Chapter 111

“Those two have been tailing us for a while now.” At Jang Woon’s words, Sunwoo Baek turned his head. “They look like new recruits from this year.” “Why keep following us? Got something to say?” “Whatever it is, it’s probably not friendly.” “Yeah. They’re practically leaking hostility.” “So that’s why Woo Jin said we didn’t have to hold back today.” “Oh—that’s what he meant. Still, we should at least ask why they’re following us.” Jang Woon turned and called out to the two men approaching from behind. “Who are you?” The two stepped forward, cupped their fists, and introduced themselves with forced politeness. “I’m Eun Hwan, newly admitted to Baekyeong.” “I’m Song Ho Won.” “So juniors,” Jang Woon said. “Then why follow us around?” Eun Hwan replied directly. “Are you Sunwoo Baek, the one they call Baekyeong’s First?” “That’s me.” “I was curious whether you truly live up to that title.” “Curious, huh? And what exactly gives you the right to assess my skill?” Sunwoo Baek’s cold gaze made the two flinch—deliberately. “Ooh, scary~!” Jang Woon scowled. “You’ve still got time. Kneel, apologize, and maybe we let it go.” But the warning was ignored. “You’re the one ranked just below him, right? Jang Woon?” “That’s right.” “I’d like to test your strength, too. Care to oblige me?” Sunwoo Baek let out a sigh and looked at Jang Woon. “So? We gonna keep listening to this bullshit, or are we doing this?” Jang Woon sighed as well. “Haa... Guess there’s no avoiding it.” “Woo Jin said to teach them properly. Thoroughly.” “I heard. Loud and clear.” “I’m saying it just in case you feel like going easy. He said if even one of them dares talk back later, we’re the ones who’ll be held responsible.” A chill ran down Jang Woon’s spine. “Then we’d better teach them thoroughly—for our own safety.” “Exactly.” As the two upperclassmen turned to face them, Eun Hwan and Song Ho Won smirked. “Finally taking us seriously, are you?” “No need to worry. We’ll go easy.” “We even waited until you moved somewhere isolated—out of respect.” Jang Woon chuckled. “Well now, your consideration moves this senior to tears. Shall we do it here?” The two nodded. “Then let’s begin.” “Haha! Please, seniors—take the first strike.” “Thanks, junior.” Flash— Before they even finished speaking, Sunwoo Baek and Jang Woon vanished. “What the?!” “Where’d they go?!” Before they could blink, the two upperclassmen had closed the distance. They instinctively tried to leap back— Smack—! “Gah!” The slap rang out like thunder, and pain exploded across Eun Hwan’s cheek. Smack—smack—smack—! Just slaps. Nothing more. But they couldn’t dodge, couldn’t block, couldn’t even think. Each strike felt like being smashed by a mountain. Still—he couldn’t just take this lying down. “Enough! HAA!” Eun Hwan gathered his Qi and hurled a palm strike toward Sunwoo Baek. CRACK—! It landed. Squarely. A triumphant smirk spread across Eun Hwan’s bloodied face—he’d finally struck back. “...Not bad.” “Huh? But I—I hit you!” “You think a single palm strike from a Seventh Star of the Peak-Level Realm would do anything to me?” What? No—he was Peak-Level, Seventh Star. That was— Smack—! “KOFF!” “I know. You said that already. Now take some more.” Smack—smack—smack— The slaps resumed. Harder. Unrelenting. Through the haze of pain, Eun Hwan’s blurry vision landed on Song Ho Won nearby, already half-unconscious, face swollen and bleeding. They looked the same. He realized that, just before losing consciousness. **** GASP— Eun Hwan sat bolt upright, drenched in cold sweat. “Hah... hah... hah...” “Bad dream?” Someone asked. He nodded slowly. But every time his head moved, his face hurt. Confused, he reached up and touched his cheek. Swollen. Throbbing. No—no way. This wasn’t a dream? He looked up—and there he was. Sunwoo Baek, the very image from his nightmare, standing right in front of him with a friendly smile. “Sleep well? You were out all day. Must’ve been exhausted.” Eun Hwan’s eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the situation. “Now that you’re awake,” Sunwoo Baek said