What am I truly like?

As the soldier led me back to the labor crew, this question gnawed at me.

The lingering fear from facing the Molehog still coiled inside me. My hands trembled slightly, as if keeping time with the memory.

I should still be that ordinary person, right?

An ordinary student. Building an ordinary life through ordinary effort, playing to my strengths.

Even if nothing in my old world was worth missing, I was still just an ordinary person living step by step.

I didn’t have the courage to face such unnatural dangers. Nor did I harbor ambitions to completely remake myself.

Now, I was merely an ordinary person surviving by my labor.

But…

The reflection in Commander Puleman’s eyes didn’t show that person.

I couldn’t measure how much of the real me remained in that image.

What did those around me—people who’d just met me—think?

Day High: Yo, Ju! Back already?

Seventh Ju: …………

Dusk had fallen without my noticing. I stood before our squad’s tent.

Would they… question me with similar words?

Day High: Man—I’m so jealous of you.

Seventh Ju: …Huh?

Li Weishe: Seriously! Getting close to Commander Puleman? Your future’s basically set!

Half Moon Outflow: You’ve got connections like that but don’t brag at all. Real steady, huh.

Seventh Ju: …………

My eyes slowly glazed over like a dead fish’s. I turned to Mo Chuan, who stood alone nearby.

Seventh Ju: …What’s going on?

Mo Chuan: I told them you got special treatment.

Seventh Ju: Heyheyhey—

I rushed to Mo Chuan, pressing firmly against his solid chest.

Seventh Ju: I told you—it wasn’t special treatment during the test! That’s like accusing a straight-A student of cheating!

Mo Chuan: But this explanation works best.

Seventh Ju: …………

He was right.

Without Mo Chuan’s story, what kind of looks would’ve awaited me?

Suspicion. Distrust. Distance.

Could they still slap my shoulder and joke with me like this? Probably not.

I didn’t want that.

Even if I’d never hoped for it in my old world—this was the one change I craved here.

—to connect better with others.

I’d survived the beast’s threat. I’d weathered this trust crisis with my squad.

But Puleman’s intentions remained unclear.

Day High: Oh! Do you have the "Sincerity" bloodline too, like Puleman?

Seventh Ju: Huh? "Sincerity" bloodline?

Day High: Puleman’s ancestor was the greatest king of the Realm of Sincerity—that king—

For the next ten minutes, Day High poured out the history of the Realm of Sincerity.

Day High: —So Puleman, like his ancestor, can’t hide anything or tell lies. A truly upright man.

Day High: Having someone like that around puts you at ease. You could even confess your weird kinks without worry.

Seventh Ju: Sorry to disappoint—I don’t have that reassuring bloodline.

Li Weishe: Honestly? Hearing mean stuff that makes people bully me feels kinda nice… but I don’t actually like being bullied.

Seventh Ju: No. Don’t keep talking about "kinks."

Half Moon Outflow: But… if you’re not blood-related, what’s your real connection to Puleman?

Seventh Ju: Connection…

We had none. Strangers just two days ago.

Day High: Could it be—Puleman has a thing for underage boys?

Seventh Ju: I’ll say this one last time: I’m sixteen. One point seven meters tall.

Li Weishe: But standing next to Mo Chuan, you really do look like a kid.

Mo Chuan: …

Seventh Ju: …

Seventh Ju: …………

Seventh Ju: Ohhh. I get it now. I *knew* it…

Mo Chuan: …

Seventh Ju: From today on, let’s keep some distance, okay? Just—a little. Try not to stand together, alright?

Mo Chuan: …………

Day High: Hmm. If Puleman’s not into boys… could it be—

Day High: Ugh… heh heh… I see.

Seventh Ju: See what? With that gross, lecherous grin?

Day High: Gross ’cause I’m not into guys. Lecherous ’cause I’m just that kind of guy.

Seventh Ju: —You think Puleman and I are hooking up?!?!

How was that different from the pedophile thing just now?!

Li Weishe: Big Bro Gao’s sharp! You and Puleman both look so smooth-skinned—it’s not weird to think you’re together.

Seventh Ju: Don’t side with your "Big Bro" on this!

Day High: I get it. You’re not into it, right? When you need to blow off steam with girls later, I’ll cover for you. Puleman won’t find out.

