Chapter: 283
“Fuck you.”
Suddenly, the words I blurted out made the surrounding area quiet down for a moment.
The atmosphere, which was filled with tension and excitement because the insult was so explicit, must have been shocked enough to fall into silence.
Moreover, if the target is the son of the famous leader, it’s even more impactful.
Even Gu Jeolyub, who was behind him, and Gu Yeonseo, who had a dazed expression, looked shocked and quickly stepped back.
‘…These bastards…’
They seem to want to show that he is clearly not part of our group, but did they forget that the uniform they’re wearing is from the same clan?
To betray so stupidly and quickly, it looks like they’ve learned well.
Yeah, that’s how life should be lived.
‘Still, let’s meet again later, Gu Jeolyub.’
Oh, how ridiculous.
Shudder—
As if feeling the chill, Gu Jeolyub glanced back at me, quickly retreating while patting his own shoulder.
Jang Seonyeon, who had just heard the intense curse, had a blank expression for a moment, but soon the corners of his lips turned up, and he smiled.
“…You’re still the same.”
No, that’s not really a smile.
He must be wearing that mask even thicker than last time, which is probably why it looks like that.
“I guess you still hate me.”
“What you’re seeing is called mutual disdain. You hate me too.”
“There’s no way! If I hated you, I wouldn’t even have bothered to come and say hello.”
“Well, that’s the wildest shit I’ve ever heard.”
Heh heh.
Holding back a laugh, I stepped closer to him.
“How about now?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I mean how does it feel?”
I moved in a bit closer.
When our eyes met, the already handsome face felt way too close and made me want to smack him, but I could manage that much.
“Can you see it?”
“…!”
In response to my question, he seemed startled as his eyes flickered momentarily.
Even with that thick mask, he shook so easily that it was laughable.
Not impressive at all.
“…What are you talking about?”
“I’m coming closer despite finding it annoying. Can you see me? Can’t you see me?”
It was obvious he was rolling his eyes.
It seems like he might’ve reached a peak in his skills, just as I wonder how much my own abilities have risen.
He must be curious about that.
It’s something I didn’t shy away from doing to that lazy dragon in my previous life.
Pretending to be nice and inspecting this and that.
This time, though, the target had merely changed to me, which was also something I wanted.
Of course, even if that were true…
“There’s no way you can see it. You’re the smallest fry.”
There’s no way he’d notice whatever he desperately wanted to see.
Just enough to be captured in his eyes, which means I’m not small.
“…”
Click.
A very faint sound of teeth grinding reached my ears.
It was a momentary thing, but close enough to feel completely unmistakable.
“Ha ha.”
The guy who had seemed to waver for a moment put that thick mask back on.
Well, he was definitely an improvement from last time.
His hypocritical demeanor had grown even further.
Not bad.
‘That’ll make it more fun to smash later.’
The thicker they are, the more satisfying they are to crush.
Whether I smash him, grind him, or burn him, the choice to let him live has been scrapped long ago.
If that were the case, I’d rather bite my tongue and die if I had to go back.
The surroundings were so eerily quiet.
It was evident that the situation was anything but normal, making it feel like everyone was watching intently.
Should we call this a battle of nerves?
In the eyes of others…
– Isn’t that guy divine? Did he get into trouble or something?
– Who is the other person? Why’s he acting like that? He’s got a bad temper.
– Just look at him! Do you really think he’s a good person? That divine guy has fallen for a weirdo.
– Where’s the one from the three? I’m seeing these guys for the first time… Ah! Over there…!
Shanxi.
He must have guessed my association through my uniform.
The lips that had been mumbling gradually fell silent.
– … Sword Peak.
At the casually mentioned nickname, people nodded as if they understood.
Even my wild temper now appeared rational in light of that human’s face.
‘…What has he been up to?’
At this point, I found myself again questioning what on earth Gu Huibi had been doing.
When I finally let out a long sigh,
– Wasn’t Jinryong also on that side?
I vaguely heard my name.
– … True Dragon? That True Dragon?
If it’s a true dragon, it’s a true dragon; then what’s with the ‘that’?
– So, are you saying that guy is a true dragon?
– Isn’t that the handsome guy behind him?
