Chapter 724
Chapter 724
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 724
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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〈 724 〉 Academy's Savior
I subtly raised my hand and placed it on Kang Ji-young's shoulder. She was still taller than me. She furrowed her brow and shot me a look.
"What?"
"It's nothing much. It's been a while, right? How about grabbing dinner together tonight?"
"Your hand's in the way while I'm walking. Remove it. I don't have time for dinner. I'm busy."
I quickly pulled my hand away. Kang Ji-young was the type to cut things off cleanly. If I pushed too hard and got clingy, it'd only backfire.
'Maybe I should check her affection level.'
An affection level over 50 meant she felt favorably toward me—enough for romance to be possible. But considering her personality and position, 57 was woefully insufficient.
"You can at least do dinner."
"It's academy enrollment season. I've got a ton to handle."
"Can I tell Mom about today?"
"……."
Kang Ji-young let out a sigh. If Sung Ha-ri found out about today, she'd definitely come hounding her. Dinner with me or dealing with Sung Ha-ri—which was more annoying didn't even need deep thought.
"…Fine. I'll clear my evening. Should I head to Ha-ri's place?"
"It's been a while, so let's just do the two of us. I'll handle telling Mom."
Kang Ji-young nodded.
"Got it. I'll text you later. But why insist on dinner with me of all people?"
"Because I like you, Auntie?"
"……."
Kang Ji-young glanced at me briefly before facing forward again as she walked. She probably took my words as some kind of joke. She was a workaholic—clueless about everything outside of work.
"Auntie, what should we have for dinner? Steak? Korean?"
"Something decent."
"Steak it is."
I exited the dungeon. At the entrance, I spotted Oh Yu-mi and the passed-out Bae Hyun-seong. Oh Yu-mi sat slumped in a chair with a dark expression, while Bae Hyun-seong was being carted off by a proctor.
"…Sung Yu-jin. Glad you're safe. I thought the Orc Lord got you."
"The proctors were watching, so even in the worst case, that wouldn't have happened. What about Ryu Hana?"
"She hasn't come out yet. Didn't you see her? She went up higher."
"I saw her before dropping into the forest. I figured she got here first."
Oh Yu-mi eyed me wearily before staring at the shimmering dungeon entrance in the air.
I asked her.
"Did you tell the proctors?"
"Yeah. They said it's fine."
Moments later, Ryu Hana emerged from the rippling space. Her clothes were disheveled and dirt-streaked, but her stunning beauty made her look surprisingly neat.
"You're safe. Exam's over. I'm heading out. See you at the entrance ceremony."
Oh Yu-mi waved and left.
Ryu Hana stared straight at me. I gave an awkward smile and approached her.
"Sorry about earlier. I hit you too hard, huh?"
"…No. It's fine. Thinking back, I ditched the team and went berserk on my own. Retreating like you said was the right call."
"Glad you get it. Puts my mind at ease."
"Who taught you swordsmanship?"
"Swordsmanship? Well…."
"No need to say if it's awkward. I'm off."
Ryu Hana brushed past me and exited. Before her back fully vanished, I checked her affection.
'Out of hostility, at least. Still low, but….'
Not bad.
Today was a bust, but I'd have plenty of time to work on Ryu Hana. Once we're both at the academy, we'll cross paths whether she likes it or not.
I had dinner with Kang Ji-young and headed home.
Ryu Bong-mu looked up as Ryu Hana entered the house, then flinched. Her dirty clothes and pensive expression were a far cry from her usual self. The bloodstains on her outfit made him clench his fists without thinking.
"Ryu Hana. How'd the exam go? You didn't tarnish the North Diamond Clan's name, did you?"
Ryu Hana answered quietly.
"Yes, Father. I did my best. I'm heading to my room to rest."
"…Understood."
Ryu Hana retreated to her room.
Ryu Bong-mu immediately headed out to the Korean Hero Association. There, he met Yoo Pil-seong, who'd become chairman two years prior.
"…Oh dear. What brings the North Diamond Clan leader here so suddenly?"
"No time for chit-chat. I want to see the footage from my daughter's academy entrance exam today."
Yoo Pil-seong gave a wry smile.
"Mr. Ryu Bong-mu, this puts me in a tough spot. Academy entrance exam materials are strictly confidential."
"I know. I won't leak it. Just let me see it alone. It's about my daughter."
"Even so, it's really problematic…."
"Is the trust between us worth so little? I'm disappointed."
Yoo Pil-seong rubbed his temple, looking pained. He couldn't outright dismiss Ryu Bong-mu. The man led one of Korea's top clans, and Ryu Bong-mu had played a key role in Yoo Pil-seong's rise to chairman.
"Anything but this. Do you know who the chief proctor was for your daughter's exam venue?"
"Who?"
"Dean Kang Ji-young. She personally oversaw your daughter's exam site. I get you're curious, but she stepped in herself—shows how impressive your daughter must be, right?"
Kang Ji-young.
Pioneer of the Endless Lands.
No clan, not even North Diamond, could ignore that name.
Yoo Pil-seong figured Ryu Bong-mu would leave. But he didn't. Instead, he bowed to Yoo Pil-seong.
"Please. Chairman Yoo Pil-seong. If there's any issue, I'll take full responsibility."
"…Sigh. Only because it's you, Mr. Ryu. Keep it quiet. If it reaches Dean Kang Ji-young's ears… Ugh. Just thinking about it gives me chills."
