ch 241
Became a Swordsmanship Instructor at the Academy
Chapter 241
"You're thinking correctly. This bound person here is North Korea's Kim Jeong-dong."
"My goodness, Kim Jeong-dong..."
"A leader of a nation...!"
"What on earth is this...?"
"Kim Jeong-dong..."
Everyone is shocked beyond words.
And rightfully so, since although our country's constitution doesn't recognize North Korea as a state, they've brought the leader of a nation that's still a UN member.
"Why on earth would you do such a thing... Listen, Hunter Kang Shin-hyeok. Even if North Korea criticized and denounced you, this is going too far. If you commit such acts, won't North Korea stay quiet?"
"War could break out."
"If North Korea launches a nuclear attack..."
Most of the world leaders criticize me.
"North Korea will stay quiet."
"What do you mean...?"
"Do you think I simply captured only this man? What I eliminated was North Korea itself."
As I spoke, I looked at Kim Cheol-hwan.
Then Kim Cheol-hwan stands up and steps forward.
"Hunter Kang Shin-hyeok's words are correct. Our Republic of Korea deployed our national forces to all of North Korea at 00:00 today, subdued North Korea's military and key facilities and soldiers, and secured control over strategic weapons like nuclear weapons."
"No... President Kim Cheol-hwan, what do you mean?"
"You deployed the military?"
"Are you saying you conducted a war?"
"Waging war without a declaration of war violates international law."
"How could you do this without justification..."
Everyone looks much more shocked than before.
"Justification? From the beginning, North Korea itself is our territory according to our Republic of Korea's constitution, and the North Korean government, that Kim Jeong-dong standing before you all, is merely the leader of a puppet group that illegally occupied our territory."
"No, saying that now..."
"Do you know how many innocent casualties arise when war breaks out?"
"The Republic of Korea will face sanctions."
Geez, they're really going after him like catching a mouse.
I may be scary, but I guess our country's President Kim Cheol-hwan seems easy to them.
I was going to leave the briefing to Kim Cheol-hwan, but I guess I have to handle this too.
"No, that's..."
"Let me explain. This is not a war."
"Listen here, Hunter Kang Shin-hyeok! What kind of wordplay is that?"
"I made it clear in my last press conference. Whether it's an individual, organization, or nation, if they don't cooperate with me or interfere, there will be no exceptions."
When I raised my internal energy to set the mood firmly while speaking, the previously murmuring hall instantly became quiet.
"Let me say again, this matter is not a war. If it were truly a war, battles would have occurred and there would be casualties on both the winning and losing sides, but there's nothing like that."
Everyone's sleeping, so what battle? It's a one-sided suppression, and North Korean territory is originally Republic of Korea territory, so the justification is on our side.
"There were no battles?"
"How could there be no casualties..."
"The details will be organized and announced later by our Republic of Korea government, so please listen then. This doesn't apply to those present here, but just in case, please remember that North Korea is merely an example."
Leaving the completely stunned leaders behind, I used teleportation magic.
**”
—Hello everyone. It's been a week since President Kim Cheol-hwan's special address announced that our Republic of Korea government has recovered North Korean territory. Many citizens must have been surprised by the sudden news, and many of you with family and friends in the military must have been worried. Today, our SBC 9 o'clock news has dispatched a reporting team and reporters to Pyongyang with the cooperation of the Ministry of Defense. We'll connect with Reporter Kim Ji-won, who is currently in Pyongyang, to deliver detailed news. Reporter Kim Ji-won?
—This is SBC Reporter Kim Ji-won. This is Pyongyang, which was North Korea's capital. As our President Kim Cheol-hwan revealed in his address to the nation right after the world summit held in Seoul, our national forces' Special Warfare Command and mobile and reconnaissance battalions from each division have entered all of North Korea and are in control of all military facilities and key installations.
—How is the local atmosphere?
—It's very peaceful. As the government announced, there are no traces of war or battle to be found anywhere, and ordinary North Korean residents are also engaged in their livelihoods.
I open my eyes to the loud alarm sound and come out to the living room, where a delicious smell is wafting.
Se-jin seems to be cooking and has turned on the TV.
The news is on TV, and it's about North Korea again today.
"Can I change the channel?"
"Yes. I just left it on, so please watch whatever you want to see, Teacher."
I changed the channel, but it's all North Korea stories.
It can't be helped since all of the Republic of Korea's... no, the entire world's attention is focused on North Korea right now.
"It's all just North Korea stories."
"It can't be helped. North Korea is what everyone's curious about right now."
Of course, what I announced at the summit also appeared on the news, but the topic of North Korea's territorial recovery, which I prepared as an example, swallowed everything up.
If I had known this would happen, I should have talked about North Korea first at last week's summit.
Of course, it's already in the past, so there's no point in regretting it now.
