The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 274

Talent outflow...

It was a phenomenon where high-quality domestic personnel migrated overseas. The weaker the country, the worse it suffered from this. It was natural, after all, for people to seek better lives for themselves—and that was something developed countries could provide.

To stem this issue, nations around the world had revived the peerage system. They lavished extraordinary rights and perks upon their best players, incentivizing their loyalty. And it worked... for the most part.

In reality, the top countries were economic titans. Talents born in America stayed in America. And whatever they wanted, they bought. Be it money, land, or status—there was a price for everything. Even foreign talents.

There was even a joke that every foreign genius must have considered a US citizenship at least once in their career.

Of course, Korea wasn’t laughing. Trapped and stifled between China and Japan’s power struggles, Korea had little to offer its talents but much to demand by way of service and sacrifice. It could never compete with the US on benefits. All Korea could do was appeal to Korean players’ honor and patriotism.

Yet, for Kang Jae-Hyeok... no, for anyone of the Kang family, would such appeals work? For eight years, eight long years, Korea’s government had turned a blind eye to the Kang family’s decline, which was itself the product of schemes both international and domestic. Citizens everywhere had cursed Duke Kang as incompetent and his children as traitors.

Only recently had this changed. But that was thanks to Kang Jae-Hyeok’s own freakish talent and power. He’d torn through the web of lies binding the Kang family with brute force. Yet, had he been any weaker, any less talented, what would’ve happened? Would he, the president, have stepped in? Would he have crossed politicians, military generals, and the Association’s executives all for a single boy?

He wouldn’t.

As president, his interests lay with the nation. Corrupt or not, the people who’d suppressed the Kang family had been integral to the power structure of Korea. With no one to replace them, harming them was harming the country. And so, he’d left Kang Jae-Hyeok, the final remnant of the Kang family, to fend for himself. He would not wage domestic war for the sake of a boy—and that was all the more so because the core of his power, the people’s will, had been disfavorable to Jae-Hyeok back then.

Ultimately, only Jae-Hyeok had stood up for Jae-Hyeok. He and his Kang family owed Korea nothing. The president knew this, and so did the Korean people.

It was no wonder, then, that the country was in a state of mass angst. News had spread of Gate Hunter Blake’s presence in Korea, and everyone believed he was here to poach Jae-Hyeok.

Following his transcendence and slaughter of Qilin, Jae-Hyeok’s mythical-level talent was clear to see. The reason for the Thunder Emperor’s appearance on the day of the candidate exam, as well as the purpose behind Blake’s presence today, couldn’t be more obvious.

Or so they had thought.

“What? He isn’t saying that Jae-Hyeok should move to the United States, but that he wants to move to Korea?”

The chief of staff muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

The blond-haired man kneeling before Jae-Hyeok was not some random US citizen but National Treasure candidate Blake Borsus. Yet here he was, calling Jae-Hyeok “Master” and promising to move to Korea...

“Rather than lose talent, we’re gaining it... Good... that’s good.”

The president sighed. He returned to the sofa with shaky legs and plopped down. He looked as though he was just relieved of a great weight.

“I-I thought the United States was trying to take Young Master Kang away. Thank goodness...” The chief of staff whispered while returning the now sweat-soaked handkerchief to the president.

“The United States is trying to take away Young Master Kang?” Seol Su-Ah asked as she approached the president, who couldn’t bear to use the handkerchief and was returning it to his pocket.

Her spare smile, professional monotone, and glimerless eyes were as chilling as ever. There was none of the consideration or gentleness she’d shown when looking at Jae-Hyeok. The president didn’t mind it; everyone in Korea knew of Seol Su-Ah’s cold demeanor—perhaps only Jae-Hyeok was the exception.

“Why worry?” Su-Ah crossed her arms. “The founder of the Kang family, Kang Dae-Han, was one of the four heroes to protect our homeland during the Great Upheaval, returning our Korea from the edge of destruction.”

Also known as Peak Sword, the Kang family founder had defended Korea alongside Shin Se-Hee and Lauel—the founders of the Shinra family—and Tu-Won—the founder of the Jin family.

“The Kang family will never abandon its natal country. Even if all its people, including myself and the president, were to leave, it would stay. Don’t you know the mentality of your own dukes?”

“Um...”

The president and chief shared an embarrassed look.

The three ducal families were different from lesser nobles. Their lineal titles, land deeds, and special rights were not mere lobbying tactics to sequester their talent in Korea. The ducal Kang, Shinra, and Jin families had earned their lofty pedigree as a reward for their iron-willed service in the face of grand calamity.

Of course, that was more than two hundred years ago. Aside from scholars and those born into the Three Great Families, few people knew what precepts the families passed down.

“You are the father of a nation. Others may have an excuse, but you don’t. Mr. President, I hope you’ll find time to study Korea’s history, especially that of the Kang family.”

A flash of contempt flickered in Seol Su-Ah’s flat gaze. Forget the Kang family’s ancestors. The president surely knew of Duke Kang’s selfless sacrifices; that he worried over Jae-Hyeok’s loyalties was an insult to the duke’s noble spirit.

“I was foolish.”

“No. The fault is mine. I spread my doubts to the president...”

The president placed a hand on the chief of staff’s shoulder, his eyes never leaving Seol Su-Ah. “I apologize. I’ll make it up to Young Master Kang when I have the chance.”

Seol Su-Ah’s gaze softened.

“Your humility and consideration flatter me, Mr. President.”

