Chapter 90.1

Chapter 90 – Rule 29. The Leader Does Not Tolerate Provocation (2)

─ ‘Why do you want to be taught by me so badly?’

─ ‘Because I know you are strong.’

My master, Kim Man-seok, was someone caught between the old and new humanity.
Technically, he belonged to the old humanity.

During the Canaan Project, a time when humanity was building cities on lands blessed by the Golden Sheep,he was one of those who survived the turbulent era.

If he were still alive, he would be over fifty by now.

Most people in the same situation as my master became explorers. Just as heroes are born in troubled times, they threw themselves into the outside world. Was it out of a sense of duty?

No, it wasn’t just for such romantic reasons. It was likely because they bore deep grudges against the beasts roaming the outside world.

Unlike the new humanity, who lived relatively safe lives born on lands blessed by the Golden Sheep, they had lost loved ones—family, friends, comrades—to the beasts.

They probably harbored anger simply because they had been shown an unfair hell.

Therefore, they could not let go of their attachment to the outside world.

My master lost his son to the fangs of a beast. He spent most of his life fighting beasts because of that.

Recalling my knowledge of the original work, I remembered when Kim Man-seok would briefly return to the city and waited for him at the place he was expected to visit. I met him and asked to become his disciple.

The shock of losing Kim Dalbi was still fresh at that time, and I remember being quite relentless.

Kim Man-seok initially refused. However, I persistently followed him, pleading until he eventually changed his mind and decided to teach me.

I never knew what changed his mind. No matter how much I asked, he would only say his mind changed.

In retrospect, he once mentioned I reminded him of his son, so perhaps he saw his son in me.

Being a man with extensive combat experience, my master preferred intense training methods and did not go easy on me despite my young age.

As a sixth-tier warrior, his teachings were more than adequate.

I endured a grueling and painful time.

─ ‘Woo-jin.’

One night, under a starry sky,

My master and I were having a barbecue with cultured meat by a campfire.

I was happily eating, wondering why we were having meat, when my master placed his hand on my head and smiled.

─ ‘You will probably become incredibly strong. Stronger than me.’

─ ‘I know. My magic is that refined.’

At that time, I was confident, believing the results of my repeated magic training since childhood would manifest.

I considered myself an ordinary talent only later, when I hit the wall of the fifth tier.

─ ‘Haha, you’re such an arrogant brat, deserving a good beating.’

─ ‘Where are you going?’

─ ‘Where could I go leaving you behind?’

The next day, before dawn, my master silently left my side.

Unlike with Dalbi, I had guessed he would leave. He had been talking about his son more often than usual.

Knowing his unresolved feelings had resurfaced, it was easy to predict he would head outside the city.

However, that day, I spent the whole day in a daze.

Parting with someone dear is always hard to get used to.

“…….”

Among the white chrysanthemums was a photo of my master in his youth. Oh Baek-seo and I, dressed in black, attended, bowed, and lit incense.

Most citizens lacked parents, so the deceased’s closest friend or an AI robot typically acted as the chief mourner.

In my master’s case, his colleague Song Do-il took the role. He was someone I often met during my disciple days.

He was also the one who informed me of my master’s death. Despite being around the same age as my master, he looked like an old man with white hair.

Like my master, he had spent his life fighting outside, filled with resentment and stress, leading to his rapid aging.

‘Bandage….’

Unlike my memory, Do-il had a bandage around his left eye, indicating a recent injury.

“May he rest in peace.”

Baek-seo and I bowed our heads in mourning.

I spent a long time staring at the portrait.

Baek-seo waited patiently.

Although I knew from the original story when my master, Kim Man-seok, would visit Neo Seoul, I did not expect him to pass away so soon.

Few people attended the meal.

Only a handful of elderly.

They were old humanity, choosing to spend their peaceful old age in the city. They came to see my master.

“I thought only Woo-jin would come, but who’s this girl?”

Baek-seo and I sat together at the meal, and chief mourner Song Do-il, sitting across from us, struck up a conversation. I could feel the gazes of other old humanity.

Despite losing a companion of several decades, Do-il did not seem particularly sad. He even managed a relaxed smile.

However, dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept well for days.

Baek-seo greeted him with a kind face.

“I’m the vice-leader of the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee. I’m here because I assist the Leader, and upon hearing about his master’s death, I accompanied him.”

“Oh, I see. You’re very dependable.”

Do-il nodded approvingly and then turned to me.

“Woo-jin, you’ve grown up well while we were away. Being the leader must be quite challenging. Heavy responsibilities, I imagine.”

“No matter how hard it is, it can’t be tougher than what you’ve faced, sir.”

“Is that so? My work doesn’t involve much responsibility, so I wouldn’t know. Oh, Woo-jin. Just a moment.”

Do-il gestured for me to come closer, indicating he had something to say privately. I moved closer, and he draped his arm over my shoulder, turning us away from Baek-seo.

He whispered playfully.

“You’ve even got a pretty girlfriend. Living the life, huh?”

“Does it seem that way…?”

“Of course. Congratulations, man.”

“Well, thank you.”

Do-il was a kind person.

I recalled how, during my training under my master, Do-il would often come by and crack dad jokes. They were particularly funny, perhaps because of the grueling training.

Even now, it was evident he was mindful of my feelings.

‘You must have been the one most hurt by this.’

Do-il had probably carried my master back.