"Thank you, Chairman."
"I'd never grant this to anyone else."
"I won't forget this favor."
"Wait 30 minutes… no, one hour."
Yoo Pil-seong returned in 40 minutes with a laptop.
"Here's the data from your daughter's exam venue. I'd love to copy it for you, but my staff threw a fit, so you'll have to review it here within the hour."
"Yes."
Ryu Bong-mu briefly acknowledged and opened the laptop.
He first checked the written exam. Ryu Hana, his daughter, took first with a perfect score. The footage showed nothing amiss.
First practical: Troll combat. Ryu Hana's time was 27 seconds. She handled it calmly.
Yoo Pil-seong, watching beside him, let out an admiring whistle.
"As expected of your daughter. She could be Korea's top hero in ten years. Heh…."
"……."
But Ryu Hana wasn't first in practicals. Someone outdid her. When Ryu Bong-mu saw the footage, his eyes widened. Yoo Pil-seong's jaw dropped.
"1 second…? There's a prodigy like this? Name's Sung Yu-jin?"
"…Looks like Sung Ha-ri's son."
"Hah. That woman's kid? It all makes sense now."
They checked the second practical too. Ryu Hana and Sung Yu-jin were on the same team.
"That Orc Lord… It's Kang Ji-young."
"Really? You spotted it quick."
"Felt like her."
Ryu Bong-mu watched intently. Ryu Hana was overwhelmed by Kang Ji-young, then slapped by Sung Yu-jin.
Yoo Pil-seong backed away from the mana surging off Ryu Bong-mu.
"C-Calm down. If you break the laptop, it's irreversible. And Sung Yu-jin's actions were a bit rough, but not wrong, right?"
He was right. Without Sung Yu-jin, Ryu Hana would've panicked and botched it worse.
His head knew it, but his heart raged on. Then the next scene made him forget his anger.
"Sword aura…! Sung Ha-ri's son is a monster beyond genius. Sword aura at that age…!"
"The aura's not the issue. That swordsmanship is even more insane. The kid's skills surpass most active heroes."
D-rank hero level or better. Not as overwhelming as Sung Ha-ri, but top among examinees for sure.
The footage ended with Sung Yu-jin falling with the Orc Lord.
Ryu Bong-mu replayed it several times.
'No wonder Hana's down. But I know her talent better than anyone. She'll surpass that brat.'
Regardless, Sung Yu-jin's skills were real. If possible, he'd recruit him to North Diamond. A perfect rival for Ryu Hana.
"Thank you, Chairman. Got some valuable intel."
"Ahem. Mr. Ryu, don't tell a soul."
"I keep my word. On my honor."
"No need to go that far…."
Ryu Bong-mu left the association. His mind was far more tangled on the way home than when he arrived.
December 24th.
Christmas Eve.
That afternoon, a text came.
A pass notification. Sending it on Christmas Eve was surely the association's way of wishing a merry one.
Sitting on the living room couch, I yelled toward my room.
"Mom! Got a text saying I passed the academy!"
Sung Ha-ri's voice came from the bedroom.
"Really?! As expected of my Yu-jin! Mom knew you'd pass! We need a celebration party! Was gonna do it tomorrow, but… I can't just sit still now that Yu-jin's passed! Wait a sec!"
Three minutes later, Sung Ha-ri emerged. My eyes bulged as I sat peeling tangerines on the couch.
"M-Mom, that outfit…."
"It's Christmas, so I prepared it. Was saving it for tomorrow."
Santa bunny girl.
Red bunny ears on her head, a skin-tight red leotard screaming Christmas vibes. Her breasts looked ready to burst, her snowy legs tempting me.
"What do you think?"
Sung Ha-ri struck a pose. Left hand on hip, right behind her head, exposing her smooth white underarm.
"Ma-Mom!"
I bolted from the couch and lunged at Sung Ha-ri. I hugged her waist tight, aiming for a kiss. She raised a hand to stop me.
"Hold on, Yu-jin."
"Why? I'm in a hurry."
"This is to celebrate your academy pass. Mom will service you from start to finish this time, so just relax."
Sung Ha-ri's service! She always pampered me like that, but I was dying to see what she'd do now. I stayed put—well, my dick was rock-hard and throbbing, so not totally still.
Mwah.
Sung Ha-ri pecked my cheek lightly. Her hands moved, starting to undress me.
"Mm~ Hm~ Ahh~"
She hummed happily. Her body swayed, her ample breasts and black hair bouncing.
She slipped off my top pleasurably, stroking my chest with her palm.
"Realizing it again, but you've grown so much, my Yu-jin."
"I'll grow even more."
Sung Ha-ri suddenly pouted sadly.
"What's wrong, Mom?"
"Once you're at the academy, we won't be together. It's a dorm system."
"We can meet outside on weekends."
"Still, thinking I won't see my Yu-jin brings tears."
"It's not like we're parting forever."
Sung Ha-ri pressed against me. Her leotard-clad breasts squished my torso. Her hands yanked down my pants. My rigid cock poked through my panties, pressing against her lower belly.
Sung Ha-ri wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear. I supported her waist with one hand, tracing its beautiful curve.
"Yu-jin. You know how much Mom loves you, right?"
"Yeah. I love you tons too, Mom."
"Mom can't live without you. Even at the academy, come home every weekend. If not, I'll come find you."
"That doesn't sound bad. Let's go to the academy together."
"You…."
Sung Ha-ri's lips met mine.