Chapter 69

"So, who is it again?" Hajoon asked, doubting his own ears.

But it was the quest window that clarified the reality for him.

[Sub-Quest] Playable Character for Quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman) Description: Engage in a conversation with Adrian Heights.

Reward: 2500 Experience Points

"I apologize, but Lord Adrian Heights expressed a wish to meet with you, Mr. Hajoon..."

"He... wants to meet me?"

"Yes..."

At that, Hajoon frowned as if annoyed and dropped his face.

Scratching his head, he then fell onto the soft bed and spoke to Emma.

"I'm a patient, you know. I need to rest from my injuries, so please just refuse."

Though it was just a minor cut healed by a potion, it was still an injury. He could be considered a patient.

So right now, he had every intention of taking a proper rest.

Of course, the method of taking a rest involved finding a good restaurant nearby.

But it seemed that Adrian Heights' attitude was more stubborn than Hajoon thought.

"I apologize, but we did take into account your condition and requested accordingly... but if that's the case, he said he would come to you in person..."

"He'll... walk over here?"

At that, Hajoon scowled.

And Emma was left with no choice but to politely plead with Hajoon.

"I truly apologize but, if you could please indulge him. If Lord Adrian Heights were to move, it would cause difficulties for our association as well..."

"Sigh..."

Knowing the underlying meaning of her words, Hajoon let out a sigh.

Adrian's statement that he would come in person, even by foot, was almost like a warning.

After all, this was a man who was once referred to as a walking disaster in the past.

That didn't mean Hajoon would obediently go.

"Tell him to come himself. I've had a hard day and plan to rest."

"..."

"I don't really have a reason to listen to him, do I?"

"Ah, well..."

Saving his granddaughter should be enough; Hajoon felt no obligation to comply with a request that felt almost like a threat.

Of course, if he were to refuse, it would be the American Heroes Association that would suffer, but Hajoon felt he had already done enough and didn't need to be considerate.

"I'll hang up now."

"Wa, wait! Please don't hang up, Mr. Hajoon!"

Beep-

After ending the call, Hajoon stepped out onto the veranda to admire the view.

Resting times should be for resting, after all.

As Hajoon took in the sights, his stomach began to grumble.

Considering he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, it wasn't surprising.

"Didn't they say the buffet here was good?"

Smiling to himself, Hajoon prepped his palate and immediately started preparing to go out.

"So, the kid refused, is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, that's how it turned out..."

"Hmm..."

An elderly man with a sagging, grizzled beard was sitting on a sofa. His body was massive, exceeding three meters, and his entire frame bore numerous grand scars.

As he stroked his chin, thinking about the boy, he spoke.

"Interesting..."

"Pardon?"

"So, it's indeed the boy chosen by that child"

With that, the elder slowly rose from his seat. However, an agent of the Association hastily tried to dissuade him.

"Pl-Please, calm down, Mr. Heights. We'll figure something out..."

"Hehehe, no, that's alright. I'll go myself."

"What?"

"I'm in a good mood right now, so I can afford to take my time. Now, open the Gate."

With that, the corners of the elder's mouth curled up menacingly. He turned toward the agent, his words a warning.

"Or would you rather I walked there myself?"

It was then that a crimson aura fiercely erupted from the elder's body. At this sight, the Association's agent hastily bowed his head, extending his hand in a placating gesture.

"N-No, sir. We'll have it ready immediately."

Meanwhile, the time was 1 PM.

As Hajoon was eating at the hotel buffet, a girl approached him.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Hajoon turned his head slightly, glanced at her once, then refocused on his meal. The girl, Isabella, pouted and took a seat next to him.

"Could you at least not ignore me?"

"Hmm? What do you want?"

"You heard it earlier too, didn't you? The conversation about our grandfather."

At her words, Hajoon scratched his head and nodded. Isabella began to speak.

"Listen closely. I think our grandfather wants to -"

"I already refused him earlier."

"Wha!?"

At his words, Isabella's eyes widened in surprise. She stuttered as she asked him again.

"Wha, what?! You refused him?"

"Yeah."

"But...why?"

"I just don't feel like meeting him."

His answer left Isabella disconcerted. Hajoon, seemingly unfazed, asked her.

"Have you informed the kids yet?"

"Sigh... Yes, I have. I've also postponed the dungeon exploration schedule."

"So when are we going back to Korea?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I should have some fun here before we leave."

She sighed deeply at his nonchalant response. Meanwhile, Hajoon had finished his meal, stood up, and started to leave the dining area. Isabella trailed after him, asking him.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to my room."

"Then I'll come with you. There's something I need to discuss."

His face scrunched up at her words. He replied with an expression that screamed, 'I want to rest. Leave me alone.'

Reading his facial expression, Isabella apologized before explaining the situation.

"I'm really sorry, but I think I need to explain something due to the circumstances."

"I don't think there will be any time for that."

"What do you mean by...?!"

She turned to look in the same direction as Hajoon. Her eyes widened in surprise as a hulking elderly man approached them. Hajoon just watched him with a calm expression, while Isabella was shocked.

"Wha, what...?"

"I asked him to come because I didn't want to go, but I didn't expect him to actually come."

"What?!"

Isabella let out a surprised scream. Hajoon, on the other hand, was simply observing the old man who was approaching them.

The elderly man stood about three meters tall and bore many scars all over his body. He was known as the Giant during the Age of Great Chaos.

"So it's you. The child who saved my granddaughter."

The legendary Hero, Adrian Heights, the greatest powerhouse, was looking down at Hajoon with a ferocious smile.

"Yes, I came because you asked me to. We must have a lot to discuss, don't we?"

