Chapter 55 - Hatchling's Nest (2)

The amount of mana Seo Ji-hoon possessed, as seen through my ‘Mana Eyes’, was nearly on par with our father’s.

He was definitely a cut above the second son, Seo Ji-won, and I couldn't even be a comparison.

That was a fact we both knew.

It was why Seo Ji-hoon couldn't help but scoff at my words.

“Our youngest brother’s jokes have improved a lot.”

“It’s not a joke.”

The necklace around Seo Ji-hoon’s neck still wasn’t reacting.

Because I had spoken with sincerity.

“Not a joke?”

Seo Ji-hoon asked again, and I nodded.

Hatchling’s Nest. If Seo Ji-hoon were to enter that place, he would die nine times out of ten.

Even if he were to come out alive, it would be a result of the hatchling’s choice, a variable beyond Seo Ji-hoon’s control.

But I was different.

Although I had been killed once by a dragon, it was a result of my own choice.

Of course, there was still a risk this time, but the challenge was more than worth it.

Because there was something I desperately wanted to ask if I ever met a dragon.

“I’m a bit perplexed by your words, little brother. I never imagined it would be a story like this.”

“You’re saying you don’t want to give me the map, right?”

“It’s true that I hold you especially dear, my youngest, but what can’t be done, can’t be done. I have no choice but to refuse.”

It was a perfectly normal reaction.

It was also the reaction I had expected, and now only one truly important thing remained to be said.

“I knew it. Then I’ll have to ask you for another favor instead.”

“A favor?”

“I’d really like you to grant it, brother.”

“Well, if it’s possible.”

“It’s easy and simple. Just don’t enter the Hatchling’s Nest for the time being, that’s all.”

For now, I needed to buy some time.

In the meantime, my job was to gradually devise a countermeasure.

“The reason?”

“I told you. It’s dangerous. You could die if you go in.”

Although my true intention was hidden behind those words, there wasn't a single grain of falsehood in the statement itself.

Seo Ji-hoon just looked at me without a word.

Then, a brief silence followed.

He seemed to be lost in deep thought.

“It’s a request without any basis, and it's too unreasonable.”

A negative response, but I didn’t immediately reply.

Because you had to hear someone out until the end.

“However, since my little brother came to me specifically to ask this favor, I will grant it.”

Just as I thought.

Using the necklace Seo Ji-hoon was wearing against him had been effective.

He couldn't help but be bothered by it.

“Good thinking.”

“But, not for too long. My curiosity about this place, the Hatchling's Nest, has suddenly started to boil over.”

Since he didn't intend to go right away, I had achieved my initial goal.

From now on, I had to come up with a plan one way or another.

***

In Seo Ji-hoon’s private quarters.

Where Seo Ji-han had left, Chae Su-ji now stood, having received something from Seo Ji-hoon.

Taros’s Necklace.

It was her favorite item.

“I was surprised when you suddenly took my Taros, Unit Leader.”

“There was something I had to check.”

“Did you achieve any results through Taros?”

At Chae Su-ji’s question, Seo Ji-hoon shook his head.

His thoughts had only become more numerous, and his questions only deepened.

“There were no lies. That's why my head is even more complicated.”

“But Taros is not omnipotent. It cannot read the specifics of a person's heart.”

However, it was also a verified fact that it could detect lies with a very high probability.

Seo Ji-han had warned him that the Hatchling’s Nest was dangerous.

It was a strange situation, but he could let it slide up to this point.

Seo Ji-han might genuinely think so in his own way.

But there was something he couldn't just let go, and that was the look of conviction in Seo Ji-han’s eyes.

It was a conviction that went beyond blind faith.

The kind of look one could never have without some solid basis.

‘But that’s impossible.’

What was even more incomprehensible was that Seo Ji-han believed he alone would be safe in the Hatchling’s Nest, which he claimed was so dangerous.

Taros's Necklace had confirmed that this, too, was Seo Ji-han’s true feeling.

“How absurd.”

“What is, Unit Leader?”

“It’s nothing. Just something.”

His youngest brother had changed not only in health.

It felt as if the very roots of the person had changed.

If he had been wearing a mask, it would have been perfectly natural to think he was a different person.

“Unit Leader. You plan to raid the Hatchling’s Nest right away, don’t you?”

“No. It’s on hold for now.”

“Pardon?”

“There is something I need to think about carefully, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“……Yes. I understand.”

She answered, but Chae Su-ji couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

Seo Ji-hoon’s style was lightning-fast.

This was the decisive reason why the Wolyeong Knights were at the forefront of one of the branches of the Abyss.

“And Su-ji, there’s something I need you to prepare.”

“Please speak.”

“Find a dungeon with a small entry capacity. The rank should be around B-rank.”

“A dungeon, suddenly?”

“Yes. There’s someone I want to go with.”

A dungeon was a place where one could naturally assess a person as a Hunter.

Seo Ji-hoon wanted to know more about his youngest brother.

He felt that it was more important than an immediate Abyss raid.

***

As I had expected, Chae Su-ji’s necklace was not a bound item.

I couldn't know the specifics of how the necklace worked, but it must be an item that allowed one to see through another’s lies.

It was a truly coveted item.

It would be great if something like that came up as a quest reward from the Abyss.

Anyway, the fact that Seo Ji-hoon had tested me was something I couldn’t help but be concerned about.

Doing it once meant it was possible to try a second and third time.

As a reincarnated person, I was inevitably in a position where I had to lie a lot, so her necklace might react violently someday.

From now on, I would need to be a little more cautious when dealing with Seo Ji-hoon.

