Chapter 117 – Hwang Ui-cheol’s Proposal

Min Do-jun’s eyes widened at the unexpected proposal.

“Me?”

“Yes. This isn’t the place to discuss it, so let’s talk outside. Da-yeon, are you okay?”

“Yeah, Dad. I’ll stay in the car. You two go talk.”

Min Do-jun and Hwang Ui-cheol stepped out of the car and walked a short distance away to continue their conversation.

“Teacher, were you serious about what you said earlier?”

“Yes. It’s better for you to take the legendary sword.”

The legendary sword was an S-grade weapon, even rarer before the regression. It was an item that any Hunter striving for strength would covet.

That’s why, when Min Do-jun killed Ahn Gwang-hyun and the sword fell into his hands, he had been momentarily tempted.

What if he just kept it for himself?

He could have lied to Hwang Ui-cheol, saying that the sword had disappeared along with Ahn Gwang-hyun’s death.

‘But I can’t lie to the Teacher.’

Hwang Ui-cheol was like family to him, and he didn’t want to deceive him just to keep the sword.

Losing the sword would also put Hwang Ui-cheol in a difficult position.

So, he had resisted the temptation and returned the sword without hesitation.

‘But now he’s telling me to take it?’

The sword’s owner was Justin Walker, the world’s top-ranked Hunter. Hwang Ui-cheol was merely holding onto it at the request of the Association President.

So, offering it to someone else was essentially the same as keeping it for himself.

“Are you planning not to return the sword?”

“Yes.”

“But what if something happens to you because of it…?”

“Look at me now. See what happened because of this sword.”

Because of the groups targeting the sword, his daughter had been kidnapped and nearly killed.

No, she had actually died.

Though she had miraculously been brought back to life.

“The problem has already happened. Because of this weapon, I almost lost my daughter forever… Wouldn’t you be angry?”

“I would be.”

“That’s why I’m saying you should take it. If you want it, I won’t return it. After all, it was the Association President’s fault this mess happened, so I deserve some compensation, don’t I?”

The sword’s value was immense, but Hwang Ui-cheol felt that after what his daughter had gone through, he deserved this much.

“If I take it, what will you tell the Association President?”

“I’ll have to tell him some of the truth. That my daughter was kidnapped by an unknown group, and the sword was taken. But I won’t mention your involvement at all.”

It was a tempting offer.

He was essentially saying, “I’ll give it to you for free. Do you want it?”

But it wasn’t without risks.

“You can refuse if you want. I don’t want you to end up in the same situation as me. But if you’re willing to take that risk and want the sword, I’ll gladly give it to you.”

“Why don’t you use it yourself, Teacher…?”

“I don’t want it!”

Hwang Ui-cheol waved his hand in disgust.

“It’s the thing that put my family in danger. No matter how good its stats are, it’s like a bomb to me.”

Hwang Ui-cheol regretted not refusing the Association President’s request outright back then.

“I don’t even want to look at this dangerous thing anymore. My family is the most important thing to me. That’s why I plan to retire soon.”

The sudden mention of retirement surprised Min Do-jun.

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ve always known being a Hunter is dangerous, but seeing how it affected my family, I just can’t do it anymore.”

It seemed he had been thinking about it for a while, and this incident had solidified his decision.

“So, why don’t you take it? I’m not trying to pass a bomb to you. It’s just that such a rare item would be better in the hands of a strong Hunter like you. It’s a bit ridiculous for me to make this offer, considering it’s not even mine.”

“Hmm…”

The legendary sword was being offered to him.

If he combined it with the Core of Magic, he could create a weapon unlike any other in the world.

There was no need to hesitate, but Min Do-jun didn’t immediately accept.

It wasn’t about pride, but rather whether he should actually take it.

He couldn’t help but think about the butterfly effect of obtaining the sword.

‘Because I killed Kim Peter and took the Core of Magic, the meeting between Teacher and the Black Sea Guild happened earlier.’

What was supposed to happen two years later had been moved up by six months.

Realizing that his actions could change the future made him cautious.

But no matter how much he thought about it, predicting future changes was impossible.

