episode_0113

113. Evaluation.

Before the Martial Arts Association began, most of the remaining days were filled with sparring with her.

The herbal medicine scent emanating from Johan’s body never had a chance to dissipate, and his face was always swollen.

Johan’s bones and flesh were gradually withering, but apart from that, his skills improved rapidly. It was truly a paradoxical situation.

“Kuh-erk!”

Thud!

Johan rolled on the ground, kicking up rough dust. Sarah, who had been stretching out her leg, slowly straightened up and said.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

“Huff, huff. Unlike usual, you were being gentle with me.”

“Of course. The Martial Arts Association is tomorrow, so I think proper recovery is important.”

Proper? A blood vessel bulged from Johan’s forehead.

Johan still stroked his numb abdomen. That woman must not know the meaning of the word “proper.”

Sarah smiled and said.

“You must be tired, so I’ve prepared dinner. Eat and get plenty of rest.”

Johan was dumbfounded.

“In this condition, there’s no way food will go down my throat—”

***

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Johan opened his eyes to the sound of a rooster crowing loudly. The morning sunlight flowing through the window tickled Johan’s eyelids.

Johan stroked his stomach.

‘Even though I ate so much yesterday, it’s all gone.’

That just shows how difficult yesterday’s training was. Johan got up and called Jang Cheong, his master, and One-Armed.

The three were sound asleep. It was as if they were in their own living room.

“Wake up. At this rate, we’ll be caught off guard if someone attacks.”

“Huh, heup, keuh-heup!”

Then, his master jerked awake in a convulsive movement. Saliva had gathered in his mouth, and transparent liquid splattered everywhere.

Johan frowned, blocking it with his shield.

“You’re really something.”

“You! How dare you speak to your master like that!”

Johan said while standing in front of the door.

“Hurry up and come out. I’m the one who sparred, but I don’t know why master looks so tired.”

“Ahem, I’ve been training in my own way too. Disciple.”

“I’m sure you have.”

Somehow, Johan and his group came outside. Following One-Armed’s guidance, they arrived in front of the annex, where Sarah and the other members were lined up.

Johan gave a small bow.

Sarah also bowed her head in response.

“Are we heading to that Black Wolf Training Ground?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Suddenly, Sarah looked around and said.

“But from now on, let’s move separately. After all, it would attract attention if an outsider and the Sword Commander moved together.”

“Understood.”

It seemed a bit late, but Johan readily agreed.

It wasn’t like she was wrong.

Anyway, Sarah and her Sword Squad departed first. Johan, who had been looking around for a while, gestured to One-Armed.

“One-Armed.”

“Yes.”

“You know where the Black Wolf Training Ground is, right? Guide me.”

“Yes.”

***

Buzzing, buzzing—

The voices of countless martial artists mixed together, creating an unpleasant noise.

The nature of martial artists is mostly rough. Whether it’s acquired or innate.

If you’re not ruthless, you’re rejected.

If you’re not fierce, you’re devoured.

The martial artists of Black Island were even more so. They were by no means docile folks. As they were all quite temperamental, they didn’t think of lowering their voices.

“Kuhahaha! That’s why I at that time—”

“When is it starting! I’m starving to death—”

If the person next to you has a loud voice, then you also speak louder.

They deliberately maintained a low and rough tone. It was an attempt to give off a sense of intimidation.

However, Johan, who was stuck in between, just found it annoying. Suddenly, the shoulder of a martial artist bumped into Johan’s back.

“What? Annoying, tsk! Hey, weakling! Watch where you’re going!”

Clearly, Johan hadn’t moved at all since earlier. The party at fault was crystal clear.

Even so, the other side was the one who got angry. Johan tilted his head and looked at him.

“······!”

The man’s complexion visibly hardened. Johan was tall, but had a seemingly weak physique.

However, his eyes were giving off a colder light than anyone else in this place.

The man was unknowingly sweating profusely. His instincts were screaming at him to run away immediately. But the man ignored them. Rather, he took a step forward.

“What, you got a problem with that? Huh?”

The man forced himself to maintain a calm demeanor and continued.

“You little runt······. You, do you know who I am? I am from the Great Myungjin Association—”

Johan smirked and turned his head. It was as if he didn’t even care about him.

‘I should have brought One-Armed with me. He could have prevented unnecessary squabbles.’

Unfortunately, only one representative could enter the Black Wolf Training Ground.

Johan rolled his eyes around as he thought.

