Chapter 778: Come up one by one.

“Ah… Dad…”

“…What?”

The address I heard made my thoughts stop.

It was a word I had never used or heard in my entire life.

What did I just hear?

‘Dad?’

With a word so utterly unfamiliar, I narrowed my eyes and stared.

No matter how I looked, it was a face exactly like mine when I was young.

At most, generously estimating, he looked seven years old. He definitely didn’t look older than ten.

Just like my own build, which remained small until my shedding, his small physique stood out regardless of his age.

His eyes were fully upturned, as if he had countless complaints.

A gaze that looked bewildered yet stared straight at me.

“…”

No matter how I looked, it was me.

The problem was.

‘…What is that thing.’

So, ultimately, what is that guy’s true identity?

It couldn’t possibly be my past self.

What on earth is he doing here?

And sitting on Namgung Bi-ah’s lap, no less.

“…”

“…”

For a moment, he kept making eye contact with me.

After a few seconds, he made the first move.

The child who had been quietly held broke free from Namgung Bi-ah’s embrace.

“…Ah…”

As the child left her embrace, Namgung Bi-ah let out a short sound.

It must be my imagination that I felt a hint of disappointment…?

The kid who landed on the floor fixed his gaze on me and walked over calmly.

As he got closer, it felt more real. He really looked like he had a nasty personality.

Perhaps because he was young, I didn’t feel outright repulsion, but he definitely didn’t look like he had a good temper.

That guy walked towards me, step by step, and then…

Thump.

“…?”

Abruptly, he wrapped his arms around my legs and hugged me.

Perhaps due to my increased height after shedding, his small frame could only barely wrap around my legs.

“What is it.”

Just as I was flustered by the sudden hug.

“…Dad.”

The one hugging me uttered the same address as before.

Thinking, ‘Why is he really doing this?’, I tried to push him away first.

Woong.

“…!”

The moment we made contact, I felt a vibration from my chest.

A short vibration. The subtle sensation that resonated, and the moment I felt it, I had to widen my eyes.

‘Ah.’

Now I understand. The identity of this mysterious little kid.

So that’s what it was…

“You-“

Now that I realized, I tried to speak about him immediately, but…

“…Dad? You definitely said Dad.”

“You’re really Dad?”

“…Dad…? How old is the kid?”

“Impressive. Young Master Gu is much more of a man than I thought. Yes, a man should be like that… I’m just joking, sister… Don’t look at me like that.”

“…”

The voices from all around made me shut my mouth tightly.

I lifted my head from looking at the child and looked ahead.

Everyone gathered there was looking at me, not a single person excluded.

Their gazes, in particular, were a sight to behold.

Of course, they were engulfed in shock, and their glaring stares were terrifying.

“Dad…? Are you really Dad…?”

Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze, especially, was no joke.

Her expression, switching between the child hugging me and me, shifted from suspicion to certainty.

Seeing that, I let out a breath of disbelief.

“What are you all thinking right now?”

I knew they were having some strange misunderstanding, but it was so absurd that I couldn’t even speak properly.

“It’s not like that.”

I wondered if I should clarify this, but looking at their faces, I felt like I’d be screwed if I didn’t.

“You’re saying it’s not?”

“Of course not. Do you think that makes sense?”

How old am I? What’s this about being a dad?

Moreover.

“Just looking at him, the kid has some age.”

Even generously estimating, he’s at least six, and definitely not over ten.

If you calculate that with my age, it just doesn’t add up.

“Well, at what age should one give birth? There’s no way someone could have a child this old.”

It’s not like I gave birth, but still, it wasn’t right.

It was at least five years ago. Back then…

‘I was in my prime, running around.’

It was only a few years after my regression, a time when I was busy trying to make proper plans.

It was a period mostly spent training, so where would I have had a kid like this?

‘If you consider age, I should have had a child a long time ago.’

That’s including my past life.

This life was different.

‘Honestly, even now, it’s a bit late to get married…’

Even if I had married, I should have done it much earlier.

If I had conceived, I should have given birth around this time.

However, I’ve been postponing it somehow.

‘There’s so damn much I need to do, how can I get married?’

Marriage is like that, and so is having a child.

I’d rather not have more weaknesses, let alone more things to protect.

For those reasons, I’ve been postponing it somehow.

“Why are you believing such nonsensical talk?”

Whether it was because they didn’t understand the situation or not, the others’ expressions were still full of suspicion.

Honestly, even if I didn’t want to admit it, they couldn’t help but feel that way.

“…But, anyone can see.”

“He looks… too much alike.”

“And he’s calling you Dad, Dad.”

“…”

It was something I couldn’t deny.

If I see it, and it’s the same, how would others see it?

Moreover, he clings to me and calls me Dad, making them believe even an impossible situation.

However.

“…Anyway, he’s not my kid. I’m telling you.”

It was an unfair situation for me.

‘Fuck. If I had something to go on, it wouldn’t feel so unfair.’

