Chapter 29. Raising a Hero. Fighter, Loser, and the Ill-Fated Genius, Ganesha.
The cheers that had always poured toward her were all stolen by the century's genius, Gerolt, the moment he appeared. Before Kang Ji-hyuk showed up, Gerolt's hero debut had been the most spectacular in history. The emergence of a D-rank hero who effortlessly cleared a 50-point mission—something even B-ranks struggled with—drew every eye in the land. Some wouldn't shut up about how he was a genius among geniuses.
Of course, she hadn't started out branded a loser. ...The turning point was the fight between Gerolt, then ranked 5th, and Ganesha, ranked 2nd.
The reason? At a regular meeting, Ganesha had shown up late—halfway through—and demanded Gerolt hand over the chair position. Sure, as the 2nd-ranked, it made sense for her to lead, but barging in like that and making the demand was clearly out of line. ...Anyone could see it was blatant provocation, picking a fight.
The meeting ended, and the brawl broke out. Right there in the Hall of Fame. An S-rank showdown between 2nd and 5th place. Chaos was inevitable. Word spread, and even the imperial knights mobilized. In front of a massive crowd of onlookers, Ganesha was utterly crushed by Gerolt.
Opinions had been split on who was stronger before that, but no one expected her to lose so pathetically. Gerolt's star soared higher, while Ganesha slunk offstage into obscurity.
From then on, she ditched missions and roamed solely for fights. If someone was strong, she'd chase them to the ends of the continent. Meanwhile, Gerolt climbed to 2nd, and she dropped to 3rd.
Ji-hyuk had clashed with her a few times in previous loops too. Even in the 14th loop, she'd come calling when he was A-rank. But this time, she was way too quick. ...Probably because rumors of a genius even greater than Gerolt had spread. Ganesha, who damn near had a seizure at the mere mention of his name, wasn't about to sit idle on that. If anything, her timing felt almost late.
They headed for the hero academy. No better spot for reckless brawling without a care for bystanders.
The moment Ganesha hopped off the carriage, she summoned the person in charge and barked an order to inform the headmaster she'd be borrowing the training grounds. It was a one-sided declaration. Despite her rough look, as an imperial princess, she wielded no small authority.
The four of them strode straight into the training grounds. Ganesha's infamous S-rank reputation cleared the place fast—the instructors hustled the trainees out before any sparks flew their way.
"This good enough?"
Ganesha asked, arms spread wide to show off her muscled frame. Ji-hyuk nodded casually.
She drew the axe from her belt. With her brute strength, she swung it like a sword, whipping it around effortlessly.
"Fair warning, I'm shit at holding back. Don't wanna get wrecked? Block smart."
"We'll see. Might be you getting wrecked instead."
Wahaha! The muscle woman burst out laughing. She'd never seen a mere B-rank stand so boldly before her. This wasn't just fearless—it bordered on deranged.
"This guy's hilarious."
"Why's your tongue so goddamn long? Never seen a big talker who could actually back it up."
Ganesha's eyebrow twitched. Her grin faded. What remained was a demon's glare. A murderous aura began to seep out. She gripped the axe haft like she meant to crush it.
Ji-hyuk smoothly drew his holy sword. It was already throbbing in his palm, howling for blood. Shut the fuck up, you little shits. He clamped down on the hilt hard enough to silence the demons' clamor.
A chilling tension clashed in the air between them. Ganesha licked her dry lips. Ji-hyuk cracked his neck to the side.
Don't let those bulging muscles fool you into thinking she was slow—that was a recipe for disaster. She'd once held S-rank 2nd place. The bulk was just intimidation, not hindrance.
They settled into stances. Ji-hyuk glanced sideways at Mahushu and Celly huddled in the corner. ...He hoped this fight would inspire them big time.
He struck first. His stance dipped subtly, then he shot forward like a bullet. She parried his diagonal slash with her axe.
Clang!
Ji-hyuk's brow furrowed at the heavy shock vibrating through his palms. ...Same monstrous strength as ever. Crazy bitch monster.
Ganesha followed up instantly, slamming her axe down. It whistled past his chest by a hair. A bit more lean, and his dick would've been bisected. No room for counter-sweeps, though—he whipped his blade at her axe-wielding arm.
She yanked back fast, then swung horizontally in retaliation. The whole exchange was under a single breath.
Ah—
Mahushu and Celly gaped, eyes glued to the frenzy. This was otherworldly combat. Mahushu realized every spar with the boss had been child's play. Her body tingled. Watching that insane clash, she got way too excited. Aah— That was the great warrior battle she'd craved.
Ganesha's eyes sharpened as Ji-hyuk dodged her strikes by razor-thin margins. This fucker...! Once or twice, she chalked it up to luck. But repetition proved intent. He was evading every attack with insane precision. She'd never seen anything like it. Attacks that could kill on a flinch, and he slipped them without blinking—against an S-rank 3rd place hero, no less!
It was like tightrope walking on a blade. The funny part? She knew it, yet couldn't land a hit. Speeding up changed nothing. He still dodged by a finger's width. ...This fucking bastard...!
Ganesha spotted an opening and unleashed her masterpiece strike—faster, fiercer than before.
Whoosh!
She was sure it'd carve a deep wound, even if blocked. But he moved like lightning, countering sharply.
Clang!!
Instinct twisted her body away, but not fully—her chest tore open long. Blood gushed. She glanced down, then slowly lifted her head. Her eyes gleamed like a wounded beast's.
