Chapter 31

“Is a re-examination necessary?”

The audience’s reaction was indifferent.

They were a hundred percent certain that Jae-Hyeok’s admission was fraudulent. They had just witnessed Kang Jae-Hyeok equip his Initial Skill; since he’d lacked even an Initial Skill during the C-grade raid, there was no way he had been level 1 at that time.

After all, how could a level 1 player without an Initial Skill play a significant role in a C-grade raid? Therefore, they thought Kang Jae-Hyeok had to be high-level.

Still, what could they do?

Most of the people there didn’t want Kang Jae-Hyeok to be expelled.

They had witnessed his talent.

They supported this child, who could be of help to South Korea in the distant future.

However, the Association’s officials were stubborn.

“What type of sophistry is this when it’s clear that his admission was fraudulent? Lion’s Castle should be reviewed immediately, and Kang Jae-Hyeok expelled!”

"Yes! The Association will take care of the rest of this matter!”

Now wasn’t the time to care about the public’s reactions. They needed to remove Kang Jae-Hyeok from the eyes of the public first.

They quickly made a decision and started to cause a commotion. However, Jae-Hyeok snatched the microphone away from the host. “By the way, I wasn’t admitted fraudulently.”

“?”

He floated his status window in the air, partially sharing his status window. That easily resolved the situation.

Name: Kang Jae-Hyeok.

Level: 10

“Uh...? Uhhh?”

“W-what is going on?”

Level 10 was a small number. If his contribution in the C-grade raid at level 1 was 20%, it was only right for him to be around level 10. The crowd was forced to accept it.

“He really was only at level 1 and didn’t have an Initial Skill in a C-grade raid? Is that really possible?”

“He’s someone who just cut through lightning from a thunder tribulation. Isn’t it possible if his swordsmanship has reached the peak?”

“Indeed, the Leech King is famous for being dull-witted and simple. It isn’t impossible to defeat it with technique. If Kang Jae-Hyeok hadn’t come forward, the one called Chae Da-Hee might’ve succeeded in the raid on her own.”

An atmosphere of understanding was created.

At this point, even those who were openly hostile to Jae-Hyeok had to shut their mouths. They couldn’t deny it.

Jae-Hyeok felt emotional seeing the crowd slowly accept his words. It felt like ten years of frustration had disappeared in one go after sharing the status window.

Is this the feeling of Society’s acceptance?

Jae-Hyeok smiled and revealed the entire truth. “In fact, I just awakened.”

“Um... he is really good at bluffing.”

“Isn’t his personality similar to Kang Hyeon-Ah?”

“I wonder if his performance in the raid was also half exaggerated.”

“Even the tribulation was odd. It was just one thunderbolt, and then it ended. I heard an average thunder tribulation usually has fifteen thunderbolt strikes... ”

“...... ”

Jae-Hyeok’s smile stiffened. They didn’t believe him at all.

In any case, news related to Kang Jae-Hyeok was pouring out, and for the first time in eight years, the Kang family was mentioned in a positive light.

It was a change that came about as soon as the young boy appeared before the world.

***

Thump!

A desk made of otherworld wood, which was harder than steel, was split in half.

“The Kang family!”

President Ji Cheon-Myeong of the Association had bloodshot eyes as he chewed his lips.

He was furious. The scenario that he’d created to bring about the complete downfall of the Kang family had produced the worst possible outcome.

Kang Jae-Hyeok.

Until just a moment ago, his image was being shown repeatedly on the news.

It showed him heroically splitting a tribulation thunderbolt in half. It was like a scene from a movie, raising the Kang family’s honor greatly.

The news related to him would’ve been pouring out all day long if it hadn’t been for the Association putting pressure on the media.

“I’m sick and tired of these bastards!”

First, it was Kang Dae-Seong keeping him on edge, never knowing when Kang Dae-Seong might suddenly show up again. Now, even this young brat dared to offend him?

The prestigious families were truly a terrible group. Their pride transcended common sense, and they were never overthrown easily.

Kang Jae-Hyeok was living proof of the power of prestigious families.

