Vol 1 Chapter 47
"I told you both not to fight, but you did it again. Let's see how long you keep this up. Do 100 downward strikes."
As Mu-heon said this, Se-jong and In-woo's eyes welled up. No matter how cute and beloved they were in the dojo, to Mu-heon's eyes, they were just the same boys. He never gave in, even when they cried or threw tantrums.
"Huuu... Master... Are you angry?"
As In-woo whimpered, Se-jong started to whimper too.
"Are you angry because we fought?"
Why were children's emotions so intense and explosive?
'Was I like that too?'
Mu-heon chuckled and patted the children's backs.
"I'm not angry, so go and quickly do 100 swings. I'll be watching from here."
"You're not angry?"
"That's right."
Only after hearing this confirmation did the children run off with a whoop to get their wooden swords. Just as Mu-heon was about to take a breather, finally free from the troublemakers for a moment, someone approached.
"It's good that those rascals listen to you, but you're the one suffering."
"Ah. Master."
As Mu-heon staggered while trying to stand up, the master supported him by grabbing his right arm.
"I told you it's okay not to get up."
"I can't do that."
As Mu-heon shook his head and smiled, the master clicked his tongue and stepped back. Once he found his balance, Mu-heon could stand without wobbling.
"How is the Master's wife?"
"She went out to the market for a bit, but she'll be back soon. More importantly, a promising new student has joined recently. Would you like to see him?"
Mu-heon was surprised by his master's words, as he rarely gave such praise.
"Is he good enough for you to say that, Master?"
No matter how much he tried to close his heart, in front of the master and his wife who treated him warmly, he always felt like a child again.
"Hmm. He's a high school student, and for someone who just started, his determination is remarkable."
As they slowly walked to the training hall, matching Mu-heon's dragging pace as he tried not to limp, curiosity began to rise in Mu-heon's chest at his master's words.
"Determination?"
"He only overlaps with you for one day. He's famous for coming early every morning and swinging his wooden sword continuously without rest. I thought he'd give up after a couple of times, but it seems he's not an ordinary beginner. It's been a while since I've enjoyed watching someone like this."
"Hmm..."
Just as they entered the training hall, Mu-heon could immediately spot the person his master had mentioned.
"Haa... Haa!"
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
He was pounding the wooden post as if his life depended on it, wearing a black face guard.
His aura was different as he struck with the same speed without showing any signs of fatigue, causing others around him to keep glancing at him.
"Come on, Un-o. How about taking a short break?"
Just as Mu-heon was inwardly admiring his concentration, which didn't waver even as they approached, the master went up and patted his back. He lowered his wooden sword and took off his mask. His sweat-soaked eyes briefly rested on Mu-heon before looking away.
Eyes that focused on one thing. No wonder the master liked him.
The master soon brought the man called Un-o in front of Mu-heon.
"This is Mu-heon, who was the best among those I've taught. He's helping out as an instructor now. And this is Un-o, who's become famous as our dojo's oddball these days."
"The best... That's not true. I'm Kang Mu-heon."
As Mu-heon bowed his head slightly in greeting, Un-o also greeted formally.
"I'm Park Un-o. ...Are you really that skilled?"
Mu-heon was about to shake his head at Un-o's words, but the master intercepted.
"Of course. He's my best disciple."
"Master..."
As Mu-heon turned his gaze away, feeling awkward, a slight smile appeared on Un-o's previously expressionless face.
"Then perhaps you could spar with me. May I ask for that?"
Seeing the sudden competitive gleam in his eyes, for the first time in a long while, Mu-heon felt a flicker of his old fighting spirit deep in his heart. But now he was...
Mu-heon smiled bitterly and spoke.
"Well... I'd like to, but I'm afraid it would be difficult."
At this, Un-o's expression turned puzzled, and the master held out his hand to stop him.
"That's right. I would have liked to see that too, but Mu-heon can't do it. I shouldn't have said anything..."
Mu-heon shook his head at his master's apologetic expression.
"It's not your fault."
"I'm sorry. I was out of line."
Finally noticing Mu-heon's limp, Un-o bowed deeply in apology.
"No, it's alright. But since I'm here as an instructor now, I can observe your swordsmanship."
Although Mu-heon hadn't held a sword for a long time, he had always continued training in the space within his mind. The virtual sparring he did in that closed-eye space might be just a fantasy, unable to become reality, but it was still enough to observe others' swordsmanship, which wasn't bad in its own way.
"Master! Why aren't you watching us!"
Suddenly, the sound of children running came from behind.
"Liar!"
Before Mu-heon could turn around, he felt the impact of the children colliding with him and helplessly fell forward.
"Mu-heon!"
Just as he thought he was going to fall, the student called Un-o who had been standing in front caught him. As Un-o supported him with surprisingly strong arms, Mu-heon tried to calm his startled breath.
"Mu-heon! ...You rascals! How many times have I told you not to cling to the instructor when his body isn't well."
Not only was Mu-heon surprised, but the master and the children were also greatly shocked. The children blinked their big eyes, not knowing what to do.
"Huh, hng... Master..."
Mu-heon thought he should quickly respond to reassure them. However, perhaps due to the unexpected shock, memories of his past accident surfaced, making it difficult to calm his breathing easily.
"Huk... Huk..."
At that moment, Mu-heon felt Un-o gently patting his back. As he looked up, enduring the pain, he felt that the eyes of the person who had seemed interested only in competition had somehow changed. Finally, his breathing eased, and he regained the ability to think. Mu-heon realized that his current position, practically clinging to Un-o for support, was very embarrassing.
"...Thank you. I can stand now."
Mu-heon pushed Un-o away and approached the children who were sniffling.
"It's okay. I'll watch you now, but next time, don't bump into me so hard."
"Huuu... We're sorry..."
"We're sorry... We won't do it again..."
As the children burrowed into Mu-heon's arms, the master, who had been watching with worried eyes, carefully spoke.
"Mu-heon, will you be alright? Maybe you should go home for today..."
"No. I was just startled. I'm fine."
Fortunately, the master's wife returned just then, calling urgently, and the master turned his gaze away and disappeared inside.
Mu-heon made one decision.
He would challenge himself to pick up a practice sword once again.
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Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.
"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."
In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.
"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."
And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.
"For now, until then, let's sleep..."
As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.
'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'
Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.
Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.
"Since when have you been watching me?"
Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.
"From the very beginning."
Graduate student Yi-han finds himself reborn in another world as the youngest child of a mage family.
– I’m never attending school, ever again!
‘What do you wish to achieve in life?’
‘I wish to play around and live comforta-‘
‘You must be aware of your talent. Now go attend Einroguard!’
‘Patriarch!’
My future would be guaranteed once I graduate. For my future!
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