Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Supplementary Lessons (6)
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No sooner had they stepped inside than gasps of surprise echoed from all around.
"It's Un Ho-seung."
"Damn it. He's back again?"
"If we run into him, we're screwed. Look away."
As all eyes turned toward him, Un Ho-seung scowled fiercely.
"Huh? Got a problem?"
The students, intimidated by his glare, quickly averted their gazes.
Only then did Un Ho-seung's expression soften into satisfaction as he headed to one side.
"Over here."
The crowd parted instantly.
Un Ho-seung strode through boldly without a care and placed his foot on the stairs leading to the upper floor.
"The first floor's too crowded. Can't even enjoy my meal there."
So, they were heading to the third floor.
Murmurs intensified around them at his words.
"What? Aren't those Bronze Hall teaching assistants?"
"They're inviting those guys to the third floor?"
"Un Ho-seung of all people sharing a table with kids is shocking enough, but the third floor?"
The whispers grew louder.
'Unfamiliar reactions.'
These were responses he'd never seen in Bronze Hall.
They reached the third floor.
A few dining tables were all that could be seen.
Unlike the first floor, where shoulders and backs pressed together during meals.
Un Ho-seung naturally headed to the spot with the best view.
Some rather refined-looking students were seated there, but Un Ho-seung glowered at them.
"Hey. Paeng Dan-gi. Long time no see?"
One of the seated students gulped nervously.
"...Un Ho-seung."
"What's that? Did the seat's owner change while I was gone?"
"...We'll leave right now."
"Get lost. Unless you want to get wrecked."
"......"
Nangong Yun-ho frowned uncomfortably as he watched them silently file down to the lower floor, lips pressed tight.
"Set the table again here."
Crash!
Un Ho-seung shoved the fully laid-out food aside with both arms and propped his legs up on the table.
"Sit. This has the best view."
"...Is this okay?"
"What's not okay about it?"
"Chasing away fellow students in the middle of their meal..."
"Fellow students? Ha ha. How could idiots like that be my equals?"
Un Ho-seung bared his teeth in a grin.
"Isn't that rather rude?"
"Lighten up. People hang with their own kind. Happens all the time here."
Un Ho-seung smirked slyly.
"Getting the picture now?"
He glanced around, and the students who'd been eating moments ago hesitantly rose from their seats.
In an instant, the third floor was empty.
"The strong get respect. Simple rule of Silver Hall."
Such bullying was a "rule"?
Nangong Yun-ho was puzzled, but Jegal Tan seemed utterly unfazed, so it must be true.
'Am I the one who's misunderstood something?'
He recalled the rules of Divine Martial Academy from orientation.
"I heard students are fundamentally equal. And disputes between students aren't tolerated."
"Pfft. You've got a naive side."
This time, Im So-jeong stepped in.
"It's standard in Silver Hall to get privileges based on skill."
"Exactly. Hogging the best seats is no big deal."
Un Ho-seung spread his arms wide.
"Skill brings treatment and perks that differ wildly. The higher you rank, the more special favors you get."
The twins added as they took their seats.
"Like access to premium supervised techniques?"
"Or personal lessons from renowned masters."
Even Dang-gan chimed in.
"They even let you bring attendants or guards."
"Hmm..."
It felt like the world he knew was being upended.
"...But instructors won't allow disputes between students."
"You really don't know anything."
Poke. Poke.
Un Ho-seung jabbed the table with his index finger.
"Instructors actually encourage it. Students strive to climb ranks on their own anyway."
"......"
"Think it's just students? Instructors are the same. That's why they're desperate to become senior instructors."
Superior manuals.
Rare elixirs too.
The strong gained so much more.
"See now? How stupid it is to hide your strength?"
Only then did Nangong Yun-ho understand why Un Ho-seung had brought them here.
'He still doubts the instructor's abilities.'
It was starting to make sense.
'Does Instructor really not know about this and hide his skill?'
Recalling the instructor's daily gloom over low scores, it didn't seem entirely implausible.
'No, he seems careless at first glance, but he's no fool.'
If he knew, why stay silent?
As questions piled up, Un Ho-seung leaned back in his chair.
"Looks like you're starting to get it. I didn't call the instructor suspicious for nothing."
"What's your point?"
"If she doesn't know, tell her. Bronze Hall and Silver Hall are different worlds. She needs to show some real skill."
For me, it'd be better to learn from a "hidden master" for face value.
Un Ho-seung leaned back further, adding confidently.
His smug demeanor left Nangong Yun-ho deep in thought.
That evening.
Back at the training ground, warming by the campfire, Jegal Tan tapped his shoulder.
"You look pretty serious."
"Yeah, well."
"About what happened today?"
Jegal Tan was sharp as ever.
He read minds like a ghost.
"I've thought this before, but Divine Martial Academy is a cold place."
"Well, yeah. It's an arena where geniuses from everywhere compete."
"Maybe Bronze Hall's cradle suits me better."
He knew the strong were favored, but he'd assumed there'd be dignity and respect.
"They call it respecting the strong, but isn't this just survival of the fittest?"
