The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 26

“Sacrifice, pride, failure—I’m sure there’s a reason you’re talking about such nonsense. Unless you were born an idiot, you must have your own story to tell,” Jae-Hyeok’s voice trembled, not from emotion but exertion. Shinra Kyeong had blocked his attack. His sword had been pulled toward Shinra Kyeong’s hand like the opposite poles of two magnets.

Shinra Kyeong’s mana spun like a vortex around his hand. Jae-Hyok tried to pull back, but the edge of his sword only shook against the back of Shinra Kyeong’s hand.

He needed to free his blade.

Rather than fight against the pull of Kyeong’s mana directly, Jae-Hyeok gritted his teeth and twisted his wrist, angling his sword to the left. His blade slid off the side of Shinra Kyeong’s hand.

Jae-Hyeok continued, “However, I’m not interested in other people’s stories. I’m not curious about your thoughts at all. Did you want to talk to me? Then you should’ve approached me normally, you second-rate bastard. Why the hell do you care why I saved them?

“In addition, don’t mention my father casually. Failure? Then, what does that make your father when he’s never been able to beat my father in his life? Damn bastard.”

“You’re blurring the essence of this matter. I didn’t say Duke Kang Dae-Guk’s strength was a failure... ” Shinra Kyeong’s words trailed off. There were too many eyes around them. The situation had escalated with Kang Jae-Hyeok attacking. This wasn’t the direction he’d planned for or wanted.

Shinra Kyeong raised both hands and stepped back. Then he infused magic power into his voice so everyone in the cafeteria could hear him. “I apologize for my rudeness. I’m sorry that I made you draw your sword.”

“Uh. Don’t talk to me from now on.”

Jae-Hyeok waved for him to get lost, and Shinra Kyeong quickly left the cafeteria with a few boys and girls following—they were the young retainers responsible for assisting him.

***

In the hallway.

“How could someone be so heinous as to attack the heir of the great Shinra family?”

“We need to protest and make him legally responsible.”

“It’s hard to talk about the law since this happened at school—wouldn’t he only be punished for a short time? Leave it to me. I’m going to cut off his arms.”

Turning on his retainers, Shinra Kyeong warned, “Show respect to the son of a duke.”

“But the Kang family is just a fallen duke... I’m sorry.”

Shinra Kyeong glared at the one who continued to talk until their voice shrank away. Then he touched the back of his numb hand. It seems I didn’t see all of his abilities.

He had watched Jae-Hyeok fighting the Leech King from a distance and thought he understood Jae-Hyeok’s skills well, but he was wrong.

Jae-Hyeok’s sword drawing technique was more than twice as fast and powerful as it had been during the raid. The difference in his abilities was simply too great, even considering the rewards obtained from killing the Leech King.

He must’ve hidden his abilities.

As expected of the son of Duke Kang Dae-Guk. Shinra Kyeong was amazed by the body and techniques that Jae-Hyeok had trained to the limit. Like himself, Kang Jae-Hyeok had definitely overcome his limits several times.

He’s great, but... He has no patience, Shinra Kyeong thought. Based on the way Kang Jae-Hyeok had attacked him in front of a crowd of people, his temper was quite bad.

The reason he failed to develop a Bloodline Skill was probably due to his personality issues. Despite his painstakingly trained body and sword technique, his mental strength was lacking, so he ended up incomplete. It’s unfortunate. Things would’ve been different if there had been someone by his side to guide him.

The Kang family...

Shinra Kyeong’s steps were heavy.

***

In the cafeteria.

Da-Hee had lost her soul while Do-Jin just laughed and gave a thumbs up, which left only Yoo-Jin to step up and make a fuss.

“Are you crazy? Why did you swing your sword? The other person is a National Treasure candidate, a National Treasure candidate! He will be the future of South Korea, the greatest treasure of our country!”

Jae-Hyeok wondered, “Why are you making a fuss? He’s just a candidate. Besides, my father is a National Treasure, but do you see how others treat him?”

“Duke Kang Dae-Guk is a National Treasure... Ah.” Yoo-Jin realized her mistake and covered her mouth. She quickly said, “Let’s leave here first. Nothing good will come from staying.”

It was too late. No sooner had Yoo-Jin spoken than Jae-Hyeok was surrounded. Many students were in the cafeteria, and now, many were openly hostile. The funny thing was that a few first-year Class A students were mixed in with the group. They were the ones who doubted or were jealous of Jae-Hyeok’s performance. When others had been praising Jae-Hyeok, they’d held their tongues and ground their teeth. But having found a justification, they showed their true colors.

“Kang Jae-Hyeok. You’re so arrogant just because you performed well in a C-grade raid. Do you really think you’re somebody? Attacking the heir of the great Shinra family has crossed the line.”

