“We’re just friends.”
Though I felt quite flustered inside, I didn’t hesitate and answered promptly. Normally, such questions required a careful response. Hesitation could make it seem insincere. In reality, ‘just friends’ was the most accurate answer. But Kang Woo-hyun, upon hearing my response, clicked his tongue.
“Huh- You answered without a second thought. Is my daughter really that unattractive?”
He went there! The ultimate move of the overprotective dad. I knew this conversation was heading in this direction, and I could sense that I was in trouble, but the dice had already been cast. From the moment I finished my response, I had been preparing my follow-up explanation.
I calmly delivered my prepared response.
“Absolutely not. Holder Kang Juyeon is an attractive and beautiful person by anyone’s standards. Both in appearance and in her innate strength, she’s an outstanding Holder with no equal. She’s a popular student admired by many in the Academy. I only gave that answer to ensure there were no misunderstandings when you asked about the exact nature of the relationship between us.”
Phew, phew.
I silently let out a sigh of relief.
The response I had prepared in advance came out smoothly. It was almost like a rap battle.Kang Woo-hyun, on the other hand, didn’t expect such a lightning-fast response, so he awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Hmm, I see. So, my daughter is at that level?”
“Yes, why would I say anything else?”
With a triumphant grin, Kang Woo-hyun said, “That’s my daughter for you. If she’s to be the successor of the Judgment of Fire, she has to be at that level. Haha.”
…Social life is tough. I almost had an existential crisis, but it wasn’t entirely untrue. My assessment of Kang Juyeon matched the external consensus, and she was undeniably beautiful, even by Academy standards. It was just difficult to approach her due to her aloof and cold demeanor. Plus, she was the successor of one of the top three clans in Korea, the <Judgment of Fire>.
Rather than rising, it was more like trying to approach an impenetrable fortress. That was Kang Juyeon.
“In any case, I’m relieved. My daughter talks about you so much that I started to get the wrong idea.”
“…”
“If by any chance, it was the kind of relationship I was thinking of, I would have kicked you out of the clan, rewards or no rewards.”
“Really?”
“Hahaha. I can’t leave thieves who want to take my daughter in the clan.”
Unbelievable… Are there really people like this? People who would just kick someone out of the clan, regardless of their position, just because they show interest in their daughter?
The dignity of Clan Master Kang Woo-hyun, which had been nestled in a corner of my heart, continued to plummet. He had seemed like an S-grade Holder whom I couldn’t even approach or speak to when I first met him, but now he appeared to be nothing more than a doting father.
And whoever he might be in the future, I wished him luck when he took Kang Juyeon as his wife, given the status of becoming the son-in-law of the <Judgment of Fire>. It was definitely not an easy task.
“In any case, I understand now. Our meeting today ends here. I hope we have another opportunity to talk in the future.”
“…Yes.”
I just wanted this conversation to end, Master…
I didn’t want to hear Kang Woo-hyun’s unbearable way of speaking any longer.
‘Still… it went smoother than I expected.’
My meeting with Kang Woo-hyun turned out to be much better than I had feared. I didn’t make any major mistakes during the meeting, and Kang Woo-hyun, in a surprisingly un-Master-like manner, led the conversation with a comfortable attitude, making it easy to talk freely. Acknowledged for my achievements and even acquiring the [Penitent’s Sword] as a bonus.
It was a conversation that turned out to be advantageous in many ways.
‘He doesn’t seem to be pushing for an official recruitment offer.’
While sipping on kimchi stew was an option, I honestly pondered what I would do if Clan Master Kang Woo-hyun extended an official recruitment offer.
My performance in this campaign felt decent to me. As a member of the party, I had silently fulfilled my role and greatly contributed to hunting the boss in the boss room while protecting other team members. I could even consider my performance as that of a B-grade Holder, not just a C-grade.
‘He only gave rewards, no offers.’
However, Kang Woo-hyun only acknowledged my efforts as a reward; there was no official recruitment offer or anything of the sort.
It might have been awkward for him to bring up such personnel matters, or maybe I was just overthinking, and I was nothing more than a mere participant. Regardless, for someone like me who had no intention of officially joining a specific clan, my current status was not a bad relationship.
“Well then, I’ll be going, Master.”
“Sure, see you again.”
I gave a casual farewell to Kang Woo-hyun and left his office. Fortunately, the meeting with the Master had ended without any issues.
***
Ippotranslation
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