The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 38
An antiquated garden.
As I walk along the path lined with fragrant cedar trees, a small lake comes into view.
In the waterway, a waterwheel turns, and a silvery carp swims like a golden carpet through the lake.
A bridge crosses this lake.
Crossing the ‘Imugi’s Bridge’ inscribed with a dragon without eyes leads to a pavilion called ‘Dragon Resting Pavilion’ where dragons come to rest.
Kim Yeon-hee sits in this Dragon Resting Pavilion, admiring the eaves adorned with dragon engravings.
“Excessive. It’s clear who the Jin-ryong family is. Here a dragon, there a dragon.”
“What can we do? The dragon is us, and we are the dragon.”
Kim Yeon-hee’s gaze shifts.
The name of the woman standing before her is Yoo Hae-ryun.
An aura reflecting a pure, elegant image.
Once recognized as the head of the ‘Illuminating Vanguard’ of the Heavenly Cavalry, she is a capable individual, the wife of the current head of the Jin-ryong family, Jin Do-ha, and the mother of Jin Yu-ri.
However, this was merely the external perspective; to Kim Yeon-hee, Yoo Hae-ryun held a completely different significance.
“You’re late, you little brat.”
“Shut up. You just come right in when I’m busy.”
Having lived in the same neighborhood since birth.
Their parents were friends, allowing them to visit each other’s homes freely.
They had been inseparable since elementary school, middle school, high school, and even went to the Academy together—longer than family, to the point it felt excessive.
Moreover, they shared the pain of losing their parents simultaneously due to a villain’s attack, and it was Yoo Hae-ryun who supported Kim Yeon-hee the most when she resolved to establish Optimum for revenge.
They had both cried embarrassingly at each other’s weddings.
They had been each other’s closest support during childbirth.
Friends who shared their life trajectories, more like family than family itself.
That was Kim Yeon-hee and Yoo Hae-ryun.
“The green tea is delicious, Hae-jjong. Did you get a new batch? Give me another cup.”
“Another cup? Our Yi-dtae has lost his taste while we haven’t seen each other. Is this a tea house or a gas station? This is the Jin-ryong family. Not even the president can just drop by.”
“Then Hae-jjong, are you really not going to serve even tea? Your only friend wants some?”
“Sigh… I’d rather d*e than suffer. What sin did I commit in my previous life to get tangled with this gas station.”
A bell chimes, and moments later, a tray carrying a teapot flies in from across the lake.
Naturally, the tray and teapot also bore the blue dragon emblem.
“You really have consistent tastes.”
“Identity. Do you not know?”
“That d*mn identity. Should we get a tiger as big as a door to match?”
“That sounds good. Get one that’s shiny.”
“You want it to be a dragon?”
“Yep, with all the scales visible.”
The two chuckle as they laugh over trivial jokes.
Outside, she is the representative of one of the world’s top five agents and the recognized lady of Jin-ryong, known beyond Korea.
Here, she is merely an aunt of her generation.
“What have you been up to?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary. Meeting people for agent work, managing the affiliated superhumans. How about you? You just got back from a seminar in Russia, right? The ‘Research Society for Rare Beastmen,’ was it?”
“Don’t even mention it. Russia. Ugh, Russia. I’m so fed up. They were asking if there were plans to create ‘Dragon Men’ while asking for cooperation from our outsiders. They handed us this ridiculously flimsy document called ‘Human Body Synthesis Report.'”
“Is that even possible?”
“If it were possible, would they have asked us for cooperation? They’ve done it among themselves already. Since they couldn’t find answers, they came to us. They were completely out of their minds.”
“Wow… As expected of Russia. A no-backup kind of country.”
“Just thinking about it makes me sick. Is g*n-yi and Su-hyeok still in the U.S.?”
“Yeah, they’re still deployed.”
“Still?! Isn’t that the level 7 gate?”
“It’s a blue gate that spontaneously appeared after almost ten years. They have to conduct ecological surveys, risk assessments, and establish bases. It’s bound to take a whole year. The contract is for a year, too.”
“A year?! That’s an exaggeration. No matter how long it takes, we could finish it in six months.”
“Finish? What are you talking about, you brat.”
“What do you mean? You know exactly. Hehe.”
“Hehe. Speaking of which, how are things with you all lately? You know, that…?”
“You can’t keep secrets, can you? Seriously!”
Thus, the common chatter of the aunts continued.
As they chatted excitedly, the extravagant meal came, and the lavish feast was thoroughly consumed before they knew it.
At this rate, they might end up talking through the night. In fact, Yoo Hae-ryun had even suggested it.
