Chapter 93 - The Power of Mint Choco

“Unit Leader Ji-han, where did you get this map from?”

“I came across it. It's made in Abyss.”

“I can tell it’s an item from Abyss just by looking at it. But there’s one interesting part about this map.”

“That it’s not brand new?”

“You knew?”

“I just had a feeling it would be like that. Take a look and tell me the details.”

“I can’t do that!”

Rosie’s response was firm.

“But I even brought the ice cream you like?”

“Even if you tempt me like that, what can’t be done, can’t be done.”

In fact, I had somewhat expected Rosie to react this way.

She was neither my friend nor my colleague, and she was reluctant to divulge matters of Abyss.

“Is it like an unwritten rule in the dragon world?”

“I don’t know. Don’t ask.”

“But Rosie, it’s a broken principle anyway. You already gave me information about the Bastian map.”

“Still, my words had no influence back then. Unit Leader Ji-han would have gone on the Abyss journey even if I hadn’t given you any information, and you would have obtained the quest reward just the same. Isn’t that right?”

“No?”

“What?”

“I said no. If you hadn’t given me any information, Rosie, I wouldn’t have left for Abyss. Thanks to your words, I was able to leave with peace of mind. You could say that the reason I obtained the reward from this Abyss trip is ultimately thanks to you, Rosie.”

“No! Unit Leader Ji-han is lying right now!”

Of course, it was a lie.

But I heard that in the dragon world, the spoken word was more important than the true intention.

Even if it was a fib.

“It’s not a lie, Rosie.”

“Please say it’s a lie. Honestly, it is a lie, isn’t it.”

“If you feel wronged, then prove that my words are false, Rosie.”

“I’m about to get angry!”

If I were an ordinary human, Rosie would probably have twisted my neck to hear the words she wanted, but now she was just making a frustrated face.

“Cheap!”

“Actually, I can be cheaper. I understand the nature of dragons to some extent.”

“What on earth is your identity, Unit Leader Ji-han?”

“If you’re curious, cooperate a little.”

Saying that, I took out an ice cream and handed it to Rosie.

“This isn’t mint choco flavor!”

“Of course, I have mint choco flavor too.”

I reached into my inventory once more.

“Here you go.”

Only then did Rosie wear a satisfied expression.

“As expected, mint choco has a different aroma from the start.”

“So you’ll tell me now, right?”

“Just know that it’s definitely not because of the mint choco. It’s because I want to uncover Unit Leader Ji-han’s identity someday.”

As expected. Breaking a principle is difficult the first time, but it becomes much easier from the second time onward.

“Yes, I know.”

“What are you curious about? Ask me just one thing.”

“This map, I know it’s 40 years old, but is it still valid?”

This map was a bit different from the previous ones.

It only had the feel of a map, a blank sheet with no information.

What the map’s name was, when the portal would open, and what lay beyond that portal. With just this, I couldn’t know anything.

It even made me think that after 40 long years, it might just be a worthless piece of paper.

“Unit Leader Ji-han.”

“Why.”

“Are you really only asking this one thing?”

I smiled and nodded.

Rosie licked the ice cream in her hand and continued.

“That, it’s still a valid map.”

“Then why isn’t the portal’s opening time displayed on the map?”

“Because the owner of the map had no will to do so.”

True, this map was an item that hadn’t been conquered for 40 years.

It was impossible for there to have been any will to do so.

“I see.”

“Don’t ask me any more now.”

“I was about to.”

“The same goes for the future. Where in the world is there a human who negotiates with a dragon!”

“Rosie.”

“Yes. Unit Leader Ji-han.”

“It’s not a negotiation.”

Strictly speaking, it was blackmail using mint choco.

I pinched Rosie’s cheek one more time.

“Ouch!”

“You’re pretending it hurts when it doesn’t.”

“It’s really strange. When I stand in front of Unit Leader Ji-han, I feel like I’ve really become a little kid.”

“Didn’t you like that too, Rosie?”

“If you point it out so directly, it makes me feel embarrassed.”

“Since you’re here, let me ask for a favor.”

I picked up the Holy Sword Bastian.

“What! Don’t tell me you want to fight?”

“Not that, a performance test.”

The Holy Sword I had met again. I wanted to feel that old sensation once more.

“Performance test? Come to think of it, that’s a new sword, isn’t it?”

