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Chapter 257

Even though I was training hard, the fact that my skills weren’t improving—feeling it in every fiber of my being—was incredibly stressful.

It must be the same for everyone. Just look at how few students have been showing up at the Body Training Room lately; it’s clear many people are stuck in a rut.

Still, Yeon-woo had swung his sword and spear diligently for a month. There were plenty of other weapons as well! I could hardly keep track of all the weapons I had fed to the Doppleganger.

With that in mind, I thought I might as well try using them all, and I had even achieved some results.

I hadn’t specifically trained my martial arts to match the weapons, yet I found myself using them much more naturally—several times better, no, dozens of times better than before.

In other words, I could see the right path ahead. With every swing, my posture corrected itself, and the distribution of power changed. With each moment, my proficiency in wielding those weapons was growing.

“That feels weird.”

It was as if I had become an incredibly talented martial artist…. A sensation completely unrelated to Yeon-woo.

Yet, the fact that Yeon-woo was feeling such sensations could only be the result of his rigorous training with the sword. The methods of wielding weapons were distinct for each one.

For example, there’s a technique said to have originated from the representative martial arts of Sinchanyangga, called Ranachal. In simple terms, it teaches one to defend and counterattack by spinning the spear.

It was perfect for use in duels, so Yeon-woo had certainly internalized it.

I couldn’t help but recall the memories of our matches, which became fiercely complicated once Yang Mi-ryeo started deploying Ranachal. Thanks to that, my own Ranachal had improved considerably.

Still, among the weapons the Doppleganger remembered, less than half utilized that level of technique.

Regardless, the flow of the swordsmanship from the Heart of the Sword was guiding Yeon-woo’s martial skills.

“Is this what they call the universal savior or something?”

“Huh, so does Grandfather Yuri use other weapons really well?”

“No. The Master is the complete opposite.”

He may know how to handle most weapons, but if you asked him to actually use them, he wouldn’t have a clue. That old man had dedicated everything to the sword.

As if he had realized something monumental, Yeon-woo patted Shar’s head lightly, then wiped his body with the towel hanging around his neck.

It was summer, and even with the air conditioning in the Body Training Room, after moving around so much, I was soaked with sweat.

“It’s about time Leviathan should call me with something he found, but I haven’t found a single clue about the latter half.”

“Uh, don’t be too down, Dad….”

Shar patted Yeon-woo’s shoulder with a pitying tone. It didn’t seem like much comfort, but surprisingly, it actually was. Indeed, a cute daughter is the best remedy for fatigue.

“Isn’t it okay if you don’t try too hard to become too strong? You seem too anxious.”

“Well, that might be true, but I can’t help feeling a bit uneasy. There are endlessly strong enemies out there.”

“You don’t have to try to do everything alone….”

“Of course, I don’t plan to do it all by myself. But if I want to get involved in a fight, I have to become stronger. It would be too shameful to know everything and still not be able to participate in a battle.”

“Well, that’s true….”

So, acknowledging that it would be shameful was a good sign. A fierce sense of crisis engraved itself into Yeon-woo’s mind. As he resolved to not become a shameful dad to his children, his pocket vibrated.

“Got a call. Must be Leviathan.”

“I always wonder, why do you have your ringtone on vibrate?”

“Um… there’s a reason. I’ll tell you later.”

Deflecting the answer, Yeon-woo took out his smartphone and held it to his ear. The reason he didn’t answer immediately was that he had set the ringtone to Nea’s warm voice saying, “Yeon-woo~.”

No matter what, it felt wrong to use that in a public place; after all, he had secretly recorded it.

“Hello.”

[Kuh-kuh-kuh, have you braced yourself, you rascal?]

“Yeah, of course, I’m ready if you just tell me where you are! What should I bring? Money? Not that I have that much.”

[Ha, do you think I’d want money? I could just take it… it’s okay to accept it though.]

While the expression sounded a bit off, it didn’t seem problematic. Although Leviathan was technically a Demon King cooperating with me, it was a relief for both sides to take the form of a transaction since it wasn’t entirely based on goodwill.

“So what is it? You need to hurry and tell me so I can prepare.”

[Just come, bring your body. I’ll use you as labor. It’s a rare opportunity to have a Dragon Knight to work with.]

“What are you plotting…? You won’t accept returns later, right?”

[Ha, do you think I’d misjudge the value of a product?]

“Being treated like a product feels lousy, but it’s not entirely wrong.”

With a scoff, Yeon-woo shrugged at Leviathan’s confidently declared voice. Even so, the idea of Leviathan misjudging value seemed hard to believe.

[Come to the main office. I’ll explain it there. It won’t be bad for you either.]

Leviathan hung up the phone after saying that. As Yeon-woo put his smartphone back in his pocket, he couldn’t help but let out a small exhale.

“Should we check out ‘Golden Desire’? What do you think?”

“C-Can we go!? Should we call Tae-oh too!?”

“If you want to go, let’s bring him along.”

It may sound like a shady establishment just by its name, but honestly, it isn’t a bad place for children’s emotional education.

