Kirin's Antler

"I never thought you'd teach me even Dogyacheongcheong. Father."

Gwak Chunsam swallowed hard as he surveyed the devastating scene before him, turning his gaze to his father, Gwak Chunsik. But he couldn't help feeling puzzled. The look in his father's eyes as he stared down at Eugene was no different from his own.

And then.

"Hah, I've taught the kid less than you, so what are you talking about?"

A response that proved it wasn't his imagination.

Gwak Chunsam's mind grew complicated upon hearing his father's words.

"So that means... the boy reached that realm on his own?"

"Exactly. Doesn't he have to be at that level to be my prized disciple? Hahaha! My eye for talent never fails! Uhahahaha!"

But seeing his father clapping with genuine joy, as if it were no big deal, Gwak Chunsam sighed and turned back to the boy standing alone atop the arena.

He was still just an academy cadet—a first-year, from what he'd heard—yet he'd already reached that height...

And that was just the start. It wasn't merely his martial sense; the display he'd just witnessed revealed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠political talent as well.

'As much as it pains me... geniuses do exist.'

Suddenly, he recalled when he'd succeeded his father. How much he'd struggled back then... He lacked both those talents, so there ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was no helping it.

Still, through tremendous effort, he'd managed to hold his position.

'That final Dogyacheongcheong was definitely intentional.'

It was a performance. A way to uproot any seeds of doubt others might harbor toward him.

In front of all these people, he'd showcased not just his talent but also his adherence to tradition. To solidify his standing.

'Don't doubt me again, or you'll end up like this.'

'What kind of kid did Father take as a disciple?'

Gwak Chunsam's mind was a whirlwind. The essence and movements were unmistakably the Oresik he knew. But so ferocious. That devouring hunger, combined with the signature crimson aura, made it look utterly alien.

He handled most administrative duties since Father's retirement, but now he worried how to explain this externally.

'Ah, I just want to retire.'

He could finally understand why his father had dumped the family head duties on him.

In that moment, a thought flashed through his mind.

'Wait. Then couldn't I just slack off too?'

Right in front of him stood the legitimate heir to Oresik. And he'd proven his skills before everyone.

'So if I groom him a bit more and hand over the dojo... I could buy a villa at a resort with my wife and daughter...'

"You punk!"

"Ah, yes? Yes?"

Gwak Chunsam snapped to attention at his father's sudden call.

"What are you doing? Get the antler now."

"Ah, yes!"

"Aigoo, so frustrating. Guess I'll have to do it myself!"

Of course, by the look of things, that future was still far off.

* * *

The award ceremony took place before everyone.

"The winner, step forward."

The elder intoned solemnly, like a proclamation. Wondering what all the fuss was about, I approached slowly.

"Couldn't you have just given it to me?"

I whispered as I stood before him, and he whispered back.

"This isn't mine to give freely—it's family heirloom stuff. You punk...! Do you have a talent for ventriloquism or something?" He grinned without moving his lips a bit.

"...Save the details for later and hand it over quick, Elder."

I'm gonna get dizzy. Sensing my mood, he nodded and passed me the box in his hand.

"Fine, if you're in that much of a hurry. Here."

Finally, the Kirin's Antler was in my grasp. The box was extravagantly engraved, as if proclaiming its priceless contents.

"That last Dogyacheongcheong—you used it to show off to the others, right?"

His low voice asked as I stared at the antler. His face was more flushed than usual.

"Just doing a bit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of filial piety ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for my mentor who prepared the Kirin's Antler."

"Hohoho, is that so? For filial piety, the technique seemed a tad unpolished though..."

This guy? His face lit up like a kid, yet he was critiquing my hard-earned Dogyacheongcheong.

Of course, to his eyes, it must've looked pathetic, but considering my recent level, it was a huge leap.

"You only gave me a hint of the essence and demonstrated it a few times—what'd you expect? Teach me properly."

"At your current level, proper use would kill you! Look at you already—the backlash is hitting hard, you're pale as a ghost!"

"...That obvious?"

"You can fool ghosts, but not me! Aigoo... tsk tsk. Sit here for a bit. I'll help you consume it once the event ends."

Items like the Kirin's Antler held immense energy—eat it wrong, and your body could explode. That's why you needed someone to regulate the flow.

Like when Parnello helped me with the Thousand Poison Pill.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

I dragged my weary body back to my seat and plopped down. Glancing around, the stares had shifted. From curiosity, jealousy, and fear to awe and respect.

Definitely felt better than before.

Twaaaang— The gong's resounding echo spread as Gwak Chunsam stood and shouted to the crowd.

