Urban Vagabond: Reload

“...Sit down. We’re not done talking yet.”

Her voice was so cold it felt like a winter wind had blown in from somewhere.

In Bu Yeonha’s eyes as she looked at me, I could see emotions I couldn’t begin to understand, and a hint of anger.

But I didn’t sit down.

I stayed standing and looked straight back at her.

“I already told you I don’t have anything else to say.”

“......”

“......”

A standoff in silence.

Neither of us had a weapon, but the trained body of a martial artist was no different from a lethal weapon in itself.

On top of that, we were close enough that all it would take was one step and a reach to grab each other.

If she decides to try and force it...

I quietly tensed my body and braced for the worst-case scenario.

Because the person standing in front of me right now was a martial artist so well-honed you’d never believe she’d left the front lines because of an injury.

“Phew.”

Bu Yeonha was the first to break the silence with a long sigh.

“Sorry. I got a little too worked up.”

She muttered to herself about what she was even doing to a kid this young... and let her momentum drain away.

Then she rose from her seat and brought one fist to the opposite palm in front of her chest, bowing to me in a formal martial greeting.

“I’ll apologize properly. I never meant to threaten you.”

“I’ll accept the apology. I won’t make an issue of this later.”

“...Thanks.”

Her mind must have been a mess, because the easy smile she’d worn the whole time was gone from her face, replaced by a flat expression.

That’s probably her real face.

Personally, I thought this suited her much better as a martial artist.

Bu Yeonha asked me again.

“You’re really refusing?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want to change the terms? If there’s something you want, tell me. It’s not like we’re saying it has to be this exact contract.”

She said she’d adjust the contract as much as she could to fit my demands.

At this point I honestly couldn’t understand why she was this interested in me, but my answer still didn’t change.

“I don’t need anything.”

I looked straight into Bu Yeonha’s eyes and made my intentions crystal clear.

“And Azure Sky Sword Gate is the only one of the Eight Great Sects that’s contacted me. I’m not shopping around trying to weigh different offers. I just don’t want to join any sect at all.”

“...For some reason, hearing you say that makes me feel a little relieved.”

She finally seemed to accept it and nodded.

Then, picking up her briefcase, she spoke.

“I’m sorry for stealing your training time. Do you want me to take you home?”

“It’s fine. I’ll go by myself.”

If I went home with her, it was obvious she’d try to casually meet my parents too, so I turned her down.

And with that, we left the café together.

Even as she was getting into the limousine, Bu Yeonha offered to give me a ride, and I refused her one more time.

“Um, Team Leader.”

Then something suddenly made me curious.

If that earlier situation really had turned into a clash...

Imagining the worst-case that hadn’t happened, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and opened my mouth.

“If it’s not rude, can I ask you one thing?”

“Sure. Ask me anything.”

There was a hopeful look on her face, like she was expecting something, but what I was curious about had nothing to do with the contract.

“Within Azure Sky Sword Gate, how strong are you, Team Leader?”

“What...?”

She gave me a look that said, Why is that what you’re curious about? but then answered honestly.

“I’m late-stage first-rate. I’ve been in Azure Sky Sword Gate for five years now, and not to brag, but among my intake I was considered one of the top prospects. Even if I am in the scout team now because of an injury... I’d still say I’d rank above the middle at least.”

I could hear a mix of confidence and modesty in her voice.

“And...”

She hesitated, looking like she wasn’t sure if she should say this or not, then continued. It felt like she wanted to leave as good an impression of Azure Sky Sword Gate as possible on me.

“Once the injury is completely healed, I’m planning to go back to the Sword Corps. Not that that means I’m slacking off in what I’m doing now. I always give my best to the work I do in the scout team too.”

“I get that.”

It had only been a short time, but from what I’d seen, Bu Yeonha was someone who threw herself into her work with genuine passion.

Thanks to her, my image of Azure Sky Sword Gate had actually improved a little.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Yes. More than enough.”

No wonder I’d thought she seemed way too strong for someone not in a combat corps.

Bu Yeonha was an elite talent who’d walked the fast track even within Azure Sky Sword Gate.

Her frame was top-tier at a glance, and her constitution had to be at least Level 2.

“You’re not...?”

Catching something in my satisfied expression, Bu Yeonha narrowed her eyes at me.

“Ever since I joined the scout team, I’ve spent every day meeting people, you know? After nearly three years of talking to martial artists, you kind of get a feel just from their expression about what they’re thinking.”

“And?”

“Right now, you look like you’re thinking you could take me on. Am I wrong?”

...Her read was freakishly sharp.

Of course, I played dumb and shook my head like I had no idea what she was talking about.

