The Cursed One : The Darkside of The World

The Challenge

Hyung Jae brought Jin and Airi to an arena that was usually used by the Blue Wind disciples to train or sparring each other. The arena itself is a square one with 12 meters in length and 12 meters wide, big enough for one on one fight.

"Wait here, I will ask someone to clean and prepare it for our fight." Hyung Jae asked Jin and Airi to sit on the spectator's seat while he go away to find some gardener to cleaned up the arena.

Meantime, Airi's mind is traveling and thinking about what her life would look like after Jin has left. She even doesn't hear when Jin called her.

"Airi! Hey, Airi?!" Jin asked for the third time before Airi is noticing his voice.

"I am sorry, Jin, I was thinking about something. What are you saying before? I didn't notice it." Airi asked Jin to repeat his words.

Jin thought if Airi must be thinking about how to adapt to the new life and society, but he believes if Airi and her family will finally be able to overcome it and live happily in this city.

"Never mind, I just worried as you seem too silent, not like the way who you are." Jin asked.

Airi force herself to smiles. "Don't worry, Jin. I am fine. I must be strong for my family."

Two men are entering the battle arena and clean it up. They doing it while chatting about the headmaster's sparring opponent. They are only able to guess who will fight with their headmaster after more than a year they have never seen their headmaster fighting someone. They are waiting for the fight in excitement.

The news that Hyung Jae, the headmaster, is going to do sparring with someone is spreading very fast like a fire that burns a feather. A lot of people start to come to the spectator's area around the main arena that is being cleaned up. Jin surprises as he never thinks if his sparring with Hyung Jae will have a lot of spectators like this. From the high-level disciples, teachers, guards, until high-ranked commanders are coming to watch the fight, even Hyung Jae's vice. In a short time, all the spectator's seats have filled include the seats beside Jin and Airi. None of the spectators know if Jin is the one who will fight with their headmaster.

The spectators are getting As crowded and Hyung Jae still not coming out. Jin feels a little uncomfortable with the situation because he never fights in front of a lot of spectators like this. But he knows that he must keep going as he has agreed with Hyung Jae for a sparring fight. He tries to close his eyes to relax his mind and soul until Hyung Jae arrives.

Jin opens his eyes when he heard the spectators are applauding. Hyung Jae has entered the battle arena, he uses the same clothes that he used many years ago when he traveled with Jin and Princess Imma. Jin smiles and knows why Hyung Jae was late to come, it must be because he was looking for that clothes.

"Please calm down ladies and gentlemen." Hyung Jae said using his inner energy to strengthen his voice and make it louder.

The crowd's instantly silent as Hyung Jae's voice shaken their ears. Some of the spectators with low inner energy have to close their ears to avoid any damage.

Jin smiles wide hearing Hyung Jae's words, he can estimate his brother is now at least in the early stage of Legendary-level. He knows if the sparring with Hyung Jae will be a tough one as his big brother will not be easy on him.

Everyone's eyes now at Hyung Jae's direction. "I didn't expethat my friendly fight would invite so many people to come to this place. This fight was an unplanned one, but, since all of you have arrived, I'd like to officially introduce my brother.” Hyung Jae continues to speak from the middle of the battle arena.

Everyone is surprised by the sudden announcement, includes the vice leader of The Blue Wind sect, Aguo. They wondered who is the one that lucky enough to be acknowledged by the highest person that also the only descendants of the family who build the Blue Wind sect.

"Please come forward, my brother, Jin." Hyung Jar pointed at Jin who still sits on the spectator's seat.

Jin now becomes the center of attention. At first, he feels ashamed as this is the first time for him to stands in front of many people. But he then forces himself to stand and step forward to the side of Hyung Jae.

The crowd becomes boisterous after the announcement. Most of them are questioning the reason why a person from a noble family like Hyung Jae is wanted to take a dirty and shabby young man as his brother.

