Round 279

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Boom!!  

An explosion occurred, and someone was flung out through the dust cloud.  

The figure was Kyler.  

He was trying to resolve his grudges but seemed to be having a harder time than expected.  

“Chase him!”  

“Catch him!”  

Kyler quickly lost those pursuing him and disappeared.  

However, his expression was grim.  

‘In the end, is it impossible?’  

He wanted to resolve things peacefully if possible.  

But some grudges had already grown too deep.  

Now, it seemed that the only way to resolve them was for someone to be erased from this world.  

In the past, he would have sacrificed himself without hesitation.  

But now, Kyler had a desire.  

‘I can be with Emily.’  

Emily had recovered.  

He wanted to enjoy a happy and peaceful life with his daughter.  

Of course, it was a dream-like wish.  

There were many powerful people targeting him.  

Some of them could even be called allies, but in this world, alliances were meaningless.  

The only person he could trust was Nathan.  

He couldn’t be grateful enough for Nathan being the Director of Intelligence.  

“…I want to live alone with Emily in a place where no one knows us.”  

Naturally, such a place did not exist.  

There was no country beyond their reach, and unless they hid deep in an African jungle, they would inevitably be found.  

Even dungeons were being discovered by Awakeners in this era.  

There was no paradise on earth for him and Emily.  

…Or so he thought.  

After barely returning to his hideout, he received a message stating that Kyu-seong wanted to meet him.  

He already owed Kyu-seong an immeasurable favor.  

He was surprised by the effects of the food he had fed Emily to awaken her.  

He had thought it was just one of the many crops Kyu-seong had, but it turned out to be far from ordinary.  

A crop that could forcibly raise the awakening rank.  

It was practically an item worth billions that was incredibly difficult to obtain.  

And yet, Kyu-seong had fed it to Emily every day for nearly a week…  

After arranging a time and place secretly, Kyler finally met Kyu-seong.  

“Are you injured?”  

Ara tilted her head as she looked at the disguised Kyler.  

Despite his efforts to hide it, Ara instantly noticed, and Kyler nodded bitterly.  

“You shouldn’t get hurt. Emily would be worried.”  

“Uh, yeah.”  

At that moment, Cheong looked worriedly and shook Kyu-seong’s arm.  

“Give him strawberries. That will make him better, right?”  

“Ah, should I?”  

Kyu-seong immediately took out strawberries from Bokkeum.  

When Kyler saw the strawberries, he realized that they were the crops that had healed Emily.  

“Try these. You’ll feel completely better.”  

“…Are you really just giving this to me?”  

“Ah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”  

Kyu-seong smiled as if it was nothing to worry about.  

Seeing that, Kyler once again felt a fresh emotion and accepted the strawberries Kyu-seong offered.  

‘Amazing.’  

Seeing it up close, the effects were even more astonishing.  

He was speechless at Kyu-seong’s ability to produce such a thing himself.  

“Is this something you can make freely?”  

“No! Even I can’t mass-produce something like this. You only get it when you’re lucky.”  

That made sense.  

If such items could be mass-produced, the world would already be in Kyu-seong’s hands.  

‘Even now, it seems like he could achieve it if he wanted.’  

Kyu-seong, who had the Seven Deadly Sins with him.  

And he could even produce consumable items like these.  

It was fortunate for the world that Kyu-seong had a kind nature.  

The funny thing was that despite being who he was, not many knew his true nature.  

“May I eat this?”  

“Yes, please.”  

Kyler popped a strawberry into his mouth.  

He didn’t bother to let the juice spill and emit an aroma, knowing it wouldn’t do any good.  

“Ahh!”  

“That’s not how you’re supposed to eat it…”  

Ara and Cheong looked disappointed.  

Soon, Kyler regretted it too.  

Gulp!  

The strawberry juice slid down his throat.  

Suddenly, he saw strawberries dancing before his eyes.  

‘Keugh…’  

A shocking explosion of flavor.  

It felt as if his head was bursting from the bombardment of strawberries. 