Still, I'm preparing earnestly in my own way.
Besides, thanks to North Korea being a clear example, all the countries that didn't participate in the summit have issued statements apologizing to me and announcing they'll fully cooperate with me.
Of course, it wasn't completely smooth sailing.
Nearby countries like China, Russia, and Japan felt threatened by our absorption of North Korea and acquisition of nuclear weapons, so they picked fights with us.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said they would conduct inspections and pressured us to return the nuclear weapons,
So Kim Cheol-hwan called me the day before yesterday to ask for understanding, then immediately held a briefing.
Unlike the first time when he simply announced he received my help, this time he revealed everything, including putting all of North Korea to sleep instantly and transporting soldiers with teleportation magic.
He said that even North Korea with nuclear weapons couldn't lift a finger before being defeated, so why would nuclear weapons be a problem?
In summary, 'We have Kang Shin-hyeok in our country, so don't mess with us.'
Immediately, the countries that had been picking fights and the atomic energy organizations shut their mouths tight.
"Teacher, the meal is ready."
"Thank you."
Since it's a rare holiday, I didn't want to make her work hard cooking, so I suggested ordering food or going out to eat, but she insisted on cooking.
"I'm doing it because I want to. I'm more grateful that you're taking time out of your busy schedule."
"Se-jin is an angel."
"Oh, what am I? The real angel is Sister Luciel."
"She's only an angel on the outside..."
"Oh my, she'll hear everything."
"S-save me."
"Look at you. How is the school opening preparation going?"
"It's killing me."
The 8th hunter School being built in Gangwon Province will open in two weeks.
As agreed with the President, we plan to accept two students each from the countries that participated in the last world summit and teach them the basic internal energy cultivation method of the Wudang sect for two months.
Of course, as previously discussed, countries that didn't participate in the International Academy won't be accepted for one year.
We might consider accepting one or two students from countries that donate significantly for building shelters for weak nations.
Anyway, our Republic of Korea plans to accept a few more students, so the total is about 170 students.
It's less than a full grade at existing Hunter Schools, but since it's the first time, there's quite a lot to do.
Faculty selection, curriculum creation, meals, dormitories, and many other administrative matters to worry about.
While working as a teacher, I thought I was confident in office work to some extent, but when I became the person in charge, I realized I was completely mistaken.
I thought things would get easier now...
I want to entrust management to trustworthy people and just teach the cultivation method.
Actually, I tried to offer our 8th School's administrator position to the Vice Principal as a bit of a trick, but was immediately rejected.
Faculty selection is also a problem.
Although we don't plan to teach subjects other than internal energy cultivation, I can't handle all 170 students by myself.
From the beginning, we plan to divide education into morning and afternoon groups just like Hunter Schools, but I can't be with them 24 hours a day.
We need someone to control the students, at least someone like a dormitory supervisor.
And since it's called an academy, we should have some basic systems in place.
"I want to help, but I'm too busy..."
"I know. You're incredibly busy, Se-jin. Just being able to focus only on the school thanks to you is enough. Just getting Eunseo to come to our school is sufficient."
Eunseo joined Ares Guild, but I begged Se-jin to bring her to our school as a teacher.
"Eunseo... I'm really envious. She'll see your face every day."
Since Eunseo is Se-jin's rival, she gave permission but still seems displeased.
When teaching internal energy cultivation, there's inevitably physical contact.
There might be female students among the trainees, so I coaxed her by saying Eunseo could help in such cases, and barely got permission.
Eunseo is the only one who has learned the Wudang sect's internal energy cultivation method that we'll teach the students.
Eunseo herself strongly hoped for it from the beginning.
She joined the Ares Guild because of me too.
"Haha... Se-jin, you see me almost every day too..."
"Seeing each other almost every day is different from working together at the same school and seeing each other every day. Even thinking about it now, I feel like I gave permission for nothing..."
"Hey, why are you like this? We'll only work at school anyway."
"Really? Are you going to do surprise inspections with Sister Luciel?"
"Of... of course."
***
"T-take your time eating. No one's going to steal it from you."
I had time and stopped by Master's place.
Last holiday, I went to Master's favorite Chinese restaurant with Se-jin.
I ordered a lot of food then and put it in subspace, so I brought that too.
I paid the restaurant owner for the plates and put them in subspace immediately upon receiving them, so they're still steaming hot.
I had breakfast, but seeing Master eating so deliciously, I thought about trying one, but he taps my chopsticks away with his.
"What are you doing?"
"Hey Master, that's petty. Let me have a taste too."
"You must have eaten plenty."
"...I won't bring you any next time."
"Hmph, such threats don't work anymore. Even if it's not you, I can just ask Se-jin or Luciel."