I’ve lived a life of forced chastity and integrity.

Maybe in my past life, but in this life, I’m the epitome of cleanliness.

As I expressed my overwhelming sense of injustice, Moyong Hi-ah, with a deeply furrowed expression, spoke to me.

“Then, who exactly is this child?”

“…First, give me an explanation. Why is he here?”

“Judging by your reaction, it seems you know the child, Young Master.”

“…”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, I swallowed dryly.

I considered pretending I didn’t know, but that would be impossible.

‘If I say I don’t know, that would be problematic in its own way.’

Not only the identical face, but I also know this guy’s identity.

While it’s a mystery why he ended up looking like this, pretending ignorance here would be the worst move.

As I was hesitating, unable to give an explanation immediately.

Moyong Hi-ah, who had been watching me calmly, continued with a cold expression.

“…Sword Dancer found him in your quarters. She said he was sleeping naked.”

“What?”

Found in my quarters? Namgung Bi-ah?

I looked at Namgung Bi-ah with a questioning expression.

It seems like he must have passed out after consuming the energy, but why did he go into my quarters?

As I looked at Namgung Bi-ah with a puzzled face, she subtly avoided my gaze. Did she have something on her mind?

I considered asking why she went there, but Moyong Hi-ah’s words came first.

“For now, I found clothes and dressed him… He keeps looking for his dad, and anyone can see…”

…Doesn’t he look exactly like you?

It was an undeniable fact.

“…So you all gathered here thinking he was my kid?”

“Rather than knowing, it felt like we needed to confirm.”

“Confirm what? You were convinced.”

You said you’d kill me if I didn’t come.

Doesn’t that mean you already thought he was my kid?

It’s the same now. No matter how many times I say it’s not, no one believes me.

Their suspicion hadn’t lessened even slightly, and seeing their obvious expressions, Moyong Hi-ah asked me.

“It’s really not?”

“I’m telling you, it’s not.”

I suppressed a sigh and rubbed my temples.

Annoyance was starting to rise.

“I get that he looks alike… But there’s no way he’s my kid…”

Just as I was trying to explain again, suppressing my frustration.

Squeak.

I felt a touch grabbing the hem of my pants.

Wondering what it was, I looked down and saw the kid pulling at my clothes.

“What is it?”

As I asked, as if to say ‘What?’, the child’s expression gradually changed.

“…Ah… Dad…”

His eyes crumpled, and a pitiful expression appeared.

What’s with that face…?

“Ah, Dad… isn’t…?”

“…”

As if shocked, his eyes trembled, and I could see tears welling up in the corners.

Oh, this is fucked up?

“Hey, hey! Why are you trying to cry?”

“Daaaaad…”

“What dad?! Why am I your dad?! Get away from me!?”

A feeling that something had gone very wrong flashed through me.

I hastily tried to pull my hand away and distance myself, but as expected…

“…Trash.”

“He’s trash.”

“Young Master, you’re too cruel…”

“…”

“No…”

The reactions around me were turning quite chilling.

In their eyes, I must have looked like a scoundrel ignoring his own child.

This kid’s expression seemed to be playing a part in it too.

Just as I was trying to hide my cold sweat, wondering how to handle this damn situation.

“…Come here…”

Someone called the child.

It was Namgung Bi-ah, who had been sitting quietly.

As she called, the sobbing child turned and trotted over, nestling into her embrace again.

I watched that with disbelief, but Namgung Bi-ah, as if accustomed to holding the child, easily lifted him, hugged him tightly, and looked at me.

“…”

Her face was just watching calmly. Her expression hadn’t changed, she was just looking, but I felt like she was demanding an explanation.

‘Even if it’s an explanation.’

Even under that gaze, I only had one thing to say.

“As I said again, it’s not.”

“It’s not…?”

“Yeah. Not. I’m not that guy’s dad…”

“…I understand…”

“Huh?”

Hearing my answer, Namgung Bi-ah nodded. Her reaction, instead, left me speechless again.

Namgung Bi-ah then seemed uninterested, busy holding and stroking the child.

She was calmly stroking his hair, patting the child.

Watching that, the others also wore momentarily stunned expressions.

Moyong Hi-ah’s expression, in particular, was subtle.

She looked angry, yet also dumbfounded.

From my perspective, it was both.

“Sword Dancer…”

Finally, Moyong Hi-ah called out to Namgung Bi-ah.

“Is that all?”

“…”

Moyong Hi-ah tilted her head. Her face showed she didn’t understand what was meant.

“…What…?”

“Is that all you have to ask?”

“…Yeah…”

Nodding calmly, Namgung Bi-ah added.

“…He said it wasn’t him…”

I said it wasn’t.

Her attitude was that it was enough. However, Moyong Hi-ah still seemed unable to understand Namgung Bi-ah.

“You just believe that?”

“…Yeah…”

“No… How can you believe it so easily…”

“Hi-ah.”