‘Hearing what Sarah said, it seems like there are multiple training grounds, so just how big is the scale?’

Even just looking at the Black Wolf Training Ground alone, it was as big as a manor.

Uniquely, a huge pillar was placed in the center of the training ground. It was so high that if you went up there, you could see the city’s scenery clearly.

There were several of these training grounds. It was a glimpse into the power of the Black King Castle.

Just as Johan was lost in thought, he felt something foreign on his shoulder.

Thud—

Something thick, with a hardness like pebbles embedded here and there. It was a martial artist’s hand.

“You bastard······. Judging by your looks, you must be the leader of some insignificant sect, daring to not recognize your senior. This won’t do. I’ll personally educate you.”

Haah, Johan let out a small sigh. And then he placed his hand on the man’s hand.

“It’s true that it’s an insignificant group, but it seems like your side is also a weak sect. I’ve never heard of it before.”

“You!”

Grip—

The force of the grip intensified. The man intended to pull Johan’s shoulder and then punch him in his pale chin.

If a dark shadow hadn’t fallen from the sky, he would have certainly succeeded.

Phee-eeng—

Kwaaaang!

“Keueuk! What is it!”

“······!”

The man was startled and took a step back. He didn’t even realize it. Just when!

The sudden commotion drew the attention of everyone in the training ground.

As the dust that had risen in a haze cleared, someone shouted.

“Heop! Black Wolf! How is he here!”

Johan’s eyes sparkled. It was a man he had heard of in his conversation with Sarah.

Yes, certainly······

‘One of the four highest-ranking executives of Black King Castle and the chief judge of the Black Wolf Training Ground.’

He was an unusually tall man. His black hair, which reached down to his waist, was sticking out in all directions, and he was stepping on the ground barefoot, as if he had sold his shoes somewhere.

A scar that crossed his face horizontally was covering his right eyeball. His left eye was staring straight at Johan.

“The Martial Arts Association hasn’t started yet. I’ll tolerate causing a commotion, but I forbid unexpected killings.”

Black Wolf flicked his forepaw, or rather, his right hand.

Faint smoke flowed from his hand. Black Wolf made a slightly surprised expression.

“······Hoh? Not bad.”

“······.”

Johan was just as surprised.

‘Even though I reduced the power, he blocked Magic Missile with his bare hands?’

Just how is his body made? Johan was sweating.

It was the first time he had felt such pressure since coming to this world of martial arts.

‘Sarah is no match for him.’

Black Wolf took his gaze away from Johan and looked around at the crowd with a fierce smile.

Most of the martial artists who met his gaze flinched.

The martial artists gathered here were all leaders of a group, or people equivalent to that.

However, their power did not reach the level of the highest-ranking executives of Black King Castle.

“It’s quieter than before. I like it. Even if you don’t squawk so loudly, I’ll set up the stage for you soon, so don’t worry.”

At that moment, a clear voice echoed from within the crowd.

“Hey! Black Wolf! I heard you’re preparing for war! Then are you choosing commanders here?!”

Black Wolf turned his head to where the voice came from.

“Preparing for war······. That’s right. Those who have even a little bit of sense, or those who have someone with sense around them, would know.”

Black Wolf jumped up from his seat and landed on the pillar in the center of the training ground.

Johan’s mouth opened slightly.

‘He went up there in one go?’

He didn’t seem to put in much effort, but it was an amazing footwork technique.

Black Wolf said in a trembling voice. It was a command laden with stakes.

“As I said just now, this place is a starting point to prepare for the war that will unfold in the future.”

Black Wolf took out a black flag from his waist. A plain flag with no patterns drawn on it. It was the flag of Black King Castle.

“The rules are simple. One person. Fight each other until only one person remains. If possible, try not to kill each other, as you will all become valuable comrades.”

Someone shouted. Was he trying to say he didn’t want to fight?

“What is that! Don’t say such ridiculous things! How can we control our strength in such a chaotic battle!”

Johan let out a chuckle. He wasn’t saying he wouldn’t fight, so he was indeed a warlike man from Black Island.

Black Wolf waved the flag around and answered.

“I will intervene if it looks dangerous. And didn’t I say it? Minimize the killing.”

He continued coldly.

“Don’t scatter too many killing moves. If it is judged to be too excessive, I will exclude you from the evaluation. Then.”

As Black Wolf let go of his hand, the black flag fell to the ground, drawing a graceful trajectory.

Whoosh!

“Evaluation begins.”