Gu Jun-hyeok Incapacitated. Do Seon-woo Wins.
So Do-jin declared the verdict. My victory.
Gu Jun-hyeok lay there spread-eagled on the ring, eyes closed as if he'd passed out for a moment, only to spring back up three seconds later. He rubbed his waist, looking puzzled.
"What the hell? Thought it was snapped in half, but it's fine?"
"As long as the Blessing Circle is active, you guys 'absolutely' can't get hurt."
"Huh? That make any sense?"
Gu Jun-hyeok grumbled as he gathered the scattered ropes on the ring. So Do-jin smirked.
"It doesn't. But there's someone who makes it make sense."
"Whoa... deep, man."
"Anyway, next up—"
So Do-jin ignored Gu Jun-hyeok's nonsense and resumed the training. Countless students climbed into the ring, sparring until winners and losers were decided. And through it all, not a single injury.
Not even anyone complaining of pain. Seong Yu-da's Blessing Circle neutralized not just impacts, but pain itself.
I glanced at Seong Yu-da's Blessing Circle. Among all the ones I'd seen, it was the most perfect. Beautiful, even.
[Your skills have improved since then.]
Legba said bitterly. That "then" had to mean the Holy War seven years ago. Seong Yu-da had led the massacre of Voodooists back then—not just contributed, but spearheaded it. As a heretic inquisitor, he'd stood at the vanguard, arresting innocent Voodoo followers. If they resisted, he killed them. In the end, he murdered my father and threw my mother into an underground prison.
My teeth ground together. But revenge? Not really stirring in me. Or more accurately, I didn't want to feel it—not when the gap was so overwhelming. Right now, I just didn't have the power for revenge.
Against Seong Yu-da and that damned Purification Clan with their Purifying Blood, our affinities were mismatched from the start.
"Next. Kim Jin-seo, Yeo Min-seo."
Time had slipped by. Now it was Kim Jin-seo, Patience Class rep, versus Yeo Min-seo, Kindness Class rep. The training's heat was peaking.
"Kim Jin-seo's got this. Didn't you see her 10-second knockout earlier?"
"Bullshit~ Yeo Min-seo's never lost a spar~"
"That's 'cause she hasn't faced Kim Jin-seo."
"Nah~ She beat her ass back in middle school too~"
Students bickered over the outcome. Some even bet money.
"Hey, who you got?"
Gu Jun-hyeok asked with a shit-eating grin. I eyed the ring. Kim Jin-seo had hand wraps on; Yeo Min-seo leaned against the cage, staring vacantly at her with hollow eyes. No weapons for either.
Couldn't call it.
"Dunno. Kim Jin-seo, maybe."
Logically, Kim Jin-seo had the edge. Yeo Min-seo didn't look like a fighter—more verbal sparring type.
"Eh... yeah, probably. But the rumors, man."
"What rumors?"
"You haven't heard? It's famous."
Gu Jun-hyeok explained. Kim Jin-seo and Yeo Min-seo were middle school classmates. They'd sparred three times. Yeo Min-seo won all three. By a landslide.
"No way."
Trained vs. untrained bodies move differently. Kim Jin-seo was the former; Yeo Min-seo the latter. For her to beat Kim Jin-seo three times?
"How'd they even match 'em up? Fun bracket."
"Random draw, they said."
"For real? Random and it lands like this?"
Gu Jun-hyeok tilted his head, eyebrows wriggling like worms.
"...Kinda sus. Rigged?"
Same doubt hit me. Too contrived otherwise. But So Do-jin called it random himself, and he looked surprised at the bracket. Probably legit.
"Eh, no reason to rig it. Just coincidence."
Gu Jun-hyeok nodded, muttering to himself more than asking. I didn't reply.
Ding—!
The gong rang. On the ring, Kim Jin-seo and Yeo Min-seo's sharp gazes crossed.
*
Even after the gong, Kim Jin-seo just stood there, staring at Yeo Min-seo. Yeo Min-seo whipped her hands, rapidly deploying Blessing Circles. Mostly mid-tier or higher body enhancements.
"You comin' or what? Gonna watch me for three minutes?"
"......"
Yeo Min-seo taunted. Kim Jin-seo didn't answer. No circles drawn. Just staring. Waiting for an opening? But none showed.
Honestly, didn't look winnable.
Yeo Min-seo finished her circles. Holy light enveloped her.
"Kim Jin-seo. Wanna bet? What d'you say?"
No reply. Yeo Min-seo grinned.
"If I lose this spar, I'll grab my resignation and head straight to the principal's office."
Obvious bait. Kim Jin-seo didn't bite. Mildly annoying, but nothing compared to Gu Jun-hyeok's shit.
"But if I win—"
Crunch. Opening spotted. Kim Jin-seo gritted her teeth and charged. Close the gap, then temple kick on sight. One shot or bust.
Thwack.
Full-power high kick. No impact. Yeo Min-seo smirked, blocking with one hand like it was a joke. Grabbed the ankle, tossed her like a doll.
Bam!
"—Ugh."
Kim Jin-seo's head smacked the cage. Dizzy. Yeo Min-seo sauntered over leisurely.
