A Face So Damn Missable (4)
Cheol Sunjik and his ragtag followers wore expressions as if they'd just tasted shit.
Normally, I welcomed new proposals. Even if I knew everything about the Myriad Communications Division, Manseogo library, and Murim Alliance intelligence, there were still things I didn't know. And sometimes others offered sharper insights.
For instance, I'd immediately accepted Jang Ujae's suggestion to divide the representative committee's duties. In operating the committee, long-term stability mattered more than immediate efficiency. It was true that I could handle tasks faster than anyone since I already knew the answers. No need for back-and-forth with the academy, Education Hall, or Myriad Communications Division—my documents would pass straight through.
But I divided the work not for extreme efficiency, but so the committee could run smoothly without me. And as Jang Ujae said, it was now stabilizing in that direction.
That said, I hated those who schemed for their own gain.
'In the end, the fundamental reason the Murim Alliance fell in my previous life was that disgusting selfishness—thinking only of their own survival.'
Our White Wolf Pavilion's Small Justice Squad had always been pushed around by the Nine Great Clans, Five Great Families, and the Twelve Peak Stars.
I leaned toward Cheol Sunjik.
"Do you know why martial groups and merchant guilds maintain strict hierarchies?"
"……."
"Sometimes, unfair orders create benefits for the whole group. If sect disciples ignore their sect leader, the sect vanishes. If guild servants act on whims, the guild collapses."
"……The Murim Academy is different."
Cheol Sunjik still pushing his point with 'plausible' words to the end.
"Of course it is. But essentially the same. After graduating and being assigned to the Murim Alliance, will you still push for this 'representative council'?"
"……."
He could scheme like this because I seemed like an easy mark. If it were Shaolin's Ilgak or Jegal Cheongi's Jegal Jeonggi as representative, he wouldn't dare. They had the power to retaliate, solid backing.
The reason he shoved this nonsense under my nose was he thought my foundation was weak.
Humans who strictly divide strong from weak, only picking winnable fights to survive. And the best way to crush them?
"Once assigned to the Alliance, you'll likely get at least squad leader or deputy hall master. What if your subordinate calls your orders unfair and refuses?"
"……."
"If polling your team concludes fighting the enemy isn't beneficial?"
Make them realize I'm an opponent they can't win against.
I glanced around before questioning Cheol Sunjik.
"Will you flee before the enemy?"
Not an easy answer. Any response would contradict his earlier words.
"You were so eloquent a moment ago—why the sudden dumb silence?"
Common folk think black path conversations drag on more than white path ones. But after touring the Four Black Alliances, I saw differently. Black pathers were sometimes more cautious. Sure, reckless ones started with double curses, but others treaded carefully. Why? Their heads could get smashed anytime. With bloodbaths always looming, they watched their words.
White pathers faced less risk. Mockery short of direct insult gave no cause to draw swords.
So I resolved: Today, I'd instill in Cheol Sunjik the fear that his head could get smashed. Make him realize the consequences of his words and actions. So next time he schemed, he'd be cautious—and never use me as a scapegoat again.
I cracked my knuckles.
"Then you and everyone here have no need to graduate. Go home, form your council, and debate till you die."
"……."
"I'll write letters to your sects explaining why you're quitting. So they can implement your brilliant system right away."
At my words, twin flames of rage ignited in their eyes.
"What insolence is this?!"
"Even as representative, you think you can pull that shit?!"
"I won't stand for this……!"
Bang!
"Enough."
Crack—
My light tap split the table in two. Stacks of documents scattered to the floor.
"Wh-what the……!"
My raw strength shook Cheol Sunjik and his self-proclaimed councilors' eyes wildly.
Why don't humans reflect on their own rudeness? My long wonder found answer through them: They don't see their actions as rude. They think it's fine for them, but not when done to them—utter hypocrisy.
"Did you just call it 'that shit'?"
"……."
You have to grab them by the hair and shove their wrongs in their face to snap them out of it. Only then do they start thinking.
"Your sects will be shocked. It's tantamount to challenging your sect leaders' authority. Petty insubordination at best, sect-destroying treason at worst."
"……."
Like how a head-smashing teaches caution thereafter.
I raised my hand; they all flinched like bamboo shoots, assuming defensive stances.
