"Crazy Demon? Are you talking about me?" The guy who had been poking the bloodied male student with his foot looked up and glared at me.
His eyes were bloodshot.
His hair was messy, like a lion's mane.
The way he bared his teeth and growled fiercely made him look like a wounded beast.
He stared at me with a gaze that seemed ready to bite anyone in front of him.
"Do you dare mention that nickname in front of me? Ha..."
He stepped on the bloodied student beneath him and walked straight toward me.
"…Baek-hyung."
My friend Myung-il-o pulled me back.
It was a hint not to get involved in unnecessary trouble and to leave the scene.
But I didn’t move.
Instead, an undeniable smile blossomed on my lips. 'Yes.
This feels more familiar.'
The murderous intent and aggression that were rarely seen in the righteous sect, which valued face and manners.
The face of someone who openly expressed their emotions, regardless of whether their opponent was a senior, elder, or instructor.
Having taught countless students with such expressions, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
And it was the first time I had seen someone who seemed to have the potential to be fun to teach.
The guy who had walked up to me with a slouchy posture said, "You don’t look like someone I’ve seen in the academy... Hey, you with the appearance of a courtesan's husband. Before I beat you up, let me ask you one thing. Do you know who I am?"
The murderous intent was sharp enough to make my skin tingle.
Just as I was about to open my mouth to say something, a voice interrupted.
"Han Won-gang, student."
"What is the meaning of this?" The gloomy-looking twin I had seen earlier blocked my path. 'Han Won-gang?' Thanks to the twin, I learned the name of the guy who looked just like the Crazy Demon. 'So that’s why he looks so similar... they must be from the same family.'
Crazy Demon Han Won-ho.
One of the four masters who escaped from the Brain Prison, once known as the greatest talent in the history of the prestigious Han Won family.
However, he became obsessed with martial arts, abandoning his family's expectations, and participated in a hundred duels, earning the title of "Crazy Demon" with his excessively brutal methods.
The Crazy Demon became a fugitive in the martial world and fell into a trap laid by the Blood Sect, ending up trapped in the Brain Prison.
"I just wanted to see the end of martial arts."
The Crazy Demon claimed he had no regrets about his actions, stating that even if he could go back to the past, he would participate in those hundred duels again.
But he had one lingering regret.
"I brought great shame to my family. If I could return someday..."
"Heh. Why would that esteemed Han Won family want to take you back?"
"You bandit. Shut up."
"Hehe. How about becoming my subordinate instead? You look fierce and cunning; you'd fit right in as a lackey. We could build a great forest together..."
"I'll tear that guy's mouth apart as soon as I get out of here."
These gentlemen always seemed to be fighting whenever they recalled their memories.
Anyway, that Han Won-gang resembled the Crazy Demon to the point where one could say he was his reincarnation.
Not only did he look alike, but the atmosphere and bone structure were almost identical.
'I heard he has no children.
Is he a close relative?' Just as I was recalling the old stories the Crazy Demon had told me, Han Won-gang, blocked by the twin, frowned in annoyance and said, "What do you mean, what am I doing? Didn’t you hear what that guy said? He called me Crazy Demon. Do you not know who Crazy Demon is?"
"…"
"…"
The twins looked at me with eyes that seemed to ask if I really said that.
I shrugged and replied, "I never said that."
"What?" Han Won-gang looked at me in disbelief.
The twins turned their expressionless faces back to Han Won-gang.
"That’s what he said."
"Step back."
"You guys really…."
Han Won-gang gritted his teeth and took another step closer.
At the same time, the twins drew their weapons.
'A six-sided club? A binding rope?' The weapons the twins pulled out were a six-sided club and a binding rope, which seemed more suited for law enforcement than martial artists.
The twins aimed their weapons at Han Won-gang and said, "If you come any closer..."
"We will subdue you."
But did they have a habit of talking like that? "Hehe. So, this is how it is?" Han Won-gang did not back down and drew his weapon, aiming it at the two.
He revealed his white teeth, exuding a strong murderous intent.
"Yeah. I didn’t think you’d believe my words. It’s always like this. You only step aside after getting hit."
As Han Won-gang revealed his murderous intent, the twins' expressions hardened.
"The truth of the matter..."
"Is not important."
"The student council will not allow any further disturbances."
Han Won-gang snorted and drew his weapon.
The moonlight reflected off the sharp blade.
With a smirk, Han Won-gang danced his sword a few times and pointed the tip at the twins, lightly nodding.
"Those who can’t even speak properly alone. Come at me."
"…"
Naturally, the open space widened, and soon the three of them were engaged in a fight. 'All three are quite skilled.' The twins' combined techniques were surprisingly precise.
It was as if they had laid out the same picture on both sides, moving simultaneously to pressure Han Won-gang, and when a counterattack came, one focused on defense while the other aimed for a counterattack.
"They seem to complement each other perfectly."
Myung-il-o murmured in surprise beside me.
The twins moved seamlessly, sticking together and separating without getting tangled at all.
From the perspective of their opponent, it must have felt like facing one person, then two, then back to one, and repeating that cycle.
"It seems they have trained to the point where they can read each other's eyes."
Myung-il-o also murmured in admiration.
The twins' combined techniques were indeed impressive.
However, I was not particularly focused on the twins.
"The more impressive one is that guy."
