Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

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Chapter 407

The place they took the two wasn’t particularly extraordinary. First, they started with a stroll through Harmony City.

The weather was warm. Baek In-hwa wore blue jeans, a neat white T-shirt, and a cardigan over it.

Na Yang-ho was in her priest outfit. Unlike Claire’s casually slit attire, hers was a neatly tailored priestess garment.

She even wore her priest attire when going out privately.

“She looks completely intimidated.”

“True.”

Yeon-woo and Na Yang-ho gave identical assessments as they glanced at Baek In-hwa.

With her long legs and enhanced beauty during graduation season, she had truly transformed into an adult who couldn’t help but attract attention as she walked through the streets, carefully glancing around with her hands clasped over her chest.

“But…”

“Well, I understand.”

Na Yang-ho nodded. The current Baek In-hwa was indeed an entity radiating the energy of the Demon King.

Hmm, if I were to compare it, perhaps it’s like a humidifier? It’s emitting just about that level of energy.

The important thing is that humidifiers can develop mold if left on for too long, and the energy she’s exuding is nothing less than that.

Just a bit of prolonged exposure can cause problems for even average aura users.

This was precisely the reason Baek In-hwa chose to stay cooped up at home instead of going out.

The fact that simply stepping outside could threaten someone.

“That’s a bit of an overreaction.”

In a completely open space, the danger level was significantly reduced.

Na Yang-ho and master Yeon-woo aside, even those who were unsuitable for mana wouldn’t experience issues just by brushing past her.

Still, given that Baek In-hwa herself didn’t want to, they couldn’t force her to roam the bustling streets.

Yeon-woo and the two of them focused on exploring the less populated areas. It was a warm, cozy time.

Spending time without complex thoughts can sometimes be a soothing balm for the heart.

“Was that fellow using the Mango’s potential? So I noticed and swung my sword.”

“…That really happened in first year?”

They shared trivial tales from the past.

“What is love…?”

“Teacher, that’s not something you can understand with your head.”

“What do you know…!! What do you know about me…!!”

Na Yang-ho, who suddenly started feeling lonely, shared her worries.

“Oh, that looks delicious.”

“Hmmm.”

“Are you on a diet? Seems like you have deep concerns.”

“…I think strawberry and chocolate flavors would be nice.”

While receiving a playful smack on the back of his head, they bought snacks and had a surprisingly enjoyable break with Yeon-woo.

“…So what are we out here for again?”

“We came out to have fun, didn’t we?”

“Right?”

With a gentle smile, yet unable to shake off her doubts, Baek In-hwa asked, and the two answered casually. This made Baek In-hwa’s expression wrinkle.

“Hey, hey, come on. This is important. People need some sunshine now and then~.”

“That’s true. In-hwa, you’re living too carelessly. Are you flaunting your great body just by sitting still? I’m still in my prime, you know? If I were a few years younger….”

“Thirty.”

Wham!! Na Yang-ho’s sharp slap hit Yeon-woo’s head. It was absurdly well-timed; it hurt just enough not to be painful. She must have cleverly used healing divine art in the moment.

To use such advanced techniques to slap her disciple’s head is quite absurd.

“I find it more ridiculous that you’re tarnishing the honor of a beloved teacher.”

“Isn’t that defamation of character…? But it says in the law that it’s acceptable for the public good! Ouch!!”

“What does my age have to do with the public good? Huh?”

Am I really suggested to be lying about my age to cozy up to a younger boy? Or do they think I’m the same age but pretending to be younger??

With her rage fully ignited, Na Yang-ho unleashed a flurry of punches and uppercuts on Yeon-woo’s body from various angles.

Truly, as the fighting saint, without using any mana, even Yeon-woo found it hard to cope with her speed.

“…Pfft, haha…!”

And at the end of this farce, Baek In-hwa finally burst into laughter. Yeon-woo chuckled as he caught Na Yang-ho’s jab with his palm.

“Is it funny??”

However, Na Yang-ho was not laughing. …Did I tease her a bit too much?

*

The outings with Baek In-hwa became a regular schedule. At some point, Na Yang-ho stopped joining, and instead, their family participated.

Walking with familiar people along familiar paths, Baek In-hwa slowly started to settle down.

Even though she still radiated the energy of the Demon King, her acceptance and response to that fact had surely improved.

‘Hmm, it’s much better without a ceiling.’

During this time, Yeon-woo confirmed that the Demon King’s energy didn’t deviate significantly from existing rules.

Perhaps because it was a somewhat spiritual essence, without a ceiling, it would just endlessly rise skyward and disappear.

