Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Fury of Daeyang
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‘He hasn’t taken off his helmet since earlier.’
No Jun-yeop might look brutish at a glance, but that was just because of his fiery temper. He wasn’t lacking in knowledge or shallow in thought.
He grudgingly accepted this uncomfortable situation where he was claiming the credit Kang Jae-hyeok had earned.
‘He wants to hide his identity, huh.’
The son of a fallen ducal house.
Being of House Kang’s bloodline, branded with the infamy of traitors, was no point of pride. Depending on the circumstances, it could prove a fatal weakness.
Tsk. No Jun-yeop clicked his tongue and straightened his posture stiffly.
“Is it a big deal for me to be amazing? I’m the future Bow Saint myself.”
Just enjoy it.
I’ve got no one on my side anyway.
While inwardly cursing the club members who were playing along with Jae-hyeok, No Jun-yeop blended in with them.
Byeon Seok-gu sighed.
“Ha, it felt like the Bow Saint himself had descended, but it was truly your skill.”
The Bow Saint’s arrows would be far more powerful.
He might have even demonstrated the miracle of destroying all five cores with a single arrow.
‘If the Bow Saint had descended in the first place, there’d be no reason to hide his presence.’
Countless circumstances pointed to No Jun-yeop being the one who destroyed the central core.
While the B-Rank players reacted with utter disbelief, Byeon Seok-gu shot No Jun-yeop a gaze burning with admiration.
‘He’s got the makings of a Bow Saint.’
With his overwhelming talent and the fervent support from his club members showing his character, it was clear he was destined for greatness.
Leaving a good impression couldn’t hurt.
Deciding as much, Byeon Seok-gu pulled out a business card and handed it to No Jun-yeop.
“Since you helped in this operation, I’d like to repay the favor and support your dream. Contact me anytime if you need my help.”
“Thank you.”
No Jun-yeop didn’t find Byeon Seok-gu’s sudden change in attitude strange.
He was used to situations like this.
Being dismissed due to his young age only to finally gain recognition after showing his skills—this was a cliché as common as could be in the life of the genius No Jun-yeop.
‘This thrill never gets old, no matter how many times it happens.’
This time wasn’t the result of his own power, but that was fine.
Someday, when he truly became the Bow Saint, he’d be able to handle today’s events too.
No Jun-yeop’s triumphant air, brimming with grand ambitions, didn’t last long.
“Take my card too.”
Flick.
Yeon Ho-ryeong, who had been silent until now, tossed his business card.
But its speed was blindingly fast. No Jun-yeop reached out instinctively and furrowed his brow. The sharp edge of the card had sliced his finger.
“The future Bow Saint can’t even catch that properly?”
Seeing his business card stained red with No Jun-yeop’s blood, Yeon Ho-ryeong scoffed.
“I’m Yeon Ho-ryeong, president of Daeyang Shipping. I’ve carved out precious time to come here because I have business with you lot.”
“Daeyang Shipping?”
“Yeon Ho-ryeong…?”
The students buzzed.
Some recalled Daeyang Guild upon hearing “Daeyang,” while others thought of Yeon Ho-rang upon hearing “Yeon Ho-ryeong.”
“You’ve figured it out? Daeyang Shipping is a subsidiary of Daeyang Guild. You shouldn’t be messing with us lightly. Because of you dumping black ink tuna on the market at bargain prices, our franchise business has taken a massive hit. How exactly do you plan to handle Daeyang’s wrath?”
It was just dealing with some students.
Having the president step in personally to persuade a few kids would be a loss of face.
But Yeon Ho-ryeong needed someone to take out his anger on.
Ever since being demoted to Daeyang Shipping, he’d been stewing in resentment, and his stress had long since reached its peak.
He wanted to crush these bratty kids who’d tormented him for days, using power and authority to vent.
“But.”
Yeon Ho-ryeong, who had been savoring the terrified reactions of the brats at leisure, doubted his ears.
It was due to the nonchalant voice that didn’t fit the situation.
“If selling a few fish cheap hits you that hard, doesn’t that mean your company’s the one screwed up? Franchise business this, franchise that—aren’t you just running a total mess?”
“Your company…?”
“Can’t exactly call you ‘you guys’ when you’re acting more childish than us, even if your behavior’s immature.”
“…….”
Yeon Ho-ryeong tore his gaze from No Jun-yeop and looked at the helmeted boy.
His voice sounded somewhat boyish, but he was tall with a well-trained physique.
Even with the pitch-black tinted helmet on, he gave off the strong vibe of someone handsome—a subtly infuriating guy.
“If you’re gonna talk to an adult, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first? Even I introduced myself, so what’s with hiding under that lid?”
“What if I’m older than you? Don’t you know there are plenty of old guys among Lion’s Castle students?”
“What the hell is this punk saying? Weren’t you just calling me more adult than you lot?”
“Did I say that?”
“Huh? Uh… no?”
The Archery Club members, who had been staring blankly at Jae-hyeok, answered the question reflexively before hurriedly shaking their heads.
By then, even Yeon Ho-ryeong and Byeon Seok-gu had caught on.
‘He must be No Jun-yeop’s right-hand man.’
The Archery Club members who had been praising No Jun-yeop moments ago couldn’t move a muscle against the helmeted guy.
That meant he was the next biggest shot after No Jun-yeop.
