Chapter 298

Second princess... so this Freesia lady is Third Princess Iris’ second sister...

Jae-Hyeok rubbed his temples, feeling more miffed than anything.

The second princess claimed Iyarugt belonged to her father’s legacy, so her father was likely none other than the nameless god.

But so what?

Said god had personally gifted Peak Sword with Iyarugt. By right, Iyarugt was a Kang-family heirloom—and it had been for a long time.

Following Iyarugt’s merger with Stoli, the nameless god’s aura trace had somewhat faded. But the result was a definite evolution; whatever the second princess’s sentiments, Jae-Hyeok himself was more than pleased with his sword’s transformation.

Jae-Hyeok shook his head. Wiping thoughts of Freesia and the nameless god from his mind, he turned and cast his gaze on the crowd behind him—his friends.

“Let’s go get something to eat. It’s my treat.”

Everyone already familiar with Jae-Hyeok immediately joined in a chorus of agreement.

Meanwhile, the American players traded glances—some of which were subtle, while others accompanied jumping eyebrows.

A meal...

They had expected Jae-Hyeok to offer gifts or resources in exchange for today’s help in clearing the quest. But a meal?

Repaying big favors with meals was the sort of deal reserved only for lovers, family members, and true friends. So now that Jae-Hyeok had proposed it, his message was clear: “You are counted among my own.

”

Coming from the Thunder God, this implicit message weighed more than any material gift could have.

Bellona had yet to reply, but already the American players were whispering among themselves.

“We’re going out to celebrate with a bunch of transcendents?”

“Hey—don’t you know what this means? From here on, US–Korea relations will be on an upswing.”

At the head of the group, Bellona listened to the stir behind her. There was an urge to turn and kick her subordinates, but she fought it. Instead, she met Jae-Hyeok’s smile with one of her own and nodded.

“A meal sounds lovely.”

Contrary to the American Association’s concerns, not only had the relationship between the United States and Korea

not

worsened—it had improved by leaps and bounds.

Looks like we’ll be called to the White House for the first time in a while.

Bellona and the others could almost feel the weight of medals on their chests and the flash of cameras in their eyes. They instinctively squinted.

Jae-Hyeok... no, the Thunder God was destined to one day claim the title of World’s Strongest—anyone who’d witnessed the ease with which he conquered his second tribulation knew this. Naturally, anyone involved in securing such a grand American ally was bound for endless accolades.

However, one thing worried Bellona.

...China and Japan must’ve realized the boy’s potential.

Sooner or later, there would be war in Asia.

China and Japan would never sit idle in the face of an existential threat like Jae-Hyeok. And with the deaths of Qilin and Sword Master, a peaceful recourse was off the table; both Qilin and the Sword Master had been the figureheads of influential and powerful player organizations—organizations which were surely pushing for war. To disregard these organizations was to risk revolt, which neither government would do.

Right now, many assassins must be infiltrating Korea. A war is inevitable, and the US will no doubt involve itself to preserve strong relations with Korea...

Bellona recalled the devastation she’d witnessed in Europe while on missions. The thought drained the blood from her cheeks.

How many young American lives would be lost?

She could hardly fathom it.

***

Jae-Hyeok watched as the majority of the crowd funneled from the castle ruins. Just as he made to join them, the Thunder Emperor spoke.

“Wait a minute before you leave. How about you show me the classroom where you studied?”

Jae-Hyeok tilted his head. “What, why?”

“I... well that’s...”

Park Chang-Cheon—ever the tank—stepped in on behalf of the troubled Thunder Emperor.

“That’s a good idea. We’ll join you.” Park Chang-Cheon gestured to Hae-Rin, and, smiling, he added, “I’m curious to see where my daughter studies.”

“Oh...

Oh

.”

Jae-Hyeok turned back to the Thunder Emperor with big eyes before coughing into his fist. “Good idea. I mean—it’ll be a nice walk, and since you're interested... yes, why not go see it.”

