When I asked this, the two people chuckled and extended their hands to shake.
"Indeed, indeed. Most of the guys who asked this gentleman to take them as disciples or mentors either got beaten up by us or couldn't pass his test and left. But a guy who can suppress both of us in an instant? He passed the test?! How great. Isn't it?"
"Right, right! Even seasoned active heroes struggle when they face us, but to beat us like this... This student isn't ordinary, is he? Ahahaha!"
Indeed, it seemed I had never seen this gentleman look embarrassed, even in the game.
He always had a distant expression or laughed it off, right?
"Is that so...... Thank you very much for the sparring. I learned a lot."
"No, no. We had fun too."
"Having a quick match, I realized this guy is going to be someone big. Let's see each other often, okay?"
"Yes, next time."
After shaking hands with both of them, I bowed in gratitude and followed Guochunshik, who had already started walking.
Guochunshik eventually entered the building.
The building he entered was a mansion that clearly stood out in size compared to the others.
"What are you doing there? Surprised by the size of the house?"
Standing in front of the house, I was just standing still, and Guochunshik smiled smugly.
"I just thought it was different from other places. Besides, why should I be surprised when my house is bigger?"
He frowned as if he didn't like what I said, then quickly turned his head.
"Ugh...! Get in here, you!"
Despite grumbling, he gestured for me to come in, so I followed.
The interior of the mansion where he lived exuded a rather luxurious atmosphere.
It was to the extent that I thought, "Indeed, they say that even if a capable person is exiled, they end up in a palace."
"Here."
"Ah, yes."
The place I followed him to seemed to be his usual study.
The medals, plaques, and photos hanging on one wall seemed to show what kind of person he was in the past.
"You just need to sign the mentor agreement. Let's see...... Here you go."
Guochunshik, who seemed displeased, placed a sheet of paper in front of me.
"To be honest, I never thought I'd end up being a mentor to an academy kid at my age......"
"Still, isn't this a blessing? You handle aura well, come from a wealthy family, and have the skills."
"Ha! Even the pretense!"
"Isn't it just that you're good at self-objectification?"
In the end, Guochunshik chuckled at my words.
"Right, everything you say is true, you. Thanks to you, I won't be bored in my old age."
No matter what, it seemed he was ultimately satisfied.
At that moment, Guochunshik's phone, which was on the study table, began to vibrate.
Glancing at the screen, he smiled and nodded.
"Well, it's about time."
After silencing the vibrating phone, Guochunshik stood up and looked at me.
"Let's go."
"......Yes? Where are we going?"
"Kangneung! We need to tackle a dungeon."
"......?"
Wasn't this guy exiled after being stripped of his villain title?
And suddenly he wants to tackle a dungeon?
"What's with that surprised look?"
"......As far as I know, you retired from being an active hero and only hold an honorary position. Can you really go tackle a dungeon?"
"What? Hahaha!"
Guochunshik burst into laughter after hearing my question.
"Of course not, by the law. But even if Gangwon Province is vast, it's only appropriate. There are no people, but there's plenty of land, so I go to dungeons that unexpectedly appear like this."
"......You do?"
"Yes. I often receive such requests through the Association...... Today, I postponed it because a customer wanted me to be their mentor."
If what he said was true, there would be no problem.
In the game, I didn't know I could meet Guochunshik until the late stages...... I didn't expect he was doing this even in Gangwon Province.
This was a point that explained why Guochunshik could receive such treatment even in this remote place.
"......Then, the other elders here must be similar, right?"
Creating a retirement facility for retired heroes in a remote area and providing the best service while asking for help when needed......
I thought the Association had put some thought into it.
And if the Association could come up with such an idea, it would be:
Probably only that person.
"Alright, let's stop chatting and go. They'll be coming to meet us soon."
"Understood."
Following Guochunshik out of the mansion, I saw a man in a black suit standing with his arms crossed.
Judging from the badge around his neck, he seemed to be an Association employee.
"Teacher! Over here!"
Seeing Guochunshik, he waved and smiled brightly, but then he flinched and trembled when he saw me behind him.
At the same time, a transparent quest window appeared in front of me.
......Huh? It appears here?
"......Sir, may I ask who the person behind you is?"
In response to the Association employee's question, Guochunshik placed his hand on my shoulder and answered as if it was nothing.
"He's my disciple."
......He must be saying it this way because he can't bring a mentor-mentee relationship to such informal tasks.
