The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 54

54 – 54. Enlistment Period (4)

Bruce, who successfully swiped something from a sucker, was about to leave after teasing Carsein a bit.

However, he suddenly heard laughter from behind.

At the sound of that unpleasant laughter, Bruce immediately turned around and asked Carsein.

“What’s up with this guy? Why is he laughing and acting all crazy? My sincere advice as a senior is amusing?”

He wondered if the guy had lost it.

Even though he felt like telling this strange guy off, he held back.

Carsein, without blinking an eye, instead retorted.

“Senior? Sincere advice? You’re sitting there talking nonsense.”

“What’s wrong with this guy? Are you out of your mind?”

“He’s a guy who fraudulently entered the ranks. What advice is he giving? Instead of respecting seniors, he pretends to be above them.”

“What, what?!”

“You. You gave drugs to those who should have risen through the ranks during the enlistment period to advance through disqualification. And then, you secretly added laxatives to the drinks of the other two friends who should have dueled before they could fight back. Isn’t that right?”

Bruce’s eyes almost popped out as if struck by lightning.

At that point, no one knew the truth.

“This, damn it! Where are you spouting nonsense from? Did you witness it? Someone who wasn’t even present at the time!”

He vehemently denied it, but this accusation was true.

No one knew how he found out.

Or maybe there was someone who knew it so accurately.

However, Carsein vividly described the situation as if he had been there, as if he had witnessed the events.

Perhaps thinking that he shouldn’t lose face anymore, Bruce, who had lost control, slowly approached Carsein.

“No way. How dare you insult a senior like that? Anyway, since the first lady is pushing for you, you’ll pass. Let’s settle things properly today.”

It was obvious that the clenched fist ready to strike was going to be swung.

“How dare you utter such insults to a senior as high as the sky? I won’t let this slide, you bastard.”

It was a one-sided violence intended for punishment.

***

-Ding!

▶Bruce is approaching Carsein to commit violence.◀

▶If caught, you will fall and be subjected to one-sided assault! Be careful!◀

Tsukuru is a story-based game that mainly consists of choices and objects.

If one were to forcibly implement a combat game in such a place, it would likely be challenging.

Therefore, this game roughly outlines the patterns and presents them in a mini-game format so that users can break through.

The UI changes, and Carsein’s pixelated figure, which has transformed slightly, appropriately avoids Bruce’s fist and foot.

However.

I already know.

The mini-game window won’t pop up here.

The status window that started as a game doesn’t provide a complete set of game systems.

There was an example of this at the Snowflake Festival.

The mini-game required moving purely by hand without the aid of gauge control. There were some advantages to it, however.

Anyway, that experience provided me with the important information that game systems wouldn’t apply to me.

Even in a situation where I would continue the fight with Bruce right in front of me.

It meant that I would never receive help from the system.

But that didn’t mean I had no plan at all.

“Among the apprentice knights, Bruce is the weakest. I might win just like I did in the game.”

Looking at Bruce’s stats, he truly was at the bottom. It wasn’t just a momentary catch-up.

Although Karsein was already weak, if you had to pick an opponent who could be overcome despite the stat difference, he was the perfect match.

Both sides were equally tired from the running, but it seemed like they were underestimating me.

In summary, he was a decent opponent to fight.

Even with this body.

I cautiously observed Bruce approaching.

Meanwhile, my eyes rolled faster than ever.

“A lefty.”

Not only his left hand but his whole body was leaning to the left.

Balancing on his left foot, his strides were wider with the left foot leading.

Even the way he extended his hand was heavily leaning to the left.

This information seemed quite useful.

As I waited for Bruce to come completely into range, in this brief moment, I recalled another old memory.

“Ugh!”

“When you develop this habit, your movements become predictable. Minhyuk.”

“But how do you even know that?”

“You start with minor movements. Even if it’s not the movement of hands or feet, unique habits always show in a fight.”

A heavily biased movement.

It was indeed a crucial clue.

Being able to predict a sweeping motion from left to right like this was invaluable.

“Hah! This brat is running away like a mouse? Where are you going, huh? Take this, take this, take this!”

Fists flew towards me repeatedly.

Because I was aware in advance. I knew Bruce’s body was leaning to the left.

So, I was able to dodge all of it in advance.

Of course, this situation couldn’t continue.

“Minhyuk. What do you do when you’re unarmed?”

“Well, you shouldn’t find yourself in such a situation.”

“No. Such situations happen. In that case, Minhyuk, what will you do?”

“Um…”

I didn’t know.

I seemed to have given that answer at that time.

