<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family, Chapter 104>
After unpacking our luggage at the hotel, Spring and I headed toward the sea in light clothing.
“Eeeeeee!”
Ah, of course, Berrie is with us too. Right now, Berrie is perched on my shoulder, watching people constantly.
“I’m excited!”
“Right?”
“Yeah! I can already feel the excitement. My heart is pounding.”
As we walked, listening to Spring’s chatter, the sound of our shoes crunching on sand began to be heard as we crossed the streetlights. Gradually, I began to see more people around, and it started to feel like we had truly arrived at the sea.
“Dad, look over there. There’s something. There’s so many people.”
“Shall we go check it out?”
“Yeah!”
With Spring in my arms, running a little faster, the scenery changed in an instant.
The buildings disappeared, the number of people increased, the salty smell of the sea breeze grew stronger, and the ground was gradually becoming sandier. Eventually, the view opened up to reveal a soft, sunken beach.
And at this moment, before us sprawled the grand spectacle:
As far as the eye could see. The far-off horizon stretching endlessly.
This was the sea—The blue sea.
“Waaaaaaa!!”
“Meow-!”
Spring and Berrie, seated on my shoulders, were lost in awe. Honestly, even I was amazed.
“Much better than expected, isn’t it?”
I had no high expectations.
I thought the area would be more polluted due to technological advancements. But surprisingly, it wasn’t bad. Actually, this place might even be better for fun than the empire.
First off, it was completely open and nothing obstructed the view—perfectly arranged for tourists.
Spring, shivering with excitement, urged me on.
“Uuuuu! Dad, put me down. Put me down!!”
“Alright.”
“Berrie, come to sister.”
“Meow!”
Berrie atop Spring’s head, Spring dashed off toward the beach.
“He might trip…”
Just as I finished speaking, Spring tripped and fell, but stood up quickly, brushing off her pants in a cheerful manner.
“Dad, it doesn’t hurt at all! The thick mats in the lab feel just like this!”
“Is that right?”
“Dad, try falling down too!”
“Eh?”
“Hurry!”
“Hurry!” Spring stomped her feet, impatiently beckoning me.
By the way, this is the beach. Even in the early autumn, there are quite a number of people here. Of course, people were noticing us and hearing Spring’s calls.
“Tsk. Look at that outfit. Is that supposed to be a cartoon character?”
“It’s a couple outfit, you dummy. But wow, this girl is real, isn’t she? She’s so cute she could break the universe. I want a daughter like that too.”
“Wow, she is way too cute. She’s like a doll.”
“The dad is huge. Is he an athlete? Or could he be a superhuman?”
“He looks young. How old is he?”
“But, he seems familiar…”
An angelic daughter and an enormous father. This is the other version of Beauty and the Beast. A combination that draws attention, and we quickly became the center of attention.
Still, if Spring enjoys it, it’s fine.
“Daaaad!!”
“Alright, I’m coming!”
Swiftly running over, I threw myself down in front of Spring, sprawled out fully. It was such a refreshing feeling, like my chest was breaking open.
The surrounding gazes and laughs didn’t bother me much. They aren’t living my life for me after all.
“Doesn’t it hurt?”
“It doesn’t hurt at all!”
“See? Spring doesn’t lie.”
Heh. Spring, with hands on her waist, proudly struck a pose.
Berrie seemed embarrassed by such a behavior and was shaking her head saying, “hmm-hmm.”
“Dad, the sand feels soft, can I take my shoes off?”
“No. You might hurt yourself. There might be sharp objects under the sand.”
“Alright…”
Spring glanced around, then gestured with her hand signaling me.
“Can I use mana?”
“Can you?”
“Yes, Spring is ready.”
Wow, did she know how to do this? I was surprised and impressed.
Still, just to be sure, I asked.
“Spring, do you remember you shouldn’t use mana outside without permission?”
“I know! I absolutely will not use it without permission!”
“Good. Let’s do it.”
After removing her shoes, Spring happily stamped around in the sand with her feet. She seems genuinely happy.
I let my eyes wander down to Spring’s feet.
‘A clan of bl**d.’
The word ‘bloodline’ is inscribed on her feet.
I don’t know what exactly it means, but it seemed sharp and agile. More speed-oriented, aiming for critical hits rather than destruction.
Spring had focused the bloodline power all the way down to just below her ankles.
“She can use it this way.”
Learning never ends, and I didn’t expect I’d learn something like this from Spring. It was simply amazing.
“Dad, Dad. Dad come quick.”
“Alright.”
We ran.
In reality, Spring was doing a full sprint while I was pretending to run alongside her, but she was still smiling as though she had the world in her hands.
Her happy expression was just too…too…beautiful, making me smile naturally.
“Ahh! Wait a moment.”
Am I an idiot? I bought this thing for a time like this, but I haven’t used it yet.
From a pocket of subspace, I took out an orb-shaped camera called “SnapSnap” by Spring’s standards, and tossed it into the air.
Whoosh—SnapSnap flew around, snapping pictures of Spring.
