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The city of Hanam, deemed the most developed, always shines brightly as usual.

Unlike other places that naturally grow dark as night falls, Hanam gleams without ceasing.

A line led between the buildings.

The lanterns strung along this line illuminated the city, preventing it from being cloaked in darkness, allowing Hanam to remain bustling with street vendors and eager patrons even at night.

I maneuvered slowly through the crowd, tightly gripping my attire just in case it came loose.

To be honest, I felt so anxious about it that I cast an aura to slightly dampen my presence.

An ordinary person without a special bet would likely forget my face unless they literally saw it right in front of them.

Moreover, they probably wouldn’t even register that a person like me existed.

In that sense…

I sensed that the person trailing behind me was no ordinary individual from the moment we crossed paths.

Even with my presence minimized, this man straightforwardly called out to me.

He had been asking for directions to the White Forest Inn just moments ago.

I couldn’t scrutinize him too closely, but I could tell he was a formidable martial artist.

The energy I sensed from him was sharp.

His gait and unique breathing were indicative of a Sword Master.

Even if that weren’t the case, his sword hanging from his waist confirmed my assumption.

Regardless of his level, he had reached a complete stage.

He might have even reached the Transformation Realm, but the way he concealed his skill suggested he was trying to hide his true capabilities.

Just because I couldn’t see it didn’t mean he wasn’t truly at the peak.

Who could he be?

A martial artist of this caliber should be somewhat recognized, yet identifying him just from his presence was challenging.

What surprised me even more was…

“So anyway, my daughter…”

“…”

The man, who appeared to have a sharp and serious demeanor, was unexpectedly chatty.

Most of his words revolved around his daughter.

Honestly, he spoke enough to be annoying.

“Not that she wasn’t cute before, but she’s becoming more beautiful lately…”

“Is that so.”

“She resembles her mother so closely that it’s just adorable.”

There was a light of affection in his voice, clearly showing how much he cared for his daughter.

His daughter, huh.

‘So she’s a martial artist staying at the White Forest Inn?’

A few names crossed my mind.

There aren’t many women who enter Shinryong Temple.

It would be even easier to find a woman who wields a sword among them.

Of course, just because a father was skilled in swordsmanship didn’t mean his child would automatically follow suit.

Take the Gu Clan, for instance; the father excels in martial arts, yet Gu Huibi has made a name for herself as a Sword Master.

‘Who could it be? Yan Ga? Seon Ga?’

He clearly gave off the vibe of someone from a prestigious family.

I had some knowledge in that area, but I wasn’t obsessed with every single woman’s surname to remember them all.

The ones I could think of numbered about five.

From the way he spoke with warmth, it seemed he belonged to a survivor’s family.

I discreetly scanned the man again.

His hat was pulled down so low that I could barely see his face.

I wondered if he might realize I was trying to look at him…

If I used some betting tactics and heightened my senses here, I might be able to catch a glimpse of his face.

However, doing so might alert him that I was trying to peek at him.

That could hurt his feelings, so my curiosity didn’t compel me to try.

The only reason I pondered about this man was simply…

‘…what if…’

What if he was related to someone in my circle?

With the word that the Clan leaders of the four great clans were all attending the gathering.

Three of those Clan leaders had connections to me, and I thought maybe, just maybe, he was one of those martial artists with daughters.

Still, I didn’t dwell too long on that thought.

‘It’s only a week until the scheduled event. He couldn’t have arrived already.’

When referring to the Four Great Clans, they are the most notable among noble families.

That means the Clan leaders have to carry immense justification and prestige.

A bunch of prideful individuals will surely gather.

Could this be a preconceived notion? I thought not.

In a situation filled with competition, they were already fighting for supremacy.

The Righteous Faction Gathering was a significant setting for such conflicts.

The first battle they’d engage in here would, bizarrely enough, be…

Who arrives first.

Even if they weren’t late, one ought not to arrive ahead of others.

You might wonder what on earth that entails.

Yet it’s surprisingly commonplace to happen.

Ridiculously childish, isn’t it?

Among a group of individuals who have been battling pride all their lives, someone arriving first before the others is nothing short of absurd.

‘So at least that person beside me isn’t one of them.’

His clothing hinted at a careless appearance. Quite the unkempt look for someone who might belong to a prestigious house.

A Clan leader without a carriage or servants, relying on others for directions?

