Episode 2 – The Crazy Training Begins
After talking all night with Kang Seok, the other vice-captain of the Black Dragon Unit, Woo-sung gathered all the squad members in the training ground early the next morning.
Looking around, Woo-sung could see most of them had once died under his command. He clenched his jaw, swearing to himself never again—he would never let them fall like that. again
"Now that Seok and I are your new vice-captains, we're starting a whole new training program. Time to level up your skills!"
There was something intense in Woo-sung’s eyes that made the squad members uneasy.
“Morning training from now on? It starts with light footwork! You’ll all run up the back mountain. The last ten to make it to the top? They’re running it again. Go!”
Everyone froze.
“Huh? What’s this sudden light-footwork thing? What’s with the new captain?”
“Are we really running up the mountain?!”
While people mumbled in confusion, Woo-sung stomped the ground and shot off like a rocket. Kang Seok took off right after.
“And yes, Seok and I are running too! Don’t just stand there like idiots—MOVE!”
With Woo-sung barking orders like that, the squad finally scrambled into action.
“Wait, why is he so fast?!”
“Maybe he’s been secretly training in the mountains without us…”
They watched in disbelief as Woo-sung zoomed ahead. It made sense, though—his martial art, Cheongro Divine Arts, was all about speed and movement. With his past life experience, he was climbing the mountain smoothly and efficiently.
“The last ten go again!” he shouted back.
That echo alone sparked fire in everyone’s eyes.
“Huff... huff... Finally done.”
“Now it's time for body training.”
“WHAT?! We just ran a mountain—”
“Begin!”
“Ughhhh…”
Before they could even catch their breath, the next round of training began.
Woo-sung focused on moves that built both strength and flexibility. His goal? To make their bodies move exactly how they wanted—fluid, controlled, and powerful. That way, their defense and attacks would flow naturally, and using inner energy would feel effortless.
...Plus, this kind of training helps them break through to higher levels too.
Woo-sung looked proudly at his squad, dripping with sweat.
“From now on, every morning starts with footwork training, then we end with body training. Once you’re used to it, you’ll be wearing ankle weights and sandbags too—so don’t worry, it gets harder.”
The squad collapsed to the floor, panting.
“I’ve never trained this hard in my life, not even as a kid…”
“What are we, soldiers or something?”
Of course, some complained. But the fact that both vice-captains were sweating and training with them—even correcting their form and giving tips—made it hard to hate the guy.
These weren’t elite martial artists. But they weren’t rookies either. They dreamed of becoming stronger, of carving their names into the martial world.
Woo-sung looked at them and smiled to himself.
“They’re keeping up better than I thought. But this is just the beginning. This time… I’ll make sure they live.”
To the squad, though, that smile looked downright terrifying.
“Help… our captain’s possessed or something!”
That Night…
Under the bright moonlight, Woo-sung stepped into the training ground alone to practice his Cheongro Divine Arts.
This technique wasn’t about weapons. It used fists, palms, elbows, knees, and even fingers. Woo-sung preferred hand-sword and knife-hand attacks, since when he infused them with lightning energy, the results were devastating. The wounds were deep, hard to heal, and even spread pain through the body.
He imagined the Demon Cult Leader in front of him and began to move.
He tried everything—strikes, counters, footwork—but nothing landed. Not even in his imagination.
It wasn’t about his current strength being too low. Even at his peak in his past life, the Demon Lord was simply too powerful.
“Damn it…”
Frustrated, Woo-sung sat down to catch his breath, remembering the moment when his team faced the Demon Lord's ultimate technique.
What was that technique? If I saw it again… could I stop it this time?
As he thought about it, he sensed someone approaching.
A familiar voice called out to him.
“Yo, Woo-sung. What’s gotten into you lately? You’ve been acting like a different person. What, trying to be the next captain already? Hate to break it to you, but that spot’s mine. Wanna spar?”
It was Kang Seok, his closest friend from the past life—the one who fought beside him until the bitter end. Also known back then as the Sword King.
Woo-sung gave a faint smile.
“Let’s survive this time, Seok. Both of us. I wonder how the others are doing... I miss them too.”
Then he waved him over.
“Come on, Vice-Captain Gang. From tonight, you’re joining my crazy training.”
“You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you?! Fine! Let’s go then!”
Kang Seok unsheathed his heavy sword and charged in.
Back in the war, Kang Seok created a deadly sword technique called Formless Sword Style—built not for flair, but for real killing on the battlefield. Right now, it hasn’t been developed yet. But his deep connection to the sword could already be felt.
Whoosh!
His blade came swinging at Woo-sung’s chest. Woo-sung sidestepped, dodging just enough.
Seok’s attacks kept coming, but Woo-sung kept dodging with barely an inch to spare.
“How is he dodging this closely, over and over…?”
While Kang Seok paused, catching his breath, Woo-sung grinned.
“Why’d you stop? You done already? Then it’s my turn.”
Lightning crackled around Woo-sung’s fingers. Not enough power yet for a full hand-blade attack, so he went with a finger blade instead.
TAP. TAP.
In a flash, he slid to Kang Seok’s side and struck with the finger blade. Kang Seok barely blocked it and tried to counter, but Woo-sung’s kick came crashing into him next.
Seok stepped back, sweating, overwhelmed by the barrage of attacks.
“Dang… what the hell happened to you? You’re like a whole different person.”
Woo-sung teased him with a smirk.
“Seok, you know blocking won’t win fights, right?”
That snapped Kang Seok out of it.
“You’re right! HRAAHH!”
He got serious again, sword swings sharper and heavier than before. Woo-sung didn’t bother blocking, just kept dodging, watching for an opening.
And then—it came.
With perfect timing, Woo-sung slapped the sword away and lunged in.
He faked a finger-blade strike, then BOOM! released lightning energy from his hand, exploding into blue light and thunder.
ZAAAP!!
Kang Seok tried to block, but it was too late. His ears rang. His eyes burned.
“Ugh… my eyes…”
And in that instant of confusion, Woo-sung got behind him and gently tapped his waist.
It was one of his favorite tricks from his past life—the flashbang technique. Distract the senses, then strike.
“I win, Seok.”
Kang Seok sighed and sheathed his sword.
“Man… did you find some kind of secret treasure or what? Your footwork, your timing, that last move... you’re on another level.”
Woo-sung grinned and crossed his arms.
“C’mon. I was always stronger.”
“What?! No way! Our fights were always even. But whatever—I’ll admit it. You got me this time.”
Kang Seok frowned, still trying to figure it all out.
“Is heavy swordplay too slow for fast opponents like him?”
Woo-sung saw right through him.
“Seok, don’t worry about their speed or style. Just stick to your sword. Break through everything. That’s your way.”
He knew exactly what Seok needed—because he had been there in a past life, watching him grow into the Sword King.
“That advice alone will do. We’re only gonna keep getting stronger anyway.”
Kang Seok was still deep in thought.
“What the hell is up with this guy? Since that weird speech the other day, he’s been acting like someone else. Ordering brutal training, now giving me serious advice like a master…”
He shook his head.
“Ah, who cares. He’s stronger. That’s what matters.”
He smiled.
“You beat me, so I’ll buy drinks. How about it?”
But Woo-sung had already taken off running.
“Sounds good! Meet me at Mu-Poong Tavern! I’m heading there now!”
Kang Seok shouted after him.
“HEY! That place is way too expensive, you punk!”
Still, he chuckled and chased after his friend.