For Kyler, who had only been concerned about the effects, the unexpected intensity was shocking.

After savoring the swallowed strawberry in a daze for a while, he snapped back to his senses.

“Ah, ahem!”

It was a little disappointing.

Since he had eaten it in one bite, he felt as if he couldn’t fully enjoy the taste of the strawberry.

“How do you feel now?”

“Ah, I think I’ve recovered. It feels like a waste to use something this valuable on such minor wounds, though…”

“It’s fine. For you, Kyler, it’s no big deal.”

Having been too engrossed in the taste and aroma, he momentarily forgot about its efficacy.

After Emily had been healed, Kyler had engaged in fierce battles in a short period.

He could feel that all the injuries he had sustained during that time were completely healed.

Even for someone like him, with adaptability abilities, these were wounds that could have left lasting aftereffects, yet they were healed instantly.

Once again, he realized the extraordinary power Kyu-seong possessed.

“Well, let’s get to the main point now.”

“Yes, please go ahead, Mr. Kyu-seong.”

Kyler was willing to grant any request Kyu-seong might have.

He was even prepared to give up his life if asked.

“Kyler, from what I’ve heard from Nathan, you’re in a bit of a difficult situation.”

“That’s correct.”

Kyler quietly nodded in affirmation.

Seeing him like that, Kyu-seong cautiously asked.

“Just maybe, this is just a thought…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“If I say you can come live with Emily in my dungeon, would you consider moving?”

“?!!”

Kyler’s eyes widened at Kyu-seong’s unexpected proposal.

Kyu-seong’s dungeon.

There truly didn’t seem to be a safer place than that.

First of all, even in Korea, Kyu-seong was treated as a VIP.

The government provided various privileges and protection, ensuring not to inconvenience him.

Moreover, it was practically the safest place one could find.

This was Kyu-seong, who commanded the Seven Deadly Sins.

Even if someone attempted to infiltrate the dungeon, they would likely be wiped out instead.

Additionally, there was one more fact that Kyler didn’t know.

The dungeon of Gluttony could only be entered with the permission of Kyu-seong or Ara.

Therefore, it was inevitably the safest place.

“I, I…”

Since it was such a sudden proposal, Kyler’s mind became cluttered.

“I’ve made a lot of enemies. With my headstrong nature, I’ve caused quite a few problems.”

“I’m aware.”

“Taking me in means that those grudges could also bring harm to you, Mr. Kyu-seong.”

“Hmm, that’s why I’m saying this. If you decide to move in, I’d like you to go outside as little as possible.”

“Of course.”

Since he hadn’t yet visited Kyu-seong’s dungeon, he couldn’t fully grasp what it might feel like.

However, it was clear that it could be the safest place available at present.

“I will be in your care, Mr. Kyu-seong.”

“Likewise, I look forward to it. We’re going to be neighbors now.”

Technically, he would be living as a guest.

After concluding their discussion, Kyler immediately began to make arrangements.

He erased all traces of his previous life.

Tidied up various matters.

And so, the promised time arrived, and the day came for him to head to Korea.

“Phew.”

Emily had already arrived in Korea.

She was eagerly sightseeing under the protection of Kyu-seong’s group and Ara Hongryeon, as if to make up for all the time she had been unwell.

“To think she’s a Sword Master, and even an 8th-level awakened.”

He never imagined that his daughter would display such remarkable talent as an Awakener.

Since he only remembered her always being sick, it felt like an unexpected twist.

According to Nathan’s examination, Emily was not only an outstanding awakened but also had unique genes.

It was concluded that Kyler’s own adaptability ability had partially influenced Emily.

“Kya-haha!”

“Ara! Come here! How do I look in this hat?”

The children were having fun at an amusement park.

Kyler, who had arrived in Korea, quietly observed them from a distance, disguised as usual.

“Huh?”

At that moment.

Once again, Emily sensed Kyler’s presence and turned her gaze toward him.

Despite his disguise, Kyler raised his hand slightly and waved.

