Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Preparation for the Leap
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Squish.
Something mashed underfoot, the sensation creeping up through my sole.
—Crash!
"Don't underestimate peaches again."
⚔️ Live Chat — Viewer ⚔️No one ignored it, teacher ⚔️Whoa what the hell, my body floated up ⚔️I know that one, it's the Shin Dal Kick Mega Punch, slammed into the corner of the ring, shuddered violently.
If he hadn't relaxed at the last second and turned his body, his face would've exploded.
Habitually reaching for a cigarette, I realize thick gloves cover my hands.
"Manwook, cigarette."
"Yes, ma'am."
— Viewer ⚔️Boss, no smoking indoors ⚔️lolololol Manwook approaches the ring and slips a cigarette between my lips.
—Click, click.
"Hoo—"
Cigarette smoke hazes the ring, slipping out through cracks in the windows.
As I puff away for a good while, Mega Punch staggers to his feet, the guy who'd passed out.
"Huff, huff. Wh-what?"
"What do you mean? You passed out, teacher."
His memory must've blanked for a second.
Probably feels like getting hit by a dump truck.
"Manwook."
Right on cue, he plucks the cigarette from my mouth.
Then he takes it to his own lips and lights up.
What an absurd guy.
Even catching my dumbfounded glare, he grins silently, puffing it down to the filter, clearly delighted.
— Viewer ⚔️Holy shit so jealous ⚔️Ultimate reward ⚔️Please let my next life be Manwook ⚔️Fucking scary-looking bastard who's great at anger management, goddamn it "Hoo—"
Exhaling the last smoke, peach flavor floods my mouth again.
Leaning against the ring corner, he finally regains his wits and strikes a fighting pose.
"If I sent one of my kids at you, you'd be in a coffin, so I'm handling it myself. Be grateful."
I stride forward, and he solidly raises his guard.
Jab.
—Pang!!
The light left jab slices the air with a sharp whoosh.
"Guh!"
Mega Punch's arms tremble over his guard from the jab.
He grits his teeth, forcing the dropping guard back up.
I glance at Manwook—is this right?—and he reluctantly nods.
Guess it is.
You grip the fist loosely. That's how you throw a light, sharp jab.
Gripping hard tenses the muscles, slowing it to a crawl.
The trick is tensing right before contact with that loose fist.
—Pang!
"Gek."
—Pang!!
"Guhk!"
—Paaang!!
"Uwaaah! St-stop!"
Four jabs, and his guard crumbles; he flails his arms like a zombie.
Mega Punch's forearms are already swollen huge, useless.
"Ugh, you pathetic punk."
—Smack!
Chopped on the back of the head, he faceplants onto the ring without a peep.
"Don't bully the weak. Let's go."
—Yes, sis!!
"Ah, seriously. Cut that out."
His rough-looking crew bows in unison.
Embarrassment's all mine, huh.
"I'm out."
Tossing the barely used gloves at Mega Punch, I head outside. One of Manwook's guys pulls up in a black car.
Click.
"Sis, hop in."
"Yeah, thanks."
In the back seat, Manwook takes the wheel.
"Where to?"
"Hm..."
I should've already hit up Hong Moon by now, raising hell.
Checking the date, Grandpa's song request is coming up soon.
Plus, now I've got junkie detox on my plate.
Strangers are one thing, but I can't stand seeing my own kids snorting powder.
Work piling up, original plans keep derailing.
"Rodeo Market."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'll introduce you to the merchants, so get along."
"Got it, sis."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Introduced the kids to the merchants and got home; sky's pitch black already.
"Baeksul, training ground."
"Yeah!"
Baeksul jabs a paw into the air, grassy scent wafting in.
Pavlovian or what? Smelling fresh grass makes me crave a smoke.
—Click, click.
"Hoo—"
Ding!
Moving my hand summons the skill window before my eyes.
⚔ SKILLS ⚔ [Ma○●●●] [Entry Level 2nd Stage] ◈ Comprehensive Martial Arts ◈ Basic Fist and Leg Techniques ◈ Basic Footwork ◈ Basic Lightness Skill ◈ Basic Qi Circulation [Growth Rate: 72%] 72% experience.
Must've climbed naturally while causing chaos everywhere.
That awkward growth rate tugs at a gamer's soul.
