Chapter 287

It was just me, Im Jeok-jung, Song-Yi, and Butler Kim left in the room, but Lee Jung-ryong’s gaze was fixed solely on one person: Chief Choi.

“You’ve grown a lot.”

The moment I heard Lee Jung-ryong’s first words, it felt like I had been struck on the back of my head with a hammer. So this was what Chief Choi had been hiding—it was clearly not just a simple superior-subordinate relationship.

‘From what I know, Chief Choi was only with the Ares Guild for about three or four years.’ Even if we assume the earliest, he would have met Lee Jung-ryong in his early to mid-twenties. So why would Lee Jung-ryong say he had “grown a lot”? That’s something you’d hear from an old family friend or a relative during the holidays.

“It’s been a long time, Deputy Guild Master Lee,” Chief Choi responded, his tone formal and stiff. Lee Jung-ryong looked at him with an amused expression.

“Deputy Guild Master, huh? When you were little, you used to call me ‘grandfather.'”

Grandfather?

A second shock hit me. For a moment, I wondered—could it be? But I quickly dismissed the thought. It was likely just a term of endearment from a child’s perspective. Lee Jung-ryong probably wasn’t actually Chief Choi’s grandfather.

‘It’s clear that Chief Choi had a close relationship with Lee Jung-ryong from a young age.’ But even so, this was no ordinary connection.

As everyone else reeled in surprise, the only ones who remained composed were Butler Kim and Chief Choi, who calmly replied, “Yes, about 20 years ago.”

“Time flies. I never imagined that the cute little kid would turn out like this.”

“As time passes, you start to see things that were once hidden.”

“I heard you resigned last year. Now that I think about it, I never got to see you even once after you joined the guild. I must admit, I found that disappointing.”

Despite his words, there was no sign of disappointment on his face. Chief Choi’s response was just as detached.

“I feel the same. If you hadn’t immediately sent me on overseas assignments, I might have seen you more often.”

“Why? Didn’t you like the overseas branches?”

“It wasn’t where I belonged. That’s all.”

“Not where you belonged… Is that the picture you were aiming for?”

“Did I say that?” Lee Jung-ryong chuckled.

“So, you built yourself a new nest? Even borrowing someone else’s name?”

“Apologies for interrupting.”

Butler Kim, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. His voice was as calm as ever.

“But the young master and I aren’t strangers to each other.”

“And who do we have here?” Lee Jung-ryong pretended to be surprised, though it was clearly exaggerated. If he knew Chief Choi, he would certainly know the person closest to him—Butler Kim.

“Kim Hwa-jong? It’s really you?”

“It’s been a long time, Senior.”

Butler Kim didn’t refuse the hand that Lee Jung-ryong extended. The two men shook hands, faint smiles on their faces.

‘They’re speaking informally? And calling each other “senior”?’ I wasn’t sure exactly what their relationship was, but it seemed they were closer than I had thought.

“I’m glad I came in person. The last time we met was… about 20 years ago, right?”

“Eighteen years, to be precise. Eighteen.”

Was it just my imagination, or did Butler Kim seem to put extra emphasis on certain words? When I glanced at Song-Yi and Im Jeok-jung, they looked like they had seen a ghost.

‘No, it wasn’t my imagination.’ Far from being close, Butler Kim clearly despised Lee Jung-ryong.

Correcting myself, Butler Kim didn’t just dislike Lee Jung-ryong; he hated him with a passion. His words were sharp as knives, and though he wasn’t wielding a sword, his tongue might as well have been one.

Even as Lee Jung-ryong spoke, Seok Go-jun, who had been standing like a statue behind him, stepped forward.

“Mind your tongue.”

“Mind my tongue?”

“He’s not someone you can speak to so casually.”

Butler Kim looked at Seok Go-jun with a curious gaze.

“You seem quite skilled, but what’s your name, Hunter?”

“I’m Seok Go-jun, responsible for the Deputy Guild Master’s security.”

“Ah, Team Leader Seok Go-jun.”

Butler Kim’s deep, calm voice continued smoothly.

“If you’ve said all you wanted to say, shut your mouth and stand back. This isn’t a place for someone like you to butt in.”

Seok Go-jun’s face hardened even more at the words.

As a vein bulged on Seok Go-jun’s forehead, Lee Jung-ryong laughed heartily and pulled him back.

“I thought age had mellowed you out… but I see your temper is still the same. This is the Kim Hwa-jong I remember.”

