By the time Hyeonu and Yeongchan arrived at the hotel where they had made the appointment, the surroundings were already bustling. It was due to the people originally using the hotel and the reporters who came to attend Dwayne’s press conference.
Hyeonu and Yeongchan passed through it. Yeongchan took the lead. Hyeonu held Yeongchan’s shoulder and pushed people away like a car.
“Is the door closed?” Yeongchan pointed his finger at the tightly closed door.
“There is still some time left. It is around 30 minutes?” Hyeonu’s eyes widened as he looked at the watch on his wrist.
“Then what should we do?”
“What else should we do? Just wait and someone will come to guide us.”
Hyeonu calmly put his hand into his coat pocket and whistled. Yeongchan shook his head like Hyeonu’s actions were irritating. Nevertheless, Hyeonu’s actions were clearly effective.
“Perhaps... is it Alley Leader?” A man in a black suit, a white shirt, and an in-ear piece in his ear approached Hyeonu.
“Yes, I am Gang Hyeonu, also known as Alley Leader.” Hyeonu quickly pulled out the hand in his pocket and held it out to the bodyguard.
“It is an honor to meet you. I will guide you to the waiting room.” The bodyguard lightly shook hands with Hyeonu before taking the lead to guide him somewhere.
“Hey, did you see it? Did you see?" Hyeonu patted the shoulder of Yeongchan, who was standing blankly behind him.
“Let’s just go.” Yeongchan frowned and pushed at Hyeonu’s back. Hyeonu followed after the bodyguard while being pushed by Yeongchan.
“This is it. The event will start exactly on time,” the bodyguard said while pointing to the white door.
“I understand. Thank you for the guidance.”
Hyeonu nodded, opened the door the bodyguard pointed at, and stepped inside. The room the door led to was plain. There was a large sofa, a table, and several chairs. They were things that were likely to be in a waiting room.
“Master Gang, you’re here?” Dwayne, the man in the waiting room, approached Hyeonu.
“When will you stop calling me Master?” Hyeonu waved his hand at Dwayne’s words.
Master—it wasn’t a very good title. His hands and feet seemed to cringe every time he heard it.
“Isn’t it once a master, always a master?” Dwayne didn’t care about Hyeonu’s reaction.
Hyeonu shook his head and asked Dwayne about something else, “Is the sale of the item already over?”
“Yes, it has already been converted to cash. I have been in contact with a few people who thought I was going to win. I was able to finish it quickly thanks to this.”
Dwayne immediately sold the item he received from Hyeonu. He sold it as soon as he got it from Hyeonu. The price was also generous. There were so many people wanting to buy it that the price kept going up. If he had more time, then he could’ve sold it for a higher price.
However, Dwayne didn’t do this. It was because the quoted price was already enough.
“Are you going to reveal the sale price as well?”
“No, I’m going to keep it a secret. I don’t think there is anything good about revealing it.”
“I agree with this. There will be people out there who find faults for no reason.”
No matter how well-intentioned, some people would look badly at Dwayne. This was a certainty. It wasn’t a guess.
“I know that as well. The media... they aren’t as good as some people think.”
Dwayne was plagued by many paparazzi that many celebrities couldn’t hold out their business cards to. Therefore, he was already quick about this matter even if Hyeonu didn’t say it.
“Is there enough money?”
“It isn’t lacking. The item was sold at a high price. There are many people around me who want to sponsor it as well.”
Dwayne had donated a lot of wealth to the foundation. As Hollywood’s best action star, Dwayne’s wealth wasn’t small. It was more than the average person imagined. Additionally, even his acquaintances were interested in Dwayne’s foundation. If they were going to make a donation anyway, it was better to make it to a place with someone they could trust than a place they didn’t know.
“Can I make it too? I’d like to make a larger donation...” Hyeonu spoke carefully.
“You want to donate? Of course you can. No, how about going to the press conference together?” Dwayne cried out with delight. Hyeonu’s donation was worth more than just the amount.
“It seems a bit... I don’t think so. I think you can just mention it once.”
Hyeonu shook his head. He had no intention of rising to a burdensome position. It was enough just to be involved in good things in a small manner.
