Chapter 99
The Merciless Tyrant (1)
-You’ll need to play the role of a teacher once.
“What?”
Kang Hyeon was taken aback by the unexpected words.
“A teacher? What do you mean?”
-It’s exactly as I said. The Ability User Cultivation School. You know about it, right?
“Of course I do.”
-We’d like you to take charge of the education at the Ability User Cultivation School this time.
“You were talking like it was something really serious, but this is all you have to say?”
-Ahem... I wanted to set the mood a bit.
“Why are you suddenly trying to be funny... No, that’s not the important part.”
Kang Hyeon regained his composure and returned to a serious attitude.
“Why are you suddenly making such a request to me?”
-You’ve been involved in many high-profile activities lately, haven’t you? Your public recognition is high.
“And?”
-This time, children of high-ranking political and business figures will be entering the Ability User Cultivation School. Some of them are your fans.
“Ah...”
Kang Hyeon quickly understood the situation.
“So, you want me to go and cater to the whims of rich kids?”
-You could say that.
“Mr. Shin Tae-gil. Don’t you know my personality?”
-I know it well.
“Do you think I’m the type of person who will say ‘Oh! Certainly! I’ll do as you say!’ and eagerly comply when these 21st-century aristocratic brats with wet ink behind their ears start ordering me around?”
-It would be fortunate if you didn’t knock their heads off.
“If you know that, why are you making this request!?”
Finally unable to hold back, Kang Hyeon raised his voice.
-It’s because I know that I’m making this request.
“What kind of nonsense is that? Are you asking me to half-kill these kids?”
-Yes.
“Yes...?”
Kang Hyeon wore a dumbfounded expression at the incomprehensible words asking him to half-kill the children of important people.
-As you know, the current government... I mean, the situation at the Blue House is not good.
“That’s what you always say.”
-Ahem...
Honestly, since they had always only talked about difficulties, Shin Tae-gil was at a loss for words.
-I’m saying this because it’s really not good.
“Yes, yes. And?”
-So. Currently, the President is in a situation where he has no choice but to comply with various demands. That’s how he needs to broaden his base.
“I don’t think the President’s position will improve much just because of something like this.”
-Choi Yeon-hwa.
“Who’s that?”
Kang Hyeon frowned at the unfamiliar name that suddenly appeared.
-She’s the only daughter of Chairman Choi Kang-woo.
“Chairman Choi Kang-woo, as in the chairman of Sam-oh Group?”
-Yes. Chairman Choi Kang-woo’s daughter, Choi Yeon-hwa, can be considered the leader of the group, the faction, entering this time.
“Hmm...”
-And Chairman Choi Kang-woo is famous for being extremely doting on his daughter. It’s natural since she’s his only child born late in life.
In the end, it meant that Kang Hyeon had to educate them to gain the favor of Chairman Choi Kang-woo.
-Choi Yeon-hwa is said to be a hardcore fan of yours. If we can win her favor this time and bring that faction to our side, it will undoubtedly be a tremendous power.
“But earlier you said I could do as I please? If something goes wrong with the kids because of that, I can’t take responsibility.”
-There was a request from Chairman Choi Kang-woo. He wants his daughter to come to her senses.
“Come to her senses?”
-She’s a late child, his only daughter whom he cherishes more than his own eyes. What father would be happy about his daughter mingling with monsters who eat people and ability users who kill as easily as they breathe?
“Ah...”
Only then could Kang Hyeon understand Shin Tae-gil’s words.
“So, fix her mindset so she can never bring up the topic of ability users again?”
-Yes. You need to treat them as harshly as possible. However, you must not resort to violence or cause physical disabilities. Obviously, they shouldn’t die either.
“Hmm, if it’s like that, it’s fine. It could be interesting.”
-So, do you accept?
“We’re in this together, so I should accept at least this much. When is it?”
-In 4 days. Next Monday.
“Okay. Got it.”
***
Ippotranslation
***
The Ability User Cultivation School, which Kang Hyeon visited again after about a year, was quite new.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeong Jong-ho, who will be assisting Kang Hyeon this time. I look forward to working with you.”
Jeong Jong-ho, a man in a neat suit with pomade in his hair, greeted them.