I nodded.

“Any kind of magic is fine, so try using it on me once.”

“Here? What am I supposed to do if something happens to you, Unit Leader Ji-han?”

“Nothing will happen.”

I knew Rosie’s full power well.

As long as she didn’t attack with the resolve of a life-or-death battle, the Holy Sword’s magic resistance would be able to cover it.

“If Unit Leader Ji-han says so, then it must be so, right?”

“Of course.”

Simultaneously with my answer, Rosie gave a wicked yet interested smile.

I felt a sudden burst of heat.

Since she was polymorphed into a human, the mechanism for casting magic had changed, but its essence remained the same.

Friend! It’s a breath!

Coincidentally, the very magic that had turned me to ashes began to unfold by Rosie’s hand.

It wasn't huge, but a dense flame swept over the surroundings.

That Rosie. To use such an attack inside a room, she really was one to not hold back.

I immediately extended the Holy Sword Bastian.

The greatest advantage of the Holy Sword was its extremely high resistance to magic.

This was something that could even cover for my meager mana.

Swaaaaaaaak!

The encroaching inferno was split in half by Bastian.

And just like that, the energy of the flames vanished.

Rosie’s mouth hung open and didn’t close.

“Unit Leader Ji-han, what is this!”

Only I had changed; Bastian was still the same.

I had confirmed it, so this was enough.

***

A few more days passed, but the map remained the same.

Still a blank sheet.

But Rosie’s words that the map was valid were likely true, so there would be some kind of change soon.

Because I, the new owner, had the will to conquer the map.

“Sir. It’s me, Ho-joong.”

“Come in.”

And one of the reactions I had been expecting finally came today.

“Sir, do you perhaps have divine powers?”

“Why?”

“Just as you said, a call came from the Jungwon Sword Family.”

I knew it.

“What did they say.”

“The Jungwon Sword Family would like to invite you, sir. But why would the Jungwon Sword Family suddenly invite you……”

“You don’t need to know that, just go and relay my words exactly as I say them.”

“Yes. I will relay them as soon as you tell me.”

“Tell them if they want to meet me, they should come here themselves. I’ll be the one to extend the invitation.”

“Understood, sir.”

“And add that there’s one condition.”

“A condition?”

“Yes. That if they want to receive my invitation, the Jungwon Sword Family Head must come in person. Well, I can let them decide on the time.”

“Sir?”

“Why? Is there a problem with my proposal?”

Judging by his troubled expression, he seemed to think there was a problem.

“Even though the Jungwon Sword Family is not one of the 10 great sword families, it is a family that competes in the next tier. They aren’t complete pushovers. Besides, I believe their Family Head is about the same age as your father, sir.”

“I know that. So?”

“……Sir? Oh, no, sir. I will relay your words as you’ve said.”

“Why? Do you think it’s strange for a mere unit leader to summon the Head of another sword family?”

“N-no, that’s not it. But didn’t you predict that the Jungwon Sword Family would contact you, sir? I thought that meant you were also willing to meet with someone from the Jungwon Sword Family.”

“You’re worried that they’ll refuse if I act like this.”

“Honestly, considering the personality of the Jungwon Sword Family Head, I believe there is a possibility of that happening.”

“No matter how shitty his personality is, he’ll definitely come, so you don’t have to worry about that. Just relay my words correctly.”

“Understood, sir.”

For the Jungwon Sword Family, with two of their direct lineage missing, they were not in a position to be picky.

Heo Jeong-ah and I were keeping silent about what happened there after the last Abyss trip.

The only thing revealed to the world was the fact that I was the one who had obtained the reward, so the Jungwon Sword Family had no choice but to seek me out.

“But sir.”

“What.”

Choi Ho-joong called me and then made a shy expression.

“If you called me, then speak.”

“Would it be possible for me to try holding your Reapersword just one more time?”

“I wondered what it was, so you wanted to talk about that?”

“Because you said you would give it to me.”

This guy was now openly coveting the Reapersword.

Of course, I liked this kind of greed.

If the Reapersword would just acknowledge Ho-joong, I wanted to hand it over as soon as possible.

“Here, take it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Choi Ho-joong showed a motivated look, but the moment the Reapersword left my hand and reached his, the four red stars embedded in the hilt lost their brilliant light.

Choi Ho-joong’s complexion did the same.