“Okay, then I will revise what I have prepared.”
Dwayne nodded. The script had to be revised due to Hyeonu’s sudden participation, but Dwayne found it fun. He was happy that celebrities like Hyeonu participated in the donation.
‘If Master Gang participates... I think his fans will participate.’
The more people that donated to the foundation, the more people that could be helped.
“Thank you very much, Master Gang.” Dwayne hugged Hyeonu.
“Don’t call me Master.” Hyeonu frowned and pushed Dwayne’s body away.
***
Dwayne’s press conference went smoothly. There were passable questions and passable answers. It was passable as if it had been prearranged. Yet even in such circumstances, an unexpected situation occurred. A sharp-eyed reporter with glasses raised his hand and asked Dwayne a question, “What is the selling price of the ‘Oath of Eternal Allegiance’ item that you received from Alley Leader?”
“I think I initially said that I wouldn’t take any questions about the selling price of the item... did I not say it?”
Dwayne raised an eyebrow at the reporter’s question. He had clearly said so at the beginning. Even so, these words came out.
‘Is he taking me too lightly?’
“Take him out,” Dwayne spoke to the bodyguards who were lined up at the door. It was a quiet tone, but it was full of displeasure. The bodyguards became fearful of Dwayne’s words and pulled out the reporter who asked Dwayne the question.
One reporter was pulled out and the rest of the staff members sorted out the equipment the reporter had brought with him and left the conference room. A seat was emptied in an instant.
The reporters who saw it were speechless. However, they were inwardly delighted. It was a reporter they always thought was bad. He was the culprit who ruined the atmosphere. There were also rumors that a certain guild was paying him to write articles.
“I told you beforehand, but please understand that I can’t tell you the selling price of the item. Instead, I’ll tell you something else.” Dwayne turned to look at the reporters.
“Tell us something else?”
“What else is there?”
“Is there any news about Dwayne lately?”
“No? Filming a movie isn’t news that we need to know, right?”
The reporters started talking. Then they simultaneously looked at Dwayne as they waited for what he had to say.
“There are many people helping with this foundation. Some of them are names you know very well.” Dwayne once again made eye contact with the reporters. “Alley Leader, Alley Leader has added his strength.”
The reporters quickly tapped on the keyboard the moment Dwayne finished talking. There was no time to be surprised. They had to write the articles faster than anyone else.
“Starting from March, an account where people can make donations will be opened. I look forward to your participation.”
Dwayne got up and bowed.
***
“Tang-E, you fight by reacting to what you see. You should instead get into the habit of thinking. How will the opponent move? Anticipate it,” Hyeonu nagged at Tang-E as he held a sword in his hand. It poured in like a shower.
“Uhh... Master dude is too strong,” Tang-E replied with a wronged expression. It wasn’t that he was bad. Hyeonu just made it impossible. Therefore, he felt frustrated when Hyeonu said this.
"What do you mean? I am doing it for you.”
Hyeonu shrugged.
‘He is good at learning.’
Contrary to his words, Hyeonu was quite satisfied with Tang-E’s skills. Tang-E’s immediate skills were good, but he was more satisfied with the ability to noticeably improve the more Tang-E fought.
‘I need to polish him a bit more.’
However, it wasn’t time to give the carrot. He had to push Tang-E to the end until it built up.
“Now, are you done with the review? Let’s do it again.”
Hyeonu pulled out the Guardian’s Spear instead of the Mixed Sky Sword. He had to instill as much experience as possible in Tang-E. That way, he would be more comfortable fighting with someone other than Hyeonu.
“What are you doing? Do you want to do it with your bare hands?” Hyeonu called out again to Tang-E, who was standing still.
“No, this damn Master dude. I’m not fighting with my bare hands.”
Tang-E shook his head. He wouldn’t do that even if he died. Rushing to Hyeonu with his bare hands was no different from asking Hyeonu to hit him. It was even worse when he was holding the spear. The spear was used like a club.
