Chapter 53: The Banquet (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: The Banquet (8)
Riiip! Rip!
Jin snatched the book of poetry from Bubar’s grasp and tore it apart, both lengthwise and crosswise. The thick volume shredded as easily as a sheet of cloth.
“It seems our guest needs a lesson in manners.”
“Eh…?”
Bubar’s eyes went wide as he stared up at Jin. His face was a mask of genuine confusion, as if he truly couldn't fathom why Jin was reacting this way.
It was that very look—that ‘I-don’t-know-what-I-did-wrong’ expression—that made Jin’s blood boil.
Not only did he dare mention my sister’s name so casually, but he called me ‘brother-in-law’?
If they weren't in the middle of a banquet hall, Jin would have ripped the man’s tongue out on the spot.
Bubar’s words and actions weren't just an insult to Luna Runcandel as an individual; they were an affront to the entire Runcandel clan. Even a member of the Viment Imperial Family wouldn't dare speak to him like that.
Of course, Bubar hadn't intended to look down on the Runcandels. He was simply, and pathologically, dense.
“Haha, bro—brother-in-law. Oops, no. Young Master! Why the sudden outburst!”
At the mention of ‘brother-in-law’ again, Jin had to physically restrain himself from throwing a punch. Closing his eyes for a moment to suppress his rage, Jin raised a hand and summoned the Guardian Knights.
“Drag this man to the dueling arena.”
“Yes, Youngest Young Master.”
Clank, clank! Two Guardian Knights standing at the edge of the hall seized Bubar by the shoulders. Even then, Bubar still hadn't grasped the reason for Jin’s fury.
Was it my joke? What the hell, is that any reason to embarrass someone like this? You piece of trash!
Bubar had a truly unique way of thinking.
He was a man utterly devoid of etiquette or refinement. Had it not been for his unique ability, ‘Shapeshifting,’ he likely would have been murdered in the streets long ago.
As the commotion grew, all eyes turned toward them. The guests watched with curiosity as Jin selected his first dueling opponent—most of them unaware of his earlier duel with Siris.
“Young Master! Don’t do this! I was merely expressing my love! Everyone has the right to express their love!”
Bubar shouted the entire way as he was dragged off, but Jin didn't bother responding. Not a single word out of the man’s mouth was worth a reply.
“Agh! Young Master Jin! Is this how you treat a guest? Let me go!”
As the arena drew near, Bubar felt like livestock being led to a slaughterhouse.
Damn it! Those Zipple followers should have killed this brat five years ago!
Five years ago, on the day Jin left Storm Castle, radical Zipple followers had disguised themselves as Guardian Knights in an attempt to assassinate him.
The one who had transformed them was none other than Bubar Gaston. Although he belonged to Kinzelo, he often lent his services to Zipple followers as well.
It was in his nature to help anyone, provided the task caused enough chaos in the world—and as long as he wasn't the one in danger.
There’s no way this kid knows I’m the one who transformed those assassins back then, so why is he doing this to me? I just told him his sister was pretty, for God’s sake!
No one knew the truth except for Bubar and Jin himself. Bubar had only heard that the assassins who requested the transformation had failed their mission and been killed.
“The duel will be a bare-handed brawl.”
Just before entering the arena, Jin spoke in a chilling voice. When Bubar failed to answer, the Guardian Knights grabbed his head and forced him to nod.
Bu—Bubar?!
Vishkel, who had just finished touring the banquet hall with Margiella, felt a spike of pain shoot up his neck the moment he saw the scene.
“Brother, what’s happening? Wow! A duel. It looks like Mr. Bubar and Young Master Jin are going to fight!”
“That idiot…!”
He couldn't even wait for me to be gone before causing trouble!
Undoubtedly, Bubar had taken advantage of Vishkel’s absence to approach Jin and ask for an introduction to Luna, or had spouted some nonsense about being in love with her. There was no other conceivable reason for Jin and Bubar to be fighting.
Vishkel ground his teeth. If not for that Shapeshifting ability, the man would be utterly worthless. Once Kinzelo’s grand ambition was realized, Vishkel vowed to tear Bubar apart with his own hands.
“Phew. For now, we should follow them, Margiella.”
“I’d love to, Brother! I’ve wanted to see Mr. Bubar fight for a long time.”
Meanwhile, Siris, who had been watching the commotion while holding Murakan, also made her way toward the arena.
I was planning to wait for the right moment to challenge him again, but what is this? Why is Jin fighting that guy?
From her perspective, the situation was just an annoyance. It wasn't that she expected to win a rematch, but her plan had been to keep dueling Jin until the banquet ended.
“Oh! I’m so glad I attended this banquet. To think I’d get to meet the successor of the Secret Palace at such close range! It’s a pleasure. You’re Siris Endorma, right? I am Veradin Zip—”
“Get lost.”
“Ah, yes.”
Veradin, having been shot down for trying to be friendly, followed behind her with a dejected look.
“By the way, be careful with that cat. He’s the one who scratched my face, haha. He’s a very vicious fellow.”
Siris completely ignored the white-haired scholar who kept trying to strike up a conversation and entered the arena. Even if she had known he was the rising star of the Zipple clan, her reaction likely wouldn't have been much different.
Unlike the day before, when Jin and Siris fought, the arena was now buzzing with excitement.
Duels between renowned warriors raged on without pause, and the spectators were cheering and jeering at the top of their lungs.
Normally, one would have to speak to the announcer and wait for their turn, but Jin had no such need. The moment he entered, the arena fell silent.
A Guardian Knight approached the announcer and whispered, informing him of Jin’s duel.
