Taming My Master (2)
A day had passed, and Hyunwoo returned from Babel Tower, a shopping basket in one hand.
"Huh? What's that?"
"Picked up some groceries on the way back."
"Aren't you tired...?"
"Valkyrie handles everything anyway. What's there to be tired about?"
Was it because he was young? Ryu Ga-eul was slightly surprised to see her disciple without a trace of fatigue.
She knew he had talent, of course. At her level as the Sword Saint, it was enough to make her aura wilt a bit.
'If he'd been born in my time, he'd be higher level than me by now.'
The greatest talent in history. Ryu Ga-eul had once been called that.
The feats she'd shown lived up to it, each one drawing universal acclaim. The word "record-breaking" couldn't be used without excluding her.
"As expected of my disciple."
Now, Hyunwoo was shattering those records one after another. He didn't realize it himself, but the media already saw him as the next-generation Sword Saint.
'A genius like that lies under me every night.'
The greatest talent in history.
A player who could become the greatest.
The fastest Babel conqueror.
A man with qualities surpassing even the Sword Saint... The Sword Dragon, adorned with such titles without a care, clung to her and wailed in ecstasy.
"Hngh...!"
Her vision blurred. What if this got out? Jealousy, envy... The petty of heart always hated the excellent. The Sword Saint, who quite liked such gazes, felt a thrill of excitement.
"The house is spotless. Good job."
"Ahem."
"You ran the laundry before I got back."
"Well, uh..."
"I can hear the washing machine going."
The Sword Dragon said no more. No need for nagging.
"You didn't smoke inside, right?"
"Did it outside."
"Good boy. Reward time—I'll make something tasty. Stir-fried octopus, yeah?"
"Ooh, perfect. Load it with tons of cabbage."
"Of course. Wait here."
Pat pat. Hyunwoo reached out, stroking Ryu Ga-eul's hair, then headed to the kitchen.
Stir-fried octopus—her favorite food. Especially with heaps of crisp cabbage for that crunch...
"?"
Did he just pat my head?
Ryu Ga-eul blankly touched her scalp. She could still feel that small hand's touch.
"Wha? Huh...?"
Something felt off. Wasn't it usually the other way around?
"Master!"
As she opened her mouth to speak, Hyunwoo stomped out from the kitchen.
"Didn't I say no more beer? Then what's this?"
In his small hand was a crumpled beer can, squished to the size of a marble.
"Think I'd miss it if you drank it and crushed it small?"
"Digging through the trash is cheating."
"Just answer what this is."
Ryu Ga-eul decided to tell it straight.
"Cold barley tea?"
"If that's barley tea, whiskey's just corn brew."
"Hyunwoo. Not all whiskey is made from corn mash. Precisely, only bourbon..."
Hyunwoo let out a deep sigh. Lately, his sighs were growing longer and heavier.
"Master, didn't we have a deal? Why'd you break it...?"
"Just drank it 'cause I was bored. And only one can! Bought it with my own money—can't I even do that?"
"Bored? Go grab a coffee at some café. Who chugs beer in broad daylight?"
Solid logic.
"Card."
"What?"
"Hand over the card. From now on, run purchases by me first."
"Hey, this is..."
"You broke the promise first, Master. I didn't wanna do this."
Eek! Ryu Ga-eul's face flushed beet red.
"This is overstepping!"
"Just tell me if you need something real. I won't block it for no reason."
"What about my dignity upkeep and living expenses?!"
"Break it down, and you're not spending that much anyway."
A few months living together, and Hyunwoo had her spending memorized.
"No real hobbies, right? Not eating fancy every day either. Except those trips to the mart where you sweep up foreign beers regardless of type...?"
Back when she started as a player, Ryu Ga-eul was a wild spender. Designer clothes, cars—she bought every luxury brand and displayed them. Once even used a multimillion-won handbag once and tossed it.
But one day, Ryu Ga-eul grew detached from money. Indifferent to extravagance. Having done everything her massive wealth allowed, even spending lost its thrill. Orphanage roots meant endless wants... but too much money quenched them all.
"What if I suddenly get a hobby?"
"Not my money, but I'll buy it for you. Gaming console? Go wild. Figures? Fine. Just no booze. That's a no."
Her tone firm, Ryu Ga-eul trembled with rage.
"H-Hyunwoo, you know I'm Korea's top player, right?"
"Yeah."
"Know I get more welcome than the president anywhere?"
Hyunwoo shot back firmly.
"Obviously. Why repeat yourself?"
"If you know, why pull this shit?!"
"High status doesn't excuse breaking promises. Think you're a politician or something?"
Unable to contain her boiling fury, Ryu Ga-eul glared at him. Staring hard... at that tiny body, she made her decision.
"Fine."
"Good you get it. As long as you don't think weird—"
"Then let's do some rice cake pounding tonight."
"Pardon?"
"You heard right."
Ryu Ga-eul flung off her top, baring her breasts. Knowing exactly what that meant, Hyunwoo's eyes quivered.
"Strip."
More command than request. Hyunwoo backed away slowly, then spun to flee.
"Where do you think you're going!"
But he didn't get far before she caught him. For daring to sass his sky-like master, he got fucked all night long.
Babel Floor 46, Corridor of Mad Wizards.
"Fireball!"
A mage over LV60 chanted, launching a boulder-sized fireball skyward.
"Fuck, what's that?!"
The fireball scorched the air, slamming dead into the party.
"Burn heal!"
As the party's skin charred in an instant, the priest barely managed the spell, cleansing the burns.
"Hot as hell, fuck! Ngh... Hurts like a bitch."
"Face is burning. Damn it..."
"Everyone, focus! Teleporting out!"
At Hyunwoo's gesture, a rope formed. It wrapped the neck of the mad mage mid-teleport chant.
"These trash mobs are filthy strong."
"Devil's minions. That's why..."
Mad wizards had sold their souls to demons, wielding only basic spells—but their power was freakish.
"They fight so dirty."
The mages alternated invisibility and fireballs, tormenting the party. One misstep nearly wiped them; Hyunwoo tanked upfront to survive. After slicing through them for ages, they hit the floor clear condition.
"Your own feet brought fools to die."
The demon hefted his trident and hurled it. Blindingly fast, as expected...
"Ngh!"
Only Hyunwoo blocked the throw.
"Oh? You blocked it. Impressive. So humans do have strong ones."
"What're you yapping, you red bastard?!"
"Good. I'll grant you a fight with me."
Hyunwoo glared, thrusting his sword. This guy's stronger than he looks. Time for the saved skill...
"Valhalla, on!"
Valhalla Manifestation
Unlocked at LV40 for Hugin and Munin's feathers.
Seal one trait each inside. Additional seals every 5 minutes. Persists while Valhalla is active.
Summoner's stats DOUBLED.
"You little shit."