CHAPTER 134

From the day she’d grabbed his hand, Hae-Rin considered Jae-Hyeok her mentor. Whether he knew it or not, she was watching, learning how to stand tall on her own.

Seeing Jae-Hyeok criticize others for their reckless actions, Hae-Rin made a mental note, I see. Compared to others, I should be more generous with myself.

Having gained new insight into human nature, Hae-Rin couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. Learning how to live wasn’t easy; luckily, she had a good role model.

“Why don’t you calm down first and move to the reception room? I’ll serve you refreshments,” the middle-aged woman made a suggestion with an awkward expression.

It was getting noisy outside the main gate. After Wu Gyo-Hwan had entered the store, other customers had begun gathering in front of the gate once again. And hearing those people talk about the sound of lightning, the Association, and calling 119, it seemed likely that someone had reported something.

Wu Gyo-Hwan struggled to get up and brushed off the dust from his coat. “I appreciate the kindness, but I will decline. It is time to leave the country soon.”

As it was, Wu Gyo-Hwan had limited knowledge of the criminal who’d attacked Cho Seong-Hyeon. He had only come today to impress a warning on Jae-Hyeok and to share his clue about the culprit having a prosthetic eye. Aside from that, he had nothing more to say.

Wu Gyo-Hwan rummaged through his pockets and took out a new pair of glasses. After putting them on, he turned to leave.

Jae-Hyeok called out, “Wait. I still don’t understand. Why did you come all the way here to advise me when you’re busy?”

Although Wu Gyo-Hwan’s method was radical, Jae-Hyeok didn’t mind. Rather, he was thankful. It renewed his sense of caution. Before this incident, he really had trusted the professors.

It was rumored that the professors were recruited by Seol Su-Ah herself. After all, if not her, who else could appoint a bigshot like Lee So-Yeong as a professor? So, Jae-Hyeok had assumed the professors would be united in following Seol Su-Ah, unlike the ordinary faculty members, who were divided by factions.

However, it seemed reality was different.

“Professor, was Cho Seong-Hyeon your student?”

“No, Cho Seong-Hyeon majored in magic.” Wu Gyo-Hwan shook his head. “I came forward because I knew you were caught up in this. I prefer not to see young students meet bad ends. Granted, your skills are better than I expected, but you are still lacking when it comes to facing a professor. I recommend that you thoroughly shut Cho Seong-Hyeon’s mouth.”

In fact, Cho Seong-Hyeon wasn’t a complete fool; he didn’t anyone about how Jae-Hyeok had saved him and his employees. However, he couldn’t help but praise Jae-Hyeok when speaking to his gate guard friends, calling Jae-Hyeok a good and excellent student. That small clue was already enough to get Wu Gyo-Hwan’s attention, and it would be the same for the culprit.

Although the culprit had lost his evileye and might not have noticed him yet, Jae-Hyeok would eventually be exposed if Cho Seong-Hyeon continued leaving behind such evidence.

“I understand.”

Jae-Hyeok decided he liked Wu Gyo-Hwan. This person had gone out of his way just to help a student. His faithfulness to his duties was similar to the conduct that a true aristocrat like himself strove for.

Of course, I wouldn’t use such crude methods. Jae-Hyeok shook his head. No matter how good the intention, resorting to violence out of the blue wasn’t good... Someone needs to teach him to consider the feelings of his victims. In any case, he means well. It is a pity that this relationship is a one-time thing.

After thinking about it, Jae-Hyeok brought up an issue.

“Thanks to the information from your evileye, you were able to infer the relationship between me and Seong-Hyeon, as well as find out that Professor Lee So-Yeong and the Student Council were searching for beastmen. Then, why did you call the Student Council president away? You must have known the president’s absence would leave the Student Council exposed?”

“Of course I knew, but I had no choice. At that time, I felt the presence of a great monster below the tunnel that the beastman had dug.”

“Monster?”

“Thankfully, it seemed to be sleeping. But if the tunnel were complete and they woke that monster, the situation could only be worse. I needed urgent help, and the only one nearby was the Student Council president.

“Something sleeping in the ground? Maybe it’s that Death Knight... ”

“Death Knight? It’s possible. Even though I sensed a torrential aura, I felt no vitality from it.”

“......”

It’s definitely Theodore. Jae-Hyeok immediately became nervous. Damn. How do we always end up getting involved with each other? Also, if even a professor is describing Theodore as a ‘terrifying monster,’ just how much has he grown?

No, it was more accurate to say ‘recover’ rather than ‘grown’... Jae-Hyeok thought about his day so far and immediately dropped the matter with Theodore. He could think about it later.

Jae-Hyeok threw out a new question, “By the way, how do you evaluate the tactical value of sword formations?”

The sudden change in question caught Wu Gyo-Hwan off guard.

What was this?

A National Treasure candidate seemed to be taking an interest in tactics. Wu Gyo-Hwan weighed the benefits of accepting Jae-Hyeok as his disciple and readily answered, “It’s an old-fashioned tactic, but it is effective. Awakened swordsmen boast powerful offense, so if they coordinate well in a formation, they can display profound military strength.”

