Chapter 67: As the Old Saying Goes, One Can Neither Kill Nor Truly Raise a Disciple (2)
Chapter 67: As the Old Saying Goes, One Can Neither Kill Nor Truly Raise a Disciple (2)
Endure it. I have to endure it.
I’d rather solve this myself than call Oxymoron.
Especially now that I know she’s a pervert who records other people’s body measurements.
No wonder the way she looked at me felt strange.
Common sense dictates that no normal person remembers the specific details of how I strike someone.
She definitely has some weird obsession.
To think she’d forget the grace of me picking her up from that mess and raising her.
Surely she doesn't have custom-made clothes or a 1:1 mannequin of me at her house, right?
My thoughts were spiraling.
…First, let’s calm down.
Even she wouldn't go that far.
The old Heroes are all lunatics except for me, but they haven't broken that badly.
The fact that the nurses summoned by Oxymoron’s S-Rank Technique, Operating Room, looked somewhat like me must have been a mere hallucination.
Stay calm, Lee Ha-ram. If your emotions boil over now, everything will go to waste.
I kept trying to soothe myself, but the thing I was holding made it impossible to find peace.
This monstrosity covered in frills, ribbons, and accessories.
The unique texture of polyester and the soft feel of silk traveled up my hands.
Then, as I placed my hand on the waist, I felt the smooth touch of leather.
A terrifying dress that used an excessive amount of fabric. That was the true identity of this abomination.
Standing before the mirror, I held the clothes up against my body.
It suited me. It actually suited me well.
The harmony of black and red contrasted sharply against my silver hair and pale skin.
To any teenager with a penchant for a dark aesthetic, I would look so striking they wouldn't be able to tear their eyes away.
The only problem was that the person wearing it was me. That single fact was what made this so agonizing.
If Yumil were holding this instead of me, she’d force me into it and use it for promotional material.
I pulled the dress away from my body and scanned the overall design again.
I’m supposed to… wear this?
This thing with decorative laces at the waist, as if it’s trying to mimic medieval attire?
Let’s think.
Which is more beneficial: the probability that Oxymoron is even weirder than I thought if I call her, or wearing this and never having to see her at all?
There was no need to deliberate.
If I can't trust my comrade-in-arms, who can I trust?
With that thought, I tossed the clothes onto the bed.
* * *
I made my way to the living room.
I was prepared to unleash a furious tirade on my disciples, telling them never to do something like this again.
Clad in that heavy aura of intimidation, I returned to the living room, only to be greeted by…
“It looks great on you, Senior!”
“Master! Can I take just one photo? I’ll be the only one to see it, I swear!”
It was my disciples, rushing toward me with joy at the sight of my appearance.
“I was worried because there are so many tight belts and laces, but it fits you perfectly.”
“I can take a picture, right?”
“….”
A wave of shame washed over me, making it impossible to lift my head.
The scolding I had loaded in my mouth vanished back down my throat.
I had ended up wearing the clothes.
Because deep down, I was terrified of calling Oxymoron.
It wasn't that I didn't trust her. I was just afraid that such a trivial action might cause a rift in our friendship.
Anyway, that was my excuse.
A bothersome sensation tickled my lower legs.
It was a different feeling from the thick white tights that usually came with Magical Girl outfits.
A bizarre sensation caused by the translucent black stockings that were part of this ensemble.
The subtle texture of the stockings tickled the skin of my legs.
As I became conscious of it, my mental fortitude began to crumble even further.
What on earth am I doing, dressed in women’s clothes?
It wasn't the first time I’d worn female attire.
Infiltration, disguise, assassination—there were times when I had to wear clothes that matched my outward appearance to get the job done.
But back then, I had the mental support of doing it for the greater cause.
And the clothes weren't this flashy; they were just ordinary women’s wear.
Just kill me already.
I endured this mental torture through gritted teeth for four or five minutes.
I’ll probably never forget these moments for the rest of my life.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“I’m satisfied.”
Han A-bin let out a refreshing laugh as she stepped back.
Baek Si-hyun’s expression turned serious as she stared at the phone containing my photo.
I looked at my two disciples.
Keeping them in my sights, I glanced at the clock on the living room wall.
9:00 AM.
A perfect time.
Originally, I had planned to prepare for the search for the Thunder God today.
But being a day late shouldn't hurt.
“Both of you, to the training hall.”
“Huh?”
“It’s time for training.”
“Shouldn't you change your clothes first?”
