๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐: ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ
[Blue Moon Guild]’s spacious training ground.
This place was surrounded by a magic stone-processed barrier, making it an ideal location for Hunters to train using their skills.
Today, this training ground was entirely reserved by one person: Empress Kang Yeo-hwa.
She had arranged for security guards to be stationed around the perimeter, ensuring both security and safety during her training session.
‘๐ ๐๐๐ฃ’๐ฉ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐’๐ข ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐ข๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ!’
She had been waiting and waiting for this day to come.
The days had passed so slowly that she had to suppress her urge to cry.
And finally, the day had arrived.
“Guild Leader? Didn’t you say you were going to train today?”
Kang Yeo-hwa’s secretary asked with a bewildered expression.
With her newly styled red hair, makeup she rarely wore, and a form-fitting tracksuit that accentuated her curves, she looked like she was ready for a photoshoot.
“Was there a photo shoot scheduled. . .??”
โNo, I’m on my way to training. Why?. . . Is it weird?โ
Kang Yeo-hwa couldn’t help but worry about her secretary’s reaction.
She had never done anything like this before, so she was already feeling awkward. Now, with her secretary also looking confused, she couldn’t help but worry that she didn’t look the part.
But that was just her own imagination.
“No!! You look really pretty. Your face and body are both perfect! I was just surprised because you don’t usually dress up like this.”
“Oh, is that so? So it doesn’t look strange?”
“Of course not!”
The secretary smiled broadly.
She had known her for over five years, but this was the first time she had seen her so bright and cheerful.
She always seemed to be rushing around, as if she was being chased by something, and she always looked empty inside.
Then one day, she heard that her master had returned, and since then, she had been walking around like a lovestruck girl.
The secretary found it heartwarming to see.
Plus, after hearing that Kang Yeo-hwa had finished her business with Choi Dae-soo and would now dedicate herself to the guild, the secretary was overjoyed.
“Are you training with that master today?”
“Huh? Wh-what? Y-yeah.”
“Can I come and watch?”
“Oh, no!! Not yet. . .”
Kang Yeo-hwa declined, her face turning red.
“Hmm~ Training, is it? Not a date?”
“D-Don’t be silly!”
The secretary was very impressed by the change in Kang Yeo-hwa’s ‘expression’.
“I understand. Go have a good training session.โ
“Yes, thank you.”
“Good luck, Guild Leader!”
“. . .Thanks.”
๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท
๐๐ฌแดส๐ด๐ญแด๐ฏiฬฬ๐๐ค.๐๐ฌแน
Finally, the appointed time arrived.
Kang Yeo-hwa arrived at the training ground first and stretched.
Her kicks, with her long legs that were over 170cm, were worthy of being called a pictorial.
She continued to move her body, unable to calm her pounding heart.
This was the first time she had had such a casual meeting since their reunion, and she was even more nervous because she had been in such a rush lately.
Just then, she heard the sound of a car stopping in the distance.
Kang Yeo-hwa pretended not to be interested and continued her training.
Then, when she heard footsteps behind her, she turned and spoke in an excited voice.
“Hello, master! You’re here. . .”
Her voice gradually faded.
Standing next to her long-awaited master were Min Si-joon, an old man, and a girl who looked like a doll.
“Kang-hwa, have you been waiting long?”
“Oh, no. But who are the people next to you. . .?”
Her heart skipped a beat at her master’s call, but her voice dropped when she noticed the girl next to her.
“I am Hayakawa Seigen, the 10th head of the <Hayakawa Clan>. I was told to come here because I was bored.”
Seigen looked Kang Yeo-hwa up and down with his narrow eyes.
Not because she was pretty, but to gauge her magical power and skills.
“This old man is causing a lot of trouble. . . And this is the old man’s granddaughter, Hayakawa Hikari.”
Siwoo introduced her, pointing at her with his palm, and Hikari bowed slightly, her kimono rustling softly.
