As we traverse the polished hallways of Chae Hospital, a peculiar realization dawns on me – the stark scarcity of patients. It's as if the rooms echo with emptiness, giving the impression that the facility isn't teeming with occupants. This hospital, an exclusive domain of the Chae Clan, exudes an air of privilege reserved for a select few, perhaps even undisclosed VIPs.
The opulence of the Chae Clan becomes evident in the subdued ambiance of the hospital. I can't help but wonder about the vast wealth that must sustain such an establishment. There's an unspoken understanding that this is a realm reserved for those with a surname as illustrious as Chae. It occurs to me that if only they directed some of their riches towards our cause, it could yield tremendous benefits.
Yet, my musings are tempered by a somber reality. Despite the potential advantages of a powerful ally like the Chae Clan, I can't ignore the fact that Chae Nayun is just one person. The weight of her surname has undoubtedly shielded her from the consequences of her actions, riding the Chae name like a formidable shield over the past year.
A nagging thought creeps in – how much discontent must be simmering among her relatives? If not for her influential old man, would they be so accommodating?
I stroll beside Rachel, the tension in the air palpable. My nerves twinge as I muster the courage to address the burning question.
"Uummm…," I start hesitantly, glancing at Rachel, who walks beside me. "Just a quick ask?"
She turns her head slightly, her gaze meeting mine. "What is it?"
I swallow hard, my throat feeling dry. "Is the old man still angry with me?"
Rachel doesn't respond immediately, a subtle hesitation in her expression. Instead, she gestures ahead with a nod. "See for yourself."
Dread settles in the pit of my stomach as I follow her gaze, my eyes fixing on the figure in the distance. The old man stands there, his posture rigid, facing away from us.
As we approach, my attention is drawn to the commanding figure standing before us. Chae Joochul, the Immortal whose very presence exudes an aura of authority, stands tall with his distinctive silver hair, impeccably groomed, shimmering under the ambient light. His choice of attire, a brown suit exuding elegance, adds to the air of sophistication, while a wooden cane, an emblem of his status, rests firmly in his grasp.
His gaze, a piercing scrutiny, sweeps over us, but it's unmistakable—his focus lands on me with a discerning intensity. The weight of his stare feels almost palpable, carrying the weight of wisdom and experience accumulated over centuries. As the head of the esteemed Chae Clan, one of the revered Nine Stars, and a Hero from the inaugural generation of Outcall's existence, his very presence demands reverence and respect.
Despite the magnitude of his accomplishments and the reverence accorded to him, I can't muster any anticipation for this reunion. There's an undeniable apprehension gnawing at me, knowing that Chae Joochul's discerning gaze isn't just a cursory inspection. It's a scrutiny that delves deeper, probing beyond the surface.
"Hey there, old sir," I greet with a forced grin, attempting to mask the unease beneath the surface. "I came to visit your granddaughter… and see how is your grandson?"
Chae Joochul, the venerable figure before me, responds with an unsettling silence. In the blink of an eye, he vanishes, leaving me momentarily disoriented. Indignation flares within me – disappearing acts are my specialty. However, a gut feeling warns me that this is no ordinary encounter. Reacting swiftly, I duck down low, and a fleeting breeze whispers past the back of my head.
"You are not welcome here," Chae Joochul declares with an air of authority that sends a shiver down my spine. His command over the five elements is evident, and his mastery extends beyond the capabilities of most Elemental Casters. What makes it more unnerving is his ability to manipulate these forces with a mere thought. And then, with an ominous summoning, an orb of red, pulsating with pure heat, materializes at the tip of his cane.
As the dangerous energy emanates from the orb, I calculate the trajectory with lightning speed. Within a microsecond, I activate my countermeasures. "Chill, you old fart," I retort, attempting to inject a semblance of nonchalance into my voice. A red laser pierces through the space I occupied, hitting nothing but my afterimage. The crimson beam collides with the wall, strangely leaving it unaffected.
Seizing the opportunity, I teleport behind Rachel in an instant, my survival instincts kicking in. "Rachel, save me!" I exclaim, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her towards me, using her as an impromptu human shield against the impending threat.
Rachel's exasperated sigh hangs in the tense air. "Teacher, please let him go in the meantime. I cannot let you kill him. And Hyon, this is very ungentleman-like…"
I'm caught off guard, my attention snapping back to the unfolding confrontation. "What did you just call the old coot? Teacher?"
