The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 201

“Here comes Kang Jae-Hyeok!”

“Look, Master Kim Byeok-Jae is with him—I was wondering where he’d gone; I just didn’t expect he went to greet Kang Jae-Hyeok at the door.”

“Yeah. It looks like they’ve already exchanged pleasantries.”

“Of course, Kang Jae-Hyeok is someone with the talent to become our next National Treasure. Even the examiner wants to endear himself to him.”

“Hahah, I’m sure the feelings are mutual. What kid hasn’t grown up admiring each of Korea’s top five guildmasters?”

The public, unaware of certain underground rumblings, knew nothing of Kim Byeok-Jae's hair-raising reputation—what they did know, however, was that Kim Byeok-Jae was among the top guildmasters in South Korea. Naturally, the public respected and trusted him.

“Just listen to the audience’s cheers! The whole nation is supporting Kang Jae-Hyeok with one heart and one mind!”

“Regardless of status or affiliation, as the first National Treasure candidate exam held in eight years, all of us Koreans should be excited.”

Most of the broadcasters spoke enthusiastically about Jae-Hyeok and his prospects. By the same token, those reporters were especially careful not to mention Jae-Hyeok’s family. After all, there was no need to make enemies with someone who might be a National Treasure candidate by the day’s end.

In the stands, the majority of the audience felt the same. They were all eager for the birth of a future National Treasure. They might hate the Kang family, but they judged Jae-Hyeok separately—with some even saying he was a hero born into a family of villains... In any case, they supported the boy wholeheartedly.

However, the attitude of the VIP guests was different...

***

What a fierce atmosphere.

The player stadium for Jae-Hyeok’s exam venue was a monument to modern-era engineering. The stadium itself accommodated at least a hundred thousand spectators. And encircling the expansive stage was a clear dome that was anything but ordinary. A product of arcane technology, the dome could completely isolate the space within. Once activated, it ensured no stray attacks reached the audience, and no external ruckus reached the stage.

Thanks to this, Jae-Hyeok’s world was quiet on stage. The audience in the far seats were pumping their fists and waving. But their cheers were muted.

That was fine—or rather, Jae-Hyeok preferred it. He wasn’t used to being cheered for. But he appreciated the sentiment all the same.

In contrast, the looks coming from the VIP seats were quite annoying. The VIP seats were much closer to the stage, and Jae-Hyeok recognized a few of the people seated there.

Famous aristocrats, successful businessmen, powerful politicians, and famous celebrities—influential figures of all kinds glared down at Jae-Hyeok with lips pressed thin.

Their hate was palpable. Had someone other than Jae-Hyeok been the subject of those looks, they would’ve been sweating.

Hmph. All associates of Ji Cheon-Myeong, all scum who’ve climbed high after adding oil to the fire eight years ago. You all think you can take a bite of my Kang family and walk away... very good; I’ll swallow each of you whole...

Jae-Hyeok exhaled slowly.

... But not yet.

To revive his family, he needed his reputation. As the Kang family’s last hope, he certainly couldn’t end up like his siblings. And that meant controlling his emotions, no matter how badly he wanted to hunt chickens.

More importantly, right now...

Jae-Hyeok turned to Kim Byeok-Jae.

Didn’t he already have a villain he could freely beat on?

Best of all, the flatter he beat him, the higher his reputation would soar.

As long as I don’t kill him, it should be fine.

“One more time! Please give a warm cheer for Master Kim Byeok-Jae, who will be serving as examiner for today’s event!”

Waaahhh!

The atmosphere in the venue was heating up.

From the podium overlooking the stage, the voice of the host reached all corners of the audience. At the mention of Kim Byeok-Jae, the crowd stomped their feet and applauded. Then, the host shifted the spotlight to Jae-Hyeok: “And now, though his odds may be small, please give a round of cheers for Kang Jae-Hyeok!”

As soon as the host brought up Jae-Hyeok, those in the VIP seats booed.

“Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let the test begin!”

A horn blew, sounding like the bellow of a divine bull. The ground rattled and the audience reached a fever pitch.

Meanwhile—

“The curse ceremony went without a hitch yesterday. Kang Jae-Hyeok won’t even have the strength to ruffle Kim Byeok-Jae’s hair.”

The doctor turned his nose up confidently. Just last night, he, South Korea’s best shaman, had personally cast a Minotaur’s Curse on Jae-Hyeok.

“Is that so?”

“If he manages to do more than that, I will give up my title of doctor.”

Ji Cheon-Myeong nodded. The doctor valued the scientific method above all; seeing his confidence, Ji Cheon-Myeong was poised to trust him.

On the other hand, Ji Cheon-Myeong’s secretary felt a bit uneasy. The “doctor” was actually just a shaman. Even if his curses were powerful, the secretary also felt that the man was a quack.

“Why don’t you bet on something more meaningful?” the secretary commented, unable to help himself.

“I thought you didn’t trust the doctor? I wonder if you realize that you’re words are actually helping him.”

The one to speak was a woman in a close-fitted dress. Her upper back and shoulders were left exposed, and her silky hair was neatly tied and pinned with a gorgeous ornament.

“Department Chief Jin.” The secretary saluted.

Jin Seo-Yeon was the head of the Association’s Enforcement Department, and she was no simple character. Officially, she was S-class. But S-class players were no different than wheat in her eyes. She was a sword demon, an irregular who’d reached the realm of S-class through a singular dedication to the sword path.

The secretary was relieved knowing that Ji Cheon-Myeong’s safety today was left in her capable hands.

“The thing the doctor is most obsessed with is his title, right? You telling him to bet on something else is actually letting him off light.”

By the time she finished speaking, the secretary had relaxed and she’d arrived next to Ji Cheon-Myeong. She plopped into the seat next to his with a contented sigh.

