Chapter 1234: Scorched World

The moment I was pointed out, everyone’s gaze focused on the Poison Dragon.

“The Poison Dragon pointed out the Mad Dog…?”

“Mad Dog? Not the Fighting Dog?”

“I heard it was the Mad Fighting Dog.”

I hear the damn nicknames that haven’t even been unified yet. Why is it that whenever I get a nickname, it’s always something like that?

I didn’t even want to deny it.

“‘How about Blood Fighting Dog?'”

“‘…Oh, that suits you quite well.'”

…Should I deny it? It seemed like I couldn’t not deny it. I looked over there, mixing in my irritation.

“‘Hieek!'”

“‘…There’s killing intent in his eyes…!!'”

“‘As expected… it seems Blood Fighting Dog is right. Don’t stare carelessly. If we’re not careful, we might get bitten too.'”

I didn’t bite, you bastards.

The moment I was about to speak.

“Come up.”

Tang Cheongi stood on the martial arts stage and spoke to me. I looked at him with a displeased expression.

“I already fought one match, why should I go up again?”

This is right after I had a big fight with Beomdong. Fight again in this situation? I thought that would be impossible given the nature of the martial arts tournament.

“It shouldn’t matter.”

Soye, who was next to me, spoke.

“…Yes? Why?”

It doesn’t matter? Why?

“Because there’s no rule saying you can’t call someone who already fought again.”

“What kind of…”

What kind of dog-like rule is that? So the person who came up can keep pointing fingers?

It was an absurd rule.

‘Even if it’s unofficial.’

The only spectators were those within the Martial Arts Alliance. They said outsiders weren’t allowed, but having such a forced rule was just baffling.

Is this okay?

I implicitly looked at Soye, asking for more explanation. She frowned looking at me, but luckily, she explained.

“…Normally, they wouldn’t bother calling you. There’s no justification, and it’s not beneficial for honor.”

Of course, that would be the case. To ask someone who just finished a fight to get on stage immediately and fight again.

That’s something a righteous sect member, who lives and dies by honor and reputation, wouldn’t do.

“But there’s nothing preventing it.”

“…”

So, what you’re saying is…

“It’s something people wouldn’t do implicitly, but that guy did it, you mean?”

“…Right.”

Soye also had an expression of not quite understanding. Her face showed she couldn’t figure out why the Poison Dragon made such a choice.

The gazes of the others were the same.

“Is there really a need to go that far?”

“…Is it because he wants to fight when the opponent is weakened?”

“I don’t know. You can’t really say he’s weakened. The Flying Dragon members didn’t exactly perform well… and more importantly.”

He didn’t use his energy. That was the perception people had of me. I admit I didn’t perform well. If they see it that way, it’s easier for me.

“His strength seems intact, so it should be fine, though.”

“Still, it doesn’t look too good.”

It’s fine to fight without using much strength. But it’s still not a good choice. That was the current perception of these people.

“Come up.”

The Poison Dragon didn’t seem to care.

‘Tsk.’

Why is he acting like this? Sighing, I climbed onto the martial arts stage. Since it didn’t matter according to the rules, there was nothing more to say.

Dragging my unwilling legs, I faced the Poison Dragon.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

Why do you keep bothering me?

At my question, the Poison Dragon Tang Cheongi’s expression furrowed.

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“Then would I ask if I knew?”

“My sister became strange because of you.”

He was talking about Poison Phoenix. Hearing that, my irritation soared.

“What did I do?”

What could I have done to her to make her strange? Did I do anything other than avoid her because I didn’t want to get involved with the world?

“You must have done something. Otherwise, my sister wouldn’t have become like that.”

“So, what…”

“I’ve heard the rumors well. That you never leave the women around you alone.”

“…”

My mouth shut for a moment. I wanted to tell him it was bullshit, but I had a few past incidents that came to mind.

“Looks like you have nothing to say?”

“…No, well…”

I wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“Rumors are just rumors. I didn’t do that.”

I spoke belatedly, but only an untrusting smile appeared on the Poison Dragon’s lips.

“A ridiculous excuse. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, are you even cowardly?”

“…Damn it.”

I ran my hand through my hair. I couldn’t stand the frustration. At least in this part, it was like that.

“Rumors or whatever. I’m telling you, I didn’t do anything to Poison Phoenix!”

“Bullshit.”

“What?”

At Tang Cheongi’s words, I narrowed my brow.

“Then you’re saying my sister just became like that on her own?”

“…Then what should have happened?”

“It’s outside common sense. What makes you so great that my sister would become like that?”

“…”

“I acknowledge your martial prowess, but your appearance isn’t outstanding, nor is your family background good. What could my sister have seen in you to become like that?”

Why is he suddenly nagging me about that? He even left me speechless. That’s exactly what I’m saying.

“I don’t know that either.”

“…You must have used some trick. Just like you did with other women, you must have done something.”

