Chapter 300
Kang Estate.
Flowers swayed, and young pines stirred to the tune of the wind.
All was quiet; despite the noon sun, the guests had yet to awaken following the aftermath of last night's banquet.
“That’s everything.”
Jae-Hyeok laid his bulging backpack on the bed and shimmied together the final two zippers. Hard corners and irregular shapes jutted precariously against the fabric. But that much couldn't be helped. Whether it was Pharmacist Gam’s potions or Butler Hwang’s recommended necessities, all of it would be essential for his trip.
Next he retrieved a gleaming whetstone and clipped it to his pack with a smile. Having been handcrafted by Elder Song, the whetstone could revive even the dullest of blades with a single pass.
“Perfect.”
“You didn’t pack the homemade jerky I made.” Butler Hwang pointed to the beef jerky on the table while emphasizing “homemade,” as if it were a selling point.
Jae-Hyeok trembled. But after only a brief pause, he flashed before the jerky and—arm blurring—swept the pack into his inventory faster than he could regret it.
Seeing this, Butler Hwang’s shoulders slumped. This time, it seemed nothing could stop Jae-Hyeok from leaving. Young Master is really going.
This otherworld...
What kind of place was it?
Butler Hwang had a rough idea.
The night before, the Thunder Emperor’s drunken lectures on that place had been enough to convince Butler Hwang that it was definitely nothing good. Even the vegetable farmers there could sunder the earth and butcher transcendents like pigs.
It was absolutely no place for a child.
Besides, there was much for Jae-Hyeok to do at home—the Yaksha’s youngest daughter, Kang Du-Na, was still missing; the family’s swordsmen were still missing; and the family’s gate-rights and treasures were still unrecouped. The future promised frequent conflicts and legal disputes. Butler Hwang had reminded Jae-Hyeok of this repeatedly. But it was to no avail. He studied Jae-Hyeok’s face with pinched brows.
What else could he say?
Truth be told, he just hoped for Jae-Hyeok to avoid this perilous journey.
The boy... was like his own grandson.
When Jae-Hyeok had sought vengeance, Butler Hwang supported him because he’d hoped for Jae-Hyeok to move on from the past. In the end, it was still Jae-Hyeok’s happiness that mattered most.
But this trip?
Why go?
Korea was stable, the Kang family was on the rise, and Jae-Hyeok had more friends than ever.
“Young Master, time and talent are on your side. Why not reconsider this trip? Why not stabilize your home and state with your own hands?”
When Jae-Hyeok didn’t immediately reply, Butler Hwang added, “Do you trust the Greed Church that much?”
“I don’t—”
“Young Master, we know nothing about their motives or their doctrine; we mustn’t trust them... Huh? You don’t?”
Jae-Hyeok shook his head in exasperation. “I told you yesterday. My departure to Reinhardt was something I had planned from the beginning. It has nothing to do with the Greed Church.”
As for the Greed Church, its doctrine seems closely tied to the Pilgrimage. So the sooner I undertake it, the sooner I can start painting my own picture of the situation.
“Don’t worry. This isn’t my first time traveling to this world, and I even have allies.”
The farmers... Looking back, they had shown him a lot of kindness. Every test and trial of theirs was like torture. But it was torture with a purpose—helping him to overcome his limits and master his body.
“Above all, now is the best time to leave.”
His reputation was at its peak. Any number of organizations and the government sought his goodwill, so even if China or Japan wished to move on Korea tomorrow, they would be bogged down in international politics and the threat of commercial sanctions. The pressure on the Kang family was currently at its lightest. But it wouldn’t last. Now more than ever, he had to make use of this time to grow stronger.
The Greed Church said they would help. And whether they're reliable or not, I can count on the Thunder Emperor to handle things...
“I’ll treat your home as my own and concentrate on clearing gates in neighboring countries to gather vital energy for the Firebird’s Essence. By the time you return, the Yaksha will be able to greet you.”
A gentle smile appeared on Jae-Hyeok’s face as he recalled the Thunder Emperor's solemn words. He’d sworn it sober, and he’d sworn it several more times after becoming thoroughly drunk.
