The Chief Bodyguard's Gratitude
"Well then, now that I've had some ginseng."
It's the classic routine in martial arts stories—pop a rare elixir and circulate your energy once. I closed my eyes and ran the Cheonma Simbeop.
A heavy energy stirred in my dantian. It flowed through my meridians, circulating throughout my body.
Farm... This was the morning routine ever since learning the Nongcheonma Shingong. Of course, ginseng sticks weren't potent enough to make me feel a huge power-up. If you could get stronger just from ginseng, who would bother with grueling training or dungeon runs?
Still, running the heart method once seemed to clear my mind nicely.
A sudden question popped into my head.
"Heukryeon."
"Yes, speak."
"What if I just sit in my room and run the Cheonma Simbeop all day? Wouldn't I get stronger on my own?"
It was a random thought. Wouldn't that be easy mode?
Heukryeon shook her head.
"The Cheonma Simbeop is the ultimate heart method. It does build inner power, but there's a clear limit to the speed."
"A limit?"
"If you could become the world's strongest just by sitting and circulating energy, why would martial artists obsess over elixirs?"
Heukryeon continued in her calm voice.
"Absorbing external energy into your dantian is far faster and more efficient than building it yourself. So."
She gave a slight smile.
"Farming elixirs from those gates would be much more helpful for your progress."
Even the Cheonma Simbeop couldn't beat loot RNG, huh.
"Besides, just growing your inner power doesn't make you stronger indiscriminately."
Heukryeon snapped her fingers.
"Martial arts have forms and stances. You need to move your body to master the techniques. Like the footwork you learned yesterday."
I recalled the Gwieungbo from yesterday. Yeah, no amount of inner power mattered without skill.
"Above all, real combat is key. You gain true insight only through battles where your life hangs in the balance. A flower grown in a greenhouse can never become a Heavenly Demon."
"Y-yeah, that makes sense."
She had a point—no room for argument. Free power-ups were off the table.
I stood up.
"I'm hungry anyway. Let's eat first."
It was lunchtime. I'd circulated my energy, so time to fill the stomach.
"Hehe."
I pulled out my smartphone. Normally, I'd grab instant ramen from the cupboard for a quick meal—my trusty staple.
But things were different now. In my rundown studio, there was a thick stack of bills. A cool ten million won in cash. Enough to forget about money worries for a while.
"Days like this call for something tasty."
I opened the delivery app and ordered a whole chicken without hesitation.
"Ugh."
It was pricey the moment I went to confirm. How does a chicken—just battered and fried—cost this much? I hesitated for a second, but my wallet backed me up. Gotta get protein for training, right?
It's all for cultivation in the end. Rationalizing it to myself, I hit order.
But then—
Ding-dong—
Right as I was about to confirm the chicken, the doorbell rang.
"Huh?"
I glanced between my phone screen and the front door.
Here already? Before I even ordered?
No way. Shaking off the ridiculous thought, I headed to the door. Maybe a package.
Click.
I flung the door open. And blinked.
"Uh..."
I couldn't find words. Standing there was someone I never expected.
A man in his forties, impeccably dressed in a black suit. The bodyguard I'd seen last night at Chae Yu-ra's mansion after the orc chaos.
"Hello."
He bowed politely as he saw me. Despite our thirty-year age gap, he didn't seem fazed.
"I'm Kang Tae-woo, Chae Yu-ra's chief bodyguard."
"Ah, hi. Hello."
Caught off guard by the sudden visit, I returned a clumsy bow. Then Kang Tae-woo got to the point.
"If you're before lunch, may I treat you? We also need to discuss your ID issuance."
"Oh, the ID."
Now it clicked. They'd promised to fix my identification issue. Crucial stuff. And free food? No reason to say no. Especially one second from chicken ordering.
Hmm. Kinda bummed now that it's not chicken.
I'd psyched myself up for that pricey bird, brain all geared for fried goodness. Switching tracks felt off.
Chicken can be a snack later.
No need to turn down free grub.
"One sec."