In any case, I had stopped Seo Ji-hoon from going to the Hatchling's Nest for now, and it was time to start today’s schedule.

Usually, I would spend the morning at the Spring of Elixir in the Abyss to heal my body, but today there were things to check before that.

First, Baek Ji-ah, who was under disciplinary confinement.

Her license had been suspended for six weeks by the Hunter Association, and she was training her swordsmanship alone in a secluded training ground of the sword family.

Although her mistake hadn't occurred within the Haewon Sword Family, we had imposed our own punishment to align with the association's decision.

During her license suspension, she was not allowed to participate in the sword unit's joint training and was only to train alone.

Baek Ji-ah seemed startled by my appearance.

“How is it? Training alone.”

“I am working harder with the mindset of atoning for my sins.”

Baek Ji-ah bowed her waist toward me as if folding a piece of paper.

“And thank you once again.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It was the association that granted you leniency.”

Of course, it was possible because things had been wrapped up well with the Orion Guild.

“And six weeks is quite long.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying you need to work harder because this is a time when other unit members are rapidly improving.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Can I trust you?”

“I will prove it in six weeks.”

“But I don’t usually trust people easily. Think about it. We decided to cut your weekly pay during the disciplinary period, but after six weeks, you’ll be taking your full weekly pay from my pocket, right? But if you let your physical condition go to hell during those six weeks, who bears that loss?”

“I will make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“I told you. I don’t trust people easily. So I’m planning on checking in on you from time to time.”

“You yourself, Unit Leader?”

“Of course. It’s a matter of my money. Would I trust Ho-joong, or would I trust Ah-yeon?”

At my words, Baek Ji-ah bowed her waist once more.

“Thank you, Unit Leader.”

“For what, again?”

“I am grateful for everything, but I will especially never forget the grace you’ve shown by thinking of me once more.”

In fact, it could be considered a special privilege.

It wasn't a common occurrence for me to personally check on a single unit member.

“There’s a saying about giving an extra rice cake to the one you dislike, right? Is being the disliked one something to be thankful for?”

“I am still grateful.”

“Well, if you insist on being grateful.”

And then, I checked Baek Ji-ah’s swordsmanship for the first time in a while.

She performed her swordsmanship in front of me with all her might.

Her skill certainly stood out among the regular unit members.

Her aptitude itself was also excellent.

So I was planning to raise her and put her to good use, but an unexpected variable had occurred.

I thought it was a bit of a waste to just leave her be.

Six weeks wasn't an absolutely long period, but for our newly formed sword unit, the Chamryongdan, it was a bit different.

Given her personality, she wouldn’t waste the six weeks, but if she was out of my reach, her development would inevitably be slower than the other members. I planned to visit her occasionally like today to polish and mold her.

“The points I pointed out today, did you understand them all?”

“To be honest, I did not understand everything. But I will constantly ponder them to understand!”

The kind of answer I liked. I really liked it.

Baek Ji-ah would definitely produce results by our next meeting, and now I had to go check on another one.

***

“The qualification exam is tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, Unit Leader.”

Im Seong-jun, who once acted like a hooligan. From what I heard, the guy had completely turned over a new leaf and had been dedicating himself to training.

Just looking at his slimmer jawline, I could tell that was true.

“I think you said you wanted to join the Chamryongdan. Has that thought changed?”

“No, it has not, Unit Leader.”

“Then you remember the condition for joining?”

“I will definitely place within the top 5.”

It wasn't just his jawline that had changed.

The biggest change from his training was his mindset.

A certain confidence could be felt in his voice.

Since it hadn't been long since he had changed his ways, there wasn't a big difference in his mana capacity.

The important thing was how he operated his limited mana.

“Draw your sword.”

“Yes, Unit Leader.”

“Begin your attack.”

“Pardon?”

“If you can touch even a single strand of my hair, placing in the top 5 should be easy enough. Don't just stand there dazed, come at me right away.”

“Yes, sir!”

Whish!

A surprise attack.

It was a thrust aimed at my chest, and it was a good judgment.

It was also the method with the highest probability in a duel.

Of course, that didn’t apply if the opponent was me.

Chaeng!

I extended my Reapersword and struck his sword away.

Just by clashing once, I could get a rough estimate of the opponent’s mana control ability.

The conclusion was.

‘Not bad.’

In terms of aptitude alone, this guy was in the upper ranks even if you searched the entire Haewon Sword Family.

He was the kind of talent that could become useful if nurtured well.

Chaeng!

Chaeng!

I didn't know how many of the so-called skilled ones were mixed in the batch taking the exam tomorrow, but it was a clear fact that Im Seong-jun was one of them.

Chaeng!

Chaeng!

As someone who had practiced the Muyoung Sword Style since childhood, his understanding of swordsmanship was high from the start, but.

Chaeng!

His mana control itself had improved a lot in a short time.

Im Seong-jun let out ragged breaths and continuously attacked me.

Judging by his spirit, he looked like he could easily cut off a strand of my hair.

I had seen everything I wanted to see, so this was enough.

Paaaa!

Im Seong-jun, who had received my sword, was pushed back by the repulsive force.

I immediately plucked a strand of my hair, infused it with mana, and shot it towards him.

Hweeing!

The strand of hair flew straight like a long needle.

Swasasasasa!

My hair was immediately diced in mid-air by Im Seong-jun's sword, scattering to the floor.

“You touched a strand of my hair, so placing in the top 5 should be a breeze.”

Im Seong-jun bowed his head towards me, showing his respect.

But this guy, I wondered how much he thought I would pay him as a weekly wage in the Chamryongdan to want to join. He was quite a thoughtless fellow.