Report
“What the hell are you doing?”
Yuri didn’t think about responding in kind. He didn’t consider his refusal to open the door an impolite act, and he thought his explanation to him was fairly courteous.
Without even a hint of guilt, the brat on the other side pressed the doorbell, refusing to acknowledge Yuri’s decision not to open the door. Sure, that was okay.
But going from not opening the door to suddenly climbing the fence, spouting curses like “bastard,” and attempting to slap him across the face was clearly crossing the line.
“What? Did you just call me a bastard?”
It was hard to believe that the guy had forgotten that he himself had used the insult “bastard” first. He was now holding onto the “insult” that Yuri had spat out.
“How dare you call, this Jim Namgung, a bastard?”
Jim Namgung’s face turned a deep shade of red. His shoulders trembled, and it seemed like his anger was spreading from his head to his toes.
Yuri was feeling just as furious.
“You’re the one who was going to slap me and call me a bastard, but you’re so upset over me saying ‘insult’?”
Thankfully, he didn’t have a sword. However, he still had fists. Jim Namgung stared at Yuri with a trembling fist.
As he sensed from outside, the unknown man inside seemed to lack any trace of inner energy. There was no sign of him being an advanced master at his age, nor did he exude the aura of someone experienced in martial arts like him.
Which meant that the man inside wasn’t familiar with martial arts. Oddly, this realization only made Jim Namgung more furious. It seemed like the man might be unhinged. Apparently, he was a lunatic.
“If you get down on your knees and beg right now…”
“Why should I get on my knees and beg? You bastard…”
He used the curse again. Jim Namgung couldn’t hold back his anger and attacked. While he had the awareness that his opponent was an ordinary person, his emotions, unlike his inner energy, were unleashed in this attack unlike the previous one, which was full of emotion.
Unlike before, Yuri was fully conscious of his actions. Jim Namgung’s fist attack was sharp and clandestine not at all like Oh brothers. Just before the attack, he anticipated that his fist would be coming for his face.
A burst of inner energy spread throughout his body. Thwack! He deflected the fist that was headed for his face. At the moment Jim Namgung’s arm slightly spread, Yuri’s own fist shot forward.
‘What?’
He didn’t expect a counterattack. Jim Namgung was startled and pulled his leg back, bending his waist. Swish! The wind that followed the punch swept his bangs back.
“You!”
Jim Namgung let out a shout and swung his fist again. This time, he mixed in a technique alongside the punch. His trembling body and the punch were sharp, unlike the previous emotional attacks.
He seized the opportunity. Floating in mid-air, Yuri landed a bit away. He adjusted his stance a few steps backward. His palm, which had deflected the punch, felt cold, and his bones ached.
“Deflected…?”
Jim Namgung didn’t chase after Yuri. He stood, shocked, comparing his fist and Yuri’s face. He attacked with a technique that penetrated the Eagle Claw’s defences, but it was deflected. Despite using his technique, he was blocked. He couldn’t miss the fact that Yuri was adept at predicting his movements.
“You damn… What the hell are you trying to do?”
Yuri didn’t want to fight Jim Namgung any longer. Though he could predict his movements for now, it didn’t mean he could engage in a “fight.” Jim Namgung still held back his inner energy, and this time, he mixed his technique with his fists in a controlled manner.
His body felt light. His vision was clear. His mind was sharp. He still had some inner energy. Heavenly Destruction of Evil and Embrace of Righteousness hadn’t been used. He wanted to try fighting once more.
But he couldn’t. If Jim Namgung consciously used his inner energy, he would definitely lose. For now, he had to stop here.
“This…”
“Oh, this son of a bitch. The hell with you. You’re some damn thief jumping over people’s fences and trying to mess with people?”
“What…”
“What the hell? Jim Namgung? Jim Namgung? Don’t bullshit me, you thief.”
The words were said like that, but that brat was most likely Jim Namgung. It was highly unlikely that anyone else in the Rootran would impersonate him.
“This… you damn brat, I am Namgung Family’s Jim Namgung. Do you think I hide my name out of shame?”
“If slapping the face of an invited guest who had come through the proper channels during the daytime, attempting violence, intimidating, and even impersonating Namgung Family, if all that is not embarrassing, then is it something to be proud of? You’re a bastard who’s impersonating Namgung Family. The honourable and dignified Namgung Family wouldn’t behave this rudely.”