"The disciple sparring—the highlight of the assembly—is over! Branch instructors, tend to the injured and move them to the infirmary, then gather at the conference hall! That's all!"

At his shout, escorts began carrying off the wounded from the match, and the venue grew chaotic.

The elder stood, grabbing my hand.

"Let's go too. Nothing left for us now."

"Huh? Aren't you heading to the meeting soon?"

Where most instructors would gather, per Gwak Chunsam. Sounded important...

"You punk. It's been ages since I retired—why bother with that? My son'll handle it fine. Right, Chunsam?"

Gwak Chunsam glanced over, his face drooping in resignation as he nodded.

"Yeees... Do as you please, Father."

"See? Let's go."

And so he dragged me away. Leaving one pitiful man behind... His slumped shoulders looked pathetic compared to before.

"You punk, coming or not?"

"Coming."

The place we moved to was a secret chamber deep in the dojo.

"Where's this?"

"A spot I used for training back in the day. Best place to avoid outside interference."

Yeah, this secluded space would be hard to approach undetected.

"Why not check the goods first? You've been hugging it tight."

At his words, I eyed the box again. Those security engravings had bugged me. Probably needed a code to... Huh? Wait, this?

"No way. You unlock it with aura?"

"Ho? You figured it out just by looking?"

I'd only mentioned his old security method, but he took it another way.

Well, whatever—positive spin.

"Obviously. Looks like only you can open it. Go ahead."

"Alright, alright. I'll unlock it quick."

Like patting a kid's head, he lightly placed his hand on the box.

Click—Rrrrk—Clack clack—Drk—

The locks disengaged with sounds, and the engravings deactivated.

"There. Check it out."

I nodded, swallowed hard, and slowly opened the box. A brilliant blue light leaked from the gap.

"Ah."

My treasure revealed itself.

I lifted the qilin's horn from the box, cradled in ethereal blue light. Gwak Chunsik smiled contentedly.

"Well? Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

Grade-wise, it rivaled Vivian's Spring—one of the finest spiritual medicines. Swallowing hard as I gazed at it, a question hit me.

"But Elder, how do I eat this?"

"What?"

"Usually antlers are juiced, right? How with this?"

In the game, one tap of the consume button. But reality? No clue how to chow down a horn.

Gwak Chunsik let out a baffled chuckle.

"Where's that nonsense from, punk? Just chew it."

"This?"

Even so, chewing antler felt off—

"If you don't want it, I'll take it."

"Bon appétit."

I bit into it like a chocolate bar and chomped away. No breath taken, shoving it in took about ten seconds. Looked rock-hard, but it crumbled into powder surprisingly well.

Whoa, it chews? Taste like hardened soda-flavored sugar lump. Not as gross as expected—relief.

Felt it slide down my throat into my stomach. Bracing for the wave, I closed my eyes and sat.

BOOM—!

A explosion rocked my gut, pain crashing in.

"Guh!"

Dry heaves slammed my throat. Bitter blood taste, guts twisting—but I endured.

With what I'd just swallowed... no spitting it up!

"Hold on!"

Felt Gwak Chunsik's hand on my back, steadily taming the rampaging energy.

But pain didn't lessen much.

BOOM—! BOOM—! BOOM—!

Like hugging a grenade bundle? Organs exploding—writhing, screaming urge, but I gritted teeth, trusting Hitman and Natural Healing (A).

How much blood inside? The Ancient Berserker's Ring (True) spewed fierce red aura—registering the elixir as damage.

Boosted physical stats dulled the pain to bearable. Bleeding to ease agony—ironic, but damn grateful for the ring now.

"Absorb it into your muscles and bones!"

His voice from behind. I focused inward more. Imagined melting the gushing energy from my stomach throughout my body. Into muscles, bones, blood. Repeating: absorb all energy.

Crack— Horrid sound with joint-twisting pain. Muscles and bones reshaping.

Crack— Crackle— Knees, ankles, shoulders, waist—pain surged.

Gums bled, lips crimson, but the ring slurped it up, converting to my power.

How much time passed? Pain ebbed, warmth spread—I opened my eyes.

"...That hurt like hell."

Pain I'd never want again. Just recalling made me shiver.

"But you didn't die. Kekeke! So, how's the body feel?"

He patted my shoulder, smiling like my blood-dripping meant nothing.

I stood, checking myself.

"Not sure if much changed. Aura flows faster for sure... Huh?"

Something. Off.

"Elder."

"Yeah? What... Huh?"

"Were you always that short?"

A spot I shouldn't see: the elder's crown.

...Did I just grow taller?