Chapter 131: The Delinquent and the Student Council President (2)

    TL: FoodieMonster007

    Six thugs with fiery red tiger tattoos on their forearms and shoulders stood like sentinels outside the inn, their imposing presence casting a dark shadow over the scene. Several shabbily dressed individuals knelt before them, their faces pale with terror and their bodies covered in fresh bruises, evidence that they had just endured a severe beating.

    A bald, hulking man, clearly the leader of the thugs, cracked his neck with a menacing grin. “Hah! You idiots must be out of your minds. Why don’t you say that again? ‘I can’t pay the protection fees’?”

    “It’s not that we can’t pay... Please, just give us until next month.”

    “Please, my lord! My child is sick, and I need to buy medicine.”

    “P-Please, spare us!”

    The bald man scratched his shiny head and let out a sigh of exasperation, “Who do you think makes it possible for you to run your businesses safely in this neighborhood? It’s us, the Scarlet Tiger Gang! We constantly watch over you so that no one dares to mess with you. Am I wrong?”

    “N-No, you’re absolutely right.”

    “Of course, we know that well...”

    Even as they bowed their heads in submission, the merchants seethed with rage, trying their best to hold back their cries of frustration.

    You think you’re helping us?

    Read this at northbladetldotcom, or else.

    Where were you when we really needed protection?

    You robbed us of more than half our revenue!

    Whenever the Scarlet Tiger Gang collected their so-called ‘protection fees’, they left the merchants with barely enough to survive. Their situation was already dire, but now the gang had announced an increase in ‘taxes’, pushing the poor neighborhood further into despair.

    “I’m glad you understand. I was worried you didn’t get it. Thanks to our patrols day and night, this neighborhood is at least somewhat livable.”

    “......”

    “......”

    The merchants, dragged here to set an example for the others, kept their heads down in silence even as passersby pretended not to notice, quickening their pace to avoid the scene.

    The bald man grinned maliciously. “I heard someone snitched to that constable a while back. They only got away with it so far because we still don’t know who it was. But... if we catch them, we’ll chop them up and feed them to the dogs. Remember that.”

    You ought to read this at northbladetldotcom.

    The merchants shuddered at the casual threat, their fear almost tangible.

    The bald man and his lackeys snickered, enjoying the sight of the merchants cowering in terror.

    “Make sure to pay the overdue protection money by tomorrow.”

    “B-But there’s no way we can come up with it by tomorrow...”

    “I don’t care how you do it—sell your parents, sell your children, whatever it takes. If you don’t want to die.”

    This is a non-profit translation. Ads? What ads?

    Suddenly, one of the merchants sprang to his feet and pointed at the bald man, shouting, “You filthy bastards! I can’t pay anymore! Kill me if you want!”

    Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and bolted.

    “Get that bastard,” the bald man barked at his lackeys.

    “Catch him!”

    The henchmen immediately chased after the fleeing man. Injured, he didn’t get far before they caught up with him and brutally thrashed him in public.

    “Argh, you scum!” the man roared, struggling his hardest even as he was being pummeled.

    The other merchants looked away, unable to bear the sight, while the bald man and his cronies roared with laughter. Again and again, they toyed with the man, hitting him, letting him go, then chasing him down to hit him again.U//ppTodated fr/o/m

    Finally, sent flying by a powerful kick, the man crashed through the door of a dilapidated inn run by the deaf and mute old woman.

    “Everyone, watch carefully. This is what happens when you defy the Scarlet Tiger Gang,” the bald man declared, glancing at the remaining merchants. Then, turning to his henchmen, he ordered, “Bring that bastard to me, and fetch my sword.”

    When two of his men had entered the inn, the bald man looked back at the merchants around him, grinning. “Once they drag that bastard out, I’m going to cut off his arm and make an example of him...”

    POW! THUD! WHAM!

    Suddenly, the sound of a fight broke out inside the inn, causing the bald man to pause in mid-sentence. Assuming his men were roughing up the man before hauling him out, he sighed irritably, “You idiots! Stop messing around and just grab him! If he dies...”

    “Don’t worry, they’re not dead yet. After all, the teacher warned us not to beat you guys to death,” someone answered.

    This is a non-profit translation. Ads? What ads?

    “Huh?” The bald man frowned at the unfamiliar voice.

    Moments later, his lackeys tumbled out of the inn, bloodied and unconscious.

    “What the hell...?” Stunned, the bald man’s gaze shifted past his fallen men to a young man emerging from the inn. “Who the hell are you?”

    Although the young man’s fierce expression and solid build were intimidating, it was his intense killing intent that was making the bald man’s skin prickle.

    “Are you from the Great Bear Gang? I don’t remember ever seeing you...”

    “Hey, baldy. You’ll be seeing a lot more of me from now on,” the young man interjected.

    “Help us?” A middle-aged woman snorted, her voice tinged with resignation. “You had fun showing off your martial arts and saving people, but did you think about the consequences of your actions? Those men will be back tomorrow, and when they come, they’ll be even angrier because of what you did. What will we do then? Will you be here to stop them again?”