“Wow, it’s SnapSnap!”
As Spring waved her hands, SnapSnap circled around her in a 360-degree motion, focusing the camera on her.
Then, light orbs began to appear.
With a flash, globes of light floated up, acting as lighting to complement SnapSnap’s work. With this support, SnapSnap searched for the perfect shot.
“Wowwwww!! SnapSnap is amazing!”
It works correctly. The modifications were worth it.
At first, when I saw the Orb, how amazed I was. This world has good technology and ideas, but their understanding of magic is severely lacking.
So, I optimized the settings, added ‘tracking magic’ and ‘targeting magic,’ etc. It cost an intermediate Magic Gem, but it’s fine.
Look at her enjoying it there. Running and snapping photos, taking pictures of flower petals, even capturing moments of Berrie.
Spring is so happy that all the expenses feel worthwhile.
Walking along the beach, I watched happily as Spring played with SnapSnap.
The refreshing sea breeze and the sound of waves washing ashore.
I stretched out fully, relishing in the liberating feeling the sea provides.
“Sometimes these moments are not bad.”
Unconsciously, I had gathered a lot of mental fatigue. My stiff nerves relaxed gradually. It’s clear that I needed some rest and peace.
“Daaaad! Daaaad!”
“Yeah?”
“Come here!”
Spring jumped around in excitement.
As I approached, she pointed to somewhere with her fully extended arm.
It was a lighthouse. A red-painted lighthouse.
“Let’s do it there.”
“That thing?”
“Yeah, the thing you taught me earlier!”
“Ah….”
She’s referring to that pose, right?
Do we really have to do it? Even Berrie seems to be looking at me as if to say, “Don’t do it, Father!”
But as I hesitated, I saw Spring’s face grow instantly sad.
“Why? Don’t you want to do it?”
How can I say no after she asks like that?
“No, I want to do it. I really want to! I’m just thinking about how to make it even cooler.”
“Wow! You’re the best, Dad!”
Yes, I have to do it. It’s what our daughter wants…
In front of the lighthouse, I prepared mentally.
If I’m going to do it, I will do it right.
Berrie jumped up onto Spring’s head, and I hoisted Spring onto my shoulders like a horse.
With our gaze at a 45-degree angle, I took a deep breath.
“I am Spring!”
“I am Berrie!”
“I am Ki-hyuk!”
With muscles strained like it could tear my pecs and deltoids, we spread them out wide.
“We are the Sword Master Family!!”
“We are the Sword Master Family!!”
“Meow!”
Spring, Dad is definitely going to save this memory.
I will keep it and show it to you when you grow up.
Don’t argue with me then. This is something you insisted we do.
“Ahhh…so…relaxing.”
The world does not consist solely of villains who are absolute evil.
There are pickpockets, shoplifters, burglars, thugs, gangsters, etc. In every world where humans exist, such low-level villains—or rather, people too disgraceful to even be called villains—exist everywhere.
And Yi Seung-yong’s gang were exactly those low-level scumbags.
At an outdoor table of a restaurant.
“Well, well, in honor of elder Seung-yong returning to his hometown, allow me to offer you a drink on behalf of us all.”
“Haha, it’s alright, just relax. Drink casually.”
“No, sir. Elder Seung-yong must drink first.”
“Yes, oppa. Please drink quickly.”
“That’s right. How can we drink while our pride, Elder Seung-yong, has not taken a sip yet?”
Though Yi Seung-yong insisted it wasn’t necessary, the thugs insisted, pushing a drink towards him. Seung-yong didn’t seem to mind their antics, as he grinned satisfactorily and raised his glass.
These people share a common trait: whenever there’s an easy or difficult option, they always opt for the easier.
They chose playing over studying, the playground over the classroom, the PC cafe over the academy.
Once they started playing, more friends joined, and the group grew, gaining power.
At this point, they were still cute and harmless.
But they soon began crossing the line.
As their mouths multiplied, so did their need for money. Naturally, they started stealing from others.
Between brains and brawn, the choice was obvious.
And thus, they became street thugs.
Though they would never admit it themselves.
“Elder Seung-yong, are you really joining ‘Skull Rock?’”
“Yeah, that’s how it went.”
“Seriously, oppa? They don’t accept anyone unless they’re superhumans… could you really have become a superhuman?”
“Elder Seung-yong?! Is that true?!”
“Hmm…”
Yi Seung-yong smirked what he thought was the coolest smile, flexing his arm.
Crack! The soju glass shattered into powder in his hand.
Just as he did this, the group rushed enthusiastically.
“Wow, oppa! You’re amazing.”
“Is it real? Seung-yong oppa is a superhuman? Show us again, one more time.”
“Brother, we believed in you.”
Yes, this is the feeling. Yi Seung-yong reveled in the superior gaze he had long craved.
Fact is, Yi Seung-yong’s power enhancement ability is, at most, mediocre—mid to lower tier.
Of course, entering an academy was out of the question. Even regular agents wouldn’t use someone at this level for more than carrying loads.
