The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 285

Jae-Hyeok had a belly full of questions regarding the US players’ involvement—but they would have to wait.

The US players' initial barrage of prepared Skills had tempered the Japanese players’ advance. But as the battle reached an equilibrium, it became clear that neither side held the advantage.

These samurai must be Yamamoto’s disciples.... They really are extraordinary elites. If it weren’t for the US players' added support, my friends... it would be hard to protect them.

Jae-Hyeok sighed at this thought.

I’m still lacking.

In fact, even transcendents had their limits. Yet this was something Jae-Hyeok, young as he was, had never considered. He believed that if he worked harder and became stronger, he would be able to protect his family, his friends, and his country. And from that belief sprang a dream: to become the world’s strongest.

That’s right.

The Yaksha, the Thunder Emperor, Qilin, and even Yamamoto—they were all candidates for the title of World’s Strongest. Yet across the eras, no one had ever truly claimed the title.

But Jae-Hyeok?

Jae-Hyeok was certain he would claim it. No, he had to claim it because, as far as he was concerned, anything less meant he hadn’t surpassed his father.

As expected, I have to go to Reinhardt again before the end of summer vacation... Even as a fully fledged National Treasure, Jae-Hyeok had every intention of returning to Lion’s Castle; after all, before Lion’s Castle was a school, it was a gate—and an uncleared one at that. Whether for the quest or for the boss monsters, Jae-Hyeok hoped to return.

Meanwhile, at the base of the stone steps, through the gardens, and around the central fountain—the battle raged on with no sign of slowing. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

“Haap!”

“Hmph!”

“...Why is it so intense?”

The youths exchanged dumbfounded looks before turning to Kang Hyeon-Ah.

“Don’t look at me. It’s not like I trained with them.”

In fact, the Youths and Kang Hyeon-Ah weren’t the only ones surprised. At the base of the steps, several US players yelled to each other.

“There’s no doubt! These guys are the Demon Slayers raised by the Sword Master!”

“Damnit! I see that!”

As the Japanese began drawing their sword breakers, their identities were confirmed.

Demon Slayers...

Yamamoto had named them as such because, for them, slaughtering sword demons came as easily as breathing.

They were the elites of the elites. Their combat power was devastating, and their specialization with sword breakers meant that sword demons, who trained almost exclusively in the sword, were powerless to resist.

“Shit!”

Some of the US players were already on the defensive, and some had their weapons destroyed and were critically injured. They backpedaled while scrambling for potions.

“Ah...”

The youths’ eyes shook.

It turned out that the players of the world’s most powerful country were also people. Just like everyone else, they bled and feared death.

“Counter Barrier.”

Several of the US mages cast spells in unison. The Demon Slayers’ falling blades rebounded against floating, transparent shields, and the Demon Slayers were sent stumbling back.

Jae-Hyeok nodded. As expected.

American mages were famously unparalleled. The American Association invested heavily in their cultivation and had them sent all across the world on missions.

With their well-timed support, the American players seized the initiative, and the Demon Slayers were driven back.

“Cough! Why? Why is the United States intervening?”

The Demon Slayers yelled angrily.

“Speak, you Western beasts! Why is the United States hindering our revenge?”

“Revenge?”

The eyes of the American players widened. Their faces paled as they looked at the black-haired boy standing proudly on the terrace.

It was the Sword Master who trained the demon slayers.

In other words, the revenge they were talking about...

“Don’t tell me... is the Sword Master dead?”

The US intelligence network was the best in the world. It was even said they had ears and eyes on the whole world.

However, the Sword Master had only died a few hours ago. In other words, the American players had still been in transit to Korea. There was no way they could have known about the Sword Master's fate.

“Playing innocent? Is there anything in this world that you don’t know? Abominable bastards! Now I understand! You war mongrels colluded to harm our master!”

A fresh rage swept over the Sword Demons. Blue lines spread wildly across their skin. Veins bulged along their arms, and blood seeped from the slit in their masks, as if they were coughing blood.

What?

Jae-Hyeok was surprised.

Have they been cursed? There weren’t any signs at all? Is there a curse master among the US players?

Jae-Hyeok glanced at the US players. However, they wore pale expressions.

“It’s Mana Burn!” One said.