“Hehe.”

Emily waved back.

Even from nearly 3 kilometers away, she was able to detect him.

‘She’s amazing, even if she’s my daughter.’

After watching the children play all day, they finally headed toward Kyu-seong’s dungeon.

“Gulp.”

A moment of tension.

Kyler, who had been waiting in front of the dungeon, finally met up with the group.  

“Kyler!”  

Ara greeted him warmly.  

While Kyler nodded in response, Emily tilted her head and spoke.  

“He’s the man I saw before. Dad’s friend. Hello.”  

Not yet.  

Everything would be revealed only after entering the dungeon.  

“Come on in.”  

Kyler nodded at Kyu-seong’s words and stepped inside.  

The first thing that greeted them upon entering the dungeon was a building under construction.  

The white building had a modern aesthetic and looked quite pleasing.  

‘Is this Mr. Kyu-seong’s dungeon?’  

The scale was smaller than he had expected.  

There was a small vegetable garden, but surely that wasn’t all of it.  

As if to confirm his guess, Kyu-seong led them further inside.  

“Wow!”  

“What is it? What is it!”  

“This looks nice! Are we going to live here?”  

“Hmph! There’s more to see!”  

Listening to Emily and Ara’s conversation, they descended further.  

Then, they saw a vast area that once seemed to have been farmland.  

The evenly plowed rows suggested that farming had been done here for some time.  

“Hmm.”  

Kyler felt restless.  

Was this not the destination?  

When could he finally tell Emily everything?  

Soon, they reached the entrance to the Dungeon of Gluttony.  

“This is our home!”  

“Wow! I’m curious!”  

Here?  

There was an ordinary wooden door.  

As Kyler looked at it curiously, Kyu-seong opened the door and gestured for them to come in.  

“Please, step inside.”  

Brimming with curiosity, they entered…  

“Huh?”  

A whole new world unfolded before them.  

**  

“Wow!!”  

“Hehe!”  

Emily was surrounded by slimes.  

Even Kkumuri was trying its best to show off.  

In the presence of the new family member, Soo was eagerly chirping, while Gomgom remained in hibernation.  

Seeing the children excitedly running around the village filled me with pride.  

This was true peace and happiness.  

Now, where should he build a house for Kyler and his daughter to live?  

‘The village seems like a good place.’  

There was no need to live far away.  

It seemed fine to just build a house right here.  

Emily would also have fun playing with the other kids.  

However, Kyler had yet to reveal his identity.  

While Kyler admired the dungeon, it seemed he wanted Emily to enjoy the place a bit more, as he quietly observed.  

“Sigh.”  

It’s nice and all, but it’s a bit frustrating to watch. Why not just tell her already?  

“Huh?”  

At that moment, Emily suddenly stopped and tilted her head.  

“What is it?”  

“A quest!”  

“A quest? Is it something you eat?”  

Both Kyler and I reacted simultaneously to Emily’s words.  

In fact, ever since Emily awakened, she hadn’t seen any quests.  

That had been bothering her, but now, something had finally appeared!  

“Emily! What happened?”  

“A quest appeared!”  

“Really? Can you tell me about it?”  

“Yes!”  

Emily smiled brightly and ran over.  

Slimes and Kkumuri followed closely behind, bouncing along in excitement.  

What a peaceful scene.  

“Can I tell you?”  

“Sure, go ahead.”  

Before anyone noticed, Kyler had also come closer, listening intently.  

So, what kind of quest did Emily get?  

If it’s something I can help her with, I’ll do whatever it takes!  

“Um, an Awakening Quest! Training to Become a Hero!”  

“…Huh?”  

“Swing a sword imbued with mana 10,000 times! Wow, this sounds really hard!”  

“Wait, hold on! What did you say the quest name was?!”  

I must have heard it wrong.  

But Emily’s bright smile mercilessly crushed my hope.  

“Awakening Quest! Training to Become a Hero!”  

…  

It seemed I had, somehow, brought a hero into my home.  

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