Chapter 47: You’re Up Next!


    Il-Oh-hyung? What on earth happened to you?!


    S-Stop shaking me, it hurts


    In a state of shock, Ak Yeon-Ho had grabbed hold of Myeong Il-Oh, who was lying on a bed covered in bandages from head to toe, and was shaking him violently while looking as if he was about to burst into tears.


    I just left for a little while and you turned into a mummy! Hyung-nim, please tell me who did it! Ill get revenge for you!


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    Baek-hyung, do you think this fucker is doing this on purpose?


    Who was the one who kept teasing him about his diarrhea?


    By the way, Il-Oh-hyung, if you cant get married and die a bachelor because of this


    Shut up, bastard! If I die, itll be because you shook me to death!


    Enraged, Myeong Il-Oh scrambled to his feet and iled his arms, while Ak Yeon-Ho desperately avoided his blows.


    Being the only adult left in the room, I shouted, Sit still, you idiots! Il-Ohs wounds have reopened!


    Sorry


    Okay


    The two overgrown boys finally calmed down. I clicked my tongue and said, Tsk tsk, you two are so immature


    Myeong Il-Ohy back on his bed and sighed, Baek-hyung, you gave me so much help, and yet


    Its not your fault. Who would have thought that Namgoong Sus martial art was the Lightning Sword?


    Still I went in with some confidence, but I ended uppletely disgracing myself.


    No, you did not, and I doubt anyone who watched you would say that. I smirked and patted Myeong Il-Oh on the shoulder.


    Not to belittle Myeong Il-Oh, but he was nothingpared to Namgoong Su. The fact that he could even force Namgoong Su to use his signature technique, the Namgoong ns famed Lightning Sword, was more than sufficient to impress everyone and put a huge dent in Namgoong Sus pride.


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    Kekeke, he must be grinding his teeth in indignation now. Il-Oh, looks like you and I might be in for some workce harassment.


    Pfft! Myeong Il-Oh chuckled. I guess hanging out with us clowns had changed him a bit. Dont worry, Im prepared for that.


    Seeing the two of us are grinning at each other, Ak Yeon-Ho did his best to imitate a cheesy viin and added, Muhahaha Me too.


    Have you fully recovered from your diarrhea?


    I can still endure a little longer before I need to go. Ak Yeon-Ho coughed and wiggled his ass.


    YEAHHHHHH!


    Suddenly, we heard the students cheering. The current duel was still ongoing, so they must have hit an exciting moment in the match.


    Itll be your turn soon, dont you need to warm up or observe potential opponents? Myeong Il-Oh asked.


    Nah, Ill just head there when Im called, I replied dryly.


    As long as my opponent wasnt Namgoong Su, I didnt give a shit who it was. <em>It could be the Vice Principal or Grandfather No, Noh Gun-Sang wouldnt do something so boring. Its probably that guy.</em>


    I had a good idea who my opponent would be, and considering how hes been ring at me the entire time, Im guessing the principal already told him beforehand.


    <em>Tsk tsk.</em>


    Just then, the clinic door opened and a familiar face walked in. It was Jaegal So-Yeong, the woman who went around hugging arge book.


    There you are. She spotted me and approached us. Hows the patient doing?


    Hes fine. What about your exam? I asked, puzzled that she was so free.


    It just ended.


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    <em>Huh? Wait, if her duel just ended, then</em>


    We heard the students cheering loudly Was it during your turn, Miss Jaegal?


    Well, yes. I guess I got a little lucky, heehee Jaegal So-Yeong avoided my gaze as she flicked her hair behind her ears in embarrassment.


    <em>I heard that she had only just turned twenty and graduated from the Heavenly Martial Academy, but I cant help but be interested in her.</em>


    <em>Not the romantic kind of interest, mind you, but interest in how she fights.</em>


    No matter how observant or skilled a person was, it was impossible to analyze an opponents martial arts just by looking at them. Jaegal So-Yeong had a well-bnced body and strong fundamentals, as expected of someone from a prestigious family, but other than that, it was difficult to guess what martial arts she excelled in and what weapons she preferred.


    <em>Is the judges pen</em>1<em>her only weapon?</em>


    Just then, my eyes fell upon the heavy book in her arms. Judging by its tough-looking leather cover and murderous thickness, it was heavier and more durable than most weapons.


