Chapter 2:

Chapter 2

The world in the end

“Damn old man…” I muttered through gritted teeth, clutching my aching sides as I lay groveling in the dirt.

The pain throbbed deep in my ribs—his strike had landed harder than I expected.

“Hurry up and get the chains!!” the old man bellowed, his voice sharp and commanding like thunder cracking through the air.

“I don’t think that’s needed,” the girl interjected, her tone calm, almost amused.

“Oh? Why not?” he asked, glancing her way.
She tilted her head slightly and gestured toward me.

“Well… I don’t think he can move right now. Your blow was way too strong,” she replied, watching me squirm with a faint smirk.

The old man scratched the back of his head, frowning. “Hmm… maybe I’ve gone senile.”

“Senile, my ass,” I growled, still on the ground. “You haven’t changed a damn bit in the last eight years.”

“Bear with it,” the girl said softly as she crouched beside me.

I let out a long sigh and nodded. No use complaining now.

“…Hey, old man,” I mumbled after a pause.

“What?” he grunted.

“I don’t think the new trainees are that bad,” I said slowly, pushing myself off the ground.

Every movement hurt, but I forced myself upright. “They probably don’t need me as a teacher anymore.”

He crossed his arms. “Even if they aren’t bad, they’d still need you.”

I shook my head with a wry smile. “You’re too damn dependent on me. Anyway, let’s head back to the base.”

“Base?” he echoed suspiciously.

Then it hit me—a sudden gust of wind blew past, followed by a shadow looming over my head. Before I could react, a giant hand clamped down on my skull.

“You think you can trick me twice?” he growled.

“C-Ca—Camp!! I meant camp!” I stammered, wincing. “Yeah, that’s right. Let’s head back to the camp!”

I turned to the still-watching soldiers, forcing a strained smile. “Soldiers! Assemble! March formation four!”

The soldiers reformed into their designated positions with crisp precision.

“Ready to march! Awaiting orders!” one of them barked.

“Then, Captain, we’re off camp,” I said with a grin, turning toward the path ahead.

“Oh—wait. I almost forgot my original purpose,” the Captain said, halting my movement with a sharp tone. “I’m heading to the capital right now.”

He turned to one of the soldiers behind him. “Mica, give me the files I told you to bring.

Mica nodded, reaching behind the folds of her large skirt. From a concealed pocket, she drew out a small, neatly packed bag. She rifled through it briefly, then pulled out an envelope.

“Captain, here.” She handed it over.

Without a glance, he took the envelope and extended it to me.

“Here. I’m expected in the capital for a meeting. Since this road leads the same direction, I thought I’d drop by to scold you one last time.”

I chuckled. “I’m 29. I’m too old to be scolded.”

“Ha! I don’t give a damn about your age,” he scoffed, flashing a half-grin. “Anyway, I’ve got to go now.”

He glanced back briefly before continuing on his way, his cloak swaying behind him with each step.

“He sure likes to scold you,” said the girl beside me, arms crossed and a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Yeah, right,” I muttered. “It’s all giggles and shits until he casually punches you with mountain-destroying fists.”

She chuckled. “You got hit with it though. You could say you’re sturdier than most mountains.”

As he walked farther, weaving his hands behind his back in that usual relaxed gait, he called out without turning.

“By the way, Mica—report to me if Kalan ever runs off from my orders again. I’ll cut his salary in half.”

Mica straightened up instantly. “Oka— I mean, Roger!” she replied, snapping to attention.

I sighed, frowning. “That old man isn’t letting me go, is he?”

“Alright, off to the camp we go. Mica, can you lead them?” I asked, already half-turning away, hoping to pass the responsibility.

“Nope. That’s your duty, not mine,” she said with a smug grin, arms crossed as she stood confidently among the troops.

“You’re such a br—” I caught myself mid-sentence as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Huh?” she tilted her head, voice sharp and sweet—never a good sign.

“Brilliant. I meant brilliant… hard-working woman,” I corrected quickly, flashing an awkward smile.

“That’s better,” she said, satisfied, and turned away with a bounce in her step

In two and a half hours, we arrived at camp on foot. The air was thick with the scent of steel and monster blood—familiar, but never quite welcome. The metallic clang of knives being sharpened echoed around us, mixing with the heavy thuds of crates being dropped and supplies hauled across the grounds.

In front of the camp loomed an eerie, vast forest. The trees stood like silent sentinels, and a thick darkness seemed to swallow everything beyond the first few steps inside. Even the wind seemed hesitant to stir the leaves.

I stopped at the edge of the path, narrowing my eyes.

“Looks like hell’s front door,” someone muttered behind me..

"Oh, Ronald..." I muttered as he approached, his boots crunching lightly against the gravel.

He came to a stop beside me, arms crossed and gaze fixed on the shadowy forest ahead. "The monsters inside the forest seem to have stopped appearing as often now," he said, his voice calm but wary.

"Yeah," I nodded. "Although this might look like a good time to relax... it isn’t."

Ronald narrowed his eyes, his stance tightening. "I’ll strengthen the guard for the next two weeks. Kalan—" he turned slightly, his tone firm, "you better have your armor equipped by morning. You’re going into that forest and wiping out whatever's lurking before they group up and come at us together."

"Same work as usual, huh? But deployment in the morning? You're damn cruel," I said with a bland expression, staring at Ronald.

"Well, I better be off now. I need to assess the camp’s current movements," he replied, brushing past me.

"Such a busy guy," I muttered.

As he walked behind me, he left a few words hanging in the air. "The new special rookies will arrive in the afternoon. Take care of them."

"Babysitting again!?" I turned around, yelling after him. "I didn’t agree to such damn things!"

"You got a note or a file from the captain, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Go read it."

I sighed heavily. "Alright, alright… I’ll go read it. Just go back to your post already."

His figure gradually shrank into the distance, fading behind crates and tents. Once more, the area sank into quiet loneliness. I exhaled through my nose and walked off as well—rest was necessary before morning came.

The crunch of my boots pressing down on loose gravel echoed in the silence.

"Hey, did ya hear? Rookies, specially chosen, are coming here," I heard a faint whisper of gossip nearby.

‘Those rookies must be in the files.’

Reaching around, I pulled the envelope from my back pouch. It was slightly creased from the travel. I opened it and found a letter sealed with a sword and shield crest—clearly from the Solary Empire—along with several file pages detailing statistics, identities, and personal records.

"Solary Empire, huh..." I muttered, squinting at the seal.

I broke it open and began to read.

"Eight children, specifically chosen by the Solary, will be arriving at the base of the 1st Division. We request they be trained under Kalan of the 1st Division. Completion of this task will earn them an honorary badge and a great reward from the Solary Empire."

— General Frisk III

‘What the hell is this?’ My face scrunched into a deep frown.

"GOD DAMNIT!" I yelled, tensing my shoulders as frustration flared.

‘I couldn’t even reject this in the first place!? God damnit. What the hell is that general thinking—sending kids to a military base!?’

I stuffed the letter back into the envelope, folded it tight, and tucked

it into my pouch to read again tomorrow.