Chapter 20. Witch's Daughter
Rarosa had given up on taking the hero exam. After her spar with the hero, she'd felt her shortcomings all too keenly. In short, she hadn't reached the level of maturity needed to become a hero yet.
Even Cheonma, whom he'd expected to object, surprisingly accepted his disciple's decision without protest. The moment it was settled, they began preparations to depart for the southern continent.
"Why not stay a bit longer since you're already here...?"
"No, we have plenty to do back home."
Ji-hyuk couldn't for the life of him figure out what Cheonma was up to. Over the two days they'd stayed, the old master had scrutinized the heroes with the eyes of a hawk but hadn't engaged in any private conversations or approached anyone. Considering what he'd seen in previous loops, this was highly unusual.
...Something was definitely going on, but he had no idea what.
"Thank you for everything, sir."
Rarosa bowed deeply to the hero, her gesture laced with genuine respect.
"What a shame. You could've definitely made it as a hero."
"I've realized just how much I still lack. I plan to take the exam again once I've reached a more mature level."
"Well, if that's how you feel..."
Ji-hyuk figured the spar yesterday must have shaken her resolve. In the original timeline, Rarosa was fated to become a hero this time around, but now that had been derailed. The world had likely tilted slightly off its axis in some unknown direction.
Of course, he didn't think this would trigger some massive catastrophe. He'd seen countless instances where scheduled events veered off course like this, and nothing catastrophic had ever come of it. It was probably just Rarosa's promotion delayed a bit.
"Take care."
"You too."
Eizel and Cheonma exchanged a light handshake. Rarosa bowed deeply once more to everyone before hurrying after her departing master.
The fairy Eizel watched them board their carriage, waving until her friends were out of sight.
...And just like that, Cheonma—who had arrived so abruptly—departed just as suddenly.
This left the recommendation letter's name field blank, with no choice but to stay that way. Ji-hyuk seized the opportunity. Since the letter had no owner anyway, slotting in Mahushu wouldn't cause any issues.
He'd originally planned for a year from now, but with things turning out like this, there was no need to delay.
The disciple led her master to the office. Her cheeks were flushed like a shy girl's.
"Master, I have a favor to ask."
"A favor? What is it?"
"I want my subordinate to take the hero exam."
"...You're talking about the recommendation letter?"
"Yes."
The moment the recommendation letter was mentioned, the gentle master reverted to her strict instructor mode.
"That's not something you ask lightly. It could tarnish not just my reputation, but yours too."
It was a special letter granted by the imperial family in recognition of her achievements. Abusing it for personal reasons would surely spark rumors.
She worried that such gossip might harm her promising disciple's future.
"No need to worry. She's more than qualified. In fact, people will praise your judgment later for recommending her."
"...Mahushu, that girl?"
"Yes."
Eizel guessed the candidate immediately without being told. After thirty years of raising heroes, she had more than enough insight for that.
The mixed-blood was undeniably talented. She lacked nothing to become a hero.
Even setting aside her disciple's request and judging coldly, Mahushu was worthy of the recommendation.
"Fine. ...But just this once. If you keep doing this, rumors really will spread. ...I don't care about much, but I won't stand by while you get dragged through the mud. You get me?"
Her master scolded her with a stern face. The disciple smiled and approached.
But she kept her expression firm, staring him down.
"Kang Ji-hyuk, I'm talking to you. Huh? Answer me, now."
"Got it."
The hero stepped closer. Their bodies were now nearly pressed together.
Ah—. Only then did her master's face soften into a bashful blush. She tried to step back, thinking it too close, but he grabbed her arms firmly and pulled her into his embrace.
"Hey, what're you doing? It's morning.... What if someone sees?"
"Everyone's out. And even if they're around, they'll be busy with their own stuff. Besides, we're in my room. No one's watching."
"Still, we should be careful. Let go, come on. ...Hey? Ignoring your master?"
"Sorry for being such a worthless disciple, Master."
This guy, seriously. But when he leaned in for a kiss, she didn't dodge—instead, she sucked on his lips and tongue.
Words and actions at odds, the pathetic master.
The disciple's right hand groped her master's breast, the left squeezing her ass. The soft nipple stiffened under her touch.
Hmm... hnnngh. The fairy's nasal breaths grew hotter during their deep, sloppy kiss.
Ji-hyuk enjoyed watching her reactions. His emotions, dulled from countless deaths, left little room for love—but he held a strong fondness for this fairy, at least.
Of course, it wasn't like he'd never loved before. But after so many loves resetting to zero in an instant, genuine affection had become hard to muster. His heart, carved raw by endless pain, was now too rough and jagged for pure love to take root.
They parted soon after. The master quickly straightened her clothes, though the flush on her cheeks lingered.
"See you later, then."
"Yeah... I'm heading to the academy."
"Thanks so much, Master. Sorry for the trouble."
"It's fine."
Fairy master Eizel left the hero's office. The hero sat at his desk with a long exhale.
...Things had suddenly gotten busier. An unscheduled hero exam slot had opened up.
Mahushu would breeze through the first round, no doubt, but the second was the issue—that required a mission team.