There are plenty of intriguing items, and if they’re willing to let you visit the main office, it means you’re quite a big shot, or rather a VIP, so you’ll be treated well.

*

“Oh, you’re here with your children this time? Glad to meet you. May I ask for the names of the lady and gentleman?”

The dapperly mustachioed elder, Jiz, asked eagerly, holding Yeon-woo’s hand and that of Tae-oh and Shar one by one.

Hearing that, Yeon-woo forced a wry smile. It was hard to imagine Jiz, a direct subordinate of Leviathan of all people, wouldn’t know the names of Tae-oh and Shar.

Was he trying to maintain his image by giving even children a polite impression, or was he just trying to win them over?

“I’m Gold Dragon, Arkhisare! You can call me Shar!”

“I’m the Spirit of Darkness, Tae-oh. You’d do well to remember that.”

Even without going to middle school, Tae-oh was already acting like a typical middle schooler, and it made Yeon-woo nervously rub his chin. Could it be because of his attributes…?

“What lovely names. Shar, Tae-oh, and Yeon-woo, I’ll escort all three of you to the main office comfortably.”

Jiz smiled brightly, placing his hand over his chest and bowing. The two children bowed back, mimicking this gesture.

It was a sight that naturally warmed the heart. Who taught them such manners? Maybe it’s me.

As Jiz straightened up, he began to extend his fingers one by one. When three fingers were up, a bizarre mana burst forth from Jiz’s entire being.

A strange wind carrying an odd fragrance spread out in all directions; Yeon-woo quickly pulled the children into an embrace.

However, he realized soon that it wasn’t necessary. The scenery around them had changed.

“We have arrived. Let me know when you are ready to return, and I will take you back.”

“I don’t remember arriving like this last time.”

“That time, you had an invitation. We should have a stylish way to catch the eyes of our members, right?”

“If we’re talking about flashy, this seems just as good… Anyway, kindly help us when it’s time to go back.”

“Of course. Would it be alright if I asked the staff to bring some snacks for the children?”

“Uh… we’re fine with that, are you okay?”

“It’s merely because they are exceptionally cute, so feel free to relax.”

“Kids, you have to say thank you!”

“Thank you!!”

“Thank you!!”

The overly enthusiastic thanks from the two kids made Jiz smile warmly.

Indeed, he’s a real elderly charmer. It seems like there really is an artifact that can endear elderly folks.

As Jiz disappeared deeper into the main office building, the three strolled leisurely, taking in the surroundings.

Especially on the ground floor lobby of the main office, the items displayed were quite remarkable, making it a delightful viewing experience.

“Wow, look at all these amazing items…! How do they have so much!? ”

“Well, you see, it’s a collection of magical tools and artifacts from an entire world.”

“…Oh.”

The resources and items possessed by Golden Desire, from the employees down to everything else, were all things Leviathan had acquired from the worlds he had personally destroyed.

Ever since coming here, the amount he’d obtained from this world hardly reached one-tenth of that.

Just how long had it been since coming here for it to barely reach one-tenth? The title of the world’s top consortium really isn’t just for show.

Walking toward the second floor while admiring the weapons radiating scorching heat from the display cases or cloaks shimmering like mirages—all items favored by hunters—something caught Yeon-woo’s eye.

“Uh, what’s that? I didn’t see it last time.”

“What is it? Is there something you want to buy?”

“Well, maybe… I’ll have to think about it….”

Yet, it was hard to deny that it was an intriguing item. A black armor set that captivated the eyes with a strong intensity, stirring a manly sense of romance.

“I like that, Shar!”

“What’s that?”

Where Shar pointed, there was a spherical object split in half horizontally, the top red and the bottom white.

The stand read, “You too can become a Tamer! No, a Trainer!”

Yeon-woo hurriedly turned his head away.

“Absolutely not.”

It was an item that shouldn’t be seen or acknowledged.

*

“Wow, that took longer than expected… what are those cute kids doing here?”

“They’re my kids. Aren’t they super cute?”

“To bring children into a sacred trading space…!! Cowardly, but I have to commend you!!”

What did I do to be called cowardly and receive praise? Yeon-woo shot a sharp glance at Leviathan, who looked like a sleazy pervert.

“I only brought them for a little sightseeing, alright? Don’t do anything weird.”

“Me? Do something weird to children!? To the precious resources of the future!!”

Something seems off about what he’s getting mad over. This Demon King is clearly a monster. As a Demon King, discussing this might as well be pointless.

“While you enjoy some snacks, feel free to chat…”

As if in slow motion, Behemoth walked in. Clattering along was a cart piled high with a massive amount of snacks.

“Oh, there’s a lot today! What’s the occasion?”

“The old man told me to give you two the snacks.”

“The two? Me and Yeon-woo?”

“No, Master, Shar, and Tae-oh.”

“What about mine!?”

“Master is to receive the same amount as usual.”

“That’s too unfair…!! Look how much there is!!”

Watching the chatter between the two, Yeon-woo rubbed his temples. He just wanted them to get to the main point sooner.

(To be continued)

 

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