Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Spineless, Wasn't I?
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Kim Cheol-min dragged me behind the gym. This was the spot where the school gangsters often gathered to smoke or shake down kids for cash.
The teachers all knew about it but never came here. They just didn't want to get involved in the hassle.
Naturally, no one was around to help me. I'd probably end up getting beaten black and blue again and promising to bring money next time.
I resigned myself to it as I walked, but the grip on my collar felt weaker than expected.
*Had this guy always been this weak?*
Kim Cheol-min did have a slightly skinny build. I'd seen him fight once—he was the type who used nimble footwork and kicks.
He made up for his lack of raw power with agility. If anything, he was like a goblin.
Of course, he was still stronger than me. I'd never exercised a day in my life, after all.
But the strength I felt now was way off from before. It seemed like I could shake him off anytime if I wanted.
*Is this the power of Strength 12...?*
I suddenly recalled something from a hunter magazine. It was about stats, saying the average for an adult male was around 10.
So Strength 12 put me on the burly side for an adult man. That was 20% stronger than the average of 10.
It wasn't anything crazy high, though. Some ex-military Awakeners had Strength 13, apparently.
*But against Kim Cheol-min?*
I had a shot. He didn't look all that strong, and while he was pretty agile, he wasn't exceptionally fast.
Agility 11 at best? With both my stats at 12, I had no reason to lose.
*The only thing he had over me was fighting experience...*
By then, we'd reached the back of the gym. Kim Cheol-min shoved me against the wall and slowly undid the buttons on his sleeves. He was rolling them up, getting ready to throw down.
But for some reason, I wasn't scared. Even with his menacing glare.
The reason was obvious.
Goblin.
My death match with that thing had changed me.
Thinking back, the goblin had charged at me with every intent to kill. Hell, it saw me as prey.
*If I'd lost, it probably would've torn me apart alive.*
Violence was violence, but the level of threat was on another planet.
*Compared to that goblin yesterday, this guy's nothing. No reason to be afraid.*
“......What's with that look? You wanna try it?”
Had my thoughts shown on my face? Kim Cheol-min's expression grew even fiercer as he swung his fist. I...
*Whoosh—*
Dodged it effortlessly with just a single step back. So easily that I was the one surprised.
*Huh? It worked?*
“Ho, you dodged? You're dead.”
Kim Cheol-min's eyes blazed as he rushed in. He had every right to be pissed. I'd dared to fight back, after all.
Yeah. I'd dared to fight back.
*Swish—*
The second attack came straight for my face. I tried stepping back, but the wall blocked me.
His fist was right in front of my nose. I dropped straight to the ground. The punch whistled over my head.
*Thud!*
“Argh!”
He clearly hadn't expected me to dodge again—Kim Cheol-min smashed his bare fist into the wall.
“You crazy bastard... Dodged?”
“Wouldn't you dodge? You want me to just take it?”
“Are you nuts? Ow. That hurts.”
“You okay? Not broken?”
Kim Cheol-min clenched and unclenched his fist, checking for damage. His knuckles were red and swollen, but the bones looked fine.
“Son of a...”
“Say it with me. 'You're dead.'”
Curses flew with a kick. It was fast, but I didn't panic. I could see this one coming too.
A low kick to my left shin. I lifted my leg and brushed it off lightly.
*Whoosh—*
Must be the boosted stats. My dynamic vision and reaction speed were no joke.
I could see it. I could react.
I could win.
“Raaagh!!”
I kept dodging, and it pissed him off. Kim Cheol-min let out a roar and charged.
His body was tense with power. His movements were bigger, and his target obvious.
A high kick to the head.
*Kicking my head with his foot... Like my life means nothing?*
The old me would've been terrified.
But now, I was angry. I wanted payback.
I ducked the attack and slipped inside his guard.
He never saw it coming—his eyes widened in shock, then squeezed shut as he saw my fist coming.
*Thud!*
“Argh!”
Kim Cheol-min clutched his nose and collapsed. He'd lifted one foot for the high kick, so the impact to his face must've been huge.
“You little...”
Blood streamed from his nose as he staggered to his feet. Was he gonna keep going?
But he just barely stood, not charging again. In that moment, I read the emotion in his eyes.
Bewilderment. Fear.
He was afraid of me. From just one punch.
*This is all it took? I spent three years living like a dead man because of this guy?*
It felt empty. And infuriating.
“Bite down hard. This'll hurt.”
“Huh?”
I took a big step and swung. Pouring three years of resentment into it.
* * *
“Hey, you okay?”
I shook Kim Cheol-min, who'd passed out on the ground.
But he wouldn't wake up. My last hit had nailed his jaw, knocking him out cold.
