Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The sudden appearance of the woman left I Jeonseok unable to hide his surprise.
‘I didn’t notice her at all.’
Even Jeonseok, who had been through countless battles, was caught off guard.
In his previous life, no one could approach him without consequence—SSS-rank hunters included.
But perhaps due to being back in the past, with some of his traits gone, his senses were dulled.
‘This is the downside of relying solely on traits.’
Tsk.
Jeonseok clicked his tongue as he adjusted the blade of his Jeokdando.
This opponent wasn’t ordinary.
She was strong.
That much was certain.
If they fought…
‘It’s uncertain.’
He wasn’t sure he could win.
He lacked too many traits.
Could he even protect his mother?
‘At least SSS-rank strong.’
Even Kim Baekdong, who was SS-rank, hadn’t been this formidable.
That meant the woman before him was an SSS-rank powerhouse.
One of the nine holders of the “Authority Seat .”
But…
‘Has such an Authority Seat even existed?’
Jeonseok recalled the past.
An Authority Seat was another name for SSS-rank, a title given to superhumans whose individual power could overwhelm nations.
In his previous life, Jeonseok had ascended to the seat of authority himself, and naturally, he had been fully aware of the other nine.
After all, he had killed them.
There was no way he wouldn’t know.
Yet the woman before him was a strong opponent he had never seen.
Or perhaps… could there have been another power rivaling the Authority Seats?
It wasn’t entirely impossible.
Still, it was hard to believe.
A being who had never appeared even after Jeonseok became the world’s public enemy now revealed herself before him.
“I didn’t come with ill intent, so you needn’t be so guarded.”
The woman spoke with a meaningful tone.
Jeonseok didn’t lower his guard.
No visible malice, but hiding one’s emotions was easy for someone of Authority Seat caliber.
Hence, he doubted her, again and again.
“Do you really think I can just not be on guard in a situation like this?”
A stranger appearing in his home all of a sudden…
And her aura was like a storm.
“True enough, I suppose.”
The woman continued.
“Then,” she said, producing a ceremonial tablet from her robes.
Decorated with a pink cord, it was an item that only one person in South Korea could possess.
“…The Association President?”
Indeed.
The Sword Master—or ‘Authority Seat of the Sword’—the woman before him was Yeon Seonhwa.
Her token of authority was right in front of him.
But…
‘This woman is Sword Master Seonhwa?’
Jeonseok couldn’t hide his astonishment.
Of course, in his previous life, the Seonhwa he had seen was a bedridden old woman with white hair, waiting only for death.
That had been five years in the future.
But now, look at her.
No wrinkles, skin pale and flawless.
Hair shining like jewels, smooth as silk.
She was far from the image of an old woman.
Was it possible she had aged and fallen ill in the past five years?
It was hard to believe.
“…Are you really the Association President?”
“If not, then what do I appear to be?”
“….”
A young woman.
Strikingly beautiful.
And at her waist, a long sword of the Jeok type.
“First, I apologize for entering your home without permission.”
She tucked her blue hair behind her ear as she spoke.
Gentle and soft, completely devoid of hostility.
From the beginning, Jeonseok hadn’t sensed any murderous intent.
No killing intent, no anger, no hatred, no resentment.
Just as in the brief moment he had seen her in his previous life, Seonhwa was a pure-hearted person.
A person who had lived a life of virtue, unlike Jeonseok, who had piled sins upon sins.
“Baekdong seemed unusually enthusiastic, so I came to satisfy my curiosity. And it seems I’m glad I did.”
Seonhwa’s eyes swept over him as if assessing him.
Strangely, Jeonseok didn’t feel uncomfortable.
Perhaps because she harbored no malice.
Yet the lack of unease felt strange to him.
Her presence stirred an old memory.
‘…That’s him.’
This was unmistakably the Seonhwa he knew.
“So,”
Jeonseok lowered the Jeokdando and asked,
“Are you satisfied?”
“More than enough.”
Seonhwa let out a faint smile.
“Baekdong mentioned that you made a mercenary contract, correct?”
“…Yes.”
Jeonseok replied quietly.
Had Kim Baekdong also told her about Yeji?
A wave of unease rose, but it was brief.
Jeonseok calmed himself quickly.
Baekdong wasn’t the type to blab, especially not about critical information.
And judging by Seonhwa, it seemed he hadn’t mentioned anything about Yeji.
Jeonseok allowed himself a small relief.
“Hmm…”
Seonhwa, appearing thoughtful, suddenly spoke in a slightly startled tone.
“Would you consider becoming my disciple?”
“…Huh?”
Jeonseok was taken aback by the sudden offer.
A disciple? Out of nowhere?
“Rest assured, you won’t be affiliated with the Association. Becoming my disciple only means receiving guidance from me.”
