Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 77

“If it’s been nearly two hundred years since it’s been missing… does that mean the transformation function of Iyarugt is not the work of the Song family?”

When Jaehyuk first got his hands on Iyarugt.

He had fallen into a realistic dilemma of where to get a new scabbard.

But every time Iyarugt clicked into the scabbard, it naturally transformed back into its original sword form, and Jaehyuk had assumed this convenient function was the work of a master from the Song family.

However, the reality turned out differently.

“Most likely not. Iyarugt changes shape based on the owner’s will, not because of engineering design. It’s an ego sword. At least as far as I know, the Song family doesn’t have the skills to create ego weapons.”

“But isn’t Iyarugt said to be in a state where it lost its soul? How can it be an ego sword?”

‘Ego’ literally meant a sense of self.

The idea that soulless Iyarugt still possessed an ego was paradoxical.

“Perhaps what remains after the soul departed was made into an ego.”

“Ah…”

Indeed, when Theodor first saw Iyarugt, he also mentioned its lingering consciousness.

Originally, it held the soul of a demon, but now it had been forged into a sword with mere lingering thoughts.

It was worthy of being called an enchanted sword.

“Whose creation is it then?”

“Who knows? What is certain is that Iyarugt has been hidden to ensure it isn’t recklessly targeted by others. Given the prophecy passed down in our family, I personally wonder if it might be the blessing of the Blacksmith God.”

***

“To avoid being recklessly targeted, huh.”

Since meeting the old man from the Song family a few days ago.

Jaehyuk realized the true value of Iyarugt.

A sword used by one of the three great heroes of Korea, the progenitor, Peak Sword.

It was impossible to predict how many predators would flock once it appeared in the world.

“The power I painstakingly acquired is unfortunately constrained.”

Could Jaehyuk use Iyarugt openly in front of people?

He couldn’t.

While outsiders recognizing Iyarugt was unlikely, the insight of veterans who had experienced various gates and quests couldn’t be disregarded.

“If only I had obtained a bloodline skill, I could have pretended Iyarugt was a skill.”

Turning one’s eyes golden, regardless of the miracle being performed, was generally accepted under the belief that “it might be possible with the duke’s bloodline skill”.

But Jaehyuk’s eyes were always black.

He had chosen Noble Chivalry instead of a bloodline skill.

“Pointless thoughts.”

If he had developed a bloodline skill, he wouldn’t have obtained Iyarugt.

The assumption was flawed from the beginning.

“… Wait.”

Lost in thought, Jaehyuk suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He looked down at his shoes.

“Custom Master.”

The custom craftsman he met in the community.

A being who had the key to unlock the ‘constraints’ Jaehyuk faced.

Of course, he had no intention of entrusting Iyarugt to anyone.

If he recklessly modified the progenitor’s beloved sword, he would be branded a fool.

The solution Jaehyuk had in mind…

“Wouldn’t there be lenses that could adjust color with magic power?”

Anyway, the rumor of developing a bloodline skill had spread.

Wouldn’t it be convenient in many ways to pretend he had developed it?

“I should discuss it.”

Before connecting to the community, there was a place he needed to visit.

***

“You’ve come. What story will you tell today?”

Jaehyuk visited the lion statue whenever he had time.

Though he had no particular reason until he met the quest-clear conditions, he felt pity for the statue that couldn’t move from its spot.

“Senior Yeonju and Noh Junyeob accepted my request and from there, this and that happened…”

“White Tiger beast-man? What is that?”

“You don’t know about beast-men? They’re intelligent beings like us, but with forms that are a mix of humans and animals. For example, their face would be like yours, a lion’s, while their body would be like mine, a human’s.”

“That sounds unpleasant.”

“That’s species discrimination. What kind of world is it now… By the way, didn’t the dimension you lived in have beast-men?”

“I’ve heard of humans transforming into beasts or creatures disguising themselves as humans, but I’ve never heard of a ‘species’ called beast-men. Ah, I think there was talk about something similar on a continent beyond the Red Sea…”

“And what is the Red Sea?”

“Don’t ask for details. I, too, only stayed in the same place even in the world I originally lived in.”

Consistent communication with the lion statue had been considerably beneficial to Jaehyuk.

As they gathered mutual consideration and goodwill, albeit imperfectly, they were able to gather some information.

“And even if I knew a lot, it wouldn’t have been practically helpful to you. As seen in this island moving to your world, I imagine many things have changed in the world I once lived in. Yet, Theodor worries me.”

“Why suddenly Theodor?”

“That rascal has the nature to acquire whatever he desires before he is satisfied. Having missed you, he should be more obsessed, but isn’t he quiet? I worry he’s up to something behind the scenes.”

“You care about me, huh?”

“Of course. This body is looking forward to the martial form you will unfold with your knights. At the very least, stay safe until then.”

“So, it’s not because we’re friends that you were worried.”

“Hmph, what audacity. Do you, a mere human, dare to match up to the ruler of a great dimension?”

“Is it really great?”

The question was filled with many implications.

“……”

The lion statue fell silent. If it weren’t a statue, one might have imagined its eyes darting around wildly.

“Hey, you damn crazy human! You who struck my head with a scabbard on our first meeting, now resorting to insults, how dare you call me your friend?!”

“Why is asking if you’re great an insult…?”

“Do you mean to mock me by implying that a statue, unable to move, eat, drink, or sleep, dares to claim greatness?”

“I… wasn’t thinking too deeply about it…”

So, it doesn’t even sleep.

