Jin Changhyuk, slightly pushed back, looked at Soohyeok with a startled expression.
"He's not a monster. He's human."
A human.
Even though he had exuded hostility like a monster, he was still a person.
Realizing that fact, Jin Changhyuk's frenzied eyes—once blinded by rage—regained their clarity.
"Thank you."
He bowed his head to Soohyeok, who had stopped him from becoming a murderer.
Soohyeok gave a slight nod, then turned a cold gaze toward Kim Cheolik.
Kim Cheolik trembled and shook his head.
"It… it wasn't our idea… it was all that witch's orders…"
He denied it.
Why are they all the same?
As Soohyeok began walking toward him, Kim's legs gave out, and he collapsed where he stood.
A dark stain spread between his pant legs.
"Scared?"
Kim Cheolik didn't answer.
He just nodded frantically.
"You felt brave when you thought you'd only ever be on the attacker's side, huh?"
"Th-That's…"
"I hope this helps you understand just how terrifying ignorant, uncontrolled violence can be."
Clicking his tongue, Soohyeok raised his foot and forcefully kicked Kim Cheolik in the shoulder.
A loud crack, followed by a scream.
"AAARGH—!"
Retribution.
The three who tried to inflict pain were themselves crushed by it.
***
The fight between Teams 3 and 8 turned into a major incident.
It escalated from a clash between instructors to violence among trainees.
All the trainees from Team 3 suffered broken bones or internal injuries and were removed from training.
Instructor Jeon Sujeong, who had a black eye from Shahar's blow, sat in a room with all the other instructors from Team 11.
A long silence followed.
They had already read through the incident report several times.
"Sigh…"
"What on earth…"
Frustrated sighs came from every direction.
Resentful stares were cast toward Shahar and Jeon Sujeong.
They were blamed for the disgraceful incident.
"Does everyone understand the context of what happened?"
A man in his 30s—slicked-back hair, black horn-rimmed glasses, neatly dressed in a suit with a calm demeanor—spoke up.
"We understand."
"We even watched the video, what more…"
Shahar had started recording a video on a Hunter-issued magitech phone just before the fight, beginning when Jin Chaeyeon fired her first arrow.
The video had made the situation crystal clear to everyone.
Their previous silence, flipping through the reports, was just a result of how exasperating the situation was.
By the time the video ended, everyone had already reached their own conclusions.
Some had made up their minds even before watching it.
"Originally, as Head Instructor, Sir Shahar would lead this meeting, but given the situation, I—Im Sayul—will act as temporary head."
"That's fine."
"I agree."
No one opposed Im Sayul, the man with the horn-rimmed glasses.
He was a Rank-12 awakened, and the vice president of Baekdusan, one of the top three guilds. If not for Shahar, it would have been natural for him to lead the training from the start.
"First, I express my regret over the withdrawal of Team 3's trainees. However, in my personal opinion, I don't believe it is right to hold the trainees responsible."
"But one of those trainees completely destroyed all of Team 3!"
Instructor Lee Sangwook, whose balding head made him look like he was in his 50s despite being in his 30s, protested. His brow was deeply furrowed in disagreement.
"It may have been excessive, but it was self-defense."
Im Sayul replied firmly.
"How is that self-defense?! Team 8 didn't suffer a scratch, and only my trainees were left wrecked!"
Jeon Sujeong practically screamed.
She still couldn't believe it.
That Lee Junwook would go down in a single blow?
Even after watching the video more than five times, she was still in denial.
But it was already done.
Team 3's trainees—her followers—were now hospitalized in specialized awakened medical centers.
They wouldn't even be able to move for at least a month.
"Jeon Sujeong, the Black Cloud Witch of the Imoogi Guild."
Im Sayul's cold voice echoed across the room.
"You are the most at fault for inciting a conflict between instructors over a petty love quarrel and pushing trainees into a fight."
"You…!"
"As acting head instructor and the one overseeing judgment for this case, I suggest you watch your words."
Gritting her teeth, Jeon Sujeong turned her gaze away.
No matter how you looked at it, she was the guilty party here.
"The withdrawal of the trainees is unfortunate. But no one died, and there will be another opportunity.
More importantly, and let me repeat, it was self-defense. As you saw in the video, Team 3 struck first."
"Still, there's a chain of command! You're just going to let this slide?!"
"Well, I'd like to do as I please, but it's not just my call. Since all the instructors are here, let's vote."
Im Sayul shrugged and looked around.
"Now, it seems there's only one trainee under question here. The one who brought down all of Team 3—Team 8's Yang Soohyeok."
Yang Soohyeok.
As soon as his name was spoken, the room stirred.
