Arknights. That was my game. The brilliant dystopian story, the mechanics, the charming characters—it had me hooked.
—HONK HONK!!!
"Huh??!!!"
Note to self: never walk and stare at your phone. Otherwise, you might end up like me—flattened by a truck.
"Wait... I'm not dead?"
The world I opened my eyes to was Terra. Not a bad place, all things considered. Except for the 100% mortality rate incurable disease known as Oripathy, the ancient gods, the monsters called Seaborn swarming the oceans, and the Demons lurking in the north.
Other than that? Lovely place.
And then there's the country I live in now. Danguk. A nation that was supposed to exist only in the lore settings.
"Hey, brat! You really got nothing on you?"
"I don't... really..."
I ended up in the back alleys, beyond the reach of the law. And to make matters worse, I was a child again.
This is a world where power and connections are everything. It's common sense that those without them get chewed up and spit out. If you have a little strength, you extort others to suck up to a syndicate, or you blow your cash on women to forget the miserable reality.
"This little rat is actually fighting back today?"
"Y-you sons of bitches!!"
"Huh? Wha—? Is he crazy?!!"
I was roughly seven years old when I committed my first murder. It was accidental. I just shoved a knife into the skulls of the two thugs who always tormented me.
"You're tellin' me this kid put a hole in my boy's head?"
"Yes, Boss. That's right."
"Geez. I gotta move my ass just for one tiny brat?"
In the back alleys, if you can't protect yourself, the golden rule is to cling to a piece of trash that has a bit of power. I guess those guys were exactly that kind of trash.
"Eek? What the hell is with this kid?"
Fortunately or unfortunately, it seemed I had a knack for fighting. Especially when it came to handling a blade.
And just now, I lost to that man. Sure, I wasn't in top condition, but honestly? Even at my best, I would have lost. I felt the overwhelming gap in skill right down to my bones.
"Ugh... my head..."
"You are awake. Had you died, I would have been obliged to dig a grave, which would have been quite bothersome. A relief, truly."
That man... right. The black-haired guy who killed the tattooed thug. Is he a Liberi like me? No, not the guy in the bamboo hat from earlier.
"If you wish to fight, I shall not stop you, though I would not recommend it."
".....Where am I? And who the hell are you people?"
Who are they? I've never seen their tattoos around here before... Didn't they say Kurokumo Clan? Then who are these guys?
"I suppose failing to introduce oneself could be considered a grave discourtesy. I shall go first. I am Yi Sang of the Blade Lineage. My introduction is ideal."
"...That's it?"
"Mm. It is ideal." (Note: A pun on his name, Yi Sang, which sounds like 'Ideal' or 'Strange')
Okay, these guys are definitely nutjobs.
"And we are the ones known as the Blade Lineage. We are currently in a standoff with the Kurokumo Clan you saw earlier."
"Kurokumo... You mean those guys from the Far East?"
"Indeed. We shall continue the detailed discussion with the Boss. Rise. The sun is high in the sky."
Next to my pillow lay a set of clothes—finished with deep blue, white, and red accents, just like the outfit this Yi Sang guy was wearing.
"What are you doing? Do you perhaps not know how to dress yourself?"
"Don't I just throw it on?"
I've never worn a Hanbok before. I remember seeing how to wear one in Home Ec class back in middle school, but... honestly, who remembers that? I've been surviving in these back alleys in a kid's body for six years. I remember how to survive, not how to tie fancy knots.
"Hmm... I see. Here, put on the white inner wear first. And then over that—"
"Is it supposed to flap around like this?"
"It appears the garment is larger than your frame. We have nothing smaller at the moment, so you must endure. You are in your growing years, after all."
Hmm... If it drags on the floor, it'll be hard to run, and the rustling sound will just attract enemies.
—Shk.
"Done. Let's go."
"One does not simply cut one's garments in such a manner..."
"But it's uncomfortable. Anyway, didn't you say we had to hurry?"
"That is also true. Then let us depart. It is rude to keep the Boss waiting too long."
We arrived at a detached house built in the traditional style. In a room that looked like a reception area, a man wearing a Gat (traditional hat) instead of a bamboo hat sat alone, playing Go.
His body was etched with scars. Some scars were overlaid on top of older ones, making it impossible to gauge just how many battles he had survived.
