The staff had left the infirmary after the treatment was complete.
The two Great Warriors inside didn’t speak for a while as their minds were filled with complicated thoughts. They were also in a difficult situation as they felt their honor was dead.
As both of them were here, it meant that they had lost. The first one to speak was Shin Eui-gyeom.
“… My fear turned into reality.”
Hearing his words, Guyang Gyeong frowned.
Even if no one said it, it was already difficult to comprehend their defeat to a 17-year-old boy.
“Did you expect this to happen?”
“I am not saying this to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“Then what do you mean?”
At this question, Shin Eui-gyeom sighed.
This man had too many quirks. This probably wouldn’t have happened if he had met with the headmaster first or had come to the infirmary to meet him. Instead, he went directly to Mumu.
But it was too late now.
“I also fought with him.”
“Ahem. I did hear about that.”
Guyang Gyeong clicked his tongue while looking at Shin Eui-gyeom.
He knew he had been hurt, but he saw Shin Eui-gyeom with his forehead in bandages while both his arms were supported by splints and bandages.
He was not himself.
‘What is this?’
Guyang Gyeon was also in shock when he realized it.
The defeat was certain, but he also realized that he had lost the sensation in his left leg. It then dawned on him.
‘… I lost one of my legs.’
He was a person famed for his footwork.
However, having one leg crippled meant that it was no longer possible to do the same things.
At first, this filled him with frustration and anger. All of that disappeared as he looked at Shin Eui-gyeom.
‘The new water pushes out the old water in the river.’
Seventeen years ago, they had become the Four Great Warriors of Murim and were revered as the best warriors in the world.
They had spent 17 years like this.
Guyang Gyeong had also thought there would come a day when he would be pushed off his pedestal as nothing was permanent in this world.
But the moment had come so quickly that it shocked him.
The child was already stronger than the man they had fought 17 years ago. This was an overwhelming defeat.
‘… He isn’t human.’
He recalled his fight with Mumu and how it did not feel like he was fighting a warrior.
It was similar to the feeling of dealing with that man 17 years ago. However, Mumu was slightly different.
‘It is like…’
—a predator.
Yes, a beast. Perhaps because of this, he felt more relief about surviving rather than anger from losing.
Guyang Gyeong looked at Shin Eui-gyeom.
“How many seconds did you last?”
At this question, Shin Eui-gyeom frowned.
“Phew.”
Did that really matter now?
Even so, they wanted to make something clear since they were two of the Great Warriors.
“… Why does that matter now?”
“It has been a long time since we fought, so I am curious about it.”
At his words, Shin Eui-gyeom shook his head.
In the end, all he wanted to do was find out how much he had improved through Mumu. Or perhaps he wanted to figure out if he was superior.
Shin Eui-gyeom, who didn’t want to answer, said,
“I do not remember, but it feels like we fought for around 50 seconds.”
Of course, if Mumu had shown his full strength from the start, he wouldn’t be able to last. Those details didn’t need to be said to this old man.
But hearing those words…
‘!?’
Guyang Gyeong looked shocked.
‘No… you lasted 50 seconds against that monster?’
He couldn’t believe it.
Didn’t he end up like this after only a few seconds?
If Shin Eui-gyeom had lasted for around 50 seconds, then it meant that he had improved from before.
‘Was I being lazy all this time?’
Guyang Gyeong felt his lips go dry.
He needed to have held on for 50 seconds to be on the same level. He had failed to do so and now felt ashamed.
Shin Eui-gyeom then casually asked,
“How long did you last?”
“…”
The old man’s shock was so deep that he couldn’t answer. Seeing this reaction, Shin Eui-gyeom smiled.
Of course, it was because he assumed the old man didn’t even last more than a couple seconds. When Guyang Gyeong noticed the smile, he frowned.
‘That guy is laughing at me.’
Even if no words were said, the expression on his face made it clear. Guyang Gyeong then said,
“Hmm. It doesn’t matter how long we fought.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“The result makes me similar to a wolf as I managed to make that child spit out blood due to my poison.”
‘!’
Shin Eui-gyeom looked shocked at that.
Shin Eui-gyeom could not recall seeing Mumu even bleed during their fight. He couldn’t even see a drop of blood despite using a sword.
Guyang Gyeong then asked,
“This old man heard you fought two days ago, but I couldn’t see any wounds when I fought…”
This time Shin Eui-gyeom clicked his tongue.
Was the tale of Guyang Gyeong causing Mumu some damage even true? He didn’t think the old man would say anything false, but he also felt competitive.
“Yes. Well… it is good. As expected of Elder Guyang.”
Both had been hurt and were now listening to each other. Comparing how long they lasted should be the last thing they were doing.
Mumu could annihilate anyone in the first place, so making comparisons was useless.
“Hmm.”
Guyang Gyeong coughed as he realized that.
He felt lost.
It was amusing that they were talking about how long they had endured. Shin Eui-gyeom then looked at him.
‘Is it alright to talk about it?’
It seemed like Guyang Gyeong didn’t know whose child Mumu was.
Perhaps Mumu didn’t say anything because of the promise. After thinking about it for a moment, he decided to not do it.
‘No.’
If he told the story now, this old man would only mess up the situation and might cause the child to bring about an even bigger disaster.
It would be better for him to not know. He can find out about it once the time is right.
He felt a bit sorry for not revealing it, but he had to do it for the sake of peace.
