Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Black-Haired Beast (7)
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Yongho Guild had done so many thoughtless things that he'd almost forgotten, but he hadn't brought him along like some keychain to show him around other guilds.
He'd brought him to hand him over when something happened and see what he was capable of. So when he tossed one guild member his way and nodded, Geon-ju looked baffled.
"...What am I supposed to do?"
"Just subdue him appropriately on your own."
"This guy?"
"Yeah."
"...You're not some judge or anything."
"What?"
"I'll give it a try."
As if that would make me pretend I didn't hear. Sa-yoon shot him a glare for underestimating an S-rank's hearing, then subdued the rest of the charging guild members while watching Geon-ju fight. He hesitated after seeing the downed guild member, only starting a light skirmish once the guy regained consciousness and stood up. He'd set the table for him, and yet he had a talent for making things harder. Sa-yoon had wanted to gauge how he handled and moved, but an ugly face entered his view.
"No matter how strong you are, this many people..."
"Isn't that cliché?"
"Guh!"
"What, some third-rate villain from a wuxia novel? At least bring some skill if you're gonna yap. How does Chun-bok's eye for people work that he keeps trash like you as a hunter?"
He'd meant to just watch Geon-ju, but Yongho Guild was clamoring for attention too. For perennial 10th place to yap like they could beat 1st, it was embarrassing even to dismiss as nonsense, so Sa-yoon grabbed the wrist of a guild member lunging with a sword and twisted it.
"Argh!"
Jesus, not even broken bones and he's screaming like that. Sa-yoon gripped the guild member's shoulder with his other hand and squeezed. There was a crunch, and a proper scream erupted from the man's mouth. Satisfied he'd inflicted an injury matching the earlier wail, Sa-yoon slammed the trembling man—shoulder dislocated—to the ground.
The guy rolled pathetically away, clutching his shoulder and groaning. One of the guild members watching with a stiff face stepped forward.
Sa-yoon faced the hunter who exuded a more controlled aura than the others and activated Eye of the Prodigy on him.
Among Yongho Guild members, this one stood out with a pretty decent status window. Too good to leave in a guild of old fogeys. Aside from rebelling against him, he'd make a fine Night Rat member, so Sa-yoon decided.
"You're coming with me."
"Pardon?"
"Anyway, why'd you jump out? I would've taken you even if you'd hidden. Figured an A-rank thought he could put up a fight."
"How did you..."
"Asking the head of the info guild about that? Pointless."
Sa-yoon smirked at the guy's widened eyes, wondering how he'd known his rank. It was from Eye of the Prodigy, but not wrong. Texting Kyung-jin would've gotten a full file on Chang-in in a minute.
Sa-yoon casually replied, watching the guy swallow nervously, then shifted his gaze to Geon-ju. Good boy—subduing guild members as ordered, binding their arms.
Would've been more fun to see him fight up close. Swallowing his regret, Sa-yoon deliberately let a couple more guild members slip toward Geon-ju's side as things wrapped up. Couldn't let the fresh-faced newbie slack while he fought.
After tossing more work Geon-ju's way, Chang-in clenched his fists, resolve hardening. Martial tournament winner—clearly confident in close quarters.
His punch sent a strong shockwave grazing Sa-yoon's hair. Among Awakeners, sword or fist didn't matter.
Rank was king. No matter how sharp the sword, it couldn't properly wound a higher-rank Awakener.
And in this fight, the higher rank was, naturally, Sa-yoon.
Sa-yoon dodged the punch's energy by tilting his head, twisted his body to deflect, and stepped forward. One step, two, three. With each, Chang-in stared like he'd seen a ghost.
SS-rank agility letting him retreat after deep attacks—Chang-in's expression was understandable.
How baffling it must be.
An enemy vanishing and reappearing before your eyes.
Impressively tenacious, not giving up despite the overwhelming disadvantage. The guild members calling him team leader from behind—must be taking responsibility. Sa-yoon grinned, zipping behind him in an instant.