"Fuck, and you're telling me to implement that bullshit?"
I spat curses, but none rebelled. Humiliated, yes—but it was their own fault.
I leaned back lazily in my chair.
"Now that you get it, get out. As you see, I'm busy."
Heavy silence blanketed the room. Even the working committee members gaped, stunned by my words.
Huasan's disciple moved first. Then Jegal family's, and others followed.
Cheol Sunjik lingered last.
"What? Want to end up like that table?"
I nodded at the shattered desk; he shook his head and headed for the door.
Cheol Sunjik would soothe his followers with his silver tongue after leaving. And keep using them as pawns. I wasn't virtuous enough to just watch.
"Moving without thought gets you dragged by con artists like him—tanking not just your honor, but your sects'. See? He started this, but you're all eating the shit together. Remember today."
At my words, the departing glanced at Cheol Sunjik, then turned and stormed out.
Left alone at the door, Cheol Sunjik glared murderously.
"Representative Jin, you think winning one battle wins the war?"
I scoffed.
"Did you even come here thinking this was a battlefield?"
"……."
"Shows how pathetically you underestimated me."
"……You'll regret today."
I nodded.
"No one's regretted more than me. Don't worry—I'm not as soft as you think."
"……."
Cheol Sunjik turned sharply, as if words were pointless, and left.
"Senior Brother, you okay? Humiliating him like that……."
Eunho, knowing Cheol Sunjik's schemes, asked worriedly.
I shot back casually.
"What if I'm not?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't I say? As we advance, ankle-biters like him will keep coming. You want to stop because of those fuckers?"
"No."
I patted Eunho's shoulder.
"Then don't sweat it. If they come at us, smash their heads."
"……Senior Brother. I mean, Representative."
"Yeah?"
"Even so, saying you'll smash heads publicly with people around……."
"……."
I glanced away. The formerly warm gazes were gone, replaced by looks of disdain.
I eyed the split table and the door Cheol Sunjik used. Humans who can't help at all.
As the semester ended, Manseogo emptied out. No more written exams, academy students prepared for the final practical: live combat strategy and tactics evaluation.
Jia evaluations trained every five days.
Yi every three days.
Bing every other day.
Ding daily or more.
Wu? Twice daily or more, swinging weapons till they dropped at the training grounds.
'With three Wu evaluations, I got no rest.'
Geum Pyo spent every non-meal moment at the grounds. Even in breath-fogging winter cold, sweat soaked him—he felt no chill. Any pause brought crushing anxiety.
Other Wu students appeared sporadically. First dropouts would come from them.
Voluntarily leaving the academy they'd fought to enter. A mere 1% dropout rate, but no one wanted in.
Being expelled from Murim Academy was worse humiliation than failing entrance.
'This is driving me mad.'
Seong Moran, training with him lately, gained insight into her Falling Petal Sword Technique and moved to a private ground. If she refined it and applied before evaluation, no dropout for her.
That made Geum Pyo more frantic.
"Huff huff! Huff huff!"
Breath to his throat, bladder near burst, he swung and swung—but no epiphany like Seong Moran's.
More than anxiety over leaving brothers and juniors behind, it was fear he couldn't keep up gnawing him.
"Y-young Master Geum Pyo!"
That annoying senior brother had called him 'Young Master Geum Pyo' lately. As if Taeulmun disciples with Wu evals wouldn't dropout.
"Hoo……."
"Young Master Geum Pyo. You seem troubled?"
"What do you want?"
"Oh dear, did I interrupt a stranger's training?"
Does he get off on provoking like this? How did someone with that personality become representative…….
"Hoo……."
Geum Pyo murmured low, ignoring frost-rimed sweat.
"……Senior Brother."
"Huh? Why call me Senior Brother?"
"If you're bothering me, leave. Not in the mood."
"Tsk tsk. A man slumping over a few Wu evals."
Thud.
Jin Sowoon plopped something bulky down and sat. Now claiming territory to mock him.
Geum Pyo's pent-up frustration burst.
"You've been mocking me like the world ended over my Wu evals!"
"Of course. Only a kid gets scores like that."
"……."
Something surged in Geum Pyo's chest. He couldn't face juniors or brothers, but as senior brother, couldn't he comfort a bit? But this senior brother……!
"Think I'm too harsh?"
"……!"
