The Weapon Genius: Anything I Hold Can Kill-Chapter 60: Morning Drills

Jin woke before the sun.

He sat up slowly, rolling his shoulders, letting the stiffness in his muscles settle before pushing himself to his feet. The school was quiet, the only sounds coming from the soft wind outside and the distant shuffling of those on the last shift of night watch.

For a moment, he simply stood there, taking in the stillness.

It had been a long time since he'd woken up like this—before the chaos, before the noise. It reminded him of those early mornings back at the station, when Ryu would wake them up before dawn for training. Back then, it had felt like a punishment. A cruel routine designed to break them.

Now, he understood.

Jin walked to the nearest window and glanced outside. The horizon was painted in deep blues and the first hints of gold, the sky slowly bleeding into the light of a new day. The reinforced gate stood tall at the school's entrance, the watchtowers looming over the perimeter, the training grounds still and untouched.

The third day of the Territory Quest.

Only three days, and they had already fought, bled, survived. Changed.

But change wasn't enough.

They needed to get stronger.

Jin turned from the window, pulling on his jacket as he stepped into the hallway. The school still carried that lingering scent of old classrooms, metal lockers, and something faintly industrial from the upgrades they had installed. He walked quietly, passing by the rooms where the recruits slept.

Not for much longer.

Jin reached the cafeteria, where the night shift guards were finishing up their rounds. Echo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

"Didn't expect to see you up this early," Echo muttered, rubbing his eyes. "You're usually more of a 'wait until disaster strikes' kind of guy."

Jin ignored him and glanced at the others finishing up their shifts. Haneul stood near the door, still gripping his staff, though his movements were sluggish with sleep. Mina stretched her arms overhead, cracking her neck.

"Anything happen?" Jin asked.

Echo shook his head. "Nope. Nothing but wind and the occasional rat scurrying around. Either people are still scared to mess with us, or they're waiting for us to lower our guard."

Jin nodded. "Good. You're done for the night. Get some rest."

Echo yawned dramatically. "Music to my ears."

He pushed off the wall, muttering something under his breath about hating mornings as he walked off. Haneul followed, though he gave Jin a brief nod before disappearing down the hallway. Mina lingered for a second, watching Jin carefully.

"You look like you're planning something," she said.

Jin met her gaze. "I am. Go get some sleep. You'll need it for later."

Mina narrowed her eyes but didn't question it. She turned and walked away, leaving Jin alone in the quiet.

He exhaled slowly. Then he moved.

It was time to wake everyone up.

Jin walked through the halls, knocking on doors, rapping his knuckles against the lockers loud enough to stir people from their sleep.

"Up," he said. "We start now."

Groans filled the air.

From one of the rooms, Joon's muffled voice called out, "The sun isn't even up yet. This is against my human rights."

"Get up," Jin repeated, knocking on the door again.

"How do I unsubscribe from this nightmare?"

Seul stepped out of her room, already dressed, tying her gloves tighter around her wrists. She glanced at Jin, then at the sounds of complaints coming from the recruits' rooms.

"You really are turning into Ryu," she said.

Jin didn't answer.

One by one, the recruits dragged themselves out of their rooms. Some moved quickly, already accustomed to survival. Others looked half-dead, rubbing their eyes and muttering under their breath.

Jisoo slumped against the doorframe. "Please tell me this is a joke."

Jin walked past her. "Outside in five minutes."

She groaned but didn't argue.

Minutes later, they were all gathered in the courtyard, the sky now shifting into early morning light. The recruits stood in loose lines, shifting from foot to foot, still sluggish from sleep.

Jin stood in front of them, hands in his pockets, scanning their faces.

Some looked eager—like they had been waiting for something like this. Others looked hesitant, uncertain if they could keep up.

"You don't get stronger by waiting for it to happen," Jin said. His voice was calm, steady, carrying easily over the quiet morning air. "You get stronger by pushing yourself."

Silence.

Then, Joon raised a hand. "Okay, but like… why this early?"

"Because we don't have time to waste."

Joon groaned but didn't argue further.

Jin tilted his head slightly. "We start with a run. Two laps around the perimeter. If you fall behind, you keep going until you finish."

More groans.

Jisoo muttered something about regretting every decision that led her here. Haneul tightened his grip on his staff, already bracing himself.

Jin didn't wait for further complaints. He turned and started running.

And, one by one, they followed.

The first lap was easy. The recruits stuck together, moving in a loose pack, their footsteps echoing through the quiet morning. The second lap started to separate the weak from the strong.

Kyung Min, despite her impressive durability, lagged behind—her Granite Armor ability making her heavier than the others.

Jisoo, used to short bursts of speed, burned out fast.

Haneul kept up, but his breathing was ragged, his grip on his staff shaky.

The stronger ones—Yujin, Taesung, Mina—kept pace with Seul, Echo, and Joon. They weren't struggling, but they weren't comfortable either.

Jin, leading from the front, watched them all carefully.

Some of them were promising. But none of them were ready.

By the time they finished, the recruits were drenched in sweat, gasping for air.

Jin barely looked winded.

"You're not done yet," he said simply.

Half of them looked ready to riot.

Jisoo collapsed onto the ground. "This is the worst thing I've ever done."

Joon patted her on the back. "You get used to it."

"No, I won't."