– … Ah, maybe so. He’s pretty good-looking.
It’s ridiculous how people determine worth based on looks.
Out of nowhere, I heard Lady Jinryong’s name come up.
It was the intense cold-filled Yeolhyeopgeom pulling my attention back.
“…Huh?”
He himself seemed flustered by the sudden focus on him, rolling his eyes.
– Jinryong isn’t a swordsman, right?
– Could be a hobby.
– That’s true.
What the hell are these crazy people doing?
All this attention was more of a nuisance than I assumed.
I didn’t want to draw focus at all.
I had thought I could chill here in the dorm for a while.
Feeling the penetrating gazes, I told Jang Seonyeon,
“If you’re done with whatever you’re doing, can you just clear out?”
“… It’s not over yet.”
At that moment, Jang Seonyeon whispered quietly.
Hmm?
I felt a presence.
A pungent energy was sneaking in through the gaps.
‘Ah.’
Bam.
“…!”
As something began to crawl slowly up, I forcefully grasped it in my hand.
This caused Jang Seonyeon’s eyes to widen a bit.
As if he didn’t expect me to catch that.
“This bastard….”
Crack.
How absurd.
“I’ve been holding back for so long. Why are you testing my patience?”
The danjeon that resonated with my emotions spread through my body like wildfire.
Whoosh.
Fiery energy surged up my breath.
CRACK!
As I clenched my fist, I felt the energy I’d been holding together break apart and scatter.
This was definitely blood energy.
What he had sent me was blood energy.
Still clinging to this damn energy, huh?
‘This is ridiculous.’
I reached out.
It was intended to secure his neck, but unfortunately, the plan failed against my will.
Bam!
Someone grabbed my wrist, blocking my attempt.
The grip felt heavy.
There was so much pressure that it was hard to push through.
‘Who is it?’
I turned my gaze coldly towards the person.
Their heavy eyes met mine.
“Your energy is impressive, so it’s nice to see.”
Compared to the now slightly lighter tone of voice,
The person’s expression remained quite flat.
“There are a lot of eyes watching, so it seems like we need to tone it down a bit.”
It was the Venerable Bi Eejin.
“…”
When I confirmed that, I took a deep breath inward.
Why this human?
Is he really thinking of signing up?
It’s awkward how a seemingly grown-up is casually mingling where kids are playing.
I had been dodging him like crazy, so it felt odd to run into him now.
‘To top it off…’
I hadn’t even sensed he had gotten this close.
Even if I had lost focus for a moment due to anger.
It seems the Venerable One really is on another level.
Meanwhile, it was also essential for me to comprehend the purpose behind why Bi Eejin intervened.
I didn’t think he was the kind of person to get involved in trivial matters.
‘What’s the goal here?’
I had no idea what his intentions were.
Based on how he was looking at me,
It felt like he was hoping for something from me.
It was even worse not knowing what that something was.
Watching quietly, Bi Eejin, still grasping my wrist, turned to face Jang Seonyeon.
Awkward.
Jang Seonyeon trembled slightly upon meeting Bi Eejin’s gaze for some reason.
Well, it’s not easy to face those eyes that exude not a hint of human emotion.
“I think it would be better if the two of us avoid unnecessary disputes.”
“… Tyrant Dragon.”
Jang Seonyeon seemed to know about Bi Eejin and murmured quietly.
“Before your exam, if something happens, I’m sure you know you won’t even get to take the exam.”
In Bi Eejin’s words.
Suddenly, my mind started to churn.
‘Oh, you little brat.’
That had been aimed squarely at me.
Despite Jang Seonyeon being troublesome,
There’s no way he’d make something so obvious.
Turns out I had sighted that annoying guy after all, and evidently was due to my rise in anger.
It seems this guy’s true goal was to pick a fight with me on purpose.
‘Were you planning on sabotaging my entrance exam, too?’
I found myself wondering if he would stoop to such silliness, though it was a bit ambiguous to flat out deny it.
Upon hearing this, Jang Seonyeon didn’t refute but rather asked,
“…What is your connection to Bi Eejin?”
“As you can see, there’s really no connection, but my nature is to be a bit nosy.”
Hearing that, I immediately connected in thought.
