Rematch in Three Months
Just a few days! How can things change so much in mere days? Kim Jun's learning martial arts for the first time and even gaining internal energy, so that makes sense. But Muhyun... I just can't wrap my head around it. Did he get special training from his dad or something?
At that moment, a transparent rope wrapped around Kim Jun's ankle as he moved with speed that was hard to track with the naked eye.
Surprise flashed across Kim Jun's face as he lost his balance and fell. He was dragged toward Choi Muhyun.
Bang!
Kim Jun unleashed the Tan step of Mokhonbo, snapping the rope. He sprang to his feet and threw himself sideways, barely dodging the Golden Diamond Fist that Choi Muhyun thrust forward.
"...What the hell?"
"Moon Shadow Capture."
"What's that?"
"This."
This time, a transparent rope of qi bound Kim Jun's arm tightly.
Kim Jun resisted, but he couldn't overpower Choi Muhyun with raw strength. He was slowly dragged toward him.
Kim Jun could feel the rope-like light qi coiled around his arm. That was the true nature of Moon Shadow Capture.
There was only one way to break free from Moon Shadow Capture.
"Toss me that dagger over there."
Kim Jun shouted to Yoo Min-jeong.
Yoo Min-jeong picked up the dagger right next to the mid-level spirit, but she didn't throw it.
"You can't cut a rope made of internal energy with a weapon like that."
"Hurry!"
Yoo Min-jeong threw the dagger to Kim Jun.
Kim Jun caught it and immediately plunged the blade into his arm. It wasn't cutting the rope.
Both Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun were stunned.
Thanks to the Lyposaurus, his enhanced recovery sucked in the surrounding qi to heal the dagger's wound. The suction pulled Moon Shadow Capture apart into qi particles, which flowed into the injury.
Kim Jun stood and retreated, tearing his clothes to bandage the wound. He was free from Moon Shadow Capture, but his right arm was now useless.
"...Are you insane?"
Choi Muhyun asked.
"I hate losing. Even to a friend."
"That's you, alright."
Choi Muhyun assumed the stance for the Moon Shadow Golden Diamond Heart Technique. Kim Jun did the same.
The moment the two charged at each other with ferocious momentum, a bowling-ball-sized fireball appeared in the air, flickering and radiating intense heat.
"Enough!"
It was Yoo Min-jeong, hands thrust forward.
Her eyes burned with firm resolve.
Kim Jun backed off first. Choi Muhyun relaxed his stance.
"I lost. No KO, but still."
Kim Jun said.
Choi Muhyun just nodded.
Yoo Min-jeong let out a relieved breath as she dispelled the fireball. She'd suddenly surged her mana.
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Kim Jun and Choi Muhyun left the training room.
"What the hell were you two fighting about?"
Yoo Min-jeong called after them.
The two exchanged glances, then answered her in unison.
"Nothing."
The living room had been cleaned by Choi Muhyun. He'd been grinning the whole time he tossed the pork hock bones and leftover pizza.
"What's got you so happy?"
Yoo Min-jeong brought over a trash bag and held it open.
"I finally won. A decision victory, but I beat that guy for the first time. It was always a draw before. You have no idea how much it bruised my pride. I'm a Raider, and I keep tying with a regular guy! And look at him—he's all scrawny."
Yoo Min-jeong was dumbfounded.
"Clean up well, at least."
"Yeah."
Choi Muhyun kept grinning.
Yoo Min-jeong paused midway to the sink with the dishes. Moon Shadow Capture—Choi Muhyun had never used it in dungeons or simulators.
She turned her head slightly.
"Did you learn Moon Shadow Capture just to beat Kim Jun?"
"Yep."
As she loaded the dishes into the sink and started washing, Yoo Min-jeong glanced back at Pink Team's tank. Now she understood why Choi Muhyun had picked a fight with Kim Jun.
In the dungeon, Kim Jun was the shining star. He found breakthroughs in crises that even made me jealous. And he rescued kidnapped Muhyun too. No wonder he'd think that way. I might've too.
Kim Jun, who'd woken the sleeping guild doctor for treatment, came out to the living room and sat on the sofa.
Choi Muhyun sneaked a grin at him.
"Rematch in three months?"
Kim Jun said.
"You're on."
Choi Muhyun replied.
Yoo Min-jeong shook her head, but envied them. Not just Kim Jun—Choi Muhyun had grown so strong in such a short time. It was because they saw each other as rivals.
At that moment, a great idea popped into Yoo Min-jeong's head.
Thud!
Skyla, sprawled drunk on the guest room bed, woke to a sudden chill.
As she got up and stepped out, her foot squished something soft.
"Sorry, Master. Didn't see you there."
Even after stepping on his belly, Go Cheolmin didn't wake—just kept snoring. Against the wall, Yeom Sang-taek slept curled like a fetus.
Thirsty, she staggered to the door, then belatedly spotted a figure.
"Wh-who's there?"
"It's me."
"...You scared me. Why are you standing there?"
"I have something to say."
"Lemme grab some water first."
Skyla headed to the kitchen, Yoo Min-jeong following.
Even as Skyla chugged water from the fridge, Yoo Min-jeong stood by.
"Haven't gotten wasted like this in ages—headache's killing me... Okay now. Spill. I'm ready."
