[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternally-regressing-knight":3,"chapter-eternally-regressing-knight-eternally-regressing-knight-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Eternally Regressing Knight",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},963688,1263,"Chapter 17 - Enkrid’s Resolve","eternally-regressing-knight-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>If one were resourceful, even within this confined area, it was possible to meet with a courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it that courtesans preferred being inside the military camp over being in cities or rural villages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First of all, they could earn higher fees than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And though it might be whispered about, this was not something officially sanctioned within military law or discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men encountered here, whether soldiers or officers, went out of their way to avoid causing a stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one relished the hassle of getting caught for summoning a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, this place was practically a goldmine for the women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Even so.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's quite the skill, really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, not everyone can do this, no matter how much they might want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Big Eyes must have arranged it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Man, that's impressive. Really impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, there's no need to live frustrated if you don't have to, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can, there's no harm in indulging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen walked along, buttoning his shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman left behind in the barracks was likely just a business transaction—he didn't even glance back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint red kiss mark was visible through the shirt he fastened, evidence of a heated encounter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen's reddish-brown hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a strangely appealing look—not particularly remarkable, but undeniably attractive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, it's no wonder women gravitate toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen turned to Enkrid, asking casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, his demeanor was easygoing and unassuming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen, a member of the squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem's assessment of him: a deviant who enjoys exploiting vulnerabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Enkrid recalled Jaxen on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Rem resembled a rampaging beast, Jaxen...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Not quite.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid had never truly seen Jaxen in action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from what Rem said and a fleeting image of Jaxen stabbing an enemy in the back with a spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it was possible to infer his skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Rem, who often sustained minor injuries, couldn't deny Jaxen's near-unblemished record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rarely got hurt, and when he did, it was barely anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not planning to fight properly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, Rem would growl these words at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that happened, Jaxen would mock Rem openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not the type to relish the sight of blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't enjoy it, just get lost or don't stick around here, you sneaky bastard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's none of your business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. Should I split your head or your torso first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before that, I'd leave two thumb-sized holes in your heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that's where the exchanges ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid would step between them—Rem, bleeding from his forearm with his axe in hand, and Jaxen, quietly rising from his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're so eager to kill each other, why not take it to the enemy side? Why here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they would glare at each other like they wanted to kill, they never actually fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verbal spats didn't escalate when Enkrid physically placed himself between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many times had he broken up his squad members like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem called Jaxen a sneaky alley cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen called Rem a deranged savage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid had also seen Jaxen use a scavenged spear to stab an enemy in the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after being stabbed, the enemy couldn't pinpoint Jaxen's position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While looking around, they were tripped by a crouching Jaxen, sending them sprawling with the spear still lodged in their back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That vivid image lingered in Enkrid's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious about how Jaxen pulled it off, he once asked during a quiet moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Their focus was entirely on the front. That's why it worked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen's explanation was succinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem, on the other hand, was generous in sharing his knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the same couldn't be expected from Jaxen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Enkrid didn't give up easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Squad leader?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen stopped walking. At some point, they had arrived at the medical barracks where Enkrid was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the question, Enkrid drifted into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer required no deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid hadn't schemed to become the leader of the troublesome Fourth Squad of the Fourth Company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could ever plan for relationships like these?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, there was no need to overthink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something was curious, he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something was needed, he demanded it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's how Enkrid treated his squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If someone like you stabbed me in the back, how would I defend myself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen instantly understood what Enkrid meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many times had this man pestered him for tips on sneaking up behind someone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His persistence was unparalleled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every few days, the same question was repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had whined, it would have been easier to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen could have scared him off with a few threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the squad leader didn't do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned with curiosity and a desire to learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jaxen wasn't impressed, one thing was clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If left alone, this man would keep asking the same question every few days for as long as he was in the squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jaxen somehow knew Enkrid for a lifetime, he would be pestered for a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen didn't throw the term \"tenacious\" around lightly. He knew too well the limits of human endurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood the futility of terms like mental fortitude, conviction, or determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Jaxen, Enkrid was a truly relentless man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His passion for swordsmanship and martial arts burned hotter than anyone's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it that passion that drove him like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you so eager to learn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because knowing that could increase my odds of survival.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen almost asked what he intended to do with the life he clung to so desperately, pouring all his earnings into training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What good would it do to know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, wasn't this just another fleeting acquaintance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, though it wasn't easy, Jaxen explained everything to the best of his ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that the squad leader could master it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, it wasn't suited to his \"style.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet today's question was slightly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think you broke my ribs because your oponent was too strong—or was it unexpected?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen found the question reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Enkrid thought he got kicked by the Frog in the last battle because he didn't sense it, he was sorely mistaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it's not because your opponent was ridiculously strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questioning didn't stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid responded with a question of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Jaxen well enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen wasn't the type to be curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept everyone at arm's length, neither drawing too close nor pushing them too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one considered Jaxen a close friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the 444th Squad, no one particularly disliked him either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen stood up, loosely draping a shirt over his shoulders, its buttons undone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A suitable distance—this was Jaxen's usual demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking such questions might have felt awkward to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Enkrid knew that posing questions this way would compel Jaxen to answer without pressing further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their dynamic hadn't been deliberately shaped, but through their interactions, Enkrid had become well-acquainted with the responses and stances of those around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, not at all. If someone tries to stab you with a spear from behind, you just have to notice first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Jaxen's explanation was terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Rem claimed he was bad at explaining, compared to Jaxen, Rem could easily pass as an esteemed fencing instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Enkrid had met and learned from a variety of instructors over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were better teachers than practitioners, while others, despite their competence, were terrible at teaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From every teacher and every moment, Enkrid extracted his due.