The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 286

“Uhh...”

“T-thank you?”

The American players were handed fresh clothes by Butler Hwang and guided to the bathhouse. All the while, their hearts continued to pound.

Their minds had registered the end of the battle, but their bodies hadn’t. And who could blame them? One moment, they were fighting for their lives; in the next, they were standing in a field of corpses.

Is this the power of the Thunder God?

I watched the duel between Kang Jae-Hyeok and Qilin several times, but back then, he wasn’t this strong...

He’s only passed his first tribulation. This level of power makes no sense...

He’s more special than I thought. No wonder the higher-ups sent us to Korea.

It was only after soaking in the hot water for a long time that the American players' minds began to clear.

The way he just appeared out of nowhere... Has he mastered Flash Steps?

I didn’t see his sword. The Demon Slayers lost their heads faster than I could blink.

Damn, isn’t it said that even his lightning resistance is greater than the Thunder Emperor's?

Soon, the players all arrived at the same conclusion:

It isn’t enough to call him a once-in-a-generation genius. He’s a monster.

They were truly astonished.

Korea, a small country with a population of less than a hundred million, had actually given birth to such a freak.

It wasn’t just Kang Jae-Hyeok, either. There was also the Bow Saint, the Saint, and the Yaksha; thinking about it now, the number of peak talents originating from Korea was strangely high. They couldn’t help but wonder whether Korea itself had received some kind of blessing.

Of course, blessed or not, Korea was still just Korea; even if it were more blessed, it could never hold a candle to the United States’ glory. Land, resources, talent, economy—the United States lacked nothing and feared nothing.

Nevertheless...

There’s a fine line between fearlessness and recklessness. It makes sense why we were sent here.

The fate of Qilin and the Sword Master spoke volumes about Jae-Hyeok’s threat level. Moreover, if the relationship between the United States and Korea soured, the United States would have to deal with more than just Jae-Hyeok; there would also be the Saint—a master healer and buffer—and the Bow Saint—a master of ranged support and burst damage.

Were they to strike as a party, the United States would still come out on top, but the price would be steep, especially given Jae-Hyeok's mastery of Flash Steps. With it, he could lead the Saint and Bow Saint to attack and retreat at will.

In the end... Dealing with Korea would probably cost the lives of several US National Treasures.

The Americans cringed and shook their heads.

It had to be said, US National Treasures were held to the highest standards. Every one of them was a candidate for the title of World’s Strongest, so the gap between them and ordinary National Treasures was as big as the gap between tigers and dragons.

To lose even one was a huge loss, let alone several...

Finally, one of the American players broke the silence in the bathhouse.

“Top brass made the right call sending us out here...”

“Yeah, I’m thinking the same.”

“So... Any news on when the Thunder Emperor arrives in Korea?”

“We should have another three hours.”

Normally, the Thunder Emperor favored Rachel and her Mass Teleport spell as one might a trusty horse or a reliable car; whenever he had a place to be, she was always first on his ways to get there.

Thankfully, Rachel was occupied clearing a gate.

Otherwise, had the Thunder Emperor had his way, he would’ve appeared in Korea long before the American Players Association could even react.

“...Sigh. We had better get some rest. Who knows if we’ll get another chance once the Thunder Emperor arrives.”

“The Kangs’ butler is preparing us a meal. Let’s eat, then rest.”

“It is comforting that a meal prepared by an aristocratic family with two hundred years of history will be our last supper.”

The expressions of the American players were dark as they left the bathhouse.

Once enraged, the Thunder Emperor was as wild as thunder itself. Anyone who blocked his path could die...

Some of the Americans trembled in fear, but none left.

They had their pride both as members of the American Association and as experienced escorts who’d guarded world leaders, including their own president, many times.

Be it skills, experience, or mindset, they were some of the best S-class players in America. They knew how difficult and dangerous it was to calm the Thunder Emperor, but they would never shirk their duties.

If we work with Kang Jae-Hyeok, maybe we can calm the Thunder Emperor... definitely. They wouldn’t have given us a mission that’s impossible.

Be strong.

Let’s console our hunger and regain our strength!

As they traveled the halls, the American players soon occupied their minds with the Kang mansion’s unique decor and ancient paintings. By the time they reached the entrance to a dining room, their moods had visibly improved.

However...

“Um...?”

“Eh. What’s that one?”

The faces of the American players changed when they saw the dishes crowding the table.

