When I entered the alley, I found a crowd blocking the way.
It was impossible to go any further by car.
It seemed like the whole neighborhood had come out to watch because of Kim Muyeon.
Well, how often do you get to see Korea’s rank 47 Hunter?
If it were me, I… actually, I probably wouldn’t have come out just to see this.
Left with no choice, I parked my car nearby and got out.
“What if I get a ticket?”
I scratched my head and looked around.
I saw police officers blocking the crowd that had gathered.
To a bystander, it would look like a terrorist had shown up and the police had set up a barricade.
Poor folks, working hard over something so pointless.
While I was feeling sorry for them, one of the officers walked over to me.
People followed his gaze and looked at me.
Some of them recognized me and started whispering among themselves.
The officer standing before me spoke.
“You can’t park here.”
“Ah, I’m here because I have something to do over there.”
“Something to do?”
“Yes, I—”
“That’s him!”
Just as I opened my mouth to explain the situation, people around us interrupted.
They were people who recognized me.
They began to explain who I was to the police.
The officer and I stood there, embarrassed, listening to their explanations.
Hearing my own story from someone else’s mouth left me feeling a bit unsettled.
“This is the one! The person Kim Muyeon is looking for!”
“Baek Dowoon? Yeah, Baek Dowoon. That was the name!”
“Baek Dohee’s older brother, Lee Taecheon’s friend!”
“You know Kim Muyeon came here because of some video, right?”
“He’s the main character in that video.”
People surrounding us all spoke at once.
It was convenient that I didn’t have to explain everything myself, but it was a bit frightening how much they knew.
Sometimes fans of Taecheon or Dohee would come to talk about them and that was scary, but this was a little scarier.
Maybe it’s because now it’s about me.
The police officer also seemed nervous or perhaps frightened, as he swallowed hard.
Then, as if deciding to let me through, he stepped aside.
“Go ahead. We should resolve this situation first.”
“Ah, yes. By the way…”
“Yes?”
Hmm, how should I put this?
As I hesitated, the officer looked at me directly.
He seemed to think I was about to say something important.
Well, it was important, but not that important.
The expectant eyes of those waiting to hear what I would say felt burdensome.
I pointed at my car.
“What about my car?”
The officer’s serious face turned blank in an instant.
The crowd looked just as dumbfounded.
No, I’m the one who should be dumbfounded, you people.
What if I come back and there’s a parking ticket after all this?
It’s not like I wanted to park here on purpose.
“Is that really important right now?”
“Then what is important?”
I immediately shot back at the officer’s question.
“Is there anything more important than getting a ticket?”
“…You won’t get a ticket, don’t worry.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. If you’re still worried, I’ll stand right here.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
If he stands in front of the car, no other officer will come by and slap on a ticket.
The officer nodded at me wearily and made a request.
“So, please hurry and resolve this problem. I’m begging you…”
“Haha, yes, I understand.”
The officer looked as tired and distressed as someone who had taken on more than they could handle.
Of course.
How could a regular cop stop a guy ranked 47th among Hunters from causing a commotion?
Normally, someone of similar rank or even the military would have to step in.
The only reason they hadn’t was because there hadn’t been any violence.
As Kim Jiyeon had said, he must’ve just caused a fuss with his words.
The Association must be tearing its hair out about now.
“Excuse me, may I get through…?”
As I walked toward the gathered crowd and politely asked for passage, the people moved aside on their own.
A few who recognized me helped open a path, and as some moved, others naturally followed.
Even those who were about to complain about being pushed recognized me and stepped aside.
A path opened up in an instant, like the parting of the Red Sea.
…Convenient.
“Uh, thank you.”
Feeling a bit awkward, I walked down the cleared path.
Among the gazes of the people, I occasionally spotted news cameras.
Reporters who recognized me started chattering in front of the cameras.
I couldn’t hear everything, but they were probably saying things like, “At last, Baek Dowoon has arrived!”
To think my commotion was being broadcast nationwide…
So this is what it’s like to be a rank 47 Hunter.
One of the officers blocking the crowd walked up to me.
I thought he’d stop me and tell me I couldn’t come closer, but the officer, who looked to be in his early forties, called my name instead.
“Hello, Mr. Baek Dowoon. I am Inspector Kim Hongdae.”
“Yes, hello. Though I wouldn’t say it’s a very peaceful day.”
“Haha, you’re right about that.”
Kim Hongdae gave a short laugh and agreed.
Then he turned to look at Kim Muyeon.
That guy was sitting calmly in a chair with his arms crossed.
If you just glanced at him, you’d think he was a very careful person.
Well, if he were really so cautious, he wouldn’t have made such a commotion in the first place.
“Thank you for coming. We tried contacting Baek Uncheon but couldn’t reach him, so we were at a loss.”
“Well, you really couldn’t reach him.”
“What? Ah, were you inside a Gate?”
No, I was at a special event location.
“Yes. I came as soon as I found out.”
“I see. The chief said he’d remember this incident in case Baek Uncheon comes by…”
“It’s just a misunderstanding to clear up. Taecheon isn’t the type to hold a grudge over this kind of thing.”
“Is that so? You truly are the Sky Knight.”
He’s right.
There’s a reason people call him a “knight.”
He earns their respect because he’s magnanimous and doesn’t care when people talk badly about him.
Though the “Sky” part in “Sky Knight” was something he added himself.
When I asked what it meant, he just smiled and wouldn’t explain.
“Well, I’d better go.”
In front of the smithy, Yu Jaei was staring at me expressionlessly.
