Ever since he lost to Do Gyeon-u at the Divine Sword Do Family’s evaluation meeting five years ago, the assessment of Do Seung-u—who had once been hailed as a promising prospect—had plummeted. Moreover, as Do Gyeon-u began to stand out and he was compared to him time and again.
“You talked big about showing them properly this time, but is this all you had to show? I’m disappointed. I thought you might have learned some swordsmanship I didn’t know, like a unique form or a special form.”
“Do Gyeon-u….”
“But to think you learned magic. If it’s magic, I learned it too, and I’m far better at it than you. How could you try to settle a match with that? And you even bragged about learning first-tier magic, ugh.”
“Don’t mock me…. Don’t mock me….”
Above all, every time he competed with Do Gyeon-u, not only could he not avoid defeat, but he would display unsightly behavior. Do Seung-u was no longer praised or allowed to enjoy honor. The attention of the family members had completely left him. He, who had once been called a prodigy of the Divine Sword Do Family, fell into ruin just like that. The one who bore the family’s expectations was no longer him, but Do Gyeon-u.
Even now, that was the case.
He could read the family’s intention to push Do Gyeon-u forward.
“The fact that Si-eun noona stuck by his side must mean that.”
Looking beneath the surface, this unity gathering was to earn people’s recognition as the first-year representative. At that gathering, the reason the shooting star Do Si-eun—the third-year representative and student council president who enjoyed the trust of others—personally took charge of Do Gyeon-u was clear. She, and the Divine Sword Do Family, were trying to support him as the representative.
“As expected of the lion… no, the rabbit, no, the top admitted student!?”
“Gyeon-u! That’s so nice!”
“We’ll find the Rank 3 for you!”
On the other hand, the one in charge of Do Seung-u was the second-year representative, whose standing paled in comparison to Do Si-eun. His role was merely to manage the transitional period after Do Si-eun graduated and before Do Gyeon-u became the third-year representative. There was no way the students, who were born and raised as members of prestigious families and had received an uncommon education, wouldn’t notice that. In fact, they smelled the scent of power and spent their time currying favor with Do Gyeon-u. Do Seung-u, who was also a direct descendant, was being treated as practically nonexistent. He had been pushed to the back.
“Damn it.”
Realizing his own situation, his molars ground together on their own. Resentment, hatred, deprivation, competitiveness, defeat, humiliation—they surged within him. Do Seung-u despised this stage that had been prepared for Do Gyeon-u.
“If only it weren’t for you….”
That place would have been mine.
Do Seung-u, consumed by hostility toward Do Gyeon-u, did not want to submit to him like this. If there was still an opportunity, it remained. The first-year representative had not yet been decided. If he could display superior skill to Do Gyeon-u at the unity gathering, he could seize the leading role of the stage. He could become the representative.
All that remained for Do Seung-u, who had lost everything because of Do Gyeon-u, was now an inferiority complex and sheer stubbornness.
He tackled the gathering with grim determination.
[You have encountered a monster.]
[Blood Bison (Rank. 03) x 1]
“…There it is.”
“Do Seung-u! What are you doing! Come back! I told you not to rush ahead!”
The moment he spotted the Blood Bison, Do Seung-u immediately kicked off the ground and leaped at it. The second-year representative, who had warned him just moments ago, spat out harsh words and had no choice but to join him.
Meanwhile, the second-year representative was not the only one who had formed a party with Do Seung-u.
“Seung-u! Leave this to us!”
“We’ll draw its aggro, so you land the finishing blow!”
“Don’t worry because we’re here!”
“…Thanks.”
Although Do Gyeon-u’s standing was higher, Do Seung-u was also a direct descendant of the Divine Sword Do Family. Among those who tried to cling to the prestige of the Divine Sword Do Family, there were some who supported him on the off chance of a small possibility. Of course, the majority of them were of low status, belonging to the bottom ranks among the prestigious swordsmanship families.
Kim Il-sik, Kim I-sik, Kim Sam-sik.
The triplets born at the same time also belonged to that ilk.
“Wow, Seung-u is no joke.”
“Doesn’t this count as him taking it down alone?”
“We just messed around, so we feel sorry, man.”
Among those who followed Do Seung-u, they were quick to read the room, had considerable skill, and were clever. So he kept them close and used them like limbs, just as he had treated the Wu triplets in the past.
“If you hadn’t kept it in check, it would have been hard for me to face it alone. Thanks for helping.”
“Seung-u….”
“You’re handsome, skilled, and have a good personality too.”
“What the hell isn’t good about you!?”
Of course, Do Seung-u was not stupid. He couldn’t not know the inner thoughts that the Kim triplets harbored. It was the same for them as well. It could be said that Do Seung-u and the Kim triplets were in a collusive relationship to obtain what each needed.
For that reason, after subjugating the Blood Bison, he did not fall for their flattery and maintained his composure.
Just then, the second-year representative approached with a scrunched face.
“Do Seung-u. Are you really going to act like this? I told you not to rush out on your own because it could be dangerous.”
The second-year representative in charge of Do Seung-u. He seemed quite angry at him for disobeying his orders. But Do Seung-u reacted indifferently and passed him by.
