Grandfather insisted on giving lessons, and no one could refuse. At least I had to take one move.
As a result, those who came to watch my duel ended up facing Grandfather in a match.
“Grrk!”
“Running away is a tactic! But fleeing without purpose is just a prey being chased by a predator.”
“…Sorry.”
Elder Uncle and Second Elder Uncle received Grandfather’s strikes and stepped back without issue.
Next was Third Elder Uncle, Do Beom-joon, Do Seung-woo’s father, who bowed his head after being scolded by his Grandfather. His ears were flushed red—perhaps he felt embarrassed.
“Next!”
After Third Elder Uncle left, Elder Aunt strode into the training hall, her heels clicking.
Grandfather frowned.
“Are you planning to fight in heels?”
“Who knew this would happen? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have worn these high heels.”
Unlike the elders, Elder Aunt was less intimidated by Grandfather. She nonchalantly took off her shoes and neatly placed them aside.
“I’m fighting barefoot, so you should take that into account.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Elder Aunt, with her blunt charm, made Grandfather smirk, though he didn’t seem entirely displeased.
Moments later, their swords clashed.
“…Impressive.”
I understood why my Grandfather was lenient with my Elder Aunt. Her swordsmanship was dazzling—clean strikes laced with illusions that cornered Grandfather’s movements.
Neither the Elder Uncle, Second Elder Uncle, nor Third Elder Uncle had managed to pressure Grandfather like this.
“Your skills have improved a lot.”
“I have to keep up with my brothers, don’t I?”
“But you’re still far from defeating me.”
“…!”
Grandfather swung his sword, deflecting Elder Aunt’s strike. Her hand holding the sword jolted, and her relentless swordplay halted. The illusions vanished. Grandfather’s sword moved in the opening, pressing against Elder Aunt’s neck.
“You know what you lack now, don’t you?”
“…I’ve learned a move. Thank you.”
The duel ended. Elder Aunt bowed respectfully and returned to where she’d left her shoes.
“Wow… Hyung, I want to learn the same swordsmanship as Elder Aunt! It’s so cool!”
“Yeah, she was amazing.”
Yeeun, who’d been complaining about being tired earlier, now had her eyes shining. I understood her excitement—Elder Aunt’s swordsmanship had piqued my interest in Illusion Swordstyle.
“Now it’s Dad’s turn.”
Then, after a while…
Father stood before Grandfather.
“Dad! Fight hard, fight!”
Yeeun cheered loudly. Father gave a wry smile.
Clang!
The duel began. Father charged quickly. His sword, unlike Elder Aunt’s, wasn’t flashy but precise—no extra movements, reacting instantly to the situation.
But after a few exchanges, Father started to be pushed back by Grandfather.
Just as it seemed the match would end…
“What are they talking about?”
Though I couldn’t hear from afar, it seemed Father and Grandfather exchanged words after clashing.
Immediately, Father’s movements changed.
Clang!
Father used Grandfather’s sword as leverage, springing back and launching relentless attacks.
Clang!
Father’s actions became bolder. He didn’t hesitate to strike. He pressed into Grandfather’s guard, preventing him from swinging his sword.
“Why is Dad doing that?”
Had Grandfather’s words just now caused a shift in his mindset? It was hard not to wonder.
But that was as far as it went.
Whoosh!
Before Father’s sword could land, Grandfather’s sword touched his throat.
“…I lose.”
“Your skills haven’t rusted.”
“I’m constantly in the field, after all.”
Father acknowledged defeat. Only then did Grandfather sheathe his sword and exchange a few words with Father.
When Father returned, his expression was far from bright.
“I didn’t expect you to swing so fiercely, like a changed man.”
“You’re only realizing that now? I can be serious when I need to.”
“Dad! I cheered for you to win, what if you lost!?”
“Oh, my daughter! Sorry, I lost. Thanks for cheering.”
Mother and Yeeun approached, softening Father’s demeanour. Still, he seemed preoccupied with something.
I asked him,
“What did Head say?”
“Huh?”
“I saw you two talking earlier, and your movements changed after that. Is something wrong?”
“…It’s nothing. Kids don’t need to worry about it. Let’s watch the rest of the duels.”
He ruffled my hair, deflecting the question.
“That’s evasive.”
I fixed my tousled hair. Curious about their conversation, I decided not to press him.
Before long…
“Next is… Si-eun.”
“Yes, Head. Please go easy on me.”
After the elders’ turn, it was the younger generation’s. Grandfather smiled at Do Si-eun, who’d entered the training hall.
“Show me everything you’ve got. I’m eager to experience my granddaughter’s Bijung.”
“Actually, I have a request.”
“A request? Go ahead.”
“Like Gyeon-woo did, I’d like to take one strike from you.”
“Why is she doing that?”
Not for boldness… I stared at her. Others around us looked bewildered too.
