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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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Skills varied widely in ability, type, and grade.
Amid such diversity, skills above a certain grade shared several commonalities.
First, beyond a skill’s inherent ability, special properties or effects were manifested.
And second.
‘Such skills were difficult to obtain through ordinary means.’
Due to their rarity, acquisition was challenging.
This difficulty in procurement applied without exception even to A-grade superhuman Ko Tae-sik.
Therefore, it was reasonable for him to be suspicious of the youngster, Ahn Il-han, before him.
‘During class time I wasn’t sure, but now that I see it clearly, that martial art is at least C-grade or higher.’
From the movement technique that produced rippling afterimages without proper mana utilization.
To the unusual killing intent emanating from his fist technique and martial arts.
None of these were skills that an academy cadet should possess.
‘Unless he’s a youngster with a solid background like Shim In-wook. But he doesn’t seem to be.’
A cadet whose parent was the head of a large organization might have such skills.
Parents often passed down skills beyond their children’s level, wanting them to advance from the starting point.
But after looking into it briefly, the boy’s background was ordinary.
In other words, the source of his skills was unclear.
Because of this, he initially suspected the boy’s identity, but quickly dismissed the thought.
‘Even so, that’s going too far.’
There was no reason for someone to participate in class just to get beaten by him.
No matter how incomprehensible villains’ thinking might be.
So Ko Tae-sik considered another possibility.
‘He might have encountered an improper channel and accessed a type of martial art that shouldn’t be touched.’
This was a much more plausible story.
That was precisely why.
“So, youngster. What is that killing-intent-filled martial art, and where did you get such a thing?”
The reason he asked the question so directly was.
Whether it was because the question was unexpected, or because it was uncomfortable to answer.
“……”
The youngster remained silent.
But this was an expected reaction.
Therefore, he had already prepared a countermeasure.
‘He may lie or remain silent, but he can’t deceive my eyes when it comes to martial arts.’
None other than martial arts.
At the A-grade superhuman level, one could roughly gauge an opponent’s level just by watching.
Furthermore, if they crossed hands even once, it was possible to perfectly identify the characteristics and strengths of the martial art.
In other words, Ko Tae-sik.
‘I have no choice but to find out through force.’
He was going to make him confess directly.
‘If he obtained it through improper channels anyway.’
This would be dealt with as a serious disciplinary matter at the academy level.
Issues related to villains and the underworld were always sensitive matters.
But Ko Tae-sik had decided to resolve it at his level.
‘Because he’s a youngster I’ve taken a liking to.’
Whether it was disciplinary action or mental demons caused by the skill.
He had not the slightest intention of letting a seedling be ruined by trivial issues.
With that thought, just as he was about to ask again, the boy opened his mouth.
“This martial art is a skill that will come into my possession.”
“…Not something that has come, but something that will come?”
“Yes.”
The boy expressionlessly offered an absurd answer.
Ko Tae-sik was momentarily speechless at such audacity.
Then, frowning, he growled threateningly.
“What, you’re saying you’ve already obtained something that will come to you later?”
“Yes.”
“Ha, how can that possibly make—”
Before he could finish his sentence.
“I have precognitive abilities.”
An even more absurd story flowed from the boy.
“What? Are you joking—”
“That’s the ability of my unimplemented characteristic.”
“…!”
Unimplemented characteristic.
That single phrase instantly made the boy’s outlandish claim credible.
As his thoughts rapidly deepened.
‘Come to think of it, among Taejin Instructor’s disciples, there was one with an unimplemented characteristic…’
Ko Tae-sik suddenly recalled an old memory of Jin Tae-jin.
At the same time, as his thoughts reached the catastrophe from eight years ago.
‘Could this be one of the reasons why Taejin Instructor has been protecting this kid all along?’
Such a thought occurred to him naturally.
As his expression involuntarily hardened at this unexpected connection.
“This martial art.”
Suddenly the youngster opened his mouth.
