The Appearance Of A Wild Bear

Sometimes in life, there are moments when violence becomes unavoidable.

Truthfully, violence had also been how I kept the cultists in line in my previous life.

If someone listened well, words were enough. But there was no need to keep trying to talk to bastards who refused to listen no matter what you said.

For people who couldn’t understand words, fists were usually the best medicine.

And this was exactly one of those moments that called for a physical conversation. There was no reason to act submissive toward people who had drawn their swords first.

In any case, a proper conversation wasn’t going to happen while they were looking down on me, so I thoroughly smashed the faces, legs, shoulders, stomachs, and various other parts of the bastards who had always treated me with contempt.

Every last one of them was pathetic, so even without putting much power behind my blows, they went flying from a single hit.

‘Good.’

The quality of this body was still far behind my previous one, but that was merely something I could catch up on through training, so I didn’t worry about it much.

For now, I simply focused on adapting to Dokgo Mu-jin’s body as I swung my sword, blocked attacks, countered, and moved swiftly.

It hardly felt like I’d swung my sword more than a few times, yet nine-tenths of the men who had rushed me were already down.

Once more than ten men were sprawled across the ground, no one else dared rush in recklessly.

Breaking morale was surprisingly simple.

The pushover Sect Master of a sect they’d always treated like complete shit had suddenly barged in and beaten the hell out of everyone. What could possibly be more shocking than that?

I looked at Gongson Han, who was staring at the scene in a daze, and spoke.

“Young Sect Master. You thinking of drawing that?”

“……!”

Gongson Han’s hand twitched to a stop on its way to his waist. I pointed at him and continued in a threatening tone.

“If you’re going to draw it, then draw it and come at me. But…….”

“…….”

“If you come at me now, you’ll die. It won’t end with just a few beatings like it did for these bastards.”

It wasn’t a bluff. It was a sincere warning. Sometimes a single sentence was enough to send a crowd into an uproar, and this was one of those times.

Perhaps the sight before them was simply too shocking and confusing, because voices asking what they should do erupted from all around and blended into a noisy mess.

Gongson Han kept glaring at me, then finally removed his hand from his waist and spoke in a low voice.

“Quiet. Everyone shut your mouths.”

The murmuring crowd fell silent in an instant. Amid the stillness, Young Sect Master Gongson Han suddenly said,

“……Sect Master Dokgo. Our Sect Master is currently away. How about waiting inside until he returns?”

“…….”

“I was in the wrong. Truly. Let me treat you to some food and drink, and we can settle this through conversation. Please.”

Perhaps there was a reason he was the Young Sect Master after all. Just like his sly-looking face suggested, his social instincts and ability to read the room were impressive.

Honestly, I hesitated for a moment because I had no idea what the bastard might be plotting, but there was an age-old rule that you never turned down food and drink someone else was offering, so I accepted.

It absolutely wasn’t because I wanted a drink.

“Do that.”

“Thank you. I’ll have it prepared immediately.”

Gongson Han gave orders to the remaining men.

“Tell the kitchen to prepare food and drinks in the banquet hall. The rest of you, take the injured men away and treat them.”

“Yes, Young Sect Master.”

Truthfully, whatever these bastards might be plotting, it wasn’t likely to trouble someone like me who had survived every kind of bloodbath imaginable.

I’d dealt with assassination attempts and ambushes as routinely as eating, whether I was having a meal, sleeping, or even taking a shit. There was no way I’d fall for the schemes of pathetic bastards like these.

By then, the murderous intent had vanished from Gongson Han’s face, and he gestured to me.

“Please follow me. I’ll escort you.”

I nodded once and followed behind Gongson Han, briefly organizing my thoughts so I could reach a conclusion.

If nothing happened while we drank, there was no particular need to kill anyone. If they tried some useless little scheme and pulled some ridiculous bullshit, then I’d simply kill them all.

Matters in the Kangho were really as simple as that.

Following Gongson Han’s lead, I entered an extravagantly decorated banquet hall. Was this really a sect where people learned the sword, or some lavish revel of wine and carnal pleasure?

It looked like a place meant for entertaining wealthy, distinguished guests, and sitting there myself made me feel strangely uncomfortable.

Before long, maidservants appeared, covered the table with expensive-looking dishes and alcohol, then withdrew. Gongson Han spoke to me.

“Please, help yourself.”

“You eat first.”

“Ah, you want me to check for poison? Very well.”

Gongson Han poured himself a cup of Dukang wine and drank it, then picked up some meat drenched in red chili oil and ate it.

I also picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour pork, shoved it into my mouth, then poured myself a drink. It tasted excellent, but I still couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling of sitting on a bed of thorns.

Gongson Han spoke in a relaxed tone.