calmly, “we can continue.” ...Continue? A shiver ran down Eun Hwan’s spine. He leapt to his feet instinctively. But Sunwoo Baek closed the distance in a flash. “Going somewhere? Like I said—we haven’t finished your lesson.” “L-lesson? What kind of lesson?” “A lesson in respect. For your seniors.” That was when Eun Hwan saw it—a brief opening in Sunwoo Baek’s stance. There! “Stuff your lesson!” Whoooom— Eun Hwan channeled everything he had, diving into the gap and throwing a full-force strike. CRACK—! “Kh—!” But it backfired. He was the one sent reeling. Even though he had attacked, it felt like he had been hit. Sunwoo Baek didn’t even flinch. “Not bad. You saw the opening I gave you. Not everyone does. You’ve got potential.” He was evaluating him. Like a teacher appraising a child. Eun Hwan stared in disbelief. Then— “Aaaaaagh!” WHACK—! “GUHH—!” From nearby, a scream rang out—Song Ho Won, taking another blow. “...Looks like they’ve already started over there,” Sunwoo Baek said. “Now it’s our turn.” “W-wait—!” THWACK—! “GAAAH!” The blow landed square in his gut, sharp and deep. Far worse than the slaps. “This time, every strike is going to carve a little more respect for your seniors into you.” He wanted to scream that he’d learned his lesson. But the pain was too much. He couldn’t even speak. Sunwoo Baek frowned. “You don’t answer when your senior speaks? We’ve got a long way to go.” It was unfair. But what could he do? He’d picked a fight without knowing what kind of monsters he was up ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) against. **** A clearing on the road to Baekyak Pavilion. A group of students knelt with their heads bowed. “These new recruits are... entertaining.” “Seriously. They actually came in thinking they could lay hands on their seniors.” “I heard those two tried to challenge Sunwoo Baek and Jang Woon.” “Those two? Then they must be pretty high-ranked.” “Seventh Star of the Peak-Level Realm, supposedly.” “Whoa, not bad.” “Which explains why they were dumb enough to charge at someone at the Fifth Star of the Apex-Level Realm without knowing what that meant.” Hearing the intermediate division’s conversation, Eun Hwan and Song Ho Won felt the blood drain from their faces. They’d expected the seniors to be strong—but not that strong. Fifth Star of the Apex-Level Realm? That would mean they were even stronger than Shin Dowoon. They’d placed all their hope in Shin Dowoon. But if things were like this, even his arrival wouldn’t change a thing. Their only remaining shield was his clan name. As long as they invoked it, surely the seniors wouldn’t dare go too far. Until Shin Dowoon arrived, keeping their mouths shut was the fastest way to avoid more beatings. “But where’s that so-called First of the lower division, Shin Dowoon?” “Probably just gave them orders and stayed out of it.” “Just how low did he think of us...” “Baekyeong was the weakest in the south before. He probably thought, if we’re strong, they must still be trash.” “And besides, they were working off last year’s intel.” “Ah. Then I get it. With that info, a Seventh Star might think it’s doable.” “Exactly. From that perspective, it was a reasonable mistake.” “So, what now? What do we do with these guys?” “Dunno. Let’s see what Sunwoo Baek says when he comes back.” Everyone already knew where Sunwoo Baek had gone. **** Moments later, Sunwoo Baek returned. “What’s the verdict?” “We’re to make sure even the lower division’s so-called First gets a proper education.” “Oh yeah? Then I guess it’s time to go get Shin Dowoon.” “Where would he be?” “Must be some place where those guys hang out. Like our Baekyak Pavilion.” Jang Woon turned to the kneeling students. “Where is Shin Dowoon?” “W-why do you want to know?” “Because he’s next.” “D-don’t you know what family he’s from?!” “Sure. He’s from the Shin clan.” “You know, and you’re still going after him?!” “Yup.” “Behind the Shin clan is Lord Tianzhu! You know what Tianzhu Hall is, don’t you?!” “Know it well.” “Then just leave him alone!” At that, Jang Woon looked to Sunwoo Baek and