“It’s not that I don’t understand how you feel, but still, think of yourself and the others—”
“Our swords aren’t cowardly blades that are only swung when there’s no danger.”
“What are you saying now?”
“I understand what you mean, hyung, but you don’t need to worry about me. I charge at them because I can handle them alone. I’ll make sure no harm comes to the others.”
“You call that talking?”
“…A Rank 3 has appeared. I’m going, so if it seems dangerous, you don’t have to follow me, hyung. As for you twins—”
“Of course we’re following you!”
“Where the needle goes, the thread follows!”
“Where Seung-u goes, we go!”
“Hey! I told you not to rush out alone! You really don’t listen….”
He had to find the Gate Key before Do Gyeon-u got his hands on it. Just as before, Do Seung-u left his party members behind, ran across the grassland, and threw himself at the Blood Bison. The Kim triplets followed after him, and the second-year representative and his faction tagged along as if they had no choice.
And so.
‘Just which creature has it?’
Do Seung-u hunted Blood Bisons relentlessly with them, without a moment’s rest.
Around that time, a message appeared before his eyes.
[The Gate has been cleared.]
After checking the message.
His face noticeably stiffened. He felt like he knew who it was without having to check the identity of the clearers. There was only one person.
“Do Gyeon-u….”
That rabbit bastard, Do Gyeon-u.
In the end, he had lost again.
Do Seung-u bit his lip hard.
‘Do Gyeon-u, I really hate you.’
* * *
“I’ll conclude the unity gathering with this. Everyone, thank you for making time today. By now, an afterparty should be prepared in the real world so you can relax and enjoy yourselves. Those who will participate, please don’t log out and wait outside instead.”
After the Gate clear message appeared, Do Si-eun called together everyone who had entered and declared the gathering closed. Behind me and her, a Gate had formed.
“As the hosts of the Gathering of Prestigious Families, we will leave after confirming that everyone has exited.”
“Yeah, got it.”
The Gate Key was with me. In that situation, if I left first, the Gate’s location would be fixed and it would disappear after twenty-four hours. If things went wrong, those remaining inside might not be able to escape and could be trapped forever. Therefore, following Do Si-eun’s advice, I decided to wait until everyone had exited.
“You worked hard today, Gyeon-u.”
“That last battle was incredible.”
“Gyeon-u, I hope you can lead the kids well just like Si-eun did.”
“You know I’ll call you later, right?”
“Have a drink at the afterparty later.”
I stood before the Gate and exchanged pleasantries with people. Perhaps because we had fought together for several hours, they treated me warmly. I, too, could treat them comfortably, unlike when we had first met.
It was around then that I faced No Hyo-won and the people of the Jin-hong Noga.
“That battle at the end where you broke through their encirclement and reversed the offensive was amazing. I was wondering if I should go help, but I never imagined you would pull off such a fight. You worked hard today.”
“It was possible because of Si-eun noona’s orders, not me. You worked hard today too, Hyo-won.”
“Directing the people might have been thanks to Si-eun unnie’s strength as you said, but you also broke through the encirclement from the front. Your role can’t be ignored.”
No Hyo-won took my outstretched hand and spoke. She was looking at me with a favorable gaze, seemingly in a good mood. I asked her a question.
“So have you made up your mind with this?”
“Made up my mind?”
“The resolve to become part of my faction, not Do Seung-u’s, and support me.”
“Ah…. You knew.”
“Vaguely.”
Considering Do Seung-u’s personality, it didn’t seem like he would welcome me being recognized as the first-year representative. As expected, it seemed my prediction was correct, as No Hyo-won made an awkward expression. She had been weighing whether to support me or Do Seung-u depending on the results of the gathering.
‘I would have done the same.’
No Hyo-won’s attitude was a bit unpleasant, but it wasn’t incomprehensible. I decided to let it go magnanimously. Since I had been recognized as the representative anyway, there was no need to be narrow-minded.
Then, she nodded.
“Fine, I’ll let you conquer me. I’ll do my best to assist you.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
The answer I had been hoping for came out. Having recruited No Hyo-won into my faction, I felt satisfied. Immediately after, she broached the subject.
“So, about that.”
“What is it?”
“When can you make some time? I want to cross swords with you.”
“If you mean sparring with me, I can make time. When should we—”
“As a representative, I might not be able to conquer you, but as a swordsman, I want to conquer you.”
“….”
“So next time, I want you to make time and cross swords with me.”
“Uh…. Yeah, got it.”
“Great, it’s a promise. I’ll look forward to it.”
No Hyo-won smiled, brushing back her flowing red hair refreshingly. She exchanged a few more words with me and then exited through the Gate. I stared blankly at the Gate she had left for a moment.
‘I sometimes think….’
Maybe all the characters that appear in the game are defective personality-wise. No Hyo-won seemed like she would ask to spar with me at every turn, just like in the game, saying she would conquer me. Should I consider it fortunate that she is at least gentlemanly compared to Yong Hae-rang? Still, it was quite an unusual personality.
‘There are no normal people, no normal people….’
