762

 [Chapter 195]

[The Beginning of a New World]

Time passes.

The year changes to Year 18 of Seonryeok.

Eun-ha turns 23.

And Eun-ae turns 17.

Fortunately, she was able to graduate middle school by guaranteeing attendance through home schooling.

After the incident last year, No Eun-ae no longer went to middle school.

She who was emotionally hurt by interpersonal relationships experienced things she couldn't do at school.

Gardening, cooking, drawing, reading, visiting museums and botanical gardens, etc.

Her mother paid a lot of attention.

To prevent her from idly passing time at home, she took care of her.

Thanks to that, Eun-ae was able to spend a year productively.

Things she could do.

Things she really liked.

No Eun-ae was able to learn about herself through various experiences.

'─I really like talking with plants and animals after all.'

And after experiencing various things.

No Eun-ae was able to clearly decide her future path.

One day at the end of Year 17 of Seonryeok.

She told her family.

She still won't go to high school.

She wants to enjoy life doing only what she likes for her whole life.

And what she likes now is raising plants and animals.

'Right, you only live once so you should live doing what you want. Don't worry about money. It's not like we don't have enough money to support you for life.'

'Dad, Eun-ae probably has more money than us....'

'Eun-ha, you be quiet.'

'Mom will always support you no matter what you do. If school doesn't suit you, you don't have to go. There are many things you can do in the world without going to school.'

The family respected Eun-ae's decision.

Inwardly, they were anxious.

Wondering if Eun-ae would wander through life not knowing what to do and be unable to enjoy her youth.

But it was needless worry.

The family cheered her decision and hoped only happy things would happen to her from now on.

Thus─

"─I didn't know places like this existed."

"There's no reason for them not to exist, right?"

"Well..."

After graduating middle school.

Eun-ae immediately entered a gardening academy located near Seoul.

On entrance ceremony day, Eun-ha visited with family to see the school she would attend from now on.

It seems they teach various things besides gardening at the gardening academy.

An academy for learning hobbies.

The curriculum is 2 years.

Eun-ha thought while looking at the banner hanging on the academy building.

While the subjects are diverse, it seems classes are conducted with small numbers.

It seemed perfect for No Eun-ae.

Then, Han Seo-hyeon opened the conversation.

"─Sirius Group decided to sponsor here this time."

"Ah, Alice Group too."

"We decided to do it too."

"...You did well without me knowing. You did well, thank you so much."

Jeong Ha-yang and Lee Yu-jeong chimed in.

Eun-ha smiled bitterly.

As much as they sponsored the academy, the academy will pay special attention to Eun-ae.

Soon they headed to the garden.

It seemed classes Eun-ae will take are mainly held in the garden.

Ah, there she is.

Fortunately... It seems she's getting along well with people.

New students were gathered in the garden.

Eun-ha easily found Eun-ae.

His younger sister was talking and laughing with the person next to her about something fun.

Are they talking about flowers?

He felt relieved seeing her face.

"That's fortunate. I was worried if Eun-ae would adapt well since the age range is high."

"Yeah, I was worried since there's not a single person entering at Eun-ae's age... But there's no need to worry."

"They're all people with common sense, so they won't do anything inconsiderate. If it was during school days maybe, but now they're at an age where they know they have a lot to lose."

"Won't people find Eun-ae cute since there's a big age difference? I don't think we need to worry so much."

Family members who arrived first discovered too.

Eun-ha exchanged eye greetings with Eun-ah.

Meanwhile, the four people chatted.

Soon the entrance ceremony explanation ended.

"Oppa! How is it? Isn't it really pretty here?"

"That's right. We were surprised coming to see too. You'll be taking classes here from now on? That's really great."

"Yeah! The kids here are happy too. And the unnies I'll take classes with all seem like good people."

"If you say they're good people, they must really be good people."

Eun-ae approached.

Eun-ha gently hugged Eun-ae.

Then he looked at the people she was talking with earlier in the back.

""""...""""

Eyes met.

They smiled kindly and bowed their heads.

Saying please take care of Eun-ae.

Eun-ha greeted them too.

"And you know, oppa? There's a class here for making bouquets?"

"There's such a thing in gardening classes?"