The Thunder Emperor cleared his throat in a thunderous manner and stared off into the distant mountains. “It’s decided. Let us depart... You lead.”

“

Uh

, right.”

“—Me too! I’m coming too!”

“S-senior Do-Jin, don’t yell,” Da-Hee mumbled. “I-I’ll come also.”

“So will we!”

Soon, a greater part of Class B had formed up behind Park Chang-Cheon, who shared an amused glance with his daughter before following the Thunder Emperor and Jae-Hyeok out.

Along the way, Park Chang-Cheon glanced between the Thunder Emperor and Jae-Hyeok with warm eyes. For all of Jae-Hyeok’s impossible feats, there were certain things that strength could never win, and glory could never buy; the most valuable of which was a parent’s attention.

Thankfully, it seems the Thunder Emperor is trying his best to fill the gap left by Jae-Hyeok’s parents.

Thinking to here, Park Chang-Cheon studied the backs of the two transcendents with greater interest. They looked nothing alike, yet between them existed a hard-to-place harmony.

Was it how they both walked with straight backs? Or was it how the Thunder Emperor snuck glances at Jae-Hyeok?

Whatever it was, the two felt more like family than they did National Treasures born on different continents.

......

......

***

First Year Class B.

“So this is it...”

The Thunder Emperor stood with arms akimbo in the center of the class. Flanked by desks that hardly reached his knees, he scanned the room with a hawkish gaze and memorized every detail. If in the future the Yaksha had questions about his son's time at school, he should at least know the basics, after all.

“Where’s your seat?”

“Over there.”

Jae-Hyeok pointed to a desk at the end by the window, and the Thunder Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly. Unlike the other desks, which were paired in rows of two, Jae-Hyeok’s desk sat alone.

“Why don’t you have a partner?”

Jae-Hyeok shrugged. “There’s an odd number of us; it’s natural for someone to be alone.”

“Natural?”

The Thunder Emperor’s eyes narrowed to slits, and Do-Jin burst out laughing.

“Don’t worry. Jae-Hyeok isn’t being bullied. It is just that the others don’t want to sit with him.”

As Hae-Rin attempted to explain, Do-Jin’s laughter grew even louder. Jae-Hyeok chopped Do-Jin on the top of the head, and only then did he quiet down.

Grruk!

Grrrruk!

The orcs grew restless but Do-Jin quickly waved them off.

“Step back! Jae-Hyeok is my master... my boss!”

The orcs obediently stepped back, and Jae-Hyeok blinked in amazement.

Is he trying to become the first human orc lord?

He’d sent Do-Jin back to school to accompany Stoli and maybe get a quest, but instead he ended up becoming a human orc lord...

No quest, but he left the castle ruins as an orc gang leader. Should I say he succeeded, or should I say he failed? Or maybe he failed successfully...

Jae-Hyeok shook his head. In any case, the atmosphere quickly calmed down.

No one dared to disturb the Thunder Emperor and Park Chang-Cheon as they looked around the classroom and imagined the youths' daily lives.

Jae-Hyeok, too, was soon drawn into his past memories—however,

his were painful rather than fond.

The first thing that came to mind was Kim Jin-Myeon and his classmates’ disdain and hostility when he first attended class.

At the time, he’d thought the people of Lion’s Castle were no different from the protestors who’d surrounded his mansion.

But now...

Ding!

Jae-Hyeok broke into a smile as he checked his phone.

Kim Jin-Myeong:

Thank you, Jae-Hyeok.

Attached to the message was a photo of Kim Jin-Myeong and his wife. His eyes were slightly red, and she looked worn—but their smiles were heartwarming.

“Hey, you know, I’ll sit with you next second semester—”

“No need.” Jae-Hyeok interrupted Cheon Hye-Ji and clapped his hands. “Alright—let’s not keep the others. Thunder Emperor, Mr. Park Chang-Cheon, we really should be off.”

At their agreement, Jae-Hyeok led the group from the classroom.

......

