Ch.76Their Fight – 2

The servants of the Kang family were currently in a state of extreme tension.

Their employer, Chairman Minseong Kang, had a granddaughter he cherished dearly, Soohyun Kim.

She had just passed through the main gate accompanied by a guest.

Their excessive reaction wasn’t simply because of the “guest” part.

The problem was “who” Soohyun Kim had brought with her.

‘Rina Lee, of all people. My goodness. Why would the young miss bring such a woman….’

One of the top five strongest individuals in South Korea—no, the entire world.

Considering that similar S-class individuals were typically in their late twenties to mid-thirties,

Rina Lee had a very high probability of claiming the title of “world’s strongest” in the near future.

Up to this point, she could be considered the very embodiment of South Korea’s hope.

The problem was that Rina wasn’t exactly a role model.

With a personality so willful that it was hard to tell if she was a superhuman or a villain.

She had caused so many incidents that she’d been embroiled in numerous controversies.

Particularly, the incident where she hung a villain alive from the top of a building was still talked about.

However, most of her many incidents had been quietly swept under the rug.

First, Rina wasn’t completely beyond control yet.

And most incidents stemmed from her hostility toward villains.

Since she hadn’t committed any serious crimes that society couldn’t possibly tolerate,

The government and association had decided to somehow appease her.

Of course, everyone knew there was a reason that superseded all others.

If this incredibly powerful superhuman were to become a villain, it would be the worst nightmare imaginable.

“The vehicle has arrived.”

At the sound coming through the security guards’ radios, the servants tensed up even more.

They weren’t villains, nor had they done anything wrong to Rina.

But she was surrounded by strange rumors that she never denied.

To ordinary people, Rina was both an object of admiration and a figure to be feared.

Things were so bad that some servants were even thinking:

‘Did the young miss make some kind of mistake…?’

In reality, it was due to a dramatic negotiation settlement between Soohyun Kim and Rina Lee.

But the servants, unaware of this fact, could only worry.

Meanwhile, the vehicle pulled up right in front.

As the servants rushed to open the doors, Soohyun Kim stepped out from one side.

And from the other emerged Rina Lee, who had come as a “guest.”

“Welcome home.”

Minseong Kang gently embraced his granddaughter.

Despite having a guest present, which might have been embarrassing, he showed his affection without hesitation.

Soohyun seemed to have grown accustomed to it, simply allowing herself to be held.

“I’m back, Grandfather.”

“Yes. I heard the news. The examiner Seojin Baek has regained consciousness?”

“Yes. He looked very healthy.”

Looking at Soohyun’s bright smile, Minseong Kang inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

After the fierce battle with The Elder, Seojin Baek had collapsed and lost consciousness.

Since then, Soohyun’s mood had been absolutely terrible.

Soohyun had never before displayed the emotion of “anger.”

Isn’t it said that the anger of a normally quiet person is the most frightening?

Moreover, Soohyun had recently been showing remarkable growth.

Her swordsmanship had reached a level that surprised even Minseong Kang.

In that state, as she continued to be angry, both Minseong and the family servants

Could only remain extremely tense and watch her carefully.

‘But not anymore.’

From today, she would once again show her kind self.

Because Seojin Baek had awakened. Because she had seen him.

‘Thank you, Examiner. I’ll definitely repay this favor later.’

If Seojin Baek heard this, he might have said it wasn’t necessary.

After finishing his greeting with his granddaughter, Minseong Kang said:

“We have a guest.”

As he spoke, he looked at Rina Lee approaching from behind.

“It’s been a while.”

In response to Minseong Kang’s greeting, Rina scratched her neck before speaking.

“Have you been well, old man?”

“Just waiting for my day to die.”

“…I see you’re still playing strange jokes, so nothing’s changed.”

“What do you mean nothing’s changed?”

“Like a few years ago, you still haven’t grown up?”

To speak like that in front of none other than Minseong Kang!

The servants were startled and glanced nervously at their employer.

But Minseong Kang merely burst into laughter, “Ha ha ha!”

“Men are supposed to remain the same until they die.”

“My father isn’t like that.”

“That’s because your father is unusual.”

After exchanging brief greetings, Minseong Kang promptly offered lunch.

It was almost lunchtime anyway, so wouldn’t she like to join them?

Rina waved her hand, saying there were more urgent matters than food.

Seeming to realize something, Minseong Kang didn’t press the lunch invitation further.

Instead, he guided Rina to his study, accompanied by Soohyun Kim.

