Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 74

In the Chief Instructor’s office, the Chief Instructor, who was sitting and sorting through documents, greeted Yan as he entered through the door.

“Is today the day you depart?”

“Yes.”

“Have you prepared everything you need?”

“Yes.”

With a wave of his hand, the Chief Instructor issued Yan a dismissal.

“Then off you go. Is there any reason to stay any longer? Oh.”

He seemed to recall something, halting Yan momentarily.

“If you need more people, recruit them as you see fit and set off. Inform the instructors at the main gate who you are taking with you.”

A spark of interest flickered in Yan’s eyes.

“Is that alright?”

“You’re going to work; you should have that much discretion.”

“Thank you.”

Yan bowed to the Head Instructor and left the office.

Once outside, Yan’s lips curled into a smile.

“This is quite the unexpected gift.”

He immediately thought of someone to accompany him to the East.

Cruel Dwight.

After the second exam, Yan had been pondering where to establish a connection with Cruel. As if by fate, fortune rolled his way.

“Why would you take that unlucky-looking fellow?”

“I’ll slowly turn him into my right-hand man.”

“Right-hand man? That thunderous brute? Wouldn’t others be a better choice?”

Yan shook his head.

“Lorena, as a noble lady of the imperial ducal family, may not have patriotism, but her family makes her a cautious recruit.”

“And Charl seems to admire Lorena.”

Cruel was the perfect choice.

“Isn’t he also from a noble family of this country?”

“Unlike Lorena’s harmonious household, his family is such a mess that it’s fine.”

Yan shuddered as he recalled Duke Beowulf, who had entrusted Lorena to him.

Truly, an image ill-suited to his stature and appearance.

“The Dwight family doesn’t exactly welcome Cruel. They’d probably prefer if he died here, wouldn’t they?”

“Even beasts cherish their offspring. A household that wishes death upon its own children or siblings? Hard to believe.”

“Humanity is uglier than beasts, that’s why.”

The first thing Cruel did after leaving the Dragon Sickness Project was to change his name and slaughter all members of his family.

And Yan, in his past life, had learned the inside story while working in the special task force.

The Dwight family had chosen the eldest son over the superior Cruel in the succession contest.

That was common enough among nobles, but…

“The eldest son killed Cruel’s beloved nanny to break his spirit.”

The death of the nanny caused the magic rooted in Cruel’s core to rampage, fueled by his emotions, leading to that disaster.

“Better to roam with me than stay in such a household.”

“You’re not planning to throw him into that beggar’s den, are you?”

“It’s killing two birds with one stone. Why ask about such things?”

“Pretending to care, with your hypocrisy is disgusting, but what can I do?”

Yan shrugged and moved on.

He already knew where Cruel would be.

After the second exam, Cruel must have objectively assessed his own level.

Talented, but not outstanding.

And he must have realized his place while receiving direct guidance from the Ironclad Knights’ commander.

Yan pictured Cruel, who would be furiously practicing with his sword, and smirked.

On his way to the private training room, other trainees glanced at Yan and made way for him.

Even the noble-born trainees, who would normally be offended at being pushed aside by a commoner, looked away.

A trainee named Edmund had reminded everyone just how mad the Chief Instructor behind Yan was by risking his own life.

Thanks to that, Yan walked to the communal training room unimpeded.

Communal Training Room

Yan glanced at the room and entered.

Unlike Yan, who had a private training ground in his quarters thanks to the Chief Instructor, the other trainees practiced here.

Yan breathed in the hot air inside.

Most trainees were relaxing, their minds unwound after the second exam.

But about six trainees were drenched in sweat, honing their skills or building stamina.

Yan admired those who continued to train diligently, even as he entered.

“These are the real deals.”

Yan’s gaze settled on a trainee in the far corner.

Drenched in sweat, wearing a training uniform, and vigorously swinging a saw-toothed sword.

It was Cruel.

“Hey, hey.”

As Yan approached, Cruel’s face contorted with annoyance, and he sharply turned away.

“Why must you interrupt my training!”

His shout echoed through the once-quiet training room.

Some trainees frowned at the disturbance.

But Cruel barked back, “What are you looking at, brats!”

The trainees left the room, faces twisted in displeasure.

Thwack!

“Ouch!”

“Why are you chasing away those who were quietly training? Are you a child?”

“What did you say?”

“Anyway.”

Yan’s eyes grew serious, and Cruel swallowed hard.

“…What.”

“Don’t you want to come with me to the East?”

“What nonsense is that.”

“Isn’t it better to learn through real combat than swinging a sword here all day?”

Cruel’s eyes twitched at the suggestion.

It bruised his pride, but Yan was right.

Despite dedicated training and recalling his spars with the Ironclad Knights’ commander and battles with barbarians, nothing had changed.

Cruel had to admit it.

‘I’m stagnant.’

Knowing Cruel’s inner turmoil, Yan extended his hand.

“Come, let’s fight together.”

“What’s your angle?”

Cruel squinted suspiciously at Yan.

Yan simply shrugged, adding no further words.

“If you don’t want to, fine. But aren’t you the one missing out? Think swinging your sword here will lead to some revelation?”

“…Damn mutt.”

“What?”

Cruel turned his head away.

“Unless you ask, I have no intention of eagerly joining you. I don’t know about a commoner like you…”

“Hey, let me ask you then.”

“Cough!”

Cruel seemed intrigued by Yan’s request, turning his head slightly.