“In terms of bad temper, I still have a long way to go to catch up to you, Senior,” Chief Choi added in a cold tone.

“Let’s cut the useless chatter and get to the point.”

How many people in South Korea—or the world, for that matter—could talk to Lee Cheong-ryong like this?

Im Jeok-jung and Song-Yi were left speechless by the stormy conversation.

Even I, who had witnessed Butler Kim ruthlessly dominate the Sangdong Guild Master Im Chun-soo a few months ago, was secretly surprised.

‘What could have happened?’ Chief Choi and Butler Kim were both so different from their usual selves.

“One of you is rash because you’re young, and the other hasn’t shaken off their youthful temper,” Lee Jung-ryong remarked. “But I suppose getting to the point isn’t a bad idea. Though it’s a bit disappointing, given that I was invited here.”

“Did you just say ‘invited’?”

“You’re mistaken. None of us here invited the Deputy Guild Master.”

“Think carefully. There must be at least one person who did.”

Lee Jung-ryong’s gaze, which had been watching the exchange with amusement, suddenly turned toward me.

“Him.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

With everyone’s eyes on me, I carefully spoke after a moment of thought.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

No sooner had I finished speaking than Seok Go-jun growled lowly. If Lee Jung-ryong hadn’t shaken his head, he would have pounced like a hunting dog.

Holding back Seok Go-jun, Lee Jung-ryong addressed me again.

“Didn’t you tell me to come and apologize in person?”

“Oh.” I did say that, to Park Ji-hoon and Park Tae-seop.

“You look genuinely surprised that I came.”

“Honestly, yes. You actually came all the way here—what are you trying to pull?”

“You tend to speak without thinking. Shouldn’t you thank me first for responding to your invitation?”

“Thank you?” I scoffed. I was too stunned to even respond to such absurdity.

“Even if your mouth is crooked, at least speak straight. It wasn’t an invitation; it was a demand. A demand for an apology.”

“No. If it wasn’t my choice to come here, do you really think you or the Peace Guild could have made me move even a single step?”

“That’s…”

“You didn’t really believe I’d come, did you? You said it yourself—you didn’t expect me to actually come.”

It felt like cold water had been poured over me. I was speechless.

Everything he said was true.

In my heart, I had been filled with rage and the desire for revenge, but I never truly believed that Lee Jung-ryong would come. My rational mind had coldly accepted reality.

I couldn’t force Lee Cheong-ryong, the de facto ruler of the Ares Guild, to come here with my current power.

“A demand is the right of the strong. A demand from the weak to the strong is never truly a demand. It’s just a request or an invitation.”

“So I came in response to an invitation. No matter what leverage you think you have, that fact doesn’t change. I’m Lee Jung-ryong. I am the Ares Guild, and the Ares Guild is me.”

His voice was calm but filled with authority, leaving the Peace Guild members, myself included, speechless.

One thing was clear: Lee Jung-ryong hadn’t come here to apologize.

Satisfied after establishing the vast difference in power, he smiled and continued.

“And you shouldn’t treat a guest so poorly, especially one who came bearing gifts for the patient. Isn’t that right, Team Leader Seok?”

“Yes, Deputy Guild Master.”

At Lee Jung-ryong’s nod, Seok Go-jun knocked on the door. A hunter from the security team entered, carrying something in his hands, which he placed on the table.

A vase filled with hundreds of flowers. And an envelope.

“A token of my sympathy. If it’s not enough, just let me know.”

My gaze lingered on the flowers. They were beautiful, white. I’ve never been particularly fond of flowers, but I didn’t dislike them either.

But this was the first time I had ever felt disgusted looking at a gift of flowers.

‘Funeral lilies as a get-well gift.’ The anger I had momentarily forgotten began to creep back in.

I rubbed the back of my stiff neck and muttered.

“Is this old man out of his mind?”

This time, even Seok Go-jun couldn’t hold back. With a roar, he lunged at me, his fist crashing into my jaw with blinding speed.

*Crack!*

A chilling sound echoed as blood splattered.

I slowly turned my head, grimacing. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

“Damn it, I bit my tongue.”

Seok Go-jun’s eyes widened. He stared at his fist, then at me, as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened.

“How…?”

“I’m pretty tough. Drank a lot of milk growing up.”

“I put mana into that punch…”

If he had used a fully manifested *Gwon-gi* (Fist Qi), I wouldn’t still be standing.