Kim Jin-seo glared up sharply.
"Everyone else cowers when you glare like that and shakes. Think it'll work on me? Get up. Hurry."
No attack. Just mind games, scraping at Kim Jin-seo's nerves. She bit her lip, staggering up. Dizzy, off-balance. No pain, but shock lingered.
"Not using blessings?"
Using one meant instant loss. Had to win on raw physicals alone.
Kim Jin-seo shook her head, clearing thoughts, reset stance. Sweat stuck to her lips. Yeo Min-seo smirked mockingly.
"Got some fire now."
Kim Jin-seo rushed. Not waiting for openings—make one. Mid-charge, halted, weighted her foot. Another temple kick?
"You learn a lit—"
Whoosh. Kim Jin-seo's body spun. Clothes fluttered. Elbow strike loaded with weight and spin—smashed Yeo Min-seo's jaw.
Faked the kick to drop guard. Created the opening, hit unexpected.
"......Ah, this."
But no beep from Yeo Min-seo's impact sensor. Direct elbow to jaw, yet no pain flinch. She grinned wickedly.
"So this is real fighting. Trained folks are different. For real."
Full-power strike, zero effect. Even with Kim Jin-seo's superior physique, no-blessing vs. blessing was worlds apart. Raw body couldn't beat enhanced.
"One minute elapsed."
Two minutes left. Urgency built. No blessing = loss. Blessing = loss. Either way, defeat.
How to win? How, damn it. How...?
Sparring Yeo Min-seo always felt like an insurmountable wall. Too towering to climb.
"Hoo."
Kim Jin-seo steadied her breath. Psychological pressure messed her rhythm; already winded. Training honed body, but mind lagged.
Yeo Min-seo eyed her coolly from afar. Kim Jin-seo glared back. Tense standoff in silence.
"What's next? Fake kick, fake elbow, then real kick? Flashy."
Yeo Min-seo broke quiet. Casual arrogance—no thought of losing.
Kim Jin-seo let out a hollow chuckle. Near-mad.
"You said you'd quit if you lose. Keep it."
"Say that after you w—"
Before finish, Kim Jin-seo dropped low, charged again. Yeo Min-seo watched calmly. Kick? Or grapple? She could handle either.
Whoosh!
Simple kick. Yeo Min-seo ducked easily. Then spotted it—divine power leaking from Kim Jin-seo's fingertips.
"......Aha."
Fake attack to distract, sneak a circle. Solid plan. But too amateur for Yeo Min-seo's eyes. She fired back divine power, drew her own circle, hurled it at Kim Jin-seo's.
Clack. Grind.
Like forcing mismatched gears—eerie, sharp noise. Circles tangled. Soon, flickered irregularly. Collision incoming.
"That was creative. Surprised me."
BOOM—!
End of words, massive explosion. Tangled circles collided. Kim Jin-seo, point-blank, launched skyward then crashed. Botched landing—body screamed like shattered.
Yeo Min-seo watched arms crossed, relaxed.
Beeeep—!!
Kim Jin-seo forced up amid pain; sensor screamed.
"Kim Jin-seo incapacitated. Yeo Min-seo wins."
"Ah, done. Good work?"
Yeo Min-seo grinned at her, hopped off lightly. Kim Jin-seo slumped against cage.
No blessing: outpowered, out-tanked. Blessing: Yeo forces collision, boom. No win con.
She stared blankly at nothing, slumped long.
"Kim Jin-seo. Down. Next match soon."
So Do-jin climbed up, offered hand. She ignored, stood alone. Bitter smile, head low.
"I'll forfeit."
*
Kim Jin-seo forfeited, left Holy Training Ground early—feeling unwell. Free win, but no joy. Uncomfortable, even.
Their spar? One word: "playtime." Yeo Min-seo toyed with Kim Jin-seo like a doll. Sorry, but that's how it looked.
Yeo could use blessings freely; Kim couldn't risk it. Yeo'd force collision. Unfair, kinda.
[No, it wasn't unfair. The girl just used her talent well.]
Legba countered. I neither nodded nor shook head.
"Next: Yeo Min-seo, Do Seon-woo. Kim Jin-seo forfeited—order shifted. Up."
So Do-jin said flatly. I climbed ring head down. Yeo Min-seo stared from across, nasty smile.
"Why the long face? Someone die?"
Obvious taunt. But Gu Jun-hyeok tier? Nah.
"Why you hate her?"
"Her? Kim Jin-seo?"
Yeo Min-seo leaned on cage, pondered. Brief silence.
"Eh... do you need a reason to hate someone? Don't need one to like 'em either. Same diff."
I nodded faintly. Fair answer.
Truth: I wasn't pure enough to cry "fair." My scores? Not "my" power—Loa help. Diagnostics, spars alike.
Interfering with blessings? Yeo Min-seo's talent. She used it smart—no foul.
If anyone's unfair, it's me.
Ding—!
Gong rang clear. Start.
"Hoo."
I breathed steady. No fairness whining now. I'd beat Yeo Min-seo—with a dash of unfair if needed.
No real reason, like she said.
(To be continued next time)