Chapter 33 - My Sword Unit (1)

Although I steadfastly refused, Han Byeong-cheol persistently invited me to stay for a cup of tea.

And so, the place I was now sitting was Han Byeong-cheol's study.

“There’s no need to feel uncomfortable. That’s not why I kept you here.”

“I’m not uncomfortable, but I’m not particularly entertained either. And did you know that we were silent for over five minutes just now?”

“Was that so? My apologies. Having you in front of me gave me a lot to think about.”

Thinking, my foot.

I could immediately see through this old man's scheme.

“I know you’ve been using your senses to pick my body apart.”

“……I’ve been found out.”

“Your gaze was just too blatant.”

In fact, even without such a gaze, my senses were reacting, so there was no way I wouldn't know.

“Since I’ve been caught, let’s talk openly.”

“Please do.”

“You are truly peculiar. Even after I’ve examined you from every angle for over five minutes, I can’t see or feel anything.”

“That’s normal. Because there’s really nothing there.”

“But does that make sense? With that ‘nothing there’ body, you not only overwhelmed Min Ha-rin in a Bimu, but you even mimicked the technique I showed you?”

“As you know, I’ve been very unwell since I was young. So I didn't have the strength to train my mana all this time.”

“So you’re saying you pulled off this unbelievable feat with only a speck of mana?”

“It’s just as you saw.”

Han Byeong-cheol shook his head with a dumbfounded expression.

“I can’t believe it even after seeing it with my own eyes.”

“I would like you to state your business now. The time for a cup of tea has already passed.”

“How disappointing. This old man wanted to have a more leisurely chat with you.”

But I didn't feel the slightest inclination for that.

When I made no reply, Han Byeong-cheol gave an awkward laugh.

“Alright. It’s nothing as grand as 'business,' but I have a proposal for you.”

“Please, speak.”

“Would you like to have a light 'gyoje' with me?”

For a moment, I almost spat out the water I was drinking.

“……Gyoje?”

“I hope there are no strange misunderstandings. I just couldn't think of a more suitable word than 'gyoje.' I simply felt the desire to interact comfortably with you, regardless of our age difference.”

“That's not an easy proposal. And the misunderstandings are not easily cleared either.”

“Hmm. Let’s just say I’ve fallen for your insane talent. Ah, does expressing it like this only deepen the misunderstanding? Anyway, I am looking for someone with whom I can seriously discuss martial arts. And then, today, you caught my eye.”

“I am aware that there are many excellent talents in the Muwon Sword Family as well?”

“With mediocre talent, the level of conversation doesn't match with me.”

‘The level of conversation.’

In fact, during my time as Johan Raven, I had always thought the same.

At some point, I had reached a level so unparalleled on the entire Kalia Continent that there was no one to have a Bimu with, nor anyone to discuss the sword with.

“It won’t be a bad proposition for you either. I’m not saying this to brag, but I pride myself on having a higher-level philosophy on the sword than anyone else. Who knows what might happen if you converse with someone like me? You might attain a great epiphany.”

I agreed with the importance of the ‘discussion of the sword’ that Han Byeong-cheol was talking about.

Sometimes, a single word from a master could lead to a greater epiphany than swinging a sword a hundred or a thousand times.

However, the fundamental premise of Han Byeong-cheol's statement was completely backward.

If the two of us were to have a discussion of the sword, the one who would gain an epiphany would be Han Byeong-cheol, not me.

“The Haewon Sword Family and the Muwon Sword Family are in a relationship of friendly competition. Is it alright for you to bestow such goodwill upon me without any conditions?”

“It’s not without conditions. The conversation with you will be a great pleasure for me as well. For this old man, there is no more certain reward than that.”

This was certain.

That Han Byeong-cheol was making this proposal to me out of a pure passion for the sword and martial arts.

“Very well. I will gratefully accept that proposal.”

When I thought about it, it wasn't a losing deal for me either.

Although the level of swordsmanship on Earth was inferior compared to Kalia, it was also true that there was a unique Earth-style. And Han Byeong-cheol was the right person to show me the essence of Earth-style swordsmanship.

“Thank you for accepting my proposal. I hope you’ll visit my study like this from time to time for a casual conversation. Since we’ve agreed to a 'gyoje,' we should exchange contact information, shouldn't we?”

That expression, 'gyoje,' was a bit…

Seeing this old man looking pleased while looking at my contact information, the cleared-up misunderstanding was about to resurface.

“By the way, do you happen to have a girlfriend?”

“……Pardon?”

“I’m talking about my one and only granddaughter. I’m not just saying this because she’s my blood, but she’s a very bright and pretty child. As it happens, I believe she’s not seeing anyone either….”

Sir, this kind of atmosphere is a bit….

I thought it was just a Kalia thing, but it seems this is a special trait of grandfathers.

Why does everyone with a granddaughter try to set me up with them?

***

The result of the Bimu had arrived at the Haewon Sword Family before I did.

The place I headed to immediately was my father's office.

The purpose of this Bimu was to create my own sword unit, so there was no reason to delay.

“Good. As promised, you have won the Bimu, so I shall permit it.”

My father lightly patted my back.

The creation of my own sword unit. The significance of this was very great.

It symbolized that I had now become a proper heir of the Haewon Sword Family.

“Thank you. Father.”

“Thank you? That sounds a bit distant, Ji-han.”

“Is that so? I couldn't think of another way to express it.”

In truth, the existence of parents was the most difficult area for me since I began living the life of Seo Ji-han.