Must be a hoax.
What kind of person with no ties would be nosy about this?
I stared at Bi Eejin in disbelief as he continued,
“It looks like neither of us will benefit from continuing this way, so how about we stop here?”
Bi Eejin smiled as he spoke to Jang Seonyeon.
Additionally,
“If you dislike it, then feel free to nag me a little more.”
As he spit out those words,
“…!”
A chill ran down my spine.
The instant I felt that, my body instinctively took a step back without realizing it.
This wasn’t Bi Eejin extending his energy.
Nor was it him emanating murderous intent.
It was merely words he had spoken.
In an instant, every hair on my body felt like it stood on end.
‘Indeed.’
I had to regard Bi Eejin with newfound respect.
They said he’d entered the stage as someone returned.
It was unarguable that before the great demon’s appearance, he was among the strongest in the Central Plains.
His years of practice were distinctly palpable in that atmosphere alone.
Did Jang Seonyeon also sense this feeling?
He hesitated, glancing at me.
“…Ha.”
He released a long sigh.
Why sigh and act like that, looking at my face? Such a mood killer.
“…It seems there are always people surrounding you, Senior.”
“What are you talking about?”
That sounded disgusting.
I wanted to smack him for that nauseating sentiment that dripped from his voice.
“…”
The wrist he was clutching didn’t budge.
Of course, it would be different if I lashed out or used my strength precisely.
‘That seems like an even bigger problem.’
I could feel that if I freed my hand, something would certainly blow up.
Plus,
Not just Jang Seonyeon, but others around were casting uncertain glances our way.
Since the divine being himself mentioned the dragon,
Those who were observing had likely pieced together that Bi Eejin was the famed Tyrant Dragon of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.
And since he was gripping my wrist,
It must look strange, right?
I’m not close with that guy.
I absolutely wish to deny it, but the looks from those side glances were too much to ignore.
Jang Seonyeon, who had glanced at me for a moment, soon returned to smiling warmly.
The expression that flickered on his face for an instant vanished as though it had never been.
“I only stopped by today to greet you.”
“That’s quite an aggressive greeting. I’m guessing that’s just your style.”
“…I hope to meet you again next time.”
As if ignoring my words, he turned and made his way back to where he initially was.
Only then did Bi Eejin finally release my wrist.
Next to Jang Seonyeon,
Originally, I didn’t want to say anything,
But I had to ask something.
“Why did you stop me?”
The reason behind his deliberate interference.
The fact that someone who should’ve been more wary of people’s attention would do something like that—
I couldn’t grasp it.
“As I said, it was merely a coincidence.”
“I don’t believe that’s your type of behavior.”
“Oh really?”
At my words, Bi Eejin’s expression grew somewhat mysterious.
“You seem to speak as if you fully understand me.”
“…It’s just a hunch.”
“That’s not entirely wrong.”
As soon as the words left his lips,
Bi Eejin’s gaze flitted over my body.
“I don’t wish for you to go back home.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“It means exactly what it says.”
With a chance of causing a scene here, there’s a considerable likelihood I would have to return home.
That indicates he stepped in to prevent it.
If he hadn’t intervened—
He seemed to indicate that he was fully aware of what I could do to Jang Seonyeon.
Smirk.
That smile of Bi Eejin was almost feigned.
It differed greatly from the deep mask that Jang Seonyeon wore.
In any case,
His true emotions presumably reflected those battle-hardened eyes we saw before.
“I’m moderately interested in you, Confucius.”
“…Huh?”
At those words, my instinct was to take a step backward.
It was all too reminiscent of things I’d heard from a maniac back in Pengga.
Does he find me amusing?
Bi Eejin chuckled lightly.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen that expression on anyone’s face. I thought no one could make that face in front of me anymore.”
“…If that’s the case.”
“I like women.”
“Oh, really?”
At that, I halted my retreat.
Thank heavens. That crazed guy’s questioning nature had made things even creepier.
“Or maybe not.”
“…”
What the hell’s with this kid?
I feel somewhat nauseous.
‘Am I popular with guys?’
Seems the same for Youngpoong.
In my previous life, that lazy dragon was just the same.
Somehow, it appears that men entangle themselves exclusively.
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