Chapter 107: Special One (1)

Upon opening his eyes, Kang Min-hyuk surveyed the white ceiling of a hospital room.

‘I lived.’

He laughed, though pain still racked his ribs. His physical condition wasn’t as severe as suspected: there were no signs of a significant chest-wound; luckily, it was just punctured flesh. He was able to recover quickly thanks to the wizards who had been waiting in advance. Medical magic was an exceptional power – a real game-changer. Even though he had not undergone surgery, Kang Min-hyuk knew that he did not need any further treatment.

His injuries were shallow; the main reason Kang Min-hyuk lost consciousness was due to the mental shock and side effects of spirit instinct that occurred when his mana depleted. Also, as physical exhaustion came, Kang Min-hyuk wasn’t forced to hold onto consciousness.

‘Perhaps it’s impossible to fight my father with only five circles?’ n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The duel could have ended faster if Kang Deok-cheol had made up his mind. Kang Min-hyuk chose the path of a prepared performance, but he battled in vain against Kang Deok-cheol. There was nothing strange about the result – it was as Min-hyuk expected: Kang Deok-cheol could only be defeated by a seventh circle wizard accompanied by a golem. Deok-cheol’s power corresponded to approximately eight circles, but a golem heightened a wizard’s ability.

Go Young-cheol sped to the hospital as soon as he heard of Kang Min-hyuk’s awakening. At first, he was anxious, but his concern faded into a grin upon seeing his condition.

“You bastard.”

“What are the plans?”

“It worked the way you wanted. Now, no matter what you do, the guardian gate’s label won’t matter.”

The fight against Kang Deok-cheol was a gamble. Like Magnus Larson of the American Magic Association, people concocted conspiracy theories about Kang Min-hyuk. Only an elaborate performance could persuade those who held firmly to the connection between Kang Min-hyuk and Kang Deok-cheol. Kang Min-hyuk never expected to win, but after seeing Kang Min-hyuk cut by his father, the conspirators would be silenced. The gamble was perilous.

Although a mistake could have resulted in death, Kang Min-hyuk was confident that his father would not kill him. Accidents in the middle of a duel were not a big problem but killing an opponent who couldn’t afford to fight at all was another matter. Still, Kang Deok-cheol had to represent the guardian gate, to show that any who dare to challenge would be punished – no matter their identity. His publicized defeat worked as planned, and thanks to the wizards dotted amongst the crowd, Kang Min-hyuk’s health was unaffected.

Go Young-cheol said, “You’re crazy, do you know that? Did you have to do it?”

“It was a necessary process. To be the center of the magic academia, I need to clear any doubts from their minds. That way, I can devour it completely. They have to trust me – they must see me as a wizard: one of them, not as a failed warrior.”

The non-promotion ended in a scheduled defeat, and it seemed to have sent the desired ripples into the world.

“But do you know what people call you?” Go Young-cheol laughed.

After the non-dance, Kang Min-hyuk’s status changed.

“People say that you are the one and only very special being: Special One.”

* * *

The confrontation between Kang Deok-cheol and Kang Min-hyuk was shocking. The whole process of non-dance was a series of surprises, but the final fight was incomparable. What kind of person was Kang Deok-cheol? The gatekeeper of Suhomun and the strongest Korean prosecutor. Kang Min-hyuk showed skill against a talented person in the public eye. Undoubtedly, Deok-cheol maintained the advantage throughout, but Kang Min-hyuk had the opportunity to unleash the immense power available and share it with the world. The final spell, in particular, moved the wizarding world to deep, unshakable awe.

Immediately after the duel, a critic, who was an ex-hunter, posted an article.

[… … Kang Min-hyuk’s Incompetence was a move that defied the known boundaries of our world. I have lived as a hunter for decades and have never heard of such magic used by Kang Min-hyuk. His combat was exceptional. Nevertheless, the guardian sword showed his indomitable strength. Even an incredible wizard like Kang Min-hyuk proved that he couldn’t defeat the guardian sword, but the victory itself wasn’t entirely clean. The Guardian Sword declared that he would not use the Holy Blood Shield, and it was, in fact, brought into play several times. Even with its use, the mage’s final blow seemed to deliver some damage. If the swordsman was not a defense specialist, could they have endured the impact? Min-hyuk’s firepower was so shocking, and the guardian sword, who overturned his words, resulted in a loss of face.]

