Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Hero
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"...I see."
Do-yoon inwardly admired the ruthless efficiency. Even for a criminal, it was a cold-blooded way to handle things—no blood, no tears.
The Dean was impressed by Do-yoon's complete lack of surprise.
"You're not going to ask for the details? Like why they didn't reattach his arm?"
"There must have been a good reason."
The Dean grinned. The more he looked at this cadet, the more of a gem he seemed.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
The door opened, and his attendant secretary placed tea and refreshments on the table.
Do-yoon eyed the spread. Not a huge amount, but the treats looked quite luxurious. The faint aroma of the tea wafting up was pretty decent too.
He could sense some ulterior motive behind the excessive hospitality, but for Do-yoon, who enjoyed fine food, it was still a welcome sight.
The Dean offered Do-yoon some tea, and both men brought their cups to their lips.
Slurp.
The Dean's eyes lit up as he watched Do-yoon sip his tea.
Do-yoon had taken just a tiny amount, spreading it across his tongue and gums without swallowing. It was one way to savor the aroma at the tea's hottest.
The Dean didn't know it, but this was a habit Enoch showed whenever he first sipped tea.
"You seem to have quite the appreciation for tea."
"I enjoy it from time to time."
Do-yoon replied flatly and set his cup down. A tea leaf unique to this world, unavailable on Earth. A nostalgic, familiar scent.
The Dean couldn't quite size up the cadet before him.
'Those eyes from the tournament. He definitely held back on killing out of necessity.'
It wasn't emotion-driven murder lust. It was the cold gaze of someone who had fully mastered their feelings and calculated only what was needed.
He hadn't hesitated over killing. He'd simply assessed the situation and ruled out murder as an option.
The instructors who'd been watching Do-yoon all agreed on one thing.
'We have no idea what kind of life he lived in his home dimension.'
Incredible skill. Brilliant strategy. Ruthless hands. And now, this natural air of refinement.
One instructor had put it like this: the young master of a prestigious sect who survived a succession war in the martial world dimension. The Dean agreed.
'Though he feels more like a sect leader than a young master.'
What kind of life could forge someone like this in a peaceful dimension like Earth?
Slurp.
The two sipped their tea in silence.
"...I did pull some strings in Torn's case."
"I see."
"We delayed reattaching his severed arm and pushed through the trial. We got the verdict out as fast as possible and expelled him from the Cradle. Once he lost his cadet status, we no longer had any obligation to protect or treat him. He was sent back into society with his arm still missing."
"I see."
"..."
Do-yoon sipped his tea. The Dean kept staring into his eyes before finally speaking up.
"...Shall we get to the main point?"
"Yes."
"First off... I'm sorry. The Cradle failed to properly protect Cadet Han Do-yoon."
Do-yoon took another sip, as if gesturing for him to go on.
"It was Cadet Han Do-yoon who took down the boss monster, right?"
"Yes."
As expected.
"Everyone in the Cradle knows it. Naturally, it was reported to all the guilds."
"There must have been outside pressure."
"Exactly."
Do-yoon nodded. Having navigated all sorts of political machinations in his life, he had a keen eye for reading the currents.
"The pressure started before, but now that a specific figure has come to light, we just can't hold out anymore."
"I see."
"Soon... high-ranking executives from each guild will visit the Cradle for an inspection. Of course, it's just a pretext—they're really coming to see you, Cadet Han Do-yoon."
It was blatantly clear: they intended to sink their hooks into Do-yoon, the boss monster slayer.
The Dean wasn't thrilled about the situation at all, but it was beyond what he could cover up.
'Even the royal family and the World Tree Guild are applying pressure now...'
The World Tree Guild Master wasn't the type to resort to such shady tactics, no matter the stakes. This was probably the work of the vice guild master, who was overly zealous about the guild.
The World Tree vice guild master wasn't a bad person either. She was an upright Apostle who thought of the Alliance's greater good. Their interests just clashed here.
The Dean knew this, but it still left a bitter taste.