Rachel, standing her ground, nods solemnly. "Yeah, I did. Nayun helped me broker a deal with her grandfather, and he taught me a few things. My constitution seems to be nearly the same as his…"
A sudden revelation strikes me like a bolt of lightning. As I recall the encounters between Rachel and Chae Joochul in the novel, a memory resurfaces – the old man exuding an aura of 'disappointment' upon seeing Rachel. The pieces click into place. Perhaps it's because, much like the venerable Chae Joochul, Rachel is exceptionally attuned to the elements. The realization dawns on me – isn't it a bit of a waste for Rachel to confine herself to being just a Swordswoman or an Elementalist?
While contemplating this, a mental voice interrupts my thoughts. The Witch King, the entity residing in my head, chimes in. "Hey, you are barking up the wrong tree…" it remarks, a touch of complaint evident in its tone. "You've got an Assassin build, but you're into science stuff to an exaggerated degree."
That’s unfair, Witch King…
"I cannot let him go," Chae Joochul declares, his demeanor unyielding and emotionless, as if he exists in a perpetual state of detachment. "In fact, this will be my only chance. This man is a very slippery eel."
I curse under my breath, sensing the impending danger. "Ah, fuck," I mutter as I detect a disturbance in magical power. In the blink of an eye, the old man vanishes once again, attempting to employ the same elusive trick. "You showed me the same trick once already, and it didn’t work!"
Chae Joochul reappears behind me, and I react instinctively, mythril daggers poised in both hands. As his cane swings down, I intercept the attack, crossing my daggers to withstand the unbelievable strength behind the blow. I can feel the weight of his cane and the formidable magic power that accompanies it.
"That’s fancy," I remark, taken aback by the unexpected strength in Chae Joochul's swing. "But what do you think about this?" In a split second, I cast , forcibly altering the trajectory of the old bastard’s attack to the side. Simultaneously, I initiate , teleporting to his rear with calculated precision. Seizing the moment, I deliver the Coup de Grâce, aiming to turn the tide against him.
"The arrogance..." Chae Joochul mutters with a disapproving gaze, eyeing me as though I'm mere prey. An ominous chill envelopes my legs as I realize he has iced me. "You should respect your elders." His cane swings at me again, this time infused with a combination of fire, wind, and earth elements.
"Yo! That's scary!" I exclaim, barely evading the onslaught as the old man's attack meets my afterimage, dissipating into a mirage. In a swift retreat, I find refuge behind Rachel, literally half-hugging her. "Help me, Rachel! That old man is mentally ill!"
I can't help but feel a sense of absurdity in my plea, a strange juxtaposition of desperation and humor. "I swear I don't want a fight! But if push comes to shove..." I pause, a spark of anger mingling with annoyance. "Help me, Rachel! I might just kill that old man!"
The situation takes on a surreal quality as I cling to the hope that Rachel can diffuse the tension and prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
"I am not mentally ill, but just emotionally impaired. That means I will not feel anything if I kill you," Chae Joochul coldly declares, summoning an intense orb of fire in his palm that seems to quake with the sheer power it contains. The atmosphere becomes charged with tension as the weight of his words hangs in the air. "You are a cancer, Sloth."
The use of my codename sends an ominous shiver down my spine. Chae Joochul's assessment is chilling, and the volatile energy he commands threatens to tip the scales into dangerous territory.
Rachel, caught in the crossfire, pleads with the old man. "Teacher, don’t do this." Frost begins to envelop her, an aura of icy resolve. The dangerous pulsating of the elements accompanies every breath she takes. "Don’t force my hand." Her blue eyes, reflecting the color of the Elementals she wields, reveal a conflict beneath the surface.
"Hyon Hyung, for crimes against humanity, intervening in the war against the Djinn kind, sheltering the Djinns we almost have completely defeated, and for your insubordination," Chae Joochul proclaims, his voice resonating with potent magic power. The fire in his hand transforms into an intense blue, verging on white, a manifestation of the overwhelming force he commands. The weight of his words carries a sentence heavy with consequence: "I shall sentence you to death."
