Fair and Square Arm-Wrestling

Thud, thud.

As I descended, I could feel the gazes around me gradually focusing on me one by one. But none of that mattered. Right now, the only real threat in this place was the man standing right in front of me.

Kang Seung-tae, the Incheon branch chief of the Korea Hero Association.

“Uhathahaha! It's been a while, Eugene.”

The moment I stepped onto the platform, Kang Seung-tae slapped my back and let out a booming laugh, as if he were genuinely delighted. From his words, it seemed we had some history.

For now, I responded in kind.

“……It's been a long time.”

The crowd might find it odd that I had prior acquaintance with Kang Seung-tae, but it wasn't a big issue. Given the wealth I'd already displayed, it wouldn't seem strange at all.

“Alright, now all the class reps are gathered.”

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, Z.

A total of ten class representatives now stood before Kang Seung-tae. Judging by where Jeong Ui-hoon had positioned himself, he must be the rep for Class D.

Kang Seung-tae swept his gaze over our faces, nodded once, and began his explanation.

“The game I'm about to play with you is arm-wrestling.”

“……Arm-wrestling?”

The other students voiced their doubts at the idea of dragging us all here just for arm-wrestling. Kang Seung-tae nodded and gestured toward the back of the platform.

Then, four burly students approached, carrying a massive iron desk.

“That's right, arm-wrestling. Simple and straightforward, isn't it?”

The desk thudded heavily onto the platform with a thunk. Kang Seung-tae naturally took a seat in front of it, ready for action.

“As you all know, my ability equalizes my physical prowess to match my opponent's—it's called Fair and Square. And for these arm-wrestles, I plan to use it.”

The students began murmuring at his words. Arm-wrestling with equalized physical abilities? That would make victory far from guaranteed.

“Plus, during the matches, even if you use any abilities or techniques, I promise to only defend. How about it? Fair game, right? Ha ha ha ha! Now that I've explained the rules, who's the first brave soul to step up?”

The first to raise his hand was the Class C rep, a guy who stood out even among the others for his height and bulk.

“You look like you've got some real power! Sit across from me and grab my hand.”

As instructed, the Class C rep sat opposite and clasped hands.

“You really mean I can use any ability?”

“If you can pull it off.”

With Kang Seung-tae's permission, white steam began billowing from the guy's body.

“Graaaah……!”

Kang Seung-tae watched with brief interest as the guy's muscles swelled. But then—

“I told you, our physical abilities are equalized. And arm-wrestling isn't just about brute strength.”

With a twist of his wrist and a sharp “Hup!”, Kang Seung-tae's grip slammed the guy's arm to the table in an instant. Match over.

“Not bad. But if you'd ditched your pride and gone for disruption instead of a straight power contest, it might've been better.”

Kang Seung-tae cracked his neck side to side, smirking amusedly. Inspired by his helpful feedback, the others stepped up one by one—but no matter their tricks, they were all crushed mercilessly.

“Tch, tsk tsk tsk. I had high hopes for you young reps, but you're nothing special.”

Only Jeong Ui-hoon and I remained. As I pondered stepping up next, he moved forward first.

“I'll go next.”

“Oh? Alright, Ui-hoon. You might actually give this old man some fun.”

“I'll do my best.”

Jeong Ui-hoon sat immediately and gripped Kang Seung-tae's hand. He tried kicking the desk with his knee to tilt it sideways—but

“Ngh!”

The desk didn't budge an inch, holding firm.

“Trying to tip the desk so my elbow hits it first, eh?! Ah ha ha ha ha! That's definitely fun!”

“……It's not over yet.”

Judging the desk immovable, Jeong Ui-hoon switched to direct attacks on Kang Seung-tae. But the chief just yawned leisurely, watching his opponent's ragged breaths.

“Got more?”

“……I yield.”

Jeong Ui-hoon released the grip and stood, head bowed low. I couldn't see his face, but I imagined it was quite the sight.

“Well then, Eugene next. I heard from your father you've changed a lot—show me how much.”

“……I'll do my best.”

I sat across from him, rolled up my sleeve, and clasped his hand. Kang Seung-tae grinned expectantly, wondering what trick I'd try. But I had no intention of playing his game.

I took a deep breath, channeled my full body weight and arm strength, and pushed.

The info on Kang Seung-tae that only I knew—these guys had no clue.

The key was right there: grit and Fair and Square.

So far, he'd never let anyone win using abilities—neither theirs nor his own. But in a contest of pure muscle power?

He'd match them without his ability, relying solely on raw strength.

“Krah ha ha ha! This is fun! So much fun!”

As expected, Kang Seung-tae's arm—devoid of his ability—began to tremble under mine. Proof he was holding back purely on his own power.