Day High: Quick question—does it feel good taking it from a guy in the back?

Seventh Ju: …

Seventh Ju: …………

The sheer number of outrageous remarks made rebutting pointless.

Even Half Moon Outflow—who hadn’t joined the conversation—came over to pat my shoulder consolingly.

Half Moon Outflow: Hang in there. Life’s just like that sometimes.

Seventh Ju: …………

Seventh Ju: Don’t all act like this is a done deal!!

Mo Chuan: … Ju.

Seventh Ju: Hmph! I’m sleeping!!

Mo Chuan: …

Mo Chuan: My fault?

…………

…………

The next day, Commander Puleman’s deputy, Aiton, unexpectedly appeared before our tent.

Aiton: Day High. Li Weishe. Half Moon Outflow. Seventh Ju. Mo Chuan.

Day High: Yes, sir! How can we help?

Aiton: Your assignment changes today. You’ll deliver supplies to the Pioneer Team at the front lines.

Day High: —!!

Li Weishe: …Whoa!

Day High and Li Weishe instantly vibrated with excitement. This task clearly held major significance.

To me, it was just another physical labor job.

Aiton: You must understand the gravity. New recruits alone can’t handle this.

Aiton: This labor captain will teach you essentials and lead the mission.

A man as massive as Mo Chuan stepped forward. His brow carried the same sternness as Aiton’s.

Mo Chuan: …!

Seventh Ju: It’s Aibin!

Aibin: …………

Gone was the drunken slob from that night. Today, Aibin stood as a serious laborer.

Aiton: You met briefly two nights ago. Cooperate well.

Aiton: One special privilege: If Aibin pulls out a bottle during work hours, you’re authorized—and obligated—to confiscate and destroy it.

Day High: Ah… yes, sir.

Aiton: Then… work well. Aibin. Understood?

Aibin: …Yes.

Aiton left without a backward glance.

The six of us stood frozen, unsure what to do.

After all, we’d all physically clashed with Aibin during our scuffle with Aiton.

Well—only I’d been passive in that.

How would he treat the group that publicly humiliated him?

Aibin: …………

Aibin: Follow me.

Li Weishe: But it’s breakfast time?

Aibin: Work won’t wait for meals. A slight delay could get frontliners killed.

Aibin: Without that resolve, don’t dream of joining the Pioneer Team.

Aibin: We eat on the move. Now follow.

Li Weishe: Ugh. Hurting yourself for others’ sake feels stupid—

Seventh Ju: Enough. No sarcasm right now.

I clamped a hand over Li Weishe’s mouth and followed Aibin.

We reached a supply transfer point—a large tent cleared in the dense forest, stacked with sky-blue crates.

Identical to the ones from the strength test. Pioneer Team provisions.

Aibin: Today, you’ll load these onto packhorses and lead the caravan to the next relay point.

Aibin: First, carry the crates to the stables. I’ll teach loading procedures.

Aibin: Seventh Ju—start with the lighter ones on the left. Mo Chuan, right side.

Mo Chuan: Fine.

Seventh Ju: …

Ordinary work. No malice. No tricks. Almost… considerate.

Was this giant Aibin unexpectedly decent? Just someone easily swayed by alcohol?

Aibin: Before loading, calm the horses. Stroke their shoulder blades gently to soothe them.

Aibin: Once they trust you, pull the harness ring down. They’ll kneel for loading.

Aibin: Secure the crates on both sides. Never ride them—these aren’t riding horses.

Aibin: Today, you follow my route. Meals on the go.

Li Weishe: Ugh… I hate canned food.

Day High: Cut it out! This is all thanks to Ju selling his body—we’re riding his coattails now!

Half Moon Outflow: …Thanks for the hard work.

Seventh Ju: Can we turn the page? Just—turn the page already?

Mo Chuan: …………

Aibin: Quiet! No slacking.

Aibin: Most of today’s route is untouched wilderness. Your safety isn’t guaranteed.

Aibin: Yesterday, 6% of transport teams on this path got injured.

Day High: That’s just 1% per person! Probably just tripping on rough terrain.

Aibin: No…

Aibin: There are rumors of "adventurers" attacking supply caravans.

Seventh Ju: …Adventurers?