𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟒: 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
The training room was more spacious and comfortable than it looked.
Since it was so large, there were people sparring everywhere you looked.
No, [𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝], a huge guild, was worthy of such a sight.
Not only was there a Hunter sparring ring, there was also a boxing ring and an octagon cage for physical sparring, as well as a transparent shield cage where you could fight using magic power.
“Please follow me.”
Siwoo followed Kim Byung-guk into the shield cage.
It was three or four times larger than a regular ring or octagon.
This was a place made by processing magic stones, a cage that filtered out magic attacks from going outside.
Siwoo looked around curiously at the facility he was seeing for the first time.
That was because there were almost no tools or equipment that utilized magic stones back when he was a 1st generation Hunter.
“Are you scared? When you act recklessly in front of women, you end up like this.”
Kim Byung-guk thought that Siwoo’s actions were out of fear.
There were already dozens of people crowded around them.
The Hunters who had been watching the verbal fight in the training room and the Hunters who had been sparring had all gathered.
Kim Byung-guk unconsciously scanned their faces.
There were some female Hunters who he had been trying to get to work with him or was planning to get to work with him.
‘Should I beat this bastard to a pulp and earn some points? I’m going to go to a hotel with someone tonight.’
“If you kneel and beg for forgiveness right now, I might forgive you. I’m a kind-hearted person.”
Kim Byung-guk pointed at the ring with his finger and provoked Siwoo.
Even skilled Hunters tend to make mistakes when they feel burdened by being watched by many people.
Most Hunters fight monsters, not people.
That was the purpose of Hunters in the first place: to break through Gates.
However, Kim Byung-guk was different.
He was not only a mid-level Hunter who hunted monsters, but he was also a trainer who taught other Hunters, so he was confident in one-on-one combat.
‘He’s probably never fought like a martial artist in a place with this many people watching.’
Unlike other Hunters, Kim Byung-guk had been steadily practicing martial arts such as MMA and Muay Thai.
Therefore, sparring with rules was his most confident area.
“By the way, it seems like we need a referee. Junior, shouldn’t there be someone to stop me before I beat him to death?”
“Anyone is fine. It doesn’t matter.”
Siwoo didn’t care if Kim Byung-guk’s friend became the referee or if his close junior became the referee.
“I’ll be the referee.”
At that moment, someone raised their hand from beyond the crowd.
People turned their heads to confirm the identity of the voice.
And then, surprised and urgent voices popped up here and there.
“G-Guild Leader?”
“It’s Guild Leader Min Si-joon!”
“Hey! Why aren’t you moving out of the way!”
“The Guild Leader is passing by! Move aside!”
“What is the Guild Leader doing here?”
The crowd parted like the Red Sea.
People were very flustered because the head of [𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝] had suddenly appeared.
Of course, it wasn’t the first time they had seen Min Si-joon, but he wasn’t someone you could easily see.
He was always busy with work, managing the guild externally, and, furthermore, he went through Gates as an S-Rank Hunter.
Min Si-joon did teach people sometimes, but that was in the past.
Now that [𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝] had grown rapidly and he had become the head, he couldn’t leisurely teach people or train juniors.
That was why each guild had a trainer, a mentor, and a senior.
“G-Guild Leader Min Si-joon!”
Kim Byung-guk gulped at the appearance of an untimely existence.
“Long time no see, Hunter Kim.”
Min Si-joon entered the cage with a relaxed smile.
“What brings you here. . .?”
“What brings me here? I heard there was something funny going on, so I came running.”
This was actually true.
While the security department was monitoring the CCTV, when there was a commotion in the training room and sparring room, he contacted Hunter Yoon Seung-gyu, Min Si-joon’s secretary.
Yoon Seung-gyu confirmed it and immediately relayed it to Min Si-joon.
“And. . . you have to stop people from dying.”
Min Si-joon looked at Siwoo and smiled.
If guild members fought within the guild, they could be subject to fines, demotions, or even expulsion from the industry.
That was why the sparring room was created.
Of course, the majority of people used it to purely improve their skills, but there were also countless cases where people fought because they didn’t like something.
━Trainer Hunter Kim Byung-guk is going to the sparring room to fight.
━I see. Please observe them appropriately so that neither of them gets injured.
━B-But. . . the opponent is Hunter Min Siwoo-nim. . .
━???
Min Si-joon rushed over as soon as he received this report.
Before his brother maimed someone.
‘Guild Leader. . . I guess he came because he was worried that I would kill my opponent. The day has finally come when my skills are recognized.’