“Want to stay over?”
“No, I can’t sleep in a different bed.”
“You’re talking nonsense. Everyone knows you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.”
Continuing their banter, dusk finally arrived, and the main topic of the day—children—came up.
“I heard that during this final exam, our Yu-ri and Ki-hyuk are going together?”
“Ah, Cheon Su-man has his eyes on him. He’s so stubborn; instead of bending a little, he refuses to back down at all. He’s just like his father.”
“How funny. Stubbornness makes you Yi-dtae; Yi-dtae gets you stubbornness. Ki-hyuk takes after you. If it were g*n-yi, he’d just laugh it off.”
“You really can’t stop talking. But Yu-ri has changed a lot. I didn’t even recognize her when she was announced at the entrance ceremony. That was when you went to that seminar, right?”
“You saw Yu-ri when she was really ‘dangerous.’ Honestly, I was also unsure when I saw the photo of my daughter being sent to the Sword Master family. It almost made me wonder if I had given birth to a child I didn’t know about.”
“You also saw Ki-hyuk when he was really sick.”
As everyone knows, Park Ki-hyuk suffered from ‘Mana Deficiency Syndrome.’
This is no longer a secret.
However, not many know that Jin Yu-ri, the second daughter of the Jin-ryong family, had been walking a tightrope between life and d*ath until now.
Mana Drain.
This characteristic, which inhales mana as naturally as breathing, is regarded as a rare trait that occurs even among the Jin-ryong bloodline.
Jin Yu-ri’s mana drain manifested too early and too excessively.
Mana flooding in while her heart’s mana hole was still incomplete?
The body collapses.
It’s like heavy rains flooding fields that have yet to be built up.
In a way, it’s a cruel twist of fate.
One side has a problem with not having a single droplet of mana, while Jin Yu-ri has a problem of having too much mana.
“Are you feeling healthy now, Yu-ri?”
“For the time being. The mana hole has settled into place. What about Ki-hyuk? He’s using magic. Has he overcome Mana Deficiency Syndrome?”
“According to him, he saw a path when he almost died, but I don’t really know.”
“That’s a ‘near-d*ath experience.'”
“A near-d*ath experience?”
“It happens sometimes. If you go all the way to the brink of d*ath and come back, you gain some insight. The ‘drug shocks’ done by some ‘palaces’ in the western U.S. are actually attempts for near-d*ath experiences.”
“Don’t mix my son with those trashy kids.”
“Anyway, both you and I have such a challenging life. Even our children cause us trouble. We really didn’t need to inherit this, did we?”
“What can be done? It’s all fate. So don’t veer off to other matters. What are you going to do about the final exam?”
“What do you mean, what? They’ll manage on their own. They’re not kids anymore that we have to take care of for their finals.”
“I heard that because of our Ki-hyuk, your daughter’s group is in trouble.”
“Ah, was that it? I thought something else. I did hear that Yu-ri decided to resign as the group leader. What did she say? She said she was a legendary sword. Claims she found her calling? But that Park guy is also like that. What’s a sword to a grown woman?”
“Is it true that she plans to quit being the group leader?”
“It’s true. Yu-ri is completely into it.”
“I’m sorry. My kid is causing you trouble.”
“What are you talking about? Women can be noisy, but you know me. Yoo Hae-jjong with the core fist. Who would dare touch our Park guy?”
“…Wait a second, have you been calling him Park guy casually for a while now?”
“Did you forget? When I gave birth to Yu-ri, in the postpartum care center, you said we should get our kids married.”
“Did I?”
“Yep, you did.”
“Wasn’t it you?”
“Not me. You. You, you girl.”
As the two’s fingers danced around, they burst into laughter.
After a good laugh, Yoo Hae-ryun continued the conversation.
“But do they know? That they’re promised to each other.”
“Are you really going to do that?”
“Of course, did you think I was joking? I’ve already thought about the venue.”
“Are you crazy? What age are we in that you’re talking about an arranged marriage?”
“Arranged marriage? What kind of arranged marriage? If they both like each other, it’ll be a love marriage.”
“…Love? Wait! Stop!”
Love, really? Isn’t that something that happens between two people?
With a splash of cold water, Kim Yeon-hee demanded clarification, while Yoo Hae-ryun smiled smugly.
“Yu-ri likes Park guy.”
“Huh… What about Ki-hyuk?”
“My Yu-ri, if she likes something, she takes it. That’s what I taught her.”
“…This is insane, truly.”
