Chapter 26. Acceptance

Soo shook her body lightly in place and then stared blankly at Beric, as if it was only natural for him to make the first move.

"Then, shall we start the timer?"

Tick.

Soo set the pocket watch attached to her waist. At the same moment, Beric lunged at her, throwing a punch.

"Don't cry when you get hit! Stop it!"

"Alright!"

Swish! Swish!

The sound of fists cutting through the air echoed chillingly. Beric, with every movement filled with killing intent, moved quite desperately, while Soo remained very composed. She was dodging all attacks by merely stepping back one step at a time.

"Alright, one minute is up."

"Damn! No, how long are you going to keep running away?"

"If you don't run, can you handle it?"

"What the hell! Damn it! Fight properly!"

As emotion filled his fists, his form became disordered. Ian, sitting astride a well-cut rock, watched the scene, seemingly understanding the meaning of Soo's words.

"That's what happens when I attack!"

Smack!

Soo struck Beric's jaw as if amused.

The punch landed perfectly. Beric's center of gravity was greatly shaken, and he barely managed to hold on by putting strength in his thighs.

He staggered and looked up at Soo. Honestly, it seemed more of a shock from the unexpectedness rather than the impact itself.

"You... "

"Isn't it a bit much? Not being able to land a single hit on your opponent and getting beaten up. Well, if you're fine with it, I'm fine too."

"Such a crazy, weirdo... "

Smack!

Before he could finish his curse, Beric's head was turned to the left again. Soo relentlessly attacked him without giving him a moment's rest.

Ian, resting his chin in his hand, only sighed.

'You've met your match.'

Given his personality, it's uncertain if this sparring will end cleanly. Beric had no choice but to stand still and take the hits pouring in from all directions. Soo's strikes burst out from all sides like dozens of bees stinging.

Thud!

"Beric, are you okay?"

"Damn it, don't talk to me."

"Good to hear you're okay."

He glared at Ian with narrowed eyes. Any lapse in concentration would allow the opponent to strike a vital point. For now, defense was the best option.

Ian, checking his pocket watch, glanced at the annex. A man presumed to be Nersarn stood by the window.

"Two minutes left."

Smack! Smack!

With Ian's guidance, Soo's kicks became even more intense. Her expression was one of enjoyment, as if she was reluctant for the time to end. Although there was little time left, something had become clear in the three-minute sparring.

"Soo, you're really fast."

"Of course. Do you think Nersarn brought me for nothing? There's no one in the clan who can keep up with me."

"But do you know this?"

Was it because of the laughter in Ian's voice? Soo unknowingly turned her head back. Suddenly, she had the illusion that Ian's eyes glowed gold in the darkness.

"You've thrown dozens of attacks one-sidedly, yet Beric is still fine. You're fast, but lack substance."

No matter how much magical power was involved and how good Beric's stamina was, it was a one-sided fight. Despite being hit continuously, Beric didn't fall.

Soo's bronze skin turned red, as if she had been struck at a vital point. It seemed she was aware of the problem herself.

"You...!"

"Normally, you should be a bloody mess by now."

"Ha! I was holding back, and this is what I get!"

Soo let out a shrill cry in excitement. At the same time, her kicking stance wobbled, and her attacks became sloppy. Beric, who had been holding her neck, didn't miss the opportunity and grabbed her ankle.

"It doesn't bleed, but it hurts like hell."

"Hey! Let go! Not letting go?"

"Would you let go if you were in my position?"

With her leg caught awkwardly, Soo tried to support her upper body by pressing against him. But Beric was faster. He quickly struck her abdomen, pushing her to the ground.

Thud!

"Ouch!"

"I clearly said before we started, don't cry when you get hit."

"Who's crying? Are you crazy?"

And spit! Her spitting technique was truly an art. Beric, sitting on top of her, pressed her face to the ground to keep her in place.

"I'll show you what a bloody mess looks like. Look forward to it."