A few punches on a wooden dummy, and it'll max out.
"Hoo—"
Next up: antidotes for Manwook's crew.
Tap the Alchemy Elixirs tab; craftable list scrolls out.
Super Spicy Potion Stomach Activator Potion Wind Step Potion .. .. .. Start with what I can make,
Metamorphosis Flask Kiss-Inviting Elixir Mind Link Elixir Wind Milk Potion .. .. .. all the way to what I can't.
Dizzying variety.
Out of the horde, what I need now is antidote.
[Beginner Antidote] Beginner antidote effective against 100 poisons. Even detoxes pain-filled memories. [Recipe] Holy Water Mercuric Chloride Folic Acid Magnesium Stearate Doxini's Horn Lizardman's Scale Mana-Infused Fruit .. .. .. .. "What the hell is this."
I get everything else, but two ingredients stump me.
Checked the shop just in case—no dice on those two.
"Baeksul, where do Doxini and Lizardmen come from?"
While I'm pondering, Baeksul perks up her ears—probably thinking ramen already, wagging her butt.
"Dunno."
"Yeah?"
"Yep!"
Lizardmen sound fantasy-world doable, but Doxini? No clue where to find that.
Smells like Joseon-era vibes, polar opposite of fantasy.
"Hmm..."
Worry later; do what I can now, like always.
"Baeksul."
"Yeah!"
Wooden dummy summons before me.
Stance up, compress power in my legs.
—Boom!!
Ding!
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Growth Rate: 100%] [Ma○●●●] ▶ [Mara●●●]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Welcome back, pretty miss."
"Hi, boss."
He remembers me from the recent visit and greets warmly.
"Not family size this time—medium, please."
"Haha, sure thing."
Boss grins wide, hauling out a paper box bigger than his face again.
"Kids, egg potatoes here are killer. Remember and come buy later."
—Yes, sis!!
"Eek!"
Boss's face pales in terror while scooping potatoes.
Are these punks messing with me on purpose?
"Cut that out. You're scaring people."
—Yes, sis!!
"Ugh."
Manwook chuckles like it's someone else's problem.
"Boss, that punk Kang Instructor stirred trouble here before."
"Yeah..."
"Any issues, tell these guys next to me. They'll handle it."
"Ah... are they... good folks?"
Anyone can see they're thug-looking. Not the friendly type.
Lady's suspicion makes sense.
Time'll sort it.
"They're not all bad."
I flash a grin at boss; she nods, relieved, handing over the potatoes.
Family size again.
"Manwook, ah."
He gapes wide on cue.
Cave mouth. Two eggs it is.
"Good, right?"
"Y-yeah."
Stuffed his huge mouth; speech mangled.
"What're you lot doing."
His trailing minions line up one by one.
Manwook crunches, glances back, awkward grin.
Gulp.
"That's how the organization rolls. Boss eats, then the crew."
"..."
Some hierarchy, but no need here.
"Line up."
Feed a minion; he bows and steps aside.
Next steps forward.
What a farce.
"Sigh."
Big guys, two eggs per bite.
At least they look satisfied. Good enough.
"Hey, you."
"Yes? Calling me, sis?"
"Yeah, c'mere."
Face like a canvas, tattoos everywhere.
Tattoo minion leans in closer with every beckon.
"Act your age."
Wipe white powder from his lips with my finger, taste it—sweet.
Sugar guy, huh.
"Better than drugs, at least."
— Viewer ⚔️Kiyaaaaah!!! ⚔️I'm losing my mind I'm losing my mind I'm losing my mind "What's wrong, punks? Group meltdown?"
Minions in line glare; even Manwook does.
Chaos inside and out.
"Fuck, calm down? Merchants are scared."
They ease up at my words.
"Sigh."
Calm the kids, pop the last few egg potatoes in my mouth, keep walking.
"Manwook, need something procured?"
"Name it, sis."
"Big industrial generator."
"On it ASAP."
No questions, instant nod.
Refreshing in that way.
"Thanks."
"No prob."
Chatting as we walk, soon at the lobster tail butter grill spot.
Boss said market MVP, so gotta recruit here.
"Boss, it's me."
"Oh, my girl... you..."
His warm welcome fades; face drains pale.
"Boss, you okay?"