The moment he spoke to Hajoon, a quest window appeared before Hajoon's eyes.

[Sub Quest] Reward: 2500 Experience Points [Success!] [The reward is given.] [Level has increased!]

Seated on the sofa in the lodging where Hajoon was staying, Hajoon and Isabella faced Adrian Heights.

Hajoon, with an impassive face, waited for Adrian to break the silence first, while Isabella was seemingly nervous, her head bowed.

And Adrian, who alternately looked at the two.

He slowly lifted his hand, crossed his arms, and turned to Hajoon, opening his mouth.

"First off, your name is Kim Hajoon, right? Thank you for saving my granddaughter."

"I just happened to be captured as well and managed to rescue her."

"Coincidence... a coincidence..."

With those words, Adrian scrutinized Hajoon.

He looked Hajoon over and seemed puzzled.

'It can't be magic...'

Could this child really be the one who single-handedly annihilated an entire villain organization?

He kept looking at Hajoon with an inquisitive gaze.

He couldn't sense any magical power.

Nor did Hajoon seem particularly strong.

With a puzzled look, he shifted his gaze from Hajoon to Isabella and asked,

"Hmm... So, you chose this boy, Isabella?"

"..."

Unable to answer his question, Isabella remained silent.

Continuing without waiting for her response, Adrian added,

"It's hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes. Even for me, this child seems like..."

"Grandfather."

Isabella, who had been keeping her head down all this time, lifted her head with a serious expression to meet Adrian's gaze.

With conviction in her eyes, she spoke.

"He's not my partner."

"Not your partner?"

"Yes. And I don't intend to choose one, ever."

At her words, Adrian's eyebrows knitted together.

Resting his chin on his hand, he sighed deeply and asked Isabella for an explanation.

"Go on, continue."

"Exactly as I said."

"So you're saying you will become strong on your own?"

"Yes."

"Ah..."

Scratching his head as though in a difficult situation, Adrian looked at Isabella.

"What made you suddenly make such a decision?"

At his question, Isabella unexpectedly turned her gaze to Hajoon.

Hajoon, surprised, gave her a quizzical look.

Having observed Hajoon, Isabella turned back to Adrian and spoke.

"Grandfather! Look at him. Does he seem incredibly strong to you?"

With that, she stretched out her hand to point at Hajoon.

Her sudden remark left Hajoon bemused.

Pointing at himself with his finger, he looked at Isabella incredulously.

'Me?'

Did he mishear? Why was she suddenly mentioning him?

Adrian, on the other hand, shook his head at Isabella's words.

"Hmm... You certainly don't appear as you've been described. Despite my longevity, I've never encountered a child devoid of talent quite like you."

"That's correct. Even through grandfather's eyes, he seems weak. When I first laid my eyes on him, I couldn't believe it either."

"Yes, indeed. You're right. He does indeed seem weak, to an unbelievable extent. To the point where I'm doubting if he is indeed a superhuman."

Hearing this, Hajoon, who had been silently listening, could only respond with a hollow chuckle.

What's happening? Why are the granddaughter and grandfather ganging up on me all of a sudden?

Contrary to Hajoon's rising irritation, the two seemed uninterested in him and continued to engross themselves in their conversation.

"However, he is strong. Stronger than any superhuman. I've witnessed it with my own eyes, the spectacle of him single-handedly annihilating that villain organization."

"Sigh... Isabella."

"So, I was thinking if I try harder-"

"Isabella."

Promptly cutting off Isabella's words, he stared at her intently.

Her body flinched at his sharp gaze.

Adrian spoke, "Alright, I understand your point. I understand what you want to say as well. But before that, let's clarify one thing. Is this boy truly the one who saved you?"

"What do you mean...?"

"Considering his seemingly weak body, it's hard to believe."

As he said this, Adrian slowly rose to his feet.

Isabella trembled in disbelief, and Adrian, looking down at her, opened his mouth again.

"Is this boy really the one you've mentioned... Be honest, don't lie. Even I would be upset if you were to lie about such a thing."

Upon hearing this, Isabella looked at Hajoon with trembling eyes.

Adrian once again shifted his gaze to Hajoon and asked, "So, who are you?"

"I'm Kim Hajoon."

"Huh... if you really are that boy, prove it."

At his words, Hajoon frowned in dissatisfaction.

Why should I? He glared at Adrian with such a question in his eyes.

"Why should I?"

No, he said it out loud.

Upon hearing Hajoon's words, Adrian slowly began to smirk.

Adrian looked at Hajoon and said, "Well, that's true... If you really are this Kim Hajoon, I'll offer you my sincerest apology and grant you a favor. How does that sound?"

"For example...?"

At his words, Adrian's mouth curled up in amusement.

He looked at Hajoon and declared as if making a proclamation, "Anything at all. I am Adrian Heights."

As he said this, a surge of red magic power erupted from his body, engulfing the entire room.

Hajoon looked at Adrian, let out a deep sigh, rested his hand on the armrest of the sofa, and propped his chin. Then, in a dry tone, he asked.

"How can I prove it?"

"Try to make me move from this spot, even a little."

Simultaneously with his words, a quest window pops up.

Though Hajoon was frowning in annoyance, he was still tempted.

After all, he was drawn to the idea that Adrian Heights, of all people, was willing to grant his wish.

'Hmm...'

After some contemplation, Hajoon rose from the sofa.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out Maharazu, and said,

"Yes, then....."

With a tight grip on his hammer, he issued a warning.

"Don't hold it against me too much."

With those words, Hajoon activated Time Stop (SSS) and immediately swung his hammer toward his opponent's midsection.