Laying the Groundwork (1)

The next day.

As always, I made and ate ramen before heading out to the training ground. After warming up with Jenna, who was waiting, we started our daily run. Jenna was running on the track as usual.

After a light sweat from running, we were about to start strength training when Jenna suddenly spoke up with a determined look on her face.

"Hey, Oppa!"

"What?"

"Please take good care of me!"

"Did you eat something wrong?"

"You said you'd let me live if I work harder. So I'm going to work even harder! Please look kindly upon me!"

Jenna bowed deeply.

This is ridiculous.

"Didn't you say you lived alone?"

"So what?"

"Are you lying?"

"No! I, Jenna Shirai, swear I lived alone! I haven't even held a guy's hand!"

I laughed and said, "Relax. I'm not going to eat you."

"Yes!"

"If you just keep doing your tasks without thinking about useless things, you won't die. So don't worry too much."

"Thank you for the wise words!"

"Relax, I said. You're giving me goosebumps. I'm not even the master. If we get into a superior-subordinate relationship, it'll just be annoying for you."

"Even if it's annoying, I want to be in a superior-subordinate relationship! Oppa, make me your number one subordinate!"

[Who said they're Loki's number one subordinate?!]

Here it comes. Isel screamed with a childish face.

[I'm the number one subordinate! Get lost!]

"Why are you here?!"

[Why are you next to Loki?! You sly fox. Do you know who he is? He's different from a lowly girl like you. He's the god of Pick Me Up, the Master of—mmph! mmph!]

I covered Isel's mouth and dragged her out of the training ground. I let go of her hand against the wall in a corner of the plaza.

[What's wrong? I was going to teach that girl a lesson!]

"You're mistaken. Here, I'm not the master. Don't ever mention that I'm from Earth or that I'm Loki. Got it? If you don't like it, I won't talk to you."

[But...]

"Got it? Yes or no?"

[Alright.]

When I returned to the training ground, Jenna was staring blankly at me and Isel.

[Anyway, remember, I'm Loki's... no, Han's number one subordinate!]

Isel pointed at Jenna before disappearing.

'Should I have said anything?'

My head was starting to hurt.

"What's that?"

"Don't worry about it. Just an idiot."

And strictly speaking, my number one subordinate is probably Siris. In Niflheim, I have five subordinates who can be considered my close aides. They are all at level 99 with six stars, equipped with various ultimate skills and the five divine weapons I meticulously crafted. I'll likely encounter them as I climb the tower.

I continued with my daily training. While doing push-ups, I checked the stats from yesterday's synthesis.

[Han Islat (★) Lv. 7 (Exp 13/50)]

[Class: Novice]

[Strength: 19/19]

[Intelligence: 13/13]

[Stamina: 18/18]

[Agility: 18/18]

[Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.3), Pain Resistance (Lv.1), Composure (Lv.1)]

Strength, stamina, and agility each increased by 2, for a total stat increase of 6. However, intelligence dropped by 1, making the overall growth 51. Considering the basic growth rate for a one-star is 4, this is a remarkable improvement. The efficiency of leveling up increased by 20%.

Moreover, I obtained the desired Composure skill.

Indeed, synthesis proved to be the most efficient growth method.

This time, I checked on Jenna.

[Jenna Shirai (★) Lv. 5 (Exp 22/40)]

[Class: Novice]

[Strength: 16/16]

[Intelligence: 13/13]

[Stamina: 15/15]

[Agility: 19/19]

[Skills: Basic Archery (Lv. 4), Hawk's Eye (Lv. 1)]

'A typical archer type.'

In the last synthesis, she even gained the Hawk's Eye skill, which enhances vision.

As her level and rank rise, she will be able to transition from thief to archer to sniper.

We finished the physical training.

As our levels increased, the training became easier. Jenna and I decided to increase the intensity starting tomorrow. We would run with sandbags from the training center or reduce the number of fingers used for push-ups. As the training center's level rises, more diverse methods will become available.

After lunch, we gathered at the training center again.

Then, something unexpected happened.

In the corner of the training center, a young man with short hair stood with a stern expression.

It was Aaron. He rarely even showed up in the plaza, let alone the training center. Aron strode over to me.

"Hey!"

"What is it? I'm busy."

"Let me join you!"

"Join?"

"I want to fight too. I can be of help to you. So, please teach me how to fight!"

Aaron bowed his head deeply. "I'm sorry. I was a fool, causing nothing but trouble. But now, it's different. Just once, just believe in me once!"

"Why should I believe you?"

"If you want, I'll kneel. So, please..."

"Seems like he's come to his senses?"

Jenna nudged me with her elbow. I chuckled.

"Hey."

"W-What?"

"Have you ever fought a monster?"

Aaron shook his head. "I didn't even know such things existed until I came here."

"But you fight so well..."

"It's a matter of determination. The determination to fight and survive."

I tossed a spear from the weapon rack.

"Take the spear."

"A... spear..."

"I'm no expert, but I've heard it's one of the easiest weapons to learn. Try it. Do you know the principles of close, mid, and long range?"

"What's that?"

"Close range, mid-range, long range."

Jenna clapped her hands in realization.

"Ah! Close range, sword! Mid-range, spear! Long range, bow! These are the principles?"

"Exactly. When forming a party with three nobodies, it's one of the most efficient methods."

