Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

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Chapter 405

As Yeon-woo opened his eyes, what greeted him was a white tent. The unknown situation made his face scrunch up in confusion.

“Ouch…”

His face was painfully sore. It was no surprise considering how fiercely he’d fought. It would be odd for his face to be fine while his whole body was covered in wounds.

Turning his neck, he inspected the inside of the tent. Perhaps to accommodate the patient, Nea and the children were sleeping on bedding laid out on the floor.

Fortunately, they didn’t wake up at his groans and continued to sleep peacefully.

Sighing in relief, Yeon-woo scanned his body. There were no traces of magical energy left, only minor wounds visible.

Thanks to Down’s divine healing, he was gradually recovering even at that very moment.

Only after confirming this did he start to think.

‘…How did I make it back alive?’

For Yeon-woo, it was a thought that he couldn’t help but entertain. At the end of his battle with the Heavenly Demon, wasn’t he supposed to lose consciousness when his mana ran out completely?

Normally, even when his mana was depleted, the Dragon Heart would keep him conscious.

But this time, he had poured all his elemental mana out, to the point of fainting.

Could it be said that he couldn’t hold on anymore because he was expelling energy faster than it could be produced?

It was unusual, but it felt like a momentary return to the sensations before his reincarnation.

‘At that moment, it seemed like I saw the sword path and let it loose…’

He had glimpsed something he was pursuing. A hallucination that the past was caught at the tip of his sword.

If he couldn’t strike it down here, he felt that all his efforts would be in vain as the world steadily took another step toward destruction.

At that level, the Heavenly Demon, who had lost its sanity and started absorbing magical entities, was an ominous figure. If he couldn’t sever its life thread there, not just the martial world but even Earth itself would be in serious danger.

Since he was alive, that meant he had defeated it, right? Yeon-woo decided to calm his mind. It was safe to say that if he found himself lying here, it wouldn’t be due to a failure to eliminate the threat.

As Yeon-woo regained his bearing, he heard rustling sounds from outside the tent.

It wasn’t long before the tent entrance opened, revealing a familiar face.

“Have you awakened?”

It was Dang Jin-ho. He was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, but what stood out the most was his leg.

His left leg had completely vanished below the knee, and he was walking with a cane.

Noticing Yeon-woo’s gaze, Dang Jin-ho chuckled and waved his hand.

Though he seemed like a cheerful uncle who loved to joke, he wore a rare smile akin to that of a grandfather.

“It’s fine. These are the glorious scars of victory.”

“…Is that so?”

If that’s the case, then it’s alright. If Dang Jin-ho could say it was an injury he was okay with, then there was no problem.

His words about “scars of victory” were the surest evidence of all.

“Is it okay to ask exactly what happened?”

“Not much. You fainted and opened the path, and we watched the situation while helping Bin take down the Heavenly Demon. Thanks to the Heavenly Demon beginning to absorb the magic of the Sword Masters, we were freed as well.”

Indeed, the Heavenly Demon was a greedy creature.

It seemed that as its sanity began to wane, it started to indiscriminately devour both helpful and harmful entities around it.

That kind of thing could easily happen. No matter how strong-willed a person may be, maintaining clarity of mind within the consciousness of thousands was an entirely different matter.

“Well, those guys weren’t ordinary demons, so they didn’t die, but afterward, we finished them off neatly.”

Since the Heavenly Demon had died without its magic, there was nothing that could be done.

With both Ouma and the Heavenly Demon dead at once, it could be said that the restoration of the martial realm had practically been accomplished.

“I’m glad to hear that. I was surprised to wake up in a tent.”

“Hahaha, still, you have much to do. In the end, nobody is left to remove the magical energy. Bin, that guy is way too inefficient to handle it. He probably wouldn’t manage it even before he dies.”

“Well, if it only takes being a living air purifier, then I could postpone that a little.”

“Sure, of course. It’s something I’ll tell you plenty about this morning, but I’ll express my gratitude in advance.”

As he said that, Dang Jin-ho bowed his head with a martial salute. It felt a little awkward, but since he thanked him, Yeon-woo decided to accept it graciously.

“I’ll extend thanks on behalf of the Dang family. Even though you’re a complete stranger, I see it as a monumental achievement for risking your life for our world.”

“…Come to think of it, weren’t you here to check on me?”

“Oops, my mind is a bit scattered. I indeed was.”

With that, Dang Jin-ho chuckled and placed his hands on Yeon-woo’s body. It was an awkward thing to hear directly, and it was indeed embarrassing.

It seemed that Dang Jin-ho understood that Yeon-woo had brought it up with that intention.

This is why I dislike perceptive people.

*

“Ahem! Tae-oh perfectly protected Dad!”

“Really, if it weren’t for Tae-oh, what would we have done! We would’ve been in big trouble!”

In the early dawn, after a brief meeting with Dang Jin-ho and briefly closing his eyes, the first ones to greet Yeon-woo were the children.

Ah, that explains it. No matter what, it would seem strange for him to regain all his limbs. Was it that Tae-oh had risked danger to save him?

“Thank you, both of you. And thank you, Down. Come here.”

“…Hmph.”