"I don't want to just learn gardening classes, I want to learn other classes too. So I'm going to try taking the bouquet making class."

"What are you going to use that for? Don't tell me you have someone you like?"

Whose child is this?

Eun-ha narrowed his eyes.

Father made the same face too.

To this, No Eun-ae grumbled with an incredulous face.

"Where would I have someone I like? How could I like anyone when I have oppa and dad?"

""Right?""

""""Sigh....""""

Though it probably wasn't her true feelings.

The corners of Eun-ha and father's mouths rose to their ears.

The No family except those two sighed.

To this, Eun-ae said─

"─Oppa and Yu-jeong unnie. You're getting married soon. If possible, I want to make the bouquet to use then."

"Ah."

This May.

Eun-ha is marrying Lee Yu-jeong.

Jeong Ha-yang and Han Seo-hyeon will also have the May wedding they so desired.

Eun-ha recalled again.

"Really? Then I'll look forward to a pretty bouquet. I'm so happy."

"It's new unnie's wedding so I should take care of it. Unnie, look forward to it."

Lee Yu-jeong approached.

She hugged Eun-ae.

Eun-ae rubbed her face in her embrace and innocently enjoyed it.

There's not much time left.

I'm marrying Yu-jeong.

The two of them get along well.

It was nice to see.

Eun-ha smiled watching the two, and counted the remaining time.

The current time is March.

About 2 months remained.

☆

The same day, Player Academy.

The academy grounds were filled with people welcoming the entrance ceremony.

"I was so worried because my written test score was low, but I'm glad I was able to pass. Still, it seems you took after Bruno in skill at least."

"Hmm, his face takes after you."

Well done, my son.

Julieta congratulated her son Avenier's entrance with deep emotion.

Bruno in a suit that looked like it would burst also had a proud face.

Avenier who was actually undergoing the entrance ceremony wasn't even giving his parents attention.

"All the strong people in the country must have gathered, right? I'm really excited to see how strong kids there will be."

There seem to be many strong people.

I will train by fighting them.

And I will become the world's strongest guardian protecting No Eun-ha and No Eun-ae.

Avenier, 14 years old.

The dream of the boy who just graduated elementary school was inflated immeasurably large.

So to take a step towards realizing his dream─

─Defeat the Golden Brooch Corps.

Avenier didn't even listen to the entrance ceremony, and recalled his goal while snorting.

After No Eun-ha graduated from the academy, a name called 'Golden Brooch Corps' arose at the academy.

It was a custom for graduating high school students to hand over golden brooches to promising junior students graduating the following year.

There was a big rumor circulating that students who received that brooch would have their future guaranteed as players after graduation.

And if you go deep into that rumor, it was always associated with 'No Eun-ha'.

But Avenier couldn't possibly know in such detail.

Promising students must be strong students! So doesn't that mean the Golden Brooch Corps are the strongest students here at the academy?

Simply and crudely.

Avenier didn't think deeply.

He planned to just clash and see.

Thus, a spectacle of Avenier fighting promising students every day will unfold at the academy.

Avenier becomes an object of terror to the point even high school students tremble just hearing his name.

He was the owner of such skills.

And the owner of such a physique.

"Our son does have a big build taking after Bruno. We really gave birth to one splendid son. Right, Bruno?"

"You're right, Julie."

No Avenier.

It was the beginning of the academy's despair arc.

☆

At the same time.

Shin Seo-young, who is in charge of high school instructors at the academy, visited the middle school entrance ceremony.

The reason Shin Seo-young came to see the entrance ceremony of students she doesn't even teach was purely because of Avenier.

"Is that kid the Avenier that Eun-ha asked to take care of?"

It wasn't that difficult to find the yellow-haired male student.

Shin Seo-young clicked her tongue while taking in Avenier's appearance.

When she saw him a few times before, she thought his build was huge then too.

But looking closely this time, she couldn't tell how big his build was.

He's the biggest among 1st years.

He could pass for a 3rd year middle schooler.

She involuntarily let out an exclamation thinking he's still growing despite having that build.

Did they say he's an aspiring guardian?

That child could do anything, but guardian seemed to suit him best.

He had an ideal body for a guardian to that extent.

I can already hear the sound of instructors' eyes rolling here and there.

