Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 389 – Age of Confusion (5)

Han-Yeol turned around and saw a group of Egyptians wearing extremely flashy attire, which appeared to be a modern fusion of a gentleman’s suit and the traditional attire of the Ancient Egyptians. The trio wore gold outfits, likely symbolizing royalty, while their assistants donned white attire, reminiscent of the clothing worn by commoners in Ancient Egypt.

“You guys...” Han-Yeol muttered after spotting the unexpected trio at the funeral.

Tayarana was supposed to be at the Atarinia Archipelago, hunting monsters and leading the people she left there. So, why was she here?

“I’m sorry, Han-Yeol. I only found out yesterday that you were attending a funeral. I would’ve come earlier if I knew sooner. It wasn't easy arranging a flight from the Atarinia Archipelago to South Korea on such short notice, so we transited via Egypt,” Tayarana explained.

“What?!” Han-Yeol was shocked.

“The South Korean government officials were too hard-headed. They claimed the Atarinia Archipelago is not a country, so they had no choice but to deny us entry if that was where we were coming from. We had no choice but to transit via Egypt for them to grant us entry, which is the reason we are late. I apologize for the delay, Han-Yeol-nim,” Mariam said, apologizing with a bow as she always did.

However, Han-Yeol felt the one who should be apologizing here was himself.

“I should be the one apologizing, not you...” he muttered.

The world had adopted a more conservative stance after the emergence of mana stones, making it extremely difficult to obtain tourist visas on short notice. Most foreigners had to apply for an entry visa before traveling to their destination. The only exception allowing someone to enter without a visa in advance would be if they were diplomats visiting for official matters. Thus, the trio had to return to Egypt, get appointed as official emissaries of the Pharaoh, and then come to South Korea.

Mujahid quickly intervened, noticing Han-Yeol's embarrassment over his country's blunder.

“Haha! How can we not be here when hyung-nim is so gloomy? This looks like a national disaster, so it only makes sense for us to be here and lend you our support! Right, noonim, Mariam?”

“Yeah, that’s why we’re here.”

“Prince Mujahid is correct.”

“You guys...”

Han-Yeol was extremely grateful to the trio.

Despite everything that had happened, he couldn't recall doing anything for them, but he couldn't help being grateful that they came running the moment something happened to him. This was the reason he loved them more than his own countrymen.

“Give us a minute, hyung-nim. We’re at a funeral after all, so we should at least go pay our respects first.”

“Ah, s-sure...”

The trio and their subordinates walked past Han-Yeol before bowing to pay their respects and laying down a flower each. They did not bow on the ground, as the Ancient Egyptians believed they were only allowed to kneel for the Pharaoh and his descendants.

Fortunately, none of the people at the funeral were foolish enough to point this out and cause an incident. Unfortunately, something else became a problem.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

“P-Princess! What brings you here to this funeral?!”

“Prince! Are you really brothers with Han-Yeol Hunter-nim?!”

“A word, please, Ms. Mariam!”

The reporters instantly scrapped their plans of putting the meeting of the government and the association as the front-page headline after the trio appeared at the funeral. No, it was more like they completely forgot about the two pillars of the country the moment the trio walked in.

The historic meeting between the government and association might be good for the history books, but it was not the kind of news that would attract the attention of the general public.

It was only after seeing how rowdy the reporters got that Han-Yeol finally realized the true reason the trio had come all the way to South Korea.

“Hahaha... They really got me good this time,” he muttered with a smile.

The appearance of the trio distracted him from whatever he was pondering about, and it was only after he finally smiled that he realized just how stiff he was the entire time.

[Stop the reporters!]

[Yes, sir!] contemporary romance

The trio’s subordinates were already used to these kinds of situations, so they immediately got into position to block the reporters. Then, they pushed the reporters aside to create a path for the trio to walk all the way back to Han-Yeol’s side.

“Oh!”

“This looks so good!”

“It looks like Lee Han-Yeol Hunter is their leader!”

“Hey, don’t you think you’re exaggerating?”

“Is he crazy?”

The reporters got rowdy after one of them said something foolish. However, what the reporter said was not foolish at all, as this was all a part of Mujahid’s plan to shine the spotlight on Han-Yeol.

Mujahid went over to Han-Yeol and flashed a mischievous smirk away from the cameras, then whispered, “Hyung-nim, this is a gift from the next president of—“

Pukeok!

“Aack!”

A good smack was what nonsense deserved. Han-Yeol elbowed Mujahid in his chest, but the cameras failed to capture this as it was hidden from view. It was actually more like a gentle nudge with his elbow, but Mujahid experienced excruciating pain from it.

Mujahid was not combined with Furion right now, so there was no way he would be able to withstand a blow from Han-Yeol, who already had his second awakening and was diligently raising his level.

‘Ugh... Hyung-nim’s growth is too scary...’ Mujahid groaned while grabbing his chest.

He thought after he became a Master Rank Hunter that he finally caught up to Han-Yeol, but he never imagined Han-Yeol would climb even higher in such a short period of time.

“Be quiet.”

“Hahaha... I was just joking, hyung-nim.”

