The World’s Strongest Daughter.

Yoo Ji-hwan’s POV

The elixirs made from materials collected at Gates usually show effects close to miracles.

Despite their exorbitant prices, demand continues to rise steadily, which means they’re just that good.

For example, take the [Ouroboros Elixir] I used over the weekend.

As a popular product included in the “Association’s Top 10 Elixirs”, it showed unbelievable effects.

No matter how much one is favored by mana, the amount of power that can be exerted at once is naturally limited.

What would come out of squeezing an empty can over and over?

You’d be lucky if it didn’t tear.

But with the Ouroboros Elixir, the story changes.

Overflowing desire, inexhaustible stamina no matter how much you move your body.

It’s like having an endless spring of energy in your body.

Since it’s not some cheap elixir that grinds up my life force, the side effects are minimal, too.

The only side effect is…

As much as you move your body without restraint, your mind becomes exhausted all the same.

“…If you’re not feeling well, rest.”

I waved off Min So-yeon’s worried remark, saying I was fine.

I said I was okay, but to be honest, I feel like I’m dying.

My body has endless energy, but my mind feels precariously close to snapping at any moment.

I just want to sprawl out and sleep if I could.

But I shouldn’t.

With exams over, I plan to start So-yeon’s training in earnest.

I had forgotten I needed to take care of So-yeon since I was caught up in the thought, but I have to raise her to become the strongest as soon as possible.

With the world at stake, to think I was caught up in the pathetic worry that Min So-yeon might like me as a man…

I think I’ve become too lax.

Just then, as I was heading to the academy with Min So-yeon who joined midway,

“…But what’s with your neck?”

Min So-yeon, next to me, suddenly pointed at my neck and spoke.

“Huh?”

Is there something on it?

I rubbed the spot she pointed at, but I couldn’t feel anything.

“Is there something on it?”

“…No, it’s red like a bruise.”

“What?”

Neck…

Red bruise…

Ah.

It’s my wife’s doing.

Startled, I hastily covered my neck with my hand and cautiously opened my mouth.

“…Is it bad?”

Min So-yeon shook her head slightly in response.

…Fortunately, it doesn’t seem too bad.

“…Ma-maybe it’s a mosquito bite…?”

“…In this weather?”

“Th-they sometimes come out…”

I naturally removed the hand I was covering it with and took steps as if it were nothing. Min So-yeon stared at my neck momentarily before losing interest and turning her gaze away.

Thankfully, she doesn’t seem to have noticed.

… It’s a relief our So-yeon is pure.

*

After finishing my commute with Min So-yeon.

I passed by the infirmary before entering my classroom.

… What’s with this atmosphere?

The classroom atmosphere was strange.

A quick glance around showed all the students’ gazes were fixed on the back of the classroom.

And at the back of the classroom, they confronted each other.

Min So-yeon and Kong Hye-sun.

They were standing near my seat, quietly conversing, but it didn’t look friendly.

What’s going on?

The moment I took a step while feeling puzzled,

“Oh, it’s Yoo Ji-hwan.”

Someone called my name, and all the students’ attention was drawn to me at that moment.

…Huh? Me?

Dumbfounded by the sudden flood of gazes, the girl sitting in front of me whispered to me.

While I was briefly away, Kong Hye-sun had been looking for me.

…Hye-sun…? Ah…

Come to think of it, I hadn’t contacted her at all since we parted last Friday.

I had been diligently contacting her until now, but as soon as the exams ended, I didn’t contact her.

Doesn’t this make me seem like trash who took everything I could get and cut off contact?

No, I actually didn’t contact her, so I’m no different from trash.

Belatedly realizing why Kong Hye-sun was looking for me, I quickly approached them and naturally spoke.

“…Good morning.”

At that moment, they both looked at me simultaneously.

Min So-yeon, who seemed to be harboring dissatisfaction, bit her lip tightly.

Kong Hye-sun seemed to be relieved somehow.

Both of them had eyes that seemed to want something from me.

…What is it…?

Just as I was carefully opening my mouth while glancing at their expressions,

“Go-good morning Ji-hwan! Did you have a good weekend…? I didn’t hear from you…”

Kong Hye-sun spoke first.

Am I imagining it? Somehow, her words sounded like they had a different meaning.

As if asking how much fun I had, I even forgot to contact her.

“I should have contacted you but forgot because I was busy… Sorry.”

“I-I see… I’m glad nothing was wrong…”

And seeing Kong Hye-sun let out a sigh of relief, I felt a strange sense of guilt.

… It’s not a lie, though…

I couldn’t contact her because I was busy, so it’s not a lie.

As I had that short conversation with Kong Hye-sun, I felt a sharp gaze from the side.

I glanced over and saw Min So-yeon glaring at me with wide eyes.

Ugh…

Maybe it’s because I met my wife, but today she seemed to resemble her mother even more.

Slightly flustered by So-yeon’s fierce gaze, I hurriedly changed the subject and brought it up.

“…But why are you gathered here?”

Then, Min So-yeon suddenly took a step closer and snapped at me.

“…You. Who are you going to sit with.”

“Huh?”

What’s this about sitting all of a sudden…?