“Nice to meet you, Hunter Kang Yeo-hwa. I am Hayakawa Hikari, the 12th successor of the <Hayakawa Family>.”
“Oh. . . Yes. Nice to. . . .”
“And I am to be the wife of Sir Siwoo.โ
Kang Yeo-hwa’s body froze like a stone.
An indescribable emotion burned within her heart like a flame.
Her gaze slowly turned to Siwoo.
You need to explain what’s going on right now. . . before I ruin everything.
Her gaze seemed to carry the words with a threatening tone, tinged with betrayal and anger.
Siwoo had no way to explain this huge misunderstanding and strange situation.
Is it okay to entrust his beloved granddaughter to someone like him?
No, they had no relationship to begin with.
ใ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐’๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ฌ-๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐!ใ ก๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ก! ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ก!!ใ
Siwoo covered Pre’s mouth with all his might.
It seemed that this brat had swallowed and digested all sense of tact and atmosphere.
“Female’s gas. . .?”
“Don’t listen to nonsense.”
“But what’s that on your shoulder?!”
“This is my pet.”
Pre’s teeth, which were trying to break the fingers covering his mouth, were very painful, but Siwoo never let go.
“Don’t pay attention to him. He just spouts whatever comes to mind.”
ใ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ก!! ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ก!! ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ก!!ใ
Frey protested, flapping his little wings as if he had been wronged.
“I understand. . . Then let’s talk about the wife thing.”
Kang Yeo-hwa looked at Siwoo and Hikari in turn, her eyes burning with intensity.
Siwoo scratched his head, looking embarrassed to talk about it, while Hikari just smiled happily, as if she didn’t know what was going on.
“I just saved her life. . . It’s not like we’re close. . .”
“Oh my dear husband, how can you say we’re not close? You saved my life, so the rest of Hikari’s life belongs to you.”
“No. . . Old man, please say something.”
“Chuckle*. Well, there’s no parent who can win against their child. Hikari’s problem is something that the two of you will have to figure out.”
Seigen didn’t seem to care at all, enjoying the sight of Siwoo’s predicament.
Although he had only met Siwoo briefly and had a simple mock battle with him, he could tell that he was a good person.
And besides. . .
‘๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ข๐๐ฏ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ค ๐๐ค๐ช๐๐๐ฉ ๐พ๐๐ค๐ ๐ฟ๐๐-๐จ๐ค๐ค ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฏ๐๐ฃ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ค, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐จ ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ข๐. ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฃ’๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ช๐ฎ ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ค๐ก๐, ๐๐ช๐ฉ. . .’
Although he couldn’t be sure without a proper fight, Siwoo’s strength was among the best Seigen had seen recently.
Whether it was a coincidence or a connection, it would be fun to watch from the sidelines.
In the meantime, Siwoo explained the general situation to Yeo-hwa.
Of course, he emphasized that he had no such feelings for her and that Hikari’s feelings were one-sided.
“Master. . . You’re not deceiving your disciple, are you?”
“Not at all, Kang-hwa. I’m not involved.”
“Husband, when are you going to train?”
“Ms. Hayakawa. Please refrain from using that title for master. It could lead to misunderstandings.”
“Oh my, Hunter Yeo-hwa. Are you by any chance jealous of โourโ relationship?โ
“. . .Master, I would like to have a sparring match before the training.”
Kang Yeo-hwa and Hikari refused to back down, glaring at each other.
“Old man. Can you stop them?”
“What nonsense. A sparring match with an S-Rank Hunter is something that people would pay to see.”
In fact, Seigen had thought that Siwoo was running some kind of small academy when he said he was ‘training with his disciple’.
But when he followed him, he found that there was not only S-Rank Hunter Min Si-joon, but also Hunter Kang Yeo-hwa.
Their fame had spread to Japan, and Kang Yeo-hwa’s skills, in particular, were said to be quite considerable, as she was ranked within the top 100 in the world.
‘๐๐๐๐จ ๐๐จ. . . ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐จ, ๐’๐ข ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐.’
