I’m Here to End This Fight

Chapter 57: Birds of a Feather (2)

Arararar—.

“You think I received special treatment? Do you really believe that?”

A voice laced with amusement spread across the deck within the hallucination of the Mad Dog.

Yuri held a sneer.

“Do you even know where you’re heading right now?”

No one answered that question.

Yuri didn’t expect any response, so he continued speaking on his own.

“This place is the Cradle. A place overflowing with wealth, more than any bank in the world, and stronger than any other force. Bribes mean nothing here; only your skills are judged. That’s the Dragon’s Cradle.”

“…….”

“And yet you think that such a place would give special treatment to a mere cadet? Does that even make sense? If anyone really thought that, they should get their intelligence checked. Idiots.”

A cold chill spread as Yuri’s harsh words echoed.

Some people bristled, placing their hands on their weapons.

But Yuri had no intention of stopping.

“Ah, well, sure. Let’s say it’s possible. Let’s just assume that. After all, the Cradle is still run by people, so who knows what might happen. But….”

His lips kept moving.

Since he had already started.

Yuri intended to show them clearly.

What kind of person he was.

Yuri emanated killing intent.

“But if a mere cadet were to receive special treatment… shouldn’t you be questioning the Cradle that gave it? Why are you taking it out on the wrong person?”

“…….”

“And if you’re jealous or resentful of the special treatment, you should have tried to get some for yourselves—whether through bribery, connections, or even by kissing the Black Sword Corps’ ass! You should have made every effort to earn it!”

Yuri’s eyes scanned the surroundings, filled with disdain.

“Idiots. If it were me, instead of complaining about the person who got special treatment, I would’ve at least asked how they got it. Tsk.”

A heavy silence followed Yuri’s low voice.

“…….”

Of course, not everyone present shared the freckled boy’s perspective.

But for some reason, no one immediately rebutted Yuri’s cynical words.

They, too, agreed to some extent.

Even if Yuri’s words weren’t entirely right, they weren’t completely wrong either.

After all, it was the freckled boy who started the trouble.

And while Yuri’s actions may have been extreme, they thought it might be fitting for someone called a cadet of the Cradle.

But not everyone thought the same.

“Even if that’s true, your actions just now were excessive.”

A heavy voice spoke, turning all eyes toward the back.

The one who drew everyone’s attention was none other than Gunther Irons.

Gunther stood upright, staring intently at Yuri.

Yuri tilted his head slightly at Gunther’s gaze.

“Excessive? What was?”

“I agree with your point. We’re in the Cradle, and the Cradle wouldn’t bestow special treatment on a mere cadet. The Cradle isn’t so lax.”

“So?”

“But earlier, you used unnecessary force. You could have explained it to that boy with words, just as you’re doing now.”

At those calm words, Yuri’s eyes filled with even more contempt.

So, could anything pleasant come from his mouth?

“Wow, are you some kind of clever fool?”

“…Your words are harsh.”

“Or are you some kind of teacher? What do you mean, explain it with words?”

Yuri sighed deeply as Gunther’s gaze grew sharper.

“Sigh… seriously, do you think we’re really friends just because we’re fellow 50th cadets? Why don’t you hold hands and play patty-cake together?”

“…….”

“Wake up. Let me remind you, this is the Cradle. And those who are called your fellow cadets? They’re your competitors.”

Yuri pointed his index finger at the successful candidates surrounding Gunther.

“And thanks to me kicking that guy out earlier, we have one less competitor now. Wow, I thought you’d at least bow and thank me.”

Yuri shrugged his shoulders.

With a hardened expression, Gunther spoke firmly.

“Yes, we’re in a competitive relationship. I don’t deny that. I won’t deny it. But…!”

Gunther’s voice grew stronger.

“We should strive for fair competition. Even if conflicts arise, we mustn’t antagonize or exclude each other.”

“Why?”

“Because someday… we might need to support each other as comrades.”

“…….”

Yuri’s expression twisted at Gunther’s response.

Comrades?

Support each other?

These were unfamiliar words to Yuri, who had always survived and fought alone.

So he couldn’t easily respond to Gunther’s words.

Though Yuri’s eyes were hidden by his long hair, Yuri and Gunther stared at each other.

As a heavy tension filled the air between them.

Clap, clap, clap—.

The sound of applause broke the silence.

Clap, clap—.

The one who clapped and appeared was the one-eyed man.

He had been observing the situation on the deck for a while.

Finally making his appearance, he looked back and forth between Yuri and Gunther.

“I enjoyed your heated debate.”

At the same time, people were curious to see whose side the one-eyed man would take—Yuri’s or Gunther’s, each representing different values.

But the words that came from his mouth were entirely different.

“Talking about the Cradle and fellow cadets. Quite an interesting conversation. Well, it’s good, but listen here.”

The one-eyed man scanned the crowd.

“Save that talk for when you’ve become official cadets. Seeing you chatter away before that made me feel like I had to step in.”

At that, a girl suddenly interrupted, startled.

“What? Weren’t we already official cadets? Didn’t you say we’d become official cadets if we survived in the Forest of Beginnings until January 1st?!”

