Requiem Of A Failed Hero

"It's fine..." 

"Is it really okay for us to babe glamorous breakfast like this...?" 

Seong Nara gritted her teeth within her closed lips, She wanted to bite his head off but that would make a very bad person. She seriously couldn't put up with him. If not because she wanted to know more about the individual seated opposite her, gobbling steak with no manner of any sort. 

She really wouldn't be putting up with Mok Jae-Hwa's nonsensical presence if not for Balam. 

And how many times was she going to answer his question? Acting nervous around her, as though she was going to do something to him.

No, no, Mok Jae-Hwa knew what he was doing. This wasn't his first time being entangled with Seong Nara. No doubt, she was a very strong hunter. For the very fact, if not for his mental skills, he wasn't sure he would be able to win a brutal confrontation with her. 

She was a force to be reckoned with. 

As if that wasn't enough, she was very beautiful. There was this first impression that she registered with everyone who met her. Because of her cold and timid face, it is easy to think that Seong Nara is a charming cold angel who is too shy to talk to people.

Mok Jae-Hwa could feel chills dance on the tip of his pores as he thought of how many people could be mistaken about this epitome of beauty. He too had been in that position before getting to realize that she was the worst. 

She wasn't a bad person...no she wasn't. But her pettiness knows no boundaries. Contrary to the genteel, charming face she always wore, she was a snake, and if not because Mok Jae-Hwa feared and respected her power, she would spit the word 'bitch' straight up to her face. 

To think he dated someone like this. 

He shook his head again before finally resolving to eat the food in front of him. If savoring the taste of this delicacy that lay before him would help him not think of their past together, so why not?

'I'll gladly dig in'

Burying the rest of his thoughts, he picked a fork and began to divide through the steak before him. 

The three of them were seated around a lacquered table with a crimson silk tablecloth. Mok Jae-Hwa was sitting beside Seong Nara and opposite her was Balam who was very busy at the moment. 

He had not had such a glamorous breakfast ever since coming to this world. That was first, second was... Chinese food hit differently for him.

The centerpiece of this sumptuous feast was a perfectly seared ribeye steak, glistening with juices and adorned with a fragrant sesame and soy glaze. 

The steak, expertly cooked to medium-rare perfection, was a sight to behold. Its rich, marbled texture promised an unparalleled culinary experience.

Beside the steak was an array of Chinese side dishes, each more enticing than the last. A plate of golden-brown scallion pancakes, crisp on the outside and tender within, lay nestled next to a bowl of fragrant congee topped with shredded ginger and crispy fried shallots. Steam rose from a bamboo steamer, revealing delicate dumplings filled with succulent pork and shrimp, waiting to be savored.

After taking the first bite, it was like his appetite suddenly grew larger than he could control. He now understood while Balam was so focused on the food since he started. It wasn't that the demon king had no etiquette... rather, this food was just too good. It really does hit differently. 

Seong Nara scoffed at him as she saw him beginning to eat without remorse, a couple of seconds into it.

A few minutes later, one of her guys in a black suit hurried inside, trying his best not to run. He bent down and whispered something into her ear–

...whatever the guy whispered was very shocking because Seong Nara's eyes widened after that. 

Making Mok Jae-Hwa take a little pause on his food. He looked at her, eyes inquiring what was wrong even though the guy seemed to still be talking. 

While he was worried about what could have the lady with an iced expression be so surprised, he was also very careful. If it was a personal business, he would not pry. 

Suddenly, Balam stopped and looked towards the door. They were seated in the courtyard of the hotel that was rented out by Seong Nara's guild, the Dawnblade guild. 

"Is everything okay?" 

With a mouthful of steak, Mok Jae-Hwa asked. He quickened his chewing and swallowed a second later.

Balam did not reply. His eyes were fixated at the door with a frown on his face. 

Mok Jae-Hwa had been with him for a few months. There are some things he had known about Balam, one of which was his crazy instincts to sense a strong person. 