Seigen, who had been slightly warmed up by his brief fight with Siwoo, felt a new fighting spirit rising within him as he watched these strong people in succession.
โHyung, I think I’m going to sit this one out. Iโm scared.โ
Min Si-joon approached and whispered, pointing at the women.
At this rate, they would both end up fighting for real.
“Don’t. Old man, let’s have a sparring match.”
“A sparring match. . . with you and me?”
Seigen asked, stroking his beard.
“That wouldn’t be fun, so how about we have a team fight?”
“Hoo~ Now that’s something I like to hear.”
Siwoo and Seigen looked at each other and smiled happily.
๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท
๐๐ธ๐๐๐จแนซฬ๐ฐ๐ณ๐๐แนก.๐คแด๐ฎ
Thus, the 3v2 match was set up.
Siwoo and Seigen were on Team A, while Min Si-joon, Kang Yeo-hwa, and Hikari were on Team B.
“Let me explain the rules once more.”
Siwoo said, looking around at the people.
“Team A will not use any offensive skills. Team B can do whatever they want. The amount of damage taken will be displayed on the smart watches you are wearing, and when it reaches 0%, you are eliminated. We will continue until one team is wiped out. Any questions?”
At that moment, Yeo-hwa quietly raised her hand.
“Master, is team killing allowed?”
“. . .No, it is not.”
“Husband, is it okay to eliminate our own teammates?”
“. . .That’s what team killing is.”
“Hyung, can I damage myself to end this quickly?”
“. . .Self-inflicted attacks do not count as damage.”
ใ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ!ใ
“. . .You and I are one.”
The three people and Pre all made ‘tsk’ sounds.
“Chuckle. I never thought I would have so much fun in Korea. I might even end up naturalizing here.”
“You won’t be bored if you’re by my side.”
Siwoo took out a coin and placed it on his thumb.
“We start when this hits the ground.”
Ting-
The coin flew high into the sky.
Swish, swish, it flipped over and over, slowly floating through the blue sky. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the coin.
Their breath caught in their throats, and tension filled the air.
This was the first time they had ever mixed with such unfamiliar people and had a team sparring match.
Min Si-joon and Kang Yeo-hwa felt even more pressure because of this.
If their level was underestimated, the blame would fall solely on Siwoo.
Clatter.
The moment the coin hit the ground, a burst of magical power erupted from the five people, shaking the atmosphere.
Kang Yeo-hwa charged at Seigen first.
“Chuckle. I thought you would go for your teacher. Or maybe you’re just favoring your teacher.”
“Favoritism? Master is so strong that I didn’t want to be out from the start, so I came to Mr. Seigen.”
Magical power surged from Kang Yeo-hwa’s dantian, filling her from head to toe and invigorating her body.
Her magical power, which was neither malicious nor benevolent, was enough to excite Seigen’s heart.
[Iwanagahime: The Spirit of the Mountain God]
The ground shook violently, and two 3m-tall tigers made of boulders appeared.
“These kids are going to hurt more than ordinary beasts.”
“I can see that.”
Just as Kang Yeo-hwa was about to charge at the tigers,
[Wind Fury: Wind Blades]
Magical power particles emitted from the tip of Min Si-joon’s staff formed a large circle and shot out a dozen wind arrows in an instant.
Puck! Crack! Bang! Boom!
The wind blades pierced through the gaps in the stone tigers’ bodies in succession.
“My tigers won’t collapse from something like that.”
โYouโll see about that. โDisperse.โโ
As soon as the magical word was uttered, the embedded blades split into hundreds, thousands of pieces inside the boulders and flew through the stones in all directions.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The tigers staggered as their stone bodies crumbled and cracked.
Kang Yeo-hwa’s straight right fist then connected with the skulls of the two tigers, and in an instant, only stone fragments flew through the air.
“This is. . . I was too arrogant against an S-Rank opponent.”
Seigen’s eyes sparkled with excitement.