Chapter 69

"So, who is it again?" Hajoon asked, doubting his own ears.

But it was the quest window that clarified the reality for him.

[Sub-Quest]

Playable Character for Quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Engage in a conversation with Adrian Heights.

Reward: 2500 Experience Points

"I apologize, but Lord Adrian Heights expressed a wish to meet with you, Mr. Hajoon..."

"He... wants to meet me?"

"Yes..."

At that, Hajoon frowned as if annoyed and dropped his face.

Scratching his head, he then fell onto the soft bed and spoke to Emma.

"I'm a patient, you know. I need to rest from my injuries, so please just refuse."

Though it was just a minor cut healed by a potion, it was still an injury. He could be considered a patient.

So right now, he had every intention of taking a proper rest.

Of course, the method of taking a rest involved finding a good restaurant nearby.

But it seemed that Adrian Heights' attitude was more stubborn than Hajoon thought.

"I apologize, but we did take into account your condition and requested accordingly... but if that's the case, he said he would come to you in person..."

"He'll... walk over here?"

At that, Hajoon scowled.

And Emma was left with no choice but to politely plead with Hajoon.

"I truly apologize but, if you could please indulge him. If Lord Adrian Heights were to move, it would cause difficulties for our association as well..."

"Sigh..."

Knowing the underlying meaning of her words, Hajoon let out a sigh.

Adrian's statement that he would come in person, even by foot, was almost like a warning.

After all, this was a man who was once referred to as a walking disaster in the past.

That didn't mean Hajoon would obediently go.

"Tell him to come himself. I've had a hard day and plan to rest."

"..."

"I don't really have a reason to listen to him, do I?"

"Ah, well..."

Saving his granddaughter should be enough; Hajoon felt no obligation to comply with a request that felt almost like a threat.

Of course, if he were to refuse, it would be the American Heroes Association that would suffer, but Hajoon felt he had already done enough and didn't need to be considerate.

"I'll hang up now."

"Wa, wait! Please don't hang up, Mr. Hajoon!"

Beep-

After ending the call, Hajoon stepped out onto the veranda to admire the view.

Resting times should be for resting, after all.

As Hajoon took in the sights, his stomach began to grumble.

Considering he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, it wasn't surprising.

"Didn't they say the buffet here was good?"

Smiling to himself, Hajoon prepped his palate and immediately started preparing to go out.

"So, the kid refused, is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, that's how it turned out..."

"Hmm..."

An elderly man with a sagging, grizzled beard was sitting on a sofa. His body was massive, exceeding three meters, and his entire frame bore numerous grand scars.

As he stroked his chin, thinking about the boy, he spoke.

"Interesting..."

"Pardon?"

"So, it's indeed the boy chosen by that child"

With that, the elder slowly rose from his seat. However, an agent of the Association hastily tried to dissuade him.

"Pl-Please, calm down, Mr. Heights. We'll figure something out..."

"Hehehe, no, that's alright. I'll go myself."

"What?"

"I'm in a good mood right now, so I can afford to take my time. Now, open the Gate."

With that, the corners of the elder's mouth curled up menacingly. He turned toward the agent, his words a warning.

"Or would you rather I walked there myself?"

It was then that a crimson aura fiercely erupted from the elder's body. At this sight, the Association's agent hastily bowed his head, extending his hand in a placating gesture.

"N-No, sir. We'll have it ready immediately."

Meanwhile, the time was 1 PM.

As Hajoon was eating at the hotel buffet, a girl approached him.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Hajoon turned his head slightly, glanced at her once, then refocused on his meal. The girl, Isabella, pouted and took a seat next to him.

"Could you at least not ignore me?"

"Hmm? What do you want?"

"You heard it earlier too, didn’t you? The conversation about our grandfather."

At her words, Hajoon scratched his head and nodded. Isabella began to speak.

"Exactly as I said."

"So you're saying you will become strong on your own?"

"Yes."

