The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 41

“A commission?”

Commissions were tasks that students could accept to earn pocket money and credits, as well as to build their knowledge and experience.

Unlike dispatch missions, commissions took place inside Lion’s Castle. There were many different types, and the rewards were determined by the difficulty.

Kim Jin-Myeong explained, “There are employees from pharmaceutical companies who come every weekend to collect herbs. The second-year student who was supposed to guide them left on assignment, leaving the position open.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Haha.”

Jae-Hyeok agreed without hesitation. He was sold the moment he’d it was a senior’s mission.

Kim Jin-Myeong was pleased by Jae-Hyeok’s quick response but also a bit worried. “Many of the herbs collected are found in danger zones, and there is a high chance that C-class monsters will appear. Are you still confident?”

“Yes.”

As expected from a student-teacher relationship, Kim Jin-Myeong had a vague idea of Jae-Hyeok’s true ability.

During combat training, Jae-Hyeok had cut down a mirage bandit leader with a single thunderbolt-charged sword.

The other students hadn’t noticed.

The only outward difference between a leader and a regular bandit was the different coloring of their head sash. Moreover, Jae-Hyeok had killed it swiftly—almost as soon as it had appeared.

This kid deserves a D-grade commission.

Jae-Hyeok’s stats were phenomenal, even when he’d been level 1.

It was proof that his life was marked by blood and sweat.

That was the sort of person Kim Jin-Myeong could trust. “Okay. I’ll pass your name to the person in charge. So be at the school gates at 5 a.m. on Saturday.”

***

Dawn, two days later.

A group stood before a colossal gate wreathed in dark purple mana. The gate was more than five times larger than a typical S-grade gate and was the sole entrance to Lion’s Castle.

It was one of the few points of pride belonging to South Korea, and it was defended accordingly—dozens of personnel, including ten senior players, were stationed there at all times to restrict the entry of outsiders.

The grand size of the gate, the dense mana that leaked into the surroundings, and the severe eyes of the guards were all things that intimidated visitors.

However, the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals had just finished the entrance process and weren’t nervous at all.

They had been visiting Lion’s Castle weekly for the last five years, so they were more familiar with this place than most students.

“Has Kim Jin-Myeong lost his mind? We paid to come here. Does treating a customer who is doing business with the school like this make sense? What does he mean by sending a first-year student as our guide?”

“They even said he’s from Class B.”

“Hah, how crazy. A freshman in Class B hasn’t even experienced their first real battle.”

“That’s right. Those kids are probably still shaking with excitement from their first-ever level up.”

“Fuck, they’re no different from a civilian. It’s so ridiculous that I almost want to laugh. Does my company look easy to mess with? That shouldn’t be possible, right? Kim Jin-Myeong’s wife is suffering from magic stone disease. He’s waiting on us for the new drug our company is researching.”

“It’s definitely because of our third young master that Kim Jin-Myeong doesn’t know his place.”

A young man ran over to the grumbling staff members. With an easy smile, he said, “I’m sorry I’m late. Let’s head over now.”

He was the third son of the family in charge of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals, Cho Seong-Hyeon.

“Why are you late? Do you need to chat and give gifts to them every time? It is a hundred times more efficient to meet with a high-ranking official instead of wasting time dealing with a mere gatekeeper.”

Department Manager Gu Bu-Seong cast a disdainful glance at the players who were carrying the armfuls of shopping bags given by Cho Seong-Hyeon.

Cho Seong-Hyeon replied, “They suffer every week due to us. I would like to repay them in a small way. The gifts are just snacks. I’ll make sure I’m not late next time.”

“Young Master, you are too kind for your own good. No wonder Kim Jin-Myeong dares to look down on Jaegyeong. He is just a lowly teacher, not a professor.”

Cho Seong-Hyeon was too young and tender compared to his siblings. He entered Lion’s Castle immediately after graduating from middle school, so his formal education was limited; his siblings had been executives for over twenty years while his position was just a section chief.

They thought that he would succeed as a player since he’d graduated from Lion’s Castle. However, even with the full support for the chairman, he remained a C-class player and couldn’t get a job.

This was someone with no skills as a player but was the son of the chairman of a major company.

