I'm Scared. That Man Terrifies Me.
I'm scared. That man terrifies me.
The boy that Grand Master Gwak Chunsik, who is like the sky to us, brought with him. Dressed in the academy uniform with a thoroughly bored expression, the kid naturally sits down right next to Grand Master Gwak Chunsik.
Grand Master Gwak Chunsam on the right, and the boy on the left. That sight meant only one thing.
'That kid is Grand Master Gwak Chunsik's direct disciple.'
The masters' demonstrations begin, and Grand Masters Gwak Chunsik and Gwak Chunsam observe with serious eyes. The same as always. Yeah, with their level of experience and age, it was only natural.
But what the hell is up with that kid?
A boy staring at the masters' demonstrations with eyes that don't yield even compared to the other two. The emotion rising from that lofty gaze, looking down like he was observing insects, was not anger but fear.
If just sitting there still makes my body tremble this much, there's no way he's an ordinary kid. That was the gaze of a grandmaster of his generation.
"…Senior Brother."
"You felt it too, huh."
My fellow disciple grabs my sleeve with trembling hands.
"Does it really take that level to become Grand Master's disciple?"
But I couldn't admit in front of my scared junior that I was scared too.
"Who knows. We haven't seen anything with our own eyes yet."
"Yeah… right?"
"Of course. All we can do is pray in our hearts. Pray that the kid is still lacking compared to us."
* * *
'Why is the fear stacking up like this?'
I'm just happily watching the demonstrations of Aura Style, reinterpreted in fresh ways by representatives of countless sects to suit their own styles, yet for some reason, fear starts flowing in from the crowd.
'Is that guy doing the martial arts demo over there the scary one?'
Sure, he looks a bit rough around the edges… but if the disciples are this terrified just from that, how scary must he be on a normal day?
I thought.
"Eugene. What do you think?"
The elder, who had been silently watching the demonstration, suddenly turns to me and asks.
"You mean the one demonstrating right now?"
"Yes. I'd like to hear your evaluation."
…Evaluation? What's there to evaluate?
"Just… it seems convenient."
"Convenient?"
"Yeah. Instead of firing aura like that, wouldn't extending it for strikes be more lethal? Though it'd be good for ambushes, I guess."
He blinks at me in bewilderment.
"Kuhahaha! Yes, exactly! You think the same as me! Uhahaha!"
Pleased with my answer, Gwak Chunsik bursts into loud laughter and nods.
"Indeed, as you say. But keep in mind that few in this world can pull that off. Kuhaha!"
Soon after, the instructor finishes all demonstrations and bows toward us in farewell.
"That concludes the demonstration from Lee Hee-sung, instructor of the Gwangju branch!"
"Splendid. Keep striving harder in the future, Instructor Lee Hee-sung."
"Thank you, Grand Master!"
The technique he showed wasn't anything special. A finger strike technique concentrating aura at the fingertips and firing it—a sort of projectile finger gun.
But I could tell without asking why Gwak Chunsik praised it verbally while his expression remained unchanged. The difference between building up and releasing versus releasing without buildup. Before overwhelming power and control, it was meaningless.
In short, if your body's no good, your head suffers.
At Gwak Chunsik's level, it wasn't that he couldn't do it—he had no need to even try.
"Well done, everyone. You've all worked hard."
At that moment, Gwak Chunsam stands, drawing all eyes.
"With all sects having presented their achievements, next we'll watch the disciples' spars. As usual, the disciple with the most outstanding skills will receive the spiritual medicine prepared by Father. Give it your all."
Masters' demos done, now the disciples' turn.
As I pondered how long I'd have to sit, I felt a gaze from the side. Turning, I lock eyes with Gwak Chunsam staring at me.
"Uh… what is it?"
"You're a disciple too, aren't you? An Aura Style disciple."
"Well, technically… you don't mean for me to go down there, do you?"
He'd said I could just sit and watch until challenged, right?
Looking to Gwak Chunsik for help, he smiles warmly and nods.
"It's good spiritual medicine. Why not go for it?"
He blinks twice. Our signal for "help me out when I'm in trouble."
…He's telling me to go even while asking for help?
Something's up.
"Then tell me this: what's the spiritual medicine on the line for the disciples' spars?"
You know ordinary stuff means nothing to me. That's what my response implied.
Answering was none other than Gwak Chunsam.
"Father's antler from the qilin he hunted in China long ago."
"Qilin antler? You're giving away something that rare here?"
"Tell me about it. He cherished it so much, but a few days ago he suddenly said to put it up as a prize. That's why this assembly has the most attendees ever."