While that might be the case for someone with a certain position, individuals from prestigious families tend to be more mindful of their reputation. Furthermore, this wasn’t just anyone’s house; this was the residence of Elena Hainderga, the Golden Chalice of the Dercia Tower, one of Dercia’s three great powers.
“Golden Chalice? Could it be that she called that because his hair is blonde?
If that’s the case, isn’t that a rather unimaginative nickname? Yuri brushed aside that thought and glared at Jim Namgung.
“You’re in big trouble now. Don’t think of running away; just stay here.”
The mansion’s defensive magic was already activated. Elena, who had gone to the Tower, would have noticed, and Haryeong might soon be arriving from the nearby inn. That should settle this matter. Yuri’s outburst?
In this situation, who could possibly blame Yuri?
“This… this crazy bastard…”
Jim Namgung trembled, unable to continue speaking properly. Flying into a rage and losing his judgment was Jim Namgung bad habit.
He realized that pretty quickly in this context. Jim Namgung realized that the current situation couldn’t be friendly to him at all.
It might have been different if this was someone else’s house, but he had intruded into Elena’s mansion. He didn’t need anything more than this to realize how serious this problem was in the grand scheme of things. The only solution was Jim Namgung to lower his head.
“Th-there seems to have been some misunderstanding. I thought you were an intruder in this mansion…”
“Misunderstanding? What kind of nonsense is that? I’ve already explained who I am. Would it have been better if I were straightforward? You were going to slap me and call me rude for being at the door.”
Jim Namgung gnawed at his lower lip instead of answering. It was true. He was irritated that despite his declaration, he didn’t open the door. And he was furious when he told him to go away or wait at the door.
And then… he noticed that Yuri’s hair was damp. He looked like she had just finished taking a bath. In this place, the house of Elena Hainderga! Jim Namgung clenched and unclenched his fists, swallowing deeply as he stepped back.
“…So, who are you?”
“Shouldn’t you be addressing something else first?”
“I… I’m still not sure who you are. It’s hard for me to believe that you’re Elena’s guest. So, could you first tell me your name and your relationship with Elena?”
Pushing the issue so hard. Were all the aristocratic brats in this world like this? You might say that Soohyuk and Yuri didn’t have parents to teach them manners, but even with well-off parents, why were those brats acting like this? Yuri was about to open his mouth to respond.
“Shh.”
Yuri closed his mouth quietly.
In front of the open door, Haryeong stood with a knife in each hand. She hadn’t shown any ‘expression’ during the week-long journey, but now she wore an expression that Yuri had never seen before.
“What in the world is this?”
Hayeong’s face was truly bewildered and astonished. With wide, round eyes, she looked around, then entered the garden with a decisive step.
“It’s quite strange. I don’t see any other intruders, but…”
After surveying the garden, Hayeong’s gaze finally landed on Jim Namgung.
“That means… You’re the fourth son of Lord Namgung, Jim Namgung?”
“H-Haryeong.”
“It’s odd. I dont see any… another intruder, but…”
Her eyes that had been wide open narrowed. Hayeong looked at Jim Namgung footprints on the garden floor and at Yuri’s red hand.
“It seems you’ve used violence against Yuri-nim, who is a guest.”
“W-Well, there was… a misunderstanding.”
“Lord Namgung. I find it difficult to understand your actions in this situation. If someone were to intrude into Lord Elena’s mansion and attack her guest, how would Lord Namgung want to deal with that intruder?”
Haryeong’s voice grew icy. She continued speaking, concealing the knives in her hands.
“Even considering Lord Namgung status, surely he wouldn’t let someone who intruded into Lord Elena’s mansion and attacked a guest go unpunished?”
“Are you saying…!”
“Of course. In that case, you have the right to punish someone who intruded into Lord Elena’s mansion, right? Lord Namgung. Are you suggesting that you, would be exempt from punishment in this situation?”
Jim Namgung’s eyebrows twitched. He openly displayed his anger and glared at Hayeong.
“Yes, that’s correct. Misunderstanding or not, I have a hard time figuring out what misunderstanding there might be in this situation. And even if there were a misunderstanding, Lord Namgung, you have clearly crossed a line.”
Hayeong’s voice cooled down even more. She spoke while concealing the knives in her hands.