Other than myself, Do Si-eun, Yeon Ha-neul, and Lisa—who had their personalities fixed unlike in the game—I felt like only they belonged to the realm of normalcy. I would likely meet other characters and form cooperative relationships with them in the future, but it seemed like it would be maddening. I sighed and decided to see the others off.
In doing so, I naturally came across Do Seung-u, who had been about to exit the Gate.
“Do Gyeon-u….”
“Do Gyeon-u….”
“…?”
“I thought you’d say that when you saw me, and you really did.”
“Keuk! Are you mocking me right now?”
“Yeah, right. How many did you catch?”
Do Seung-u’s appearance was not clean. As if he had run fiercely across the grassland, mud was caked all over him, and he was even stained with monster blood. I could easily imagine him pushing himself in places I hadn’t seen, trying somehow to beat me. I shrugged my shoulders and mocked the guy who was scrunching up his face. I didn’t forget to show magnanimity.
“You must have worked hard trying to challenge me, so get some rest when you get outside. Or have a drink at the afterparty. Want to have a drink with me? Just one.”
“Shut up. You’ll regret looking down on me like this someday.”
“Yeah, see you.”
“Damn it….”
Do Seung-u slapped my hand away. He roughly greeted Do Si-eun and passed through the Gate with his party members.
“Do Gyeon-u, did you see?”
“Those guys are his flunkies.”
“The triplets with the half-assed names.”
“…You guys should get going now too.”
There were hardly any people left on the field now.
I said that to the triplets, who were badmouthing Do Seung-u’s lackeys.
Having them beside me was distracting enough as it was.
After sending them off as they grumbled, I finished seeing the others out.
Before long, aside from me and Do Si-eun, there was no one left on the field.
“Looks like everyone’s gone. Noona, let’s head out too.”
“Yeah. You worked hard right to the end. Just keep doing it like this from now on.”
“By the way, Noona, I probably have to attend the after-party no matter what, right?”
“It’s not like you absolutely have to, but if you’re the representative, it’s better to show up and let people see your face. Why? Do you have plans afterward?”
“Haneul contacted me earlier and said she was coming to the exchange gathering with the others. I was thinking of hanging out with them if I had time.”
I couldn’t exactly skip the after-party, so it was unfortunate, but it couldn’t be helped.
I decided I would just make a little time to see Yeon Haneul, then leave.
That was what I was thinking when—
Do Si-eun blinked her blue eyes and replied as if it were nothing.
“The after-party will be held at the exchange gathering venue. So you can mingle with people as much as needed and hang out with them too.”
“Ah, really? I can do that?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
That worked out well.
I’d be able to spend time with Yeon Haneul.
At Do Si-eun’s nodding answer, the corners of my mouth rose.
* * *
The Divine Sword Do Family’s exchange gathering.
Yeon Haneul, Go Eunbi, Kang Hanbyeol, and Park Sagun, dressed up in their own way to match the atmosphere, happily looked around the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was full of not only food, but also things to do and see.
“Wow, Haneul! They say a sommelier is pouring wine over there too! Let’s go drink wine!”
“It’s not good to mix drinks… Eunbi, can you handle it?”
“It’s fine! It’s fine! When else are we going to get to try wine if not at a time like this!? And it’s probably expensive wine too!”
“Mm… That’s true.”
Lively music drifted through the banquet hall, and with delicious food and alcohol going into their mouths, there was no way their spirits wouldn’t rise.
The people in the banquet hall were laughing and chatting like that, interacting with strangers and forming connections.
The four of them also went along with the atmosphere and occasionally talked with people they didn’t know.
It was thanks to Go Eunbi’s personality, which let her quickly get close even to people she was meeting for the first time, acting as a lubricant.
Then, tipsy and in high spirits, she abruptly suggested they go drink wine.
Yeon Haneul, who was with her, had no choice but to be dragged to the wine bar.
“Mm… There are way too many kinds… I only knew red and white, but there are really a lot of varieties. Haneul, do you know any?”
“No. It’s my first time drinking wine today too, so there’s no way I’d know any… Ah, now that I think about it, there was a wine that came up in the drama I’ve been watching lately.”
“What was it?”
“Château… Puaferet, was it? The female lead was always chugging it straight from the bottle there.”
“…You’re not suggesting we chug it from the bottle, right? Good. Then let’s ask for that!”
Go Eunbi walked over to the sommelier as the representative to order the wine.
Yeon Haneul followed behind her and checked her smartphone.
It was the Talk message she had sent to Do Gyeonu a little while ago.
[Me]: We arrived!
[Me]: When do you think you’ll be done?
[Me]: We’ll be playing by ourselves, so take your time~
The number “1” beside the messages still had not disappeared.
It seemed he was inside the Gate and unable to read the messages.
‘When is he going to be done….’
She wanted to enjoy the exchange gathering with Do Gyeonu, but it seemed she would have to wait a little longer.
Setting her disappointment aside, Yeon Haneul accepted the wine the sommelier handed her.
Go Eunbi swirled the wine glass stylishly just as the sommelier had taught them, then savored the aroma.
“Mm—smell.”
“…”
How embarrassing.