“Not at all. With my skills, I don’t think I’d stand a chance against you, Team Leader.”

“Well, it’s not that much of a gap...”

“In a duel, I mean.”

“What?”

“Anyway, I’ll be going now!”

I bowed my head briefly, turned around, and broke into a run.

And right on cue, I heard her outraged voice behind my back.

“Hold on. Not in a duel? Hey! What is that supposed to mean?”

I pretended not to hear her and ran off toward home.

*****

“What kind of kid is that?”

Left alone in the car, Bu Yeonha replayed the conversation she’d just had with Kim Muhyuk.

Up to now, during late-bloom prospect contract negotiations, she had never once let the other side take the initiative.

Even high-and-mighty Level 1 constitution late-bloom prospects changed their attitude as soon as they heard her name.

—Bu, Bu Yeonha? Weren’t you the one who placed first in the license exam back then?

—The one from Azure Sky Sword Gate...!

From that point, the negotiations naturally became easier.

But with Kim Muhyuk, he looked like he had no idea who she was.

Bu Yeonha muttered to herself, half-laughing at her own expense.

“Five years is a long time, sure... but still, that’s rough on the old brand, Bu Yeonha.”

And the last thing he’d said before leaving was even more absurd.

“Can’t match me in a duel? So he’s saying it’d be different in a real fight?”

She let out a disbelieving laugh, feeling like she’d really taken one square on the chin.

Only a few years ago, she had been the most promising late-bloom prospect in Azure Sky Sword Gate.

She might be working in the scout team now while she treated her internal injuries, but she’d been called the future of Azure Sky Sword Gate, an outstanding talent mentioned as a candidate for the next Sect Master.

“I wanted to recruit one decent junior before I went back to the Sword Corps...”

Bu Yeonha was a perfectionist about everything she did.

Even with a plan to return to the Sword Corps soon, there hadn’t been a single time she half-assed her work in the scout team.

In fact, because of the massive results she produced as soon as she arrived, she’d been given the position of team leader in just one year.

For someone like her, the only thing that counted as a failure since she’d joined this team was what had just happened with recruiting Kim Muhyuk.

Of course, she herself didn’t consider it a failure yet.

Bzzz—

Right then, her smartphone vibrated.

Seeing [Grandpa] pop up on the screen, Bu Yeonha stuck out her lower lip, then answered the call.

“Are you monitoring me or something? How did you know the meeting just ended?”

Her tone was a grumbling, complaining one.

Completely different from the flawless martial artist face she’d shown in front of Kim Muhyuk.

A warm old man’s voice came from the other end of the line.

[Your voice doesn’t sound too bright. Was he worse than you expected in person?]

Bu Yeonha frowned slightly, then answered honestly.

“No. He was better than I expected. To the point I was tempted to take him in as my personal disciple if you’d only give permission.”

[Ho. Then that’s good news, isn’t it?]

“It didn’t go well. He turned me down.”

[You, Yeonha, failed a scout?]

She bristled at the word failed and shot a glare at her phone.

“It’s not a failure. This was just our first meeting, and there were points that needed more discussion, that’s all. Sect. Mas. Ter.”

Switching her address from Grandpa to Sect Master, she gave a brief, summarized version of her conversation with Kim Muhyuk.

[I figured as much from the video, but he’s no ordinary kid. Did you tell him I was the one who’d taken an interest?]

To Kim Muhyuk, she’d said that one of Azure Sky Sword Gate’s elders had shown interest in him.

In reality, the one who’d taken an interest wasn’t an elder, but the Sect Master himself.

There was a world of difference between an elder showing interest and the Sect Master doing so.

If he became the Sect Master’s personal disciple, that meant he’d be in the running as a candidate for the next Sect Master.

But with a Level 4 constitution, his chances of truly mastering Azure Sky Sword Gate’s sword arts are extremely low. I didn’t want to torture him with false hope...

For a moment, Bu Yeonha regretted not being completely upfront from the start, but then she shook her head.

“I didn’t mention that. I judged that just bringing up an elder would be more than enough. And... this is just my read, but even if I’d said Sect Master instead, I think the result would’ve been the same.”

Recalling Kim Muhyuk’s unshaken expression, she was sure his mind wouldn’t have changed.

[Makes me like him even more. Korean martial arts needs at least a few kids with that kind of fire!]

She could hear the Sect Master barely holding back a laugh on the other side.

[So in your view, is he worth bringing into the main sect even if we have to bump up the contract terms?]

“This is just my gut talking, but...”

Thinking back over her meeting with Kim Muhyuk, Bu Yeonha smiled meaningfully.

