Chapter 70

# Chapter 70: <Contrary to Intentions>

Kael looked at the tents, the warriors, and the merchants and other people coming and going with a bland expression. For a moment, he recalled the times when he worked as Kim Roksu. Suddenly, a wave of fatigue washed over him, and he felt like resting in the mansion and reading a book. However, his face remained as calm as usual.

Kael's gaze returned to Hans. He asked him,

"Are you going to rest?"

"I'm fine!"

Butler Hans could see Kael speaking to him as he usually did.

"Then we should get to work."

Seeing this, Hans felt a sense of ease. After confirming that Hans was truly fine, Kael gathered his companions in front of him.

The civil war had already ended, so Kael and his group could easily reach the mage tower's encampment after showing their identification. Now, it seemed more like the entire camp was taking a break after the civil war had ended.

And the fact that they could reach this encampment entrance was possible because Villous had already conducted several transactions during the war. They came under the name of the Phyllin Trading Company.

But what they were about to do now was a bit different.

"We are here to meet someone named Tunka today. So, try not to cause any trouble until then."

Choi Han, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

"Who is this Tunka?"

"Oh, that's the guy named Bob. Bob is an alias."

Kael answered Choi Han's question casually and turned his gaze to Villous. At that moment, he faintly heard Choi Han muttering.

"...That's him."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing."

Choi Han replied with a nonchalant expression, and Kael, thinking it was nothing, turned to Villous and said,

"Villous, can you go to the tent where the advisors are?"

"Yes, but not everyone can come. About six people, including me, should be fine."

"Looks like you made quite a bit of money, huh?"

If he could talk to the advisors, it meant Villous had profited a lot from the civil war. Villous chuckled but didn't say more.

At that moment, the voice of the transparent dragon Raon echoed in Kael's mind.

-This is amusing.

What are you talking about? Kael's brows furrowed slightly.

-I have a feeling something interesting is about to happen.

What kind of feeling? Kael felt a chill run down his neck and absentmindedly rubbed the back of his head, ignoring Raon's words. He immediately selected the four people who would accompany him.

"Choi Han, Lac, Hilsman."

Kael's eyes met Rosalyn's. She had been silent since arriving in the Wiper Kingdom and inspecting the area around their lodging. Was she angry about the deaths of fellow mages?

But Kael saw something else in Rosalyn's eyes. They held a sense of disappointment in the Wiper royal family, who had allowed the people to riot to this extent.

"Ms. Rosalyn, are you coming?"

"Yes."

The group to accompany him was decided. Kael entrusted the rest to Hans.

"We'll go to a quiet place nearby and stay there! I'll make sure everyone is safe!"

Butler Hans's words made Kael see On and Hong snort. They also asked him with their eyes.

'When are we going to the mage tower?'

And Kael answered with his eyes.

'Just a little longer.'

The place where the cats would play would be easy to reach.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

Villous, wearing a large necklace with the Phyllin Trading Company's symbol, led the way. A warrior attached himself to Villous's side, both to guide and to watch them.

The advisors' tent. More disciplined warriors were waiting here compared to other places. Tunka had discarded weak soldiers but protected these advisors.

'That's why he can't be a real hero.'

Kael casually bypassed the sharp gazes of the warriors in front of the tent and waited for the advisor Villous would bring out. He would just have to ask them to arrange a meeting with Tunka. They would probably welcome it with open arms.

However,

'Why do I feel so uneasy?'

Kael looked around, feeling strange. Villous was taking longer than expected to bring someone out. It shouldn't take this long to bring one person out, right?

-Human.

The moment Raon's low voice echoed in Kael's mind, he saw the tent flap Villous had entered start to flutter. It seemed like a large human was pushing people aside and about to burst out.

'Could it be?'

At that moment, Choi Han, who had been standing behind Kael, stepped forward with a stern expression and stood in front of him, shielding him.

"Choi Han?"

"The energy isn't good."

"What?"

Swish! The tent flap was roughly pulled open.

"Smells strong, where is that strong smell coming from! Hahaha! This is perfect while I was getting bored!"

A giant man, drenched in blood, appeared. Behind him, two more giants, one male and one female, but slightly smaller, also emerged.

"Ha."

Kael sighed.