“What should we gift them? Tea? A watch? Or should we just get them a house? I don’t know Park guy’s style. Hohoho~.”
*
Who is talking about me? Why are my ears tingling so much?
Having already had a splitting headache because of Jin Yu-ri in front of me, I could hardly think with my ears itching as well.
“Let’s do it with guns! Look at this! This is the new rifle M-86. It comes with 120 steel core mana rounds. It’s an amazing weapon featuring automatic firing capability and smart magazine changes! How about that? You must be getting excited already!”
“I’ve told you several times, I like classic stuff.”
“Then how about this one? It was made by the French armory, the FGU-3300. This scope is the key. It has stealth detection, terrain analysis, and even x-ray vision…”
It turns out that the child of Jin-ryong, known as the leader of Korea’s magical arts, is a g*n enthusiast… What a lamentable situation.
“I don’t want it. I’m going to use a sword. I’ve made my decision.”
“I like guns!”
“Then you can use a g*n.”
“I’ll use a g*n, and you will too.”
“I refuse.”
“Then I refuse.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Just use guns. Look, this time, I’m sure you’ll like it too. This one was made in Australia…”
My offhand comment about needing to change my skeleton weapon became the source of trouble.
From then on, g*n fanatic Jin Yu-ri thrust that damned catalog in front of me, extolling the virtues of firearms.
It has already been two weeks.
Seriously, at this point, isn’t it a form of brainwashing?
“I’ve explained several times already. Even if I tried, there’s no way I could implement that.”
“That’s why I’m saying we should research it. I’m ready.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Hmm, seems like you’re still not satisfied. Should we see a few more?”
“That’s enough. Put it away. Oh! Don’t take it out! Just let me help you with your research. I’ll help you make that War Armor. Please just leave me alone… Ah…”
Wait……! What did I just say?
As soon as I thought “Oops,” it was too late. Jin Yu-ri was already smiling slyly, as if to say, ‘everything is going according to plan.’
“…Is there no way to cancel this?”
“Where’s the catalog?”
“Let’s do it after the finals.”
The day we went to the gate. More precisely, after everyone showcased ‘how to use Jin Yu-ri’ in front of me and we started coordinating.
Just like today, Jin Yu-ri had been following me like a shadow.
She would follow me to clubs, gates, and sometimes even skip attendance to join me.
When I’d ask why, she’d simply say “Because I like it,” and grin.
Ah, that smile.
That smile was the beginning of a disaster.
I acknowledge I’m weak when it comes to kids. But I’m absolutely not weak around women.
On any other day, I would have cut her off, saying it was bothersome and to leave me be.
But that smile, that smile is the problem.
Why do I see the doomed saintess in Jin Yu-ri’s smile?
They don’t even look alike!
Jin Yu-ri has black hair; the saintess has blonde hair.
Jin Yu-ri is Asian; the saintess is Caucasian.
Jin Yu-ri has a typical Eastern facial structure, while the saintess embodies a typical Western beauty.
But why do I see the doomed saintess’s smile in Jin Yu-ri’s smile? Why?!
That’s when things started to spiral between us.
“What are you planning to eat for dinner?”
“Aren’t you leaving? I’m heading to see Spring.”
“So, what are you going to eat? Are you not going to feed the kids?”
“Are you serious about following me?”
“Yeah.”
“Could you just go away? I’m begging you.”
“I’ll buy dinner. Spring is cute. I’ll buy you something delicious. I have plenty of money today.”
What? Sister? How dare this tiny thing call me sister?
My head is spinning.
I remained calm in front of a dragon’s breath, but why does my mind become muddled with this puny girl’s words?
No way. Let’s change the subject.
“Uh, uh, right! What about your group? You mentioned the atmosphere is bad there. How about trying to talk during a meal with them?”
“No way. After this final exam, I won’t see them again.”
“Kid, that’s not how people should behave. Relationships are important at your age.”
“Heh. Cute. You and I, aren’t we the same age?”
“Same age, my foot!”
“Aren’t we? Call out your birthday, I’ll bet you.”
“I wouldn’t accept even if you gave it! Ugh! Seriously! You tiny pest. Ugh!!”
“If you’ve got nothing to say, then don’t say anything. You’re starting to sound petty. I don’t like petty men.”
“Why are you telling me your preferences?”
“A taxi is here. Let’s go.”
“Hey! Hey, Jin Yu-ri! Tiny pest!!”
In the end, Jin Yu-ri followed me to the orphanage, managing to charm the kids with bribes.
Especially the bond she formed with our Spring was deadly.
Thus, after tiring days passed, the final exam finally began.
