episode_0414

Regardless of the level of play, elimination is elimination.

Hong Yeon-hwa packed her luggage in the waiting room and went into a nearby lounge.

I was in the break room. I walked past the sofa and chair, grabbed a few snacks, and plopped my butt down on the clean bed.

“Did you use too much of the sea? It takes a while to get warm.”

Hongyeonhwa tilted her head with a bite of candy and stroked Lee Ha-yul, who was in her arms.

Lee Ha-yul has the next game left, but there is still some time left to rest.

So even though I held it for quite a while, it still felt cold.

“Didn’t it usually get resolved quickly?”

“This time, I focused on cold air. It’s bound to be more burdensome than when I only dealt with water.”

“Aha. It took a while just now. So it’s frozen again?”

“Yes.”

Somehow it felt more frozen than usual.

Hong Yeon-hwa nodded and hugged Lee Ha-yul deeper. Lee Ha-yul also did not refuse and dug deeper into her embrace.

“Um… ”

My body shivered at the cool breath that reached deep into my chest.

My body temperature was already high from fear, but it felt even worse when a cold body came into my arms.

‘It’s refreshing.’

I’m not saying I don’t like it.

The bright red winged clothes she was wearing wrapped tightly around Lee Ha-yul’s waist. As she stroked the white hair buried in her chest, her lovely face peeked out.

His face is stiff and haughty, perhaps still influenced by the sea. His cheek, which he lightly clenched, still has a coolness to it.

‘Looking at it this way, it looks like a cat again.’

He is usually like a puppy who can’t even gamble, but when the atmosphere changes, he turns into a calm cat.

Even though I know the secret of this face, I still don’t know.

“Like it?”

“Yes, I like it because it’s warm… Yeah.”

But the personality is still the same.

When I rubbed its cheek, it closed its eyes and enjoyed being touched. Is this how a proud but affectionate cat would act?

“Yeah… ”

Hong Yeon-hwa stroked his soft cheek and admired Lee Ha-yool’s face, which was gradually becoming warmer and more emotional.

Because of this, Lee Ha-yool was able to enjoy practicing Changhae.

The sight of this cat melting into my hands was heartwarming.

-Tiring!

The smartwatch rang an alarm. Hong Yeon-hwa checked the contents and looked down. Her bright red eyes were lost in thought for a moment.

‘Um… Is it a bit weird to hold you in my arms?’

The red-winged man lifted Lee Ha-yul up. Lee Ha-yul’s eyes, which had been comfortably enjoying the body temperature, blinked.

“Sit next to me for a moment.”

-side

Hong Yeon-hwa smiled brightly, kissed Lee Ha-yool on the cheek, and sat him down right next to her.

As he wrapped his arms around her waist, her blinking gray eyes became languid again.

-Wow

The door to the break room opened.

“… … ”

Jiyeon Choi, who came inside, blinked at the sight of the two people clinging to each other.

“Are you here?”

“Yeah, you came… … You came?”

Jiyeon Choi’s words, which had been responding reflexively, stopped. There was a subtle expression of doubt, but it soon changed to shock.

Jiyeon Choi staggered back a few steps.

“My daughter…speaks politely…?”

“Oh my…! It wasn’t like that in the old days!”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who was watching Lee Ha-yool’s expression, shouted.

.

.

.

“… Anyway. I’m just cooling off right now. Please understand why I’m holding you like this. ”

Hong Yeon-hwa, sitting on the sofa, shrugged her shoulders and spoke. Choi Ji-yeon tilted her head.

“Your physical condition will return to normal, right?”

“We actually didn’t get hurt. Besides, Harul stayed in Gyeonggi-do. That’s why we didn’t go back.”

“I see… But can’t your son-in-law melt with his own cowardice?”

“That’s okay, but this is better.”

“Ah.”

If you like it, then there’s nothing you can do… There’s nothing you can do. Choi Ji-yeon, who was somewhat convinced, looked at Hong Yeon-hwa.

As she spoke, Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes looking down at Lee Ha-yool were incredibly warm.

Jiyeon Choi’s eyes became strange at the expression that she still couldn’t get used to.

“… Ahem. Long time no see. Son-in-law? ”

[Yes, it’s been a while. Jiyeon Choi…]

Jiyeon Choi’s gaze fell on Ha-yul Lee.

They say that the burden of creation is being lifted, but somehow the emotions are vivid.

Hong Yeon-hwa’s arm wrapped around his waist, he had a comfortable expression on his face, but he also looked somewhat nervous as he bowed his head politely.

