Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 25

“What is this?”

“It’s here too?”

Security guards, who stayed behind at the raid site to clean up, tilted their heads curiously.

Large pouches were found all over the swamp, each noticeably heavy.

There were 14 in total.

Together, they weighed as much as an adult male.

“Those are mine.”

Jaehyuk suddenly appeared just as the guards were about to open the pouches.

“Thanks for finding them.”

The 14 pouches disappeared into his clothes one by one, like magic.

“Huh…? Huh?”

“Take care.”

***

‘It’s nice to live in a world where people help each other.’

Searching for the lead weights hidden around the swamp was a bothersome task.

The guards were just doing what they needed to do anyway.

Thanks to them, Jaehyuk collected all the lead weights without even lifting a finger.

‘Let’s wash up and eat first.’

While the guards were busy working hard.

Jaehyuk wielded his sword inside the forest, assessing the increase in his stats.

It was time to recover by consuming enough nutrients.

That way, he could train again at night.

Soon, there was a stir.

As Jaehyuk entered the cafeteria, the atmosphere shifted.

The students who were eating, and those standing in line to get food.

They all glanced at him, whispering amongst themselves.

What they had in common was that they were first-year students.

They were the ones who heard about Jaehyuk’s achievements the fastest.

A student from Class B who achieved even more than those from Class A.

Rumor had it that his contributions were even greater than those of the three teachers.

Could it be true?

Though hesitant to believe it, the students sent intense glances toward Jaehyuk.

While the notion that he was the most contributing might have been exaggerated, it seemed to be true that he led the way, risking himself to save other students.

‘Ribs, bulgogi, barbecue, beef wellington, chicken, dong po pork.’

Jaehyuk was too focused on his food. He was concentrating on packing as much meat as possible onto his two trays.

Baek Dojin approached him.

“Kang Jaehyuk, you’ve finally become an outcast.”

He said this with a look of pity.

“Don’t worry too much. When they tease and gossip about you, it’s bearable once you get used to it. If you really can’t stand it, just hit them once. It’ll keep them quiet for a few days. But be prepared for tacks on your chair or graffiti on your desk. Carrying a cushion or some medicated balm will help…”

“What…?”

“Hey, come on! It’s better to eat together.”

The crazy dog of the second year.

Baek Dojin always ate alone. No one dared to approach the table he occupied.

But now, having Jaehyuk was incredibly comforting.

“Huh?”

Baek Dojin, hastily chasing after Jaehyuk, was aghast.

“Jaehyuk! Come sit here.”

“Why not here? We’ve saved a seat for you.”

Ba-boom!

Dojin was struck by shock, as if a rock had fallen on his head.

Kang Jaehyuk.

Even the craziest person who Dojin gave up on was being asked to join by dozens of students.

Why…?

“Why…? They avoid me, but why are they…?”

Weren’t people like us supposed to be naturally shunned?

“What makes you different from me? Oh, your face? Height…? Damn! The world! The world shouldn’t be like this! It’s wrong!!”

Confused by his inability to comprehend the phenomenon, Dojin finally erupted in anger, prompting Jaehyuk to urge him.

“What are you doing standing there? Your soup is getting cold, hurry and come.”

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

Baek Dojin’s anger melted away.

***

“So, that’s when Jaehyuk…”

Right after arriving at the raid site, he had identified the boss’s weak spot and attacked continuously?

“Then Jaehyuk…”

He rode the Leech King like a horse?

“He went swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!”

“And created five weak spots!?”

Dojin, engrossed in the absurd conversation, didn’t know if his meal was entering through his mouth or nose, finally stood up.

Yes, he definitely stood up but was about the same height as the student sitting next to him…

“Kang Jaehyuk! Indeed, a man I acknowledge!”

Dojin didn’t doubt Jaehyuk’s achievements for even a moment.

“A man who knocked me out over ten times over the weekend!!”

“… Is that the person who borrowed a potion? Was it because of being hit by Jaehyuk?”

“Oh, wasn’t it…?”

“Anyway, don’t forget to remind him to return the potion.”

“Yeah, now that we’re on the same team, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to talk.”

A deep heat rose in Dahui’s purple eyes as she nodded.

She was excited to be able to train alongside Jaehyuk, who showed incredible skills.

Determined not to waste this precious opportunity, she clenched her fists with resolve.

Watching her, Yujin gave a worried glance.

‘I know they have great skills, but their personalities are a bit…’

Kang Jaehyuk and Baek Dojin.

They were not ordinary by any measure.

Yujin was worried if Dahui could fit in with them.

‘If she doesn’t get taken advantage of, that would be fortunate.’

Seeing the concern on Yujin’s face, Jaehyuk made a suggestion.

“If you’re worried about your friend, why don’t you join our team too?”

“What…? Really?”

“Of course, really, why would I just say that?”

Jaehyuk appreciated Yujin.

He noticed the signs that she fought as hard as Dahui during the raid.

