The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 264

The Thundercloud Pill melted on his tongue and flowed down his throat like crackling cotton candy—so much so that it reminded him of the cotton candy his parents had handed him when they’d visited a carnival.

Mother.

Thinking of old memories, his mother’s face naturally came to mind. She was eternally young and beautiful in his memories. Before long, his memories of her would be younger than him.

So long as he managed to survive, that was.

Jae-Hyeok woke up from his thoughts and observed his physical condition.

Thunder rumbled inside his body.

The moment the Thundercloud Pill contacted saliva, it transformed into a small, lightning-charged cloud.

That cloud then spread through Jae-Hyeok’s mana circuits and organs, eliciting a tingling sensation akin to being struck by lightning.

Jae-Hyeok trembled slightly.

......

That was all.

According to online posts, the Thundercloud Pill was a vile pill that ravaged users’ insides with surging lightning. Normally, anyone who took it would foam at the mouth, thrash in pain, and faint.

Meanwhile, Jae-Hyeok...

“W... w-what?”

He proceeded to chew and swallow ten pills in one go. Each time, he merely trembled slightly before going still.

The man selling the pills watched everything from beginning to end with an open mouth.

Is he human?

Maybe a beastman had infiltrated the human Community...

Just as the man was starting to imagine things, Jae-Hyeok interrupted his thoughts.

“I’ll buy out the rest of your stock if you give me a 30% discount.”

“Huh? That’s a bit...”

The man paused as he suddenly came to his senses. He felt a chill run down his spine.

This echoing voice sent shivers through him.

He realized that the customer wearing a basic mask in front of him must really be a bigshot. After all, only a National Treasure would have the points to casually buy out his stock.

Don’t tell me. He’s the Thunder Emperor?

Looking at the whole world, the man realized that the Thunder Emperor was the only one with both the means to clear out his stock and the constitution to chew on Thundercloud Pills like candy.

The Thunder Emperor, a candidate for the world’s strongest...

A thrill passed through the man, and he gulped. However, before he could begin to haggle, Jae-Hyeok turned his back.

“W-where are you going?”

Jae-Hyeok didn’t answer, nor did his stride stutter.

He was clearly headed toward the exit of the chat room.

Panicking, the man ran forward and grabbed the hem of Jae-Hyeok’s pants.

“Okay, okay! Deal! A 30% discount it is!”

Clearly, no one except the Thunder Emperor could digest Thundercloud Pills. And while such pills were occasionally used as an elixir ingredient, with the amount the man had, who knew how long it would take to sell them if he missed this opportunity?

After all, a search for Thundercloud Pills on the Community would turn up hundreds of sellers at any given moment.

***

This should be enough.

Jae-Hyeok was checking his count of Thundercloud Pills when a new message arrived.

A Conscientious Merchant: Thunder Emperor! I have something urgent to tell you!

Jae-Hyeok clicked his tongue.

This guy is still making a fuss.

A Conscientious Merchant—true name: Blake Borsus...

He was an American ranker who broke the record for the shortest time to attack various gates and was nicknamed Gate Hunter. He was often in the media and was known for his composure and elegant demeanor, so much so that the word “aristocratic” was often synonymous with Blake.

However, if there was anything elegant about him, then Jae-Hyeok saw no part of it.

A Conscientious Merchant: T-Thunder Emperor! Please! It’s really urgent! Don’t leave me on read and invite me to a chat room.

“......”

Maybe it was because masks were worn in the Community, or perhaps he saw the Thunder Emperor as an untouchable being above him. In any case, Blake didn’t care about his reputation when sending messages to Jae-Hyeok.

Jae-Hyeok hesitated.

He really was busy.

It had taken him several days to hone his mental state and come up with the Thundercloud Pill solution for his tribulation, which—even if he did win against Zhang Sosos—he would almost certainly be facing.

Two hours.

Jae-Hyeok checked the time left before his duel and finally responded to Blake.

[You have invited the player A Conscientious Merchant to the chat room.]

[The other party has accepted the invitation.] 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“Thunder Emperor!”

“W-where are you now?”

“I’m in front of you.”

“Huh? No... I mean in real life.”

Tsk. I’m not the Thunder Emperor. How should I know...

Jae-Hyeok put on a serious expression and asked, “Are you planning to steal my information and use it for something?”

“I-I wouldn't dare!”

“So why are you asking after my whereabouts?”

“Ah! That... there’s an uproar in Korea!”

“Korea?”

Jae-Hyeok was confused.

“Kang Jae-Hyeok... the Yaksha’s son is being targeted by Black Dragon Guild. Did you know about it?”

“......”

Jae-Hyeok blinked underneath his mask.

Of all things, he hadn’t expected his country and name to come flying out of Blake’s mouth.

Am I being watched?

