Chapter 25: Jegal Tan (2)

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Jegal Tan flailed his limbs and sat up abruptly.

Then, he realized.

‘Night?’

It was morning just a moment ago. How had it suddenly become night?

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

He looked up to see Namgung Yun-ho standing over him, bathed in moonlight, his expression a mixture of pity and amusement.

“What… what happened?”

“The instructor slapped you.”

“Slapped… me?”

He hadn’t been hit by a bull, had he?

He could hear his bones cracking back into place as he lifted his head. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Seriously? I got knocked unconscious by a slap?”

He was a first-rate master, or at least close to it.

It was inconceivable.

“It’s true. I know it’s hard to believe. I thought I was dreaming when it first happened to me.”

Namgung Yun-ho’s gaze turned distant as he recalled the experience.

“It was quite… innovative. Not something I’d want to experience again, though.”

“Damn it, this is so embarrassing.”

Unlike Namgung Yun-ho, who chuckled wryly, Jegal Tan was furious.

“That sneaky bastard! He attacked me with a sneak attack?!”

“Jegal Tan.”

“I won’t let him get away with this!”

“Tan.”

Namgung Yun-ho’s voice was low and serious.

“Don’t think too badly of the instructor. He might be eccentric, but he’s not a bad person.”

“All I’ve seen in the past five days is him teaching you some bizarre and dangerous techniques and kicking you whenever he gets the chance.”

“…”

Namgung Yun-ho fell silent.

He couldn’t argue with that.

“Honestly, it’s hard to respect someone who exploits his students and makes them do his side hustle.”

“…Is that so?”

“Don’t worry, I’m the Instructor Hunter! I’ll get my revenge!”

Jegal Tan’s eyes blazed with determination.

“I won’t let him catch me off guard again.”

Namgung Yun-ho sighed, seeing his friend’s unwavering resolve.

***

The next day.

Jegal Tan, who had spent a sleepless night plotting his revenge, arrived at the training ground fully prepared.

It was a secluded location, away from prying eyes.

He was going to make Cho Un-hwi pay.

“Where should I hit him?”

He was lost in his vengeful thoughts when he arrived at the training ground.

Unfortunately, only Namgung Yun-ho and Baek Ri-seol were there, warming up.

The pathetic little girl who was attaching eyes to the training dummies didn’t count.

The instructor was nowhere to be seen.

‘Damn it, I forgot he’s always late.’

He had been so eager for revenge that he had forgotten to be cautious.

“Instructor!”

Mo Yong So-hye, who was attaching eyes to a training dummy, suddenly exclaimed.

‘I didn’t sense anyone approaching.’

Jegal Tan whirled around, his hand hovering over his sword hilt.

He was ready to draw his sword at a moment’s notice.

He spun around gracefully, trying to locate the source of the voice.

“What the…?”

Slap!

His vision went black.

The next day.

Jegal Tan was startled by a voice behind him.

“Kids these days are so energetic.”

When did he…?

Slap!

He lost consciousness again.

His attempts at revenge were met with repeated failures.

For his tenth attempt, he decided to change his strategy.

He would target Cho Un-hwi during lunchtime.

He had heard that Cho Un-hwi, despite his laziness and his tendency to disappear for hours at a time, always made time for lunch.

He hid behind a corner near the training ground, his sword drawn.

He was ready to strike.

‘Hehe, you’re not the only one who can use sneak attacks.’

He heard voices approaching.

It must be Cho Un-hwi and his students heading to the mess hall.

This was his chance.

It was difficult to detect Cho Un-hwi’s presence when he was alone, but it would be different if he was with other people.

The chattering voices grew louder.

‘They’re about to turn the corner…’

He grinned, his grip tightening on his sword hilt.

But it wasn’t Cho Un-hwi who turned the corner.

It was a hand.

“Hello.”

Slap!

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

His fifteenth attempt.

This time, he hid under the floorboards of a building near the mess hall.

The building had a unique design: you had to remove your shoes before stepping onto the raised wooden floor.

He crawled under the floorboards, his stomach pressed against the dirt.

He wouldn’t normally resort to such a crude tactic, but he was desperate for revenge.

‘This is the perfect spot!’

He could easily launch a surprise attack from here, and if Cho Un-hwi discovered him, he could easily escape by rolling under the floorboards.

It was the perfect offensive and defensive position.

‘I can do this.’

But…

“Hiding under the floorboards, are we?”

Slap!

Where did that hand come from?!

He lost consciousness again.

***

After his fifteenth attempt.

He woke up, but it wasn’t nighttime.

“You’re awake.”

He opened his eyes to see that damn instructor grinning down at him.

“You…”

“Don’t ‘you’ me, kid. You haven’t learned your lesson yet, have you?”

“…”

Jegal Tan closed his mouth.

Cho Un-hwi circled him, muttering to himself.

“You don’t seem like the type who enjoys getting hit. Why do you keep coming back for more?”

“That’s because you…”

“Choose your words carefully, kid.”

Jegal Tan swallowed his words, a shiver running down his spine.

‘Am I… scared?’

The Instructor Hunter, Jegal Tan, scared?

He couldn’t believe it, but the goosebumps that erupted on his arms were undeniable.

