The Extra's Harem In Dead End Game

Chapter 22: Traning Time [2]

"Stop."

Training was over. I threw down my wooden sword and collapsed onto the ground.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh…"

As I struggled to catch my breath, a phrase appeared before my eyes.

[You have completed the first training of the Turk Swordsman.]

[Swordsmanship proficiency has increased slightly.]

It was a small achievement that alleviated some of the pain from the hard work. The rank itself didn't increase, but as proficiency grows, the character becomes stronger. Because the game has such a wide range of ratings, it's not noticeable at first. But if you keep raising it, your level will eventually go up.

Now that I could see some results, I felt a small surge of strength that I hadn't had before. Suddenly, as I sat up, I noticed a strange expression in Turk's eyes. But I didn't dwell on it and staggered toward the door. My next schedule was tight.

"Thank you for your hard work. Okay."

"Have a nice day."

Leaving his greeting behind, I went out.

* * *

Turk, now alone, had a pensive look on his face. He muttered to himself, "That's unexpected."

He hadn't thought he would last through the first day of training.

His physical condition was so poor.

However, the reason they pushed them through intense training from day one was to test their mental strength. The results were beyond imagination.

Despite being physically at his limit, he had held out much longer than expected.

Turk finished the training, thinking it would be too dangerous to continue, but he could have probably endured more.

"... Maybe this time it really will be different."

There were many students who were physically superior to him.

However, none of them had properly mastered all eight Imperial swordsmanship styles.

It wasn't because they lacked physical ability but because they lacked mental strength. That's why they couldn't endure the tough training until the end.

But this time, it's different.

While he may lack physical ability, his mental strength was above Turk's standards.

It would take time to build his body, but if it's like this, he might eventually master his own sword properly.

"...No."

Turk shook his head.

Excessive expectations were prohibited. He knew that the more he expected, the greater the disappointment when those expectations were dashed.

It was better to focus on the lessons faithfully. It wasn't too late to have expectations based on future developments.

Turk started thinking about tomorrow's lesson.

* * *

Mount Harkin...

I headed there without any rest.

If it hadn't been for the carriage, I would have probably given up on archery training and everything.

However, the carriage didn't go all the way up the mountain. After passing the entrance, I had to walk up the stairs myself, panting and dragging my heavy body.

The situation where I would die if I didn't get stronger forced me to keep going.

If it weren't for that situation, I would have just collapsed with my mind and spirit intact.

"Gasp, gasp..."

I barely made it to the meeting place.

Hiresia had already arrived there and was eating the meat with a happy expression.

It could truly be said that our situations were polar opposites.

"You look tired, human," Hiresia remarked, looking at me.

After catching my breath, I replied, "... That elf senior looks really nice."

"I'm not an elf. I'm a high elf."

"Yes, yes."

"Never call me an elf again," she said in a dignified voice.

...But saying that with her mouth shining with meat grease doesn't feel very dignified.

"Yes, yes, high elf senior who likes meat."

"Tch, don't whine, human. Meat is the most perfect food in the world."

Now she openly praised meat.

I was about to say something in response but then closed my mouth. Because it was true. There's no food in the world as delicious as meat.

So, I trudged toward her.

She stared at me blankly as I plopped down next to her. Then, I quickly reached out and snatched a piece of meat from the plate in front of her.

"Oh!"

Hiresia gasped, her eyes wide with surprise.

Ignoring her reaction, I brought the piece of meat to my mouth and took a long bite.

Munch, munch. Gulp.

"Hmm, it's delicious."

An honest impression.

I didn't know what kind of meat it was, but it tasted similar to pork.

It seemed like it was just lightly salted, but maybe because I was hungry, it had this sweet taste. I naturally reached out to have another bite.

At that moment, "This thief!"

Hiresia glared at me and grumbled.

I said calmly, "Isn't that too harsh, senior? We're students from the same school, so we should share the good things."

"Hey, I caught this! If you want to eat it, then catch it and eat it!"

"I wish I could, but I don't have the ability to catch it. So, I wish you would hurry up and teach me archery."

"Oh my, is there such a shameless person!"

She was on the verge of exploding. Feeling seriously threatened, I raised one hand in a gesture of reconciliation.

Because life is precious.

"Just a minute, calm down. Calm down."

"What? Seriously? Calm down?"

"Wait, wait! Don't clench your fists! Talk, talk, let's talk!"

For the sake of my precious life, I continued speaking hurriedly.

"That's what you say. I'm not going to eat senior's meat with my bare mouth. Max, I'm not that kind of trash. I'm just a person who knows shame."

I calmed her down by saying something that anyone who knew me, even a little, would say would make even a passing dog laugh.

Luckily, she didn't know me very well. So maybe it will work…

"Shame? Shameless?"

But she still glared at me with those fierce, raised eyes. It was as if she was going to hit me, without any exaggeration.

That was when a phrase suddenly appeared before my eyes.

[A surprise quest has occurred.]

[-You have committed the atrocity of daring to steal and eat meat that the high elf, who loves meat the most in the world, has hunted herself. The high elf is extremely angry at your atrocity. If you do not appease her anger immediately, your safety cannot be guaranteed.]

"…"