“…”

He just doesn’t believe me. He doesn’t even intend to believe me, does he?

So.

“So, because you don’t like me, you’re going to beat me up.”

“I cannot keep you by my sister’s side. So, if you lose this fight…”

Swoosh.

A dagger appears in Tang Cheongi’s hand.

“Don’t come near my sister anymore.”

“…”

I scratched my cheek.

“I wasn’t planning on going near her or anything in the first place…”

What should I do about this?

“My personality is a bit shitty, and I’m quite unlucky, so I often get misunderstood for things I didn’t do, so I’m used to it, you know.”

Separate from being used to it.

“I can’t help getting pissed off.”

I was really reaching my limit. If possible, I was going to let it slide this lifetime, considering our connection. Because Tang Cheongi was one of the positive figures towards me. But.

“This won’t do.”

It seemed like it wouldn’t work anymore.

“You.”

Crack.

I said, loosening my shoulders.

“Let’s have a beating.”

Tang Cheongi right now was deserving of a beating.

---

“Let’s have a beating.”

At Bai Yangcheon’s words, Tang Cheongi’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

‘What is this?’

Creepiness. Cold sweat instantly formed down my spine.

‘No way.’

Is he scared? Of him, who isn’t even emitting any energy? Tang Cheongi bit his lip.

‘That’s impossible.’

I had heard the rumors about Bai Yangcheon. He had a history of beating up the Sword Dragon several times. I know he’s strong, but…

‘Still.’

Even so, I cannot back down. I am different from the Sword Dragon. Especially in fights like this.

Swish.

Gripping the dagger, I spoke towards Bai Yangcheon.

“You will regret this.”

There was no answer. Bai Yangcheon just stared intently at me. Even that gaze was strange.

‘What is it?’

What is this feeling? Even though he’s just looking at me, my knees feel weak. It was an atmosphere I had never felt before.

‘…What is it?’

What on earth is it? What has changed? Visually, nothing had changed. He wasn’t emitting energy, nor killing intent. Even though he did nothing but stare. It felt like a stone was placed inside me.

‘…This.’

It came to mind. This unfamiliar sensation. This is…

‘When my grandfather looked at me.’

The feeling when the previous head of the Tang family, the one called the Poison Lord, looked at me. It was the sensation of an absolute being looking down on me.

‘Impossible.’

It’s bullshit. To feel this sensation from that guy who looks younger than me? No matter how strong he is, this is impossible.

‘It must be because of his looks.’

His incredibly fierce-looking face. A face that made it impossible to understand why my sister fell for him. It must be the feeling coming from that.

Thinking so, Tang Cheongi tried hard to hide his anxiety.

Just then.

“If you are ready, we shall begin…”

The referee glanced at the two and spoke.

“May we?”

“…Whenever.”

“Yes. Please proceed.”

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Bai Yangcheon casually waved his hand. Then, the current atmosphere disappeared. An expression of utter annoyance. Seeing that, Tang Cheongi gritted his teeth. I just don’t like everything about him. Strangely, whenever I looked at that guy, it was like that.

“Tang Cheongi of the Iron Dragon Unit. Bai Yangcheon of the Azure Dragon Unit.”

A hand shot up into the sky.

“Martial match.”

And then slammed down onto the ground.

“Start-“

Immediately.

Pat-!

Tang Cheongi’s body quickly lunged towards Bai Yangcheon. It was instantaneous. Furthermore, he suppressed his presence so Bai Yangcheon wouldn’t feel him move.

Behind him.

It only took an instant for Tang Cheongi to reach Bai Yangcheon’s back. Having gotten behind him, Tang Cheongi thought to himself.

‘Got him.’

The guy didn’t even notice. At this distance, victory is assured.

Swoosh-!!

Ganggi permeated the dagger. Poison Fang Seven Strikes. A secret technique of the Tang family appeared in his hand. The emerald green ganggi transformed like a snake’s fangs and shot towards Bai Yangcheon. Just as it was about to pierce his skin.

Suddenly, Bai Yangcheon moved.

Fshh-!

“…!”

His hand was pierced by the dagger. It seemed he blocked the attack with his hand. But.

‘Foolish.’

Tang Cheongi became even more convinced of his victory. The Tang family’s internal energy techniques contain poison. Although he didn’t use extreme poison for the match, he infused it with a heavily numbing energy and thrust it in. It was enough to paralyze even a house-sized blue monster the moment it hit. And he blocked that with his hand? It couldn’t be a more foolish act. The moment I thought that.

Kwahng-!

“…Guh?”

With a loud noise, Tang Cheongi’s vision twisted.

Thump.

One knee hit the ground.

Weeeing.

Tinnitus rang in his left ear. In his dazed mind, Tang Cheongi confirmed he had knelt.

What? What just happened?

He raised his head with trembling eyes. Before him, Bai Yangcheon stood looking down, his fist clenched.

“What are you doing?”

He said it with an expression of utter pity.