The Hero Returns

The man’s expression quickly became bloody. The man’s name was Gwon Jae-hoon. He was the guild master of Hahoetal Guild, and he was famous for his erratic temper.

“We’ve already prepared for the raid. The equipment for our guild members will arrive today,” Gwon Jae-hoon said.

“I’m sorry, but I have no choice but to repeat what I said earlier.”

“Are you seriously going to be like this? So, the Authority will target these two dungeons?”

“Still, we can’t give you guys total control over the raids for both dungeons.”

“You really don’t trust us. Huh? We’re the Hahoetal Guild!”

“I know the potential of the Hahoetal Guild well. However, as we do not have sufficient data on blue-colored dungeons yet, it is the Authority’s opinion that it is necessary to be fully committed.”

“You’re killing me…”

Gwon Jae-hoon clenched his fists. He wanted to take his weapon out and attack Bak Yun-gyu, but he couldn’t. Although he was the man with emotional ups and downs, he was still a very rational figure. He knew nothing good would come from fighting the Authority. He also knew Bak Yun-gyu was a formidable awakener himself.

“Until tomorrow,” said Gwon Jae-hoon.

He hadn’t come to enter the dungeon right away in the first place.

“If you can’t bring the right man, as you said, my Hahoetal Guild will start the raid tomorrow. If you block us like this tomorrow as well…” Gwon Jae-hoon turned his body and continued, “Authority and Association will no longer be able to coexist.”

Gwon Jae-hoon shouted to his guild members to leave for now. Kang Seung-cheol, as he watched them move away, opened his trembling lips.

“I don’t know how the hell he’s president of the guild association.”

If he weren’t in front of Bak Yun-gyu, he would have punched a wall, Kang Seung-cheol was that angry.

“I know.” Bak Yun-gyu had the same idea.

Gwon Jae-hoon was the guild master of the Hahoetal Guild and the president of the Korean Awakeners Association. He didn’t get the president position for his ability as S-Rank. He was able to make it due to his personal connections and charisma. He cared about profits a lot, so he often made trouble with the Authority.

<<It would be trouble if the Association and Authority had a conflict.>>

Gwon Jae-hoon had a significant influence not only in the Association but also among many awakeners. He was close to many guild masters of various large guilds. So, if they decided to stop working, many dungeons all over the country would be in trouble. To prevent that situation, the Authority had to avoid conflict with Gwon Jae-hoon as much as possible.

“We can’t just let him attack those dungeons, either. If they fail…”

“That’s why we need him.”

“Who? You mean… Kim Su-hyeun?”

“Yes.”

The Authority couldn’t make trouble with the Association. So they needed help from somebody outside the Authority. Kim Su-hyeun was an awakener who wasn’t a member of the Authority and could fight against large groups of people by himself.

“Tomorrow, things will change.”

Act 8

“F*cking bastards!”

Wham—!

On the way down the mountain, Gwon Jae-hoon angrily smashed the wall. The hard cliff broke, and a pile of stones fell down. Gwon Jae-hoon ground his teeth and looked over the viaduct. At his reaction, other guild members stepped aside. They knew that if they said the wrong thing, they would be the ones hit, just like the wall. Gwon Jae-hoon hit the wall a couple more times and took a deep breath.

He murmured in a murderous voice, “They think of us as the underdog. Huh?”

The reason why the Authority didn’t let them attack was obvious. They judged didn’t believe the Hahoetal Guild could finish the raid of those blue-colored dungeons on their own. They had been telling them to wait until they formed the raid team.

<<Those dungeons are ours…>>

The first discoverer was definitely a civilian. That person posted an article on Abyss Online. One of the members of the Hahoetal Guild who saw that article went to the viaduct for confirmation. Later, people from the Authority discovered the dungeons but, since then, the Hahoetal Guild had been claiming ownership of the dungeons.

Attacking the blue-colored dungeon was worth more than Ether stones from the dungeon. Not only the Hahoetal Guild, but also Gwon Jae-hoon himself would be more famous if they attacked the blue-colored dungeon. Besides, the dungeons that appeared this time were twin dungeons.

<<I can’t give up this opportunity to anyone.>>

Of course, however, he didn’t intend to start the raid without any preparation at all.

“Was there any contact from the guys who went to Kim Dae-ho?”

“Not yet, sir.”

“Those idiots. They went there a while ago! Why the hell are they still not calling me?”

“That is… We’ve been there before, but that old man was really stubborn. He didn’t just accept to get an order from us, but also, he didn’t agree to sell what he already had.”

“I told you to rob his workshop if you can’t convince him!”

“I’m sure they’re trying hard to convince him right now. So, please, wait a little more.”

“If they don’t contact us soon, you go. I can’t trust them at all.”

“Yes, sir.”

“One way or another, you must bring his equipment. Our power will go up at least ten percent more if we’re armed with his stuff.”

Gwon Jae-hoon had liked Kim Dae-ho for a while. He had seen his equipment about one half year ago at one of his auctions. Ever since then, Gwon Jae-hoon had approached Kim Dae-ho little by little. He went to Yangpyeong several times by himself to see him. But Kim Dae-ho always gave him the same answer. After he mentioned the Hahoetal Guild, Kim Dae-ho even slammed the door in his face.