Here, she admitted it. This guy wasn't some pushover. He could be the next Gerolt. She had to nip it now. No more stepping stones on her head.
Ji-hyuk felt her intent shift. Probing before; total war now. Playfulness gone from her face—just a predator eyeing prey. But S-rank 3rd didn't faze him. He'd endured worse hells. Neither was walking out unscathed anymore.
He cracked his neck again. ...Tough bitch, but time to school that attitude. He'd planned to eventually; opportunity came sooner. ...No reason not to. His body wasn't peak yet, but skill and experience could land a solid hit. Full power, though.
Thud—her foot slammed, and she rocketed like light. Her horizontal axe swing's shockwave shook distant trees. Full force now. Hit meant death. Block meant death. Only evade.
Ji-hyuk's evasion was heavenly talent that awed even the continent-conquering Cheonma. Ganesha couldn't match the man who'd topped the world.
Fuck, fuck, fuuuck, FUUUCK, FUUUUUUUUUUCK, just get hit alreadyyyyyy—!!!!
"Raaagh—!!"
Ganesha screamed with bloodshot eyes, swinging wildly. You fucker, fucker, this fucking FUUUUCK, hit already, FUUUCK, HIT YOU FUCKERRRR—!!! She was losing her mind. How? Full power swings in perfect position, yet he dodged and countered. Her body was slashed deep in places, soaked in blood. Still, she raged harder.
Ji-hyuk was winded too. One lapse, and his head was gone. In elite fights, focus till the end. Even masters fell to carelessness historically—heads roll the same.
The brutal exchange dragged. Then, in a flash, Ji-hyuk caught her breath hitch, exposing a huge gap. A rookie would've lunged. But he saw the trap. S-rank 3rd wouldn't slip like that. ...Yet he bit anyway. Knew the ploy, but exceeded expectations—
Fucker bit—
Ganesha banked on his inexperience. No overcoming her 20+ years. Gap was real.
Ji-hyuk flashed forward. One, two steps—into range. Hers too. Axe and sword moved simultaneous.
He chose: give flesh, take bone. ...Fight ends only when one's down.
Ah—
Weapons inches away, Ganesha realized. This FUUUUCKING BASTAAAAARD—!! Too late. Her axe grazed his chest; his sword severed her left arm.
Splurt—!!!!
They leaped back. Blood sprayed both. Ganesha stared at her severed arm, blood spurting, calm as if another's.
"Ha... fucking bastard..."
Ji-hyuk's chest gushed too. But wounds differed vastly. She'd baited, got baited instead. Ha— If he knew and dove in, genius call.
The muscle woman dropped her axe. "Enough. We're done."
Ji-hyuk glanced at the onlookers. Mahushu had bolted for help when the arm flew.
"I didn't lose. You know that? Stopping 'cause more'd kill you. Got it, fucker?"
"Understood, Your Highness."
"...This cheeky shit knew who I was? Playing dumb? You sly fuck—!"
"With your fame? How could I not."
"You're a goddamn curse."
"Haven't heard that in ages."
"Get used to it. I'll say it daily, you fucking shit."
"...Keep that up and... Never mind."
"What? What, fucker? Spit it out. All of it, fucker. Fucking do it."
Face paling from blood loss, still toughing it out—funny. Anemia hitting now.
"Doesn't hurt? Sit and rest."
"Fucking hurts like hell, you prick. Fuuuck. Fucking shit. Prick."
Yet she stood tall, axe gripped right. Eyes pierced him sharp.
"One question. ...Got it?"
Ji-hyuk grinned instead. Fucking smug prick, goddamn fucker. ...Wanna gouge those eyes, bastard.
Ganesha ground her teeth, glaring murderously. "I'll remember you. Fuck. ...Didn't expect another cock-sucking fucker, fuuuck."
Crowd rushed in, gasping at her arm. She yelled for heals. Clean cut regrew it fast. She flexed the new hand. Ji-hyuk healed his gash.
"Fight ain't over. Just paused. Fuck."
"As you wish, Your Highness."
"Prick, talk like a total asshole, fuck."
Noble princess with a mouth like a sewer. ...20 years as hero? That's tame.
"Rematch later. Hey, answer?"
"Kinda busy."
"Bullshit. Huh? This fuck, ignoring me? Hey fucker, I'm a princess? Fuck, you dare diss royalty?"
"I'd never believe noble Princess Ganesha'd stoop to cheap tricks."
"You— prick. Tongue rolls slick, fuck. Ugh, disgusting. Ptui!"
Unable to contain herself, she stomped off to her carriage. Ji-hyuk sighed long after she vanished. ...Axe a tad deeper, and it'd flipped. Razor-close win. If she'd fought death-defying, he wouldn't walk clean either. Mutual mercy stop.
Mahushu and Celly flanked him.
"Boss, holy shit, whoa, my nips are hard, whoa, first time feeling this—!"
Excitement lingered; Mahushu bounced. Celly's eyes sparkled too.
"You two gotta reach this level someday. ...Think you can?"
Mahushu clenched fists. "Can! Will! Become great warrior, stronger than that muscle bitch—!"
"I'll give my all too."
Ji-hyuk chuckled, patting their shoulders. Back in the carriage, he slumped against the seat. Exhaustion crashed. Full effort toll. Eyes shut for rest... sleep took him.
...The hero suffered muscle pain all day.