The Duke's Son :Re

Chapter 45

After wasting time pretending to collect herbs, the employees of Jaegyeong gathered in front of the valley’s waterfall one by one.

Their attention was drawn by Jae-Hyeok and Cho Seong-Hyeon’s movements.

What are they doing?

The employees couldn't understand the situation, but no one bothered to intervene.

Slow and gentle, fast and passionate, and graceful yet profound and elegant—Jae-Hyeok’s drill changed its form and momentum every minute. It was awe-inspiring.

“Ohhh!”

Before they knew it, they were enamoured with Jae-Hyeok’s movements. Some were sweating as they focused on the grandeur, while others were captivated by the brilliance and cheered in awe. But all of them were immersed by Jae-Hyeok’s expression, which changed in sync with the attitude of his moves.

His performance was like a work of art, and everyone watching it had a different impression.

Even the red tassel on the ink-black hwando moved with purpose. It formed an exquisite harmony with the white mist created by the waterfall, giving the impression of looking at a famous painting.

It’s already this cool, but how great would it be if multiple people performed it together?

All ceremonial drills were designed for the simple purpose of training in formation. However, no two were alike. Every ceremonial drill was shaped by the philosophy of the organization or family that created it. Moreover, each drill consisted of many forms, each carrying a distinct intent.

In that sense, Jae-Hyeok’s ceremonial drill was unique in that it was more like a sword dance. The more people who performed it, the more spectacular the sight: a grand and graceful military dance.

A few employees lined up with Jae-Hyeok and Cho Seong-Hyeon, imitating them clumsily. Cool things were enviable, and passionate people were bound to chase after what they envied.

“Did all those guys eat something bad?”

After witnessing the scene, the two team leaders clicked their tongues, but Department Manager Gu was satisfied.

Cho Seong-Hyeon has finally grown up.

The young master, accompanied by the staff members, had joined Kang Jae-Hyeok's performance. It seemed he’d finally started to think about whom to curry favor with for Jaegyeong’s sake. Good, good.As the son of the company head, he should do whatever it takes to help Jaegyeong.

Gu Bu-Seong, who was nodding in satisfaction, was level 68. He was still growing and was a talent who could become an A-class player in a few years. The chairman had acknowledged him as the future of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals. He was a man with great qualities. Yet he couldn’t see into the mysteries of martial arts contained in the Kang family’s ceremonial drill. He only thought that Cho Seong-Hyeon was currying favor with Jae-Hyeok.

That is the difference between an ordinary person and a genius, Jae-Hyeok thought as he glanced at the indifferent department manager and team leaders. Then, he happily looked at Cho Seong-Hyeon, who was still in a trance.

He had known since the first time they climbed the cliff that Cho Seong-Hyeon’s mastery over his body was beyond most. Moreover, Cho Seong-Hyeon possessed such great talent that he could see through the essence of the Kang family’s ceremonial drill at once.

Is he low-level because he awakened late? Hm... Perhaps he was in a position where he couldn’t put his life at risk, so he couldn’t carelessly enter the gates.

Jae-Hyeok’s ceremonial drill became faster and more sophisticated little by little. He continued to reveal fragments of the Kang family’s martial arts while checking how far Cho Seong-Hyeon could go.

He didn’t consider that Cho Seong-Hyeon’s desire for the Kang family’s martial arts would be deeply engraved in his subconscious.

It was the first time he had experienced someone with such a strong desire to learn.

***

“Gasp, gasp.”

The first thing Cho Seong-Hyeon felt when he came to his senses was severe pain; his lungs burned, his head throbbed, and all the muscles in his body twitched painfully. It was the first time since graduating from Lion’s Castle that he had to work so hard.

What’s going on?

Why was it so dark around here? The surprised Cho Seong-Hyeon checked his watch and saw that it was past 7 p.m.

Four hours had passed.

He looked around to figure out the situation and spotted a smiling boy.

“Ah.”

Memories flashed through his mind.

He had noticed the essence of martial arts permeating Kang Jae-Hyeok’s ceremonial drill. Then he’d struggled to get a glimpse of its true nature.

There had been no time to worry about manners. He felt he would regret it for the rest of his life if he missed the opportunity, so he imitated the boy’s ceremonial drill as if possessed. Kang Jae-Hyeok didn’t reproach or laugh at him. On the contrary, he guided him.

Flop!

Cho Seong-Hyeon sat down as he remembered everything. He didn’t know whether to thank him or apologize, so he just lowered his head.

Jae-Hyeok approached with a smile, grabbed Cho Seong-Hyeon by the arm, and lifted him to his feet. “Well done. Now go and cool down.” He jumped into the water with Cho Seong-Hyeon, and the waterfall crashed over the tops of their heads and backs.

Cho Seong-Hyeon’s weary body and mind quickly awakened. With clear eyes, he said, “It isn’t enough for me to say thank you a hundred or a thousand times. I will show you with actions, not words. From now on, please contact me if you need any help.”

Jae-Hyeok told him, “What you learned today is the ceremonial drill of the Kang family.”

“The Kang family? D-did I interfere with the Kang family’s ceremony practice?”

“What’s the point of holding a ceremony for a ruined family?”

“Ah.” Cho Seong-Hyeon’s face heated up. He was so uninterested in worldly affairs that he’d briefly forgotten about the Kang family’s position.

He’d always been like that: forgetful and tactless. It was why the people around him were always dissatisfied.

