I Possessed a Broken Academy Instructor

One's ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍mood must never become one's attitude.

It ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was a basic courtesy everyone knew, yet far fewer people practiced it than one might expect.

Perhaps ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that was only natural.

If ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the world had truly operated on reason and logic from the beginning, then why would conflict and war even exist?

“You ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍crossed the line. Apologize.”

Unexpectedly, ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the first to react was Beatus.

The platinum-colored eyes returned to their usual stoic gaze as he drew a pistol from its holster without hesitation and racked the slide.

Click-.

The heavy metallic sound of reinforced rounds chambering echoed through the training hall.

Yet the two male cadets who had spoken merely continued with icy expressions.

“Beatus, you're just a cripple who can't do anything without a gun....”

There were not many cadets in the training hall, but their words were so crude and offensive that even the surrounding students could not hide their disgust.

Perhaps because of that, whispers spread around them.

Even so, Aton and Martin were desperate in their own way.

‘If this catches on, we're finished.’

‘Fuck it. Let's see who wins.’

The true cause of all this was, of course, Jin Crow.

But no matter how obsessed Martial-types were with competition, they were not stupid enough to ignore reality.

Picking a fight with Instructor Jin Crow?

Not only would they stand absolutely no chance, but openly defying an instructor was more than enough grounds for immediate expulsion.

After all, hadn't Instructor Jin Crow already thrown Chance Marbre out?

That incident was already well known among the cadets.

Even so, they could not simply let things end like this.

That was why Aton and Martin had come up with another plan.

Instead of targeting Jin Crow himself, they would crush Baek Hwi-young, the cadet rumored to be his favorite disciple.

‘Once we stomp that bastard into the ground, everyone will realize just how useless that instructor's lessons really are.’

It was a conclusion no one with even a shred of common sense could have reached.

But they were no longer capable of making rational judgments.

Nor was it merely because of the recent incident.

They had lived their entire lives as the strong.

As elites.

They had assumed things would be no different at the Central Special-duty Officer Academy.

At only twenty years old, both had reached Triple Gear.

Both had mastered the secret martial arts of their respective families.

Yet reality had been merciless.

The dazzling talent that had made them stand out in their hometowns amounted to nothing more than ordinary mediocrity here at the Central Special-duty Officer Academy.

The arrogance and overbearing pride that had once gone unquestioned back home had been forcibly corrected through endless criticism and outright violence from the instructors.

Had all that pent-up resentment finally exploded?

Or perhaps...

Was it jealousy toward Baek Hwi-young, who had started from a far lower position than they had, yet now stood far ahead of them?

“I told you to stop.”

“The fuck. Shoot me if you can.”

Since they had already crossed the line, they had nothing left to fear from Beatus, who had stepped in instead of Baek Hwi-young.

Naturally.

They had never liked Beatus to begin with.

Baek Hwi-young's astonishing growth had overshadowed him, but Beatus himself was still one of the top-ranked Martial-types who specialized in firearms.

A thorn in their side.

“Ha.”

The atmosphere instantly became hostile.

“You're honestly disgusting to listen to.”

Hino Kanae frowned so deeply that her brows nearly twisted together, glaring at them with nothing but contempt and disgust.

The cadets silently serving under her rested their hands on their sword hilts, looking ready to subdue them the instant she gave the order.

Famille also stopped working on her assignment and looked at them as if they were beneath contempt.

“You can't even open your mouths in front of Instructor Jin Crow, yet here you are acting tough... Pathetic.”

“Ugh. What a bunch of pathetic losers.”

Then Dokgo Ran added her own blunt remark.

Aton and Martin's faces turned bright red.

Finally, Aton clenched his teeth hard enough to make them grind.

“You fucking bitches...!”

“Enough.”

“Hwi-young.”

Baek Hwi-young walked forward through the crowd of cadets.

Seeing him, Miel called out worriedly.

But he merely gave her a faint smile in passing before stopping directly in front of Aton and Martin.

His steps were composed.

Without hesitation.