"This is my brother, Jin. Start from now, he is part of our big family and we must be ready to help him if he is in a problem." Hyung Jae said.

Most of the crowd still questioning their headmaster's decision.

"Okay, I think the introduction is enough. Let's start our fight, Jin. Don't hold back or you will be ashamed." Hyung Jae said.

"Okay, I'll try my best."

Hyung Jae walks to the right side of the arena while Jin walks to the left side. Both of them preparing themselves to fight.

Most of the spectators think if Hyung Jae will fight softly to avoid Jin being ashamed in public. They don't understand why an anonymous young man, who looks weak and dirty, is dared to challenge the headmaster of the Blue Wind sect. In their minds, they think if Jin was the one who asked for the sparring so he can show off to everyone by fighting on par with Hyung Jae who will back off and intentionally losing.

One young man in his late 18 years old of age named Andara doesn't want to let his headmaster lowering down the pride by fighting an unknown and weak young man. He suddenly jumps high from the spectator's seats to the middle arena and makes everyone is praising his body lifting technique. He only has one purpose, to replace his headmaster to fight with Jin.

Both Jin and Hyung Jae are surprised by the sudden appearance of Andara, not only them but Mu Yong, Andara's current teacher is also shocked by his student's crazy action because he dared to interfere with the headmaster's fight. Mu Yong rushes to go to the middle of the arena to stops Andara's silly action, But it was too late as Andara has started to say his intention in front of Hyung Jae and everyone.

"Good day, Headmaster Hyung Jae. I am Andara from the Blue Wind school 4th grade. I am sorry to interfere with your fight, but please allow me to fight this young man. I wanted to show that The Blue Wind's techniques are not something that can be taken lightly. You don't have to fight this young man by yourself, Headmaster." Andara said to Hyung Jae.

Before Hyung Jae giving his response, Mu Yong has entered the arena in a hurry. "Mu Yong comes before headmaster," Mu Yong said while bowing his body and clenching his fist. "Please forgive my student's impertinence, headmaster. I will teach him some manners how to behave in front of the important person." Mu Yong was very afraid if Andara will get expelled. Andara is his friend's son that being trusted to him to become a great martial artist. Although Andara was a bright student and the best in his class, he has a weakness which is a lack of manners. His parents which are one of the richest people in Beullu City, pampered him too much which makes him become apathetic to any rules. Although he already joining the Blue Wind school for the past two years, his character is not an easy thing to change.

At first, Hyung Jae wants to release his wrath and punish Andara which he thinks is an unmannered student. But he cancels his decision when Mu Yong comes to ask forgiveness from him. Hyung Jae thinks if this is a proper time to teach him a good lesson not to underestimate other people from their appearance.

"Andara, bow and apologize before the headmaster. You should be able to behave yourself." Mu Yong asked Andara to apologize.

Andara doesn't have any option except to follow his teacher's instructions. "Please forgive my impertinence, headmaster." Andara said. He only wants to teach Jin a lesson, moreover, he is envious of Jin because, at a younger age than him, Jin is already acknowledged by the headmaster.

"At first, I want to punish a disciple without manner like you, but I change my decision. I will allow you to fight Jin but with a condition. If you can defeat him, I will not punish you and even will teach you by myself, but if you lose, I will give you the proper punishment." Hyung Jae responded. "So, you must do your best."

Both Andara and Mu Yong smiling wide, they believe that Jin's ability is way below Andara which is the best in his class. "Thank you, headmaster." Mu Yong and Andara replied almost at the same time.

"Do your best, Andara. Don't waste the headmaster's kindness." Mu Yong said.

"Yes, of course." Andara said while preparing himself. His cockiness has returned.

"Jin, do you mind if our fight is postponed for a while and you fight with my disciples?" Hyung Jae asked.

"If that is your request, I don't have any objection, big bro." Jin agreed with Hyung Jae request and not afraid at all at Andara.