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Sure! Here’s the translation in the desired comedic anime style:

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Some might say.

Now, how much do I have left to fear?

A teen martial master. At this point, I had reached the top.

If we’re counting martial artists, I had about ten opponents left, including those hidden above me.

In a situation where it wasn’t on the level of the Three Eminent Beings, I could confidently escape without dying regardless of the circumstances.

Honestly, why would I have so much to fear?

‘… Power isn’t everything to fear.’

While strategies can be shattered by greater force, there are definitely things that can’t be.

Humans have memories.

Memories that are etched in so deeply they manifest as nightmares.

Indelible marks that ensure they won’t be forgotten in a lifetime.

For example, my father is one of them.

Ah, of course, even in terms of brute strength, I still didn’t seem to stand a chance.

Anyway…

Regardless of the situation, the point is that people feel fear for reasons beyond mere strength.

This included my father as well as the members of my family.

To be precise…

‘It would be safe to say that’s all there is to it.’

I didn’t acknowledge it back then, but I’ve slowly been coming to terms with it.

I was still buried in memories.

Becoming a dragon made it a bit better, I suppose.

When I faced Gu Huibi.

The reason I could confront her without sheer terror was likely due to this.

However, to claim I was completely free of it would be naive.

I had just become able to endure it.

That would be the correct way to phrase it.

No, I was certain that was the case.

Knowing that, I tried to flee quickly.

Through the hastily packed belongings, I needed to find somewhere to hide.

As I thought it, launching myself forward—

Boom—!!

Suddenly, the door banged open with force from outside my residence.

At the same moment—

“Hahaha—!!”

Hearing that old man’s rough laughter made me want to bolt.

“Oh my, who do we have here—! The Star King’s grandson, is it? Hahaha! You’re looking great!”

“…”

Oh no. Damn it.

It seemed too late.

When I was younger.

Around the age of thirteen in my previous life.

I had caused quite a ruckus, and it was Elder Lee, not my father, who heard about it first at that time.

I was particularly reckless compared to anyone else, and as always, I was sulking with frustration instead of guilt.

The place was the back mountain behind the Gu Clan.

I was led there by Elder Lee’s hand.

A wide plain unfolded before me.

Though it wasn’t particularly neat due to lack of care, it looked decent enough.

[My grandchild. Do you know what that is?]

As I looked at the scenery, Elder Lee asked me.

[How would I know without you telling me? And, I’m not Elder Lee’s grandson.]

I answered with a scowl.

In hindsight, that was a rather dumb response.

‘Isn’t it? I’d probably answer like that even now.’

If I had to pinpoint the difference, I was just more loaded with malice back then.

I was always on edge and wouldn’t allow anyone near me.

So I didn’t look kindly on Elder Lee’s attempts to get closer.

[Is that so? That’s a pity. Hahaha!]

The more I pushed back, the more Elder Lee laughed it off as if he didn’t care.

It was the same back then.

[Why did you drag me out here? You should let me go quickly.]

Bound tightly with rope.

Now, I could have easily untied it, but back then, I was just an incompetent child.

I screamed in frustration, but Elder Lee merely watched the plain before him without giving it a second thought.

[…] Damn it! I said let me go!?

Finally unable to hold in my anger, I burst out.

Hearing that, Elder Lee finally glanced my way.

His laughter remained.

But I should’ve noticed back then.

That there was a hint of anger mixed in that laugh.

[Yangcheon.]

[Let me go right now!]

[What did you do?]

[You won’t let me go!? If you don’t release me, I’ll kill you all…!]

[What did you do, Yangcheon?]

[…Damn…! What did I even do!?]

[That child was almost killed.]

Elder Lee’s words rendered me speechless for a moment. That’s why I was dragged up this mountain.

Yes, back then I almost killed someone.

The victim was probably my servant.

I don’t remember clearly, but she seemed to be a woman a couple of years older than me.

She fell after getting hit on the head by a pottery I had thrown. If she hadn’t received proper treatment, she might’ve died.

[Why did you do that?]

[…]

Elder Lee asked for a reason.

Why did I do it? Well, why indeed.

It wasn’t that I didn’t remember. I knew the reason.