Jiyeon Choi smiled faintly and waved her hand.

“You don’t have to call me so formally. You can just call me mother-in-law.”

[Uh, uh… yes, yes, that… Jang… Mom…]

The embarrassment was clearly evident in her timid voice. It seemed like she was still unfamiliar with the term.

‘Me too… I’m not used to it.’

I secretly thought of having a son-in-law, but I never thought I would have a real son-in-law.

Who would have thought that Seolma Jeo-hong-yeon-hwa would be able to catch such a capable and kind child? Even if she brought Si-jo, she would have been shocked and fallen down.

‘Is it because he has so much ability? It seems like there are a lot of women too…’

That’s something the parties involved should figure out. Considering the awkward Lee Ha-yool, he turned his gaze to Hong Yeon-hwa.

“Ahem, I saw the game well. I guess you don’t know how to handle fear?”

“That’s also thanks to Harul. Since I usually get help, I’ve improved a lot. The side effects have also been greatly reduced. ”

“That’s good news.”

“Yeah. And now I can handle it much better. Thanks to this. ”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who was crying, moved her winged clothes instead of her hands. The red, translucent winged clothes fluttered behind her.

Choi Ji-yeon, who had been glancing at him, nodded.

“That’s the weapon your son-in-law made for you?”

“Ugh. This is seriously awesome. It corrects the output, corrects the manipulation, and reduces side effects… It’s really… ”

“Does it really have all the functions of a beacon sword?”

A heavy voice cut in.

It was Hwabyeokun who was staring intently at the red-winged man with his arms crossed. His usually blunt eyes were somehow shining brightly.

Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head.

“Looks like Grandpa came too? Why did he come out?”

“Why would you come out to see the craftsman’s work?”

“Work? Ah.”

Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head and looked back at the winged clothes.

“Can I take a look?”

“Yes, of course… Hayul, can I show you?”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who was about to hand it over without much thought, paused for a moment, looked down at Lee Ha-yool, and asked. Lee Ha-yool nodded.

“Yes, of course. I wish you would take a look at it.”

“… Your voice is really nice?”

[Oh, thank you…]

Jiyeon Choi, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly blinked.

The voice that I can hear is so powerful. It is as clear as a musical instrument, and as clean as a swallow’s diaper.

Lee Ha-yool bowed his head after receiving praise from an unexpected source.

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Hwabyeokun paid attention to Hongyeonhwa’s actions.

As Hong Yeon-hwa stretched out her hand, the wings that had spread out in many directions gathered into one bundle.

The wings grew long and thick as they tangled and clung together. Eventually, what he held in his hand was a red sword.

The part that particularly catches the eye is the sword blade. The shape of the colors that symbolize fire spreading out like gradations.

It was similar to the Bonghwa Sword.

“Here.”

Hwabyeokun took the sword and raised it. Before he could examine it properly, his gaze landed on Lee Ha-yul’s waist.

“Is there any part left that was wrapped around your waist?”

“Yes, it can be divided like this? It can be detached. It can be lowered, but it can’t be too fine.”

“Shape change and remote control. Complex functions are well incorporated.”

Hwabyeokun, who had solved the mystery, looked down at the sword.

His eyes sank. The skills he had honed throughout his life were reflected in his eyes, and he analyzed the sword.

“Uhh… ”

The admiration came out quickly.

It is not just the realm of metallurgy.

It is a work of art where a wider and deeper range of technologies are concentrated. They are precisely positioned and balanced.

Just like a beacon sword…

“Indeed, it’s better than the Bonghwa Sword.”

Hwabyeokun smiled brightly.

Jiyeon Choi swallowed her surprise at that reaction.

It’s the first time in my life that I’ve seen an old man who was more blunt than I was, smile.

Also, I didn’t know that the real saver would personally admit that he was better than the Bonghwa Sword.

“I can’t make a work as good as Naroseon. I thought I had a chance back then, but I was wrong. Hey, you’re better than me too. ”

[Please don’t say that. That’s a special product… It’s an item that my artifact is used as a material.]

“What’s wrong with that? It’s a work of art that pours in 3rd tier magic stones and top-grade jewels.”

The smiling Hwabyeokun put his sword down on the table.

“You seem more interested in other things. Is it a special product? Or is there a work with a lesser degree of completion?”

[Yes, I also designed a regular version that doesn’t use artifacts as materials… I designed it myself and wanted to give it as a gift, so I would appreciate it if you could take a look.]

Lee Ha-yool, who had been wandering around the space, handed over a thick book. Hwa-byeok-un opened the book with a smile.