"Get lost! Get lost, you red-headed bastard!"

"You're being a pain. I'll make you look the same."

Slowly, he rummaged through one of his pockets and pulled out red pigment. For a moment, Soo hesitated, not understanding his intention.

Ian, checking the window, slowly approached and squatted down. The shadows by the window had increased to three. Nersarn, Gansha, and Mujurun were all curious.

"Soo, don't be too upset."

Ian calmed Soo, who was struggling while bound.

"Even though it's a mutually agreed sparring, it's not good for either of you to draw blood, right? Nersarn sent you, the youngest, not only to protect you but also to ensure you don't cause significant harm to the opponent."

"No way! Shut up!"

"Well, accepting the truth is your job, so I won't say anything. But the important thing is that you're lying on the ground because of Beric, and if this were a real fight, you would be dead."

Soo fidgeted in frustration.

Beric, smiling in the thrill of victory, smeared the pigment on Soo's face. It quickly turned into a mess, as if she had been drenched in blood.

"So, go back and report. Although I didn't knock you down for public reasons, if you acknowledge our victory, I'll give you a solution to clean up. If you leave the mansion like this, the Chonrye clan will be remembered by the Bratz citizens in a rather ridiculous way."

Beep beep beep!

As Ian finished speaking, the alarm on the pocket watch went off. Beric, having thoroughly applied the pigment, relaxed his grip, and Soo kicked his stomach and stood up. She tried to wipe it off, but it wouldn't budge.

"Ugh! What is this?"

"It's a special pigment used by my mother. It doesn't come off with water or sweat, so she loves using it."

Soo looked up at Ian with a desperate gaze. Her eyes were the only white part of her face. She bit her lips and, as a final act, struck Beric's head before fleeing to the annex.

Smack!

"Ouch! That girl!"

Was there a bruise? Beric rubbed the back of his head and cursed at Soo's retreating figure. Ian comforted him by adding more magical power.

"Good job."

"But is it okay to let her go like that? Shouldn't we beat her up to prevent any retaliation?"

"Your words are vulgar."

"Shouldn't we rough her up, Master?"

"…Forget it. If Soo's condition is bad, Deraga will surely notice. Even if they accept, the baron might interfere. Most importantly, the Chonrye clan is a family with strong bonds, right?"

If we beat her to death, we don't know what kind of retaliation we might face across the border. We need a way to get their acceptance without bloodshed.

"But it really is as you said."

Before the sparring, Ian had mentioned two points.

First, when the opponent only dodges and doesn't attack, provoke them to attack. It's better to change the direction of force to make them come to you rather than chasing an uncatchable opponent.

Second, endure. The Chonrye clan is a warlike race. If you endure until they get carried away by the thrill of a one-sided fight, they will surely make a mistake.

Ian created the opening, but catching it was Beric's job.

"It's not just the Chonrye clan; it's usually like that. Fast movers are often weaker than you think."

By now, Soo had climbed back through the window into the room. Red marks were left on the wall vines, but no one would likely notice.

Ian nodded and signaled to leave.

"Mr. Ian? Where are you going?"

"Just to the main house."

"The security is tight tonight, so don't go outside. And there's an order not to let outsiders in."

The guard reported, blocking Beric. There was no choice. Ian nodded, and Beric said he would come tomorrow and left the mansion. Ian went to his room and climbed one more floor.

Knock knock.

"It's Ian."

"…Come in."

"No! Don't come in!"

"Soo, be quiet."

Opening the door, he found chaos. Gansha and Mujurun were trying to wipe Soo's face with cloth, but it only made the stains worse.

"If you want, I can give you a solution to remove it."

"It's not like giving medicine with a bottle! Are you kidding?"

Nersarn raised a finger to signal silence and turned to Ian.

"You clearly allowed the sparring, yet this is a joke. I feel insulted."

"Is that so? If you feel that way, I apologize, but isn't it better than leaving Bratz with a bruised and swollen face?"

"There are