It was simply because the food brought to me was terrible. Purely that.

I made a scene for that reason, and that’s how it all happened.

[The child regained her senses after treatment. But now, she won’t be able to serve you anymore. I doubt she’ll work for our family again.]

The Gu Clan took full responsibility for the troubles caused by a bloodline incident, even giving her more money than necessary.

After treatment, they had supported her for life, or so I later found out.

[…] So?

I smirked sarcastically.

[That’s great then. She couldn’t do her job right and got money for it. Thanks to me.]

Snicker.

I laughed while releasing how embarrassed and miserable I felt back then.

Throwing the pottery had not been intentional.

I was just throwing a tantrum as usual, and the pottery ended up being heavier than I expected. I lost control and it went flying in an unintended direction.

And thus, trouble started.

Honestly, I felt relieved she survived.

[It’s just one servant gone. Is that really such a problem?]

But my words were different from my inner thoughts.

[If she’d done her job properly, I wouldn’t have acted out. If a person like that is serving me… Next time, just give me a better one!]

I shouted as if to release my embarrassment.

Trying to cover up my shame, I made my anger even louder and fiercer.

That was me back then.

[So just let me go right now—! I said let me go–!!]

I squirmed and thrashed, but the rope was far too sturdy to loosen even a bit.

[Ugh—!!]

In the end, I couldn’t stabilize myself and rolled onto the ground.

The rocky ground was painfully rough.

A situation where I could end up injured.

[Let me… go—!]

Even in that situation, Elder Lee remained unfazed.

[It’s just a servant.]

The old man stroked his bushy beard with a big hand and nodded.

[True. That’s how it can be. To you, it might be just a servant. If that child isn’t of noble blood, then that’s a correct statement.]

It’s what’s typically called the noble mindset. The Gu Clan was a prestigious family, and even if it doesn’t show, a noble family is still a noble family.

Thus, Elder Lee held on to a certain degree of that mindset.

And yet…

[But there’s no reason you should treat others recklessly just because they’re not noble.]

As if to point this out, Elder Lee continued to look at me and spoke.

[So, am I supposed to care about that little servant?]

[Whether you care or not is up to you. Just know that you shouldn’t make unnecessary trouble.]

[Unnecessary trouble?]

[Yes, because of your pointless actions, our clan had to spend excessive money on that child. That’s certainly detrimental to the family. If that’s not a detriment, then what is?]

Don’t bring trouble to the family over something without justification.

That was Elder Lee’s point.

[…] Huh?

At his absurd words, I let out a hollow laugh.

[Yangcheon. Do you know why I dragged you here?]

[How would I know? Just get me out of here, you old fool!]

[It’s simple. To punish you.]

To punish me? Hearing that made my eyes widen in anger.

[A punishment for what?! I didn’t do anything wrong!! That girl was the problem for not doing her job right….]

[Didn’t I tell you? It’s not about whether you harmed the child.]

Swish.

Elder Lee moved his fat arm and lifted me up as if I was a piece of fruit.

[If you have something to blow up about, holding it in isn’t the only solution. But you, Yangcheon, your threshold is too low. Plus, you’re causing trouble for those around you. That’s why you’re being punished.]

[What the heck! I’m a member of the Gu Clan! Why should I be punished?!]

As I recalled, my ears felt hot.

Of course, I didn’t say that in pride for being part of the Gu Clan.

It was what spilled forth because I had to say something.

Words used as tools to release my feelings somehow. Just like that.

[You think you can punish me? Why should I take it–! Let me go—!!]

I tried to blurt my grievances over and over.

[Your opinions don’t matter. This is purely the punishment given by this old man.]

Elder Lee concluded his words and casually threw me.

[Whoa!?]

I flew a good distance and hit the ground with a thud—! and rolled away.

Bound by ropes, I couldn’t stop myself.

Finally, after I managed to stop my body—

[Grr….]

I lifted my dizzy head and surveyed my surroundings.

After rolling for a while, I landed in the middle of the plain.

Since it was a summer day, it was exceptionally hot, and the ground had baked my body hot enough to burn.

At that time, I had barely mastered the Technique of the Flame Wheel, so I had almost no heat resistance.

