The World’s Strongest Daughter.

“…”

I swallowed dry saliva as I looked at the mysterious woman who naturally offered a handshake.

The surrounding area was filled with mana as if a thick fog had settled.

At least B-rank… no, an expert of A-rank or higher.

Why did an expert of this level come to find me?

As I was contemplating how to respond while gauging the woman’s skills,

“It’s starting to get awkward, won’t you take it?”

The woman’s expression sank as she spoke to me.

I didn’t feel any animosity from her.

But it was very rude of her to deliberately exude mana as if to overwhelm me.

“…Clear away that mana and then we can talk.”

When I spoke with a vigilant look, she shrugged as if she had no choice and withdrew her mana.

At that moment.

Flash-

The streetlight that had gone out came back on, and the thick mana that had been flowing disappeared without a trace.

“…”

Her mana control skills were exceptional.

Even though I was openly showing a sign of caution, she smiled brightly as if it was nothing and offered her hand.

“I had no other intentions. I apologize if I startled you. Nice to meet you. My name is Kong Ye-ji.”

…Kong?

Judging by her appearance and surname, she seems to be somehow related to Kong Hye-sun.

After observing for a moment, I carefully dispersed the mana I was channeling and lightly grasped her hand.

“…I’m Yoo Ji-hwan.”

***

She led me to a park with few people, saying she wanted to talk. As soon as we arrived, she widened her eyes and climbed onto the swing.

“Wow… How long has it been since I’ve ridden one?”

Kong Ye-ji glanced at me with a somewhat innocent face and casually spoke.

“Do you want to ride too?”

I quietly crossed my arms instead of answering,

Kong Ye-ji slowly swung her body as if it didn’t matter and started moving the swing.

An awkward movement, like a young child riding.

Squeak- squeak-

From the swaying swing, a small metallic sound was heard.

The swing wasn’t even moving properly, but Kong Ye-ji had a smile on her face as if she was genuinely happy, raising endless questions.

What in the world is her identity…?

If she didn’t lie to me, she’s certainly related to Kong Hye-sun.

Even the voice is similar, so she’s probably family or a relative.

The problem is the ability she showed me.

She seems to be around the same age as Kong Hye-sun, but despite her young age, her abilities were so great that they could be compared to a seasoned hunter.

What could be the reason for deliberately showing off her power and asking to talk to me?

Does she want something?

In the end, unable to hold back, I urged her to get to the point, and she slowly stopped the swing and started speaking with a satisfied face.

“I came because of our Hye-sun.”

Our Hye-sun…?

As expected, she was related to Kong Hye-sun.

But why did she come to me?

“…That child, I heard she has someone she likes these days… Do you know by any chance?”

A somewhat probing tone.

…Ah…

No matter how I think about it, it was about me.

Kong Ye-ji intentionally approached me and even knows about my relationship with Kong Hye-sun.

For now, it seems right to tell the truth.

“…I know.”

Then she narrowed her eyes and looked at me as if interrogating me.

“Then… you would also know it’s you, right?”

As expected, she came knowing everything.

Feeling a little guilty, I quickly avoided her gaze and slowly nodded.

At that moment.

Kong Ye-ji instantly came up to me and grabbed my collar.

“Ugh!”

“You, you knew.”

Her face was frozen cold.

It looked exactly the same as if Kong Hye-sun were to get angry.

The moment I flinched, feeling a strange sense of incongruity with her appearance, she growled lowly and said,

“Confess to Hye-sun, right now.”

“…What?”

“You like our Hye-sun too, don’t you? I said confess right now.”

Co, confess? Me?

Her tone implied that it was natural for me to like Kong Hye-sun.

Startled by the sudden demand for confession, I shook off her hand.

“Wait, what are you suddenly…”

“Then, if Hye-sun confesses, will you accept it?”

“…Wh, what?”

I was at a loss for words, bewildered by Kong Ye-ji’s words that came swooping in.

This time, her tone implied that I would naturally accept it.

But I can’t accept Kong Hye-sun’s feelings.

In my eyes, she’s just a young child, so how can I accept her feelings?

When I didn’t answer and shut my mouth, Kong Ye-ji began to emit mana with her eyes wide open.

“…Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me, you won’t accept it?”

The thick mana instantly covered the park.

The streetlights illuminating the park flickered, and the mana spread on the ground and slowly began to climb up my body.

Ugh…!