I had no way of knowing what the previous Seo Ji-han was like, and whenever I faced my new parents, I still felt as if I had committed a sin.

“In any case, now that the creation of the sword unit has been decided, I plan to expect more from you, Ji-han.”

“Are you saying you didn't before?”

“Before, I only thought of your health.”

Suddenly, my heart grew solemn.

Because I felt as if I had become a real son.

“I will never let you down. Father.”

At my words, my father, Seo Joon-wook, simply gave a benevolent smile.

“Now you’ll have to recruit members for the sword unit. You'll also need to pick key figures who will be your hands and feet. I suppose Ho-joong is a definite?”

“Of course. That guy has to play the role of my right-hand man for life. And actually, I have one more person in mind I’d like to recruit. Shin Ah-yeon.”

“Shin Ah-yeon? I remember her being part of the Moonlight Unit led by Unit Commander Im Moon-shik?”

“That’s correct. So I plan to meet with Commander Im soon and ask for his understanding.”

My father expressed that it would not be easy.

Putting aside the approval of the Moonlight Unit's commander, the reason was that the Moonlight Unit was the most preferred sword unit among the warriors of the Haewon Sword Family.

“Since we’re on the topic, let’s settle it right now. I shall summon the Moonlight Unit's commander and Shin Ah-yeon to this very spot. However, accomplishing your goal will be solely your responsibility, and I intend to only watch.”

“Setting the stage is enough for me. Father.”

He could have ordered the personnel transfer with the authority of the family head, but given my father's personality, there was no way he would make such a decision. I hadn't expected it in the first place.

A short while later, Im Moon-shik and Shin Ah-yeon entered my father's office side by side.

Neither the Moonlight Unit's commander nor Shin Ah-yeon would have guessed the intention of this summons.

Recruiting her had been a thought I had kept to myself until now.

“The reason I have summoned you two is….”

It was my father who broke the silence.

At the news that my sword unit would soon be created, both their eyes widened.

And then, the reins of the conversation were passed to me.

“Then, I will now speak directly to Commander Im of the Moonlight Unit.”

“This is frightening. I can’t even begin to guess what you’re going to say, Ji-han.”

The Moonlight Unit Commander, Im Moon-shik, bantered with his arms crossed, and I continued speaking immediately.

“Shin Ah-yeon, who is under your command, Commander, please give her to me.”

“What?”

“I know this is a sudden and rude request, but she is a talent needed for the operation of the new sword unit. I will be sure to pay a corresponding price for it in the future.”

At my words, the one more surprised than the Moonlight Unit's commander was Shin Ah-yeon.

Her face was flushed red, and her eyes held a soul-departed expression.

“Even if you are the son of the family head, this is too unreasonable. You’re no different from a gangster.”

“As you know, recruiting useful talent from outside the sword family is a very difficult task. We have no choice but to rely on internal recruitment to some extent, so I hope for your generous understanding.”

“Asking for understanding?”

Im Moon-shik looked at my father with a disbelieving laugh.

“Commander Im, there’s no need to be conscious of me. This is a matter between the two of you.”

My father’s stance was firm.

“No matter how you say it, how can I not be conscious of you, Family Head? It’s a matter concerning Ji-han, whom you particularly cherish.”

“Even though you say that, I know that you’re not being conscious of me at all.”

“Big brother, no, Family Head, what are you saying!”

Just as I had investigated, Im Moon-shik and my father were on terms of calling each other ‘brother’ in private.

As a vassal of the Haewon Sword Family, a position passed down for three generations since his grandfather, his standing within the family was solid.

This meant he was in a position where he didn't need to consider my status as the family head's son at all, but in other words, it also meant his loyalty to our family was high, having been a vassal for three generations.

Therefore, no matter how firmly the Moonlight Unit's commander came out, there was room for negotiation.

“To get straight to the point, it’s difficult. This child, Shin Ah-yeon, is a talent I’ve also been keeping an eye on, and didn’t her value rise even more after winning the Bimu recently!”

“She is a talent with even greater potential for growth. That is why I intend to nurture her with all my heart.”

“Hoho!”

“And wouldn't Shin Ah-yeon's own thoughts be important?”

With that, I turned my gaze to Shin Ah-yeon.

There had been zero prior communication, but this was actually better.

What was more important in this situation was to appeal with sincerity.

Im Moon-shik looked at Shin Ah-yeon and asked.

“Tell me your thoughts. Do you want to stay, or do you want to accept this absurd proposal and leave? I think it’s self-evident which choice will be more helpful for your future growth and development.”

He said so with a confident expression.

Objectively, staying in the Moonlight Unit was the right choice.

The Moonlight Unit was a sword unit with history and tradition within the Haewon Sword Family, and its current performance was also top-tier.

This must have been why Im Moon-shik asked for Shin Ah-yeon’s opinion without a moment’s hesitation.

Shin Ah-yeon looked troubled and bowed her head low.

“Hurry and state your intentions. Are you doing this because you feel burdened by the fact that Ji-han is the son of the family head?”

“No, Commander.”

“Then?”

Shin Ah-yeon still kept her head down, remaining silent.

“Ah-yeon, don’t feel burdened, and hurry and tell me your opinion.”

As Im Moon-shik urged for an answer again, Shin Ah-yeon took a deep breath and opened her mouth with difficulty.

“My lips won't part, I don't know how I should say this.”

At that moment, I smiled triumphantly.

Because I knew what kind of answer she would give.