The World’s Strongest Daughter.

The next day.

The terrorist attack targeting the academy, which even left two victims, caused a great social response.

[“Min So-yeon, daughter of ‘Sword Empress,’ stopped the academy terrorist attack.”]

[“Is ‘Min So-yeon’ becoming the second Sword Empress?”]

[“The ‘Young Hero’ born from the Sword Empress”]

[“Academy Board Chairman’ Jeong Nan-do’: ‘Touching the academy is touching the nation, we will never condone it.'”]

The media, which had been greatly heated after the Association terrorist incident, began to rush to the Academy terrorist incident.

Ironically, the media showed more interest in Min So-yeon, who was at the center of the incident, rather than the identity or motive of the terrorists.

A few reporters had come to me while I was briefly in the hospital and requested an interview, but they all wanted to know information about Min So-yeon.

After agonizing over the interview requests for a long time, I finally asked the hospital to turn away all the reporters.

I didn’t like my beloved daughter being featured in the media.

I was able to be discharged quickly as there were no major issues other than using a lot of mana…

Although I found out later, that the academy is covering all the medical expenses.

Slightly regretting that I should have at least received an IV, I immediately stopped by the Investigation Bureau with someone sent by the academy to leave a testimony after being discharged.

It wasn’t very helpful since I didn’t know much.

I froze those two bastards as soon as I saw them, so what could I testify to?

The academy informed me to rest well for a few days and that they would contact me later.

It was an unexpected vacation.

After returning home like that.

Worried about Min So-yeon, I immediately tried to contact her.

[So-yeon, are you feeling better? Reply as soon as you see this message.]

But no matter how long I waited, there was no reply, and the calls I tried, just in case, also went unanswered.

“…”

Her phone might have been damaged during the battle, or she might have turned it off on purpose due to the persistent media.

Since she was also discharged from the hospital, she probably went home.

…Or went to her mother.

As a result, I couldn’t shake off my worries about Min So-yeon.

She might be resting much better than me, but I couldn’t feel at ease until I saw her with my own eyes.

After much thought, I was able to make a difficult decision.

I’ll go see Min So-yeon in person tomorrow.

*

So-Yeon’s POV

‘So-yeon.’

‘Wait just a bit. I’ll protect you.’

I woke up with a start at the warm voice echoing in my head.

Yesterday and today.

Yoo Ji-hwan has been appearing in my dreams for two days in a row.

… Annoying.

I was just annoyed for some reason.

At times like this when something is bothering me, games are the best.

I got up from the bed, stretched to wake up my drowsy body, and headed to the computer.

Whoosh-

Enjoying the sweet hum of the computer, I sank my butt into the soft chair, and the cold leather touching my thighs made my body shiver.

“Ugh, it’s cold…”

As I turned on the heating, the computer had already fully booted up.

After finding the most comfortable position by moving around, I hurriedly grabbed the mouse, thinking of the ‘friends’ waiting for me.

A login message appeared in the chat window as soon as the game loading finished.

[‘Sword Emperor’ has entered the guild zone.]

Then, the ‘friends’ who were gathered together greeted me.

—-

Chyo1ko: Sword Emperor, hello.

Midori: H_o)/

RareNick: Hi~

Nalchang: Ohaiyo.

—-

Although it had only been 2 days, a slight smile formed at the sight of the ‘friends’ I hadn’t seen in a while.

—-

Sword Emperor: Hi, don’t you all have work??

RareNick: Ahahahaha, why would I work today when it’s a weekday? Hahaha.

Midori: Going to a gate with my boyfriend in the afternoon, damn it.

Nalchang: Lions only move when necessary, lol.

Chyo1ko: I’m guarding the house, okay???

—-

Still the same fun friends.

They are the only friends who treat me comfortably without considering age or occupation.

As I happily shared recent news, someone brought up a topic about ‘him.’

—-

Chyo1ko: No, stop talking nonsense!! So Sword Emperor, what happened with that guy?

Nalchang: That handsome and kind guy?

Midori: Still in a flirtationship?

RareNick: Right, I didn’t see him, so you had a date yesterday.

Midori: Had one.

Nalchang: You hear that, Chyo?

Chyo1ko: Shut up, damn it.

—-

I was startled by the sudden question.

“Uh… Uhh…”

I had turned on the game to forget about Yoo Ji-hwan, but I didn’t expect the topic of Yoo Ji-hwan to come up.

—-

Midori: No, if you’re not going to date him, give him to me. I’ll raise him well.

Nalchang: Hold on to your current boyfriend, you bitch. I’m already in line, hehe.

RareNick: Stop the NTR!! The handsome and kind oppa is Sword Emperor’s!!!

Chyo1ko: Why is Sword Emperor quiet… Unnie, do you want to see me die?

—-

“Ugh…”

The chat window turned into a mess in an instant.

In my great bewilderment, I unconsciously moved my fingers.

—-

Sword Emperor: That…

—-

The chat window suddenly became quiet.

I felt a bit pressured, thinking everyone was focusing on my story.

—-

Sword Emperor: Well…

Chyo1ko: We’re waiting.

—-

I deeply regretted my past self, who had bragged about a boy showing interest in me out of a childish heart.

As I was repeating typing and deleting, not knowing how to speak, people began to chat on their own as if they understood my feelings.

—-

RareNick: Did you say you went on a walking date now?

