Chapter 20
Chapter 20
"Explain yourself." Shin Sung-il's mouth was still smiling, but his eyes were ice cold. "They—the direct descendants of the clan—publicly declared they would cripple my dantian. And not just anyone, but members of the division sworn to protect the clan." The Four Directions Guardian Sword Halls, bound by oath to defend the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan. One of those was the Vermilion Bird Hall. Yet its members had declared they would cripple Shin Yu-hyun, a direct descendant, and actually tried to do it
It was unthinkable. "If word of this got out, what would people say? They'd mock our clan." "How dare they!" Whoosh! A fierce wave of aura erupted from Clan Leader Shin Sung-il and the other executives. "Who dares mock our clan?" They brimmed with fierce pride in their clan. Anyone who dared belittle the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan in their presence wouldn't leave unscathed. "That's not the issue." Shin Yu-hyun shook his head as he spoke. Shin Sung-il's expression turned intrigued. "Something worse than the clan being mocked?" "Yes
If we let the ones who touched a direct descendant of the clan get away with it, what would the other three clans think?" Shin Yu-hyun nodded as he met Shin Sung-il's gaze. "They'd think we've gone soft." In other words, if they didn't punish those who brazenly attacked a direct descendant, the other clans would see the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan as an easy target. "I see. So you made an example of them." From beside Clan Leader Shin Sung-il, the clan's Grand Dharma Protector—Shin Yu-hyun's uncle, Shin Sung-hyun—spoke up with a smile
He'd been listening quietly until now. "Yes." Shin Yu-hyun nodded at his uncle's words, then scanned the conference room: the clan's executives, his direct siblings, and extended family. "Shouldn't they face consequences for touching a direct descendant like me? I merely gave them exactly what they intended to do." He needed to show what happened when you targeted the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan's direct bloodline. That was the only way to protect the clan's honor. And that wasn't all. Right now, Shin Yu-hyun was sending a warning to everyone in this room
If you touch me, I'll give it right back.It wouldn't have worked a few days ago. The clan's useless failure. Talentless trash. Until just days ago, Shin Yu-hyun endured nothing but contempt and ridicule from the clan, never earning their recognition. But things were different now. He'd opened his energy channels, and above all, his father, Shin Sung-il, had acknowledged him as a true member of the clan. That was why he'd emphasized "direct descendant" so many times. From now on, Shin Yu-hyun's affairs were the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan's affairs
"Give as good as you get, eh? I like that attitude." Shin Sung-il smiled, clearly pleased by Shin Yu-hyun's boldness. "But you'll have to take responsibility for what you've done. The Hunter Association will make a fuss." Shin Sung-il fixed Shin Yu-hyun with a stern gaze. Crippling dantians was as good as death for superhumans—it wasn't something they could just brush off. The incident with Jeong Tae-seong and his group had to be reported to the Hunter Association. Even if it was self-defense, the organization that managed superhumans wouldn't let it slide
But. "I've already prepared for that." Shin Yu-hyun had no intention of shirking responsibility. He fully intended to own up to crippling Jeong Tae-seong and the others. Of course, the ones holding him accountable wouldn't be the Hunter Association, but the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan. The clan wouldn't hand over an internal matter to the Hunter Association. Not when it came to protecting their honor. Clan Leader Shin Sung-il wouldn't turn Shin Yu-hyun over to them. The Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan had the power to ignore Hunter Association interference, and Shin Yu-hyun knew it
"I'll invoke my S-rank hunter privileges." As expected. Shin Yu-hyun smiled inwardly at Shin Sung-il's words. The Iron-Blooded Sword King, Shin Sung-il. One of the few S-rank hunters in the World Hunter Association. S-rank hunters were granted various privileges, including the right to summary judgment. A perk exclusive to S-ranks. The reason was simple: humanity was at war with magic beasts. "Shin Yu-hyun, for the crime of crippling three low-rank superhumans' dantians, I assign you to investigate an unidentified dungeon gate." Unidentified dungeon gate
Humanity still knew little about dungeon gates. These unidentified ones were known only to be dangerous. You couldn't tell their rank until you entered— that was their defining trait. "Can you handle it?" Shin Sung-il smiled faintly as he watched Shin Yu-hyun. So this is how it plays out. Shin Yu-hyun gave a wry smile inside. He'd already anticipated Shin Sung-il using his S-rank privileges to assign him a mission. But an investigation into a colorless dungeon? The most dangerous kind! "Yes." Still, Shin Yu-hyun answered without hesitation