“It’s called Bokmaguqwon (伏魔九拳).”
Nine fist techniques that subjugate demons.
It was a martial art with clear intent evident from its name.
But.
“What’s that all of a sudden.”
Ko Tae-sik looked at him with a frown.
Despite this, the boy took a stance, unconcerned.
It was a preparatory stance, no different from intending to display martial arts.
At the same time, the boy continued speaking.
“You asked what martial art this is.”
“…So I did. And?”
“I’ll show you the answer directly.”
“Ha!”
Ko Tae-sik was truly exasperated.
At the same time, he recalled his original purpose, which he had momentarily forgotten due to the boy’s shocking declaration.
Perhaps that was why.
“Khahat! You truly are an audacious one!”
His lips involuntarily twitched.
The boy’s behavior was one of two things.
‘Either he truly has nothing to hide, or he has such a strong heart that he’s putting on an excellent act.’
Either way, he would find out once they crossed hands.
Crack—
Ko Tae-sik cracked his wrist as he slowly moved forward.
“Well, judging by the name of the martial art, there doesn’t seem to be a problem, but if you insist, I should oblige.”
As he finished speaking.
Tat—
Ko Tae-sik dashed forward, kicking off the ground.
The boy immediately took his stance.
Then from the boy’s two fists.
Swoosh—
Bokmaguqwon (伏魔九拳).
The martial art that subjugates demons was unleashed.
*
The next day, during morning class.
While checking the shadow’s movements as usual.
“…Insane.”
An expletive unconsciously escaped.
That was how astounding the situation in the video was.
‘Instructor Ko Tae-sik? Why suddenly?’
From the fact that Instructor Ko Tae-sik had come with clear intentions.
To the ominous attitude with which he inquired about the martial art.
It was truly one shock after another.
‘To be fair, this was bound to happen someday, but…’
I never expected the subject to be none other than Instructor Ko Tae-sik.
Moreover, his question was quite troublesome.
So much so that even if I were in that situation instead of him, I would find it awkward to answer.
Therefore, I watched anxiously to see how the shadow boy had handled it.
Soon, the relevant scene unfolded.
-I have precognitive abilities.
The moment I heard it.
“……”
My mouth fell open.
Precognitive abilities—he had openly revealed the existence of an unimplemented characteristic.
‘…Well, there wasn’t much alternative, but still.’
I was just momentarily speechless at his unhesitating action.
Apart from that, it was a perfectly understandable approach.
In fact, I had given the same answer during my interview with Instructor Jin Tae-jin.
Sure enough, Instructor Ko Tae-sik merely hardened his expression without particular rebuttal.
‘Is it settled, then…?’
It seemed to be wrapping up, but.
-This martial art is called Bokmaguqwon.
The shadow boy opened with an unexpected answer.
Bokmaguqwon.
The martial art that was the cause of the current situation and had been veiled until now was revealed at an unexpected timing.
‘Bokmaguqwon, nine fist techniques that subjugate demons?’
My interest was piqued.
I had been full of questions as there hadn’t been a single word about the martial art until now, which made it all the more intriguing.
In that situation.
-I’ll show you the answer directly.
The shadow boy took a stance as if ready to take action.
It was absurd, but my curiosity about the martial art rose even higher.
‘…If I’m lucky, I might get to see the proper movements.’
The milk was already spilled anyway.
Getting upset now wouldn’t change the situation.
So I decided to set aside complex questions for now and satisfy my curiosity about the martial art first.
Right on cue.
-…If you insist, I should oblige.
Instructor Ko Tae-sik charged forward.
The moment they confronted each other, the scene in the video became truly dynamic, jumping around.
This was a natural result as it was recorded with a smart watch on his wrist, not separate equipment.
Nevertheless, disappointment washed over me.
“Damn it, why can’t I see it properly?”
After focusing and watching carefully, I could at least grasp the feel of the martial art.
‘…Wow, it’s fierce.’
It was extremely dynamic, with excellent speed.
