The Youth Duo's Trial
“Kuhahat! Kuhahat hahahahaha! Bold, so bold! Yes! Only someone like you could truly be called the son of Vito Calione.”
Gwak Chunsik let out a booming laugh that made the entire cafe reverberate.
“So, you want me to pass down Aura Style to you? My pride and joy, the one-on-one transmission technique?”
“You don't have any disciples yet anyway, do you, sir? And I hear your son never learned Aura Style either.”
Aura Style was an incredibly difficult skill even within this game world. Aura itself was a highly sensory technique, and it had taken Gwak Chunsik a long time to simplify and formalize it.
By then, his son Gwak Chunsam was already too old...
In the end, he became an aura master but could never master Aura Style.
“Aura typically hardens over time. That's why it's one of the most delicate and hardest-to-develop primal energies among all abilities.”
He raised his hand, floating a star made of aura in his palm. The star continuously shifted its shape.
“That's why both time and talent are crucial. Even my son, who was called a genius, missed the window.”
Finally, he clenched his fist tightly around the star, fixing me with an intense gaze as he spoke.
“If you're that boy's son, you must have awakened your aura at a young age. That would make it too late to learn Aura Style...”
Was that the only reason?
“As you said, sir, I've had my aura for less than a month, so that shouldn't be a problem.”
“...What? Less than a month since you awakened your aura?”
“Yes. To borrow your metaphor... I'm about at the stage of a baby just starting to crawl. Surely that's qualification enough?”
Gwak Chunsik looked flustered at my words. Of course, he wouldn't want to hand his secret art to just anyone.
But I didn't miss the flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
“But... I have a granddaughter too. She's a heaven-sent prodigy who awakened at a young age. Why would I teach you when I have her?”
“Do you think a girl just starting kindergarten could endure Aura Style training?”
Gwak Chunsik was trying to make excuses to refuse. Did he really think I came here without doing my homework?
Learning Aura Style inevitably involved forcibly expanding one's aura pathways—a process accompanied by immense pain, naturally.
Teaching that to a child not even in school yet? Especially to an adorable granddaughter he'd hate to see hurt?
This was just bluffing to seize the initiative.
“I've inherited my father's blood thick and strong. It's a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but... I can confidently claim to be a heaven-sent prodigy too.”
I flashed a grin, watching his expression. His pupils trembled ever so slightly.
Could he really choose otherwise? No way—not with his personality, especially after I'd pushed this far.
“Ha, fine. In the end, to preserve the lineage of Aura Style, I have no choice but to take you as my disciple.”
He was inwardly thrilled but pretending otherwise. Calling me his “disciple” already showed his intent to hold the reins.
Of course. I had no intention of handing over control that easily.
“Disciple feels a bit off. How about mentee instead?”
“What?”
“As you know, I'm the Calione heir too, so becoming your full disciple might be awkward. Just make me your mentee for Aura Style.”
If I became his disciple, he'd lord over me like a nagging master for life. No need for that—I could just leverage the family name.
“So you're just taking the easy path for yourself?”
Gwak Chunsik pulled a displeased face.
“Do you think I'd do this for my own convenience? It's all for saving the world, isn't it?”
Gwak Chunsik wasn't exactly a paragon of justice. He'd come here precisely because he killed villains instead of just capturing them.
In that regard, our values aligned closely. Beings who placed themselves above the law for their goals and beliefs—that was the path both he and I walked.
“Follow me.”
With a sigh, Gwak Chunsik rose from his seat. I obediently trailed him out of the cafe, where Yoo Seok-hun stood smiling brightly.
“Yoo Seok-hun, I'll take this kid with me for a bit.”
“As you wish, sir.”
With a single word, Gwak Chunsik led me into the Silver Town grounds. Other inmates—no, residents—might not have such pull, but here, he was practically king.
Like Prime Minister Hwang Hee briefly exiled in the Joseon era—no one dared touch him.
We arrived at the park inside Silver Town, where countless elderly Awakeners were exercising or chatting.
“Hey, Cheong-sam. Chun-cheol.”
Gwak Chunsik wove through the elders and approached two sitting on a bench, deep in conversation.
“Do me a favor.”
He whispered something in their ears. They soon finished talking, looked up, and stared right at me in unison.
...This feels ominous.
“That's the kid?”
“Looks like it.”
“This'll be fun after so long.”
Stepping forward past Gwak Chunsik, the two old men began unbuttoning their shirts. A quick glance around showed the exercising elders had backed away, emptying the park.
“Ready, Cheong?”
“Of course, Chun.”
Now I knew who they were. The 'Youth Duo'—former C-rank heroes whose combined power could take on an A-rank villain. A buddy pair.
And them taking off their shirts meant...
“Isn't this overkill against an academy freshman?”
They intended to attack me.
“Hup!”
Their upper bodies swelled massively with a crunching sound. Their ability, 'Muscle Enhancement', had activated.
Gwak Chunsik, standing behind them, burst into laughter.
“Show me if you truly have what it takes to be my disciple.”
This old man, seriously...
“Since it's our first meeting, let's introduce ourselves. I'm Cheong-sam of the Youth Duo!”
Cheong-sam thrust his massively swollen bicep forward in a punch. I activated Bloodline: Calione simultaneously, enhancing my physical abilities.
Clang—!
