I became a childhood friend of the middle boss. - chapter 19

Episode 19

The prologue of “Brave Hearts” begins with Tu-Gwi Seo Jeong-jin searching for a disciple at an orphanage.

And at that orphanage

“Seo Jeong-jin”

You have the talent of a hunter.

He meets Kang Hanuel.

In the game, their meeting is described as follows:

“I’m sorry for the children, but there wasn’t a child that caught my heart. Seo Jeong-jin reluctantly turned to leave.”

…(omitted)…

“Seo Jeong-jin suddenly stopped. Ignoring the orphanage director’s question, he turned toward the flowerbed.”

“There was no particular purpose. No, if there was one, it was merely a feeling. He just followed his instincts.”

…(omitted)…

“Beyond there lies what he is searching for. Seo Jeong-jin was drawn by a feeling that could not be expressed in words.”

“Thus, that meeting was a simple coincidence, yet in some sense, it could also be seen as inevitable.”

An old man who looked like a bandit, obsessed with killing monsters.

A boy who lost his family in an accident and closed his heart survived alone.

In a world where spring petals fluttered, the scene of their first meeting was quite impressive.

Even now, it remains memorable.

“Seo Jeong-jin”

—I will make you the strongest hunter.

Thus, Seo Jeong-jin adopts Kang Hanuel and teaches him everything he has accomplished.

From that point on, scenes of Kang Hanuel, with dead eyes, living with Seo Jeong-jin and training, rapidly pass by as he grows into a protagonist.

Years go by.

“Seo Jeong-jin”

—I have nothing more to teach you. The rest, you must go out into the world and learn for yourself.

The year Kang Hanuel turns 17.

Seo Jeong-jin gives the order to descend the mountain.

“Kang Hanuel”

—I express my gratitude to my master. I will do my best to show the world that my master was a great hunter, so I won’t be ashamed to be his disciple!

The prologue ends there.

Afterward, Kang Hanuel heads to the academy city and enrolls in the academy.

The game starts at that point.

Having learned all kinds of combat techniques from Seo Jeong-jin, he quickly grows.

Additionally, he rises above past pains, showcasing a spirit that doesn’t yield to adversity.

‘By now, he must be rolling around quite a bit.’

As I recalled the prologue of the game, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Though I wanted to meet Kang Hanuel and help him grow, I reluctantly decided to suppress that desire.

Until the main story begins, I could leave Kang Hanuel in Seo Jeong-jin’s care.

‘If I meet Kang Hanuel, I might influence his character formation and disrupt the story.’

This was different from Yeon Ha-neul.

Yeon Ha-neul appeared as a mid-boss with a separate ending, yet oddly had little weight in the story.

Even if you separated Yeon Ha-neul’s story, it wouldn’t significantly change the overall flow.

In contrast, approaching the protagonist, Kang Hanuel, required special caution.

At least during this time when Kang Hanuel’s character is changing, it was better not to get involved.

I judged that way.

‘Managing Ha-neul is already overwhelming, and I’m busy growing myself; how can I pay attention to that?’

Of course, that was part of the reason.

Anyway, I was curious about Kang Hanuel’s news, so I asked my father to find out, but he seemed to have thrown in the towel.

Meanwhile, the people in the banquet hall were quite agitated.

“Is it true, Head?”

“Tu-Gwi has taken on a disciple.”

“That Tu-Gwi?”

“Whose child is it?”

When mentioning a rising powerhouse among hunters of my grandfather’s generation, Tu-Gwi was always mentioned alongside the current heads of the ten great families.

Naturally, people were curious when they heard that Tu-Gwi had taken on a disciple.

In response, my grandfather replied.

“I believe the name was Kang Hanuel. Two years ago, he adopted that child from the orphanage as his disciple.”

“That means it’s not a child from any family, so Tu-Gwi isn’t tied to another family.”

“That guy, who hated being tied down, wouldn’t do that. Adopting a child with no background is probably because he wanted to raise a child untouched by anyone.”

“How old is that child?”

“I heard he turned twelve this year.”

“Then some of the children here will likely compete with that child in the academy city.”

“Yeah, that seems to be the case.”

“They would be around ten to fourteen years old.”

The eldest uncle, who is most likely to become the next head of the Shin-Geom family, spoke on behalf of everyone, and my grandfather nodded.

Then he turned his gaze to the crowd.

“That guy also conveyed this message to me. He suggested we see who is stronger between his disciple and our family’s child.”