Definitely taking him.
Perfect look for leading a martial specialist team.
Like Chang-in's futile swings, Sa-yoon raised his hand blade-form and struck the nape. A dull thud no one'd expect from a hand chop, and Chang-in coughed blood.
"Oops, hit harder than intended."
Force control failing more today. Sa-yoon caught the incredulous-looking-then-fainting Chang-in with one arm, supporting his gut to prevent collapse, then hoisted him over his shoulder.
Flustered Yongho members glared like he was a demon, demanding what he'd do to their team leader. Chuckling at their bravado, Sa-yoon figured wasting more time here was loss, froze the ground to trap them, and turned.
There was Geon-ju, having subdued six hunters including the extras he'd sent—sweat beading on his forehead. Tough for a fresh Awakener against six veterans.
Proof: blood trickling from arms and hands. Allowed at least three hits. Sa-yoon clicked his tongue.
"Come here, pretty boy."
Overly diligent, Geon-ju had bound all six together. He reacted to the call, frowning upon seeing Sa-yoon with a man over his shoulder.
"You kill him?"
"What do you take me for? Just knocked him out—he's coming with."
"You're taking him?"
"Seems useful."
A few training sessions and he'd be good.
Normally he'd dump on Jong-sik and stroll, but Jong-sik was still handling most of Yongho's forces. So what choice? Carrying himself was easier than tossing to fragile-looking Han Geon-ju.
Not heavy anyway.
Finally, Sa-yoon checked the six Geon-ju subdued. Unconscious but breathing fine.
"You spared them."
"...You didn't say kill."
"Just checking—why so tense? Scared?"
Pretty entertaining. Not a kill-worthy situation anyway, so Sa-yoon teased Geon-ju—tail drooping from stiff—and resumed walking.
More satisfying results than expected—steps light.
Some openings, but considering experience lack, Geon-ju's skills were excellent. New slave—no, team leader—Chang-in was solid too. Plus, crushed Geon-ju's cockiness from the villa where he thought Sa-yoon wouldn't kill him. Right call bringing him.
What'd I tell you, Jong-sik?
Listen to hyungnim, rice cakes fall in your sleep, I'm always right.
Humming, recalling absent Jong-sik. Yongho too small-scale for its history—few more came after.
While subduing fifteen more, one-armed from carrying Chang-in, Sa-yoon passed most to Geon-ju, finally gauging the newbie's skills he'd missed earlier.
Different from monsters or multi-man, but one-on-one, Geon-ju had decent combat sense.
Supreme Under Heaven, huh. Instinctual moves sans experience—solid answers.
"Next time, B-ranks are fine."
Deliberately only C-rank and below for safety. Checked weak foes; now peers. Muttering, Geon-ju—who'd just finished catching breath—glared like he'd assigned ten homework.
But support apparently dwindled—no new hunters till guild leader's office. Sa-yoon eyed Geon-ju regretfully, smacking lips over no B-rank.
"Why stare?"
"You need more combat experience. Want me to spar?"
"Uh, that's the guild leader's office."
Casually dodging the considerate offer, Geon-ju changed subject. Sa-yoon let out a hollow laugh at the gall.
Infuriating, but sparring risked force mishap—turning to tearjerker black comedy. So he went along.
Anyway, merging with Yongho was priority.
Confirming the unnecessarily grand office, Sa-yoon kicked the wooden door.
Bang—the large door shattered. Crunching splinters, Sa-yoon entered, eyes crinkling at the 40s man in the chair staring shocked at the door.
"Hey, Chun-bok."
Long time no see.
Like greeting an old friend after 10 years, warmly said. The called Chun-bok spat Sa-yoon's name through gritted teeth.
"Kwon Sa-yoon..."
Sa-yoon just wiggled fingers and smiled at the rage-filled voice.