There was no humiliation to Kang Min-hyuk’s defeat; everybody knew his father was a force to be reckoned with. If anything, the content of the battle increased his popularity. Even though Kang Deok-cheol won, Min-hyuk proved himself formidable. There was an uproar. His name reverberated everywhere, and nobody could deny that he was the best wizard they’d ever seen. Not long ago, Yoo Jae-myeong had that title, but Kang Min-hyuk had the upper hand in practical combat ability. Yoo Jae-myeong was only the best wizard based on circle formation.

People said, “Kang Min-hyuk is the first wizard to defeat a fortified warrior. This non-dance was a shocking move that took place at the upper level. Kang Min-hyuk proved that wizards don’t have to be weak in close combat. He’s the only one in the world: Special One.”

That’s how the nickname for Kang Min-hyuk was born.

It was an expression of a reinforced warrior’s counter-horse, and it was the moment when wizards worldwide fully accepted Kang Min-hyuk.

* * *

Kang Deok-cheol and Lee Jun-ho met soon after the fight.

“I think you were disappointed in my decision to prevent you from fighting Min-hyuk. However, his Incompetence was a poison that had to be stopped before it entered. In the case of the worst outcome, it was best for me to step forward.”

On the day Kang Min-hyuk broke the Changcheon checkpoint, Lee Jun-ho expressed his opinion at Caju and the elders’ meeting.

“I want to fight. People would want to see it: the current successor of Suhomun, defeating the former successor Kang Min-hyuk.”

He was confident, despite Thousand Mu-baek’s defeat. He knew how to deal with a wizard. It wasn’t that he had ill-will toward Kang Min-hyuk, but he was eager to prove himself worthy of the successor’s position. It was natural for him to want the fight, but Kang Deok-cheol resolutely rejected his request.

“I understand.”

It proved to be the right choice; Kang Min-hyuk’s power was more substantial than expected, and he might have lost the signboard. However, Lee Joon-ho could not hide his dismay in the face of helplessness. He clenched his fist so tight that his fingernails dug into his skin.

‘What did I do?’

Most people believed that Lee Jun-ho had pushed Kag Min-hyuk aside for the successor’s place, but the truth was that Min-hyuk gave it up willingly. Jun-ho reminisced about the clear-skied night they had their conversation.

Kang Min-hyuk had said. “After all, Suhomun’s successor requires talent as a prosecutor. I might be able to play the role, but my lack of power will get us all into trouble in a crisis. No, I think you’re better suited to the role than I am.”

A few days later, Kang Min-hyuk gave up his position and made an unprecedented move to the magic department. Lee Jun-ho knew that Kang Min-hyuk moved not only for himself but to leave room for Lee Jun-ho to shine and quickly establish himself as the new successor. And Kang Min-hyuk was new. Lee Jun-ho had followed Kang Min-hyuk, but he had no choice but to turn away from him after becoming the successor.

Despite his advancements, the shadow of Kang Min-hyuk remained thick. People still remembered him and spoke fondly of him. Lee Jun-ho wanted to hear his name spoken by others, with the same reverence they held for Min-hyuk. However, following the battle, nobody knew Lee Jun-ho’s name. He was just another bystander.

People thought that Kang Deok-cheol lacked feeling for his son, but Lee Jun-ho had a different perspective. Kang Deok-cheol was a father as well as a warrior – his attitude was consistently cold after min-hyuk left home, but he made it known that he would be welcome if he chose to return. Deok-cheol did not give opportunities so freely – he only did so because the person in question was his son. Lee Jun-ho was convinced of Deok-cheol’s paternal affection by that incident.

Kang Min-hyuk had become a representative of magical academia by the time he challenged the guardian gate – in that role, he had to be punished for Suhomun to maintain authority. If anybody else had made the challenge, he would have inflicted fatal damage. He showed less cruelty to Kang Min-hyuk.

It was not Deok-cheol who threw Kang Min-hyuk out – he stepped down of his own accord. Lee Jun-ho saw Kang Deok-cheol more clearly than others. On his strong face, he saw traces of time.

‘You still have a rich man’s spirit.’

After leaving the Caju room, Lee Jun-ho looked up at the sky with a complex expression. The question arose dozens of times a day, whether it was indeed the right thing to take the place of the successor. He knew that he would play the role well but staying next to Kang Deok-cheol was very lonely. It seemed that he had more fun when he was with Kang Min-hyuk.

“It’s frustrating.”

A white breath spread; he would find little rest that day. He went straight to the training center.

There was only one thing to do now: get stronger.

That day, Lee Jun-ho swung his sword all night until it was bright.