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    <em>She isnt wielding a book like a blunt weapon, is she?</em>


    Sensing my gaze, Jaegal So-Yeong wrapped her arms around her book even more tightly and asked warily, Why are you staring so hard at my book?


    I was wondering if there were any bloodstains on the corners


    What?


    Its nothing. Anyway, didnt youe here to see the patient?


    I did, but more importantly


    <em>Huh? Was Jaegal So-Yeong always such an oblivious scatterbrain? How on earth could she say something so insensitive in front of the patient with a smile on her face?</em>


    About the results of our bet.


    Bet?


    What bet?


    Myeong Il-Oh and Ak Yeon-Ho, who had been in shock at the sudden appearance of a cute youngdy, simultaneously snapped their heads around to re daggers at me.


    I felt cold sweat drip down my back. That hadnt happened even when I was facing Namgoong Su.


    Wh-What do you mean, bet I feigned ignorance while simultaneously sending Jaegal So-Yeong a telepathic message, [Look Miss, how about we talk about thatter]


    Before I could finish my line, unfortunately, Jaegal So-Yeong widened her eyes in disbelief, saying, Didnt we bet that Candidate Myeong Il-Oh would defeat Namgoong-oppa2 within fifty moves? Have you already forgotten?


    The room was bathed in an awkward  wees you.


    Finally, Myeong Il-Oh mumbled, Hyung-nim Did you only give me all that advice because of a bet?


    No Thats Im sorry


    Myeong Il-Oh looked away, hurt.


    As if to show his support, Ak Yeon-Ho stood beside him and sprinkled salt on the wound, So while Il-Oh-hyung was fighting for his life, Su-Ryong-hyung was happily gambling away?


    Uhh He wasnt fighting for his life


    Wow, Hyung-nim isnt reflecting on his actions at all


    I shut my mouth. Anything I said now would only be used against me.


    The two bastards grinned victoriously.


    Jaegal So-Yeong asked timidly, Did I say something I shouldnt have? If so, Im sorry. People have always told me that Im tactless, especially when I get engrossed in something


    Jaegal So-Yeongs face fell. Ak Yeon-Ho and Myeong Il-Oh immediately stopped getting back at me and tried to cheer her up.


    No, you didnt!


    Y arent you reading this at ?


    Please dont me yourself! Su-Ryong-hyung is the one whos guilty, not you!


    <em>I cant believe that I actually considered these two as my younger brothers even for a moment.</em>


    Anyway, in consideration of Jaegal So-Yeongs feelings, they had no choice but to give up making fun of me. Too bad.


    Ill be careful next time, but about that bet Jaegal So-Yeong said. Aiming to be a more considerate person and collecting her winnings were two separate issues.


    She was a rational person like that.


    I sighed at her tenacity and admitted, I understand. Since Il-Oh couldnt defeat Namgoong Su within fifty moves, Ill acknowledge my


    I lost.


    Huh? I blinked at Jaegal So-Yeong, confused.


    Staring straight into my eyes, she exined, Namgoong-oppa went overboard with his final technique. This is merely a test for new instructor applicants, but that technique was one that aimed to cause serious injuries.


    Read this at , or else.


    She then turned toward the heavily injured Myeong Il-Oh and said apologetically, At that moment, if Namgoong-oppa hadnt used the Lightning Sword, he would have lost his bnce and fallen backwards. Thats why, I wouldnt be so insensitive as to say that I won this bet.


    Uhm


    Jaegal So-Yeongs reasoning didnt really make sense to me. However Namgoong Su did it, it was a fact that he had won, and yet, she dered her loss.


    <em>To each their own, I guess. Winning and losing can be subjective.</em>


    In any case, I had no reason to argue with her, especially since my prize was


    Since Ive lost, as long as its within my power, Ill grant you one wish! Jaegal So-Yeong said, her eyes glittering excitedly.


    Just as I was about to nod, two busybodies sent me telepathic messages.


    [A wish?]


    [You can wish for anything?]


    [As long as its within her power]


    [Anything]


    I nced at Ak Yeon-Ho and Myeong Il-Oh, only to see them blushing and desperately gulping down their saliva before they drooled.