A boy who was only sixteen years old.

He’d grown up alone in a mansion surrounded by civic groups who hated and cursed the Kang family and the Yaksha. His siblings had abandoned him at a young age, and he’d been left to support his father, who couldn’t open his eyes.

Ji Cheon-Myeong knew that Kang Jae-Hyeok’s last eight years had been a hell that not even adults could endure.

And yet, Kang Jae-Hyeok endured it. He didn’t lose his pride and faith even in hell; he worked hard to develop his talents and created a lifeline for the collapsing Kang family.

“Hah... Hah... Seol Su-Ah...”

She hid her trap well.

I will admit defeat this time.

I was too hasty.

Still, you haven’t escaped without cost.

Kang Jae-Hyeok was too conspicuous.

Ji Cheon-Myeong was certain that Kang Jae-Hyeok’s performance had exceeded even Seol Su-Ah’s intentions.

You won’t be able to protect him.

The pack of jackals eyeing the one who had mastered the Kang family’s swordsmanship- and mana control technique would all shift their gazes to Lion’s Castle and double their efforts.

In the first place, Lion’s Castle was a territory jointly managed by several forces. It wasn’t just the Association and the government. All types of guilds had spies inside.

A sneer appeared on Ji Cheon-Myeong’s face.

Both the Kang family and Kang Jae-Hyeok are ticking time bombs.

***

“I never thought you would be cheeky enough to claim you were unawakened during the raid. What type of act is that?” Yoo-Jin held her stomach and laughed.

Jae-Hyeok overwhelmed the audience with his spirit and skills. Then, he ruined the mood with his absurd final words. It was quite funny.

“It isn’t an act. I was telling the truth.”

Do all people live their whole lives being deceived?

Jae-Hyeok was frowning when Do-Jin congratulated him. “Congratulations on getting a Bloodline Skill.”

The world had interpreted the situation as Jae-Hyeok awakening a Bloodline Skill due to the size of the light pillar.

On top of that, Jae-Hyeok’s eyes had reflected the thunder tribulation's light and looked gold at first glance. So it was easy to mistake his Skill for a Bloodline Skill.

“Thank you.”

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Jae-Hyeok didn’t bother to clear up the misunderstanding.

There’s no reason to expose my cards.

Jae-Hyeok wasn’t suspicious of Do-Jin, but he was wary of other people’s eyes and ears. He’d only taken the first step. He needed to be careful until he’d grown enough.

Jae-Hyeok had grown up exposed to hostility for the last eight years, so he understood his position well.

“Now that you’ve proven there was no fraud in the admission process and restored your family’s honor by awakening a Bloodline Skill, all that’s left is to grow stronger!” Da-Hee practically vibrated with happiness. Her purple eyes shone, clear and sincere.

“Yes, let’s work well together.”

It was impossible to restore his family’s honor with just this, but Jae-Hyeok decided to enjoy it for now.

***

Jae-Hyeok separated from the group and walked down a secluded path.

He made his way through overgrown vegetation, untouched by human hands, crossed rivers and hills, and reached the ruins of a castle.

It was a place that was always quiet when he came here.

They wanted to kill me.

His expression was serious as he stood facing the gate embossed with a lion’s head.

Many of the people sitting in the audience fervently wished for the downfall of the Kang family and directed open hostility and killing intent toward Jae-Hyeok.

It was almost absurd.

What had he done? How shameless were they to hate him?

As expected, those who wished for the downfall of the Kang family had likely been directly involved in the events eight years ago. The methods were too similar.

During the gate exchange meeting, they’d also created an environment that allowed China and Japan to harm his father.

As long as my family survives, so does knowledge of their disgraceful crimes. That must be why they continue to consider the Kang family as a thorn in their side. Otherwise, I can’t understand their reasoning.

He needed strength, strength to uncover hidden truths and to punish those involved.

Jae-Hyeok released his suppressed killing intent and started to swing his sword.

He had awakened and unlocked the System so his stats wouldn’t increase through training. However, he needed to understand and control his body perfectly to make the most of his stats.

