Chapter 2…
Shedding (2)
The Krotan Peninsula, said to resemble the head of a dragon in its geography.
Among its regions, the Irons Territory—located at what was likened to the dragon’s mouth—was swept up in a festive mood.
The reason this remote borderland had been stirred into such excitement was a single announcement.
[Young Lord Gunter will undergo the Trial of the Cradle, and it will be opened to the public!]
The official proclamation had been issued from the lord’s castle just days ago.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the territory, and people gathered in small groups to talk about it.
“If it’s the Trial of the Cradle… the Black Sword Soldiers will come too, right? Never thought I’d live to see them with my own eyes.”
“Of course! It’s all thanks to the young lord!”
“That may be so… but will he really make it into the Cradle? I heard even famous prodigies fail the proving test. What if our young lord also—”
“Hey! Don’t jinx it! As if our young lord would fail!”
Fifteen years ago, a boy had been born into House Irons.
Named Gunter, the heir of the territory had displayed extraordinary talent from childhood, earning fame as a genius.
And now, after years had passed…
When Gunter—the pride of the land—declared that he would enter the Dragon’s Cradle, founded by the Sword Lord for the geniuses of the world—
The territory’s citizens and retainers rejoiced.
“The gods truly watch over our land!”
“If the young master follows the head of house and returns from the Cradle as well… the glory of Irons will shine even brighter!”
The current head of house had himself attended the Dragon’s Cradle twenty years ago.
Thanks to that, House Irons—once nothing more than a minor frontier domain—had, within a single generation, risen to become one of the most powerful families in the Krotan administrative district.
All because of one prodigy from the Cradle.
Moreover, the current lord often said of his son:
[Gunter’s talent surpasses my own.]
A genius acknowledged by another genius.
Firmly believing his son would pass the trial, the lord declared the entire process would be made public.
It was a performance of sorts—to show the people that House Irons would carry its present glory into the future.
His plan worked perfectly, and the entire territory buzzed with hope.
Then another rumor flowed from the lord’s castle, heating the atmosphere even further.
[A Master is staying as the lord’s guest!]
The word Master carried far greater weight than the Trial of the Cradle.
After the era of the Sword Lord Luke Rider, the martial ranking system had been established.
It began from Unofficial Grade 5 up to Unofficial Grade 1.
Beyond that came the Official ranks, starting from First Dan and steadily increasing.
After long years of training, only a handful of geniuses could reach Official Ninth Dan.
And those who shattered even that boundary—who transcended Ninth Dan into another realm entirely—earned the glorious title of Master.
Across the entire world, only twenty-two Masters were officially recorded.
Excluding the Sword Lord—called a transcendent being—they were effectively the strongest humans alive.
And such a being had come to this distant frontier land.
At the very time of Young Lord Gunter’s Trial of the Cradle.
Why else would such a person stay as the lord’s guest?
“He must’ve come to see the young lord, right?”
“Maybe he plans to take our young lord as a disciple!”
“Our young lord… becoming a Master’s disciple…”
If that happened, it would mean having a being equal to a strategic weapon backing the territory.
“I heard about it somewhere—some rural territory’s little lady became a Master’s disciple and revived her nearly ruined house! Struck gold, they did!”
“If our young lord becomes a Master’s disciple… Krotan will be ours!”
Hope and excitement swelled, and the territory was in uproar.
Yet in stark contrast to the festive mood outside, the atmosphere inside the lord’s castle was chilling.
“He left?”
The low voice cut through the silence.
Its owner was none other than the lord of the territory.
Ashraf Irons.
Lord of House Irons and the swordmaster known as the Blue Wolf.
At Ashraf’s firm tone, the head steward bowed deeply.
“It appears so. The room we prepared has been empty since two days ago. We waited, but… he has not returned.”
At the report that the Master seemed to have departed, Ashraf’s expression hardened further.
The steward cautiously spoke again.
“Should we dispatch men to find out where he has gone?”
“No.”
Ashraf lightly shook his head.
“If he has decided to leave, we cannot pursue him.”
Regret filled his face.
He left…
Upon hearing that that person was searching for a disciple, Ashraf had used an old connection to barely arrange a meeting.
He believed that Gunter’s talent would surely catch the Master’s eye.
But after seeing Gunter, the Master’s evaluation had been simple.
[Your brat is better than you, at least.]
That was all.
After saying nothing more, the Master had vanished like the wind.
Even Gunter’s talent… did not meet his standards.
Unable to fully hide his disappointment, Ashraf changed the subject.
“How go the preparations for the trial?”
“They proceed without issue.”
“See to it that everything is handled to the end.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The steward bowed and withdrew.
“Hmm…”
Ashraf’s low murmur carried undisguised frustration and regret.
He did not know.
The one he believed to have left was still within his territory.
And that, as if by fate, a new connection had already been formed.
Early evening in Irons Territory, as a deep crimson sunset spread across the sky.
Clink—
“Yuri, bring more good goods next time!”
“We’ll see.”
