Chapter 14. Big Sister (1)
Jang Hwa-young’s eyes snapped open at 4 a.m. without an alarm, as mechanical as a clock. Decades of ingrained habit.
She used to chain-smoke three or four cigarettes right after waking, but since quitting, she skipped that ritual and went straight to the bath, submerging herself in scalding water.
Every moment was training for her. Especially after she’d reached the limits of physical growth, she devoted herself to mental cultivation.
Even now, submerged in steaming water, her body and mind instinctively sought discipline—and found joy in it. As if she’d been born solely to train.
Since meeting Kang-jun, she couldn’t stop replaying their sparring matches in her head. No matter how she thought about it, his swordsmanship was utterly bizarre. His blade sometimes moved in directions even she couldn’t predict. If their stats had been closer, she’d have lost far more often.
I won’t miss him.
Kang-jun was only 22—just a year older than her niece Jang Hye-yeon. At that age, he wielded swordsmanship far beyond hers, a woman in her forties.
After his appearance, Jang Hwa-young had redefined the concept of genius. There were no geniuses in this world. Except Kang-jun.
Ten years. She was certain that in exactly ten years, Kang-jun would become an unstoppable force no one could surpass. All warriors, herself included, would fall beneath his feet. Just imagining that scene made her pulse quicken.
Swish. Unable to suppress her excitement, Jang Hwa-young shot up from the tub. The lukewarm water, cooled while she’d been lost in thought, sloshed over the edges like a tidal wave.
She showered quickly, dried off, and changed into comfortable clothes. Her limbs itched with restlessness. Empty of food, her body felt lighter than ever.
5 a.m.
The dojo was silent, untouched by noise. Gray dawn seeped into the pitch-black darkness. The unheated air filled her lungs with cool clarity.
She didn’t turn on the lights. It was better that way. She walked into the darkness and sat at its center, as if she were the only person in the world. She loved this moment.
Her churning heart settled, her emotions precipitated into stillness. Remarkably fast emotional control—a feat impossible without years of cultivation.
She’d once been obsessed with the material world. After flailing through it for decades, cutting down everything she could, she’d realized there was a world beyond it. Far vaster than anything visible. No—perhaps the material world was merely a subset of that immaterial realm.
Whoever conquered that place would reach the pinnacle.
But while she’d mastered the material world, her talent fell short of breaching the next threshold. She’d advanced incrementally, but wondered if she’d even attempt conquest before death.
Despair was inevitable. The disappointment in herself had hurt deeply. That was when she’d started smoking heavily—about 12 years ago.
She’d pinned her last hopes on her niece, but Hye-yeon understood things even slower than her. So she’d given up, treating her only as a pretty niece.
…But Kang-jun was different. He was already looking farther than she was—no, farther than she ever could. At just 22. Compared to her own well-frog self at that age, his talent was on another level entirely.
Jang Hwa-young rose with her sword. The blade she’d wielded for so long felt as familiar as her own arm.
She began swinging it gently.
It took over an hour to finish, including her pauses. She exhaled sharply, lowering the sword slowly.
Something felt unsatisfying. She’d always felt this way, but today it was worse.
Compared to Kang-jun, she felt stifled. He was free; she was trapped. Why? Why am I like this?
No answer came. No matter how she thought, she couldn’t understand. If only she could grasp his swordsmanship—but he had no form. Nothing to imitate.
…No. He did. He swung instinctively, yet there was a rule beneath it. Or was there? A laugh burst out.
Ah. Is this the difference between me and a true genius?
Jang Hwa-young felt strangely relieved. She might not understand, but Kang-jun clearly knew something.
Yes. I’ll bet everything on him. I’ll bet all of myself on him.
Today was the day they’d agreed to meet. Uncharacteristically, Jang Hwa-young felt giddy—like a girl meeting her first love. To her, Kang-jun was a savior. Someone who could guide her now that she stood at a crossroads, unsure where to go.
After sweating through another round, she returned to her room for a quick shower. This time, she dressed neatly. It would be rude to greet a precious guest in loungewear.
She sat down to read when a knock came. Jang Hwa-young looked up. It was her niece, Jang Hye-yeon.
“Auntie, are you awake?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll prepare breakfast then.”
“Understood. I’ll be down soon.”
Hye-yeon already knew her aunt had risen hours ago. She’d used the dojo in the empty pre-dawn hours, as usual.
Jang Hwa-young tidied up and left her room. Her heart fluttered. A smile tugged at her lips.
“Auntie!”
“Sister.”
Her niece and younger brother greeted her warmly as she entered the dining room. The three sat at the table.
“Kang-jun is coming today, right?”
“Ah… about that.”
About that?
Jang Chul-min’s tone was odd, making Jang Hwa-young’s eyebrows furrow.
“He called late last night… said something urgent came up.”
“What kind of thing?”
“I don’t know the details.”
Jang Hwa-young set down her chopsticks. Chul-min and Hye-yeon knew she wasn’t in the mood to eat.
“He’s already postponed once before.”
“Sister, Kang-jun is a Hero and Dungeon Team leader. He’s incredibly busy. I heard a new member joined the team recently…”
“No, this isn’t acceptable. I… I…”
She couldn’t bring herself to say How long have I been waiting!
Jang Hwa-young inhaled deeply, then exhaled. The two women exchanged silent glances. Her aunt spoke again, calmer than before.
“Is he not coming at all?”
“I… don’t know.”
“Bring me the phone right now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Hye-yeon shot up and returned with her aunt’s phone. Thank you. Jang Hwa-young dialed Kang-jun’s number, pressing each digit with feeling.
