The heavy cavalry was the Kingdom's sharpest weapon, a spear that couldn't be carelessly withdrawn. Due to its destructive power and sophisticated effectiveness, most commanders preferred to utilize these soldiers in the battlefield when victory was certain, or maximize results in wars that were surely won and lost. As such, the frequency for the dispatchment of the cavalry were significantly lower than other classes.
Thanks to that, Sunhyuk benefitted from this. In a battlefield where death may forebode, he was able to gradually raise his strength and raise his chances of survival.
Through that reason, Sunhyuk had sufficient time to grow and train.
[By training through blood and sweat, you have succeeded in overcoming your limit.]
[After that repeated arduous training, you have succeeded in attaining a new skill.]
[Basic Horsemanship Skill has advanced into Intermediate Horsemanship Skill.]
[It is possible that skills can continue to steadily develop and evolve over time.]
[The increase in the horsemanship skill has unbound some limitations. Charging and riding on horses will be improved.]
[A new skill has been created]
[Once mounted, the Standard Kingdom Spearmanship Skill (Basic) will automatically convert into the Standard Kingdom Mounted Spearmanship Skill (Basic).]
[Once mounted, the Standard Kingdom Swordsmanship (Foundation) will automatically convert into the Standard Kingdom Mounted Swordsmanship Skill (Foundation).]
[Once mounted, the Heavy Armor Maneuvers (30kg) will automatically convert into the Heavy Cavalry Maneuvers (65kg)].
[Once dismounted, converted skills will automatically return to their original states.]
[Skills can continue to steadily develop and evolve over time]
After being recognized by Stella, Sunhyuk fully focused my attention onto training. That result raised his Basic Horsemanship Skill to Intermediate, and allowed his spearmanship and swordsmanship skills to be applied when mounted.
[Kim Sunhyuk]
[Level 3]
[Dragon Rider]
[Possessed Attributes]
Wind / Attribute Expertise 50
Wind Fang
[Strength 21 / Endurance 20 / Agility 23 / Magic Resistance 27 ]
[Possessed Skills]
<< Dragon Taming >>
<< Dragon Riding >>
<< Charging (Wind) >>
<< Attribute Weaponry (Basic) >>
<< Intermediate Horsemanship >>
- Intermediate Horsemanship + Charging = Sharp Charging (Wind)
<< Standard Kingdom Spearmanship (Basic)(Wind) ←→ Standard Kingdom Mounted Spearmanship Skill (Basic) (Wind).]
<< Standard Kingdom Swordsmanship (Foundation) ←→ Standard Kingdom Mounted Swordsmanship Skill (Foundation) (Wind) >>
<< Heavy Armor Maneuvers (30kg) ←→ Heavy Cavalry Maneuvers (65kg) >>
<< Infantry Shield Skill (Foundation) >>
<< Advanced Work Skills (Civil Engineering) >>
The once empty Status Window that I had, when I first class changed was nowhere to be seen. It was literally an astonishing growth.
"Now it seems that you have caught onto the basic stances of a Rider."
With Clarke's quick remark, Sunhyuk unknowingly tightened his fist and stayed quiet. He had thought that, finally, he was able to be recognized by a someone.
But it was just a misunderstanding.
"Raise your speed! With how you gallop, you won't even be able to pierce through grandmothers!"
The first ever heavy cavalry charging training that he participated in was extremely gruesome. The dust that the horses galloped over blurred his vision, which was already restricted due to the helmet. In that condition, it was hard to coordinate with the other Riders in charging formation.
"Bastard! Keep your eyes open! If you mess up, we're all fucking screwed!"
"Get out of the way! Maintain your distance properly!"
With all the screaming, it was hard to stay focused on the important matters.
"Follow behind properly!"
With all the confusion, all he could see were the backs of the Riders in front. With all the dust and the sound of hooves pounding the ground, his consciousness dimmed.
"Vanguard split!"
In that moment, the leading cavalry split towards the left. They were probably trying to charge against the scarecrows, who were symbolized as enemies, and open through a way for the rest of the cavalry. But it was too sudden.
"What the hell!"
With his vision blinded, the sudden split of the Vanguard caused him to nearly crash into the scarecrows.
"Hansen, you bastard. Now you're charging like a bitch! Charge properly!"
"Pay attention everyone in the vanguard. To have forgotten the sensation already."
"The Kingdom's greatest heavy cavalry's name is crying. Crying!"
With one charge, the training ground was destroyed; however it was lacking for the Riders as they started to bite and growl against one another.
"Again! This time focus and rush in properly!"
As such, training repeated several times. On that day, he had not succeeded in thrusting the targets once.
"Pant. Pant."
The intensity of the heavy cavalry training was so high that even his skills and status couldn't support him, as he became a vegetable in the end.
"Newblood. You still have a long way to go."
"Even the frivolous light cavalry would be able to do this much."
"It's a waste to even say this to you. A waste."
Although his head rattled from the passing cavalrymen that slapped his head, but he was lying face down on the horse as if he was playing dead.
"Tired?"
From Clarke's question, he slightly raised his head before burying it onto the horse's neck. It was an expression that he did not have the strength to even reply.
"What the commander desires of us to do is succeed in one attempt. If we're successful in breaking their front lines, then we have filled our quota. However."
Clarke began to raise up the battered scarecrows to their original positions.
"What if the enemies don't collapse from one charge?"
Then Clarke knocked the scarecrow out with his spear once more.
"Then we charge until they collapse. Although our expensive bodies won't be utilized too often, there are times when the commanders order us to charge and assault the enemies until our horses are completely exhausted."
Clarke mounted his horse once more.
"Endure, newblood. If you can't endure, then you will just be abandoned in the enemy lines and become food for the enemy soldiers. Our value is not just discussed amongst our allies. If you were to fall off your horse due to exhaustion, then the enemies will do whatever it takes to have your head."