At this point in time, there's only one colorless dungeon investigation that fits. The city once called Gangneung. It had been razed by a single colossal monster equivalent to a 6-star boss. Now, it teemed with magic beasts and was classified as a danger zone. The World Hunter Association's Korean branch dispatched teams of superhumans to monitor it, lest the beasts break out. And recently, an unidentified dungeon gate had appeared on the outskirts of Gangneung City. "Good. That's the spirit." Shin Sung-il's smile widened in satisfaction at the quick reply
Then he added a meaningful remark. "You've gotten stronger again, I see." Couldn't hide it after all. Shin Yu-hyun smiled wryly inside at the offhand comment. He'd concealed his mana as best he could with the Chakra Cultivation Method and mana control techniques, but Shin Sung-il had seen through it. He knew Shin Yu-hyun had reached 3-star. That was probably why he'd assigned the colorless dungeon investigation to him. "Yes." Shin Yu-hyun nodded in affirmation. He had no intention of hiding his rank
He just planned to keep the Immortal King's powers as his trump card. He wasn't strong enough yet to control the clan outright. "Then this clan disciplinary meeting is adjourned." Satisfied with the response, Shin Sung-il ended the meeting with a faint smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kyuu! >_< As soon as Shin Yu-hyun returned to his room in the Black Tortoise Hall, Ka-mang-i bounced up to greet him. "You been good?" Kyuu kyuu! Shin Yu-hyun stroked the head of the rubbing Shadow Slime, then flopped onto the bed
I'm beat. The day's events had left him exhausted. He'd trained his skeletons in swordsmanship in the dungeon, fought Jeong Tae-seong's group, and performed the energy-draining dantian closures. On top of that, the disciplinary meeting. But. Kyuuu-ing! "You little rascal." Shin Yu-hyun smiled warmly at Ka-mang-i, who nuzzled against him with adorable sounds. The chocolate-kiss-shaped Shadow Slime was healing just to look at. As he petted Ka-mang-i on his chest, Shin Yu-hyun sank into thought
Things went pretty much as planned. When he'd crippled Jeong Tae-seong's group and returned to the clan, he'd run through the possibilities. Shin Cheol-jin wouldn't stay quiet, and neither would the clan. Sure enough, it had played out exactly as he'd predicted. And a colorless dungeon, no less. Shin Yu-hyun smiled in satisfaction. He'd been planning to tackle higher-rank dungeons soon anyway. And here was Shin Sung-il handing him an unidentified dungeon gate investigation— a colorless one, at that
For Shin Yu-hyun, it was killing two birds with one stone. He'd resolved the issue with Jeong Tae-seong's group and gained clearance for a high-rank dungeon run. Colorless dungeons are risky, sure, but if it's just an investigation, no problem. Shin Sung-il's mission was reconnaissance on the colorless dungeon. Not conquest. In the worst case, he could enter, check the rank, and bail. That was why the Hunter Association sent survival experts, even low-rank ones, for these gigs. And if my memories are right, this colorless dungeon is definitely 3-star. Shin Yu-hyun knew the details of this particular colorless dungeon from this era
That was why he'd accepted the mission without hesitation. 3-star is doable. Even for conquest. Colorless dungeons had frequent nasty surprises, but at 3-star, conquest was within reach—not just scouting. In his past life, the Hunter Association had sent some solid hunters to investigate it. Given the dungeon's rank and the investigation team's skills, there shouldn't have been issues. But... Of the hunters dispatched to scout that colorless dungeon... Only one mid-4-star hunter made it back
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day. Shin Yu-hyun visited his mother at the main house annex that morning and shared breakfast with her. Word of Jeong Tae-seong's group's ambush had reached her ears too. He'd gone to ease her worries. She simply hugged her unharmed son tightly, saying nothing. His mother knew the truth. They lived in the Heaven-Splitting Sword Clan, one of the four great houses ruled by martial might. So she didn't ask why he'd crippled their dantians. She said just one thing. [Take responsibility.]Of course I will. Shin Yu-hyun replied without hesitation
Ahead lay the path of slaughter. For vengeance against Getia. There might come a day when he had to answer for his actions. But even then, he wouldn't stop. Not until he'd made Getia pay dearly and erased them from the world. Responsibility could wait until it was all over. No time to rest. After breakfast with his mother, Shin Yu-hyun returned to the Black Tortoise Hall and headed straight to his private underground training ground. The colorless dungeon investigation wouldn't happen for another day or two
They needed time to explain the dantian closures to the Hunter Association and process the S-rank privileges for his assignment. He planned to train in the meantime. To grow stronger, even a second faster. As he sweated it out in the underground training ground near noon, some unexpected visitors arrived. "Hall Leader, could we have a word?" Shin Yu-hyun eyed the ones who'd entered his training ground. Vice Hall Leader of the Black Tortoise Hall, Choi Jung-hoon. HR Director, Lee Yeon-hwa. Finance Manager, Kim Jae-hyun
They were the key figures running the Black Tortoise Hall. So it begins at last.