Chapter 202
As I entered the place Hanyujin had mentioned, there was this incredibly warm-looking uncle with a gentle face.
"Ah, we've been waiting for you. You're... Mr. Kang Hanjo, right?"
"Yeah... and you are?"
"Oh dear, how rude of me. I'm Namgung Muhyul, humbly serving as one of the three human representatives in the 22 Seats."
His name sounded badass as hell.
But his appearance? Just a bear-like guy, and on top of that, going bald.
...Wait a sec, one of the three seats?
One of the 22 councilors, the highest powers in the World Government, honoring the 22 heroes?
"Please, don't stare like that. Things have been tough lately..."
I couldn't sense any of that vibe from Namgung Muhyul as he wiped his increasingly shiny bald head with a handkerchief.
"Sorry about that."
"No worries. I stare at the mirror in disbelief myself sometimes. I never thought my hair would fall out like this in less than a year. Heh heh."
I couldn't believe this guy was one of the elite councilors in the 22 Seats, one of the three representing humanity.
Damn, what a nice guy.
"Anyway... would you mind sitting and waiting a bit? Someone hasn't arrived yet..."
"Sure."
Since all the 22 heroes had retired or stepped back, the 22 councilors were the ones practically running the World Government.
In other words, this dude was way above Lilith in rank.
Of course, with the influence those 22 heroes wielded, they could swap council seats whenever without issue—but Lilith, Hoaran, and Yustitia I knew would never bother.
Anyway, no harm in listening to a power player, so I sat quietly.
You never know, might need a favor someday.
"You've worked hard too, Miss Hanyujin. Take a seat and rest. I'll brew some tea right away. I just got some good leaves..."
"Oh, no, Councilor Namgung Muhyul, if it's tea, I can—"
"It's fine, sit down already."
Really nice guy.
It couldn't be easy treating someone way below him like Hanyujin that kindly, but as he hummed while brewing the tea, it didn't feel put-on at all.
"Here you go. Mr. Kang Hanjo, Miss Hanyujin."
"Thank you."
"Th-thank you..."
The tea from Namgung Muhyul was a bit shy of Hoaran's level but still damn good.
No lie about the quality leaves—the aroma was legit.
Anyway, we were sipping away, but the person they said was coming never showed, no matter how long we waited.
"This is... quite late. Let me check in..."
As Namgung Muhyul wiped his head with the handkerchief again, I was about to say it was fine when—bang!—the door flew open, and in strode this asshole flapping his dobok like some drama king.
What the fuck is this prick...?
"Ah, there you are. We were waiting. Mr. Cheonmu."
"Hmph. A bit late."
What the actual fuck is this guy.
He shows up late, then nods curtly at Namgung Muhyul like he's the boss, talking down to him.
The dude looked ridiculously young.
Like, barely twenty if that, casually banmal-ing Namgung Muhyul—who looked twice his age, three times with the bald spot—slamming the door, and strutting in late like he owned the place. It pissed me off, so I glared, and the prick glared back.
"That guy's the one?"
"Yes, Mr. Cheonmu. Mr. Kang Hanjo, who, like you, will receive the title of 'Hero' this time."
Hero...
Holy shit, I'm actually becoming a hero.
The World Government's highest honor and medal was the Hero title.
The original 22 Heroes were in a league of their own, so same name but not the same rank.
Still, it was a step below but reserved for those with monumental achievements.
Like that S-rank hunter who soloed a disaster-class monster invading a village—probably got one.
Anyway, you needed feats like that for a Hero title, and the pension that came with it was no joke.
And free money? Always welcome.
"Hmph... this guy, on my level?"
The prick—what was it, Cheonmu?—muttered, scanning me up and down.
"Doesn't look it, no matter how I see it. Decent internal energy, but full of openings."
Why the fuck is this asshole picking a fight...?
But he looked stupidly strong, so I stayed put.
The aura pouring off him was no joke.
