# Chapter Translation
The captain, 'Hugo,' had been staring at the flashing signal device for a while.
"Is this thing broken?"
It was an expensive magical signal device that he had invested in for escape purposes in case something went wrong at Igorovich Station.
Now it was blinking with a regular light. Roughly once per minute.
The emergency signal was supposed to be pressed three times in succession. Even if pressed by accident, such a signal wouldn't be transmitted.
But the signal was consistently blinking just once. It seemed to be malfunctioning.
"Damn it, this was really expensive!"
"Hehe, Captain. Don't worry. It's all money we can't recover anyway, right?"
"Where are the others?"
"They're in position and have finished setting the explosives. When the train comes, we'll blow it up, rush over to loot the cargo car, and get out! It'll take 15 minutes at most!"
"Good. Oh, the train is coming. Everyone get ready!"
"Yeah!"
In the distance, a train was approaching, spewing steam. It was 30 minutes from Igorovich Station. About an hour's walk on foot.
This meant that even if the train derailed, they would have at least 2 hours of leeway before reinforcements arrived.
"Blow it up!!"
Hugo turned his head and shouted.
*BOOM!*
The explosives planted on the tracks all detonated at once, making the ground shake.
With a screeching sound, the train braked urgently, and soon began to slowly topple sideways off the tracks.
"Go! Take everything!!"
"Woohoo!! We're going to be rich!!"
They had heard that the cargo car of that train was packed with gold bullion. If they melted it down and removed the royal seal to distribute it on the black market, who knew how much it would be worth.
Hugo chuckled as he took one last look at the malfunctioning signal device blinking, then stuffed it into his pocket.
Planning to have a serious talk with the magician who sold it to him.
*CRASH!!*
*SCREECH- CRUNCH!!*
The train twisted and collapsed as it left the tracks.
Ivan was perched on a tree, watching from a distance before turning his gaze.
One who appeared to be the commander, one who looked like a lieutenant.
And about three others around them.
'About ten headed toward the train.'
They said there were about fifteen in total, so the numbers added up.
Ivan jumped down from the tree and immediately drew his pistol.
*BANG-!*
"!!!"
"!!?"
From a distance came murmuring sounds as the bandits all ducked down or hid behind trees.
Including the one who took the first bullet to the head, all five lacked "Line-of-Fire Detection."
"Projectile weapons" don't work against those who have reached a certain level of strength.
This is why there are no "archers" in Hero Parties. The moment a firearm is discharged, a "strong one" can detect the "killing intent" attached to the bullet.
Coating a weapon with magical power to eliminate killing intent is a basic skill. However, once a projectile like a bullet or arrow leaves the hand, such manipulation becomes impossible.
Therefore, the strong never take cover. Instead, they launch themselves toward the source of the gunshot to deal with the opponent. Being startled by gunfire is exclusively for the weak.
This is why the Annihilation Squad carries pistols. Not only can they gauge an opponent's strength, but there are few weapons better for dealing with the weak in minor skirmishes.
"Who the hell are you?!"
The one shouting loudly was the commander. He needed to be kept alive. He was worth extracting information from.
Therefore, there was no reason to keep the others alive.
Ivan stepped away from the tree and took a step toward them.
"Shoot! Shoot!!"
*RATATATA!!*
Lines of fire crisscrossed chaotically. Ivan walked casually through them while leisurely loading bullets.
Click, the sound of a bullet being chambered.
*BANG-!*
"Urrrgh?!!"
One.
Click again. The sound of a bullet popping up from the magazine and being chambered.
*BANG-!*
One.
Again, click, bang. Click, bang-!
With each shot, one line of fire disappeared.
Trained agents, even if they haven't mastered "Line-of-Fire Detection," would never expose themselves to shoot, but...
These guys seemed to have never received such training, as they jumped out and started spraying bullets as soon as they confirmed Ivan was alone.
This was the result. The difference in training, experience, and talent.
Four corpses with bullets in their foreheads, and one large man trembling.
"Y-you...!!"
The man grimaced, threw away his gun, and drew a knife.
Not a bad choice. If bullets don't work, they're useless.
"Who, who sent you?! Huh?! Where did such a damn...!"
*BANG-!*
*CLANG!*
The moment he drew his knife, Ivan shot the blade. From the impact, the man dropped the knife handle and staggered backward, clutching his wrist.
Feeling the overwhelming difference in skill, the man's face turned pale as he began to tremble.
"Do you have a good memory for faces?"
"Huh...? Y-yes! You, I'll remember you clearly!! Just wait! I'll..."
"Good. You'll need to recall well from now on."
Ivan didn't even expect to learn who was behind the train attack from this guy.
An organization capable of orchestrating such an event wouldn't leave a trail so easily.
Therefore, first was the description. Anything, no matter how small, that could serve as a clue.
Gait, demeanor, the clothes worn at the time.
If there were any, distinctive tattoos or accessories.
Even speech patterns or accents.
"Answer if anything comes to mind."
Ivan drew his axe and spoke in a low voice.
He had no intention of killing him. This guy was probably the tutorial boss, and that was the protagonist's role.
