Chapter 21

Ji-han’s neck veins were popping out.

It was because of the man and woman in front of him who were talking as if ignoring his very existence.

“Yo, I just came by to say hi, but why you acting all high and mighty? Huh?”

Who was gonna shut who up?

Ji-han’s cheeks were twitching and his nose flared.

“I’m still a hunter who could easily rank up to B-rank anytime!”

“…And?”

Si-hyun was deliberately dissing Ji-han.

Unable to control his short temper, Ji-han shouted.

“Are you for real, dude?”

“Soon enough for B-rank, huh? Then one-on-one would be fine. E-rank, D-rank. Two on one.”

“Huh?”

Ji-han looked back and forth between Si-hyun and Han-gyeol, dumbfounded.

Judging by their tone, that woman was probably an E-rank Hunter too…

What kind of confidence was this?

This was Ji-han we’re talking about – the guy who could beat ten E-rank Hunters while picking his nose.

One measly D-rank Hunter plus another E-rank…

It was laughable.

“Miss, you’re gonna get hurt doing that.”

“Scared?”

“Shit, seriously.”

Ji-han scowled and cursed under his breath.

Just spitting out that one word with a straight face like that… Man, it made his blood boil.

He definitely felt properly disrespected.

Looks like someone needed an education on how the world of hunters really worked.

“Hmph! So what, let’s go then. Don’t come crying to me when you’re badly injured. What do you say, bro?”

“Hmm…”

Han-gyeol responded to Ji-han’s call with a troubled expression.

He got that Miss Si-hyun was intentionally provoking Ji-han.

The problem was, once Ji-han flipped his lid, he went full psycho mode.

Si-hyun was strong, that much Han-gyeol knew. Definitely not E-rank material.

But exactly how strong…? That part was unclear.

She just seemed incredibly powerful in some vague way.

Han-gyeol glanced at Si-hyun nervously.

‘Can we two really take down Ji-han?’

That thought had just crossed Han-gyeol’s mind.

But he couldn’t bring himself to voice it.

Instead, he was greeted with her innocent, childlike smile.

The moment their eyes met…

A small spark of courage that had been trembling inside Han-gyeol slowly began to rise.

“We can do it.”

Si-hyun quietly murmured.

Though brief, those words hit him like a magic spell.

Confidence surged through Han-gyeol’s chest.

He stood up slowly.

“…I’ll grab the training swords from the warehouse, meet me at the empty lot beside the building.”

“Heh, don’t come crying to me when you’re hurt, I mean it.”

Ji-han emphasized his earlier threat with a smug grin.

His mind was already running wild imagining how he’d deal with these two disrespecting him.

The three gathered at the empty space behind the building.

Han-gyeol handed a sturdy but bladeless sword to Ji-han, then approached Si-hyun.

Right then…

Si-hyun casually leaned against a nearby lamppost.

As if silently declaring she wasn’t going to participate in the fight.

Han-gyeol froze stiff.

He stammered as he looked at Si-hyun.

“S-Si-Si-Si-Si-Sihyun…ssi…?”

“Yes?”

“Why are you leaning on the lamppost…?”

“…”

Han-gyeol’s shaky voice questioned Si-hyun’s actions.

She blinked a few times, clearly confused by the question.

“To watch comfortably?”

“…Weren’t you supposed to fight together?”

“…Oh.”

Thanks to Han-gyeol’s pleading tone, Si-hyun finally understood what he meant.

“I’ll cast my Paladin skill, you just quiet him down for me.”

“…”

Han-gyeol fell silent.

The tiny sprout of courage that had emerged moments ago…

Had quickly retreated back into the cold earth.

He rubbed his face with the hand that wasn’t holding the sword.

This was gonna be rough.

No doubt about it, Ji-han was gonna lay into them without mercy.

Family ties or not, he’d beat them like dogs.

As Han-gyeol was mentally crying with his head bowed…

Ji-han approached and sneered.

“You guys wanna come at me together?”

“…”

Han-gyeol looked up with a dark expression.

Si-hyun was cutely yawning.

After wiping her hands, she nonchalantly sucked her fingers.

Then she shook her empty milk carton with a disappointed look – guess she’d finished it.

Watching Si-hyun act more concerned about her milk than the impending fight…

Made Han-gyeol feel even more disheartened.

‘Ah, screw it.’

The deed was done.

Han-gyeol steeled himself.

Let’s give it our best shot.

At least try not to make a total fool of myself.

“…Let’s start.”

“Heh, I’ll go easy on you.”

Han-gyeol took his stance.

Ji-han remained in his cocky posture.

Snap!

The sudden sound of snapping fingers rang out.

At that moment, Han-gyeol felt a surge of energy through his body.

Yeah, this was it.

Vitality flowed through him, fear disappeared, and he felt his focus sharpen.

He could take on anything right now.

He calmly looked at his opponent.

Meanwhile, Ji-han felt something off.

Ever since that pretty but crazy lady snapped her fingers…

He felt weak, like his strength was draining away.

An unpleasant sensation coursed through his body.

‘Must be my imagination…’

Still, he didn’t feel quite right today.

Not that he’d lose to a mere D-rank and E-rank hunter though.

Ji-han gripped his sword with both hands and lunged forward.