    Hyonwon Kang’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying we should’ve just let those thugs do whatever they wanted?”

    The woman bit her lower lip. “I hate those bastards too, enough to want to kill them, but if you can’t get rid of them all at once, it’s better to leave them alone. Otherwise, we’re the ones who’ll suffer more in the end.”

    Silence fell, heavy and awkward, as even Hyonwon Kang found himself at a loss for words.

    The woman sighed, the weight of her despair evident in her expression. “It’s not that we’re ungrateful, young warrior. Really, we do thank you for saving us.”

    This is a free translation. You should not be seeing ads.

    “Uh, um...yeah...” Hyonwon Kang scratched his head awkwardly, his usual confidence slipping.

    Dokgo Jun, however, straightened up, determination lighting up his face. “From now on, we’ll come here every day. We plan to patrol these streets regularly so the Scarlet Tiger Gang can’t harm you.”

    The woman chuckled bitterly, “And what if they decide to burn down our homes tonight? Are you going to stand guard here all night as well?”

    “That’s...” Dokgo Jun hesitated, his bravado faltering. As a sheltered young man who had never dealt with the realities of commoner life, he’d never faced anything like this before.

    While Dokgo Jun wrestled with his thoughts, Hyonwon Kang, who had been quietly brooding, suddenly ran a hand through his hair and spoke irritably, “Man, you people sure do have a lot of complaints. So? Where’s the Scarlet Tiger Gang’s hideout?”

    “...What?”

    “I don’t like leaving things unfinished. You’re scared of revenge? Then I’ll make sure you don’t have to worry about that.”

    All eyes were on Hyonwon Kang now, including Dokgo Jun’s, shock written all over their faces. There was only one reason why he would ask for the gang’s location.

    “Y-You’re not actually planning to attack them, are you?” someone stammered.

    This is a non-profit translation. There are no ads.

    Hyonwon Kang didn’t answer, just offered a cryptic smile.

    Dokgo Jun quickly shook his head. “Have you forgotten what Mr. Baek said? He told us to avoid direct conflict with the Scarlet Tiger Gang...”

    “Ha! If I always did what I was told, would I be known as the worst delinquent in town? Ma’am, where is the Scarlet Tiger Gang’s hideout?”

    It was clear Hyonwon Kang wasn’t joking. The woman hesitated, fear and uncertainty warring in her eyes, but she eventually caved in and pointed in the direction of the gang’s hideout.

    Without another word, Hyonwon Kang turned to head that way.

    “...Wait!” Dokgo Jun shouted, raising his sword to block the other boy’s path.

    Hyonwon Kang raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to move that sword or what?” he hissed menacingly.

    “I can’t let you go.”

    A fierce aura surged from Hyonwon Kang as his fierce gaze locked onto Dokgo Jun. “Are you saying we should just let those bastards come back and take revenge on these people?”

    Dokgo Jun glanced at the frightened merchants, then shook his head. If they hadn’t intervened, it might’ve been different, but now that they had, he couldn’t let anyone suffer because of their actions. “No, I have another plan,” he said.

    “...Another plan?” Hyonwon Kang’s anger subsided slightly, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected words.

    You ought to read this at northbladetldotcom.

    “We’ll go near the Scarlet Tiger Gang’s hideout, but we won’t attack them directly.”

    “Then what?”

    “We’ll use guerilla tactics. Lure them out one by one and take them down.”

    Dokgo Jun’s eyes burned with resolve. He might have been raised in a strict household, steeped in martial arts, literature, and military strategy from an early age, but his approach was methodical, unlike Hyonwon Kang’s impulsiveness. Yet, the emotions driving them were strikingly similar.

    “Hyonwon Kang, don’t think you’re the only martial artist who can’t stand injustice. I can’t forgive what the Scarlet Tiger Gang has done either,” he added passionately, his usual calm demeanor giving way to something fiercer.

    “Huh...?” Hyonwon Kang blinked in surprise. What’s gotten into this model student all of a sudden?

    It never crossed his mind that his actions would ignite a competitive, justice-driven fire in Dokgo Jun. Unaware of the influence he had, Hyonwon Kang suddenly felt the need to tread more carefully around this classmate’s newfound unpredictability.

    “Uh, hey, Dokgo? Maybe we should think this through a bit more? At least leave a letter for the teacher...”

    “No way! No teacher would ever approve of this. We have to do it ourselves.”

    Is that really something the Student Council President should be saying!? Hyonwon Kang wanted to shout, but Dokgo Jun didn’t give him the chance.

    Checking the time, Dokgo Jun’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “Looks like an hour has passed.”

    “What?”

    Dokgo Jun’s grin widened. “That means I’m the leader for the next hour, so stop complaining and just follow me.”

    “Wha-? Hey!”

    Ignoring Hyonwon Kang’s protests, Dokgo Jun strode off, his steps confident and unyielding.

    Hyonwon Kang hesitated for a moment, but soon relented and chased after Dokgo Jun.

    “...Ugh, whatever. Wait for me! I’m coming too!”

    Translator’s Note: Dokgo Jun unconsciously yelled “Wonkang!”, hahahahaha...