The Heavenly Demon Gives Coaching (1)
The Blood Sect Leader. Even Han Seo-woo had heard of that man. It was almost impossible to avoid hearing about him if you spent any time in the Hwaryong Muin community. For the past two years, the Blood Sect Leader had been the most active faction head in the world of Hwaryong Muin. He lured people in with the promise of eternal life, and he was a madman who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Human sacrifice. Cannibalism. Solitude. The Blood Sect Leader had abandoned every scrap of human decency, repeating atrocities that made him infamous no matter how you looked at it.
Naturally, the people of the Murim hated and opposed the Blood Sect Leader, but opinions among players were split. Not many criticized him on moral grounds. After all, it was just a game. The real divide came from the chaos he caused. Those who had suffered because of his antics insisted they should raid him and get rid of him as soon as possible. On the other side, people argued that since there was an easy and fast way to get stronger, why not just use it?
Han Seo-woo stayed neutral on both sides. Locked away inside the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and focused solely on training, he had no reason to suffer from the Blood Sect Leader’s actions. If he had any impression at all, it was simply that the man certainly knew how to stir up trouble on a massive scale.
Everything the Blood Sect Leader did was grand in scope. Just look at how he had set up a blood ritual across the entire former Mount Hua. Whether he succeeded or failed, he was the kind of person who kept attempting things that could destroy an entire sect. Thanks to him, Hwaryong Muin never lacked for events, but lately the prevailing opinion was that he was going a bit too far.
Anyway, that guy keeps mentioning Lady Hwaryeong?
“What exactly is the Blood Sect Leader saying?”
“That there is someone who handles the Heavenly Demon Divine Art better than he does.”
Baek Hwaryeong let out a small snort of laughter as she spoke.
“It’s an obvious ploy. He’s using that person as bait to lure this seat out into the open.”
“Doesn’t that upset you?”
“Why would it upset me? It’s not as if he’s the one spreading the rumors himself. Besides, there is no one in this world who handles the Heavenly Demon Divine Art better than this seat. What is there to be upset about? All I feel is curiosity.”
It was absolute confidence, pure and unshakeable.
“By the way, my disciple. You didn’t actually suspect that this seat would be jealous, did you?”
“No! How could I possibly suspect my master!”
“Then why did you ask?”
Han Seo-woo was at a loss for words. It was only natural. His master had a habit of beating up anyone she thought might be decent. Hadn’t their own first meeting begun with her pummeling him? Given her colorful track record, suspicion was inevitable. He barely managed to swallow the words rising in his throat and quickly changed the subject with a trembling voice.
“Master. Then what do you plan to do when you meet that civilian?”
“Are you trying to change the subject?”
When Han Seo-woo looked at her with desperate eyes, Baek Hwaryeong chuckled and exhaled a puff of smoke from her long pipe.
“Fine. I’ll let it slide since you’ll pay for this later. What do I plan to do, you ask? It’s nothing complicated. First, I need to have a conversation.”
Where and from whom the person had learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Whether they had any interest in joining the Divine Cult since they were a user of the divine art. And most importantly, whether that person was a fanatic or not.
“And after that?”
“After that? Well. If things go well, we’ll part ways laughing and chatting happily. If not…”
They would have to exchange fists.
Even though Baek Hwaryeong stopped speaking and put the pipe back in her mouth, Han Seo-woo could already guess what she meant. The fact that his master was speaking like this meant a meeting between Lady Hwaryeong and his master was practically set in stone. Considering Lady Hwaryeong’s skill, his master would definitely take a liking to her.
Maybe… just maybe… would his master finally gain another disciple besides him?
That would be nice. Finally, someone would be beneath him. He would have a junior! He had always suffered alone under his master’s tantrums. If there was one more disciple, they could share the pain. Maybe his master would roll him around less often.
The more he thought about it, the more advantages he saw. Ah, he really hoped Lady Hwaryeong would get dragged here soon.
“My disciple.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Therefore, as a fellow outsider, you will make contact with that person and introduce them to me.”
“…Excuse me?”
Why is this suddenly my responsibility?
“What is it? Are you going to talk back to your master?”
“No, that’s not it, but…”
“Then what is it?”
Master, not every outsider knows each other! I already told you! I’ve only heard the name Lady Hwaryeong—I have no connection to her at all! Even if I’m somewhat famous in these circles, it’s still awkward to suddenly reach out first.
Han Seo-woo grumbled furiously inside his head, but he couldn’t voice any impossibility. His master had a subtly old-fashioned personality. If he said it was impossible, she would clearly keep rolling him around until he changed his answer.
“I will do my best.”
“Good. That’s how it should be.”
Is there anyone around me who knows Lady Hwaryeong? Maybe Brother Dekay at most? But he’s probably sick of getting contacted about her too. It feels awkward to bring it up first. Is this what it feels like to be a salaryman who has to pitch an expensive product even though he knows he’ll get cursed out?
I’ll ask to meet for another reason first, treat him to something expensive, then make the request. I can use the excuse that I wanted to see him after a long time.