This scrawny-looking pretty boy—fragile enough to topple with a poke—radiated energy close to Karura's level.
Karura was Narmer Kingdom's great warrior, a superhuman beyond mortal limits, so this prick was around that tier.
Based on aura alone, anyway—whether he really matched her was debatable...
His youthful look might be from some shedding-rebirth martial arts bullshit.
Among martial artists, some aged like that, so he could be older than he appeared.
So, I planned to shut up, grab whatever from Namgung Muhyul, and head home...
"I heard you're a disciple of Hoaran-nim, a comrade of my master, Heavenly Demon-nim. But you don't look the part. Unless... Hoaran-nim is far weaker than Heavenly Demon-nim, then it's unavoidable..."
"You wanna die, you fucking prick?"
This motherfucker crossed the line.
"Fucking prick? You just called me a fucking prick?"
"Yeah, you fucking prick."
"Ha... No one's dared speak to me like that in twenty years..."
No, this fucking prick looked exactly my age.
Hell, younger even.
But talking like some eighty-year-old geezer.
"Repay that rudeness with one arm."
The fucker said it, flapping his dobok.
Chills!
A shiver ran up my spine. I yanked Hanyujin close and rolled away—crack!—the chair we'd been on split in half.
"Oh ho, not bad. Only three fellow disciples have dodged my sword."
"You... fucking prick...?"
Forget me—this shithead?
"Called me a fucking prick again. Both arms it is."
I took stance as the fucker aimed his drawn sword at me.
"Miss Hanyujin, step back."
"Ah, y-yes...!"
I'd promised Lilith no trouble just hours ago, and here we were—but this prick started it and dissed Hoaran. Lilith would've said beat his ass.
So.
"Listen up, you piece of shit. Get ready to eat fist."
I gathered ki to manifest Heavenly Tiger Plate Armor and Dragon Claw when—
"Both of you, that's enough. My office will be wrecked at this rate..."
Namgung Muhyul appeared between us, wiping his forehead with the handkerchief.
"Huh...?"
He'd been over there moments ago—eyes wide open, and I hadn't seen him move.
"Hmmm..."
The shithead looked shocked too, so he hadn't seen it either.
Meaning Namgung Muhyul outclassed us both.
Didn't look it, but eyes don't lie.
So, one of the 22 councilors who could fully conceal his aura.
Makes sense—and why'd this prick act tough?
Probably didn't know either.
"But Namgung Muhyul, he picked the fight first."
"Bullshit. You crazy fuck."
Who picked on who?
Making me mad for real.
"...No helping it. If you insist, let's spar properly."
Spar what?
"Hmph... unavoidable. Insulting me insults my master, Heavenly Demon-nim. As her disciple, I can't stand by."
"No, seriously, this fucking prick."
How's insulting you insulting Heavenly Demon?
Wanna beat this bullshit out of him so bad.
"...Mr. Hanjo, calm down too. Should've scheduled separately... my mistake..."
But seeing Namgung Muhyul mutter tiredly, I held back.
"Ah... my head... more falling out..."
Hanyujin muttered watching him—yep, real. Strands drifting to the floor from this mess.
"...At this rate, I'll be ousted early. Now I get why predecessors changed yearly... Anyway, sparring grounds soon—please hold till then..."
"...Hmph, fine."
Shing! The shithead sheathed his sword, so I relaxed too.
I apologized first to Namgung Muhyul, who sadly eyed hairs stuck to his handkerchief.
"Sorry."
"No, no... my fault for scheming rest by meeting you both... it's fine..."
Didn't look fine...
But he smiled kindly anyway—guilt hit hard.
Made me even angrier.
Gonna make that shithead apologize for his Hoaran bullshit and Namgung Muhyul's lost hairs.
Won't regrow them, but still.
"...Yes, thank you. Mr. Kang Hanjo, Mr. Cheonmu. Training hall's ready—let's go."