LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Yuri and Yeon-woo’s gazes simultaneously lifted upwards. Clad in a simple white T-shirt and shorts, I thought their outfit might feel a bit chilly, considering it was closer to spring than summer, but hey, they were dragons, so it was probably fine.
“I’m sticking with you!!”
“Right! What do we have to worry about with our daughter around!!”
“Physically sticking with us, huh….”
Now, there was only one day left in Yeon-woo’s week-long special recovery period.
Thanks to daily treatments and prescriptions, the awakened body, known for its rapid recovery, had already shed most of its injuries.
Both arms in casts, as well as the damaged abdomen and thigh, were already healed. The muscles felt a bit tight, but not to the extent of being injured.
Throughout that week, Yeon-woo had been stuck to Shar, or vice versa. Sometimes in the form of a wolf-like beast, sometimes like a little child, just like now.
That appearance, reminiscent of a proud otter showing off its baby, stirred up quite a variety of reactions within the Academy.
From students who couldn’t believe it was a dragon to those who merely found the child adorable, and even inquiries about how to adopt her. Truly, the Academy gathered a diverse array of personalities.
‘The latter should at least come for a talk with me first.’
If any inappropriate feelings towards Shar were detected, death would be the outcome.
“So, what do you need?”
“Huh?”
Yuri spoke to Yeon-woo, who was filled with ominous thoughts. With a sigh, Yuri continued.
“If you were planning to eat all of this by yourself, you would’ve just gone for it without asking. Asking an old man means you’re looking for some advice, right?”
“Uh… yeah, that’s right.”
“Then hurry up and say it. What kind of elixir do you need?”
“Uh, um, one that could affect the five senses or something that might facilitate a rebirth…?”
“You’re a crazy one, aren’t you?”
After a moment of contemplation, Yuri pointed to one.
“Then I recommend Mandrake. I don’t know what it does, but you definitely need something of that sort, right?”
“Of course, it’s Dongja Sam.”
“And while you’re at it, grab one more. This one would be nice: Black Centipede. I’ll get you one but it’ll be more expensive than the market price.”
“No, are you seriously asking an unhealed student to hunt down spirit creatures?”
“There’s no point in pretending to be sick now. An old man wouldn’t know that? You’ve been discharged in a week, so you need to shake off that dulled sense of combat from all this time.”
Yeon-woo wanted to protest but couldn’t find the words. It’s true that pretending to be injured when fully healed was a bit much, and he hadn’t been able to properly practice martial arts in a week. However, it was also true that denying he hadn’t been able to peel off the basic techniques was a reality.
As Yeon-woo stood there absentmindedly, Shar, her small and delicate face laden with worry, cautiously spoke up.
“Are you… are you bothering Dad?”
That’s right, good job, Shar! Keep it up!
Yuri may look as young as Shar, but inside, he was practically a hundred-year-old grandfather. Nothing is as effective as a child’s trembling voice.
Moreover, for the past few days, Yuri and Shar had been forming a relationship like that of a grandfather and granddaughter, making it even more effective.
Yuri, taken aback for a moment, quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat to speak.
“Shar, why would your grandpa bother your dad? It’s all necessary, that’s why I’m asking.”
“Is that how it is?”
Since the incident, Shar had become more independent, but when standing in front of others, she turned a bit shy. However, it didn’t seem right to mix in her own opinions, considering it wasn’t good for her education.
Shar looked down and inquired at Yeon-woo.
There was nothing to say. Denying would be a lie, and agreeing meant not only needing to gather Dongja Sam but also dealing with Heukdong Ogong; it was annoying.
“… I think Dad is okay with it.”
“You traitor, Shar!?”
“You forced me to eat that disgusting bell pepper too! You wouldn’t understand this pain unless you experience it!!”
“Arki-share, even you too!!”
As Yeon-woo and Shar continued to bicker loudly, Yuri began to gather Mana. Soon, surrounded by colorless, transparent Mana, the two floated upwards and were promptly thrown out of the Department Head’s Office.
“I’ll acknowledge this as a special activity, so you can either charm a friend into coming along or something.”
*
“The returning being monopolizes opportunities.”
Stepping out of the Department Head’s Office, Yeon-woo muttered solemnly.
If they were going to feed bell peppers, they should at least serve some meat along with it. Under this condition, the tension between Yeon-woo and Shar had finally resolved.
“But even so, won’t monopolizing opportunities mess up the future too much?”
“The returning being properly monopolizes opportunities.”
Let’s put it differently. In fact, aside from the two or three opportunities Yeon-woo was aware of, all the others had been discovered and devoured by someone else, meaning any attempt to manipulate the future was a predetermined harmony.
However, minimizing as much as possible was feasible… possibly….
“No-brainer consumption ON.”
To be honest, he could remember at least that something was discovered in this area, but not by whom. Unless they were a sufficiently famous person, that was generally the case.
What could he do? Giving up his own growth was too burdensome considering the weight he carried.
Even if it caused some inconvenience, all he could do was adapt to situations as they came after seeing what unfolded.
Saving the world was really such a hard task.
In that sense, the elixirs prepared this time were mostly ones that would have little impact on the future.