After winding through several corridors and cutting through the cafeteria, the group arrived back on the main road. They followed the cobbled path for some time, passing a park and the Shooting Club’s building along the way. At the insistence of the Thunder Emperor, Jae-Hyeok led them on a slight detour to pass the training grounds that he and his Seed Team had frequented.

By the time the front gate came into view, a good thirty minutes had passed. By then, Jae-Hyeok’s gaze was unfocused, lost in thoughts of his past.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Accepting Seol Su-Ah’s offer, enrolling in Lion’s Castle...

He didn’t regret it.

Fighting life-and-death battles and making friends—every memory at Lion’s Castle was worth cherishing:

The endless killing brought growth. Growth brought power. And with power—he’d reversed the fate of his nation and his family. Though it was a brutal mentality, it was also necessary. Had he been indecisive, had he been soft—he would not have accomplished all that he had.

Even so, the friends he’d made along the way were no less important; through them, he’d learned to live for the present and imagine a future that was more than just a return to the past—a return to his childhood with his father.

Jae-Hyeok’s gaze passed over Do-Jin and the rest.

Thank you...

The group arrived in front of the school gate before they knew it.

White Night Seol Su-Ah and her entourage of school staff stopped at the school gate. The five hundred orcs trailing at the back didn’t.

Guruk!

Grruk!

Jae-Hyeok paused. “Do-Jin... are we taking them with us?”

“Of course! This is an army I personally raised for the Kang family. Just a little gift from me to you.”

“I... Thanks.”

How was he going to pay for their meals? Jae-Hyeok pondered on this seriously while Seol Su-Ah offered parting words. "Be safe.”

Jae-Hyeok broke from his thoughts and met Seoul Su-Ah’s blue eyes with a smile. “I will. Don’t forget, you’re always welcome at my home. Do try and visit.”

There was a tacit understanding between Jae-Hyeok and Seol Su-Ah: now that he’d cleared the quest, Jae-Hyeok wouldn’t be returning to Lion’s Castle next semester.

It was natural. After all, who would dare to teach Korea’s strongest National Treasure?

“Yes.”

Jae-Hyeok cast a final smile to the staff and teachers before turning around. There was no need for formal goodbyes; he believed they would meet often in the future.

“Let’s go.”

Jae-Hyeok didn’t look back, even as he disappeared down the steep trail with the others.

It was time to go home.

***

“Be careful!”

“?”

Stepping from the gate portal, Jae-Hyeok and the others were greeted with pandemonium. All the gatekeepers were floating in the air, flailing and shouting to no avail.

“

Hiik!”

Guruk?

Most of the youths and all of the orcs and Jaegyeong employees shuffled back uneasily. Meanwhile, the players of the Guardian spread out and assumed a protective shield formation, guarding the others behind them.

Bellona clicked her tongue in admiration. Without communication or rushed planning, the Guardian Guild knew exactly what to do to ensure the strongest offensive force—namely, the Thunder Emperor and the Thunder God—were free to run wild.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Just then, a familiar young man appeared in front of Jae-Hyeok.

“I received an oracle.”

It was none other than Yusuke. Known also as the prince—he was one of six appointed bishops and the current heir to the Greed Church. Despite having only recently reached S-class, Yusuke’s heaven-shaking status ensured his name was known worldwide.

We seem to have been caught by some persistent bastards.

The Thunder Emperor grunted, but Yusuke didn’t even look at him.

His eyes, which were curved like twin crescent moons, were solely on Jae-Hyeok.

“The oracle whispered of a saint on Earth—a saint both worthy and able to undertake the God’s Pilgrimage! That saint... is you!”

Yusuke dropped to his knees, joined by the hundreds of Church clergy behind him; their arms moved like a wave as they kowtowed toward Jae-Hyeok.

“Fear not, Saint. For we, the Church of Greed, know where Pilgrimage’s trail lies. We can guide you. You need only let us!”

“Where the path lies”?

Jae-Hyeok blinked.

Aren’t they just talking about Reinhardt?

He shook his head. “Thanks—but no thanks.”

“...Huh?”