“…”

“It’s childish and obvious provocation, but I can’t just ignore it. I believe our family must be superior to any other family. Naturally, even more so than that guy’s disciple.”

At this point, it was impossible not to notice.

I could predict what my grandfather would say next.

“So, I have high expectations for you, who will compete against that guy’s disciple.”

“…”

“I hope you will show a figure worthy of the Shin-Geom family’s prestige.”

“Yes… I will keep that in mind, Head.”

As expected.

My grandfather smiled and urged us.

Ten to fourteen years old.

The expressions of those who would meet Kang Hanuel in the academy city were not very good.

They responded reluctantly.

‘This situation is probably happening similarly in other families.’

I followed their responses.

But I wasn’t flustered.

Knowing the flow of the game, I had anticipated that the situation would turn out this way.

Tu-Gwi likely spread the news of taking on a disciple, provoking not only the Shin-Geom family but also other families.

As a result of the game, Kang Hanuel would receive the interest of prestigious families from the moment he enrolled.

‘Thus he gets entangled with the prestigious families and often gets into conflicts.’

It’s the fate of a protagonist where incidents never cease.

He would never have a day of peace.

Naturally, I, as one of Kang Hanuel’s party members

Damn.

“I believe you, Si-eun.”

“I will live up to your expectations.”

“And Seung-woo.”

“Yes, Head!”

Now that I think about it, my grandfather originally intended to offer some words of encouragement to Do Seung-woo.

At that moment, my grandfather called him.

The one whose name was called straightened his back and took a proper posture.

“You, who are the same age as Tu-Gwi’s disciple, will likely have many interactions with that child. Show him what you’re made of.”

“…Yes! I will show him what I can do!”

Seung-woo answered confidently, as if he were pleased to receive my grandfather’s acknowledgment.

‘He’ll get beaten by Kang Hanuel and lose his place in the family.’

Unaware of his own fate, he was boasting.

I clicked my tongue at the sight.

He continued to prance around.

“I have one teaching my father gave me, Head!”

“Oh? What did Beom-jun teach you?”

“Yes, Head!”

The third uncle raised his nose.

Seung-woo, intoxicated by my grandfather’s acknowledgment, opened his mouth.

“A lion puts in its all even when catching a single rabbit! Just like that, I plan to fight with all my strength, regardless of who my opponent is!”

“Right, one must never be careless.”

Pfft!

“…”

Oh no.

I got caught off guard.

Seung-woo’s overly confident words were both funny and ridiculous, causing me to react while drinking water.

As a result

‘Ah, crap… I’m done for.’

Just as I barely managed to hold back my laughter, everyone’s attention turned toward me.

My grandfather was also looking at me.

“Was there something funny?”

“…”

“Let me have a laugh too.”

I interrupted the head’s words, and while he was speaking, I ended up laughing.

Though my grandfather kindly asked, if I casually spoke in the atmosphere, I’d surely get scolded.

“You, again….”

My father let out a small sigh.

Then, trying to explain the situation on my behalf, he spoke.

“Head, Gyeon-woo was drinking water.”

“I asked Gyeon-woo.”

“…”

“I want you to tell me, Gyeon-woo.”

My father’s words didn’t work.

My grandfather was still waiting for my response with a kind face.

‘Forget it; I don’t care.’

It couldn’t be helped.

I’d just let it be.

If I got scolded, so be it.

I decided to speak honestly.

“Seung-woo’s words were funny.”

“What do you mean by that?”

My grandfather tilted his head.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like I had angered him.

Rather, he seemed curious about what I had to say and urged me to respond.

I continued speaking.

“He says a lion gives its all to catch a single rabbit, but would a big lion really put in all its effort to fill its belly with just one rabbit? That seemed a bit odd to me.”

“Go on.”

“Honestly….”

“…”

“If a lion is putting in all its effort to catch a single rabbit, wouldn’t the situation be quite dangerous?”

“Head! Do Gyeon-woo is saying nonsense.”

“I never asked you, Seung-woo.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Continue.”

“I think that at the moment a lion is trying to catch a rabbit; it’s already finished. But saying it confidently makes it a bit funny.”

“…”

“If I have offended the head’s feelings in any way, I sincerely apologize.”

“…”

Even if I got scolded, I decided to speak my mind.

I brushed off my father’s attempts to stop me and spoke up confidently to my grandfather, even as others sighed.