Without a word, Yeon Haneul put a few steps of distance between herself and Go Eunbi.
Then she too brought the glass to her nose and smelled the wine’s aroma.
‘The fruity scent is strong, but….’
The sommelier had taught them to enjoy wine with the eyes, savor it with the nose, and read it with the tongue.
But to Yeon Haneul, who was drinking wine for the first time, it honestly didn’t quite resonate.
She observed the wine for a moment, then decided to taste it.
“Wow, it’s delicious. It feels like I’m walking beneath a vineyard.”
“Ah, yeah… It is tasty. But it doesn’t fizz, so I don’t think the alcohol content is that high. I think soju is more my style.”
“Haneul’s become a total drinker…”
Go Eunbi clicked her tongue as if she couldn’t understand.
Yeon Haneul giggled softly.
She recalled that Do Gyeonu had once shown the same expression as her not long ago.
—No… There are so many delicious drinks in the world, so why does it have to be soju?
Unlike Yeon Haneul, who liked soju, Do Gyeonu used to look displeased by it.
Even so, when she drank, he would show that he disliked it but in the end still keep her company.
He really was a considerate childhood friend.
And she, who got him drunk on soju and subtly made him let her lean on his shoulder, was a wicked childhood friend.
Just thinking about him made a smile tug at her lips for no reason.
It was then.
“Are you first-years?”
“Pardon? Yes…”
As she and Go Eunbi wandered around with wine glasses in hand.
Two men who looked like upperclassmen suddenly struck up a conversation.
Yeon Haneul hid behind Go Eunbi’s back and showed wariness, but they calmly approached the two of them.
“Ah, you really were first-years. We’re second-years. We’re one year above you, so it’s okay if we speak casually, right?”
“You were already speaking casually, though.”
“To be honest, you two kept catching our eyes from earlier.”
“I thought dolls were walking around.”
“Ah… Thank you, sunbaes.”
“…”
The men offered them pleasant words.
Naturally, Yeon Haneul and Go Eunbi were not unaware that they were making passes at them.
As the two had no particular interest in them, they appreciated the sentiment but only felt troubled.
So Go Eunbi tried to refuse as naturally as possible, in a way that wouldn’t hurt their feelings.
But they pretended not to understand and kept brazenly pushing.
“If there’s anything you don’t know, make sure to ask us. We’ll tell you how to live well at the academy.”
“We’re close with the Divine Sword Do Family, you know. We’re practically best friends with the guy who’s the second-year representative right now.”
“Looks like you can drink pretty well. Want to drink with us? It’s crowded here because there are so many people, so how about we go outside separately?”
“There’s a bar nearby that’s famous among academy students. Since you only just enrolled, you probably don’t even know where it is. You have to go into an alley a bit. How about it? Want to drink there with us?”
“Ah, we appreciate the offer, but we’re here with our group right now. So…”
“…Yes, that’s right. I think we should get going now.”
“Come on, don’t be like that…”
“Haneul, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
They really were persistent.
Even when they refused indirectly, the conversation kept circling back to the starting point.
The men looked as though they would keep sticking to them until the two agreed.
At times like this, they had to cut them off decisively.
Go Eunbi abruptly ended the conversation and tried to leave with Yeon Haneul.
But that action seemed to rub them the wrong way.
“Hey, wait. We’re still talking, so where do you think you’re going? You think it’s okay to act like that to your sunbaes, or not?”
“That’s right. You shouldn’t be so rude. It’s not like you’re looking down on us…”
“Did we ask you for something unreasonable? We only said we should drink and have fun together.”
At last, one of the men reached out and snatched Yeon Haneul by the wrist.
She felt the strength of his grip and frowned.
“Ugh… Let go of this.”
“What do you think you’re doing!?”
“We’ll let go if you say you’ll come with us.”
“No, did we ask you to pay? We said we’d buy.”
This was an exchange gathering hosted by the Divine Sword Do Family, the family Do Gyeonu belonged to.
She couldn’t cause an unnecessary commotion.
Though Yeon Haneul felt displeased inside, she tried to shake them off as calmly as possible.
But the man holding her wrist tightened his grip even more so that she couldn’t pull her hand free.
At that moment, someone grabbed the man’s wrist.
“She told you to let go. Let her go.”
“And who are you?”
“…”
It was Kang Hanbyeol, who had witnessed the scuffle between the two and quickly run over.
He stood in front of Yeon Haneul as if protecting her and glared at the men.
“I said let her go. Are you going to keep holding on like that?”
“I asked who you are.”
“Her friend.”
“Ha, Hanbyeol…”
At Kang Hanbyeol’s sudden appearance.
The men were flustered inwardly, but they did not try to back down.
Their pride wouldn’t allow it, and at some point, people’s gazes had gathered on them.
If they turned their backs and retreated like this, it was obvious they would be humiliated.
“Let go of my hand.”
“You let go first.”
“Are you speaking casually to me right now?”
“My master told me not to speak respectfully to people who aren’t even worth it.”
“What? What did you just say?”
The men created a threatening atmosphere and tried to intimidate Kang Hanbyeol.