He gritted his teeth, trying to understand this unfamiliar feeling.

“I did some research on you, since you’re so persistent.”

“Research on me?”

“You were raised in a wealthy family, the Jegal Clan, but you were overshadowed by your older brother and Younger Brother. Your brother excelled in academics, and your sister was a martial arts prodigy.”

“…!”

“You were pampered and adored, but then you were forgotten. You couldn’t handle it, so you became a recluse and started picking fights with instructors in Euncheon Hall. And now you’ve been expelled. Am I right?”

“You… watch your…”

*Watch your tongue, kid.*

Jegal Tan lowered his head, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He couldn’t face Cho Un-hwi.

He couldn’t resist him.

But…

‘I won’t submit to him.’

He might not be talented, but he was the most stubborn person he knew.

He gritted his teeth and tried to stand up.

He couldn’t back down now.

If he lost his spirit, he would have nothing left.

He channeled his internal energy, forcing his body to move.

“Do you know how I feel?!”

He screamed, his voice cracking with emotion.

“Do you know what it’s like to be constantly compared to your siblings, to be reminded of your lack of talent every single day?!”

“Do you know what it’s like to be forced to step aside, to watch as your siblings receive all the attention and praise?!”

“Do you know what it’s like to crave a little bit of recognition, only to be rejected and forgotten?!”

“Do you?!”

If only he had been more talented…

He wouldn’t have been forgotten by his family.

He wouldn’t have been labeled a failure.

He would have been a proud member of the Jegal Clan.

“Do you know how it feels to be constantly overlooked and overshadowed?! To be branded a loser?!”

He screamed, his voice raw with pain and anger.

He was fighting back against the fear that was threatening to consume him, using his anger as a weapon.

He finally looked up, his vision blurred with tears.

He met Cho Un-hwi’s gaze, cold and piercing.

He gritted his teeth, refusing to back down.

“How would I know?”

Cho Un-hwi’s voice was mocking.

“I’ve always been talented. I’ve always gotten what I wanted. I’ve never felt that way.”

“What?”

“Grow up.”

Slap!

His vision went black again.

‘Damn it.’

But for some reason, he felt a sense of relief.

Perhaps it was because he had finally let out all the pent-up emotions that had been festering inside him.

***

The next day.

Jegal Tan arrived at the training ground, his demeanor surprisingly respectful.

Cho Un-hwi, who was attaching eyes to a training dummy, frowned.

“Haven’t you had enough beatings?”

“…Please teach me.”

“What?”

“Please be my instructor.”

Thud!

Jegal Tan knelt down and bowed his head repeatedly.

Cho Un-hwi was annoyed.

“Are you a masochist? Do you enjoy getting hit?”

“…No, sir.”

Jegal Tan, who had spent the night contemplating his options, spoke earnestly.

“I want to learn martial arts again. I want to prove my worth. Please guide me, Instructor.”

Thud! Thud!

He bowed his head again and again, until his forehead was bruised.

Cho Un-hwi sighed.

“Student Jegal Tan, do you know why I don’t want to accept you as my student?”

“You said you saw potential in me.”

“That’s right. But I don’t like students who require a lot of effort.”

“I might not be as talented as the others, but I’m a fast learner. I’ll catch up quickly.”

“Why? Because Yun-ho did it, you think you can do it too?”

Cho Un-hwi chuckled and glanced at Namgung Yun-ho, who was staring at them with a worried expression, and Baek Ri-seol, whose eyes were sparkling with excitement.

“Well, I can’t make my students fight each other. Student Baek Ri-seol.”

“Yes, Instructor! I’m your loyal student, Baek Ri-seol! Seol-ah is fine too!”

“Student Baek Ri-seol will do.”

“How unfortunate.”

He looked at Baek Ri-seol, who was humming a cheerful tune.

“Do you want to spar with him?”

“Can I kill him?”

“No.”

“How unfortunate.”

Kids these days were so strange. Was it puberty?

Jegal Tan was offended by Cho Un-hwi’s dismissive attitude.

He was a former Euncheon Hall student.

He had earned a reputation as the Instructor Hunter, and he was considered one of the strongest students in Euncheon Hall.

And yet, Cho Un-hwi was suggesting that he spar with a new student from Dongcheon Hall.

“What’s wrong? Is your pride hurt?”

“…I can’t deny it.”

“At least you’re honest. But your judgment is questionable.”

Cho Un-hwi attached an eye to a training dummy, his voice casual and unconcerned.

“Good luck.”

***

“Hehe, I’ve been waiting for this.”

Baek Ri-seol drew her sword, her smile as sweet as a hydrangea blossom, but her eyes were cold and sharp.

“I’d love to make you suffer, but I don’t want to be labeled a violent woman.”

What was she talking about?

She was already predicting her victory.

Jegal Tan gripped his sword hilt, his pride stung.

“I’ll be sure to go easy on you, so you don’t embarrass yourself too badly.”

“Oh, how considerate of you.”

Swish!

Jegal Tan thought he saw Baek Ri-seol’s sword disappear for a moment.

Clang!

He felt his sword being pulled from his grasp before he could even react.

Baek Ri-seol caught his sword in midair, her movements as graceful as a crane.

She smiled sweetly.

“You don’t have to hold back.”