The moment I made a stupid sound at her incomprehensible words,

Min So-yeon slammed the desk next to her with a bang and spoke again.

“… I’m asking who’s going to sit in this seat.”

The seat Min So-yeon hit was next to mine, which Kong Hye-sun had been sitting in until recently.

…No way, they were doing this over a mere seat?

I finally understood what Min So-yeon was talking about.

“So… you were talking about who would sit next to me…?”

They nodded in response to my question for confirmation.

What was the fuss about, it wasn’t a big deal.

I thought deeply while looking at Min So-yeon and Kong Hye-sun.

It may seem like just a seat, but it could be an important part to them in a way.

They both have feelings for me, albeit different kinds…

Let’s think about it.

If I had chosen Kong Hye-sun, Min So-yeon, who felt slightly jealous, she would have been disappointed.

On the other hand, if I choose Min So-yeon, Kong Hye-sun, who suddenly lost the seat next to me, will be hurt.

Wouldn’t it be better to have them both sit from the start?

“Then, should we all sit together? It’s a bit cramped, but it’ll be fine.”

“…What?”

“…Huh? Together…?”

It was quite a good idea, even if I came up with it.

Kong Hye-sun has feelings for me.

If I chose her here, it would only raise her expectations.

But having Min So-yeon sit next to me now goes against my duty to Kong Hye-sun.

Above all, I can’t keep my wife’s words to gradually distance myself, either.

But if I have them sit on either side of me?

It can be seen as the best choice.

“…Crazy bastard.”

…I guess not?

***

“What?! ‘Sword Empress’ is personally… Heuk!!”

The real estate agent, Yang Man-jun, covered his mouth and thought.

The ‘Sword Empress’, who had disappeared for a few years, is directly looking for a house to use!

The rumors will inevitably spread one way or another, and the house price will surely rise!

This deal must be sealed no matter what.

Yang Man-jun unnecessarily looked around and then carefully whispered in a low voice.

“I-is it true? Is it the person I’m thinking of?”

Then, Chairman Jeong Nan-do’s secretary, Shin Dae-yong, quietly nodded.

Convinced, Yang Man-jun gulped and thought of the best property he could offer.

Since the ‘Sword Empress’ and Chairman Jeong are involved, the price doesn’t matter.

Given how long she’s been living in seclusion, she’ll probably want a quiet house.

He has to be mindful of people’s attention too… and minimal contact with neighbors…!

There happens to be a penthouse available with a great view of the Association building and Seoul’s nightlife.

There’s also a spot in Pia Tower… No. These days, even a quiet house…

Just then, Shin Dae-yong took something out of his jacket and handed it to Yang Man-jun.

“This is the request form the ‘Sword Empress’ personally filled out.”

“Oh my, you should have told me earlier if there was something like this… May I take a look?”

With Shin Dae-yong’s permission, Yang Man-jun received the request form with a broad smile.

On the request form the ‘Sword Empress’ wrote…

[ 1. Security is top priority. No contact with neighbors *Required

2. Easy ventilation

3. At least 4 rooms

4. A yard or terrace

5. Basic soundproofing *Required

6. Easy remodeling *Required ]

6 items were listed.

The requirements weren’t as difficult as he thought, but they weren’t easy either.

“Hmm… I’ll look for one. Please wait a moment!”

As Yang Man-jun searched the computer thinking of a few properties, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Why does the ‘Sword Empress’ need a house like this?

A house to settle down in at that.

There was an A-rank hunter who put in a similar request before, and that person was looking for a house to commit adultery.

In the end, he died because of his mistress’s obsession.

She had gone into hiding after her husband passed away, so why is she secretly looking for a house like this all of a sudden?

…Could it be she got a man?

“Hehe…”

Well, who cares. As long as the deal goes through…!

Yang Man-jun moved his hands diligently with an empty laugh.

***

Right before class ended,

“For this year’s field trip…”

The homeroom teacher made an announcement.

“The 1st and 2nd years will be visiting Toy Land!”

The moment Toy Land left her mouth, the students started murmuring.

Toy Land.

It’s a huge amusement park in Gyeonggi-do, and in terms of size, it’s one of the top few in the world.

It’s been almost 10 years, but I remember going there a few times with my wife and So-yeon.

Just as I was briefly immersed in memories, Kong Hye-sun, sitting to my left, whispered to me.

“…Ji-ji-hwan. Have you been to Toy Land…?”

“Once when I was young?”

“I see… My family is strict, so I’ve never been…”

Never been…?

I don’t know about other places, but to have never been to Toy Land…

How strict must her family be?

You’d think she would have gone at least once on a school picnic or something, so it was a bit surprising.

Inwardly amazed at Kong Hye-sun’s family, I turned my head for a moment.

“Th-then, if we go together, we’ll kno-”

“… I’ve never been either.”

Hye-sun and So-yeon spoke simultaneously from both sides.

“Sorry. I couldn’t hear properly since your voices overlapped.”

Then Min So-yeon snorted and turned her head away,

“Hmph.”

“…Ah, it’s nothing…”

Kong Hye-sun briefly closed her mouth, saying it was nothing.

…Is this my fault?

I couldn’t figure out their feelings today of all days.