episode_0451

It was at the peak of her growing dissatisfaction with her surroundings that she awakened.

‘A person with potential.’

Even at a young age, she could tell.

That she possessed an extraordinary power within her given characteristics.

Hiding her abilities was due to the immense shadow cast by her parents, from which she could never escape.

Even if she boasted good qualities, the response that would always come back was ‘good genes from your parents.’

So she concealed it.

Thinking that it wouldn’t hurt to hide at least one formidable weapon, she pondered with a child’s mind.

The change began when she returned after a long wandering journey.

The sudden encounter, followed by a quest.

Not knowing where exactly she was, what she was entangled in, she simply followed along.

Afterward, her abilities evolved to the point where she became ‘the bearer of the burden,’ and finally, she faced him.

The god of moderation who chose her, Temperantia.

In my subconscious world, he said,

“This face was created by projecting those who had the greatest influence on my life.”

His face subtly blended the faces of two people she knew well.

The first was Son Siwoo.

That was expected.

In her opinion, no one had influenced her life as much as her father.

But the second was unexpected.

“Kim Dojin….”

She was taken aback by his face, which occupied half of Temperantia’s visage.

‘Why…?’

He clearly stated.

The face he assumed belonged to someone named Son Seoyeon, who had the greatest impact on their life.

If that was the case, it meant that Kim Dojin had such a significant influence on her.

‘Is that so?’

It was hard to comprehend.

Although she had been learning a lot from him recently, that was only in the context of being a hunter.

She didn’t think there was anything that could permeate her entire life.

Amidst this confusion, she heard even more shocking news.

-“Originally, the one who should have received Temperantia’s choice was not you but your father.”

It was supposed to be her father, Son Siwoo, not herself, who should have received Temperantia’s selection.

So she asked why she was chosen instead of her father.

To which he replied,

-“Because he is no longer able to fight.”

It was a difficult statement to understand.

Unable to fight.

Her father was still actively working as a hunter.

“Oh….”

Suddenly, she remembered.

The change in her father’s usual demeanor.

Since one day, she hadn’t seen her father practicing in the early morning anymore.

Why was that?

He said,

For her, early morning practice was as essential as brushing teeth, eating, or sleeping every day.

Having that trait, and now having become a person who must do it.

The father who had declared rest had been on a break for a whopping two years.

During that time, she hadn’t seen him wield a sword even once.

Was it truly a rest to soothe a tired body?

Or… had he become unable to wield the sword anymore?

The god said,

-“Your father was a truly noble person.”

Through him, she learned.

The fact that her father’s body had deteriorated.

That he sacrificed himself to protect people, this country, from a sudden disaster.

And… that he had been active with that broken body until now.

-“A greater danger is approaching. However, your father can no longer prevent it.”

That’s why he chose her.

It wasn’t just because she was Son Siwoo’s daughter.

She had talent.

A perfect physical balance surpassing her father’s prime.

And even a magical talent surpassing her mother’s.

He then asserted,

-“On the day your talents bloom, the world will finally be at peace.”

It didn’t feel real.

It was hard to believe.

But she accepted the god’s proposal and embraced the position of apostle.

There was only one reason for her decision.

“I need to let him rest.”

Allowing my exhausted father to take a break.

She understood it well.

That person, Son Siwoo, never just watches when a crisis strikes.

“I… will take his place.”

It wasn’t solely for his sake.

It was also due to personal desires.

The shadow of parents that seemed endless, as if no matter how much one ran, they couldn’t escape it.

When the time came, it seemed like they could finally break free from there completely.

With that determination, not long after, she heard about the existence of the Guardians from the saint.

An organization that protects the world from great evils.

-“I need your strength.”

Followed by the saint’s proposal.

Seo Yeon didn’t hesitate any longer.

***

The moment I heard the story, my mind went blank.

Driving in this state felt like an accident waiting to happen, so I parked the car on the roadside and took a moment to catch my breath.

“Phew….”

Startled, Seo Yeon asked me with a worried tone, “Are you… okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

My daughter took on the duty that should have been mine.

But I don’t understand.

Normally, there needs to be a good reason to change a choice, yet Seo Yeon didn’t tell me that reason.

She did give a reason.

That Seo Yeon’s potential far surpasses Son Siwoo’s.

It’s true.

He possessed talents I didn’t have, and he obtained a perfect body because of me.

To the point where I can’t even remember what it was like when I was in pain.

But all of this sounds like excuses.

There must be a real reason behind it, a feeling that she is trying to make me understand through secondary reasons.

I have doubts.

Perhaps Seo Yeon was chosen instead of me because… I had transferred into this body.

Knowing that the current Son Siwoo is just an empty shell, if she chose my daughter.

And if she had told her…?

“Are you really okay…?”

