Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Family Matters
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The meal was an unusual spread, with tofu accompanying every dish.
“How is it…? To your taste?”
“……Really.”
Go Yohan said.
“It’s delicious.”
“That’s a relief.”
Shin Sookyung let out a sigh of relief and finally focused on her meal.
A few days ago, they must have witnessed the power Go Yohan wielded in the Mapo Black Gate.
Yet no one asked about that day’s events.
On top of that, he had strolled out of the Black Room—where only the worst criminals were held—as if it were just a brief detention.
“…I feel refreshed.”
“What?”
“The former guild master.”
It seemed she viewed the guild master’s slaughter as no more than a spat with a classmate at school.
“He was one of the legends, sure, but a dictator no different. Lucky he had some skills, or else from some point on, he was just scheming behind everyone’s back.”
Go Minji said, fiddling with her chopsticks.
“…Even Dayeon said she was worried about him.”
“What’s that out of nowhere?”
“They say he even deliberately shoved people he didn’t like into gates they couldn’t clear. So don’t worry about it.”
With gates and players around for so long, there was one big misconception many people had.
That players weren’t all that different from ordinary folk.
Of course, there was some truth to it, but players were far more accustomed to death and far more detached than civilians.
“He was the kind of guy too scared of getting stabbed in the back to even enter gates.”
Killing over minor interests inside gates was commonplace.
The bodies vanished forever with the gates, and you could just yell “monster” about any casualties, and no one would question it.
“So….”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Seeing her reassurance sink in with Go Yohan, Go Minji nodded.
“Good.”
With that, the heavy topics vanished from the table.
“Mom, remember? When this punk was six, he’d pray to the goddess every meal… what a scene….”
“Minji, don’t call your little brother ‘punk.’”
“If he’s younger than me, he’s a punk!”
Laughter.
“Any… troubles?”
Go Woojin’s concern.
“…No. I’m fine.”
Clink, clink.
Go Jaehan’s spoon moved silently, as always.
Swoosh.
“How’s the chicken?”
“It’s not homemade, right? Tastes different.”
“Oh my. You’re a little ghost, aren’t you? It said the aunts put extra care into it.”
“It’s good. But chicken’s better ordered in.”
Time with his mother felt as natural and comfortable as if it were yesterday.
‘Family.’
For the first time, Go Yohan felt he truly understood what family meant.
“Everyone….”
Thank you, he started to say.
“But son.”
“Yes?”
Go Yohan had to tilt his head at Shin Sookyung’s sudden words.
“…That, really, that child. Your… um….”
What was she trying to say?
Go Minji and Go Woojin weren’t the only ones staring as Shin Sookyung spoke so cautiously.
Swoosh.
Even Go Jaehan set down his spoon and looked at her.
“…She’s not your daughter, right?”
“…….”
“……?”
“……!”
Different expressions.
And then.
Pffft!
Like an orc skull splitting open in an explosion, white fragments burst from Go Minji’s mouth.
Normally, Go Yohan would have recoiled in disgust, but he just sat there dumbfounded, frozen like a doll.
Drip.
Go Woojin, who took after Go Jaehan the most, had water dribbling from the corner of his mouth.
“No, I trust you, son, but… just in case… you never know.”
“M-Mom.”
“Hey…. What’s this?”
“Yohan…?”
“…….”
To some, the scene might have looked comedic.
“No! It’s not! Really not!”
But to Go Yohan, it was pure tragedy.
*
*
*
The long-awaited meal ended, and dessert was served.
“…Mom, I’m telling you again, Inkyung is… like a little sister to me, not my daughter.”
“She’s about seven, right?”
Go Minji chimed in from the side.
“…It’s possible.”
“What’s possible!”
“That’s exactly when you were causing trouble everywhere. Mom said the kid’s super cute too, so yeah, possible.”
“No, it’s not!”
“Ahem.”
Were these people treating Joo Inkyung as more impressive than the Black Gate?
And why was Go Jaehan—who usually left right after eating—still sitting there?
“Who’s the mom? Sehyun…? No, timing doesn’t fit.”
“Why bring her up.”
“Sehyun’s in Korea now. Anyway, not the point….”
“Whatever, son. Mom’s fine with anything. Bring the kid over sometime. And….”
Shin Sookyung spoke in an extremely careful tone.
“If those people from that day are okay with it, bring them home too.”
She meant the Apostles who had massacred beasts alongside Go Yohan in the Mapo Black Gate.
Countless people were speculating about their identities and trying to track them down.
“…I will.”
Go Yohan simply nodded.
