Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Martial God (5)
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"Wow..."
A hero registration card had arrived.
It wasn't from just anyone—the chairman of the Hero Association and an S-Rank Hero, the Martial God himself, had sparred with me directly and confirmed my skills. I figured I'd at least be S-Rank.
'A-Rank?'
For some reason, I'd been registered as A-Rank instead of S-Rank.
'What's going on?'
Was there some reason they couldn't bump me up to S-Rank right away?
I decided I should meet with Grandpa and talk it over, so I messaged Yu-ah.
Unlike before, we'd met a few times and gotten somewhat close.
Though lately... it felt like she was avoiding me more than when we first met.
More than anything...
[Yu-ah, do you happen to know where the chairman is hospitalized?]
[Han Yu-ah: Ah, yes. I'll send the address right away.]
She was still using formal speech with me.
I'd clearly told her it was fine to drop it, but she wouldn't listen.
When I asked why, she said using informal speech was embarrassing.
I couldn't really wrap my head around the answer, but since she didn't want to, I didn't push it and just let it go.
[Han Yu-ah: Ah... And I heard the news. They say you've become an A-Rank Hero.]
[Yeah... Honestly, I thought they'd promote me to S-Rank.]
[Han Yu-ah: You're heading to ask Grandpa about that, right? I think I know the reason, but it'll be easier to accept if you hear it straight from him, so I'll hold back.]
A reason, huh.
As expected, was it Grandpa's doing?
Well... it wasn't completely incomprehensible if I thought about it, but I was heading over to visit him anyway, so we could talk about this and other things.
Either way, he'd gotten seriously hurt because of me. It only made sense to pay him a visit at least once.
And on top of that, he'd promised to become my master and teach me combat techniques once he was discharged.
[Thanks. I'll buy you a meal sometime.]
[Han Yu-ah: Sure. Take care.]
Hmm...
I thought we'd gotten close, but she was awfully businesslike.
Somehow disappointing.
"Hahaha, so that's why you came to see me?"
"Yeah, well... This is a little get-well gift. Here, have some."
I'd agonized over what to bring but figured fruit was a safe bet.
"I want to try some peeled by my son-in-law."
"That... I've been meaning to ask for a while now, but why do you keep calling me your son-in-law?"
"Huh? What's this? You two haven't made any progress yet?"
"Progress?"
What the hell was this grandpa talking about...
"Eek... such a dishonest girl..."
"Me?"
"No, not my son-in-law. I'm talking about my granddaughter."
Yu-ah?
"Hmm... Can you promise not to tell my granddaughter?"
"What about?"
"Just promise you won't."
"Yeees..."
Was it that big a deal?
Well, whatever. I was curious, so I promised not to say anything.
Only then did Grandpa, who'd been glancing around nervously, continue.
"A long time ago, I asked my granddaughter if she had anyone she liked."
"Yeah..."
"Do you know what she said back then?"
"What'd she say?"
"She said she had no interest in dating anyone who wasn't stronger than her."
Ah...
So that's why he called me son-in-law.
"And what she said next is the kicker! Listen to this!"
As if the memory had resurfaced, he chuckled and raised his voice, almost imitating Han Yu-ah from back then.
"'Unless they're as strong as Grandpa, I'm not interested~' she said. So I asked her, 'How about dating your grandpa then~?'"
Wow...
Wasn't that a crime?
"Well... she did say no..."
"Kids these days know everything, even if they're young."
"Hey, you! What kind of intent was that?"
"Ahaha..."
Ah, hold on.
"So that's why you're calling me son-in-law?"
"Why else would I?"
"But you did it from the first time we met... Well, not on the mountain... From our first meeting at the association. You didn't even know how strong I was back then."
Of course, he'd seen me use her once, so he knew I was stronger than Yu-ah. But everything after that was unknown.
I wasn't a hero from his era, just some young guy who'd suddenly shown up without a drop of blood on my head. How could he assume I was on his level or stronger?
Yet he'd called me son-in-law on sight.
"Heh... You have to taste the shit to know if it's bean paste, right? Strong ones recognize each other. The moment I saw you, I knew you were my equal—or better."
"Uh... back when we first met on the mountain?"
"Exactly! I had my suspicions, but I didn't expect you'd overwhelm me like that. Aren't you too strong? You monster..."
It stung his pride a bit, but he chuckled it off as the changing of the guard.
'This grandpa...'
I'd felt it before, but he was incredibly straightforward and open-minded.
Most people who'd been called the strongest their whole lives wouldn't think that way.
"Impressive. I don't think I could've accepted it."
"What're you saying? Of course I couldn't at first. Why do you think I suggested a spar the moment we met?"
"Ah?"
"But I'm not fool enough to ignore the results staring me in the face."
He chuckled and popped an apple slice I'd peeled into his mouth.
"Still... getting pushed that hard by some guy who doesn't even know how to use his body properly? Stings quite a bit."
"I feel kinda guilty."
"No need to apologize! I'm the weak one here. You were just stronger. Isn't that right?"
"..."
He was someone worthy of respect.
The thought hit me suddenly.
This man before me was practically a senior figure to me.
Decades ago, he'd helped reshape Korea's order—where the weak couldn't survive—and elevated public safety to what it was today.
The hero profession itself, and the respect they received, owed itself to the association he'd founded through his tireless efforts back then.
I hadn't known before coming to this world, but I'd learned all that from studying up afterward.
He was essentially the grand senior to every hero.
"But... my son-in-law comes all the way to visit me like this. So... got something to ask?"
"Sharp as ever."
"Like spotting an elephant in the room."
I chuckled along with Grandpa's laughter and asked carefully.
"The hero certification came, so I checked it out. It said A-Rank. I thought it'd be S-Rank, so I wondered if there was some hidden motive. That's why I came."
"Motive, huh... Hmm... Do you know how S-Rank Heroes are treated?"
"Treated?"
"Yeah."
Treatment...
"Korea's greatest asset?"
"Half right, half wrong. Let me rephrase. How's a nuclear bomb handled?"
"...As a last resort? Like, 'touch me and you die too'?"
"Exactly. That's the vibe with S-Rank Heroes. They're basically the nation's top firepower—strategic weapons. Can't move freely. Too many restrictions."
S-Rank Heroes rarely stepped up.
Come to think of it, that was true.
'Thunder Emperor... even the Martial God right here is just the association chairman...'
Though he'd retired, of course.
I'd never actually seen an S-Rank Hero in action.
"Frankly, for a young pup like you who's still growing, it wouldn't be ideal. You need experience and growth, but that path gets blocked, and you end up stagnating."
"..."
"So I set it to A-Rank on purpose. Of course, you'll be promoted to S when the time's right. You're my disciple, after all."
Disciple...
"Well... calling myself your master after getting my ass handed to me is pretty funny. But I figure you know that better than anyone."
"Yeah..."
That my control over my body was still clumsy.
That so far, I'd gotten by purely because my physical abilities were so overwhelming.
"Of course you're strong. You beat me, so what's left to fear in this world? But... I've lived long enough to know there are things raw power alone can't handle."
"..."
"So don't rush it."
I got it completely.
I'd known jumping straight to S-Rank wouldn't be all upsides anyway.
If it had been S-Rank, I'd have asked them to demote me.
But I hadn't expected these kinds of restrictions...
Honestly, a relief.
"...By the way... any thoughts on dating my granddaughter? No?"
"...Pardon?"
"Our girl's got so much charm! Right? You're not turning her down, are you?"
"..."
Usually, grandparents who dote on their grandkids end up trying to kill the prospective son-in-law.
This guy was the total opposite...