There was no need for that.
Weren't these the clothes my disciples gave me?
I could afford to wear them for at least one day.
Training my disciples while wearing the clothes they gifted me didn't seem like a bad idea.
“These clothes are fine.”
No, it wasn't just that they were fine.
It had to be these clothes. That way, this outfit would be etched into their memories.
“We haven't had breakfast yet….”
“It’s better if you don't eat.”
An empty stomach is easier to manage.
Ding.
The elevator doors to the training hall opened, and I slowly stepped inside.
Sensing the change in my atmosphere, my disciples hesitantly followed me into the elevator.
“Is he mad?”
“Maybe….”
Once inside, they huddled in the corner, whispering quietly while stealing glances at me.
I wasn't mad.
Wasn't this my own fault? If I hadn't run away from the mall, they wouldn't have bought these clothes.
Ding.
The elevator reached the training hall, and the doors slid open.
I just wanted to vent this frustration a little.
* * *
“You didn't slack off on your training while I was gone, did you?”
“No! We were trained by Ms. Oxymoron!”
“I chased after Black Marauder, and in my spare time, I received technique lessons from the Heavenly Sword mister!”
Perhaps sensing the ominous vibe permeating the training hall, the two disciples answered in stiff, tense voices.
Han A-bin with Oxymoron, and Baek Si-hyun with the Heavenly Sword.
Not bad.
The only one who can actually keep up with me in pure melee combat is the Heavenly Sword. Since Mishika Misha and the Yellow King don't use weapons.
If she learned from him while I was away, her posture must have been thoroughly corrected.
“We’ll keep it simple today. It’ll be over in ten minutes if you're fast.”
“…?”
Doubt flickered across my disciples' stiff faces.
‘He’s setting such a heavy mood, and yet it’s a simple training session?’
That was likely what they were thinking.
“What I’ve taught you so far were minor tricks and how to build a foundation.”
For Han A-bin, who needs to strengthen her body like me, I taught pure mana utilization.
For Baek Si-hyun, who needs to use various skills, I taught multiple techniques.
“So today, I want to have a spar to see how much you’ve grown through those lessons.”
Hearing that, the light in my disciples' eyes dimmed.
“Let’s do this. I will only use gauntlets. My physical reinforcement will be set to a speed only slightly faster than yours.”
Clank. Clank.
Silver gauntlets materialized over my red dress.
“You can do whatever you want. Land one clean hit on me, and the training is over.”
The expressions on their faces turned even stranger.
‘Just one hit? And he doesn't even have his hammer?’
It was obvious what they were thinking.
“If you understand, take up your weapons.”
The two Magical Girls still looked confused, but they obediently drew their weapons as instructed.
“Then, let’s begin. Feel for yourselves what the standard of an O-Rank Monster is.”
Boom.
The moment I finished speaking, I kicked off the ground and lunged toward Han A-bin.
I reached out with both hands toward A-bin, who stood there blankly, unable to react.
Now, Si-hyun, can you react to this?
She wouldn't have expected me to attack the rear guard immediately, and she wouldn't have had enough time to activate her Future Foresight.
My prediction was spot on.
Baek Si-hyun only began to react after I had already reached A-bin.
Taking advantage of that gap, I grabbed Han A-bin’s right hand.
“Wait, that’s unfa—”
“Surprise attacks are inherently unfair.”
I threw A-bin’s body over my shoulder and simultaneously raised my left hand.
Clang!
The sound of Baek Si-hyun’s Silver Hammer colliding with my gauntlet rang out.
And then, I was pushed back by the force.
My left hand was knocked upward, out of control.
As expected of Baek Si-hyun. Without her limiter released, her pure specs are similar to mine.
In that case, a hammer imbued with rotation would have a stronger instantaneous impact.
In that brief moment when my guard was open, I caught Si-hyun’s eyes.
Eyes filled with nothing but passion as she looked at me. She didn't even look at the falling A-bin; her gaze was fixed solely on my left and right hands.
At the same time, weapons began to be summoned in the air.
Perhaps influenced by the Heavenly Sword, numerous hwandos revealed themselves.
Does she plan to end it like this?
Baek Si-hyun twisted her waist.
Likely to maintain the rotation of her hammer.
I recovered my raised hands.
Starting with the right arm I used for the throw.
Then, my left hand followed.
I formed a guard with both arms.
Si-hyun’s eyes tracked both gauntlets.
The Hammer and the hwandos surged forward.