Oftentimes he had gone out with Mok Jae-Hwa, Not only could Balam sense how strong a person is, but he also could be able to tell how much potential someone possessed. 

When everything was finally over, Mok Jae-Hwa was thinking of admitting him into Rain Guild, then he would use that outstanding sense of his to look for hunter recruits with amazing talents like Shin. 

That the guy was so focused meant he had sensed something again. This was what Mok Jae-Hwa thought looking at Balam slowly as the presence began to surface to his senses Also, he turned his head. 

The door to the courtyard opened and revealed a red-haired man in a black suit. It would be an overstatement to refer to him as a man. His hair was flashy, wavy, and rough. He wore a dark shade and a nice tailored three-piece black suit, the waistcoat was white, and over his shoulder was a cloak. 

It was a clock with prints of cherry blossom flowers. 

His choice of dressing was definitely odd, the cloak on his shoulders made it so but no one on this seat cared. Not even Seong Nara who was currently frowning. 

Different things were probably running through the mind of the three of them but they all wore the same unaccommodating expression. Delicate lines of suspicion were drawn over their faces. 

"Hello?" 

He waved his hand, speaking in Chinese. 

For Balam, he could automatically understand, Seong Nara took Chinese classes as she was from a rich family. Mok Jae-Hwa however, pfft, just a few words from his father teaching him. But he didn't seem to understand hello.

'What is this? Is he here to declare a fight? How can someone walk around throwing his energy around like that and just walk in here casually waving his hand' 

Mok Jae-Hwa being the only one who didn't understand Chinese was left to think whatever. Although, his premises were very correct. Either this stranger had deliberately scattered around his energy to intimidate them which was working by the way... or he just was too nonchalant. 

Whichever it was, he had very well established the fact that he was strong. 

He removed his dark shade and sat on the empty seat of the table. His eyes scanned through the three of them before he asked. 

'I heard an invitation was sent to the Korean catastrophe ranked hunter... is he sleeping?' 

Balam and Mok Jae-Hwa exchanged glances. But it was Seong Nara that responded. 

"This is the Dawnblade's accommodation facility. I don't know whi you are but I hope you understand that you are overstepping a mark here."

Even as she spoke, caution could be felt waning itself around her tone. She was intimidated by his presence but did a good job in making it seem as though she wasn't. 

The stranger smiled after she had spoken. 

"Calm down all of you. With all the glares, I could die before I even get to try anything nasty. Besides, I come in peace. I just want to see the Korean ace that everyone wouldn't stop talking about." 

At this point, he began to speak English. That... Mok Jae-Hwa understood well. 

"Perhaps you should start by introducing yourself."

Mok Jae-Hwa countered. 

"Ah! That's right, forgive me, I didn't introduce myself. I have an habit of doing. You see, I have this habit of thinking everyone recognizes me." 

He said, chuckling. But was met by a statuesque gaze from other corners. Their eyes said made known to him that nothing was funny. 

Sheepishly scratching his temple, he put a shameful end to his soft laughter. 

He folded his arms with a raised shoulder, closed his eyes and introduced himself with all puffiness. 

"Well, I am Bastien Fournier, from France..." 

He peeked at them with one opened eyes expecting them to have a flabbergasted reaction. But they were indifferent, that brought a little bit of disappointment. As he was about to press further Seong Nara raised a brow. 

"No... way..." 

'Finally, she gets it!' 

Mok Jae-Hwa turned to her, 

"What?" 

"No, way, it can't be... that can't be possible?"

Her face became pale, it was as if she was going to enter a state of panic in the means to refute the reality that was vivid before her. 

"What is it?!" 

Desperate for an answer, Mok Jae-Hwa's voice climbed higher. 

"That man...that man is one of the four ranked... Red Beast" 

Her voice trembled as she pointed to the red-haired dude in front of them.