“Hmm… Hmm? The foundation was left as is. To that end, the axis was intentionally scattered… Ho, this part is like a beacon sword.”

I only looked at the book for a moment, but it was enough time to make an estimate. Hwabyeok-un raised his gaze and smiled.

“This is also comparable to the Beacon Sword. It may be inferior in terms of durability, but it is superior in terms of autonomy.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. But that’s not all that’s surprising.”

Hwabyeokun smiled as he looked at the sword combed by the winged clothes.

“This weapon can be used together with the Beacon Sword.”

“… With the Beacon Sword?”

Hong Yeon-hwa and Choi Ji-yeon blinked at Hwabyeok-un’s remark. They seemed to think for a moment, but then opened their eyes wide as they realized what his remark meant.

“This was designed with that in mind.”

[Yes… The Gaphwa clan already has a Bonghwa sword. Rather than using just one, I think it would be better to use both…]

“Oh, that’s obvious. Hey, do you already know how to make a beacon sword? ”

The wall cloud asked as if it was nothing. Lee Ha-yool’s shoulders, who had been standing up straight, trembled.

[Ah… That’s… Actually, when I held the Shijo-nim’s Beacon Sword… The blueprint came into my head]

“Yes, yes? Uh, since when?”

Jiyeon Choi’s eyes widened at the story she heard for the first time.

Bonghwageom is the sword that the first ancestor held, a symbolic sword that has been held by the family for generations, and the best weapon specialized for those who manifest fear.

It’s a sword that requires such strict management in its production… but the top-secret design drawings were leaked?

Of course, it was okay because the recipient was Lee Ha-yul… but what if it was passed on to an innocent person and spread…

Jiyeon Choi’s future, which she had imagined as the worst future, was dyed blue.

Lee Ha-yool’s face, who was observing him, also turned pale.

[Oh… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance… I thought it would be unreliable if I said that on the spot… I’m really sorry]

“Oh, yes. Of course. I’m not trying to question my son-in-law either… ”

“No, Mom. Why are you bullying our child? Huh? The child might be too scared to speak!”

“Why are you making your mother into trash?”

[Don’t fight…]

The mother and daughter were bickering, and Lee Ha-yool, who was caught between them, stopped the bickering, not knowing what to do.

“By the way, with this level of skill, you should be able to make the Bonghwa Sword alone. I don’t think the Bonghwa Sword will have much value.”

Meanwhile, Hwabyeokun, who had been carefully looking at the book, suddenly said this and looked around.

Jiyeon Choi’s shoulders slumped as she received attention.

“After all, I should have just skipped the simple procedure.”

“Procedure?”

As Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head, Choi Ji-yeon shrugged and placed the wooden box she had left next to the sofa on the table.

[…that]

The wooden box is basically covered in security and crime prevention magic. It’s not enough to block observation, so Lee Ha-yool tilted his head.

“Our family is not one to be concerned with formality and pretense. Tradition is important, but if we are immersed in it and lose our own interests, what is the meaning of tradition?”

Choi Ji-yeon shook her head and put her hand on her neck.

“Gyeophwamunhyeon General Manager Jiyeon Lee, on behalf of the current head of the household, conveys. To the benefactor who has given the family great benefits and profit, to the blood relative who has shown extraordinary Gyeophwa, and… to the son-in-law who has corrected my daughter’s personality.”

“The last sentence is strange.”

“This is a gift and a bribe. I should have given it to you earlier, but I was late because of a lot of things. ”

Choi Ji-yeon, who had been shaking her head, opened the window. In an instant, the ceiling turned red.

“Huh?”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s mouth opened. Her bright red eyes, which had been looking down at the wooden box, blinked blankly.

“… Why is this here?”

A luxurious red cloth filling the inside of the chest. A single sword placed on top of it.

It was the ancestral sword of the Geuphwa clan that was being kept.

***

122nd class, midterm evaluation tournament, 2nd year division.

The students who advanced to the finals were Baek A-rin and Lee Ha-yul.

Same arrangement as last year’s tournament.

However, the power gap between the two was reversed, and the evaluations from outside were the same.

This rate was no longer an unscratched lottery ticket.

The winning was immediate, and it was like a dragon flying through the sky, mocking the previous evaluations.

So, naturally, the stadium was full. The stands were filled with people not only sitting but also standing.

The same goes for relay broadcasts.

There were countless gazes from inside and outside the city cradle.

“Die, you rascal!”

‘?’

Baek A-rin, who came onto the field, threw down the window with a playful shout.