    <em>Fuck these bastards.</em>


    Y arent you reading this at ?


    [Traitor!]


    [You get to be alone with such a pretty girl!]


    I sighed at the two delusional perverts. Get a grip, you two. Youre making me so embarrassed in front of Miss Jaegal that I cant even look her in the eyes.


    What? What do you mean, embarrassed? Jaegal So-Yeong asked innocently.


    I didnt dare tell her and quickly changed the topic, Ahem! Anyway, Ill tell you my wishter. I dont have anything in mind right now.


    Okay, it wasnt that I didnt want anything of her, but there was no way I could say it in front of those two assholes.


    Oh, okay, well, just let me know when you think of one!


    Sure. Also, you really didnt have to take the troubleing here just to say that


    Actually, I came here for another reason as well theres something else I wanted to ask you.


    What else do you want to know?


    Jaegal So-Yeong hugged her book tightly and twiddled her fingers together. I know youre applying to be an outer arts instructor, but are you also well-versed in murim history?


    Murim history?


    Earlier, when you wereparing the Moyong ns and Kunlun Sects martial arts, you seemed very familiar with their history


    Well Ive always been a bit interested in that kind of stuff


    As a martial arts instructor of the Blood Cult, I needed to study the martial arts and history of the Five Great Families and the Nine Sects One Gang so that we could destroy them.


    Jaegal So-Yeong smiled. Thats right, everyone just wants to learn martial arts nowadays, but theyre not interested in its origins or history! The murim history sses I majored in at the Heavenly Martial Academy were even canceled several times because not enough students signed up, and the only ones who did were either really interested or just needed the credits Does this make sense? I want to tell them this: Without learning of the past, it is impossible for martial arts to progress forward!


    I nodded, dumbfounded by Jaegal So-Yeongs flurry of words that she somehow managed to rattle off without taking a single breath in between.


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    Uh well, yeah


    Im both surprised and d to hear that youre just as interested in murim history as I am I really am! Jaegal So-Yeongs face flushed red with excitement.


    If I were a woman, I would have sped my hands together and jumped up and down just to humor her, but unfortunately Im not.


    Can we talk again next time? Like, you know, we can have a more in-depth discussion


    Seeing her eager face, I couldnt bring myself to tell her no. Well, I suppose thats only possible if we both get hired as new instructors, right?


    Oh, I dont think you have to worry about that at all, Jaegal So-Yeong said, relieved that I didnt refuse her outright.


    She looked like she wanted to talk to me a bit longer, but when she nced at Myeong Il-Oh and Ak Yeon-Ho, she blushed.


    Oh no, I got all excited and started bbering again although theres a patient here who needs rest Id better get going.


    Take care.


    Okay, Ill see youter. Jaegal So-Yeong bowed like a student bowing to a teacher, then left the clinic.


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    Her steps were so light and cheerful that I couldnt help but smile. Maybe its because she just graduated? I mumbled to myself.


    For some reason, whenever I talked to her, I felt like I was talking to a student rather than a colleague. I grinned and shook my head to clear my mind, but suddenly, several eerie voices like ghosts sent a shiver down my spine.


    Hyung-nim


    Hyung-niiiiim


    The two guys who hadnt been able to say a word in Jaegal So-Yeongs presence whined.


    Why is it just you? We should all hang out together!


    When did you get acquainted with such a beautifuldy?


    Did you go flirt with girls while I was in the restroom and Il-Oh-hyung was getting the shit beaten out of him?


    Were supposed to be the drunken bachelor trio, but now youre leaving us


    Hey, invite us to your meetings with her, too!


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    <em>Man, these two are hopeless. They cant be saved anymore.</em> I clicked my tongue and pushed them away.


    Candidate Baek Su-Ryong, are you here? shouted one of the Azure Dragon Academys instructors as he entered the clinic.


    When he spotted me, he sighed and said, There you are. Hurry up and prepare, youre up next!<hr><ol><li role="doc-endnote">


    Judges Pen: Arge and sharp writing instrument that also doubles as a camouged stabbing weapon. It is used like an awl or stake.</li><li role="doc-endnote">


    Oppa: Korean honorific (females) for elder brother.</li></ol>