Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Sword Tiger's Choice
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Murim.
A massive food chain teeming with every scheme and war imaginable—that's what it is.
Yong-un had lived in that Murim for over forty years.
And not just anywhere, but within the Heavenly Demon Cult, known as a world unto itself inside Murim.
Naturally, one particular sense had sharpened to a razor's edge.
The sixth sense.
A subtle intuition distinct from the five physical senses.
Commonly called "a nose for trouble," it had allowed an unremarkable soul like Yong-un to survive the tiny hell that was the Heavenly Demon Cult.
He could veer away from traps and pierce through schemes with unerring insight.
That hard-won life had forged him into the Sword Demon, a name that echoed across all of Murim.
But now, that same sixth sense was whispering to him.
The scenario he'd anticipated ever since acquiring his A-rank Hunter license was unfolding.
It was time to leverage his unexpected tie to the Sword Tiger.
Time to harness the Sword Tiger's power and prestige to elevate the small, shabby force known as Unwoo Guild.
"What'll you do?"
The Sword Tiger's eyes wavered at the sight of Yong-un's outstretched hand and the sword of pure demonic energy hovering above it.
His own intuition seemed to urge him.
Grab that hand. Break free from being the frog-king in a well. Step into a new world.
Then, the Garosu Guild casting director at his side shouted at Yong-un without a shred of tact.
"The Sword Tiger doesn't make deals! He especially despises shady contraband like that. So pull your hand back!"
"No answer, then."
Ignoring the casting director entirely, Yong-un prompted once more.
His brows furrowing at the blatant dismissal, the casting director took a step toward Yong-un.
"You little—"
"You need to stay put."
The casting director, who'd hoped to score points, wore a troubled expression at the Sword Tiger's curt command.
"Pardon?"
"No sense at all. How'd a guy like you even climb to casting director? Tsk tsk."
"What do you...?"
The Sword Tiger's finger jabbed toward Yong-un.
"You seriously think this monster's my disciple?"
"Then what...?"
"Tsk tsk."
As if it wasn't worth dignifying with a response, the Sword Tiger shook his head slowly.
He grabbed the forward-leaning casting director by the shoulder and yanked him back.
The man stumbled in, looking utterly dazed, as if his soul had fled.
Then, the Sword Tiger—whose gaze had been locked on Yong-un's hand—spoke.
"Who am I?"
"Korea's greatest Hunter."
The casting director snapped to attention and bowed his head.
"And what sort of people hold the honor of being the absolute best in their field?"
"Extraordinary ones, aren't they?"
"Not in my book. Just madmen."
"Pardon?"
The casting director's eyes bulged at the Sword Tiger's words.
"The world's finest shoemaker's obsessed with shoes. The top chef's lost to cooking. So what must the greatest Hunter be obsessed with?"
"Killing monsters... Ah!"
As realization dawned, the casting director whipped his head up to stare at the Sword Tiger.
"Strength. Gotta be mad for strength."
"Hmph."
Yong-un snorted through his nose at the Sword Tiger's declaration.
Exactly. To achieve anything great, you have to be utterly obsessed.
Just like young Yong-un, driven mad in his thirst for power to exact revenge.
"But you're already more than strong enough..."
"Even I deluded myself into thinking I was the best. Can't blame you for being worse."
The Sword Tiger's stern face cracked into its first smile.
He shifted his piercing gaze to Yong-un.
"Cheonoecheon. Still burns in my mind. The man dwelling in a heaven beyond heaven—a whole new realm—and the source of his power."
The Sword Tiger extended his hand and clasped Yong-un's.
The demonic sword dissolved into nothing, and Yong-un's voice rang out.
"This'll be fun."
"Yeah, got a feeling it will."
The casting director's jaw dropped at the sight of the two men grinning at each other.
Unwoo Guild erupted into pandemonium.
News traveled like wildfire—even wingless words cover a thousand miles—and the "rumor" mill broadcast the Sword Tiger's earth-shattering remarks nationwide.
[Blazing New A-Rank Hunter Yong-un: Actually Sword Tiger's Disciple!]
[Sword Tiger Takes a Disciple!]
[Unwoo Guild A-Rank Yong-un Jumping Ship to Garosu Guild?]
[Vanished Sword Tiger Making Comeback?]
[Sword Tiger Ends Hiatus—Back in Action!]
The guild master clutched his head amid the flood of articles that popped up within the hour.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut at the sight of Yong-un and the Sword Tiger lounging casually right in front of him.
"First time I've met someone this unpredictable."
"Won't take that as a compliment."
"Haa..."
"Home base should be secure now. All the spotlight on me's shifted to you."
The Sword Tiger shrugged indifferently under Yong-un's gaze.
As the conversation started veering into the weeds, the guild master clapped sharply to reel them back.
"Okay, let's recap. Yong-un isn't actually the Sword Tiger's disciple. The Sword Tiger's agreed to help Yong-un—and by extension, the whole Unwoo Guild. Correct?"