I quickly drew up mana, pushed away Kong Ye-ji’s mana, and calmly replied,

“…We just became friends. Isn’t it too early to talk about confessing or whatever? And no matter if you’re family, I don’t understand the reason for interfering like this.”

It was virtually saying that I wouldn’t accept her feelings, but it’s not a false statement.

It’s a matter between Kong Hye-sun and me.

Neither confession nor rejection should be interfered with by others.

But it seems Kong Ye-ji thinks differently.

“…I’m Hye-sun’s older sister. Isn’t it natural for me to wish for Hye-sun’s happiness?”

…What?

It was too extreme to be simply familial love.

At that moment, Kong Ye-ji, glaring at me, began to emit even thicker mana and bound my body.

Feet.

Legs.

The moment the mana rose past the lower body to the chest, the pressure that had enveloped my body suddenly loosened.

“Whether you accept the confession or not, if you make our Hye-sun cry, you’re dead.”

“Ugh….”

Kong Ye-ji, who had made the threat, left a short intimidation towards me,

“…Do it right.”

And disappeared in an instant while withdrawing her mana.

Flash-

The streetlight that had gone out was brightly lit again as if nothing had happened, and only the swing she had been riding was swaying back and forth a little.

I sat down with a thud and slowly looked around.

But there was no trace of Kong Ye-ji anywhere.

It was truly a rare skill.

“…This is driving me crazy….”

It seems I’ve gotten entangled in quite a big problem.

***

“Hmm….”

After returning home, I fell into deep thought with my phone in front of me.

Whether I should consult my wife about what happened today or not.

First of all, since it’s a matter involving a woman, there are plenty of reasons to consult with my wife.

It reminded me of a time when So-yeon was still in kindergarten.

There were several times when a fellow hunter made advances on me, but I had no choice but to go on a date with her once because she tried to harm herself.

It was just having a meal together, but…

On the day of the date, we ran into my wife, who was out shopping, and our date ended right there.

I wasn’t scolded too much at that time thanks to my wife understanding my situation. Still, the fellow hunter who went on a date with me had to be hospitalized for quite a while.

That night,

My wife warmly embraced me, saying not to struggle alone with this kind of thing. Since then, I have received help from my wife for all matters involving women.

As I’ve done so far, I think it would be good to consult with my wife about this matter as well.

“Sigh, it’s difficult….”

The problem here is Kong Hye-sun’s family situation.

Judging from Kong Ye-ji’s condition, it doesn’t seem to be a typical family, and there seem to be some special circumstances.

If there are problems with children, what would be the cause?

It’s the parents.

I don’t want to inflict wounds on Kong Hye-sun, who may have problems with her parents.

Of course, it could be an ordinary family with somewhat eccentric sisters.

…I’d rather hope so.

But the strange obsession Kong Ye-ji showed was far from ordinary.

What kind of family produces a child like Kong Ye-ji?

“…Haa….”

Clutching my head with a frustrated heart, I finally grabbed my phone.

I think it’s right to get help from my wife after all.

Let’s leave out Kong Ye-ji’s story in case she worries and only asks about Kong Hye-sun.

She’s also a parent of a family, so she’ll understand my feelings.

…I’m sure she will.

[Reject her tomorrow.]

…That’s how it should have been…

I was a little surprised by my wife’s answer.

“…Huh? To, tomorrow…?”

[…You seem to think that just because your body is 17 years old, you’re really 17 years old, but you’re 34. What are you doing with a lump of flesh the same age as your daughter?]

Whether it’s because a woman is a woman no matter how young, my wife’s tone slightly revealed her old blunt side.

[If you’re not going to date that child, it’s right to cut it off as soon as possible. Time will heal the wounds.]

“…Bu, but still….”

[…Don’t tell me you’re boldly saying you’ll cheat on me right in front of me?]

No, this woman…

“…You know it’s not, so please don’t do that.”

She seemed to ponder for a moment, then threw a bombshell remark.

[…I can’t stand the anxiety. I’ll go to Seoul this week.]

“…Huh? Seoul?”

I was startled by my wife’s words.

All of a sudden?

The news that my wife is coming to Seoul is actually something to welcome.

It’s easier to meet than when she’s in Gangwon-do, and my wife can spend more time with So-yeon.

But isn’t it premature for her to come up already when her health condition hasn’t even recovered?

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to rest a little more there? It’s more….”

[…Are you trying to cheat on me while I’m not around?]

“…Yeon-hee. You know it’s not, so why are you….”