…

Han Changsu calmed his breath and looked down at the two clubs on his feet. They didn’t look heavy.

“…”

He took a deep breath and picked it up. It took him all his might to bring himself back up and swing those two clubs.

<>

It wasn’t the best skill, but he had been training the skill for the past 5 months with all his effort. Anyone who saw the clubs wouldn’t be able to tell that they weighed over 500 pounds each as Changsu was moving them effortlessly through the air.

The movement stopped and Changsu dropped his clubs on the ground. He let out his breath and crouched. And to his ear-

“That was very good.”

There was the alluring voice of a woman and it was followed by people cheering and shouting.

“That was awesome!”

“Way to go!”

“Great job, Changsu!”

He looked up. He was pale from lack of air, but his bright smile was full of confidence. He was the official ‘sixth’ rank based on the power ranking within the city. With Dohyuk and Blass at the top, Giwon and Yuri as 3rd and 4th, Heeyun was 5th since Blass she approved of her as a genius.

Every other person was similar in terms of power compared to those five, but still, there was the difference in potential.

Han Changsu was a former slave. He had no special Nature or special abilities, but he was good in terms of general ability. He had good judgmental skills and focus too. Yuri once said that he would have been powerful if he had not died to the early earthquake in the first life.

Because of such a reason, he was the first to become a ‘Senior Fighter’ in the city. It was not just the title as Dohyuk gave him a hefty amount of coins in front of everyone. With that, Changsu now was the first citizen with 3 physical stats to exceed 500.

“You adapted faster than I imagined.”

Yuri walked over to Changsu.

“Good job.”

Changsu brought himself up, pretending he wasn’t out of breath. He didn’t want to look weak in front of her.

“I did suggest for you to be the best next to the Mayor, but I didn’t expect this much. I think I can even let you be my assistant in next battle if you keep it up. You won’t embarrass me at least.”

“N-no way… I’m not…”

“Huh?”

Lee Yuri brought her face closer and asked. “You don’t want to hang around with me?”

“…!”

Changsu’s face blushed quickly.

“I’m joking.”

Yuri smiled and turned. Changsu wasn’t they shy type, but to the people of the city, especially men, Lee Yuri was worshipped like a goddess. Even though she was from the Circle, there weren’t many who hated Yuri as she wasn’t the type to abuse slaves in the first place.

Besides, she was now one of the most close lieutenants to Dohyuk and the 2nd battle tactics teacher, especially for ‘real life’ battle. Many men had a crush on her for those reasons.

“Alright!”

Yuri slapped Changsu’s back loudly and looked around at the people.

“Now, don’t be envious or jealous at him like fools. Our mayor is a good man. If you put your time and effort in it, you will become something more than your worthless self now.”

It was apparent that she was taunting these people, but she did it on purpose. These people were hand-picked by Blass who seemed to be ready for a real battle and Yuri knew what they were thinking right now. They were envious of Changsu. Surprisingly, this was a good sign for her.

‘Very good.’

As for these people, Changsu was different from Dohyuk. He was different from Giwon, Yuri, or even Heeyun. Unlike them, Changsu was never ‘powerful’. He was one of ‘them’ and just up until while ago. That’s what brought the competition. They admired Changsu for his achievement, but they also felt challenged to do the same.

“Then I’ll see you all tomorrow. Dismissed.”

People shouted their goodbyes and began going on their way, to either finish their work or take a rest.

“I think I enjoy this more than I thought I would.”

Yuri talked to herself as she smiled. She never objected Dohyuk’s suggestion to become a battle tactics teacher, but her original reason was because she was told to.

But now, she was quite into it. These students showed her subordination and admiration. It was different from ‘control’ she had when she was in the Circle, but it was good. It was also great to see these students grow and achieve things. She even felt that she owned these students in some way as she got closer to them. It was surprising to say the least.

“I bet our good mayor didn’t think this far.”

Whatever the case, it was a peaceful environment for humans and beasts, corrupt and non-corrupt like. Dohyuk had managed to find it.

“Maybe I should treat myself to some whiskey today.”

Lee Yuri began whistling old songs that were buried in her memory as she walked toward the city. And as she got closer to the city wall…

“…”

She paused in her steps. People gathered around under the wall wasn’t unusual as there were farming fields there with people watching over it 24 hours. But this… something wasn’t right.

The crowd was definitely not there to farm. There were too many and it was too loud. As she got closer to the crowd, she felt the people’s confusion and fear. Someone found Yuri and began running up to her.

“…Dammit.”

She bit her lips. She knew a possible reason for this commotion. But she wished that it was not what she thought. She wished that it was something more simple, something commonplace.

But that wasn’t the case.