novelraw Chapter 21 : Flag (2)
Chapter 21 : Flag (2)
Chapter 21: Flag (2)
Exam Supervisor.
As the presiding chairman Yang Woomin flared up in anger, the supervisor watching the monitor beside him, Gal Sopyeong, stepped in to stop him.
He had a narrow space between his forehead and eyebrows, and thick lips—looking like a catfish that lived in a river.
“Why are you so angry? Wasn’t it your idea to create rules like this, Chairman Yang?”
“You…! I pulled you out of that filthy prison, and you dare spout nonsense without knowing gratitude!”
“If you pulled me out more often, maybe I’d feel differently. I’m not some bottle opener you only look for when you need it.”
“A bastard like you should be grateful just to be treated like a bottle opener!”
“Not at all.”
Gal Sopyeong tilted his chair back and leaned against it crookedly.
Maintaining his delinquent attitude, he was the very man who, as a supervisor in the 196th Sword Certification Exam final, had killed 21 examinees.
The martial art he had mastered was Yin Wind Fist, a technique he had learned after catching the eye of an unorthodox master who dominated the back alleys of his hometown.
Later, Gal Sopyeong betrayed his master, drifted into Kowloon City, and was arrested as a first-degree murder criminal, ending up imprisoned.
Despite his dull and sluggish appearance, he was impulsive once a thought crossed his mind. Even fellow inmates avoided picking fights with him.
Yang Woomin had been captivated by Gal Sopyeong’s rough nature and the killing intent of Yin Wind Fist, recruiting him as his personal attack dog.
Gal Sopyeong had accepted the offer without resistance.
If he hadn’t, he would have been doomed to remain behind iron bars for over 30 years without ever feeling the outside air.
Rather than grow old and die in a gray prison, it was better to live as Yang Woomin’s dog and at least take walks.
Gal Sopyeong watched Cheon Bigang and his group through the drone’s monitor.
“Let’s see. Because of that big guy, the second test was ruined. No chance of retrieving the flags either. Hmm. That guy’s name… Cheon Bigang? Never heard it before. But the third test I’m in charge of won’t be easy.”
Gal Sopyeong licked his thick lips and smiled.
Seeing his face twisted with killing intent, Yang Woomin’s nostrils flared in anticipation.
“Make sure you do it properly at the end!”
“Yes, sir.”
---
Papapat.
Three people ran along the mountain path.
Holding the flag, Cheon Bigang casually crossed the finish line as if taking a stroll, bringing Sa Yerin and Gu Pyo with him, passing the second test.
“First place!”
“Phew.”
While Sa Yerin beamed at the easy victory, Gu Pyo immediately gave up on the next test.
“They said the third round is individual. I guess you won’t need me anymore, right?”
“Yeah. Good work.”
Gu Pyo had fulfilled his role as a helper.
Thirty minutes passed.
Thanks to Cheon Bigang scattering the flags stuck in the Rock That Resembles a Crouching Ox in all directions, all 39 examinees passed.
The five with demon helmets, Muk Sogyeong, and all members of the Red Monkey Sect.
Several people approached Cheon Bigang and spoke casually.
“Thanks.”
“That made it easy.”
“Nice throw on the flags.”
“Oppa, you’re stronger than I thought. Do you live in Kowloon City?”
“Bro, thanks to you, we scored big.”
The supervisors who had come late to retrieve the flags spotted Cheon Bigang and ground their teeth.
“Because of that bastard! Damn it! It was five years per person—what a waste.”
“Stop it. Gal Sopyeong is handling the third test. If we cause trouble here and upset him, nothing good will come of it.”
“I know! I know that too!”
Remembering Gal Sopyeong, the supervisors smacked their lips and withdrew.
Though they were fellow inmates, Gal Sopyeong’s martial prowess was far above theirs.
If they caught his attention and ended up fighting him, it wouldn’t end well.
As they retreated, the examinees moved to a wide area where a temporary martial duel stage had been set up.
The host grabbed the microphone and spoke excitedly.
“This is unbelievable! The second test, which seemed like a major hurdle, ended in an instant! The examinees are just as formidable as the supervisors! Finally, the long-awaited third test!”
As the explanation continued, Gal Sopyeong, who had been waiting, stepped onto the stage.
“The final test is a real combat match against a supervisor! To survive in the ruthless Martial World, the most important thing is the power to protect oneself. A circle with a diameter of 12 meters has been drawn on the stage. If you push the supervisor out of the circle, you pass! Of course, the examinees are given one advantage!”
Rrrrr.
A staff member brought out a weapon rack filled with swords, spears, tonfas, crescent blades, axes, and more.
“The supervisor fights barehanded! But the examinees may use weapons, including real blades! However, that also makes the duel more dangerous! Honestly, if you’re not in good condition, it might be wise to stop here!”
Providing real weapons.
It could be interpreted as permission to kill the supervisor—but also meant the examinees could die in unfortunate accidents.
“The order of challenge is free! But it’s advantageous to go later! The supervisor’s stamina will drop over time!”
As the host continued talking, the examinees looked at the supervisor on stage and were shocked.
“That supervisor… looks familiar.”
“Ah! I remember! That bastard! The one who killed 21 examinees in the 196th exam!”
“What was his name? Gal Hop…? Gal Su…? Ah! Got it! Gal Sopyeong!”
