Chapter 29: [Bonus Chapter] Resolve

He thought with Gina and Skullee things would be easy, but that wasn't the case. For once, he couldn't cheat the scenario before him. Defeating the monarch truly required everyone's participation.

But how could he team up with those he hated with every fiber of his being? Besides, will they even work with him?

YuWon was thinking all that while Gina looked at him strangely. Maybe it was because the confident look on his face had vanished.

Just then, they heard rushing footsteps. YuWon turned, expecting to see goblins, but was surprised to see the students and the professors rushing out of the auditorium, brandishing their weapons.

Yeji was leading them and stopped when she saw YuWon there. The others stopped too, but not because of YuWon. Gina was staring daggers at them, as if ready to kill them all.

Meanwhile, YuWon smiled internally, as it was an opportunity he couldn't miss.

"Quite brave of you to leave the comfort of the safe zone," YuWon smiled, staring at Hoon. "Is your shoulder okay?"

"It's none of your damn business!" Hoon yelled.

"Bad move," YuWon clicked his tongue and Gina unveiled her claws at Hoon.

Scared, Hoon forgot all his bravado and stepped back. The only people who weren't afraid were Yeji, Soo-Ah, and Min-Joon. Soo-Ah and Min-Joon's reactions didn't surprise YuWon, but Yeji's reaction did.

Why isn't she afraid of Gina? Does she think I'll stop Gina from hurting her?

Not wanting to know the answers to his questions, YuWon patted Gina's head, and she happily retreated.

"I guess you heard about the region boss?" Yeji asked, with no sign of timidness she had before.

"I did."

"...will you help us, then?" Yeji asked.

As soon as those words left her mouth, Hoon grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Have you gone mad?" he yelled. "You want that bastard and that monster to help us? Didn't you see what he did to me before? He is a danger to all of us!"

There were murmurs to support Hoon, but the voices were much lesser than before. As for the others, they didn't say a thing, but YuWon could read them like an open book.

"You fear me," YuWon smirked. "I get it. But if you think you can handle the region boss on your own, go ahead. I'm not stopping you."

Hoon glared at him, but before he could say anything, Yeji spoke up.

"Yes, I saw what he did to you," she said, addressing Hoon. "How could I not when I'm the one who healed your wounds?"

"Soo-Ah, Min-Joon," YuWon called next, and they approached him. Ignoring Hoon, YuWon announced. "There's something we need to do inside. While we are gone, I want everyone to show their strength."

Everyone looked at YuWon, confused as to what he meant.

"I'm thankful that Hoon has volunteered for the task."

Hoon's expression darkened when he heard that. But there was no time to react.

"One by one, you all will approach Hoon and hit him, wherever you please," YuWon said, continuing to smile. "Just think of him as a goblin and do your worst. After all, Miss Yeji can always heal him. So let's start with..."

YuWon made a show out of randomly picking someone from the crowd before pointing at Yeji.

"Come on, Miss Yeji, show us your strength."

YuWon clapped as if it was an auspicious occasion. But Hoon interrupted him.

"Keep dreaming, you bastard!" he said, walking off. "Like hell, I'm going to be everyone's punching bag."

Hoon left and Yeji didn't move either. It was obvious they wouldn't follow his demand. It was a shame, but he couldn't manipulate them into it, could he?

YuWon took a deep breath and turned to leave. But not before taking another jab.

"It was a test of your commitment," he shrugged, playing the role of a saddened benefactor. "But if you can't even do this simple thing, then how can I expect you to kill the goblins? It's a pity, but you'll have to fight the boss yourselves—"

Smack!

YuWon was in the middle of speaking when Yeji slapped Hoon so hard it made his lips bleed.

"Are you happy now?" Yeji asked, digging her fingers into her palm.

"...you missed the point," YuWon sighed, shaking his head. "I asked you to show your strength. Unfortunately, I didn't see you slap him."

Yeji looked at YuWon with hatred in her eyes, and YuWon smiled.

That's the Yeji he remembered. It was those eyes with which she always looked down at him while Hoon and his gang beat him. But this time, her hatred towards him was even more than before.

And here I thought she couldn't hate me more. My poor sister. I'd feel sad if she wasn't such a bitch.

"I'm sorry..." Yeji whispered, turning towards Hoon again and slapping him harder than before.

"That's the spirit!" YuWon cheered loudly before heading inside the building. "Everyone form a line and continue hitting him till I'm back. All the best! Don't disappoint me!"