muttered, “Hey, this one’s not properly educated yet. Might cause a fuss later if we leave him like this.” At that, Sunwoo Baek dashed over and—without a word—dragged Eun Hwan off. “Aaaaargh!” A blood-curdling squeal echoed through the trees. The lower division students clenched their eyes shut. Moments later. When Eun Hwan was dragged back unconscious, battered and limp, terror flooded the faces of the remaining students. Jang Woon addressed them again. “Now. Who wants to tell me where Shin Dowoon is? Hands up!” “What's taking so long?” A full day had passed. No word from the others. Growing restless, Shin Dowoon let out a yawn and stretched. Then—he sensed someone approaching. Not the others. Not one of the students. Something heavier. Sharper. A smile curled on his lips. “Well, well. Looks like the seniors have some bite after all.” Could it be? Had Eun Hwan and Song Ho Won lost? So the so-called “First” was different after all. Smiling faintly, Shin Dowoon waited calmly for his visitor to arrive. The door creaked open. And two figures appeared before him. “Well, well. Both Baekyeong’s First and Second-ranked seniors come calling? What an honor.” “You’re Shin Dowoon?” Sunwoo Baek asked flatly. “Haha. Yes, senior. I am Shin Dowoon.” “You send those kids to attack us?” “And where are those kids now, if I may ask?” “They seemed a little under-educated. We’ve been giving them a proper lesson.” Sunwoo Baek’s reply made Shin Dowoon chuckle. “That’s odd. I told them to treat you with full courtesy. Seems they failed to follow instructions—given you’ve come all the way here yourselves.” “True. They tried to be respectful. I’m curious how you’ll do.” “Hahaha! Is that so? I’d better meet expectations, then. Will both of you be fighting me at once?” “Oh come now. What would that do to our reputations?” “Then... Baekyeong’s First, Sunwoo Baek, shall we?” Before Sunwoo Baek could answer, Jang Woon stepped forward. “Oh no. Baekyeong’s First doesn’t waste time on trivialities. I’m second in rank—that makes this my job.” “Trivialities?” For the first time, Shin Dowoon’s expression twisted. “Yeah. Trivial. Disciplining a mouthy little lower division brat like you.” “Haha... That’s rich. Let’s see who ends up needing discipline.” “Obviously you. I’m the senior here. You seriously don’t know what that means? We’ve got a long way to go.” With a smirk, Shin Dowoon released his Qi. Whooom—! A heavy pressure surged forward, targeting Jang Woon. “Hahaha! Feel that? That’s the power of the Second Star of the Apex-Level Realm!” He waited, anticipating Jang Woon’s face to twist in pain. But... nothing. Jang Woon stood there, utterly unbothered. “...What is this? Is he pretending it doesn’t hurt?” “Oh, please. I should return the courtesy, since you showed me yours.” “What?” Whoooom— “Guhk!” Jang Woon’s pressure exploded outward, obliterating Shin Dowoon’s presence in an instant. Shin Dowoon staggered under the weight. “Well? Feeling that respect for your senior kicking in yet?” “No... This... This can’t be happening!” “Why not? It’s fine for you to be Apex-Level, but not for me?” “B-but... your file said... Peak-Level, Sixth Star...” “Guess I should update my records. Wouldn’t want juniors getting confused.” Jang Woon’s expression turned cold. Predatory. “Well then. Let’s begin your education.” “S-stay back!” No. This wasn’t possible. He had never experienced something like this before. He’d always been the one in control. Panicking, Shin Dowoon made a snap decision: escape. He funneled all his Qi into his legs and exploded into motion. BOOM— He had to get out. He could figure things out later—whether to transfer out of Baekyeong entirely. There was no point attending an academy where people stronger than him existed. “Where you off to in such a hurry?” Shin Dowoon jolted and turned. Jang Woon was right beside him, keeping pace as if he’d been jogging. Shin Dowoon’s eyes went wide with shock. Crack—! “GUH—!” THUD— One clean strike sent him flying. Shin Dowoon hit the ground hard, body bouncing across the forest floor. Helpless. Crushed. Defeated.