“Now then. Shall we begin? Show me the results of this training you’ve been doing. I expect you to have made remarkable progress.”
“Here I come!”
Even though he knew he could never meet his master’s expectations, Han Seo-woo gritted his teeth and charged at Baek Hwaryeong.
Several hours later.
Han Seo-woo had used the excuse of needing to eat and logged out of Hwaryong Muin. He stared into empty space and let out a long sigh.
I’m going to die.
He was a professional gamer who worked in the industry and was used to harsh training, but spending time with Baek Hwaryeong was harder than anything else.
“At least Master is generous when it comes to meals. That’s a relief.”
Staggering to his feet, Han Seo-woo wondered what he should eat today. It was his first monumental day off, so he really should have something delicious. Maybe order chicken for delivery?
He had decided on the category, but the specific menu was the problem. Not all chicken was the same. Fried or roasted? Seasoned or fried? If seasoned, what kind of seasoning? What about the sides? The menu called “chicken” was so profound that it offered endless topics for research.
He had the delivery app open and was carefully deliberating when his phone rang. It was from the exact person he had been thinking of contacting.
Dekay. This hyung usually handles everything by text. Why is he calling?
Even though he found it strange, Han Seo-woo answered the phone. Since it was someone he had already planned to contact, there was no reason to refuse.
“Hyung. Why are you suddenly acting so weird?”
“Was that too much?”
“I thought you’d finally gone crazy while streaming.”
“Hey. I’m still your hyung. Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“Think about what you just did first.”
Dekay fell silent. He clearly thought he had gone overboard himself. Han Seo-woo let out an audible sigh and continued.
“So what’s up?”
“I became the team leader for the Ass University team this time. You know Ass University, right?”
“I do. It’s that 5v5 tournament between streamers.”
Since it was a gathering where most of the famous Apis influencers came together, even active pros knew what Ass University was.
“But why? Don’t tell me you want me to coach?”
“Yeah. There’s a player using the Heavenly Demon character on our team. Teach him a bit.”
“Do you trust my coaching skills?”
Han Seo-woo had no talent for teaching others. He usually solved things with intuition, so he was terrible at explaining anything with words. It was so bad that no one on his team even asked him questions anymore.
“It’s fine. The person you’ll be teaching already has some foundation. If you just roll him around, he’ll learn on his own.”
“Who is it?”
“Do you know someone named Dang So-il?”
“If it’s Dang So-il, isn’t he the one currently being trained by Lady Hwaryeong?”
Han Seo-woo had seen one of Lady Hwaryeong’s training streams before, so he recognized the name. He was pretty sure the person getting rolled around in front of her back then had been named Dang So-il and used Cat Fist or something.
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to just ask Lady Hwaryeong?”
“If that were possible, I would. But it seems difficult this time.”
Ah. She caused a huge incident in Hwaryong Muin recently, so it feels awkward to call her right now. That’s why he’s trying to call me instead.
Honestly, Han Seo-woo had no confidence in teaching others. Everyone he had given advice to had responded that they had no idea what he was saying. But maybe he could at least roll someone around? If he just copied what his master did, it should work. And more importantly, if he granted Dekay hyung’s request, he could make a request of his own.
“Hyung. I’ll do it, but can you grant my request too?”
“Say anything! I’ll do whatever I can!”
“Please let me meet Lady Hwaryeong. You’re the closest person to her among everyone I know.”
“…Yeah. I’ll try, but don’t get your hopes up too much?”
“That’s enough.”
Now I can at least tell Master that I made an effort.
On the bus heading to school.
Enry sat in her seat, staring out the window, and let out a sigh. Dark circles that even makeup couldn’t hide were etched into her reflection. It was probably because she had stayed up all night gaming.
Ever since the Ass University teams had been formed last night, Enry’s sighs had only grown heavier. There was only one cause.
The auction had been a disaster.
It happened every time Ass University rolled around, but this time it was especially bad. The word that best summarized her team was “young breadwinner.” The team’s ace was certainly skilled, but the other four were the absolute bottom of the barrel among available players.
Enry, who had barely managed to stay in Diamond after nearly dropping. Na-hee, who had played thousands of 5v5 games and still bounced between Gold and Silver. Bae Min-hwang, who had once reached Diamond tier in the distant past but was now too old to escape Platinum 4. And Nabi-rin, the Bronze slaughterer of Turret’s teeth.
Enry recalled the scrim they had done against another team last night. Even though their ace, the Master-tier Sword Shield Knight craftsman Bunny, had carried as hard as he could, they had suffered a miserable six-game losing streak.
This can’t continue. If things keep going like this, they would only suffer until the tournament ended in two weeks. That couldn’t happen. She couldn’t possibly participate in a tournament she had joined after finally reaching Diamond just to show that she was this good, only to suffer and get eliminated!
After worrying all night about how to improve the situation even a little, Enry had reached a conclusion.
“I’ll grab onto Ara’s pants leg and beg.”
Ara! I know you have a lot going on right now! But please help me for the sake of our connection! Just like you turned me from a beast into a human, please turn our team members into humans too! Please!