Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Boyhood ~Breaking Through the Defense~
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Claaang—
"Urgh?!"
A sound entirely different from before rang out.
It wasn't the usual rough explosion but a deep, resonant tone like a bell tolling.
"Force Emission...!"
At the same time, the shock traveling up the shield made the Emperor curl his lips into a grin.
"When facing a shield, there's no better technique than this!"
"Excellent!"
Force Emission.
A striking method commonly known as Penetrating Strike.
Force Emission was a technique that could deliver effective blows against enemies with high defense, and it was one that could inflict real damage even on a tank like the Emperor.
But using Force Emission in actual combat requires considerable mastery. To handle it so freely already...!
The shock climbing the shield delivered a powerful jolt to the Emperor.
As someone who had served as the main tank in the hero party back in the day, he could tell.
Yeon Je-seong's Force Emission didn't pale in comparison to that of experts!
"Damn, you're tough as hell!"
"A splendid technique! Aside from a lack of power, it's flawless Force Emission!"
"Hup!"
Right after, the Emperor, sensing a unique aura from the fist flashing before his eyes, flashed a smile of ecstasy.
"Hahaha! You've even overcome that?!"
"What the—?! You can see that...?!"
Unlike Yeon Je-seong, who flinched in shock, the Emperor's sharp eyes observed every detail of what was happening in Yeon Je-seong's aura without missing a beat.
And realizing that his aura was colliding with itself to increase its purity, the Emperor's face showed rare bewilderment.
"Deliberately splitting the aura to raise its purity! An ordinary person couldn't endure it for an instant without it rampaging! How in the world...?"
Even to the Emperor, an authority on shield arts, Yeon Je-seong's aura control was beyond comprehension.
Even he, the Emperor, would turn into a cripple in seconds if he tried to wield aura that way—yet Yeon Je-seong handled it so naturally...
"Unbelievable. That method shifts all the burden of circulation onto the body. It should be tearing him apart, but...?"
"...!"
Too astonished to even continue the spar, the Emperor dropped his weapon and gripped Yeon Je-seong's shoulders tightly.
"Just... let me examine you closely once!"
"Eek...!?"
Ignoring Yeon Je-seong's scream, the Emperor grabbed his body and scanned it like he was licking it over.
Unaware of how Yeon Je-seong's expression was changing by the second, he realized a miracle was unfolding within this small frame and gaped in shock.
His body is absorbing the full impact of the aura's collisions! And with each clash, it's growing even tougher...! How can such a perfect physique exist? This has to be the Heavenly Martial Body of legend! N-No way, the real Heavenly Martial Body?!
"Kyahaaak!"
"Ooooh—!"
Having realized Yeon Je-seong possessed the Heavenly Martial Body, the Emperor began examining his body even more brazenly.
It's certain! This is the legendary Heavenly Martial Body! But it's beyond even the tales! A body truly made for martial arts! Breathing alone would make it stronger!
Had anyone ever piqued his interest to this degree before?
Since ascending to the throne as Emperor of the Imperial Empire, he had everything he desired.
Even the Empire's 10 Emperors I so proudly boast of weren't this impressive!
It was a physique that seemed to have dropped straight from the heavens.
At the same time, a greed long dormant deep in the Emperor's chest began to boil over.
This...! This feeling...!
Realizing the emotion surging from his depths, the Emperor's face showed rare panic.
Talent lust has returned to me, Emperor Yeongnak?!
The Emperor couldn't believe the situation.
Long ago, before ascending the throne, he had been driven by a burning desire for talent.
But right before disbanding the hero party after defeating the Demon King...
After the hero he had coveted for so long finally rejected him and left, his talent lust had never reignited since.
Even the Empire's 10 Emperors were ones I collected during my prince days. So I thought it had vanished after the hero left...!
With his defining passion gone, he lost his drive.
He threw himself into work, berated his officials, tried every trick, but the void remained unfilled.
Regularly recruiting talent was part of that process.
Maybe someone would finally spark it.
Yet...
All those efforts had failed to move him...!
He staggered to his feet.
"Y-Your Majesty...?"
Yeon Je-seong eyed him with confusion at the sudden change.
"Heh, hehahaha—!"
"Gasp!?"
Was it an illusion? He looked again, but the reignited talent lust still pointed squarely at him.
It's been so long. Truly, so long.
Understanding and embracing the familiar feeling, the Emperor drew a kindly smile to keep Yeon Je-seong from noticing.
"Forgive me, child."
"C-Child?"
"It seems I've gotten carried away meeting such a talented boy. Excuse my unseemly behavior."
"...Not at all."
"Very well, let's end the spar here. You've shown more than enough talent; it's only right I praise you."
At the same time, the Emperor's mind began racing at unprecedented speed.
Just like back when he had recruited the hero, his thoughts whirled at their limit, plotting for the future.
......
And Yeon Je-seong had grasped the Emperor's thoughts precisely.
Not because the Emperor wore his emotions openly.
Nor because he showed blatant greed.
Nothing so obvious.