“Next up! The star of this banquet! The rising sun of the Runcandels, Young Master Jin, will have a duel!”
Waaaaah!
Jin warmed up as he stepped into the center of the circular arena and pointed at Bubar.
“Get up here.”
The crowd didn't seem to know who Bubar was.
However, no one looked down on him just because his name was unknown. They assumed that anyone invited to a Runcandel banquet must be highly skilled.
“Is he a hidden master?”
“I heard he came as an attendant for the Ivliano family. Still, he must be someone extraordinary.”
Bubar could no longer back down, and his own anger had reached its peak.
He had protested his innocence the entire way here, yet this young brat had ignored and insulted him to the very end. It was time to show this punk his true strength.
“Fine! I accept the duel. Don’t regret this!”
Bubar stepped into the arena and faced Jin.
“Young Master Jin of the Runcandels. Before we begin, please introduce yourself formally. It’s the least you can do. My name is Bu—”
“Shut up. I have no interest in knowing your pathetic name. Let’s begin.”
Jin lunged forward before the announcer could even signal the start. Seeing Jin’s attitude, the audience could guess that Bubar had made a grave mistake.
“Guh!”
Caught completely off guard by the surprise attack, Bubar was struck in the cheekbone and stumbled back. Tears welled in his eyes, and a curse reflexively escaped his lips.
But Bubar wasn't a complete amateur. Though unknown to the world, he was a 6-star warrior.
“You brat!”
Whoosh!
It was a punch thrown with incredible speed for someone with such a heavy, fleshy body. Though he looked ridiculous, Bubar’s fist was shrouded in a vivid Aura.
A fierce counterattack. Jin dodged it without a hint of concern.
At a glance, Bubar’s Aura was clearly more destructive. The spectators, though slightly disappointed that Bubar was weaker than they’d expected, still bet on him, knowing his cultivation was higher than Jin’s.
“Young Master Jin chose an opponent stronger than himself.”
“And it looks like that fat guy specializes in brawling. If Jin loses, it’ll be an embarrassment. Why did he do it?”
As the audience observed, Bubar’s martial arts were surprisingly decent. If this were an ordinary arena instead of a Runcandel banquet, he would have drawn significant attention.
Jin, on the other hand, was a knight who used a sword. Since Bubar also had the stronger Aura, it wasn't unreasonable for people to predict Jin's defeat.
Thwack!
Bubar’s follow-up hook landed squarely on Jin’s jaw. Jin’s legs buckled slightly, and Bubar flashed a triumphant smile.
With this level of skill, you dared to touch the great Bubar? I’ll make you crawl and beg, you little fledgling.
However, the smile didn't last long.
“Gah?”
Jin, who should have collapsed after staggering, was already lunging forward again with murder in his eyes.
I hit his jaw perfectly, so how?!
Bubar had definitely felt Jin’s legs give way.
It had been an act. A Runcandel’s blessed physique wouldn't crumble so easily from a blow to the jaw. If Bubar had ever fought a Runcandel before, he wouldn't have been so careless.
Crack!
A heavy thud echoed as Jin’s palm struck Bubar’s face. His nose partially collapsed, and a spray of blood erupted.
There was no time to scream. The Runcandel way of combat was to become even more merciless once an opponent faltered.
Thud! Bam! Crack, crack!
Another blow to the broken bridge of his nose, then the left cheekbone, the right ribs, and the solar plexus. Jin’s two fists, glowing with Aura, were tenderizing Bubar.
It didn't stop there. As Jin began to incorporate kicks, Bubar became a bloody mess within seconds, tossed about the arena like a ragdoll.
“It’s over.”
“Luring him into a false sense of security and then finishing it quickly. The most efficient way to handle a stronger opponent.”
The spectators were disappointed they didn't get to see Jin’s swordsmanship, but it was still quite a show. Above all, the greatest takeaway was seeing the kind of combat Jin pursued.
Young Master Jin isn't the type to show unnecessary pride in a fight. Once he judges an opponent to be stronger, he immediately finds a way to win.
It wasn't unheard of for a 5-star to beat a 6-star. However, it was extremely rare for a 5-star to utterly overwhelm them as Jin just had.
It was, quite literally, a beating. After the first clean hit, Bubar hadn't been able to land a single blow, spending the rest of the match being hounded and pummeled.
I should probably stop now. My soft heart is always my weakness.
In truth, any other Runcandel would have torn Bubar limb from limb the moment he said ‘brother-in-law,’ even in the middle of a banquet.
“Phew.”
Jin shook the blood from his knuckles and caught his breath. The fallen Bubar was barely twitching, tears streaming down his face.
Just as Jin turned to leave, a woman’s voice rang out from the stands.
“Brother Vishkel! I cannot understand Young Master Jin’s behavior. The match was decided long ago! How could he so ruthlessly trample an opponent whose will to fight has already been broken!”
“Ma—Margiella?”
Vishkel looked at his sister in horror.
“Young Master Jin was too harsh on a weaker opponent. That man lying there is our friend. Are you just going to watch? Brother, I am so disappointed in you.”
Bubar Gaston. That disgusting man is not weaker than Jin, and he is certainly not our friend…
Vishkel wanted to say exactly that, but the part about his only sister being ‘disappointed’ weighed heavily on him.
“…Are you telling me to duel Young Master Jin?”
“Yes. I want you to teach Young Master Jin a lesson. In a way that is more honorable than what he just showed us.”
“Oh, what a fiery young lady!”
“Vishkel! Grant your sister’s request. Haha, this will be an interesting match.”
In the end, goaded by Margiella and egged on by the crowd, Vishkel had no choice but to step into the arena.