His cocky attitude made sense now.
“When you’re cooped up in the little fence of a school and part of a lion pride, it’s easy to delude yourself into thinking you’re something special. You’ll learn humility once you leave the fence and realize your lion pride is just a pack of hyenas.”
“Personal experience?”
“…Your sentences are getting shorter.”
Every time the helmeted guy crossed the line, Yeon Ho-ryeong felt a thrill beyond mere anger.
It was because he was steadily building justification to unleash violence.
From his position, where he’d even spent money purely to lure the Archery Club and relieve stress, the current unfolding was deeply satisfying.
“Hey, kid. Quit mouthing off and apologize to the president already. President Yeon, let’s both act like adults and back off.”
As the atmosphere turned hostile, the red-faced man couldn’t hold back and stepped in.
A high B-Rank player.
He believed he was more than qualified to mediate.
Especially in a fight between kids and adults.
However, Yeon Ho-ryeong thought differently.
“What a mess. Never imagined a hyena whelp would butt in.”
Crack!
Daeyang’s aura was blue.
Proof that he had mastered the mana operation technique personally devised by the ruler of the seas, Yeon Ho-rang.
“Guh…!”
The red-faced man, squarely struck in the side by Yeon Ho-ryeong’s extended hand, spat up dark red blood and collapsed.
The blue aura rampaging like crashing waves tore into his flesh and shook his organs.
“You dare interfere in Daeyang’s affairs, freelance scum wandering alone for a few extra bucks? Who’s gonna mourn a nobody with no guild backing you?”
Yeon Ho-ryeong was as rough a character as the aura he wielded.
He struck lethal blows against people without hesitation, his twisted smile even radiating madness.
Gulp!
Realizing the situation had turned more serious than expected, the Archery Club members swallowed dryly and backed away.
“Ha!”
Seeing the terrified students, Yeon Ho-ryeong finally felt his pent-up frustration burst and laughed loudly.
“That’s it! That’s the reaction I paid to see!!”
“Crazy bastard….”
They should’ve suspected something when the request fee suddenly jumped several times.
‘Shouldn’t have ignored the jinx.’
The Archery Club had a long-standing jinx.
Refuse a request from a big corporation, and an even bigger one would come knocking.
And those requests had a high chance of plunging the club into crisis.
‘We’ve hooked a real psycho.’
Realizing the request fee was ‘hush money,’ No Jun-yeop reached for his revolver, but Byeon Seok-gu stopped him.
“You could get killed.”
A player drawing a weapon or using a skill against another player was clear evidence of intent to harm.
It would give Yeon Ho-ryeong justification to use violence against the Archery Club.
“The name Yeon Ho-ryeong rings a bell. You’re Yeon Ho-rang’s eldest son, right? For Daeyang’s reputation, why not calm down here? If you get any rougher with these kids, it’ll tarnish Daeyang Guild’s name.”
“Don’t hyenas ever learn?”
“Think carefully. These kids are from Lion’s Castle. Even mighty Daeyang wouldn’t want to make an enemy of—”
Yeon Ho-ryeong snorted derisively.
Fear shrinks people.
The stronger the fear instilled, the easier it was to control them.
Lion’s Castle?
These brats gathered here today wouldn’t dare utter Daeyang’s name carelessly even after graduating.
I’ll make sure of it.
Boom!!
Yeon Ho-ryeong stomped forward and wildly swung both hands. The palm strikes infused with wave-like raging aura were lethally powerful. Merely grazing would shatter building walls and pillars.
“Byeon Seok-gu! If you meant to stand against me, you should’ve run first!”
“Urk…!”
He was right.
For an archer to engage in close combat against a martial artist was suicidal.
It was the moment Yeon Ho-ryeong’s palm force pierced toward Byeon Seok-gu’s visibly distraught heart.
“This uncle must not know the Yeon family’s shitty temper.”
Creeeeang!!
A sword suddenly appeared and swept away Yeon Ho-ryeong’s palm force.
‘What?’
Daeyang’s blue aura was likened to waves not just for its color and ferocity. Even if shattered, it surged back—like a true tsunami.
Yet it tore apart and scattered.
The blood-red, translucent sword’s sharp energy overwhelmed the blue aura completely.
Feeling a stinging pain in his palm, Yeon Ho-ryeong hastily withdrew his arm.
At the same time, he arched his upper body back and raised his leg for a kick—a fluid combo befitting an A-Rank player. Combat felt second nature to him.
But he’d picked the wrong opponent.
Jae-hyeok naturally blocked Yeon Ho-ryeong’s kick with his sheathed elbow, then drew again to unleash a skill.
[Two Sickles That Halt the Cart]
Slash!
“...!”
Yeon Ho-ryeong’s eyes bulged wide.
The moment he moved to dodge the blindingly fast iaijutsu trajectory, sickle-shaped aura pierced his back and shoulder.
And Jae-hyeok’s current power was at its peak.
Boosted stats from partying with the Archery Club members, plus another 10% from the [Unyielding One] effect.
He’d opted not to equip [Thunder Tribulation’s Mark] deeming no room to dodge brain shocks in real combat, but it was enough to deal a lethal wound to Yeon Ho-ryeong.
“...Gaaarghhh!!”
Strength is relative.
Yeon Ho-ryeong, who had been acting like an absolute being moments ago, now howled like a beast.