Earth: Permission to Fight
"But didn't the past Baek Hamin ever do stuff like this? Posting insults about me on SNS, or starting to date a girlfriend like this."
Thinking about it, it felt a bit strange. The SNS insults happened just last night after the body swap and some time had passed, so that could be chalked up to a butterfly effect changing the future. But getting introduced to Go Dayeon and deciding to date her was on Monday. That's something that could have easily happened even before the time rewind.
It would have been more natural if the angels knew about Baek Hamin's misdeeds during the date with Go Dayeon and had warned him or stopped him in advance. Why hadn't they?
"...Before the time rewind, Chanyoung-nim's reputation completely flipped in just two days after the body swap. The swap happened on Saturday, so when Baek Hamin-nim came to university on Monday, he couldn't have even a single day of normal school life..."
"What? In just two days...? ...Come to think of it, before the rewind, he knew my SNS accounts and friends' contacts, right? Yeah, that makes it possible."
"Yes... That's exactly it... The root of Park Chanyoung-nim's actions was purely the 'resentment from the body swap,' so you could blame Heaven for that. But this time is completely different. It's purely Baek Hamin-nim's fault."
Ah... Now it makes sense. If my rumors had turned even a little negative, Go Dayeon would have backed off for sure. What she wants is a 'perfect Baek Hamin' without a single flaw.
The angels must have done what they could. They gave advice, tried to change his mindset, showed him the right path, even created this amazing system and tried to hand it over.
But if he stubbornly rejects all that luck with his own will and insists on drinking poison, Heaven had no reason to stop him.
"That guy's handler is just forcing it on us because it might stain their career. No need to listen to them at all!"
She really hates that other handler.
"Got it. Don't stress too much. Even if we refuse, they can't do anything about it, right?"
"...That's true."
"Then why are you so pissed? The choice is ours anyway."
"...Because that handler is acting so shamelessly...?"
"Why the question mark?"
Does she not even know why she's mad herself? No, more like she's hiding something.
No way...
"You... Are you mad because I got those insults from that Baek Hamin bastard?"
"Th-that...!!"
Her expression hit the nail on the head.
Hmm... She was talking like she was mad at the handler, but actually, she was angry on my behalf. Has she forgotten how many times I've teased her? Guess she's grown attached without realizing it.
"...I saw it too! Those insults! How can a person say such horrible things to another person...? Chanyoung-nim did nothing wrong. It's too much!"
"..."
Pat pat.
My chest tickled, so I ended up stroking Baby Angel's head.
Her ambiguously gendered, fluffy hair fills my palm.
Pat pat.
"...What is this hand?"
"Hohoho! You two are getting so close—it's adorable! See? I told you Chanyoung likes his junior!"
"...Yeah... Sure..."
Baby Angel clearly doesn't buy Anzelli's words.
'But if I try touching her halo now, she'll get mad, right?'
She said ownership needs to be acknowledged for a period, so even if I touch it, it won't register in the shop window. I gave up the tempting idea regretfully.
*
Tap tap tap tap!
After dinner, I headed out alone to clear the quest 'Go Jogging.'
Might as well sort my thoughts while running.
'Insult crime...'
First offense, a one-time online non-face-to-face insult. Not like spitting on me or some physical 'act' of humiliation, so the chance of actual prison time is really low.
If luck's on his side, maybe a fine of a few hundred thousand won at worst. Otherwise, most likely a deferred prosecution.
Judges and prosecutors rarely treat simple online insults—even for a first-timer—the same as theft or minor sexual harassment with fines. Korea is lenient on criminals.
And even if he gets a fine... As long as he keeps his mouth shut, no one he knows finds out.
At most, a disadvantage for civil service exams like teacher certification? That bastard doesn't seem smart enough to pass as a civil servant or teacher anyway. Meaningless penalty.
Tap tap tap tap!
A person's life ruined over simple SNS insults? Tragic reality, but in South Korea, that's an extremely rare probability.
Not enough. Letting it fizzle out like this would make my rage explode—I couldn't endure it.
I'll find my own way to get revenge on Baek Hamin.
Tap tap... tap!
I stopped running and stared into the empty air.
"That's why I was waiting for you."
"Gasp?! You know who I am?"
"Park Chanyoung's handler, lower angel. Right?"
Baby Angel from the other side appeared silently at the end of my gaze. Short-cropped hair that gives off a masculine vibe. My handler Baby Angel has fluffy, androgynous length, so easy to distinguish even among Baby Angels.
"Ooh. Correct! As the rumors say."
Come to think of it, they said I'm famous in Heaven? Had to rewind Earth time three times because of me.
"Then you know why I'm here?"
"Don't sue, right?"
"Bingo! Naturally, I'll meet your demands as much as I can. What do you say? Up for it?"
Exactly as expected.
I already knew what to demand from him.
How can I get revenge? Can't demand something that ruins his life. That's why the angel came—to prevent his life from being ruined. No way such a demand flies.
No need for money or potions like last time. Accepting material rewards would undermine revenge on him.
Opportunities for rewards have come several times, but chances to make demands related to 'Baek Hamin' are rare.
I pause to draw his focus.
Then spat it out firmly. No room for negotiation.
"Give me a chance to fight Baek Hamin."
"Got it!"
"No disadvantages to Baek Hamin's life? No matter how hurt one of us gets, Heaven heals it... What?..."