Soon Shin Seo-young stirred up wind.

She eavesdropped on the instructors' whispers sitting on stage behind the principal.

Though the entrance ceremony hadn't even ended, it seemed Avenier had already properly made an impression.

I'm a high school instructor, so I probably won't get entangled with that child much.

I hope that kid doesn't take after No Eun-ha and quietly lives at the academy until graduation...

That's probably impossible.

Shin Seo-young smiled bitterly.

Experience and intuition were telling her.

That a troublemaker who will make her suffer appeared this year too.

Nevertheless, she just hoped.

Please, give me rest now.

It was then.

"─Is that child friends with No Eun-ha? His body is quite good."

"Ah, Lady <Sword Empress>."

<Sword Empress> Hwang Jin-hee.

She who followed out of boredom pointed at Avenier.

Shin Seo-young nodded.

To this, Hwang Jin-hee's eyes sparkled.

"That's completely... a lump of talent."

"I can somewhat estimate, but if Lady <Sword Empress> says so, he must be an amazing child."

Shin Seo-young was inwardly surprised.

Hwang Jin-hee was stingy with praise.

She couldn't help but be surprised that such a person praised Avenier.

Is that kid really that amazing?

Though he's Bruno's son.

Generally, mana, gifts, and talent are known not to be inherited.

Still, there were expectations.

Moreover, bodies are inherited.

The student Avenier's potential ability will be amazing.

Nevertheless, she still couldn't be certain if Avenier was really amazing enough for <Sword Empress> to praise.

She just passively agreed since <Sword Empress> said so.

Because <Sword Empress>'s eyes were accurate.

"By the way... That brooch really doesn't disappear."

"Ah, you mean No Eun-ha's corps brooch?"

Meanwhile, Hwang Jin-hee who was intently watching Avenier turned her gaze.

High school students mixed among the instructors on stage.

Her gaze was directed at the brooches they were wearing.

It was the golden brooch that symbolized No Eun-ha's corps in the past.

"Eun-ha and the kids left behind a lot at the academy when they left."

Shin Seo-young found it too.

She was immersed in memories.

The academy's customs didn't completely return to their previous state unlike what Shin Seo-young initially worried.

The changes Eun-ha brought to the academy had subtly permeated.

That brooch too... The tradition of graduating students handing down their devices to juniors at graduation ceremony is still continuing.

Besides that, dividing into teams for castle siege in 3rd year of middle school.

Opening labor booths at the culture festival, etc.

Many things were continuing.

Looking back, though it was hard then, it seems it was fun not knowing time passing.

Soon a faint smile spread across her face.

But unlike Shin Seo-young, Hwang Jin-hee didn't bring up the story to reminisce about memories.

"─Beheading Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and such... He left behind achievements that will be talked about at the academy for a long time, knowingly or unknowingly."

"What?"

"I thought only that pseudo-religion worshipped No Eun-ha, but that wasn't it. Are academy students also unknowingly offering faith to No Eun-ha...?"

It's not easy to build myths in a world risen from destruction.

And No Eun-ha manifesting myth to a small extent this time too.

It's just amazing.

Hwang Jin-hee honestly admired.

"Those students will become players when they go out into society later... Then they'll receive players' support."

Does he intend to become a god of players?

Then he'd be called not just a monarch, but the foremost among monarchs.

No, should I say god-monarch?

Maybe it's because I'm old.

Hwang Jin-hee thought she was having too absurd a delusion.

☆

The wind of new beginnings was blowing everywhere.

Pandora Clan also faced that wind.

When March came, new members entered.

"Um... I'm Baek Hyeon-yul. I'm Eun-ha's friend so speak comfortably..."

"Hyeon-yul was so excited for today he couldn't sleep at all last night! The kid sleeps a lot, so he sometimes talks nonsense when sleepy. Haha."

"Why are you interrupting when I'm talking..."

"My name is Yeon Seong-jin! I came dispatched to Pandora Clan as an apprentice researcher of Alice Pharmaceuticals. Please take care of me!"

"Ah, can I draw in the basement? I'm a crester..."

""""...""""

Baek Hyeon-yul and Yeon Seong-jin.

Those two joined too.

In Yeon Seong-jin's case, the circumstances were complicated.

