Chapter 11
It was certain.
After all, Suho was the one who took Park Yong’s life.
‘So that maniac is in this batch?’
Park Yong was well-deserving of being called a maniac. No, he truly was a madman, obsessed with swords and power. His swordsmanship was insane, and his nickname was “Mad Sword”.
Suho narrowed his eyes.
‘If both he and I pass, we’ll be in the same cohort?’
Indeed. Although the industry didn’t emphasize seniority or cohorts much, technically, they would be considered peers.
And Park Yong would likely pass.
Suho didn’t remember the exact details of Park Yong’s debut, but he was undoubtedly one of the world’s swordsmanship prodigies recognized by Suho.
‘Hmm.’
Suho rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Park Yong was a typical skill supremacist who judged everything by power alone.
His thirst for power was so intense that he constantly sought out masters to challenge, which was why he became a serial killer targeting hunters.
Hence, Suho needed to take preventive measures while he could. Ignoring him could lead to countless innocent victims.
‘Annoying, but it can’t be helped.’
After some contemplation, Suho thought of an appropriate method and approached Park Yong.
He checked the name tag on his chest to confirm it was indeed Park Yong before speaking.
“Hello?”
“……?”
Park Yong glanced at Suho briefly before turning his gaze away.
Right. This was typical of him. He had no interest in anyone who seemed weak but was obsessively fixated on the strong.
Suho, understanding Park Yong better than anyone, spoke again.
“My name’s Ahn Suho. You look like a swordsman aspirant with that sword. How about a spar with me?”
Suho swung the practice wooden sword he brought.
Park Yong frowned and replied.
“Get lost.”
“Sorry?”
“I said get lost.”
Park Yong’s cynical response was as expected.
But did he think Suho would give up that easily?
Suho raised an eyebrow and asked,
“Is it because you’re scared?”
At that moment, Park Yong’s sidelong glance quickly fixed on Suho.
Wow, that’s intense.
As expected of Park Yong, he reacted sharply to any insinuation about his skills.
Park Yong scowled and asked,
“What did you just say?”
“I asked if you’re avoiding me because you’re scared.”
“Do you think you’re something special? Why are you so cocky?”
“So what if I am? Wanna check it out?”
“……Hah!”
With that, Park Yong stood up abruptly.
“I was bored with all these weaklings anyway. This is perfect. Let’s see what you’ve got. Bring it on.”
“That’s more like it. Follow me. There’s a sparring arena over there.”
“……Crazy bastard.”
Park Yong couldn’t help but laugh at Suho’s audacity. He’d never met anyone like this before.
Fortunately, Park Yong followed Suho to the sparring arena. Although they were waiting, this was still an exam, and Park Yong didn’t want to risk failing for a trivial reason.
“A sparring match? Sure, alright.”
The supervisor looked a bit surprised by the request but nodded.
It wasn’t the first time something like this happened.
The three of them moved to the temporary sparring area in one corner of the training ground.
Naturally, there was no one sparring there. No one wanted to risk an injury on such an important exam day.
Perhaps because of this, bored examinees began to gather to watch the unexpected match.
The supervisor warned them sufficiently.
“The two of you may only use the practice weapons provided by the association. Since this is just a spar, if things get too heated, I’ll stop it immediately. Also, remember, we’re in the middle of an exam. If you get injured here, you might not be able to take the actual test, so please be cautious.”
After both agreed that they wouldn’t hold each other responsible for any injuries sustained during the spar, they finally distanced themselves and prepared. The spectators started commenting.
“Look at those guys.”
“How can they not wait and do this on a day like today?”
“Attention seekers, that’s all.”
“Who do you think will win?”
“I think the guy with the droopy eyes will win.”
“Why?”
“In manga, the characters with droopy eyes or closed eyes are always strong.”
“True enough.”
The guy with the droopy eyes was Park Yong.
Suho chuckled at the remark.
‘Not wrong, but this time, it’ll be different.’
While Park Yong was indeed impressive, Suho knew he was even more so.
The supervisor signaled the start, and Park Yong immediately took his stance.
However…
“What the…?”
“Look at that guy?”
“Why isn’t he even drawing his sword?”
Unlike Park Yong, who had his sword ready, Suho stood still with his sword sheathed at his waist.
Some spectators were intrigued, while others shook their heads, thinking Suho was being cocky.
“Look at that guy, all show and no substance. He must be an otaku who got carried away watching some swordsman character.”
“What if he turns out to be the real deal?”