After enjoying ample relaxation and recuperation over several weeks, Yeon-woo realized he could no longer wait.

The reason was quite simple.

“Today’s walking spot is the Earth Hammer Gorge! The reason? I’m feeling restless!!”

Even relaxation that doesn’t require thinking needs to be limited; if it drags on for days, it turns into stress.

It seemed he was a creature who would perish if he didn’t move. How terrifying. To think he might die from laziness, was he really a mole? Yet again, uncovering a birth secret.

With those thoughts, Yeon-woo, avoiding the incredulous stares from his companions, headed to the gorge.

There’s a point where the environment shifts. The dry air tickled his face.

The scent of sand and the distinctive metallic tang of a battleground tickled Yeon-woo’s nose as he stepped forward.

Here, there was really no need to use the Sky Shield. This was a place where he roamed around even when he couldn’t properly utilize the Aura Blade.

Thinking so, Yeon-woo leisurely descended into the gorge.

After all, it would take significant time to reach the Earth Serpent’s resting place. Until then, he decided to relieve Baek In-hwa’s stress while getting some exercise himself.

Indeed, the lineup was excessive for just roaming about the Earth Hammer Gorge. He could charge forward without a care.

“Hurrah!! Baek In-hwa, you should run too!!”

“…Why all of a sudden…?”

“Daddy’s running!!”

Shar, who was riding on Yeon-woo’s back, shouted loudly. Yeon-woo charged forward, clearing all visible monsters to grant Shar’s wish.

Meanwhile, behind him, Tae-oh was staring at Baek In-hwa with his finger in his mouth. The vacant expression clearly conveyed only one demand.

“…Do you want a ride?”

“Affirmative.”

Just like Shar, Tae-oh wished to ride on someone’s back and race along.

After rolling her eyes a bit, Baek In-hwa sighed softly and crouched down.

She knew well that even if Tae-oh brushed against the energy of the Demon King, there wouldn’t be a problem.

*

“Ha, to think I could kill Ben again today. Should I be happy or annoyed?”

Raymond muttered, pulling up the corners of his mouth, looking utterly befuddled. He genuinely didn’t seem to know. Otherwise, such a contradictory expression wouldn’t emerge.

“It’s an incredibly annoying task.”

That was Richard Lionell, the embodiment of swordsmanship. He was pulling most of the sword force as he wielded his sword on the battlefield.

It was hard to find someone with prowess in both personal combat and command abilities.

Before their eyes, the army of monsters shattered and burst apart. Raymond’s lightning-fast sword techniques and Richard’s Lion Blade showcased their might.

However, losing any more power at this point would simply be a waste. As they say, no matter how many they kill here, they’d come back tomorrow as if they had never experienced death.

This was the reason why the battlefield of Alkeion couldn’t advance or retreat.

The laws of the Demon King that previously didn’t apply to monsters now exerted their influence over them as well.

It was a different phenomenon from the distortions of magical energy caused by the existence of the Heavenly Demon; it resembled a kind of blessing.

Of course, one couldn’t claim that one side had greater destructive power than the other. It was a direct path to humanity’s defeat that someone killed yesterday standing on the same battlefield today, or that nature became tainted.

“Looks like we can only hope the hero does well.”

“He will, if it’s that kid.”

As if it was nothing, the two swordsmen exchanged casual words while swinging their swords.

Some might point out that this was meaningless slashing, but if a single swing could save a person, that was all they desired.

*

“Ha…! Ha…!!”

Breathing heavily, Noel leaned on her sword like a staff. Although Yuri looked on with concern, there was no way to stop now.

Having successfully slain one of the demon lords, the number of daily resurrecting monsters had drastically decreased.

This was an outstanding achievement for a small guerrilla force.

Noel had voluntarily plunged into the battlefield as a guerrilla. Yuri, who was worried about her, accompanied her, but it was always Noel who got exhausted first.

This wasn’t enough. If she could barely take down one demon lord, there was no way she would be able to handle that powerful Demon King.

Thus, Noel’s heart grew increasingly urgent.

“Calm down.”

“…Yes, Master…!!”

Only Yuri could hold the reins of Noel’s anxiety.

If Yeon-woo were here, he could have not only held the reins but also lessened burdens, but as he was recuperating, there was nothing they could do.

As the two of them rested hidden not far from the battlefield, they suddenly stood up simultaneously.

A huge mass of mana was approaching. Yuri murmured in a low voice. It was somewhat different in size and quality from previous encounters, but she recognized it from meeting something similar before.

“…The Demon King is personally coming.”

Noel’s face turned pale.

(To be continued in the next chapter)