He hadn’t even known the Core of Magic was connected to the Black Sea Guild.

‘I don’t know what will happen if I take the sword.’

But if he could become strong enough to handle any potential threats?

Wouldn’t it be worth a try?

Noticing the change in Min Do-jun’s expression, Hwang Ui-cheol asked, “Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes, I’ll take it.”

“Good, you made the right decision.”

Without hesitation, Hwang Ui-cheol handed over the silver longsword.

It gleamed beautifully under the moonlight.

‘A legendary weapon in my hands…’

Even before the regression, he had never even seen a legendary weapon, let alone owned one.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“You saved my daughter. This is nothing.”

To Hwang Ui-cheol, nothing in the world was more important than his daughter. The sword was insignificant in comparison.

“But what if the Association President demands compensation…?”

“Compensation? My daughter was kidnapped and put in danger! I should be the one demanding compensation!”

The thought of almost losing his daughter still made Hwang Ui-cheol seethe with anger.

“Did the Association President know someone was after the sword?”

“I don’t know. If he knew and still entrusted it to me, he’s a real bastard. He put me and my family in danger. But based on what I’ve seen over the past six years, I don’t think he’s that kind of person. The Association President has nothing to gain from putting me in danger.”

“People’s true intentions are hard to know. The reason he entrusted the sword to you is suspicious too.”

“I think it was just to maintain a connection with Justin Walker, as he said… The real mystery is that foreigner.”

“Do you also suspect Justin Walker?”

“Do you? I do too. I wonder why he entrusted such a thing to a small country like ours.”

“I think he deliberately leaked information to the Black Sea Guild. If the Association had been careful with security, the only place the information could have leaked from is him.”

“Hmm, so you think Justin Walker staged this? Why?”

“I don’t know. As you said, he’s an enigma. If not him, then maybe the Association President betrayed us, or the security was breached.”

In any case, both the Association President and Justin Walker were suspicious.

“Anyway, don’t worry about the aftermath. I’ll come back later and clean up any evidence.”

“I’ve already taken care of it. There’s no evidence left at the villa.”

“Really?”

Hwang Ui-cheol looked at him as if wondering how he had found the time, then placed a hand on Min Do-jun’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Do-jun.”

“Not this again?”

“I mean it. No matter how many times I say it, it’s not enough. If it weren’t for you, I would have lost the sword and Da-yeon. Maybe even my own life.”

To Hwang Ui-cheol, nothing was too much to give to Min Do-jun.

He was the lifesaver who had prevented his family from falling apart.

“That’s why I’m giving it to you. Use the sword well.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go back now.”

When they returned to the car, Hwang Da-yeon asked, “Did you finish talking?”

“Yes.”

“Are we going home now?”

“We’re going to the hospital. Our daughter needs to recover her strength.”

Hwang Ui-cheol gripped the steering wheel and stepped on the gas.

As they left the dark mountains and drove onto the road, a sense of relief finally washed over them.

‘It’s all over.’

He had been so anxious trying to save his daughter.

Then, suddenly curious, Hwang Ui-cheol glanced at the passenger seat and asked, “Da-yeon, you said you Awakened, right?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s your trait?”

“Dad, come on.”

Hwang Da-yeon gave him a playful look.

“Traits are a secret, even among family.”

“Ahem, that’s true.”

Hwang Ui-cheol hadn’t told his family about his trait either.

He had no words to say.

“Then just tell me this. What grade is it?”

“Hehe, actually, I haven’t checked yet. I never thought I’d become a Hunter, so I don’t even know how to check.”

She knew the golden effect was the Awakening effect, but that was all.

“So, do you want to become a Hunter?”

“Not at all. Fighting monsters sounds scary.”

Hwang Ui-cheol’s face visibly brightened at her words.

“That’s good. No matter what, living an ordinary life is the best. This incident made me realize that. That’s why I plan to retire soon.”

“Really?”

Hwang Da-yeon’s face lit up.

It seemed she wasn’t the only one who didn’t want her to become a Hunter.

“Does that mean I can stay home with you?”

