Chapter 40: GwanJae 2

“Who was that in front of him making him smile?”

“That old guy’s name was pretty well known during the final of my middle school too.”

The others had continued to murmur. The boss would usually say that it was only a petty trick and worthless but would just say that it was all common sense.

He got scars on both of his fists suggesting the number of monsters that he picked a fight with. There were times that he would fight until his hands bled and he hid that fact when he was at the peak of his career. Of course, his damages weren’t the one to blame for his team’s death but during those lawless times, he was an angel of death to the world’s most harmful insects-like garbage.

A practice of martial arts like that would be considered fun and he asked Jaehwang about it.

“There is something I want to ask you.”

“What is it?”

Jaehwang held his tongue since the situation didn’t seem so good for him. He could feel the old man’s immense energy. It was enough to make everyone around him kneel but he won’t bow down. For that would sully his pride as their family’s last descendant.

He was the representative of his ancestors and that’s why he embraced it all. He would not show respect even he was to die a painful death.

“Wow… What an amazing kid.”

The energy surging out of him disappeared in an instant. He couldn’t just believe that he had experienced death and their small interaction got him even more curious.

“It was really impressive seeing you use that stick as a weapon.”

Jaehwang gave him a slight nod.

“I thought at first that you didn’t even know how to use a fighting stick. It even broke in the middle of the fight but when I continued to watch, I realized that I was wrong about you.”

He stopped talking and just looked at Jaehwang. He got embarrassed by what he asked of him. He knew of all the martial arts in the world and he had the confidence to ask about it, however, it was different if someone at this level would be the one to ask him.

“What’s the meaning of that emptiness you feel?”

The old man curiousness was then finally sated.

“I don’t think that I am obligated to answer you.”

Jaehwang replied with a serious tone as he asked himself if he was referring to the clan’s vision. It wasn’t much of a big deal even if the old man was taught in a different way. Jaehwang thought that if he couldn’t approach him, then he wouldn’t be able to see the full extent of his energy.

He responded with a bothered expression as he scratched his head. He then rested both of his hands on his hips and took a deep breath before saying,

“Is there anything that you want?”

“I don’t want anything.”

GwanJae made a face once again.

There had to be something he could use to help to talk to him but he couldn’t think of anything no matter how hard he tried.

His purpose was to persuade him but he didn’t think that this would happen. The entire nation had spread out in recent years and the reason that he came here as to find geniuses.

Including a student was not something that he opposed of. Things had started to heat up as the advanced invasion of the three elite military groups got fostered. The only problem was that for Jaehwang, his recruitment tactics don’t work.

“Wow, I didn’t know how worried you were.”

Even though his behavior was a little impolite, to him, Jaehwang’s behavior was masterful. When he was taught with martial arts, he knew that there was a high probability of him meeting someone stronger than him. That was why the omniscient save system had recognized him.

However, Gwanjae transferred skill was the least ranked special skill. So with that, he had to learn all kinds of things so he could improve.

“What are you training for?”

Gwanjae had given up on his thoughts and just asked a straight question. He couldn’t stand that his curiosity can’t be settled.

“I’ll keep that to myself.”

Jaehwang raised his voice. He didn’t speak so loud but it was the only sound in that space between them. He stood in front of him with a blank stare as he refused to accept Jaehwang’s answer.

“Hmm…”

He wasn’t worried before but he started to have second guesses with regards to the outcome of their talk. He wanted to know what he was trying to tell him but he was unable to make him talk.

‘I’m going to go crazy!’

It was impossible since he would just push honor off of the table. He wanted to stop but his curiosity won over him.

“I’ll offer you a suitable reward. Whatever you want.”

Jaehwang’s expression changed. He didn’t sense anything. He looked at the reactions around him but he had never seen someone play through the activities as well as him. This was the best offer that he could give.

“It doesn’t matter rather you win or lose, you are guaranteed to get your hybrid license.”

“Well… You could do that?”

“Yes.”

“Haha…”

All he needed was for Jaehwang to accept the offer. It was the type of license that couldn’t just be given to anyone, not even in their dreams. That’s why he was offering it to someone who was clearly worthy of it.