“Is this what Korean food looks like? I gotta say, it doesn’t look very good.”

“Respect the culture of other countries. It is the generosity of a great aristocrat.”

Bellona scolded as she entered the room.

“Captain, we don’t mean to belittle. It... It’s just a little unfamiliar.”

“That’s right... Um, but it’s okay. Foreign cuisine uses new and unfamiliar spices. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, just that we’re uncultured.”

“Spices? Were spices even used...”

There was one sharp person, but his voice was muffled.

“Come, come, please sit.” Butler Hwang hurried over with a radiant smile.

“You’ve all traveled far to assist the Kang family. It’s this old one’s honor to show you the Kang family’s hospitality,” as he spoke, Butler Hwang went around the table and personally served everyone a large helping.

“......”

Bellona and her group’s expressions froze.

Now that it was on their plate... well, there was no hiding the truth.

A stew made by simmering various vegetables, meats, and fish all together.

A porridge boiled with various grains, sweet potatoes, celery, and carrots.

A pot of dry, white rice, with not even a stick of butter in sight...

What spices? What cuisine? Save for the plain rice, the rest was literally just a mix of roots, grains, and vegetables all boiled together.

“Please eat.”

Butler Hwang gestured encouragingly. At this point, his smile was almost blinding.

“Thank you.”

Bellona confirmed that Butler Hwang had no bad intentions and took the first spoonful on behalf of the group.

Gulp.

“Ugh.”

The fishy smell filled her senses.

What’s the intention behind this? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Serving food that even dogs wouldn’t eat?

Could it be they’d unwittingly committed some type of grave offense?

Was this a warning?

“Ah...!”

Bellona remembered something and jumped up from her seat.

“My apologies. We thoughtlessly broke etiquette.”

“Huh?”

“The head of the family... We should’ve greeted the Yaksha first.”

“?”

Why bring up the Yaksha?

Bellona’s companions exchanged confused looks.

“Ohh...!”

Understanding lit Butler Hwang’s eyes, he nodded repeatedly. Most outsiders treated the Yaksha as a living corpse. Few ever considered paying respects. But it seemed these gentle Americans were different. They clearly knew a thing or two about humanity and respect.

“How considerate! I will take you to pay respects after the meal—”

“No. Paying our respects should come first.”

Bellona signaled to her group with a glance.

“Y-yes, the food can wait. There are rules, after all.”

“The captain’s right! What’s most important is showing our sincerity.”

As the group rose from the seats, several of the Americans whispered.

“If Jae-Hyeok is like this toward his allies, imagine how he treats his enemies.”

“Let’s hope we never find out...”

Meanwhile, Butler Hwang dabbed a tear from his eyes.

I can feel the dignity of a first-class upbringing.

Unlike the rude Chinese nobles, the Americans treated the Kang family with the utmost politeness, even going so far as to pay respects to the master.

Powerful and humble, friendly and respectful... These Americans are the embodiment of dignity and grace. Young Master’s international connections are this family’s blessing.

“This way.”

Butler Hwang’s eyes were red as he pushed open the door to the Yaksha’s bedroom. Distracted and emotional as he was, he failed to notice that the door was already open a crack.

“......?”

“Get back!”

Bellona pulled Butler Hwang back as she and the rest of the Americans quickly armed themselves.

“Wilhelm?”

A middle-aged man with green hair stood before a portal with the Yaksha thrown over one shoulder.

The man was none other than the head of Austria’s Baus family—renowned necromancer Wilhelm.

“Shh.”

Wilhelm subtly gestured for the stiff Bellona and her group to stay calm.

“It wasn’t until I saw Kang Jae-Hyeok that I realized it.”

Wilhelm’s golden eyes seemed to draw in the moonlight itself as he stepped backward, into the warp gate.

“The world’s best material was in the Kang family.”

“Stop him!”

Bellona rushed forward, but from how the portal was brightening... Damn it! I’m not going to make it!

Would Jae-Hyeok hold them responsible?

Just as Bellona was worrying—

Boom!

Lightning tore through the ceiling, struck Wilhelm, and shattered the portal in the process.

“Denovine! Do you take me for a joke?!” Wilhelm’s voice shook the walls. Why was it that every time he came to Korea, the Thunder Emperor was also there to make a mess of things?

A voice boomed through the sky.

“Go cry about it.”

Thunder Emperor Denovine had arrived.