Even so, he did not get scared and locked eyes with them.
Since neither side intended to yield, their staring contest instantly became a battle of wills, and soon even mana began to manifest.
They even took out their devices.
‘This is bad….’
Yeon Haneul could only feel flustered.
She was grateful that Kang Hanbyeol had stepped up to help her, but the commotion was growing bigger and bigger.
She wanted to stop it.
Above all.
‘Gyeonu asked me….’
Do Gyeonu had asked her in advance.
He had asked her to make sure Kang Hanbyeol didn’t end up clashing with anyone else.
Because if he, the disciple of the Fighting Demon, were to accidentally cause trouble at this exchange gathering with people connected to a prestigious swordsmanship family, things would become troublesome.
‘Ugh….’
That said, she couldn’t exactly stop Kang Hanbyeol when he was doing this for her sake.
Yeon Haneul was conflicted inside.
It was right then.
“Take your hand off her, unless you want it cut off.”
A low, subdued tone, and a voice that sounded extremely displeased.
It was a sound she had never heard from him before, but there was no way she wouldn’t know who the voice belonged to.
It was the person she had been waiting for so anxiously.
Yeon Haneul immediately turned her head in the direction the voice had come from.
“…”
From over there.
Do Gyeonu was confidently pushing through the crowd as he walked toward them.
Yeon Haneul’s face instantly brightened.
Delighted, she called out to him.
“Gyeonu!”
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss
(122) [Illustration]
Admiration is a frightening thing.
During one’s freshman days, when one knows nothing, second-years—who seem well-versed in academy life and take the initiative in participating in and leading events—are bound to look impressive.
Third-years, who watch maturely from the back as though they have stepped away from the front lines, or who live busily for graduation and employment, can only seem like people living in another world.
You come to respect them.
You look up to them and envy them.
And after time passes with such feelings in your heart, you advance to your second year and underclassmen enter below you.
“Academy life? It’s nothing much. If there’s anything you don’t know, ask me!”
“Ah, that instructor? That instructor’s class is famous for being hard to get credits in. You didn’t know because you’re a first-year.”
“If you ever need old exam files, just say the word. They say they’ve been passed down through generations, and the exam questions are almost all taken from there.”
Their hearts swell with the excitement of having become the sunbaes they once admired as freshmen.
That is also around the time they have adapted to academy life to some degree and become versed in most information.
It was not strange for them, standing at an informational advantage over the freshmen, to fall into the illusion that they had become something special.
“…”
Though in reality, most of their own sunbaes, intoxicated by the title of upperclassman and having focused for a year on mingling with freshmen, had become third-years and, with graduation and employment now looming as reality, were feeling the futility of life because they had accomplished little in the meantime.
Or they still had not come to their senses, and though there was not much difference in age, they pointlessly put on airs and looked down at the lower years as if they were children.
Or, bitter that they had not properly enjoyed their second year, they were still prowling around.
“Ah, you really were first-years. We’re second-years. We’re one year above you, so it’s okay if we speak casually, right?”
“You were already speaking casually, though.”
“To be honest, you two kept catching our eyes from earlier.”
“I told you, I thought dolls were walking around.”
The two male students whose names Do Gyeonu had no need to remember belonged to exactly that category.
Having advanced to their second year and welcomed their juniors, they were in high spirits.
It was only natural that they would take an interest in Go Eunbi and Yeon Haneul, who were giggling in wonder as they said it was their first time drinking wine.
Moreover, the girls’ appearances were striking enough to draw the eye.
“…”
So much so that the people in the banquet hall kept sneaking glances at them.
The boys circled around the vicinity, looking for a chance to strike up a conversation with the two.
Of course, those who paid attention to the new students’ circumstances had figured out Yeon Haneul’s identity and given up early.
“If she’s attending the Divine Sword Do Clan’s exchange gathering, and she’s a demi-human with rabbit ears…”
“That must be her. This year’s top entrant.”
“So she’s the disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch. She’s prettier than I heard. And…”
“The lion cub’s childhood friend. No… should I call her his girlfriend?”
“You could call her Rabbit too.”
“…”
As people supported by the Divine Sword Do Clan, they naturally had no choice but to be cautious around Do Gyeonu, a direct descendant of the clan.
Not only was he highly expected to become the representative of the first-year swordsmanship track, but he was also someone the Divine Sword Do Clan had high hopes for—someone they must never provoke.
His words were like blades.
Their fates could be decided by a single word from him.
Therefore, Yeon Haneul, known to be closely connected to him, was someone to be watched carefully.
If they were to offend her, their futures might become impossible to guarantee.
But the male students who didn’t know that had stupidly gone and pestered her.
Do Gyeonu’s Yeon Haneul.
“Ugh… Let go of me.”
“What do you think you’re doing!?”
“We’ll let go if you say you’ll come with us.”
“No, did we ask you to pay? We said we’d buy it for you.”
They were just tipsy enough from the alcohol, and they were somewhat acquainted with the second-year representative, a direct descendant of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
There was no way people from prestigious families would be there.
Those from prestigious swordsmanship families were attending the Prestigious Families’ Gathering separately.