[…What is this…? What… is going on….]

Why was I suddenly thrown here? Just as I was bewildered,

[What punishment should I inflict? I thought about it a bit.]

I heard Elder Lee calling from a distance.

[Simply keeping it straightforward would probably be best.]

[What do you mean!? Let me out right now!?]

[At your age, you should start doing things by yourself. Try to free yourself.]

[What is that supposed to–!]

[So, I’ll come back in three days. Take care.]

[What?]

With that, Elder Lee turned his back and walked away.

As I watched him leave in a panic, I shouted.

[W-Wait! Let me go! What do you want me to do here—!!]

Tightly bound, under the scorching sun on top of the mountain.

There was no way this situation had anything to do with surviving.

Just like that, three days later, avoiding wild animals and slowly dying of thirst and hunger, Elder Lee picked me up from the bushes again.

[Next time you get into the same situation, it won’t be three days but seven.]

With a smile, he said that, and I was left speechless.

I wanted to curse him out, but unfortunately, I didn’t even have the strength to do so.

What could be called a punishment was more akin to abuse.

How could the elder of the clan treat one of his own bloodline this way?

Later, I heard that Elder Lee was punished a bit for this incident.

He didn’t step down from his position, but he was pushed back in rank compared to the Third and Fourth Elders.

It meant that even Elder Lee couldn’t treat me so recklessly.

I’m sure he knew that too.

That old man didn’t change his attitude toward me, regardless of his own punishment.

If I caused trouble, I’d get punished.

And then he’d come by and punish me as well.

It was a vicious cycle. After experiencing that so many times, at the time, I was just focused on avoiding Elder Lee.

He’d frequently try to drag me off for training, and if I caused trouble, he’d come scold me.

Perhaps he was even more intense than Gu Huibi.

“That rascal—! You brat! You didn’t even send a message! You really know how to surprise me—!!”

That old man hadn’t changed one bit even to this day.

“…My hair… is shaking.”

As the First Elder patted my hair vigorously, I felt my head sway unsteadily.

“Hahaha—!!! You seem to have grown taller! Just as I thought! You’re my son’s child, how could you not grow? Were you trying to stay small? Hah, but you were so short!”

“…”

Growing taller because of a shedding was one thing, but I was still shorter than the First Elder.

Yet, he was genuinely happy, flashing a big smile.

Seeing this made my chest ache a bit.

‘…It’s because of the shedding.’

If it weren’t for that, I would’ve been significantly shorter.

Hearing tales about my father made things hurt even more.

“Did you eat well?”

“…I was going to eat, but I didn’t have an appetite.”

“Oh dear. A young lad like you skipping meals? This is a crucial time for you to grow!”

“…”

Who caused me to lose my appetite?

Looking at the First Elder, patting my shoulder without knowing my thoughts only twisted my insides more.

‘In the end, I couldn’t escape.’

Damn it.

As soon as I heard the news, I tried to run away quickly, but unfortunately, I failed.

“This place is nice.”

As soon as I attempted to make a run for it, the First Elder barged into my residence like a ghost.

Because of that, I ended up in this situation.

“I can stay here too.”

At those words from Elder Lee, an involuntary grimace appeared on my face.

“What kind of terrifying thing is that? No thanks.”

“No thanks? You’re just trying to bathe with this old man again, alright?”

“Even more, no thanks. That’s just creepy, what is that chilling talk?”

“You cheeky! Just because you’ve grown up doesn’t mean you can be so bold with me… Ah.”

That nonsense… I mean, utter nonsense from Elder Lee made him suddenly glance at me as if realizing something.

And then he started grinning.

‘…Oh hell no.’

That grin felt full of intent.

I could almost predict what was about to come out of his mouth.

“Well, you being the great Star King wouldn’t even want to bathe with an old man like me. That makes sense.”

‘Screw this.’

Just as I thought, he brought up the nickname.

“Hmm Hmm. After all, you’re the great Star King.”

“…That’s not it.”

“A magnificent and great Star King can’t bathe or eat with this insignificant old man.”

“That’s really not it.”

“To an outstanding and great Star King, food and bathing with…”

“…”

Pretending I didn’t hear him, I covered my forehead with my hand.