“Yes. Let’s spend more time together as a family.”

“But Dad, how do I check my trait?”

“Just think ‘status window,’ and it’ll appear. Look at the trait section.”

“Wow…”

As soon as he explained, Hwang Da-yeon opened her status window and stared into the air in amazement.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Is this the trait? There’s a letter next to the name.”

“Yes. It’s not an A-grade trait, is it?”

Hwang Ui-cheol was worried.

If it was an A-grade trait, she might change her mind and decide to become a Hunter.

“No.”

“No? Phew, that’s a relief.”

“It’s S-grade.”

“What!?”

Hwang Ui-cheol’s expression froze at the unexpected revelation.

Obtaining an S-grade trait was no easy feat.

Even Hwang Ui-cheol himself only had an A-grade trait.

So, he had completely ruled out the possibility of an S-grade…

‘My daughter has an S-grade trait…?’

Hwang Ui-cheol cautiously asked, “Da-yeon… You’re not really thinking of becoming a Hunter, are you?”

—

The Association President was puzzled by Hwang Ui-cheol’s sudden visit.

“What brings you here without notice, Ui-cheol?”

“Association President.”

Hwang Ui-cheol’s expression was stern, more serious than the Association President had ever seen in their six years of knowing each other.

Sensing the tension, the Association President’s expression also hardened.

“Do you know what happened to me today?”

“W-what happened?”

Hwang Ui-cheol recounted the events, swallowing his anger as he spoke.

When he mentioned that his daughter had been kidnapped by an unknown group, his emotions resurfaced, and his eyelids twitched.

The Association President listened, equally shocked.

“So, you exchanged your daughter for the sword?”

“Wasn’t that the right thing to do?”

The news hit the Association President like a thunderbolt, and his face turned pale.

From his reaction, it seemed the Association President had no involvement in the incident.

“Do you think I should have refused to give up the sword even if my daughter was kidnapped?”

“O-of course not! What’s a sword compared to a person? A human life is more important!”

Though he said that, the Association President’s eyes were filled with deep regret.

“What happened to the assailants?”

“They took the sword and disappeared.”

“Any leads?”

“There’s a villa where they told me to go, but there’s probably no evidence left.”

“Sigh… What a mess…”

The Association President sighed, then looked at Hwang Ui-cheol with a thoughtful expression.

“Why? Do you think I lied and kept the sword for myself?”

“Ahem…”

Caught in his thoughts, the Association President awkwardly cleared his throat.

“You’ve known me for six years. Do you really not know me?”

“I-I do. I know you value your family more than some sword.”

“Then why do you doubt me?”

“……”

The silence was an admission.

“You trusted me enough to entrust the sword to me, and now you doubt me? Because of your request, I ended up in this situation. Instead of doubting me, shouldn’t you apologize to me and Da-yeon first?”

“I-I’m sorry. I was thoughtless.”

“I told you before. If something happens to me, suspect Justin Walker first.”

“You did. But what would he gain from doing something like this?”

“I don’t know, but what’s certain is that the sword’s location was leaked. Unless you orchestrated this yourself, Association President?”

“O-of course not! Why would I have any ill will toward you!”

His flustered reaction suggested he was telling the truth.

“Association President, I’m retiring to live with my family.”

“What? Retiring?”

“After going through something like this, how can I continue being a Hunter?”

“……”

“If you need to investigate the incident, feel free to call me. I’ll cooperate fully. But I’m completely stepping away from this matter. I regret not being able to protect the sword, but I hope you understand it was a choice I made for my daughter. Goodbye.”

The Association President couldn’t stop Hwang Ui-cheol from leaving.

The news he had just heard was too shocking.

“The sword was taken…”

At first, he thought Hwang Ui-cheol had taken it and was lying.

‘But his reaction seemed genuine.’

It was too real to be an act.

And his willingness to cooperate with the investigation suggested he wasn’t lying.

“Damn it… So the sword was really taken by those thugs?”

He had failed to protect the item entrusted to him.

No matter what anyone said, it was his responsibility.

The Association President sighed deeply.

“What am I going to tell Justin Walker?”