Ito and the Japanese administrators appeared.
Judging from their conversation, they seemed to be part of Ito’s team. It looked like Ito had taken advantage of his sister being away for a report and had brought his subordinates over as he pleased.
“By the way, is it really okay to come here so recklessly? The team leader is scary, you know…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll take full responsibility. Besides, it’s not like I’m planning to kill anyone, right? That thing… uh… friendly… friendly…”
“Do you mean a friendly match?”
“Yes! A friendly match! That’s what I’m suggesting.”
“In this situation, I think ‘bimu’ would be more appropriate.”
“Whatever, whatever! As long as we understand each other, right?”
“……”
A quick glance at the group’s expressions showed they were a sight to behold. Yu Gi-jun was glaring at Ito and the Japanese administrators with a face as if he had just swallowed something foul, while Lee Eunha was holding her forehead as if she had already given up.
Of course, Oh Haeyoung maintained her usual bright expression.
Having assessed the situation, Taeseong slowly opened his mouth to take control of the conversation.
“So, you’re saying you want to have a match with me?”
“Yes! That’s right! Last time, you blocked my sword, didn’t you? But I still don’t get how that was possible! And you see, I’m the type who has to check things out for myself if I don’t understand them.”
“I see.”
“Right? Then let’s do it right now—”
Taeseong cut him off.
“Did I say I’d do it?”
“What? You weren’t agreeing?”
“Of course, I don’t mind doing it. But according to the great Team Leader Yato, you are a highly esteemed Gamma-rank administrator, whereas I am nothing more than a worthless Delta-rank. The outcome is obvious, isn’t it? Why should I engage in a match with no chance of winning? There’s no benefit for me.”
Ito scratched his head with a blank expression.
“…Is that so?”
No doubt about it.
This guy’s a pushover.
“Exactly. I have no particular interest in being beaten one-sidedly. However… as a fellow man, I can understand the desire to challenge a strong opponent. So, I have a proposal.”
“What is it?”
“I want my comrades to have a bimu with your subordinates as well.”
“With them?”
“Yes. They are also Delta-rank administrators, aren’t they? Since we’re doing this anyway, it would be beneficial for both sides to assess each other’s abilities.”
Ignoring Lee Eunha’s silent but piercing glare, Taeseong looked at Gi-jun and Haeyoung. He could already see their agreement in their eyes.
“I’ll do it.”
“That guy’s got guts. I’ll do it too.”
“……”
The Japanese administrators also agreed.
“Alright! Then let’s—”
“We’re not done yet.”
Ito frowned, looking increasingly annoyed.
“What now?”
“Just having a match like this seems a bit boring, don’t you think?”
“…Does it?”
“A goal makes people more determined. If I, a mere Delta-rank, am to fight you with everything I have, I need proper motivation.”
Ito didn’t quite understand what he was saying, but he nodded as if he did.
“R-right, makes sense.”
“Let’s do this like real men. The loser becomes the winner’s subordinate. What do you say?”
A familiar word must have finally registered, as Ito’s eyes lit up.
“A subordinate?”
“Yes, a subordinate. The winner becomes the leader, and the loser follows orders. No matter what the order is. That’s the right of the victor in a fair fight between men. So, what do you think?”
Like a child savouring a sweet dream, Ito repeated certain words to himself.
“A fight between men… leader…”
Then he shouted loudly.
“Great! The loser becomes the winner’s subordinate! It’s a promise between men!”
“Excellent. You’re a real man.”
“Yeah! I’m a real man!”
Though, he seemed to have the mental age of a ten-year-old.
His subordinates also seemed somewhat aware of their boss’s intelligence, but none of them showed any concern.
They must have assumed that, no matter what, Ito wouldn’t lose the match.
“Lead the way.”
We followed Ito to the training grounds. As we walked through the corridors, Japanese staff members, busy with their tasks, kept glancing at us.
Haeyoung, her face tense with nevouseness, whispered in a small voice.
“Taeseong, what do we do? I’m really nervous.”
“There’s no need to be. Just do what you always do.”
“What I always do?”
“Yes. You already fought Red Mask and survived, didn’t you? That means you’re more than capable of holding your own.”
“But that time…”
Before she could finish, Taeseong cut her off. He already knew what she wanted to say.
“You were lucky? You want to say that, don’t you? But luck is also a part of skill. Oh Haeyoung, you’ve already become strong. And you’ll only get stronger. There’s no need to fear losing. Believe in yourself and give it your all. You didn’t refuse the fight because, deep down, you wanted to test yourself against other administrators from another country, right?”
“…Yeah. To be honest, I did want to take this opportunity to fight administrators from abroad.”
“Exactly. If you lose, you’ll learn something from it. If you win, you’ll gain confidence. Either way, you’ll grow. Move forward, and you’ll eventually find your own path.”
Haeyoung, seeming reassured by Taeseong’s words, answered with a resolute look in her eyes.
“Yes!”
Feeling left out, Gi-jun asked in a sulky tone.
