The Flavor of Corruption: I Just Give Them a Push
Buwoong—!
The sword slices through the air with a sharp whoosh. Cheolsu swings it with both hands in a single, unadorned straight line—pure, no frills. He's perfectly mimicking the sword technique Kim Yujin used before.
It's definitely a clean technique.
Most heroes prioritize mobility. Unless you're a top-tier S-rank, it's impossible to cleave high-level monsters in one stroke. And there are few heroes with the defense to withstand a high-level monster's attacks head-on. That's why the focus is on dodging monster strikes as much as possible.
But this swordsmanship is different from the ground up.
In contrast, the technique Yujin used outright rejects that idea. It doesn't even consider the possibility of a failed attack. It doesn't think about what comes after—a sword that cleaves through everything in its path. The pure destructive power it unleashes is the technique's greatest strength.
I have no idea if his raw destructive power is on par with a top hero.
Only he, who fought Yujin directly and witnessed that battle, could know. The guy's power had already reached those lofty heights.
Can he withstand that single sword strike? That's the bare minimum prerequisite to beating Yujin.
I've researched obsessively and trained like a madman. If we went back to day one now, I'd be confident I could win.
Paradoxically, Yujin had been great motivation for Cheolsu. He was diligent by nature, but it was just the level of "working hard." He hadn't staked his life on it or ground his bones to dust. He'd shed sweat and tears, but not blood.
But now it was different. With the sole resolve to protect Younghee, Cheolsu threw his soul into training every single day. His sword talent was already in genius territory, and in just the past few days, his skill had skyrocketed.
"What an idiot."
A scolding voice flies at Cheolsu as he trains. He stops his swing and turns to see Younghee standing there. Her hair is shorter now than before, and she's looking at him with utter disdain.
"You think swinging that sword around like this is gonna let you beat Yujin oppa?"
"Won't know till I try."
"Oh yeah? I think I do."
She plops down casually, crossing her legs arrogantly. Mockery for her opponent oozes naturally from her face.
"I can already picture you losing pathetically like last time and bawling your eyes out."
A tone she never would have used before. An expression and gesture she never would have made. He has no idea where she picked it up.
"I know exactly what you're thinking. 'If I win, I'll rescue her from Yujin oppa's arms' or whatever, right?"
"......"
"You're such a moron. Still don't know your place? Even if you wish for it, I'm not coming back to you. I'll just run right back to Yujin oppa and wag my tail for him."
Cheolsu shakes his head and swings his sword again. Younghee steps forward, her face flushing with anger at the sight.
"Want me to lay out the facts? No matter how hard a loser like you tries, you can't hold a candle to Yujin oppa. It's a waste of time. You'll just end up in the hospital."
"Like I said, won't know till I try."
"Ha! You're totally brain-dead, huh? That's what they call a loser's delusion."
Younghee lightly brushes her hair behind her ear.
"And that 'promise'? You actually believe that? Idiot. No brain? You think Yujin oppa would honor a promise with a pathetic guy like you? You're just a toy to him."
"Maybe."
Cheolsu remains emotionless, as if he's completely killed off his feelings. He just swings his sword.
"Haa, you're such a fucking moron. I'm embarrassed I ever fell for a guy like you."
"Then just ignore me."
"What?"
Cheolsu turns his head.
"If you like Yujin so much and hate the sight of a loser like me, just stop paying attention to me and live your life. Why come over here and say this crap?"
Younghee's face twists in fluster. She's been caught off guard.
"Th-that's because you're getting in the way, obviously! If you mess up my relationship with Yujin oppa, you gonna take responsibility?"
"Responsibility? You mean like this?"
In an instant, Cheolsu's arm moves. He pulls Younghee into an embrace and leans in, lightly brushing his lips against hers.
".....Wha—what?!"
A fleeting kiss, barely a moment. But it was enough to throw the girl's heart into chaos. Younghee's face flushes bright red.
"Y-you...!"
"Should've done it sooner if I knew it'd shut you up."
Cheolsu grins slyly—a sleazy smirk the innocent boy from before never would have made.
"Thanks to that bastard Yujin, I learned something too. Being honest all the time won't protect anything. Sometimes you gotta be a total asshole."