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he had an abundance of ways to learn effectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you notice first?\" Enkrid asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Always keep an eye on your surroundings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if you're attacked despite that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Check more often.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can't just turn your head all day, can you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're the squad leader, you can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, that's impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, Enkrid thought Jaxen was some kind of weirdo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Rem, who joked around, Jaxen was completely serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through experience, Enkrid had learned the best way to respond: a firm refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this decisiveness influenced Jaxen, as he scanned their surroundings before casually moving to a pile of supplies stacked beside the medical tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He perched himself atop the pile, leaning slightly against a nearby tent, and said, \"This might take a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, today's already a long day,\" Enkrid replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least until bedtime, he had plenty of time to spare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should eat, though, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Missing one meal won't kill me. I'll even take over your meal duty for life—well, as long as we're in the same squad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a promise that would disappear after today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid often made such fleeting promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're joking, it's not very funny,\" Jaxen remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amusingly, everyone in the 444th squad hated tasks like dishwashing and meal duty the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all preferred battle over those chores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they hated preparing meals for other squad members and cleaning up after them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all equally crazy, but there was much to learn from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least on the battlefield, their teaching was unparalleled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jaxen couldn't address this issue, Enkrid figured he'd spend this time focusing or seek advice from Rem or another squadmate later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soldier who left no traces on the battlefield—whether Jaxen's skills were truly exceptional, Enkrid couldn't say for sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never witnessed them firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, conclusions drawn from Jaxen's results spoke volumes about his prowess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem's attitude toward Jaxen was evidence of his skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, there must be something worth learning, even if it didn't help immediately—it might be valuable later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Heart of the Beast\"? That hadn't been useful from the start, had it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have time to waste on empty words,\" Enkrid said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you just say you have all day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a different matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. You'll keep your promise, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid nodded and settled down right in front of Jaxen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few passing soldiers glanced their way but didn't engage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the flow of soldiers and supply carts, the two faced each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jaxen sat higher on the pile of supplies, the difference wasn't enough to bother Enkrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen felt a strange unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid had plopped himself down on the ground and was now looking at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the gravel and uneven rocks beneath, it must have been uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the dust kicked up by passing carts, yet he seemed unfazed, entirely focused on Jaxen's words without a hint of doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sincerity in Enkrid's gaze prompted Jaxen to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humans have five senses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sight, smell, hearing—that kind of thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why bring that up now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouldn't Enkrid have questions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Enkrid's expression showed none of that—he simply listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an admirable attitude, enough to elicit unexpected words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Jaxen had planned to say, \"Just train your senses,\" but he began explaining instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words came not from his head but from his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you can't keep turning your head, you need eyes on your back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While heartfelt, the words weren't exactly kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jaxen thought they sounded absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His explanation had been poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Got it,\" Enkrid said with a nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Seriously?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen carefully chose his next words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't expected to teach this, but there was no harm in trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew from observation that the squad leader was ordinary—his senses were nothing special, naturally gifted in no way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, that was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The training Jaxen intended to teach was effective even for average individuals. With consistent effort over three to four months, it would yield notable results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Typically, this training was conducted in confined spaces like caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the ideal method would involve repeatedly surviving assassination attempts, but that wasn't realistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can't always rely on your eyes to watch your surroundings, but your ears can do the job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His explanation still felt lacking, but Enkrid quickly grasped the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, right. Sound doesn't discriminate between front and back,\" Enkrid noted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely. To be more accurate, sound does have directionality. By learning to distinguish sounds, your hearing will develop. It's a practice you can start right here, even while sitting. Try it now—listen carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Various sounds filled the air:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creak of rolling carts, the murmurs of grumbling soldiers, groans from the infirmary, the indifferent voice of a medic urging patience, and the flapping of banners as a strong westerly wind swept through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Jaxen spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today's wind is from the west. The medic is stationed three tents ahead from here. That cart's left wheel joint is loose. If they're lucky, it'll last two days; if not, it'll break today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True to his words, the cart wheel soon gave way with a crack, collapsing to one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, come on!\" the driver exclaimed in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By distinguishing sounds and identifying them, you can constantly survey your surroundings,\" Jaxen concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid was astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was such a thing really possible? Clearly, Jaxen had just demonstrated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Installing eyes on your back—this is auditory training. Can you do it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This auditory training relied on environment rather than difficulty in methodology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was merely a matter of distinguishing sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that didn't mean it would be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Repeating the same sounds and distinguishing them will help, right? And once you're used to that, you move on to other methods?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Enkrid, though unexceptional in martial arts or swordsmanship, excelled at listening and comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ability to listen well translated to quick understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct. For example, one method of detecting an assassin's silent approach is to distinguish the subtle sounds of shifting air. If you know a skilled assassin, have them attempt to sneak up on you—that would be the best training.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxen's following comment was partly in jest, delivered with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a joke, yet somehow unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid's knack for grasping Jaxen's inadequate explanations had led to the statement slipping out unintentionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like a notion irrelevant to Enkrid's life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than dismissing it, Enkrid's eyes gleamed with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What an inscrutable person, Jaxen thought as he evaluated Enkrid.\u003C\u002Fp>",2340,"2026-06-03T07:42:59.504Z","2026-06-03T07:42:55.457Z",1,"novelbin.me","135bbefd66a2e4b515503c28367cc69f83c0356ec2e4ade291ca78178a2d3d30","eternally-regressing-knight-chapter-18","eternally-regressing-knight-chapter-16",782,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternally-regressing-knight-cover.jpg"]