His expression remained blank.

Yet the instant Aton and Martin met his eyes, they instinctively froze.

Such overwhelming coldness.

“You little piec—”

Like a frightened dog barking even louder, Martin twisted his lips to provoke him again.

Instead, Baek Hwi-young asked them a question.

“What's your name?”

“...What?”

Martin frowned so hard he almost doubted his own ears.

Aton, however, simply let out a dry laugh.

‘He doesn't even know our names?’

For a brief moment, he wondered whether it was deliberate provocation.

But the thought vanished as soon as he looked at Baek Hwi-young's face.

There was not the slightest trace of mockery.

Only genuine confusion.

A face completely unmoved despite having just endured personal insults.

Eyes that seemed to ask who they even were.

He could only reach one conclusion.

The bastard truly did not know them.

No—

He simply hadn't considered them worth remembering.

The realization made Aton grit his teeth.

He roughly shoved the agitated Martin backward before stepping right up to Baek Hwi-young.

“Aton. The guy your precious Instructor Jin Crow threw out like trash. Ring any bells now?”

“Ah, those idiots. If I remember correctly, there were some female cadets with you too.”

“You son of a—!”

Aton reached out to grab his collar.

Yet instead of dodging or blocking, Baek Hwi-young simply looked down at him with utter indifference.

It was not merely because of their eye level.

In fact, Aton was slightly taller.

But the sheer weight of Baek Hwi-young's presence overwhelmed him completely.

Perhaps because he felt that pressure...

Aton ultimately failed to grab his collar.

Instead, he bit his lip until it nearly bled and growled like an angry dog.

“A spar. Get up there, you bastard.”

Without answering, Baek Hwi-young simply turned around and stepped into the training arena.

Aton tore off his cadet jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and followed after him.

‘I'll win. I'll make him crawl like a dog.’

Aton pulled a short rod from his pocket.

The moment he pressed the button at its tip, the folded alloy unfolded, revealing a Special Armament shaped like a hand axe.

“Draw your weapon. I'm going to crush you.”

Baek Hwi-young said nothing.

He merely unfolded one of the spare spears he carried with him and quietly stared at Aton with those same gray eyes.

“That look.”

Aton ground his teeth.

At first glance, those eyes were simply indifferent.

But to someone already drowning in feelings of inferiority and inadequacy without even realizing it...

That indifferent gaze became unbearably offensive.

“I hate that look!”

Grinding his teeth so hard one nearly cracked, Aton swelled the muscles in his thighs and leaped high into the air, bringing his axe down with the intent of splitting Baek Hwi-young's head open.

Killing an opponent during a spar would naturally result in expulsion.

But he was no longer rational enough to care.

So what if he got expelled?

He could simply return home and secure a position in the Planetary Defense Force.

“RAAAAAAH!”

KRRRRRRAAAACK!

The instant the axe slammed down, the ground caved inward and dirt exploded in every direction.

Cracks spread.

The entire arena trembled.

Seeing such overwhelming destructive force, Beatus and Hino Kanae simultaneously stood and drew their weapons.

Meanwhile, as Aton recklessly continued the spar, Beatus turned toward the now-silent Martin and spoke.

“Don't even think about interfering. Unless you want a lump of lead buried between your eyes while you're sleeping.”

Beatus's expression remained just as cold.

Hino Kanae, Famille, and Miel looked at him as though seeing a stranger.

Did they know?

To the other cadets...

This was actually the Beatus they were far more familiar with.

“...Fuck.”

In the end, Martin's anger issues were pitifully suppressed by the guns and blades pointed at him.

Naturally.

Beatus had been the only one to speak.

But the moment Martin met Dokgo Ran's gaze behind him as she cracked her neck, he could do nothing but lower his head.

‘Still... There's no way Aton loses after taking the drug.’

Neither of them had charged in completely unprepared.

Of course not.

No matter how much they mocked Baek Hwi-young's abilities whenever they were alone, deep down they could not ignore him.

So what was their answer?