Jaehwang’s concern was that there was a chance that their plan or negotiation would be called off or interrupted. He wanted to at least check his words were true for an old man that came out of nowhere. The head supervisor was already fired from his position and Jaehwang hasn’t heard about that yet.

“Is there any catch to this? This one’s a real big opportunity”

“No, there’s no catch and everything will go on smoothly.”

“Hm… This is really…”

It was something that he wouldn’t want to miss out on even though he was still skeptical about it. He didn’t have anything that he desired or to be greedy about. He had given it careful thought, he would just deny any other offer but this was something that he couldn’t refuse.

“Okay. I’ll let you think about it.”

His curiosity then stopped.

“Okay.”

Jaehwang shook his head as he held his stick in his hands and after a moment, a hint of anger started to ooze out of Gwanjae’s face.

“Do you really think that you can’t show me the true innate state of the stick martial arts?”

“I can’t.”

Jae Hwang answered back and rather than being obsessed, he just seemed more bothered.

“Uh… If there is something very dangerous or serious about it then I’ll let you know, okay?”

He placed his fist into his chest to calm himself down after he gave him a bow. He wasn’t sick but seeing a skillful young man was enough to surprise him.

“You’re invincible.”

“It’s only my energy…”

He shook his head in response Jaehwang’s answer. He could see from the second-floor observatory that his movements during the fight took great strength. It had to have taken all the effort in the world for one to maintain his pace in battle.

“The amount of strength… your footwork was also outstanding. But do be careful, it could get violent out there.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Yes. You did a fine job…”

“Thank you for your consideration. Well then…”

Jaehwang did a light bow and that time, a hard clash rang on the ground.

Papag!

Jaehwang dashed towards him with a movement that would make a joke out of his earlier fight. He faced the old man and approached him like a beast out to hunt his prey. His feet weren’t shaking and he moved through without a sound.

Gwanjae opened up his palm towards him, Jaehwang then shook it while a loud noise in the background had pierced through.

Gwangjae raised his arm like a viper’s fang looking to sink its teeth onto something. Jaehwang then spun his stuck and their energy started to fly all over the place.

He managed to block his first attack but Jaehwang was able to follow up and strike him on his arm before he aimed for his legs. He felt confident now that he was able to defend himself, however, Jaehwag took a few steps back and launched a surprise attack. After he had gained enough distance, he took a swing at his stomach and ruthlessly kicked him three times.

“You’re even using a surprise attack?”

“Sorry.”

Jaehwang slightly bowed.

“I’m not even married yet, don’t get too cheeky.”

A surprise attack could cause an injury to an old man like him but he was just fine.

Even though martial arts were something that one could master with enough practice, there was still a lot to know. Especially to get to their level.

‘Ancient war strength martial arts.’

He explained more to GwanJae to help him understand. They used their improved weapons to improve their technique in an actual fight.

He woke up after the generation mash up and he still had the same age when it started. He was the best martial artist their country has ever had when it happened and he found himself a reason to retire into the deep valleys and high mountains. He distanced himself away from everybody thus, he learned more over time.

He became a natural Gagseog due to his continuous and desperate fights against the monsters for dozens of years. His weapon was his fist and with that, a new style of martial arts appeared as he faced them with all that he had. He was then satisfied.

People had then started to show up and ruthlessly trampled them. They resisted only to be brought to their knees and be taken down. Rather than fame, he created a bad name for himself so that, he could let his obsession run wild as he please.

‘I miss you. New ancient times martial arts.’

He had always depended on someone else, he had learned new techniques over the course of these past years but he still missed the ancient style of martial arts that he could no longer do. It wasn’t in their country, he only saw it being practiced in China. He thought that he could never see it again in Korea, he almost gave up until there came a place where he saw it.

‘Use your mana to increase your fighting abilities.’

With his current skills, he wouldn’t have that much profit in this business even if he was able to get his hybrid license. If there was one thing that he saw, it was that his energy didn’t feel the weight of the real martial arts energy. The tension between them had increased as his lips started to dry out.

“There’s one thing left. You have to be cautious.”

GwanJae 2, The end.