“I get the feeling this might be the time in his life when Kim Muhyuk’s name is the most undervalued it’ll ever be.”

[Then I don’t need to hear anything else. If that’s your judgment, raise the terms.]

“I don’t think upping the terms alone will do it. I’ll take my time and persuade him.”

[All right. I’ll trust you and wait.]

After ending the call with the Sect Master, Bu Yeonha told the driver to pull out.

Then she opened her tablet and started reviewing the information on Kim Muhyuk from the top.

“That kid really brings out my competitive streak.”

She had no intention of rushing to contact him again.

If Azure Sky Sword Gate couldn’t persuade him, there was no way any of the other Eight Great Sects would.

“I’m not a woman who knows how to give up.”

Murmuring that the next time they met, it wouldn’t be like today, Bu Yeonha started replaying the video of Kim Muhyuk on her tablet.

*****

Late at night.

Choi Geon stood on the rooftop, looking in the direction Kim Muhyuk had left after saying, “I’ll see you again tomorrow!”

“...Looks like he’s not coming.”

He muttered in a bitter voice.

He, too, had watched the video of Kim Muhyuk fighting Nightfiend Sword that had gone up on YouTube.

For a kid without even a license to show that level of potential...

Because he knew the Eight Great Sects very well, it wasn’t hard for him to guess what had happened to Kim Muhyuk afterward.

No doubt several of the Eight Great Sects had already shown interest in the boy, and if they’d moved quickly, someone would have made contact by now.

They’ll be waving terms in his face that are almost impossible to refuse, all to drag him into their sect.

Compared to the standing of the Eight Great Sects and what they could offer, it was only natural that they could stir up feelings that weren’t there before.

And in comparison, all a washed-up old swordsman could do for him was teach him a handful of things.

Even if Kim Muhyuk had suddenly changed his mind overnight and entered one of the Eight Great Sects, he had no intention of blaming the boy.

If anything, for that child’s future, that’s the right choice.

But there was no helping the loneliness he felt in one corner of his heart.

“...The air’s pretty sharp. Looks like winter’s coming early this year.”

Murmuring to himself as he looked up at the night sky, Choi Geon went back down from the rooftop and sat in his living room in a cross-legged posture.

The sword he’d tempered in his heart was swaying more than usual tonight, but he tried to steady his mind and body with focused breathing.

Then suddenly, he flinched and opened his eyes.

“What?”

He had sensed Kim Muhyuk’s presence not far away.

But he wasn’t alone—two unfamiliar presences were approaching with him.

Had he perhaps revealed this location to one of the Eight Great Sects?

“No way...”

Choi Geon unfolded his legs and rose slowly, picking up the back scratcher lying to one side. In that instant, the old swordsman’s eyes glinted with a chilling light.

A little while later, Kim Muhyuk and the two unfamiliar presences reached the front of the villa.

Then only Kim Muhyuk’s presence started up the stairs alone.

Have you come to say goodbye? Or are you here to sell me out to the Eight Great Sects?

Choi Geon turned his head toward the food containers he’d washed clean and set on the sink, ready to return.

Knock, knock—

“Teacher. Are you in there?”

“It’s open.”

The front door opened, and the confident boy from yesterday stood there looking strangely awkward as he faced him.

“I’m sorry for coming so late.”

“......”

Choi Geon forced his face to stay indifferent as he looked at Kim Muhyuk apologizing to him.

They hadn’t formally tied a master-disciple relationship, but it was a talent he’d wanted to teach at least once more.

If he’d known he’d end up feeling this disappointed after just one day... he never would have let the boy into his heart.

With a low sigh, Choi Geon spoke.

“...If you’ve got something to say, say it.”

Kim Muhyuk’s expression clearly showed he was worried about someone else’s reaction. That someone would obviously be those unfamiliar presences waiting below.

“Well...”

Which sect had managed to shake this kid’s mind?

Golden Glory Gate, whose hobby was using conglomerate money to buy up late-bloom prospects?

Azure Sky Sword Gate, drowning in arrogance over their belief that their sword alone was supreme?

Or maybe Supreme Pole Sword Gate, which needed to expand its influence within the Martial Alliance...

Choi Geon was in the middle of recalling, one by one, the faces of the people who’d raised their voices to drive him out of the Martial Alliance.

When Kim Muhyuk finally spoke, looking embarrassed.

“My parents are waiting outside right now.”

“...What?”

“The two of them really wanted to meet you, so they came along. Would you be willing to see them, just once?”

“Whom?”

“My parents.”

Eyes wide, Choi Geon hurriedly looked around at his messy room.