"Ah..."

Scratching his head as though in a difficult situation, Adrian looked at Isabella.

"What made you suddenly make such a decision?"

At his question, Isabella unexpectedly turned her gaze to Hajoon.

Hajoon, surprised, gave her a quizzical look.

Having observed Hajoon, Isabella turned back to Adrian and spoke.

"Grandfather! Look at him. Does he seem incredibly strong to you?"

With that, she stretched out her hand to point at Hajoon.

Her sudden remark left Hajoon bemused.

Pointing at himself with his finger, he looked at Isabella incredulously.

'Me?'

Did he mishear? Why was she suddenly mentioning him?

Adrian, on the other hand, shook his head at Isabella's words.

"Hmm... You certainly don't appear as you've been described. Despite my longevity, I've never encountered a child devoid of talent quite like you."

"That's correct. Even through grandfather's eyes, he seems weak. When I first laid my eyes on him, I couldn't believe it either."

"Yes, indeed. You're right. He does indeed seem weak, to an unbelievable extent. To the point where I'm doubting if he is indeed a superhuman."

Hearing this, Hajoon, who had been silently listening, could only respond with a hollow chuckle.

What's happening? Why are the granddaughter and grandfather ganging up on me all of a sudden?

Contrary to Hajoon's rising irritation, the two seemed uninterested in him and continued to engross themselves in their conversation.

"However, he is strong. Stronger than any superhuman. I've witnessed it with my own eyes, the spectacle of him single-handedly annihilating that villain organization."

"Sigh... Isabella."

"So, I was thinking if I try harder-"

"Isabella."

Promptly cutting off Isabella's words, he stared at her intently.

Her body flinched at his sharp gaze.

Adrian spoke, "Alright, I understand your point. I understand what you want to say as well. But before that, let's clarify one thing. Is this boy truly the one who saved you?"

"What do you mean...?"

"Considering his seemingly weak body, it's hard to believe."

As he said this, Adrian slowly rose to his feet.

Isabella trembled in disbelief, and Adrian, looking down at her, opened his mouth again.

"Is this boy really the one you've mentioned... Be honest, don't lie. Even I would be upset if you were to lie about such a thing."

Upon hearing this, Isabella looked at Hajoon with trembling eyes.

Adrian once again shifted his gaze to Hajoon and asked, "So, who are you?"

"I'm Kim Hajoon."

"Huh... if you really are that boy, prove it."

At his words, Hajoon frowned in dissatisfaction.

Why should I? He glared at Adrian with such a question in his eyes.

"Why should I?"

No, he said it out loud.

Upon hearing Hajoon's words, Adrian slowly began to smirk.

Adrian looked at Hajoon and said, "Well, that's true... If you really are this Kim Hajoon, I'll offer you my sincerest apology and grant you a favor. How does that sound?"

"For example...?"

At his words, Adrian's mouth curled up in amusement.

He looked at Hajoon and declared as if making a proclamation, "Anything at all. I am Adrian Heights."

As he said this, a surge of red magic power erupted from his body, engulfing the entire room.

Hajoon looked at Adrian, let out a deep sigh, rested his hand on the armrest of the sofa, and propped his chin. Then, in a dry tone, he asked.

"How can I prove it?"

"Try to make me move from this spot, even a little."

Ding-

[Sub Quest]

Possible Quest Character: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Make Adrian Heights move.

Reward: 3000 Experience Points

Simultaneously with his words, a quest window pops up.

Though Hajoon was frowning in annoyance, he was still tempted.

After all, he was drawn to the idea that Adrian Heights, of all people, was willing to grant his wish.

'Hmm.........'

After some contemplation, Hajoon rose from the sofa.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out Maharazu, and said,

"Yes, then..........."

With a tight grip on his hammer, he issued a warning.

"Don't hold it against me too much."

With those words, Hajoon activated Time Stop (SSS) and immediately swung his hammer toward his opponent's midsection.