Chapter 41: Do it moderately, before you kill me.

“This… how on earth did this happen…?”

The Broad Academy’s president, staring in shock at the sight of countless F-class students holding weapons bearing

the SIH+ logo, weapons that even she could not easily obtain, weapons made by Tak Woo-hyun himself. The mark

on these weapons, crafted by him, left Choi I-seul stunned as she looked at Lee Hyun-seung.

Lee Hyun-seung answered nonchalantly, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“When I asked Tak Woo-hyun to make the weapons, he agreed without hesitation.”

“Hah… but Tak Woo-hyun is known for making only a select few items, and the cost is astronomical… He doesn’t just

make things for anyone…”

Choi I-seul recalled the time she had tried to ask Tak Woo-hyun to make her a magical staff, only to be turned down.

Even the president of Broad Academy had been rejected when asking him for a weapon, so why on earth had he

agreed to make so many for mere academy students? She needed an answer to this fundamental question.

Lee Hyun-seung seemed to understand what was on her mind and responded, “Tak Woo-hyun and I are somewhat close.”

There was no mention of any alliance or unnecessary details. He did not bring up the deal they had made either—

there was simply no need for that.

• gulp

Choi I-seul swallowed dryly, as if nothing was amiss, while continuing to look at Lee Hyun-seung.

‘He really… must be an extraordinary person.’

When Choi I-seul had first seen Lee Hyun-seung, he was nothing more than an ordinary student with no real

connections. He liked to study and had no interest in fighting or politics. That was the image he had cultivated at

Broad Academy.

But once his conflict with Yoo Hee-yeon began, it was as if he had been waiting for this moment, quickly rallying and

using people to his advantage. What was most shocking was that he had obtained dozens of weapons from the

notoriously picky Tak Woo-hyun, and yet he was acting as if it was no big deal.

“Do you have more questions?”

“Ugh…”

Seeing Lee Hyun-seung’s perplexed expression, Choi I-seul realized that she had overstepped.

Of course, whether Lee Hyun-seung had asked Tak Woo-hyun to make the weapons or how he had obtained them

was none of her business. And Lee Hyun-seung had no obligation to answer her questions.

“No more questions. I’ll focus on the rest of the classes, but if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you.”

At first, Choi I-seul had subtly sided with Lee Hyun-seung because she felt sorry for him—a student unfairly

punished by the Artemis Guildmaster’s daughter, Yoo Hee-yeon. That was the extent of her understanding of Lee

Hyun-seung. But now, her opinion had completely changed.

‘He could become the head of a massive guild in the future.’

The reason she had thought Tak Woo-hyun made weapons for the students was obvious—there was no way he would

just give out such valuable weapons as a mere act of kindness. What seemed likely was that Lee Hyun-seung was

trying to build a faction for himself in the fight against Yoo Hee-yeon. If that was the case, he had the natural

qualities of a leader.

‘Everyone holding those weapons… They all have tremendous potential.’

Though they were in F-class, these students had explosive potential, likely capable of rising to C, B, or even A-class in

the future. All of them held weapons, and Lee Hyun-seung had either intentionally given them only to those with

potential or it was just a coincidence. Either way, it was an astonishing level of insight.

‘Maybe I won’t have to help him after all.’

Choi I-seul had thought she would have to step in and help him after the incident involving Artemis Guildmaster’s

wife, Kim Hee-ra, cutting off her donation support, but now, she felt that might not be necessary.

‘The upcoming class elimination may yield an unexpected result.’

Thinking this, Choi I-seul walked briskly toward the president’s office.

The rumor that Lee Hyun-seung had commissioned dozens of weapons from Tak Woo-hyun, the head of the

Blacksmith Guild, spread quickly within Broad Academy.

Some speculated that Lee Hyun-seung had paid a huge sum for them, while others claimed that the two had a close

relationship, and the rumors snowballed as they spread like wildfire.

People began to wonder if Lee Hyun-seung and the Blacksmith Guild were now allies.

Not everyone was pleased with the situation, however.

Han Seong-gil, the representative of B-class, was not happy about it.

“Ugh… Damn it… Everywhere I go, all I hear is about that bastard Lee Hyun-seung…”

Han Seong-gil had been elected as the B-class representative through a fair vote, but he had received no real

attention, overshadowed by the massive issues surrounding Lee Hyun-seung. Normally, becoming B-class

representative would be a cause for surprise and interest, with scouts from various organizations reaching out and

gossip spreading through the academy.

But the only topic being discussed at the academy now was Lee Hyun-seung and Yoo Hee-yeon.

• crunch

Han Seong-gil ground his teeth in frustration and muttered to himself.

“What’s so special about that damn gunmage? Why is everyone making such a fuss about him? The only thing he’s

done is bully F-class students to become a representative. That’s his only claim to fame.”

Han Seong-gil wasn’t on bad terms with Yoo Hee-yeon, but neither was he particularly friendly with her. He didn’t

like aligning himself with anyone. What he craved was attention. When he achieved something great, he wanted the

spotlight—nothing more.