“Yes. I’m Kang Hyeon.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Shin Seong-a.”
“I won’t say much. Since I’m in charge of the training, I have no intention of letting you pass easily. Even if you barely pass, you’ll surely die in the dungeon.”
The atmosphere in the auditorium cooled suddenly at Kang Hyeon’s unexpected words.
“So, those who fail this time, realize your limits and think you’ve saved your life. Don’t stupidly try again.”
“Wow. That’s so badass!”
“Oh, I just got goosebumps, you know? Seeing him in person, he’s like a gang boss making threats!”
Being young students, their reactions were extraordinary.
They probably thought they were speaking quietly, but each word was clearly audible to Kang Hyeon.
“Hehe...”
“Why do you keep laughing like that? It’s creepy.”
“It’s nothing. Hehe...”
Kang Hyeon glared at Shin Seong-a, who was smiling for some reason.
“Well then, I’ll end this without dragging it out. From now on...”
As Kang Hyeon was about to finish with his closing remarks, he suddenly stopped speaking.
“Instructor?”
Jeong Jong-ho looked at Kang Hyeon in confusion at the sudden situation.
“Is something wrong?”
But Kang Hyeon just stared fixedly at a corner of the auditorium, as if he couldn’t hear anything.
“You there.”
Then Kang Hyeon spoke.
“I’m talking to you. You. Don’t lower your head, come out.”
“...”
“Should I come over there?”
“Are... Are you talking to me?”
“Yes. Stop pretending and come out. You bastard.”
All the trainees looked bewildered at the sudden turn of events.
“What’s going on? Is this some kind of event?”
“Hey, start recording a video!”
Amidst the commotion, the man Kang Hyeon called out came forward.
The man looked to be in his early twenties.
He had a mild appearance that could be called the epitome of ordinariness from any angle.
He was literally an average-looking man.
“Why are you doing this to me...?”
The man, who seemed to have quite a timid personality, trembled slightly at the sudden situation.
“Stop acting. Who are you?”
“I’m Park Song-min...”
“Not that. Are you really a trainee here?”
“Yes... I applied for the training and came in.”
“How long has it been since you awakened?”
“I awakened earlIer on, but there were too many people on the waiting list, so I’m just now getting to take the training.”
“You awakened over a year ago and you’re just now getting training?”
“Yes...”
The man trembled with doe-like eyes, looking truly wronged.
Kang Hyeon looked at Jeong Jong-ho, who was holding documents with the students’ personal information.
“Is what he’s saying correct?”
“Yes. There’s nothing wrong according to the documents. Name: Park Song-min. Age: 24. He applied for training about 11 months ago. Everything else checks out.”
“Hmm...”
“There are occasional cases like this. Even in the last training session, there was one such trainee.”
“How was that trainee?”
“Pardon?”
“The late-bloomer trainee from last week. Was he good at fighting? Anything exceptional?”
“There was nothing like that at all. Apart from being a bit older, he was just like any other ordinary trainee.”
Kang Hyeon grinned at Jeong Jong-ho’s words.
“You heard that too, right?”
“Yes...?”
“This bastard is still acting. If you think you can mess around because there are a lot of people here, you’re mistaken. I don’t care about that.”
“...”
“You’re hiding your magical energy from leaking out right now, aren’t you? You’re pulling off a feat that’s almost impossible even for the current top-tier ability users, and you’re saying you’re just an ordinary trainee? There’s a limit to bullshitting.”
Park Song-min said nothing in response to Kang Hyeon’s words.
However, the slight trembling of his body that had been continuous until now had stopped.
And slowly, he raised his head.
There stood a man with eyes so cold it sent chills down one’s spine.
“Why don’t we move somewhere else instead of doing this here?”
“Finally showing your true colors.”
A voice that sounded like a beast growling.
It was an unbelievable change from the boy who had been trembling just moments ago.
“You know, I recently watched an interesting wrestling cartoon? There was this line in it.”
Park Song-min’s face contorted at Kang Hyeon’s sudden words.
“Face. Ground. Perfect!”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Kang Hyeon grinned.
“Your face belongs perfectly on the ground!”