Forewarned is Forearmed
"Oppa, why are you suddenly avoiding hanging out with me?"
"I got a girlfriend."
"Wow, that's funny. Back when I had a boyfriend, you clung to me like a horny dog, fucking me just like one. And now that you have a girlfriend, you're steering clear of me?"
"I consider myself a pure guy, you know."
"You're just spouting nonsense, you jerk."
A past conversation replayed in my mind.
I've played the role of the puppeteer, prompting others to confront the gust, but I've never been the one pulling the strings to create the breeze myself. To put it plainly, I've made others cheat, but I've never been the one to do so myself. Others might not discern much of a difference, but strictly speaking, there's a nuance.
It's like the male's pride.
In a lion pride, there's only one male. That lone male bears the responsibility for numerous females, symbolizing strength. It's the same for meI was merely educating a bunch of inept losers who couldn't safeguard a single female.
But this bastard, Kim Minsoo
Infidelity is an entirely different story. If he pledged love to one woman, he better damn well stick to that commitment. Turning his attention to another woman is nothing but the behavior of a horny animal in heat.
Well of course I've fucked Yoomin, but
To neglect your relationship with your girlfriend and promptly rush to hold hands with another woman is downright pathetic.
The reason this guy could become the protagonist is all thanks to his pure and just natureinsensitive, unpretentious, kind, and righteous. He effortlessly charms women without even trying and gets flustered when the roles flip.
It's not realistic at all.
I eagerly awaited the end of the class. All I could do now was keep a close watch on Kim Minsoo.
I kind of get it because of the harem crap the author cooked up. But still, him cheating on his own accord is unforgivable. He finally held hands in chapter 172 after dilly-dallying around, and as soon as the harem plot emerged, he rushed towards another woman.
I'm going to straighten him out today.
Knocking some sense into him wouldn't solve everything, but there might be a chance.
The saying "the first time is difficult" couldn't be more accurate. When I swung my fist at a monster, Baek Taeyang's nature ingrained in my body.
"All right, then. Let's conclude today's class, and since tomorrow is a practical training day, everyone, make sure to take good care of your bodies."
"Yes!"
"Oh, by the way, don't forget, Minsoo and Taeyang, after school, make sure to visit Instructor Kim Sukgu."
"Got it."
"Yes, understood."
Finally, all the classes came to an end. I was about to take Minsoo to Instructor Kim Sukgu right away, but this guy approached me first.
"Taeyang, let's go."
Seeing his face, a mix of exhilaration and irritation, I almost threw a punch.
"Sure."
In reality, if Minsoo had just held hands, I might have forgiven him. I could turn a blind eye.
But you crossed the line.
I clearly witnessed it through the counseling room window. The image of Minsoo burying his head in Ryu Hyemi's bosom lingered vividly in my mind.
You're disqualified as a male.
Minsoo needs thorough education.
+++++++
In the vast training ground, there were only two students standing. One, with black hair, held a wooden sword, adopting a serious posture as he observed his opponent. Meanwhile, the student with white hair appeared distracted, constantly scanning their surroundings.
They're like a hero and a villain.
Instructor Kim Sukgu summed up the unfolding scene concisely.
Baek Taeyang and Kim Minsoo faced each other in the training ground, portraying stark differences. Taeyang, with his tanned skin and flowing white hair, exuded a rough and rebellious aura. In contrast, Minsoo, with tidy black hair and a confident expression, presented a completely different image.
Even if staged, could there be characters more opposite?
"It's just a light sparring, so don't take it too seriously."
It's unusual for students with exceptional abilities to support other classes.
Victory Academy serves as a hub for globally validated talents. But supporting another class and essentially acting as instructors? That already proves they are extraordinary students.
True talent, brilliant gems. Acting as interim instructors since the first year
Even in the fastest cases, this typically occurs in the second semester of the second year. Before that, personalities and abilities haven't been accurately assessed.
Minsoo was validated, but Taeyang
If Taeyang had shown ordinary behavior, he could never have served as an interim instructor.
It could be called a blessing in disguise Thanks to the monsters, we could understand Baek Taeyang.
After witnessing how he rescued people, even the instructors' opinions changed.
Baek Taeyang and Kim Minsoo could undoubtedly cover the blind spots the instructors couldn't see. But without directly witnessing and understanding, there's no way to be sure.
Kim Sukgu planned a simple sparring match to confirm their skills and provide instructions for tomorrow.
"Taeyang's competitive spirit is indeed strong."
As Kim Sukgu was about to assess Minsoo's skills, Baek Taeyang suggested a practice match with Minsoo. He assured that they could adjust the output, ensuring no significant harm.
If it had been Taeyang's assertion alone, Kim Sukgu might have refused, but Minsoo enthusiastically agreed to it. The result unfolded as we see now.
To be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, not only Kim Sukgu but other instructors were positioned nearby. They were genuinely curious.
Baek Taeyang, born with an innate talent for violence, and Kim Minsoo, who became a genius through effort. These two are an asymmetrical force even within Victory Academy. Minsoo proved his ability through training, while Taeyang showcased strength through practical experience.
The skills are polar opposites.
