Knight Of Valhalla

Idun's Legion (2)

Jin Tae Kyung furrowed his brow as Heda handed him a pipe. Instead of taking a deep breath, he showed his dissatisfaction.

"Why don't you have a boss who mistreats you and no one beneath you rotting away slowly? Isn't this supposed to be heaven?" Heda asked, puffing on her unlit cigarette.

Jin Tae Kyung furrowed his brow even deeper. "Am I the only one?" he asked.

Heda shook her head. "There is still a legion under a God. Other legions have dozens, hundreds of people in them," she explained.

However, Jin Tae Kyung's gaze remained unchanged. Heda sighed. "There are a few more, but they are all superior-ranked warriors. That's why they're not in the place you're heading to. Starting from the superior rank, they are given different accommodations."

Hearing this explanation, Jin Tae Kyung felt a little disappointed. The ships that had sailed with them all vanished because each took their own route.

The warrior ranks in Valhalla were divided into five classes: lowest rank, low rank, middle rank, superior rank, and top rank. Heda explained that Jin Tae Kyung was the only one from the first three ranks. And according to Heda, even though there were "a few" in the superior rank, there wouldn't be that many.

Jin Tae Kyung felt slightly let down. "Is it really like this? Can you call it a legion with this number?" he asked.

Heda looked at Jin Tae Kyung's disappointed eyes and shook her head.

"Let me tell you another advantage of the Idun Legion. And that advantage is me," Heda proudly exclaimed, pounding his chest, but Jin Tae Kyung remained unchanged in expression.

"What does that expression mean?" Heda asked.

"Then, what kind of expression should I show?" Jin Tae Kyung retorted with a cynical smile.

Was he trying to boast about himself as someone beautiful? Or was it merely baseless testimony?

As the light in Jin Tae Kyung's eyes began to fade, Heda hurriedly opened his mouth.

"Jin Tae Kyung, what do you think the role of Valkyrie is in the legion?" she asked.

"Uh... Maybe administration and logistics?" Jin Tae Kyung hesitantly replied.

Leading the soldiers, telling them this and that, and fighting on the frontline in the battlefield. If you look at it from what she sees, she would be just like an officer without a rank in a military," Jin Tae Kyung expressed when asked about the duties of a Valkyrie.

Although it was difficult to ascertain whether there were administrative and logistics tasks in Valhalla, or if it was merely a lie, Heda nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, you could say that. In addition, we are also responsible for teaching the soldiers. After all, soldiers from the mortal world are rarely familiar with myths or magic. However, just imagine. If there are hundreds of soldiers, can the Valkyrie provide them with detailed instruction one by one?"

There were hundreds of newcomers in the Odin and Thor legions. Although they had more Valkyries to lead them, it was still relatively few compared to the number of soldiers.

"So... Personal instruction is possible in the Idun Legion?" Jin Tae Kyung asked.

Heda nodded, wiping her hands. "Exactly."

Tae Kyung pondered for a moment.

"Of course."

If she became the sole soldier, she would receive comprehensive personal instruction. She would have more time to learn than in other legions.

"Hm, I was thinking that this is po... no."

Tae Kyung, who started contemplating this with a more positive attitude, noticed the silly smile on Heda's face and changed her words. As she thought about it, the person who would teach her would be Heda.

Although they had just met, Tae Kyung felt that she didn't have a strong appeal like Reginleif did. If it had to be concluded, could she rely on Heda or not? Tae Kyung felt doubtful in her heart.

Observing Jin Tae Kyung's gaze, Heda pouted and then opened his chest to speak.

"Believe me. The superior warriors of our legion were also taught by me. I teach them well," he said confidently.

Jin Tae Kyung nodded, showing a hint of trust at the moment. Seeing this, Heda appeared more relaxed, and he continued in a cold tone, his gaze focused into the distance.

"Elitism within a minority. That's the uniqueness of the Idun Legion."

It sounded cool, but Jin Tae Kyung felt a forced stiffness behind those words. Before he could express his doubts, however, Heda shifted his attention to the unsmoked pipe.

"Before that, aren't you going to smoke it?" Heda glanced at the pipe. Without hesitation, Jin Tae Kyung nodded.

"Just a little smoke..." Jin Tae Kyung said.

Heda took back the pipe.

"Then give it back. I have to put out the fire," he said firmly.

Jin Tae Kyung was slightly surprised because he had assumed Heda would smoke. However, Heda carefully extinguished the fire and put the tobacco pouch away. It was evident that Heda was meticulous and detailed, contrary to the impression he had displayed.

"We've arrived," Heda said.

They were at a dock suitable for a ship. Jin Tae Kyung didn't exactly know what Valhalla looked like, but for now, he could envision it as a magnificent vessel.

Jin Tae Kyung gazed upon several wooden huts and stone structures, Heda agilely leaped down from the ship. With an enthusiastic tone, she exclaimed, "Well, are we going to greet the Goddess?"

"Are we really going to see her?" Jin Tae Kyung asked, his expression filled with astonishment. After all, he had seen Thor himself on the battlefield.

The thunder god who rode the skies and unleashed surprises with resounding thunder.

Although Idun and Thor were different gods, in the end, they were both gods. Just the thought of coming face to face with such a being made Jin Tae Kyung's heart race.

However, Heda shook her head, refuting his assumption. "No, not directly, but from a distance. This is the place for the lowest-ranked warriors. The Goddess is there, in a high place."

Heda pointed to the sky, and Jin Tae Kyung turned his face upward, affirming her words. Indeed, the place seemed fitting as the dwelling of a Goddess.

