Iron Blooded Villain’s Academy Class

Episode 19

A personal training ground located in the Spiral Guild building. Not many people could write here.

It was because expensive facilities were equipped to provide customized data to match the word ‘individual’.

“Whoa…”

Not only there, but someone who can use all places in the Spiral Guild, Ju Tae-ji took a deep breath.

He grabbed the spear and waited for the training dummy to slowly form. However, it was not the monsters he was dealing with.

It was a pile of clones that imitated his form, copying his training data, fighting style, and even his habits.

Of course, artificial intelligence could not reproduce his accumulated experience and instinctive judgment.

Therefore, Ju Taiji compensated for the limit by increasing the number of dummies to deal with.

‘It was foolish.’

Ju Tae-ji ran towards the clones who were attacking. Despite the spear attacks coming from all sides, he focused on his thoughts rather than fighting.

‘If only I had paid more attention to Dahyun.’

The javelin bounced off with a clicking sound. Ju Tae-ji quickly cut off the clone dummy’s head.

‘I wouldn’t have played with someone like that.’

Being tricked by Dixon and using dishonest methods was a great disgrace to Changhwang. But more than that, I was more worried about my granddaughter playing in his clutches.

‘Rather, did my interest make it difficult for Dahyun? Is that why Dahyun didn’t talk to me directly?’

Joo Da-hyun was now his only blood relative. So I was confident that I could do anything.

However, he realized anew that his granddaughter was having a hard time with him.

‘I’d rather deal with the enemy if it’s easy.’

Ju Taiji took a short breath. It wasn’t difficult to deal with the clones even while he was lost in thought.

It is stronger than the previous record.

‘But this incident has changed Dahyun too.’

Ju Taiji came out and quenched his throat lightly. And I remembered what my granddaughter said that day.

-grandfather. I’m going to go to the special class.

Not only did he directly contact him, but he also ‘notified’ his will. Previously, I obediently followed opinions and asked for permission if anything happened.

I could feel Ju Da-hyun about to leave his arms. As a guardian, Ju Taiji couldn’t help but be happy about that fact.

But, nonetheless, concerns prevailed.

‘Did you say Kang Tae-min?’

At the center of the change was a special class and a person named Kang Tae-min, the homeroom teacher of the special class.

I had to know who he was. Only then can you trust and entrust Joo Da-hyun?

‘If you had a foolish mind…’

Maybe the granddaughter was fooled by the teacher’s words. The teacher may have a different intention.

There is no end to doubt.

Because of this, Ju Tae-ji invited Kang Tae-min.

＜Guild leader, guests have arrived.＞

Just in time, the news came back through the speakers at the training ground. Ju Taiji straightened his clothes.

Even in front of countless monsters, I wasn’t so nervous, so I even trained to warm up.

‘I’m strangely nervous.’

It must be because he is the grandfather of a child, not Changhwang.

＜Guild leader, there are some unexpected guests＞

“What do you mean by that?”

＜The lady has brought a ‘friend’.＞

Ju Taiji’s narrowed eyes widened.

* * *

“Eh, this is all Spiral Guild?”

Min So-yul looked out the window with wide-eyed eyes.

The Spiral Guild owned more than just the office building.

“Yes, this area is owned by the Spiral Guild.”

Not only office buildings, but also group training grounds for large-scale battles, equipment and potion development labs, and apartment complexes where affiliated hunters live.

For Min So-yul, who came only thinking about the office building, it was a scale that would have shocked her.

“Wow… it’s really different.”

To Min So-yul, who lives in a single room in a small town, the difference was even more unrealistic.

It felt more great to be the owner of the Spiral Guild than the value of the name Changhwang.

“Wow… that would be really nice. Are you inheriting all of this?”

“uh? Oh, that’s…”

Min So-yul just expressed his honest feelings. No malice was felt. So Dahyun Joo became more complicated.

A background that everyone envies, a future that everyone wants to have, but being the right person for the position is another story.

Ju Da-hyun was choking on the pressure again. Isn’t he too shabby compared to his grandfather’s infinite affection?

“You never know.”

Her mind, which had been so submerged, was lifted by the calm voice. But along with it, anxiety crept in.

‘Master must be trying to say that I’m lacking.’

Yet she is not a person worthy of an heir. Master would have understood that much.

Therefore, he must have denied Min So-yul’s words to remind him of the reality.

“Because Dahyun never said she wanted that.”

However, at the words that followed, she turned her head away without realizing it. At the end of that line of sight was the profile of Kang Tae-min, who was always calm.

“Soyul, it is polite to confirm the intention of the person in question before saying such a thing.”