“Then I’ll ditch the exam and treat you to some pork belly.”
“You better keep your word.”
Park Yong also frowned at Suho’s stance.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What do you think? We’re sparring. Come at me.”
“This bastard…”
Seeing Suho standing with his sword still sheathed, Park Yong gritted his teeth.
He vowed that even if he had to pay compensation, he would break a bone or two of this guy’s today.
With that determination, Park Yong charged at Suho.
Yet, Suho stood still.
Just as Park Yong’s sword approached Suho’s nose…
Whoosh!
The sound of slicing through empty air. Park Yong’s eyes widened like saucers. His sword had hit nothing but air as Suho subtly twisted his body to dodge the attack.
Was it beginner’s luck?
Sure, someone might dodge the first strike by chance, just like someone winning the lottery.
Thinking that, Park Yong immediately swung his sword again in a follow-up move to the side Suho had dodged to—or at least, he tried to.
Thunk!
Just as he was about to swing, something landed on the back of his wooden sword.
To his shock, it was Suho’s foot.
Suho had placed his foot on the sword to stop the swing before Park Yong could generate any power.
In a state of shock, Park Yong pushed with both hands to shove Suho away and gain some distance, but Suho didn’t budge, standing as firm as a rock.
Smirk.
Seeing Park Yong struggling and straining, Suho couldn’t help but laugh.
It was indeed a shocking situation for Park Yong.
However, it was inevitable.
Suho’s level was 10, which was likely the highest level and stats among all unregistered hunters in the country—no, in the world.
Unregistered hunters are absolutely prohibited from entering gates according to the World Hunter Law.
At that moment.
Suho, who had immobilized Park Yong with his foot, pushed him away with a strong kick.
Unable to overcome the overwhelming difference in stats, Park Yong was pushed far back, almost stumbling.
The spectators were stunned into silence.
They had expected a fierce fight or one-sided beatdown, but this was beyond their imagination.
The same shock was felt by the supervisor.
‘What… What is with this guy?’
The supervisor, who had been exhausted from sleepless nights preparing for the hunter exam, was now wide awake, his fatigue vanished after witnessing Suho’s skills.
He had seen many candidates, including elite ones backed by major guilds, but Suho was a first.
Suho smiled.
“What are you doing? Not coming at me again? Giving up already?”
“You…!”
Park Yong gritted his teeth in fury but quickly suppressed his anger and smirked.
Despite being mocked in such a ridiculous manner initially, Park Yong, a meritocrat, quickly recognized Suho’s skill.
As a serious practitioner of swordsmanship, Park Yong saw that Suho’s moves were not beginner’s luck or some fluke skill—they were the real deal.
Park Yong adjusted his stance.
“You’re interesting. I see why you were so confident. From now on, I’ll take you seriously.”
“You looked pretty serious earlier too.”
Park Yong’s lips curled into a sinister smile, his true madness briefly showing—a glimpse of the real Park Yong that Suho knew.
‘Good, now he’s really getting into it.’
This was precisely what Suho wanted.
He wanted Park Yong’s full attention, so he wouldn’t target anyone else until he defeated Suho.
Park Yong adopted a different stance, and Suho’s eyes widened in recognition.
‘That’s the basic stance of Yong’s original swordsmanship, ‘Yong Swordsmanship’. Though some people called it ‘Mad Dragon Sword.’
It was called Mad Dragon Sword simply because of his nickname, Mad Sword, and his name, Park Yong.
(T/N: In Korean, ‘yong’ means ‘dragon’)
Even though he didn’t have his hunter license yet, he must have developed his basic sword skills to a significant level.
At that moment, Park Yong closed the distance between them in an instant. His movement was exceptional, clearly bolstered by the Footwork skill.
‘But I have that same Footwork skill too.’
Suho’s gaze followed Park Yong’s every move.
As Park Yong swung his sword, Suho calmly dodged, watching the blade pass in front of him with computer-like precision.
Once.
Twice.
Even a third time.
Three attacks missed, but Park Yong didn’t show any frustration. Nor did he laugh maniacally.
He focused intensely on Suho, his eyes gleaming with concentration.
Seeing this, Suho decided to act just before the fourth attack. He thrust his forehead forward.
Thunk!
A dull thud echoed as Suho’s forehead struck Park Yong’s philtrum. His hands remained at his waist.
It was a headbutt.
The sudden headbutt to his philtrum shocked Park Yong, causing him to stagger back a few steps.
He clutched his mouth, looking at Suho in disbelief.
