The Divine Twilight’s Return

ou say those things proudly as his older sister?” Yu-Ha replied, clicking her tongue.

“Anyway, he’s weird.
He became totally different—no, he’s still cocky, but it’s almost as if he became really old overnight.
He talks less, is more mature, and even has a talent that he didn’t have before… Right!” Ha-Seon continued, becoming more and more certain as she went on.

In truth, Chang-Sun’s family had almost given up on him.
It was understandable because, unlike his elite siblings, Chang-Sun had been crazy about games, causing conflicts with his father.
After Chang-Sun retired, he had even become an alcoholic and made even his mother worry.

While he was in the Jamsil Dungeon, his family had almost fallen apart, but after Chang-Sun returned, he had acted as if nothing had happened without making any apologies, angering Ha-Seon.

As time passed, however, Chang-Sun had begun to lead a different life.
Although he was still unfriendly to his family, he tried to show he had changed: He had quit drinking cold turkey, which had previously been the biggest problem for Chang-Sun’s family, and lived a regular life, never missing dinner with his family.
Due to those changes, the family could meet Chang-Sun more often; naturally, Chang-Sun’s father, who had all but given up and always been discontent with him, slowly became less angry.

On top of that, Chang-Sun had become a world-class genius.
Thus, even Ha-Seon, who had never been familiar with Players, had begun to hear and see the word ‘Tyrant’ nonstop.
As such, it was not unusual for Ha-Seon to talk about Chang-Sun this way.

‘And why are there so many people wanting me to introduce them to him…?! Ugh, everyone should get their eyes checked.
Why do they like him so much?’ Ha-Seon grumbled inwardly.

Looking at her daughter, Yu-Ha wondered how to answer for a moment, feeling mixed emotions and silently working through her inner conflict.

“The strangest part is,” Ha-Seon continued seriously.

Because she was worried about where her daughter was going with this, Yu-Ha looked at Ha-Seon nervously.

“He made a friend,” Ha-Seon concluded, still just as serious.

“…?” Yu-Ha silently tilted her head.

“You don’t know, Mom? He’s had zero friends ever since he was a child… Ouch!” Ha-Seon shrieked as Yu-Ha slapped her back.

“That’s no way to talk about your brother,” Yu-Ha snapped, scowling at Ha-Seon.

“Ouch, ouch! Mom! It hurts! Stop hitting me!” Ha-Seon shouted.

Yu-Ha slapped Ha-Seon’s back nonstop; although Ha-Seon tried to dodge her, she never missed.

“Stop! Stooop! Hold on, Mom! Mom, let me-Let me say just one more thing! I have to tell you something really important!” Ha-Seon exclaimed, attempting to cover her back with her hands.

“Are you just going to say more useless stuff now?” Yu-Ha asked, although she briefly stopped.

“No, I’m not!” Ha-Seon exclaimed, holding out her hand to put some distance between her and Yu-Ha.

Yu-Ha’s gaze turned sharp, ready to resume slapping Ha-Seon’s back any minute.

“His friend’s looks and physique are totally my type, so can you ask if he has a girlfriend later? He hangs out with that arrogant Chang-Sun, so he’ll be really gentle…! Ouuuuch!” Ha-Seon yelled.

While Ha-Seon was being scolded(?) by Yu-Ha, Chang-Sun suddenly opened the door.
As if they were about to go somewhere, Chang-Sun and Gyeo-Ul were all dressed up.
However, as the clothes Gyeo-Ul had worn the previous day were in the laundry machine, he was wearing Chang-Sun’s biggest sweatsuit.
Of course, the clothes were still so short for Gyeo-Ul that he was practically wearing capri pants.

“Are you heading out?” Yu-Ha asked, standing up.

Gyeo-Ul politely bowed to Yu-Ha and Ha-Seon, saying, “I hope you had a good rest.”

Watching from far away, Ha-Seon grinned as she thought, ‘Look at him.
I can see that he’s gentle in one glance.’

“We’re going out to train.
We’ll eat outside, so go ahead and eat,” Chang-Sun answered.

“Don’t overwork yourself,” Yu-Ha said, smiling faintly.

“Yeah, I won’t, so don’t worry.
I’ll head out then,” Chang-Sun said, opening the front door.

Before following Chang-Sun, Gyeo-Ul hurriedly said his farewells to Yu-Ha and Ha-Seon.
“I-I’ll head out too.”

Full of worry, Yu-Ha lightly sighed.
She had heard that Players’ parents tended to have short lifespans because they were always worried and anxious about their children, and she could now see why they were concerned.
She just desperately hoped that nothing would happen.

* * *

“Please go to Seongsu-dong,” Chang-Sun told the taxi driver.

The taxi Chang-Sun had reserved left Jamsil.
Inside the taxi, Gyeo-Ul somehow looked very peaceful, and it was all due to Chang-Sun’s advice.
After the previous night, he had organized his thoughts and changed his mindset.

“Where are we going?” Gyeo-Ul asked, tilting his head; he was unable to tell where they were going.
As far as he knew, there was no Player training facility in Seongsu-dong.
If they were going to train, they had to either go to Gangnam or areas on the outskirts of Seoul, such as Hanam.

“To change weapons,” Chang-Sun explained simply.

“Weapons…?” Gyeo-Ul repeated, his eyes widening a bit.
His weapon was currently in the inventory, and as he had spent a fortune on his weapon, he had not planned on changing or repairing it.

“Well, are you going to keep using that dull spear?” Chang-Sun asked, looking outside the window.

“But I don’t have money…” Gyeo-Ul trailed off, falling silent as he was suddenly forced to think about reality.
Although he had received some rewards by clearing the Dungeon and gotten his salary a couple of days prior, the seller would set the prices of weapons and defensive equipment.

However, Chang-Sun dismissed Gyeo-Ul’s concerns immediately, replying, “Did you already forget what I said? You set your own value.”

Gyeo-Ul stayed quiet.

“A weapon is important for protecting yourself and killing monsters, and it’s especially important because your combat power will be halved if you aren’t comfortable with your weapon,” Chang-Sun continued coldly.
“That doesn’t just apply to weapons.
It applies to everything, including defensive equipment, talismans, and jewels.”

Gyeo-Ul recalled the weapons Chang-Sun had used in the ‘Black Blood Mountain Range’.
He had used a unique-looking spear and whip, as well as special daggers.
Of course, his physical ability was exceptional, and every weapon he had was high-quality.
In contrast, Gyeo-Ul had…

‘An ordinary spear I got from an ordinary forge,’ Gyeo-Ul thought bitterly.

Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.

The spear was not bad, but it had become dull just as Chang-Sun said.
Thus, even if Gyeo-Ul repaired it somehow, it would grow dull again as he fought through harsh environments.

“So, don’t say anything and just follow me, because I’m going to pay for your weapon.
Get ready, because I’ll test your skills afterward,” Chang-Sun said.
He closed his eyes, leaning against the seat.

Chang-Sun’s weapon-handling skill was certainly splendid; what would it be like to learn from him one on one? Gyeo-Ul lightly gaped without realizing it.
Although Chang-Sun’s lesson would be difficult, it would be the second turning point in his life, the first being the moment when his half-spirit curse had been undone.

‘He’s been part of both of my turning points,’ Gyeo-Ul thought, looking at Chang-Sun with shining eyes.