Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Dokgo Hwayeon Only Favors Me
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‘Iron Thorn Sword Technique and Iron Wall Violet...’
Dokgo Hwayeon had mentioned martial arts I’d heard of before. They were that famous within the Dokgo Clan.
However, they weren’t the true Dokgo Clan techniques reserved for direct descendants. These were external arts they’d brought in, but they were decent enough that even the Dokgo Clan warriors trained in them.
Oh, and naturally, there was no cultivation method included. They couldn’t exactly teach something like that to outsiders like us.
Anyway, she quickly explained the techniques.
Was it because time was short?
She skipped almost all the basics emphasized in Fist King Fist. She just jumped straight into teaching the forms.
“This is the first form of the Iron Thorn Sword Technique, Iron Thorn Flash. Let me demonstrate.”
Dokgo Hwayeon gripped her sword, then relaxed her body completely. She even let her arm hang down by her side.
It looked different from any ordinary technique.
‘Man, a true master is a true master.’
Dokgo Hwayeon was a renowned genius female expert in Korea. Her skills were said to be exceptional.
And that showed.
She was just standing there holding her sword.
Yet an intimidating aura emanated from her, stronger than usual. It felt like an invisible barrier surrounded her.
The four of us watched her intently.
And in that moment.
Flash.
For a split second, it felt like her hand glowed with light.
Then, her sword was already piercing an imaginary target in midair.
‘Holy crap, that’s insanely fast!’
At a glance, it seemed like a simple thrust fitting for the first form.
But the speed was on another level.
I’d never seen anything like it.
“That was Iron Thorn Flash without using the cultivation method. When combined with it, a long line appears in the air—that’s its signature feature.”
The four of us nodded blankly. Her technique was so impressive we couldn’t find words.
Then, her mouth opened. And we four couldn’t help but panic.
“Now, you try.”
“Huh? This right now?”
“Tsk, are you questioning my instructions?”
“N-no, ma’am!”
I spotted Harin yelling loudly from the side. She must’ve gotten properly scolded earlier—her energy was dialed up.
Anyway, that’s when I realized something.
‘They said Dokgo Hwayeon is the strongest among the four squad leaders.’
I couldn’t tell the difference myself. It was just what people chattered about online.
In any case, her skills were top-notch.
But her teaching skills didn’t seem quite as polished.
You could tell just from watching now.
The other three, excluding me, were grunting as they tried to get into stance. Their faces were full of bewilderment. They looked like they had no idea how to replicate it after seeing it once.
Unfortunately for them...
‘But for some reason, I feel like I can do it.’
A strange sense of possibility washed over me.
I gripped the wooden sword I’d brought.
Then, I assumed the exact same relaxed posture as Dokgo Hwayeon.
‘This stance seems key.’
I didn’t know the precise reason. It just felt right.
Like this would let me swing the sword more comfortably and quickly?
I let the sword hang down and relaxed my body. Especially my sword arm—I released all tension from it. I remembered Dokgo Hwayeon doing the same.
I held that state for a moment.
And the instant Dokgo Hwayeon’s eyes turned to me.
Flash.
I thrust the wooden sword forward at blinding speed.
In that instant, I saw the wooden sword shoot diagonally upward faster than I’d ever swung before.
‘So this is the feeling!’
The Iron Thorn Flash’s core was releasing tension from the body, then exploding with power for that rebound force. I’d just grasped it.
Honestly, even explaining it now, I’m not sure it makes sense. Maybe I was a genius like Dokgo Hwayeon.
Anyway, my sword precisely hit the imaginary target.
And for now, that was more than enough.
The other four all looked stunned.
“Whoa!”
“You just did that?”
“F-fast.”
Dokgo Hwayeon especially looked shocked.
“T-to think you’d nail it on the first try...”
Of course, my Iron Thorn Flash wasn’t perfect. It was slower and less precise than hers.
But I’d clearly mimicked it decently. That’s why she was so surprised.
I grinned and glanced at the chat window. Habit, couldn’t help it.
And as expected, the chat was exploding.
💬 Chat — Viewer1 KYAAAAAAA — Viewer2 Did you see that? — Viewer3 This is Jae-ho lololol — Viewer4 Look at Dokgo Hwayeon’s shocked face lololol — Viewer5 Eyes wide open lolololol — Viewer6 Learned it after one look lolol — Viewer7 Insane lolololol — Viewer8 Everyone agrees now, right? Jae-ho has the best streamer talent lololol Everyone was in awe of me, showering me with praise.
For a streamer like me, it was an irresistible rush of euphoria.
