Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Internet Broadcast (3)
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First, I watched So-yeon warming up on the ring and did some light stretching myself before heading over.
As I followed her up onto the ring... ... it was too high.
"Ugh...
"Oh? Let me help you up!"
If I'd known it would be like this, I would've used mana to jump up...
So-yeon rushed over and grabbed my hand, hoisting me up as I struggled to lift my leg.
I'd been trying to maintain some dignity as her master.
Come to think of it, the camera mounted toward the ring caught my eye.
No way it caught that, right...?
She tried to climb onto the ring with such a confident expression, only to get stuck. When I lifted my master up, her face flushed slightly as she averted her gaze.
'So cute...'
I knew it was a rude thought, but I couldn't help it.
"Ahem— Are you ready?"
"Yes! All set!"
"Then come at me first."
Even her awkward cough was adorable.
Shaking off the stray thought, I focused and prepared to fight. That's when I felt it.
She was just standing there, but I couldn't approach her easily.
The intervals of mana.
The Fist Fighter's combat method I'd learned today.
Her mana output was clearly adjusted to match mine, but her intervals spread much wider than my circular field.
'Difference in proficiency.'
She's supposedly only thirteen, but her combat experience felt terrifyingly dense.
"Here I go!"
I couldn't despair against the wall of talent after finally receiving instruction.
One step forward.
Already inside her intervals.
Two steps. Then three.
I could feel her small frame entering my intervals.
No reason to hesitate. I kicked off the ground, coiling my body to its limit and unleashing a hook.
My fist exploded forward but missed—didn't matter.
Using the rotation of my waist as a pivot, I chained into the next attack.
Using the mana scattered in my intervals, I propelled my body forward, accelerating.
Spinning a full turn, I struck with my opposite elbow.
A dull impact—something connected.
'Did it land?'
It was my best shot, but what I saw was her calmly smiling, raising one hand to block it effortlessly.
In that instant, my vision spun as my body was sent flying back.
"Not bad. Keep coming."
No time to reply. Even with mana restricted, I recognized she was leagues above me.
Exhaling a short, ragged breath, I accelerated again.
I swung punches relentlessly, but she dodged with minimal movement.
"So-yeon, do you know the strengths of a Fist Fighter?"
"Huff— No idea."
"Mana flows through your fists. You can infuse mana into long weapons too, but it never matches bare body parts."
I was gasping for air like I might die, but she casually evaded while explaining.
"That's why the hand-to-hand techniques are varied and powerful. Against equal skill, you dominate within intervals."
"Huff— I can't win...!"
Even as she spoke leisurely, she showed no openings.
"You're not utilizing the mana in your intervals enough. Use your spread mana as sensing—read her next move."
"Easier— said than done. Hoo...!"
My attack was blocked again, and I was pushed back, given a moment to catch my breath.
"Now, focus on defense."
With those words, wind brushed my face as her form closed in swiftly.
"Kuh—"
Her speed matched mine, but I couldn't predict the strikes.
A punch I thought I'd dodged pushed surrounding mana into me, striking my body and swirling my own mana to disrupt my balance.
"This is how you use scattered mana."
Somehow blocking the relentless onslaught, my vision gradually cleared. Effective hits landing on me decreased.
"That's it. You have a talent for learning through your body."
"Thank... you."
The strikes didn't hurt, but it felt like getting knuckle-rapped endlessly.
She was adjusting her power, no doubt.
No room for inferiority against her overwhelming talent.
'Read the mana... read the mana.'
Read the next attack.
Her shoulder muscles contracting. Definitely a straight punch to the gut.
I twisted left to evade, reacting to the mana flow.
For the first time, I dodged without blocking—a small gasp of admiration.
As I evaded, I thrust my left fist for a counter, but as expected, it missed.
"That'll do. Good work."
A clear voice rang like a time-up bell.
The spar ended, and I collapsed spread-eagled on the floor, breathing raggedly.
"Whoa... I'm gonna die...!"