My grandfather showed no reaction as he listened to me.

Just when I thought that

“Haha! That’s quite absurd!”

“…”

Out of nowhere.

My grandfather burst into loud laughter.

His laughter was so loud that it soon filled the banquet hall.

The family members looked at my grandfather with astonished expressions.

Eventually, my grandfather stopped laughing.

“Indeed… Your words have some merit. If a lion, the king of beasts, puts all its effort into catching a single rabbit, then its life as a lion is over.”

“…”

“Today, I’ll reflect on what you said and see if it applies to me as well.”

“Uh, there’s really no need for that. Head, you’re still in good health.”

“Thank you for saying that. However, I feel that the saying to constantly reflect on oneself and be wary of becoming weak resonates deeply.”

… That wasn’t the intent behind my words.

My grandfather seemed quite pleased, as if he had attached his own meaning to what I said.

I felt it was awkward to say anything further.

‘It seems I’ve earned my grandfather’s favor, so I’ll just let it be.’

It would be strange to clarify.

I decided to let it slide.

Meanwhile, feeling a gaze, I looked toward the opposite table.

“Do Gyeon-woo….”

The third uncle and Do Seung-woo were blushing red.

Their stares were intense.

‘It’s better not to clarify after all.’

I felt good seeing them flustered.

With that, I chewed my food deliciously while sensing their gazes.

Before long, it was my grandfather’s turn to ask our family about recent happenings.

However, unlike other families, my grandfather didn’t speak much to us.

“Is everything fine at the Songpa branch?”

“Make sure your daughter-in-law stays healthy.”

Since my parents had fallen out of favor, and they didn’t have any topics that would catch my grandfather’s interest.

This was a common occurrence.

My parents responded to the formal inquiries without showing any signs.

My mother seemed relieved to finish the conversation without incident.

Eventually, when my turn came

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t mentioned it yet. I’m considering holding the evaluation match at the gate.”

My grandfather spoke while looking at me.

He said it loud enough for everyone to hear.

At that, people began to murmur again.

“You’ll hold it inside the gate.”

“What will the rank be?”

The ages of those participating in the evaluation match were set between 8 and 16 years.

It was an age with many immature aspects.

As a result, those with children in that age range expressed their concerns.

In that situation

“I’m thinking of using the yellow rank.”

“Yellow rank?”

“Head, that’s a bit.”

When my grandfather mentioned that he would attack the yellow rank gate, which was the third highest after white and gray, people couldn’t help but be troubled.

At that, my grandfather chuckled.

“I’m not unaware of your thoughts, so don’t worry too much.”

“…”

“The evaluation match will take place in a gate that our family’s hunters have cleared, ensuring safety. However, I cannot guarantee complete safety. So, participation in this evaluation match will be left to your discretion.”

“Discretion…?”

“However….”

My grandfather paused for a moment and looked at those of age to participate in the evaluation match.

Among them was me.

“For those participating in the evaluation match, I plan to give a treasure owned by the family to those who meet my expectations.”

“…!”

To offer a family treasure.

That was quite a shocking condition.

Everyone was surprised.

I felt almost the same.

‘What’s going on? Did he decide to go all out this time after hearing about Tu-Gwi?’

That might be the case.

The news of Tu-Gwi taking on a disciple likely ignited my grandfather’s competitive spirit.

Just then.

“But, Gyeon-woo.”

“Yes?”

While explaining about the evaluation match.

Suddenly, my grandfather called for me.

Our eyes met.

“I really hope you’ll participate. I want to see with my own eyes how you defeated Seung-woo and how much you’ve grown during that time.”

“…”

I’ve been marked.

It seems I’ve indeed been marked.

Though my grandfather’s tone was gentle, there was an undeniable nuance in his words.

It was the head’s command.

I had to comply with that command.

“Yes, please watch over me.”

“Okay, I’m looking forward to it.”

It was a good turn of events.

I was already thinking of how to gain the courage skill.

The target’s rank is too high.

You cannot view the status window.

If I could ask my grandfather, who emits pressure and is of a rank too high, to check my status window, I might be able to gain courage.

To do that, it was a golden opportunity to draw his attention.

I couldn’t pass up that chance.

‘Moreover, if things go well, I might be able to snag a treasure from the family’s vault.’

It was a two-for-one deal.

I smiled slightly.

Thus, the banquet came to an end.

“Now, let’s move to another place.”

The evaluation match began.