And their pride was on the line as well.
The two male students shamelessly and disgracefully hit on Yeon Haneul and Go Eunbi, who were refusing them and saying no.
Their fates had been decided.
“Take your hands off them, unless you want them cut off.”
“…”
A chilling, low voice rang out, followed by a sharp aura.
The male students froze when they saw Do Gyeonu walk out through the crowd—no, through the crowd that had opened a path for him.
“I told you to take your hands off.”
“…”
A young man with a navy-blue sword sheath at his waist, somehow looking like a noble scion.
But the presence he emitted did not match that atmosphere at all.
His appearance alone was anything but ordinary, and when they noticed the reactions of the people around them, they instinctively realized that the situation was going wrong.
It was then that reality truly sank in.
“Will you explain what’s going on?”
“Ah…”
A woman who had somehow come to stand beside Do Gyeonu asked them about the situation.
Black bobbed hair and blue eyes.
Though unlike usual, she was wearing stylish clothes instead of a school uniform, there was no way they could fail to recognize her.
“Ah…”
She was the Lightning Flower Do Sieun, the student council president of Geumgang Academy.
And also the representative of the swordsmanship-track students.
In that case, they could infer that the male student standing beside her was someone of a status comparable to hers.
“Don’t tell me…”
He could only be from the Divine Sword Do Clan.
They had memorized the faces of the second- and third-years, so he had to be a first-year who had enrolled this year.
No matter how clueless they were, they had at least learned the names of the Divine Sword Do Clan members who had enrolled this year.
Do Gyeonu and Do Seungu.
Given how the situation was unfolding, the male student before them was most likely—
“Th-the lion cub?”
“Don’t call me by that name.”
“…”
It was Do Gyeonu of the Divine Sword Do Clan, known as Rabbit or the lion cub.
The instant they realized his identity, they released the hand holding Yeon Haneul’s wrist and prostrated themselves before him.
“S-sorry! I think we made a mistake because we were drunk! We apologize like this. Sorry. No, we’re very sorry.”
“We apologize for being rude! We didn’t mean for this to happen! We’re sorry!”
“…”
The being before them could end their lives if he so desired.
This was no time to worry about saving face.
In front of everyone, they kept bowing obsequiously to Do Gyeonu.
They had to bow. They had to beg.
“I don’t think I’m the one you should be apologizing to.”
However much they pleaded,
Do Gyeonu had already made up his mind.
* * *
If those bastards hadn’t taken their hands off her,
I might really have cut their hands off, even if it meant damaging my own dignity.
That was how furious their actions had made me.
‘Those sons of— Haneul told me not to curse. Those damn… bastards dared to lay hands on Haneul.’
Even I, her childhood friend of five years, didn’t touch Yeon Haneul’s body carelessly.
When I touched her, I paid attention to my hands so I wouldn’t leave even the slightest scratch.
And yet bastards who wouldn’t even appear as minor roles had reached out without hesitation and were roughly dragging her by the wrist, so there was no way I could be in a good mood.
On top of that, the troubled look on her face made my emotions overtake my reason.
“I don’t think I’m the one you should be apologizing to.”
Even if the bastards, having realized who I was, belatedly bowed their heads and begged for forgiveness,
I had no intention of forgiving them and letting this go magnanimously.
If it were me before I awakened to my past life, I probably wouldn’t have been able to be cruel about their circumstances and would have dealt with them foolishly.
But the me who had awakened to my past life was different.
I would not leave them be.
Before that, though.
“If you’re going to apologize, shouldn’t you be apologizing to them, not me?”
“…”
I would make sure they apologized for putting Yeon Haneul and Go Eunbi in an awkward situation.
I spoke to the bastards who couldn’t even raise their heads before me.
They weren’t so dense that they failed to understand.
“We’re sorry. We forced the issue and caused you trouble. Like this… like this, we sincerely apologize.”
“We’re sorry. We were drunk and lost our minds. I too… apologize like this.”
The bastards immediately turned away from me and apologized to Yeon Haneul and Go Eunbi.
Without me even telling them to, they got down on their knees and bowed their heads to the floor.
The two looked flustered by the sudden change in attitude.
They also seemed displeased that the boys weren’t truly repenting, but merely submitting to the authority of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
Even so, conscious of the eyes around them, they reluctantly accepted the apology.
“It’s all right, that’s enough… Please raise your heads.”
“Yes, please raise your heads.”
“Thank you so much!”
Only then did the bastards raise their heads, looking as if they had just narrowly escaped death.
The two had accepted their apology, but they had not forgiven them.
Knowing that difference clearly, I decided not to change my mind after all.
‘Even if Haneul had forgiven them, I would never have forgiven them.’
I never wanted to see them again in my life.
I clicked my tongue and gave the order to leave.
“Get lost.”
Even without that, they must have been embarrassed and humiliated after being disgraced in front of so many people by those of a lower year.
The bastards answered loudly at the same time and immediately left.
I turned my gaze away from the bastards as they disappeared into the crowd like arrows and spoke to Do Sieun.
“Noona, do you know who those guys are?”
“They’re kids who know Jinu. They probably weren’t that close.”
