Everyone paid their respects to the middle-aged man and his bodyguard.
"We pay our respects to master Han," they spoke in unison.
Han Yi-won, the middle-aged man looked quite satisfied as he entered the training grounds, his eyes swept over a few warriors.
They brought a seat for him while his bodyguard stood behind him.
The first batch of men lined up in front of him, those who were in the middle of training were sweating and panting.
The others ran over after being noticed and stood in line.
In the end, the room was filled with 4th to 5th rank warriors lining up.
The inspectors, being 6th rank stood next to the bodyguard behind Han Yi-won.
"Today is the day my niece finally gets a bodyguard. Everyone knows how much I treasure her, and also, how much in danger she could be in with the expansion of the Soo's. I will only choose the best man who proves his worth in front of her!"
"Ha!" Screamed the men happily in unison.
Han Yi-won smiled as he saw the vigor of the men.
Suddenly the bodyguard stood in front of him in a hurry.
"Song-ho, what's wron-"
"Stand behind me!"
Master Han was confused by this situation but he stood up.
This is their territory and training center.
If anything was happening they would at least hear a commotion outside.
He followed his bodyguard's sight, only to find a handsome young man dressed entirely in black, suit and shirt.
He was too handsome even Han stared surprised for a while.
Why would he be afraid of such a young man who looked like he couldn't even hurt a fly?
"He isn't part of the group. And I couldn't feel his presence all this time. I am sorry to say this sir, but I can't feel it even now. He, may be stronger than me."
The man walked forward.
Suddenly Song-ho screamed, sweating nervously, "EVERYONE GET BACK!"
His scream shook the entire center.
The men unconsciously followed his order opening a path for the young man. Hearing Song-ho's words they couldn't jump stupidly.
He walked by them slowly.
Song-ho pushed master Han with his arms, fully hiding his figure behind him.
Han Yi-won decided to break the ice.
"Who are you? What is it that you want?"
The young man didn't speak much of a word.
He was finally close enough to see Song-ho's shaking hands.
The two met eyes for a moment, a sparkling and deep gray color that made him lose his footing for a second.
Song-ho, didn't know what was happening.
He felt, small.
For one of the only ten S ranked in Korea, to feel insignificant.
The man didn't look at him anymore and stared at Han Yi-won behind him.
A chair suddenly flew from the back to behind the young man as if it was commanded.
He slowly sat on it.
His eyes didn't meet Han Yi-won anymore.
This young man just sat in front of me, now staring head-on, he thought.
Han Yi-won guessed he wanted him to sit.
And so he did, carefully trying to react to any movement this young man will try to do.
The young man didn't move.
He met his eyes once again.
The room remained silent.
"Song-ho, move," spoke Han.
"But sir-"
"I said move."
Song-ho gritted his teeth and moved to the side, but he was still standing between them.
"A nice bodyguard you have here," finally spoke the young man with his deep and captivating voice.
"I tend to surround myself with loyal men."
The young man met eyes with Song-ho. "I can see that, sworn brother of Soo Jin," he said as he met eyes with Han again.
Han Yi-won's eyes widened.
His fingers clutched the seat's wooden arms as much as he tried to hide it.
His eyes became serious.
The young man's eyes stared at his shaking hands, but he didn't mind.
"So you came here for my brother knowing he will come with his daughter?"
The young man didn't respond and kept eye contact.
"Are you after my brother?.." You could hear a little growl in his voice.
Song-ho clutched his fingers into a punch, getting ready.
Suddenly.
Thud.
Song-ho fell to his knees.
Veins appeared on his neck as he struggled to stand up.
But it was to no veil.
Song-ho was on his knees.
He himself didn't know why.
Until a weak, violet energy surged from the young man's shoulder.
Only that, and his expressionless face.
Made them stare death in the face.
Song-ho stopped struggling.
His half-closed eye turned to find Han Yi-won frozen in place, unable to move or blink.
"Mas- Master..." It was hard to even pronounce this word.
Cough, cough.
Everything went back to normal.
Han Yi-won woke up from the trace, sweating but he didn't move.
Song-ho kept coughing and trying to catch his breath.
"I, apologize for my bodyguard's move."
"I admire his loyalty," spoke the young man.
"I," Han Yi-won took a deep breath, "thank you."
He remained quiet for a moment.
"I suppose your presence here has something to do with my brother."
"Not really your brother. His daughter I would say."
Han Yi-won's eyebrows trembled. "My niece? Why?"
"I believe something to do with bodyguard recruitment."
This time both master Han and Song-ho were confused.
Song-ho stood straight. "Sir, the power you shower, could you be a 9th rank(SS rank)?"
The young man didn't answer but tilted his head and smiled.
A mere mortal rank? He thought laughing internally.
The other two's eyes widened at his reaction.
Meaning he didn't wish for his identity to be revealed.
But why would he be here? known 9th ranks in the entire world could be counted on one hand.
There are all unreachable figures with unrivaled strength who built their own family and rose above countries.
They could be called nation class.
There were no one of them this young or with these features.
Was this the rise of a new 9th rank?
And before all, what did he want with Soo Jin's daughter?
"Surely you are not joking, sir. Someone of your caliber, being a bodyguard to a small family's daughter..." Han was still suspicious about everything. "Are you, sent by the west? No, they wouldn't send someone of your caliber while they haven't even started... then why?"
No matter how much Han turned it in his mind there was no plausible action.
"I simply want to be by her side."
Han Yi-won and Song-ho stared at each other.
Love?
Master Han slowly picked some pieces together, if this young man cared anything about fame he would have his name renowned and power given to him on a plate.
For him to only go out to the world for a woman.
"And help me build an identity in this country. I was living in the mountains."
The two looked at him suspiciously.
Han Yi-won started thinking.
He shook his head and sighed.
"Even if you wanted to hurt her there would be no one to stop you. But I still wish to know. Are you here to hurt her?" He asked in a pitiful tone.
"No."
"Okay, I guess I can only trust you on this matter. She, will be coming soon."
"Thank you, I will own you one, Han Yi-won."
He sighed at the call of his name.
"I am good with the identity secret thing, but I would like to have your name."
"Kale."
The warriors behind and everyone else met Song-ho's eyes.
This was a signal to keep their mouth shut about everything.
But he didn't have to do so.
Seeing the famous 8th ranked, fist lord, on his knees without even moving a muscle was enough for them to keep this to their grave.
Han Yi-won's phone ringing broke the cold silence.
"It's them, there are here," he said as he met Kale's eyes.
"Lead the way, master Han."
Being called mater Han by this monster made his shoulders shiver