I held a hand under his nose, just in case. Good—he was breathing fine.
*Phew. Thought something bad happened for a sec. Anyway... I won?*
I stared at my slightly swollen fist, overcome with emotion. Me, taking down Kim Cheol-min with my own hands.
I'd only ever imagined it before... It really hit me that I was an Awakener now.
Felt like I was the protagonist in an anime.
A hero saving the world. Is this what being a hero feels like?
*Well, as the Demon King's descendant, maybe more villain than hero...*
Hero or villain, didn't matter. Either way, no more bullying from gangsters. That was enough. That was...
A weight lifted off my chest. He couldn't torment me anymore. No need to sell my figures.
Honestly, protecting my prized collection felt better than revenge.
That's when a group of guys rounded the corner, chuckling.
Pulling out cigarettes—textbook gangsters.
“Huh? Isn't that Cheol-min?”
“It's him. Hey, Cheol-min! You good?”
“What the hell are you?”
The five gangsters glanced between unconscious Kim Cheol-min and me, then spat curses.
Their glares were sharp—they looked ready to pounce.
*Two, four, five... Run!*
I bolted without looking back. Too many. I could've handled two, maybe, but five? No way.
No one beats a group beatdown. Even Power Rangers lose 5-on-1 to mooks eventually.
“Grab him!”
“Stop right there, asshole!”
“Like hell! Would you stop?”
I rounded the gym corner and cut across the field. Curses echoed behind me. They were closing in—the voices got louder.
I needed to run faster, but damn, my breathing was ragged. Stamina hitting empty.
*Shit, should've put points in Vitality. Wasted them all on Strength and Agility?*
I cursed my past self for only putting 3 in Vitality and kept running.
*If I'd run sooner, they wouldn't be chasing. No. This was bound to happen eventually. Kim Cheol-min wouldn't let it slide.*
Gangsters are scary because they travel in packs. Three to ten at a time, bullying anyone who can't fight back.
Even I couldn't take three or more. Unless I got way stronger.
*Where to? Staff room? Nah, they'd catch me eventually. Home? Graduation's soon anyway—no need for school. But... what if they come to my house?*
Kim Cheol-min knew my address—that was the problem.
Back in freshman year, I'd skipped to avoid him. He somehow found my house and trashed the place.
Found out later the homeroom teacher gave him my address. Knew it was a lie about “visiting the sick” but told him anyway.
After that, I never trusted teachers. Hell, I had no allies in school.
*In the end, I just have to get stronger.*
I headed straight for the first-floor faculty bathroom.
* * *
“That bastard went into the teachers' bathroom!”
“Shh! Quiet. Staff room's right there.”
“Drag him out quietly. Don't wanna make a scene.”
The gangsters smirked, thinking they'd cornered their prey in a dead end.
“Heh heh. Dumbass. Thought we'd back off if he ran to the staff side?”
“Hey, get some water. Let's see how long the dog hides.”
They entered the bathroom, opening stalls one by one. First two were empty. The third was locked. They pushed—and a knock came from inside.
“We know you're in there, asshole!”
“Open up. Or you want a waterboarding?”
Something mumbled inside, but the running water drowned it out.
Not that the gangsters cared to listen to Cha In-hyeok anyway.
“Excuses won't save you. Pour it!”
A half-full basin tipped over the stall. Water poured, followed by a scream.
“Heh heh. Idiot. Who told you to run?”
“Come out quick, man. We'll treat you nice.”
The stall door opened. Someone stepped out. The gangsters, smirking at Cha In-hyeok, froze solid.
“What're you gonna do to me?”
It was the disciplinary supervisor, nicknamed “Mad Dog” among the students.
Soaked to the skin, he hastily adjusted his slipping wig—but his bald pate was still visible.
“S-Stu-supervisor? Why're you here...”
“We really thought someone else was in there! Hey! You said he came here!”
“W-Weird. I saw him go in...”
The gangsters frantically searched the bathroom, protesting their innocence. But Cha In-hyeok was nowhere.
* * *
“Phew. Spineless, wasn't I? Hunting monsters because of gangsters...”
I muttered as I eyed the goblins in front of me.
Damn goblin bastards. Birds of a feather—they'd all shown up together, three ugly ones at once.
Luckily, not a total gang-up. Moemoe Kyun and Goblin A were by my side.
The issue was whether I could handle even one goblin solo.
*Damn. At least Kim Cheol-min was unarmed.*
The goblin held a rusty dagger. I was empty-handed.
I'd grabbed a nearby rock in a pinch, but it was shorter and weaker than the dagger.
“Yare yare... This is... troublesome.”
It was like dodging a fox only to run into a tiger.