The president chuckled. “Nonsense. I’m not a perfect man. So the best I can do is open my ears and face my faults. By the way...” The president flicked his gaze between Jae-Hyeok and the still-kneeling Blake, his meaning clear: Why had Blake addressed Jae-Hyeok as “Thunder Emperor”?

With how Jae-Hyeok had faced his own tribulation, he was indeed worthy of the nickname “Thunder Emperor.” The problem, however, was that this name was already taken—and it belonged to none other than a top US National Treasure at that.

Jae-Hyeok glanced at the president and seemed to guess what he was thinking.

“Alright, Blake. I’m not the Thunder Emperor. Instead, you can call me... Hmm. Let’s see...” 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Everyone present gulped nervously.

What was it that Qilin had called Jae-Hyeok?

Thunder God!

A god transcended the title of emperor. They were divine beings of worship. So far, even the strongest players who dominated an era had only been called “kings,” “emperors,” “conquerors,” or “rulers.” Never had there been a player with the title “god,” yet, if it was Jae-Hyeok...

Thunder God Kang Jae-Hyeok...

The title arose naturally in the minds of everyone present, and they subconsciously leaned in to hear Jae-Hyeok’s next words.

Was a god about to be born?

With Jae-Hyeok’s talent, if he didn’t claim it, who could?

“Eh, I guess ‘Young Master Kang’ is fine.”

Following Jae-Hyeok’s anticlimactic words, black lines momentarily appeared on everyone’s foreheads.

Jae-Hyeok inwardly chuckled. Sorry, but I have no intention of claiming “god” status. I’ve already drawn enough attention as it is. I’d rather avoid provoking the global player base over something as silly as a nickname.

A nickname was something for others to decide on. That was especially the custom among players. If other players were against “Thunder God,” then Jae-Hyeok wouldn’t reach for it.

Jae-Hyeok extended a hand to Blake.

“I accept.”

In fact, Jae-Hyeok had no reason to refuse Blake. Blake was one of the most powerful and wealthy people in America. Having him serve as a vassal to Jae-Hyeok’s family would naturally be a great help. The Kang family would flourish that much faster.

What’s more, Jae-Hyeok trusted Blake... or rather, he trusted in his desperation. Blake wanted nothing more than to overcome his thunder tribulation. And Jae-Hyeok had the ability to realize Blake’s desire. For that reason alone, he trusted in Blake’s sincerity.

[Name: Kang Jae-Hyeok.

Level: 158

[Strength: 809], [Stamina: 809], [Agility: 754], [Magic: 809], [Insight: 754]

Skills: [Noble Chivalry], [King’s Roar], [Farming]

......]

His stats had increased by 20% after reaching level 150. And following his transcendence, they were bolstered even further.

Now Jae-Hyeok could even win in an arm wrestling match against an ogre, or outrun a wind spirit in a running match.

Of course, the reason Jae-Hyeok was confident in helping Blake overcome his tribulation was not because of his stats. Rather...

[Chivalry of Bravery and Honor: One Who Struck Down Lightning.

You have proven your bravery and earned honor by fighting against a natural disaster.

* The Skill Thunderbolt Sword is unlocked.

* Nullify half the power of your lightning tribulations.

* Lightning attribute resistance is increased by 30%.

* Lightning attribute affinity is increased by 30%.]

This was the content of Jae-Hyeok’s first code of chivalry. The passive trait, “Nullify half the power of your lightning tribulations,” had proved especially useful to Jae-Hyeok, allowing him to handle the same lightning that threatened Qilin. However, the trait only applied to Jae-Hyeok and was restricted to his own tribulations. It would be useless for helping Blake transcend. Thunderbolt Sword, on the other hand...

[Thunderbolt Sword Level 4.

Type: Passive.

Attacks have a small probability of activating an aura of thunder energy around your blade.]

This Skill relied on probability to be activated. There were obvious limitations, and it was rare to activate in actual combat. However, Jae-Hyeok had a hunch.

Now I can freely handle this power.

His transcendence had sharpened a sixth sense beyond his ordinary five senses. Thanks to this, he’d gained an intuitive insight into his own mana flow.

While closing his eyes, Jae-Hyeok drew his sword.

He thought back to the last time he’d activated Thunderbolt Sword and reflected on how it had felt, on how his mana had churned and flowed along his mana circuits. As he did this, mana swelled from Jae-Hyeok’s dantian of its own accord, mirroring his thoughts...

Jae-Hyeok opened his eyes next and swung.

Crackle.

Lightning snapped to life along Iyagurt’s blood-red body.

Thunderbolt Sword, this low-probability passive Skill, had now become an active Skill that Jae-Hyeok could activate at will.

The system detected the change.

[The title, Skill Analyst, has been acquired!]

[Skill Analyst.

You can modify a Skill as long as you have insight into its underlying principles.]

“Ah?”

Blake was shocked.

The bright yellow thunder energy that infused Jae-Hyeok’s sword was unmistakably the power of the thunder tribulation. Jae-Hyeok had created it by referencing the lightning trapped in his Thunder Vessel.

Jae-Hyeok said, “I’m sure I can help you, so you must also help me.”

“Of course!”

Blake was overcome with emotion and once again bowed deeply.

Watching this scene, Seol Su-Ah and the president were moved to tears.

***

Meanwhile, across the world.

“Thunder God? A god?”

“Killing the Qilin is definitely impressive, but he is still a young kid...”

What nickname would the players give Jae-Hyeok?