Chapter 162
“Aren’t you supposed to tell me where we’re going?”
The old man barged into the class in the morning and he’s in such a hurry that he doesn’t even give a proper explanation.
“I forgot because I played with my granddaughter yesterday!”
“So what did you forget?”
“I’m saying I forgot that there’s an Aura General Assembly today!”
“……?”
The Aura General Assembly.
If I remember correctly it was a nationwide gathering of the main families and offshoots of the Aura community, along with those skilled in the art.
But…….
“What does that have to do with me?”
“You’re my disciple, of course you’re going with me!”
“Ah.”
Now that I think about it, I was also an Aura user.
And since I was a disciple of Mr. Kwak Chun-sik, the head of the Aura users, it was practically ridiculous for me to be left out.
“But since you’re the leader, shouldn’t you be a little late?”
I didn’t understand why he was so serious about being late since he was the de facto leader.
“That’s because everyone has to wait if I don’t announce the event, asshole, authority comes from respect.”
No, that’s not how it works…….
Most importantly, I realized for the first time he actually has a point.
Anyway, the bottom line is, better late than never.
“That’s a little dangerous.”
“That’s why it’s so urgent!”
I knew he was serious when he broke out in a cold sweat.
As I recall, the event was held at the Budokan in Seoul and I realized that we might not be able to get there by car at this time of the day.
“Elder, if you drive, you’ll get stuck in traffic.”
“I know that, but I can’t run there.”
“But you can fly.”
“Huh?”
Let’s save the old man’s face.
* * *
“I swear, I forget who my student is.”
“It’s not unusual for someone your age, so don’t feel too bad.”
“I’m not making fun of you. Hey!”
Inside a helicopter flying over Seoul, Kwak Chun-sik and I, wearing headsets, are looking out the window and talking.
“Master, can we land in the center of the Budokan?!”
The captain’s voice came through the headset.
“Yes, but what can we do, old man.”
“Just do it. There won’t be any problems!”
“COPY THAT.”
In an instant, the helicopter lurches sideways as the land of the Budokan begins to appear in the distance.
Despite being in the middle of Seoul, the sheer size of the place was enough to make it look like a park from above.
“Ughhhh. They’d never think I’d show up in a helicopter. I can just imagine.”
“You said you had a spare helicopter, which is why you almost ran over a real building.”
“Hahahaha, of course I trusted my apprentice!”
An old man and a man in a suit running across the roof of a building?
If anyone saw it, it was sure to become a new urban legend in Seoul.
“We’re about to land, and I’d like to ask all of you to once again check your seatbelts and hold on tight to your handles.”
Slowly, the helicopter begins to descend, landing on a huge empty lot.
At the same time, a tremendous wind rises around them.
As if the Budokan sensed something strange, the people in the huge wooden building came out one by one and looked at the helicopter as it landed in the center.
The helicopter finally landed on the ground.
“Where the hell do you think you are, and you’re using a helicopter…?”
The door opens with an iron clang, and the pupils of the people in front of us widen as Kwak Chun-sik, who has unbuckled his headset and seatbelt, and I get off at the same time.
They are startled by Kwak Chun-sik’s sudden appearance and hastily lower their heads.
“It’s been a while, everyone. This old man isn’t too late yet, is he?”
As if enjoying the scene, Kwak Chun-sik chuckles and waves his hand, and the man in front of him hastily lowers his head and exclaims.
“That’s right, there’s still about ten minutes left until the event!”
“Mm~ Relax. Let’s go in, shall we?”
“Yes, Godfather!”
No, is this the same guy who was so cowering earlier?
I stuck my tongue out at the sight that reminded me of a king and his subjects.
An old man of great muscle and dozens, perhaps hundreds, of ministers with their backs bent at ninety degrees surrounding him.
This is how father must look to other people, but the people here are the real deal.
“By the way, Godfather, is the kid in the back……?”
“……?”
The man who spoke flinched as I turned to look at him.
[Trait: 【Human Totem】 is activated]
“Huh? Why is this triggered?
I thought for a moment.
“Don’t you recognize him? He’s my disciple.”
……What? I didn’t really do anything.
It must have something to do with my new trait.
Well, I guess I’ll have to figure that one out.
“Eugene, what are you doing? Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching his back as he walked into the Budokan with the others, I began to pace slowly.
In Korea, if you’re an Aura user, you’re a martial arts practitioner, and you’re proud to enter the building.
Budokan (武道館)
Upon entering the building, which is shaped like a giant hanok, I could see the crowds filling the huge courtyard.
“””Meet the Grandmaster───!!!”””
The sound of the greeting echoed so loudly that it seemed to drown out the surroundings.