He swung his sword down hard at Han-gyeol’s head.

Since they were all awakened ones using blunt swords…

The attack would be ‘extremely painful’ at worst.

No hesitation as he attacked.

“…Huh?”

“Hmm.”

There should’ve been a scream of pain by now.

Or at least groans as the other struggled to block.

But Han-gyeol simply sidestepped to avoid Ji-han’s sword.

Ji-han couldn’t believe his eyes.

So Brother Han-gyeol’s been clearing dungeons diligently lately…

Did his skills improve a bit?

Ji-han swung his sword again.

Once, twice.

Han-gyeol dodged every single attack.

“Haah!”

“Hmm.”

Finally, Ji-han used a Swordsmanship combat skill sneakily.

He swung his sword horizontally at Han-gyeol’s waist.

Faster than before.

A long trail marked the path of the sword.

‘This’ll hit for sure!’

Ji-han smirked confidently.

But…

Han-gyeol blocked it with his sword held vertically.

Though his expression slightly wrinkled, that was all.

“…What? Something’s off…”

Ji-han muttered unconsciously.

There was no way Brother Han-gyeol, a D-rank hunter, could fight him like this.

Sure, he was launching all the attacks…

But was he really the stronger one here?

Ji-han panted heavily as he stepped back.

The air felt heavy somehow.

Like something was gnawing at him, pressuring him.

He had a strong sense of déjà vu but couldn’t figure out what it was.

Suddenly, Ji-han glanced at the woman standing a bit away.

Their earlier conversation came back to him.

[Soon enough for B-rank, one-on-one would be fine. E-rank, D-rank. Two.]

One-on-one…

Could it be…?

“…Is she a Magic-type Hunter?”

Magic-type Hunters had such varied skills that you often couldn’t tell until you experienced them firsthand.

Ji-han’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.

He felt like he’d been played with some dirty trick.

But he couldn’t dwell on it forever.

Because Han-gyeol’s counterattack had begun.

Han-gyeol adapted to his buffed state.

Switching from a defensive stance to an offensive one.

He quickly closed the distance with Ji-han and swung his sword wildly.

The tide of battle had shifted.

The beginning of the counterattack.

“Aaaah…!”

When Han-gyeol’s attack was blocked, Ji-han’s eyes widened.

Close call.

If he’d been any slower, his shoulder would’ve been hit.

His palms were tingling from gripping the sword.

Is this guy really D-rank?

Isn’t Brother actually C-rank and hiding it?

Even in full condition, I wouldn’t have won easily…

There’s no way an E-rank Magic-type Hunter’s help could make this much difference.

Feels like I’ve been tricked.

Ji-han’s thoughts were getting jumbled.

But he didn’t have time to think further.

Because Han-gyeol kept pressing his attacks.

Not giving up the initiative he’d gained.

Pressing Ji-han relentlessly, as if even breathing was a waste of time.

Swish swish, every time Han-gyeol swung his sword, Ji-han had to step back.

Ji-han’s expression started to distort.

On the other hand, Han-gyeol’s face was lighting up with joy.

I can do this!

I can win!

This South Korean macho man was pressuring the guild ace!

Han-gyeol knew this was thanks to Si-hyun’s buff.

But it felt like experiencing the future.

‘Wow, this Paladin skill is insane!’

His heart was pounding.

The exhilaration and joy starting in his chest spread to his extremities, enveloping his whole body.

“Kraaaaah!”

“Hahaha…!”

Finally, Han-gyeol’s sword struck Ji-han’s neck.

Ji-han screamed in pain as he stumbled back, clutching his neck and crying.

While Ji-han was doing that…

Han-gyeol subtly turned to glance at Si-hyun.

Their eyes met, and Si-hyun gave a small wink and wave.

Like being watched over by the Goddess of Victory herself.

Si-hyun was definitely destined for great heights.

Places far beyond his reach.

He already knew she was like a flower on a cliff.

But isn’t it okay to admire the flower from afar?

Isn’t it alright to follow her journey from behind?

Growing steadily, albeit slowly.

Becoming someone worthy of her.

With renewed determination, Han-gyeol charged at Ji-han again.

“Hmph hahaha…”

“Aaah! Ugh!”

Head, shoulders, legs, knees, feet.

He busily pummeled Ji-han.

That arrogant attitude of his has been getting worse lately, along with his lack of manners.

Beating him up like this feels so stress-relieving.

Ji-han, despite having some pride, refuses to give up even while getting beaten.

Which only makes Han-gyeol enjoy beating him up more.

Punch! Punch!

Every punch is satisfying.

Discipline is good medicine indeed.

Never seen such perfect catharsis.

“Ugh, stop! Please! I-I’m sorry!”

“Look at your tone!”

“Sorryyyyyyy!”

Ji-han, forehead bleeding from Han-gyeol’s attack, collapsed to the ground, moaning in pain.

Seeing things winding down…

Si-hyun leisurely walked up to Han-gyeol.

“Han-gyeol.”

“Yes?”

“You seem happy. How about giving him some more education?”

“Should I?”

Si-hyun’s playful tone made Han-gyeol grin.

And then…

“Hey, what are you kids doing…?”

Da-young appeared from around the building.

Her eyes widened at the scene before her.

Ji-han, lying prostrate, noticed Da-young…

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