Jae-Hyeok’s brows jumped. Mana Burn? He recognized this Skill, though he’d never seen it in person. I can’t believe it; I always took it for an urban legend—but here it is.

As the name suggested, Mana Burn was a Skill that ignited one’s mana. It allowed players to tap into their lifetime’s worth of mana all at once; however, the underlying principle—and the inevitable cost of the Skill—was the destruction of the mana core and, ultimately, death.

“Kuaaaack!”

Mana seethed from the Demon Slayers, and their speed and power soared. They cut through the US players’ Skills and weapons alike, and soon seized the advantage.

One of the backline US players—a blonde-haired woman—retreated to the terrace where Jae-Hyeok stood.

“Greeting Your Excellency. My name is Bellona, of the American Players’ Association.”

Jae-Hyeok nodded. “Yes, I know who you are.”

Iron Wall Bellona—she was responsible for overall security whenever major events were held in the United States, so her face was frequently in the news. Her skills were beyond question, and besides that, even her beauty was renowned in Korea.

He said, “I didn’t realize America’s intelligence network was so thorough. I’m curious how you knew I killed Japan’s Sword Master, but I doubt you’ll say. Tell me, why are you here, and why are you helping?”

“......”

Bellona’s eyes trembled.

“I killed Japan’s Sword Master...”

Jae-Hyeok had spoken casually, but the revelation was shocking enough to turn the world upside down. It was as if he were talking about killing some riff-raff, not a contender for the title of World’s Strongest.

She replied, “My team and I are your security detail. We were assigned to protect you from the Thunder Emperor.”

“The Thunder Emperor?”

Jae-Hyeok burst out laughing. So that was it.

Others called him Thunder God. Naturally, the Thunder Emperor, famous for his explosive temper, might feel tender about that fact.

“Well, even if that is the case. I doubt you're protecting me from the goodness of your own heart. What’s the US after?”

“That, perhaps...”

In fact, Bellona didn’t know either. No matter how skilled she was, she was a security team captain; her job was simply to guard and protect, so she was rarely cleared for a full background brief.

Bellona’s large blue eyes shifted to the battle below.

“Perhaps the US wants to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Across the small forecourt—small from an American’s point of view—Bellona watched as the Sword Demons corralled her men: The US players battling in the gardens retreated to the central fountain, where they joined their compatriots. Yet the added teamwork and formations made little difference—the Sword Demons relentlessly drove them back, and soon, they neared the battle at the base of the terrace.

The elite players of the association, all S-class, were struggling to hold on. It was a true testament to the Sword Demons’ enhanced power. Still, just this much didn’t come close to the Sword Master’s level. Bellona was well aware of this, as she’d witnessed the power of a World’s Strongest contender multiple times.

And yet...

Jae-Hyeok had killed the Sword Master?

Whether he’d done it single-handedly or received someone else’s help, it didn’t matter—anyone involved in the Sword Master’s death couldn’t be ordinary.

Jae-Hyeok said, “You flatter me too much. Even if I were to be hostile to the United States, what could I possibly do alone against the world’s strongest nation?”

“...It doesn’t seem like you are alone.”

Bellona eyed the dozens of youths by Jae-Hyeok’s side. All of them were absorbed in the battle below, clearly unwilling to miss even a moment of the high-level exchange.

But more than anything...

“Heh, the United States...”

Bellona was keenly aware of Kang Hyeon-Ah.

The Yaksha’s eldest daughter.

It was clear that she had the same level of talent as Kang Jae-Hyeok.

She stood a step behind and was only listening to the two of them talk, but the aura of strength coming from her was enough to make Bellona tense.

“Alright, well, it seems America is on my side today. I’ll move accordingly.”

Before Bellona could grasp the meaning of his words, he muttered, “My friends’ concentration is probably reaching the limit, too...”

Shadow Clone.

Jae-Hyeok’s shadow stretched down to the base of the terrace, where a pitch-black, humanoid figure then emerged.

Shadow Swap.

Jae-Hyeok vanished.

A flicker of red traced the battlefield, and the sound of battle died as the Demon Slayers crumpled.

The US players wiped the bloodspray from their eyes and gawked—at the heart of the carnage stood Jae-Hyeok with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Butler Hwang, prepare our guests a change of clothes.”