Grand Master's Disciple

The guy's head, which had snapped sideways, slowly righted itself. His eyes, now steady and unblinking, finally grasped the situation. As expected, slapping the cheek was the ultimate technique against opponents whose brains had short-circuited in shock.

"From the look in your eyes, you've got a lot of questions, huh?"

The guy nodded at my words. For some reason, the three behind him looked thrilled as we stepped into the club room with Jeokgwon. No sooner had the door closed than Jeokgwon spoke first.

"...How is a freshman Familia vice-captain the disciple of Grand Master Gwak Chunsik?"

Grand Master Gwak Chunsik... It was a title that suited Gwak Chunsik perfectly, given his love for that kind of structured hierarchy.

"How am I his disciple? Old ties, fateful encounters, talent. It wasn't hard to become one with those."

I sprawled casually in my usual seat as I replied. Sea-a, who'd been watching everything, stared at me with eyes full of confusion, clearly still processing what had just happened.

"Y-Yujin. What the hell is going on?"

"Just borrowed some credit from our mentor. You know how famous Grand Master Gwak Chunsik is. And by sheer coincidence, that guy over there hails from the dojo the Grand Master founded."

From his reaction, it seemed Jeokgwon hadn't attended the freshman welcome party either. His skills weren't lacking, that much was clear... These fist-obsessed maniacs had probably been off somewhere smashing pine boards instead of mingling.

"...If you'd shown up to the freshman welcome, I wouldn't have to explain this."

Jinwoo clapped his hands in realization and jumped up from his seat.

"Ah! So like the senior-junior brothers and sisters in wuxia novels, the boss is the grand senior disciple?"

"Exactly. Not just any senior—the ancient grand senior."

He was on the level of a direct disciple of the previous sect leader appearing before the second-generation disciples. In other words, Jeokgwon and I were peers with the current dojo master, Gwak Chunsam, whom he revered like the heavens.

"But Jinwoo, how'd you know that? We don't teach that kind of etiquette in the Calione family."

Sea-a and Youngje wouldn't know, but it was surprising that Jinwoo did.

"Huh? Just from reading a ton of wuxia novels in school."

...It clicked instantly. Nothing beat that for slacking off in class. Anyway, I turned back to Jeokgwon, who seemed to be sorting through his thoughts, and pointed to the seat across from me.

"Sit down. Have some dessert."

He glanced at me warily before slowly approaching and taking the seat opposite.

"So, junior. Here to collect on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the 'Ranger Club's' debt?"

"...I seem to have been mistaken."

His thoughts finally settled, he replied with formal speech. A fine specimen from the dojo dubbed the City of Seoul's Mount Song of martial arts. Beautiful. Yet his tightly clenched fists argued that while his head understood, his body refused to accept it.

Amusing. Time to hit him with another shock.

"So, who sent you?"

"...Sent? I'm not here because of that."

"Not sent by anyone?"

As if. The stench was already wafting strong. An organization bothering us at this timing, tied to the Ranger Club... It had to be them.

"The Hunter Club—those rat bastards."

Jeokgwon flinched, his eyes trembling for a split second.

"Nailed it, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine, guess I have to spell it out for you."

Tap. Tap. Tap. I drummed my index finger on the table, pretending to ponder, then locked eyes with him.

"I'm going to explain exactly why the Hunter Club sent you. And you'll soon reach the moment in your life you'll regret most."

Even after that, he kept his mouth shut. For brutes like the Ares Club, words meant little—actions spoke louder.

"One. The Hunters slipped a highly suspicious request our way. 'Mercenary rental for three days'? Bullshit—it's a solo dive into a dungeon crawling with their members. You get what that means, right?"

An outsider joining a party of friends and colleagues? In a dungeon? Perfect setup for a 'mysterious accident.'

"Two. They picked a fight with our club, of all places."

Familia was a hot topic among clubs. A club founded by a freshman on day one. The one that crushed the gold-tier Fund Investment Club. The one that beat the Ranger Club—top bronze in combat—in a total war. And the one that ended the academy terror.