"Love me a sharp mind."
"What a legend."
The Sword Tiger flashed a brilliant grin at the tidy summary.
Yong-un nodded, looking equally pleased.
But the guild master's face told a different story.
For someone who'd just neatly summed things up, he looked downright constipated.
"What I can't wrap my head around is why. Why would a titan like the Sword Tiger help Yong-un—and our guild?"
"Simple, obviously..."
As the Sword Tiger started to reply, the guild master sighed and cut in at the same time.
"To witness a new world."
"A new world?"
Flustered by the guild master's preemptive echo, the Sword Tiger glanced at Yong-un.
But then it clicked—the frustration made sense.
The guy had been looping that line for thirty straight minutes; no wonder the guild master looked ready to snap.
The guild master pressed on.
"Let me break it down plain. What do you get out of helping us? Helping Yong-un? Something he has that swayed you? Give us the trigger, at least."
It was a first.
Even knowing the man before him was the Sword Tiger, grilling him like that.
But regret washed over the guild master's face the instant the words left his mouth.
Wide-eyed worry—like everything might crumble because of his blunder.
Thankfully, the Sword Tiger's reaction didn't play out that nightmare.
"Hahaha! Should've led with that. Kept parroting the same damn thing."
"Huh?"
Tension melting into the laughter, the guild master gawked, leaning way forward.
"Listen! Yong-un here's got exactly what I crave most."
And then the bombshell.
"Raw power! That's the draw."
"Power...?"
"Bingo. Yong-un's stronger than me. Way stronger."
The guild master's body rocked at the Sword Tiger's earnest delivery.
"What?!!"
The Sword Tiger had vouched for Yong-un's might.
It hit Myung-un hard, even all the way from outside Unwoo Guild.
Back at their quiet alleyway home, standing before the front door, Myung-un turned to Yong-un.
"Bro, it's true? You're stronger than the Sword Tiger?"
"Fact. Told you I'm tougher than you think."
"Still can't believe it..."
Myung-un gripped the door handle, swinging it open as he spoke.
"Bro, what's next?"
He fixed Yong-un with a look.
Reading the hope in those eyes, Yong-un tousled his hair.
"Gotta fix the family I wrecked. Put 'em back to normal."
"You mean..."
"First up's straightforward. Crush the bastards who messed with Dad."
Same touchy topic as the hospital blowup.
But Myung-un's response was night-and-day.
"Right..."
No more brushing off brutal words like before.
This time was different.
He nodded and strode through the wide-open door.
Trailing Myung-un's back as he headed for the stairs, Yong-un smiled.
'Those harsh words back then... were they born of worry for me?'
With his strength now proven.
Myung-un craved it deep down too.
Revenge for Dad.
Worry had fled, replaced by burning desire.
And that desire was about to become reality.
"I'll show 'em. What happens when you touch my family..."
A black gleam flared in Yong-un's eyes, then vanished.
Just like the Sword Demon—a Demon Commander of the Heavenly Demon Cult—gearing up for war.
The next morning.
Yong-un gathered every Unwoo Guild member in the office and dropped a bombshell.
"I'm going for an S-rank Hunter license."
"...?!"
Shock rippled through the crowd at his words.
S-rank Hunter.
But the biggest jolt hit the Sword Tiger.
"Thought you were laying low."
"I was. Show my hand, and family could get targeted."
"So what changed your mind all of a sudden?"
"The time's right."
Why had Yong-un played it safe, hiding his power till now?
Saengchimsa's warning.
He'd witnessed firsthand how unprepared fame and fortune could poison a family.
To shield his loved ones, Yong-un had buried his strength deep and bided his time.
Waiting for the moment he could protect them fully while rising unchallenged.
"The time?"
That moment had arrived.
The chance to seize power that would shield his family from fame's venom.
"Didn't we strike a deal? I teach you my martial arts; you throw everything you've got into guarding my family."
A furrow creased the Sword Tiger's brow at Yong-un's reminder.
"Don't tell me you've been hiding that power all this time because..."
"Family first. Same reason I'm gunning for S-rank."
Yong-un wasn't like Saengchimsa.
He possessed strength enough to safeguard his kin and claim vast honors and riches—if he chose.
But he hadn't. All for family.
Forced glory bred rivers of blood.
And that blood might drown the very family harmony he sought to reclaim—forever.
So he'd swallowed the frustration, cloaked himself in shadows, locked away his true self.
But now, the stars aligned.
A path to power and influence without the carnage—through legitimate channels.
"Two weeks from now, right? The S-rank selection contest?"
The Sword Tiger turned to the guild master at Yong-un's question.
The guild master emerged from the cluster of members.
"Yes. Korea's already sent its quota—four Hunters."
"Top four guilds, no doubt."
The guild master managed an awkward smile.
"Tradition. But the slots are filled already."
The Sword Tiger waved it off.
"Doesn't matter. My endorsement seals it."
Every guild member turned to stare at the Sword Tiger.
"Forgot? I'm an S-rank Hunter."