Chapter 159: Straight Punch (2)

Gu Myeong-jun.

The rookie that South Korea has its eyes on.

He is called a talent counted on one hand not only in South Korea but across the world, not merely because he awakened a Trait, but because the synergy of his Traits and his combat talent are in perfect harmony.

He was a talent with a record of proudly taking first place on Forbes’ list of the 100 most promising future Awakeners.

‘I was chosen.’

At a young age, through his Awakening, he gained ample time to utilize his abilities, a sturdy body capable of wielding them, and even an extraordinary intellect.

It would be no exaggeration to say he was born for an Awakener.

And that was clearly a realm of talent different from others.

It was undoubtedly the choice of a god, or the work of some transcendent being.

He realized this early on.

That’s why arrogance and self-conceit resided within Gu Myeong-jun.

He thought the world revolved around him, and that hasn’t changed even now.

‘This… is my chance.’

Even someone like him had someone he admired.

That person was Kim Si-won.

The Awakener who single-handedly conquered the world, standing at its absolute peak.

Neither humanity, the Demon Clan, gods, nor anyone else could oppose him, and they ultimately knelt.

He was a truly unique existence standing at the summit of all species.

And he believed he was born to follow in the footsteps of such a being.

However, even though they were in the same country, he could hardly ever create a point of contact with him.

He was mysterious and rarely revealed his whereabouts.

No matter how chosen he was, he thought he couldn’t meet him because he had no opportunity to show his talent… or so he thought.

So, as a second-best option, he chose Cheongung Academy.

To make a name for himself at an academy renowned not just in South Korea but globally, so that tales of him might reach Kim Si-won’s ears.

Needless to say, with his innate talent, he could attract attention not just from Cheongung Academy but from the world.

Except from one person.

He didn’t receive the attention he wanted from Kim Si-won.

Was he still lacking?

He worked hard, and his genius combined with effort allowed him to achieve tremendous growth.

And then, just in time, he learned of the establishment of the Siwon School.

The emergence of an academy bearing Kim Si-won’s name.

But he was already a student belonging to Cheongung Academy.

Moreover, despite his fame and talent being well-known, they didn’t scout him.

So, with a childish sense of pride, he didn’t apply to the Siwon School.

Even though he was screaming that he was here.

But no hand reached out for him until the first and second graduating classes were produced.

Gu Myeong-jun accepted it then.

Kim Si-won simply didn’t know of his existence.

Well.

If he had no interest in worldly affairs, he might not have heard of him.

Thinking that, he dropped out of Cheongung Academy.

Dropping out came with a massive penalty of being unable to enroll in other academies, but that didn’t matter to him.

Because the moment he left Cheongung Academy, contacts poured in from all sorts of academies.

There were plenty offering not only scholarships but even promising huge sums of money.

But he refused all those offers and set foot in the national examination venue where everyone participated.

But what do you know?

There, he met an unexpected friend(?) from the past and was also able to encounter Kim Si-won.

And so, the wager was established.

An absurd wager to teach a fool in one week and win.

At first, it was so ridiculous he didn’t want to accept it.

But the conditions were of an irresistible kind.

Not only the fool’s expulsion but also the chance to receive personal lessons from Kim Si-won.

Wasn’t that exactly what Gu Myeong-jun dreamed of?

And in that moment.

‘Ah!’

He realized something.

‘Sir Siwon already knew about me.’

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made such a ridiculous wager.

He knew of his existence, and perhaps this absurd wager was a kind of compensation(?) for not having reached out until now.

In that moment, everything became clear.

‘Sir Siwon is testing me now.’

He wants me to show the world how much I’ve grown through this stage and whether I have the talent to become his disciple.

Having arbitrarily judged it so, Gu Myeong-jun gladly accepted the wager.

And from that day on, he plunged into training, forgetting to eat and sleep.

Of course, he had been working hard until then too.

But he had never put in his full effort.

However, through this one week, he trained diligently.

Fortunately, the environment wasn’t bad.

No, it was rather the best.

The facilities of the Siwon School and the level of the instructors were incomparable to Cheongung Academy.

Truly the world’s best academy.

He deeply regretted entering this place late due to mere pride, but what’s done is done.

Moreover, wasn’t this dramatic stage precisely the one where he could make his name known, where he could become Kim Si-won’s official successor?

The waiting until now was a moment where it all came together as this reward.

And he had to prepare for this splendid coronation ceremony.

To avoid ruining the stage Kim Si-won had prepared, he trained and trained again.

Training with his full power.

The intensity of that training…

“Insane!”

“That’s amazing!”

“He’s a talent of an era!”

All the Siwon School instructors couldn’t help but marvel.

Composed of first and second graduating class members, they were harsh, some even called demons, but that didn’t apply to Gu Myeong-jun.

Because the intensity and execution of that all-out training had reached a level the first and second graduates couldn’t even dare dream of.

Just one week.

But during that week, Gu Myeong-jun achieved a remarkable transformation through enlightenment.

And finally, that day dawned.

“…Perfect weather to welcome the protagonist.”

The day of the promise was clear.

As if even the gods had made clear weather to make him the protagonist, it was exceedingly bright.

Finally entering the Training Grounds.

What greeted him there was…

“Hey—”

A familiar face, Lee Seo-jun, the villain who had to be sacrificed for himself, the one who would become the protagonist.

At first, he despised him.

It could be said to resemble the feeling a human has when seeing a cockroach.