“…”

Moyong Hi-ah, who was about to vent her frustration, shut her mouth when Namgung Bi-ah called her name.

Even I found that strange.

It was almost unheard of for Namgung Bi-ah to call someone by name.

“Why are you suddenly calling my name…”

“Hi-ah, you already know.”

“Know what?”

“He said it wasn’t him. Then it’s not. Even if you don’t know anything else… this matter is like that. You already know that… Hi-ah.”

“…”

Moyong Hi-ah remained silent at Namgung Bi-ah’s firm words.

I judged that the logical Moyong Hi-ah would surely refute those words, but surprisingly, no words came out.

Squeeze.

Moyong Hi-ah clenched her fist with her delicate hand.

Her face suggested she had many things she wanted to say, but ultimately, no words came out.

Could it mean she’s admitting it?

Thump.

Thump.

Only the sound of someone gently patting the child’s back could be heard in the room.

As the silence, which wasn’t quite silence, continued.

“…Then, what exactly is this child?”

Moyong Hi-ah looked at me again and asked.

“Huh…?”

“…He’s not your child, yet he was in your quarters, looks this much like you, and you know him. What is this child?”

“…”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s question, I swallowed again.

It’s not mine, but her tone implied she needed an explanation.

Then again, it was stranger for her to just brush it off like Namgung Bi-ah.

Right.

I have to explain.

But.

‘How should I explain?’

The child held in Namgung Bi-ah’s arms.

No, looking at him, I racked my brain.

‘Why did that guy suddenly end up like this.’

My head hurt like crazy.

Yes, I knew that guy.

I didn’t know why he resembled my childhood or why he suddenly appeared in my quarters looking like that.

But I was certain I knew him.

Normally, I should have recognized him immediately, but perhaps because his appearance had changed so much, my recognition was a bit delayed.

That guy’s identity was none other than…

‘That bastard Ddolddol….’

It was Ddolddol.

A red demonic beast I hunted in Sichuan a few years ago.

He was a being born from that bastard’s demonic core, consuming my energy.

At first, he was in the form of a small snake, but as time passed, his size grew and his appearance became more monstrous.

As if linked to my cultivation level, the more I grew stronger, the more drastically he changed.

Lately, when he grew to his maximum size, he became as big as a mountain, making him impossible to keep around.

He definitely was like that.

‘Why did he change like that?’

Now, of all things, he had taken on a human form instead of a demonic beast.

I wondered if perhaps it wasn’t Ddolddol, but…

‘There’s no way.’

That guy was a being directly connected to me.

Even now, I could feel a connection from him linked to my heart.

That guy is Ddolddol. It was certain.

However, why did the massive demonic beast become like this?

If I try to figure out the cause, one thing immediately comes to mind.

‘Is it my fault again?’

Ddolddol, whose appearance changed as I grew.

That means, it’s highly likely that my own changes are the cause of him taking on this form.

It was right after I passed out due to the demonic core anyway. My body had undergone significant changes, so when I thought of the cause, that was the only possibility.

He underwent some change, and because of that, Ddolddol became human. That seems like the right conclusion.

Then, why does he specifically have the appearance of my childhood self?

‘Could it be, because he carries my energy?’

Broadly speaking, as he is a being created from my energy, it’s a perfectly plausible explanation.

That means, in other words…

‘…Looking at it this way, is he my child?’

If you think about it, it wouldn’t be wrong to consider him a child.

‘…But saying he’s my son is also weird.’

The problem is, I can’t explain all this and admit it here.

“Young Master.”

“…”

If not a child, then what?

The gazes demanding an explanation grew deeper than ever.

How on earth should I overcome this crisis?

Should I just admit it?

‘Ah, that’s a bit…’

No matter how much of an idiot I am, I know I’ll die if I admit this.

Ah.

Or maybe not…?

‘Should I just brazen it out?’

He is my kid. What business is it of yours? We aren’t exactly close, are we?

I didn’t say anything because you didn’t ask.

I briefly considered going with that shameless approach, but…

‘…This… this is absolutely not it.’

Logically, it made sense… but deep inside, my brain was grabbing my waist and desperately telling me not to.

The moment I said it, it would be the end.

‘Then what should I do…’

As I agonized hundreds of times per second.

“Ah.”

Something flashed into my mind.

“Young Master? You were saying…”

“He’s my younger brother.”

“What?”

Moyong Hi-ah wore a dumbfounded expression at the words I blurted out.

Her expression suggested she misheard.

“What did you just say…?”

“I said, younger brother. Him. He’s my younger brother.”

“What you mean is…?”

“Ah, right. It’s not that I’m his dad.”

I pointed at myself and said one thing.

Then, pointing at Ddolddol, I said the second thing.

“Our father is his dad.”

Clang-!

“Huh?”

I heard something breaking. I turned around.

And there…

“…Uh.”

The remnants of a shattered glass cup on the floor.

And…

“…Madam Mi?”

Madam Mi stood there, frozen stiff.