“So, without abilities, just your raw strength—think you can win?”

“……Who knows.”

Of course, my pure strength alone might not beat him—the pinnacle of physical prowess. But.

“……Mind if I ask one thing?”

“Ha ha! Sure, I'll play along!”

“You're here as the Incheon branch chief of the Hero Association, right?”

“That's right.”

“Then, if you encountered my father during official duties—not as Kang Seung-tae, but as the branch chief—what would you do?”

“……I'd have to arrest him.”

“Thank you for the answer.”

His arm tilted slightly.

“Heh, what did you do? No sense of ability use, but……”

“Maybe you just didn't notice.”

I said that, but right after his response, a new interface appeared in my vision.

My trait 【Executor】, which only activates against the Calione family's enemies. His physical boost would rise too, but before he could adapt to the surge, I gathered all my strength to slam his arm down.

But the veteran lowered his center of gravity, deflecting my push.

“Ngh…… Looks like I need to get serious.”

……Monster of an old man. In that split second, he'd gauged my increased power and now pushed back at my wrist like it was nothing.

This alone wouldn't earn his passing grade.

“Not using tricks or other abilities?”

“I doubt you'd arm-wrestle the other kids 'normally' like this.”

“Hm?”

“Your Fair and Square—it's not equalizing physical ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠abilities. It's synchronizing your mana with the opponent's, right?”

Kang Seung-tae's eyes flickered.

“From your father?”

Game knowledge, but I couldn't say that outright. I kept a relaxed expression.

“I felt your mana flowing into me. And how you're circulating it through my body to make it familiar with the path.”

“……If that's true, it's impressive. Even skilled mages struggle to detect mana interference.”

“Talent, I guess. Blood doesn't lie.”

He smirked at my words.

“Ha! Can't argue with that. Then you know the best way to make use of this 'opportunity'?”

“Resist with everything I've got?”

“……Good. Now give it all you've got! Ha ha!”

“As you wish.”

That was my cue. I'd held back until now for this moment. With all other reps defeated, I was the last opponent standing—the de facto final rep for the students.

From here, the others would root for me, whether openly or not.

And I was pushing Kang Seung-tae harder than anyone. Proof I was their last hope, different from the rest……

And that would turn to respect.

With 【Executor】 and 【Underworld Heir】 active simultaneously, my strength surged beyond compare.

“Hup……!”

I poured my full weight and power, inching his arm back.

Kang Seung-tae's arm began to yield slowly. His eyes widened in disbelief.

“Urachaa!”

With a thunderous shout, he…… flipped my arm over in a flash.

……Lost.

But it wasn't bad. I'd achieved my goal.

“Whew. That was close. Really close.”

He wiped sweat from his brow, stood, and patted my shoulder. Then his body shuddered.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

“Krah! Krah ha ha ha ha ha! Your father was right—you've changed a ton.”

“……You're too kind.”

I shook my stinging wrist—nearly pinned to the desk—and smiled. He beamed back.

“First time in ages I've been rattled. So, any idea what's changed in your body?”

Of course. A new window floated before me.

“My mana control feels smoother.”

“Good, you noticed! The others seem to have gotten only minor gains. That should suffice for you reps.”

This was the other ability that landed him the 'branch chief' role: Mana Shower. A technique only he could pull off, thanks to his explosive mana reserves and insane control. Apparently too OP to use often—reserved for top talents at the branch. An unexpected windfall.

“Alright, I've fulfilled my friends' requests. No one beat me, so time for the lecture. Ha ha ha ha!”

The students murmured again at the inevitable lecture. Kang Seung-tae pressed a finger to his lips.

“Quiet, everyone.”

His tone turned ice-cold, belying the earlier clowning. The convention hall fell silent instantly.

“Event's over—let's start the lecture. Front-row kids, return to your seats.”

Shifting from affable uncle to stern boss, he grabbed a marker and stood before the whiteboard.

“You saw the gap between me and the others—overwhelming, right? They all tried their own ways to take me down…… and Eugene nearly gave me chills.”

He framed the brief arm-wrestles as hero-vs-villain battles.

“But the villains you'll face won't hold back like I did. They're not cute—they'll slaughter civilians nearby while laughing. Today, I'll talk about the mindset for facing them.”

The hall's atmosphere flipped. The prior heat vanished, replaced by tense chill. Students stared at him, on edge.

“Let's begin.”

His points weren't complex—basic knowledge and attitudes anyone could know. But coming from Kang Seung-tae, every word rang true and sincere.

Intelligence gain was a nice bonus.

And so, after wrapping up the third day of academy classes, I returned home.

“Young master. The hunt is fully prepared.”

Finally, night had fallen.