He was potential trouble without any benefits. Naturally, the Association and the guilds were reluctant to recruit him.

Cho Seong-Hyeon wondered, “You’re upset that our guide today is a first-year student? Don’t worry.” He smiled brightly. “In addition to Department Manager Gu, we also have Team Leader Seol and Team Leader Baek. What can go wrong?”

“Sigh.” Gu Bu-Seong shook his head and led the staff members through the gate.

Team Leader Seol and Team Leader Baek each snorted.

“Is it because you’ve never suffered that you see the world through rose-colored glasses?”

“Young Master, we are high-skilled personnel prepared for what-if situations. We’ll only act according to the terms of our contract. Don’t rely on us more than necessary.”

With that, Team Leader Seol and Team Leader Baek chased after Gu Bu-Seong.

Earlier, the two of them had been the ones who’d insulted Kim Jin-Myeong, Cho Seong-Hyeon’s old teacher.

“Let’s go as well.”

Cho Seong-Hyeon entered the gate last with a low-ranking staff member, the only one to remain by his side.

***

[You have entered Lion’s Castle.]

“Are you from Jaegyeong?” Someone asked.

“That’s right.” Gu Bu-Seong nodded.

A boy greeted them in front of the gorgeous and magnificent school gate. He was so tall and striking that it was hard to tell his age at first, but upon closer inspection, he looked surprisingly youthful.

The white stripes on the black activewear he wore confirmed that the boy was a first-year.

They really sent a first-year to be our guide.

Originally, the guide in charge of them was a second-year student, but he was an ace over level 40. At the very least, he knew how to protect them. He was also familiar with the geography of Lion’s Castle as a second-year student, so there were no flaws.

On the other hand, the child in front of them was only a burden.

“I am Kang Jae-Hyeok. The senior originally in charge of escorting and guiding you was sent on a dispatch mission, and I am filling in. Rest assured, I won’t neglect you.”

“Kang Jae-Hyeok?”

People looked a bit surprised.

That was all.

The Yaksha’s son had awakened his Bloodline Skill during his admission re-examination on live, nationwide TV. It had caused a stir in South Korea for a very, very brief moment.

News about Kang Jae-Hyeok was silenced immediately after the live broadcast.

The Association had quickly controlled the media, but ordinary people were ignorant to that fact; they assumed the media stopped paying attention because he was ultimately an unremarkable person from a fallen family.

Gu Bu-Seong spoke, “I have my doubts about you as our guide, boy. However, I don’t think I can argue with the school’s decision.”

He glanced at the employees carrying the luggage, and they stepped forward to gather in front of Jae-Hyeok. “Well, you know the route, right? There’s a long way to go, so start leading the way.”

Lion’s Castle was vast and rugged. Most of the herbs that Jaegyeong had to collect grew naturally in remote areas near danger zones.

It was almost impossible for a freshman to reach the specific destination just by looking at a map.

“The road is complicated and dangerous, so I’ll take the lead... ” The moment Cho Seong-Hyeon tried to help, Team Leader Seol grabbed his wrist.

He whispered, “Don’t be so eager. Kim Jin-Myeong clearly sent a freshman as an empty token. He knows you're a Lion’s Castle graduate and expects you to pick up the slack. Hmph. Let’s not follow the will of a man who is mocking Jaegyeong just to save manpower.”

“What? Teacher Kim Jin-Myeong isn’t someone who would do that.”

“He isn’t that type of person? Sure, sure, then this boy will do a good job as our guide, and you’ve got nothing to worry about. Young Master, just sit back and keep quiet.”

“......”

***

Go ahead. Try and guide us.

Hmph. I will give you a good scolding as soon as you make a mistake.

Department Manager Gu and the team leaders had been planning to confront Jae-Hyeok at the first opportunity. But their mouths dropped open when they saw what Jae-Hyeok led them to.

“Climb this cliff? Why?”

Jae-Hyeok answered, “It’s faster. Why are you asking the obvious?”

“......”

“What’s wrong with your expressions? You wouldn’t have brought normal people through the gate to collect herbs. You’re all players, right? Is this cliff a problem?”

“Climbing it is easy. I just wonder if there is a path behind the cliff. I don’t know about you, but we’ve been visiting Lion’s Castle for five years now, and we’ve never climbed this cliff before.”