For a one-star with no special skills, sending them out haphazardly usually ends in chaos. Naturally, the survival rate of heroes plummets in such cases.

This is where the party formation concept of close, mid, and long range comes in.

First, the swordsman takes the front, acting as a tank with a shield and sword.

In mid-range, the spearman supports the swordsman, acting as a secondary tank and dealer.

And in long range, the archer snipes key targets and deals damage.

If roles are organically divided, combat effectiveness and survival rates skyrocket exponentially, provided the roles are executed properly.

"Let's see your skills."

I picked up a wooden sword and a wooden shield.

Aaron stood awkwardly with the spear.

"What are you doing? Get ready to fight."

"F-Fight? I thought you were going to teach me?"

"You want someone who's never even held a spear to teach you?"

"Then..."

"I learned on my own. You do the same. At least appreciate having an opponent. I had to fight against a scarecrow."

Aaron assumed a stance but looked visibly scared.

"Hyaah!"

Aaron let out a strange yell and thrust the spear.

His body was tense, and he had his eyes completely shut. As I moved a step to the side, the spear cut through the air.

This isn't a life-or-death battle.

If he's this scared in a simple spar, what will he be like in real combat?

I grabbed the spear shaft with my shield hand and yanked it.

Aaron fell flat on his face.

"Ugh..."

"Get up. Is that all you got? If I were a monster, you'd be dead already."

"I... I'll get up."

His stance was clumsy, but that couldn't be helped. Even I would look clumsy to a master. The problem was his spirit. He had no determination. No desire to win. No cool-headedness to find a way out.

He looked like he was doing it just because he didn't want to die.

An hour passed.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Aaron was lying flat on the training center floor. His chest heaved up and down. In contrast, I had only broken a slight sweat.

There was nearly a twofold stat difference between me at level 7 and Aron at level 1.

But no matter how much stronger I was physically and technically, it was a bit much that he couldn't even touch me. It wasn't as if the difference was overwhelming.

"Get up. We're doing it again."

"I... I can't anymore..."

"Then don't come tomorrow."

Aaron rolled over. He slowly got up. His whole body was drenched in sweat.

Jenna spoke up.

"Shouldn't he rest?"

"I don't plan to carry dead weight. If he can't keep up, I'll leave him behind."

Aaron picked up the spear, staggering.

"Do you have a family?"

"My... little sister... is waiting."

"You're better off than me. I have no one."

I twirled the wooden sword. "If you're going to do it half-heartedly, don't do it. You'll die fighting monsters. It'll hurt terribly, worse than dying from synthesis. What do you think?"

"I... I want to..."

"What if you can't return?"

Aaron's eyes changed sharply.

"You're better than before."

"I'll do it!"

After the training, Jenna took the completely exhausted Aaron back to the dormitory.

Though Aaron didn't touch my clothes, he at least made me use my shield. He started trying techniques other than just thrusting. It was progress. With a bit more refinement, I wouldn't have to worry about him dragging us down.

The next morning, Aaron joined the training lineup.

He lagged far behind us, who were wearing sandbags, but he didn't seem to intend to give up. Every time I mentioned his sister, he sprang up.

After lunch, we began sparring.

This time, Aaron sparred with Jenna, not me. Jenna needed a backup weapon in case her arrows ran out or she couldn't use her bow. Conveniently, there was a suitable wooden dagger.

A spear against a dagger.

The difference in reach and power was incomparable, and Jenna, who had never handled a dagger, consistently overwhelmed Aaron.

'Why is she a one-star?'

The ranking system felt unfair.

Thus ended the day's training, and Aaron returned to the dormitory looking dejected.

"I went easy on him."

"Don't get cocky."

I tapped Jenna on the crown of her head.

"Ow! That hurts! Why'd you hit me?"

"When did you say you wanted to be my number one subordinate?"

I clicked my tongue and headed to the plaza. Jenna hurriedly followed.

"You know I was joking! Oppa, seriously."

"Anyway, follow me. We have work to do."

"What is it?"

"Follow me, and you'll see."

I stood in front of a large steel door on the right side of the plaza. The nameplate above the door read "Storage."

"Isel, open the storage."

[Wait a moment!]

With a creaking sound, the door opened. We entered the storage. Inside were large metal display shelves with hundreds of compartments. Most of the compartments were empty, but some had items in them. At the entrance was a cart with wheels.

'So that's how it is.'

I pulled the cart at the entrance and pushed it to Jenna.

"Take this and follow me."

"What are we doing?"

"Stop complaining."

I pulled the grumbling Jenna and walked to the corner of the display shelf. On the top shelf, there was a package wrapped in light brown paper. I took out the package and examined the label.

[Iron Ore (C)]

When I unwrapped it slightly, there was an iron ingot inside.

I put the iron ore wrapped in paper into the cart. The next compartment had leather, and another had wood. I picked out a few items and loaded them into the cart.

['Han (★)' has taken out Iron Ore (C) x6, Leather (C) x3, and Planks (C) x4 from the storage.]

Before long, the cart was full.

I took Jenna to the plaza.

"Open the armory."

[Got it!]

The armory door began to open.

"What exactly are you planning to do?"

"We can't keep using these old iron swords forever."

We have the materials, the forge is open, and we have the freedom to act.

So naturally,

It's time to make weapons.