I threw on an outer layer and stepped out. Kang Tae-woo turned first.
Thud. Thud.
He walked ahead silently. I trailed behind, eyeing his mountain of a back.
Doesn't seem like a bad guy.
Big and burly on the outside. But his face had a honest vibe. Treating me—a kid half his age—with full respect. A real scumbag couldn't be a chaebol heir's top bodyguard anyway.
But what was he treating me to? Local burger joint? Or old-man classics like bone hangover soup or gukbap?
Either sounded fine. But my guess missed completely.
Kang Tae-woo stopped in front of a building in the bustling street.
"Huh?"
I startled at the sign. Fancy place, screaming expensive.
"Please, come in."
He held the door. Inside, sleek decor hit me. I went in as invited, but yeah—top-tier restaurant. Sizzling thick steaks from the kitchen, rich butter scent invading my nose.
Steakhouse?
Had to be premium steak. I hesitated.
"Um, eating at a place this pricey feels..."
We'd met once last night, but basically strangers. A chief bodyguard might have cash, but not chaebol-level unlimited. Why splurge on a random kid?
Reasonable suspicion bubbled up.
N-no way.
Those news stories about kidnappers luring kids with candy or toys flashed in my mind. Kids today wouldn't fall for candy, but high-end steak? Maybe.
My imagination veered dark—until,
"No, ma'am. You've done me a huge favor."
Kang Tae-woo bowed deeply.
"Thank you for saving the young miss. You did something incredible."
His voice dripped sincerity.
"So please, let me treat you to a good meal. For my pride's sake."
Ah, that was it. Decapitating the orc, saving Chae Yu-ra.
Chief bodyguard, huh.
High position means big responsibility. If something happened to her on his watch, he'd be in deep shit. Life-threatening? Unimaginable fallout.
I'd prevented that, so the gratitude made sense.
Yeah, not a bad guy.
I felt ashamed for suspecting him. Silly imagination.
Time to relax and enjoy free premium beef.
"Also, personally, I'm a bit curious about something."
Kang Tae-woo continued in his deep voice, gazing at me intently.
I flinched, shoulders hunching.
S-still dangerous?
In several ways. I swallowed hard. Fake a bathroom break and bolt?
As I seriously pondered,
"I heard you talk to yourself a lot."
Kang Tae-woo blurted it out.
"Ah, that."
Couldn't help it. Blame Heukryeon standing right beside me.
I glanced at her. She tilted her head, puzzled.
She looked totally human to me. Even if she's a non-physical martial spirit, she's too lifelike. When she chats nonstop, I respond without thinking.
To outsiders, though? Gotta look weird.
Explaining? Too complicated. Say it's hallucinations? Might drop it.
Then, in a heavy tone, Kang Tae-woo asked,
"Do you see something like apparitions?"
"Apparitions?"
"Yes. I've seen many among people I know with similar symptoms."
I tilted my head. Similar symptoms? Others possessed by spirits or martial spirits like me?
My hunter knowledge was shallow. Mostly lurking on Hunter Gallery.
Maybe a common thing in the hunter world I didn't know.
"Like... apparitions, yeah."
"Please don't lump me in with hallucinations. Didn't I teach you martial arts?"
"No, besides that, it's hard to explain... Ah."
I accidentally replied to Heukryeon.
Kang Tae-woo saw it.
"As I thought."
He nodded solemnly.
Cautiously, he asked again.
"What kind of relationship do you have with that apparition?"
I pondered. How to describe Heukryeon?
"Teacher?"
I whispered to her.
Heukryeon shook her head.
"Please don't place me above you, Heavenly Demon."
Hmm. Teacher too burdensome? What then? Nothing else fit perfectly.
"So, comrade."
That was my pick.
"A comrade."
Someone who taught me how to fight. Not bad, right?
Heukryeon's golden eyes widened slightly. Unexpected word?
And she wasn't the only surprised one.
Kang Tae-woo's gaze trembled at "comrade."
"I see... so that's it."
Then, from that iron-willed man's eyes, a single tear like a chicken dropping rolled down.