"Can't argue. You shine by stepping on the weak."
"I get privileges by skill. But I thought natural respect came first. Especially for a righteous sect."
Yet here?
Competition? More like following vulgar demonic ways.
Jegal Tan chuckled at his troubled expression.
"Figured you'd feel uneasy."
"Tan. What do you think?"
"Me? I got plenty of perks, so it was comfy."
Jegal Tan smirked, sat shoulder-to-shoulder, and snapped a dry twig.
Crack.
He tossed it into the fire and continued.
"Until I competed with my little brother."
"Ah..."
"Don't make that face. It doesn't bother me now."
Poking the fire, Jegal Tan said.
"It was a shock back then. Losing to my own brother, of all people."
Fizzle.
Sparks flew from the campfire.
"I tried drowning the defeat in debauchery. That's when I got called Instructor Hunter. Was pretty different back then."
"...Tan."
"Now? I'm glad. Led me to Instructor."
Turning misfortune into fortune? Nangong Yun-ho muttered.
"The more I learn, the less I like this place."
"Gotta get used to it. The world's not like those wuxia novels from childhood."
Bonding over drinks.
Laying down lives for justice and chivalry.
Where were the heroes dreaming of righteousness in rundown huts?
"Maybe realizing harsh reality is part of growing as a martial artist."
"If getting used to this makes a martial artist, I'd rather stay Bronze Hall's Ghost forever."
A sudden curiosity struck.
'Am I the same?'
Would familiarity make stepping on others normal? Judging ranks, forming cliques?
The thought brought a poignant melancholy.
Too gloomy? Jegal Tan spoke apologetically.
"Most people I know are like that."
"Most? Sounds like some aren't."
"Our instructor."
"Heh."
Right. There was Instructor.
Stronger than anyone, yet living freely.
'If I grow up, I want to be like Instructor.'
Lazy when sleepy.
Flees without looking back if annoyed.
Worrying if adults should act that way, but.
- Nangong. Go wild as you like.
Days ago, facing his brother with swords.
Those eyes looking down from the octagonal platform—Nangong Yun-ho remembered clearly.
'Not a shred of doubt.'
Even against his brother, Silver Hall's top genius.
Un Ho-seung wasn't wrong.
Instructor was odd.
But Nangong Yun-ho welcomed that oddity.
"Yeah. If possible, I want to be an adult like Instructor."
"She's quirky and fun. But worrying? I don't want my friend turning into her kind of weirdo."
"Ha ha ha ha."
The two laughed facing each other.
Instructor returned to Silver Hall four days later.
Before her messy hair even appeared at the training ground entrance.
"Instructor!"
Baek Ri-seol flew like a bird, attempting a body slam.
"Ack."
Quick reflexes sent her tumbling.
'Every time I see it, but Instructor's movements are incredibly swift.'
As he marveled anew, Chu Un-hwi approached with his signature waddle, peering closely.
"Nangong. Anything happen while I was gone?"
"We trained diligently enough. But."
Where had Instructor been?
She looked especially fatigued today.
'Or not?'
That refreshingly bright smile amid the shaggy hair.
Tilting his head, Chu Un-hwi patted his shoulder and passed by.
Then Nangong Yun-ho furrowed his brow.
'This smell...'
A faint fishy scent.
Uneasy, he glanced back at Instructor, but she casually waddled toward Un Ho-seung unperturbed.
'My imagination?'
Shaking his head, Nangong Yun-ho hurried after Chu Un-hwi.
"I'll go with you."
"You're back."
"Yeah. Little Un. Any progress?"
Frowning at the nickname, Un Ho-seung answered earnestly.
"Common sense is somewhat there."
"Ho. Not bad, young master."
"Told you. Just unfamiliar from lack of exposure."
Boastfully, the five had followed Jegal Tan's guidance well.
From basics to systematic training methods.
Jegal Tan added.
"They've already mastered simple common sense."
"All of it?"
"Trap avoidance and memorization responses are still lacking."
Chu Un-hwi nodded at the follow-up.
"Good enough. Better than rookies treating iron fans as toys not long ago."
"Temporary Instructor. See? I deliver when I commit."
Un Ho-seung and his crew puffed up proudly.
Then.
"Some things haven't improved at all."
Thwack!
Un Ho-seung's back arched sharply.
Feet hitting the ground again, he clutched his gut and collapsed.
"Gah. Ack. Kehk. Why..."
"I told you. Get used to reading moods."
"Out of nowhere like this."
Thud.
His toe twitched, and Un Ho-seung slid sideways.
Sprawling in a big X.
The twins shuddered watching.
"A-already starting?"
"Yep."
"T-Temporary Instructor. Give us a moment to prepare."
"Prepare for my fists."
Thud thud.
The twins toppled one after another.
Quick-witted Dang-gan tried fleeing.
But Chu Un-hwi grabbed his collar, thrashed him, and wrenched his neck.
"Im family girl. You?"
Im So-jeong answered amid frog-before-snake panic.
"You seem quite annoyed."
"Correct."
Thwack.
Headbutted straight, Im So-jeong crumpled.