“Captain, don’t you have any words of encouragement for me?”
“I trust you.”
“That’s enough.”
He meant it. In Taeseong’s judgment, Gi-jun was someone who didn’t need his help.
A raw, unpolished gem.
Which meant he had to shape himself.
“I don’t know anymore. Whatever happens, I’m not responsible. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“…Are you really confident?”
Taeseong nodded silently.
“Alright then. That’s enough. I won’t worry about it anymore. For the record, I’m not participating in this spar. You know I’m not much of a fighter.”
“Yes. But I do have one favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
Taeseong leaned in and whispered his request to Eunha.
“…Well, that much is fine.”
“Thank you.”
While they continued talking, they arrived at the sparring arena.
It was much larger than the place where Taeseong had previously tested Oh Haeyoung. The walls were made of some special transparent material, likely installed so that spectators could watch from outside.
“You can use whatever weapon you want, and as long as your brain doesn’t get smashed in, any injury can be healed, so let’s fight like real men!”
Haeyoung cautiously raised her hand.
“…Uh, but I’m a woman.”
“Shut up! If you don’t like it, then be a man too.”
“…Okay.”
Looking dejected, she lowered her hand. A female Japanese administrator standing beside her offered some comfort.
“Just understand. He’s not someone you can have a normal conversation with.”
“…Thank youuu.”
Regardless, Ito continued his speech.
“So, who’s up first? Should we go first?”
Taeseong shook his head.
“We’ll go last.”
“Yeah! The captain’s match should be last. That makes sense. So, who’s going first?”
Oh Haeyoung hesitantly raised her hand.
“…Then, may I go first?”
“Oh! The Epsilon weakling? You want to go first? Good, good! That’s manly! Alright, who’s going up from our side?”
Excluding Ito, there were three Japanese administrators. Two loud-mouthed men and one quiet woman who had spoken only when comforting Haeyoung.
The woman who had consoled Haeyoung stepped forward.
“I will.”
“Ah! Hello.”
She had a composed demeanor, with long black hair and bangs reaching her eyebrows.
“My name is Hattori Miyuki. Delta-ranked. I look forward to our match.”
“Oh, Oh Haeyoung! I’m Epsilon-ranked. Please take care of me!”
Miyuki bowed her head, and Haeyoung hastily bowed in return.
Watching the scene, the two male Japanese administrators whispered in surprise.
“Miyuki’s being really proactive today.”
“Yeah. This is the first time I’ve heard her talk this much.”
Taeseong quietly observed Miyuki.
She was noticeably calmer than the others.
There was a high probability that her fighting style was completely opposite to Haeyoung’s.
‘If she’s a close-combat fighter, the matchup isn’t bad… But if not, this could be tough.’
The remaining members moved into an inner room with Ito to watch. The transparent walls allowed for a clear view, and somehow, the sound from the arena was transmitted clearly as well.
“Do we really need to watch this? The outcome’s obvious, and it’s a waste of time. Seriously, how can an Epsilon-ranked even scratch Miyuki-senpai? Am I wrong?”
“True. Miyuki is… scary.”
Finally, Gi-jun, who had been watching in silence, couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Hey, can you all just shut up and watch? It hasn’t even started yet, but you’re running your mouths like crazy.”
A Japanese administrator, seemingly the youngest, scowled and turned toward Gi-jun.
“…What? Some nobodies sure like to talk big. You think this is your living room? Just because you’re Delta-ranked, you think we’re all on the same level?”
Hearing that, Gi-jun unexpectedly let out a chuckle.
“…Pfft.”
“You laughing? This bastard’s got a death wish.”
“What’s your name?”
“Hah? What kind of stupid—”
Gi-jun cut him off, his voice turning cold.
“I asked for your name.”
Caught off guard by Gi-jun’s deadly gaze, the Japanese administrator instinctively answered.
“…Himuro Hitoshi.”
“Hitoshi. I’ll remember that name. Instead of running your mouth, why don’t we fight next?”
“Know your place, you—”
“Scared? If you’re scared, just admit it. I’ll take on the other guy instead.”
Hitoshi’s face turned bright red.
He had been an administrator for a long time, but no one had ever taunted him this openly. His emotions were written all over his face.
Ito spoke up.
“Alright then. You two are up next. No complaints, Hitoshi?”
“No.”
“Enough talking. It’s starting.”
Haeyoung gripped her pendant, which transformed into a massive axe.
Ito, intrigued, commented.
“Oh? That’s a pretty nice weapon for an Epsilon-ranked weakling.”
“Well, she’s still just an Epsilon.”
Hitoshi muttered mockingly, and Gijun stared at him intently.
Hitoshi didn’t avert his gaze. The two locked eyes in silent confrontation.
‘She’s using a sword?’
Contrary to Taeseong’s concerns, Miyuki wielded a moderately sized katana.
The blade gleamed sharply, exuding an aura of careful maintenance.
A moment of silence.
Exchanging a brief glance, the two women launched toward each other at the same time.