episode_0027

Some time later, Yujin headed towards the training center where Kim Taejin was staying.

On that day, even Park Secretary seemed different from usual.

Even while driving, he poured out his worries incessantly.

“Young Master, are you really okay? The relationship between Kim Taejin and our Black Heaven isn’t that great.”

In the past, Kim Taejin fought against Black Heaven’s S-class hero.

The result was Kim Taejin’s overwhelming victory.

It was a blow to Black Heaven’s pride,

and it was nothing short of Kim Taejin drawing a clear line with Black Heaven.

Even if it was just for a week, entering as a disciple of such a person.

It wasn’t a welcome event from Black Heaven’s perspective.

“There’s even a possibility of leaving a bad impression on the organization’s executives.”

Even being Black Heaven’s successor doesn’t mean everyone in the organization has acknowledged it.

Especially the well-known executives in the organization.

They hadn’t officially recognized Yujin, who hadn’t yet shown any achievements.

There was even a possibility of a coup if they showed any weakness.

No, Yujin’s mother, who is currently the leader, might be stripped of her qualifications first.

That’s why Park Secretary was worried for some reason.

“Moreover, Kim Taejin is by no means a simple person. Even formidable S-class heroes have to bow their heads.”

Kim Taejin is a truly difficult opponent even for himself.

If things go wrong, it could lead to an irreversible situation.

But Yujin was quietly lost in thought as he looked out the window.

“Darn it. Why didn’t they tell me about this sooner?”

He deeply regretted in his mind.

“I just thought he was a bit strong and intimidating! I didn’t know our families had such a bad relationship!”

If he had known, he would have found a way to refuse somehow.

Disliking Black Heaven and facing an S-class hero as an opponent.

It was no different from walking into the tiger’s den.

He might end up dead with just one punch.

“Sobbing! I’m so scared! At this rate, I’ll die!”

Yujin truly felt like crying.

However, he couldn’t refuse at this point.

All the arrangements and contacts were already finalized.

If he ran away now, he might be hunted down with accusations of disrespect.

Either way, he was doomed.

Nietzschean, it seems I will go before God.

“Initially, I didn’t even want to meet someone like Kim Taejin! Why should I, who is too busy making friends, go through this suffering?”

He repeated those words a hundred times.

Of course, he didn’t have the courage to say that to anyone, especially to a loser like himself.

“Sigh, standing in front of a haunted house unwillingly waiting in line feels like.”

Anyway, it was too late now.

Park Secretary’s words only fueled fear.

In that case, perhaps not listening was also a solution.

“Secretary Park.”

“Yes!”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“Oh! I-I’m sorry! I overstepped my bounds!”

Park Secretary was startled and bowed his head.

“Well, after all, Young Master must have his own plans.”

Until now, there were many things he couldn’t understand about what Yujin was doing.

But ultimately, everything was just part of the grand scheme he had laid out.

Surely this was also part of Yujin’s grand plan.

He just had to quietly do his own work.

“I wonder what you’re planning against Kim Taejin.”

Park Secretary looked at Yujin with eyes full of expectation, as if asking when he had started worrying.

From the gaze looking out the window, he felt a distant and unimaginable determination.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, Yujin was on the verge of death due to tension, but…

“Yes! While Yujin is absent, I will focus on what I need to do! Yujin always looks forward to the future and moves forward!”

To him, who was firmly resolved, it seemed like he was preparing to receive a thousand arrows, much like Jegalryang.

“I’ve arrived! I can’t follow you from here. Good luck!”

With just those words, Secretary Park hurriedly left.

Ah… I had hoped she would walk with me for a bit.

I never expected her to run away without even looking back like that.

Now, the way back has truly vanished.

“Ugh, even an S-rank hero like herself is intimidating, huh? I’ll get my revenge later…! I’ll purposely come late on the way home!”

Eujin half-sobbed as she looked ahead.

There stood a massive hanok reminiscent of a palace.

Why would anyone choose to live in a place like this instead of a perfectly fine city?

I can’t comprehend the thoughts of these masters.

“Is it okay to just enter a place like this? Isn’t it disrespectful to barge in without permission and face the consequences?”

Eujin lingered in front of the door for a while.

Even if it’s a new store, it’s common for nerds to hesitate and observe for 10 minutes before entering.

But this enormous hanok… Seems a bit too challenging.

“Well, it’s fine. The homeroom teacher already mentioned everything. Um… so let’s take another 5 minutes to prepare mentally!”

After lingering for 30 minutes, she cautiously knocked on the door.

The door was unnecessarily large, making one wonder if it could be opened by a person.

“Ex-excuse me.”

