Chapter 01

Third Guard Captain Rael

---

Third Guard Captain Rael 

"I'll go left. Rael, you take the left side."

"Yes. Understood."

Tap-tap.

As I watched the First Guard Captain dash to the left, I muttered quietly to myself.

"Why does that asshole keep calling the right 'left'?"

Shielding my face from the scorching sunlight, I ventured into the right alley.

What a world, where even fools can become Guard Captains with enough seniority.

Thump. Thump.

The sun was still hot in the alley. Unlike my previous life, there were hardly any buildings tall enough to block the sunlight.

'At times like this, a cold beer would be perfect.'

Leaning against the shaded alley, I let out a sigh.

It wouldn't hurt to take a break on a hot day like this.

"I don't get it in the first place. Why should I go out on a routine patrol when I'm the Guard Captain?"

Suddenly, memories of my life before being reincarnated into this world flooded back. One day, I found myself in a novel I was thoroughly enjoying.

I've never left a negative comment, and it's not a novel I read alone, so I couldn't understand why I had been possessed.

The only good thing was that I was an avid reader of the novel, so I had a good grasp of the story, but–

'Ugh, useless. Knowing the plot of this academy drama won't help at all.'

The Imperial Academy, where warriors are trained, was the exclusive domain of the nobility. Being an orphan, I couldn't even dream of setting foot in the academy.

This means that I can't even make eye contact with the characters in the novel.

The only thing I knew for certain was that the Kamen Empire, the backdrop of the novel, would survive for at least another thousand years.

"Guess it's an iron rice bowl"

That was why I had volunteered for public service, joining the Imperial Guard. Since I couldn't go to the academy, it was the next best option. If I cling to the empire that would never fail, my own security would be guaranteed.

Of course, it's not easy to join the Imperial Guard. But once you become a gaurd, you're practically guaranteed a job for life unless you mess up royally.

The perks were so great, especially in a medieval fantasy setting, that not only commoners but even those from lesser noble families coveted it.

The reason why an orphan like me could make it into such an esteemed place was because I had pretended to be a genius from a young age.

As an infant, I focused 24/7 on gaining magical abilities as soon as I realized I was possessed.

While other kids were crying over wet diapers, I was busy mapping out my future.

'Even now that I think about it, it's a good thing I worked hard back then.'

Unlike others in this world who are exposed to magic from birth, I spent decades in a world without it.

Because of that, I could sense the mystical energy, mana, in the air of this world faster than others.

Other kids start magical training as early as 7 years old, but I started training when I was a newborn.

Even if you're talentless, starting seven years earlier than others can make a difference.

I started training my magic from the moment I was born, and by the time I turned 10, I had managed to harness my sword qi.

'No way! It's surprising even if  a 10-year-old can sense magical energy, but sword energy?!'

'Genius. A talent sent from heaven has appeared!'

After that, it was smooth sailing.

I knew my limitations well anyway.

It took me 10 years to draw out the sword with the consciousness of an adult man, but other geniuses do it at the ages of 12 or 13.

I wasn't a genius. I was just a diligent kid who worked harder than others when I was young.

'But the guards get a free pass.'

Before the real prodigies could catch up to me, I quickly volunteered for the Guard. After mastering some tricks through sheer perseverance, it was only natural that I rose to the rank of the Third Guard Captain.

There was no job more comfortable than a powerful civil servant.

While strolling through the capital, if I encountered someone causing trouble while drinking, I'd put them in their place, and if I caught a thief, I'd break their wrists.

Compared to the title of Guard Captain, it was an easy job.

"Let's get moving."

If the First Guard Captain catches me standing around like this, I'll get an earful. Kuran might be foolish, but he's a man of great loyalty to the empire.

"Aaargh! Pickpocketer!"

Less than a minute after I started walking again, a sharp voice pierced through the alley.

Pickpocketing.

In a fantasy world without CCTV, it's a common occurrence.

When I turned my head, I saw a woman standing there screaming.

There was also a rough-looking man heading my way. Judging by the pink handbag in his hand, he seemed like a pickpocket.

'Why waste time yelling when you could be running?'

Standing upright in place and shouting wouldn't resolve the situation. With that thought in mind, I locked eyes with the approaching man.

"If you run, I'll chase. I've warned you."

"If you don't want to get beaten, get out of the way! Scram!"

The man struck in the solar plexus by my fist fell clumsily to the ground, letting out screams of pain.

I crouched in front of the writhing man and pulled out a silver plaque from my pocket.

"Get your head straight and take a look at this."

The man's eyes widened only after he glanced at the silver emblem.

'Indeed, the badge works wonders.'

The silver emblem was the symbol of the Imperial Guard Commander. No matter how lowly a pickpocketer or street ruffian might be, encountering the Commander would surely catch them off guard.

