Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: It Wasn't Something I Wanted (1)
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Kim Jang-seok had several reasons for challenging his son to a spar, but the biggest one was crystal clear.
'How much power is he hiding?'
A precise gauge of his son's concealed strength.
He could have left it to others for an easier assessment, but Kim Jang-seok needed to see it with his own eyes to ease his mind.
'That's no power you gain overnight.'
Up until he'd beaten Kim Seok-ho, he'd thought it might be possible somehow. But knocking down a cadet in artifact overload resonance? That was a whole different league—one you couldn't just brush off.
Yet the incident hadn't blown up as much as expected. Lee Seung-jun's base level was low to begin with, so the prevailing opinion was that Kim Geon-ho could overpower him simply by stepping up his game.
'They haven't dealt with many overload cases, so that's why the dumb takes.'
Such opinions could only come from utter ignorance and the false courage it bred.
The real nightmare in subduing an overload victim wasn't just their boosted strength.
The biggest issue was how the artifact's resonance disrupted control over one's own power.
"Like running a fan in the middle of a storm."
And you needed flawless control to keep that fan breeze steady amid the gale.
His own son, Kim Geon-ho, had pulled it off without breaking a sweat.
"Pardon?"
Of course, right now he was wearing a stupid, delinquent scowl as he parroted back the question—hardly the picture of someone who'd aced that feat.
But the fact remained: the kid had crushed an overload opponent with overwhelming skill.
"Nothing. We'll figure it out as we go."
Which was why he had to check it himself.
Kim Jang-seok tightened his leather gloves securely and continued.
"Come at me first."
Mountain Lords' etiquette.
The strong never struck first, ambushed, or attacked without warning.
Kim Geon-ho knew this inside out, so he charged without hesitation. That's when it hit him—a crucial detail he'd overlooked.
"Left leg."
Mountain Lords' etiquette didn't include holding back on power.
Kim Jang-seok called his target and unleashed a full-force kick at Kim Geon-ho's left leg, no mercy spared.
Crack!
"Guh!"
Even knowing the target, the sheer weight-class gap made blocking impossible.
Kim Jang-seok was going easy in his own way, but still using real strength—while Kim Geon-ho held back his Ferocious Tiger power. Anyone could see the clear difference.
And yet, Kim Geon-ho kept charging at Kim Jang-seok, exchanging blows. To be precise, he had to.
'Can't afford more suspicion here.'
A man like Kim Jang-seok would spot anyone hiding their strength.
So Kim Geon-ho put on a desperate act, fighting full-throttle to dodge suspicion.
I'm giving everything—no more, no less. Nothing hidden, so drop the doubts.
This wasn't just a spar. It was Kim Jang-seok probing for secrets versus Kim Geon-ho selling a convincing facade—a battle of wits woven into the strikes.
"Right side."
Thud!
"Urk...!"
Kim Geon-ho lunged; Kim Jang-seok halted the charge and countered. Unable to overcome it, Kim Geon-ho flew back—then charged again.
How many times did that loop play out? Eventually, Kim Jang-seok called it quits first.
"That's enough. I've got a schedule, and my doubts are cleared anyway."
How many parents would boldly admit to suspecting their own kid?
If there was a show called No Bad Parents in the World, Kim Geon-ho would've begged Kim Jang-seok to guest star.
'Psycho bastard.'
Beat the crap out of me, get a rough read on my limits, then claim doubts cleared? Who says that sane?
Too battered to reply, Kim Geon-ho just waved him off. Kim Jang-seok chuckled dryly and tossed a card onto his stomach.
"Use that to gear up. Can't have my heir charging in bare-handed like some scrub."
Buy some clothes, equipment—whatever. Make yourself useful.
With that, Kim Jang-seok left the training ground, servants in tow.
"Fucking dog."
All Kim Geon-ho could do was mutter curses in the empty space.
For now, at least.
The next morning.
I forced my aching body to move, shoving down the full-body throb.
"Ugh... fuck, ribs still hurt."
Even if restraint wasn't his creed, how do you beat your own kid without a shred of hesitation?
Worst was how he'd deliberately pushed me to the brink, squeezing out every drop to test for hidden reserves.
No mercy—just pure violence to confirm I had nothing up my sleeve.
"Least it bought me a break."
The academy was closed for the day, naturally.
Showing up looking one-sidedly pummeled didn't fit the wastrel son vibe—bad for the brand.
Not skipping without permission, though. I'd cleared it with Kim Jang-seok already—totally legit.
And no way was I wasting time like this, so I headed straight for the black market.
Normally, I lacked funds for prime gear there, but yesterday's card from Kim Jang-seok changed everything.
'Heir perks are real.'
A black card exclusive to Mountain Lords elite—high limit, too.
Not unlimited, but enough for a solid black market score.
Plan was to snag a weapon for when I couldn't use Ferocious Tiger.
"Hobong, black market."
"Pardon?"
"Ah... right, just head to the address I call out from now on."
Once in the car, I gave Hobong directions, then slowly closed my eyes.
'Hobong knows less than I thought.'
Kim Jang-seok might've picked him on purpose—low info, perfect watchdog. If a chatty one got assigned and I snagged info independence...
I could've accessed deep Mountain Lords intel unchecked. But he'd covered that base flawlessly.
'Review time.'
Before black market arrival, I replayed the spar in my Mental Realm with a training dummy—real-time feedback, super efficient.
How long was I in there?
"We're here."
"Yeah, got it."
Voice snapped me out; I exited the car.
"But seriously... what's here?"
Hobong climbed out, eyeing the surroundings skeptically.
Made sense. The spot was barren—nothing but a no-parking sign in what could've been a wasteland. Zero reason to linger.
'No wonder no one suspects a black market.'
This level of concealment meant serious scale.
"I'll go alone. Park anywhere and chill."
"Pardon? Y-yes, sir..."
Temporary or not, post-heir recognition, Mountain Lords servants treated me different.
Used to feel obligatory; now they feared screwing up.
Whatever—worked for me.
'Let's go.'
I slapped mana into the no-parking sign like an idiot—no finesse needed for brute force.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Like a balloon filling with water, it swelled up fat.
Any second from bursting—
"Ease up, protester?"
The gatekeeper appeared.
"Nah, lemme in."
"Code?"
"No clue."
Just open it—I wanna shop.
Time for the Mountain Lords wastrel to make a scene.
Meanwhile, same time.
At the academy, Marren steeled herself and asked Professor Ran.
"Huh...? Geon-ho's not here today?"
"Aye, said he had business."
"Aw... that's bad."
I want to get physical...
Marren swallowed the rest, slinking back to her seat with a wilted expression.
'What am I supposed to do now, Geon-ho?'
Mess me up inside, then ghost the next day? Where's the justice?
He'd said contact anytime I wanted, but ditching your partner without a word? Worst.
I want to bond faster, fall in love. Why can't he see that?
'Gotta track him down.'
For once, Marren decided to ask her family—first time ever.
The request? Find Kim Geon-ho's location.