“Then that’s a relief. I’ll have to ask him to send me their names later.”
Do Sieun read what I intended to do and answered accordingly.
They knew the second-year representative, but they weren’t close friends.
It could be interpreted that there would be no trouble even if I had them removed from the Divine Sword Do Clan’s list of those it supported.
To begin with, given the second-year representative Do Jinu’s personality, he wouldn’t try to make an enemy of me.
It should be easy to handle.
I nodded at her words, then spoke to Kang Hanbyeol.
“Thanks for stepping in.”
“I didn’t do anything. Friends should naturally help each other, right? Master also told me never to ignore someone in trouble and to help them. I only did what I was supposed to do.”
“That’s the hardest thing to do.”
“…”
“So thanks.”
If Kang Hanbyeol hadn’t intervened and stopped those bastards, Yeon Haneul would have been in even more trouble.
I expressed my gratitude to him.
He really was like the protagonist.
Though from his perspective, he seemed embarrassed to be praised for something so obvious.
I patted his arm, then soon walked over to Yeon Haneul.
“Gyeonu…”
“Are you okay? Let me see your wrist.”
From the moment she first called my name,
Yeon Haneul’s gaze had followed me and never left me.
I gave a faint laugh when I saw her looking up at me as if she might cry.
Then, after getting her permission, I carefully examined the wrist those bastards had grabbed just moments ago.
“Those bas— those jerks… How hard did they grab you for it to bruise?”
“It’s okay. This much can be handled with healing magic. More importantly… thank you for helping me. You were cool earlier.”
“I was always cool.”
“Sure, sure. Look at you getting all smug.”
“Does it hurt? Wouldn’t it be better to put something cold on it?”
“Then make your hand cold with magic and hold it for me.”
“That does sound better. Later, make sure you thank Hanbyeol too.”
“Mm! I will.”
…Should I get rid of those bastards even now?
They probably hadn’t gone far.
I thought that inwardly as I stroked Yeon Haneul’s wrist.
But since I had to cool her wrist, I eventually gave up on the thought.
“Um, Gyeonu? Why are you only doing that for Haneul and not worrying about me?”
“Ah, right. You were here too.”
“Wow… Isn’t that too much?”
“I’m kidding. Are you okay?”
“I was startled because of what happened, but for now, I’m okay. Haneul’s hand is more of a problem than me. My gosh… Those people were seriously too much, weren’t they?”
“Agreed.”
“Haneul, should I chase after them and hit them for you?”
“If you’re going to chase them, take my sword. If you let them know it’s a family treasure, they’ll have no choice but to let you hit them.”
“Oho, so that’s how it is?”
“No! I’m reeeally! Okay, so you don’t have to go that far!”
“Tch, if Haneul says so…”
“What a shame. I could’ve killed with a borrowed knife.”
“…You were planning to use me!”
“Gyeonu is just joking…”
It seemed Go Eunbi had only gotten into an argument and hadn’t been physically touched.
I felt relieved at her words and noticed Bak Sagun quietly approaching.
Bak Sagun waved his hand at us as if he was glad to see us.
“Guys, I’m glad everyone’s okay.”
“Sagun, where have you been and what have you been doing until now? You were with Hanbyeol, but you didn’t even come to help…”
“I’m really sorry about that. To be honest, I was planning to step in with Hanbyeol too, but I didn’t know how things might turn out later, so I watched from behind.”
“What do you mean?”
“Those people could have distorted the truth for no reason and gone around badmouthing you. So I was… filming a video like this.”
Bak Sagun showed us his smartphone.
A video was playing of the male students who had messed with Yeon Haneul and Go Eunbi getting into a confrontation with Kang Hanbyeol.
The image quality and audio were clear, so it seemed like it could be used as evidence if necessary.
In any case, Bak Sagun hadn’t just been standing there idly watching the situation.
That aside.
‘There are a lot of eyes on us…’
Perhaps because we had caused such a public commotion, gazes poured in from every direction.
When I listened to the murmuring, I could hear them mentioning me, Yeon Haneul, and Kang Hanbyeol.
‘We won’t be able to relax and have fun like this.’
Having people’s eyes following us around would be far too burdensome.
It might be fine for me, but it would be too much for Yeon Haneul.
It seemed best to leave.
Having made that judgment, I took the opportunity to introduce my friends to Do Sieun, then brought it up.
“Noona, I’m bothered by all the stares, and I feel like things got noisy because of me, so I’m thinking of going outside to drink with them. Would that be all right?”
“Everything you had to do is finished too, so go ahead. Just don’t drink too late and break curfew.”
“I won’t. Thanks. If you have time, how about coming later too, noona?”
“I have quite a lot to do today… Thank you for inviting me, but I don’t think I’ll be able to go. Still, if there’s a chance next time, call me. I’m interested in the disciple of the Fighting Demon as well.”
“Then I’ll try to arrange a time next time.”
It was a shame I hadn’t been able to create an opportunity for Do Si-eun and my friends to grow closer, but there was nothing I could do.
Satisfied that they had at least exchanged greetings, we decided to look forward to another chance.
