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Chapter 36
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The end of the training period was approaching.
This endless exercise. It meant that the labor known as training would soon be over.
Of course, Jegal Yeong had said that if there were no missions, I’d end up spending time training again.
The world was vast, and evil was plentiful.
There were always criminals trying to find easy ways to succeed in life.
“Do you hate training that much?”
“Senior, who actually enjoys wasting time?”
“Is it really a waste… to that extent?”
“It’s practically useless for improving martial arts skills. At my level, and at yours, training mental disciplines would be more beneficial.”
“But don’t you feel good after some physical exercise? Muscles grow, too. Don’t you feel your body becoming firmer?”
That was true.
My body, which had once only held the minimal muscles needed to swing a sword, was rather slender.
But since joining the White Sun Squad, I started gaining muscles gradually, and now, my body had grown to the point it could be described as quite robust.
From the outside, it looked fairly impressive.
– White Sun Squad… It might be a better place than I thought!
Even Yeon-hee, who initially felt a sense of reluctance about the White Sun Squad, once raised her thumb when she saw how solid my biceps had become.
“Well, exercising does give you a sense of exhilaration. But, Senior.”
“Yes?”
“Were you… looking me over?”
Jegal Yeong.
She was not a woman one could be careless around.
The constant complaining, the focus solely on exercise, made me almost forget.
‘Jegal Yeong might actually like me.’
A suspicion settled in my heart.
At one point, I worried that I might be misunderstanding and latching onto the wrong idea.
But now, I was certain. Jegal Yeong had only been pretending not to be interested, always watching for the right moment.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
“You just admitted it yourself, didn’t you? That my body has become muscular and toned. How could you notice that without looking?”
“No, I mean… come on, we’re together all the time. Of course, I’d notice it.”
“Noticeable, you say…”
“I’m your mentor! It’s only natural to monitor your health and physical condition!”
“I see. You’re only checking because you’re my senior. I understand~.”
“Cut out that slithery tone!”
Jegal Yeong, your excuses are feeble today.
As they say, a thief’s feet grow anxious.
Perhaps to shake off any doubts about herself, Jegal Yeong shouted louder than usual.
“You seem full of energy! Run ten more laps!”
“Ha, trying to suppress me with authority won’t work.”
“Run! Now!”
Unfair.
Jegal Yeong always resorted to making me run laps whenever she was at a loss for words.
What choice did I have?
A low-ranking member must follow orders.
‘Could it be… she’s doing this to make my body even stronger?’
It’s… convincing!
“As a man, isn’t it better to be muscular rather than feeble?”
Her preferences, which I had to listen to regardless of my own,
were clear.
Muscular men.
If they don’t exist, I’ll make one myself…?
“Are you feeling clearer now?”
“…”
After rolling around under her orders, working up a sweat, I did feel like my mind had cleared a bit.
With my slightly sharper focus, I questioned her.
“Senior.”
“What nonsense are you about to spout this time, my dear junior?”
“I’ll give you a chance to prove your innocence.”
Jegal Yeong glared at me with a look of disbelief.
Yet, even in that fleeting moment, I could sense it.
The temporary swelling of muscles from intense exercise.
Her gaze subtly sneaking a glance at my sweat-slicked biceps!
“You said you don’t see me as a man, didn’t you? Is that correct?”
“Still going on about that? I told you, no! How many times must I repeat it? And in the first place, I…”
“In the first place?”
“Ah, anyway! I don’t understand where you get this confidence to keep spouting such nonsense.”
“Through bitter experiences.”
Jegal Yeong shook her head, sighing.
“Guys who look soft and delicate like you are not my type!”
“Complimenting me along the way? I never saw that coming.”
“Do you know how many men I’ve met? Men more handsome than you are as common as stones!”
“If you’re truly innocent, then pass my test.”
“You’re not going to listen to me, are you?”
Jegal Yeong finally accepted my proposal with a look of utter exasperation.
“This is really the last time. No more nonsense after this.”
“Of course.”
The rule was simple.
We would close the distance until our foreheads nearly touched, and stare into each other’s eyes.
People can hide everything else, but their eyes can’t lie.
“Begin!”
At the signal, I locked eyes with Jegal Yeong.
One, two.
Our gazes met up close.
Three, four.
Jegal Yeong’s eyes were as clear as a pristine lake.
Five, six.
Those eyes were as calm as a quiet lake.
‘This can’t be right.’
Seven, eight.
Not the slightest tremor.
“This should be enough!”
“Oh.”