Swinging my right hand to block his fist produced a massive metallic clash, like steel striking steel.
“As expected of a student—young and fiery! Chun-cheol!”
“Yah!”
As I pushed back Cheong-sam's fist in a test of strength, Chun-cheol charged at my lower body.
“Ek!”
Taking his ability-enhanced kick undefended would snap my leg. In a 1v1, I could've jumped to evade easily, but jumping now while barely holding against Cheong-sam would've sent me flying.
Forced choice. I gradually released power from my fist, using Cheong-sam's force to flip backward and roll on the ground.
Better to create distance than block both attacks head-on.
Chun-cheol's kick whiffed into empty air.
“The kid's got some judo skills?”
“Quick judgment too.”
I brushed off the dirt and stood. Ahead, the two watched me smugly.
Monstrous old geezers. Now I understood why the game called 'Hero Silver Town' the final destination for stagnant powerhouses.
To fight seriously, I cloaked myself again in Bloodline: Calione's aura.
“Hoo?”
Gwak Chunsik watched from behind with interest. He'd realized I could wield aura.
“Elders, surrender if it gets too tough.”
“Haha! The young one's worrying about us. Thanks!”
“You surrender if it's too much, student.”
I took stance, eyeing them, then charged at the perfect moment to catch them off-guard.
Facing two lifelong buddies together was tough, so...
I flew a jumping kick at Cheong-sam, slightly ahead of Chun-cheol.
“Hahaha! Fun!”
Just take one down first. Cheong-sam seemed startled by my Bloodline: Calione-boosted speed but quickly prepared to grab my leg.
His veteran savvy was absurd, but they overlooked something.
“It might break if you block.”
“Ung?”
I bent my leg, kicking Cheong-sam—and his grabbing hand—backward. A kick meant to sacrifice a hand even if blocked.
But Cheong-sam shifted his center of gravity back, absorbing the impact by flipping away.
Couldn't retire him immediately; the veteran flowed through it.
“Chun-cheol!”
“Heya!”
Normally, you'd worry for your flying partner, but Chun-cheol ignored it, swinging his swollen fist at the now-close me.
“Planning to pick us off one by one? That'll drain your stamina fast!”
“I'm young—plenty of stamina left!”
I twisted my waist to dodge his fist, then slammed mine full-force into his solar plexus.
“Hurk!”
It felt like punching steel plate. I'd aimed to end it there, but Chun-cheol just staggered back without falling.
“The kid's punches pack heat...”
“Think punches are hot? These kicks are spicy too. Guess we gotta rush together. One!”
“You think so too? Yeah! Two!”
“Yep. Rush on three. One!”
But they charged without waiting, one high, one low.
I raised guards to minimize upper damage, blocked low with my shin, or retreated to deflect.
“Hey Cheong-sam, he's holding up!”
“Yeah. Speed it up!”
Their attacks intensified. At this rate, their relentless combos would wear me down, forcing me to take hits first.
Time for a finisher.
“Sorry in advance!”
Matching Cheong-sam's thrusting fist, I punched while concentrating all my body-wide aura into my right fist.
And—
Kwaaang—!!!
I exploded the maximally amplified power from my fist.
No matter their past glory, age meant stamina decline. They'd have endured in their prime, but now lacked post-rush recovery.
“Wup!”
My fist slipped through the gap, sending Cheong-sam flying back.
“Hai-go!”
“Cheong-sam!”
Despite the worried cry, Chun-cheol's sharp fist mercilessly targeted my left side.
Faking concern amid a teammate's fall to induce carelessness. Wasn't that dirty, not just experience?
Judging Chun-cheol's follow-up unavoidable, I tilted my face aside to reduce damage, took the punch, and retreated.
“Hah... Hah...”
Just retired one, and my body was already exhausted. Tough as expected.
But no giving up. I eyed Chun-cheol glaring ahead, preparing my next move.
“Enough.”
A blue-glowing palm appeared before me, blocking between Chun-cheol and me.
“...Test over?”
Gwak Chunsik smirked and nodded at my question. I collapsed to the ground, spitting out the blood pooled in my mouth.
“Whoa.”
Blood from my mouth? How hard were those punches? Just a few hits caused this damage.
A normal person would've had their head explode from one.
That strong. Seamless combos hard to defend, breaths synced without words.
If Gwak Chunsik hadn't stopped it, it'd have been a life-or-death fight.
Glancing up, I saw Gwak Chunsik deep in thought.
“Haa... Haa... Do the elders here... just eat and exercise all day...?”
“Yes, it's that boring a place. I asked the Youth Brothers since you're a first-year cadet, but matching active heroes who struggle against them? Impressive.”
“I've been living a rough life.”
“Ha, sure you have.”
It's true... I'm a Calione enforcer hitman and executive, after all.
“No lack of real combat experience, and gathering aura in your fist shows you can circulate it decently inside... Not bad.”
Catching my breath to his assessment, I slowly stood.
“Why skip the 'moral' praise? I held back out of respect for my elder.”
“A guy who punched an old man flying without hesitation is plenty moral. Respect? More like assault.”
...He started the fight, and now this. Seriously.
But his face was beaming.
“Follow me. I'll write up the mentorship confirmation.”
As I watched Gwak Chunsik walk ahead, the two elders approached, grinning brightly.