episode_0054

Feeling pleased with successfully snatching a possession from a sucker, Bruce was about to turn around after teasing Carsein a bit.

However, laughter could be heard from behind.

At the unpleasant sound of laughter, Bruce immediately turned around and asked Carsein.

“What’s so funny? Are you laughing at the sincere advice of a senior?”

He thought the guy must be crazy.

Although he wanted to give a piece of his mind to this strange fellow, Carsein retaliated without blinking an eye.

“Senior? Sincere advice? Are you kidding me?”

“What’s wrong with this guy? Are you out of your mind?”

“He’s the one who got admitted through fraudulent means. What advice is he giving? Instead of respecting seniors, he should know his place beneath me.”

“What, what?!”

“You. You fed drugs to those who were supposed to pass the admission period and made them advance through default. And then you talk about fair tests?”

Bruce’s eyes bulged as if struck by lightning.

At this point, no one knew the truth.

“No, where are you spouting nonsense from? I passed the admission test to this knight order fairly!”

“Why don’t you tell them more? You suggested competing fairly with two friends who were supposed to advance together, but secretly drugged their drinks. You requested a duel with the remaining two before they could recover, and deliberately put laxatives in their drinks. Isn’t that right?”

“This guy is making up nonsense! Did you see it yourself? Someone who wasn’t even there at the time!”

Despite vehemently denying it, the accusation was true.

No one knew how they found out.

Or perhaps there was someone who knew the details so well.

However, Carsein spoke as if he had been there, as if he had witnessed the situation firsthand.

Maybe he thought it was time to stop playing nice, as Bruce, who had lost his temper, slowly approached Carsein.

“No way. How dare you insult a senior like that? Since you’re already being pushed by the first lady, you’ll pass anyway. Let’s set the tone properly today.”

With a thud, Bruce approached Carsein with a raised fist.

“How dare you insult a senior like that? Since you’re already being pushed by the first lady, you’ll pass anyway. Let’s set the tone properly today.”

With a thud, Bruce approached Carsein with a raised fist.

***

-Ding!

▶Bruce is approaching Carsein to commit violence.◀

▶If caught, you will fall and be subjected to one-sided assault! Be careful!◀

In the world of Tsukur games, most of what can be created are story-based games focused on choices and objectives.

If one were to forcibly implement a combat game in such a setting, it would likely be challenging.

Therefore, this game loosely follows a pattern and incorporates mini-games that allow users to break through.

The UI changes, and Carsein’s pixelated figure dodges Bruce’s attacks appropriately.

However.

I already know.

That the mini-game window will not appear here.

The status window that started as a game does not provide the game’s systems perfectly.

There was an example at the Snowflake Festival.

The mini-game required manual movement without gauge control assistance. It had its advantages, but…

Anyway, that experience provided me with important information that game systems do not apply.

Even in this situation where I am about to continue fighting Bruce.

It means I cannot rely on the system for help.

But that doesn’t mean I have no plan.

“Bruce is the weakest among the trainee knights. I should be able to defeat him just like in the game.”

Looking at Bruce’s stats, he is truly a weakling. It wasn’t easy to keep up with him for a short time.

Despite both sides being tired from running, the other side is underestimating me significantly.

In summary, he is a decent opponent to fight against.

Even with my current state.

I watch Bruce approach slowly and maintain a distance.

During this moment, my eyes scan quickly.

‘He’s left-handed.’

Not only his left hand but his entire body leans to the left.

Balancing on his left foot, his stride has a wider step with his left foot.

Even the posture of releasing his hand is heavily focused on the left side.

This information could be useful.

As Bruce fully enters the water’s edge, I wait for that moment. In this brief moment, I recall another old memory.

– Ugh!

– Your habits give away your movements. Minhyuk.

– No, how do you even know that?

– You start with small movements. Even if it’s not hand or foot movements, unique habits always show in a fight.

A movement heavily leaning to one side.

That was a crucial clue.

Being able to predict such a movement from left to right in this way.

“Hah! This guy is trying to run away like a mouse? Where are you going? Avoid this, this, this!”

Fists flew several times.

Because I was aware of it in advance. Knowing that Bruce’s body was leaning to the left.

So, I could easily avoid all of it.

Of course, this state wouldn’t last.