Some nodded at her words.

But the one-eyed man snorted.

“Did I? When?”

“Excuse me?”

“I said you’d lose your provisional status and be recognized as the 50th generation when you set foot on the Cradle’s land.”

“Th-that’s the same….”

“Who are you to decide what that means?”

As those words left his mouth, a dangerous aura began to emanate from the one-eyed man.

His cold gaze swept the surroundings.

“Who are you to interpret my words as you please?”

Those who were about to protest quickly shut their mouths.

The one-eyed man’s sneer deepened.

“You become official cadets after the initiation ceremony. Until then… well, let’s just say you’re still half-fledged.”

“Th-that can’t be….”

Ignoring the shocked crowd, the one-eyed man spoke to his subordinate.

“What happened to the guy who fell off the ship earlier?”

“He’s fine.”

“Were there 301 cadets who came out of the Forest of Beginnings this time?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Good. It was bothering me that there was one extra. Now, thanks to this, the number is exactly 300. Retrieve that guy and send him back home. The reason? Let’s say it’s for defying authority. How dare he question the way the Black Sword Corps handles things? What a ridiculous bastard.”

Those who witnessed the one who first brought up the special treatment issue being expelled so easily were left stunned.

Among them, those who had shown some agreement with the special treatment controversy felt a chill run down their spines.

Meanwhile, the one-eyed man’s gaze landed on Yuri.

“You.”

He sighed softly to himself.

‘It’s this guy again.’

This kid, who was just a provisional cadet, was always at the center of any commotion.

‘If he’s like this already… I wonder how much more trouble he’ll cause in the future.’

There were still two years left until his position changed.

The one-eyed man found himself wishing that those two years would pass by quickly.

He glared at Yuri and spoke.

“Once you become an official cadet, I won’t interfere with whatever you do, but until then, you are all under my care, even that idiot you just dunked into the water.”

The one-eyed man pointed his index finger at Yuri.

“You damaged something under my supervision without permission, so you’ll have to pay the price.”

With that, the one-eyed man lightly nodded, and his subordinate picked up Yuri’s belongings.

It was the points pouch and the various items that had been split in two, which the one-eyed man had handed over to Yuri not long ago.

The one-eyed man, now having reclaimed them, smiled.

“As your payment, I’ll be taking these. Now, everyone, disperse! Don’t waste your energy on useless things and get some sleep!”

With a satisfied smile, the one-eyed man disappeared.

Yuri was certain.

‘He took it back on purpose.’

Given how he talked about defying authority, it was clear that he didn’t like the freckled boy either.

Especially since Yuri’s actions were essentially punishing the brat who had spouted nonsense against the Black Sword Corps.

So, the earlier incident could have been overlooked easily.

In fact, although Yuri’s actions might have seemed reckless, he had anticipated as much.

But…

‘And yet, he added a petty excuse to take back what he gave me?’

Watching the one-eyed man’s slightly gleeful retreating figure, Yuri muttered in disbelief.

“Wow… he really holds a grudge.”

Just a few minutes ago, Yuri had been thrilled to receive free points.

Now, he stood empty-handed, having had his belongings taken away right before his eyes.

“…He’s not going to give them back, is he?”

Sniffle—

With slumped shoulders, Yuri slunk off to a corner of the deck.

Sniffle, sniffle—

He wiped his nose, unsure whether it was tears or snot, in his sorrow.

And just a little distance away.

Two pairs of clear, shining eyes were quietly observing the dejected Yuri.

After the commotion, the ship’s journey continued in deathly silence.

Particularly, Yuri’s intention to “become a massive pile of crap!” seemed to have worked well, as the area around him was noticeably empty and desolate.

Thanks to that, Yuri was able to enjoy some peace and quiet, just as he had intended.

At least for a while.

That peaceful time quickly faded, and Yuri realized something.

“Ha, this is driving me crazy….”

He realized that in this world, there are people so insane that they feel compelled to step on crap rather than avoid it.

“Sigh….”

It was around noon, under the blazing sun.

Yuri, sitting in a large patch of shade, let out a deep sigh as if the ground beneath him was about to cave in.

‘…How did it come to this?’

With that thought, Yuri leaned his head back.

Then, the being that was casting a large shadow over him revealed itself.

With bronze skin and a shiny bald head.

A massive figure that easily exceeded 2 meters and 30 centimeters.

Wearing a black sleeveless top that was torn and frayed at the arms, exposing muscular arms that looked more like boulders than human limbs.

And the most striking feature was the red T-shaped tattoo that started on his forehead, crossed his brow, and extended down to the tip of his nose.

He looked like a savage warrior from legends, and he had appeared a short while after Yuri’s earlier commotion.

Yuri, who had now become the certified number one madman.

Thanks to that, he had achieved his goal of becoming someone everyone avoided.

Of course, this also led to a significant increase in the number of people who resented him, but Yuri didn’t care at all.

In fact, Yuri wished this situation, this peace, could last a little longer.

That was when this guy approached him.

“I’m hungry,” he said.

…That’s how it started.