Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

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Chapter 29: The Factor of Victory Was Determination and Experience

The sense most favored by creatures, without a doubt, is instinct. They eat, sleep, and act based on this instinct. And among these, the strongest is undoubtedly the desire to survive.

In the training arena, a protective barrier against fatal injuries was erected. It was never strange if a fight between awakened superhumans using mana led to death. This was the issue with the fights of students, who lacked control over their strength and emotions. This is precisely why astronomical sums of money were spent to set up such barriers, at least locally.

Darius was well aware of this. Nonetheless, both participants swung their strikes with the intent to genuinely kill each other.

However, the difference was that compared to Darius, Yeon-woo was accustomed to standing at the brink of death. Acknowledging that he wouldn’t actually die because of the barrier, he prepared for a mutual destruction move, while Darius likely did not share that awareness.

It was always the opponent who fled in the face of death, not Darius himself. Therefore, by limiting mobility and eliminating advantages, they created an identical scenario where they would both die.

In the face of the fear of death, Darius forgot the existence of the barrier and chose to faint instead of surrender.

It was quite a crude and rough victory, but Yoo Ha-yeon did not intervene. From the beginning, there was no reason for her to intervene.

The reason she stepped in during Park Seong-in’s fight was solely due to the reckless gamble he took, thinking it would cost him his future, not because Park was in imminent danger of death.

The barrier against fatal injuries merely prevents death; it does not heal all the injuries sustained in the duel.

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

“Ahh!! Of course it hurts!!”

Yoon Ha-yeon poked the body of Choi Yeon-woo, who lay in the infirmary looking like a literal mummy, with a baffled expression.

“Who told you to do such a crazy thing? Since there’s nothing against the regulations, I can’t scold you. Why go that far in a duel?”

“Master told me to win!”

Though he didn’t say it directly, it was practically a blatant directive to win. It was likely that even if he lost, there would not be any major consequences, but he didn’t want to face the arduous morning training getting even tougher.

What? Training time gets copied??

Just the thought of it made his whole body shiver.

“…That old man too. Well, whatever. I have nothing to say since that’s just how master-disciple relationships are. I have plenty to say, but I’ll hold it in for now; there will be chances to talk soon.”

“Did you get caught again?”

“Did you expect to cast magic without being noticed in front of the professors? I’m off. Take care of your health.”

It seemed that the barrier, disguised as a self-defense technique, was exposed, which was quite natural. There were many mages among those watching.

In fact, it wasn’t the first time he used it, so he wasn’t too resentful. In some ways, it was something that needed to be wrapped up before Shar hatches. But the fact that he didn’t pry into others’ secrets showed he was a surprisingly considerate teacher.

[Well, I’ve treated you to some extent. Other than your side, it seems there won’t be any scars.]

‘You’ve worked hard, Shar.’

Meanwhile, Shar, who had been silently focused on the treatment, returned.

Dad feels sorry for Shar all the time…

Especially when he can’t really do anything for her, but receives something instead, that feeling grows even stronger. Since she hasn’t even hatched yet, it feels awkward to gift her something, and Yeon-woo, bound to the academy, found it hard to even take her out for a walk.

Of course, as promised to Alkeinea, he had plans to take her around here and there, but that wouldn’t be possible until summer vacation.

[Do you feel that sorry for me?]

As if reading Yeon-woo’s expression, Shar asked with a voice full of laughter. Yeon-woo nodded honestly.

He hadn’t done anything for her at all. His dad who only made her worry…

[Then let’s have chicken for dinner!]

‘Will that be enough?’

[Of course. With chicken, how can it not be enough?]

The texture and taste might feel shared, but the actual experience of eating would be less vivid.

She probably thought that she wanted to eat chicken and was trying to lighten her apology with a light suggestion, but it was out of the question. He had noted it all down in his mental notebook.

I, Choi Yeon-woo, am the type who never forgets a favor.

While exchanging such lighthearted banter with Shar, the partition next to them opened dramatically with a swish. Startled, he turned to look and saw Namgung Seong standing there, with bandages crossing his face like someone who had lost an eye.

“What the hell kind of ruckus did you cause for that cold Ha-yeon to say something like that?”

