novelraw Chapter 100 : Chapter 100
Chapter 100 : Chapter 100
Chapter 100 - Bimu (1)
Before long, Choi Ho-joong’s Bimu was just a day away.
He still doubted his chances of victory, but in truth, I had never once thought that Choi Ho-joong would lose.
Because I was personally giving him top-tier tutoring.
While facing the two idiots from the Jungwon Sword Family in the last Abyss trip, there were common weaknesses I felt.
The parts I was currently focusing on training Choi Ho-joong were precisely to exploit these weaknesses.
Since he wasn't a complete fool, if I taught him ten things, he would absorb about two or three of them, and on top of that, the special training with the Stupeo showed better-than-expected results.
He was still suffering even with the level 1 setting, but now his mana operation had become quite human-like.
And then, there was one person who came to the training ground without any notice.
“Seo Ji-han, what on earth are you scheming!”
It was none other than Seo Ji-won.
“You’ve come to meddle again, I see.”
“Meddle? You seem to be gravely mistaken, but this Bimu is not just a problem for you and the Chamryongdan.”
“Why? Because we are fighting under the name of the Haewon Sword Family?”
“You know well. In fact, when you said you had set up a Bimu between Choi Ho-joong and Jo Cheol-seung, I thought you had some kind of plan.”
“Does that mean you’ve changed your mind now?”
“Look at Choi Ho-joong! Do you think that is the physical condition of someone who is about to engage in a Bimu tomorrow?”
Seo Ji-won wore a pathetic expression.
The current setting of the Stupeo that Choi Ho-joong was wearing was level 2.
I had hastily raised it just before the Bimu tomorrow.
Thanks to that, it was also clear that his body had become noticeably sluggish.
The part that Seo Ji-won was pointing out now must be because of this.
“Well, it’s not bad.”
“That must be what you want to believe!”
“Not a chance.”
“Seo Ji-han! I will no longer deny that your talent is exceptional. But teaching others is a completely different matter, you have instead ruined Choi Ho-joong. He wasn’t such a pathetic fellow before!”
“It seems you’re the one who wants to believe that, brother.”
“What?”
“That my swordsmanship instruction skills are terribly pathetic, it seems you’re satisfied after confirming that. Did I guess wrong?”
“What nonsense!”
Seo Ji-won flared up violently.
I was just teasing, why was he reacting like this.
“I’ll tell you this one thing for sure. No matter how much of a kid’s fight it is, I don’t set up losing battles.”
“It will all be revealed tomorrow, I don’t know why you’re so nonchalant!”
“Rather, I want to ask. Why do you think I would tell a lie that will be revealed tomorrow.”
It wasn’t the first time he had been blindsided by me.
Although Seo Ji-won looked sharp, in this aspect, his learning ability was clearly lacking.
***
The Jungwon Sword Family visited the Haewon Sword Family with a large group of people for today’s Bimu event.
Not only the Family Head, Kim Jeong-rak, but also most of the heads of each sword unit showed their faces.
This must be to avoid being crushed by the reputation of the name Haewon.
Also, since they would think that the victory of Jo Cheol-seung, who would be participating in the Bimu, was certain, there would also be the purpose of boosting the family’s morale by watching the victory in person.
It seemed the Jungwon Sword Family was expecting a lot from today’s Bimu.
In contrast, our Haewon Sword Family greeted the Jungwon Sword Family in a very modest manner.
First of all, the Family Head was absent.
Since I had deliberately set the Bimu date to coincide with my father’s trip, the person in charge of today’s event was me.
Of course, even though I was a fledgling unit leader, there was no problem in terms of protocol.
In the absence of the Family Head, a unit leader could act as his representative, and Choi Ho-joong, who was participating in the Bimu today, was under my command.
I didn't call for any special guests.
Only the members of the Chamryongdan were scheduled to watch today’s Bimu, and of course, I didn't contact any media outlets either.
In short, only flies were buzzing around the training ground where today’s Bimu would be held.
“Please come in.”
I greeted Kim Jeong-rak and his entourage in my office.
The Jungwon Sword Family side, seemingly not having expected this situation, wore stiff expressions.
While we exchanged greetings and drank tea, Kim Jeong-rak did not even force a smile.
Since he was still in a position where he needed something from me, he couldn't openly express his dissatisfaction, but I could feel his discomfort enough.
Of course, that was what I had intended. I had no intention of treating them with courtesy, even formally.
Because the Jungwon Sword Family would soon be taking down its sign anyway.
Friend! But I don’t know if you’re being too hasty! Are you really sure that Kim Jeong-rak is a bad guy?
At Bastian’s question, I nodded without hesitation.
Although nothing had been directly revealed, I was certain in my suspicion.
The dirty deeds that Kim Jeong-rak’s two sons had shown in Abyss, the plan to kill me, and the map that one of them had.
Above all, my suspicions had never been wrong so far.
Then I must offer my condolences to the Jungwon Sword Family in advance. To be marked by my friend of all people!
Bastian knew well.
What the end was like for those who had fallen out of my favor during my time as Johan Raven.
And just because I had become Seo Ji-han now, there was no reason for that principle to change.
But Jo Cheol-seung, who had no way of knowing this, his expression was gradually souring for the very trivial reason that he did not like the way he was being treated as a guest.
“You don’t look to be in good condition ahead of today’s Bimu, Unit Leader Jo Cheol-seung.”
When I spoke to him, Jo Cheol-seung revealed a smile from behind his sour expression.
“Not at all. I’m so worried because my condition is too good.”
“I’m curious. How good must one’s condition be to the point of being worried.”
