That’s a Bit Much to Hear
"That’s a bit much to hear, isn't it?"
From beyond the wall, the voice of a stranger rang out, filled with clear admiration.
"To be able to carry out such a ruthless deed at your age! I truly cannot suppress my amazement."
Mok Simwol gasped in shock. "Who’s there!"
She drew her sword and swung it toward the direction of the voice. A flash of light crossed her vision. A phantom-like figure appeared before her eyes. With a casual wave of his hand, the figure sealed the Mystic Energy within her body, stripping her of the ability to move in an instant.
Seeing that single move, Mok Simwol’s heart froze. 'This is bad.'
The figure standing before her was dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Police Department. 'The police saw everything I just did!'
Her mind began to race with anxiety. She didn't even have the strength to speak. Caught red-handed, there was no way to escape her crime; she would be punished under Imperial law.
"There is no need to be so tense, young lady," the figure said in a soothing voice.
"I did not come here to arrest you, nor do I intend to hand you over to the Unmong City Police. Quite the opposite, in fact. I think very highly of the initiative you just displayed. Why don't we strike a deal instead?"
Mok Simwol observed the man. He appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties. His physique was robust, and his features made him look quite young. However, his eyebrows were stark white, his nose was hooked like a hawk's, and his eyes were incredibly somber. Like a creature that had lived in the dark of night for far too long, his gaze was indescribably dark and murky.
"If the deal you're thinking of involves some vile, filthy desire, then just kill me now. I have absolutely no intention of entertaining such a request," Mok Simwol said, her voice calm as she quickly regained her composure. 'Men are such beasts...'
However, the man in the uniform spoke words she didn't expect.
"Rest assured. I have zero interest in that carcass of yours. To be precise, I have no interest in any woman. If the records in my hand are correct, you were once Im Bukjin’s girlfriend, weren't you? And now, you desire revenge against him. Am I right?"
Hearing this, Mok Simwol raised her head and looked at the man with suspicion. 'Why is he suddenly bringing that up?'
The white-browed man continued. "If you agree to stand as a witness regarding an incident involving Im Bukjin at tomorrow's Academic & Martial Arts Competition awards ceremony, I will act as if everything that happened tonight never occurred. I will even help you erase all traces of it, ensuring you evade the investigation and pursuit of the Police Department without even needing to forge a new identity."
"A witness against Im Bukjin?" Mok Simwol asked, her tone curious. "A witness for what?"
"You will testify that he is connected to the Outworld Demons."
Mok Simwol frowned. "Who exactly are you?"
"It is better not to know too much. But since you are curious, I shall answer. I am a Silver Badge Official of the Provincial Government. My name is Ha Je-do."
"Why are you trying to help me?" Mok Simwol asked suspiciously. "Even if I stand as a witness, it won't be persuasive if I can't provide clear evidence."
"You don't need to provide evidence," the white-browed man replied. "You don't even need to explicitly state that Im Bukjin is related to the Outworld Demons. I just need you to drop a few hints when you speak. For instance, that Im Bukjin’s growth in strength is somehow unnatural. Or that he behaved strangely when you were with him. It’s very simple."
Mok Simwol fell silent. However, she wasn't debating whether or not to become a witness. She felt not a shred of guilt about selling out Im Bukjin. To her, every man in this world deserved to die. What she was currently calculating was how to extract the greatest possible benefit from this situation.
"I have one condition," Mok Simwol said, slowly raising her head.
"Ho-ho, you have quite the courage. To dare set conditions for me in a situation like this." The white-browed man found himself liking Mok Simwol more the more he looked at her. "Very well, let's hear your condition."
"I heard that starting this year, the Imperial law was revised so that prestigious academies from various cities have come to Unmong City to recruit students with special talents. I heard that those selected can skip grades. I want to be granted the status of a special talent student at one of the Five Great Academies. I don't care which one."
"How interesting," the white-browed man said, unable to stop himself from clapping. "You delight me more and more. The condition you've proposed is so enticing that I simply cannot refuse. You set such a condition because you are an ambitious child. And I happen to know that in the near future, those with ambition will be the ones who survive quite well."
"Then, you accept my condition?" Mok Simwol was still a young girl, and her poker face wasn't perfect yet. Her emotions leaked onto her face. "Can you really fulfill it?"
Ha Je-do, the white-browed man, spoke with an arrogant expression. "Of course."
The next day.
