Chapter 1

### Middle Boss's Childhood Friend (322)

After Story. 001 — Daughter-in-Law (2)

Doga, who defied the head of the family and fled the clan, even married without permission. His partner was Yuna, a childhood friend and a disciple of the Rainbow Witch, known as Bunny. When the clan members heard this news, they were utterly flabbergasted. They felt uncomfortable and resentful.

“What good is being a promising young man? He’s not even a noble, is he? Even if he has a child, it won’t be like his parents, and his lineage is unknown and lowly.”

“I knew this would happen. How can there be no trouble when a man and a woman are so close? Ugh, what can we do about this…?”

“He should have acted for the clan if he was one of us. If he liked that girl so much, he should have taken her as a concubine. Is love only about marriage? No! But why did he act so foolishly? Why did he have to do this, disgracing the clan? What a despicable person.”

“If a child goes astray, the parents should have stopped him. Really, what did they do?”

“It’s just like father, like son. Sangjun also defied his father to marry a commoner. Who did Gyeonu learn from?”

The people who had enemies in the Shinjeom Doga clan, especially those in the direct line, were proud of their bloodline. They were born into a blessed environment and lived a life where they were revered by others, so it was natural. Therefore, they could not help but be deeply displeased by Yuna, who was born of a lowly lineage.

The thought of her becoming part of the clan felt like a taint on their blood. Some even felt a sense of disgust.

However, she was set to visit the main house today to formally meet the clan members.

“She said she would cut ties with the clan and even returned the military sword to the head, but now she’s back. How shameless. Why? Is life without the clan’s protection so difficult?”

“Even back then, Father was secretly soft-hearted. He won’t just cast her out….”

“Hmph, she must be swelling with pride, thinking she’s the daughter-in-law of the Shinjeom Doga clan. As if she can match us?”

“Oh, it’s so embarrassing. I’m annoyed.”

‘Yuna of the Shinjeom Doga clan?’

The clan members could not accept this title. They did not want to accept it.

“We need to put her in her place so she doesn’t rise too high.”

“Let’s see what she looks like.”

“She’s a child, yet she’s arriving late. How disrespectful.”

So, the clan members were eagerly awaiting her arrival.

“……”

However, contrary to their expectations, they could not approach Yuna. When she finally appeared at the main house, she was being guarded by Doga and his family, to an excessive degree.

As a result, they could only gossip from a distance, unable to get close.

“Is that Gyeonu’s wife? I can hardly see her. Only her rabbit ears are visible.”

“The whole family is surrounding her.”

“We can’t get close like this.”

“Why not? We can just go.”

“Then you should go, brother.”

“Um… Well… Maybe the daughter-in-law should go first?”

“……”

If they provoked Yuna recklessly, it might not just be a verbal spat; they might even get their hair pulled. Seeing Doga with his hand on his sword, ready to draw it at any moment, they feared they might see blood…

“Grrr.”

“……”

Doga growled like a beast, making it even more intimidating.

In the end, the people who were watching decided to ignore Doga and his group to avoid any embarrassing situations.

‘That guy looks like he’s lost his mind. Let’s not get involved…’

‘Do they think we’re scared of them? We’re avoiding them because they’re dirty.’

‘Hmph, we can’t associate with such people…’

They were not afraid; they were just making excuses. They turned their heads away.

The head of the Shinjeom Doga clan, Do Ye-eok, entered the banquet hall at that moment.

“Everyone is here.”

“……”

Do Ye-eok scanned the room. Everyone present could not help but feel humbled by his presence.

Soon, his gaze stopped on Doga and Yuna.

“So, Gyeonu is here too. And… our daughter-in-law.”

“……”

Clearly, Do Ye-eok had used the term ‘our daughter-in-law’ with a kind smile. A man who was strict even with his own children had called Yuna ‘our daughter-in-law.’

The people present, who had just doubted their own ears, could not help but be shocked.

“Hello, Head.”

“Hello, Grandfather. Have you been well?”

Doga and Yuna were also taken aback.

They felt a bit flustered. Moreover, Yuna, in her surprise, called Do Ye-eok ‘Grandfather’ informally.

The clan members inwardly tut-tutted at her mistake.

However, contrary to their expectations, Do Ye-eok was pleased.

“Yes, now you can call me Grandfather. I’ve been well. How have you been, my daughter-in-law?”

“Yes! I’ve been well. Thank you.”

“Haha….”

Do Ye-eok chuckled.

The way he treated Yuna left the people present in shock once again.

Then he spoke.

“Since everyone is here, let’s start the meal.”

* * *

As expected, the clan members looked at Yuna with disapproving eyes. However, the worst-case scenario I feared did not happen.

We and our family guarded her so tightly that they could not get close.

‘Let them say whatever they want…’

Most importantly, unexpectedly, Grandfather upheld Yuna’s dignity.

He treated her with kindness and acknowledged her as a member of the clan, addressing her as a daughter-in-law.

‘He even called her ‘my daughter-in-law.’ The Head, who always maintained his dignity… calling Yuna ‘my daughter-in-law…’’

Yes, Yuna is a child. So, she needs to be protected, forever.

Anyway.

“……”

Thanks to this, the clan members, who were flustered, had to set aside their complaints and act accordingly.

The same applied during the banquet.

Grandfather stood up for me and Yuna.