“Oh, of course…”

“The human heart is not natural. It can change anytime.”

“Um, um… yes. I’m sorry for thinking wildly.”

Min So-yul immediately apologized. Joo Da-hyun quickly waved both hands.

“Oh, no. As far as an apology…”

She had never thought of giving up her position as the heir to the Spiral Guild.

No, I had never thought about whether I wanted the successor position in the first place. As Min So-yul said, I thought it should be like that.

‘I···.’

Unfortunately, she was not given time to think deeply. It was because the limousine stopped before I knew it, and people waiting outside opened the door.

“Heh heh, come on.”

Taiji Ju greeted them with a benevolent smile. Min So-yul opened his mouth wide.

‘This is Changhwang?’

It was very different from the image I had envisioned. It was because he resembled Joo Da-hyun and had a slightly sharp impression, but the atmosphere he gave off was too soft.

However, her well-proportioned body was visible even on top of her clothes, and if it weren’t for her gray hair, she would have looked like someone in her 40s.

“Dahyeon is your friend?”

“Oh yes! It’s called minso-yul.”

Min So-yul, who had been absent-minded, hurriedly bowed his waist. Ju Taiji nodded, holding both of her hands gently.

“Please take good care of Dahyun in the future.”

“Yes? Oh yes! Leave it to me!”

I don’t know what he’s going to do, but Min So-yul answered vigorously. It seemed like it had to be.

Dahyun Joo just watched it from the side with a slightly dark face.

“I want to talk a little more, but I want to talk to the teacher.”

“That’s… yes, I got it.”

Joo Da-hyun tried to protest, but soon accepted. It was because Kang Tae-min nodded saying he was fine next to him.

“It will be a good opportunity for Soyul, so may I ask you to take a tour of the research center?”

“Well? Alas, of course.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Min So-yul smiled brightly and was delighted. The fact that Kang Tae-min asked for him made him feel good.

When the two disappeared along with the staff, Ju Taiji smiled.

Kang Tae-min’s gaze was as alert as if it had been sharpened.

“Then let’s start the consultation.”

Not caring about those eyes, Kang Tae-min smiled leisurely.

* * *

Joo Tae-ji and Kang Tae-min were seated in the VIP parlor. The refreshments prepared in advance were high-priced items costing hundreds of thousands of won, and the interior furnishings were luxurious.

‘Am I not greedy for money?’

If he had tried to make money using Joo Da-hyun, he would have revealed his desire even for a moment. However, Kang Tae-min sat down right away and didn’t even look at the refreshments.

“First I would like to apologize and thank you.”

Ju Taiji lowered his head. If he had brought a reporter with him, it would have been covered with breaking news.

But there were only two of them here.

“I heard the story from Director Bae Seung-ju. Had it not been for the teacher, the man named Dixon would have escaped the position, and Dahyun would have suffered a great heartache.”

If Kang Tae-min had not intervened, there would be nothing to present as evidence. Of course, Ju Tai-ji would have revealed his guilt later, but Ju Da-hyun’s stand alone would have been creaky from the start.

“I was lucky.”

“Are you lucky?”

“Yes, I just exchanged contact information with the general manager, but I only had something to write about.”

Taemin Kang shrugged.

“More important than that is that Dahyun stepped forward. I didn’t save Dahyun, it was Dahyun who saved herself.”

A twinkle flashed in Ju Taiji’s eyes. I could feel that Kang Tae-min didn’t just come looking for an opportunity.

“…Dahyeon’s parents, my son and daughter-in-law, died while clearing the dungeon.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Kang Tae-min answered that, but he knew more than that. But it wasn’t a topic to bring up here now.

“Since then, the uneasiness has not gone away. Maybe Dahyun will be like that too, what if Dahyun disappears too, what will I do…”

Ju Tae-ji decided to treat Kang Tae-min as the grandfather of a child, not Chang-hwang. It was not only for herself, but also for her granddaughter.

“From then on, I think I was covering Dahyun a bit excessively. I wanted to be strong enough to protect myself, to grow up properly even without parents. That’s why I was easily fooled by such lies…”

“Let me correct one thing.”

Kang Tae-min abruptly cut off Ju Tae-ji’s words. Taiji frowned slightly, but kept his mouth shut.

“It’s not overprotection, it’s mistrust.”

“what···!?”

“Did you see what Dahyun was like back then?”

“I saw it.”

The half battle was recorded as a video for fairness. In addition to that, filming was essential to prepare for any protests from parents.

