Chapter 71: There's No Way
There's No Way
Minsoo scratched his head, wondering at which point everything went haywire. Bringing Chunhyang along confidently seemed like a good idea, but now the situation was a far cry from what Minsoo had envisioned.
Even if I end up winning the fight…
His adversary was an ordinary person with no clue about anything. Despite having a face that bizarrely resembled Baek Taeyang, the whole idea of him being here was an absurd tale. Though Minsoo had been given the gate-clearing mission, he hesitated to unleash his might on a regular civilian.
I could easily turn this into a total bloodbath if I can't control my strength.
Chunhyang looked a bit jittery, but Minsoo couldn't care less. Even with his Brain and Brawn skill currently inactive, the fact that he was a hero remained as sturdy as ever.
"You're corrupted because you never met true power. You're just a lowly peasant getting drunk on a smidgen of authority, oblivious to my very existence. I can't tolerate your clueless antics any longer!"
As Kim Minsoo ranted, he sneakily eyed Chunhyang. He shamelessly fixated on her chest's distinct contours, pushing Chunhyang to cover up.
In an era where underwear wasn't well-developed, her breast valley made a bold statement. Minsoo's gaze roamed like an animal licking butter momentarily, before shifting it back to the master.
"Make a sincere apology to Chunhyang, admit your blunders, and bow down before me. I'll graciously forgive all your past misdeeds and won't lay a finger on you again. Do it now!!! Say sorry to Chunhyang and kowtow to me!"Minsoo got a fleeting kick out of it, convinced of the magic in his words.
How could she resist me now?
It's kinda amusing to think about post-breakup, but the reality is just that. Yoomin would have fallen head over heels for my assertive charm. The ending was bitter because she missed out on a taste of my leadership.
Melanie, too…
She's probably waiting outside the gate, anticipating my triumphant exit. Maybe there's a whole squad of reporters ready to toast my gate-clearing achievement. The mere thought of it sends shivers down my spine!
It's really mind-boggling how that feisty Kaivan Group daughter won't quit hassling and pleading for my attention to be their model. She must be all over me.
As expected, I'm both handsome and lucrative. Even though no one has explicitly said that. But you don't just throw that line around for someone genuinely good-looking.
Minsoo flashed a confident grin, surveying the master who seemed frozen with a helpless expression.
Clearly, he's rattled.
Normally, it should have been Yi Mongryong quaking in fear. Considering the subtle deviations from the original work, the master might be more of a mid-boss. But I'm the hero, and succumbing to him just doesn't fit the storyline.
"Listen carefully to what I, the one who understands duty, cooperation, and reason, am saying. If you understood, then quickly kneel!"
The voice, usually casually spoken, now emerged with tension, causing Minsoo to chew his tongue. The master continued staring at him, not budging.
I don't want this, but I have to exert a bit of force. Just a light push will surely make him realize the intricacies and strength contain within it. He'll be groveling once the revelation hits him.
I might even activate my skill, Don Quixote's Delusion, at this pace.
Considering it's an S-rank gate, even if a person was an ordinary civilian, they're essentially a monster. Realizing this belatedly, Minsoo prepared to spin a lie as he walked towards the master.
The height difference made Minsoo oddly look up at him. He squinted, trying to suppress the natural instinct of his body that involuntarily shrunk in a familiar situation.
I didn't embark on this gate adventure to face defeat.
Summoning determination, Minsoo gave the master a shove.
"Young master, you might face severe consequences if you continue to entangle with that slut. Why not zip it and save yourself the headache?"
"You bastard!!!"
How dare a monster born from a gate dare to disregard me?!
Consumed by sudden rage, Kim Minsoo couldn't resist throwing a punch. It was a straight jab grounded in the belief that there was no escaping it.
He didn't bother raising his guard, convinced that a mid-boss wouldn't be his downfall. But memories of a sparring session with Baek Taeyang unexpectedly surfaced in his mind.
Huh?
Back then, he had thrown the first punch with similar vigor.
What feedback did Instructor Kim Sukgu give me again?
In the fleeting moment when Minsoo's gaze flickered toward the sword resting quietly at his hip, a satisfying thud resounded.
Bam—
"Oof!"
The problem was that the sound didn't emanate from the master but from Minsoo. He looked at the master in disbelief, yet the situation had already spiraled out of control.
"Young master initiated the swing. And being the one who understood duty, cooperation, and reason, I trust you saw this coming."
Perplexed, Minsoo stared at the master in bewilderment.