Especially the Dongja Sam picked by Yuri and the Mandrake were notably so. The consumer of Dongja Sam was an older Hunter who had taken it and then hunted like a vigorous man reborn.
The Hunter Guild couldn’t handle the uproar that ensued back then. Just for reference, that elderly herbalist suddenly buffed up and entered a bodybuilding competition. The event organizers debated whether to consider him for doping or not.
As for Heukdong Ogong… well, it was pretty close to a monster, so it was only a matter of time before it got eliminated.
It may not be included in this target, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to use Cheonnyeonsul Sam as bait to lure Baek In-hwa.
“It’s a perfect plan. I can set off tomorrow.”
“Wait, aren’t you taking along the friend Grandpa mentioned?”
“You don’t know, do you, Shar?”
At Yeon-woo’s words, Shar cocked her head, clearly unfamiliar with societal norms.
“Do you understand, Shar? Treating it as a special activity means attaching some points to it.”
“That… makes sense?”
“I have no reason to give points to someone when I’m the one who needs the scholarship.”
Ah, this is the cruel law of society. If you’re unhappy, just go back in time.
“Aren’t you rushing things while still not fully healed?”
Shar squinted at Yeon-woo. Obviously, he expected this reaction, so he spoke smoothly.
“I’m fine because Shar is with me. And I’m completely healed.”
“Ah, Dad…!!”
Shar looked up at Yeon-woo with an intensely moved expression.
An aching sensation stabbed deep inside his chest, forcing Yeon-woo to avert his gaze.
Since it seemed he would need to gather the Heukdong Ogong’s core while also picking up some Mandrake, the timing didn’t seem all that bad.
Of course, Yuri probably intended both as a way to get in some light martial arts practice while saying to bring them along, and those two elixirs were relatively close to each other. The position of Dongja Sam was assumed, but the nest of Heukdong Ogong was practically a known quantity.
At the bottom of the southern gorge— hidden behind the Elephant Rock, which many adventurers used as a landmark— was that very place.
An outdoor training ground situated within the Academy. As summer arrived, the normally blazing sun poured down on the sand floor while students still enjoyed the coolness of spring weather.
The fundamental course for the Hunter Department, “The Unarmed Speaks with Fists,” surprisingly had no enrollment limits. The professor’s name? Hyuk Mu-ryeon. Yes, the Demon King.
Shar was near Yeon-woo, tightly clenching her tiny fists. As she swung her fist, Hyuk Mu-ryeon, who had been watching her, cautiously approached.
“Um, good job. Everything is fine, but little one, if you stretch your joints a bit more, it will be even better. Want to try?”
“Like this!? Hya!”
Questioning why Yeon-woo was attending class even though he had to leave tomorrow for elixirs brought his thoughts back a week.
Flashback start.
“Shar, I know you want to help your dad, but it might be a bit much at your level.”
[Huh!? Why!? Am I too weak!?]
No, it wasn’t about being weak! Yeon-woo almost butted in but hastily held his tongue. Yuri, glaring at him, chimed in.
“You’re too big. If you transform like that, the ceiling will collapse on you in most Gates.”
[Then, I want to learn martial arts!!]
Flashback end.
Thus, the still-regarded-injury Yeon-woo was resting while Shar was solely learning how to punch from Hyuk Mu-ryeon.
Whooo!!
That tiny fist swung with a surprising sound. The shockwave blossomed from the punch, swirling into a refreshing breeze that swept across the area.
“Ah, refreshing.”
Hyuk Mu-ryeon cast a brief, sardonic look at Yeon-woo.
Generally, older people liked Shar.
No, in fact, most people simply adored her, especially those who were a bit older had an extra fondness for her.
The reason was simple. She was a child, untainted by the folly of discovering her own cuteness. She bore the natural allure of being fresh and naive.
‘Damn it, why do they like her more than me?’
Though fifteen years old wasn’t quite the age where one could join in with Shar, still, one would think older folks could find a fifteen-year-old cute enough.
When Yeon-woo had such thoughts, Hyuk Mu-ryeon glared at him and then spoke to Shar.
“Alright, well done. I wonder who the little one takes after in being so clever. Now try watching what the big kids are doing and follow along.”
“Hehe, I got it!!”
‘Thank goodness she doesn’t take after that guy.’
As Hyuk Mu-ryeon briefly thought such things while gazing at her unsullied smile, he vanished from the scene.
Reappearing before the gathered students who were relaxing at a slight distance, Hyuk Mu-ryeon, with a lively voice, announced.
“Okay! If you’ve rested for ten minutes, shall we get started now?!”
“Uwaah! Seriously, it’s only been ten minutes; what is this!?”
“Don’t you have a watch!? Let’s rest a bit more!”
“Haha! You guys are so amusing! Should I personally drill the enthusiasm out of you to wake up!?”
The students screamed in horror, their faces as red as Hyuk Mu-ryeon’s hair as they scrambled to their feet. Of course, exceptions existed. Kim Yoo-min and Je Gal Seong-ryong.
While Je Gal Seong-ryong stood up without a care, Kim Yoo-min rushed to her feet as if she could spare not a second of idle time.
Around her, other students looked on in disbelief, exasperation clear in their eyes.
‘A crazy girl… A girl who’s obsessed with training….’
(To be continued in the next installment)