A natural attention seeker. His remarkable swordsmanship earned him admiration and envy, and many saw him as a

genius. But he could never break into A-class, always limited by his clear shortcomings. His inferiority complex had

only grown over time, and now, with all the talk of Lee Hyun-seung, it was becoming unbearable.

“Damn it… What’s so great about Lee Hyun-seung and Yoo Hee-yeon that everyone is making such a fuss?”

As Han Seong-gil muttered, the man standing next to him froze, looking at him in horror.

“Se… Seong-gil, what if Lee Hyun-seung or Yoo Hee-yeon hear you…? That could be a huge problem…”

• splat!

Han Seong-gil was the man who had been making a fuss beside him. He shouted as he punched Im Tak-joo in the face.

“So what? Damn it, what are you going to do about it? We’re both students at the Academy anyway. So what if the

guild’s rank is high? Are they going to send someone to take my head? Go ahead, try it.”

Han Seong-gil vented his frustration. His outbursts inside Class B weren’t a one-off, so the students in the same class

just quietly closed the door without responding.

“…This feels disgusting.”

• Swoosh
  Han Seong-gil, gripping Im Tak-joo’s collar, continued speaking.
  “And what did you say earlier? Even if Yoo Hee-yeon is like that, why the hell do I have to care about that bastard Lee Hyun-seung?”

“Th…that’s not what I meant… There’s even talk that he might be related to the blacksmithing guild, and… and Teor

Guild Master Jung Eun-seo is also involved… they go around together…”

• Smack!
  Han Seong-gil punched Im Tak-joo’s face again.

“Are you all just trembling in fear, believing in those damn rumors? Until recently, everyone was calling him a

stalker or whatever. Why is everyone changing their attitude and suddenly afraid of him? Why are you afraid of that

bastard who only bullied other F-class students in the representative selection?”

Han Seong-gil stood Im Tak-joo up and continued speaking.

“Ugh, I can’t stand this. You go and take care of Lee Hyun-seung, that bastard.”

“Me… me? How… how am I supposed to do that…”

• Crack
• Crack!
  Han Seong-gil continued to beat Im Tak-joo, whispering in his ear.

“Stop pretending to be innocent. I know you’ve been extorting money from weaklings and doing all kinds of stupid

shit. Just do what you usually do. Got it?”

Im Tak-joo, holding his swollen face, nodded and answered.

“Ah… got it…”

• Creeeak!
• Thud!
  Han Seong-gil kicked open the door hard, grabbing Im Tak-joo and heading towards Class F.
• Step
• Step
• Step
  Finally, when they reached the door to Class F.
• BAM!
  He kicked open the door to Class F and shoved Im Tak-joo inside.

Im Tak-joo, suddenly inside Class F, quickly tried to ignore the stares and thought to himself.

‘Yeah… damn it, those rumors could all be lies. If I get targeted by this psycho Han Seong-gil, then it’s better to just

take down that Lee Hyun-seung bastard first. At least that way, there won’t be any trouble. Jung Eun-seo is

annoying, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’

Just as he was thinking that, Han Seong-gil behind him nodded encouragingly, urging him to hurry up and do something.

Im Tak-joo quickly shouted,

“Where’s that Lee Hyun-seung bastard? I have something to say!”

But Class F was eerily quiet, as if there was a blackout.

‘What the…?’

Seeing that no one was reacting, even though he was openly provoking them, Im Tak-joo thought to himself.

‘They might actually be weaker than I thought?’

Gaining confidence, Im Tak-joo shouted loudly,

“Lee Hyun-seung, come out, you piece of shit!”

At that moment, a man stepped forward and grabbed Im Tak-joo’s shoulder, stopping him.

“Why… what’s going on suddenly… Hyun-seung went to the bathroom, so just wait for next time…”

• Thud!
  “Ugh…!”
  Ryu Nam-gi, who had received a weapon from Lee Hyun-seung, tried to cover for him by saying that Hyun-seung had gone to the bathroom, hoping to prevent any trouble. However, his reward for that was a kick.

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, you piece of shit from Class F!”

• Smack!
• Smack!
  Im Tak-joo, venting his frustration from being beaten by Han Seong-gil, shouted as he ruthlessly stomped on Ryu Nam-gi.
• Creeeak!
  Suddenly, a chair scraping sound was heard from behind, and a man walked up, standing in front of Im Tak-joo.

“Stop it.”

“Huh?”

Im Tak-joo, looking bewildered, turned to Lee Hyun-seung.

“Stop it? Are you out of your mind? You want to get beaten up like this bastard?”

In an instant, Lee Hyun-seung’s face twisted into a fierce expression as he replied.

“I’m Lee Hyun-seung, so you talk to me. And don’t go overboard. I’ll make you regret it before I kill you.”

Looking at Ryu Nam-gi, who was being trampled, Lee Hyun-seung added,

“Stop it before I make sure you can’t use your legs again.”

Im Tak-joo tilted his head in defiance.

“What if I don’t?”

Click!

The sound of a gun being loaded echoed, and Lee Hyun-seung’s cold voice rang out.

“Don’t regret it later when I make sure you’ll never use your legs again.”