However, Kim Byung-guk interpreted Min Si-joon’s smile and expression differently.
“It’s okay! I won’t kill him and I’ll go easy on him!”
“Oh. . . thank you.”
Min Si-joon prepared to stop them at any moment and started the match.
“I won’t go easy on you since I have a lot of fans!”
Kim Byung-guk shot out like a bullet and attempted a flying kick.
This was a confrontation in a place where you could use magic power, not anywhere else.
He didn’t hold back in order to kill his opponent’s spirit in one breath and to catch Min Si-joon’s eye.
His body, which was strengthened by magic power, was as hard as a rock and as strong as a horse.
Puck!
Siwoo blocked the kick with both of his hands.
The moment Kim Byung-guk landed, he swung his hooks alternately.
His fists whistled menacingly past Siwoo’s head.
“This is why you can’t teach Hunter Shin Ji-soo!”
Kim Byung-guk, thinking that his opponent was scared since he wasn’t actively coming forward, became even more provocative.
He fired off kicks and punches in succession.
Siwoo dodged the attacks by flowing with them or blocking them with his guard.
The more he did, the more fierce his opponent’s attacks became.
As a high kick came towards his head, Siwoo backstepped and stuck to the wall.
“Hey, mutt.”
“Yes?”
Siwoo called out to Shin Ji-soo, who was watching from behind.
“Magic power manipulation is the basics of a Hunter’s fight. Treat it as if you can’t waste a single drop of magic power. Even if you have the same amount of mana as your opponent, the output and efficiency will differ depending on how you use it.”
“Yes. . . I-I understand. . .”
“Ha! Are you talking in the middle of a confrontation? You’re really getting on my nerves!”
Kim Byung-guk’s pride was hurt when he saw that Siwoo was ignoring him and chatting with that wench, Shin Ji-soo.
He concentrated his magic power in his legs and lashed out a mid-kick like a whip at Siwoo’s side.
Poof!
“Kyaaaaack!”
Siwoo blocked the kick with just one finger.
It was because his finger was embedded in his leg due to the high density of magic power.
Kim Byung-guk pulled his leg out with a scream.
“See? This is how you handle magic power.”
“Yes. . .”
“Such a useless skill!”
Kim Byung-guk concentrated his magic power on the area where blood was gushing out.
It wasn’t a complete recovery or treatment, but it would reduce the pain for a short while and stop the bleeding for a short while.
Kim Byung-guk tried to cast a skill as if he couldn’t endure it any longer.
The magic power churned in his stomach and an elaborate magic circle was created on his arm.
Shhhhk!
A strange sound rang out and Kim Byung-guk’s arms turned a dark color.
“I’ll crush you like a bug on the floor!”
He swung his razor-sharp hands at Siwoo like lightning.
Ka-clang!
As if a well-sharpened sword had swung, a ringing sound echoed from where it collided with the shield.
“You’re quite fast!”
Kim Byung-guk swung his arms like crazy.
Ka-clang! Ka-clang! Ka-clang! Ka-clang!
Siwoo lightly dodged the attacks that his opponent was swinging.
Swinging wildly without calculation was the same as a boxer swinging wildly in the hopes of a lucky punch.
Furthermore, he could easily dodge these attacks by simply observing his opponent’s feet, shoulders, and reach.
“How long are you going to keep dodging! Can’t you see my fans insulting you!”
Kim Byung-guk was getting annoyed that Siwoo was only dodging, but he was also getting excited.
Wasn’t the Guild Leader watching his opponent struggle because of his skills?
This would make his position even stronger.
‘My name will be famous in the guild for a while, won’t it? The girls will go crazy too.’
If he stepped on his opponent, he would not only earn the respect of new Hunters, but he would also gain recognition and trust from Hunters of a similar level.
In addition, he would also get a nice bonus, Shin Ji-soo.
Kim Byung-guk gave Shin Ji-soo, who was looking at him from beyond the shield, a charming smile.
Of course, her gaze wasn’t directed at Kim Byung-guk.
‘What. . . where are you looking? Wasn’t you half-falling for me?’
Shin Ji-soo was looking at Siwoo.
Kim Byung-guk’s forehead began to bulge without him realizing it.
Anger surged from his crumpled pride.
“Now, to strengthen your body, you have to circulate magic power everywhere as if blood is circulating. At the same speed, evenly throughout your body.”
“Yes. . .”
Shin Ji-soo was surprised that he was teaching her in this situation.
Even though Kim Byung-guk was a Hunter who was good at flirting with women and being charming, he was still a mid-level Hunter affiliated with [𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝].