Midori: If you had a date and he brought you to the front of your house, it’s time to attack.

Nalchang: And you let him?? This is already a prepared meal.

Chyo1ko: Honestly, if he intentionally walked you to the front of your house, it’s 100% yes. If it were me, I would have already seduced him.

Nalchang: He’s handsome, tall, and kind, but you’re complaining about side dishes?? You’re picky, lol.

Midori: No, just sleep with him!!!! What more do you want!!!!!

RareNick: I want a snake heart…

Chyo1ko: Should we collect money and send them condoms?

—-

“Ugh…”

The girls, excited by the gossip, began to run wild.

—-

Sword Emperor: No, we’re not in that kind of relationship…

—-

Just as I was trying to make an excuse to quell this topic.

Ding dong-

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

“…Huh?”

I tried to think of anyone who might visit this house, but no one came to mind.

Ding dong-

The doorbell rang again.

I checked the intercom, leaving a message in the chat window that someone had come.

“…Huh?”

A man appeared on the intercom screen.

[Ah. Hello. I’m So-yeon’s friend, Yoo Ji-hwan.]

It was Yoo Ji-hwan.

“Th-This guy… Why…”

The moment I saw Yoo Ji-hwan’s face, my heart started beating wildly on its own.

“Wh-What? Why… No…”

Greatly startled, my mind wasn’t functioning properly.

At that moment, Yoo Ji-hwan, who had been looking at the camera, spoke again.

[…Is no one there?]

And he looked around the camera and brought his face close.

“Ah…”

The moment Yoo Ji-hwan’s face was shown in close-up, the memory of being held in his arms flashed through my mind, and I inadvertently let out a wistful sigh.

[Not here…?]

Just as he was about to give up and turn around, I reflexively reached out and pressed the ‘open’ button.

Beep-

The door opened, and Yoo Ji-hwan, who had turned around, carefully began to enter the house.

After a while, Yoo Ji-hwan’s figure disappeared from the intercom, and only then did I realize what I had done.

“Aaaah!”

With a scream that came out on its own, my mind spun rapidly.

Wh-What should I do? Why did I open the door, you crazy bitch! No, I haven’t even washed up? A-And the house…

Buried in all sorts of thoughts, unable to do anything, an idea came to mind.

“… Let’s send him back.”

This won’t do. No, there was no need to let him in from the beginning.

Let’s just greet him and send him off.

With that firm resolution, I headed to the front door.

*

As I entered Min So-yeon’s house, I began to feel slightly worried seeing the small yard in front of me.

No, can the security be this lax? It seems like there’s at least a barrier, but I don’t like it at all…

Grumbling complaints inwardly, I waited at the front door for a while.

Click-

Finally, the door opened.

“Sorry for the sudden visit. Are you feeling a bit bet…”

Just as I was greeting her and apologizing, Min So-yeon’s attire caught my eye.

Dolphin pants revealing her thighs and a shabby gray tank top.

Seeing her dressed like this in this weather, it seemed she was resting comfortably, fortunately.

How comfortable must she have been to even take off her underwear?

Meeting ‘eyes’ with her, I shifted my gaze slightly and spoke casually.

“Ahem… I-It seems you were resting well, fortunately…”

The gray color of her clothes made it stand out tremendously.

Sensing something strange in my reaction, she finally checked her own attire.

“Aaaaaaaah!!!”

Min So-yeon, turning bright red, let out a sharp scream and hurriedly disappeared into the house.

Left alone at the front door like that, I fell into a big dilemma.

Should I go in or not…?

Certainly, Min So-yeon lives alone.

Otherwise, my wife would have greeted me.

Then, this house is Min So-yeon’s independent space.

Although she’s still a child, she’s at an age where she’s entering puberty.

Even though she opened the door, entering without the owner’s permission is an action that should be avoided.

“…”

As my thoughts were leaning towards waiting here silently.

I noticed the garbage bags piled up in a corner beyond the front door.

Garbage bags that were half-filled with a mix of garbage, not even separated for recycling.

Seeing their miserable state, the experiences of tightening my belt to save on living expenses over the past 2 years whispered to me.

Asking if I think Min So-yeon is living well even after seeing that.

Although it was just garbage bags, I started to get a rough idea of what Min So-yeon’s life was like.

If there had been a housekeeper, it wouldn’t have been like this, so Min So-yeon must have done it herself.

Meaning that my wife doesn’t live in this house.

If a child who doesn’t even know how to properly dispose of garbage is living alone, how healthy of a life would she be living?

Absentmindedly stepping one foot inside and stretching my neck to look around the house, I suddenly remembered what Min So-yeon had bought in bulk at the supermarket.

Instant foods that are all unhealthy.

Since there’s no housekeeper to take care of meals, she must have been lightly filling herself with those until now.

“Ah…”

A heavy sigh escaped as I felt dizzy.

Instant food at an age when she should be eating well…

Looking at the chicken chain restaurant logo stuffed in the garbage bag, the best she could have eaten was delivery food.

Living alone… Cigarettes… And even instant food.

What on earth was her mother doing, neglecting the child like this?

I started to get angry at my irresponsible wife.

Huffing and puffing, before I knew it, I was standing inside the front door.

“…”

…Yes, it’s also rude to leave the door open.

While rationalizing to myself like that…

Thud-

I closed the front door.