Tang-E grabbed the sword that Hyeonu had given him and ran to ward Hyeonu. Tang-E had no movement skills. He just had the buffs that boosted his movement speed along with his massive stats and agility. All he did was utilize his physical abilities alongside the appropriate magic power. It was just that his innate abilities were so good that this alone was enough.
‘It doesn’t work in front of me.’
Hyeonu lacked pure stats compared to Tang-E, but when he combined his titles, skills, and items, he wasn’t inferior when compared to Tang-E. Rather, he could be called overwhelming when the battle started.
“I told you. Don’t be so ignorant.”
Hyeonu lightly hit the sword that Tang-E wielded. Then he swung his spear toward the gap that was created. The Guardian’s Spear moved through the air like a snake.
‘It is real...!’
“Damn Master dude!” Tang-E shouted when he saw Hyeonu’s strike. This was an attack with the will to strike unconditionally. Tang-E quickly moved his feet. He escaped from the trajectory of Hyeonu’s spear. Just then, there was a change in Hyeonu’s spear. It once again crawled on the ground like a snake. The direction was the one in which Tang-E had just moved.
Tang-E moved once again. He exploded his magic power and flew through the air toward the spot where he had just been.
“If you can’t avoid it, you have to block it, Tang-E.” Hyeonu saw it and smiled. Tang-E’s choice was a mistake. The choice to avoid it was good, but this was only the first time.
Avoiding it twice without thinking—it was no different from jumping into the firepit of a bigger crisis.
Hyeonu’s body twisted and pushed in the direction that Tang-E moved. The Guardian’s Spear struck Tang-E’s side in his human form.
“Ack!!” Tang-E screamed and collapsed on the spot.
Hyeonu approached the collapsed Tang-E and asked, “Are you in pain?”
“Can you say that, ignorant Master dude?” Tang-E’s eyes rolled.
“I will give you a chance to get revenge. How about it?”
“A chance for revenge?” Tang-E’s eyes shone.
“Yes, a chance.”
Hyeonu smiled.
Then he handed Tang-E a mask.
“Hello, everyone. Even today, the academy doesn’t rest.”
Hyeonu wasn’t the one Tang-E was going to get revenge against. It was someone else.
By the time Hyeonu and Yeongchan arrived at the hotel where they had made the appointment, the surroundings were already bustling. It was due to the people originally using the hotel and the reporters who came to attend Dwayne’s press conference.
Hyeonu and Yeongchan passed through it. Yeongchan took the lead. Hyeonu held Yeongchan’s shoulder and pushed people away like a car.
“Is the door closed?” Yeongchan pointed his finger at the tightly closed door.
“There is still some time left. It is around 30 minutes?” Hyeonu’s eyes widened as he looked at the watch on his wrist.
“Then what should we do?”
“What else should we do? Just wait and someone will come to guide us.”
Hyeonu calmly put his hand into his coat pocket and whistled. Yeongchan shook his head like Hyeonu’s actions were irritating. Nevertheless, Hyeonu’s actions were clearly effective.
“Perhaps... is it Alley Leader?” A man in a black suit, a white shirt, and an in-ear piece in his ear approached Hyeonu.
“Yes, I am Gang Hyeonu, also known as Alley Leader.” Hyeonu quickly pulled out the hand in his pocket and held it out to the bodyguard.
“It is an honor to meet you. I will guide you to the waiting room.” The bodyguard lightly shook hands with Hyeonu before taking the lead to guide him somewhere.
“Hey, did you see it? Did you see?" Hyeonu patted the shoulder of Yeongchan, who was standing blankly behind him.
“Let’s just go.” Yeongchan frowned and pushed at Hyeonu’s back. Hyeonu followed after the bodyguard while being pushed by Yeongchan.
“This is it. The event will start exactly on time,” the bodyguard said while pointing to the white door.
“I understand. Thank you for the guidance.”
Hyeonu nodded, opened the door the bodyguard pointed at, and stepped inside. The room the door led to was plain. There was a large sofa, a table, and several chairs. They were things that were likely to be in a waiting room.
“Master Gang, you’re here?” Dwayne, the man in the waiting room, approached Hyeonu.
“When will you stop calling me Master?” Hyeonu waved his hand at Dwayne’s words.