The Emperor had tempered his mind for decades in the imperial court, a den of demons; he wasn't naive enough to let an underage boy read him.
It was simply visible to Yeon Je-seong.
Or rather, familiar.
Yeon Je-seong gazed at the Emperor, who hid his trembling eyes behind a kindly smile.
Definite. Those gleaming eyes! That lip-smacking gesture! The signal I've seen in CG hundreds of times!
It was an exact match for the expression the protagonist of Failure Hero 2 wore after their first meeting when thinking of him!
He'd played the normal Emperor at first meeting, so Yeon Je-seong thought age had mellowed him!
As if!
At that moment, Yeon Je-seong's instincts screamed of unprecedented danger.
Stay sharp! One wrong move, and the imperial collar snaps on!
The Emperor's expression made it obvious he was even considering abduction.
Then, having finished deliberating, the Emperor spoke lightly.
"Indeed, it seems you mainly use fists."
"...I humbly practice fist arts, yes."
"I see. Do you have any favored weapon, then?"
"Weapon...? I have training gauntlets, but..."
"Perfect. Then I shall gift you some armaments."
A weapon?
As an imperial gift?
In that instant, gamer memory recalled the myriad weapons obtainable in the Imperial Empire.
Wait, isn't that one in the imperial warehouse?
How long did he ponder?
As Yeon Je-seong racked his brain, a certain side quest suddenly came to mind.
The reward sucked, but it gave miscellaneous info during clear.
No direct story tie-in, but with Easter eggs amid the chaff, it had some quality intel.
And among that was info on "that" sleeping in the imperial warehouse.
Easter egg, so no protagonist ever got it, but now that it's real...!
Not even sure if it was truly there, he figured he'd probe.
"Hm? That one? Of course, it's possible. But to know of its existence... the Young Clan Head of Yeon has a looser tongue than expected."
He hadn't anticipated such a casual agreement.
Still, better my desired gear than some weird reward. Grab it and dodge the Emperor from now on. Yeah, I got this.
With the reward requested and the talk wrapped up, the general waiting in the corner approached the Emperor.
After whispering something, he faced the displeased Emperor and bowed deeper.
Glancing at the general, then back at Yeon Je-seong with lingering eyes, the Emperor slowly left the training grounds.
And Yeon Je-seong bowed deeply to the departing general.
Without him, the Emperor would've dragged the conversation on somehow.
Feeling faint relief, he let out a sigh.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving the training grounds, the Emperor walked with a troubled expression.
"Grand General."
"You called, Your Majesty?"
At the sudden summons, the general following behind drew close.
The Emperor touched his chin and spoke cautiously.
"I wish to bring that child, Yeon Je-seong, into the imperial fold."
"......"
The Grand General responded to the Emperor's bold declaration with silence.
He knew it wasn't a request for his opinion.
Gazing impassively at the Grand General, the Emperor soon faced forward and continued.
"Of course, as Young Clan Head of Yeon, I can't make him imperial."
"......"
"Yet I still covet him."
"He is undoubtedly a child of extraordinary talent."
The Emperor scoffed at the Grand General's words.
"Far beyond 'extraordinary.'"
He was a prodigy.
"A prodigy... you say?"
"Flawless aura control, insight to grasp the essence at a glance, and the superior body to make it real."
"......"
"All achieved by a child not even ten."
"......"
The Grand General was stunned.
The Emperor, greedy for talent yet stingy with praise, giving such high acclaim?
He'd never praised his own children like this.
Not the First or Second Princess, nor even the First Prince, famed for his brilliance.
"Grand General."
"Speak."
"Even the Empire's 10 Emperors are mere mortal rabble compared to that child."
The Grand General, who had kept a straight face until now, recoiled in shock.
"Impossible...! They symbolize the Empire's might!"
"But it's true. I guarantee it. Yeon Je-seong will surpass his father within ten years."
The Grand General's eyes shook violently again.
"Not some middling 10 Emperor, but the pinnacle—the Martial Emperor?"
"That's the level of his talent."
"......"
The Grand General stared at the Emperor with rare bewilderment.
Genius or not, countless prodigies had grown into mediocrities.
He'd viewed current strength and future potential separately, so the Emperor's words left him reeling.
Not a flash in the pan?
Monstrous now, with clear growth trajectory too?
"I covet him."
"......!!"
Stroking his chin, the Emperor muttered to himself, eyes unmasked with desire.
"Nngh... I want him somehow, but his position as Yeon Young Clan Head is the issue. What to do...?"
After much deliberation, spotting the approaching princess in the distance, his eyes lit up.
"Grand General."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Is the princess close to that child?"
"Yes. It seems since the Young Clan Head saved Her Highness..."
"I see."
Falling silent, the Emperor soon blurted out.
"An engagement it is."
Give her to him and draw him in.
She didn't seem averse, so minimal backlash.
"Summon the Yeon Clan Head. I'm going to Grand Void Hall."
Decision made, the Emperor smiled contentedly.
The next day, unfortunate news reached Yeon Je-seong.