I nodded, understanding his intention, but Guochunshik's eyes were filled with a victorious smile, not pride.
No, is it that good to acknowledge someone as a disciple once......
The Association employee also nodded, seeing his smile, and approached us.
"Being the disciple of a teacher, you must be a future great hero. I look forward to working with you."
"I look forward to working with you too."
As I shook hands and smiled, the Association employee also smiled and grabbed both of us with his left and right hands.
Judging from the badge on his chest, he must be a state-certified spatial mage.
He was shaking hands to teleport us, it seemed.
"You are about to be teleported to a new dungeon in Odaesan National Park. There are Association employees stationed nearby, so you can tackle it right away. And as for the disciple...... With no one else but Teacher Guochunshik by your side, you shouldn't have to worry much, right?"
Indeed, with this guy by my side, I would be safe no matter what I did in the dungeon.
"Then, I'll teleport you now. Have a safe trip."
With that, the scene flipped.
* * *
"Still, this guy's spatial magic is great, but it makes my stomach churn after the move."
Guochunshik, who had just teleported, rubbed his stomach and grimaced.
"Isn't that because you're old?"
He looked at me with sleepy eyes and barked.
"I've always had severe motion sickness! Do you think anyone wants to have motion sickness!"
"Yes, try to hang in there."
"Still, these young people these days...... Ugh!"
If he just said no, it would sound more real.
Realizing that continuing to talk to me would only hurt himself, Guochunshik eventually gave up on the conversation and started walking ahead.
Through the gap in the trees in the direction he was heading, a simple campsite could be seen.
As we approached, two men came out of the tent.
"We've been waiting for you, Teacher."
"The dungeon?"
"Yes, it appeared inside this cave and is rated C-level. It seems to be a kobold dungeon, as a few kobolds have crawled out."
"I see. Got it. I'll finish it quickly."
"Thank you. But the young man behind you......"
"Damn disciple."
"Ah...... Yes."
The man who was just smiling and calling me a disciple a moment ago was now calling me a "damn disciple" with a sigh.
Anyway, not all heroes have broad hearts.
"Let's go. Master."
"Y-You think so? Watch and learn from behind me. Ahem."
Even so, he seemed pleased when I called him Master and took the lead.
......In the end, he's so easily pleased by just words.
The dungeon I followed Guochunshik into had all the features that kobolds would love.
It was dark and damp, connecting deep underground, and the passages were narrow, making it easy to defend.
However, this also meant that their group was relatively weak.
"Do you know the characteristics of kobolds?"
While walking side by side without a word, Guochunshik suddenly spoke to me.
"Characteristics? They dig well, have a highly developed sense of smell, and hate intruders in their territory, right?"
"Right, right, that's it. But do you have any idea why these kobolds aren't attacking us?"
As soon as we entered the dungeon, Guochunshik was trying to test me again.
I decided to surprise him a bit here.
"Isn't it because you're killing all the kobolds that are lying in ambush on the ground as you walk?"
"......You noticed that?"
"Didn't I say I'm not an ordinary talent?"
In fact, I didn't notice it when we first entered the dungeon.
I just wondered why I couldn't see any kobolds.
But as we moved forward, I sensed fear from the ground where it shouldn't be, and realized that kobolds were lying in ambush.
I also noticed that each step Guochunshik took eliminated one of these fear entities.
"Then, can you now spread your aura to detect the surroundings?"
"Something like that. I don't know how you're killing the kobolds on the ground, though."
"Is that so? Hmm, then let's start with the basics and work our way up."
"But, how are you killing the ones on the ground? From behind, it just looked like you were walking with your hands behind your back."
"Hmm, this? It's nothing special."
Saying this, Guochunshik lifted his foot and showed me the sole of his shoe.
The sole of his old shoes was tinged with blue aura.
"I just do this and spread the aura like thorns when I detect them. Just like this."
Psssh!
A thorn-like aura shot up from the sole, almost reaching the ceiling.
And the aura naturally returned to the sole.
Even though I didn't fully understand aura, I could immediately tell how absurd the skill in front of me was.
"This is a bit too difficult for you now, so let's start with mastering the shape of your aura. Let's see...... Can you feel the large chamber beyond that corner?"
"Yes, I can. It seems to be a large chamber, with at least 50 of them."
Guochunshik nodded, as if my answer was correct, and smiled.
"This is your first lesson. Clear out the kobolds without using a weapon. But, under no circumstances should they touch your bare skin."