But now, I knew.

“Not holding a weapon would seem like a weakness. It’s good if the opponent underestimates you because the more they underestimate you, the easier it is to strike unexpectedly.”

Her voice echoed in my mind.

For some reason, it ended up being used like this.

“Why dodge? Dodge?”

As my actions shifted from evasion to sidestepping, Bruce seemed increasingly confident in landing a decisive blow.

Naturally, he was quite different from the noble boys I had seen at the Royal Alhyun Jousting Club.

If there was a sound like a “whoosh,” it meant the hit would be significant. Since the entrance test was visible, it was clear that these novices were different. The essence was to avoid or sidestep while gradually retreating.

However, that led to a stalemate.

When cornered with no place to evade, the one who was convinced of it would strike with all their might.

Yet, when the blow came not from the confident left arm but from the complacent and arrogant right arm.

It was slow.

Weak and sloppy.

I didn’t miss this opening and rushed in.

Bruce’s fist, which should have hit with a clang, just brushed past the clothes.

The recoil from the big move quickly put the brakes on the body.

It created adhesion.

The broken body created a big gap.

Finding that gap, I darted in like an arrow.

The incoming force moves relentlessly towards the front.

It’s already too late to respond to the movement plunging inward.

Thud.

The force thrusting forward shatters the balance of the body.

Even on lightly caught legs, the guy’s body sways and wobbles too easily.

“Huh, huh?”

For a moment, Bruce’s body floats in mid-air.

He changes position.

Leaning back, as if lifting a person, he lowers his torso like a rounded support.

The physical body, moving forward, loses its center of gravity, firmly grasping one arm, with the already uncontrollably floating body descending vertically over the back and shoulders.

Clang.

The heavy body is firmly planted on the ground.

“Oof…!”

Bruce, who confidently attacked me, instead of grumbling, groaned in a muffled voice, propped himself up with his hunched body.

Grasping the hit spot, Bruce groaned in pain.

-Ding!

▶Bruce has been defeated!◀

▶Not even a single blow landed!◀

▶Bruce’s spirit is completely broken and he can’t attack again!◀

[1. Why are you acting tough?]

[2. Did you start it first?]

[3. Who do you think you are, a senior? A guy who’s only a few months ahead.]

The choice window that appears after clearing the mini-game.

Choosing any of the three options wouldn’t be odd.

But for now, this one seems the most provocative.

“Why are you acting tough?”

“You, you…!”

Bruce glared at me as I was rolling up my sleeves.

He must have had a lot to say. But it was a perfect defeat for Bruce. A humiliating defeat despite the clear difference in class.

As the choices indicated, Bruce couldn’t come at me either verbally or physically.

“Let’s leave it at this.”

The groundwork has been laid sufficiently.

Bruce’s temporary state of confusion and pain won’t last long. I could provoke more or retaliate further, but that would be an unwise choice.

Well, I can only mess with one person for now.

After tidying up a bit and making sure no more words were coming, I left the spot.

While walking down the street, I suddenly noticed a high-quality handkerchief given to the guy by Arin in his pouch.

“…”

In reality, I never really got back what the eldest gave me.

It’s the same now. I don’t see a reason to go get that back.

But memories from the past kept swirling in my head.

The dojo I visited to protect myself. The skills I learned there.

The past where I personally took down the thug who resembled that guy.

And even the person who was watching from hiding back then.

It felt like there was no difference.

“I couldn’t say it back then, but this time I’ll tell you straight.”

I’m like this because of you.

***

“…”

At the same moment,

Ariana, who was about to leave the training ground and return to the mansion, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

It was expected that she was pushing herself too hard in training.

So, even though I told her to stop midway, Karsein didn’t even pretend to hear.

I thought that’s just how stubborn she was.

Still, she shouldn’t continue with this kind of training. I tried to be lenient.

But out of the blue, she started treating herself as the first lady and mixing formal language. When I tried to stop her, I heard her say it’s even harder because of you.

I was trying to show consideration.

I was trying to give her what she wanted, even just a little.

If I keep hearing such things, it can’t help but make me feel bad.

…Yeah. I felt bad.

I wanted to laugh at the sight of her struggling in the training ground.

But.

“Ariana. Even if you hear things that might upset you when you meet Karsein today, try not to get angry.”

“That child could have been upset too. It’s best to leave her alone for now to do what she wants. You understand, my daughter?”

Her mother’s voice, filled with sadness, made her pace slow down involuntarily.

“Sigh… Alright. Mother is right. I came here to help Karsein feel better.”

Ariana turned around and headed back to the training ground.