They looked like they had questions but held back, seeing his discomfort.
Just as Go Jaehan started to rise.
“Father, hold on.”
Go Yohan called him back.
“I have something to say.”
“……Speak.”
The uncharacteristic demeanor from Go Yohan brought a brief tension to the air.
“…It’s still too complicated to explain everything. And I don’t expect it’ll be easy to understand.”
Go Yohan broached the topic alone.
“Originally, I didn’t want to interfere too much or reveal things.”
But something he’d realized at Kartul Field.
And seeing these people, the visions of divinity, had shifted his thinking a bit.
“I felt proper compensation was needed for those following me and fighting alongside me.”
They might not want it.
“And I think it’ll be a huge help in future battles too.”
But it was necessary.
“What is it.”
Go Jaehan said curtly.
“Soon, there’ll be an announcement from the Sanctuary Alliance.”
Many already knew of the close ties between Go Yohan and the Sanctuary Alliance.
“The announcement will put the Sanctuary at the center. Is that alright?”
Go Jaehan’s gaze fixed on Go Yohan.
Go Jaehan.
Swoosh.
Stood up again.
His calm voice came from behind as he turned.
“The Sanctuary is already in the same boat as you. That’s not my solo decision.”
“…….”
“It came from discussions with everyone. The Sanctuary isn’t some small outfit to recklessly shoulder folly just because you’re my blood.”
Complicated and roundabout, but.
“Do it.”
Permission granted.
*
*
*
It wasn’t a full return home.
Just a small promise to drop by for meals now and then, or visit the Sanctuary when needed.
A vow not to push away family anymore, but to keep them close.
And.
“Here.”
Go Yohan gave Go Minji a gift too.
“Doing something you don’t usually do. What is it?”
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as Go Yohan pulled something from his inventory and handed it over.
“……!”
Go Minji’s face and eyes at the sight were priceless.
“Knew you’d make that face, but should I have hired a photographer? Worth commemorating.”
Even as Go Yohan teased her, her expression didn’t soften.
In her hands were two greatswords as tall as she was.
“Hey….”
She was a skilled player with tons of experience.
Even without appraisal skills, Go Minji had the eye for items.
“…This.”
It might look crude, but the light and edge gleaming on the blades were extraordinary.
Just holding them made her heart race and blood boil.
Sshhh.
Her mana felt compressed, amplified.
“Legendary item.”
“……!”
Go Minji’s hunch was right.
[Ograk’s Twin Fangs]
[Legendary]
Opening the item info confirmed it was indeed legendary, as Go Yohan said.
“It was cursed.”
“Huh?”
“Purified it successfully. Won’t be easy to wield, but master it, and you’ll be top-tier in this country.”
Setting aside the Church.
“Not easy.”
It was the greatsword of Kartul, who commanded ten million orcs like limbs.
Think of it as just an item, and you’d regret it.
“…Forget this.”
“Want it back then?”
“Hey! Not that.”
Go Minji scratched her head furiously.
The guy hailed as everyone’s ideal type, whose every outfit sparked trends, hounded by top celebrities just to grab a meal.
‘What’s so great about him.’
Were they all blind?
“Just… come visit often. Me coming over would be a hassle for you.”
“You know where?”
“Who you calling dumb.”
Go Yohan waved it off and walked ahead.
“You can come find me. And you’ll see me at the Sanctuary too.”
“…….”
“Heading out.”
“Hey.”
Go Minji’s voice called from behind.
“Always be careful. Don’t get hurt.”
She must have heard about the Black Room from Kim Dayeon.
Even before that, she’d seen his power.
Knowing he was unmatched—top in the world—and still telling him to be careful, not to get hurt.
“You too, sis.”
Yeah, this was family.
Click.
The vehicle Go Yohan boarded started smoothly.
“Seung-ah.”
-Yes. Captain, was the meal enjoyable?
“Yeah. More than I expected… Enjoyable enough to feel sorry for you all.”
-Please don’t say that….
“Next time, together.”
-…….
A brief silence.
-Thank you just for saying so.
That was it.
Time to set aside the fleeting happiness.
“Tell them to announce it right away.”
-Understood.
Everything was already prepared.
In truth, what he’d told Go Jaehan was just a one-sided notice.
Just as the Sanctuary had inserted itself despite his wishes.
He’d thrust them into the storm’s heart, whether they wanted it or not.
It was the safest path.
Ding.
The radio clicked on, a voice flowing out.
-The Sanctuary Alliance declares the installation of Warp Gates.
The new era dawned.