Announcement My bad! I am going to change the schedule update, it seems I'll need more leeway. Double updates every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
As we traverse the polished hallways of Chae Hospital, a peculiar realization dawns on me – the stark scarcity of patients. It's as if the rooms echo with emptiness, giving the impression that the facility isn't teeming with occupants. This hospital, an exclusive domain of the Chae Clan, exudes an air of privilege reserved for a select few, perhaps even undisclosed VIPs.
The opulence of the Chae Clan becomes evident in the subdued ambiance of the hospital. I can't help but wonder about the vast wealth that must sustain such an establishment. There's an unspoken understanding that this is a realm reserved for those with a surname as illustrious as Chae. It occurs to me that if only they directed some of their riches towards our cause, it could yield tremendous benefits.
Yet, my musings are tempered by a somber reality. Despite the potential advantages of a powerful ally like the Chae Clan, I can't ignore the fact that Chae Nayun is just one person. The weight of her surname has undoubtedly shielded her from the consequences of her actions, riding the Chae name like a formidable shield over the past year.
A nagging thought creeps in – how much discontent must be simmering among her relatives? If not for her influential old man, would they be so accommodating?
I stroll beside Rachel, the tension in the air palpable. My nerves twinge as I muster the courage to address the burning question.
"Uummm…," I start hesitantly, glancing at Rachel, who walks beside me. "Just a quick ask?"
She turns her head slightly, her gaze meeting mine. "What is it?"
I swallow hard, my throat feeling dry. "Is the old man still angry with me?"
Rachel doesn't respond immediately, a subtle hesitation in her expression. Instead, she gestures ahead with a nod. "See for yourself."
Dread settles in the pit of my stomach as I follow her gaze, my eyes fixing on the figure in the distance. The old man stands there, his posture rigid, facing away from us.
As we approach, my attention is drawn to the commanding figure standing before us. Chae Joochul, the Immortal whose very presence exudes an aura of authority, stands tall with his distinctive silver hair, impeccably groomed, shimmering under the ambient light. His choice of attire, a brown suit exuding elegance, adds to the air of sophistication, while a wooden cane, an emblem of his status, rests firmly in his grasp.
His gaze, a piercing scrutiny, sweeps over us, but it's unmistakable—his focus lands on me with a discerning intensity. The weight of his stare feels almost palpable, carrying the weight of wisdom and experience accumulated over centuries. As the head of the esteemed Chae Clan, one of the revered Nine Stars, and a Hero from the inaugural generation of Outcall's existence, his very presence demands reverence and respect.
Despite the magnitude of his accomplishments and the reverence accorded to him, I can't muster any anticipation for this reunion. There's an undeniable apprehension gnawing at me, knowing that Chae Joochul's discerning gaze isn't just a cursory inspection. It's a scrutiny that delves deeper, probing beyond the surface.
"Hey there, old sir," I greet with a forced grin, attempting to mask the unease beneath the surface. "I came to visit your granddaughter… and see how is your grandson?"
Chae Joochul, the venerable figure before me, responds with an unsettling silence. In the blink of an eye, he vanishes, leaving me momentarily disoriented. Indignation flares within me – disappearing acts are my specialty. However, a gut feeling warns me that this is no ordinary encounter. Reacting swiftly, I duck down low, and a fleeting breeze whispers past the back of my head.
"You are not welcome here," Chae Joochul declares with an air of authority that sends a shiver down my spine. His command over the five elements is evident, and his mastery extends beyond the capabilities of most Elemental Casters. What makes it more unnerving is his ability to manipulate these forces with a mere thought. And then, with an ominous summoning, an orb of red, pulsating with pure heat, materializes at the tip of his cane.
As the dangerous energy emanates from the orb, I calculate the trajectory with lightning speed. Within a microsecond, I activate my countermeasures. "Chill, you old fart," I retort, attempting to inject a semblance of nonchalance into my voice. A red laser pierces through the space I occupied, hitting nothing but my afterimage. The crimson beam collides with the wall, strangely leaving it unaffected.
Seizing the opportunity, I teleport behind Rachel in an instant, my survival instincts kicking in. "Rachel, save me!" I exclaim, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her towards me, using her as an impromptu human shield against the impending threat.
Rachel's exasperated sigh hangs in the tense air. "Teacher, please let him go in the meantime. I cannot let you kill him. And Hyon, this is very ungentleman-like…"
I'm caught off guard, my attention snapping back to the unfolding confrontation. "What did you just call the old coot? Teacher?"