Standing in front of her were Kim Jiyeon and Shim Yunjin.
Their faces seemed to ask, “What are you doing talking to the police over there?”
Or maybe they were telling me to hurry over.
“Ah, sorry. Please, go ahead.”
“Yes, then.”
I passed Inspector Kim Hongdae and walked toward Yu Jaei.
The crowd’s attention followed me as I moved.
Most recognized me, though there were some who didn’t.
As I approached, Kim Jiyeon and Shim Yunjin bowed their heads in greeting.
Yu Jaei looked at me with a blank face, then smirked.
“I told you not to come.”
“You did.”
“So why are you here?”
“If you say not to come, do I have to listen?”
“What?”
“I go where I want to go.”
Even Dohee and Taecheon can’t stop me.
Yu Jaei certainly can’t.
“Ugh, does that really fit the situation right now?”
With a sigh, Yu Jaei shook her head.
Kim Jiyeon and Shim Yunjin did the same.
Still, there was a faint smile on their faces now.
Even if they were smiling in disbelief, a smile is a smile.
Just a while ago, their faces were full of disapproval and gloom.
“So you’ve finally arrived.”
Behind me, Kim Muyeon’s voice rang out.
When I turned, he opened his previously closed eyes and stared at me.
Even in casual clothes, his muscular build stood out.
Is he a little over 180cm tall?
“Nice to see you, Baek Dowoon.”
“Is it? Are you happy to see me? Because I’m not happy to see you at all.”
“…You’re right. This isn’t exactly a pleasant meeting.”
His calm nod felt oddly out of place.
I frowned and glanced at Kim Jiyeon.
She caught my look and nodded, as if to say, “You’re right.”
As expected, Kim Muyeon was just acting like a calm person.
With so many spectators and TV cameras around, he couldn’t just let loose.
He’d probably have thrown a fit if there weren’t cameras and onlookers.
“But the reason we’re meeting like this is because of you, Baek Dowoon.”
“What’s he saying, the lunatic? Does it look like all this is my fault?”
I gestured to the crowd.
Most of them were watching Kim Muyeon, not me.
Even if the video brought me some attention, it wasn’t enough to outshine a rank 47 Hunter.
Kim Muyeon ignored the looks and continued.
“…I simply can’t stand that such a precious item ended up with someone unworthy.”
“What does whether or not I’m worthy have to do with you?”
“It has everything to do with me. Because I recognize Yu Jaei as a blacksmith.”
With that, Kim Muyeon stared intently at Yu Jaei.
She frowned at his gaze.
Recognize her as a blacksmith?
What nonsense. Anyone could see that’s not how he’s looking at her.
No wonder Yu Jaei was scowling at his stare.
But the people around us didn’t seem to notice.
“Wow, that woman must be an amazing blacksmith.”
“Of course. She’s the one who made the weapon in the video, right?”
“Must be nice to have your skills recognized…”
They muttered such things.
They didn’t notice he was looking at her as a woman, not a blacksmith.
They’re all as blind as posts.
Kim Muyeon stretched out his thick right hand.
“Now, hand it over. To someone who truly deserves it!”
“…….”
“…….”
“…What a load of crap.”
I was curious to see what nonsense he’d spout next, so I watched silently.
As expected, he got bolder and started saying things not even worth listening to.
Time to ignore him and sort things out.
At that moment, a holographic window popped up and caught my eye.
[A Rank-C Previous World Tree Quest has occurred.]
[Quest Details – Manager Baek Dowoon is currently having his qualifications as the owner of the World Tree item questioned.]
[Show everyone here the ‘dignity of the World Tree Manager’ so that no more foolish talk arises.]
[Reward for success – A leaf of the Previous World Tree.]
[Failure penalty – You will receive the World Tree Sapling’s disappointment.]
“Huh?”
I tilted my head at the sudden quest window.
I didn’t expect a quest to pop up for something like this.
Maybe because it’s a C-rank quest, the reward is the World Tree leaf I’d already received once.
If I get it, I’ll have to visit Hong Sujeong.
I’ll ask her to make me more healing potions.
“If you don’t want to hand it over, then prove you’re worthy!”
Since I didn’t respond, maybe he thought I was just holding out.
Behind me, I heard Yu Jaei sigh deeply.
“Hoo, let him hold it once.”
“What?”
Yu Jaei said something completely unexpected.
Kim Jiyeon and Shim Yunjin turned wide-eyed to look at her, surprised.
She snorted at Kim Muyeon with a cold gaze.
“Let him hold it. That way, everyone will see who the real fraud is. Let him embarrass himself in front of everyone.”
“What are you talking about?”
I didn’t get what she meant, but she waved me off, not wanting to explain further.
I decided to go along with her for now.
If she wanted him embarrassed in front of everyone, she must have a plan.
I reached out my hand to take out Arca from my inventory.
Calling upon Arca, I used my warm touch.
Then—
[The World Tree Sapling grins triumphantly.]
The Sapling was smiling.
Why was it suddenly looking so triumphant…?
At that moment, I remembered that I’d set the burst mode in the inventory to let the Sapling decide.
Now I understood why the Sapling was grinning and what it was up to.
I stared at my index finger in horror.
“No, calm down. Sapling!”
Boom!
Despite my plea, a thunderous sound erupted from my outstretched finger.
Arca shot out from my palm with a bang and flew toward Kim Muyeon.
[The Sapling proudly shows off its stone-throwing skills.]
No, this is way beyond stone-throwing…