“….”
Jeonseok could only remain silent.
The Sword Master’s disciple.
Not a bad proposition.
Though Seonhwa’s intentions were unclear, her swordsmanship was something anyone would covet.
Changcheon Maehwa
In his previous life, he had seen it only once.
On a hospital rooftop by chance.
Seonhwa had swung her sword as if performing a dance.
Jeonseok had been awestruck.
Even the murderous Chunsalseong had been momentarily stunned by her technique.
Ironically, witnessing it had become the trigger for Chunsalseong to kill her, yet the timeless beauty of her movements remained vivid in his memory.
“…May I think about it and contact you later?”
Jeonseok asked, unable to decline outright.
He couldn’t accept so readily either.
The Sword Master’s disciple.
Not a decision to make lightly.
Especially considering how sudden the offer was.
“That’s fine.”
Seonhwa answered with a gentle smile.
She then rose from her chair.
“Excuse me. If you decide to become my disciple, contact me here.”
She handed him a card.
Yeon Seonhwa
SSS-rank Hunter
President of the Hunter Association, South Korea
Looking up again, she had vanished without a trace.
A single pink blossom remained on the chair.
When he reached for it, it scattered into nothingness.
Petals drifted like dust, carrying only a faint floral scent.
“Son, it’s time for dinner!”
Han Yuri’s voice called.
Jeonseok had no time to linger on the event and had to leave the room immediately.
The moonlit night was faint.
Pink petals floated in the wind.
Scattering gently like calm ripples across a building.
On the rooftop of the Hunter Association, they split into dozens, hundreds, blooming into the form of a person.
Yeon Seonhwa emerged.
Approaching her was a man in a pitch-black suit.
Hair, eyes, everything black.
Seonhwa glanced at him.
“Have you been waiting?”
“I am the secretary, after all.”
“Even a secretary needs rest. You can’t just keep working overtime.”
The man, Yoo Hanseol, could only remain silent.
Instead, he posed a question as if on her behalf:
“Are you satisfied with seeing her?”
Seeing her.
Apparently, Seonhwa had remembered the words before she left the Association.
“I just wanted to see her. You may leave now.”
Though he had been waiting and not leaving, Seonhwa smiled quietly.
“I am satisfied enough.”
“The meaning being…”
“I have decided to take him as my disciple.”
“…!”
Yoo Hanseol’s eyes widened in shock.
He even opened his mouth in astonishment.
It was understandable.
Seonhwa had never taken a disciple in her lifetime.
Many had asked, but she had rejected them all.
Massive wealth. Rare items. Once-in-a-century talent.
Nothing could sway her.
Yet now, she offered to take a disciple.
“So he impressed you that much?”
Yoo Hanseol asked quietly.
Seonhwa gazed at the brightening moon.
The clouds parted, and moonlight deepened.
“He had talent and potential. Isn’t that enough?”
“….”
Had anyone without talent ever asked her for guidance?
Noble children of famous guilds. Guild leaders.
Top graduates of Hunter Academy.
None had been accepted.
“But this one had awakened only a month ago and still sensed my presence. He remained composed in front of an overwhelming force, handled the situation admirably, and possessed excellent traits.”
The dagger fueled by blood.
The flames of red fire.
The suddenly appearing skeleton.
The vacant, mechanical eyes capable of devouring everything.
All of it captured Seonhwa’s attention.
Above all:
“There were also intriguing points.”
“‘Intriguing’?”
“Yes.”
Yoo Hanseol questioned.
Seonhwa didn’t answer, only offering a faint smile.
“Of course, this is merely a proposal. There’s no guarantee he will become my disciple.”
“Even so, would anyone decline the offer of the Sword Master?”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. Anyone would covet the position of the Sword Master’s disciple.”
“At one point, you desired it too, didn’t you?”
“That… I have no intention of revisiting that now. Shameful past should remain buried.”
Seonhwa smiled playfully, showing a mischievous side unexpected for her age.
“Han-seol.”
“Yes, Madam President?”
“It’s late. You should leave now.”
“But…”
“I dislike repeating myself so many times.”
“…Understood.”
Yoo Hanseol finally nodded and descended from the rooftop.
Seonhwa remained alone, gazing at the night sky.
Though staring at the sky was one of her few hobbies, the clouds tonight made it less scenic.
Still, Seonhwa felt pleased.
Jeonseok.
Such raw potential was rare.
It wasn’t just his talent that caught her eye; there was something else.
A presence beyond words.
It fascinated her and made her want to watch him closely.
Above all…
‘I should start thinking about leaving a successor.’
Changcheon Maehwa.
The one and only swordsmanship in the world.
‘It’s a shame time is short.’
Seonhwa descended the rooftop, leaving her wistfulness behind.