Han Won-gang, seemingly drunk (he actually was), staggered but managed to dodge or deflect all significant attacks.
He twisted his body as if performing a daring stunt, exaggeratedly swinging his sword to shake off his opponents while wearing a nasty grin, provoking the twins.
"Is this all you’ve got? I can see the level of the student council this year."
The twins' attacks grew fiercer.
The six-sided club grazed Han Won-gang's shoulder, and the binding rope aimed for his ankle like a snake's tongue.
Before long, numerous spectators, including students from Cheongryong Academy, had gathered to watch the fight.
"Is that Han Won-gang again?" "Always causing violent incidents..."
"I wonder why they don’t expel him from the academy."
Whispers filled the air, filled with disdain and hatred.
Yet, I could sense the underlying fear. 'He has a talent that instinctively makes one afraid.' Han Won-gang's current skills were not overwhelmingly superior.
However, the magnitude of his talent was, without a doubt, among the top I had seen in trainees so far.
"But why…?" I tilted my head as I watched Han Won-gang's techniques.
Is he using such low-level techniques? The martial arts of the Han Won family I knew were not at such a low level.
While it might not reach the level of the unique martial arts established by the Crazy Demon during the Hundred Duels, it was certainly martial arts worthy of being called a martial world elite.
Yet, the techniques Han Won-gang was displaying now were not terrible, but they fell short of what one would expect from a prestigious family.
"Is that originally the Han Won family's technique?" "Well..."
At my question, Akyeon-ho hesitated before answering quietly.
"I'll tell you later."
'It seems there’s a story I don’t know about.' Since I couldn’t know for now, I focused on Han Won-gang's fighting style.
I wanted to see the limits of this guy.
Was that all the skill he had, or was he hiding something more? Why did he have such talent yet wear the eyes of a loser?
'What would the Crazy Demon say if he saw this guy?' I couldn't say for sure, but he definitely wouldn’t have spoken kindly.
After all, the nickname had the character 'Crazy' in it.
"Hehe. Come on! Be prepared to get stabbed, some of you!"
"…Quickly."
"…We will subdue you."
As both sides raised their internal energy and prepared to charge at each other, a rough voice interrupted them.
"Enough. You reckless one from the Han Won family."
Hearing the voice from behind, Han Won-gang's expression twisted in frustration.
"Peng Sa-hyuk..."
Han Won-gang muttered as if chewing the words, turning to glare at the one who called his name.
A large young man emerged from the crowd, grinning at Han Won-gang.
"That’s enough, right? You must have sobered up by now, so go back to the dormitory, wash your feet, and get some sleep."
"…Don’t interfere with my business and get lost."
"Do I look like I’m asking you?" Grinning, Peng Sa-hyuk drew a massive weapon from behind him.
Swish.
Han Won-gang was quite tall, but the newly appeared young man was no less impressive in stature.
Moreover, he was much larger.
"Speak while you can. If you don’t want to tarnish your family’s already dwindling honor."
"…"
While Han Won-gang gritted his teeth and glared at Peng Sa-hyuk, I asked Myung-il-o, "Peng Sa-hyuk?"
"…You don’t know the young master of the Hebei Peng family?"
Hebei Peng family.
One of the so-called Five Great Families, it was a huge clan that ranked among the top five in the righteous martial world.
And as I recalled, the Hebei Peng family and the Han Won family were also clans that competed with pride over whose techniques were superior.
'But for Han Won-gang to be unable to move at the words of the young master of the Hebei Peng family…'
Myung-il-o lowered his voice and continued, "Peng Sa-hyuk is also the president of the club alliance. Along with the student council president, Dokgo Jun, he can be considered the most powerful among the students."
"Han Won-gang doesn’t seem like the type to bow to power..."
Hearing my mumbling, Akyeon-ho said with a sour expression, "There’s some history between the two families."
"It seems there will be a lot to discuss when we get back."
While we were talking among ourselves, Han Won-gang finally sheathed his weapon and turned away.
"Damn it. I’ve lost my taste for alcohol."
"You made a good choice. That way, you can at least protect your tiny family."
"…"
After shooting a glare at the mocking Peng Sa-hyuk, Han Won-gang strode through the crowd.
No one could stop him.
The twins tried to block Han Won-gang, but Peng Sa-hyuk stepped in and stopped them.
"Let him go. I’ll talk to the student council president."
"…"
As Han Won-gang's back disappeared into the crowd, Peng Sa-hyuk's gaze turned toward us.
"I wondered who it was... You are the ones who came to the interview for the new instructors. I remember you well because of your outstanding appearances. I am Peng Sa-hyuk, the president of the club alliance."
Peng Sa-hyuk smiled widely and greeted us with a bow, his bear-like size contrasting with his gentle smile.
At that moment, I felt an ominous feeling from his smile, but I hid it and smiled back.
"I am Baek Su-ryong."
"…Akyeon-ho."
"Myung-il-o!"
Peng Sa-hyuk quickly scanned us with cold eyes and smiled awkwardly.
"I apologize. One of the reckless ones in the academy showed an ugly side to you prospective instructors."
"You don’t need to worry about it. With the festival going on, it’s understandable to get carried away."
"Haha. Thank you for your generous understanding. However, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable about it..."
As Peng Sa-hyuk spoke, he paused for a moment before saying in a subtle tone, "As an apology, I would like to treat you to dinner. Would you care to join me?"