A few days ago? That was right after midterms ended.
…Wait, did this old man call me here intending to give it to me from the start?
Looking at him again, he's grinning broadly, thumbs-up from below.
So, promotion as promotion, and the medicine as prize?
Normally I'd complain about making such a fuss when he could just hand it over…
'Qilin antler as the prize? Hell yeah, thank you!'
A top-tier spiritual medicine that boosts musculoskeletal durability and mana affinity just by consuming it. In the original story, you'd have to steal it from Gwak Chunsik's vault or grind as his direct disciple for years. Getting it like this was a massive stroke of fortune for me.
"So, I just tussle with the other disciples down there and come back?"
Standing and rolling my wrists, Gwak Chunsam chuckles amusedly.
"Tussle? Even looking like that, some are B-rank heroes or Aura Style experts."
B-rank, huh…
"No problem. I've eaten plenty already."
"Hm?"
No idea why, but the fear I'd absorbed just sitting here was already overflowing. Enough to smear plenty.
"Oh, Eugene. Take this before you go down."
As I head down, Gwak Chunsik grabs my hand and gives me a bracelet marked with the number [1].
"What's this?"
"Put it on, and you'll figure it out naturally."
…Should be fine.
Slipping on the bracelet, I descend to the stage slowly. The men in training uniforms back away hesitantly.
Normally, this is where they spew crap like "Who do you think you are, butting in?" or "If you're a newbie, go home—what are you doing here?" to provoke, right? National rule.
But for some reason, they avoid even eye contact, let alone talking to me.
If it's on purpose, that's kinda hurtful. Feels like I'm being ostracized.
────Ting.
The gong rings again.
"Disciples, listen! Before this assembly, you each received a bracelet with a number!"
At Gwak Chunsam's booming voice, others roll up sleeves to check their bracelets.
Ah, so that's why he gave me the bracelet.
"The spars will consist of five rounds, and only one who survives all will claim the 'Qilin Antler'! Numbers 1 to 100, to the left! 101 to 200, to the right! Disciples, to your positions!"
Disciples move immediately. I'm 1, so left side?
As I start walking—
"Ah, Junior Uncle!"
A familiar voice.
"You guys…?"
"Whoa, I said we'd probably meet here, and you really came!"
Turning, I see the Cheongyacha apprentices from Jeju, who hunted Fafnir with me.
"It's only been a few days. Nice to see familiar faces."
"Indeed. Oh, our workshop lord said to pass on his regards if we saw you."
Meaning Yoon Kwang-su didn't come. No wonder I didn't see him during the instructors' demos.
"Jeju work keeping him busy?"
"Haha, yes. Tons of requests for Jeju restoration. Of course, if Junior Uncle has a commission, we'd prioritize it."
They bow. Whispers ripple around.
'Aren't those the Jeju crazies?'
'What nonsense? Why would those Jeju lunatics be here—oh shit, for real?'
'Up front, that's Grand Master's disciple. They're bowing to him, right?'
'And talking casually?'
'What kind of connection makes those maniacs bow?'
Rumors about the original Cheongyacha workshop are infamous—all negative. But having experienced them, they're pretty meticulous kids… good at chores too.
The apprentices just grin, enjoying it like it's routine.
"What numbers are you guys?"
"We're 45 to 48."
Same left side as me.
"Same team again."
"With Junior Uncle on the team, it's solid. First round's a sure pass. Hahaha!"
Having seen the Fafnir fight firsthand, they smile like victory's assured.
"You never know. Might make us fight each other?"
Joking, but they suddenly look serious, bodies shivering.
"Don't say such scary things!"
"If we have to fight Junior Uncle, we'll forfeit immediately."
"I wanna go home alive…"
What image of me is in their heads?
Hm… yeah, fair enough. I did go fist-to-fist with the evil dragon Fafnir.
Absorbing a bit of fear isn't bad.
Then.
"Disciples, prepare!"
Boom—!Boom—!Boom—!
Huge gong echoes across the yard. Across, they're already in combat stances.
50 vs 50 spars, huh. Ever had this many foes?
'Nope.'
Excitement bubbles up; I wanna get serious. Crack my neck side to side, equip the now-familiar Midas gloves on both hands.
To them, I'm the sudden intruder. Better to defend against their charges than invade first.
────Ting!
"Begin!"
At Gwak Chunsam's shout, dozens charge at once. Aura clashes everywhere—a sight straight out of a wuxia novel. I take a defensive stance, watching—
"…Huh?"
For some reason, no one's charging at me.
Wait, why?
【Human Totem】
Oh, not you again?