No response. It felt like a deserted house.

Could it be that no one lives here?

Hehe! Well, nothing to do about it! Should I just turn back?

Oh, but I don’t know the way back. Darn it.

“Huh, if there’s really no one here, isn’t it more frightening to be stranded than starving to death, even with an S-rank hero?”

Suddenly feeling anxious, Eujin pushed the door with her hand.

It wasn’t an action done with hopes of it opening.

But then…

*Creak.*

“The door is open?”

Although one might think of just entering, what’s the point if it was closed in the first place?

Since no one came out, there’s not much to do.

Eujin cautiously peeked inside.

“Excuse me…”

The interior was as reminiscent of the Joseon era as the exterior.

And there was someone inside.

A girl in a small frame wearing hanbok.

She was carrying an oddly mismatched burden on her back, filled with wood.

“So cute!”

There are only two entities that the nerd doesn’t find difficult to deal with: a child and a cat.

Thanks to them, Eujin could approach with relative ease.

“Um, excuse me…”

“How did you get in here?”

Before she could speak, the girl spoke first.

Her demeanor was unexpectedly fierce, causing Eujin to flinch slightly.

“I-I opened the door and came in.”

“That door? It wouldn’t have opened easily, though.”

“Huh? It just did?”

With a Strength stat exceeding 50, Eujin scratched her head.

Could this have been a place she shouldn’t have entered?

But there was no response when she called out.

That much should be understandable.

Oh, come to think of it, did I call out only once?

“Um…”

“Are you perhaps the successor of Heukcheon?”

Oh, she knows me?

Eujin furrowed her brows, then suddenly deduced something.

“Oh! She’s also a disciple of Hero Kim Taejin!”

Thinking this way, the subtly arrogant tone and fierce attitude made sense.

“Ugh, under that terrifying S-rank hero, how worn down must she be.”

Just look at that burden!

It seems too heavy for a young girl to carry!

That’s a violation of child labor laws.

This so-called S-rank hero Kim Taejin must be a tyrant!

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m Kim Yujin from Heukcheon.”

“Hmm… quite an impudent fellow. Doesn’t even know how to speak politely.”

I almost burst into laughter for a moment.

The sight of a child saying such things was too cute.

“Hmm, since she entered first, does she expect me to treat her as a senior?”

The disciple of a hero had a childish corner to him, despite his young age.

However, Kim Yujin prided himself on being able to read the atmosphere for an “assassin.”

He immediately changed his stance.

Adopting a defensive posture he had learned somewhere, he clenched his fists and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, senior. I was lacking and failed to recognize it.”

“Senior? Well, if you consider me a hero, then I suppose I am your senior. For a Black Heaven disciple, you’re quite a likable fellow.”

“I’m glad you find me likable.”

Hmm, very good.

I’m communicating properly!

Even though the other party is a child, this is proof of growth!

The girl silently watched Kim Yujin before shrugging her shoulders.

“Surprising. Feeling my aura and acting unfazed.”

“My aura?”

Kim Yujin raised an eyebrow.

Aura? I’ve never felt such a thing in my life.

Could it be that not feeling it leads to failure or something like that?

Oh, can I go back now?!

“Well, whatever. If he’s the son of that woman, it makes sense. At least for now, even if temporarily, a disciple is a disciple. Welcome all.”

Kim Yujin felt disappointed but concealed his expression.

They would be spending a week together, after all.

He couldn’t afford to show a negative reaction for no reason.

“You seem quite confident, casually opening doors and all. That woman has reasons to praise you.”

“Woman?”

“That’s what your teacher said.”

Ah, his homeroom teacher, perhaps.

If it weren’t for her recommendation, he wouldn’t be here.

…Thinking about it, it feels strange.

While I appreciate being taken care of under the guise of being an assassin,

I hope they don’t confine their precious disciple to this remote place.

Assassins are sensitive beings who suffer from loneliness,

they need to be treated delicately from a distance…

“Enough! Anyway, just go inside. I have work to finish.”

“Oh, I’ll… I mean, I’ll go in.”

Kim Yujin stopped the girl who tried to walk away.

Reaching out, he forcibly took the load from her and carried it on his shoulder.

“What, you’re doing it?”

“I should be the one doing this.”

How can you make a child labor like this?

As a member of a society with proper values, I cannot condone that.

Watching him silently, the girl scratched her face.

“Are you really from the Black Heaven?”

“For now, yes.”

“Well, well, looks like a strange one popped up. Anyway, I’ll guide you, so let’s go.”

“Okay!”

Yujin shouted energetically and followed the girl carrying the burden.

And thus, the first day of training began.