It felt nice to have the help of a reliable adult, just like he’d always imagined it would be.
Jae-Hyeok said, “Even if I’m late returning, Father will be awake by then. The Kang family will soar even higher after regaining its master.”
“Yes, but...”
Butler Hwang’s fist clenched behind his back. Even if the Thunder Emperor manages to perform a miracle, how can I be happy if you’re not here...
Jae-Hyeok studied Butler Hwang’s troubled face before summoning the silver Reinhardt ticket he’d received the day prior.
“If I’m gone too long and you start to worry, give this to my sister.”
With Kang Hyeon-Ah’s physical power, which was superior even to Jae-Hyeok’s, she was probably the only person—aside from the Thunder Emperor—who could save him.
Butler Hwang wondered, “If I have this, what will you use?”
“I have something better.”
Jae-Hyeok retrieved his blue Reinhardt ticket, which, unlike the silver ticket, boasted an unlimited time limit.
“I will say it again: only give that to my sister if things truly seem hopeless.”
“Yes...”
Knowing his sister’s impatient nature, Jae-Hyeok worried she would chase after him the instant she learned it was a viable option.
No, she definitely would...
Jae-Hyeok reiterated his warning several more times before handing over the ticket and hugging Butler Hwang.
The sturdy old man had always felt so huge; only now did Jae-Hyeok realize how small and frail he really was.
“I’ll bring back gifts. Until then—trust in my return and wait. Stress is the root of all diseases.”
All I can do is make sure he doesn’t worry about me. The wrinkles at the corners of Butler Hwang’s eyes deepened as he smiled.
“Yes.”
Looking at his butler’s weathered face, Jae-Hyeok felt strangely comforted. It was like looking at an old oak—deeply rooted, enduring, always there, waiting for his return.
Despite his hard stance, part of Jae-Hyeok really did want to stay home, to spend more time with Butler Hwang.
But those were childish thoughts. He was the acting head of a ducal family and Korea’s top National Treasure. If he didn’t bear his responsibility, then everyone would be crushed under their weight.
Without a mother, without a father, and now called to a faraway, torn from the small island of peace he’d built for himself. An aristocrat’s duty was indeed unfair to themselves—but that was a small price to ensure the nation’s stability and prosperity. Besides, compared to his father and siblings, Jae-Hyeok felt he wasn’t qualified to complain about his life.
He stepped onto the balcony and cast his gaze over the property.
Mother...
Thanks to Butler Hwang’s painstaking efforts, the forecourt’s gardens were a vibrant tapestry of manicured flowers, unquestionably beautiful, though not an exact replica of the gardens he remembered from his childhood. Still—the resemblance was there, at least enough to stir old memories of catching butterflies with his mother.
I’ve grown up. You would definitely be proud, I know it. I’m sure Father will be, too, when he opens his eyes.
Jae-Hyeok directed his transcendent sight and hearing past the outer walls of his estate and into the city below.
Despite the disaster a few days ago, the citizens’ faces were calm. Confident.
“Thank you.”
“Be healthy.”
“May it last forever.”
Citizens expressed their gratitude or left small gifts while passing the Kang Estate’s gate, just as they had when his mother had been alive.
Mom, look. Your spirit still lives through me.
The blue Reinhardt ticket began to glow in Jae-Hyeok’s hand.
Butler Hwang by his side, his mother in heaven, his father staring blankly at the ceiling from the hospital bed, and his friends who were still sleeping, oblivious to the ways of the world...
Everyone, I’ll be back.
Jae-Hyeok disappeared in a flash of light.
***
[Player Kang Jae-Hyeok has been detected.]
[The quest Pilgrimage of the Gods is in progress.]
“......?”
Jae-Hyeok was taken aback.
The scene in front of him was different from what he’d expected.
There were no golden wheat fields, no towering castle walls...
The land was barren—dirt mostly, pocked by the occasional patch of yellowed grass—while the castle walls were squat and unimpressive.
Past the wooden gate, the city was reminiscent of medieval Europe.
Is this Reinhardt?