Jae-Hyeok shrugged. “Go up, then. If there’s no path, you can just come back down. You probably would’ve already gone and come in the time we’ve wasted standing around.”

“I told you earlier that we have a long way to go. This work normally takes me until midnight; I’m not going to waste my time climbing up cliffs.”

“Do you want to lead the way yourself?”

“?”

“I’m the guide, so I’m showing you the way. But you keep wanting to go somewhere else. If you’re not going to listen, should I just lie down here? We can stay here all night until the guards arrive if that’s what you want.”

It had been thirty minutes. They had only been with Jae-Hyeok for thirty minutes.

In just thirty minutes, Gu Bu-Seong felt a raging fire burning inside him. Did I offend Kim Jin-Myeong somehow? Is that why he sent this person as a guide to torture me?

Team Leader Baek clenched his fists and regretted the past. I didn’t know Kim Jin-Myeong could wield his powers as a teacher like this. I’ve offended him one too many times...

“Let’s go for now. If it’s the wrong way, we will hold him accountable.” He glared at Jaehyuk as if he were about to devour him, and he released his aura to emphasize the threat.

Jae-Hyeok said nothing. Before Cho Seong-Hyeon could warn him, Jae-Hyeok took the lead and climbed the cliff.

He looked as if he were walking on flat ground. The employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals gained confidence and followed suit.

In less than ten minutes, they were sweating. The slope became steeper the higher they got up the cliff.

“What is this person?”

“Did this Kang kid practice climbing in the last eight years he’s been home?”

“T-too fast.”

All the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals who’d entered Lion’s Castle were players. Most of them were D-class players, but there were some C-class players. In addition, the team leaders and department manager were B-class players.

However, none of them could keep up with Jae-Hyeok’s speed.

From where they were, they had to raise their chins all the way up to see Jae-Hyeok’s back higher up the mountain.

Lion’s Castle emphasizes terrain adaptation training.

Seeing a low-level child easily climbing the cliff, the employees had to admit that Lion’s Castle deserved its prestige.

Cho Seong-Hyeon was also from Lion’s Castle, and he also managed to keep up with Jae-Hyeok.

The employees’ gaze toward Cho Seong-Hyeon changed slightly.

Noticing the change in the others’ eyes, Team Leader Seol and Team Leader Baek were displeased. They even used their Skills to overtake Cho Seong-Hyeon.

Finally, they reached the top of the cliff.

“A swamp?”

Not far below on the other side, a vast swamp stretched out before them.

“If we pass through here, there is a jungle with Alus ferns and black bayburns. It’s several times faster than the old route,” Jae-Hyeok said. The days he’d spent looking for a place to train had come back to help him.

He was ready to show his customers various shortcuts.

“Are you serious? Our shoes and clothes will get dirty.”

Instead of being grateful, Team Leader Seol and Team Leader Baek glared at him.

The reaction of Gu Bu-Seong was also negative when he arrived at the summit one step later.

Jae-Hyeok tilted his head.

“You can wash your clothes later. Do you have no washing machine at home?”

“Uh?”

The team leaders were stunned. Before they could retort, they felt a heavy impact on their butts and they flew through the air.

Like any B-class player would, they reacted quickly, spinning in the air and grabbing onto an outcropping of rock. They dangled over the swamp.

At least for a moment.

Then, Jae-Hyeok used his scabbard to smack their hands.

“What the hell are you...!”

"Aaaaaaack!"

Plop plop.

“Next.”

“What do you mean next!? You’re mad!” Director Gu shouted loudly as he stepped back. He couldn’t believe the situation.

Nevertheless, it was really happening.

Jae-Hyeok didn’t intend to spend all day on something that could be done in half a day. He would rather use that time to swing his sword.

“I will lodge a formal complaint to Lion’s Castle... Aaaaaack!”

Plop!

“A complaint? What bullshit. You’re making a fuss even though I’m ensuring that you leave early.”

As a corporate drone who always spends his weekends on business trips, does he not know what the concept of leaving work early is?

The boy who had just shoved three B-class players into the swamp suddenly wore a look of pity.

“Uh... should I jump down?” Cho Seong-Hyeon became polite to this junior of his.