That wasn’t all.
-If this is the level of response to killing intent…, it would be quite impressive in real combat.
Instructor Ko Tae-sik’s exclamation, and the deep interest evidently permeating his tone.
-What did you see in the future that led you to acquire such a powerful fist technique?
And again questioning the source with an incredulous tone.
Just from his reactions, I could sufficiently sense the power of the martial art.
Perhaps that was why.
‘…To not be able to see this.’
An even deeper disappointment swept over me.
After about 5 minutes of brief exchanges.
-That’s enough.
The engagement, which was closer to a demonstration than a bout, ended.
Despite the fierce spirit shown at first, Instructor Ko Tae-sik hadn’t launched any counterattacks.
As if observing the martial art, he had only deflected with simple movements.
‘Well, if he had been hit properly, I would have known from the moment I woke up this morning.’
As I was thinking this.
-Indeed, it doesn’t seem to be a problematic martial art.
Instructor Ko Tae-sik acknowledged there was no particular problem.
Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief.
-Rather, considering the skill itself, it’s quite excellent. Even better than the movement technique you possess.
His evaluation of the martial art followed.
Better than the C-grade skill ‘Black Shadow Step.’
That meant it was at least C-grade or higher.
‘C-grade is already amazing, and beyond that…? What exactly is this guy?’
As I was watching with admiration, his tone suddenly changed.
-But there’s one problem.
I swallowed hard at the unexpected criticism.
Then incomprehensible words followed.
-I wondered why it seemed unnatural, and now I understand the reason. It seems you know it too, right?
The reason for unnaturalness.
Unlike me, who couldn’t even guess, the shadow boy seemed to understand as he nodded.
Furthermore.
-I have a request.
-What? You want me to teach you?
-Yes.
He boldly asked for guidance.
‘…Wow, does this guy really have no shame?’
Whether to call it boldness or shamelessness.
This sentiment wasn’t just mine.
-Ha, such an audacious kid.
Instructor Ko Tae-sik also sighed as if dumbfounded, snapping at him.
But his sentiment was a bit different from mine.
He twisted his lips fiercely and then.
-Come to the small training room after classes tomorrow.
Surprisingly, he accepted the shadow boy’s request.
With those words, Instructor Ko Tae-sik leisurely left the scene.
‘After school, that means.’
It was my time, not his.
Perhaps that was why.
-……
The boy stared at his smart watch for a while.
That gaze seemed as if he was saying something to me.
‘Is this also my share, then?’
Although it was just a guess, that’s how it felt.
Afterward, the boy devoted himself to martial arts training as if nothing had happened.
Just in case, after quickly checking the rest of the video, I noticed him heading towards the desk at the end.
‘A memo.’
I immediately took out a notebook from my bag.
When I opened the page with the folded corner, as expected, there was his memo.
It read:
-Though it wasn’t intended, this is an opportunity.
For the sake of preparing for events to come, a certain level of strength is necessary.
I’ll leave the formula for Bokmaguqwon, so try to master it when the time comes.
You will naturally know when that time is.
Along with this message, what appeared to be the formula for Bokmaguqwon was written across a page.
This deepened my thoughts.
‘So like the previous upheaval, something is going to happen in the future?’
Today’s check left unusually many questions.
Therefore, after briefly organizing my thoughts, I came to a conclusion.
‘For now, I’ll focus on what I can immediately verify.’
From the “event” that was said to be approaching to the “time of mastery” that I would naturally know.
Unless I caught him and asked directly, there was no way to find out.
But the “problem with the martial art” and the “solution” mentioned in the video earlier were different.
‘After school, in the small training room, he said.’
Private instruction with Instructor Ko Tae-sik.
That would not only resolve questions about the martial art.
‘If I do well, I might even learn the proper Bokmaguqwon.’
Therefore, with half anxiety about Instructor Ko Tae-sik’s guidance.
And half excitement about the opportunity to become stronger, I waited for the end of school.
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