It had rained all through the night. Though the rain had stopped by morning, dark clouds still hung in the sky. The air was exceptionally crisp following the downpour. After waking up and finishing his preparations, Bukjin dressed himself in formal attire. As he stepped out the door, he saw Agwang crouching in the garden with a mischievous grin.
Agwang was having the time of his life, holding a chunk of meat and teasing the pregnant Ice Wolf with it.
"Hey, you. Did you finish all your homework?" Bukjin asked casually.
At Bukjin’s words, Agwang’s body froze solid. It was as if he had heard the most terrifying voice in the world. Dropping the meat, Agwang let out a startled shriek and scrambled back into the room.
"I’ll be checking your homework when I get back from the ceremony!" Bukjin laughed loudly as he headed out of the Bamboo Garden. Behind him, he could faintly hear Agwang’s despairing squeals.
The students of the 3rd Academy were already gathered at the school gates. When Bukjin arrived, they let out a roar of cheers as if welcoming a returning hero. Surrounded by students, Bukjin managed to climb into his carriage and set off toward the Sword Lord Temple.
The awards and closing ceremonies for the Academic & Martial Arts Competition had always been held at the Sword Lord Temple. The event was broadcast live, and all the prominent figures in the city gathered at the temple plaza to witness the birth of a new champion and the crowning of the victor.
The carriage sped toward the temple. A cheering crowd followed behind it—not just students from the 3rd Academy, but citizens who had flocked from all over. Bukjin was the sole recipient of everyone’s respect and adoration. The entire city was drenched in a vibrant, festive atmosphere.
Under normal circumstances, the Sword Lord Temple was only a short distance away, but due to the massive crowds, it took nearly an hour to finally arrive. A massive stage had been erected, a table laden with prizes stood ready, and a beautiful path of flowers stretched across the plaza. Officials from the Education Department were on-site, managing the flow of the crowd. The city's elite were already in their seats.
The atmosphere grew even more heated upon Bukjin’s arrival. Once again, a roar loud enough to shake the entire city erupted. Guided by Yi Ung-bu, the Education Commissioner of Unmong City, Bukjin moved toward the podium and took his seat. Now, all that remained was for the ceremony to officially begin. It was, without a doubt, the most glorious moment imaginable. Countless people looked at Bukjin with eyes full of envy.
"Student Im! Congratulations! You’ve finally achieved what you set out to do!" The 7th Prince of the Empire, seated in the VIP section, was the first to offer a smile and a greeting.
"Your Highness. You’ve grown even more handsome since I last saw you," Bukjin said with a broad grin.
"I'm so glad you could attend the ceremony! The bet we made before the competition started will finally be settled today!"
Hearing Bukjin’s words, the 7th Prince laughed. "Don't you worry. I already promised to be your witness. I am a man who takes responsibility for his words."
"Student Im is quite the promising young man."
An unfamiliar voice reached Bukjin’s ears. Turning his head, he saw a scrawny middle-aged man in his forties wearing a white robe. He had three long strands of beard growing from his chin. He was looking at Bukjin with narrowed eyes, smiling with a gaze that was difficult to describe—something felt off about it.
"Student Im, this is Lord Dam, the First Administrator of Pung-eo-haeng-do," Yi Ung-bu introduced him.
'Someone from the Provincial Administration?'
The Provincial Administration was one of the six highest authorities within Pung-eo-haeng-do. Although Bukjin’s understanding of this world was still lacking, he knew exactly how high-ranking a figure Dam Gogeum was. In Earth terms, he was the equivalent of a regional governor.
'He's a big shot!'
Normally, Bukjin—who always prioritized safety and keeping a low profile—would have immediately put on a face that said, 'I am overwhelmed to receive the attention of such a great person as yourself.' However, for some reason, the moment he faced the scrawny Dam Gogeum, an inexplicable sense of revulsion washed over him. He felt an impulse to shove filth into the man's mouth.
Consequently, Bukjin spoke in a tone that was neither too humble nor disrespectful. "Im Bukjin greets the Lord Administrator."
Dam Gogeum received the greeting with an inscrutable smile. "Ho-ho. They say a tiger does not sire a dog, do they not? I once met your father when he was active across the northern front. Who would have thought that time would pass and situations would flip so drastically? To see the son of that deceased man wearing the crown of glory... it truly makes one feel the transience of time. Ho-ho-ho."
'A deceased man? That’s a bit much to hear.'
Listening to Dam Gogeum’s laughter, Bukjin felt a surge of unpleasantness and chose not to offer any further response.