Chapter 35: The Bet (2)
The evening of the day the disturbance with the brat named Harang occurred.
Asael, the next head of the Portville family, requested an audience with the current Family Head first.
It was because he was dissatisfied with what had happened today.
This was not a sight easily seen.
Philip Portville, the Family Head, was nearly 90 years old but still managed the family’s major and minor affairs with a vigorous body.
How could it be easy to dare oppose the decision of his father, who was still armed with an unapproachable dignity?
However, Asael Portville hardened his resolve, swallowed dryly, and spoke bluntly.
“I cannot accept your decision to bring that fellow into the family.”
“…….”
“I believe it’s an excessive measure. I’m not saying this because he was rude to my son…… Carbin. Giving the great Portville name to a gangster fellow of such lowly blood, whose origins are unknown…… no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t sit right. Other families will surely laugh at us.”
“That might happen.”
The Family Head, Philip Portville, nodded.
His son’s words were correct.
Nobles were a breed that loved gossip more than anyone.
To them, the story of bringing in a back-alley gangster of unclear origin as an adopted son-in-law would be nothing less than prime bait to tear into.
The current choice would undoubtedly diminish the family’s prestige, certainly a very poor judgment in the short term.
However…….
What about the long term?
10 years, 20 years, 30 years.
No, perhaps even further in the future, 100, 200, 300 years later.
Would the addition of that brat named Harang, his genes…… be detrimental to the family, or beneficial?
The Family Head was convinced it was the latter.
“Son, listen carefully. The power, the weight of a prestigious family…… is not created and maintained merely by the years accumulated. It requires constant effort and management.”
That’s right.
Just as a swordsman undergoes relentless training to hone his skills, so too must a family.
To build and prove a reputation equal to, no, greater than the accomplishments and history achieved so far, enormous effort is needed.
And the most important among those efforts was bloodline management.
‘Those lacking aptitude are cut off, even if they are direct descendants.’
‘Conversely, even those of lowly birth, if they show sufficient ability and talent…… are recruited and made ours. By any means necessary!’
Of course, various troubles would arise in the process.
Claims that their dignity as nobles was falling, that it wasn't something a prestigious family should do, and all sorts of other criticisms and ridicule would plague the family.
However…….
‘Just wait and see. After 100 years, 1,000 years, our Portville will stand tall as the premier family representing the kingdom, while those fellows who rest idly on useless past glories without any effort…… will fall to a status no different from the lowly bloodlines you so despise!’
Having thought this far, Philip Portville’s eyes widened as he spoke.
“I understand your concerns. But think carefully. A street gangster, a youth of twenty who clearly couldn't have learned even a decent Aura cultivation method, held his own against Carbin. Of course, it was unarmed combat, not a swordsmanship duel, but…… it’s a talent rarely seen. In terms of aptitude alone, he surpasses even the direct descendants of this family. Isn't that so?”
“……It is true.”
“This is an opportunity to obtain such a valuable raw gem at a bargain price. So, never let your guard down, and focus on training the children who will participate in the betting duel.”
With those words, Philip Portville closed his eyes.
It meant there was nothing more to say.
At this, Asael Portville quietly showed his respects and left the room.
‘Of course, I understand, but…….’
Returning to his own room, Asael Portville thought.
He understood why they had to recruit that fellow.
His father was right.
He was undoubtedly a talent with covetable abilities.
However, the subordinates under him were not.
He heard that even the former boss named Eddy barely scraped into the Expert level, so those below him weren't even worth considering.
‘His worries are excessive. The children set to participate in the duel are all Expert Intermediates…… there are no variables.’
That's right.
This bet, as the Family Head said, was merely an opportunity to easily obtain a raw gem; there wasn't a single element of uncertainty.
Asael Portville concluded thus, and instead of encouraging the duel participants, he fell into a slightly early sleep.
And at that moment.
The five members, including Eddy, who had followed the arduous training to the end, were gathered in the vacant lot, waiting for Harang’s next training session.
* * *
“Does this make any sense?”
Eddy muttered with an expression of disbelief.
He wasn't the only one.
Although they kept silent, Pale, the Fist brothers, and even Glen, who didn’t know much about swordsmanship, reacted skeptically to the news of the bet Harang had relayed.
It was unavoidable.
A 5-match, best-of-3 swordsmanship duel against direct members of the Portville family!
This bet, requiring them to win against at least three opponents who were all undoubtedly Experts, likely at the intermediate level…… the probability of winning converged to zero.
Even if the duel date was two months away.
‘This is crazy.’
‘Even if it’s a wooden sword duel where Aura Sword can’t be used, the skill difference is still enormous…….’
‘Two months…… Can we really win just by training for two months? Against Expert Intermediates?’
‘Perhaps, Boss Harang wishes to become an adopted son-in-law of the Portville family and made this decision for that reason?’
It wasn't unreasonable for Glen to think this.
No matter how important the loyalty between them was, it wasn't something to protect by kicking away a chance for tremendous social advancement.
However.
That thought vanished completely with a single word from Harang, who appeared shortly after.
“By the way, what’s an adopted son-in-law?”
“…….”
“What’s wrong?”
“Boss, did you agree to the bet without even knowing what that is?”
