Chapter 105-The Incompetence (5)
Kwak Do-yeol could not accept the defeat of Chun Mu-baek. He had expected Kang Min-hyuk to challenge the Changcheon Checkpoint, prepared everything, and put Cheon Mu-baek, the Checkpoint’s best warrior, as the signboard’s protector. It was perfect. He thought there was no possibility of losing to Kang Min-hyuk, but there was Chun Mu-baek, bent double and gasping on the floor.
‘I lost, Thousand Mu-baek?’
Kwak Do-yeol felt that the sky was crumbling around him. How could that happen? Was Cheon Mu-baek caught off guard? No…the only conclusion was that Kang Min-hyuk was the better fighter. His strategy was outstanding.
Cheon Mu-baek tried to penetrate Kang Min-hyuk’s illusion, but the traps installed layer by layer seemed to predict every move Mu-baek made. Maybe it was possible because Kang Min-hyuk was a reinforced warrior before he was a wizard; he knew their mentality. Following an exchange with the Changcheon Checkpoint, he was well aware of their secrets – he didn’t panic under any circumstance. Especially last.
“He is a wizard who is not afraid of swords.”
The tip of the blade shows no mercy. Instead of retreating, Kang Min-hyuk boldly chose to move forward and tore down Thousand Mu-baek’s territory. He didn’t tremble even as the blade passed right under his nose, trimming an inch off his hair. Kang Min-hyuk watched Chun Mu-baek’s movements to the end, staying calm throughout. He countered the attack with magic so powerful that even Chun Mu-baek couldn’t withstand it. His strength was exemplary, but his flesh was charred, and he was in a lot of pain.
Voices rose in a solid hum.
“Thousand Mu-baek lost?!”
“How the hell is this possible?”
“Cheon Mu-baek fought well. However, Kang Min-hyuk’s ability defied logic.”
“Is the Changcheon Checkpoint now closed?”
They were astonished by the unexpected results, and emotions ran without a filter. In a flash, everything had changed. The myriad eyes of cameras winked in the sunlight as they captured the crucial moments following the fight.
“I have made a terrible mistake…”
Kwak Do-yeol bowed his head. The Checkpoint ancestors had toiled hard to make their name, and now they had been thwarted by a wizard. For three months, the guardians would endure a punishment in which no activities could be undertaken at or in the name of Changcheon. All commercial work had to be stopped, and acceptance of disciples was not allowed. The only exception was the appearance of monsters.
The real problem would come after the closing period. They could put a new sign out, but the reputation of the Changcheon Gate had been tarnished. All eyes were on Kwak Do-yeol, seeking a response. He pushed back the choking emotions that rose within him and spoke in a subdued tone.
“I admit defeat. The Changcheon Checkpoint is declared closed according to the rules of the signboard.”
People were baffled. The Changcheon checkpoint had become a sacrifice to reveal the misconduct of the big-four forces.
“Times are changing…”
Many seismic shifts were set to occur in the future; the defeat of Chun Mu-baek threatened the reign of fortified warriors, and a new world glimmered on the horizon. Kang Min-hyuk, as the pioneer of the new world, was revealing the real value of magic.
Kwak Do-yeol looked up at the sky. A deep, dark cloud hung heavy directly above the Checkpoint, as though in prophecy of the Changcheon sword gate’s future.
* * *
After the event, Kang Min-hyuk immediately returned to the hostel, his heart beating loud in his ears. The ferocity of the battle replayed over and over in his mind – either of them could have won – if Min-hyuk’s final illusion didn’t work, he would have almost certainly been throated by Mu-baek’s sharp sword. But that didn’t happen – Kang Min-hyuk won. All ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ melt away in the face of victory.
His time as Klinssman was right. As a reinforcement warrior, he faced many wizards, so he knew how to deal with a mage. Conversely, as a mage, he knew how to defeat a warrior. Had it not been for that experience, he would never have defeated Thousand Mu-baek.
While living as Klinssman, Kang Min-hyuk quantified the power of both sides. The fifth circle mage was similar to the top disciple of the Guardian Gate. Although it wasn’t sure, a sixth circle wizard was identical or better than the Golden Generation, and the seventh circle mage was estimated to be the same level as Jeong Pan-ho. Chun Mu-baek was deemed a similar class as Pan-ho; technically, he would be expected to win, but so many variables come into play during battle. Expectations were not unconditional.
Even a fight between an adult and a child can result in the vigilant adult’s death by the child’s knife. Nothing was impossible under the rule of the duel. Chun Mu-baek fought well, showing great power, but the unpredictability of Kang Min-hyuk’s attacks gave him the upper hand. The victory was never guaranteed. A future battle could have gone the opposite way, but this time, at least, Kang Min-hyuk came out on top.
The beginning of the process was to understand both worlds. Klinssman’s knowledge was invaluable to his development – without his experience as a victorious fortified warrior, he could never have defeated Mu-baek. Kang Min-hyuk could fight like a warrior despite being a wizard. He could fight from a distance, like a wizard, and as a warrior, he was able to risk his life for the sake of victory and honor. His inner experiences accumulated since childhood made him a different kind of wizard. Dominic Green emphasized courage as a war mage, but that was already something Kang Min-hyuk had harnessed.
