The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 82

“......”

The shadow warriors were B-class players. Moreover, only those with outstanding combat skills were chosen to guard Jeong Ru-Han.

Yet, one of them was beaten by a student? Did someone intervene? Jeong Ru-Han looked around suspiciously, but all he saw were the shadow warriors disguised as cleaners and students staring at Kang Jae-Hyeok in amazement.

He scoffed. “Hah, you think your skills are similar to mine?” While speaking, he snatched Hae-Rin’s wrist and pulled hard. His unspoken message to her was clear: You’re mine. Don’t you dare cross me. “I heard you were level 10 not long ago. Was it a false rumor? What type of trick did you use?”

“......”

Jae-Hyeok continued to ignore Jeong Ru-Han. He stared at Hae-Rin, still proffering his hand.

Jeong Ru-Han gritted his teeth.

He was already used to being ignored by Jae-Hyeok. That wasn’t what riled him. Rather, what made him angry was Hae-Rin’s reaction. Her hesitant attitude of wanting to grab Jae-Hyeok’s hand was infuriating.

Why? I’ve been trying for a long time. I have dedicated myself to making you rely only on me. Yet I’m less than him?

Jeong Ru-Han’s grip tightened.

Hae-Rin’s white skin quickly turned red, but she said nothing as if she was used to this type of treatment.

Jae-Hyeok finally turned to Jeong Ru-Han. His eyes darkened as he spoke, “The more I see, the worse this guy gets.”

“Die!” Jeong Ru-Han didn’t notice this and released his killing intent. At the same time, five shadow warriors jumped out and rushed Jae-Hyeok, not with scissors or brooms but with real weapons.

“Oh my god.”

Aiming weapons at the heir of the great Kang family? Jae-Hyeok wanted nothing more than to dispose of them. Unfortunately, they were from the Guardian Guild. He was also reluctant to hurt them in front of the unstable Park Hae-Rin.

Let’s just break their wrists. Jae-Hyeok patiently repeated ‘endure it’ three times to avoid committing murder.

He was just about to move the hilt of his sword when...

"Stop!"

An unexpected voice rang out loudly.

Everyone at the scene was surprised. The wide-eyed shadow warriors froze in place while Jeong Ru-Han’s expression hardened.

He turned to Hae-Rin and asked with a cracking voice, “You... What did you just say?” Jeong Ru-Han thought this had to be a nightmare, or maybe he had hearing problems. However, his hopes didn’t come true.

“Stop, please... ” Hae-Rin repeated.

“Hah, really, how absurd.” The smile bled from Jeong Ru-Han’s face, and he glared at Hae-Rin as if he were going to eat her.

“A family member of the Guardian Guild fought for you and is now lying in a pool of his own blood. But what is this? Instead of cheering for retaliation, you want them to stop? I’m really worried about how the master will react when he hears this. Wouldn’t it be bad if someone already seriously injured by you receives another shock?

The moment her father was mentioned, Hae-Rin closed her eyes tightly and turned her head. But Jeong Ru-Han grabbed her by the chin and made her face him.

“Why do you keep doing stupid things? The master was heartbroken because of you, the guild atmosphere was ruined because of you, and so many people—including me—suffered, all because of you! What are you trying to do? You just need to listen to me. Why can’t you do what even a bastard can do? Why cause trouble for the people around you every time?”

As Jeong Ru-Han peeled off his mask of kindness and poured out his malice—

Craaaaack!

—Something completely shattered in Hae-Rin’s head, and memories rushed over her like a tide.

-Isn’t it great to be able to help others? It’s definitely worthy of the name Guardian. I’m sure Hyung-nim will be pleased.

The sub-master, Jeong Jae-Uk, was someone who young Hae-Rin followed around and called uncle.

He was responsible for the guild’s livelihood on behalf of her father, who often went on expeditions. He also took care of her. That was why Hae-Rin had always trusted and relied on him the most.

-Go ahead and equip it. Hae-Rin, your brilliant Skill will be a nice surprise to comfort your father when he returns after his hard fight.

[Once equipped, the Initial Skill can’t be unequipped.]

[Do you still want to equip it?]

-Haha, are you anxious? Rest assured, I’m here.

Unlike the System’s cold voice, her uncle’s voice was as sweet and warm as ever. She hesitated only for a moment. That child, who wanted to please her father, trusted in her uncle as she had countless times before.

Days passed.

Her father returned from the expedition and became furious after witnessing Hae-Rin’s Initial Skill. In front of him, her uncle didn’t defend her.

Instead, he reprimanded,

-Hae-Rin, I told you many times not to rush. Choosing your Initial Skill without your father’s permission was too hasty. You are the successor of the Guardian Guild. How did you come up with the idea of throwing away your shield? As the successor, how could you lack such awareness?

Hae-Rin was shocked. She tried to speak up. She asked her uncle, Why are you doing this?.... Don’t say that.... That isn’t the truth... I’m scared.

But no matter what she said, it never came out right. Her words were like clay in her uncle’s hands.

-Me? I suppose so. It is all my fault. I am sorry I didn’t watch you closer, Hae-Rin.

-Young Lady! Why blame the sub-master for what happened when it was your greed? Your mind is already so bad that I’m worried about the Guardian Guild’s future!

-The sub-master urged you to equip the Initial Skill? Every day, I’ve watched the sub-master devoting himself to you rather than Young Master Ru-Lan. How could he do that?

-It’s alright, please don’t blame her. Young children can’t distinguish between reality and imagination—especially when the truth is too much to bear. It’s normal that she would blame the nearest person.

The more Hae-Rin spoke, the more she was treated as a liar. Her unrefined words and fearful face only raised people’s doubts.

On that day, Hae-Rin realized it. It was very hard to disobey her uncle in the Guardian Guild. Most of the adults in the guild trusted him more than they trusted themselves.

The same was true of her father.

-Jae-Uk, put more effort into training your successor. Your child’s talent isn’t bad, so there might be a chance to make up for this.

-Yes, Hyung-nim.

***

“...Hae-Rin? Park Hae-Rin!”

It was too traumatic for a child to handle.

Hae-Rin wished that entire day had been a dream, and as her once-again-kind uncle continued to educate her, that desire only grew. Eventually, it reached the point where those memories sank somewhere deep and far, sealed off. Because her uncle was right: some truths are too much for children to bear.

However, now, years later, Hae-Rin remembered.

She stared at Jeong Ru-Han’s face. “Your face, your tone, your expression... everything is exactly like your father’s.”

“......!”

Jeong Ru-Han clearly recognized the change in Hae-Rin. Her eyes and voice were calm and serene, a far cry from what she usually looked like in front of him.

“Have you decided?” Jae-Hyeok asked again after sensing Hae-Rin’s change.

“Yes.”

Hae-Rin’s big eyes stared at him with a desire that had never existed before. “This morning... I want to eat with you, Jae-Hyeok.”

“Fuck!”

Baang!

After crushing the sandwich that Hae-Rin had returned, Jeong Ru-Han drew his sword and shield.

“Park Hae-Rin, you are mine. You belong to me! What are you going to do with another guy? Ungrateful girl, acting vulgar!” Jeong Ru-Han lashed out while glaring at Jae-Hyeok.

“Hah, forget it. A loose collar can always be tightened.”

There was no point in talking any longer.

Jeong Ru-Han stepped forward with all his strength.

His huge shield had gaps in both the middle and upper sections, and as he shoved Jae-Hyeok with his shield, he thrust his longsword through the middle gap.

It was the advanced combat skill of the Guardian Guild: He used the shield to restrict the target’s movements and block the vision. Then, he delivered a fatal blow by thrusting his sword through the small gap.

Bam!

There was the squelching sound of pierced flesh, and the exclamations of the shadow warriors followed.

“Ah!”

The corners of Jeong Ru-Han’s mouth curved, pleased that he’d killed Kang Jae-Hyeok with a single blow.

"Cough!”

What?

It was only after Jeong Ru-Han slumped down with terrible pain that he saw it. A blade jutting from the shield’s top gap was lodged into his collarbone.

“This... how is this possible?”

How could Jae-Hyeok, in the blink of an eye, assess and use the design of his shield against him? In addition, the front of the shield was colored in a way that induced optical illusions, making the gaps hard to notice—and even if they were noticed, they also appeared much smaller than they were.

However, this guy thrust perfectly through the gap.

“Who are you really...?”

Jae-Hyeok kicked the shield to free his sword.

Bang!

The special alloy shield distorted and flew back, shattering Jeong Ru-Han’s face.

Currently, Jae-Hyeok’s Strength stat was 129, a difficult number for even B-class players to reach. He warned the surrounding shadow warriors, “If you move one more step closer, I’ll crush his head.”

Jae-Hyeok started stomping.

Bang, bang, bang!

Every time Jae-Hyeok stomped on the shield, more blood leaked out around it, and the chilling sound of crunching bones filled the silence.

A shadow warrior couldn’t bear to watch any longer. “W-we didn’t move?”

“That’s why I haven’t smashed his head,” Jae-Hyeok replied seriously.

Bang!

He trampled on the shield one last time. Only after ensuring that Jeong Ru-Han’s body was as miserable as that chicken-broccoli sandwich, did he approach Hae-Rin.

“Let’s go eat. Wherever and whatever you want.” Well, it might be hard to eat around here, with all the trash in sight.

Hae-Rin chased after the grumbling Jae-Hyeok.

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om