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Although Ian got the notification that he had completed the quest, he couldn't focus on it.

What was that just now?

Ian furrowed his brows briefly.

He had expected that he would be able to clear the quest, having placed first in all the drills and acing the exam, and single-handedly killing the Orc had guaranteed his success.

However, while clearing the quest had felt good and some of his tension had been released, the quest was no longer at the forefront of his mind. 

Ian had sensed something odd when he stabbed the Orc’s neck with his sword.

It felt like something was entering my body.

It was something he had never experienced before. The feeling was similar to how drinking cold water would make the chills spread throughout one’s body.

Ian closed his eyes and tried not to lose the feeling. After giving it much thought, he finally figured out what it was.

“Mana…” Ian mumbled to himself.

It was definitely mana he was sensing. When he took the Orc's life, its mana flowed through his sword and entered his body.

Don’t tell me…

He quickly checked his own mana.

His guess was right on the mark.

His mana capacity had increased slightly. Ian's eyes snapped open as soon as he understood.

“Amazing.” Ian mumbled with delight, looking at his instructor.

Luke was right. He didn’t know if he would be a good match for the Devil Platoon, but the Demonic Forest was what he needed the most.

To think he could kill monsters and absorb their mana… If he exterminated tens, hundreds, even thousands of monsters and absorbed all their mana, Ian could become immensely powerful within a short time frame.

At that moment, Luke also stopped writing his evaluations and raised his head, meeting Ian in the eyes.

Luke smiled at him before he spoke.

"Lads! Everyone’s overall scores are out. Based on these scores, I will station you to the appropriate unit. Your assignment cannot be reversed. Take a 10-minute break." Luke said before he began discussing something with the assistant instructors beside him.

Ian let out a breath and opened the quest window.

[To the Devil Platoon!]

-Progress: 100% (Complete)

The Key to Destiny has been rewarded for completing the quest. Please check your inventory.

…Oh?

Ian bobbed his head and opened his inventory.

There was only one slot taken in the inventory, so he could immediately tell what the Key to Destiny was.

It was a radiant silver dagger with a small red jewel embedded in it. It flickered like it was on fire. Ian was enthralled. It felt as though this really was his fate.

It sure looks expensive.

Ian thought as a chuckle escaped him.

He skimmed over the item’s details.

[The Key to Destiny]

The key, which leads you to your destiny.

It's a dagger created from a Mithril alloy and fragments from the heart of your destined partner.

This key will resonate when your destined partner is near you, guiding you to them.

Although it can be used as a weapon, it is not recommended.

It's a bit of a shame that it’s not recommended for weapon use.

Unless he was in dire straits, he thought it would be best not to wield it. He knew the system provided explanations for a reason. If it wasn’t recommended to be used as a weapon, there must be a reason as to why the system would advise him not to.

"Hey, Ian."

Ian turned to the voice calling him.

It was Jason.

"It seems like you’re headed for the Devil Platoon.”

"Seems so.”

Ian nodded. He had completed his quest, so it was guaranteed.

“My target’s the capital.”

"I thought as much, it is comfortable there…”

Ian was not surprised. Jason had been a former mercenary, and his scores were second only to Ian’s. He had even almost identical marks in many of the drills. It only made sense to Ian that he would wind up in the capital. 

"Why do you want to enter the Devil Platoon? Do you really want to get stronger?"

"…Yes, I want to be the best.”

Ian nodded. His reason didn’t need to be too complicated. He wasn’t sure why he came to this world, but his purpose was clear.

To become the strongest. To no longer be treated with disrespect and to surpass everyone else. 

"It's not like I don't understand where you’re coming from… But do keep in mind that one’s valor can become deadly."

“… I appreciate the advice.”

Ian bowed his head.

Ian knew that Jason’s words likely came from him being older and more experienced than he was. Even so, Ian's resolution would not change no matter how wise Jason’s words seemed.

Ian believed his decision was the answer to his path. The system seemed to support his determination as things like quests kept popping up that led him in that direction. Additionally, items like the Key of Destiny had appeared.

Although he wasn’t entirely sure what the Key to Destiny was, the system had never lied to him. It explained how the key will lead him to his destined partner, so it was by all means important to him.

"Also..."

Jason was about to say more, but Luke, who had finished speaking to his companions spoke first.

"Alright, lads. Here are your results."

“…….”

Jason immediately shut his mouth and stared at Luke. He appeared a little tense.

Luke grinned and began to call off the names of the recruits and their assigned units one-by-one.

"Jason, the capital."

Jason let out a small sigh of relief when he heard him. He had been expecting it, but now that it was actually determined, Jason felt relieved. 

"Ian."

Ian raised his head to look at him. There was a smile plastered on Luke's face.

"Demonic Forest for you, the Devil Platoon."

"Thank you."