To assemble a good one, he'd need to start preparing now. He planned to select a few from his current guild members to send with her. Their expedition experience would ensure smooth support and mission completion.
Ji-hyuk picked Kayak, Gid, and Yael for the team. Add a healer, and they'd handle most missions easily.
The junkie mage was a slight concern, but a quiet word to Kayak should smooth it over. He intended to have her pick a low-point mission—20 or 30 points—so it wouldn't drag on.
That settled Mahushu's issue for now. Next, shift focus to his own problems.
Losing four members from his forces would inevitably disrupt his missions. He needed to accelerate recruitment immediately.
Given the situation, he'd have to lower standards a tad. Just counting essential roles for two teams, he needed at least four more right away.
Ding-a-ling.
Ji-hyuk rang the bell. A servant entered.
"You called, sir?"
"Fetch Kayak and Mahushu. Right now."
"Understood."
Soon, the lizardman and mixed-blood beastkin arrived at the hero's office, bowing respectfully.
"Come closer."
They approached the desk. Mahushu's body radiated heat from recent training.
"What is it, boss?"
The serious Kayak asked politely.
"Something major."
Ji-hyuk said, resting his interlaced hands on the desk corner.
"I'm entering Mahushu in this hero exam."
-_-!!
"Rarosa left, leaving a spot open. You're filling it, Mahushu."
Mahushu's eyes went wide in shock. She poked her chest with a finger.
"Me? The hero exam?"
"Yeah. ...What do you think?"
"I'm still lacking in so many ways.... Becoming a hero means leading, right? ...Can I really do it?"
"You'll learn that as you go. Don't overthink it. Everyone struggles at first. Even I did."
His gaze shifted to Kayak.
"So you support her closely."
"I'll do my utmost."
"Gid and Yael too. That should cover it..."
"More than enough—overkill, even."
"I'll get a healer. ...I considered Grace at first, but it'd leave my team too short. I have missions too, you know?"
"Of course. Gid and Yael will suffice."
The hero smiled lightly at Mahushu. She gazed back with a mix of excitement and worry.
"You've watched me closely all this time, right? Do it like that. You'll nail it."
"Yes, sir!!"
Mahushu bellowed like a valiant warrior. Ji-hyuk grinned warmly.
Yeah, that's the grit I like about her.
"Alright then, Kayak. We'll be busy from now on."
"I'll start inquiring immediately. I'll have Gid check the mercenary guild too."
"Good."
The hero clapped his hands.
"Let's get to it."
· · ·
Ji-hyuk visited Yael's assistant office for the first time in a while. For recruiting mages, the magic academy was the best spot.
He sat at the desk, scanning the mage list, while the junkie mage crawled under it to suck and slobber on his holy cock like mad.
She was making up for lost time, unable to visit the mansion due to her papers.
The hero kept his eyes on work even as he offered his dick. The quiet room filled with wet, slurping sounds.
Suddenly, a knock at the door.
Yael, lost in her blowjob, missed it. The hero answered instead.
"Yeah, come in."
-_-!!
The door creaked open, and her suction intensified in panic. Her surprise was obvious.
"Pardon the intrusion."
It was a junior assistant's voice. Yael froze, cock in mouth, all senses on her ears. Her heart pounded, spine chilling.
"Hello, sir. ...S-Senior said she needed research materials."
"Leave them and go."
"...Where's Senior?"
"Out on an errand. Why? Message for her?"
"No, nothing like that..."
Get out already, you bitch—why're you lingering?!
"You look so cool working..."
Yael thought she'd misheard.
"Ah, my office is down the hall, end of the corridor. The one with windows."
"Really?"
"If you ever need anything, just let me know."
"Got it. Thanks for the thought."
"Hehe..."
Look at this bitch? Yael swirled her tongue around the cock, rolling it side to side in her mouth.
"Sorry for interrupting. I'll be going."
The junkie assistant slurped loudly as the door closed, declaring this is MY cock. But the junior didn't seem to notice and shut the door.
Ji-hyuk scooted his chair back. She stretched her neck to keep the cock in.
"Your junior came and went. Hear that?"
Yael nodded lightly, cock still stuffed in.
"Let's wrap this up."
Ah—. She brushed her fallen hair behind her ears and bobbed her head furiously.
Now she could deepthroat effortlessly. Her tongue lapped the shaft hard.
The pace quickened. Ji-hyuk didn't hold back, blasting cum down her throat.
She cleaned meticulously, sucking it spotless, then wiped the glistening shaft with a wet cloth.
Once done, the hero pulled up his pants.
"Any mages you recommend? ...Rumors are fine too."
"Um..."
Yael pondered. Several names came to mind, but they were all on the list.
He probably wanted off-list talent. Then one popped up.
But she was still a student, not graduated.
"There's a skilled one, but she's an academy student."
"Doesn't matter. Who?"
Yael hesitated. Should she say?
...Yeah, just mentioning it was fine. He'd filter it himself.
"Ludvine Martinez. Alchemy department."
Ji-hyuk's eyes flashed at the name.
"...But she's the witch's daughter."