“Ah, that. I was just worried that I might cause an accident during the Bimu.”
Saying that, he spat out a cold killing intent.
A clear provocation.
With his delinquent-like appearance, Jo Cheol-seung seemed ready to cross the line at any moment.
He certainly wasn't a weak fellow.
In terms of mana alone, he was at a level that overwhelmed Choi Ho-joong.
His swordsmanship probably wasn't bad either.
Since he was making a name for himself in this field, there was no way he was a scrub.
It was just that his opponent today was bad.
“Accidents during a Bimu are always a problem to keep in mind. What we’re doing is not a children’s sword fight.”
“Oh! Then you’re saying I can just trust what you just said, Unit Leader Seo Ji-han, and do my best, is that right!”
“Then, were you planning not to do your best?”
“Because it would be troublesome if someone got hurt during a friendly Bimu.”
Jo Cheol-seung grinned at me.
“No matter how friendly it is, a Bimu is a Bimu. Wouldn’t not doing one’s best be rather insulting to the opponent.”
“My swordsmanship style tends to see blood often, I wonder if you won’t regret it?”
Eventually, Jo Cheol-seung reached the point of outright threatening me.
If I said it was okay, he seemed ready to actually see blood.
“I’m looking forward to it, Unit Leader Jo Cheol-seung.”
“You’re more fiery than the rumors say, Unit Leader Seo Ji-han.”
Did he expect me to back down?
He wore a satisfied expression.
And then, he threw a very bold comment at me.
“If the opportunity arises, I would be honored to have a Bimu with you as well, Unit Leader Seo Ji-han.”
After I humored him with a few words, it seemed he couldn't see anything.
Bastian, who was listening from the side, reacted as if he was dumbfounded.
Friend! How did you fall so far!
It was because of that red dragon, as you well know.
“If you beat Choi Ho-joong in today’s Bimu, I’ll accept that challenge.”
“Really? Are you sure you won’t go back on your word later……”
“After you win, first.”
I cut him off with a cold tone.
Because I hated long-winded talk about things that wouldn’t even happen.
***
Choi Ho-joong, standing on the stage, was anxious.
‘Throw away the thought that you are representing the Haewon Sword Family!’
Seo Ji-han’s sharp words came to mind, but his heart did not feel at ease at all.
Engaging in the Bimu without any pressure was not as easy as it sounded.
Because the results of a Bimu were usually recorded in the family’s records.
The pressure that if he were to lose, it would be a great disgrace to the reputation of the Haewon Sword Family, weighed down on his chest.
‘Why this trial for me!’
Choi Ho-joong could not understand Unit Leader Seo Ji-han, who had always been so confident about this Bimu.
Because no matter how he thought about it, in terms of skill or experience, there was no corner where he could match up.
A moment later, Jo Cheol-seung, who came up onto the stage, wore a triumphant expression.
He had already met Jo Cheol-seung, who was participating in the Bimu.
It seemed Jo Cheol-seung also remembered him.
“You’ve grown a lot, haven’t you, Choi Ho-joong!”
“It’s been a while, senior.”
“You’ve really grown a lot. To even have a Bimu with me.”
Jo Cheol-seung smiled unpleasantly and came stomping over.
Even a sense of pressure was felt from his uninhibited walk.
It was true that he had almost flinched at the sight, but Choi Ho-joong held on to his senses and stood his ground like an old tree.
Jo Cheol-seung stopped right in front of him and suddenly began to whisper something in his ear.
“Your youngest young master, he’s a very interesting person.”
“Pardon?”
“The fact that he arranged a Bimu between you and me is funny enough, but to treat us like this at today’s Bimu event is not ordinary either. It’s like, from one to ten, he’s full of psycho tendencies, shall we say?”
Psycho…
He certainly couldn’t say he didn’t have such tendencies, but he couldn’t just let him express it so openly.
“You are being rude.”
“The rude one is your Haewon Sword Family. There’s a limit to ignoring the Jungwon Sword Family, treating us like this? You will definitely pay the price.”
“Did you just say… price?”
“The talk is already over. Your unit leader said it’s okay to see some blood during the Bimu.”
“……Did the Unit Leader say such a thing?”
Jo Cheol-seung laughed slyly as if he found the situation amusing.
“Want me to tell you something else that’s interesting? Unit Leader Seo Ji-han said that if I beat you, I can challenge him. The expression ‘challenge’ is a bit absurd, but I’m thinking of giving it a try. Doesn’t it seem fun?”
“After you beat me first.”
“What?”
At Jo Cheol-seung’s question, Choi Ho-joong quietly muttered once more.
“That’s after you beat me first.”
“Choi Ho-joong. You’ve gone crazy!”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t do Bimus that I lose.”
Choi Ho-joong was startled for a moment even after saying it himself.
For a moment, he thought Seo Ji-han had possessed his body.
He didn’t know the reason, but courage had just suddenly welled up.
‘Yes, let’s believe.’
In Seo Ji-han’s belief that he never set up a losing fight.
So far, Seo Ji-han had created many miracles.
He was once a sickly young master, but now he was a person he could trust and follow more than anyone else.
Since such a Seo Ji-han was confident of his victory, Choi Ho-joong decided to believe in that part.
Since he couldn’t back out of this fight now anyway.
Choi Ho-joong took out the Reapersword.
It was something he had been granted just before this Bimu, so it was not yet familiar to his hand, but it was certainly a famous sword.
The four red stars embedded in the hilt. Seeing that they were not yet glowing with a brilliant light, it seemed it had not accepted him as its complete master, but who knows.
If he won this Bimu, maybe he could completely change its heart.