"In three months, we're fighting. Magic duel. In the simulator, of course. If I win, as team leader, I'm banning your motorcycle. Saw the crash footage—horrific. But you won't care. Unless you wanna keep your baby, you better win."
Skyla thought it was a joke, but Yoo Min-jeong's face said otherwise. Her buzz crashed as she stared.
What's with her? Middle of the night. Was she always like this? Anyway, just win, right?
"Deal."
"Promise made."
Satisfied smile.
Yoo Min-jeong turned and headed to her room.
Skyla rubbed her temples and shuffled back to the guest room.
Bam!
O Ung-hyeon slammed the table.
The shockwave made the nearby incense candles flicker.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you think the family head can make that decision alone? Aren't we allies bound by alliance with Yeon Ga? Why take a carrier as a client? That bastard Kim Jun—the carrier who screwed over our Raiders!"
Yeon Un-jae eyed Oga's family head across the table.
The guy who always grumbled behind his back. Seizing his chance?
Then Yang Sin-seok calmly chimed in beside him.
"Yeon family head, Oga's words are rough, but they have merit. We don't know your plan for the press conference, but consulting us would've prevented this mess."
Yang family head Yang Sin-seok.
Smaller than Oga, but their influence was no less.
They say the sister-in-law who stops the fight is more hated than the mother-in-law who starts it...
Yeon Un-jae shot Yang Sin-seok a glance and sipped his tea. The aroma soothed his irritation a bit.
"Not even a word? Even as Yeon family head, you can't ignore Oga and Yang like this!"
O Ung-hyeon bellowed, shaking floor and ceiling.
"Then I'll take responsibility and step down as family head."
Soft voice.
O Ung-hyeon gaped at Yang Sin-seok, at a loss for words.
After a brief silence, quick-witted Yang Sin-seok spoke.
"Family head Yeon, that's too extreme. Oga didn't mean that. He was just frustrated. I believe you have a plan. Time to explain why you accepted a carrier as client."
Yeon Un-jae eyed him with narrowed eyes.
A true Yang family head. Sharp as ever. Time to shake him a little.
Yang Sin-seok had no inkling of the sinister thought.
"Since both family heads are so curious, I'll explain."
Yeon Un-jae sipped his tea again.
"You've always heeded my words, even unreasonable requests. Can't you view this the same way? Truth is, I had one reason for approving this. My fault for not telling you, but I thought it'd help you understand better."
His calm tone flustered them. Yeon Un-jae savored it and continued.
"That press conference. Shocking, right? Even you two are criticizing me. Ha ha ha!"
"No, Family Head Yeon, that's not—"
"Not blaming you, Yang family head. What I'm saying is, if we're in this state, imagine the emerging forces supporting Choi Min-su."
"Ah!"
Yang Sin-seok's eyes lit up.
O Ung-hyeon, still slow on the uptake, scratched his cheek with a frown.
"Like poking a hornet's nest by now."
"Exactly. No need to check—Lee Jung-san's probably raging. Moon Hye-rin supports Choi Min-su, fine, but others will revolt hard. So what we must do is tidy our internals. The calmer we are, the more frantic Choi Min-su's supporters get."
Yang Sin-seok nodded.
O Ung-hyeon finally got it, a smile creeping on his face.
"If you keep demanding one-sided understanding without a word, we'll put your re-election to a full Cheonsamo vote."
Lee Jung-san dropped the bomb.
The conference room, debating the press conference, fell silent.
Even Raiders supporting the carrier Kim Jun decision and those raging about betrayal to Cheonhondan shut up.
Re-election vote.
It meant Cheonsamo could oust Choi Min-su depending on results.
Cheonsamo—"Cheonhondan Lovers' Club."
Raiders from outside families like Yeon Ga, Oga, Yang—now wielding massive influence in Cheonhondan.
They watched Moon Hye-rin's reaction across from Lee Jung-san. And Choi Min-su's back by the window, gazing at the city.
"Jung-san, watch your words even if excited."
Moon Hye-rin said.
Lee Jung-san pointed at Choi Min-su and yelled.
"Senior... you publicly trashed Cheonhondan Raiders' honor. Joint patron with Yeon Un-jae? Taking a carrier as client? Does that make sense?"
Lee Jung-san approached Choi Min-su.
"You got dementia or something, Senior?"
"Lee Jung-san!"
Moon Hye-rin scowled, black shadow from her hand coiling around his waist.
Lee Jung-san was dragged to her side but kept glaring at Choi Min-su staring outside.
Panting as he sat, Lee Jung-san eyed Moon Hye-rin.
"Two of five top Cheonsamo execs are abroad. Three here—so two yes votes opens re-election. Team Leader Moon, think wisely. I vote yes!"
Lee Jung-san was ready to vote tomorrow if she agreed.
"I vote no."
Moon Hye-rin said instantly.
"Team Leader!"
Lee Jung-san shot up, chair flying back.
Then, a voice.
"I vote yes."
Choi Min-su finally turned, facing the gathered colleagues.
"...Min-su?"
Moon Hye-rin frowned. Him agreeing to a vote that could boot him?
Even Lee Jung-san was shocked silent.
Other Raiders too.
"Handle the re-election vote, Jung-san. Everyone'll accept the results. Alright."
Choi Min-su patted his junior's shoulder briefly, then left the conference room.