Mujahid might have said he was just joking, but he obviously wasn't. The trio didn't just stop at letting the reporters take pictures; they even held a brief press conference.

After the brief press conference ended, the trio, along with Han-Yeol, went to the bereaved family members and offered words of comfort before presenting twelve billion won as condolence money.

Everyone was shocked upon seeing the figure. While it might not be an enormous sum considering the Purple Rose raid party had three hundred members, each of whom had disappeared, it was still a significant amount.

On the contrary, Tayarana looked apologetic as she handed over the condolence money.

“I apologize for not being able to prepare more... This was all the cash I could prepare,” she explained.

The moment was captured and streamed live for everyone to see. Viewers were astonished at what they witnessed, feeling an unfamiliar surge of emotion in their chests.

Deciding it was time to leave as the funeral's spotlight shifted entirely to the trio, Han-Yeol didn't want to cause trouble for the bereaved family members.

“Wow... I’m in awe of your ability to lie without batting an eye, noonim. I guess some things never change.”

“Hmm? What are you talking about?”

“The condolence money. Do you think not being able to prepare more than twelve billion won makes sense?”

“Hmph!”

The scene that touched the hearts of millions turned out to be a lie? This revelation was a secret that could potentially cause riots if it got out. Fortunately, the loyal subjects around Tayarana were unlikely to leak such a secret, and her political acumen helped her navigate the theatrics.

Tayarana casually sipped the green tea Han-Yeol served and, after placing her cup down, looked at him. She said, “Also, Han-Yeol.”

“Hmm?”

“If there’s something you want to do, don’t hesitate. If there’s something you have to do, don’t doubt yourself. If you decide to do something, don’t delay it.”

“Tara...”

Han-Yeol initially thought she was joking, but her serious gaze made him realize otherwise. He had to become serious after seeing her eyes.

“How did you...?”

Gulp...!

‘Did she notice?’

Han-Yeol was unable to finish his words as he had to gulp, swallowing the hard lump stuck in his throat. He was only contemplating it, but he dared not share it with anyone yet. The thought in his mind was far too dangerous and could come with great risks, undoubtedly causing shockwaves throughout the world the moment he uttered them.

Han-Yeol was quite careful, so he wouldn't disclose such a risky idea to another soul, directly or indirectly. This was why he was shocked at what Tayarana said.

“I could immediately tell the moment I saw your eyes, Han-Yeol.”

“You could tell just from that?”

“A person’s eyes told more than a thousand words at times. I didn’t have to hear you say a single word when your eyes already said it all.”

“...” Han-Yeol was speechless.

He could not retort to what she said, as she was technically correct.

‘As expected... These royals are different from ordinary people...’

He was impressed that she could discern what he was thinking without relying on telepathic abilities to read minds, like Mariam did.

“Do you think I can do it?”

“Is there a reason stopping you?”

“...”

‘A reason stopping me...?’

Han-Yeol tried to think of an answer to the question. The only things he could come up with were personal and shallow reasons such as it's a hassle, it's too much work, do I really have to?

“You can’t think of anything, right?”

“Yeah... I can’t...”

“That’s right. It’s only normal that you won’t be able to think of anything. That’s how the world works. The strong rule the weak, and a world where everyone is equal is nothing but a fallacy.”

“Hmm...” Han-Yeol crossed his arms over his chest and pondered what Tayarana had just said.

All four of them were sitting together, and while neither Mujahid nor Mariam could understand what was going on, they could tell from the mood alone that it was a serious matter. So, they decided not to ask any questions and sat quietly.

“Think about it a bit more.”

“Yeah, I will, and thanks for the advice.”

“Not at all. Ah, come to think of it. I’ll have to teach that arrogant government official a lesson now that I’m here. Let’s go, Mariam, Mujahid.”

“Yes, Tayarana-nim.”

“Okay, noonim!”

Tayarana seemed to have dragged the others along with her to give Han-Yeol the time and space to think alone.

Of course, she was serious when she said she was going to teach the government official, who made her travel all the way to Egypt and back, a lesson. This was not a matter of money, as they flew on a private jet, and neither was it a matter of pride. If there was one thing they valued far more than money, it was time, and the fact that they wasted their time just because of some government official was more than enough to upset Tayarana.

***

“Kyu! Kyu!”

Flap! Flap!

Mavros seemed happy to return home to the mansion as he flew around the grounds.

“Hoho~ This place has become even tidier and prettier despite your long absence, master,” Tia said with a smile.

“A house is not simply a place where you sleep, but it is also your own personal sanctuary where you heal your heart and mind,” Han-Yeol replied.

However, it was still evident from his voice that something weighed heavily on him.

“Hmm... I wonder why my master is so troubled despite coming back to his personal sanctuary?” Tia asked with a hint of sarcasm.

Then, she tightly hugged him from behind. He could feel her bountiful breasts pressing against his back while Tia breathed into his ear.

“Haha... Was it that obvious?”

“Hoho~ We, Arachnids, are very sensitive to the emotions of other creatures. We aren’t masters of seduction for no reason, you know?”

“Ah, I guess you’re right...”