Side Story 40. IF: Pranking Temperance (2/2)

The corners of his mouth also curved upward.

Unsightly Humility, who didn’t know how to read these signs, grew displeased.

“Why are you silent? Tell me what my problem is.”

“It’s not a problem per se, just a point of improvement. That’s all.”

“Which is why I am asking for your advice.”

“ …Well then.”

Seol Jihu’s smirk suddenly disappeared, and his face turned serious.

“Do you remember what you said earlier?”

“Mm?”

“Advance! Advance! Move forward! Do not fall behind! …Do you remember saying these commands?”

“Well, yes.”

“That’s the problem.”

Unsightly Humility tilted his head.

“I do not understand. I would like to request a more detailed explanation.”

“It’s simple, really. Just a simple ‘Advance!’ would’ve done the trick, so why did you have to make it so much longer?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t have?”

“Of course. It’s a waste of energy.”

Unsightly Humility stared at Seol Jihu.

He couldn’t tell if he was serious.

“I did it to lift the soldiers’ spirits. As a commander, I am obliged to lead my men, and raising their morale is one of my many duties.”

“Well, I think it’s a matter of competence. If the soldiers already trust their commander, that process won’t be necessary.”

“I don’t understand. You’re saying that a word or two can have a big impact on the course of a battle?”

“Yes. And is it not the commander’s job to consider all possibilities and pick the best possible route?”

Unsightly Humility tightened his grip around the longsword in his hand. He didn’t like the way Seol Jihu spoke, not to mention his claim sounded utterly ridiculous.

But it was true that he brought the Parasites to their knees time after time. He clearly has his own philosophy of battle. Unsightly Humility decided to think so.

“…I still cannot understand. I do not think my way is wrong.”

Thinking this conversation was a waste of time, Unsightly Humility turned his spectral horse around.

No, he tried to turn it around.

“There’s a saying in my country.”

Seol Jihu clicked his tongue and stood up.

“A small change makes a big difference.”

“…Hrm?”

“It is my opinion that a commander in charge of thousands of lives should not ignore even the slightest details. And yet you’re disregarding my words…. I might have overestimated you.”

Seol Jihu turned around. Just as he was about to leave, a bulky hand grabbed his shoulder.

He looked back and saw that Unsightly Humility had stopped him.

“I cannot ignore those words.”

“…”

“Honestly, I’m still not sure about your theory, but…. A small change makes a big difference. That resonated with me.”

Seol Jihu looked up at Unsightly Humility with an expression more solemn than ever.

“I think perhaps I should hear more. Please share your wisdom with me.”

Seol Jihu gave a small smile at the Army Commander’s candid request.

“All right, I don’t see why not.”

“Thank you.”

“To cut to the chase, the battlefield is hardly ever still. It is always in the middle of a turmoil.”

“Right.”

“I get that you want to encourage your men….”

“Yes.”

“But when an unexpected event erupts at an urgent time, for example, just before the vanguard of two forces collide with each other when you have to make a split-second decision and command your soldiers, are you going to shout as you have been doing? That will take at least 4 seconds.”

“Mm….”

“I know my example is a bit extreme, but you should never underestimate the force of habit.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Simple. You need to be more efficient.”

Seol Jihu smiled.

“You could say ‘Charge!’ and that would still mean the same thing, right?”

“Right.”

“Using shorter commands has two advantages.”

“What are they? I shall take note of them.”

“First, the response time between the delivery of commands and the execution of commands is reduced. It’s a minuscule difference, but you should know better than anyone what that means in a battle.”

“Hmm….”

“Second, you can save your stamina.”

“My stamina?”

“Yes. Talking consumes stamina. Even breathing consumes stamina. You may be an exception to that because you’re undead, but even choosing words requires concentration.”

Seol Jihu continued.

“Save the stamina you use to command and use it for your own battle instead. A warrior of your caliber must have been in many life-or-death situations.”

“Well, yes. A few times when I was alive….”

“Same goes for me. In times like those, I become desperate not to waste even a breath, so that I can get to as many enemies as possible.”

Unsightly Humility stroked his chin. To be honest, Seol Jihu’s argument felt far-fetched but also unexpectedly logical.

“There’s more. Take it to the next level, and you can gain one more advantage.”

“Again?”

“Yes. Look here.”

Seol Jihu squatted back down and wrote ‘GO’ on the ground with his finger.

“This language is from my world. It’s pronounced go. The meaning is the same as ‘charge’.”

“Aha. So you shortened the word advance to charge, and again shortened charge to go.”

“Yes, you’re quick to catch on.”

Seol Jihu clapped his hand once and then wrote ‘G’ on the ground.

“You can go even shorter. This character is pronounced gee. It’s the first character in the combination GO.”

“Aren’t they basically the same? They’re both one syllable.”

“Although the difference is minimal, it is a bit easier to pronounce than go….”

“Aha!”

Unsightly Humility nodded.

“Let’s say you say g instead of ‘advance’. Do you think the enemies will understand you?”

“Probably not.”

“You got it. Which means that it can also be used as a secret code.”

“I see! That makes sense.”

Unsightly Humility replied contentedly. Seol Jihu had completely won him over.

“Well, then.”

Seol Jihu dusted his hands off and stood up. He beamed at his fellow Army Commander.

“Would you like to practice using it?”

Moments later.

Rumble!

Unsightly Humility ordered his army to advance.

“GG (go go)!”

Just before they reached the target point, he shouted again.

“NN (no no)!”

The army stopped.

“BB (back back)!”

The soldiers began to retreat after their commander.

Seol Jihu, who had been watching them from the sideline, lowered his head and covered his mouth with a hand.

“Keuk…. Hup…!”

He was trying his best to hold back his laughter. He barely managed to wave at Unsightly Humility, who was looking back at him, seeking approval.

“Uhehehehehehe!”

Sung Shihyun laughed.

He was literally rolling on the ground.

Seol Jihu looked at him in surprise.

“What the. When did you get here?”

“A while ago. I was wondering what you were up to, and…. You’re such an asshole!”

Sung Shihyun began pounding the ground with his fists in bursts of laughter.

“Hey. Just don’t get in my way.”

Seol Jihu let out a dry cough and turned around to leave.

“Hey! Wait! Wait for me!”

“Go away. Don’t come any closer.”

“But why? Let’s play together!”

Still laughing, Sung Shihyun chased Seol Jihu.

“RR (redo redo)!”

Unsightly Humility began his training again.