Sweat poured like rain, but refreshment outweighed the stickiness.
"How long was that?"
"Hmm. About ten minutes."
Only ten minutes?
Turning my head, I saw my master standing without a drop of sweat, unlike me.
Behind her, the phone mount and camera for the broadcast.
'Oh, the stream.'
I'd forgotten it was live amid the sparring.
'Editing this for YouTube would blow up...'
Sensing it intuitively, I forgot my fatigue and jumped up, rushing to the phone.
It felt like just moments ago I'd collapsed exhausted after the spar.
Yet So-yeon had already recovered and dashed to the phone.
'Youth is wonderful.'
I'd heard she awakened right after starting college and dropped out, so early to mid-twenties at most.
I followed her to the mounted phone.
"Everyone! Did you catch that just now?"
Glancing at the chat, the reactions looked pretty good.
"Oh! Master! Could I... upload the training and sparring footage to YouTube...?"
"Wasn't that why we recorded it? Do as you like."
She bounced around happily at the permission. What a rewarding student.
"This isn't a dream, right...? I feel so much stronger...?"
"It's no dream, so don't worry."
Finally realizing it, she even pinched her own cheek as she asked.
As I smiled warmly at the sight, my phone on the corner table rang.
"Mm. Excuse me a moment."
I walked to the table and checked the caller: 'Seong Hyun-woo'.
Come to think of it, I hadn't said anything before leaving...
With slight trepidation, I picked up.
"Mm... Hyun-woo, what's up?"
"I watched the stream. Looked fun."
Thankfully, his voice through the electronic tone was calmly normal.
"Yeah? From when?"
"The start. Quite entertaining. Without a word."
His tone was calm, but...
It sent a chill down my spine.
"Mm... Hyun-woo...? You mad...?"
"No reason to be. But we have a lot to talk about."
I turned to So-yeon while holding the phone; she was pretending not to notice, avoiding my gaze.
"Send your location. Coming to pick you up now."
The call ended abruptly.
"H-Hyun-woo...?"
"Mm... yeah... He wants the address."
"Huh?? Address? Wait... he's coming to get you?"
I nodded, and for some reason, So-yeon's eyes sparkled as she muttered.
"Two S-Ranks in one day..."
Snapping to, she took my phone, sent Hyun-woo the address, then headed to the mounted phone.
"Everyone, that's it for today's stream! Wasn't even planned, but thanks for all coming!"
Leaving the explosive chat behind, So-yeon hurriedly ended the stream and ran to the bathroom.
Listening, she seemed to be splashing water—probably washing her face.
'Gonna get scolded...'
With anxious anticipation, So-yeon finished washing up. As I sat on the floor waiting, Hyun-woo called again soon after.
"I'm here. Where to?"
"Mm. Third floor, room at the far right—"
Before I could finish, the call cut off with a beep.
"Mm... So-yeon... This seems bad..."
"Huh? N-No way... he came all the way here without a word?"
I nodded, and So-yeon's excited face paled as she waited for Hyun-woo.
Soon, the training room door creaked open, revealing a familiar face.
"Hyun-woo, listen, it's like this..."
I stepped forward to explain eagerly, but Hyun-woo brushed past me toward So-yeon, who had jumped to her feet.
"First off, sorry for the intrusion today."
"Huh? No... it was me who called Master out..."
"I know. That was wrong, but you couldn't have known it was Ar or that she'd actually show."
Hyun-woo said it while shooting me a glance.
"I intruded. Thought you'd know, but guess I need to educate you on internet dangers."
"Y-Yes... Both you and Master messed up..."
Even my trusted student...
After a brief farewell, Hyun-woo hoisted me over his shoulder and headed out.
"Hyun-woo... I messed up, but I'm strong now, you know..."
"Even so. You can't just follow strangers calling you online."
True. No retort.
"My bad..."
"Good you know. That said, you seemed to enjoy teaching. Want me to arrange more sessions like that?"
Thankfully accepting my apology, Hyun-woo drove back to the guild in thoughtful silence.