Master—it wasn’t a very good title. His hands and feet seemed to cringe every time he heard it.
“Isn’t it once a master, always a master?” Dwayne didn’t care about Hyeonu’s reaction.
Hyeonu shook his head and asked Dwayne about something else, “Is the sale of the item already over?”
“Yes, it has already been converted to cash. I have been in contact with a few people who thought I was going to win. I was able to finish it quickly thanks to this.”
Dwayne immediately sold the item he received from Hyeonu. He sold it as soon as he got it from Hyeonu. The price was also generous. There were so many people wanting to buy it that the price kept going up. If he had more time, then he could’ve sold it for a higher price.
However, Dwayne didn’t do this. It was because the quoted price was already enough.
“Are you going to reveal the sale price as well?”
“No, I’m going to keep it a secret. I don’t think there is anything good about revealing it.”
“I agree with this. There will be people out there who find faults for no reason.”
No matter how well-intentioned, some people would look badly at Dwayne. This was a certainty. It wasn’t a guess.
“I know that as well. The media... they aren’t as good as some people think.”
Dwayne was plagued by many paparazzi that many celebrities couldn’t hold out their business cards to. Therefore, he was already quick about this matter even if Hyeonu didn’t say it.
“Is there enough money?”
“It isn’t lacking. The item was sold at a high price. There are many people around me who want to sponsor it as well.”
Dwayne had donated a lot of wealth to the foundation. As Hollywood’s best action star, Dwayne’s wealth wasn’t small. It was more than the average person imagined. Additionally, even his acquaintances were interested in Dwayne’s foundation. If they were going to make a donation anyway, it was better to make it to a place with someone they could trust than a place they didn’t know.
“Can I make it too? I’d like to make a larger donation...” Hyeonu spoke carefully.
“You want to donate? Of course you can. No, how about going to the press conference together?” Dwayne cried out with delight. Hyeonu’s donation was worth more than just the amount.
“It seems a bit... I don’t think so. I think you can just mention it once.”
Hyeonu shook his head. He had no intention of rising to a burdensome position. It was enough just to be involved in good things in a small manner.
“Okay, then I will revise what I have prepared.”
Dwayne nodded. The script had to be revised due to Hyeonu’s sudden participation, but Dwayne found it fun. He was happy that celebrities like Hyeonu participated in the donation.
‘If Master Gang participates... I think his fans will participate.’
The more people that donated to the foundation, the more people that could be helped.
“Thank you very much, Master Gang.” Dwayne hugged Hyeonu.
“Don’t call me Master.” Hyeonu frowned and pushed Dwayne’s body away.
***
Dwayne’s press conference went smoothly. There were passable questions and passable answers. It was passable as if it had been prearranged. Yet even in such circumstances, an unexpected situation occurred. A sharp-eyed reporter with glasses raised his hand and asked Dwayne a question, “What is the selling price of the ‘Oath of Eternal Allegiance’ item that you received from Alley Leader?”
“I think I initially said that I wouldn’t take any questions about the selling price of the item... did I not say it?”
Dwayne raised an eyebrow at the reporter’s question. He had clearly said so at the beginning. Even so, these words came out.
‘Is he taking me too lightly?’
“Take him out,” Dwayne spoke to the bodyguards who were lined up at the door. It was a quiet tone, but it was full of displeasure. The bodyguards became fearful of Dwayne’s words and pulled out the reporter who asked Dwayne the question.
One reporter was pulled out and the rest of the staff members sorted out the equipment the reporter had brought with him and left the conference room. A seat was emptied in an instant.
The reporters who saw it were speechless. However, they were inwardly delighted. It was a reporter they always thought was bad. He was the culprit who ruined the atmosphere. There were also rumors that a certain guild was paying him to write articles.
“I told you beforehand, but please understand that I can’t tell you the selling price of the item. Instead, I’ll tell you something else.” Dwayne turned to look at the reporters.
“Tell us something else?”
“What else is there?”
“Is there any news about Dwayne lately?”
“No? Filming a movie isn’t news that we need to know, right?”
The reporters started talking. Then they simultaneously looked at Dwayne as they waited for what he had to say.