<<I can’t stand it anymore.>>

To prepare the raid for the two blue-colored dungeons, Gwon Jae-hoon even thought to loot Kim Dae-ho’s workshop. He had been waiting for so long. His patience had run out. Gwon Jae-hoon wanted to get Kim Dae-ho’s equipment in a day. So, he sent three more guild members to Yangpyeong. But the three hadn’t contacted him since.

***

Su-hyeun threw three more awakeners down to the ground and dusted his hands off. With the newcomers, now there were five awakeners from the Hahoetal Guild lying in front of Kim Dae-ho’s house. When Su-hyeun had come out to leave Kim Dae-ho’s house, more people from Hahoetal Guild had appeared.

“Are you leaving now?”

Kim Dae-ho, who had been spending time catching up on his sleep, came to meet Su-hyeun.

“Yea, I’m leaving. Oh, and I asked one of my friends to guard you here. He’ll arrive soon.”

“Friend? I didn’t know you had a friend.”

“Yes, I do. He’s a good man. So, he’ll take care of you well. I think I should leave now. I have to go see my mother before I leave for work tomorrow.”

“Ok. I see.”

“I’ll go and talk with the Hahoetal Guild, too. Probably these annoying guys won’t come around anymore.”

Kim Dae-ho made a strange expression at Su-hyeun’s assurance. He knew Su-hyeun was an awakener. But he didn’t think Su-hyeun would be this good at fighting.

“Why do you care about me so much?” Kim Dae-ho asked.

“What?”

“I’m telling you now. I don’t have any confidence that I can make a better sword than that. There will be no better materials than adamantium and the highest-grade Ether stones. And the only reason I could make that sword was that I put all of my efforts into it.”

Kim Dae-ho’s eyes changed sharply.

“But will you still come to see me? Even though I’m not going to provide you equipment anymore?”

“Yes.”

“…?”

Kim Dae-ho thought Su-hyeun would be at least a little embarrassed about what he said. But Su-hyeun answered quickly, without hesitation. So, Kim Dae-ho, who asked the question, was embarrassed instead.

“If you’re telling me not to come because of that, just take this back. You can melt it to reuse the materials, or just use it as a display for your workshop. You do whatever you want to.”

As he said, Su-hyeun took out Balmung from its sheathe and handed it to Kim Dae-ho. Kim Dae-ho got even more embarrassed when Su-hyeun gave Balmung to him.

“Y-you’re the one who brought all the materials. How can I take it back?”

“If you didn’t help, they’d be nothing but stones and metal. And I’m not a blacksmith. To me, this weapon is not more important than people I care about.”

At Su-hyeun’s answer, Kim Dae-ho stared blankly for a moment. Su-hyeun looked at Kim Dae-ho for a while and put Balmung down on the ground.

“Then, I’ll come back later. I’ll leave this sword here—”

“No, just take it. You bastard. I really can’t say anything.”

At Kim Dae-ho’s words, Su-hyeun grinned as if he knew it. “Yes, mister.”

Su-hyeun turned his body and left the house. Kim Dae-ho sighed and shook his head.

<<He’s a real mystery.>>

Kim Dae-ho felt close to Su-hyeun. He had ever since their first meeting. Su-hyeun looked at him as if he had known him for a long time. Kim Dae-ho went back to his house, shaking his head.

***

After Su-hyeun had left Kim Dae-ho’s house, he went to see his mother, Shin Su-yeong, in the evening. Her store was crowded with customers.

“What’s this all about, mom?”

“It’s about my boasts about my son, of course.”

“Why do you boast me with your store name…”

[Su-hyeun’s Jewelry Shop.]

The store was named after Su-hyeun. The signboard was about to be hung up. Su-hyeun was too embarrassed to see it.

“You said I have to have benefited from my good soon. Thank you, son.”

“Sigh…”

“Oh, and you came at the perfect time. Take a picture with me. It’s Su-hyeun’s jewelry shop, so, it would be weird if there were no pictures of you.”

Su-hyeun actually worried a little that they would be awkward since it had been so long since they had seen each other. But it looked like he didn’t have to worry. When Su-hyeun had just begun to work as an awakener, she worried very much. But now, Shin Su-yeong looked happier than ever.

That day, Su-hyeun ate dinner with Shin Su-yeong and drank some tea. Some people recognized Su-hyeun, and Shin Su-yeong was surprised at that. Late at night, Su-hyeun took Shin Su-yeong home and went back to his house. On the way back, he left a text to Lee Ju-ho to ask him to protect Kim Dae-ho.

<<I hope he’ll be okay.>>

The Hahoetal Guild was quite a big guild. And, the guild master, Gwon Jae-hoon, was the president of the Korean Awakeners Association. He could do something terrible to Kim Dae-ho if he decided to.

<<I should finish the raid as soon as possible.>>

It seemed like he had to move in hurridly to finish two dungeons and solve the problem with the Hahoetal guild. He couldn’t postpone the dungeon attack. Also, he couldn’t leave Kim Dae-ho alone like this. Su-hyeun drove back to his house. He took off his jacket and turned on the TV to provide some background noise for the lonesome house. But…

-One of Korea’s top five guilds, Hahoetal, moved to attack the two blue-colored dungeons that appeared recently. The guild master of the Hahoetal Guild is the current president of the Korean Awakeners Association…

Unexpected news came from the TV.