“I ask that you let me learn through direct experience.”
“Hm.”
Still, Do Si-eun ignored the stares and pleaded. Grandfather didn’t refuse.
“Alright, take it.”
“Yes.”
“How did she move?”
Grandfather swapped his sword for a wooden one and took stance. I tried to observe every minor movement.
But in the blink of an eye, I lost sight of him.
“When…?”
The distance of ten steps.
Grandfather closed it in one stride, reaching Do Si-eun’s face. Without manifesting mana.
At least, that’s what it seemed to me.
Then he struck.
Basic Form I, Hunter’s Stance.
A simple downward swing.
Thud! Whoosh! Crash!
“Ugh….”
Just like me earlier, Do Si-eun couldn’t react and was sent flying. She lifted off the ground and crashed into the wall behind her.
The onlookers were speechless, agape.
Meanwhile,
“This time, she really flew. So that’s what she was avoiding….”
“…”
Grandfather muttered, seemingly puzzled, as Do Si-eun slid down the wall. His gaze felt like it flicked to me for a moment. Maybe it was my imagination.
“Sis Si-eun couldn’t handle Grandfather either.”
I worried about her, struggling to her feet. She declined assistance and approached Grandfather.
“I’ve learned a move.”
“Good, I enjoyed sparring with you. Just in case, get checked by the support staff.”
“Yes.”
“…”
She left with her family.
“I hope she’s not hurt. She doesn’t seem the type to get injured….”
I thought about sending her a message.
Then, as I tried to watch the next duels,
“Head, I ask for your guidance….”
“You want to take my strike too?”
“…Huh?”
The person after Do Si-eun suddenly flew after receiving Grandfather’s strike.
“Next! You too, take a strike.”
“Next!”
And so, one after another… Grandfather, for some reason, smashed his grandchildren into the wall.
Amid the chaos of people being struck and plastered against the wall…
“Next! Come on, Seung-woo.”
“Alright, please….”
“You too, take a strike.”
“…”
It was Do Seung-woo’s turn. My lips curled up naturally.
“Do Seung-woo’s going to fly too.”
I couldn’t just watch this. I needed to preserve it.
I took out my smartphone to record Do Seung-woo’s duel.
As I pressed the video button,
Thud! Whoosh! Crash!
“…Ugh!”
The guy, hit by Grandfather’s sword, lifted off the ground and floated into the air. Like the others, he let out a strange cry, flying through the air and sticking to the wall.
“Oh.”
Had the same spot been hit repeatedly? The training hall wall was slightly dented. Do Seung-woo was wedged there, unable to move. His family rushed to pull him out.
“This came out well?”
I captured the scene. Though Do Seung-woo’s speed made focusing tricky, I was satisfied enough.
“I can’t keep this to myself.”
I wanted to show it to Han Ji-ae.
Then I remembered,
“Ah, right.”
Only then did I realize I hadn’t checked her messages since arriving at the main house yesterday. Between duelling Do Seung-woo, the evaluation match, and receiving lessons from Grandfather, I’d been too preoccupied.
When I finally checked her messages, they were waiting.
Han Ji-ae: Am I at the summit now?
Han Ji-ae: Hey! It’s a verification shot.
Han Ji-ae sent a photo.
It was a selfie with the sunset over the mountains in the background. She shyly made a V-sign with her fingers.
“Phew, seriously…”
Come to think of it, I did ask her to send a verification shot. But I meant a photo of the summit, not a selfie. Seems like there was a misunderstanding.
Anyway,
“Hmm…”
The photo turned out pretty well. Her sky-blue hair was sticking to her cheeks, probably from sweating during the climb. Her bashful bunny ears looked pretty cute too.
“I should save this.”
I saved the photo. Then, belatedly, I replied to her.
Me: Sorry, just saw your message. I’ve been busy at the main house.
Me: The photo looks great.
At that moment, the “1” notification disappeared. Han Ji-ae had read the message.
Han Ji-ae: It’s okay ^^
Han Ji-ae: What’s a day late?
Han Ji-ae: It happens.
Han Ji-ae: (Deleted message)
Han Ji-ae: The orphanage kids were messing around!
Han Ji-ae: Don’t get me wrong!
It seemed like a flustered message.
“Are you hanging out with the orphanage kids now?”
I tilted my head. Even if the kids were playing pranks, there was no need to delete the message, right? I decided to respect Han Ji-ae’s thoughts.
Me: Okay 😀
Han Ji-ae: Anyway, I sent mine.
Han Ji-ae: So you should send yours too.
“A verification shot? Do I have anything to send…?”
I scrolled through my gallery. Since she sent me a photo, I should send one back.
“Ah, this one should work.”
There was a photo I took yesterday. I sent it from my gallery.
Me: Here, my verification shot.
It was a selfie taken yesterday at the gate, in front of the Mud Kero with their tongues tied.