“There are many people helping with this foundation. Some of them are names you know very well.” Dwayne once again made eye contact with the reporters. “Alley Leader, Alley Leader has added his strength.”
The reporters quickly tapped on the keyboard the moment Dwayne finished talking. There was no time to be surprised. They had to write the articles faster than anyone else.
“Starting from March, an account where people can make donations will be opened. I look forward to your participation.”
Dwayne got up and bowed.
***
“Tang-E, you fight by reacting to what you see. You should instead get into the habit of thinking. How will the opponent move? Anticipate it,” Hyeonu nagged at Tang-E as he held a sword in his hand. It poured in like a shower.
“Uhh... Master dude is too strong,” Tang-E replied with a wronged expression. It wasn’t that he was bad. Hyeonu just made it impossible. Therefore, he felt frustrated when Hyeonu said this.
"What do you mean? I am doing it for you.”
Hyeonu shrugged.
‘He is good at learning.’
Contrary to his words, Hyeonu was quite satisfied with Tang-E’s skills. Tang-E’s immediate skills were good, but he was more satisfied with the ability to noticeably improve the more Tang-E fought.
‘I need to polish him a bit more.’
However, it wasn’t time to give the carrot. He had to push Tang-E to the end until it built up.
“Now, are you done with the review? Let’s do it again.”
Hyeonu pulled out the Guardian’s Spear instead of the Mixed Sky Sword. He had to instill as much experience as possible in Tang-E. That way, he would be more comfortable fighting with someone other than Hyeonu.
“What are you doing? Do you want to do it with your bare hands?” Hyeonu called out again to Tang-E, who was standing still.
“No, this damn Master dude. I’m not fighting with my bare hands.”
Tang-E shook his head. He wouldn’t do that even if he died. Rushing to Hyeonu with his bare hands was no different from asking Hyeonu to hit him. It was even worse when he was holding the spear. The spear was used like a club.
Tang-E grabbed the sword that Hyeonu had given him and ran to ward Hyeonu. Tang-E had no movement skills. He just had the buffs that boosted his movement speed along with his massive stats and agility. All he did was utilize his physical abilities alongside the appropriate magic power. It was just that his innate abilities were so good that this alone was enough.
‘It doesn’t work in front of me.’
Hyeonu lacked pure stats compared to Tang-E, but when he combined his titles, skills, and items, he wasn’t inferior when compared to Tang-E. Rather, he could be called overwhelming when the battle started.
“I told you. Don’t be so ignorant.”
Hyeonu lightly hit the sword that Tang-E wielded. Then he swung his spear toward the gap that was created. The Guardian’s Spear moved through the air like a snake.
‘It is real...!’
“Damn Master dude!” Tang-E shouted when he saw Hyeonu’s strike. This was an attack with the will to strike unconditionally. Tang-E quickly moved his feet. He escaped from the trajectory of Hyeonu’s spear. Just then, there was a change in Hyeonu’s spear. It once again crawled on the ground like a snake. The direction was the one in which Tang-E had just moved.
Tang-E moved once again. He exploded his magic power and flew through the air toward the spot where he had just been.
“If you can’t avoid it, you have to block it, Tang-E.” Hyeonu saw it and smiled. Tang-E’s choice was a mistake. The choice to avoid it was good, but this was only the first time.
Avoiding it twice without thinking—it was no different from jumping into the firepit of a bigger crisis.
Hyeonu’s body twisted and pushed in the direction that Tang-E moved. The Guardian’s Spear struck Tang-E’s side in his human form.
“Ack!!” Tang-E screamed and collapsed on the spot.
Hyeonu approached the collapsed Tang-E and asked, “Are you in pain?”
“Can you say that, ignorant Master dude?” Tang-E’s eyes rolled.
“I will give you a chance to get revenge. How about it?”
“A chance for revenge?” Tang-E’s eyes shone.
“Yes, a chance.”
Hyeonu smiled.
Then he handed Tang-E a mask.
“Hello, everyone. Even today, the academy doesn’t rest.”
Hyeonu wasn’t the one Tang-E was going to get revenge against. It was someone else.