The man glanced back and forth between the silver plaque and my face a few times, then said in disbelief.

"It's that lunatic Guard Commander again!"

"Who does this crazy bastard think he is, calling me whatever he pleases?"

Sometimes there are people who call me that, but where on earth did that nickname come from?

I was dumbfounded and twisted the man's wrist.

"Ack! I'm sorry! Oh no! I have a family, please spare my life..."

"I remember your face. If you dare call me that again, you'll find out firsthand what happens to those who do."

The man shook his head frantically as if he were possessed.

Impressed by his admission, I eased my grip. Allowing a punch to land only once, now that's not something you'd expect from a kind-hearted Guard Commander.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Enough, hand over the bag."

I snatched the pink bag and placed it on the ground. When I gestured to a woman who had approached unnoticed, she quietly came forward, picked up the bag, dusted it off without a word of thanks, and disappeared.

"Talk about nerve..."

I memorized her face.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

As I turned away, the pickpocketer was still trembling.

I said with a grin.

"Follow along. Even though you're just a petty thief, criminals must be handed over to the Central Guard."

Criminals were dealt with by the Central Guard. While pickpocketers were petty criminals, if they had been caught multiple times before, they would face harsher punishment.

"I-I promise I won't do it again. I have children at home who rely on me. Please, just this once..."

"If apologies were enough to settle matters, what's the point of having a Guard? With such recklessness, how do you expect to survive?"

"Ah..."

Finally, the man reached into his pocket and cautiously pulled out some money.

Just one coin.

I frowned upon receiving the coin.

"Who does this bastard think I am, to be satisfied with this?"

Just as there's a toll on the highway, there's also a standard bribe rate for slipping past the Guard. 

When taken to the Central Guard after being caught, a petty criminal could buy their freedom with a single silver coin. 

But offering just one coin? Was he trying to disrespect me, a Guard Captain?

"I pulled out the wrong thing! I'm sorry!"

I stared at him with narrowed eyes, and only then did more coins appear.

"That's better. Let's make things easier for each other. They say you have to hit a machine to make it work, but you're dealing with a person here."

"Um, since I gave you the silver coin, could I have my change back..."

"You want to go to the Central Guard?"

"... "

Though the man wore a disgruntled expression, he eventually lowered his head and disappeared. He probably didn't want to have to fork out another silver coin.

I pocketed the silver and the change and continued down the alley. Once again, I safeguarded the peace of the Imperial Alley, with any extra income being a bonus.

'After all, it's money that'll end up at the Central Guard anyway, so I might as well take it.'

The guys at the Central Guard could sit still and still fill their pockets. Taking this much was perfectly legal.

"Just a penny, sir... You there, gallant knight. Spare a penny for a poor soul..."

Seeing a beggar at the end of the alley, I tossed him a coin. 

Taking money from a thief and giving it to the needy – that's the stuff of legends. 

As a practitioner of wealth redistribution, I was the backbone of the Empire's economy.

"Rael, good job."

"Thank you for your hard work, Captain."

Outside the alley, Captain Kuran, the First Guard Captain, was waiting. 

Kuran had been a supportive senior since my first days in the Guard. 

Apart from being a bit hot-headed, he was a perfect person.

"They say Chris, who was dragged off to the Central Guard last time, never fully recovered. They say he's become a complete wreck."

As we returned to the Guard, we exchanged casual banter as usual. When the two Guard Captains walked the streets, common folk naturally made way for them. At first, it felt like being Moses parting the Red Sea, but now it was so routine that we hardly noticed.

"Really? That guy got ripped off pretty bad. Tsk tsk. That's just sad."

"It's sad, yeah. But he got what was coming to him for getting involved with the Special Guard Unit."

"Yeah, you're right. It's a different world from us ordinary folks."

The Imperial Special Guard Unit. It was where Guard members were demoted when they messed up big time. The work done there was shrouded in rumors, with no real information about it, but it was said that no one lasted more than a week there. Just asking about what happened there made people tremble with fear, mentally breaking down. The Imperial Special Guard Unit was a terror to Guard members.

"Thank you for your hard work, Kuran, Rael."

As we returned to the Guard Station and changed our clothes, the Fourth Guard Captain, Gaden, approached. He was also a good guy.

"Gaden, what's going on?"

"The Commander is looking for you, Rael."

"He's looking for me? What's this about?"

It was unusual for me to be called by the Commander instead of Kurani, who was in charge of reporting.

"Hmm, you'll find out once you go."

Gaden's gaze as he looked at me felt oddly uncomfortable. It was like watching a soldier going out on overnight duty.

2

When reincarnated into this world, I didn't land here naked.

The so-called "otherworldly perks".

I had my own special ability.

I had a perk. 

Sharp senses.