A completely different species with no talent whatsoever, holed up in the darkness, exuding a gloomy aura.

Opposites tend to avoid each other.

To Gu Myeong-jun, overflowing with talent, Lee Seo-jun, who had none, was nothing but a bug to be despised.

But now, that feeling of disgust had largely faded.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘Because he’s the guy who made this stage possible.’

He doesn’t know why Kim Si-won chose him.

Maybe he chose him precisely because he knew he despised him.

No, that must be it.

Otherwise, why would he choose that talentless fool and propose a wager?

This was all planned.

A perfect stage was prepared for him, for the existence named Gu Myeong-jun.

Therefore, he bowed his head in gratitude towards Kim Si-won, standing on one side of the Training Grounds.

Of course, he was still just standing there, showing no fluctuation of emotion.

‘Well. He’s someone who dislikes stepping forward.’

***

Considering that such a disposition prepared this stage, one could tell how much effort he had put in for him.

And he, as the one who would succeed Kim Si-won, was confident he would perform as the protagonist of this coronation ceremony.

‘He’s fallen into a delusion.’

I know people like Gu Myeong-jun very well.

They think the world revolves around them, that they are at the center of everything.

It’s highly likely he thinks even a wager like this being made is all a stage for himself.

But that is a clear delusion.

Of course, it’s true Gu Myeong-jun has outstanding talent, but…

‘An innate nature cannot be changed.’

Nature.

It could be said to be the inherent disposition of a human.

Changing it is impossible.

Similar to the principle that the Demon Clan and humans cannot coexist.

And the Gu Myeong-jun reflected in my eyes right now was telling me he was beyond saving.

Moreover.

‘There are many geniuses. But.’

I turned my head.

I see Lee Seo-jun, clearly nervous.

I taught him my best over the past week and saw results.

Yet, he was showing a tense appearance as Gu Myeong-jun approached, seemingly trembling with nerves.

“As promised…”

I stepped between them and spoke.

“…a week has passed. You haven’t forgotten our wager from before, right?”

“Yes. A duel one week later, where the loser drops out. And the winner receives focused instruction from Mr. Kim Si-won.”

The corner of his mouth is smiling.

Seems he’s confident the subject will be him.

No need to correct that delusion.

Anyway, soon, he’ll come to realize reality.

I look around.

The crowd filling the surroundings of the Training Grounds.

The instructors were composed of first and second graduates, Siwon School officials, and Leon.

And some expressions weren’t so good.

Their common point was that they were instructors who had taught Gu Myeong-jun.

Well, what they’re thinking is obvious.

This wager happened under my lead.

What if the Lee Seo-jun I chose loses?

Of course, it could just be a happening.

But considering my global standing, even a simple action like this will have a huge ripple effect.

Especially.

‘The United States, Russia, China, Japan, and others will go crazy.’

For those who only wish for my failure and downfall, even a minor incident like this will be blown up into a big event.

They are wary of that.

Originally, they would have been certain I would win, but after confirming Gu Myeong-jun’s talent, doubt must have started to creep in.

‘He certainly seems to have talent.’

If even the instructors who received my teaching think that, his talent must be the real deal.

But this world cannot be survived by talent alone.

That’s why I haven’t granted a Super Pass to anyone until now.

Lee Seo-jun might be the first and last holder of the Super Pass.

And it will soon be proven that my choice was not wrong.

“The words I spoke were not uttered on a whim. Regardless of who wins or loses here now, the contents of that promise will be fulfilled.”

And I looked at the two of them once.

“No need for long speeches. Are you each ready?”

“I’m ready!”

Almost before my words finished, Gu Myeong-jun confidently declared he was ready.

But.

Lee Seo-jun still looked nervous.

“Hoo~”

After taking a deep breath, he…

“…I’m ready.”

Finally conveyed that he was prepared.

That’s enough.

“Then, we begin the duel for the promise made a week ago. As this duel’s purpose is to test each other’s skills, please be aware that I or Leon, among others, can intervene at any time if a situation is judged to be life-threatening.”

***

This is not a fight to the death.

It’s a duel to test each other’s skills.

Therefore, if a situation arises that threatens life, I plan to step in and stop it.

“Then… begin the duel!”

The shout to begin the duel erupted.

Gu Myeong-jun didn’t move.

The same went for Lee Seo-jun.

But.

-Goooooo!

The aura is extraordinary.

Especially Gu Myeong-jun.

His aura was like a finely honed sword.

‘If Sir Siwon steps in, there’s no need to hide my power.’

A life-threatening situation.

Gu Myeong-jun intended to create one.

So, he moved his hand to the wooden sword at his waist and took a drawing stance.

It was an extreme attack.

The will to cut down everything.

Surprisingly, he had reached a level where he could wield the Sword of Will, cutting down enemies through sheer will.

“Here, try and block it!”

Of course, Lee Seo-jun wouldn’t be able to block that sword.

To stage a scene where Kim Si-won or Leon would step in and stop it.

Iaido.

Iaido taken to its pinnacle.

-Fwaht!

He unleashed it.

And in that moment.

-Swish!

Two people, Kim Si-won and Leon, simultaneously blocked his sword.

They stepped in because Lee Seo-jun’s life was in danger.

“The winner is…”

Along with that, he would call out the name of the winner, Gu Myeong-jun.

“…Lee Seo-jun.”

But the name called was not his, but Lee Seo-jun, the name of the fool whose defeat was taken for granted.