Warning to the Father
Before I became a monster, back when I was just a lowly porter.
I'd once imagined what kind of reaction he'd have if I succeeded as a hunter and finally met Yu Cheol-yeong, my father.
After turning into a monster, I figured there'd be no more entanglements, that such fantasies were pointless. But still, that bewildered expression replacing his usual impassive face was endlessly amusing.
"...You're alive?"
Startled by my unexpected appearance for only a moment, he quickly regained his composure and his usual rhythm, asking in a low voice.
I slowly nodded at the question.
"...Why show up now? Where have you been all this time? If you were alive, you could've let us know right away."
His voice was calm, without any particular ups or downs, but the aura he exuded was as imposing as ever.
A demeanor that completely looked down on subordinates.
His piercing gaze was intensely intimidating.
He still acted as if looking down on me was the natural order.
In the past, that oppressive presence had cowed me plenty of times...
But now, it didn't faze me in the least.
Without answering, I simply met his stare steadily, and one of his eyebrows twitched faintly.
"You right now..."
"I didn't feel the need to inform you. From the start, wasn't it you who held a funeral the moment I went missing and treated me like a dead man?"
"...'You'? What are you saying to me?"
"Since your son is already dead, I don't see the need to call you 'Father.' The least I'm doing—using polite speech—is my final courtesy to the man who was once my father."
"......"
For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, falling silent.
His impassive poker face cracked once more.
Unable to find a retort, he let out a disbelieving scoff, "Hah."
Even this man can make that kind of face.
A pleasant amusement bubbled up again.
"You've become... exceedingly arrogant."
Regaining his composure, Yu Cheol-yeong said quietly.
His voice trembled slowly with each word, laced with anger or some indefinable emotion.
It felt gratifying to draw that much reaction from a man who hid his feelings so meticulously.
Unable to hold back a chuckle at the rising amusement, I shook my head lightly.
"I'm no one who deserves to hear 'arrogant' from you. I may have been your son, but I was never your subordinate."
Not to you, anyway.
I said it while gazing steadily at him.
His eyes twitched again at my unflinching, defiant stare.
"...You've become quite the man."
Was that his way of acknowledging me?
After a brief silence, Yu Cheol-yeong returned to his usual self.
No—more detached than usual.
Not the gaze he used for inferiors, but one treating me as an equal.
Now he seemed ready for a proper conversation.
"...So why appear before me now? Judging by your attitude, you're not here to play the dutiful son."
"I'm here to warn you. Stay away from Hwa-yeong—from that child."
"She's my daughter. I can't allow that."
"She's your daughter, sure, but not a possession."
"It's natural for a daughter to obey her father. I'm only trying to give her a happy future."
"And whose happy future is that, exactly? Will you only stop after losing your daughter too?"
"Hmph. Hwa-yeong is wise, unlike you. She knows it's all for her own good in the end."
"It's for you, not her."
"Don't you get it? My success is the family's success. You're still so shortsighted."
"Is success built on someone else's sacrifice truly success?"
"That's how the real world works. Success is success, no matter the cost."
"What about the person being sacrificed? Forcing it on someone who doesn't want it?"
"That's missing the forest for the trees. To save the forest, one tree can be sacrificed."
"So it's the calf's sacrifice for the greater lineage, then?"
"Exactly. For greater value, anything can be sacrificed. Remember that well—it'll be a vital lesson for your life ahead."
His calm, didactic tone as if imparting wisdom made me realize anew.
Why I'd desperately wanted to escape this family, his shadow.
"...No need for further talk."
"Finally understanding my point?"
"No. Just stop interfering with Hwa-yeong."
"I've said it all along—that's unacceptable..."
"I'm not asking your permission. This is an ultimatum."
I stared quietly at Yu Cheol-yeong.
I didn't even raise my aura.
An ordinary human like him couldn't handle it anyway.
No matter how distasteful, I had no intention of killing him.
He'd once been my father, however briefly, and what I wanted wasn't his death—just eternal severance from me.
"As I said from the start: a warning. Hands off that child."
"...And if I don't?"
I answered flatly to his low question.
"Then you'll be fighting me as an enemy."
"What can you even do? To issue a warning like that, show me something first. Don't you know the basics of a threat?"
As he clicked his tongue with a tsk, I rested my chin on my hand.
"White Rose."
My quiet murmur brought an immediate response: "Yes."
"You called, Master?"
Yu Cheol-yeong frowned slightly as White Rose peeked in through the study door.
I glanced at him, then nodded subtly to her.
She stepped inside slowly.
"...Her?"
Did her familiar face ring a bell?
He asked with a puzzled look.
As a presidential hopeful, he seemed to remember prominent world figures.
"Hello, I'm 'Amy Brangers.' Master's sword."
His eyes crumpled in confusion at her bright smile, failing to grasp the situation.
"...Amy Brangers. Guild master of France's Lavie en Rose, right?"
"Oh my, thank you for recognizing me. Former Prime Minister Yu Cheol-yeong. First time since I saw you with Charlotte."
"Why are you...?"
"Didn't you hear? I'm Master's sword."
"...'Master'?"
I smiled quietly at his bewildered gaze.