Of course, if that were the case, I wouldn’t have taken the hit on purpose.

I smirked at him.

“You should’ve gone all out. Make sure you can finish it in one hit.”

*Whoosh!*

*Gasp!*

Seok Go-jun inhaled sharply and reached out to strike my arm. His speed was far beyond that of an ordinary A-rank hunter.

His hand curled like a hook, aiming for my wrist.

‘This really is high-level martial arts.’

Recalling the shock I felt when facing Park Ji-hoon, I smoothly twisted my wrist.

As his hand missed, I gracefully coiled my arm around his wrist and, with a powerful grip, stomped down on his foot.

*Crunch!*

“Guh!” The weight of a thousand pounds crushed Seok Go-jun’s foot, driving it deep into the solid concrete. He groaned in pain and raised his arm to shield his face.

But…

“Is that all you’ve got?”

One thing was certain. I didn’t dodge, but Seok Go-jun couldn’t avoid my attack either.

*Crack!*

My fist drove straight into the center of his face, shattering his nose and smashing in his philtrum.

Blood and teeth flew from his gaping mouth.

*Thud!*

“You bastard, hitting me first?”

The sudden clash stunned everyone in the room, but one person’s reaction stood out.

“You…”

The usually composed voice of Lee Jung-ryong quivered as his eyes narrowed in shock.

Sensing the tension, I quickly spoke before things escalated further.

“For the record, that was self-defense.”

But the words that came next were completely unexpected.

“What’s your relationship with my brother?”

“Excuse me? Who?”

“The one who taught you that.”

“By ‘that,’ do you mean…?” My eyes widened. Was this old man talking about martial arts?

But before I could respond, Lee Jung-ryong’s focus shifted entirely, his gaze locking onto Chief Choi with a deep, unsettling calm.

“Did So-young have another man?”

I had no idea who this “So-young” person was, but it was clear that this name was a sensitive topic for someone. Chief Choi clenched his fists, and Butler Kim’s eyes blazed with a cold fury.

“Senior, do you have a death wish?”

“Answer me.”

“You bastard! Lee Cheong-ryong!”

“Go ahead.”

It was at that moment that Chief Choi finally spoke, his lips tightly pressed together.

“You know better than anyone what their relationship was like.”

“Then, is he…?”

“You must have already investigated Jin Tae-kyung.”

“Is it true?”

“Exactly as you know it. Not a single lie.”

Lee Jung-ryong’s eyes trembled.

He looked back and forth between me and Chief Choi before slowly turning away. The door opened just as he was about to leave, and he paused for a moment.

“I’ll be sending someone soon. When the negotiation is over, hand over the ones you’re holding.”

*Click.*

The door closed behind Seok Go-jun, who was being carried out by the security team. It felt like a storm had just swept through.

I stared silently at the closed door before turning to Chief Choi.

“Who is So-young?”

“She was my mother.”

“…What?”

“The woman who gave birth to me and raised me. She passed away a long time ago.”

I was stunned into silence.

Lee Jung-ryong… That crazy old man had just asked someone if their deceased mother had cheated on their father.

“Insane… Why would he…? No, never mind. You don’t have to answer.”

“Deputy Guild Master Lee must have been quite shaken. Even I didn’t expect him to be so blunt.”

Shaken, my foot. I quickly waved my hands.

“Please, Team Leader, you don’t have to say anything else.”

“Sometimes I wonder… What if my mother had been born to someone other than Cheon Tae-min?”

“Alright, that’s enough—”

Suddenly, I froze.

‘What did he just say?’

While my body was paralyzed, my mind raced, repeating the same name over and over.

Cheon Tae-min. Cheon Tae-min. Cheon Tae-min…

“Did you just say Cheon Tae-min?”

“If I pronounced it correctly, then you heard me right.”

“By any chance… is it the Cheon Tae-min I’m thinking of?”

“Yes.” Chief Choi nodded before continuing.

“He was my maternal grandfather.”

My vision blurred, and I nearly lost my balance.

Cheon Tae-min. It was Cheon Tae-min.

I had once suspected that Chief Choi wasn’t an ordinary person.

The seemingly endless wealth, the fact that an A-rank mage, a hidden hero of the Great Cataclysm, called him “young master”—it all made sense now.

It was all possible because his maternal grandfather was Cheon Tae-min.

‘The greatest hunter in the world… The man who killed the Demon King. The Slayer.’

The grandson of Cheon Tae-min was standing right in front of me.