“You were ready to kill, huh? Do you have some type of inferiority complex towards the young master? How disgraceful. That’s just like someone of the Kang family.”

There was an outpouring of verbal abuse.

Back at the swamp, Ha Kyeong-Su’s group had received demerit points because of Jae-Hyeok, so they jumped at the chance to instigate.

They had no reason to like Kang Jae-Hyeok. He saved Class A? It was nonsense. If they had been there from the beginning, then Class A wouldn’t have been in danger. Unfortunately, they missed the opportunity to play an active role because they’d been chosen as messengers.

But now, we have a chance to show our skills. Ha Kyeong-Su grinned and unleashed even harsher verbal abuse—focusing particularly on the Kang family while also insulting both Kang Dae-Seong and Kang Hyeon-Ah along the way.

If Kang Jae-Hyeok couldn’t stand it and attacked him, he would be justified to fight back and crush him. He wouldn’t be generous like Shinra Kyeong.

“You idiots keep talking and making a fool of yourselves. Are you blind and deaf? Based on the fact that Shinra Kyeong apologized first, everyone can see that Shinra Kyeong was at fault. Why are you blaming him?”

In the end, Kang Jae-Hyeok ended up swearing... Wait, no. Those words didn’t come from Kang Jae-Hyeok...

Ha Kyeong-Su lowered his gaze to meet the eyes of a little person. “Who are you... ”

“Who? This bastard, are your eyes okay? Didn’t you clearly see Shinra Kyeong apologize? So why are you barking nonsense? Are you a son of a bitch? Bark bark! Roar, bark bark! You son of a bitch! You are a dog!”

“......”

Ha Kyeong-Su was embarrassed by the vulgar swearing and barking, but he intuitively felt that his school life would be hard if he got involved with this crazy kid.

“Pay attention.”

The moment the commotion subsided, thanks to Do-Jin’s actions, Jae-Hyeok raised his hand to draw attention. He leaned back in his chair, looking languid and arrogant.

His facial expression hadn’t changed even when the students criticized him.

Was there such a cold-blooded person in the world?

“As you have seen and heard, the successor of the Shinra family offended me, was attacked, and begged for mercy.”

“......?”

“......?”

“The question is what are you going to do? Are you going to run out of here and spread the word about what you just saw? If you do, the whole school will know that the Kang family is above the Shinra family. Isn't that right?"

“......”

Jae-Hyeok’s words plunged the huge dining room into silence. More than one hundred students looked at him with disbelief and dismay, but they didn’t dare to say anything.

***

The power of the Shinra family was unparalleled.

They were strong and contributed tremendously to society with their Bloodline Skill, which dealt with healing and nature.

Was there anyone who could recklessly spread the story that Shinra Kyeong and Jae-Hyeok clashed, and Shinra Kyeong apologized as a result?

Absolutely not.

The students were forced to keep their mouths shut after Jae-Hyeok reminded them that the rumors would damage the Shinra family.

In this way, Jae-Hyeok’s true ability with the sword would also remain buried.

“You’re amazing. They didn’t dare to talk about what happened today due to Shinra Kyeong,” Da-Hee said.

“Jae-Hyeok, well～ aren’t you resourceful?” Yoo-Jin looked at Jae-Hyeok in a new light. Her first impression of him had been bad, but he turned out to be a master of the sword and had depths. It was surprising in many ways.

Da-Hee’s eyes lit up as she clenched her fists. “It was cool to see you smiling even when you were being criticized.”

From how motivated Da-Hee was, she seemed to have shaken off the ominous feeling she’d gotten after hearing Shinra Kyeong’s callous tone. It was proof of her mental strength.

“I didn’t expect you could make the heir of the Shinra family apologize! Kang Jae-Hyeok, you’re so fucking cool!” Do-Jin looked Jae-Hyeok up and down as if to study his height. “Come to think of it, the food was delicious today. It’s rare for me to eat a whole five bowls! I think I’m having a growth spurt—won’t I be taller when I wake up tomorrow?”

Do-Jin became excited after saying this. He seemed like a madman as he repeatedly mentioned eating five bowls of food and that he would definitely grow taller.

Jae-Hyeok turned to Yoo-Jin with a friendly smile. “Come on, Yoo-Jin, join our team.”

Truth be told, Jae-Hyeok was anxious. Yoo-Jin was the only one who could read his intentions. If the last spot on his team was taken by someone as foolish as Do-Jin or as pure as Da-Hee... It would be too tiring in many ways.

Unfortunately, Yoo-Jin politely declined. “If I were a support type, I would. But as things are, I shouldn’t. Sorry.”

“Che.”

They exchanged goodbyes, and the group soon parted.

Da-Hee and Yoo-Jin were tired from the raid and went straight to their dormitories. Do-Jin said he needed to digest his food and rushed to the training grounds.