“Do I need to know? We’re going to win anyway.”
“No, but how on earth……”
“We will win.”
Hwaaaaak-!
Finishing his words, Harang unleashed his Aura.
A strong, solid, and weighty energy, more trustworthy than a hundred or a thousand words.
Exposed to it, they surprisingly felt the anxieties they had harbored wash away warmly.
Everyone wore looks of astonishment.
Looking at them, Harang added a few more words.
“I am stronger than them, and my eyes are more accurate than theirs. From my perspective, in two months, four of you can gain enough skill to sufficiently win against Expert Intermediates. Ah, Glen, sorry. It’s still too much for you.”
“Ah, I’m fine……”
“No. You shouldn’t just smile and say it’s fine when you hear something like this. You should grit your teeth and charge in, saying you can win too, that you’ll somehow manage to win.”
“…….”
“Of course, the same goes for the rest of you. Are you ready to follow my training?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
“Yes! Boss!”
“Yes! Boss!”
“Ah…… Yes!”
Four answered simultaneously, while a flustered Glen answered a beat later.
However, his gaze was no less intense than the adults'.
Harang nodded with satisfaction and spoke about the upcoming training.
“First…… physical training will always be done concurrently. You’ve improved a lot compared to three months ago, but there’s still a long way to go. And we need at least one area where we have a definite advantage over the Portville swordsmen.”
“That makes sense.”
“Understood.”
Everyone nodded.
Of course, they knew the physical training was hellishly tough, but they had experienced something even harder yesterday.
It was contempt and ridicule.
Even if they were back-alley gangsters, hearing someone who similarly pursued strength call them ‘worthless trash’ was a huge blow to their pride.
‘That bastard, daring to insult our entire family…….’
‘I’ll crush his arrogance.’
This was especially true for Eddy and Pale, who had great pride in their organization.
They were prepared to endure any hellish training if it meant they could defeat them.
Therefore, the content of the next training session that came from Harang’s mouth was enough to deflate them.
Because he presented a task that seemed far too easy.
Namely.
“Withstand my Presence and move forward until you are within five steps.”
“……Is that all?”
“I doubt it will be just that.”
To Eddy’s question, Harang continued his explanation with a serious expression.
“If the difference between an Expert and a non-Expert is the presence or absence of an Aura Sword, then the difference between an Expert Intermediate and an Expert Novice can be seen in how much leeway they have while using the Aura Sword. Intermediates have a large amount of Aura and a high level of control, so they have (leeway/reserve) even after drawing out their Aura Sword. Let me ask a question here. How do Expert Intermediate swordsmen primarily use that remaining Aura?”
“…….”
“…….”
No answer came, but Harang wasn’t disappointed.
After waiting a few seconds, he naturally stated the answer himself.
“It’s Presence. Especially when a strong person faces a relatively weaker opponent.”
“Ah!”
“Ah……!”
Eddy and Pale exclaimed as if they understood immediately.
It was true.
What was the most common technique used by those capable of Manifestation of Aura, i.e., releasing Aura externally?
It was the manifestation of Presence.
Not just creating a menacing atmosphere, but actually scattering Aura like mist to intimidate and suppress the opponent.
This is called ‘Manifestation of Presence’.
Naturally, this was a technique used quite importantly even among gangsters.
Being a breed that lived and died by riding the mood and pretending to be strong, everyone knew how crucial a ‘Presence battle’ was.
Therefore.
“Boss Harang. We are confident in this area.”
“That’s right. No matter how superior the Portville fellows are in Aura, we haven’t lived idly enough to falter under such pressure.”
“That’s right!”
“We might have less Aura than the noble young masters, but we withstood the Presence fired by the Travion bastards who were determined to kill!”
The Eddy Family, showing confidence rarely seen recently.
It was understandable.
Just as important as the density of Aura was the Fighting Spirit or Killing Intent imbued within it, and it was hard to find anyone as accustomed to this as gangsters.
In fact, Eddy had faced opponents rushing at him with bloodshot eyes intending to stab his throat several times, so he couldn’t help but show even more confidence.
“Hm, is that so?”
However, Harang was indifferent.
It couldn’t be helped.
He hadn't known at first either.
That not all deaths are the same.
And that the fear of death is not the final stage of fear.
“Alright, let’s begin then.”
“Good. We’re confident. Hey, you guys too, right?”
“Of course, Boss Eddy.”
“Same here!”
“We might be stupid, but we’re good at this kind of stuff!”
“I-I’ll do my best!”
Thus began the second training session, with each harboring different thoughts.
The Eddy Family assumed a posture ready to advance, confidently waiting for Harang’s Presence to pour out.
Fwooooosh-!
No one could approach.
“…….”
“……!”
“This is……”
“Heup!”
“Kkeok, heo-eup……!”
Even one step was impossible.
It wasn't even possible to move forward by dragging their feet on the ground.
Feeling a terror greater than stepping off a cliff edge into empty space…… the Eddy Family actually had to struggle desperately not to retreat backwards.
“Hmm, still only about this level.”
Harang muttered quietly.
The gap between him and the gangsters, over 20 steps.
Scanning the still distant gap with cool eyes, the Godok recalled unpleasant experiences from the village.