Settling Scores

Jinhojang was Kim Hyeongjin's right-hand man, who would later rise as a key figure in the Ignis Faction and a real power broker in the Magic Tower. He ended up being discarded by Kim Hyeongjin down the line, but back in this era, he was riding high on his boss's influence, untouchable.

'But fuck. All because of one goddamn bug.'

Kim Hyeongjin's gaze toward him had turned icy cold. And the reason was simple.

Jinhojang had pissed off a few professor-level mages in the Tower.

"Ha. Who the hell knew that bastard had connections like that?"

Not long ago, he'd spewed a torrent of abuse at the manager in the Mana Training Room and stormed out like a prick. That had been the spark.

Rumors spread faster than he'd imagined. Once they started turning against him, even Kim Hyeongjin began ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠keeping his distance.

"Fuck no. Seriously... After all the loyalty I showed him, he just tosses me aside like this?"

Jinhojang was furious at Kim Hyeongjin for trying to ditch him over what he saw as no big deal. How the hell had things come to this?

'Kim Jehyun.'

It was all because of that worthless piece of shit. The more he thought about it, the more his rage zeroed in on Jehyun.

'Fuck... None of this would've happened without that fucker.'

He ground his teeth.

He never imagined that loser could actually shit all over his future. To Jinhojang, Jehyun was nothing more than a bug he could squash anytime—a plaything for venting stress. The idea that he'd gotten bitten by something like that made a hot fury surge in his chest.

"You think I'll just take this lying down?"

Jinhojang decided to crush Jehyun. It was the only way to vent this anger.

"Ugh, fuck. I wanna stomp him right now."

Just thinking about Jehyun made his head throb with rage. But charging in without thinking would only cause more problems. His biggest flaw was losing control of his emotions.

'Fuck... Just hold it in a little longer.'

One more blatant fuckup, and he'd be totally screwed. He'd bide his time and grind Jehyun down slowly.

"Whew. Craving a smoke."

He'd been chain-smoking more lately. Still underage, but scoring cigs was no issue. Today, he headed out to light one up and cool his boiling guts.

The remote outskirts of the Magic Tower, where few people wandered. The magic orbs on the streetlamps cast a soft glow over the night path.

Fwoosh.

A 1st Circle spell, Fire, flickered to life at the tip of Jinhojang's index finger.

He lit his cigarette and puffed away quietly in the quiet outskirts—

"...!"

They said enemies always meet on a single log bridge. Spotting a figure approaching from afar, Jinhojang cursed inwardly—'Haah, fuck. Some asshole wandering here in the dead of night.'—and tried to slip away.

But that silhouette looked familiar. Their eyes met as the other drew closer. He saw the guy freeze upon recognizing his face.

"...Jinhojang."

"Ha... Fuck me. Running into you here. Even the heavens know how pissed I am."

Puff. Flick.

Jinhojang took one last drag and tossed the butt aside. Looked like the sky was handing him a chance to blow off steam tonight. He'd never dreamed of bumping into Kim Jehyun here, at this hour, in this out-of-the-way spot.

"Hey, you buffed up a bit or what?"

Even in the dark night path, Jinhojang's blood boiled seeing Jehyun's face, somehow even more handsome than before. Jehyun always drew stares from female mages thanks to that pretty mug, and it pissed him off every time. His own ugly face made the contrast unbearable. And now the bastard was positively glowing? Even worse.

'Fucker with nothing but his looks.'

Jinhojang approached Jehyun, malice radiating off him. He'd planned to lay low, but that face made restraint impossible.

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

'Didn't think I'd run into him here.'

Jehyun clicked his tongue inwardly. Should've taken the long way around the main road, even if it meant a longer walk to the dorms. He'd finished training later than usual today and cut through this shortcut—talk about bad timing.

'Best would've been running into him after completing the Mana Core.'

Completing the Mana Core would bump him to Stage 1. Equivalent to reaching 1st Circle—the realm where he could wield proper magic. Jehyun's instincts told him that alone would let him take Jinhojang.

—Hmm. Things are getting interesting.

Alkasha watched the standoff with amusement. Jinhojang reeked of venomous intent. He wondered if Jehyun could navigate this mess.

"Your mug pisses me off all over again. You snitched to the manager just like that? Ha... Guess you've lost your edge since I haven't beat your ass lately?"

Seeing Jehyun's face unleashed all of Jinhojang's pent-up fury. That smug scene in the Mana Training Room, ratting him out without a care. How dare that bug overstep? Just recalling it made his blood boil.

"You're done."