“That’s what I wanted to say! Why do you have your bandages on like that? I heard you didn’t have any serious injuries other than being a bit swollen.”

“Doesn’t it look cool? Honestly, I’ve wanted to awaken my mana since I was a kid.”

“With your current mana, shouldn’t you be satisfied?”

“If you’re saying that as a joke, can I hit you once?”

“I clearly saw you laughing! No way!”

Seeing that he couldn’t manage his expressions, what was he going to do? When Yeon-woo teased him, Namgung Seong chuckled, finally releasing the bandages he had kept covered over his eyes.

Other than some swelling, there were no issues at all. The recovery was faster than expected, but hunters, especially in martial arts, tend to bounce back like this, which isn’t surprising. It was all part of their internal energy abilities.

But still, wouldn’t the health teacher scold them for using supplies like that? Though it seemed that he wouldn’t care even if he got in trouble. He must have paid enough to build a whole dormitory.

[Dad, you really looked like you were fifteen just now.]

It’s said that the mind follows the body, and as he got closer to the body of a fifteen-year-old, perhaps his mind had become fifteen as well.

You came to save my youth!

[More like an immature kid than a youth, though.]

No, I’m also caught now.

Damn it. I need to go back to being the heavy Choi Yeon-woo. I never knew balancing between twenty-five and fifteen would be this hard. Especially with Namgung Seong; this guy threw out a bunch of dad jokes because we became a bit closer, which made it worse.

“Hmm…”

Suddenly stopping his laughter, Namgung Seong scrutinized Yeon-woo from head to toe. What’s with this guy? He didn’t have any weird vibes earlier.

“It seems our friendship ends here, Namgung Seong.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Did you eat something weird?”

“Even though I’m handsome, I didn’t expect you to include men in your preferences… I respect your taste, but I’ll pass.”

“What the hell? With a face looking like a squid, what are you b——? The real handsome one is me! With this sleek face, I’ve even been cast on the streets!”

“Was it for a dakdoritang commercial or something?”

“Now that’s just a low blow! Anyway, that’s not it. Here you go, take this.”

A low blow? Could there be a chicken man among his direct family? I’ll have to be careful from now on. I might not even be able to eat samgyeopsal in front of Namgung Seong.

Thinking this, Yeon-woo accepted the round pink plastic container thrown by Namgung Seong. What is this? What are these characters? Namgung… pharmaceutical… huh?

“This is from Namgung’s Golden Healing Medicine. From the looks of it, you seem to be cut up a lot, so I’ll give you one. Honestly, I came prepared to spar with Albert, but it turned out to be Kim Yoo-min.”

“No way…? Hyung-nim…?”

“Dude, I had dinner with the owner of Namgung Pharmaceutical so it’s only natural.”

Well, he is your dad, so of course, you would have. Rather than voicing that thought, Yeon-woo knelt.

“This junior kneels…”

Namgung Pharmacy’s Golden Healing Medicine. Especially effective for injuries. Price? Expensive. Incredibly expensive.

Yeon-woo supported the golden medicine with both hands, thinking.

Namgung Pharmacy is unbeatable. Namgung Seong is a god.

*

“…What are you doing?”

What came into Baek In-hwa’s view as she opened the infirmary door was Choi Yeon-woo kneeling with Namgung’s golden healing medicine in hand, with Namgung Seong standing before him, grinning.

One had bandages all over, while the other had such minor injuries he didn’t even need them. Even Baek In-hwa, lacking common sense, knew how absurd it was to make an injured person kneel.

Glaring at Namgung Seong, unable to contain the contempt that surged up, Yeon-woo sprang up to block the line of sight.

“Stop the hostility! As of today, I am Namgung Seong, and Namgung Seong is me!”

“……? Are you crazy?”

“Uh, um…. Just kidding, of course. But what brings such a noble person to this humble place…?”

With a gaze that seemed ready to tear him apart, Yeon-woo stepped aside before Namgung Seong. Behind Baek In-hwa, he spotted Na Yang-ho, who looked like she had been hurt and was misty-eyed. Oops.

“Humble…?”