Ring… ring…
Kang-jun took a while to answer. Jang Hwa-young clenched her jaw. The ringing cut off abruptly, replaced by a low voice, as if he’d just woken.
“Hello?”
“Lee Kang-jun. It’s me.”
“Ah, yes… Senior.”
“You’re not coming today?”
“Ah, yes. Something urgent came up… I’m sorry.”
“You postponed once already. And now again?”
“I… uh… I’m sorry…”
Jang Hwa-young pressed her lips into a thin line, silent for a moment. The other end, sensing her anger, stayed quiet too.
“Understood.”
She hung up and slammed the phone onto the table. Hye-yeon and Chul-min flinched. She rarely expressed emotion so strongly—she was always preaching mental discipline. She must be furious.
After a long pause, Jang Hwa-young suddenly spoke.
“Chul-min.”
“Yes, sister.”
“Get the car.”
“…What?”
Jang Hwa-young stood abruptly, glaring at her brother.
“We’re going to that bastard’s place.”
· · ·
After abruptly hanging up, Kang-jun flopped back onto his bed.
There was an unwritten rule about sleeping in on weekends without training, so the team house was still quiet. Kang-jun had worked hard last night, visiting all three women’s rooms to give them equal attention.
What time is it? Fuck. Still 7 a.m.
He closed his eyes, deciding to sleep longer.
…How long had he drifted off? Suddenly, the doorbell rang. He covered his head with a pillow, thinking someone else would answer.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
The problem was, he’d fucked all three women into unconsciousness.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Shit! Kang-jun checked the clock. Just past 8 a.m. He stomped to the door and yanked it open irritably.
“Who the hell is it at this hour…”
Kang-jun slowly lost his words upon seeing who stood there. Jang Hwa-young, arms crossed, scanned his disheveled appearance up and down with clear displeasure.
Normally, she’d have launched into a string of curses, but holding back for Kang-jun’s sake, she forced herself to restrain it. Still, her voice sharpened.
“It’s me. What? Can’t I come over?”
“Ah, no. I… come in.”
Kang-jun stepped aside. Jang Hwa-young slipped past him. A faint cucumber soap scent brushed his nose. His senses sharpened. What the hell is happening right now?
He shut the door firmly. Jang Hwa-young took off her shoes, crouched to arrange them neatly, then entered. Amid the chaos of scattered footwear, hers stood in perfect order. God, she’s meticulous.
Jang Hwa-young plopped onto the living room sofa. Kang-jun, scratching his bird’s-nest hair, asked if she wanted coffee.
“Yes.”
He quickly heated water in the electric kettle, mixed two instant coffees, and slid one toward her. He took a sip and sat across from her.
They sat in silence. Kang-jun felt pricked; she felt slightly hurt.
Eventually, Jang Hwa-young broke the silence.
“You look tired.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve been… very busy.”
If I say ‘I was just messing around,’ it’ll be a disaster. Kang-jun imagined it.
Seeing him exhausted softened her anger slightly. She’d been genuinely upset earlier.
“Still, you should’ve kept your promise. Especially after postponing once. I…”
She swallowed the words You know how long I waited.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to come…”
It was a lie. He could’ve gone or not—it didn’t matter. …Fucking Hye-yeon wasn’t bad, but traveling all this way for just one woman was overkill.
Who knows with this woman.
Kang-jun’s gaze flickered over her. Despite being in her forties, she was still attractive. The power of magic, no doubt. Slow aging made her look like her late twenties. …Well, not early twenties. Late twenties. …Very late twenties? Whatever. Let’s say late twenties.
“I’ve had a lot of work lately.”
Jang Hwa-young felt hurt again. Did that mean their time together wasn’t important?
You ungrateful bastard.
If he only knew how much she cherished him, he’d be shocked. But she was clumsy at expressing it, too ashamed to ever reveal it—she’d keep it locked away until death.
Angry again, she took a sip of coffee. Why does this taste so cheap! That made her even angrier. When a senior visits, you should serve something nicer!
…It was an excuse. She needed a reason to be mad. Even a trivial one.
“That means once was enough!”
Suddenly, fury flared. She wanted the reward she’d waited over ten days for.
She spread her palm. He’s not going to throw an energy blast at me, is he?
5 days.
“What?”
“You’ll spend 5 days with me. Understood?”
…It was absurd. Kang-jun’s brows furrowed. Flustered, Jang Hwa-young lowered the number slightly.
“…Then 4 days!”
“No, Senior. Still…”
“…3 days! I can’t budge anymore. 3 days. Absolutely 3 days!”
She turned her head sharply. Kang-jun wondered if this was really the Jang Hwa-young he knew. Fuck, she’s cute.
Truthfully, Kang-jun couldn’t back out now. His brain spun. 3 days or 5 days—it was the same.
“Fine, Senior. 5 days. We’ll do 5 days.”
“Really?!”
Jang Hwa-young stared at him, confirming. Her lips quivered with a smile. …Having two older sisters, big or small, is never normal.
“Yes. Really. 5 days.”
“Really! …When do we start?”
“Since we’re talking about it, let’s start today. …With the weekend included, it’ll be easier for me to adjust my schedule.”
Jang Hwa-young felt a bit foolish when schedules came up. Forty years old and throwing a tantrum over this… Still, she was glad she’d come. Hehe, 5 days.
“I’ll wait in the car. Get ready comfortably.”
As she walked to the door, her hips swayed lighter than before.