It was over.
The moment the agreed time was up, she promptly turned her head.
“Being friendly is fine. It’s helpful for comrades to be close for the sake of missions.”
“…”
“But I’d appreciate it if you stopped these pranks. It’s starting to get a little irritating.”
Jegal Yeong spoke without even looking at me, as if she couldn’t bear to see me.
Her demeanour was as cold as when we first met, as if addressing a stranger.
“That’s enough for today. Go back.”
Leaving only those few words, she walked away.
Did I get it wrong?
‘Then why did she even ask about my preferences?’
Was I misinterpreting her goodwill?
Was I clinging to someone who only thought of fostering a strong bond as senior and junior, with nothing to do with Samhyeong’s prophecy?
Tonight, I’m bound to toss and turn under my blankets.
‘Fine, if it was just a misunderstanding, so be it.’
In fact, maybe it’s for the best.
The only thing left to do is comfort myself.
***
‘Is he really insane?’
Insane.
That was my unfiltered impression when I first met Lee Se-woong.
But that was only caution against his potential for ferocity.
The feelings Jegal Yeong felt now, however, were different.
‘To think he’d say such audacious things, relying only on his face!’
I thought he’d be different.
But he was just like those men with polished faces who called themselves gentlemen or heroes.
The confidence of those who knew they were good-looking, convinced that any woman would fall for them.
There was just one problem.
‘Is it in his constitution?’
Just as there’s the Celestial Martial Body, born solely for martial arts training in legends…
Lee Se-woong’s body was growing more robust by the day.
It made me wonder if there’s a constitution meant for building muscle.
‘It’s only been a month.’
Barely a month.
Including the time spent training him on the tasks of the White Sun Squad, it hadn’t been long at all.
I had pushed him hard without a second thought for balance, as leaving him alone meant he’d spout strange nonsense.
But his physique developed evenly, without any irregularity.
Smooth enough to be hard to reproduce even in a sculpture.
The ideal form I envisioned.
‘He’s making me conscious for no reason….’
The human brain doesn’t understand the concept of “negation.”
If someone tells you not to think of a tiger, you end up thinking about it anyway.
Lee Se-woong’s constant suspicions and probing.
Those only further etched his presence into Jegal Yeong’s mind.
‘I only intended to help Hye in the first place!’
It was absurd.
A little meddling.
I had asked about his preferences to help Moyong Hye, hoping that knowing his tastes might create a gap for her, even if he already had a fiancé.
Who knew I’d end up paying the price for that meddling?
‘Fine, I get that you’re impressive.’
He’s the beloved of my precious younger sister.
I had to observe his strengths and weaknesses with a critical eye.
‘He’s diligent.’
He’s handsome. Though I couldn’t gauge his depth, his martial skills are exceptional. He’s quick-witted.
Surprisingly educated. He looks at women as if they’re stones, and so on.
To test his character, I even wore clothes with minimal coverage.
I had grown somewhat comfortable, too.
My body, which I honed with extensive exercise, displaying healthy, beautiful skin.
Any man would have been entranced.
‘Am I really that unappealing?’
And yet, Lee Se-woong didn’t even waver.
I should have been pleased that the man my sister adored wasn’t a lecher.
So why did it feel so bitter?
‘No, that’s not it!’
When Lee Se-woong asked if I liked him.
His absurd misunderstanding left me speechless.
Me? Like you?
‘What a ridiculous notion.’
That’s why Jegal Yeong accepted his outrageous challenge.
She was confident.
Lee Se-woong was far from her type.
Jegal Yeong didn’t look at men’s faces.
She preferred men with solid muscles, the well-toned bodies of those who trained through physical exercise.
‘Ah, but I was the one who pushed him.’
She regretted it as soon as they started.
She had forgotten that she was the one who turned Lee Se-woong into this muscular form.
‘Why am I like this?’
Her heart pounded.
It was probably because of the training they’d just finished.
That had to be it.
When she caught a glimpse of his features, she tried her best not to react.
‘Moyong Hye, Moyong Hye, Moyong Hye!’
Repeating Moyong Hye’s name in her head.
It was like a spell.
She endured by remembering Moyong Hye, who adored Lee Se-woong.
“This should be enough!”
The moment the challenge ended, Jegal Yeong left in haste, as if fleeing.
She couldn’t even remember what she’d said to him.
All she knew was that she was busy trying to calm her pounding heart, now beyond her control.
‘I can’t let this continue!’
She had to come up with an exceptional countermeasure.
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