Realistically, his only options were joining small to mid-sized groups, where he’d be in the lowest rung, doing menial labor to gain experience.
Can Yi Seung-yong, who has avoided effort his whole life, handle such a life?
Impossible. He knows this and has returned to his hometown.
Unable to fight monsters, he’s confident enough to still take down civilians with one punch.
“Haa, good.”
Intoxicated by his superiority, he drank. Today, the alcohol tasted particularly sweet.
Yi Seung-yong generously ordered an extra plate of sliced fish for each table and had the alcohol brought in by the box. Money was a concern, but it didn’t matter. After all, he’d return home where there would be plenty of opportunities for collecting dues. This was the main reason why he joined “Skull Rock.”
“Tsk. What are those guys?”
“Hehe. Look at that adult, wearing those ridiculous clothes. Gross, is he crazy?”
“What a shameless fool. Why do they come out? Stay home, idiot! Pfft!”
Yi Seung-yong glanced at them.
A guy and a kid, performing some sort of anime pose. They seem like father and daughter. At this point, Yi Seung-yong decided to show his magnanimity.
“Let it be. There are all kinds of people in the world. If they’re happy, that’s all that matters, right?”
“Oh my, oppa, you’ve really matured since becoming a superhuman.”
“Keuuh, Brother Seung-yong. You earn my respect.”
“So, Brother, what exactly will you be doing in Skull Rock?”
“Hmm… it’s a secret, though.”
There’s no real secret.
Their job includes offering protection to market merchants in return for a ‘protection fee,’ setting up illegal gambling rings to collect proceeds, and gathering rent from food carts stationed on streets.
Yes, Skull Rock, even though its members are superhuman, is made of scumbags who exploit civilians and merchants.
Just like that, there are not only villains in this society. Rather, these scumbags are more common, and they are more dangerous and frightening to common people than those far-off villains.
“Hey! You there! What are you looking at, punk?”
“Ke-ke-ke. Looks scared, scared!”
“Hey, oh, you’re cute. Wait, leaving?”
“Yo, wait! Look at your face!”
Drunk, Yi Seung-yong and his gang were harassing people passing by on the side of the road, puffing cigars. The restaurant owners frowned at them, and someone even tried to speak with them nicely.
Slap!
Yi Seung-yong slapped the merchant across the face.
“You little brat, acting so smug! Do you want to d*e?!”
A mere blow by a superhuman turned the merchant’s face into a bloody mess.
“What are you looking at? Do you all want to be like this?”
The merchant writhing in bl**d versus Yi Seung-yong, shouting wildly.
The merchants knew that they couldn’t do anything because of his superhuman status.
At that moment, Park Ki-hyuk, who was sitting in the restaurant, stood up.
“I can’t let this pass.”
I had planned to just keep my cool, but their antics were embarrassing, and I just couldn’t look away any longer.
As my mother used to say, actions like these tarnish the image of superhumans.
It’s just like how my reputation was ruined by the foolish black sorcerers.
It’s really infuriating.
After finishing rubbing oil on the fish, I spoke to Spring.
“Spring, Dad’s going to the bathroom for a bit.”
“Alright.”
Spring was already protected from outside disturbances by a sound-canceling magic field. Spring wouldn’t be disturbed by anything. Still, I left with Baphomet, my “right hand,” just in case.
As I walked out, the path cleared for me as if they recognized my presence.
The guy looked at me.
“What?”
The guy looked at me. Of course, he had to look up since there aren’t many who can meet my eye level.
“Hey, you. What are you staring at? Show some respect.”
“You’re drunk. Why don’t you clean your shoes and go take a nap?”
The guy, laughing like an idiot, pointed at the Captain Tiger character on my shirt.
“Ah! Now I remember you. You’re that guy from earlier. Hey everyone, this is that guy from before, say hello!”
“Huh? It really is him.”
“Hahaha! That guy just now, wasn’t he pretending to be something?”
They all laughed uncontrollably, like they’d taken some kind of drug.
I guess it’s understandable. The sight would make anyone laugh. I can be magnanimous and understand it.
But laughing is one thing.
This guy crossed a line that should not have been crossed.
Zip-
The tearing of clothes.
“Eh? You ripped it?”
The laughing guy spat out his gum and stuck it on my torn shirt.
“Here, I’ll stick it for you. That’s fine, right? Kee kee, ha ha ha!!”
The group laughed again. Watching them, I realized something.
“Ah…”
I see…these guys really want to d*e.
I flicked my finger.
Anti Field
(Anti Field)
The moment the magic unfolded, a leg flew off.
Thud!
The guy’s leg snapped completely.
“Krrraaaahhhh!”
“Your leg broke?”
I forcibly snapped the broken leg back together with a loud crack. His scream grew louder.
Finally, I healed his leg with a healing spell.
“Fixed it for you. That’s fine, right?”
The group began retreating.
“Why are you running? The fun is just about to start.”
Ten minutes in the bathroom.
Let’s get in some fighting for ten minutes.
“Don’t worry. I’ll fix you, too.”