Looking at Seo Yeon’s face as she raises her head to ask if I’m okay once again.

No.

She didn’t realize that the current Son Siwoo is fake.

If she had, there would have been some change in his emotions.

I ask her, “Are you really okay?”

“Me? Why…?”

“It’s a very heavy burden, that.”

Heroes, protectors.

Titles attached to those who endure many hardships, all mere facades that often deceive people.

Making them think I am someone I am not, urging me to act when I don’t have to.

Especially considering the hardships Seo Yeon will face, which will be several times more difficult and painful than what I went through.

In response to her worried question, he answered, “I’m fine.”

“You’re fine….”

“Yes.”

In Seo Yeon’s nodding expression, there is no hint of regret or fear.

“To be honest, I… don’t quite grasp the idea of saving the world. To be precise… the scale is too vast for me to truly comprehend.”

That’s how it will be.

Even when I was rising to S-rank and hearing stories about being a hero in Korea, it was the same.

If even the heroes of that small piece of land felt that way, what about the world?

“I joined the Guardians just because… I want to become stronger.”

In Seo Yeon’s shining eyes, there was a clear goal.

What could it be?

A goal that makes that child so blindly devoted.

Eventually, he spoke up.

“I hope Mom and Dad… won’t have to suffer anymore.”

“……”

“Both of you have lived fiercely, and you still do. So… I hope you can rest a bit now. But for that to happen, the world shouldn’t be any less peaceful.”

I didn’t know.

That my daughter would care so much about family, about her parents.

Which makes it even more heartbreaking.

If only I had shown a little more of that sentiment when I was still Son Siwoo.

Then, I would have been truly happy.

Before long, a sense of dignity and bitterness surged within me towards my grown-up daughter.

“When the time comes… we’ll all go on a trip together. Mom, Dad… and even our dog, Pochi.”

A trip, huh?

When was the last time we went on a family trip?

It feels like it was a long time ago.

I even remember that it didn’t end well.

Due to an issue at Matap, Han Ju-hee left first, and then, with the schedule for conquering an S-rank dungeon being moved up, it seems like we returned to Seoul without fully enjoying it.

“And, um…”

With a bitter smile at the not-so-great memories, the trembling voice of the boy who opened up continues, looking at me with a flushed face.

“Th-then, I wish Dojin could have come too…!”

“Uh, yeah.”

As I pondered how to respond, he beat me to it.

“I-I’m just gonna walk from here! See you later…!”

“No, wait…!”

Bang!

Thud!

He slammed the car door shut and stormed out before I could say anything.

Watching Seoyeon quickly walking away on foot, lost in thought.

“Well….”

Sadly, that wish won’t come true.

A bitter taste lingered in my mouth.

* * *

Operation to clear Gwangmyeong Bridge.

This was a large-scale operation that could be counted as one of the Guardians’ significant missions since their establishment.

The number of personnel deployed was limited due to equipment constraints, but they were crucial nonetheless.

Natae’s Apostle, possessing abilities related to brainwashing.

If he wasn’t eliminated as soon as possible, the potential threat was immeasurable.

“Alright…, the Holy Knights have all arrived.”

The Vatican’s Holy Knights had safely set foot on Korean soil.

The skills of the priests selected from this branch were also exceptional.

Above all, she had high expectations for the man she first met here, Kim Dojin.

“It was better than I expected, right?”

He was a recommendation from the saint.

So, while she anticipated some level of skill, the aura she felt from him when they finally met surpassed her expectations by far.

Much more.

“He was quite sturdy for a mage.”

Smiling, she patted his shoulder several times, feeling it clearly.

It wasn’t a mage’s body.

Rather, it was a body trained and honed to the extent that one could believe he was a skilled warrior.

Though he still fell slightly short by my standards, that’s why I’m even more hopeful.

How will that body mature and what kind of strength will it possess?

“Ehehe, heh….”

She casually swallowed the saliva that flowed out, trying to maintain her relaxed expression.

Knock knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Bang!

Finally opening the door and entering was an operator from the Guardians.

His name was Max.

Not well known to the public, but he had a reputation in that industry.

His face was pale.

What incident could have occurred?

“Um, Angela?”

“What’s wrong, Max? What happened?”

“…It could be something. Look at this.”

Handing over a piece of paper he held tightly to Angela, Max presented the receipt.

“This is the receipt sent by Hunter Kim Dojin for expense processing.”

“Oh… really?”

Intrigued by the name Kim Dojin, she immediately unfolded the receipt.

And she was shocked.

“44 billion… won?”

An unusual amount.

Frowning, she asked.

“If converted to dollars at the current exchange rate, how much would it be?”

“Roughly… around 4 million dollars.”

“……”

She thought.

It seemed like one crazy guy had joined the ranks of humanity’s protectors.