Regaining his charging stance, Clarke motioned for Sunhyuk to follow behind him. Sunhyuk brought out all the remaining strength in him and regained his charging stance once more.
This guy's a complete monster?
Clarke had never been surprised from the Stranger's ability once. Although he was embarrassed that he had not hit the target yet, but the 24th Regiment were veteran cavalrymen that were highly regarded as the second best in the Kingdom.
In order to intentionally suppress this recruit's pride, he had forwarded this training. Even if he were to bring the light cavalry and have them trained in the beginning portions, they wouldn't be able to endure.
However, this Stranger was alarmingly enduring. Not only that, he was able to maintain his position in the formation that was several times tighter than normal, and not fall off of his horse up to the last thrust.
It was something that not any casual cavalrymen could do. Even the other cavalrymen were pushing themselves several times more in order for their pride to not be bent in front of the recruit. That resulted in them boasting, although they were trembling from exhaustion behind-the-scenes.
Those bastards, it seems that they won't even be able to return to the barracks and collapse here.
With a bitter laugh, Clarke looked back at Sunhyuk. Today, he was really thankful for the tight and uncomfortable helmet that covered his face. If it wasn't for this cramped helmet of his, then he would have displayed his alarmed face to the recruit.
"Ah. I can't go further. Just kill me."
As if Sunhyuk thought he was looking down on him, he cried out in exhaustion. However, this training was also reaching the limits for the group as well. As one that was a Sergeant, he too was reaching his limits in terms of stamina.
"Newblood. You have a long way to go before becoming a true Rider."
However, seeing the frustrated face of Sunhyuk, he had no choice but to bluff profusely.
Sunhyuk was quite shocked. Though he was quite proud of receiving the abilities of an Advanced class, he couldn't follow and endure a mere Basic cavalry training as he ended up lying down on his horse face down. It would be strange if he wasn't in shock.
The fact that the cavalrymen were training in highly intense conditions, and also were pleading quietly for Sunhyuk to stop enduring, a spectacle that even Intermediate and Advanced classes would stop to preserve their own bodies; only Sunhyuk did not know of the truth.
Although Sunhyuk was slowly entering despair, he emotionally regarded the Rider class for the first time.
"For them to be looked down upon as Basic, they're quite amazing."
He had initially thought of the cavalry as a stepping stone to a true Dragon Rider, but it was the first that he felt admiration for this class.
That was how impressive and distinguished the heavy cavalry charge, as it moved the men's hearts.
On that day, Sunhyuk was born as a real cavalryman.
After the first group training, Sunhyuk had become a completely different person. He was not sure when he had completely engrossed himself into cavalry activities, but he began to actively participate in the cavalry training. When the cavalry was group training, he would throw aside his personal training and consistently participate and persevere in attaining tips and advice from other Riders as much as possible.
"Since you'll be provided with a new spear, don't fear about breaking or letting go of your weapon. By stubbornly holding onto it, you'll fall from the horse."
"If you keep charging, you'll get that instinctual timing in the end. Watch carefully with your eyes, and your body will naturally react first."
"Don't just keep track of the spear. It's not like we've equipped our horses with expensive armor for nothing. It's enough to accept the attacks of the awkward foot soldiers."
After every training session, the Riders would be sweating profusely while trying to answer Sunhyuk's questions. Although giving him advice was not hard, as time passed, they got much harder. The reason was that the recruit's questions were becoming more detailed and thorough, causing the cavalry to enter a state of crisis.
Thanks to him, the intensity of the heavy cavalry training increased.
At that time, Sunhyuk suffered inexplicably. However, it was indeed very rewarding. He was able to compensate the lack of experience in his skills quickly, and became more used to riding a horse.
"That's all for today."
Like usual, the sun had fallen, concluding the training session, as even the cavalrymen that bluffed a prideful appearance were speechless. That was how much concentration was needed in this highly-intense training.
"I'll stay a bit longer before returning."
"Sick bastard."
The cavalrymen clicked their tongues seeing Sunhyuk's urge to train individually despite his exhausted face.
"Whew."
All alone, he straightened his stance. Although participating in the cavalry training was important, he couldn't be lazy in the practice and development of his own class as well. He wanted to naturally wield the attribute's ability in a mounted state.
And today, he was set on ambitiously succeeding in charging with the wind's attribute.
"Charging."
Sunhyuk muttered quietly a word as he activated his charging skill, as a beam of light gathered at the tip of the spear. The wind in his surroundings began to spiral, and soon becoming one with his spear, of which he forcefully thrusted forwards.
The extremely quick spear strike split the world, as a piercing screech tore the world.
[Due to your persevering effort, you have improbably succeeded in combining the two abilities which are incompatible with one another.]
[The attribute's aura has combined with the Sharp Charging Skill into a new skill.]
Though he wasn't able to muster the type of force that he borrowed from the typhoon in the past, it was the first time that he was able to successfully combine Wind Fang and the Charging Skill through his own will.
"I did it!"
Overcome with emotion, he lifted his fist high in the sky as a welcoming message was heard by his ear.
[You have leveled up.]
TL Afterword:
Calvis: WOWOW! Damn, he combined skills?! That's so crazy. I wonder if there are any MMORPGS like that.
Notice: I have gone back and re-edited all of the chapters for terminology. Also, will be noting that skills are separated into five stages:
"Foundation - Basic - Intermediate - Advanced - Expert"
And Ranks being
"Basic - Intermediate - Advanced."
PR Afterword:
Sai101: Practice, practice & more practice!
BM: This is all with the wind attribute… I wonder what will happen when he gets the other attributes, if he gets them.
Translator: Calvis
Proofreader: Sai101,Borderline Masochist