“Follow me, I’ll make you pay the price for what you’ve done!”

The moment Lee Sogun let out his rage-filled roar.

Ding.

[Martial Challenge]

Your debauchery has finally caused trouble!

One must solve their own problems. To avoid the wrath of the Hengshan Sword Sect and save what little honor remains, there’s only one way.

Type: Sudden Quest 

• Grade: First-rate 
• Restriction: Jin Tae-kyung 
• Task: Win the martial challenge (Incomplete) 
• Reward: Title [Duelist], Large amount of experience, 50 Fame 
• Failure: Title [Sex Fiend], Injury

Accept [Martial Challenge] quest? Accept / Reject

Come on, I haven’t even dated since high school and now I’m being called a sex fiend?

I spend half my days running raids and passing out in a gosiwon, and now I have to clean up shit I didn’t even take in this game.

Could at least give me a decent quest.

How the hell am I supposed to handle a level 30 Lee Sogun?

Fuck this, the level difference is more than double… This is absolutely a fight I shouldn’t take.

I tried to reject the quest. Or rather, I was going to. But Lee Sogun was faster.

“If you run away here… the Jin Family will pay an appropriate price.”

Ding.

• Quest information updated
• Upon quest rejection, [Hengshan Sword Sect] will declare war on [Jin Family]. Additionally, [Jin Tae-kyung] will be marked as a sect enemy.

…I knew it. I wondered why they were giving me a choice.

As I let out a deep sigh, the assembly hall was boiling like a cauldron on hot coals.

“How insolent!”

“This brat’s throwing his family’s weight around with no filter!”

“Even though the Third Young Master did something worse than a dog, how dare they look down on the main family!”

All good, but who said that last one?

As the atmosphere turned hostile, Young Master Jin Wi-gyeong stepped forward.

“Everyone, please calm down. Young Master Lee, that’s enough. Let’s overlook this once as a slip of the tongue.”

Warning in a low voice from the highest seat, his presence is no joke.

Befitting the next head of an established noble family.

Even Lee Sogun seemed pressured, responding in a notably reduced voice.

“Very well. However…”

“However?”

“It wasn’t a slip of the tongue. Do you think I came here today in a personal capacity?”

At those words, not just Jin Wi-gyeong but everyone’s expressions hardened.

Right. Lee Sogun is an official envoy sent by the Hengshan Sword Sect.

“My father—no, the Sect Leader has entrusted me with full authority.”

“…So what do you want?”

“As I’ve already stated, I want a martial challenge with the Third Young Master.”

No. I don’t want that.

Looking at how things are going, these Hengshan Sword Sect bastards came ready to pick a fight.

Seems like they want to get whatever they can from this, and even if that fails, they’ll at least destroy me… Getting targeted so blatantly sends chills down my spine.

“There must be another way. Tell me what you really want.”

“Withdraw from all counties except Taiyuan. That would be appropriate compensation for blocking my sister’s marriage prospects.”

As soon as he finished speaking, shouts rained down in the assembly hall.

From the scattered words I could hear, they basically wanted everything but our underwear. Young Master Jin Wi-gyeong’s choice was obvious.

“Impossible.”

“Then the martial challenge…”

“That too, I refuse.”

Jin Wi-gyeong, who dotes on his youngest brother. No way he’d push me into such an obviously dangerous fight.

At Jin Wi-gyeong’s answer, Lee Sogun showed a triumphant smile.

“Then only one path remains.”

War.

I wasn’t the only one who thought of that word. The weight of war wrapped the assembly hall in silence.

In that silence, I stared at the air.

• Accept quest? Accept / Reject
• Upon quest rejection, [Hengshan Sword Sect] will declare war on [Jin Family]. Additionally, [Jin Tae-kyung] will be marked as a sect enemy.

Read the system message, look at the ground. Look at the sky. Then read again.

Fuck… No choice. There’s only one way.

“I’ll do it.”

For once, everyone’s reaction was unanimous. Bulging eyes, gaping mouths. Lee Sogun who proposed the challenge, Jin Wi-gyeong who refused it.

Everyone in the meeting room was doubting their ears.

“W-wait. Tae-kyung?”

Ignoring Jin Wi-gyeong’s hasty attempt to stop me, I said to Lee Sogun:

“Come on. Let’s fight.”

Lee Sogun’s lips curled up cruelly.

The winter wind is cold. I took a deep breath looking at the cloudy sky.

Standing face to face with Vice Commander Lee Sogun here at the Jin Family’s Grand Training Ground. About fifty people sat at a distance watching us.

The Jin Family people have faces saying what the fuck did this kid eat, while the Hengshan Sword Sect minions look like they’re at a show, just missing the popcorn.

Ah, someone’s sending voice transmission.

• Little brother. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Hoo ha. Hoo ha…

Already doing that, old man.

With his stern face on, he’s wiggling his butt like a puppy that needs to pee.

If Wi-peng wasn’t holding his shoulder down, he looks ready to jump in any second.

• Don’t worry. If things look dangerous, your big brother will… hey? If that bastard just touches our little brother… hey?

You understand? Don’t get excited, take it slow, play it safe. You can do this, Jin Tae-kyung!

…Calm down already.

He was overflowing with presence in the assembly hall earlier, but Jin Wi-gyeong never disappoints.

Still a hundred times better than nothing.

At least I have someone who’ll save me before I become half-dead.

With Jin Wi-gyeong and Wi-peng, that’s two life insurance policies. Good.