A boy took a pouch of coins from the herb shop owner and stepped outside.
Black hair. Golden eyes.
Despite his shabby clothes, he had pale skin and distinct features.
And beneath his left eye was a small tear-shaped mole that lent him a strange aura.
Fifteen-year-old Yuri tucked the pouch into his chest and entered a side alley of the market.
Then—
“Hey!”
A familiar voice called from behind, and Yuri stopped.
“…Ha.”
He sighed and turned.
Standing there was a large, shaggy-haired boy.
Yuri’s expression crumpled.
“…You again?”
His name was Derts.
An orphan who had drifted into Irons before Yuri.
While Yuri moved alone, Derts gathered other orphans and acted as their leader.
And for some reason, he constantly picked fights with Yuri.
Their relationship was that of sworn enemies.
Well—one-sidedly so.
Haven’t seen him in a while. Starting again, huh.
As if proving Yuri right, Derts grinned, revealing a broken front tooth.
“You bastard… got you now.”
His voice was low and threatening.
Yuri merely sighed.
“What is it this time?”
“This time?! You’re asking that after messing up my teeth like this?!”
“Who told you to charge at me?”
“Shut up! Today I’ll knock out all your teeth! You’ll live on soup for the rest of your life!”
As soon as he finished speaking, ten boys appeared behind him.
And—
Step.
More boys with clubs blocked the opposite end of the alley.
Completely surrounded.
Derts’ grin widened.
“I knew you’d come sell herbs today. Been waiting since morning!”
“Oh? Used your head for once? Guess you don’t just carry it to balance your shoulders.”
“…We’ll see if you can still talk like that in a minute.”
At Derts’ signal, the boys closed in.
Average age: seventeen.
Twenty boys with clubs—enough to overwhelm several adults.
Against frail-looking fifteen-year-old Yuri, it seemed impossible.
Yet Yuri showed no fear—only irritation.
“Did you guys leave your ability to learn in your mothers’ wombs?”
If they had any, they wouldn’t keep coming back after getting beaten.
Yuri quickly scanned his surroundings.
“…Tch.”
They had prepared well.
No escape route.
Normally he’d strike and retreat in guerrilla fashion—but the narrow alley made that impossible.
Pig used his brain for once.
If he got beaten badly, he was done.
His body was his only asset.
If he fell ill, no one would care for him.
He’d starve.
No choice. Just dip a toe in… then pull back.
“Whew…”
Yuri closed his eyes briefly.
His shadow rippled unnaturally.
But no one noticed.
Then—
Flash.
His golden eyes shone.
“Let’s finish this quickly. I’m busy.”
Before the “curse” deepened any further.
He moved first.
“Get him!”
“Kill him!”
Clubs swung violently in the narrow alley.
But Yuri was different now.
Whoosh—
He twisted aside from a downward strike.
Crack—
His fist smashed into a jaw.
Whoosh—
He ducked a blow from behind.
Thud—
A backward kick drove into someone’s stomach.
Punches and kicks flew.
One by one, Derts’ gang collapsed.
Derts’ pupils trembled.
That monster…!
He had planned carefully. Armed them.
Yet—
What the hell is that?!
Yuri’s movements were inhuman.
Nothing like before.
Does he have eyes on the back of his head?!
In moments, all twenty boys lay groaning.
Yuri glared at Derts.
“…”
“AAARGH! Die!”
Derts charged wildly.
But Yuri sidestepped and punched him square in the solar plexus.
“Ghk?!”
Derts collapsed, gasping.
Yuri crouched and slapped his cheeks.
“Hey! Breathe!”
After several slaps, Derts finally sucked in air.
Yuri looked down at him.
“Let me ask you something.”
“….”
“Why do you hate me so much?”
Derts glared through pain.
“…Just…”
“Just?”
“I just hate you! Same orphan as us… nothing special! Acting all high and mighty!”
Six months ago, Derts had invited Yuri to join his group.
Yuri’s reply:
[Get lost.]
Since then, Yuri had remained alone.
Detached.
“That look in your eyes…”
“My eyes?”
“That arrogant look! What makes you so special?!”
Yuri’s golden eyes dimmed.
They were not the eyes of a fifteen-year-old.
Colder. Deeper.
Derts felt a chill and shut his eyes.
But Yuri did nothing.
“Is that so?”
He stood.
“You’ve got it wrong. I’ve never acted superior.”
His dull golden gaze swept over them.
“I just…”
He murmured.
“…thought you were boring.”
And with that, Yuri shoved his hands into his pockets and left the alley.
Derts could only watch silently.
Soon, his gang staggered up.
“L-Leader… let’s just leave Yuri alone from now on…”
“Shut up! Get up!”
They limped away like defeated soldiers.
Silence fell.
Then—
From a corner of the alley, a small shadow emerged.
It stared in the direction Yuri had gone.
And muttered:
“In the dragon’s maw… a monster wearing human skin has been living here. Heh heh.”
The low, murky voice was thick with excitement and delight.