Meanwhile, Jae-Hyeok walked down a secluded road with no one around.

Soon, he arrived on the ancient Colosseum stage before stopping in front of the gate with a majestic lion’s head embossed at the crest.

Jae-Hyeok let out the ragged breath he’d been suppressing.

Shinra Kyeong...

Jae-Hyeok’s heart sank when he thought of that person who dared to evaluate his father’s life and call him a reckless failure. His anger was so hot that his head was burning.

However, what made Jae-Hyeok most angry was his own weakness. He was confident that he’d become quite strong, but there was a huge gap between a National Treasure candidate and someone who hadn’t awakened.

Jae-Hyeok had planned to scar that bastard’s mouth, but Shinra Kyeong had blocked the attack with his bare hands.

Putting aside the fact that Shinra Kyeong’s stats were several times higher, there were clear signs that he’d mastered powerful arts befitting his status as an aristocrat.

The Shinra family... Hmph. What great aristocrats they are.

Isn’t it bad enough that you denied the duties of a noble and insulted my father? Shouldn’t you at least show him some respect?

Blood dripped from Jae-Hyeok’s lips. Well, the Shinras wouldn’t have stood by and watched the Kang family collapse if they had respected his father.

He stared at the night sky for a long time with his pupils constricted like those of a beast.

“Sigh...” Jae-Hyeok exalted as his eyes returned to normal.

For him, anger was fuel, one that would never run out. He consumed and used it, but he didn’t let it devour him.

Jae-Hyeok recalled Shinra Kyeong’s movements. That guy... He saw the path of my sword from the beginning and reacted

He needed to recall every detail of how that bastard had dismantled his sword-drawing technique...

In his mind's eye, Jae-Hyeok visualized the moment Shinra Kyeong had caught his sword and studied every instant—he watched him take a light half-step backward; watched him bend slightly at the knees while his back remained straight; and watched him use his back to empower his arms, which moved like a whip...

Shinra Kyeong had also used mana in a unique way to vibrate his joints and muscles, increasing their elasticity... There was also that suction force, which had pulled on Jae-Hyeok’s sword...

Jae-Hyeok engraved all of Shinra Kyeong’s movements in his mind and started to imitate them.

He became Shinra Kyeong, and, backdropped by the forest steeped in the depths of night, Kang Jae-Hyeok appeared before him.

Through Shinra Kyeong’s eyes, he analyzed what the Kang Jae-Hyeok before him lacked.

“Hah... ” His breathing quickly became rough, his dantian and head burning as if on fire.

It was easy to remember and copy the bodily movements, but the unique flow of mana was a different matter. The Shinra family’s mana control technique involved rotating mana to affect the joints and muscles. It was completely different from the Kang family’s technique. I can’t find the answer since I don’t know the core principles. It isn’t easy to steal another family’s mana control technique just by seeing it.

Jae-Hyeok had no expectations of doing so from the beginning. All he’d needed was imagination—by integrating Shinra Kyeong’s movements together with how he’d imagined the Shinras operated their mana, he had become Shinra Kyeong. From there, he saw the shortcomings in his sword-drawing technique clearly.

My sword is too honest. No matter how fast it is, the opponent can easily block if it’s within sight. That can’t be helped since my wrist is fixed once I perform the sword draw. Is there a way to shift the tip of the blade mid-way? No, it’s impossible with the human body. It can only be done after awakening. Sword drawing is a technique that breaks the opponent’s flow. When fighting against someone stronger, it’s better to use it as a counterattack or defense, not an attack...

Jae-Hyeok’s physical- and mental strength were quickly being exhausted. However, he didn’t lose his focus until the black sky lightened.

He had repeatedly embodied Shinra Kyeong in both body and mind, maintaining his concentration, unaware that he had fainted several times along the way.

[The player candidate breaks through the limits of the body.]

[The player candidate breaks through the limits of the mind.]

[The player candidate’s skills deepen further.]

[The player candidate has exceeded his mental limits for 2,961 consecutive days.]

[Extra stat points have been acquired.]

[A Miraculous achievement!]

[The player candidate has fallen into a trance for the tenth time.]

[All stats have increased by 5.]

[Warning! The player candidate’s stats are about to reach the limit.]

[Awaken as a player and raise the limit.]

Trances.

Trances were a phenomenon created by extreme concentration. It was a feat that even the most famous players had only achieved a few times in their lives. And yet, a boy of only sixteen years old had just fallen into a trance for the tenth time. It wouldn’t be strange to call it a miracle.

[The will of Lion’s Castle trembles at your sight.]

***

At the same time, in the chairman’s office.

“Is this true?”

Seol Su-Ah’s eyes shook as she read the report on the Leech King raid. She was the only one who knew that Jae-Hyeok hadn’t awakened.

“I need to give him a reward. A very big reward.”