He was elated by the victory but only allowed himself to feel joy for a brief time. Soon, he calmed down and recalled the mistakes he’d made. Success or not, he still had to find ways to improve. Winning alone wasn’t enough; he had to strive for better.
* * *
Non-dance became a hot topic. In particular, Chun Mu-baek’s defeat was astounding, and the broadcasting industry quickly secured an interview with the magical academia. A renowned Korean wizard spoke into the camera.
“I was honestly surprised to witness the duel between Kang Min-hyuk and Chun Mu-baek. Kang Min-hyuk has a very different experience of magic than we do; he’s harnessed the ability to cross into an unknown realm and managed to trick the eyes of many with fantasy magic. My colleagues nor I have ever seen anything like it. If Kang Min-hyuk was a time-traveler, descended from a civilization thousands of years more developed than Earth, then he could understand the duel’s content, but Kang Min-hyuk achieved it all in less than a year. Do you think that makes sense? He’s an absolute monster!”
The wizarding world was astonished by the revelations of the duel. Fire dominance, Blink, Engraving Magic, Illusion, and so on, were skills that shook the known magical evolution course. In particular, the British Magic Association, still basking in their space experiment’s success, fell into shock when they saw Kang Min-hyuk using Blink. They thought they were the forerunners of the technology, but Kang Min-hyuk revealed it to the world in its completed form.
Another spokesperson commented, “Kang Min-hyuk created a magic revolution by revealing the new system of magic and medical magic. This time is no different. It has been true for a century that wizards are fundamentally weaker than fortified warriors. However, the second magical revolution has already begun when an experienced warrior like Chun Mu-baek falls at Kang Min-hyuk’s hand. It awakens the possibility that a wizard can overpower a warrior. A lot will change in the future.”
A second magical revolution had been spawned by the same wizard who captained the first. Everybody wanted to hear from Kang Min-hyuk after the non-dance, but there was one more challenge to go before the end. Kang Min-hyuk didn’t say where he was challenging, but rumors circulated about one destination in particular.
-Maybe it will be the guardian gate?
-The only place left to challenge is Suhomun. First, Byeokgyeokmun, then Changcheongeommun: Kang Min-hyuk’s challenge increases each time. The only higher power than Chengcheon is Suhomun.
Everyone expected the guardian gate. It held the origins of Kang Min-hyuk, and there were many complexities to the story, but it was the only plausible decision as the non-dance steamed ahead toward its finale.
* * *
The Guardian Gate was already prepared to greet guests. Looking at the firmly closed door, the Suho Gate disciples expressed reluctance to accept the possibility.
“Will he really apply for non-dance at Suhomun?”
“But he was the successor to Suhomun…”
“I doubt it. If he wants to win, he won’t challenge the guardian gate.”
Kang Min-hyuk’s Incompetence had a tremendous impact even inside the guardian gate. They knew of Chun Mu-baek’s strength, so they spoke at length about the potential appearance of Kang Min-hyuk. Seeds of possibility began to germinate.
Eventually, they readied themselves to meet Kang Min-hyuk. They weren’t sure of Kang Min-hyuk’s challenge yet, but one among them knew the answer. Ha Min-seong, of the golden generation of Suhomun, had contacted Kang Min-hyuk the day before.
“Min-hyuk. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but don’t challenge the Suho Gate. The moment the Changcheon Checkpoint fell, an emergency meeting was held here. Kang Deok-cheol’s attitude was firm. He won’t treat you as a son; he will only think of the honor of Suhomun. You know how far you have come, but if you challenge the guardian gate, you will die.”
Ha Min-seong was also a strong player. As he watched the non-dance videos, he came to admit that Kang Min-hyuk was strong enough to pose a threat to reinforced warriors. But that was all: a threat.
Thousand Mu-baek couldn’t be said to compare to the power of Suhomun, which was the greatest in all of Korea. Min-seong chose to convey the danger; although he hadn’t attended the meeting, its seriousness had been transferred to him. Kang Min-hyuk’s response only aggravated his anxiety further.
“I know. But there are things in this world you have to do, despite the danger.”
Kang Min-hyuk’s voice was calm. He was aware of Suhomun’s power – after all, he was the son of Mun-ju – few knew it better than he did. He had made his choice from the beginning. He had managed to dispel a lot of prejudice aimed at wizards, but significant changes would have to occur if his Tower was to be built on solid foundations. The challenge would prevent questions of his ability in the future, and people would be more willing to accept his Tower when they knew what he was capable of.
The heavy door of Suhomun swung open, revealing Kang Min-hyuk’s form; behind him, crowds swarmed, excited for the oncoming spectacle. Suho’s anxieties became a reality. Kang Min-hyuk approached Kang Deok-cheol.
“I want to apply for Incompetence at the signboard of Suhomun.”
It would be the grand finale of the non-dance.