"You have arrived."
Having apparently finished his game, the Ursus man pushed the Go board aside and met my gaze.
"...So, Boss? Captain? What am I supposed to call you?"
"Meursault. Addressing me as such is sufficient."
"Got it, Cap'n Sault."
"I told you to call me Meursault."
"Meursault + Captain (Daejang). So, Cap'n Sault." (Note: Or 'Meur-Boss' to fit the 'Moe-jang' slang)
"...Very well. So, what is your name?"
Name? I don't have a name...
"What if I don't have one? I'm an orphan; nobody gave me one."
"Hmm..."
At that moment, a clattering noise came from behind the door, followed immediately by—
—Crash!
"....Faust has nothing to do with this."
"To have no name! How piteous!! In that case, I shall bestow upon thee a magnificent name! Hmm... let's see!! Yes! How about 'Chosam'?!"
"That sounds like an insult, Don-hyung..."
Who are these three idiots...?
"Enough, all of you. A name... Right. White and black. Baekhyun. I will call you that."
"Fine. But where is this place? And what is this 'Blade Lineage'?"
This didn't feel like the back alleys I knew. The area was open and spacious, with a large river in front and a high mountain wrapping around the back. I don't know much about Feng Shui, but even I can tell this is a prime spot.
"This is the temporary hideout of the Blade Lineage. And, from now on, it is where you will stay."
"Me? Why?"
Why am I being forcibly conscripted into a group of swordsmen where no one seems normal?
"Before that—Yi Sang. Did you see any signs of Oripathy on Baekhyun's body?"
"I saw no external signs of Origini—mm, infection."
"Infection? If you mean Oripathy, I'm clean. Got lucky."
Partly because I knew how dangerous Originium was, so I was extra careful. Most kids my age ended up infected just from delivering the stuff.
Adults have it worse. Working as the lowest grunts of a syndicate—read: meat shields—or getting dragged into suspicious experiments in the back alleys... or suffering all sorts of humiliation while their bodies are used and abused.
"I see. In any case, that area used to be Blade Lineage territory."
"Meaning it isn't anymore?"
" The Kurokumo Clan. A group headquartered in the Far East. They started showing up in Danguk little by little, but recently, they've shown signs of moving in earnest."
So that's why those guys were swarming around lately.
"I get that part. So why bring me here?"
"Naturally, to ensure a talented sprout like yourself does not fall into the hands of the Kurokumo."
"...And to use me as one of your blades?"
"You are sharp for a child. Yes. We are recruiting you into the Blade Lineage."
"And if I refuse?"
"We wouldn't exactly let you leave."
Damn it. So there's really only one choice.
"That was the first time I lost a sword fight in the back alleys. Hey, Cap'n Sault. If I stay under you, can I use a sword better?"
"I cannot guarantee that. That depends on your own capability."
"...Fine. I'll do it. This Blade Lineage thing."
Survival of the fittest. Whether the weak live or die is solely the choice of the strong. I am weak, and the people here are strong. If they're giving me a chance to live, and a chance to get stronger, I'd be a fool not to take it.
"Good. You will learn the sword under Yi Sang."
"Me again... It seems our fates are frequently intertwined."
"So, what should I call you?"
"Call me Yi Sang. Using honorifics does not seem to suit your personality."
"Huzzah!! Since our family has grown, how about we hold a banquet after such a long time?! Ah, Squire Sinclair! You should introduce yourself too! Have you not made a friend now?"
"Huh?! Ah! That's?! Um... I, no, my name is Sinclair... I mean, I am Sinclair. N-nice to meet you...?"
"Mm... Right. Baekhyun. As you can see, a Liberi."
"Holding a banquet is impossible with our current financial situation, Don Quixote. However, I will make an attempt."
"You're noisy, fledglings. Training begins tomorrow. I have no intention of going easy on you, so be prepared."
"So rowdy. Dismissed, all of you. Baekhyun, follow Yi Sang."
"Yeah. See ya, Cap'n Sault."
"Right. I shall take my leave first, Cap'n Sault."
"It is Meursault."
"Cap'n Sault! To be on a nickname basis already?! I envy you, Sir Meursault!!!"
It seems... this place is even rowdier than I thought.