In the world of Hunters, a **transcendent being** (世外) referred to a great figure (偉人) who had withdrawn from their position, no longer participated in official events, and did not pursue profit-driven purposes as a Hunter.
In this context, the interpretation of “withdrawal” encompassed all such beings: those who had completely departed from the secular world, those who had retired as Hunters yet still involved themselves in other domains such as their clan, and those who maintained their qualifications as Hunters but simply no longer engaged in profit-seeking activities.
In that light, Suwang Do Yeik, the clan head of the Divine Sword Do Clan, was also unquestionably accepted as a transcendent being.
Having declared his own retirement as a Hunter, he devoted himself solely to managing the clan, and even that he had delegated to his eldest son some time ago.
However, although his eldest son, Do Ujun, was recognized as acting clan head, he had not been formally acknowledged as the next clan head.
He was merely the closest to the position.
Do Yeik intended to pass the clan headship to the child most suited for it, keeping various possibilities in mind.
In other words, depending on how his other children set their minds to it, the board could be overturned at any time.
Naturally, as children born of a lion, possessed of the ambition and lust for power to become the leader of the pack, they would not refuse.
He was the clan head of the Divine Sword Do Clan, representing the collective will of all renowned sword clans and capable of commanding them.
To seize that seat, they had engaged in every manner of competition, sometimes above the surface and sometimes below.
As a result, the current likely candidates for the next clan head were, in order after Do Ujun: the second son, Do Gangjun—father of Do Sieun; the eldest daughter and third child, Do Minhui; and the third son, Do Beomjun—father of Do Seungu.
Then, starting five years ago, the fourth son and youngest, Do Sangjun—father of Do Gyeonu—had entered the fray, making the competition even more chaotic.
Do Beomjun, whose standing among the siblings was the weakest, could not welcome Do Sangjun’s entry in particular.
He felt threatened by Do Sangjun.
And in that situation….
“What? So Seung-u… entered the Academy?”
The news of his son, Do Seungu, was like a collapse of the tower Do Beomjun had painstakingly built.
The Divine Sword Do Clan was in an uproar, and the clan head, Do Yeik, was enraged.
“How did you raise your son that he caused this mess! And you call yourself a lion’s offspring!?”
“I am truly… truly sorry, Clan Head. I have no face to show you.”
If he had committed the fraud without getting caught at all, it would have been fine.
Do Seungu’s scheme had been completely exposed, bringing disgrace upon the clan.
Do Beomjun could not evade the situation and had no choice but to receive a severe tongue-lashing from the clan head in front of his siblings.
“I certainly encouraged competition! But I never said you could commit acts like this! You and your wretched son have smeared the clan’s name!”
“I am sorry, Clan Head. From now on, I will see to Seung-u better….”
“You dared try to kill your own flesh and blood!? Because of him, a bloodstorm nearly swept through the clan! The clan was nearly scattered to the winds once again!”
“….”
The clan head Do Yeik’s fury was immense.
Do Beomjun laid aside all his pride and humbled himself again and again to appease that anger.
Yet Do Yeik, who remembered the bloody infighting that had occurred in the clan long ago, showed no signs of softening.
Moreover, there was one more factor provoking him.
“You mean he lost to Tugwi’s disciple? Not only that, but had the clan’s treasure stolen!?”
“…Yes. I explained the circumstances to Tugwi’s disciple and retrieved it….”
“If that brat Seung-u did it, that would be one thing, but for you to say you retrieved it… How dare you try to butt into children’s fights! If word of this reaches Tugwi, how do you think he’ll react? He’ll laugh himself to death mocking me. No, I’ll die before that! Do you mean to insult me further!?”
“N-no. That’s not what I meant….”
“Silence!”
“….”
Do Seungu had been defeated by Gang Hanbyeol, the disciple of Tugwi, and had the Pungnang Brooch taken from him.
For Do Yeik, who considered Tugwi Seo Jeongjin a rival, this was nothing short of humiliating.
Forgetting even the dignity befitting a clan head, he spewed all manner of vulgar curses.
“None of that matters! As a parent, you clean up the mess your son made! Don’t even think of showing your face in the clan until you resolve this! Get the hell out of my sight! Get out now!”
Having received his marching orders, Do Beomjun had to hurry to Academy City with the clan’s fixers.
They had tried everything to resolve the situation amicably.
But they hit a wall during their meeting with Chairwoman So Hyeyul.
“The Divine Sword Do Clan is offering such a generous donation; as the chairwoman, I am grateful. However… a donation alone cannot prevent Student Do Seungu’s expulsion.”
“What? Might I know the reason? If it is insufficient….”
“No, there is nothing more to gain from ‘Sub-Lord Do Beomjun.’”
“….”