The blood-soaked madman, who looked like he had taken a shower in mage blood, was undoubtedly Tunka. As usual, the deranged Tunka was staring at a specific spot.

"It's you!"

Choi Han, who was shielding Kael from Tunka, seemed to be the target. Tunka didn't seem to notice Kael behind him.

"Other things also smell strong, but you smell the strongest! I can't sleep with such a smell!"

Kael thought he should step forward quickly. At that moment, Choi Han's question echoed in his ear. His voice was unusually low.

"Is that guy Tunka?"

"Ah, you recognized him right away."

Kael answered Choi Han's question indifferently, and as he did, Tunka pointed at Choi Han.

"Let's fight. Don't your hands itch?"

Kael sighed. Truly, an unchanging person.

Choi Han would naturally refuse. Given his temperament, he wouldn't engage in a meaningless fight, especially not with someone he had just met.

Kael tried to walk forward, past Choi Han. At that moment, Choi Han's voice rang out.

"Alright."

What? Raon's voice echoed in Kael's mind.

-As I expected, I, the great Raon, am smart!

Despite Raon's bright voice, Kael's face contorted.

On the other hand, Tunka licked his lips at Choi Han's gaze. He didn't see anyone else. The strongest smell in this place, a strength that reminded him of whale totems, was staring at him.

"Haha, yes. I like that look."

Tunka was excited. It seemed he could have a real physical fight, not some trivial magic.

Choi Han, seeing the madness in Tunka's eyes, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. He was calm, but his gaze was sharp, as if he were dissecting Tunka.

Swish. The sword slightly revealed itself from the scabbard.

At that moment,

Crack. Choi Han felt a firm grip on his shoulder and a chill down his neck. It was the same aura he had felt before.

The aura that had captivated everyone on the night sea, an irresistible charisma. Choi Han slowly turned around. A calm, emotionless voice reached his ears.

"Choi Han."

Kael was looking at him. His eyes, neither blaming nor commanding, seemed unfathomably deep. Choi Han, without realizing it, released the hilt of his sword. Clank. The sword slid back into the scabbard.

"Are you going to fight now?"

An aura of dominance enveloped Kael's body. He stepped forward, past Choi Han. The smell of blood assaulted his nostrils.

"Tunka."

Kael needed to be in a position of superiority over Tunka. Things had gotten a bit complicated, but this could be an opportunity.

Kael brushed his red hair back and greeted the stunned Tunka lazily.

"It's been a while."

"You, you're-"

Tunka couldn't recognize him at first. But when he saw the red hair, a person came to mind. However, something was different. He clenched his fists. An unknown aura was emanating from this guy.

The guy who had thrown him into the sea and looked down on him. That gaze was the same as two months ago. Kael Hennitus, whom Tunka had seen over two months ago, asked him,

"Do you want to fight?"

With a lazy smile, he asked. But he didn't wait for Tunka's answer.

"Choi Han."

"...Yes."

Choi Han could only nod at Kael's indifferent voice.

"If you want to fight, go ahead."

And he had to answer.

"I will definitely win."

Choi Han placed his hand on the hilt of his sword again. The grip was tighter, filled with a stronger resolve. Kael turned to Tunka. Tunka's lips curled up slightly, and then he burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

The sound was loud enough to echo around. But Tunka couldn't relax his body. The guy in front of him was clearly weak, yet!

The aura dominating this space. Tunka ignored it and shouted louder. He was excited. His body was boiling with heat. He needed blood.

"Let's fight! Good! Very good!"

At that moment, Raon's mocking voice echoed in Kael's mind.

-He's crazy, desperate to fight. Stupid. Our side is much stronger!

Of course. The weather was cool today, and Tunka would probably be beaten like dust in the rain.

Choi Han was a guy who didn't hold back once he started fighting. Kael, watching the increasingly mad Tunka, who was shouting and laughing, said to Choi Han,

"Go ahead and fight."

A smile appeared on Choi Han's lips. It wasn't a kind smile at all. Kael was satisfied with this smile. He called out to Tunka.

"Bob."

The sudden use of the alias from two months ago made Tunka stop laughing and look at Kael. Kael took in the gazes of Tunka's subordinates, the soldiers slowly approaching the advisors' tent, and those who couldn't get closer and were frozen in place. Finally, he looked at Tunka and said,

"Set the stage."

If they were going to fight, it should be done properly.