“Oh, oh, Yang-ho-sensei. It was just a joke. So, Baek-sor, what brings you to find this lowly one…?”

“Let’s talk outside. You’re heading to the dormitory, right?”

“Well, that’s the plan.”

“My apologies, Doctor.”

Na Yang-ho was startled by Baek In-hwa’s formal greeting but smiled brightly and waved. What a kind person. Even after all the ruckus Namgung Seong caused, she could still smile.

“What, what’s with those bandages! You used an entire roll…! Who did this!?”

As they exited the infirmary and walked down the hallway, such a screaming voice rang out from behind. Yeon-woo stared at Namgung Seong. The airhead started walking quickly, with a very serious face.

“So what’s the story? Can I listen too?”

“……”

“……Why are you looking at me? Am I supposed to decide? Uh… well, if you want to listen, then listen.”

“Very well.”

Although it seemed Baek In-hwa cast a piercing glare at Yeon-woo, he didn’t care. If that’s the case, she could just tell him directly to back off.

Instead, he understood that it was an implication to refuse, but as long as he kept acting as an interpreter indefinitely, Baek In-hwa’s social interactions wouldn’t improve. This was his way of trying. Hopefully, by doing this, she would eventually speak up on her own.

Even without stepping outside the academy, there were simple facilities like convenience stores or cafes and restaurants within the academy grounds. Especially places like convenience stores or cafes were available on the first floor of all dormitories.

The two seemed to suggest going to the café in the Normal Class Dormitory, as if considering Yeon-woo. To be honest, while they were at it, they might just want to check out the Normal Class too.

Yeon-woo clicked his tongue inwardly. This is what happens with friends born with a silver spoon. Well, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look around. It didn’t matter since as long as he was an academy student, he could use any dormitory’s facilities on the first floor, so Yeon-woo could head to the upper-class dormitory café if he needed, but he just didn’t feel like going.

“It’s cleaner than I thought, huh?”

“Hey, that’s a normal-class phobia.”

Would the café inside even be dirty? Yeon-woo thought this as he approached the staff.

“What do you want to drink?”

“A drink suitable for birds of prey. That would be an iced Americano.”

“Hot chocolate.”

Both of them seemed like they didn’t match the image at all…

“One hot chocolate and two iced Americanos, please.”

Naturally, Yeon-woo swiped his student ID without thinking. Oops, whatever. It’s not that expensive.

After receiving the alarm, he sat down. He turned his gaze from the annoyingly smiling Namgung Seong, who didn’t seem likely to chip in, to Baek In-hwa. Surely, having received the famous pharmaceutical company’s medicine, she could at least buy an iced Americano, right? Besides, he had received much from Baek In-hwa too.

“……What’s the problem? Is it upsetting that Ice Palace is drinking hot chocolate?”

“No, what are you talking about…?”

Why are these kids this uptight? It’s hard for me, man.

Ah. As if letting out a dying breath, Baek In-hwa rolled her eyes. She seemed embarrassed. Yeon-woo couldn’t help but smile slyly inside.

Oh dear, even now, without any change in expression, I can tell exactly what she’s thinking.

[Dad, what are you doing right now? Dad, what are you doing right now? Dad, what are you doing right now? ….]

‘My Shar, do you get scared whenever I’m with a girl? It’s just a friend, just a friend.’

[Aah, just a friend~ Well, then that’s understandable~ Yes~]

I hurriedly comforted Shar faster than anyone else. Maybe now I look a bit like a dad.

As if she had contemplated for a long time, Baek In-hwa finally opened her mouth.

“You…”

“Hot chocolate for one, iced Americanos for two, customer~”

“Wait a minute.”

“…….”

After taking a sip of each of their drinks through straws, Baek In-hwa spoke again.

“Why do you fight like that?”

“……Oh my!”

When was the last time someone threw a curveball like this at him?

*

Darius Blackraven opened his eyes.

It was a familiar ceiling. Gold Class, his room.

Then he realized.

The thing wrapping around his body, feeling as if he were stuck in a swamp, was the feeling of defeat.

The Blackraven clan, who should have been closest to death above anyone else, crumbled in front of it.

(To be continued in the next chapter)