“So. What brings you here so suddenly?”

Seated, Minseong Kang looked at Rina and asked her business.

He knew well that she wasn’t the type to come all this way for trivial matters.

She was probably going to say something dramatic and unexpected.

“Grandfather.”

But the answer came not from Rina, but from Soohyun Kim.

“Actually.”

Soohyun Kim continued her story.

They had agreed to a duel. Specifically, she only needed to inflict a tiny wound on Rina.

If she did that, the duel would end with her victory.

Of course, she knew it would be extremely difficult. But they had set no time limit.

“…”

Minseong Kang initially had no reaction.

He just looked back and forth between Soohyun Kim and Rina Lee several times.

“What’s the reason for this duel? That seems to be the main issue here.”

Minseong Kang pinpointed the crucial part accurately.

But Soohyun insisted it was a “personal matter.”

That was her indirect way of saying she didn’t want to explain the real reason.

“This is very surprising, Soohyun. Of all people, why her?”

“Old man? This ‘her’ feels hurt hearing that. What did I ever do?”

“If you’re asking because you don’t know, then you have no conscience.”

After snapping at Rina, Minseong Kang looked at his granddaughter.

A resolute and strong light flickered in her eyes, something never seen before.

It was the kind of look a swordsman should rightfully possess, a very admirable gaze.

Sensing something from this, Minseong Kang decided not to say more.

“I’ll allow you to use the training ground.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

“Go down and prepare first. I have something to discuss with this one.”

Soohyun Kim nodded and left the study first.

Soon, with just the two of them remaining, Rina sat down on the sofa.

“It’s because of a man.”

“Huh?”

“Why she’s acting like this. It’s because of a man.”

Rina blurted it out as if tattling.

But Minseong Kang merely nodded, as if he had already expected this.

“What? You seem to have known already?”

“It’s all thanks to Examiner Seojin Baek that she’s changed in such a positive direction. So it’s natural that he would be more special to her.”

Positive change, huh? I wonder if it’s really “positive.”

You all don’t know, but that girl has a faint smell of blood about her.

Rina considered saying this but decided against it.

If it had been someone else, she might have just blurted it out.

But the person sitting in front of her now was none other than Minseong Kang.

“You still find me uncomfortable?”

“Of course. You’re the only opponent who nearly defeated the undefeated Rina Lee.”

A secret unknown to anyone else in the world was being revealed.

Neither fellow S-class superhumans nor the catastrophic Elders

Had ever gained the upper hand against Rina.

At most, they could only achieve a stalemate, such was the overwhelming nature of her power.

Yet Rina—though it was a few years ago when she had just awakened her powers—

Had nearly been defeated, not just fought to a stalemate.

This was an extraordinary revelation.

“I was just lucky. That’s how the wind works.”

“Luck is also a skill. Wow, really. It’s still embarrassing. Just thinking about it.”

Rina covered her face as if she couldn’t bear to think about it.

This was precisely why she had been so uncomfortable around Minseong Kang.

“More importantly, why are you doing this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know yourself. Aren’t you the type who always gets what you want?”

“No, I’m not! Do you know how much my mom scolded me for that?”

Rina pouted and grumbled.

“What I mean is, there was no need to talk about dueling my granddaughter. You’re not someone with time to spare. Nor do you have the generous heart to look after others.”

“Wow. Our old man. Saying hurtful things so casually.”

Despite Rina’s continued grumbling, Minseong Kang just smiled.

Then he crossed his arms and silently stared at Rina.

As if telling her to explain why she suddenly proposed a duel.

“Ah, really.”

Wondering how to explain this, Rina finally spoke.

“She’s strange. I just want to learn more about her, so I’m messing with her. Happy now?”

“I see. Then that’s fine. Go down and prepare yourself too.”

Swordsmen originally communicate through skill.

Saying this, Minseong Kang showed interest in what seemed to be an entertaining development.

Incidentally, Rina’s initial power awakening was also in the Weaponry Class.

However, she was so powerful that she didn’t even need weapons.

She subdued everything with her bare hands, causing some to mistake her for the Martial Arts Class.

“However, I’d prefer if you didn’t go too hard on her.”

Like an overprotective parent. Rina clicked her tongue.

As if that would be easy. Why have a duel then?

If you go easy, is that even a duel? That’s just child’s play.

“Hearing that makes me think I should take this even more seriously. Isn’t that normal?”

“…Damn you. You really never change.”

“You should talk, old man.”