'... Actually, I don't know if it's a privilege or something I was born with.'

Thinking about it, it feels unfair to think that I just fell here naked, so it's more comforting to think of it as a special ability.

My senses spoke to me, allowing me to snack without having to go to the cafeteria whenever the food at the orphanage was tasteless.

'If I go in there, I'm fucked.'

I've never felt like this before, not even in a life-threatening situation.

It's my first time feeling this way, so I'm pondering what to do when the door to the battalion commander's office suddenly opened.

"Why aren't you coming in?"

"... I was just finishing up my patrol, sir."

I raised my hand in salute.

The battalion commander must have come out personally because I was hesitating outside.

Now there's no turning back.

I swallowed hard and went in. The battalion commander, who had been frowning thoughtfully, spoke after a moment.

"Rael, you know I trust you, right?"

"Yes, sir. Thanks to you, I've even made it to the rank of guard captain."

The battalion commander nodded and continued speaking.

"Then, tell me honestly. Didn't you hit a man in a tavern a few days ago?"

"Yes. There was a man causing trouble, so I intervened."

"That man happens to be the son of Viscount Samuel."

Damn it. The battalion commander's words left me feeling numb.

It's hard to believe that a pig causing trouble in a tavern would be of noble birth, but what's more important is that I hit a nobleman.

'A noble assault, huh?'

Nobles in the empire are protected by imperial law. Even as a guard captain, hitting a nobleman as a commoner could be a punishable offense, even resulting in execution.

"What's fortunate is that... Viscount generously showed mercy. Considering he nearly lost his own son, and it's not something Viscount would boast about, he advised us to handle it quietly."

The battalion commander said, pushing a piece of paper towards me.

"Atleast. you've managed to save your life, Rael."

-------------------------------------

[Order for Department Transfer]

Guard Captain Rael of the 3rd Guard Division is transferred to the Imperial Special Guard.

-------------------------------------

The Imperial Special Guard, the worst unit where members of the Imperial Guard are demoted when they commit a mistake.

I was demoted there.

3

The news of Rael, who was a famous figure in the Central Guard, transferring out spread throughout the guard quickly. 

Kuran, the First Guard Commander, lit a fire in the corner of the guard post at the beginning of the year. Standing beside him was Jayden from the First Guard, wearing a bitter expression.

"Sir Kuran, have you heard the news about the Third Guard Captain? He's transferring to the Special Guard."

"Yeah. He fucked up the young master of the Viscount. He's lucky his head is still attached."

"Even being a guard captain doesn't mean much when it comes to nobles. It's unbelievable how quickly the youngest guard captain in the empire is being cast aside just because he's an orphan."

Rael was admired by the common guards in the guard for his pure ability, proving himself worthy of the position of guard captain without any connections or seniority. He was known for his good attitude towards those around him, making him a likable person.

"The youngest guard captain is nothing special. Haven't you heard about Rael? He's a prodigy who awakend a sword qi at the age of 10."

"Really? Rael was that skilled? But why is he in the guard instead of the knights?"

Jayden's eyes widened. Wielding a sword at the age of 20 was impressive enough, but to do it at 10 was unheard of. The greatest prodigy in the academy wielded a sword at 13, so wielding one at 10 was beyond imagination.

"He said something. He said it was like having a fast runner because he liked sports as a kid, but that's bullshit."

Even among the skilled sword experts in the guard, Rael stood out. Kuran, who was an intermediate sword expert, was considered strong within the guard, but even he couldn't easily block the sword swung by Rael when he was just 10 years old.

"No wonder he's so kind. He used to visit the orphanage almost every day. Must be because he's strong and has a lot of free time."

"He's also donating a portion of his stipend to the orphanage where he grew up. He's a lot nicer than you'd think."

"Wow, really? He looks like a troublemaker, but he's surprisingly kind. Come to think of it, he used to buy drinks for everyone he met on the street. He was especially kind to the commoner guards."

"Yeah. You better pray Rael doesn't go crazy."

Smoke billowed from Kuran's mouth as he spoke. Seeing him like that, Jayden cautiously asked,

"Um... By the way, what exactly does the Special Guard do? I've only heard about it, but I don't know what they do. Have you heard anything about it during your time in the guard, Sir Kuran?"

"Well... Rumor has it that... there are monsters."

Unlike the regular guard, whose duty is to protect the empire, the Special Guard protects something special. However, since no one has ever returned, all Kuran could do was pray for Rael's safety.

"Monsters...? Then, isn't that a big problem?"

"If someone else had been taken, it might have been."

Kuran flicked away his cigarette butt onto the floor.

'Strangely, I'm not worried.'

Kuran's intuition, honed over years of service in the guard, spoke to him.

Rael.

He couldn't help but have an unfounded belief that somehow, he would manage.