“The ceremonial drill of my Kang family contains a subtle sword formation.”

“What?” Wu Gyo-Hwan’s eyes widened. Hearing about a secret formation technique from the Kang family, how could Wu Gyo-Hwan not be interested?

He was from a generation that had witnessed the golden age of the Kang family. Today, he had even gotten a personal taste of the Kang family’s strength through his fight with Kang Jae-Hyeok. If the Yaksha hadn’t met an unfortunate fate years ago, Wu Gyo-Hwan suspected the dominant power in Asia today would be South Korea instead of Japan.

Seeing Wu Gyo-Hwan wide-eyed and short of breath, Jae-Hyeok smiled. “Contact me when you return to school. If you want, I’ll tell you about the sword formation of the Kang family.”

“Of course.”

Wu Gyo-Hwan’s bloodshot eyes shone intensely.

“I naturally want to know. I almost want to postpone my departure just to witness the sword formation right away.” Wu Gyo-Hwan said, and he meant it.

The Fortress Tactics Conference was held only once a year, and he’d already been waiting several months for the conference, but... I’m looking forward to the Kang family’s sword formation even more.

Should he give up on the conference this year? Wu Gyo-Hwan was seriously contemplating this when Jae-Hyeok calmed him down.

“There’s no rush. I will be waiting at school. Don’t worry; thanks to you, the chances of an accident have decreased. I’ll take good care of myself.”

“Good. Then, my efforts weren’t wasted.” After regaining his sanity, Wu Gyo-Hwan handed Jae-Hyeok a black card. It was his business card.

Lion’s Castle gave all professors their own business cards; they weren’t something money could buy.

“I’ll see you in a week. If you need any advice before that, please feel free to contact me.”

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, make sure to bring your students when you come. Since the base of the sword formation is a ceremonial drill, the more people you practice with, the faster you’ll comprehend it.”

“Really? Simply fascinating... Okay, I’ll do as you say.”

With Wu Gyo-Hwan’s agreement, Jae-Hyeok’s expression became even brighter. Spreading the ceremonial drill was like sowing seeds. He was another step closer to clearing the lion statue’s quest.

Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals, the Shooting Club, the team members, and even the students of the Faculty of Tactical Studies... I can also drag the members of Noble out if something goes wrong.

Excitement swelled in Jae-Hyeok’s heart imagined the grand scene.

When he’d first received the quest, he could only perform the drill by himself. Yet, in just a few months, he had already lured in so many people. When the time was right, they could all happily come together to support him.

Father.Am I doing a good job?

Just as Jae-Hyeok was feeling emotional and smiling, someone clicked their tongue. Glaring at Wu Gyo-Hwan’s retreating back, the old pharmacist said, “I didn’t expect a professor to be such a miser. Unexpectedly, he didn’t buy an elixir despite suffering such internal injuries. Tsk tsk, it looks like he won’t be helping the Korean economy.”

“...You aren’t planning to charge me for the burn ointment and potions you gave me, are you?”

“Haha, of course not!” The old man ordered the middle-aged woman to tidy up before smiling warmly at Jae-Hyeok. “I should give this much to the VIP guest I will be making big deals with in the future. You said you wanted to supply potions, didn’t you? Come, let’s move to the reception room and have a more detailed conversation.”

In fact, buying potions with Community points would be a burden for the old pharmacist; points were limited goods that could only be obtained by individual players leveling up or accumulating achievements.

No matter how much money a person had, it was hard to get as many points as they wanted when they wanted. Since potions could be bought with cash, there was no need to buy them with points; however, the old man was ready to take the loss. Jae-Hyeok had the potential to become a National Treasure. Let’s call it an investment. He looked forward to the day Jae-Hyeok could break the Curse of the Serpent God.

With a heart full of hope, the old pharmacist personally led the two students to the reception room.

It was a dignified place.

Hae-Rin had grown up surrounded by luxury in the prestigious Guardian Guild, but even she couldn’t help sighing in admiration.

“Come, come, make yourselves comfortable.”

“I want to buy snake wine first... ”

“Hey, don’t you know that’s illegal? In addition, it really isn’t good for one’s health! It’s pure superstition that snake wine is good for you!”

"Really?” Jae-Hyeok was confused. “I was going to recommend it as a gift for her father’s birthday... ”

“Hah?” The old pharmacist stared at Jae-Hyeok and Hae-Rin in disbelief. His gaze lingered on Hae-Rin. He was somewhat surprised by her lack of reaction. “You don’t seem ordinary either. What’s your father’s name?”

“He is Park Hae-Su.

“Park Hae-Su of the Guardian Guild? Hah, really, is there such a wonderful coincidence?” The old pharmacist shook his head and placed his pipe back in his mouth. “I’d heard that your father’s health is deteriorating these days. Actually, I think I know what the illness is, but what chance does a humble health store owner like me have to see the master of Guardian? That so-called sub-master is really annoying...

“But enough of that. You two wait here. In order to commemorate the bond between the three of us, I will personally choose your father’s gift.”