Surely, he wouldn’t do that.

Lost in thought, I accelerated my pace.

Though the distance to the inn wasn’t too long, the density of the crowd made it somewhat bothersome.

Hanam typically bustles with people, but this time it felt especially crowded.

It was hardly a mystery why; it was for the assembly.

To be precise, it was a gathering for onlookers wanting to witness the powerful figures attending.

Monsters dubbed kings of the era would mostly be present.

It was a convention attended by the top half of the Tenth Grade Masters and those who had achieved the rank of a White-Grade Master.

Rare beasts were gathering, hence the throngs of people eagerly congregating to watch.

As more and more began gathering, chaos ensued long before the week’s time.

“Junior.”

As I hurried on, the man called out again.

Did he not get that I was busy and didn’t want to chat?

“May I ask what business you have at the inn?”

“…I have an acquaintance there.”

“An acquaintance? I see.”

From his words, it seemed he didn’t think I was the Gwandosaeng residing there.

“Junior.”

“Yes.”

How annoying it was, this incessant chatter.

“Do you know of a martial artist known as So Yeomra, who has the title of Late-Stage Talents?”

“…”

The man’s inquiry made my shoulders involuntarily twitch. That title was enough to set my ears on fire.

“…Why do you ask?”

“Ah, it’s just that he’s recently become quite famous in Hanam.”

“…Famous, indeed. Because of some ridiculous rumors.”

Damn it.

I never thought I’d hear my name come out of someone else’s mouth like this.

The man seemed entirely oblivious to the fact that I was So Yeomra… no, that idiot.

“A bubble, you think?”

“Yes, indeed. A massive bubble.”

As soon as I said that, the man suddenly thumped my shoulder.

What the heck is this guy doing?

When I looked at him, he appeared to be genuinely excited.

“Young man has quite the depth of thought, huh? I thoroughly like that about you.”

“…This is quite sudden, isn’t it?”

What part of me looked thoughtful? I merely said my rumors were just inflated.

‘Is he out of his mind?’

Thinking that, I found myself instinctively increasing the distance between us.

It’d be better to get him away as soon as possible.

I hurried my steps.

The distance to the inn was not particularly long, but with so many people around, it was somewhat annoying.

Hanam is known for its crowded ambiance, but…

This time, it was especially heightened.

No need to guess why—it was the gathering.

To be specific, it was the influx of people wanting to get a glimpse of influential figures attending.

Most of the renowned beings dubbed kings—monsters—of the day were likely to be there.

The assembly attracted the best of the best; that meant people were on high alert, eager to catch sight of them.

As this crowd burgeoned rapidly, it caused quite the scene ahead of the week’s time, bringing us to the present situation.

“Junior.”

While I busily walked on, the man called out to me again.

Should I tell him not to speak to me?

“Do you happen to have a fiancée?”

Now he was prying into personal matters.

“… I do have a fiancée.”

And once again, I found myself responding.

“Is that so? Do you have feelings for her?”

“Well, I don’t dislike her, I suppose.”

Why does he keep asking such trivial things?

It feels stifling.

Upon hearing my answer, the man fell silent abruptly. Is that the end of his inquiries?

“Recently, my daughter…”

Ugh, there he goes again. How much further until the inn?

‘Not much longer.’

I resolved not to respond and just to keep moving forward.

It was the best plan to reach my destination quickly and part ways.

“My sweet and lovely daughter seems to have caught the eye of some wretch.”

“Haha, I see.”

Now that’s genuinely personal.

I couldn’t help but wonder what prompted him to bring it up. To be frank, I found it entirely uninteresting.

“They say he’s a man with a fiancée, you know?”

“I see.”

But that actually piqued my interest somewhat.

His daughter has feelings for a man who already has a fiancée?

This individual’s daughter can’t be of sound mind to find him appealing. Why on earth would she?

“They say he mentioned breaking up with his fiancée to be with our daughter… Truly a despicable man.”

“Sounds insane.”

That really is crazy.

To have a fiancée but still be flirting with another woman—what a scoundrel!

‘What kind of arrogant guy dares do that?’

He must be tall and handsome, for sure. I have no clue who it could be, but it must be nice to lead such an easy life.

And in the process, that poor girl falls for such a jerk.

A predictable love triangle, really.

Tsk tsk.