Burden and resentment hit his throat; tears welled.
Geum Pyo bit his lip in shame, hiding the flow.
"I don't want to dropout. I want to walk the same path as you. But……."
He'd tried desperately. Knowing his lesser talent vs. brothers, he'd pushed harder. Skipped sleep, cut meals for training.
But result: dropout.
Geum Pyo lacked Seong Moran's luck, brothers' talent. Average fools shatter before radiant geniuses, realizing their darkness.
"But…… I can't catch up. I want to, but…… feels like I'll be left alone. Scary."
Dammed tears finally fell. Once broken, they streamed like a creek.
"Sniff…… Don't wanna be alone. I wanna go together too, sniff."
"Tsk. Swinging with that frantic mind keeps your head from working right."
"Sniff…… Huh?"
Jin Sowoon tsked and asked.
"What's our final practical?"
"……Strategy and tactics evaluation."
"Format?"
"Three armies divide into platoons to steal flags, seize camps."
"What makes a good evaluation?"
"Platoon survives, grows, secures camps."
"Still don't get it?"
"What?"
Jin Sowoon sighed, shaking his head.
"Think your brothers and juniors won't put you in their platoon?"
"……."
Geum Pyo gaped, forgetting tears.
"Think bigger. Trapped in that nearsighted view, how'll you grasp passing insights?"
"B-but…… won't I just drag them down?"
Jin Sowoon tsked again.
"Tsk. One question: Why think your sword less sharp than Dongryong's?"
"He was born with genius talent."
"Then why does Eunho become formation anchor when you four—including Hong Saryeon—do White Tiger Sword Formation?"
"Eunho sees the big picture."
"What do you do then?"
"M-me? Swing up front……."
Jin Sowoon nodded.
"That's it."
"Huh?"
"Why your sword's not aggressive—why defensive, passive moves are ingrained."
His voice flew to puzzled Geum Pyo.
"You're instinctively protecting your brother and formation."
"……!"
Jin Sowoon stood, drawing Black Dragon Sword.
"Normal Taeulmun disciples thrust Socheon Sword Technique feeling it pierces spines."
Whoosh.
"That's One Flash. But you instinctively stop at solar plexus. Think no time to go deeper and return for next move—frantic haste pulls you back early."
Geum Pyo's face paled. Habits in martial arts were terrifying. Fixing a wrong one was brutal. With a long road ahead, a bad habit too…….
World crumbling feeling.
"Am I…… ruined?"
"Huh?"
"Skill lacking…… and bad habit to fix."
Jin Sowoon sighed genuinely pitifully.
"Why fix it? You won't go bolder than Dongryong anyway. With him, your sword stays non-aggressive."
"……."
Who'd rejoice at no growth potential? Geum Pyo's face darkened more.
As that annoying senior's words stabbed his chest bloody.
"Instead."
Senior continued.
"Develop it further."
"Huh?"
Jin Sowoon pulled out what he'd sat on, offering it.
"What's this?"
"Thing to turn wrong habit right."
Geum Pyo stared.
"……A shield?"
Jin Sowoon nodded.
"Since protecting's ingrained, do it properly."
"……."
"Still averse to shields?"
Geum Pyo shook head. Without senior's shield from regular exam, he'd have died multiple times. Others' views aside, aversion gone.
Jin Sowoon rose.
"If holding shield, do it right. Shield guarding brothers and juniors."
He gripped it into Geum Pyo's hand.
"Become Taeulmun's sturdiest shield."
"……!"
Senior's words pierced his heart thrillingly. Straight gaze lingered on Geum Pyo's face.
"Behind your sturdy shield, brothers'll swing swords for you freely."
Despair of being left vanished. Genius senior's face, brothers', comrades' no longer distant. No need Dongryong's sword skill, Eunho's brains. While he protected, they'd slay foes.
Finally found his role, his place.
Looked again at proffered shield. Dust wiped, vivid goblin pattern emerged. Antique felt noble aura.
As Geum Pyo lost in goblin, senior's voice whispered.
"Geumgwangpae. Divine relic blocking all evil."
Voice rippled calmly in chest.
"All evil…… blocked……."
Muttering like his mission. Wild heart settled heavy, firm.
"Shield guarding all……."
Geum Pyo's voice echoed serene, weighty.