I hadn't expected White Rose, who'd insisted on following me, to be this useful.
Now grasping the situation, he eyed us gravely as I spoke flatly.
"'Nine Swords,' 'Wall,' 'Incheon Alliance,' 'Continuous Strike,' 'No Happy.'"
The names of major guilds—not top five, but well-known—flowed slowly from my lips.
His eyes twitched again.
Savoring his reaction, I continued leisurely.
"Turns out you've got ties to quite a few guilds here and there."
"...How did you find out?"
"From the hunters guarding you."
"......"
Yu Cheol-yeong clamped his mouth shut.
I could see his mind racing, wondering if they'd really spilled everything—which made me chuckle involuntarily.
Savoring his reaction again, I spoke.
"So, how's that? Enough to show my minimal hand?"
"......"
He didn't answer my smiling question.
But that was answer enough for me.
"Then, one last warning. No more interfering with Hwa-yeong."
"...I'll consider it."
His slow reply wasn't a firm yes, but for a politician like him, it was as good as one.
A declaration of defeat, essentially. I smiled quietly.
A thrilling current ran down my spine.
What I'd only imagined as a porter had become reality.
"Then, let's never meet again."
As I rose slowly, he said nothing.
Just stared thoughtfully.
My original goal achieved, the fantasy realized—no more business with him.
Without waiting for farewell, I slipped out quietly.
A low voice followed my back.
"...You've grown well."
The flat tone made me freeze unwittingly.
Turning slowly, I saw him gazing proudly, contentedly.
My face twisted involuntarily.
Words I'd longed for in the distant past now felt repulsive from him.
Repulsive—and something surged bitterly within.
Suppressing the rising anger, I spoke slowly.
A hint of ferocity leaked out unwittingly.
"...Not words I wanted from you."
"......"
He said nothing this time either.
Just kept that contented gaze.
As my face soured under it, a sudden thought escaped me.
"...'Seongho.' Heard you're planning ties there. I recommend against it."
"...Why?"
"No need to explain that to you."
I turned quietly.
Nothing more to say.
He added nothing as I left.
Thus, White Rose and I departed the old house quietly.
No more entanglements with him now.
Leaving Yu Cheol-yeong's house, I headed straight to my sister's.
To check how quickly he'd heed my words.
By the time I arrived, the hunters around had vanished completely.
Always handles things swiftly.
I checked far and wide just in case—no surveillance whatsoever.
Clean as could be.
Not just fast, but thorough.
Once decided, no hesitation—absolute execution.
Admirable, at least in that.
"......"
After scanning briefly, I turned away.
Thought of seeing my sister, but shook my head.
Pointless talk if we met now.
Didn't want to discuss him with her.
Not talk—didn't even want to think about him.
Ruined my mood with that weird parting shot.
If he meant to land a blow, perfect method. Who'd guess an SSS-rank monster could take a hit like that? Not just anyone becomes president.
With my mood soured, I yearned for Snow and the kids.
They'd be relaxing comfortably in the new house by now.
I wanted to hurry back to my family's embrace.
Let's make haste.
En route to the new house where everyone waited, White Rose said nothing unnecessary.
Not even her usual light banter—sensing my troubled mood, no doubt.
Any frivolous remark would've worsened it.
Her perceptiveness is uncanny.
Charlotte's influence? Or as sword? Or Amy's?
Charlotte, ruling above all, wouldn't have bothered with others' moods. Likely Amy's, scanning from below.
As sword, no need for such vigilance anyway.
Thanks to her sharp White Rose, my agitation eased somewhat.
The new house was as lavish as Jeong Soo-ah described.
Far from the city outskirts, with an enormous yard.
Big enough that even I could revert to true form with Sokchwi's Art.
Less yard, more athletic field.
Despite the late hour, Suli and the kids buzzed around playfully.
Spotting me over the wall, they rushed over—followed by exhausted Toda, Ichijo, and others. I could imagine their ordeal these hours.
Our kids—especially Suli's stamina—deserved recognition.
If she had a status window, endurance would top the stats, probably.
Agility next.
The Labyrinth's quiet affirmative confirmed it.
You can tell that too?
The Labyrinth's will is impressive.
Truly another dimension.
Surprisingly, mana was second-highest.
After romping excitedly outside welcoming me till late, we finally entered.
Inside matched Jeong Soo-ah's hype: ultra-luxurious facilities everywhere.
Snow barely used them, though—a problem.
Seeing Jeong Soo-ah, Song Jae-ha, and others explaining earnestly, their recent struggles were obvious.
Our Snow starts clueless but learns fast with her sharp mind.
Just keep at it a bit longer.
Effort matching their past toil should yield results.
Jeong Soo-ah and Song Jae-ha despaired at my quiet words.
What can you do about those faces?
Superiors command, subordinates obey.
No complaints.
Gifts later.
Lots from the Labyrinth this time.
Look forward.
Some as gifts, rest sold.
Gifts turning into more work?
Can't be helped.
Obey orders.
Leaving the doubly despairing pair, I spent my first night in the new house.
The bed was premium—unparalleled comfort I'd never felt.
Grab one like it when returning to the Labyrinth.