‘This is why I wanted to escape.’

It was clear as day, the moment I saw him, I knew he’d be the kind to tease.

His motives were painfully obvious, especially since he could keep going non-stop all day.

That was the case even for the Pejon.

Every time I saw him lately, the mockery was more than I could handle.

Once another person joined in on the teasing, how could my life be peaceful?

Sigh…

Holding back a rough exhale, I asked the now still teasing Elder Lee.

“So, why are you here?”

“Hmm? Why? It’s because the great and glorious…”

“Ah, can we cut that out?”

After scrunching up my face, Elder Lee finally stopped blabbering.

While he looked disappointed, thankfully, he didn’t continue on.

“I heard you wouldn’t be coming. Why did you come all the way here?”

Though the Gu Clan had arrived first to Hanam, I hadn’t heard anything about Elder Lee coming.

Originally, he rarely went outside the clan, and he definitely wasn’t one to head toward Hanam.

Unless it was an important matter, like the incident related to Shinryong Temple a few years back, he wouldn’t bother moving.

I wondered why he had come this time.

As I asked, he answered.

“Why do you think? I heard you went through a big ordeal, so I came.”

His following response left me momentarily stunned.

“I heard you had a big fight. Are you okay?”

“…Ah.”

Was it truly because of me?

“I see no injuries, but I can’t tell if you’re okay or hurt at all. But if you are, are you getting the right treatment? I heard there’s Shin Yi around, but don’t rely on that bastard too much; he’s got a bit of a quack side to him.”

“…”

Endlessly pouring out words.

And while the remark about the best physician in the Central Plains being a quack was bothersome, even more than that…

“I’m fine.”

As I recognized the majority of his words were genuine concern, I felt especially awkward.

Could it really be that he came immediately upon hearing about me?

‘Hanam isn’t that close to Mt. Shan.’

How many days had passed since the incident? If he truly rushed in upon hearing it, it’d have taken a great deal of time to arrive.

There was no way an elderly man like Elder Lee could rush up in a single step.

If that was actually the case, a fluctuating uncomfortable feeling rolled through me.

“Why’d you come here when you’re not as young as you used to be? You should just stay home.”

Since it wasn’t truly from the depth of my heart, I let that slip.

“Haha. Just say ‘thank you for your hard work.’ But your attitude hasn’t changed at all.”

“That’s not what it is.”

“Right, right.”

Nod.

Elder Lee nodded and patted my head again.

His rough touch was still uncomfortable, yet I didn’t resist.

“Oh, right. I heard on the way here, Yangcheon…”

“…Yes.”

“I heard you’ve somehow become the bet’s Great Lord. Is that true?”

“…It just sort of happened.”

I hadn’t even officially stepped foot into it, and on the first day, I had already caused a ruckus.

“Hmm.”

“Why do you ask?”

Elder Lee sighed upon hearing my response. It seemed he had little reason to know.

‘Oh no, is it because I received the Great Lord Position without mentioning it to the Gu Clan?’

‘Definitely.’

That would definitely be a problem.

Though I hastily accepted the position, I still had issues intertwined with it.

If I accepted the Great Lord Position here, returning to the family and receiving the Lesser Clan Leader’s Position would raise complications.

Because of that, my father and those at the elder level should have been informed, but…

‘…I completely forgot.’

I’d been so busy lately I had let it slip my mind.

Thus, Elder Lee could express his discomfort and command me not to hold the position.

‘Since I’ve already messed up, I need to see it through.’

Half a year.

For my plans, I was supposed to take half a year. How was I going to convince them now?

While troubling myself over it, Elder Lee stepped cautiously into speaking.

“This has turned troublesome.”

It seemed my prediction was right.

“If that’s the case… Sir Elder Lee.”

“If it turns out that way, it will become known that I’ve been banned from entering Hanam because of the trouble I caused.”

“I have my reasons as well… Huh?”

“Hmm?”

“Pardon?”

I spoke halfway and turned to look at Elder Lee.

A moment of silence fell.

“Iku. What a slip of the tongue—!”

Thud!

Elder Lee lightly punched his head with his fist, displaying an adorable gesture.

“…”

That was hardly cute at all.

 

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