[83] "Offer and rejection"

A young man in meditation position with two cats, one on his right and one on his left. The young man is seated in an upright posture, with his legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees. The cats also appear to be in a meditative position, with their eyes closed.

The young man emanates a blue spiral-shaped aura from his heart. To his right, a fat cat is surrounded by a large blue spiral, while the brown cat to his left has a large golden spiral.

The young man hastily opened his eyes and exclaimed, startled, "Oh no! I'll be late for training, I lost track of time!" Thereupon, he ran out of his room.

Ares opened one eye and said. "Get ready."

Kayden opened his eyes and looked at Ares. "Why?" he asked.

"Whoever came from Baekdu is going to take action against Jiwoo. You know how organizations are, Jiwoo the rejects," Ares said.

Kayden's eyes showed murderous intent and he said. "I'll take care of him."

"No, you must recover," Ares said.

"No! I will crush them completely and don't you dare interfere, Ares," said Kayden with a voice full of murderous intent.

Ares sees Kayden and thought. 'Apparently Kayden cares a lot about Jiwoo'.

....

Jiwoo came running into the arena, where all the students were already gathered.

The boys were talking happily as they waited for the activities to begin, but were interrupted by Dusik.

"Beat it, all of you," Dusik said authoritatively.

The two bodyguards arrived where the young men were and said. "Everyone get out except Jiwoo Seo."

"What's going on?" asked a confused student.

"Who are you guys?" asked one of the students.

The two men became serious and said. "This is the last warning, get out."

Finally, Dusik intervened and the boys left, leaving only Dusik and Jiwoo.

"I've come to talk about another offer," Dusik said, but Jiwoo immediately refused, "I'm sorry, but I have to refuse."

Dusik became angry and tried to persuade Jiwoo in various ways, but was rebuffed in all his attempts. Finally, he could stand it no longer and said. "How dare you disrespect me already Baekdu?" with an ugly face.

Dusik, with a nasty expression on his face, asked. "How dare you disrespect me and Baekdu?".

"No... I didn't mean it," Jiwoo tried to say, but was interrupted.

"Shut up," Dusik said as a reddish aura surrounded Jiwoo's neck, choking him.

A red aura lifted him up and squeezed hard, leaving Jiwoo breathless.

"I forgot how I'm supposed to educate brats like you," Dusik said, as Jiwoo groaned in pain.

"Do you think Baekdu, one of the strongest groups representing this country, can refuse the invitation because of a jerk like you?" asked Dusik.

"I didn't disrespect him," Jiwoo said with difficulty, as he asserted the red aura so he could breathe easier.

"Then join Baekdu, you won't get a better offer than this," Dusik said with a maniacal grin.

"I don't want to join any group," Jiwoo said.

"Are you sure about your decision? You'll end up badly hurt and you won't be able to live as an awakened one. You must pay the price for humiliating Baekdu," Dusik said arrogantly.

Jiwoo, lifted into the air by Dusik's power, remembered.

"Mr. Kayden and brother," Jiwoo said shyly.

"Hey," Kayden replied.

"Yes?", replied Ares.

"Are you affiliated with any groups?", asked Jiwoo.

"No," replied Kayden.

"Really? You said it's hard to live without a group, it's very dangerous," said Jiwoo.

"It's true, you never know why a person will approach you and it can be dangerous. Groups think they can violate people's will and do whatever they want," Kayden said.

"Wow, I want to be like you, Mr. Kayden, someone who never bends and has a strong will," said Jiwoo.

"What about your brother?" asked Jiwoo excitedly.

"The same, I've always been on my own with no affiliation. I recently created my own organization," said Ares.

"Awesome, you're the leader of an organization," said Jiwoo impressed.

"Yes, I created it recently and someday I will take you there. There are several awakened ones your age who are disciples of strong people," said Ares.

Jiwoo's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"It's called Illuminati, although you could say I'm still an unaffiliated awakened, since I always walk alone or with Kayden, the place created it to unite people I recognize," Ares said casually.

"Awesome, I'll be just like you Mr. Kayden, a powerful awakened who doesn't affiliate with any group," Jiwoo said excitedly.

Jiwoo quickly turns and looks at his brother and says. "Person."

Ares sighs and says. "It's your decision."

Looking at Dusik, "No... I... will... join..." said Jiwoo with effort as he struggled against the pain.

"You're being very stubborn, Jiwoo. Don't you realize that groups are necessary to survive in this world?" said Dusik with disdain as he continued to torture Jiwoo.

"I...don't...need...a group..." replied Jiwoo as he took a breath.

"You are too naive, without a group, you will be vulnerable and weak. If you don't change your mind, you will die alone with no one to mourn you," Dusik said with a sinister smile.

"I'd rather... die... alone... than join... someone... like you..." said Jiwoo with determination.

"You wanted it," Dusik said coldly as he intensified the torture on Jiwoo's body.

....

Giwook, Inhyuk and Seongha arrived at the entrance of the training arena and were met by two men blocking their way.

Giwook turns to his students and asks them with a tone of concern in his voice. "What are they doing outside?"

"These men won't let us pass, Sucheon's grandfather is talking to Jiwoo inside there," replied Jihye while pointing at those men.

"What's going on here?" he asked in a firm tone, looking at the two men.

The nearest guard answers her arrogantly, "It's the old man's orders, no one is allowed to pass until he finishes talking to Jiwoo."

Inhyuk and Seongha exchange glances, aware that something is not right.

Giwook remains impassive, but his voice denotes his growing anger. "I understand that Mr. Kang wants to talk to Jiwoo, but you don't have to treat my students this way. If you don't move out of my way, I will be forced to take more drastic measures."

"I won't do it again, these are the old man's orders and no one is allowed to pass," the guard added taking a step forward and standing in front of Giwook.

Giwook got angry and spat. "I recommend you to run."

....

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1096 Words.

I'll stop giving the name of the next chapter as I'm giving too much spoiler, although I realized it too late.