What in the…!
Since the blow landed on his neck, his voice failed to emerge properly. Distorted sounds intermittently escaped, and his body's balance was thrown into disarray.
If it were a routine strike, it wouldn't have shaken him to this extent.
My image…?!
Even though it had only been a short time, he had already boasted several times. But if he now showed a powerless appearance?
Amidst the successive punches from the master, Minsoo glanced at Chunhyang. The moment he witnessed her contorted face, Minsoo sensed his strength draining away.
"Grr… ugh…"
Even before entering the Victory Academy, Kim Minsoo had already been crowned the prodigy. He was momentarily thrown off by the first blow, but he quickly regained his balance and caught the incoming fist.
"Heh… hah… Keep trying, but it's not gonna work!"
If a mid-boss being this formidable, this S-rank gate is no joke…
Minsoo clenched his fists tighter, steeling his resolve. He couldn't afford to lose anymore. With the sense of duty to return as the great hero Kim Minsoo, he moved his body.
I wonder if Chunhyang will think I'm cool?
A man who turns words into action.
A man who shoulders responsibility to the end.
It's hard not to be impressed.
Like PureDiaryAuthor said, I would become a casanova. It really feels like those words are coming true.
"This is the worst…" On the other hand, Chunhyang hadn't been optimistic about the situation from the start. The moment Minsoo started yapping, it felt like the worst.
Why would he forgive the misdeeds the master has made? The crimes committed by him are endless.
Starting from harrasing women to indulging in numerous acts of violence and exploitation. He never got caught because he's cunning, bribing people left and right.
And he wanted to forgive such a man? Is he the same Yi Mongryong I know?
Not long ago, she felt like Mongryong didn't seem like the man who could save her. He made nonsensical statements, creating results he couldn't take responsibility for.
Though as the son of a magistrate, Yi Mongryong's influence in this town was lacking. Later on, he might become a great talent, but for now, he's just someone barely worthy of respect.
But the master is different…
Did it never occur to the young master why a brothel larger than a noble's residence exists in this town? Was there never a moment when he questioned the audacity of the master meddling with him, a noble's son? That's because his influence.
Bam— Bam—
Punches were flying back and forth. It was an unconventional scene for a commoner and a noble to be duking it out.
Usually, a noble scholar ought to use logic to convince and enlighten the masses. However, in this instance, he resembled a beast, engaging in fisticuffs with a commoner.
The young master is being dragged along by the master…
Unconsciously, Chunhyang's expression was changing.
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"I'll wrap things up, young master."
"What the…!"
Kim Minsoo seems to be nurturing a big misunderstanding.
Doesn't he realize that battles within a gate are connected to life outside, even after supposedly getting a personality education? Despite his dedication to the role, he doesn't bother tapping into his subskills.
It's blatantly evident that he's concocting absurd outcomes solely through his misguided thoughts.
As he extended his right hand to strike my face, my hand intercepted it effortlessly.
Even though I'm playing the role of the pimp, the content inside is undeniably Baek Taeyang's. My body, saturated with body enhancement skills, surpasses the strength of a runaway locomotive.
Bam—
The resonating clash of fists filled the surroundings with the sheer force of their collision.
Before Minsoo, still oblivious to the situation, could summon strength, my opposite hand extended. With the right foot forward, left foot pivot, and waist turning in unison, I swung my left hand.
A decisive straight line, cutting through the air as if with a blade, makde direct contact with Minsoo's head.
"Ugh!"
In the original story, Yi Mongryong only unleashes his true strength after passing the state examination and becoming an official.
Meaning, at this moment, the fusion of the master's power and Baek Taeyang's inherent strength undeniably places me at an advantage. Perhaps Minsoo can't even grasp this.
"Come here, you wench."
"Eek!"
I roughly seized Chunhyang's hair, dragging her back to the house. I paid no attention to Minsoo, who was writhing on the ground, clutching his head.
Wait, what's happening? Something feels off.
Normally, grabbing someone's hair like this should elicit screams. However, after her initial scream, Chunhyang exhibited no signs of resistance or pain.
Is that even plausible while being dragged on the ground by the hair?
Intrigued, I looked at Chunhyang's face, where a deep blush caught my eye.
There's no way…
One hypothesis flashed in my mind.
If that were true… Well, things just got a whole lot simpler.
As long as I'm around, Minsoo won't graduate from his lifetime virgin status.
With that thought, I smiled with deep satisfaction.