"No way you haven't heard the rumors about us. Even if you look down on us, starting a fight with that rep doesn't add up. Obvious answer: They've got a powerhouse backing them, someone they think is overwhelmingly stronger than us."

"And among clubs tangled with us, only the Hunter Club fits right now. That explanation enough?"

I'd laid it out simply enough for even Jinwoo, but he just hung his head silently, no response.

Made sense.

"...Exercising your right to remain silent, eh?"

Then I'd share something even more entertaining. His eyebrow twitched at my words.

"At the freshman welcome lunch, the Association Chairman tried to insult Grand Master Gwak Chunsik. You didn't know?"

"The Chairman insulted Grand Master?!"

He reacted instantly at the name.

"Yeah. Insulted him. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smug bastard thought the Grand Master was beneath him and lunged. But a few were smirking through it all."

People grinning while his revered Grand Master was insulted?

"...Who?"

Exactly! He had to wonder. Who dared disrespect the founder of his life's martial art?

I answered with a kind, honest face.

"—Hunter Club President. Bae Gil-woo."

The truth. Bae Gil-woo's goal was a hunter association like the Hero Association. In the original story, he'd do anything for it—no surprise. Probably some deal with the Chairman.

"Bae Gil-woo did that?"

"Yup. No evidence left, but... would I lie about something involving the Grand Master's honor?"

At this point, even if he doubted, he'd have to say he believed. Denying it would tarnish the Grand Master's name himself.

"...I'll believe you. Though we'll investigate on our end."

Believes, but not fully. Smart enough to wriggle out. Hot-blooded, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but useful if handled right.

"Do that. But if proof or certainty emerges that I was right, you'll regret it for life—just like I said."

"What is it...? Tell me."

"No fun if I spoil it now. Better to discover it gradually."

I pulled a business card case from my cube and tossed him one with my number.

Familia name, club room address, my personal contact.

"Call anytime if questions pop up or you want to talk Hunter Club."

"...Won't happen."

Stubborn to the end, he stood and headed for the door. Then paused.

"Don't take the Hunter Club request. Bad idea."

"...What? Didn't trust us yet?"

"Just protecting Grand Master Gwak Chunsik's reputation."

With that, he left.

"...What a fiery yet level-headed guy."

Sea-a summed up her impression of Jeokgwon. Post-Jinwoo's community promo fiasco, she'd taken over Familia's online management and checked the request board tab.

"Yujin, should we cancel the Hunter Club request?"

"No. Accept it."

"Huh? Accept?!"

Youngje looked shocked too.

"Boss, you heard it's a trap. You're really taking it? And who're we sending?"

I grinned at their questions.

"Obviously, me."

"Isn't that too dangerous?"

Sea-a fretted. Jinwoo, who'd been quiet, shook his head.

"Dangerous for the Hunters. What can they do? If they target the boss in the dungeon, they'll die. Right, boss?"

...No intent to kill, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Jinwoo—beaten by me plenty—knew my strength best.

"Yeah, not their level. Got plans for risks anyway."

To catch a tiger, enter its den. No way I'd balk at a dungeon to squash pests.

"Familia never dodges a fight that comes knocking."

That was Calione's will—and the decree I'd lead Familia by.

After club activities, back home, I scanned the news as usual, prepping for what lay ahead.

"...Nothing on the freshman welcome in the news."

Big shots present—media muzzled tight. Shame; a chance to tarnish the Chairman's image, but only bland official statements.

"Villain Union academy terror stopped, welcome went smooth... Just plow through the main quests now?"

"Academy route wraps with the Hunter request... Calione story might clear soon at this rate."

I was musing to myself when frantic footsteps echoed from the hall.

"Young master!!"

Bursting in—supposedly prepping to leave—was Han Seojun.

"Han Seojun? What brings you here this late?"

Panting heavily, sweat pouring off him. Hard to believe from the ever-composed Han Seojun. As I reeled—

"The Calione... The Calione is under attack."

"...What?"

That explained it all. The reason it had to be him.