from the other rooms, and then began the cold jog to the training grounds.
“Everyone, in line!”
In the place where pastures and fields had been leveled, over a hundred people were lined up. The ones falling behind were the new recruits like Poro, who weren’t used to such disciplined behavior.
“You! Too slow! Fifty pushups!”
Poro obeyed quietly, along with the others.
“Alright, listen up! I will keep saying it until you all understand! In the army, order is important above all else! Move when I say move, and stop when I say stop! Anyone who cannot do that is worthless scum!”
Shouted the instructor, who was said to have been a mercenary before rising in the ranks of the Hero’s army. He was always shouting at them like this. It would be difficult to find someone who was more different than a farmer.
“And we have no use for worthless people in the Hero’s army! Anyone who cannot obey, remove the dog tag from your chest this instant! If you want to stay, then learn to obey orders like a dog! Understand!”
Like a dog.
As his face touched the dirt, he chuckled to himself.
“Alright! Next, you will run while carrying all of your equipment and gear!”
Came the order. They rushed to grab their spears, shields and short swords. And then they lined up and ran. The sounds of clanging metal and the smell of leather and sweat pierced their senses.
“Shit… What use is all of this anyway? Isn’t it enough to kill monsters and level up!?”
One of the men said tearfully.
“Hey, you! I can hear you!”
The voice rang from the plate that hung around his neck.
“Were you asleep during your lessons? You idiot! This kind of training will be experience for you as well!”
They really were idiots. Poro wiped the sweat from his forehead as he looked down to his dog tag.
The pushups alone had given him a few points. And this running would do the same.
“And more than anything, working as a group is the basics of being in the army! Until you understand that, you will continue to train! Now, I’m adding five more rounds!”
The plates glowed red. Those who were punished were half sobbing now.
“Alright! Those who are finished will move to combat training! Separate into groups and get in formation!”
The spears they were given were twice as long as Poro was tall. It was not for throwing during a hunt. It was for piercing the enemy.
The soldiers lined up and repeated the movements at command.
“A line of spears is only meaningful when there is coordination! Do not be slow! Do not be in the front! Breathe together and thrust on command! Step forward then, as if to push down the enemy!”
Numerous spearheads cut through the air. And then the stomping of feet shook the ground.
The more accurate the movements, the more experience you received.
Some of the others had already noticed it.
Good training could be just as if not more effective than killing monsters.
“Like a dog.”
The tangible growth made him more enthusiastic. Poro had to hold back the urge to rush forward as he continued to swing his spear obsessively.