Just as Younghee had changed, so had Cheolsu. More precisely, he'd broken.
"I'll do whatever it takes. If it'll let me crush that guy and take you back, I'll do anything."
Madness fills his eyes.
Aaah, you've changed too, huh.
Younghee realizes she has no choice but to accept it.
"......Even if you do, I'm not coming back to you."
"Just like you don't care about my feelings anymore, I won't care about yours."
"Don't fight, you idiot! You think this is gonna make me come back to you?! No way! I'm never coming back! So just give up! Give up and live your life!"
In the end, the one who couldn't hold back her emotions first was Younghee. She screams like she's lashing out desperately.
But Cheolsu ignores her, silently swinging his sword again. His gaze never returns to her.
Younghee watches him with choked-up tears before turning and leaving. Seeing Cheolsu swing his sword with such a cold expression—unlike before—was just too hard to bear.
"I'll...... train under Hero Kim Taejin."
After agonizing over it, Yujin makes his decision. His homeroom teacher and the school nurse wear polar-opposite expressions. The nurse especially looks utterly betrayed.
No, then what am I supposed to do?!
For Yujin, it was an unavoidable choice. He'd once thought it enviable for two women to fight over him, but experiencing it firsthand? Not so much. If anything, it was a huge hassle. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet he felt guilty.
But here, I should side with Homeroom Teacher.
She'd made the first offer, after all. Picking the nurse would make him look like he stole her away midway. Plus, Homeroom Teacher's recommendation was an actual hero—someone respected, unlike the scary Heukcheon folks. No contest on normalcy.
And it's just one week of suffering!
......
......If I pick Heukcheon, training might spill over into home. Who knows when it'd end. Home is the one place I can relax.I don't want to lose that.
Still, she looks so disappointed. Kinda feels bad.
If Homeroom Teacher was puppy-like, the nurse was foxier—usually cool and aloof. Seeing her so downcast tugs at even Yujin's soft heart.
"Don't be too bummed. I can always train with Heukcheon anytime."
That's what he says, but he has zero intention of actually doing it. He never promised to, so it's safe. Safe!
Using an uncharacteristically sly tactic, Yujin watches as the nurse suddenly brightens, like she's realized something.
"Ah, aah! I see! My apologies. I didn't grasp Young Master's profound intent."
No, there's no profound intent. I just don't wanna train.
......But she seems convinced, so I'll just shut up.
From experience, talking only makes things worse for him. Staying silent works, and the nurse bows deeply.
"My deepest apologies for failing to comprehend Young Master's profound intent. I'll take my leave then."
Even as she says it, she doesn't forget to glare at Homeroom Teacher. Who huffs and turns away in response.
The brief commotion in the staff room passes. Yujin turns back to his homeroom teacher.
"So, what's this Hero Kim Taejin like?"
"Oh, she's amazing! Korea's number one hero! The strongest in martial arts—no one comes close!"
"Probably some muscle-bound brute, right?"
"Of course! She's over 60 but still active! You'll be shocked when you see her! That's how incredible she is!"
Hearing that makes him want to see her even less. Sounds like she'll make him do a million waterfall punches or something without batting an eye. Gym teachers suck for losers. Especially the "Pair up in twos now~" types—die.
"So I just go find her?"
"Yep! I already talked to her. Head to the address, and she'll teach you."
He glances at the address but has no clue. He barely knows the area around here—somewhere else? Forget it. Park Secretary can drive him.
Anyway, he said yes, so he has to go.
"How strong is she?"
He can't straight-up ask if she's scary, so he phrases it carefully.
But Homeroom Teacher beams.
"Way stronger than you think!"
Damn, that assessment. Terrifying. What, is she some demon lord from hell?
He's starting to really not want to go.
"Got it."
Yujin answers and leaves the staff room. It's just one week. One week to endure. Like a short Marine boot camp. Asshole... fire!
Oh yeah, I have that spar with Cheolsu coming up. Hope it doesn't affect that...
His own skill level? He knows it better than anyone. A week's training won't make him that much stronger. He has almost no combat experience anyway—just brute strength. Even a great hero won't turn him into a pro overnight.
The next spar with Cheolsu will probably be his loss.
Whatever. Just kill time for now.
With that thought, Yujin starts walking.