At least, in terms of skill, it meant that he wouldn’t lose to anyone.
“A body with good magic power circulation can be stronger than a state where you have activated a skill.”
“Are you kidding me!!”
“Let me put it this way.”
Siwoo threw a calf kick at Kim Byung-guk, who was charging at him.
The foot that flew like an arrow kicked his opponent’s shin bone and Kim Byung-guk’s body collapsed as it was.
“Uwaaaagh!”
“See? Of course, you can also attack with your skilled arms, but you need to concentrate your magic power to do that.”
Kim Byung-guk got up from his spot, limping.
There was a hole in one of his legs, and the other leg was cracked from the calf kick.
“You bastard!! I’m going to kill you!!”
It was clear that he had the advantage in terms of overall power and that his opponent was busy running away or dodging,
but it wasn’t Siwoo, but himself who had collapsed twice.
‘Dammit, because I let my guard down!’
Kim Byung-guk gathered the remaining magic power in his dantian and concentrated it in both of his arms.
Shhhhk, shhhhk, shhhhk. . .
The arms that had turned a dark color began to emit a distinct darkness.
“I’ll definitely kill you. . .!”
“It’s noisy, so let’s end the lesson here.”
Siwoo moved his feet and stuck close to Kim Byung-guk.
“This bastard is fast!”
“Put up your guard.”
A low and cold voice.
Kim Byung-guk, who was about to swing his fist, put up his guard without realizing it.
It was because he instinctively felt that it was dangerous.
Paaaak!
His arms, which were firmly armed with skills and magic power, ached.
It was a skill that could block even iron bars and broadswords.
“Kuugh!”
However, Kim Byung-guk couldn’t help but be bewildered by the unexpected shock.
“If you drop your guard, your face will be gone.”
A fist swung in again.
Paaaak! Paaaak! Paaaak!
“Kuugh! Keugh! Kuugh!”
His eyes rolled back in his head from the shock that was stabbing like an awl and spreading like a flame.
He could feel the blood because he was biting his teeth so hard.
Siwoo cornered him and threw punches one after another, like a professional martial artist subduing his sparring partner.
“Keugh! Kuugh! St, stop! P, please! St, stop it! Kuugh!”
Kim Byung-guk felt his back gradually breaking.
However, every time his body bent, Siwoo’s punches cleverly lifted his body.
Puck!
Cracks began to appear little by little on the dark-colored arms.
Not the bones, but the surface was literally cracking.
“Can you break a skill with just punches?”
“Dammit, I’m seeing it for the first time too, so how would I know?”
“But who is that person?”
“Hunter Kim Byung-guk is getting beaten up just like that. . .”
“Huh? Isn’t that the instructor who fought with Hunter Chu Ha-min that time?”
“Hey, is Chu Ha-min a dog’s name? He talks like he’s not even human and he collapsed.”
The people who were watching their confrontation were surprised in different ways.
Some of them had seen Siwoo during the daily lectures.
That was because Chu Ha-min, who had recently been on the rise after annihilating a group of Killers, had been gossiping in several guilds for a while.
“Sh! Dammit! Keugh! St, stop it! Sh, stop it! Kuugh!”
Siwoo swung his fists, using only the minimum amount of magic power.
Now it wasn’t a fight, it was a one-sided beating.
Min Si-joon hesitated, wondering if he should stop it or not.
Kim Byung-guk was a Hunter who often received complaints from lower-level Hunters.
It was because he flirted with women under the pretext of exercising.
‘I hope he learns his place this time.’
Siwoo grabbed his opponent’s hair.
He hadn’t fainted, but his body was drooping as if he had run out of strength.
He was about to hit his face some more, but he put his hand down after confirming that Kim Byung-guk’s face was already swollen and bloody.
“If you heal him and beat him up some more, won’t it be bad?”
“. . . No.”
When Siwoo asked, Min Si-joon shook his head as if to ask him to endure it.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Shin Ji-soo hesitated and spoke to Siwoo.
“. . .Thank you for your hard work.”
“What?”
“Fighting with another Hunter. . .?”
Why was that hard work?
Siwoo found it quite fun.
Both HSIU and the sparring room were places where you could legally beat people up.
People who nagged like that were more fun to beat up.
“Where are we going?”
“To train you.”
“. . . Outside the guild building?”
“It’s inside, but it’s not inside.”
Shin Ji-soo’s voice sank with anxiety that was growing.
“W-Where isn’t it inside?”
Siwoo laughed as if he found it funny.
“Inside a Gate.”