After all, they had eyes too.
No—in fact, every single one of them had achieved remarkable results in their careers.
And in the eyes of such accomplished people, what did they think of the trainee named Yang Soohyeok?
Just as Jeon Sujeong couldn't believe it, they too found the battle hard to accept.
Undeniably, it was overwhelming.
This was not the skill level of a mere trainee.
He already possessed power that made so-called "rookies" being nurtured by top guilds look like a joke.
Talent?
There was no need to even say it.
He was a genius.
Everyone wanted him.
The Association, the guilds—they all had their eyes on Yang Soohyeok.
And now they were supposed to punish him?
If anything, they needed to train and utilize him as quickly as possible.
He was a figure who could, at the very least, elevate South Korea's standing—or perhaps even become Earth's reliable backbone in the Dimensional Alliance, where its voice still held little weight.
Most of the people in the room did not want this to happen.
"Now, does anyone wish to impose punishment on Trainee Yang Soohyeok? Please raise your hand."
Silence fell over the room.
Lee Sangwook, the first to express opposition, looked around, visibly flustered.
'What the hell is this?'
He'd heard he wasn't the only one taking money from Imoogi.
He was sure a few others would support him—but they remained quiet.
Why had the tide turned so suddenly?
Lee Sangwook quickly realized the answer.
It was because of Yang Soohyeok.
The moment they saw the footage, most people in the room no longer wanted to make an enemy of him.
They began to hope for a friendly relationship, even dreaming of taking him under their wing.
A hero like him could catapult a guild to global prominence—was it worth risking all that for a bribe?
Lee Sangwook had made a foolish decision from the start.
And he had realized it far too late.
"Well, it seems no one except Director Lee Sangwook of the Jeonho Guild wishes to impose punishment."
Im Sayul said with a smile.
One way or another, this conversation would eventually reach Soohyeok's ears.
Naturally, it would also reach the Guild Master of Jeonho.
And Lee Sangwook would be expelled.
For letting go of a talent who could have instantly elevated Jeonho Guild—currently ranked 10th in Korea—to the top tier.
The realization made Lee Sangwook's body tremble.
His life—lived in arrogance, bolstered by his position as director of a major guild—was falling apart.
The tower he had built was collapsing.
That image, like a lie, flashed vaguely before his eyes.
'Foolish.'
Im Sayul no longer spared a glance at Lee Sangwook.
Keeping someone like that in power was exactly why Jeonho Guild hovered around the 10th rank.
Most likely, it would never rise above that.
"Let's move on to the matter of the instructors."
While the decision regarding Yang Soohyeok had been made by tacit agreement, handling the instructors was a different story.
Glances quickly darted between those present.
Im Sayul calmly watched the silent exchange.
And once it started to settle, he slowly spoke.
"First, regarding the position of Head Instructor Shahar. If you agree to dismiss her, please raise your hand."
That too progressed quickly.
More than half—indeed, most—raised their hands.
After all, the evidence showed she incited the fight as well, and punishment was necessary.
"Then I propose removing Shahar from her post as Head Instructor, and appointing myself in her place. Do you agree?"
Unanimous hands went up.
As stated before, if it hadn't been for Shahar, Im Sayul would have been in that position from the beginning.
"Then Shahar will be demoted to a regular instructor. However, to avoid criticisms that this is too lenient, I also propose a disciplinary fine of 100 million won to be donated to the Association. All in favor?"
Again, more than half agreed.
Only Lee Sangwook, still trembling, didn't raise his hand.
"Instructor Shahar, do you have any objections?"
At Im Sayul's question, Shahar stepped forward and shook her head.
"No. I believe it was a dishonorable fight. I will accept the punishment."
"Good."
At that moment, Jeon Sujeong, her brow deeply furrowed, suddenly burst out.
"Are you kidding me?! Just a demotion?! A 100 million won fine?!"
Being Head Instructor for trainees didn't carry all that much real authority.
If anything, it meant more hassle and complexity.
Sure, it gave someone influence over meetings like this, but for Shahar—an elf affiliated with Elvenheim—it was unnecessary.
And 100 million won in cash?
Did they think an elf like Shahar would struggle to come up with that?
If she put her mind to it and went hunting, she could earn that in less than a day.
"I believe it's a fair punishment. Anyone disagree?"
"Of course I do! This is absurd!"
"Hm."
Im Sayul's lips curled slightly.
To the untrained eye, it seemed like nothing—but those who knew him recognized it as a sign of anger.
"Anyone else want to speak?
Isn't this an insult to our Imoogi Guild?"
Jeon Sujeong scanned the room, trying to rally sup