Jae-Hyeok searched through his memories.

He started to wonder if he’d used Heavy Moon or Traces of Thunder Tribulation in a public battle, thereby exposing his true identity to Blake.

But even then, that would imply Blake has been keeping tabs on “Jae-Hyeok.”

He must’ve noticed my real identity.

Jae-Hyeok was on high alert as he instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword. His mind was racing with possibilities of how Blake might test or attack him.

Blake said, “Judging by your silence, you must not know. Still, don’t worry too much. I’m already in Korea.”

Korea?

Did he fear losing his chance for revenge to Zhang Soso, so he rushed all the way from the other side of the world?

Jae-Hyeok frowned.

He waited patiently to see how Blake would declare war.

“If Kang Jae-Hyeok is in danger of being killed by Zhang Soso, I’ll step forward to protect him. However, I don’t have the confidence to hold out against the Black Dragon for long. Therefore, you’ll leave for Korea as soon as possible. I need your support.”

“......?”

Jae-Hyeok was speechless.

Blake hurriedly explained. “I know that you cherish that child as if he were your own.”

Not long ago, the Thunder Emperor had appeared at a Kang Jae-Hyeok’s candidate exam, even stepping forward personally to defend the boy from domestic sabotage. Most people in the States were indifferent to Korea, but that story had been front-page news at the time. It was quite a hot topic.

From then on, Blake kept a close eye on Jae-Hyeok.

“Even most of the gifts I gave you ended up in that boy’s hands. Seeing that he can wield Traces of Thunder Tribulation, he must be your successor, right?”

Through the holes in his mask, Blake’s eyes shone fiercely.

“I will protect your successor!” he declared.

“In exchange, I only hope that you’ll look favorably upon me and pass on your knowledge of overcoming the thunder tribulation!”

Blake desired one thing above all, and that was to overcome his thunder tribulation and reach the realm of transcendence.

To this end, Blake had become a merchant solely to acquire the best protective items. But even after ten years, he still wasn’t sure he could overcome his thunder tribulation—because no matter how many items he collected, the fact remained that his Profession was a water-type, which was extremely vulnerable to lightning.

For Blake, the Thunder Emperor’s patronage was more than a simple connection. He represented a path to salvation and progress.

“......”

Jae-Hyeok’s eyes became calm.

From the start, Jae-Hyeok had to admit that Blake had been nothing but good to him. Moreover, without the items Blake gave him, Jae-Hyeok would’ve lost his life several times, or his growth would’ve been far slower.

Although everything he’s done arose from his misunderstanding my identity, a benefactor is a benefactor, after all.

Moreover, Jae-Hyeo had every intention of leeching plenty more great deals from Blake, so he didn’t wish to see their relationship sour.

Besides, so long as Jae-Hyeok agreed, he’d gain the protection of one of the United States’ top-ranked players. That was a great deal in and of itself.

The only problem was...

“Everyone’s constitution is different.”

Jae-Hyeok was an aristocrat; misleading Blake with false promises was simply too dishonorable.

I’m not sure I can be of any help to him.

Jae-Hyeok finally shook his head.

“Even so! I’m sure your guidance can help me!”

Jae-Hyeok’s attitude made Blake trust in the “Thunder Emperor” even more.

During his time as a merchant in the anonymous Community, Blake had met a variety of humans. He learned from experience that there were many scammers who only talked nonsense. Therefore, he placed great trust in Jae-Hyeok’s humble attitude.

“Even if I can’t help you?”

“No problem! It will definitely help!”

“......”

Blake prostrated himself and bowed even deeper. Jae-Hyeok tried to stop him, but it was no use. It was pointless trying to reason with him.

The middle-aged man with his forehead against the ground didn’t move.

Sigh. He has no clue who he’s bowing to... I won’t be able to break his stubbornness unless I reveal my identity.

Blake had already arrived in Korea.

The situation could become a disaster if he made the mistake of turning Blake into an enemy right before his battle with Zhang Soso..

“Okay.”

In the end, Jae-Hyeok accepted Blake’s offer, wincing under his mask as he did.

“If you help Kang Jae-Hyeok, I’ll... do my best to help you too.”

The promises of an aristocrat must be kept. Jae-Hyeok had no intention of deceiving Blake. If things go well, I’ll be experiencing my thunder tribulation shortly. By then, hopefully I’ll have some useful insights to give Blake.

Jae-Hyeok held out his hand.

“Ahh! Thank you! I really appreciate it! Thunder Emperor!”

The thrilled Blake finally raised his head and held Jae-Hyeok’s hand.

They were big, hard hands.

Jae-Hyeok felt like he had gained an army behind him.

***

Two hours later.

Wah!

Boo! Booo!

Jae-Hyeok arrived at the Players Stadium, where thousands upon thousands of people were gathered.