“He caused that incident last year and still acts like this? Must have powerful backing.”
“It’s that bastard Yang Woomin.”
“Damn him!”
Ptooey!
A middle-aged man spat on the ground.
Several examinees, including him, gave up and left.
They lacked the confidence to face Gal Sopyeong, who had slaughtered dozens.
As people began leaving, the host spoke with slight urgency.
“As expected, the Martial World is no easy place! Now then! Who will be the first challenger? Still hesitating, I see! If this continues, everyone might be overwhelmed by fear! If no one steps forward, all will fail!”
At the word “fail,” the examinees exchanged glances, urging each other.
‘This has to be last.’
‘Why don’t you go first?’
‘Avoid the first round.’
‘If no one goes, we’re all out.’
As they delayed, someone walked toward the stage without hesitation.
It was none other than Cheon Bigang.
“I’m tired of this clown show.”
Step. Step.
He walked steadily toward the stage.
Yang Woomin sat in the VIP seats beside the stage, watching, rubbing his hands with excitement as his chubby cheeks trembled.
His expression and behavior were both abnormal.
Just as Cheon Bigang was about to enter the circle, someone called from behind.
“Hey, stop.”
“……”
He turned around.
Three men selecting weapons from the rack frowned in irritation.
They were Red Monkey Sect members, with the character for “Red Monkey” tattooed on their necks.
“Hey, you. Think it’s okay to cut in line while we’re picking weapons?”
“Even drinking cold water has an order—get back in line.”
“We’ll let it slide since you grabbed the flag earlier. Got it?”
As they threatened him, Cheon Bigang said,
“You’re going to die.”
“What?”
“You’ll die. Even if the three of you attack together, you won’t beat Gal Sopyeong.”
“Well, look at this bastard running his mouth?”
Click.
Their leader grabbed a hand axe and approached, eyes bloodshot.
“You want to die talking nonsense?”
“Do as you like. It’ll be too late when you regret it.”
“You little—”
Whoosh!
The axe stopped at Cheon Bigang’s neck.
The others watched in silence.
Though it looked like a childish threat, Cheon Bigang calmly stepped aside.
Some people simply didn’t listen to reason.
“Then go.”
“You should’ve done that from the start. Behave better, yeah?”
Trudge, trudge.
The axe-wielding man stepped onto the stage, followed by his two subordinates with a spear and flail.
At the center of the circle, Gal Sopyeong glanced at Yang Woomin and spoke generously.
“No need to drag things out. All three of you can come at once.”
“What?”
“Hah!”
The trio flared up at the insult.
“That idiot—”
“We were going to go easy on you.”
“Damn it! I can take you alone!”
Bang!
The axe flew toward Gal Sopyeong.
Despite their bravado, they weren’t underestimating him.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The axe slashed diagonally, targeting both upper and lower body.
‘He’s barehanded—he’ll come in toward my chest!’
Whoosh!
Gal Sopyeong deftly avoided the attack.
Then suddenly charged forward.
‘Got you!’
The man drove his knee into Gal Sopyeong’s jaw.
Thud.
The knee strike landed cleanly.
He immediately brought the axe down.
“Keep acting arrogant!”
“……”
Crack.
Before the axe landed, he heard bones breaking.
His head suddenly spun backward—
“…Huh?”
Thud.
He died instantly.
Gal Sopyeong shook his head.
“I told you to come all together.”
“Bastard!”
“I’ll kill you!”
The remaining two charged.
Boom! Swish!
Gal Sopyeong’s feet moved rapidly.
Though they were only novices, their fury strengthened their attacks.
The flail smashed the ground.
“Together, you’re at least decent.”
“Shut up!”
“We’ll avenge him!”
As the attacks grew sharper, Gal Sopyeong neared the edge of the circle.
“This won’t do.”
His stance changed.
Energy surged.
Yin Wind Fist.
Afterimages formed along his fists’ path.
“Finish him!”
“Got it!”
They attacked together.
Boom!
The spear shattered and reversed, piercing its wielder’s forehead.
“Ghk…”
Thud.
The last one trembled.
Crack!
Gal Sopyeong crushed his jaw.
“P-please… I surrender…”
“What?”
Snap.
He twisted his neck.
Yang Woomin clapped in delight.
“Yes! That’s it! That’s a martial artist!”
Gal Sopyeong tossed the corpses out.
“Who’s next to die?”
“You.”
“…What?”
“Can’t hear? You’re next.”
Thud.
Cheon Bigang stepped onto the stage.
Gal Sopyeong narrowed his eyes.
He recalled Yang Woomin’s order.
‘Make it as painful as possible.’
Slowly.
Very slowly.
A grin spread across his lips.
“You seem sturdier than the rest.”
Whoosh.
He moved first.
Faster than before—chaotic.
Afterimages surrounded Cheon Bigang.
‘Break his legs first—’
Crack.
“…Huh?”
His ankle twisted backward.
What?
He rolled across the ground.
“Ghk!”
He looked up.
Cheon Bigang was gone.
“…What?”
“Where are you looking? I’m behind you.”
A chill ran down his spine.
Boom!
A single punch.
Pure strength.
His head smashed into the ground.
“…!”
In that instant, Gal Sopyeong realized—
Something had gone terribly wrong.