Han Ji-ae: Where are you? It looks like a forest…
Han Ji-ae: Didn’t you go to the main house?
Me: I took it inside the gate. At the artificial gate in the main house.
Han Ji-ae: Wow… I’ve never seen anything like this.
Han Ji-ae: But isn’t there anything normal?
Me: Normal? What do you mean?
Han Ji-ae: Something for a profile picture?
Me: I don’t usually take those kinds of photos.
Han Ji-ae: If you don’t take them, then…
Me: How about this instead?
Han Ji-ae: What’s this? Who is it?
Me: My cousin.
The conversation continued. Han Ji-ae and I messaged back and forth, catching up on what we hadn’t finished talking about yesterday.
Through this, I realized:
Whether intentional or not, Gyeon-woo will keep causing trouble. Just looking at what happened at the main house: challenging Seung-woo to a duel, speaking boldly to the Head… The kid has changed too much.
In just two days, Gyeon-woo’s antics were numerous. Especially, he even demonstrated Bijung in front of the clan, breaking the 2nd Head’s record and achieving the youngest milestone. This deeply ingrained him in the clan’s memory.
While it’s good that the evaluations of my son, once mocked as “Rabbit” for not being able to hunt a single rabbit, have changed, I can’t just be pleased.
“The more you stand out, the more enemies you make.”
To a lion, a tiny rabbit isn’t worth the trouble. A lion wouldn’t go all out to hunt a rabbit. But if the target is a lion cub, that’s a different story—especially if that cub shows exceptional promise. They’d see it as a threat to their territory.
Gyeon-woo will inevitably be under their scrutiny. Some might even plot to eliminate him before he comes of age.
I can’t just stand by and watch.
But it’s not just the clan’s people. In the future, Gyeon-woo will venture into the world and face countless enemies. As his father, I must protect him from being hunted by them.
Yet, I’m well aware:
“This isn’t enough.”
My strength alone isn’t sufficient to protect Gyeon-woo, who’s growing rapidly. Struggling to deal with my siblings, I’d have no power to face other predators.
The title of Regulus Clan’s branch leader might sustain my family, but it’s not enough to protect them. To shield them, I need a higher position.
“Is this all your power? With this, you can’t protect Gyeon-woo.”
The Head of the Shinjeom Taoist Sect, Do Ye-eok—my father—saw right through my worries.
At that moment, Do Sang-joon flinched.
“You once said you didn’t want to fight your siblings, that you were content with just your family. Has that changed?”
“…”
“Your son’s weakness comes from you, I suppose. But from what I’ve seen, that boy has decided to live as a predator, not just nibbling on grass. So, has your mind changed?”
“I…”
“Do you truly believe you can handle and shelter that child?”
“…”
“If you lack the confidence, entrust that child to me. In return, I’ll become the shield that protects him, passing on everything to him.”
“…!”
By the time he heard that, Do Sang-joon, who had been hesitating, could finally conclude. Like battling a monster threatening Gyeon-woo, he swung his sword fiercely.
“Still got it, I see.”
“…Thank you.”
“To protect, you must take.”
“…Yes.”
Do Ye-eok seemed satisfied. Do Sang-joon etched his final words into his heart.
He repeated them over and over.
“To protect, I must take…”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
In this world where the strong prey on the weak, perhaps this is truly necessary to survive. Whether carnivore or herbivore, to protect, one must take. To live, one must fight. Even if the opponent is a sibling.
“…Everyone’s fast asleep.”
“The kids must be exhausted.”
On the way home from the main house, at a red light, Do Sang-joon glanced at the backseat. There were Do Gyeon-woo, fast asleep, and Do Si-eun, sleeping on his lap. The sight was incredibly endearing. He didn’t want to lose this.
“I have something to tell you. I’ll be coming home late from now on.”
“Because of your conversation with Father earlier?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
His wife was sharp.
He nodded at Han Ji-ae, who was asking from the passenger seat.
“I’m going to climb as high as I can, aiming for a promotion.”
“You’re aiming for Father’s position?”
“Not sure about that… but I’ll rise higher than I am now.”
“So you’re working to boost your achievements, hence coming home late.”
“Yeah. Luckily, with what I’ve done so far, I can secure the Sub-Lord position within this year.”
“I’ll support you. I’ll make sure to back you up properly.”
“You don’t have to…”
“Who says only you can protect the kids? I’m their mom too. I’ll fight too.”
“…Alright, I’ll leave the backup to you.”
“I was wondering when to do it, but I guess I’ll get a haircut later.”
“Uh, Ji-ae.”
“What, Sang-joon?”
“…Are you really going to cut it?”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“No, whatever you do is fine. With summer coming up, it’ll be refreshing. Short hair suits you, right…?”
The light turned green.
Unable to voice his true feelings, he let out a wry smile and drove on.
Leave a Reply