Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Black Dragon Clan Training Grounds (3)
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“Th-the Clan Leader is here!”
The guild member guarding the entrance shouted.
“Don’t make such a fuss. It’s not that big a deal.”
At the same time, the door flew open, and a muscular middle-aged man stepped into view. Truth be told, this wasn’t the first time I’d seen the Black Dragon Clan Leader’s face. The clan itself was a socially active corporation involved in volunteer work and support programs, so he’d appeared on the news a few times before.
But there was a world of difference between seeing a total stranger on TV and facing an A-rank hunter as an apprentice. Back then, he’d just been some well-dressed middle-aged guy cashing in on donations. Now, it felt like staring down a massive monster that could kill me at any moment—an overwhelming pressure.
I hadn’t realized it from his suited-up TV appearances, but his body was wrapped in muscles like boulders. His tight shirt strained against them, on the verge of ripping. Long hair cascaded down to his back, roughly tied with a cord, giving him a wild, barbarian vibe.
His eyes were sharp as an eagle’s, and his slightly downturned lips made him look stubborn and stern. His face was the typical neighborhood geezer type, but paired with a Herculean physique, it was downright terrifying. The guy who’d been mopping just moments ago pushed past us and bowed deeply.
“Y-you’ve arrived, Clan Leader!”
“Yeah. Doing some cleaning?”
The Clan Leader nodded as he faced the man, who stood frozen at attention. We desperately wanted to slip out, but bailing now and ignoring the leader would only get Yu-jeong ahead of trouble later. The man stammered,
“Wh-what brings you here, sir?”
“I was heading to the event hall and left my robe in the break room. Go fetch it.”
“Pardon?”
As the man blinked in confusion, Yu-jeong burst out of the break room door. She was wearing a loose, flowing robe that dragged on the floor—seemed bigger than standard size. She snapped to attention and greeted him.
“H-hello, Clan Leader.”
“......Why are you wearing my robe?”
The entire training ground froze at his question. Yu-jeong took a second to process, then went pale as a ghost. She hastily checked the name tag and started shrugging it off. Since she’d thrown it on over her clothes, her regular outfit was right underneath.
“S-sorry.”
Yu-jeong neatly folded it and offered it to him. He clicked his tongue at the floor marks and fraying spots. The man’s face drained of color as the leader scowled. He jumped beside her and yelled,
“Sorry, sir! I told her to wear whatever was in the break room!”
“I’m not mad about that. But ‘Plum Blossom Beauty,’ why didn’t you wear a robe when you came here today? I’ve told you: anyone handling Black Dragon Clan business inside our turf wears one at all times.”
Yu-jeong’s nickname was Kim Yu-jeong, but the leader didn’t care about that. Ichie shot me a puzzled look.
“Ah, well......”
The Clan Leader scolded her sternly.
“The Black Dragon Clan will rise as the greatest sect under the heavens, our name echoing across this peninsula. How can we claim supremacy if you—a member—shy away from your affiliation? Reflect on this. Wear the robe from now on.”
“Yes, sir.”
“‘Yes, sir’? Did I say to reply with that?”
“Y-your humble servant obeys.”
“That’s more like it.”
Yu-jeong’s face flushed beet red. The leader nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to us. He’d slipped on the robe by now, and the billowing fabric only amplified his intimidating presence.
He looked at Ichie and said,
“You’re Ichie?”
“Yes.”
She answered politely. Unfazed, she even seemed a bit relaxed. The leader continued,
“You hate the name ‘Musashi,’ so you won’t join the Black Dragon Clan?”
“Yes.”
Ichie’s response was firm. The man and Yu-jeong flinched. Surprisingly, the leader didn’t snap at her. He let out a thoughtful “hmm” and turned away.
“You’re still young, so you don’t grasp how cool the name ‘Musashi’ is. Back in my day, I went to Japan and heard about the duel between swordsmen Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro.”
