Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Golden Dragon Knight and Iron Fortress
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After concluding the contract, Yoo Seongwon's group immediately boarded Baek Ga-yeon's trailer and departed from the association headquarters.
Riding Eldraen back would have been ideal, but with no fixed base to return to, they had no choice but to rely on her trailer for now.
"Oh, is the contract's effect kicking in already?"
Right after the contract between the Golden Demon Knight and the association was approved, even his official title began to change.
It had to shift away from 'Demon'—the enemy of humanity—and this was a natural step.
However, victims of the Singangnam incident and Seoul Guild continued to oppose it, insisting on keeping the 'Golden Demon Knight' title.
In any case, shedding the name 'Golden Demon Knight,' his new official title as a hunter was 'Golden Dragon Knight.'
"They just swapped 'Demon' for 'Dragon'! And this is because of Eldraen, isn't it?"
"But nothing about it is wrong, right? Do you have a title in mind? I'd recommend it if you do."
"...No. It's fine."
No matter what he thought of, nothing came up that wasn't related to gold, so Yoo Seongwon gave up easily and decided to adapt to his new title.
News outlets reported that the Golden Demon Knight had become the Golden Dragon Knight, followed by a stream of online articles announcing that an SS-rank hunter would officially work with the Korean Hunter Association.
"But none of the articles are positive. They're all about caution or concern."
Shin Ayoung popped up behind Yoo Seongwon as he scrolled through article headlines.
With the contract done, she could finally rejoin them without worry, having relayed guild matters to Shin So-mi.
"Would they be? We're the rolling stone that caused chaos in Singangnam... They'd have to be crazy to welcome us. How was the guild?"
"It was total chaos. Guild members demanding explanations, outsiders calling us collaborators with the 'Golden Demon Knight' and questioning our sanity. Especially blocking Blue Dragon Guild from taking our internal data—it felt like years shaved off my life."
"...Sorry for putting you through that."
This was undeniably his fault, so Yoo Seongwon bowed his head sincerely.
Appeased by the apology, Shin Ayoung flashed a meaningful smile and cautiously asked Yoo Seongwon.
"So, how far did things go with Mom? You swooped in at the perfect moment to save her! You must've confessed at least, and jumped straight into baby-making? Is my little brother due in ten months?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Come on~ You're all adults. No need to be shy."
"No, none of that's happening like you think? We were too busy discussing and preparing countermeasures afterward..."
Shin Ayoung's face hardened coldly at Yoo Seongwon's honest account.
Not only she, frozen in disbelief, but Baek Ga-yeon, who had overheard from behind while holding her mug, approached with the same expression.
"...W-what is it?"
"By any chance, is there a problem 'down there'? If so, I can recommend a hospital I know—get treated ASAP. Late pregnancies are tough on the mother..."
"There's no problem at all."
"Don't lie."
"Ah, seriously. Want me to show you?"
"Show me!"
Yoo Seongwon, who hadn't feared anything since awakening, instinctively fled from Granny Baek Ga-yeon's intimidating aura.
It felt bizarre even to him that he was being scolded like this.
Shouldn't they be relieved that nothing happened? Shin Ayoung and Baek Ga-yeon could only feel frustrated at Yoo Seongwon's expression.
"Wow, this is serious, right? Isn't it, Granny?"
"Yes, very serious. He probably never cared about dating or marriage to begin with, lived single too long, no experience with women—so even with a meal laid out, he can't eat it..."
"In other words, a major setback in producing His Majesty's heir."
Yucheong suddenly interjected as Shin Ayoung and Baek Ga-yeon chattered.
Startled by the unfamiliar face, Shin Ayoung and Baek Ga-yeon tensed up warily.
Yucheong immediately bowed politely, introducing himself.
"My apologies for the intrusion. I am Yucheong, His Majesty's strategist. I was waiting in the sanctuary but couldn't ignore what I heard, so I emerged."
"His Majesty? When did you ascend the throne? Or do you have some secret birthright?"
"He's probably one of Uncle's newly summoned knights. They all call Uncle different titles—this one's the 'Your Majesty' type. Just roll with it. Master, Captain, Contractor, Lord, and now Your Majesty. Curious what'll come next."
Shin Ayoung quickly explained Yoo Seongwon's knights' quirks, and Baek Ga-yeon finally nodded in understanding.
Surprised that someone who should be in the sanctuary had appeared, Yoo Seongwon jumped up and approached him.
