The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Davey clutched the massive blue tiger skin, flapping it like a flying squirrel.This elicited a silent chuckle from Perserque, who found the sight quite cute.

The situation was utterly nonsensical. What kind of being was the Frost Tiger? The red-haired woman could vividly recall the blue tiger that shone, bound in massive chains. It was no ordinary tiger, and not just in size.

It stood four or five meters tall, and when it stretched out to attack, it looked even bigger. When it swung its front paw, rocks crumbled into dust, and its solid fangs were harder and sharper than the sharpest steel swords. It was a truly monstrous creature.

And yet, the young man before them, seemingly devoid of any qi, claimed to have killed it.

"Ha-ha-ha. Don't make me laugh. I don’t like lies much." The red-haired woman dropped her playful demeanor, replacing it with seriousness as she approached Davey, her face etched with determination. "I'll kill you myself."

A deadly aura emanated from around her, and a dark blue energy swirled around the whip she held.

***

The militia members' faces paled at the sight of her murderous intent.

"Whoa... Such a formidable fighting spirit!"

"It…It seems like she might even be beyond the Absolute level!"

An Absolute-realm master. In Tionis terms, this meant something between a peak-level Expert and a Master, a commendable level considering the local standards. However, Davey, who had faced many stronger beings, remained unimpressed. Moreover, the woman had not yet unveiled the full extent of her power.

‘Ak Rim Sect… They show at least some promising potential,’ Davey thought.

Despite not having explored the full spectrum of this world, Davey's disappointment ran deep. Martial arts here were overly intricate compared to the general methods learned by expert swordsmen. While superior in complexity, the process was treacherous.

In martial arts, the sword was likened to clouds, lightning, wind, and flowers.

Davey, however, was not overly optimistic about such vague expressions. Regardless of style, martial arts ultimately revolved around techniques for harming others. There was no need for justification.

Amidst the tense standoff, the first to act was the red-haired woman. Sending out her energy, she rapidly lashed out with her whip.

Using a whip as a weapon was uncommon. At first glance, she seemed to be comparable to a vampire count Davey had encountered a while back, who had acted as a handmaiden for Queen Lynesse. That vampire was a formidable being at the Master level.

With a shrill sound that seemed to shatter the air, the studded end of the whip flew at Davey's head.

"No... No!" Han Ja-Seong shouted in alarm, seeing Davey stand there without making any move.

However, the expected result did not occur.

Shrrrk! Kwaang!!!

Before her whip could reach Davey, several figures burst in, violently disrupting the woman's form. Three individuals had appeared out of nowhere. One was an elderly man with snow-white hair, while the other two were young women. Regardless of their age and gender, all of them had a remarkable presence, exuding great strength.

"One is Master-level. The other two are at the peak of the Expert level." Perserque's eyes sparkled as she observed the new arrivals.

"Robust Wave!"

Boom!!!

"Ugh, you old fart, why don’t you die already!"

The white-haired elder surged forward, delivering a precise blow to the woman's abdomen. The red-haired woman staggered back with a face crumpled in a pained grimace. But it wasn’t over just yet. Behind the elderly man, the two women raised their swords with fluid and coordinated motions.

Clang!!

In response to the sudden assault, the red-haired woman immediately dropped her whip and drew a dagger, but the situation only worsened.

"What? Why... Why can't my qi move?" The red-haired woman was overwhelmed and visibly frustrated, and she began to retreat. "Why... Why isn't my qi responding?"

She screamed in panic, realizing that something was amiss about her condition..

"Shut up! Your evil deeds end here!" the elder roared, and the woman took a step back, scanning her surroundings.

‘Planning to escape? As if,’ Davey thought.

Casually pretending to ignore her, Davey subtly drew upon his mana.

Swoosh...

Simultaneously, the unique dark power that had been active within her was suppressed and extinguished.

Boom!

The red-haired woman, whose body should have perfectly responded to her will, was rendered immobile and subsequently suffered significant injuries from the combined attack of the two women. She collapsed to her knees with her hand clutching her midsection.

"Tie her up and take her away! We've got a lot of information to extract from her."

At the old man's command, the women quickly sealed the red-haired woman’s acupoints and bound her tightly with ropes.