Minsoo's main skill is [Hero], literally allowing him to wield the power of a hero. Always finding opportunities in moments of crisis, never yielding in the face of evil, and embodying the power of convictionthat is the essence of a hero.
As for Taeyang Several incidents erupted consecutively, so the skill name hasn't been confirmed. But the analysis is already completed.
The skill has the power to oppress the body and depress the mind. It's a power distinct from typical debuff skills, and it poses a different kind of danger. While the power itself is hazardous, the most frightening aspect is Baek Taeyang himself. On top of that skill that can restrain opponents, his utilization of pure physical strength alone is top-notch.
All the instructors present were aware of this fact.
Did I make a mistake by greenlighting this sparring?
Instructor Sukgu, seeing Minsoo and Taeyang getting ready, felt an uneasy feeling creeping in.
Instructors could intervene at any moment, and the power output was limited to 15%. It was a situation where even if they wanted to cause an incident, they couldn't.
"Get ready"
Suddenly, the air became heavy.
Should I stop now? Could making the wrong choice due to curiosity be a mistake?
Kim Sukgu raised his words one by one on the tip of his tongue, contemplating numerous thoughts.
"Begin!" The contemplation was lengthy, but time was short.
The sparring ultimately commenced, and as all the instructors watched with wide-open eyes.
The first to move was Minsoo.
+++++++
Kim Minsoo had so much experience in sparring that his skill was evident. From power output to body movements and sword proficiency, there was nothing lacking in his skills.
When he learned that he was supporting another class as an instructor, he didn't bat an eye, deeming it only natural. The unexpected part was Yoomin's absence from the selection, but Minsoo had an inkling.
Yoomin, despite having a passive skill, failed to stand out. She mentioned to him having a restriction on her power, and there were certain conditions to lift ita problem he couldn't assist with, leaving a lingering sense of regret in him.
I thought I'd naturally go alone
The news that Baek Taeyang was also selected to support another class was truly astonishing. Given Taeyang's recent awakening, Minsoo couldn't help but question the adequacy of his abilities.
The department store incident was, without a doubt, a stroke of luck.
A latent sense of inferiority that had been lurking inside him unconsciously erupted.
Since I couldn't confirm the videos, I didn't know how he dealt with it. If I were there, I could've matched, if not outdone him.
I tried not to show it. So, I suggested going together. But Taeyang brushed off my offer and demanded a sparring match instead. Absurd. He's barely awakened, yet he's undermining me so much?
In recent times, Minsoo's irritation escalated as he noticed Yoomin's smiles at Taeyang becoming more frequent. During the counseling session with Ryu Hyemi, he leaned towards identifying various suspicious elements about Taeyang.
If he hadn't mentioned secret dating, we wouldn't have come this far!
It felt like an injustice. A surge of emotions spread through Minsoo's body, causing his sword-wielding hand to tremble slightly.
Even though it's meant to be a light sparring, a bit of intensity won't hurt. Being an inexperienced first-year is a convenient excuse.
"Get ready"
As soon as Kim Sukgu's words ended, Minsoo prepared to charge.
Baek Taeyang, unfamiliar with sparring matches among awakened individuals, was in for an eye-opener. Unlike monsters, awakened individuals moved in intricate ways. Minsoo had concluded all his analyses, and no matter how many times he played it out, all scenarios ended in his victory.
Think of it as a good experience today, Taeyang. Good looks and a good body? It all means nothing. In the face of true strength, everything is meaningless.
"Begin!"
With the conclusion of the command, Minsoo lunged toward Baek Taeyang.
[Bash activated! Strong power gathers in the sword!]
His seamless moves transmitted raw power.
A radiant light infused the wooden sword as it swung gracefully, left to right and diagonally. The silent strike, devoid even of the whisper of wind, descended upon Baek Taeyang's unsuspecting body.
"A guaranteed victory!"
In all his sparring experiences, no one had ever responded to a strike like this. Of course, Minsoo expected it to be the same this time. His confidence in the belief that no student could block his sword strike was unmistakably written on his face. Victory was assured with the first draw of the sword.
But winning wasn't the concern for Baek Taeyang. He didn't propose sparring for some light-hearted banter.
Kim Minsoo remained oblivious, reveling in the anticipated victory before the sparring. He failed to recognize the eyes glaring at him with hostility and the anger within them. To him, Baek Taeyang was just a student who awakened late, determining the outcome of the spar.
Taeyang took a step back, avoiding the sword strike.
For Minsoo, who thought the spar would conclude with that single strike, it was an unexpected twist.
"Huh?"
The now aimless strength fell onto the uneven ground. By the time Minsoo tried to recover, Baek Taeyang was already in motion. A vivid light emanated from Taeyang's fista power Minsoo knew all too well.
"But how?" Astonishment filled Minsoo's eyes.
"I'll beat the crap out of you today!"
Heels clicked, and the waist turned. The force rising from the ground was entirely contained in Taeyang's fist. There was no chance to dodge. His fist dominated Minsoo's entire field of vision.
Then, a delayed, lethal strike, the fist stretched out like the embodiment of death. The most sinister blow landed on Kim Minsoo's solar plexus.
"Kyaaah!"
The sound of a pig being slaughtered filled the training ground.