"I said got it?"
"...No hesitation? You need that bastard's permission? To fight me."
"Yep! Possible!"
I felt my prepared persuasions go to waste and laughed hollowly.
Thought it was a tough demand, but he agrees so easily? How does he plan to convince Baek Hamin?
"So, details? Like fight time."
"...Not by time. Until one is combat-incapable for 5 seconds or more. Like fainting."
"Hm? Fine by me. Got it!"
Good. For some reason, the other side enthusiastically accepts.
"I'll go convince Baek Hamin then? Oh, just explained to your handler, so she'll be here soon. See ya."
With that, the angel vanished.
Angels still appear and disappear without a sound...
"Argh! Chanyoung-nim! Is the news I just heard true?!"
My handler Baby Angel enters honestly blasting a song, opposite of Baek Hamin's sneaky handler.
I nodded affirmatively at her words.
"Ugh... If that's Park Chanyoung-nim's choice... Waa... It was a chance to clearly outpace that guy's performance..."
"Got permission! Anytime works!"
Baek Hamin's handler returned with approval in under 30 seconds. No idea how he got it so fast.
That guy has no real way to beat me anyway.
If I infuse mana to strengthen my body, he'll just get one-sidedly pummeled.
Ah, does he not know I can use mana? But he knows I can raise stats via system...?
His handler relays my info, so...
"Obviously... After the fight ends, Heaven heals all injuries completely. Possible?"
"Of course! Can't leave aftereffects."
"Super easy."
"Ah! How about creating a small dimension like a studio apartment? Just in case, really just in case someone dies during the 'fight.' No real death there, so even if it happens, no issue? Of course, the fight ends the moment someone dies, per your demand."
"Ah! That's good! For reference, no death in the small dimension for the same reason Park Chanyoung-nim doesn't die in novels!"
Nod nod.
The angel nods, agreeing with her colleague.
"So? When's the date?"
"Now."
"Huhu. Fiery. Good. Creating dimension soon and transporting Chanyoung and Baek Hamin."
Swoosh. The angel waves her arms in the air a few times.
It doesn't last long.
Dizziness hits, mind reeling. The familiar sensation I've felt lately.
The feeling when entering a novel.
"..."
I open my eyes to a pure white space.
The place I mistook for a dream on day one after the swap. White, empty, nothing there.
Come to think of it, similar to back then. Park Chanyoung here—no, me. Baek Hamin. Baby Angel.
But only similar. Much has changed.
A tall, muscular man stands before me.
Hateful enemy I want to kill just looking at.
"Now it's time to get beaten. You bastard."
I growled low.
"Beaten? Puhahaha... Yeah! Your time to get beaten! Your mistake! I have the muscles you trained hard!"
"...?"
"You? Flabby fat and a body that's never exercised. You serious about fighting me? Kekekeke... Stupid fuck! Get ready to be bloody pulp!!"
What the hell is this bastard saying? Can't grasp the situation?
'No way... That's why his handler said he could convince him easily...?'
...I couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Puhahahahaha!!"
"You... You haven't told Baek Hamin about giving Park Chanyoung-nim the system yet, have you?"
Shrug.
"As long as my performance is good no matter what happens to Baek Hamin? I blocked the lawsuit anyway. That's my achievement."
"...Ruthless..."
Tap tap tap!!
"Crazy bastard! Laughing? Lost your mind!!"
Baek Hamin charges me.
Over 180cm tall, full of muscle. His rush has presence just from that.
I infuse mana throughout my body.
The charging bastard slows gradually.
No sun or moon, so no skill bonus... But irrelevant now.
The power I have is plenty.
'Fight' ends when one is combat-incapable for 5+ seconds.
If I hit even a bit hard, he'll retire instantly.
No one wants revenge over in one hit.
...So hit lightly, savor it?
'No!'
My body moves naturally.
Legs, waist, arms in perfect stable stance.
The strongest punch I possess, straight into him.
One Proper Fist.
"Hup!"
"Dieee!!"
Thud-!!
"Pbheeek?!"
Mana-infused fist digs into his solar plexus.
Punch draws a textbook-perfect arc, delivering shock to Baek Hamin's gut.
The fist that splintered a wooden pillar in one hit.
His internals must be twisting in agony.
"Kuhuhuk?! Hup...! Hup...!!"
Thud...!!
He clutches his stomach and flies sideways.
Wheezing—can't breathe properly, huh.
Perfectly clean hit, even surprised me. Natural.
He's down, not moving.
5 seconds like this, fight over.
But I won't just watch.
Swoosh... Pulled an item from my pocket.
A glass bottle in my hand. Round flask shape, filled with red liquid.
Glug glug!
Pour the red liquid into his mouth.
The potion I grabbed before jogging, sample from the angel. The one from Earth.
"Drink."
"Grrk! Gulp! Gulp! Cough cough...!"
Baek Hamin regains his senses after drinking.
Simple bruise heals fast, huh... Can beat him half to death more.
"Wha... What...? My body...?"
Realizing his stomach's fine, Baek Hamin confusedly checks himself.
I ignore and call it up.
Held Karma: 5,755
Why did I insist on 'combat-incapable for 5+ seconds' instead of time limit?
No need to check elsewhere.
Just this.
I still had 57 lower healing potions left.