– Minhyuk. What do you do when you don’t have a weapon?

– Well, you shouldn’t be in a situation without one.

– No. Such situations come at least once. What will you do then, Minhyuk?

– Um…

I didn’t know.

That was the answer I gave at the time.

But now, I have an idea.

“Not having a weapon will be seen as a weakness. It’s good if the opponent underestimates me. There’s no room for complacency when they’re underestimating me.”

Her voice echoed in my mind.

I don’t know why, but it came in handy.

“Trying to avoid? Avoid?”

As my actions shifted from evasion to sidestepping, Bruce seemed confident that he would deliver the final blow.

Naturally, the impact would be significant if the sound of fists hitting was true. The admission test itself could be seen, so it was different from those amateurs. The essence was to dodge or sidestep while gradually retreating.

But that created an opening.

The body, convinced that there was no room to escape, struck with full force.

However, when the right arm, filled with complacency and arrogance, approached instead of the left arm that he confidently swung.

It was slow.

Weak, sloppy.

I didn’t miss this gap and rushed in.

The force coming in couldn’t be resisted, heading straight towards the opponent.

It was too late to respond to the movement of the one diving in.

The force thrust forward disrupted the balance of the body.

Even on lightly caught legs, the body wobbled easily.

“What, what?”

In an instant, Bruce’s body floated in the air.

He changed his posture.

Supporting his back, he lowered his upper body like lifting a person.

The body, already floating uncontrollably, passed over the back and shoulders, descending vertically.

Thud.

The heavy body was planted into the ground.

“Ugh…!”

Bruce, who had been confidently attacking me, let out a groan instead of his usual tough voice and slumped down, clutching his side, his body hunched over.

Clutching the spot where he had been hit, Bruce groaned in pain.

-Ding!

▶Bruce has been defeated!◀

▶Not a single blow landed!◀

▶Bruce’s spirit is completely broken, unable to attack again!◀

[1. Why are you acting tough?]

[2. Did you attack first?]

[3. What makes you a senior? You’re just a few months older.]

The choice window that appears after clearing the mini-game.

Choosing any of the three options wouldn’t be strange.

But right now, provocation seems like the best option.

“Why are you acting tough?”

“You, you…!”

Bruce glared at me as I brushed off my hands.

There were probably many things he wanted to say. But it was a humiliating defeat for Bruce. Despite the clear difference in skill, he couldn’t beat me.

Just as the choices indicated, Bruce couldn’t attack me either verbally or physically.

“Let’s leave it at that.”

I had laid the groundwork enough.

Bruce’s temporary state of confusion and pain won’t last long. I could provoke him further or retaliate, but that would be an unwise choice.

Besides, I can only feed one person.

I brushed off my hands and left before more words could be exchanged.

As I walked out of the training area, I noticed a high-quality towel in the pouch that Arina had given him.

“…”

In reality, I never got back what the eldest gave me.

It’s the same now. I don’t see a reason to retrieve it.

However, memories from the past flooded my mind.

The dojo I sought out to protect myself. The skills I learned there.

The past where I personally defeated a thug who resembled him.

And even the person who had been watching from the shadows back then.

It was almost indistinguishable.

“I couldn’t say it back then, but I’ll say it straight this time.”

It’s because of you that I ended up like this.

***

“…”

At the same time.

Arina, who was leaving the training ground to return to the mansion, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She expected him to be training rigorously.

So she tried to stop him midway, but Karsein didn’t even listen.

He’s a stubborn guy, so it’s understandable.

Still, shouldn’t he stop this intense training? She tried to give him a break.

But suddenly, he started treating her as the eldest lady and mixing formal language, saying that she made things harder for him.

She was trying to show some respect.

She was trying to give him what he wanted.

But hearing such words could only make her feel bad.

…Yeah. It made her feel bad.

She wanted to laugh at him struggling in the training ground.

But.

“Arina. Even if you hear something that upsets you when you meet Karsein today, try not to get angry.”

“That child was upset too. It’s best to leave him alone to do what he wants. Understand, my daughter?”

Her mother’s voice, filled with sadness, made her slow down her pace.

“Sigh… Yeah. Mother is right. I came here to cheer up Karsein’s mood.”

Arina turned back and headed towards the training ground.