Jin ignored them, stepping forward. "You can't just build endurance. You have to fight."

The recruits tensed.

"We're setting up duels," Jin continued. "One-on-one fights. No killing, no holding back." His gaze swept over them, sharp and unreadable. "You need to learn what it means to face someone stronger than you."

The recruits exchanged nervous glances.

Some looked eager—Yujin cracked her knuckles, a sharp grin on her face. Others looked more hesitant—Sujin shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the training grounds.

Jin nodded once. "Pair up. Your first real lesson starts now."

Silence.

Then, the first match began.

The recruits hesitated at first, glancing at each other, trying to gauge who would step forward first. Some looked uncertain, others eager, and a few outright nervous.

Jin stood at the center of the training grounds, arms crossed. "We don't have all day. Pick an opponent, or I'll pick for you."

The silence lasted a moment longer before someone finally stepped forward.

Haneul.

He gripped the staff he had taken the day before, his expression tense but focused.

Jin's gaze flickered to the weapon. It was his old staff—the one he'd used when they first arrived at the school. Haneul had been holding onto it since the moment he took it.

Joon leaned in slightly, muttering, "You know, he's been treating that thing like it's his life support."

Jin glanced at Haneul, then at the staff.

"You keeping that?" Jin asked, voice calm but firm.

Haneul stiffened. "I—"

Jin wasn't upset. If anything, he was curious.

"You've had it since yesterday," Jin continued. "You could've left it behind, but you didn't. Why?"

The recruits shifted slightly, watching the exchange.

Haneul's grip tightened on the staff. His eyes flickered between Jin and the ground, then back to the staff itself.

"...It feels right," he admitted, voice quiet but steady. "I've been training with a staff since I was a kid. It's what I know."

Jin's brows lifted slightly. "You've been training?"

Haneul nodded. "I learned Genshu from my father. Staff fighting. I've practiced it all my life."

Jin recognized the name. Genshu—the Korean martial art of staff combat. Fluid movements, overwhelming control, precise strikes.

No wonder Haneul had latched onto the weapon so fast.

Jin exhaled. "Then keep it."

Haneul's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

Jin shrugged. "I can get another weapon anytime. That one's yours now."

It was the truth. With the system shop, he could buy any weapon he needed. There was no point in taking back something that clearly had more value to someone else.

Haneul blinked, gripping the staff even tighter before giving a quick, determined nod.

Jin turned back to the others. "Now pick an opponent."

Haneul hesitated, then scanned the recruits before his gaze landed on Taesung—the guy with the acid spit.

"I'll fight him," Haneul said.

Taesung grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Oh? Alright, kid. Let's see what you got."

The recruits cleared a space in the training area, forming a rough circle around them. Jin, Seul, Joon, and Echo stood at the edge, watching closely.

"Standard duel rules," Jin said. "Fight until one of you can't continue or until I call it."

Haneul and Taesung squared off, the tension between them settling into something sharp and focused.

Jin's eyes narrowed slightly. Haneul had confidence, but this would be his first real test.

"Start."

Taesung moved first, stepping in fast. He was aggressive, a brawler at heart. He swung a fist forward, testing Haneul's reaction.

Haneul sidestepped.

Smooth, fluid. Not wasting movement.

Taesung grinned and attacked again, this time trying to get closer—maybe to use his skill at point-blank range.

But Haneul wasn't there.

His footwork was precise, slipping around the strikes with ease. The staff spun in his hands, light but controlled. Jang Bong Sul wasn't just about attacking—it was about flow. Redirecting, overwhelming, controlling.

Jin watched carefully. Haneul had skill, but he wasn't pressing forward yet. He was holding back.

"Stop playing around," Jin said.

Haneul's grip on the staff tightened. His stance shifted slightly.

Then, he moved.

His first attack was simple—a testing strike. A short, sharp jab toward Taesung's shoulder. Taesung blocked it, but the force still made him stumble slightly.

Haneul stepped in. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

A second strike—lower this time, forcing Taesung to adjust his balance.

Then, the real move.

Haneul took a smooth step forward, twisting his entire body into the next strike. The staff blurred through the air—fast, precise, unstoppable.

A direct hit to Taesung's chest.

The impact sent him stumbling back, eyes wide.

The staff hadn't just hit him—it had knocked the air out of his lungs. He gasped, struggling for breath. His stance faltered.

Then, before he could recover—

Haneul spun the staff again and swept his legs out from under him.

Taesung hit the ground hard.

Silence.

For a moment, the only sound was Taesung's sharp exhale as he lay flat on his back, staring at the sky.

Then, Joon let out a low whistle. "Damn."

Jisoo blinked. "Did… did he just win in two moves?"

Jin studied Haneul carefully.

That wasn't just instinct. That was training.

He knew exactly when to strike, exactly how to break balance. That finishing move—it was a practiced maneuver.

Haneul stood still, gripping the staff tightly, his breathing steady.

Jin nodded. "Not bad."

Haneul blinked, like he wasn't expecting praise. Then, slowly, he gave a small nod back.

Taesung groaned from the ground, rolling onto his side. "Okay, okay. I get it. Kid's got moves."

Laughter rippled through the recruits, the tension breaking.

Haneul finally stepped back, lowering the staff.

Jin crossed his arms. One fight down.

Now it was time to see who else was ready.