“I can mitigate Student Do Seungu’s cheating on the midterm exams on my end. But the problem is not limited to that, is it? Student Do Seungu also clearly intended to kill Student Do Gyeonu and Student Yeon Haneul.”
“Chairwoman, ‘clearly’? As far as I know, Seungu did not confess….”
“He denied it in his statement. But aren’t the circumstances clear?”
“….”
“We have already secured testimony from the students involved in the conspiracy. We have also obtained evidence that Student Do Seungu acquired the poison of a night hornet from the illegally traded Black Market.”
“He used the Black Market; how could you obtain evidence….”
“We are capable of knowing. We have more than enough ability to do so. Would you like me to show you the documents?”
“…Proving that Seungu planned murder based on purchase history alone would be difficult. After all, it was intended for use in the exam….”
“There are poisons obtainable on the open market, yet he specifically purchased the poison of a night hornet from the Black Market? Very well, let us say Sub-Lord Do Beomjun is right. Then how do you explain using that poison on Student Yeon Haneul?”
“That was due to coincidence….”
“And after that, Student Do Seungu ordered other students to pursue Student Yeon Haneul?”
“….”
“Sub-Lord Do Beomjun. Did you think I would overlook this? Even though a student was harmed?”
Do Beomjun could not refute the sound argument of So Hyeyul, who set down her teacup with dignity.
In the end, he had to prostrate himself to seek her counsel.
“Then… what must I do?”
“You must receive an apology from Student Yeon Haneul, who suffered direct harm in this matter.”
“…You mean to have her write a petition.”
“Yes, exactly. If Student Yeon Haneul writes a petition for Student Do Seungu, I believe I can somehow turn public opinion around.”
A child’s honor is the parent’s honor.
If Do Seungu were expelled like this, it would inevitably be a great blow to Do Beomjun, who sought to become the clan head of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
Therefore, swallowing his pride, he had come to the Jade Dormitory where Yeon Haneul resided.
* * *
No matter how much I thought about it, my childhood friend seemed far too kind.
Even though the memory of lingering between life and death from poison must still be vivid, she had readily agreed to a meeting requested by the father of the culprit; she was practically an angel.
If it were me, I would have pretended not to know.
“But… isn’t he someone from your clan? Your relative. How could I ignore him?”
“What does that matter? Just because he’s my relative, you need to be all polite and courteous? He’s your enemy. Just blow him off. Are you worried about losing sponsorship? That will absolutely never happen, so don’t worry. Don’t read the room for no reason.”
“Mm, no, it’s not that. Why would I worry when you have my back? I don’t want to be polite either.”
“Then why are you going?”
“If I send him away coldly like this, I don’t know what rumors might spread later, and I’m curious about how he’ll approach me.”
“….”
“So I’m going to see.”
“…You really are curious about everything.”
Yeon Haneul had conveyed her own reasons.
I had no way to stop her when she seemed to have steeled her resolve.
It was right to respect her decision.
But knowing how Third Uncle would try to sweet-talk and manipulate her, I couldn’t simply let her go.
“Fine, then I’m going too.”
“You too?”
“I’ll go with you so you don’t fall for his coaxing or get hurt for no reason.”
“…Yeah. Thanks, Gyeonu.”
Yeon Haneul was not the type to say “no” or “I don’t want to” clearly.
She was too tender-hearted to even get angry.
Even if she got angry, she would speak gently.
With such a personality, she would only be manipulated by Third Uncle.
So I had to protect her by staying at her side.
I decided to accompany her, who had not yet recovered from the aftereffects.
“Hey, I’m fine now…. I can use magic to some extent, you know.”
“You’re still a patient. Listen to me and walk carefully.”
“Yes, yes.”
And so, we met Third Uncle in the Jade Dormitory cafeteria.
Third Uncle flinched when he saw me walking in through the entrance.
“So you are Haneul? I am Seungu’s father, Do Beomjun. I am in charge of the Regulus Clan in Gwacheon. I regret that we must meet like this. Still, it is a pleasure. Are you feeling better now? And… Gyeonu is here too.”
That Yeon Haneul and I were childhood friends was well known in the clan.
Third Uncle, who had likely guessed that he might meet me, quickly changed his expression and greeted us.
It was a face that a stranger might have thought looked pleasant.
“Standing is awkward, so please sit here. I thought it would be better to talk over something to eat, so I prepared some refreshments. I hope you won’t refuse.”
Third Uncle offered us the seats across from him.
We did not touch the refreshments and listened to what he had to say.
The conversation, which began with simple pleasantries, soon moved to the main subject.
“The reason I met you today is to apologize as a parent for what Seungu has done. It is my fault for raising my son poorly. As a member of the Divine Sword Do Clan, it was wrong. I sincerely apologize.”
“….”
