Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: The Rookie Beat Up His Seniors Right After Joining
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The rookie beat up his seniors right after joining the unit.
Looking purely at the sentence, it was incredibly provocative content, but fortunately, it passed without any major issues.
"Those idiots. I could tell from the initiation ceremony and all that nonsense."
"No punishment?"
"We'll report it as the result of a proper sparring match under guidance."
First, the squad leader dismissed it with a pathetic look.
"I heard some fools rushed at the newbie and got wrecked?"
"It was ridiculous seeing them all swarm in like that."
"Hey, rookie. Spar with me sometime later!"
The other squad members didn't seem to pay it much mind either.
No, they actually seemed pleased. They just mocked the losers or cheered at the arrival of a spirited newbie after so long. Some eyed me like predators stalking prey, giving me chills.
'Are these guys really battle maniacs?'
Even back when I was called the Fighting Ghost, it wasn't this bad. Were the ones who wanted to fight joining Baekyang Squad, or did being in Baekyang Squad drive them mad for battle? I couldn't tell, but after a few days, I just shrugged it off as par for the course.
'At this point, maybe they joined Baekyang Squad just to legally fight to the death?'
It was a reasonable suspicion.
Well... it wasn't bad for me at all.
An environment where I could spar with strong opponents anytime I wanted? Any martial artist would welcome it. Aside from the occasional excessiveness. If asked if it really passed without any fallout, there was one sticking point.
'She's this wary of me?'
I'd been marked by my mentor.
Jegal Yeong.
She hadn't been warm from the start, but she'd tried to look after me in various ways despite seeming indifferent.
How could someone grow more awkward than at first sight?
"You've probably noticed, but Baekyang Squad is full of lunatics. If they love fighting that much, they should just go die on a battlefield."
"......"
"I hope you're not the type who just wanders around picking fights like those guys."
There was venom in Jegal Yeong's lament. It hinted at how much she'd endured up to now. Her weary expression carried a sense of pathos.
"I'm not the type to pick fights with just anyone."
"I see."
"You don't seem to believe me."
"Neungjapil is still bedridden, they say."
She pointed out the facts in a sneaky way.
"I told you, I was just counterattacking."
"Right... well. If beating a downed man counts as counterattacking."
I felt wronged.
Neungjapil was the one who started it. I merely returned a bit of interest.
"By the way, when does the probation period end?"
"Why? Body already itching?"
"Can't even say it."
"It takes about a month. It's not up to me; it's regulation, so complaining won't help."
It wasn't really a complaint; I just threw out anything to change the subject.
"Alright, back to training."
"Again?"
"Why? Training is an extension of duty. We get paid, so we work."
I'd already grasped all of Baekyang Squad's operations, down to the fine details. After reciting the rulebook flawlessly in front of her, Jegal Yeong had focused solely on physical training for me. Per the regulations, she said.
'I felt it as a gatekeeper too, but...'
The Murim Alliance had many outdated rules.
Long-established ones that no one touched because 'we've always done it this way.'
One was that when not on missions, you had to do physical training in a prescribed manner. Pure strength, no internal energy.
Truly useless regulations.
'Wouldn't it be better to circulate the heart method one more time instead?'
Building muscle through vigorous exercise.
It might be good for health.
But as one's realm advanced, internal energy depth was key. For experts, muscles were mere byproducts of training.
"External martial arts have limits, don't they?"
"It's all in the regulations, so we do it."
Forced?
For someone saying that, she looked happiest during physical training. The one time the ever-disgruntled Jegal Yeong, who always glared at the squad members, actually smiled.
"Plus... wearing them out like this keeps them from their nonsense."
"Ah."
I got it a bit.
Baekyang Squad members itching for spars at every chance. Draining their stamina had a deeper purpose. I reflected on my earlier complaints about outdated rules.
"So quit yapping and run!"
Hold on.
Thinking about it, why was she making me do it?
Despite that long explanation, I still hadn't earned her trust, it seemed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The first day Yi Se-woong joined.
'I'll properly educate this newbie no matter what.'
Newbies were prime prey for seniors. Even sane people went mad for fighting after the seniors' 'education.' A madness that spread like plague. Jegal Yeong vowed not to let her charge succumb.
'Not even half a day in...!'
It all went up in smoke in an instant.