Rachel, standing her ground, nods solemnly. "Yeah, I did. Nayun helped me broker a deal with her grandfather, and he taught me a few things. My constitution seems to be nearly the same as his…"
A sudden revelation strikes me like a bolt of lightning. As I recall the encounters between Rachel and Chae Joochul in the novel, a memory resurfaces – the old man exuding an aura of 'disappointment' upon seeing Rachel. The pieces click into place. Perhaps it's because, much like the venerable Chae Joochul, Rachel is exceptionally attuned to the elements. The realization dawns on me – isn't it a bit of a waste for Rachel to confine herself to being just a Swordswoman or an Elementalist?
While contemplating this, a mental voice interrupts my thoughts. The Witch King, the entity residing in my head, chimes in. "Hey, you are barking up the wrong tree…" it remarks, a touch of complaint evident in its tone. "You've got an Assassin build, but you're into science stuff to an exaggerated degree."
That’s unfair, Witch King…
"I cannot let him go," Chae Joochul declares, his demeanor unyielding and emotionless, as if he exists in a perpetual state of detachment. "In fact, this will be my only chance. This man is a very slippery eel."
I curse under my breath, sensing the impending danger. "Ah, fuck," I mutter as I detect a disturbance in magical power. In the blink of an eye, the old man vanishes once again, attempting to employ the same elusive trick. "You showed me the same trick once already, and it didn’t work!"
Chae Joochul reappears behind me, and I react instinctively, mythril daggers poised in both hands. As his cane swings down, I intercept the attack, crossing my daggers to withstand the unbelievable strength behind the blow. I can feel the weight of his cane and the formidable magic power that accompanies it.
"That’s fancy," I remark, taken aback by the unexpected strength in Chae Joochul's swing. "But what do you think about this?" In a split second, I cast , forcibly altering the trajectory of the old bastard’s attack to the side. Simultaneously, I initiate , teleporting to his rear with calculated precision. Seizing the moment, I deliver the Coup de Grâce, aiming to turn the tide against him.
"The arrogance..." Chae Joochul mutters with a disapproving gaze, eyeing me as though I'm mere prey. An ominous chill envelopes my legs as I realize he has iced me. "You should respect your elders." His cane swings at me again, this time infused with a combination of fire, wind, and earth elements.
"Yo! That's scary!" I exclaim, barely evading the onslaught as the old man's attack meets my afterimage, dissipating into a mirage. In a swift retreat, I find refuge behind Rachel, literally half-hugging her. "Help me, Rachel! That old man is mentally ill!"
I can't help but feel a sense of absurdity in my plea, a strange juxtaposition of desperation and humor. "I swear I don't want a fight! But if push comes to shove..." I pause, a spark of anger mingling with annoyance. "Help me, Rachel! I might just kill that old man!"
The situation takes on a surreal quality as I cling to the hope that Rachel can diffuse the tension and prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
"I am not mentally ill, but just emotionally impaired. That means I will not feel anything if I kill you," Chae Joochul coldly declares, summoning an intense orb of fire in his palm that seems to quake with the sheer power it contains. The atmosphere becomes charged with tension as the weight of his words hangs in the air. "You are a cancer, Sloth."
The use of my codename sends an ominous shiver down my spine. Chae Joochul's assessment is chilling, and the volatile energy he commands threatens to tip the scales into dangerous territory.
Rachel, caught in the crossfire, pleads with the old man. "Teacher, don’t do this." Frost begins to envelop her, an aura of icy resolve. The dangerous pulsating of the elements accompanies every breath she takes. "Don’t force my hand." Her blue eyes, reflecting the color of the Elementals she wields, reveal a conflict beneath the surface.
"Hyon Hyung, for crimes against humanity, intervening in the war against the Djinn kind, sheltering the Djinns we almost have completely defeated, and for your insubordination," Chae Joochul proclaims, his voice resonating with potent magic power. The fire in his hand transforms into an intense blue, verging on white, a manifestation of the overwhelming force he commands. The weight of his words carries a sentence heavy with consequence: "I shall sentence you to death."
Announcement My bad! I am going to change the schedule update, it seems I'll need more leeway. Double updates every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.