"Ha... You think this is over?"

“That’s not for you to decide,” one of the women retorted coldly as she finished tying up the red-haired woman.

The latter scowled in annoyance. She then turned her attention to Davey, whose expression made hers contort like a demon’s. It was as if she read something on his face.

"It was you."

"..."

"It was because of you."

The red-haired woman was quick-witted. She had realized that her instability and the inability to utilize her escape techniques earlier were due to Davey's intervention. But no more words were exchanged.

Grrrumble... Crack...

"Huh?"

Rumble!!

Amid the sudden clamor that erupted as the vast cave started to crumble, the elder's urgent cry echoed through, “Crumbling! The cave is collapsing! We must evacuate now. Hurry!”

The stunned patrol members quickly moved, assisting the staggering Han Ja-Seong. After everyone had escaped the cavern, the Hori Cave that was once considered a scenic wonder, had vanished without a trace. It was now reduced to ruins.

***

The collapse was complete, rendering further investigation difficult, if not impossible. The white-haired elder suggested that Davey, being a foreigner, should take his leave for now.

"I heard you brought a survivor from the Heavenrend Sect with you?" The white-haired elder spoke softly, brushing back his long, white mane.

"That's how it turned out."

"Allow me to express my gratitude. I'm Kwak Do-Young, grandfather of Kwak Joon-Seong."

Davey recognized the familial resemblance as Kwak Do-Young introduced himself. He then replied, "Davey O’Rowane."

Kwak Do-Young looked surprised about his answer. "Davey... Perhaps a descendant of a Westerner?"

"Something like that. I'm here as a traveler, after all."

"Incredible... Westerners haven't been seen since the upheaval. To think that I’d encounter a descendant of theirs here." Kwak Do-Young studied Davey carefully.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"A fascinating person indeed. You seem to be an ordinary person devoid of qi , yet you caught a corrupt beast?"

"A corrupt beast?"

"The tiger whose skin you acquired."

Davey recalled the tiger he had found tied up inside the cave. "Ah. So that’s what it was."

"Hmm... How did you manage it?"

Another voice chimed in before Davey could respond.

"That’s just bullshit." Kwak Joon-Seong grimaced, clearly dissatisfied with being knocked unconscious by Davey in spite of his intentions.

"Joon-Seong, language!"

"No, since it came up, I must say it. Did I do anything wrong? I went to save him because he looked like he was in danger, but then he struck me from behind…"

Perserque chuckled, and Joon-Seong turned away, his face reddening. "It's obviously a lie! No matter how you look at it, he hasn't trained in martial arts."

Joon-Seong’s insistence earned a deep sigh from Kwak Do-Young.

"I can't just let this slide! I tried to save you, yet you hit me from behind! If you permit, I would like to prove it myself!"

Joon-Seong had completely missed how Davey disposed of the evil spirits after he passed out.

"What do you mean?" Kwak Do-Young frowned.

"Fight me!” Kwak Joon-Seong yelled at Davey.

“Why should I?”

“It's just a bluff! Don't worry, though. I’ve seen a lot of random people making up things to appear strong—”

Smack!!!

Unable to stand his grandson’s rambling anymore, Kwak Do-Young waved his hand. One of the women next to Kwak Joon-Seong struck him from behind.

"Cough! Sister Hyo-Yeong! What are you doing…?"

"Shut it. You are in front of your grandfather."

“Ugh…”

As Joon-Seong grimaced, the woman called Hyo-Yeong spoke calmly to Davey, "I apologize for the rudeness."

"It's fine."

A bitter expression settled on her face at Davey’s reply. "Did you happen to see anything else when you saved Ji-Hee?"

"Ji-Hee?"

"The young girl you brought back."

Davey tried to recall the event as he replied,"Nothing in particular. I saw smoke in the distance."

"I see.”Hyo-Yeong nodded, then she went quiet.

Joon-Seong grumbled again, "Why is he being so stupid? Everyone saw the smoke from the Heavenrend Sect..."

Smack!!!

This time, the other woman struck him.

"Close your mouth, Kwak Joon-Seong."

“Bi… Big sister…” Joon-Seong flinched with fear evident in his eyes.