“The position of being the successor of the Spiral Guild, entering Class 1 was thanks to the guardian rather than ability, and the level of expectations continued to rise. By the way, did Dahyun want any of them?”

“…it was all for Dahyun!”

Ju Taiji frowned.

“It’s not just Dahyun that I’m worried about. Like my son and daughter-in-law, I could disappear from his side one day!”

As much as the name of Changhwang, the case in which he had to step forward was bound to be dangerous. It was always unknown whether he would be able to come back once he went on the offensive.

“I just wanted Dahyun to be safe and happy.”

Ju Taiji calmed his excitement for a moment. Taemin Kang looked at him with a calm face and thought.

‘…even after 10 years, I have a lot of worries about the correct inspiration.’

It wasn’t just harmless.

When a Code Red-class dungeon appeared, it was the association’s first priority to find it. It was he who dealt with the great demon summoned by the artifact ‘Devil Maker’.

Moreover, he was always among the top five in the ‘World Hunter Championship’, an international competition held by the International Hunter Federation for 10 years.

‘Thanks to that, I struggled too.’

When Kang Tae-min faced Chang-hwang, neither of them died. At that time, Changhwang was an opponent that even Kang Tae-min could not easily deal with.

If Ju Tae-ji had had the will to live at that time, Kang Tae-min would not have been able to guarantee his survival. Fortunately, Ju Tae-ji’s goal was to keep Kang Tae-min on his feet, and thanks to this, Kang Tae-min was able to observe and learn his spearmanship.

But I can’t tell you that.

“Even the armor that protects the body must be able to withstand the law.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Moreover, if you didn’t want that armor, it’s bound to be cumbersome.”

Taemin Kang chewed and swallowed a prepared biscuit. It was to give Ju Taiji time to think.

Taiji’s eyes fluttered. I wasn’t so stupid that I couldn’t understand Kang Tae-min’s analogy.

“If you want to be a good guardian, you have to keep an eye on it, not lock it up.”

After a moment of silence, Ju Taiji lowered his head.

“…that’s right.”

But soon, when he raised his head again, it wasn’t just a child’s guardian who was there.

“So I’ll have to check.”

There was a master of spearmanship and the head of the guild who picked and chose countless people.

* * *

“Wow… it really wasn’t a joke.”

“Is that enough?”

“Uh, I didn’t even know there were so many alchemy ingredients.”

Min So-yul was very excited after the lab tour. It was thanks to the fact that I was able to see the lab, which was lined with raw materials and formulated medicines, rather than general medicines that I only saw in the infirmary.

‘If I make better potions, teacher will praise me, right?’

New ideas sprung up as much as my knowledge has broadened. She wanted to quickly experiment with the new formulation.

“I don’t know much about alchemy. Let me know if you still need materials. I’ll save you.”

“OMG? really!?”

“Yeah, did you see it? It’s piled up like a mountain, and it doesn’t matter if a few are missing.”

“···Dahyun, you are my best friend from now on. know?”

At Min So-yul’s words, Joo Da-hyun laughed for the first time in a while. After returning like that, the two found the drawing room.

“uh? no one?”

“It is strange. Where have you been?”

Taeji Joo and Taemin Kang were not present. As they looked around, the secretary approached them and relayed the circumstances.

“A training room?!”

“Sam and Changhwang have a sparring!?”

The two were guided straight away and headed to Ju Taiji’s personal training room. Originally, Min So-yul was not allowed to enter, but was specially allowed.

“grandfather!”

Coincidentally, the two were on their way to the training ground. Ju Da-hyun hurriedly called Ju Tai-ji.

“What the hell is this!?”

No matter how strong Kang Tae-min is, he can’t deal with Ju Tae-ji. Dahyun Ju judged that her grandfather was trying to coerce Kang Taemin.

“This is also part of counseling.”

But unexpectedly, the answer came from Kang Tae-min. Joo Da-hyun was embarrassed and hurriedly turned her gaze to Min So-yul.

Wouldn’t you listen if one more person stopped it?

“Sam, fighting!”

However, Min So-yul was rather cheering. Joo Dahyun looked at me with absurd eyes.

“I’m going to do it because I have an idea too.”

Min So-yul replied with a nonchalant face. No, on the contrary, I was slightly happy.

‘Tsuttuk, you still doubt the teacher.’

His trust in Kang Tae-min was because he had proven that he was bigger.

In the meantime, Joo Tae-ji and Kang Tae-min finished their preparations.

“I won’t look at you.”

“I didn’t even expect it.”

Both were holding spears. It was because Ju Tae-ji wanted to check Kang Tae-min’s spearmanship skills.