“I only learned today that your martial prowess was this impressive, Sect Master. You’ve caused quite the commotion tonight. Why have you been hiding your abilities all this time?”

“It was true that my health was poor, and I simply thought problems could be settled through conversation instead of blindly beating everyone down with force. For example…….”

Halfway through speaking, my temper suddenly flared, and I blurted out whatever came to mind.

“……unlike you bastards. Just because you have power doesn’t mean you get to steal, exploit, and torment people however you damn well please. Huh? You fucking bastards.”

“…….”

“Just look at today. If I didn’t have strength, we wouldn’t be sitting here all friendly and drinking together. I’d have been beaten half to death and buried somewhere on a mountain out back. Am I wrong?”

“That was only because things unfolded so suddenly, so we had no choice but to…….”

Thud!

I stabbed my chopsticks straight down into the table and pointed at Gongson Han with a finger.

“Cut the bullshit. Didn’t you just say your Sect Master had already ordered you to kill me? Don’t play word games with me. Do I look like a fucking idiot?”

“…….”

“From now on, think before you open your mouth. Before I rip it apart. And you’ve been talking awfully casually to me for a while now, haven’t you?”

“…….”

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Ah, yes. Understood, Sect Master.”

I let out a long sigh as though suppressing my anger, then spoke again.

“……Your Sect Master is taking his time. Where did he go?”

A slightly deflated Gongson Han answered.

“Our Sect Master has been going out quite often lately. I heard he goes to pay tribute to Black Path gangs and sects, but he doesn’t tell me the details either……so I don’t know for certain. My apologies.”

“Now that I hear you talk like this, you’re actually pretty good at speaking politely.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Anyway, you’re telling me a fairly well-known sword sect has cozied up to the Black Path and goes around paying tribute?”

“Yes.”

I crossed my arms and looked around. Apparently, they’d been getting something out of their dealings with the Black Path.

I furrowed my brow deeply and sighed.

“The principles of the Kangho have fallen into the dirt. A sword sect is supposed to have a bit of, you know, style and dignity among martial organizations. Back in my day…….”

“Back in your day?”

“What?”

“I’m two years older than you.”

“So what?”

“…….”

Gongson Han looked at me suspiciously and asked,

“……What do you plan to do when our Sect Master returns?”

I answered without giving it much thought.

“What do you think? I’ll try talking things out. If that doesn’t work, I’ll beat the hell out of him. If even that fails, I’ll just have to kill him.”

“…….”

“Can’t be helped. If you commit crimes, you have to be punished. Of course.”

I’d committed plenty of sins in my previous life and received the painful punishment of failing to kill either the Cult Leader or the Demonic Gentleman. There was no reason the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master should escape punishment himself.

Gongson Han cautiously asked,

“Would that really be……possible? Even if, by some chance, our Sect Master loses, the consequences afterward would be enormous.”

“By consequences, you mean the Black Path people your Sect Master grovels before will come bother me or something?”

“Wouldn’t that be the most likely outcome?”

Truthfully, the Black Path forces around a little town like this weren’t even a storm to me. If I had to compare them to anything, maybe a spring breeze?

In any case, there wasn’t a trace of fear in my heart right now, only irritation.

I glared at Gongson Han and said,

“Why should I care? Let’s be serious. If I apologized here and begged your Sect Master for forgiveness, would he let me live?”

“That would be difficult. Then what will you do?”

I organized my thoughts for a moment before answering.

“First, I’ll kill the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master. Then whether some Black Path gang or sect comes afterward, if they raise hell with me, I’ll raise hell right back. The only answer to bullshit is even bigger bullshit.”

“That won’t be easy.”

“You think it’s practically impossible?”

“Wouldn’t you, honestly? Our Sect Master is quite formidable in martial arts.”

“Hmm. That’s fine.”

“Why?”

I raised a finger and answered proudly.

“Because I am the strongest.”

“…….”

“What did I say?”

“Ah, yes. You’re the strongest. Of course. Absolutely.”

As Gongson Han tilted his head and sighed, I could practically hear what he was thinking.

‘I got tangled up with some fucking lunatic…….’

I poured myself another cup and spoke.

“Anyway, when your Sect Master gets back, tell him this. If he bows his head now and learns some manners, I’ll spare his life.”

“Do you really think he’ll listen?”

“You have to give a man a chance. If he still doesn’t come to his senses, then I’ll have no choice but to beat him to death.”

I also intended to give Gongson Han a chance. Whatever else could be said about him, he knew how to listen.

If he refused my offer, that would simply be unfortunate. It was Gongson Han’s choice, so there was nothing I could do about it.

I pointed at Gongson Han with my oil-stained chopsticks and asked,

“Young Sect Master, what did you say your name was again?”