"I'm sorry. We failed in our duty to protect the cadets."
"No, it's fine. Don't worry about me. It's partly my fault for making a scene at the tournament."
"...Thank you for saying that. Truly."
Do-yoon didn't take it badly. Just as they were scouting him, he could use it as a chance to scout them too.
When you're weak, you ride the waves to gain advantages. That's how the powerless survive. For now, Do-yoon needed to go with the flow.
Better yet, he should know how to make the most of the opportunity.
"Dean. It's not much in return, but could I ask a favor?"
"Hm? Oh... I figured you'd have something. Of course. Go ahead."
The Dean was actually glad for Do-yoon's request. In his current apologetic position, it actually made things easier for him.
"Um... Among the guilds coming for that inspection you mentioned, could you look into which ones have companions of Enoch Războinic from 100 years ago?"
"Hm?"
The Dean tilted his head. It was a completely unexpected, unfamiliar request.
"Hm... No need to dig. One comes to mind right away. A very famous guild, at that."
Do-yoon's face brightened inwardly at those words.
"Which one?"
"The place most likely to take you—and the top guild in the nation, 'World Tree.' Their guild master is said to have been a renowned swordsman in the Great Hero Enoch's guild."
"Do you happen to know her name?"
Do-yoon asked, his face flushing with excitement.
He had to know. No way the top guild master was unknown.
A famous swordsman, for sure. More than five names flashed through his mind already. Enoch's companions were all renowned for their bravery and strength.
Do-yoon eagerly awaited the Dean's words. The brief moment felt endlessly long.
'Who could it be?'
Finally, his mouth opened.
And the name Do-yoon had been waiting for was spoken.
"Eloa Atwood."
Eloa. Eloa Atwood.
"...Pardon?"
Eloa?
That Eloa I know?
"...Is she a female elf, by chance?"
"That's right. You knew already. Looks like you've been paying attention in class."
The Dean smiled. But Do-yoon had to struggle to hide his utter disbelief.
Eloa? Really the Eloa he remembered?
'...A renowned swordsman? Who?'
The Eloa in Do-yoon's memory was the one who clung to the guild.
Chirping "Hero! Hero!" and trailing after Enoch everywhere.
'That little chick... is the master of the nation's top guild?'
She'd been an 11-year-old aspiring swordswoman kid.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Do-yoon walked the dirt path to sort his thoughts. He still had plenty of time before his next class.
'Man... what a flood of emotions.'
Hearing the Dean's words made Do-yoon truly feel the 100 years that had passed.
Eloa Atwood was the daughter of the Elf Guardian Captain, who had built a close bond with Enoch. When the captain was preparing for the war against the Demon King, he'd entrusted his daughter to his friend and Hero, Enoch.
Eloa, the cute elf girl seen as a symbol of beauty. She lived in the guild house, acting like the guild's mascot and healing the members' hearts.
Everyone in the guild treated Eloa like a daughter or little sister. For Eloa, separated from her tribe from a young age, the guild was family.
And the one she admired more than anyone— the symbol of courage and justice, respected by all.
The Hero, Enoch Războinic.
'That chick-like kid... is the master of the nation's top guild? For real?'
No matter how much he mulled it over, he couldn't believe it. And the more he did, the more he chuckled.
The Elf Guardian Captain position was hereditary. Their family had particularly blonde hair among elves—blond, but an unusually bright yellow.
Because of that trait, her nickname in the guild had been "chick."
Do-yoon could still vividly picture Eloa swinging a wooden sword in the guild courtyard, chirping, "I'll get strong and become a guild member someday!"
'I want to see her.'
After 100 years, how much had she grown?
Do-yoon sank into fond memories of the chick he'd soon reunite with. A recent rain had just stopped, adding a fresh, earthy scent to the mood.
Splash, splash. His footsteps echoed rhythmically in the shallow puddles.
To Do-yoon, lost in pleasant nostalgia, it felt like music.
Splash, splash.
Until his next class, Do-yoon strolled the path, thinking of the old connection he'd soon meet again.