He bowed showing his gratitude.

***

As everyone had been assigned to a unit, they were given the remainder of the day to rest before they were dispatched to their stationed posts.

Luke was fairly easy on them, allowing them to finally relax without having to think about intense training. They rested up and chatted with one another, before sleeping soundly.

"It only takes a few days on horse to get to the capital from the Demonic Forest. Come on over whenever you’re free."

"I definitely will." Ian replied to Jason, nodding his head.

Ian had felt more drawn to Jason than any of the other recruits as it was Jason who had spoken to him first. He had also been particularly nice to him.

The very next day, the recruits said their farewells, promising to meet up again in the future, and then they each left for their newly assigned units.

And Ian made his way to the Devil Platoon.

***

The Devil Platoon was quite special compared to other units. Usually, a unit was composed of hundreds of men, but not the Devil Platoon, which only had about 80 men at any given time. While new recruits were continuously assigned to the unit, the unit experienced a high death toll that kept their numbers static.

The main mission of the Devil Platoon was to eliminate monsters in the Demonic Forest and ensure that none crossed over the border into human territory.

Though the Demonic Forest was vast, the monsters there usually respected each other’s territories, and attacks on the humans who crossed the empire’s borders were rarely reported. Unless of course, there was an unusual event. There was another reason the Devil Platoon remained small.

"They’re like the select elites.” Ian said, tapping the sword on his waist as he recalled Jason’s stories.

Jason had told him that while most of the monsters that resided in the area that the Devil Platoon patrolled were low-level monsters, there were instances when the higher-level monsters would encroach upon that path.

These monsters were quite strong, and in order for a platoon of only 80 or so men to be able to stop these monsters, they must be as strong as a knight.

In other words, if Ian survived, he could become a powerhouse.

Feeling a little pumped up, Ian smiled.

He could see a wooden building from a distance.

"I’m here."

A dark red flag was flapping away in the wind, an intimidating drawing of a wolf impaled with a sword in its forehead drawn onto its waving surface. It was a fitting welcome for a platoon known as Devils.

"I’ll need to adapt and improve quickly."

It was only natural that the members of such a unit would have quite the egos. But the elite 80 members were not just prideful; they were also very capable.

Ian knew that as a new recruit, he would likely  have to undergo an initiation.

I'm getting a bit nervous.

Of course, he would be. It had been a long time since he’d joined the army as a recruit.

However, he was also quite excited at the same time. It was to become his new home, so he was looking forward to it.

He took a moment to breath and collect himself at the entrance.

“Let’s go in.” Ian muttered as he stepped inside.

When he entered, he was met with emptiness. Ian didn’t see anyone there and had to find his unit by himself.

He was in the eighth squad of the Devil Platoon. It was the rearmost squad, and also the squad whose rotation line changed the most.

What’s going on…?”

Ian looked at the squad members through the squad 8 barrack’s window and tilted his head, amazed at how quiet they were.

Slam!

Ian flung open the door and entered the barracks. As soon as Ian flung open the door and entered the barracks, ten eyes zoomed in on him.

Ian gulped at the murderous glint in their eyes. His hands were sweating, but he tried his hardest not to show his nervousness, not wanting to appear weak.

“Who’s this runt?” A deep voice boomed.

Runt?

He turned around to look at who the voice belonged to.

Ian was around 179 cm tall with a well-shaped body; he could by no means be called a runt. 

He had to pause for a moment, stunned by what just happened.

However, Ian did have to admit it to some degree when he saw the man, who appeared to be over two meters tall.

"Did you come here knowing where you were, Rookie?" Another voice pitched in from the side.

Ian hardened his body while moving his fingers.

Things weren’t looking that good.

"Look at him cowering. We’ll end up with a corpse as soon as we start the operation.”

"Ha... Why do newbies drop dead the moment they arrive…?” 

He could tell what their motives were as soon as they began talking. 

It was the classic “degrading” or “hazing” of the recruits. He knew that if he lost his nerve here, they would continue to treat him as a pushover.

Ian quickly began to inspect them. All of their attire was somewhat scruffy, and most of them spoke and acted freely.

I knew it…

Ian bobbed his head lightly.

Jason had once said that the soldiers in the Devil Platoon were similar to mercenaries. There were quite a number of them who didn't even consider themselves to be soldiers of the empire.

The Devil Platoon was a place where he would have to prove himself before he could get recognized, but it was also a place where if he wasn’t capable enough, he would quickly be killed by a monster.

Ian smirked.

He could see windows floating above the heads of each of the squad members. Even though it simply stated their names and levels, that was enough to give Ian a rough estimate of their power.

He could also see that his level was the lowest, but he knew it wouldn’t make much of a difference soon.

He loosened up a little and then spoke.

"I’ll be the last to die among the recruits."