Learning this new fact, Jaehyuk felt a surge of compassion.

A life without even dreams.

As someone who endured by dreaming, Jaehyuk found it hard to imagine such a hellish existence.

“Utscha.”

Jaehyuk jumped up and landed on top of the lion statue embossed on the castle gate.

“From now on, watch me closely.”

“… Huh?”

A boy’s hand, calloused with hard work, began to pet the smooth head of the lion statue.

“At least it won’t be boring. Perhaps I might even become your dream.”

“You’re completely out of your mind.”

The lion statue responded in disbelief.

Yet, its voice turned warm.

Whether it was aware of it or not, the change was evident.

Smiling softly, Jaehyuk reassured the statue.

“Don’t worry about Theodor. I have a feeling he’s giving me time because he wants me to grow. Perhaps it’s not some sinister plan, but rather a calculated interval.”

“That’s a rather credible theory. However, time favors Theodor. Even at this moment, he’s regaining lost power.”

“I’m growing stronger, too.”

“… Is that so.”

The lion statue accepted his words without question.

He was the master of the dimension.

Knowing that Jaehyuk’s growth was extraordinary was not beyond his comprehension.

***

『Welcome, player ‘Kang Jaehyuk.’』

– Finally, you’ve logged in!

A whisper greeted him as soon as he logged in.

The voice of the Honest Merchant, resonating directly in Jaehyuk’s head, startled him.

‘Had he been staring at the friends list all day?’

He doubted it.

Unless this was a coincidence, the odds were slim.

– There’s something I must show you. Would you grant me an opportunity to speak with you personally? I promise you won’t be disappointed about making time for me.

‘Seems about time to respond.’

The Honest Merchant had sent Jaehyuk messages without fail every day.

Though mostly inquiring about his well-being, the real objective was to showcase his products.

His blatant attitude had never particularly irritated Jaehyuk.

His username itself was ‘merchant’.

There should be no issue with a merchant fulfilling his role.

“It’s rather better to be straightforward.”

Dealing with those who hide their true intentions is the more exhausting task.

Moreover, Jaehyuk had a keen interest in purchasing the products Honest Merchant was selling.

Cursed items that couldn’t fetch their original price in the market had immense appeal to him.

-I will open a chatroom.

Informing Honest Merchant, he set up a chatroom in private.

『Inviting ‘Honest Merchant’.』

“…”

After creating the room and sending the invitation, only after about five minutes,

『’Honest Merchant’ has entered.』
『3,000 points have been received.』

Honest Merchant entered the chatroom.

The feather mask looked especially pale today.

“Are you suffering from gout or something? From your way of speaking, I thought you’d be quite young, but it seems I was mistaken.”

Jaehyuk taunted the trembling merchant.

“If one doesn’t manage their diet well, anyone can get gout in their 20s.”

Struggling to reply, the merchant sat facing Jaehyuk.

“What a nerve to charge an entrance fee.”

Blake Bausus.

The real name of Honest Merchant.

An S-rank player of American nationality who had attacked numerous high-grade gates for the first time and unearthed countless relics, accumulating immense wealth and fame.

In the community, he acted lightly, but in reality, he was a magnate capable of imposing his will.

This was the first time he had ever pleaded fervently and paid money to meet someone.

“I’ve usually been on the receiving end.”

Jaehyuk, who observed him trying hard to manage his expression, leaned deeply into the sofa.

“Are you playing at being a merchant only within the community?”

“Pardon?”

“Your sense of pride doesn’t seem very merchant-like.”

“Haha… That’s a misunderstanding. I was just a bit flustered.”

“There are lines of people willing to pay billions for a meal with me.”

Within the community, Jaehyuk had to play the role of a transcendent being.

His gaze, expression, gestures, attitude, and manner of speaking—all of it drew on observing his father during his prime.

The impact was substantial.

Jaehyuk’s voice reverberated like it was echoing from a cavern, strongly pressing on Honest Merchant.

“And yet, you seem to begrudge a mere three thousand points. Unable to appreciate the value of my time shows that the value of the goods you sell must be just as trivial, hence there’s no need for a deal.”

“My apologies. I failed to respect you properly and was discourteous.”

Sharp with realization, honest Merchant respectfully bowed his head.

“Perhaps, due to the anonymity, I unconsciously doubted you. Please grant me just one more chance.”

There are indeed people who pay billions for a chance to dine with someone.

In a world of people beyond common comprehension, honest Merchant was keenly aware.

“Nevertheless, I was stingy over just an entrance fee.”

Honestly speaking.

For Honest Merchant, community activities had seemed halfway like a joke.

He mocked and dismissed those who acted grand standing under the guise of anonymity.

The ill effects of that led to a misstep.

Even though the man before him might very well be someone he desperately sought, he doubted and disrespectfully undermined him unconsciously.

He regained composure, determination lighting up his eyes.

“First… as an apology, I’d like to present a gift to you. Please accept it, and it would make me very pleased.”

Chwarleureuk!

Honest Merchant displayed five items on the table.

They were armor pieces of the same type but each had a different curse.

His intention was to gauge what Jaehyuk might find undesirable or preferred to sense which curses they might favor or avoid.

Turning the crisis into an opportunity was the plan.

Their intention clear to Jaehyuk, leaving him rather satisfied.

“Fortunately, you’re not a fool.”

Now, what tune should I dance to?

Reviewing the detailed info of the magnificent items, Jaehyuk reached out his hand before long.

At that moment.

“What’s this?”

Honest Merchant’s eyes widened in astonishment.