Just as my heart lightened with that thought, looking at Lee Sogun made me immediately retract it.

What the fuck is good about this?

Now I get why those Hengshan Sword Sect bastards were so confident.

He’s suddenly stripping off his top, and those muscles writhing like invertebrates make my breath catch…

[Lv.30 Lee Sogun]

My hands and feet go numb at the blood-red level window.

A whole 16 level difference. Overwhelming. As if to confirm this fact, the system window chimed.

• Afflicted with status effect [Intimidated]!

I’ll die three times before anyone can save me.

Noticing my reaction, Lee Sogun showed a cruel smile.

“Getting the picture now? Breath caught in your throat, limbs going numb?”

Now he’s even using psychological warfare. But fighting is half about momentum.

I deliberately composed my expression and answered:

“Bullshit.”

“Your voice is trembling. Of course you’re scared. Fine, if you answer my questions sincerely, I’ll go easy on you.”

…Honestly, I almost wavered for a second.

“Cut the crap.”

“Oh, is this because you’re from a martial family?”

Lee Sogun laughed as if amused.

“Let me ask one thing. What gave you the confidence to accept this challenge? You, who’s known for being a coward with worthless martial arts. I want to hear the reason.”

“Reason?”

No matter how I thought about it, this was the only way. If war breaks out, I become the Hengshan Sword Sect’s sect enemy.

Hunting for level ups? Dream on. The moment I step outside the Jin Family’s protection, assassins who catch my scent will come running.

If I’m alive, there’ll be another chance.

I have magic. The healing magic called leveling up.

My mind eased a bit.

“You seemed manageable enough.”

“Hah! Like a day-old puppy.”

Light provocation, but it definitely doesn’t work. He’s quite composed, confident in his abilities.

“My turn to ask?”

“I never said I’d answer… but I’ll listen as your last words.”

“This whole thing. You guys set it up, right?”

His face froze awkwardly, seemingly not expecting the question.

That expression was answer enough for me.

Nailed it.

I had my suspicions, and sure enough. Something stank from start to finish.

“Man, you petty motherfuckers. Should’ve just declared war.”

“…I’ll tear that mouth apart.”

Lee Sogun muttered ominously, raising his massive greatsword.

I straightened my [Sharp Spear] that I’d readied beforehand.

Alright, let’s do this.

I’ve learned martial arts too. Got seven years of practical experience.

Don’t underestimate skills honed through dual-jobbing as an F-rank hunter and second-rate martial artist!

“RAAAHHH!”

Lee Sogun was more agile than imagined. In an instant he closed the distance and I blocked his vertically descending greatsword with my spear shaft.

Kakakak.

“Ugh.”

I worried it might get cut in half, but the Sharp Spear lived up to its solid steel construction.

However, the force behind the greatsword started driving my feet into the ground.

“Die, you insect!”

“Hup!”

His pressure is even more suffocating up close.

Is this what a monster’s Fear feels like?

“Kneel and beg forgiveness now! Then I’ll end it with just an arm!”

• Little brother!

I see Jin Wi-gyeong jumping up behind Lee Sogun’s shoulder. The Hengshan Sword Sect bastards watch giggling, while the Jin Family people turn away as if they can’t bear to watch.

Gotta hold on.

At least until Jin Wi-gyeong arrives!

“RAAHH!”

Omnidirectional. Lee Sogun’s greatsword struck repeatedly from all directions. Though it’s metal hitting metal, what I hear is cannon fire.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Blocked.

“RAAAH!”

“HAH!”

BOOM! BOOM! Blocked again.

“RAAAAH!”

“HAAAH!”

BOOM! Blocked again.

“RAAHHH…”

“HAAH…”

“?”

The next moment, our eyes met.

Seeing that bewildered and confused look in his eyes, I could tell he was thinking the same thing as me.

What the hell is this?

Lee Sogun is strong. Monstrous strength reminiscent of large monsters, agility unsuited to his muscles, swinging that massive greatsword like a matchstick.

Not only that, he’s the son of the supposedly badass Hengshan Sword Sect. His martial arts should be quite high-level.

And yet…

This is actually doable?

I was still blocking each and every swing of his endlessly striking greatsword. Over 20 attacks. And defenses. I can see them, so I can block them. I slightly lifted my legs that had somehow gotten buried up to the ankles. They pulled right out.

Could it be…

Nah, no way. Couldn’t be.

Swaaak!

In that moment, I deflected his greatsword aiming for my waist with my spear shaft. And before I knew it, I instinctively kicked Lee Sogun’s wide open chest.

THWACK!

“Kuh!”

…Huh?

Lee Sogun, who skidded back five or six steps clutching his abdomen, casually rubbed his nose bridge as if nothing happened.

“Not bad. Unlike trash, you’ve got some skill.”

“Huhu. My mercy ends here.”

“…Hey.”

“With my next strike, I’ll take your head… What?”

With a dubious face, I raised my hand pointing at his mouth.

“You’re bleeding.”

Drip. A beat late, a line of blood trickles down Lee Sogun’s mouth. Looks like he bit his tongue. That’s gotta hurt.

“Ah! Ing! Eck! Hook!”

To Lee Sogun wiping blood with those weird grunts, I said:

“Don’t wipe it. Leave it.”

“…?”

“It’ll be easier to wipe it all at once later.”

Because from now on, you’re gonna get your ass absolutely wrecked by me.

• Status effect [Intimidated] has been removed!