The Reinhardt he knew had been an awe-inspiring metropolis brimming with wealth and mystique. There had been a certain Renaissance flair blended into the city’s aesthetic, sure, but it had belied technological and magical marvels hidden behind every corner.
Compared to then, the Reinhardt of now seemed far less impressive.
“I heard Katz is going crazy over there again?”
“Oh, let’s go and take a look.”
“I am buying a large amount of magic stones!’
“The creator of the Jaffa arrows must be around here. Let’s split up and look for it.”
The streets bustle with activity, and as Jae-Hyeok swept his gaze through the people, his brows rose progressively higher.
He saw countless vibrant hair and eye colors that he’d never seen on Earth, looking as if they’d stepped right out of a cartoon or video game.
Jae-Hyeok’s gaze fell on a passing beauty whose hair blazed like fire when a bald giant with fierce eyes blocked his vision and shoved him aside.
“Out of the way!”
The giant seemed to be the woman’s guard.
Tsk. Ill-mannered.
Jae-Hyeok shook his head and observed the city a bit more before stopping at a certain point.
“Hey, old man! You still haven’t decided? Just hand over this empty building to us already!”
A shout echoed from inside the dilapidated building.
Jae-Hyeok looked through a broken window and found that a group of young men who seemed like gangsters were surrounding an old man.
“We’ll at least make sure you have enough money to buy alcohol until the time you die. Sign the contract! Quickly now!”
The gangsters crowded around the old man and flashed toothy grins as they knocked on the scabbards hanging from their waists.
“Y-you, why won’t you people just leave me alone!?... fine, fine! I’m too old for this. I give up.”
“Ohh! Good thinking, old man! Here you go—sign right here and here. Your thumbprint will do.”
The old man gritted his teeth with bloodshot eyes. “Wait, I... I can’t. This is a family business. It’s been around for seven generations! I can’t sell it! If I sold it, how could I face my ancestors?”
The gangsters’ smiles cooled.
“How can the dead compare to the living? Besides, it’s going to end one way or another. You’re already bankrupt, old man. Bankrupt! Do you know what that means? It means you don’t have a choice! You’ve got no grandchildren, and I heard your only son died of illness long ago. The only blessing headed your way is the money we’re offering. So sign the damn contract and scram!”
“Y-you! Don’t speak about my son with that vulgar mouth of yours!”
The thug stepped closer. “So what if I do? What are you gonna do about it? Huh? Maybe I didn’t beat you hard enough last time.”
Laughing, he poked the old man’s chest with the butt of his scabbard, only to suddenly scream.
Before anyone could react, Jae-Hyeok stood over the now kneeling thug. Under Jae-Hyeok’s grip, the thug’s thick forearm had crumpled as easily as a plastic wrapper.
“Aack! My arm! My arm!”
“Who are you?”
The instant the gangsters drew their swords, a thick killing intent filled the shop. Clearly, the gangsters had many bodies to their names—at least, relative to normal people.
“Want to know?”
Jae-Hyeok’s gaze frosted over, and a ghastly intent flooded the room.
“H-hik!”
“An assassin? R-run!”
The gangsters scrambled for the door—fumbling their swords and tripping over one another in their panic. Jae-Hyeok merely watched them go. When the door slammed shut and the shop fell quiet, his expression shifted to one of concern, and he turned to the old man.
“Are you okay? Are you feeling any discomfort—”
“You—who are you? More importantly, how could you recklessly act against the Mero Trading Company?” The old man scolded Jae-Hyeok, but his tone was full of worry.
Despite being humiliated and threatened, he’s actually more worried about me. The old man’s mental fortitude is... unusual.
Jae-Hyeok realized it at once: though the old man before him had a red nose and flushed cheeks, looking every bit like an alcoholic, there was no way he was as ordinary as he appeared.
“My name is Kang Jae-Hyeok. I can take care of myself, so don’t worry.”
“I hope so. If nothing else, young man, you’re certainly brave.”
“Can I know your name, Elder?”
“My Name... You can call me Khan. I’m just an old blacksmith who’s about to retire.”
Unbeknownst to Jae-Hyeok, the quest had only just begun.
Duke Son’s: Re.
Season 1–end.