Turning his head haughtily, Down walked over reluctantly as if conceding to Yeon-woo’s request. When you look closely, he was quite an adorable little thing.

Yeon-woo pulled the three approaching children into a tight embrace. His arms ached a bit, but it wasn’t anything too painful.

“Hmph, I need to get more praise for Tae-oh!!”

“Ugh, it smells like medicine…”

“…….”

Tae-oh, demanding more and more praise, Down, who was disgusted by the smell of medicine emanating from Yeon-woo, and unexpectedly accepting the hug without complaint, they all painted a lively picture.

“I’m glad it all turned out well in the end.”

Nea, smiling as she watched this scene, remarked.

And indeed it had. Though it had progressed more urgently than expected, this incident concluded without issues.

Once everything else was finished, he would surely return to purify the martial arts world.

Now he had to go back. Back home.

“…Well, there are still annoying tasks left before that.”

“Is it about the ceremony? We need to prepare clothes.”

The best thing for leaving a victory report is a splendid ceremony. Human history proves that.

It might be considered rude for Yeon-woo, the main character of victory, to miss such an event.

Of course, it wouldn’t be as lavishly held as usual.

The reason was simple. Since Alkeon was still fighting the Demon King’s army, there wouldn’t be much money to concern themselves with this, causing some complaints.

You could say this event was a simplified ceremony held in advance.

Because the real event should take place after completely restoring the martial arts world, in their realm.

“I can manage that much. Hey kids, shall we dress up a bit for the first time in a while?”

“Are we finally wearing pretty clothes?”

“That tone of yours leaves room for misunderstanding.”

Dad always tries to ensure you can wear pretty and good clothes. Didn’t you choose your battle outfit yourself?

*

Inside the Hobak Guesthouse, which was being restored from its ruins. Numerous injured people appeared in the simply held ceremony venue.

Some had lost their eyes, some their arms, and some far more than that.

Nevertheless, the venue was filled with energy even though there weren’t many decorations or crowds. This was because more had returned to them than what they had lost.

Many people were bustling, engaging in lively conversations. Just then, an unexpected visitor crashed into the sunny, warm, and cheerful venue.

“Hey, what’s all this!? Is this how ceremonies are held these days!?”

At the sound of that voice, martial artists frowned and turned their heads. But what appeared was a completely unexpected figure.

Choi Yeon-woo. The key figure in retaking the martial arts. Famous for his noble nature, he was sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in traditional Eastern attire and making a fuss.

His lover and children pushing the wheelchair were also dressed splendidly in Eastern-style attire, drawing everyone’s gaze.

Regardless of how loud he was being, it was a group that attracted attention for good reasons.

“Ceremonies are…!! K cough, cough.”

As Choi Yeon-woo yelled, he started to cough. It was quite an embarrassing sight. Nevertheless, the martial artists watched without any particular thoughts.

After all, he was the person who fought the Heavenly Demon. His entire body must be full of wounds; how would his internal condition be? They could only look at him with pitying eyes…

After calming down his coughing, Yeon-woo raised his right hand high. The Relin’s Warehouse shone and began to pour out mana.

“What’s happening…!!”

“Isn’t this what a ceremony needs!?”

With Yeon-woo’s words, the mana that poured out took shape. It manifested as countless foods and bottles of alcohol.

There was more than enough food to fill all the intact tables within the Hobak Guesthouse.

Of course, the martial arts alliance had also prepared food in its own way, but due to limited transport means, the amounts made a significant difference.

“What is this…!?”

In other words, it was an Eastern-style standing party. Martial artists gathered inside the guesthouse stared wide-eyed at Yeon-woo.

“It’s a good day!! Today, let’s eat, drink, and have fun!!”

At those words, the martial artists, who had been cautious, slowly approached the food.

Naturally, the martial artists were people who had spent about a year chomping on Wallumzan, holed up in caves swinging their swords.

However, on joyful days like this, even the barriers in their hearts could be lifted.

At that perfect timing, when delectable food and drink were poured out, it was easy to imagine what would happen.

The ceremony transformed into a vibrant, lively festivity overflowing with small joys.

Of course, being skilled warriors, no one got drunk and caused a ruckus.

People happily sharing their burdens while getting tipsy, others laughing and shedding tears, and some simply sipping on their drinks while watching—various figures filled the scene.

“…What’s all this about?”

Jin Baek-cheon, who entered the guesthouse later, asked with a bewildered expression. Yeon-woo looked at him. The sleeve where his right arm once was fluttered emptily.

For a swordsman, it was too crippling, but he would still respond with a smile, calling it a glorious scar.

“Enjoy yourself, Lord.”

With those words, Yeon-woo offered a cup. Jin Baek-cheon accepted it with a bitter smile using his left hand.

“Haha, I can never compete with your skill in lifting the atmosphere.”

As Jin Baek-cheon drank, the martial artists around burst into exclamations. Today would be remembered as a happy and raucous day.

And behind it all was Riley’s sacrifice. While the Choi family was putting together beautiful clothes, gathering cooking equipment, and ordering food in Relin’s Archive, a toast to her.

“I’m sorry, Riley…”

Nea’s sympathetic voice resonated deeply within Yeon-woo’s heart. It truly was the era of overwork.

(Continued in the next chapter)