“No, why on earth!”

“Why are you getting angry at an innocent sword. You should blame your own shortcomings.”

“The sword is discriminating against people, sir!”

“It discriminates because there’s a reason to discriminate. That’s how ego swords are. And the prouder the sword, the better it is.”

“Being this proud, I don’t know if it will ever come over to me.”

“It will, so just wait.”

Still, he was my right-hand man; I couldn't just let him be unable to win over a single ego sword.

It was a problem that could be solved by teaching and taming him a bit more.

***

The Muwon Sword Family.

It had been a long time since my last visit.

After returning from Abyss, old man Han Byeong-cheol had been pestering me to meet, and I also decided to take some time out this evening for a change of pace.

In fact, maintaining a good relationship with the old man was beneficial to me in many ways.

I could have the massive Muwon Sword Family as an absolute ally, and above all, discussing swordsmanship with the old man was a great help in understanding Earth’s style of swordsmanship.

Although the old man’s level was far below mine, there was always something to learn even from a three-year-old child. Today’s conversation with the old man was also beneficial.

“If it were possible, I’d want to dissect your brain.”

“You say scary things.”

“Honestly, the one who truly feels scared is me. It feels like you’re reading all my thoughts.”

“That’s because you explain swordsmanship in such an easy-to-understand way, Supreme Family Head.”

“That’s not it. It’s unbelievable, but it feels as if you’re looking down on me? Sometimes I even feel like I’m stripped naked.”

That expression was a bit much.

Just imagining it was horrifying.

“You’re mistaken.”

“……I suppose so, right?”

“Of course.”

I nodded.

Still, the old man seemed somewhat unconvinced.

In times like these, I had no choice but to change the subject.

“Now, please tell me the reason you called for me.”

“Reason? Did I not say that just talking with you is my pleasure.”

Usually, that was the case, but today, the atmosphere was somehow different.

He clearly had something special to say.

“If you have nothing to say, may I be excused?”

As I tried to get up from my seat, the old man immediately stopped me.

“As expected, I can’t fool you.”

“I knew it. Please tell me what it is.”

Even after I said this, Han Byeong-cheol hesitated for a long time.

I couldn’t even guess what he was trying to talk about.

“What do you think about the Haewon Sword Family and the Muwon Sword Family becoming in-laws?”

What was this, out of the blue?

A chuckle escaped my lips for a moment.

In fact, this was a very familiar situation for me.

Even during my time as Johan Raven, I had lived my whole life alone and had received countless such proposals.

“It’s about a marriage proposal. But don’t tell me the subject is me?”

“As expected, you’re incredibly sharp. Actually, I have already been discussing this with your father, Family Head Seo Joon-wook.”

“I refuse.”

There was no need to even think about it.

“Why. Do you not like our Ye-ji?”

“I have no thoughts of marriage yet.”

“What I discussed with Family Head Seo Joon-wook was only an engagement, not a marriage, so you don’t need to feel burdened.”

“Whether it’s marriage or an engagement, the essence of being bound to each other is not different. Therefore, I refuse.”

“Since you’re being so firm, it’s making me a bit embarrassed.”

“Discussing the sword with you, Elder, has always been a pleasure. However, if such an uncomfortable topic comes up, my visits to the Muwon Sword Family will have to stop. If you don’t mind that, you can proceed with this marriage proposal. Though the outcome is already decided.”

I looked at the old man with a firm gaze.

Come to think of it, this was an issue that needed to be clearly cut off at some point.

I had noticed the old man’s inner thoughts about this for a while now.

“Hoho.”

“I will get a definite answer today before I leave. So please choose right here. Whether you will continue your connection with me, or whether you will proceed with your granddaughter’s marriage proposal.”

In a situation like this, it was necessary to be sharp.

Not leaving even a sliver of room was, in fact, a considerate thing to do for the other person.

“It’s disappointing, but it can’t be helped. I can’t lose you while trying to force things for my granddaughter.”

“A wise decision.”

In the Muwon Sword Family, the old man’s influence was still absolute, so this marriage proposal issue was as good as over.

It was a good thing I came today.

I was able to cut it off before the discussion progressed further.

“Thanks to you, I think my steps toward the Muwon Sword Family next time will also be light.”

The old man’s smile seemed a bit bitter, but I decided to pretend not to notice today.