During her brief absence, Neungjapil and his gang caused trouble. Naturally, with the other members spectating.
The problem was Yi Se-woong. He seemed exceedingly polite on the surface. Even casual speech from him felt natural. He looked like he'd silently take the so-called newbie hazing beating. That's why she'd rushed to intervene.
'It was like facing a beast.'
Yi Se-woong's eyes as he laid out the squad members swarming the warehouse. It was familiar to her. The telltale sign of those who enjoyed fighting itself, something she'd seen ad nauseam in Baekyang Squad.
'His tastes run that way?'
Jegal Yeong, suspicious of why Moyong Hye had fallen for him. Well, who could treat Moyong Hye lightly? A vague longing for the uncontrollable. She'd heard some women were like that.
'For her sake!'
That was the sole reason Jegal Yeong worked Yi Se-woong to death.
She couldn't sway Moyong Hye's heart. The girl never changed her mind once set since childhood. Even if he had a fiancée, she'd never give up. So at least, she had to prevent the man she liked from being tainted by Baekyang Squad.
'Maybe he's not so bad.'
A week passed like that.
Yi Se-woong always grumbled verbally but never once disobeyed her orders. Despite the boredom, he diligently followed through. No major friction since clashing with Neungjapil. He had a more diligent side than expected.
'I must have misjudged him.'
She'd worried he was a womanizer.
He had a fiancée yet enchanted Moyong Hye.
But Yi Se-woong acted utterly disinterested in women.
Intense training soaked clothes in sweat. Curves clinging transparently to a woman's body could draw any man's eye unwittingly. Yet he'd never once glanced her way.
Just Moyong Hye had him smitten, then.
Despite claims of not seeing her face.
Well, if she liked it, what could she do.
A desire to support Moyong Hye's love sprouted.
Maybe dig up what Yi Se-woong liked and tell her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "A woman?"
"No, Yeonhui. The squad leader named me directly; what can I do?"
"Another one of the Seven Beauties..."
"Nothing happened, so don't worry!"
"I trust you, brother, but women are all beasts!"
"Isn't it usually the other way around?"
Since the incense girl incident, Yeonhui had grown much warier. I had nothing to say about that. Jegal Yeong crushing on me? A passing dog would laugh. She'd been nothing but dutiful as a mentor.
I could swear to it.
But...
When I arrived at Baekyang Squad's training ground for training with Jegal Yeong, her attire was unusual.
'Is this right?'
Her clothes were too thin. Beyond that, the fabric coverage was excessively lacking. Even slight vigorous movement exposed her sides fully.
"Senior?"
"Yeah, why?"
"That... isn't the outfit a bit too revealing?"
"Too hot when moving."
Right, that made sense. We'd grown closer through training. Walls down, clothes more comfortable. Sure.
'No!'
I realized the severity only after training started. Sweating profusely, Jegal Yeong fanning herself with her hand. Her sides fully exposed with each motion. Her hidden abdomen: two taut lines gleaming slick with sweat. Dangerous.
'Nah... probably not?'
There was that term from my past life: axe illness. Unilaterally assuming someone likes you. Had to be my imagination.
"Junior."
"Yes?"
"What's your favorite food?"
"Why the sudden interest?"
"Thought I'd buy you a meal after probation ends."
Ah, that was it. Pure intent to build senior-junior rapport. But after that too.
"What do you usually do at home?"
Questions about hobbies.
"Where's your hometown?"
About origins.
"Ever seen the sea?"
Random sea talk.
Utterly unlike the Jegal Yeong who'd never pried personally.
'No way...'
Like startling at a growing gourd after a scare from a child. An eerily familiar pattern chilled me. Confirmation needed.
"Senior."
"Yeah?"
"Don't you date?"
"W-what's that out of nowhere?"
"Just curious."
"I'm not interested in men."
Busted.
The ones claiming no interest in men are the most dangerous. They're mad for them.
No matter how dense I was, missing this would be criminal.
"Senior."
"What now!"
"I have a fiancée."
"What?"
"Don't even think of developing feelings for me."
"Is this guy insane?"
Jegal Yeong shrieked, face beet red. I got the embarrassment, but no choice. Hopefully, she'd drop it with this joke.
"If you have breath for bullshit, keep running!"
"Y-yes, got it."
Watch this, Sima-hyung.
You said women were inevitable.
What now that I've flowed past it like water?