She’s young, lacks experience, and is naive… Sad to see someone so caught up in their emotions.

Though if someone were to ask whether I have any experience in such matters, I’d have no counter argument.

“It must be too hard on you.”

Merely wishing not to engage in conversation, I added a remark at the end since the situation was rather unfortunate.

“Thank you for your empathy… And regarding that…”

“Is there… something else?”

“However, I heard that the filthy scoundrel had other women on the side apart from my daughter.”

“…He’s quite the remarkable character in many ways.”

Wait, so he has more than just one woman?

Wow, what an impressive guy. How does he manage?

This must be a talent, if anything.

‘Should I be envious of that?’

For a guy, that would be a somewhat enviable trait.

Yet for some reason, I didn’t feel even the slightest hint of jealousy.

Lost in this thought, the man continued speaking.

“I tried to overlook it for the sake of my daughter, but if these rumors are true…”

‘True, you say?’

“I’ll have to break his limbs, no matter what.”

The man’s voice brimmed with killing intent. He seemed absolutely sincere.

Though I’ve never raised children myself, if that were the situation, I might have hunted that lunatic down and torn him apart.

“I understand… I wish you all the best in this endeavor.”

“That was unnecessary chatter. I appreciate your understanding, Junior.”

It seemed he dimly realized he had been talking nonsense.

As I listened, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I found it oddly entertaining.”

That was a lie.

Truthfully, it wasn’t amusing at all, but since I was about to part ways, it was just a way to placate him.

The parting point had arrived, meaning we had finally reached the White Forest Inn.

Wasn’t this the largest inn in Hanam? The one Moyong Hi-ah had told me about before was quite large and good, but this one looked decent as well.

Especially the food—quite tasty.

‘I wonder if the kids are waiting for me.’

I had been on a wild spree in the mountains lately, making me miss meals, so I had instructed them to eat without waiting for me.

But they didn’t listen. They’d definitely wait until I arrived.

Thanks to this, I was trying to return as quickly as possible. If they planned this, they must be impressive themselves.

I grasped the doorknob of the inn. Just then, the man spoke again.

“Thank you for guiding me. When the time is right, I’ll be sure to repay your kindness.”

As I heard that, I opened the door.

Creeeak…

The door opened, revealing the interior of the inn.

“No need for any repayment. We were simply going in the same direction.”

Since I had no desire to get involved further, I uttered that, but the man seemed to take it differently, chuckling softly.

“That’s not possible. If one is indebted, it’s proper to repay them, and I, Moyong Tae, swear to repay you, Junior.”

“Really, it’s not necessary… Huh?”

At the instant I swiftly stepped into the inn, my body froze rigid.

…Just now.

What did this guy say? How did he introduce himself?

“Moyong…?”

“Prince!”

An oddly familiar voice brushed my ears. It was Moyong Hi-ah.

Noticing me from afar, she dashed over as if in a panic.

“We’re in trouble… I just received word that my father has arrived in Hanam… huh?”

Moyong Hi-ah, unusually flustered and restless as she approached, was equally frozen as she spotted the man who had entered behind me.

Confirming that, I turned to glance back at him.

Creeeek.

As if my neck was rusted, it creaked stiffly.

With effort, I turned my head to check the face behind the man’s hat.

A sharp nose and thick eyebrows.

A middle-aged man with chillingly cold eyes like frost.

And his refined yet gentle demeanor exuded an aura that was almost affectionate.

In him, I could see the figure of Moyong Hi-ah, standing before me.

“…C-Clan Leader?”

Moyong Hi-ah stammered in a trembling voice toward the middle-aged man.

The instant I heard that, my brain went blank.

Meanwhile, the man’s gaze also shifted towards me.

His piercing eyes resembled whirlwinds.

“Junior.”

The way he called my name had completely transformed from before.

The fatherly tone from earlier, full of love for his daughter, had shifted now.

It felt as if he was keeping a volcano of emotion in check.

“…W-What?”

“This may seem odd to ask now.”

Tap.

The man’s hand gently rested on my shoulder.

It felt surprisingly heavy—even though he only placed it lightly, my shoulder felt as if it could snap off. Was that my imagination?

“What is your name?”

“…”

Under the weighty inquiry filled with malice, I found myself nodding without realizing it.

Ah, right. This was definitely…

It appeared I had landed myself in significant trouble.

 

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