Ju Da-hyeon pointed out Kang Tae-min as the spearman, so the justification was reasonable.

“Ah, what should I do…”

Joo Da-hyun rolled her feet with anxious eyes. But she had no means to stop it.

“···uh?”

Min So-yul, who was relieved, suddenly felt chills. She instinctively looked away.

Min So-yul, a non-combat awakening, has a dull sense of spirit. Even Min So-yul could feel the anticipation that encompassed her whole body.

As if a herbivore in front of a carnivore senses a crisis.

‘…Is that grandfather right?’

The appearance was the same.

However, Taeji Ju, who held the spear, seemed like a different person. I couldn’t feel the kindness that oozes from my smile and the warmth that came from the hand that was holding me.

All that was there was a weapon forged with time and experience, only to take the life of the opponent.

‘Gwa, will it be okay…?’

However, contrary to the vicious spirit, neither of them showed a slight movement. Taiji’s eyes narrowed.

‘I thought it was extraordinary, but.’

The number of opponents Zhu Taiji has faced so far is uncountable.

Among them, most of them were equal opponents who had to compete dozens of hundreds of times, from sewage that took less than a second to win. And the masters who let them taste defeat by a narrow margin were few enough to count on their hands.

Through that many experiences, Ju Tae-ji knew roughly what level the opponent was before even striking weapons.

But.

‘This teacher can’t even guess.’

Kang Tae-min’s posture in holding the spear was very good. As a master of spearmanship, there was no superfluity even in his eyes. That alone was enough to be called Changhwang’s opponent.

But that wasn’t all.

‘Not only the technique, but also the inside is not disturbed.’

It was not only him who had to bear the name Changhwang. The opponent who confronts himself was bound to be shaken for various reasons.

If he had the confidence to defeat Changhwang, he would be a little excited in anticipation of the honor or joy he would gain after that, and if he felt he was lacking, his composure was broken by anxiety.

However, Kang Tae-min in front of him did not waver. If there is any reason to do so.

‘Is it that much of a life-and-death cross? At such a young age?’

It had to be based on a spirit tempered by a lot of experience to the point of being aloof from winning or losing. But that was nonsense.

Kang Tae-min was now 27 years old, and if he had gone through so many life-or-death situations, there was no way he wouldn’t be found in Ju Tae-ji’s eyes.

Then, there is only one remaining case.

‘…Do you really think this is part of counseling!’

desireless.

It would have been possible if he had used this confrontation itself as a means instead of thinking about victory or defeat.

Either way was unusual.

Taeji Joo felt it.

‘···The victory or defeat will be decided by a single match.’

I put all my attention on him. If a match would end in a single blow, it was the duty of a warrior to do his best.

The moment Ju Tae-ji made his decision, he could see Kang Tae-min tense his muscles as if he had waited for it.

Then, as if they had promised, the two clashed like lightning at the same time.

With a loud bang, the positions of the two were reversed.

“Three, my God…”

“Dahyun, what happened?!”

Joo Da-hyun barely saw a blurry afterimage, and Min So-yul couldn’t see anything.

Who the hell won?

The results were immediately apparent.

“Both spears…!”

There was a large crack in the spear blades of Ju Tae-ji and Kang Tae-min. Soon the broken pieces fell to the floor. Both sides lost their weapons in one blow.

It was a draw.

On the face of it, that is.

‘Unbelievable···!’

Ju Taiji grabbed the trembling spear. He knew it through his own experience.

‘It may surpass me.’

I expected it to be an all-in-one match, so I tried to mix it up and take a chance. However, Kang Tae-min was not fooled by anything.

Rather, he pointed out the single hidden weed among the variances and blocked it.

‘That’s exactly what Changgeuk is…!’

I didn’t defend it with a spear blade, but blocked a changgeuk with a changgeuk. It means that you have completely penetrated your number.

Where the hell did this character come from?

Meanwhile, Kang Tae-min had an unexpected thought.

‘Why are there so many gaps?’

I knew it was a change, but besides that, there were strangely many gaps. I didn’t actively aim for it because I thought it was another trap.

But there were too many gaps for what was intended.

‘ah!’

Kang Tae-min took a deep breath before realizing one thing. It is true that the spearmanship he learned belonged to the emperor.

But it wasn’t the Jutaeji in front of me.

‘That’s right, it’s the old version.’

The spearman he uses was a spearmanship developed by Zhu Taiji in the future, more advanced than the present one.

In other words.

‘I could win, but well, I don’t think it’s necessary.’

Changhwang of the present era was not Ju Tae-ji, but Kang Tae-min.