However, hurting him was fine. And Ivan knew countless ways to cause pain without damaging a person's "functionality."
9:35 AM.
Ten minutes since the train attack.
Train terrorist plot successfully thwarted!
"Owww...!!"
Asidis clutched her forehead and groaned. She couldn't gather her thoughts.
Because her father's retainers had reserved the entire first-class section, there was no one to ask what had happened.
She shook her head vigorously and stood up unsteadily.
"Huh?"
She was now standing on the window. The chair she had been sitting on and dozing in until just now was lying horizontally beside her.
This is a train. Train seats can't lie sideways. Therefore, she finally realized that the train was overturned.
"Ugh, it hurts... Hello? Is anyone there-?"
She groaned and looked around. She could hear the sound of people running and loud talking, but not the screams of people terrified by a train accident.
Then this... this.
"Bandits!!"
Asidis covered her mouth in shock. She had heard that bandits sometimes raided trains, but it wasn't that common. What could they possibly gain from a train like this...!
"No! They're after me!!"
Asidis crouched down in surprise.
In most situations, this would just be self-importance, but surprisingly, in this incident, Asidis's words were true.
"What should I do, what should I do...!"
Having shouted that no one should follow her, and that she would cut ties with anyone who did, she was now in a situation without a single attendant.
Asidis felt her mind going blank as she hurriedly clutched her instrument case.
Fortunately, despite the train overturning, the violin was intact.
"Thank goodness! Sob, I was worried you might be damaged..."
She gently opened the bag and carefully stroked the violin.
Then soon, she firmly gripped the neck of the violin and held it upside down.
Like a metal pipe. No, like an "axe."
There's a saying that to musicians, their instruments are like their lives.
What can be understood from this is that Asidis was now prepared to fight wielding her life.
The "strongest music student ever," now entering the train terrorist situation to resolve it!
Before the Droan Kingdom was unified by King Einar the Great.
And before the Demon King emerged to threaten all of humanity.
Until then, the Droan Kingdom had gone through an era of warring states where tribal chiefs called "Jarls" proliferated.
In this insane group of killers who created rivers of blood with axes, swords, and tongues (mainly used for kind greetings about the opponent's parents), there was a unique rank.
The Jarl's retainer. The Huskarl.
The Huskarl rank is often equated with the "knight" rank of other countries, but it differs in detail.
Unlike knights who establish bilateral contractual relationships between lord and vassal, Huskarls consider only loyalty and ability as conditions.
While knights are given salary and land as compensation, what is given to Huskarls is only "loyalty." They neither receive nor desire compensation except for small spoils and meal allowances.
This means that even without blood ties, they are accepted as "brothers" who eat the same food and use the same bed in the same house. (This does not mean they share nighttime activities.)
And King Einar had many such "younger brothers."
"Huff... Hah...!!"
A middle-aged man was panting at the edge of the forest.
The man stared at the overturned train in the distance with his naked eyes and gasped.
"What rotten bastards have my nieeeece!!"
His niece, whom he cherishes more than anything, is now!! On that train!!
The man shouted ferociously and started sprinting again.
'If I catch you following me, I'll really cut ties with you!'
When Asidis said such words to Einar, Einar, as a great warrior of Droan, was able to figure out the correct answer to this riddle.
'Aha, so I just need to not be seen!'
Since all trustworthy men considered Asidis their niece and cherished her, they couldn't avoid being seen on the same train no matter how well they disguised themselves.
But sending them on the next train was concerning, given the situation where she was traveling alone across the border by train.
Again, King Einar, as a great warrior of Droan, brilliantly solved this riddle.
'Aha, so we just need to be able to follow the train!'
Therefore, King Einar called his "brothers" and solemnly asked.
"Who will protect our Essie? Raise your hand?"
"Brother!!! Send me!!!"
"Who is a true warrior who can follow a train on two legs? Raise your hand?"
"I'm here, brother!!!"
The great Huskarls of Droan all raised their hands and shouted wildly.
Muscular men in their 40s were opening their mouths and shouting like baby birds begging for food.
Looking at that strange sight with satisfaction, King Einar solemnly asked.
"Then, only those who can enter St. Yansk University, raise your hands."
"...!!"
St. Yansk University has difficult entrance exams. Even if they were confident they could pass the practical or interview portions, the Huskarls judged the written exam to be impossible and lowered their hands. (They weren't embarrassed. Knowledge is not included in a warrior's virtues.)
One man still kept his hand raised.
"From now on, you are a physical education freshman."
"Yes, brother!! I will protect Essie with my life!!"
"Good. Go, brother."
"Yes, brother!!!"
That was two months ago. This man, who secretly infiltrated Krasilov in November when the St. Yansk University entrance exam was held, surprisingly passed the written entrance exam and was accepted into the physical education department. (This means he barely made the minimum score and set a new record in the practical evaluation.)
Sadly, St. Yansk University had no age limit for admission...
And now. On a day in January, a man who had been running after the train for two days without rest or sleep stopped, panting.
Having confirmed the train derailment with his naked eyes from 2km away, the man began charging forward, crushing every tree in his direct path.
The strongest physical education student ever, now rushing to the train terrorist incident scene to save the strongest music student ever!