“Gongson Han.”

“Han, think carefully too. The choice is yours, but as long as you don’t get smart with me, I have no intention of killing you. If you think I’m going to lose, go back to licking the feet of that pathetic Sect Master of yours. Otherwise, keep adapting like you are now. You seem pretty quick on the uptake, so put that clever head of yours to good use.”

“…….”

At that moment, heavy thudding came from the first floor and rapidly drew closer up the stairs.

It sounded like a large man approaching at a fast pace, and even from the footsteps alone, I could tell just how furious he was.

Young Sect Master Gongson Han turned toward the banquet hall door and said,

“……It seems our Sect Master has returned.”

I poured myself another drink and answered casually.

“Go greet him, explain the situation, and pass along what I told you. Just like we discussed.”

“Understood.”

Gongson Han closed the banquet hall door behind him and quietly disappeared. Once the Young Sect Master was gone, an awkward silence settled over the banquet hall where I now sat alone.

Left alone in the silence, all sorts of stray thoughts naturally surfaced. What were they talking about outside right now?

Were they cursing me? Speaking of me with awe? Which side would Gongson Han choose? Should I kill the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master or let him live? I don’t know. I’m tired.…….

“……What?!”

I was lost in those thoughts when someone shouted furiously outside. Apparently, the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master was extremely angry.

Not that it was my problem. I was just about to pour myself another cup of Dukang wine when the banquet hall door flew open and a massive middle-aged man appeared.

“…….”

A bear of a man stood before me, his face looking as though it were packed to the brim with greed and desire.

I silently glared at the ugly mug of the wild bear that had suddenly appeared.

‘What, idiot?’

The man I assumed to be the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master finally spoke to me.

“……You’re the Sect Master of the Sword Name Gate, correct? You seem to have changed quite a bit.”

“I am. Dokgo Mu-jin, Sect Master of the Sword Name Gate.”

“That way of speaking is rather irritating. Did losing your parents young prevent you from learning proper speech?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

“Why?”

In truth, I really had grown up without parents, so no one had taught me polite speech.

The unprecedented villain who had appeared out of nowhere and immediately insulted my parents laughed in disbelief before sitting across from me.

“This is absurd. Have you finally lost your mind?”

“My personality was always like this. I was just holding back until now.”

“You……do you even understand what you’ve done?”

“Let’s hear it.”

The Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master tapped his temple a few times as he sat at the table, then spoke with grave seriousness.

“You’ve gone far beyond the line. You should’ve known when to stop acting up. How exactly do you intend to clean up the mess you’ve made?”

“If I intended to clean it up, I wouldn’t have started it in the first place.”

“…….”

The Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master continued with a half-stunned expression.

“……Come to think of it, I believe I sent a messenger to convey my intentions.”

“Messenger?”

“What happened to him? He hasn’t returned. Depending on your answer, I may decide to deal with you differently, so think carefully before you speak.”

Unfortunately, I had never been particularly good at listening to other people, so I answered without thinking and said whatever came to mind.

“I gave him some water.”

“Water?”

“……Water?”

“He gulped it down like it was the most refreshing thing in the world. Once he had some water, he started spilling information about you too. Hahaha! Why would you pick a bastard like that as your messenger? What an idiot.”

“…….”

Apparently, the provocation was fairly effective. The Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master’s already dark expression worsened rapidly, and his face began turning red with anger.

To my eyes……he looked like a bear right before it went berserk.

He seemed to be desperately holding back the rage that had risen all the way to the top of his head, so I deliberately kept running my mouth.

“A bastard who’s supposedly the Sect Master of an entire sect pays tribute to the Black Path, grovels before them, licks their feet, then struts around like that somehow gives him something to brag about. How did an idiot like you ever become Sect Master? No matter how I look at it, you don’t have what it takes. You’d be better off…….”

“…….”

“Ah! A waiter would suit you perfectly. Seeing how you’re such a petty little bastard who can’t say boo to anyone above him. Congratulations. I found you a new career.”

“You bastard!”

Shwaaaaaang!

Apparently, he couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. The Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master drew the longsword at his waist and charged at me quite literally like a bear.

I wasn’t worried in the slightest. I hadn’t fought many wild beasts, but I had plenty of experience beating down humans who acted like one, just like the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master.

I kicked the table up to stop the bear’s charge for a moment, then sprang forward, rushed the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master, grabbed his face, and slammed him into the floor.

The table shattered and splinters flew everywhere as the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master’s head was buried in the dented floor.

I shoved the sheath of the Demon Wail Sword into the Sword Hero Gate’s Sect Master’s mouth and spoke from where I stood.

“……Do I still”

“…….”

“look like nothing but a fucking idiot to you?””

You bastards?