"This is her temple. From here on, you must go alone," Heda said, giving clear instructions.

The temple was a sturdy, magnificent stone building. Guided by Heda, Jin Tae Kyung entered the temple, and miraculously, the candles inside lit up on their own.

"Enjoy your time," Heda said playfully, lightly tapping Jin Tae Kyung's shoulder before leaving the room and closing the door.

Jin Tae Kyung gazed ahead in silence, his heart pounding just by looking at the beautiful statue of the goddess.

"Come closer, my warrior," a voice whispered in his head.

Jin Tae Kyung swallowed the dryness in his mouth and approached the statue. Suddenly, the world changed. Amidst the darkness of the sky and earth, golden light began to radiate from above.

"Jin Tae Kyung, a warrior who has entered my legion," a voice spoke before him.

In front of him stood a large apple tree, and beside it, a goddess.

The goddess had golden hair. Furthermore, Jin Tae Kyung could only sense the sheer beauty of the goddess. The emanating light concealed her beauty, as if forbidding direct sight.

Jin Tae Kyung knelt before the goddess with sincere courtesy. His movements flowed naturally like water descending from a height.

"Now, I shall bestow my blessing, Idun," the goddess said with a smile. At that moment, golden light descended from the sky, enveloping Jin Tae Kyung's body.

A blessing from a goddess.

Jin Tae Kyung closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he found himself outside the temple. He saw Heda smiling at him.

"So, you've received the blessing," Heda said.

Jin Tae Kyung nodded, paying attention to the golden messages that appeared before him. The blessings of the goddess Idun began to radiate in his mind.

[Idun's Blessing]

[Sentences of Life]

"Then, I will teach you the true advantages of our Idun Legion," Heda said seriously, adjusting her posture and adapting her expression. Her sharp gaze fixed on Jin Tae Kyung.

"Idun is the goddess who represents life and triumph, and her symbol is the golden apple. That's why the warriors who join the Idun Legion receive the blessings of life."

In Norse mythology, the gods are not immortal. They must regularly consume golden apples to maintain their glory and power.

And Idun, in her kindness, keeps those golden apples safe.

Jin Tae Kyung understood the immense value of the blessings of life bestowed by Idun. Heda returned to her playful expression and said,

"Although there may be painful situations on the battlefield, generally, you won't die. Because you'll carry the blessings of life with you."

"Although its level of blessing is still low, it will grow alongside you. Why do you think our legion is nicknamed the zombie legion? Ah, but even so, don't be too confident. You're just hard to kill. If your head is chopped off, you'll really die, understand?" Heda winked at Jin Tae Kyung and gently patted his shoulder.

"Anyway, you must be tired, right? I'll take you to your accommodation. Rest today."

Upon hearing Heda's words, Jin Tae Kyung appeared even more exhausted. It was understandable, considering everything he had faced today had been extraordinary. Did this mean he was truly on the battlefield?

The sun began to set on the horizon while Heda pointed towards the wooden houses, explaining as dusk enveloped them.

"That's the bathroom, and that's the bathing area. And that's where you'll be staying."

As expected from a dwelling in the lowest rank, the place looked simple and lacked facilities. It felt like having only the basic necessities.

"We'll start training tomorrow morning, so get some sleep early. Ah, I'll also answer your questions tomorrow. You must have a lot of questions, right?" Heda said.

Of course, Jin Tae Kyung had many questions, especially about the use of myth, the meaning of runes, who the enemy he faced today was, and several other things.

However, after Heda revealed this, it seemed that Jin Tae Kyung would have to wait until the next day to get his answers.

After Jin Tae Kyung nodded, Heda took a step back with a graceful, weak movement. Then, he gently waved his hand in the air.

"Alright, we'll meet tomorrow morning. Sleep well," Heda said with a smile.

Slowly, Heda turned around and boarded the wooden boat. The orange sky began to fade into a deep darkness.

Jin Tae Kyung gazed at Heda, who was moving further away for a moment, then he stepped into his dwelling and lay down on a bed made of straw. Though simple, the bed felt comfortable enough for him.

"I died today," Jin Tae Kyung thought, feeling the surreal situation he was facing. He was in a strange place called Valhalla, yet he could still feel the breath of life.

However, all of it was an undeniable reality.

What was happening now? Were they celebrating Jin Tae Kyung's funeral? How did his parents, teammates, coach, and fans feel?

And more importantly, what would happen if Valkyrie didn't show up?

One thing was certain, he was still alive here and now.

Jin Tae Kyung closed his eyes and then opened them again. In front of him, he saw brightly shining words.

[Myth: Eternal Warrior]

[Synchronization Level: 2%]

[Myth: The Attack of a Warrior is Like a Storm]

*****

This was the first battlefield he faced in his life. And the battles that accompanied him there.

The place where he had to stand tall.

"Let's sleep," Jin Tae Kyung whispered to himself, then slowly closed his eyes. Perhaps due to exhaustion, he soon fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

When he woke up, Heda was already there. She quickly woke up Jin Tae Kyung and began preparing their lessons after giving him two small pieces of bread and a bowl of aromatic rice porridge that whetted his appetite. The room they occupied could be categorized as a classroom, with a large blackboard and a table in the middle.

"Alright, let's start with the basics. That's the most important thing," Heda said, tapping the blackboard softly, signaling the beginning of the lesson.

"Who are we facing, and why?" Heda asked, inviting discussion and a deeper understanding.