Still, he didn’t look directly at Yan, perhaps a blow to his pride.

But it didn’t last long.

“Well… if it’s a request.”

Pretending to be defeated, Cruel shoved his sword into his belt.

Yan smirked at Cruel’s action.

“Then follow me. Let’s depart.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. Need time?”

“No… it’s not that.”

“Then don’t dawdle. Get what you need and meet me at the main gate.”

Yan watched Cruel head to his quarters and turned away.

It seemed time to depart.

Leaving the communal training room, Yan spotted a familiar face.

A giant, frowning at a small book in his hand.

It was Roman.

He seemed frustrated with the content of ‘Diamond’ and kept repeating the process of standing up and assuming a stance.

A thought struck Yan.

‘Roman doesn’t really have a reason to stay in the empire either.’

One of the few remaining foreign-born trainees.

As far as Yan knew, Roman didn’t bring his family from abroad even after becoming a police chief in the future.

Meaning, he was either an orphan or sold by his parents for money, indicating a strained relationship.

“How’s the technique I recommended?”

“It seems quite good. I’ll repay this debt later.”

Yan shook his head.

“What debt? Consider it compensation for a promise I couldn’t keep.”

“Hmph.”

Roman snorted and returned to his training.

Unlike Cruel, Roman didn’t let Yan’s presence disrupt his focus.

Eventually, Yan broke the silence.

“Diamond is a technique that becomes stronger through impact and breaking.”

“…?”

“Learning it through imagination here is one thing, but real combat experience will be far more beneficial.”

Indeed, ‘Diamond’ was a technique unlike any other.

It involved breaking and shattering oneself to push the body to its limits and enhance physical hardness.

That’s why actual combat experience was crucial.

Perhaps it was more suited to secret arts than techniques.

Yan knew ‘Diamond’ well because it was the basis for the ‘Body Hardening Technique.’

“I’m heading to the East now. Want to come along?”

Roman quietly regarded Yan’s outstretched hand.

“Will it really make me stronger?”

“At least you won’t get beaten by the instructors when you return.”

At that, Roman grinned.

His smile held a mix of anticipation and a desire to settle scores with the instructors.

“Pack only what you need and come to the main gate.”

“Understood.”

Roman closed the book and headed to his quarters.

* * *

Yan gathered his packed belongings and headed to his quarters.

“Can’t you take me with you?” Lia asked Yan in a nervous tone, as if something made her uneasy.

“I’m sorry, but the East is too dangerous to go together. And staying here, no one will harm you.”

“Okay.”

“If anything happens, contact me with this. I’ll drop everything and come right away.”

Yan handed Lia a communication orb he had purchased from the Soma Command.

It was expensive, but Lia’s safety was worth more.

After explaining how to use the orb, Yan picked up his luggage and left the quarters.

“Take care.”

“Yeah. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry too much. Feel free to use the bed if you want.”

Lia’s face turned as red as a tomato at his words.

She thought about the time she secretly lay on Yan’s bed while he was training.

“What are you talking about! I have things to do…”

Lia hurried off to fetch cleaning tools.

Yan chuckled and turned around.

It was time to depart.

He slowly took in the scenery of the training grounds as he walked towards the main gate.

The training grounds, once bustling before the first exam, were now eerily quiet.

Many trainees had not returned from the East yet.

‘Too many trainees have died.’

When Yan arrived at the main gate, pondering this thought, Cruel and Roman were already there, each with a backpack, glaring at each other.

It was no surprise.

The ill-tempered Cruel and the reticent but straightforward Roman were not exactly compatible.

Yan approached them and asked, “Ready to go if there’s nothing else?”

“Why are you so late?”

“Stomachache.”

“Tsk, if you weren’t a commoner…”

“Mention ‘commoner’ one more time, and I’ll sew your lips shut.”

Cruel hastily shut his mouth.

Roman, standing beside him, clicked his tongue, seemingly displeased with Cruel’s behavior.

With Yan leading, Roman and Cruel headed towards the main gate.

The instructor guarding the gate lit up at the sight of them.

“Is it just you guys?”

He didn’t say anything else, probably having received instructions from the head instructor.

Yan was about to nod when…

Thud, thud.

Someone approached them.

“Let’s go together.”

It was Lorena.

Somehow, she knew to come prepared with a backpack.

Charl followed, panting as she caught up.

Both seemed to have hurriedly prepared and followed.

Yan quietly observed them.

‘Do they feel competitive towards me?’

It seemed their pride was hurt by not being able to do anything in the North.

Yan considered the benefits of taking them along.

‘I’ve been given the title of Special Investigation Division Chief, but I can’t abuse it.’

So, having the Beowulf family behind Lorena could be a big help.

Yan’s gaze shifted to Charl.

Charl, too, could pull her weight when needed, allowing for flexible distribution of personnel.

“You wouldn’t know even if you died?”

“I never asked you to take care of me.”

“Hehe, I’ll take care of Miss Lorena.”

Yan nodded at the strong determination in Lorena’s eyes.

She would manage on her own.

And she could be useful when needed.

The instructor at the gate seemed to ask with his eyes if Yan was taking the two newcomers as well.

“I’ll take them too.”

“Understood.”

Creak.

The instructor pulled a lever, and the large gate slowly began to open.

Beyond it lay a desolate street.

“Let’s go.”

Yan led the way, followed by Cruel, Roman, Lorena, and Charl.

Thus, the party heading to the East was set.