Jinhojang's circle near his heart spun furiously. Mana flowed from it, gathering in his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hands. He swiftly formed hand signs for 1st Circle spells: Magic Missile and Mana Bolt.

Personality aside, Jinhojang had real talent for magic. Even in his agitated state, he shaped the spells steadily.

Ziiing.

True to 1st Circle form, the spells completed in a flash. Unlike last time, when they'd been close enough for Jehyun to rush in, now the distance gave him no opening. Rush in recklessly, and he'd eat both spells point-blank.

"You dog! Die!"

Jinhojang thrust his hands forward. The faintly blue-glowing Magic Missile and Mana Bolt hurtled straight at Jehyun's face.

Thud! Boom!

Like a drum exploding, Jehyun's body skidded back.

"Kuh."

A groan escaped Jehyun's lips. His boosted physical stats from the Growth System helped, but not enough to dodge magic. All he could do was crouch low, cross his arms, and tank it.

'Fucking hurts.'

Jehyun steadied his churning guts and wobbly stance.

"Oh? Still standing?"

Jinhojang's eyes bulged at Jehyun holding his ground. His mana-packed Magic Missile alone could've burst a slime or goblin limb clean off. He'd pulled his punch since killing Jehyun wasn't an option—just enough to send him rolling in agony. But the bastard endured.

That only fueled Jinhojang's rage.

"All those beatings finally toughened you up, huh?"

Gathering mana in his hands again, Jinhojang closed in on the staggering Jehyun. This time, he cast the 1st CircleStrength on his arms. Time to pummel him hands-on.

"Because of bugs like you!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Strength-enhanced fists hammered Jehyun's guard. Plan was to shatter those arms first, then lynch the rest of him.

"Bugs like you need a beating to learn... Huh?"

Each punch came with a snarled word. As Jehyun's crossed sleeves tore, a golden bracelet gleamed beneath—crude, etched with geometric runes eerily like true runes.

'Gold bracelet?'

Distracted for a split second, Jinhojang missed Jehyun steadying his breath. When he looked up, fierce eyes glared through Jehyun's guard.

'What the—'

Bam!

Jinhojang's thoughts shattered. Blinding yellow pain exploded across his face.

"Gaaahhh!"

* * *

"Whew. Feels damn good."

Jehyun savored the refreshing clarity of shedding long-held grime. Jinhojang, face smashed by Jehyun's fist, rolled on the ground. Jehyun mounted him and repaid every past beating twofold.

"Gah! You son of a—"

Thud!

"Guh, I'll kill you..."

Bam!

"Gaaah... S-stop!"

Thud!

"Gack! S-sorry, my bad..."

Splat!

"Gaaah. M-mercy..."

Beaten mercilessly, Jinhojang's face was a pulpy mess. He'd been pummeled to the brink of death. No showing his face in public for a while.

—How about that? Told you to listen to me.

"Yeah. This thing's a real gem."

Jehyun grinned, checking the golden bracelet on his wrist again. It was all thanks to this that he'd tanked the spells and counterattacked.

A run-of-the-mill common-grade artifact, but boasting physical and magic defense bonuses? Rare for its tier. Not high numbers, but enough to qualify as better than average common gear.

Alkasha had recommended it.

—You're too weak right now. That Jinhojang kid picking on you could shatter you with a flick. Secure some basic protection.

He'd spent his first 100 points at the Golden Goblin's Everything Shop on it. 100 points barely got potions, let alone artifacts—but the first-time bonus snagged this bottom-tier one.

'Who knew a trash artifact like this had defense options.'

Jehyun had been stunned checking it with an appraisal scroll. Most common artifacts were barely worthy of the name. This one bucked the trend.

—This is bottom-of-the-barrel trash even dragons wouldn't touch. No need to get excited yet.

Jehyun chuckled at Alkasha's words. Browsing the shop, he'd glimpsed the dazzling array: mythic and legendary gear, elixirs, millennium snow ginseng—treasures beyond price. Items that could shake the world, all purchasable with points.

'Though the required points are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠insane...'

The key was he could get them eventually. Points would pile up as he grew. Jehyun reaffirmed their value.

"Got my money's worth."

He smirked at the bracelet. Without it, he'd have struggled—maybe even lost—against Jinhojang. No, he'd have definitely crumbled under the opening Magic Missile and Mana Bolt.

He was still too green. Today was artifact luck; next time, he needed to overwhelm Jinhojang-level foes effortlessly.

'Gotta complete the Mana Core ASAP...'

As that became his top priority—

'...Oh!'