"If it does not trouble you, may I inquire how you captured the tiger?"

Davey simply recounted the exact method in response. "I beat it until it died."

His plain explanation left Kwak Do-Young surprised. The elder murmured, "You…beat it... to death?"

"Yes. It was not that strong."

Kwak Do-Young then fell into a brief bout of silence. "I see. You... Instead of qi , you must have trained your external power intensively."

That was only partially true, but Davey did not mind the assumption.

"External power? Grandfather, no matter how much he trains, looking at his physique, it’s unlikely—"

"I have heard there are Western martial arts that focus on training external power. If we consider that, it makes sense that we cannot feel any qi from this young man." Kwak Do-Young seemed to conclude that Davey was a descendant of a Westerner and had learned Western martial arts.

"I see. That makes sense."

The others were arriving at conclusions on their own, but Davey had no interest in rectifying their misunderstanding. Telling them their level was too low to understand would bring no good outcome.

"Sigh... I arrived as soon as I heard about the incident at the HeavenrendSect, but to have missed it entirely..." Kwak Do-Young muttered bitterly. "Thank you nonetheless. This is the first time I meet young Ja-Seong, but you actually saved Ji-Hee, the only descendant of Grandmaster Cheon Geom. Please accept my thanks."

Davey shook his head. "I simply saw someone collapsed and brought her along."

"Even that is a great kindness. If there's anything you need, speak up. I'll see what I can arrange."

In response to this offer, Davey took out a piece of green jade from his pocket.

"What's that?"

"I'm looking for this. Have you seen any jewels emitting a similar aura, or perhaps possessing an even clearer power?"

Kwak Do-Young pondered for a few moments, then shook his head slightly. "A peculiar jewel… I'm sorry, but nothing comes to mind."

Davey clicked his tongue. Of course, if it were that easy to find, Kain would have taken it already.

A woman next to Kwak Do-Young then spoke up quietly, “I have seen it.”

"Mi-Young, do you know anything about it?”"

"I am not certain, but I have seen something similar,grandfather."

"What a surprise that you’d mention it. I don’t remember you showing interest in jewels," Kwak Do-Young commented, and Mi-Young’s face flushed red.

"That... I saw it by chance..."

"Where did you see it?"

"At the Eastern Merchant Association. I remember one of the merchants had it."

Kwak Do-Young nodded in satisfaction. "Ah, that is good news. Is that helpful?"

"Yes, I'll have to leave as soon as I'm prepared."

Kwak Do-Young stroked his beard thoughtfully, then looked back at him with an inquiring gaze. "Are you strong?"

"Depends on the standard, but I don't get beaten up wherever I go."

With a smirk, Joon-Seong threw a taunt. "With those brutish Western martial arts, where does that confidence come from... Ouch!"

"Shut it, Joon-Seong."

After chastising Joon-Seong again, Kwak Do-Young turned his attention back to Davey. "Would you consider taking on a request?"

Without giving Davey a chance to reply, he went on to explain the situation. "There's the headquarters of the Martial Alliance in the east. Take Ja-Seong and Ji-Hee there. The reward will be generous."

***

The White Flame Sword Saint Kwak Do-Young, a true master of his craft, was unfortunately unable to join the group. He had more important matters to attend to, namely to interrogate the red-haired woman captured in the cave and to stand guard over the Village of the Beginning, shielding it from potential threats. Having an Absolute-realm expert like him stand guard allowed everyone to heave a sigh of relief.

"Um... Sir Davey." Ja-Seong cautiously approached Davey while he was preparing to depart for the east.

"Yes? What's up?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, but did you happen to find a necklace when you saved me?"

Davey looked puzzled. "A necklace?"

"Yes, one with a gourd-shaped pendant."

"I don't recall seeing it specifically."

Ja Seong's face fell in disappointment.

"Was it important?" Davey asked.

"It’s okay."

Though his expression hinted otherwise, Davey actually remembered a necklace that was given to him by the two scheming bandits before leaving the shelter of the Green Forest Bandits.

[Great... Great Hero! Please take this too! Actually, it belonged to them as well... Heh.]

It was indeed a necklace with a gourd-shaped pendant. However, Davey chose not to say just yet that he had it in his possession.