At that moment, Guyang Gyeong’s serious face transformed into a smile, scaring Shin Eui-gyeom.
“What is it?”
“It is funny.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought that monsters like that man would never appear again.”
“…”
‘His son is that monster.’
It was frustrating not being able to talk about it, but it couldn’t be helped.
Guyang Gyeong, who didn’t know his thoughts, then said,
“Actually, I didn’t tell you before, but I am now confident that I could fight against that monster from 17 years ago and not lose. This is why I thought that our time as the best would last longer.”
“…”
Shin Eui-gyeom couldn’t deny it.
He, too, had been confident that he would win a battle against that man now. Who would have thought that someone even stronger would have appeared?
“However, we clearly don’t know enough about the world. Just how did such a monster appear?”
Shin Eui-gyeom sighed at hearing the complaint. He could understand that feeling.
“Elder… How could things in this world work out the way we want them to? Old things fade, and new things inevitably appear. Once a new era comes, isn’t it the fate of the strong to accept it?”
Hearing his words, Guyang Gyeong smiled and nodded as if accepting it.
“You are right. Of course. Although this happened sooner than expected, what can we do? This is how time flows.”
“True. But…”
“We need to prepare for the era of the next Four Great Warriors.”
“… Uh?”
Shin Eui-gyeom was confused. What did this old man mean?
Guyang Gyeong continued to speak while fiddling with his beard,
“My words mean my granddaughter will move up in this world.”
“Elder… what do you mean?”
“I’ve said in the past that I wouldn’t accept a boy who wasn’t at least as strong as me as her partner. However, this world is full of things we don’t know.”
‘!?’
Shin Eui-gyeom was shocked at this. What was this old man saying?
Guyang Gyeong smiled.
“I feel so relieved now. That child Mumu lacks nothing and can become my grandson-in-law.”
Guyang Gyeong was already speaking of marriage.
Shin Eui-gyeom was shocked at this absurdity. He suddenly felt the urge to tell the truth.
‘… Old man. We killed that child’s father.’
Yet this old man wanted to make the boy part of his family? How could he even think of that?
This felt like a sick dream.
“Huhuhu. You would understand this old man’s feelings if you had a daughter or granddaughter. Wouldn’t you also like it? Imagine having such a monster join my family.”
Judging by Guyang Gyeong’s expression and how he spoke, he was already sure of this. Shin Eui-gyeom’s head began to hurt.
Meanwhile, the academy was in an uproar again.
News began to spread that Guyang Gyeong had been defeated by Mumu on the academy grounds. As a result, rumors circulated between the teachers and the students.
[New Information.]
Not just one, but two of the Four Great Warriors had been defeated.
That was simply saying that he was superior to the others.
Since the information was being controlled within the academy, the information had yet to leak outside, but word would inevitably travel.
[I don’t know, man. Shouldn’t he be called the best or something?]
[Right, he did defeat two of the strongest.]
[How could such a thing happen?]
[Ha… I know. How did such a monster appear in the same age group as us?]
[He is just different.]
They were certain and envious of Mumu’s exceptional difference.
However, when that difference in levels completely pierced the ceiling and moved to heaven, that feeling would solidify as envy.
That was the feeling of the academy students and teachers.
When Shin Eui-gyeom was defeated, the focus was on what Mumu did to train. However, it now changed as the 17-year-old boy possessed unimaginable power.
Unlike the Four Great Warriors, who had all received their titles at a relatively older age, Mumu was still young.
It was hard to imagine how strong he would become in the future.
[But you know, I heard Mumu is actually an adopted son of Yu Jin-sung’s father?]
[They aren’t real siblings?]
[Yes. Besides, he is still too young and has no partner.]
Everyone was focused on Mumu’s future.
Not only did he possess immense strength, but his affiliation and family were also good.
Where else could someone find a human of such quality?
Not everyone publicly revealed their thoughts, but they all began to move secretly.
Thud!
In annoyance, Mo Il-hwa stuck her chopsticks in the middle of her rice bowl.
She had spent the past two days facing students who wanted to enter muscle training.
‘What is with these people?’
Within a few hours, the sight had changed. Numerous female students were gathered around the table where she, Mumu, and Jin-hyuk were seated.
They were visibly flirting with Mumu. They were giving Mumu side dishes for him to eat.
Mumu didn’t think much of it, as the women would giggle and smile at every sound he made.
‘These girls are here with a plan.’
Women know women better.
And Mo Il-hwa could clearly see their intentions of wanting to win Mumu’s favor.
Yes, she could even understand it.
‘Mumu is now the hottest topic in the school.’
Two of the Four Great Warriors were defeated by Mumu.
As a result, his reputation had increased in the academy. It was only natural for these women to show interest.
-clench!
What was even more annoying to her was that there were people showing interest in Jin-hyuk as well.
With so many around him, it felt like he was their next target.
“Jin-hyuk. Have this too.”
“N-no, I am fine.”
“It is fine. This is the time for men to eat and grow.”
“You don’t have- eup.”
“Oh my. You eat so well?”
Jin-hyuk wasn’t sure about what to do with these women around him.
Mo Il-hwa wanted to smack him on the head as she noticed his lips twitch at the attention.
But what could be done with this man?
‘Like it? Is it that good?’
Just like Mo Il-hwa, who was staring at the women around them with angry eyes, another person had identical eyes.
Tang So-so fiddled with the vial of poison in her hand.
‘Should I poison all of them?’