Aiming to smash through my guard with The Hammer and pierce my body with the swords.
“Si-hyun. Keep your field of vision wide.”
Future Foresight is useless if you use it like that.
Even now, you're only looking at the gauntlets.
Thud.
My left foot, thrust out, slammed into Baek Si-hyun’s abdomen.
“Guh!”
The Hammer’s trajectory was warped.
Deflecting The Hammer that had lost its rotational force, I dove straight into Si-hyun’s inner guard.
Thud. Thud-thud-thud-thud.
Behind me, I heard the sound of hwandos stabbing into the floor.
No need to worry. This is the safe zone anyway.
I reached out with both arms and wrapped them around Baek Si-hyun’s waist before she could recover.
“Watch your neck.”
I lifted her body exactly as I had caught her.
Suspended in the air, Si-hyun flailed her legs to regain her posture, but it was too late.
Maintaining my lower body stance, I went straight into a German Suplex.
Boom!
Unable to counter my move, Baek Si-hyun was slammed headfirst into the mat.
Was she flustered?
She didn't even use telekinesis and let her head hit the mat directly.
Add another weakness to the list.
She’s weak against unexpected situations.
Well, it is a bit strange for me to use grappling instead of striking.
Maintaining the bridge, I grabbed her arm.
Putting strength into my knees to stand up, I threw Baek Si-hyun away.
Thump.
I heard a sound.
Having floated through the air, Han A-bin finally landed on the mat.
Lowering my stance, I charged toward A-bin.
A-bin wasn't about to go down without a fight; she performed a breakfall and used the momentum to spring back up.
In her hands was a bow with an arrow already notched. She likely intended to find me and attack the moment she stood up.
Amateur.
“Over here.”
“Huh?”
Did she not expect me to be right in front of her?
Flustered, she missed her timing to attack.
Maintaining my low stance, I grabbed A-bin’s legs and lifted her up.
As I straightened my waist, A-bin’s body was pulled along.
Now, one more suplex.
Except this time, there won't be any air time.
Bam!
Han A-bin was slammed onto the mat.
Perhaps the blood rushed to her head from the sudden rotation.
She fainted, her eyes rolling back.
Nope, no mercy.
Holding on, I did it once more.
Bam!
“Ack!”
“You awake? You should wrap your head in mana so you don't pass out.”
“Ah? Yes?”
“This time, it’s in the air.”
I grabbed her left foot and spun my body.
After a 1080-degree spin, I let go.
Influenced by inertia, the pink Magical Girl flew through the air in a curve.
“Kyaaaaaaaaah!”
Oh, she didn't faint this time.
Confirming that, I leaped toward Baek Si-hyun, who was still in the air.
The exchange had happened in an instant.
In less than ten seconds, the two disciples had been thrown multiple times. Even their two-person coordination lost its meaning before wrestling techniques that utilized time gaps.
Normally, this would be the end.
If I had used my hands to strike, they would have been sent to the hospital with internal ruptures or fractures.
But I had no intention of doing that today.
Time is long, and being thrown onto a soft mat doesn't hurt that much.
Unless they want to keep doing this for the next eight hours, they’ll eventually land a hit.
I saw Baek Si-hyun before me.
She seemed to have regained her senses, using telekinesis to fix her posture in mid-air.
“Si-hyun, wake up. You're going for another flight.”
“What?”
I placed my left hand on her shoulder and grabbed her thigh with my right.
The upward momentum I gained from kicking off the ground didn't diminish even after grabbing her, so we both soared toward the ceiling.
“Now. I’m slamming you down. Watch your neck. Don't faint.”
“Master….”
Boom!
I flipped Si-hyun half a turn so her head was pointing down and kicked off the ceiling.
Bam!
Once again, her head was driven into the mat.
Was she so shocked her whole body froze?
Despite being thrown, she stood there stiffly.
“You should have used a breakfall.”
I grabbed her legs, which seemed to be twitching as if asking to be caught, and threw her back into the air.
Now, Han A-bin should be falling.
Kicking off the ground, I moved toward the predicted landing spot.
“Why are you there….”
I caught her mid-fall and performed another throw.
Bam!
The satisfying sound of a person colliding with the mat echoed through the training hall.
There are still 7 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds left.
Kids, if you want to live, try to land a hit somehow.
It’s only this much because it’s me; if it were Mishika Misha, you’d be flying around with all your joints dislocated.
Consider yourselves lucky it’s me.