“I promise that as soon as Seungu leaves the Academy, I will send him to apologize formally. So….”
Please forgive Seungu.
I know this is shameless, but I wish you would write a petition for Seungu.
Do Beomjun rattled off words that seemed prepared in advance, as if he would not give us a moment to speak.
He then placed the bag he had set on the floor onto the table.
Inside the bag, which had been locked, was filled with gold coins.
“Of course, I wouldn’t come empty-handed. If you write the petition, I intend to compensate you accordingly, enough that you won’t regret it. This is only a portion. I will grant you anything within my ability.”
“….”
“Perhaps you wish to join the Regulus Clan? The Gwacheon branch where I am located can accumulate high achievements; it is a shortcut to success. It holds a far superior position compared to the Songpa District branch where Sangjun… ahem, your father is, Gyeonu. If you wish… I am willing to accept you as an executive immediately upon joining.”
It was a tempting offer for anyone desiring wealth and honor.
*This means Third Uncle is quite cornered right now.*
I inferred Third Uncle’s circumstances based on the information given.
Meanwhile, I glanced at Yeon Haneul, who had been listening quietly.
Lost in thought, she finally spoke.
It was a tone unlike her usual self, one that seemed to keep its distance.
“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. And you need not apologize. You are not the one who should apologize to me. Unless he apologizes, I have no intention of accepting it. And even if I accept, forgiving him is a separate matter. No, honestly… I wish he would never come to see me. I never want to see him again.”
“….”
Thus, she could not write the petition.
It was a surprisingly direct expression of intent, quite unlike Yeon Haneul, who was not good at refusing.
Her appearance, facing Third Uncle’s gaze head-on without avoiding it, made me think it was unexpected.
But that impression lasted only a moment.
*She’s trembling.*
Lowering my gaze below the table, I could see Yeon Haneul’s hands, placed on her knees, trembling.
Outwardly, she displayed a strong attitude so as not to be underestimated, but inside, she was actually afraid.
Noticing her state of mind, I quietly took her hand.
“…!”
Yeon Haneul, who must have been extremely tense while facing Third Uncle this whole time, flinched.
Then she realized it was my hand and let out a soft “Ah….”
Her face seemed to relax.
*‘It’s okay. I’m right here.’*
I wasn’t sure if my heart would reach her.
To ease Yeon Haneul’s burden, I gently rubbed the back of her hand.
Feeling that still wasn’t enough, I sought permission and interlaced our fingers.
Following my gesture, her hand opened wide, and our fingers intertwined as if they had been linked from the very beginning.
Just then, Third Uncle opened his mouth.
“It seems the compensation was insufficient after all. Well, you already receive the clan’s support, and as the disciple of the Witch of Seven Colors, your future is guaranteed. It is understandable that this would not catch your eye. Very well, I shall increase the compensation.”
“It’s not about the compensation….”
“If you simply write a letter of appeal, I shall let you have the artifacts stored at the Gwacheon City Branch as well. You may take any three you wish. This should pique your interest, no?”
“…I’m sorry. As I said just a moment ago, I have no intention of accepting the proposal.”
Yeon Haneul refused once again.
Only then did Third Uncle’s face twist.
Speaking as if suppressing his displeasure, he forced weight into his words.
“Think carefully…. This is surely not a bad deal for you either….”
“Haneul said she’s not interested. Let’s leave it at that, Third Uncle.”
“Do Gyeonu… as a cousin, do you want Seungu to ruin his life like this?”
“We’re the ones who almost had our lives ruined because of him. Why should we care what happens to him?”
“Still, Seungu is your….”
“I’m saying this because I want him to do well as a cousin.”
“….”
“It seems there’s nothing more to say, so we’ll be leaving now. Goodbye, Third Uncle. Haneul, let’s go.”
There was no point in continuing this conversation any further.
Sensing the dialogue was about to repeat itself, I stood Yeon Haneul up.
Third Uncle, still seated, looked up with murderous eyes.
Shielding Yeon Haneul from that gaze, I warned him mockingly.
“She won’t ever forgive him, so don’t come looking for her again. Actually, come if you want. We’ll just ignore you anyway. Let’s go, Haneul.”
“Ah, Gyeonu…. Yeah.”
Third Uncle glared ferociously without a word.
I pulled Yeon Haneul by the hand.
After giving a rough farewell to Third Uncle, she followed me obediently.
She carefully gauged my mood.
“Are you angry?”
“Of course I’m angry. He thinks throwing material compensation at you will fix everything. Someone almost died because of his mistake, seriously…. If he weren’t my Third Uncle, I would’ve beaten him up right then and there….”
“Don’t say that. He’s still an elder relative.”
“Aren’t you angry?”
“If you ask if I’m angry, yes I am. But still….”
Yeon Haneul trotted after me.