"Yucheong, right? Why'd you come out? I told you to organize finances since you had nothing to do—tabulate everything in my inventory, and suddenly..."
"I heard an important matter, Your Majesty."
"It's not that important. So please, just stay inside quietly."
"I refuse. As your advisor, it's my duty to understand those around Your Majesty."
Yoo Seongwon found it genuinely annoying, but Yucheong's dignified presence overwhelmed him, making further resistance futile.
Regretting his own weakness before true nobility, he could only wave it off helplessly.
"Fine, do what you want—just fill me in later. Got it?"
"Understood, Your Majesty."
*'Sigh~ I give up. These guys are too hard to handle. They're not wrong, and they make me shrink somehow. Anyway, they're better than me, so they'll manage. Whew~'*
Realizing he couldn't deal with them, he let it go.
More importantly, now that he could work publicly as a hunter, securing a guild headquarters and new residence came first.
"Well, buy a cheap mountain in the countryside and build our own. With national parks closed post-monster crisis, land's cheap anywhere..."
"Hm? Looking for a base?"
"Ah, yes. Can't mooch forever, right? Worst case, buy a trailer and go nomadic."
"You don't have a license."
"My Riding skill's S+. Way more reliable than a license."
Picked for dragon-riding, the skill applied to all vehicles.
Like a talent skill, he could grab a steering wheel and drive expertly—even pilot an unfamiliar plane thanks to S+ rank.
"So I was thinking of buying a trailer right away. Feels bad burning your fuel while running around."
"What's to feel bad about? We're already heading to our new home."
"Already cleared a B-rank dungeon?"
"Remember when I asked you to hold onto the Grandmaster's legacy?"
Despite the chaos lately, Yoo Seongwon recalled the offer.
The Grandmaster's legacy.
The inheritance left by Korea's strongest old-generation hunter.
Baek Ga-yeon had passed it to Yoo Seongwon—a powerful hunter without a constellation—asking him to deliver it to the next worthy generation.
"I said give it to Ayoung."
"She's still A-rank. Not enough to protect it. Needs at least S-rank, if not your level. Anyway, we're here. Look—that's one of the Grandmaster's legacies: Iron Fortress, our old home base that guarded not just Korea but all of Asia."
Peering out the window where Baek Ga-yeon pointed, a massive military base loomed, sealed by tall iron fences.
Once bustling with people, now it stood empty, overgrown with weeds and spiderwebs hinting at years of neglect.
"As you see, plenty of space despite being in Seoul, full infrastructure as a former guild base. Can house 2,000 including staff—a super-large facility. It's mine now."
"Wow... This is huge out of nowhere. Sell it and it'd fetch a fortune, right?"
"Of course. Corporations and guilds begged to buy, but I refused. How could I hand this over to them? Maintenance was tough, but luckily, I passed it to someone who'll protect and carry it on."
Lost in sentiment, Baek Ga-yeon gazed at the base, eyes misty with memories Yoo Seongwon couldn't imagine.
*(Ah! Lady Baek Ga-yeon! We've arrived at 'Iron Fortress.' But the entrance security system's blocking us—you'll need to open it...)*
"Ah! Got it. Coming now. Follow me. Time to transfer ownership."
"Not owner—just temporary manager, please."
This statement declared he wasn't the Grandmaster's successor and saw the place as a short-term stay for hunter work.
Baek Ga-yeon smiled indifferently as he stepped out.
"Eureka. Whoa! Even more impressive up close."
*'This must be how eras pass on. Heh heh.'*
Watching Yoo Seongwon's back, Baek Ga-yeon recalled her first time at Iron Fortress decades ago.
Back then, she was just a girl plotting to snag a handsome, high-earning hunter and retire quick.
But that girl had grown, fighting for the world's and nation's future until she became an old woman.
*'And no one knows a person's future.'*
"What're you doing, Granny? Hurry and open the gate. Trailer guy's waiting awkwardly."
"Ah! Coming. Password slipped my mind for a sec."
"What?! That could've been disastrous!"
Snapped from reverie by Yoo Seongwon's jab, Baek Ga-yeon rushed to the console, input the code, and opened the gate.
She swiftly registered Yoo Seongwon's info, making him the new owner and successor—though slyly labeling him 'temporary manager.'
In essence, despite the title, Yoo Seongwon was now effectively the owner.
Yoo Seongwon, stubbornly avoiding outsider status to the end, was cheeky enough—but Baek Ga-yeon, changing just the label to crown him successor, was no less crafty.