It was far from the behaviour a guard should show before their employer, but no one dared to criticize her. Above all, since Ji Cheon-Myeong didn’t mind her, how could they?

She asked, “You recruited Kim Byeok-Jae and spent big money on the doctor’s Minotaur’s Curse. You really know how to waste.”

On the stage, Jae-Hyeok widened his stance, leaned forward, and gripped his hilt.

Meanwhile, Kim Byeok-Jae stood in place, arms crossed. The frivolous smile had left his lips, and he was now perfectly expressionless. That meant he was serious.

“He’s dead meat.”

Jin Seo-Yeon swept her finger across her neck and reclined in her chair. “Judging from Kim Byeok-Jae’s expression, he’s pissed. Not sure how that kid ticked him off, but President, you’re going to have a hard time cleaning up the mess he’s about to leave behind.

“It’s fine.”

Ji Cheon-Myeong knew Kim Byeok-Jae’s personality: his killing intent was inherently hard to control, so from the very beginning, Ji Cheon-Myeong had anticipated that Kim Byeok-Jae might kill Jae-Hyeok during the examination.

“I might be hosting the event, but Kim Byeok-Jae is ultimately not my people. If Kim Byeok-Jae ends up killing Kang Jae-Hyeo directly, at most, I’ll just need to bow my head a few times to smooth things over. ”

A smile spread across Ji Cheon-Myeong’s face.

Kid, I’ve been standing on your neck for the past eight years. But I’m tired of standing. After today, no one will want to remember you.

In fact, in the last four months, Jae-Hyeok’s sudden rise to prominence had been a constant thorn in Ji Cheon-Myeong’s side—one that itched every time Jae-Hyeok popped up in the news. In the last week, that “itch” had transformed into a full-blown infection. Before Ji Cheon-Myeong knew it, Jae-Hyeok had become the star of South Korea’s most important event.

This damn monster.

At some point, Ji Cheon-Myeong had started to fear Jae-Hyeok. He was increasingly convinced that the boy could pose even more of a threat than Kang Dae-Seong. He got the sense that if he backed down for fear of public criticism and let Ja-Hyeok live, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

There’s no reason to hesitate. Whether Kang Jae-Hyeok dies on or off stage, it doesn’t matter. So long as he dies.... Oh, Kang Dae-Seong, surely you know today will be your little brother’s death day, right? Can you bear it? Show up already. Come and stop me if you can.”

If Kang Dae-Seong barged into South Korea’s national event and caused a ruckus, that would be the ideal development for Ji Cheon-Myeong.

Ji Cheon-Myeong was glancing around in anticipation, only to stop and tilt his head. The VVIP lounge prepared for the three National Treasures was still empty.

Where are they? I expected the Saint and that one from the Jin family wouldn’t show their faces, but... Why is White Night late? Of everyone, she should be the one most worried about today. And at this point, there’s no reason to pretend she has nothing to do with Kang Jae-Hyeok.

Did something happen?

Ji Cheon-Myeong hated White Night Seol Su-Ah with a passion. His stomach twisted and he felt anxious every time he saw that loyal Yaksha hound.

Still, he acknowledged her skills. A National Treasure was a National Treasure, after all. She couldn’t be pressured by force or authority. If there was anyone who could ruin his plans, it was White Night Seol Su-Ah. Ji Cheon-Myeong couldn’t help but worry where she’d gone.

How could anything have held up a monster like her? She must be planning something... Ah, whatever. No matter what games she plays, I’ve prepared thoroughly this time. Actually, it’s good she isn't here. No one can stop Kim Byeok-Jae now.

Oh, it’s starting.

Ji Cheon-Myeong’s eyes fell back on the stage.

At some point, the marble floor under Kim Byeok-Jae’s feet had been dyed black.

Normally, one’s mana stayed clear prior to being condensed or imbued with an attribute. Kim Byeok-Jae, however, was different: the base essence of his mana was conjoined with his killing intent, and the result was strange and sinister. While mostly clear, whatever surface his mana crawled along blackened like the bottom of a pot. That said, the wonder of Kim Byeok-Jae’s unique mana was in its speed and flexibility.

The ground rapidly darkened toward Jae-Hyeok.

Ji Cheon-Myeong couldn’t help but grin—Jae-Hyeok wouldn’t even know how he met his end.

Just then, a fountain of blood shot into the air, and in the seconds that followed, a red rain dotted the stage.

The crowd of a hundred thousand fell silent.

Those in the VIP seats stiffened into statues.

Ji Cheon-Myeong’s mouth hung open.

“What... what just happened?”

“Isn’t that something you should explain?”

The secretary moved then, grabbing the dazed doctor’s collar. “I thought you said he won’t even ruffle Kim Byeok-Jae’s hair!”

Despite being throttled, the doctor’s eyes stayed riveted on the stage. The scene there defied logic: Kim Byeok-Jae’s head smashed into the transparent dome like a home-run baseball, hit the ground, and rolled awkwardly several times.

His eyes were rolled back, and his tongue was hanging out.

In front of a hundred thousand spectators and tens of millions of viewers, the guildmaster of one of Korea’s top five guilds had died before anyone could react, killed like a chicken.

Compared to the commanding aura he’d shown a minute before, Kim Byeok-Jae’s contorted face and lolling tongue looked especially ugly. Granted... anyone would look ugly as a severed head.

Jae-Hyeok slowly sheathed his sword. His eyes seemed to be saying, Is that all?

Not a single blood drop stained his ceremonial robe, which shimmered as pure as snow under the stadium’s lights. It was a declaration, proclaiming that not even Korea's top guildmasters could touch the Kang family.

“This is also your warning...” For those who dare, this will be the result.

So vowing, the next master of the Kang family swept back his hair and smiled.