Making a Debtor
Bang! A bullet fired from high ground. Grazing past my ear, it turned the head of the direwolf lunging at my back into a fireworks display.
The shockwave that followed slammed into my body, but bits of wolf pup meat were the only annoyance. My flesh, reinforced by Iron Man, didn't give a damn and kept doing its job.
Crack! The direwolf's scruff crunched in my grip, dangling limply. Meanwhile, another shot pulverized the last sneaky bastard aiming for a surprise attack, ending the fight and revealing the arena.
Blood splatters and chunks of meat littered the snowfield here and there, staining the white expanse red and steaming with heat. I glanced up at the drones hovering in circles, lenses eagerly capturing the battle's aftermath. I smirked and turned away.
Nothing worth taking here except magic stones. The cave corner was already piled high with food and pelts from previous hunts to keep us warm. At this stage, with evaluations wrapping up, grabbing just the bonus magic stones made sense.
I seized the direwolf corpse, sticky blood oozing between my knuckles. 'Ugh... gross.'
After that mess with Park Jisu, I'd handed her my greatcoat. No way could I watch my woman fumbling with her rifle in the cold, hands shaking. She refused at first, blushing furiously despite my insistence, but eventually took it.
'If it was a free handjob coupon, she'd have sold it cheap.' Honestly, if I'd asked for a handjob since it led to that, she'd have done it. Otherwise, she'd have shoved money at me to repay the debt somehow.
'Her man says she needs cash, and she gets cocky about it.' I knew she had three younger siblings. With her deadbeat parents vanishing, she busted her ass for their living expenses and tuition... and that just made it heavier for me.
'Guess my money's running low soon too.'
Lost in thoughts of sudden financial breathing room thanks to Park Jisu—then a rustle in my ears.
Crunch.
"There you are."
"Oh! You made it?"
Cha Eun-woo, plastering on a saintly smile like a phony. Did he catch me scanning his surroundings as I replied?
"Your partner's out. Got ganged up on by some 4th-years."
Makes sense—Cha Eun-woo was the academy's top dog, so they probably mobbed him in a hunt.
"Jisu's holed up on that mountain over there?"
He'd been eyeing the battle traces, then nailed Park Jisu's spot exactly and turned.
"Yeah. But I won't butt in. She's sharp enough."
"Doesn't matter to me, but if you do, it's not bad."
Shing. An ominous gleam from the blade at his waist slowly unsheathed.
Every shitty pose in the book... Drones buzzed in, sensing the fight, over ten swarming now.
"Not backing out now, right?"
He smiled innocently, asking "nicely," but that one raised lip corner? He was daydreaming about schooling me.
I didn't bother answering, just extended my hand and squared my stance. Nationwide broadcast meant image control was key.
Seeing my calm pose, Cha smirked like I was pathetic.
"Those 4th-years too—why do they all need to get wrecked first?"
"'Cause you look like total dickbait."
"...We'll see who's the bait...!"
With that, he bolted at me like a bullet. Arrogant prick, sneaky too. His swinging blade rushed through the snow; I thrust out my hand on reflex.
Slash.
A foreign sensation I hadn't felt in ages. I flipped back, creating distance. Glancing at my hand—a thin red line on my skin.
'No sword aura, and it pierced my skin?'
Delighted at my shock, Cha grinned.
"Guild-sponsored special order. I know you're proud of your body, but my ability plus this sword cuts anything."
The guy who barely remembered my name had scouted my powers. Acting casual, but he'd done his homework. Same slimy bastard as always.
'Fucking gear-whore.' My greatcoat flashed in my mind. But a man doesn't play petty. If it's not what I expected, switch tactics.
Thoughts off—I dashed at him, my footwork flashy beyond his straight-line sprint. No way could he track Flying Sky Shadowless Technique's subtlety.
Missing me for a split second, his gut took my fist.
First hit: gut punch, as planned... Thud!
"Guh!!!"
Academy peer, so no full One Origin Energy to cripple him—regretful. Pure body strength meant dragging it out.
He gasped, steadying his breath, then swung in rage. Diagonal slash incoming. I reached out like before; his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
'Dumbass... Think I'm that reckless?'
Left palm gently met the blade closing in. Syncing it with my body like Two Poles Flood Dragon. Taiji flow surged inside me. Fixing the blade with my left, I spun my whole body—his aimless sword gouged snow, momentum slamming my elbow into his back.
BOOM!
Like a drum burst, he tumbled, rolling to a stop and hacking up chunks.
"Kuh! Blegh!"
Spit and vomit flecked his lips, but his eyes still burned. That would've killed most... Awakeners were tough.
"Total dickbait. Heh."
My sneer and the whirling drones twisted his face demonic. But unlike my Iron Man, he had only sword skills beyond basics.
As expected, heavy damage—he wobbled up like a newborn fawn.
"How 'bout it? Surrender, and I'll go easy."
Grind. Teeth clenched, creepy sound—but pathetic. Not like I'm funding his implants.
Ignoring blood dribbling from his mouth, he focused, drawing mana. Trying for sword aura? Laughable. Like taking a shit...
'Combat tech's superior in the murim world, as expected.'
Smirking, I manifested will—my mana responded instantly, unlike his. Clear deep purple sword energy vs. his shaky haze; his eyes shook wildly.
"What? Thought it was just you?"
His panic was palpable.
"H-how can you..."
"How? 'Cause I can."
"You bastard!"
Drones buzzed loudly; his pathetic state. Post-fight routine awaited. My relaxed grin pissed him off bad.
"Raaagh! You trash fuck!!!"
Mask off, cornered pig charging—I raised One Origin Energy. Just enough to shatter his weapon. Okay, a bit more.
'Time for a new one.'
His glowing sword swung murderously, eyes rolled back. I snorted, my sword energy clashing his.
KABOOM!!!
Realized mana clash that should've balanced—but my sneaky One Origin Energy and superior control shattered his in a blast, flinging him like a deflated balloon.
"Urk, blaaargh!!!"
Sword aura collapse wrecked his internals; he puked a bowl of blood. Twisted grip a bonus.
'Won't die. I held back.'
His shattered sword littered the ground. Pricey gear—guild probably recouped via sponsorships.
'Repay without a blade. Heh.'
Injury downtime, new sword, guild pressure—his hell started now.
Arena tensed post-quick finish; drones confirmed him down, buzzing. Medics incoming—time for spoils.
Surviving 4th-year beatdown made him a treasure goblin.
'Hoarded a ton.'
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Collecting loot, then gunfire echoed. Park Jisu's celebratory barrage from the anxious watch on the mountain. I grinned, blowing her a tiny heart.
Ah, forgot the corn...
Staring into the downed prick's maw wasted time till medics carted him off. Soon, the mid-evaluation end tone echoed in the gate.
Park Jisu approached giggling, down from the mountain. Wanted intense time with her, but she shot down my hints—filthy from camping.
'Daring to defy your man... You're a stray bitch.'
Plotting revenge, the eventful mid-evaluation wrapped up.