‘This is it.’
Then, Dokgo Hwayeon’s voice rang out.
“A-hem. Trainee Park Jae-ho! What are you looking at?”
“S-sorry.”
I apologized quickly and returned to my usual stance.
“D-don’t do that next time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She let it slide easily. Lucky me—I’d half-expected a scolding like Harin got.
Then, Harin’s voice came from the side.
“Tch... I had to do 100 squats...”
Her voice wasn’t quiet. It reached Dokgo Hwayeon’s ears, naturally.
But she ignored it.
Her slightly flushed face pretended nothing happened.
“A-hem. Now, keep practicing that move we just learned.”
“Yes...”
No one knew why she let it go. Maybe because of my talent, or our car conversation last time.
Either way, no one dared challenge her on it. We all accepted and started practicing.
But strange vibes kept popping up between me and Dokgo Hwayeon.
“The key to Iron Thorn Flash is not telegraphing the sword’s direction. Here, grab my hand.”
“Yes. Here?”
Squeeze.
I took her hand as instructed.
Flinch.
She looked extremely flustered. Her face flushed deep red.
“Th-th-that...”
“Instructor?”
“Y-yes! Watch closely. From here, like this...”
Of course, the viewers wouldn’t stay quiet seeing that.
💬 Chat — Viewer1 Kyah! ⭐ Top Chat — Viewer2 Sweet! — Viewer3 Why am I smiling? — Viewer4 Drama Episode 1 starts! — Viewer5 Heart pounding — Viewer6 Come on! The chat was going wild. Our chemistry probably helped—they looked great together.
Viewership surged because of it. It had easily topped 100k when I last checked.
Oh, and Dokgo Hwayeon only acted this way with me. To the other three, she was a total tiger instructor.
“Tsk, that’s not it! Why can’t you get this? Go do 30 squats!”
“Eek... Yes, ma’am.”
Quirky 4D Harin, physically gifted Jajangjajang, pretty Sejeong—all got chewed out.
Their legs were trembling. A clear sign of how harshly she’d drilled them.
I was the only one unscathed.
‘Why can’t they do something this easy?’
Still, we kept the stream and training going in our own fun(?) way. During breaks, we did light skits.
“Let’s snack first. Sejeong ordered these from the cafe.”
“Whoa! Thanks!”
“Huh? Isn’t that the cafe owner from last time?”
“Sigh, no. Cafe’s bust.”
“Aw... The food there was so good...”
“Y-yeah.”
It was tough, but fun. Everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.
That’s when it happened.
Creeeak.
The closed broadcast room door suddenly opened. The manager appeared.
“Uh... You need to come see this now.”
“What’s going on?”
Dokgo Hwayeon looked puzzled. She followed the manager out.
Thud.
Soon, only the four of us remained in the room.
Maybe because of the manager’s grave expression?
We four looked a bit uneasy too.
“Wh-what’s happening?”
“Something with the Dokgo Clan?”
“Forget that, eat the bread! It’s seriously good!”
I ignored vibe-blind Harin.
Then sneaked a peek at the chat.
‘What’s up?’
Chats usually revealed most things. Same now.
💬 Chat — Viewer1 Kangrok live! — Viewer2 Greatest Mage went live! — Viewer3 Everyone to Kim Kangrok’s stream gg — Viewer4 Above are all posers — Viewer5 Ban the relays ‘Kim Kangrok went live?’
That must be why Dokgo Hwayeon left with the manager.
Sure, it might seem odd.
Just one streamer going live causing all this fuss.
But Kim Kangrok was different.
Nickname: Greatest Mage. Kid-like name, but no one dared ignore him.
He was the undisputed #1 on Korean Express. Most followers, subscribers, viewers.
Plus, a mage. An exceptionally skilled one.
In this world, mages and martial artists didn’t get along. Same in streaming.
#1 Kim Kangrok and #2 Dokgo Hwayeon had bad blood. When he streamed, his fans flooded chats to troll.
‘Just like me and Ma-sam.’
I shook my head. Headache from the start.
Time was 3 PM. Weekend daytime—no time for a streamer like him to go live.
Yet he did, targeting Dokgo Hwayeon’s big debut content. Overt sabotage.
Only I caught on.
The other three squadmates chatted idly, relaxing.
“Th-this is really good?”
“I told you it’s tasty! Ahem!”
“If we eat all this, we’ll gain weight...”
Clueless, munching away.
Bang!
Suddenly, the door flew open.
And Dokgo Hwayeon stormed in, face twisted in fury.