"This place that sells Dongpo pork has such competitive reservations that even Se-jin and Luciel won't find it easy... Are you still okay with that?"
Finally, Master put down his chopsticks with a displeased expression.
I picked up a large piece of Dongpo pork and Bok choy together and put it in my mouth.
The pork's juices are alive in the sweet sauce, and the lightly blanched Bok choy balances what could be greasy.
"It's delicious indeed."
"Of all things, you had to eat the biggest piece..."
He looks dejected after I ate just one piece.
"Actually, I have more in my subspace, so I'll take out more when I leave. Heat it up in the microwave."
"Oh, really? As expected, only our Shin-hyeok... Why are you laughing?"
When I said there's more, he breaks into a grin, but his intentions are so obvious that I can't help but laugh.
"Master, there's a Korean saying that if you cry then laugh, horns grow on your butt... Ow!"
I got hit on the head while joking around.
I could have dodged if I had been prepared, but I wasn't thinking about it at all, so I couldn't avoid it.
"Why did you hit me? I was just saying there's such a saying..."
"You little rascal. Are you going to dodge?"
I dodged the second head bonk.
"I can't keep getting hit forever, can I?"
I'm preparing for additional attacks, but he seems to have decided to ignore me and focus on his food.
"Oh, right... Master."
"What?"
"I'll be busy for a while, so I won't be able to stay long even when I visit."
"When did you ever stay long? I know, so don't make me say it."
"You knew? How did you know?"
"What do you mean by how? I heard from Se-jin. She said you're going back to teaching?"
Se-jin told him.
"Se-jin is very busy now too. But since the new school is close to here, I'll come whenever I have time."
It's not right next to Mount Seorak, but it's in the same Gangwon Province anyway.
I could just use teleportation magic to get here, so distance doesn't really matter, but I have to check on Se-jin's work as well as school work...
Thinking about it now, I wonder if I suddenly took on too many things, but it can't be helped.
But as much as I'm busy and struggling, more people will be able to live in the future.
"I understand."
"Aren't you being too cold?"
I thought he'd show some regret, but he seems too nonchalant, so I'm a bit disappointed.
"Weren't you the one who said you're busy with work? I'm being understanding with a heart as wide as the ocean, so how is that cold?"
"Well, that's not wrong, but..."
"You're not a child, so why are you being so clingy?"
"Clingy? I will Confiscating the Dongpo pork... You've finished it all already."
"This had less quantity than it looked."
Less quantity my foot, there was a ton of it.
Anyway, I have to acknowledge Master's appetite.
"Shin-hyeok."
Suddenly, Master sets the mood seriously with an uncharacteristically grave expression.
"You want more Dongpo pork? Wait a moment..."
"That's not it. Are you getting proper rest these days?"
That's unexpected.
Is it because of what I said earlier?
"Are you asking because of what I said before? It's not like I'm bowing down to receive anything... I'm living well in my own way."
"Living well? But both Se-jin and even that Luciel girl are saying they're worried about you."
"Oh well... those two like me too much, so that's why. I'm perfectly fine. Even if I'm not as good as Master, I have some skills now."
"Who doesn't know that? I know full well that your body is sturdy, but what I'm talking about is here."
Master points to his head with his finger.
"My head?"
"Your mind. These days, you've been getting involved in many things and taking on a lot of work, unlike yourself. Returning to teaching is the same..."
"Ah... it's fine. Don't I have a steel mentality?"
"You've always had a tendency to be impatient, even when learning martial arts. What on earth are you so worried about?"
...I really can't fool Master.
"There's something I promised I'd handle."
"Are you doing this because of the warning the Primordial Heavenly Honored One gave last time?"
"...Yes. I made a promise when I brought Luciel, but until recently, I was trying to rely on something other than myself and ended up hurting someone I care about."
"So?"
"From now on, to avoid doing that, to create a slightly better future, I've decided to handle everything entirely on my own. So it's fine."
I was about to say not to worry too much, that your disciple is strong, but Master approaches me.
Could it be that my Master, uncharacteristically, is going to hug me and encourage me...
"Ow!"
...I thought so, but he just bonks me on the head.
"Who are you putting on airs for?"
"No, when did I put on airs..."
"Why are you trying to shoulder all the world's hardships by yourself? Are you a superhero, Shin-hyeok?"
"Even if I'm not a superhero, I'm something similar... Ow! Stop hitting me."
I was on full guard in case he hit me again, but somehow, as if I've been hit with pressure points, my body won't move.
"M-Master?"
"I think I've said this before, but you're really a foolish disciple. You don't need to try to solve everything by yourself."
"But because of me, the future..."
"Why is everything your fault? I was the one who healed Luciel."
"That's true, but Master..."
I thought he'd hit me again, but he just ruffled my hair with his hand.
"Is this master just for decoration?"