‘An Awakening drug smuggled in by bribing a soldier. It cost a fortune, but compared to our future, it wasn't expensive at all.’

Martin sincerely believed Aton would win.

Using not only all of his own money but another ten million dollars borrowed from his family, he had barely managed to smuggle in a single dose of the drug.

Its duration was short.

But even if a doping test was conducted afterward, no traces would remain.

Could there be anything more perfect for a situation like this?

Indeed, Aton seemed to be making full use of its effects.

Like a man possessed, he relentlessly hunted down Baek Hwi-young, who continued dodging like a rat.

‘...Just wait. You arrogant bitches.’

Huddled in the corner, Martin slowly swept his lecherous gaze over Hino Kanae, Miel, Famille, and Dokgo Ran as they looked at him with utter contempt.

Siilina.

Penia.

Even if those two came crawling back later and begged him, he had no intention of forgiving traitors who had abandoned him without loyalty.

Still, wandering around with only the two of them forever would be inconvenient.

Wouldn't it be easier to pick one of those four isolated girls and seduce her instead?

“Heh.”

Martin continued indulging in his fantasies with a revolting grin.

Meanwhile, the person carrying all of Martin's expectations—

Aton—

Could only grow increasingly bewildered.

‘Why?’

His axe struck the ground once more.

BOOOOOOM!

Fragments scattered.

The dirt floor had already been completely destroyed, exposing the reinforced concrete beneath.

Yet even then...

Aton remained bewildered.

“RAAAAAAH!”

He simply could not hit him.

So close, yet always just out of reach.

Baek Hwi-young did nothing except calmly watch him.

It felt as though he were fighting an illusion.

‘I'm running out of time!’

He bit his lip.

The drug's effects lasted only twenty minutes.

For now, both his Psionic energy and muscles were operating at maximum output.

But he had to finish this before the power inevitably faded.

Perhaps because of his growing desperation...

Aton swung the hand axe once more.

This time, it finally touched Baek Hwi-young's shoulder.

A triumphant smile spread across his face.

‘It's over!’

He poured every last ounce of Psionic energy into the strike.

His eyes blazed brilliantly.

The muscles of the forearm gripping the axe bulged explosively.

Then he roared.

「Incarnation」

「Paul Bunyan.」

A gigantic shadow overlapped behind Aton.

The towering giant, its enormous muscles writhing, swung its axe alongside his.

At that instant, even space and air themselves were severed, leaving behind a tiny void.

Slice.

Thud-.

Something had been cut.

Certain it was Baek Hwi-young's shoulder, Aton lifted his axe with a face overflowing with triumph and exhilaration.

“H... Hahahahahaha!”

In the end—

He had won.

A severed arm could easily be reattached at the medical ward.

But from then on, every time Baek Hwi-young saw him, that injured arm would ache and remind him of this defeat.

Or so he believed.

Then...

He glanced toward Martin.

The expression on Martin's face told him something was terribly wrong.

He quickly turned back.

“Huh?”

“Aton. I remember now.”

Baek Hwi-young casually tossed the severed shaft of his spear onto the ground.

Brushing back his shaggy ash-gray hair, he leaned in and whispered quietly enough that only Aton could hear.

“The coward with the loud mouth. It's been a while.”

“W-What?”

Naturally, Aton's face turned crimson as he lunged at him.

But in that fleeting instant—

“Sorry.”

The words left Baek Hwi-young's lips.

In the next moment—

Faster than Aton could even perceive—

The incoming fist became the last thing he ever saw.

BAAAAM!

The punch landed squarely on his face.

Lightly shaking his slightly reddened knuckles, Baek Hwi-young spoke in a calm voice.

“I tend to erase names that aren't worth remembering.”

Dokgo Ran burst into hearty laughter.

Famille unconsciously shook her head before calmly returning to her assignment.

A moment later, she glanced at the now-dumbfounded Martin through her device and quietly muttered,

“...You should've picked someone you could actually afford to provoke. Pathetic.”

It was an utterly cold remark.

One completely devoid of emotion.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!