Seeing that she stayed put while other students fled was proof enough that she was a reliable person.

“That’s great, Yujin!”

Dahui rejoiced as if it was her own matter.

However, Yujin shook her head.

“I truly appreciate the offer, but I’ll decline. I don’t want to hold Dahui back.”

Kang Jaehyuk, Chae Dahui, Baek Dojin.

Jaehyuk’s team already consisted of three swordsmen.

Adding Yujin, a warrior, would only mess up the balance.

“With your skills, you probably won’t need a tank, but a healer or supporter is essential. Preferably a supporter, to maximize your physical strengths.”

“My name is Baek Dojin.”

“Yes? Yes.”

“My name is Baek Dojin.”

“…?”

“Right. With my skills, Kang Jaehyuk, and senior Dojin’s, we don’t really need a tank.”

“Hmm.”

“…”

Dahui, who had figured out how to handle Dojin’s unpredictable nature, tried to calm him down.

Yujin’s concern grew even deeper as she watched her sweat bullets.

‘The last member must be someone normal.’

In Yujin’s mind, Kang Jaehyuk’s team had top-tier potential.

Against a team made up of second-year Class A students or National Treasure candidates, they would be unmatched, but they had the potential to gradually reach the top tier.

Until then, they needed someone who could suppress internal conflicts.

Was there no suitable person around?

While Yujin pondered, she suddenly realized her surroundings had become eerily quiet.

“Oh…”

Yujin quickly identified the cause.

A boy with a beauty so striking that it could be considered divine.

With snow-white skin and fine features, the boy with silver hair and blue eyes approached them.

The effect was even greater than when Jaehyuk appeared.

Interest in the silver-haired boy transcended all grades.

The successor of the Daeshilla family, a National Treasure candidate, and exquisitely beautiful.

Numerous students silently expressed reverence for the “future” of Korea.

“Silla Kyung…”

However, the reaction from the first-year Class A students was not positive.

How many people had suffered because Silla Kyung suddenly disappeared when the Leech King raid commenced?

Some had stood at death’s door, while others would carry the guilt of abandoning their comrades for a lifetime.

“Wow… Are they out of their minds? Are they trying to fight that monster?”

As the atmosphere turned dangerous, Baek Dojin gasped in awe, adding nonsensical remarks about the state of those eating with Kang Jaehyuk.

“Wh-why…”

Could Baek Dojin’s babble have snapped them out of it?

Chae Dahui spoke up.

“Why did you leave your post during the raid?”

It was a genuine question, not a criticism.

As a girl filled with a sense of justice, she couldn’t carelessly doubt Silla Kyung, who above all, should have taken the lead in practicing justice.

In the presence of everyone, she provided him with a chance to explain himself.

But Silla Kyung did not even glance at her.

From his first appearance until now, his blue eyes were solely fixed on Kang Jaehyuk.

“Why did you go out of your way to help them?”

The atmosphere, already tense, instantly froze.

Silla Kyung’s tone was peculiar.

With quick instincts, Yujin pulled Dahui up.

“Let’s go.”

There were many who admired nobles.

But the feelings Dahui had for nobles were even more special.

They were like constellations illuminating her dreams, like signposts guiding her path.

However, the world was not as beautiful as the girl imagined.

Even among nobles, there were countless people different from the ducal families of powerful countries.

Yujin hoped Dahui wouldn’t have to face that reality yet.

Her pure and naive dreams could easily be sullied.

“Foolish people. They stirred up monsters they shouldn’t have and didn’t avoid fights they could have. Driven by their own strength, they acted on greed.”

Thankfully.

Silla Kyung’s voice, leaning closely to Jaehyuk, didn’t reach the surroundings.

The barrier created by mana, a so-called sound barrier, confined their conversation to Jaehyuk’s ears alone.

“These people should have paid a price. The death of a few foolish ones should have enlightened the remaining dozens and changed their lives. But because you intervened, they survived easily, repeating the same mistakes in the future.”

His blue eyes flashed.

It seemed they were radiating a determination to illuminate the darkness of the world.

“… The『Saint』 has such harsh words? Not a good first impression. It feels like my ears are rotting, so let’s stop. Okay?”

“Does it sound like nonsense? Then think of the failure of the great nation’s duke. Didn’t you see firsthand in the past eight years how he, dedicated his whole life to helping the ignorant masses, was treated?”

“You…”

“Your method is wrong. Your father personally proved it. What remained for him who sacrificed himself to help the weak and enlighten fools? Nothing but the result of failure and the mark of incompetence. If you don’t want to follow in your father’s footsteps…”

Silla Kyung’s words halted midway.

He was captivated by Jaehyuk’s pitch-black eyes, devoid of even a hint of light brown.

It was as though his intention to illuminate the new world was being absorbed by those black eyes.

Swoosh!

The dark blade approached swiftly.

An Sword Draw technique performed from a sitting position.

Even faster than when he sliced the Leech King, Silla Kyung was quite surprised.