Ichie tilted her head—she clearly had no clue. The leader clenched his fist and ranted passionately about the duel. According to the tale, Musashi positioned himself with the sun at his back, deliberately showed up late to rile his opponent, then felled Kojiro in one strike.
“That cunning strategy! That obsession with victory! We must emulate his burning desire to win and true samurai spirit! I named you Musashi because I hope you’ll grow into a magnificent warrior under me, just like him. What do you say? Join us, and I’ll have a custom Black Dragon robe made just for you.”
“N-no, thank you.”
Ichie recoiled and shook her head. The leader looked miffed at her vehement refusal. He frowned and sighed heavily. The man beside him glanced at Ichie, about to speak, but Yu-jeong shoved him back to silence him.
The leader turned to me next. Facing his fierce, statue-like scowl, I couldn’t help shrinking my shoulders. He extended a hand.
“And you’re Jeong Su-hyeon, right?”
“Y-yes.”
“Nice to meet you. Interested in joining the Black Dragon Clan?”
“Uh, yeah. I’ve seen and heard a lot about you on the news. I’m not in a position to commit yet, but I’m definitely interested.”
“Is that so?”
He scanned me head to toe. It felt like a full-body security check. After eyeing me thoroughly, he suddenly grabbed my shoulders and spun me around. His movement was light as twirling a top, but I spun like I’d been caught in a typhoon.
“Impressive achievements for such a young age. I’ve seen plenty of apprentice hunters, but none who’ve grown this fast in so short a time.”
A fragment of the Omnipotent Being flashed in my mind. The Clan Leader was probing me. His gaze sharpened. I replied,
“J-just the result of my hard work.”
He said nothing more. He gave me one last once-over, nodded, and patted my shoulders encouragingly. Each tap carried a subtle weight that stung. He grabbed his robe and headed out.
“I’ll be off then. Keep training hard, everyone.”
“Wh-where are you headed, sir?”
“Got an invite to a welfare group event today.”
The tense man bowed deeply.
“Take care!”
The other staff followed suit. His broad, field-like back vanished through the narrow lobby door. Once he was gone, the man sighed in relief.
“Whew, that scared me. Damn. Oh, that was the Clan Leader’s? Sorry about that. I thought someone just left it behind.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Yu-jeong waved off his apology. The sound of the leader’s car faded away. Training was over—everyone was unwinding from the tension. Yu-jeong asked,
“So, what’d you think of our Clan Leader?”
“Well...... First time meeting him in person, so it’s kinda surreal.”
The media portrayed him as kindly and benevolent. The clan’s image was stellar thanks to all the charity and volunteering. Yu-jeong glanced at Ichie, who said,
“He seems nice.”
Ichie’s usual flat tone was extra soulless and fake this time. The tension broke, and I couldn’t help laughing. The staff chuckled too as they returned to their duties. Someone muttered,
“He is a good guy. That’s why we stick around.”
“Yeah, yeah. Super nice. Just needs to update the wardrobe. Right, Dark Overlord?”
“Exactly. I’m eating thanks to our Clan Leader. Invincible Blood Sword.”
The two guild members joked, tossing nicknames back and forth.
The staff nodded along and scattered to work.
Left in the middle were me, Ichie, and Yu-jeong. I told her,
“That robe really suited you, senior.”
With her tall, striking beauty, it had a unique charm. Selfishly, I even fantasized about seeing her wear it during sex. She shook her head at the compliment.
“Ugh, it’s a bit much.”
She locked the chain-link gate again and called to the working man.
“We’re heading out?”
“Already?”
“Yeah. It’s already 3 o’clock.”
“Time flies. See ya.”
Yu-jeong turned to us.
“What’s for lunch? You two skipped it, right?”
“Yeah.”
We nodded in unison. She asked,
“Anything you’re craving? My treat.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Same here.”
Yu-jeong suggested,
“There’s a great seolleongtang place nearby. Sound good?”
Ichie piped up,
“With rice?”
“Uh...... yeah?”
“Let’s do something else.”
Her firm tone left Yu-jeong and me nodding helplessly. Lunch ended up being pork belly.