Chapter 24

Rumors spread among the students. Debates broke out over who was truly the strongest in the class, but soon enough, the matter was settled. "Who is the strongest in this class?" A group of senior students clad in blue martial robes entered the room, calling out for an answer. Seon Woo-baek naturally rose from his seat. "That would be me." The senior students smirked before nodding. "Just as expected. You’ve become the strongest of your class." "Meet us at Yeonmyeong Pavilion after class. You know where that is, right?" "Yes, I do." "Good. You know what happens if you’re late, don’t you? Our esteemed Baek Yeong, the top student of Baekyeong Upper Academy, hates tardiness more than anything. Keep that in mind." "I understand." "Then see you later." With that, the seniors left without another word. Now it was official. Seon Woo-baek was still the strongest in Hyeonmu Class. The students, now relieved, knew exactly who they needed to stay on good terms with. This academy was like a miniature version of the martial world. A place where even a moment of carelessness could prove disastrous. Here, survival was everything. **** On their way home after class, Jang Woon turned to Yeon Woojin with a puzzled look. "What exactly did you do to Seon Woo-baek to make him change like that?" "I kindly persuaded him that he shouldn’t live that way anymore." "Persuaded? He’s not the type to listen to reason." "Well, persuasion comes in different forms. Mine just happened to work." "Really? It’s strange. He didn’t seem like someone who’d change so easily... Oh! Right!" Jang Woon suddenly remembered something and pulled an envelope from his inner pocket. Inside was a banknote. "One hundred gold nyang." "Wow, turns out you’re rich?" "No! It’s not my money!" "Huh? Then why do you have it?" "Jincheon Gate gave it to me. As an apology." "Oh, so it is your money." "I don’t feel right keeping it." "Come on. It’s compensation they offered. Just give it to your father." "And you think my father will just take it and say, ‘Ah, a compensation fee, I see,’ and let it go? He’ll flip out!" "Really?" "Of course! He still thinks I got injured because I let my guard down in training!" "Then just keep it. Use it for your wedding later or something." "I’ll give you half." "Huh? Why?" "I got it thanks to you." "I don’t need it." "No! Take it. I’ll feel better that way." "Then give it to me later. Some other time." "When? I can’t carry around this much money anymore. It makes me nervous." "Then deposit it at the bank. The interest should be decent. If you leave it for ten years, you’ll have a nice sum." "Come with me. I don’t want to go alone." As Jang Woon glanced around nervously, Yeon Woojin chuckled. "Alright, let’s go." "Thanks!" "By the way, you need to start training." "Training?" "A man shouldn’t be this timid. This won’t do. I’m well-versed in martial arts theory, so I’ll train you." "Isn’t theory and actual combat completely different?" "Just trust me." Jang Woon eyed him skeptically. "Don’t you want to get stronger? What if you run into another guy like Seon Woo-baek when you move up to the senior class?" "T-That’s a good point... You really know martial arts theory?" "You never know until you try, right? Just trust me and follow my lead." "You’re right! Let’s do it. When do we start?" "Today." "Today?" "Yeah. Why wait?" "You’re right! Let’s start today." "Brace yourself. I won’t be as easygoing as the academy instructors." "Yes, sir!" Jang Woon’s enthusiastic response made Yeon Woojin grin. There was something ominous about that grin. But Jang Woon dismissed the feeling. **** The next day. Seon Woo-baek nearly jumped in shock when he saw Jang Woon’s exhausted face. He recognized that look. It was the same one Jang Woon had when he used to get bullied. Had someone else started picking on him? The way he walked, sluggish and unsteady, only made it more convincing. Seon Woo-baek wasn’t the only one who thought so. Oh, right. He was the strongest in Hyeonmu Class. ...So why did it not feel like he was? "What did they say at the meeting yesterday?" "Nothing much. They just gathered the top students of each lower class to introduce ourselves to