She was smiling slyly.
“It’s enough that you got angry for me. And I was distracted by this, so my anger faded too.”
“This? Ah….”
Yeon Haneul shook our interlaced hands back and forth.
Seeing her smiling face, my mood lightened for no reason.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to speak properly back there.”
“You were speaking quite impressively before that. I’m proud of you. You even knew how to refuse firmly.”
“Tch, do you think I’m a kid?”
“You are a kid. You were born a month after me.”
“What? Y-yes, yes, Mr. Gyeonu, who was born a whole month earlier than me.”
“…I told you not to call me mister.”
Yeon Haneul shrugged her shoulders.
The sight of her covering her mouth with our interlaced hands and laughing was quite striking.
We just stood there in the hallway, giggling whether people passed by or not.
“It’s a shame to just go back to the room like this. Want to go for a short walk?”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s buy some strawberry milk at the convenience store on the way back.”
“Don’t overdo it. Walk slowly.”
“I’m fine now…. Do I look like a pregnant woman or something?”
“There’s a baby in your belly, so you need to be careful.”
“Kyaa! Why are you touching me all of a sudden!? Why are you touching my stomach!?”
“Baby, are you doing okay in there?”
“….”
“Baby? Can you hear me? Stay well.”
“Sigh…. Yes, I’m doing just fine right here, Daddy Gyeonu.”
“Huh? What did you just….”
“L-let’s stop and go already!”
“Did you just call me Daddy? Aren’t you getting too into this joke?”
“Ugh, forget it! Forget it! Stop teasing me! And take your hand off my stomach now! Those people over there are staring at us weirdly….”
“Other people don’t even care. You’re just too self-conscious. Anyway, let’s go.”
That day.
We didn’t let go of each other’s hands until we parted.
* * *
In the end, Yeon Haneul did not write the letter of appeal.
Do Beomjun ended up proving his incompetence and had to go to Do Yeik and kneel.
He was in such dire straits that he had to throw himself on the Clan Head’s mercy.
“Just once, please overlook it just this once, Father….”
“Tsk.”
If Do Seungu were to be expelled, it would bring nothing but dishonor to the clan.
He would become the laughingstock of every clan.
It was a situation neither Do Beomjun nor Do Yeik wished for.
“I am greatly disappointed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Perhaps you are not even fit for the position you currently hold. Take responsibility for this matter and step down as Gwacheon City Branch Chief.”
“F-Father, that is…!”
“Why. Do you wish to hand over even more than that?”
“…No. I will… step down.”
If Do Beomjun had resolved the situation himself, he would have gotten off with just a scolding.
But because Clan Head Do Yeik had to step in, he had to pay the price by sacrificing the influence he wielded within the clan.
While he barely maintained his position as Sub-Lord, having been driven from the post of Gwacheon City Branch Chief, he would inevitably struggle to accumulate future accomplishments.
Naturally, the vacant position passed to Do Gyeonu’s father, Do Sangjun.
“Sangjun, you will take charge of Gwacheon City. As for Songpa District, appoint whoever you see fit.”
“…I will strive to live up to your expectations, Clan Head.”
“Yes, devote yourself to it. Do not let your guard down.”
Thus, a shift occurred in the competitive structure for the next Clan Head.
Do Beomjun had effectively been eliminated from the competition, and Do Sangjun, having absorbed some of his influence, came to threaten the standing of Do Minhui—the eldest daughter and fourth in line.
From now on, whether he liked it or not, he would inevitably be kept in check by her.
Meanwhile, through negotiations between Do Yeik and So Hyeyul, Do Seungu narrowly avoided expulsion and compromised on a forced transfer.
“Even considering the bonds of blood, I will not strike you from the family register. But until I acknowledge you once more, Do Seungu, you will never utter the clan’s name.”
The punishment Do Yeik handed down to Do Seungu was tantamount to stripping him of his standing as a member of the Divine Sword Do Clan.
It was light if considered light, and heavy if considered heavy.
He could not defy the Clan Head’s command.
Having received the notice in document form at school, he finally realized the depth of his fall.
“…No one’s here. Well, I suppose that makes sense.”
Time had passed.
Do Seungu, now released, let out a bitter smile at the fact that no one was there to welcome him.
He had foreseen it, yet it was still bitter.
Cast out even by his family, he sought a way to live on and decided to head to the dormitory for now.
“….”
It was then that he sensed a presence.
Do Seungu turned his head.
He snorted and asked.
“What do you want? You didn’t come to feed me tofu just because I got out, did you?”
“Of course not. Though I might have come to see you just to laugh at you.”
“Do Gyeonu….”
“And I have a debt to collect.”
“A debt?”
“You have to pay the price for laying a hand on Haneul.”
I Became the Mid-Boss’s Childhood Friend