After parting with her, I left the exchange hall with my friends.
Then we held our own after-party.
By then, Lisa had finished her business and joined us as well.
“Damn it, just you wait. I’m, I’m going to take first place this time! Just you wait until the midterms!”
“She’s drinking alcohol like it’s water… Hey, slow down.”
“Don’t stop me! I said don’t stop me! You think I’m going to lose to some booze like this!?”
For some reason, Min Arin, who should have been with the Prestigious Families Association, came looking for us too.
The moment she sat down, she started downing drinks without warning.
It was as if she were trying to drown her frustration in alcohol.
“I’m Min Arin, Min Arin… Just, hic! watch… I’ll, definitely….”
In the end.
That day, I had to carry Min Arin, who had gotten drunk and passed out, on my back.
While holding Yeon Haneul’s hand with one hand.
‘…But wasn’t it her wrist that hurt?’
I had been holding her wrist even at the drinking party to cool it with an ice pack.
So how had I ended up holding her hand instead of her wrist?
I decided not to think about that question.
“Whyy? Is there something on my face?”
“…No, nothing.”
Yeon Haneul seemed to like it.
That was enough.
“Are you drunk?”
“I think I might be a little drunk.”
“Yeah, you look it. Your face looks really relaxed right now. The corners of your mouth are up like this, too.”
“No, they’re not.”
“Yes, they are.”
“What about your face, then?”
“Mine’s the same as always.”
“I don’t think it is.”
“More importantly, you know the way to the dorm, right? If you don’t, just trust your teacher and follow me―.”
“It’s dark, so you might trip. Watch your step.”
“…Okay!”
* * *
The Divine Sword Do Clan’s exchange hall.
Do Seungwoo, who had joined the after-party with the people from the prestigious families, sank into thought.
‘I can’t believe that bastard reacted like that.’
The expression his cousin, Do Gyeonu, had shown a little while ago was extremely unusual.
He had been the kind of guy who was so absurdly kind it was irritating, hesitating even to swing his sword and fearing more than anything that he might hurt his opponent.
Even if that side of him had lessened after his personality suddenly changed five years ago, it had seemed his fundamental nature remained the same.
—Let go, unless you want it cut off.
At that moment, Do Gyeonu had revealed an emotion Do Seungwoo had never seen from him before.
Swept up in emotion, he had given off the impression that he would swing his sword without the slightest hesitation.
To Do Seungwoo, it was simply astonishing.
After all, Gyeonu had never shown that side of himself even to him, whom he hated so much.
That was why it caught his interest.
The cause that had enraged that Do Gyeonu, the bastard he hated.
‘Is that girl really that precious to you?’
The disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch, Yeon Haneul.
Do Gyeonu’s childhood friend.
He had already known about her, but today was the first time he had seen her face.
And he had also realized how that bastard would react if someone were to lay a hand on her.
“So that’s how it is….”
Looking back, Do Seungwoo had carried an inferiority complex ever since he first sparred with Do Gyeonu as a child.
It had been the same even when he was called a prodigy.
He had trembled with anxiety, wondering whether Gyeonu might fix his weak disposition and steal his place, whether his own limits might be exposed.
So he had trampled him down.
So that the bastard would never be able to stand again.
Even so, Gyeonu had not broken, and in the end, he had stolen his place.
His fears had become reality.
A reality he did not want to accept.
To Do Seungwoo, Do Gyeonu’s very existence stirred up his inferiority complex and made him feel wretched.
As if oblivious to those feelings of his, that bastard was full of confidence, treating him as though he were insignificant—and for that, Seungwoo hated him unbearably.
‘So she’s your weakness.’
Then he wanted to torment him.
He wanted to see that bastard’s face crumble.
He wanted to hurt him.
He wanted to make him feel miserable.
He wanted to provoke his heart.
He wanted to make him understand that he was not someone to be treated as worthless.
Meanwhile, Do Seungwoo was interested not only in Yeon Haneul, but in Kang Hanbyeol as well.
‘He seemed close to the Fighting Demon’s disciple.’
Because he had watched Do Gyeonu for a long time.
Even if Do Seungwoo did not know the reason, he could guess just how much Gyeonu trusted Kang Hanbyeol.
‘That kid must be that strong, then?’
Do Seungwoo was conscious of Do Gyeonu as a rival.
No, at some point, deep down, he had begun to want Gyeonu to acknowledge him as a rival.
Just as he treated Gyeonu as an opponent, he wanted Gyeonu to treat him as an opponent in return.
But reality was not that kind.
The gap in their abilities had, by now, clearly widened.
Do Seungwoo could no longer be his rival.
It was intensely frustrating and humiliating.
There was no way someone like him would take kindly to Kang Hanbyeol, who had been by Do Gyeonu’s side and whom Do Gyeonu seemed to regard as his rival.
He was jealous.
‘Then I’ll make those bastards kneel and force you to look back at me. When that time comes, you won’t be able to ignore me like you do now.’
His heart twisted into a complicated mess of inferiority, hatred, jealousy, and more.
The boss of the first semester midterm exam for the first-years raised the corners of his mouth.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss