Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 42

The dining hall on Saturday morning had been quiet.

Many students either slept in or went out for the weekend, resulting in faculty members making up the majority of the visitors.

“Hello.”

Kim Jiyoung, the teacher responsible for the first-year Class F, had joined Park Minchul, a school staff member, at a table.

As they engaged in casual conversation over their meal, their voices gradually faded away.

Kim Jiyoung discreetly deployed a barrier to prevent their conversation from leaking out.

“I’ve checked the access records of the Jaekyung Pharmaceutical employees and the report on Kang Jaehyuk joining them.”

“So the rumors were true? To think they assigned a mere first-year student to a guard mission. Does Kim Jinmyung really trust Kang Jaehyuk so much?”

“In truth, it’s a mission that doesn’t require much skill. It’s what you’d call a ‘sweet job’.”

The manpower sent by Jaekyung included three B-rank players, five C-rank players, and eight D-erank players—overpowering for any small guild.

It wasn’t a level that required the protection of a mere student.

“Initially, it was the task force who directly escorted the Jaekyung Pharmaceutical employees, but after they mapped all the herb’s growing areas and secured safe routes, this task got dumped onto the teachers. The teachers then further dumped it onto a student.”

In the process, the mission’s handler had also changed to Kim Jinmyung.

“Jaekyung has been using the same route for five years now. They don’t actually need guards or guides, so all a student attached to them needs to do is take care of themselves. As long as they don’t cause any trouble for Jaekyung, it’s fine.”

“For a student, it’s a job where they just need to follow around all day to earn money and credits.”

“Exactly. It’s merely an indicator of which students are favored by Kim Jinmyung.”

In other words, the reason Kang Jaehyuk received this mission wasn’t because he was as strong as a second-year student.

“The situation is much better than when Yun Sangho was involved. It’s a prime opportunity to target Kang Jaehyuk from the outskirts, beyond the task force’s attention. The map of the Arcane Gorge is in the drawer of your desk.”

Having finished her meal first, Kim Jiyoung gathered her tray and stood up.

“Wait at the point marked on the map. Kang Jaehyuk and Jaekyung Pharmaceutical employees will arrive around 9:05 p.m.”

Her predictions of the time were possible thanks to the data accumulated over the past five years.

The Arcane Gorge was the final destination Jaekyung Pharmaceutical employees visited for gathering ‘Sky Herbs’, consistently arriving around the same time recorded each year.

“The Arcane Gorge has plenty of blind spots, and the wind covers up noises. The Jaekyung employees will scatter to gather herbs, and there will be a moment when Kang Jaehyuk is alone. That’s when you make your move.”

“Got it. I’ll move around sunset to avoid drawing the task force’s attention.”

Park Minchul was also familiar with how treacherous the Arcane Gorge was. It was the kind of place where it wouldn’t be surprising for a student to vanish without a trace.

***

A B-rank player would be welcomed in any organization.

They were the backbone of the society, handling vital practical work, making them incredibly valuable.

Especially in regular companies, as opposed to guilds or associations, the treatment a B-rank player received was beyond imagination.

In the private sector, a B-rank player was almost akin to an invincible entity. Hence, Jaekyung relied in many ways on Department Head Gu, Team Leader Seol, and Team Leader Baek.

Even as the chairman’s son, Jo Sunghyun wasn’t in a position to exert control over such figures.

‘This is serious…’

A chill ran down Jo Sunghyun’s spine. Would those haughty individuals simply overlook having been shoved off a cliff to crash?

Regardless of Jaehyuk being a student of the Lion’s Castle, they might beat him to the brink of death, then revive him with a potion, feigning ignorance after.

‘Whose side should I take when this escalates?’

If he revealed the truth, Jaekyung could lose Lion’s Castle as its prime business partner.

Besides inflicting immense losses on the company, he would also become a disgraceful son bringing his father great shame.

But unfairly turning an innocent(?) student into a liar was also not an option.

“How about it? Wasn’t I right?”

“… Correct. This area indeed nurtures Alrus Ferns and Black Vayvon.”

“……”

Jo Sunghyun, deep in thought over the potential disaster, suddenly snapped back to reality.

Contrary to his fears, the Department Head and the team leaders engaged in normal conversations with Jaehyuk.

Thanks to them jumping first into the swamp, other employees, who had also leaped off the cliff, displayed brighter faces once they reached the jungle.

“It’s only 6 o’clock, and yet we’ve arrived at the first destination. We’ve cut more than 2 hours off the usual time.”

“Right? Barring the dirty clothes, this couldn’t be better.”

“Enough chit-chat, get to picking Alrus Fern blossoms and Wyverns.”

“Yes, Sir!”

The Jaekyung employees’ zeal knew no bounds. Unrestricted by time constraints, they eagerly gathered in abundance from the usual scant collection of fern blossoms.

“How curious.”

Jaehyuk dampened the lively spirits. He held a scale in hand, the origin of which remained a mystery.

“Records show Jaekyung harvested about 10 kilograms of Alrus Fern blossoms each week. Shouldn’t you stop soon?”

“Wasn’t a fixed weight—but due to lack of time, only 10 kilograms were usually collected.”

“So you plan to uproot all the blossoms here this time? What do you propose to do if there are no blossoms next week after overharvesting?”

“This week’s excess can offset next week’s needing less, right?”

“Would your superiors think likewise?”

“Huh…?”

“Suddenly bringing back 20 kilograms when it’s been 10 kilograms for five years, will your boss praise you for that? They may end up questioning if you were slacking off before.”

“…..”

“You are employees, not family of Jaekyung. Even if you do good work, it’ll be hard to get credit and receive extra compensation or a promotion. Haven’t you seen dramas?”

“W-Well…”

Unable to bear just listening any longer, Jo Sunghyun attempted a rebuttal. However, Department Head Gu nodded in agreement with Jaehyuk’s reasoning.

“Alrus Fern’s population is sparse. Excessive harvesting could disrupt the ecosystem, so maintain usual quantities.”

“Yes, Sir!”

The employees responded vibrantly. As mere salaried workers, exceeding expectations was unnecessary.

Wrapping things up quickly and finishing early seemed more sensible.

Such circumstances repeated several times.

“Arghhh!!”

Pushed by Jaehyuk’s back, the Jaekyung Pharmaceutical employees stumbled into and rolled around terrains they usually never would have considered.

Consequently, they reached herb sites early and moved quickly to the next route.

“This is tough as hell, but I like the idea of getting off work early.”

“Right? First time we’ve ever leisurely eaten a packed lunch here.”

“Today isn’t a day to get indigestion.”

Unusually, the staff exhibited a rare camaraderie. Despite their scruffy appearances, laughter abounded.

Department Head Gu and the team leaders, who initially cast unkind glances at Jaehyuk, softened their attitudes noticeably.

“I thought Kim Jinmyung was belittling Jaekyung when he assigned a first-year student as a guide. But it turns out, he actually sent quite an ace.”

“Indeed. Surely, Kim Jinmyung isn’t foolish enough to dismiss Jaekyung, ranked 13th in the Korean business hierarchy?”

It was merely 11 a.m., yet they were nearing the last spot: the Arcane Gorge.

Typically, the Sky Herb location wasn’t reached until after 9 p.m.

“Collecting Sky Herbs in daylight is a first.”

“Maybe it won’t be so hellish today.”

While the employees had their meal, Jaehyuk, with a sandwich in his mouth, scouted around for danger.

『Gray Helmet has been defeated.』

‘This XP is juicy.’

For a student to roam such dangerous grounds during daylight hours was no simple matter.

Loitering in restricted areas could lead to penalty points from the task force.

However, being with Jaekyung Pharmaceuticals as a guide afforded Jaehyuk the justification to traverse dangerous zones and hunt monsters.

Oblivious to Jaehyuk’s brief absences, the Jaekyung employees were narrowly focused on herbs gathering.

“Time to head out.”

Upon confirming the time, Jaehyuk returned to find Department Head Gu mobilizing the staff.

By noon, the group had reached Arcane Gorge, a full 9 hours ahead of schedule.

The tall red cliffs standing either side displayed stunningly obvious scenery.

“Was it always this beautiful?”

“The usual banshee-like wind howling is strangely absent.”

While the staff retrieved their gear and commenced their climb, the usual reliance on magic lights and lanterns at night was unnecessary thanks to the bright daylight, making herb collection particularly easy for the skilled workers.

Pouches quickly filled many-fold beyond the norm.

“Is today really an early-off kind of day?”

“Hoping this kid will guide us again next week.”

Grinning broadly, it was a moment when the employees of Jaekyung Pharmaceuticals started re-scheduling their weekend plans in their minds.

“Watch out!”

Department Head Gu shouted urgently.

Dozens of hobgoblins suddenly appeared atop the cliffs, raining arrows down upon them.

The employees harvesting on the cliff’s midsections avoided the arrows by staying close to the cliff face, but the Department Head and team leaders leading at the cliff’s base found themselves exposed, desperately fending off the arrow deluge.

“Dammit! The student!”

Department Head Gu expressed more concern for Jaehyuk than for the arrow lodged in his own shoulder.

Should a student from Lion’s Castle die, regardless of the circumstances, it could escalate wildly.

Hobgoblins were C-rank monsters. Surviving a barrage of arrows from dozens of them was an impossible feat for a first-year student.

Jo Sunghyun quickly took action, spotting Jaehyuk behind the team leaders, intending to protect him by covering him with his own body.

Jaehyuk tilted his head quizzically.

“But I’m supposed to be the escort?”

“What?”

Jo Sunghyun was bewildered to find himself being embraced by Jaehyuk instead, especially as a bolt aimed at him deflected off Jaehyuk’s green scabbard.

“Stay close to the cliff.”

Without waiting for a reply, Jaehyuk leaped.

Boom!

Mana surged from the spring points in his soles, propelling him instantly up against the cliff face.

After two additional jumps, he surpassed the employees stuck mid-cliff and upon the fifth jump, stood at the cliff’s summit.

“… Is he a grasshopper?”

Jaekyung Pharmaceutical employees’ jaws dropped.

Jo Sunghyun, shaken back to sense, was already significantly behind in pursuit. He began his climb up only after Jaehyuk was confronting the horde of hobgoblins head-on.

Swoosh!

A sharp resonating noise filled the gorge when Jaehyuk’s sword unsheathed and sliced through the necks of three goblins.

Screeee!

As their companions fell swiftly, the panicked hobgoblins dropped their bows and drew their swords. However, they hesitated to counter-attack rashly.

Contrails trailing from Jaehyuk’s sword maintained an electric charge that deterred the hobgoblins from closing in.

TL’s Corner:
Hunting during assignment, 2 birds with 1 stone.