“A talented magician who can stand up to the civilian magic families is joining our Shinjeom Doga clan. I am very pleased. Let’s celebrate their marriage again.”

“Thank you, Head.”

“Thank you, Grandfather. I will do my best.”

Of course, while Grandfather was pleased, he was not entirely lenient.

He addressed the points that needed to be addressed.

“Gyeonu.”

“Yes, Head.”

“There will be no next time. Remember that.”

Grandfather, who had put aside his smile, warned me.

“……”

There will be no next time.

If I defy Grandfather’s wishes again, like when I married Yuna, and try to leave the clan, I will be expelled without any leniency.

Understanding Grandfather’s message, I nodded heavily.

“Yes, I will remember.”

“Good, that’s all I needed to hear.”

Grandfather did not mention it further and turned to the others.

The banquet proceeded smoothly after that.

Then.

“Next, Ye-eun.”

“Yes, Head!”

Grandfather’s gaze shifted to Do Ye-eun.

When she answered confidently, Grandfather smiled lightly.

Then he brought up ‘that topic.’

“I heard you took the entrance exam for the academy.”

“Yes! I passed the written exam with the top score and will go to the Academy City next week for the practical exam!”

“Good, I heard you were top. As a member of the Shinjeom Doga clan, you should be. Congratulations. You’re impressive.”

Do Ye-eun, who turned 14 this year, was originally supposed to graduate from elementary school and enter middle school.

And like the other clan members, she was supposed to continue her studies at the clan’s sword school.

‘Ye-eun decided not to go to middle school and instead go to the middle academy.’

Last year, around October, during the Future Festival, Do Ye-eun visited the Academy City and became so captivated that she decided to change her plans.

—I won’t go to middle school! I want to go to the Academy City! To the middle academy!

Neither her father, mother, nor even Grandfather could dissuade her.

‘Grandfather was always soft on Ye-eun. She was always bold, even as a child… Everyone else was afraid of Grandfather, but not Ye-eun. How did she persuade Grandfather? I should take note for the future.’

In the end, after discussions, she was allowed to enter the middle academy, with a few conditions.

She had to master the Shinjeom Doga clan’s sword techniques to a certain level before entering the academy and receive regular training from the Regulus Clan in the Academy City.

And.

‘She had to prove her strength, which the clan members would recognize, to uphold the clan’s honor.’

I suspected that Grandfather’s intention was to test Do Ye-eun using this opportunity.

Sure enough, Grandfather said,

“Do you still want to go to the academy and change your mind?”

“No, I want to go to the Academy City. I want to experience the wider world as soon as possible.”

“The wider world… Good, if that’s your true intention, I will sincerely support you. However, you must first show the necessary strength. Strength that will not disgrace the clan’s name.”

“……”

“Are you prepared?”

“…Yes, Head.”

“Good, let’s see your strength after the meal.”

* * *

After the meal, we crossed the artificial gate.

The world inside the artificial gate, except for the stone floor we were standing on, was a desert.

It was very hot, and the sun was intense.

‘There’s a scorpion-like monster over there. If it’s from the gray gate, it’s probably a 2-rank Mild Scorpion. It doesn’t have venom…’

Meanwhile, the people working for the clan were setting up a shaded area.

They were installing folding chairs and tables and opening parasols.

Grandfather, who had already put on a sun hat, pointed to the area.

“Let’s go over there first.”

No one objected.

The people followed Grandfather into the shade.

‘What kind of test will Grandfather give Ye-eun here?’

I, along with Yuna and my family, found a spot near Grandfather.

Sitting under the parasol, the heat was somewhat bearable.

Once everyone was seated, Grandfather raised his finger and began.

“Try to enhance your vision. Can you see what’s over there?”

“……”

“You should see the clan’s flag.”

When I enhanced my vision with mana, I could indeed see the clan’s flag in the direction Grandfather pointed. The flag with the lion emblem was fluttering in the wind.

“The test is to pull out that flag and return here. How does that sound? Easy, right?”

“……”

“It won’t be that easy. As soon as you step off this stone floor, monsters will attack. The 2-rank Mild Scorpions you see over there, as well as the 2-rank Junior Worms that move on the ground.”

Grandfather chuckled.

Meanwhile, even though it wasn’t their business, the people, including my family, could not help but tense up.

Considering Do Ye-eun’s age, facing 2-rank monsters was still a significant challenge.

‘Moreover, she has to face them alone. Even if the goal is to retrieve the flag, not to defeat the monsters, this is…’

It was too dangerous.

As if reading our concerns,

“Will you still take the test? You might not just get hurt.”

Grandfather asked again.

But Do Ye-eun’s answer was consistent.

“I’m fine! I will take the test!”

“Haha, you… The Do family is full of stubborn people. I see. I understand.”

Grandfather, as if giving up, glanced at our family and tut-tutted.

Our family smiled awkwardly.

Grandfather shrugged and added,

“I’m not cruel. I can’t just throw my granddaughter into a situation where she might die. Gyeonu.”

“Yes, Head.”

“You will assist Ye-eun. You will carry the flag for her and help her if she is in danger.”

“Yes, I understand.”

There was no room for hesitation.

Grandfather’s offer was exactly what I had hoped for.

I nodded.

“However, the moment you receive help, the test will be immediately stopped. The result will be a failure. Ye-eun, do you understand?”

“Yes, Head! I will definitely pass, so please look forward to it!”

“Good, I’m looking forward to it.”