the senior students and the academy’s strongest. We were given instructions on how we should conduct ourselves moving forward." "And what were those instructions?" "Basically, just listen to whatever they say." "That’s it?" "Yeah, really. Nothing much." "I see. What about the other top students? Think you can beat them?" "Huh? W-well...." "Oh? You hesitated. Are you not confident?" "I-I mean, do I have to beat them?" "Of course, you do. If you become the strongest of the lower class, my life at the academy will be easier." "Their skills seem similar to mine... But the top student of Baekho Class looked strong." "Who is it?" "Hur Wook, the second son of Cheon-gwan Gate." At that, Jang Woon’s expression turned serious. "Cheon-gwan Gate is ranked sixty-fifth under Mushincheon, right? Hur Wook doesn’t have a good reputation." "Why? Is he as bad as this guy?" Yeon Woojin pointed at Seon Woo-baek as he spoke, making Jang Woon chuckle. "Woo-baek, at the very least, is sane. That guy, on the other hand, turns into a lunatic when he thinks he’s about to lose. To the point where he becomes completely uncontrollable." "A lunatic?" "He turns rabid. When that happens, he attacks everyone around him, whether they’re allies or enemies." "The hell is that?" "Regardless, he’s definitely a pain to deal with." "Hmm. Then I guess we’ll have to toughen this guy up before then." As Yeon Woojin squinted and scanned Seon Woo-baek from head to toe, Seon Woo-baek instinctively hugged himself, eyes filled with fear. Yeon Woojin turned to Jang Woon, curiosity flashing in his gaze. "How do you even know all this?" "For survival." "Huh?" "I told you on the first day, didn’t I? This place is survival of the fittest. Information is a necessity. I gathered as much as I could to stay alive." "I see." "If I’ve been acting recklessly and drawing attention to myself lately, it’s only because I’ve let my guard down around you. But I prepared myself thoroughly." At those words, Seon Woo-baek flinched again. "S-sorry." His apology sounded pitifully small. Yeon Woojin looked at him and said, "Straighten your shoulders. Do you think you can become the strongest of the lower class with that kind of mindset?" "Do I have to be the strongest?" "Why ask something so obvious? If you don’t want to do it, I can always replace you with... what was his name? Gok Yang-woo?" "If I’m replaced, what happens to me?" Yeon Woojin smirked and stared at Seon Woo-baek. A chill ran down Seon Woo-baek’s spine. Yeon Woojin’s eyes were turning black. "Who knows? What will happen to you?" Terror gripped Seon Woo-baek’s heart. It felt as if he would be discarded and eliminated the moment he was deemed useless. Seon Woo-baek quickly blurted out, "I-I’ll do my absolute best! No matter what, I will become the strongest lower-class student!" "Good mindset. Make sure you never forget that. Understood?" "Y-yeah! G-got it!" Jang Woon hadn’t seen Yeon Woojin’s eyes turn black. Which meant he had no idea why Seon Woo-baek was trembling so much. ‘Just how badly did he beat him for him to be this scared?’ That was all he could think about. One thing was certain. Yeon Woojin was much stronger than he had imagined. ‘How strong is he? I’ll have to ask Woo-baek later.’ Since Seon Woo-baek was the only one who knew the truth, Jang Woon planned to coax it out of him. And if he refused to talk? Well, he’d offer to let his past bullying slide in exchange for the information. **** "Arghhh!" "Ughhh!" Agonized screams echoed through Baekyak Pavilion—the very spot where Seon Woo-baek used to torment Jang Woon. Was someone being bullied again? "What’s with all that whining? Keep going! Ten more reps!" It was Yeon Woojin’s voice. This wasn’t bullying. It was training. Jang Woon and Seon Woo-baek were each carrying a massive boulder on their backs. "W-we’re supposed to do more here?" "Woojin! This is too much!" "Why not? I’m doing it too, aren’t I?" Yeon Woojin was also training beside them. That made it impossible to argue. "Say something too! I’m the only one complaining here!" Jang Woon shot Seon Woo-baek a look, but Seon Woo-baek quickly averted his gaze. "I-if it’s Woojin... this is probably nothing to him."