Jae-Hyeok smiled at the self-deprecating Cho Seong-Hyeon. “I don’t know about people these days, but the Kang family has always been open to those who want to learn. The Kang family's founder said that ‘every citizen of South Korea has both the right and the obligation to be strong.’ I’m just following the family’s tradition.”

Cho Seong-Hyeon understood the meaning behind those words. He nodded and vowed seriously, “Then I will remember your will and repay the Kang family. Still, to me, you are the Kang family.”

Jae-Hyeok had a feeling that today’s meeting would help him greatly in the future.

Father was right: An aristocrat should act like an aristocrat. If you build up your power and practice your obligations, wealth and people will naturally follow...

As a child, those had been his father’s words to him when he’d asked about all the people visiting their estate each day—their faces were always bruised, and they always came offering money.

“Let’s go.”

Jae-Hyeok called the employees together. If they left now, they would arrive at Arcane Canyon around 9 p.m. It would be a perfect reenactment of the employees' usual schedule. After pretending to collect more sky grass, Jae-Hyeok would lead them back to the school gate, and his task would be complete.

***

Arcane Canyon.

“It’s hard.”

“I’m sad that I can’t even take weekends off. What should I do if my legs get swollen and thick from overexertion?”

The twin brother and sister groaned like zombies. Shinra Kyeong ignored them and scanned the surroundings, looking for clues to the quest. Suddenly, he halted.

“Hmph. Low-level creatures become bold on weekends.”

The Lion’s Castle was a unique gate where monsters always respawned, even though the quest wasn’t cleared. Because of the gate’s astronomical value, not even Seol Su-Ah could monopolize it.

In addition to the White Night Foundation, the government; Association; military; and several private guilds had shares in the gate. This was why the faculty came from different backgrounds and why the various factions constantly clashed.

Unlike the students growing in a flower garden, the spies disguised as the faculty and security force members often went missing.

“Hmph. They are scum that eat away at the country,” Shinra Kyeong said coldly. Then he gestured, and lightning fell from the clear sky.

A creature using a stealth Skill appeared in the next moment.

Thud!

A ragged evileye fell to the ground.

It was a watchman left behind by the master of the hobgoblins that Jae-Hyeok had killed.

“Roasted demons have a terrible smell.”

“Aren’t demons much more valuable than monsters? I don’t know who this belongs to, but they will be angry.”

“If they shared its vision, their eyes would’ve burst.”

The twins stopped their whining and chattered excitedly.

Grrrrr.

Their bright smiles were the last thing the evil eye saw before it died. The tears of blood flowing from its large eye represented its master’s feelings.

***

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Thank you again. See you again next time!”

At midnight, the employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals and Jae-Hyeok arrived at the school gate after safely completing their schedule.

The huge gate beyond it exuded an ominous magic power, which created a bizarre scene when contrasted with the group's cheerful expressions.

Both Department Manager Gu and the employees hoped to reunite with Jae-Hyeok.

On the other hand, the attitude of the team leaders was still terrible because of their bad first impression.

Jae-Hyeok didn’t really care. It wasn’t strange for people to hate the Kang family due to Kang Dae-Seong and Kang Hyeon-Ah.

The employees said their goodbyes to Jae-Hyeok and crossed the gate one by one. Cho Seong-Hyeon was the last one remaining. There was a hint of regret on his face. “Excuse me, this is a shameful request, but can you teach me again later? Strangely, the scene from earlier keeps flashing in front of me.”

“Of course, as much as you want.”

Jae-Hyeok accepted easily. He thought that spreading the ceremonial drill to Cho Seong-Hyeon and the other employees of Jaegyeong Pharmaceuticals would help him in his quest.

The emotional Cho Seong-Hyeon thanked him several more times before leaving.

......

Jae-Hyeok returned to his room and accessed the Community. Thanks to raising his level and gaining two more Amazing achievements, his current community points were a huge 199,000.

I think this is enough to get what I want.

It was an abnormally large figure. It seemed that even a decent A-class player would have a hard time accumulating so many points.

The postponement of my awakening worked well in many ways.

He searched for artifacts or accessories that increased mana or reduced mana consumption, and dozens of chat rooms appeared.

[Necklace that raises mana by 200 for 8,000 points (1/2).]

[Urgently selling a ring that increases mana by 80 for a cheap price (1/10).]

There weren’t many accessories for sale that directly raised mana.

The System’s Community function was used by players worldwide, but there were only twenty-one chat rooms, and the mana increase of the artifacts on sale didn’t exceed 300. Jae-Hyeok shook his head as he thought of himself wearing so many rings and necklaces.

He decided to change his search.

[Selling an artifact that increases the Magic stat by 6 points. First come, first served (1/10).]

[Bracelet that increases the Magic stat by 4 points for 40,000 points. No bargaining accepted (1/10).]

Jae-Hyeok thought, Maybe this is better.

For every 1 point in Magic, a player’s mana increased by 10. However, Magic didn’t just increase mana. It also increased mental strength, the casting speed and power of Skills and magic, and resistance to abnormal status conditions.

It was also widely speculated that there was more to the Magic stat than players currently knew.

There was a myth that strengthening the dantian through the Magic stat would eventually allow a player to transcend human limits.

However, it’s still too expensive.

The market price was more than 10,000 points for every 1-point increase to the Magic stat. Perhaps because of the myth, it was twice as expensive as other stats.

The cost-to-benefit ratio for Jae-Hyeok, who had Magic as one of his main stats, was too terrible.

I might feel differently when I reach a point where my level stops increasing, but... Uh?

Jae-Hyeok found a chat room selling an interesting item and clicked on the button to enter it.

His consciousness was carried into another space.