Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Sword Tiger Steps In
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In an instant, the alley in front of Yong-un's house was packed with people.
The once-quiet alley was now crammed full of hunters from every major guild vying for attention.
And they were forced to confront an unexpected figure.
"What the hell is going on here? How is it that Sword Tiger, who hasn't been seen for a whole week, is standing right here?"
Sword Tiger.
The first S-Rank hunter in South Korean history.
The hero who had stripped away the infamous label of being the weakest awakened nation without a single S-Rank. He was an indispensable powerhouse; even a week's absence could stir up this kind of chaos.
Yet here he was, blocking the front of Yong-un's house.
"S-Sword Tiger!"
Everyone was shocked, but the Garosu Guild was the most stunned of all.
Garosu Guild's scouting director rushed forward in a panic and dropped to his knees before Sword Tiger.
Even with countless hunters watching, the scouting director showed no hesitation, planting both knees firmly on the ground before him.
It couldn't be helped.
But every hunter who saw it silently nodded in understanding.
Kneeling?
To Sword Tiger, that was only natural for Garosu Guild.
Without him, Garosu Guild would plummet from the heights like a plane crashing out of the sky.
Swoosh.
"Rise."
Sword Tiger scanned the hunters filling the alley, his voice low and gravelly.
"Yes, sir!"
The scouting director, eyes wide with shock, scrambled to his feet.
His gaze was filled with questions he burned to ask, but he couldn't get a word out.
Because...
"This is bizarre. I thought he was some hidden master who wouldn't reveal himself."
The scouting director looked even more astonished at Sword Tiger's demeanor.
Perhaps annoyed by all the staring eyes, Sword Tiger smoothly drew the sword tied at his waist.
Then he beckoned to the scouting director.
"Tell me everything."
"Yes, sir!"
To him, that casual gesture was a divine command.
The scouting director hurried to Sword Tiger's side and explained.
"The hunters have gathered here to recruit a new A-Rank holy hunter named Yong-un."
"Yong-un? How old is he?"
"Twenty-five."
Sword Tiger's eyebrow twitched.
"Twenty-five... Do you have a photo?"
"Yes! Right here."
The scouting director pulled a photo from the inner pocket of his suit and handed it over.
The moment Sword Tiger glanced at the face in the photo, he handed it straight back without a second's pause.
"Yong-un... We lived together for a week, and I never even knew his name. Yong-un... Heh."
Sword Tiger let out a chuckle and swept his gaze over the hunters crowding the area.
"Looks like every big-shot guild sent their people."
Then he shifted his eyes to the rooftop where Yong-un had stood every day.
Staring at the empty spot for a long moment, Sword Tiger's smile deepened as he released his grip on the sword hilt.
As if reaching a decision, he steeled his gaze and took his first step toward the hunters.
"Better to rack up some debt. If fame and glory are what you want, I'll help you out. Kuhuhu."
The hunters waiting there backed away at the sight of Sword Tiger approaching with a meaningful smile.
After walking a certain distance, Sword Tiger halted where everyone could see him clearly.
Then he bellowed at the top of his lungs, shaking the alley.
"The Yong-un you're all looking for! Actually, that guy is the one I mentioned before—the one who..."
It was the moment his name, Lee Yong-un, would be etched into South Korean history.
"Kuh..."
The air vibrated with mana at that exact instant, and a small but thunderous voice exploded in Sword Tiger's mind.
Bzzz!
"...!?"
Sword Tiger clutched his head mid-sentence.
Then a voice laced with thick killing intent followed.
Sword Tiger gritted his teeth against the brain-rattling pain.
His head whipped around frantically, scanning the surroundings.
How can a skill like this exist? It's definitely a skill, but there's no caster?
No matter how long-range it was, there should be a trace of mana lingering right after activation.
But he couldn't find even a hint of it, swallowing his shock in horror.
That shock didn't last long, though.
Whoosh.
"I warned you... not to come here."
A massive back, like a mountain, appeared before the stunned Sword Tiger.
He desperately leaped back, gripping his sword hilt and channeling mana.
No presence at all.
He moved to draw his blade toward the back's owner.
Swish.
Flinch!
But his hand froze on the hilt.
The owner of that back had turned, locking eyes with him.
Meeting those eyes, Sword Tiger finally let out a scoff.
"Heh, so it was you."
The impossible events suddenly made perfect sense.
Of course. If it's that monster, it's possible.
He even nodded, erasing the inexplicable phenomena from his mind.
He didn't know how it worked.
He hadn't even imagined it could.
But if the one using that skill was him, it all clicked somehow.
He could pull it off.
How did I change like this? I've been living in such a narrow world.
It felt like a frog emerging from a well.
Yet Sword Tiger didn't mind the shift. With the excitement of a child beholding a new world, he released the sword hilt.
Crossing his arms, he glanced at Yong-un and the hunters, slowly letting his smile fade.
What will you do? I get it, but these guys here won't.
Sword Tiger took a step back.
As if on cue, the hunters' voices rose.
"What? Did you see him?"
"Yong-un! Yong-un, right? This is Daemyeong Guild! Look over here!"
"What speed... Catch him no matter what!"
"Yong-un!"
"Master Yong-un!"
The atmosphere, subdued by Sword Tiger's presence, heated up in a flash.
Yong-un, frowning at the noise, adjusted his stance.
From a cocky pose with hands in his pockets to an odd one with both hands visible.
"No way..."
It looked innocuous, but Sword Tiger paled and rushed toward him without hesitation.
"Stop!"
Yong-un's head snapped around again, meeting Sword Tiger's eyes.
"Stay put."
"...!?"
Their eyes locked, and Sword Tiger flinched to a halt once more.