Although he was a player, that didn’t mean he would neglect his training. It wouldn’t be enough even if he spent a lifetime honing his abilities.

Let me test my Skills.

Jae-Hyeok adapted to his changed body to some extent by performing the Kang family’s swordsmanship. Then he used Two Scythes Block a Cart.

He drew his sword and activated the Skill as he swung, unleashing two dark-colored scythes.

“Oh?”

He had been curious about the phrase ‘two scythes’ in the Skill’s name. It turned out two attacks emerged from his single strike, one on each side of the blade.

They weren’t some sort of afterimage caused by his sword’s speed. Instead, two tangible auras had manifested and streaked out alongside his sword.

Each scythe’s power was nearly twice that of Jae-Hyeok’s own sword strike, which he’d performed at full strength.

This is why people are so obsessed with Skills.

It was a power that made the impossible possible.

Jae-Hyeok was amazed. Then he saw a gold thunderbolt engulf his sword.

It was the effect of the Thunderbolt Sword.

Unlike the two scythes with a high attack power, the Thunderbolt Sword demonstrated power consistent with Jae-Hyeok’s stats.

Of course, it was a passive skill, so the fact that it didn’t consume any mana was a huge advantage.

It can even electrocute living creatures.

Best of all, the Thunderbolt Sword only followed his attack like a shadow and didn’t interrupt his movements. This was unlike Two Scyths Block a Cart, which forced his body and energies to follow a fixed path when he cast it.

Overall, Jae-Hyeok was very pleased with the Thunderbolt Sword.

Although it’s less likely to trigger, and I can’t control the timing, I like it a lot better than the two scythes Skill.

Jae-Hyeok didn’t like active Skills that forced him to move in a certain way on use. It was unpleasant to feel his body act beyond his control. It was also easy for the enemy to see through such predictable movements.

It’s best not to expose the two scythes in public...

Jae-Hyeok thought. Then, an idea struck him.

Actually, maybe it’s an advantage to be forced to move in certain ways...

Jae-Hyeok used the sword-drawing technique and activated Two Scyths Block a Cart before the swing finished.

“Ack!”

Pain surged in his arm as the bones flexed under the strain. But it worked. His sword suddenly altered its path, and two dark scythes appeared, one following on either side of his sword.

There was a big smile on Jae-Hyeok’s face.

Now, he had a rough idea of how to use the Skill.

......

Jae-Hyeok’s training lasted all night.

He didn’t stop swinging his sword until he fully adapted to his new stats and learned how to use his Skills.

Jae-Hyeok also tried to use Two Scythes Block a Cart immediately after striking with the sword-drawing technique. He’d hoped to forcibly link a follow-up attack that circumvented the time normally required to recover his sword.

Crack!

That time, his arm did break.

“Ugh... It’s been a long time since I’ve been injured in training.”

He thought he had gained an exquisite move to catch the enemy off guard, but his body couldn’t handle the recoil.

He needed to increase his strength and agility by at least another 30 points to enhance his muscles and bones and make them firm and flexible enough. Then, he should be able to use that move at least once without injury.

Until then, I will save it as a special move.

Uh?

[You have broken through your physical limitations through hard training.]

[You have broken through your mental limitations through hard training.]

[Your skills have deepened further through hard training.]

[You have been breaking through the limits of your mind and body for 2,968 days in a row.]

[If you keep the current state for another thirty-two days, a Hidden Skill will awaken.]

So this was how things were.

Jae-Hyeok shook his head when he saw the System messages in front of him.

He realized he’d grown so fast before awakening because he broke through his limits every day.

But is there any point in letting a Hidden Skill awaken?

The second- and third slots could only be filled with Skills learned from Skill books, right?

Jae-Hyeok tore off a piece of his clothing to roughly fix his arm in place. Then he turned his head.

“Now then, shall we have a conversation, lion head?”

He had vaguely felt a presence before he awakened. Now, he could pinpoint its source.

-

Young human.

I am asking for the one hundred and thirty-fifth time. How did you lift my curse?

Huh? Did you just speak?

The lion statue had been making a lot of noise since a while ago.