“Being Lord and a Master, and with no risk of escape, Lord Namgung position is, without a doubt, powerful. However, what can be done? I must thoroughly fulfil my contract as a Bodyguard.”
“Are you…!”
“You said it was a misunderstanding.”
“I’ve answered that question. I’ve explained about the misunderstanding. And if you want to clarify the misunderstanding, please do so directly to Lady Elena.”
Jim Namgung gnawed at his lower lip. Feeling anxious, he clenched and unclenched his fists, then let out a short sigh.
“I’ll go back to my estate and send a letter of apology for the misunderstanding, along with appropriate compensation. For now… for now, please let me leave.”
“A letter?”
Hayeong raised her eyebrows.
“Why would you write a letter? Isn’t the person you need to apologize to right there?”
Haryeong pointed her finger at Yuri.
“Also, Lady Elena will be back soon. Surely, Lord Jim Namgung, you don’t want to face Lady Elena directly about this issue, do you?”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to offer a bribe to me and Yuri to make this whole thing disappear?”
“Will you really make it go away as if nothing happened?”
“No, I can’t do that. While Yuri might, I am contracted with Lady Elena.”
“I won’t accept bribes either.”
Yuri answered with a scowl.
“Surprising, I thought you would.”
“What on earth do you think of me?”
“Even if you don’t know, Lord Jim Namgung will certainly offer a substantial amount of money to resolve this matter. Lord Jim Namgung is a person of wide generosity.”
Haryeong said this as she approached Yuri.
“Are there no other injuries… oh, sorry. I’m not blind, I can see that your hand is swollen.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Of course, I’m concerned. Is there any other injury?”
“My shoulder is a bit sore, and… well, my ankle hurts a little.”
“Shoulder? Falling? What in the world happened?”
Jim Namgung, who had been clenching and unclenching his hands in anxiety, turned his head hurriedly.
“That…!”
“Lord Jim Namgung, I apologize, but I didn’t ask you.”
Haryeongreplied without turning her head. Yuri spoke to Jim Namgung, whose face was turning red with embarrassment.
“I was attacked three times.”
“Three times?”
“Yes. First, he leaped over that fence and tried to slap me, but I avoided it. However, in doing so, I sprained my ankle a bit.”
“A slap!”
“Yes, and then a fist came flying at my face, but I blocked it with my hand. However, while blocking, I sprained my wrist a bit.”
“Your face!”
“Yes, and… suddenly he disappeared in front of me and appeared beside me, swinging a fist. Startled, I blocked with both hands, but my body flew up into the air and I fell.”
“Lord Jim Namgung, did you use internal energy and martial arts?”
Haryeong looked genuinely astonished as she stared at Jim Namgung. Responding twice to the initial attacks wasn’t surprising. No matter how hotheaded Jim Namgung was, Namgung families heirs wouldn’t use martial arts on ordinary individuals who didn’t possess any internal energy. It wasn’t a matter of conscience; it was a rule of the Namgung family, deeply rooted in tradition and associated with the esteemed lineage of their Jungcheon Clan.
But now, hearing this story, it was clear that Jim Namgung had used martial arts and infused internal energy into his fists.
“I… I never thought of that man as an ordinary individual.”
“That’s utter nonsense. Did you really not know, Lord Jim Namgung? That’s hard to believe.”
“…”
“While it’s fortunate that it ended with only these injuries, what would you have done if Yuri had sustained more severe injuries? And aiming for his face? If he hadn’t been lucky, he might have died.”
“So… I said you’d apologize and compensate…!”
Jim Namgung’s voice trembled.
“…”
“Why are you getting so worked up? Your attitude is excessive. I really don’t understand why I have to listen to this from you.”
“So, it’s not about an excuse…!”
ㅡKurrrung…
Jim Namgung, who had been thumping his chest in frustration, was startled and lifted his head. A thunderous roar suddenly echoed from the clear sky.
“My word.”
Haryeong was as surprised as he was. She reflexively grabbed Yuri’s wrist and pulled him backward.
Yuri also looked up at the sky with a stiff expression.
The sound effect he had heard so many times in the game.
In Sironis, there was only one thing that the sudden thundering signalled.
[The Celestial Thunder Orca Dersia has arrived.]
There was no scrolling text on the screen, but a single lightning bolt struck the garden.