But this was different from before.
Before was just a warning. This was action on that warning.
It felt like being sucked into the maw of a colossal dragon. Cold sweat beaded on Sword Tiger's forehead.
Unable to stay still, he forcibly stirred his mana.
Overcoming the pressure, he grabbed Yong-un's arm.
"I warned you."
"Stop him."
Sword Tiger yanked at Yong-un's arm.
But it wouldn't budge. Desperately, he whispered.
"You planning to kill them all?"
"This is my family's space. Brainless intruders who weren't called have no place here."
"..."
Killing intent swirled in Yong-un's eyes.
It was genuine.
He really means to kill them.
No mere warning.
Eyes that regarded human lives like insects.
Those chilling eyes of calamity shifted past Sword Tiger to the noisy hunters.
The demonic energy, which had barely halted, began to stir again.
A colossal demonic presence unlike anything he'd ever felt.
As the tidal wave of demonic energy threatened to engulf everyone, Sword Tiger maxed out his mana.
Then he roared even louder than before.
"Everyone, shut up!!"
Whoosh.
How much mana had he burned?
A gale of mana swept past every hunter.
The chattering crowd clutched their ears and grimaced.
"..."
Silence blanketed the noisy alley.
Hunters came to their senses one by one.
"Did Sword Tiger just yell?"
"Seems like it. Quiet down!"
"Sword Tiger's speaking. Shh!"
The mood had shifted.
Yong-un glanced at Sword Tiger.
But Sword Tiger's gaze was fixed behind Yong-un.
The demonic tidal wave poised to sweep them all halted.
Sword Tiger stepped past Yong-un to face the hunters.
"Yong-un here! He's actually... my dis...ciple!"
Whoosh.
Sword Tiger's sudden declaration.
Like a stone rippling a still pond.
"What?!"
"Sword Tiger has a disciple!?"
"Whoa... this is huge news."
"Insane!"
The once-quiet hunters grew even louder.
But only briefly. Sword Tiger bellowed again.
"So! Shut up and get out. Or I'll make damn sure to remember your guilds."
Power was everything.
The marketplace-like clamor fell silent at his final words.
How could nearly a hundred people hush on a single command?
Shing.
In the quiet, Sword Tiger drew his sword and pointed it at the hunters.
"I don't go back on my word. Leave."
The hunters knew exactly what that meant. They began slipping away one by one.
"You wanna get on Sword Tiger's bad side?! Get out!"
"He's his disciple! Don't be greedy—beat it!"
"Hey, reporters! Scram! Go!"
That was the weight of Sword Tiger's name and words.
Enough to scatter hundreds from major guilds in an instant.
Many guilds had crumbled after catching his ire. The others fled swiftly.
But...
"So this is the Four Great Guilds, huh."
Not all feared his command.
Guilds that could weather defying him.
Hwarang, Iron Army, Garosu, Sareung.
The scouting directors of the four stood firm before him.
Sword Tiger's face soured as he raised his mana.
"Even the Four Great Guilds are no exception. I'll visit your guild masters soon enough."
"We didn't expect to find you here, Sword Tiger."
Sareung Guild's scouting director spoke first.
Sword Tiger grimaced and swung his blade tip toward him.
"Doesn't matter if your guild master vanishes?"
"Don't underestimate Sareung. Our old guild master, who lost an arm to you, was replaced ages ago. And if anything happens to ours, Garosu's would follow suit."
The Sareung scouting director shrugged.
"Guild wars are always welcome."
Sareung guild members nearby snickered.
"How dare you!"
Outraged, Garosu members glared at them.
The Sareung director raised both hands and backpedaled mockingly.
"Of course, fighting now would be pointless. Different story without you here. Heh, think about it, Garosu. Sword Tiger only has one body."
"You bastards..."
"Enough."
Sword Tiger's icy voice halted the Garosu members.
He sheathed his sword and eyed the others.
"Hwarang, Iron Army. You with Sareung?"
"Yes. Hwarang isn't weak."
"You know Iron Army's the best."
Sword Tiger nodded at their boldness.
"Go. You might think you're top dogs here, but it won't go your way."
"Thank you."
"See you again."
"As you say."
Hwarang, Iron Army, and Sareung replied in turn before departing.
Now, only Sword Tiger and Garosu Guild remained in the alley.
"Why'd you do that?"
Yong-un asked, gazing at the now-clear alley.
Sword Tiger, deep in thought, replied.
"Otherwise, a huge mess would've erupted."
"So you barked that ridiculous lie?"
Yong-un as his disciple.
It was a double-edged sword.
A blade that could silence the frenzy in an instant—or ignite it further.
But Sword Tiger knew that full well.
"No choice. We had to defuse the situation. And if you'd killed them all, this place would've gotten even noisier."
Yong-un chuckled at Sword Tiger's words.
Sword Tiger frowned at the laugh, despite the gravity.
"You find that funny? You nearly committed a grave sin back there."
"I know."
"What?"
"I heard you. You're Sword Tiger."
Wrinkle lines formed on Sword Tiger's brow.
"And I know what kind of man Sword Tiger is."
"Hah..."
Sword Tiger grasped the implication instantly.
"You knew I'd step in..."
"Unless I'm insane, would I slaughter them all? I told you—this is my family's space."
He didn't want to stain his family's home with blood.
Let alone the ensuing uproar.
Yong-un approached with a faint smile.
He extended a hand to the dazed Sword Tiger.
"To protect what's mine, I need influence. Care to make a deal, Sword Tiger?"
A black sword, identical to Sword Tiger's, materialized in Yong-un's outstretched hand.
A blade forged purely from sword energy, in empty air.
Sword Tiger's eyes gleamed at the sight.