In response, Kwak Chun-sik waved his hand in the air as if he was bored and began to walk toward a location.
Three wooden chairs, reminiscent of a king’s great hall, were set up high above the rest of the terrain, as if prepared for only a few people.
Kwak Chun-sik sat down on the largest of the chairs, the one in the center, and crossed his legs.
“So, there are a lot of kids wanting to learn Aura this year, that’s good, that’s good.”
He looked around the room with a smirk on his face and at the same time, a familiar face appeared from the other side.
“You said you’d be late, and you’re just in time, aren’t you? Father.”
He was just like how Kwak Chun-sik would look like that if he were younger.
The middle-aged man with jet-black hair, sturdy and unlike the graying old man, smiles and sits down at his right.
This is Kwak Chun-sam, who, despite his unassuming name, is the director of the Korean Heroes Association and the man who currently leads the Budokan.
He’s dressed in a black suit, as if he had some business with the organization, and a gold taegeuk badge pinned to his chest, proving he’s a board member.
“Yeah, it’s convenient that I’m not traveling from Gangwon Province. I should have told you I was going to teach at the academy and stayed in Seoul.”
“Hahaha, that’s right, I’m glad to hear that, but who is that young man wearing the academy’s uniform?”
He glanced in my direction while talking to Kwak Chun-sik.
“Ah, yes, that’s my disciple Eugene, the one I’ve always been talking about and this is my son, Chun-sam.”
Chun-sik patted Chun-sam’s shoulder and smiled brightly.
In response, I bowed politely and greeted him.
“I’m always indebted to you. I’m Eugene Han.”
When I lifted my head again and looked at his expression, I felt an unidentifiable atmosphere: wary, pleased, or something in between but he quickly smiled and offered me his hand.
“Yes, I’ve heard many stories from your father. Han…… Eugene?”
“Yes.”
Judging by his expression, he knew about me too.
Though it was even weirder that he didn’t know about me, since he was the director of the Hero Association.
“Well, it’s almost time for the ceremony, so why don’t you sit down? Apparently, father has reserved a seat for you.”
“What?”
My seat?
As I looked at the old man with that thought in mind, I saw that he was drumming his fingers on the hand rest of the chair to his left.
“Well, I added a spot for you, too.”
“…….”
This chair is my seat?
Turning my head to look behind me again, I could see the eyes of a huge crowd glued to me.
……Do I really have to sit here?
In front of all these people?
Isn’t this…… a public execution?
I didn’t show much agitation, thanks to my surroundings in the mansion and my Hitman persona, but I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
“Eugene?”
The old man tilts his head as if to ask what’s so strange.
……ha.
I have no choice but to sit on his left side.
Maybe it’s because we’re higher up than everyone else, but there’s something strange about the feeling of hundreds of people in uniform looking at us.
I’ve never had to sit like this before, not even in Corleone, and I never thought I’d experience it here first.
[Talent: [Human Totem] is activated]
Meanwhile, I couldn’t understand why the talent was triggering again.
What the hell is a human totem, anyway?
I’ve never seen it in the game, so my information is extremely limited but judging by the fact that nothing was happening right now, it didn’t seem to be anything too dangerous or bad for me, however I couldn’t help but feel uneasy…….
I clenched my jaw and stared down at the ground, then I heard a loud bang ────.
“Attention!”
At the same time as a huge gong that seemed to resound through the heavens and earth rang out, Kwak Chun-sam, who was sitting on the old man’s right side, stood up and shouted at the people.
“From now on, the 30th Aura General Assembly will begin!”
At the same time, everyone turned to face him and bowed at 90 degrees.
It was a rare sight to see people bowing in unison in accordance with Aura etiquette.
‘They don’t tell you to bow your head and be polite for nothing.’
This scene alone made it clear what power is.
And at the same time.
──── chirp.
The gong sounded once more, and the men raised their heads.
By the way…….
While watching them, I had a sudden curiosity and looked at Kwak Chun-sik beside me.
“Old man.”
“Hmm?”
“So, what are you doing today?”
“Nothing. Each sect or disciple will give martial arts demonstrations and reveal their recent training achievements.”
“…… And what am I doing?”
“You?”
He pauses at my words, then starts to think about it.
“Well…… I’m not sure since this is the first time I’ve ever brought a disciple to a general meeting, but maybe you should sit down.”
“What?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit and watch, and skip the Academy?”
That’s certainly true, but sitting around watching…….
“Oh, right, maybe I’ll find something for you to do.”
Suddenly, he smiles wryly and looks in my direction.
“Maybe I’ll get someone to challenge you to a fight.”
“……?”
“In that case, be gentle with them.”
“What?”