Currently, he suddenly became an apprentice researcher at Alice Pharmaceuticals with 1 year left in university.

To this, Alice Group had Yeon Seong-jin attend university for the remaining 1 year, and Yeon Seong-jin ended up spending 1 year at Pandora Clan through a university program.

Thanks to that, he could be in charge of cleaning up after Baek Hyeon-yul even without Eun-ha worrying.

"Don't treat me privately in the clan. Keep in mind our clan has a strict batch system."

"...Alright. I'll do that."

Still, Eun-ha gave a hint.

Given Baek Hyeon-yul's lazy personality, he might not listen to senior batch clan members' words.

Private relationships were one thing.

 Now that they were working together, he planned to make Baek Hyeon-yul follow the rules.

Well, Hyeon-yul probably won't interact much with other clan members.

He'll be working where Hae-su hyung's workshop is.

Baek Hyeon-yul was a writer, a crester.

He wouldn't have much occasion to encounter clan members.

Moreover, from this year Pandora Clan officially moved to Seoul Station.

In contrast, Byeok Hae-su's workshop was currently at Sadang Station.

They were physically separated too.

"─Anyway, welcome everyone. Let's get along well from now on."

""""Please take care of us!!""""

"Then shall we explore a dungeon to check everyone's skills and warm up?"

""""??""""

"There's a dungeon under the clan."

Soon Eun-ha told the new members.

Seoul Station Pandora Clan Hall.

A red dungeon was located in the basement of the clan hall.

We moved the clan hall but haven't used the dungeon yet? I should put them in the dungeon and check their skills and character on this opportunity.

Eun-ha who shouldn't mention character inwardly giggled.

Whether the new members were bewildered or not.

Eun-ha spoke to clan members he had arranged with beforehand.

"Seong-hwan, you take the new members and bring them back without a single death."

"Yes, Clan Lord! But how many floors should we go?"

"There were 5 floors... It's the first day so let's just conquer up to the 3rd floor. Wouldn't it be appropriate to have a situation with 6th rank monsters that aren't like 6th rank?"

""""...""""

"Just kidding, only go to the 2nd floor today. Fight 7th rank monsters and come back. There will be occasional 6th rank too so that's good. Ah, Eun-woo you go too."

"It's clear you made me sub-lord for this..."

The new members turned pale.

But new members were new members.

They were armed with spirit.

Existing clan members including Cha Eun-woo predicted that spirit would disappear before long.

"...I heard Pandora Clan Lord's training is quite amazing. Will I become strong like <Divine Sword> senior after doing that?"

"What's <Divine Sword>? We're family now so just call him Eun-hyeok senior. I want to quickly become someone like Eun-hyeok senior too."

"Um... Thanks for saying that. Kids, good work everyone. I should go do work now."

""""Poor things....""""

Assuredly, they will regret it.

But it was too late to turn back.

Time passed from then.

"─I'm On Tae-hee who will be working at Pandora Clan for practical training for a month from now on! Please take care of me seniors!"

「I'm Son Ga-yeon. I'm a sniper. I chose Pandora Clan because I want to become someone like you seniors. Please take care of me from now on.」

Around when May began.

On Tae-hee and Son Ga-yeon who advanced to 3rd year of high school at the academy came for practical training.

The clan members welcomed them.

Of course, their fates were as good as decided too.

"I'm <Gale > Jin Parang who will be in charge of you trainees! You will live in the dungeon under Pandora Clan for a week. This is our clan tradition!"

"Binggu oppa, can't you take off the red hat? Really... You luckily got to be in charge of educating new members because Seo-na is busy... You're putting on all the airs. Anyway kids, go up to the upper floor right now and get supplies for living in the dungeon from the mart. Of course, you don't need to be given money."

"I'm Ranger Hoshimiya Kaede who will watch your backs this time, new members. Act as Min-ji just said. Execute."

""""Y-Yes, execute!!""""

As clan members started increasing.

Pandora Clan's discipline was established.

Of course, the rules became stricter too.

The trainees experienced dungeon life, not comfortable clan life.

And after dungeon life ended, they were scheduled to be immediately deployed to the field and rolled around by clan members.

"Can I really do well..."

「I want to go to Tempest. Please let me go to Tempest. ㅠㅠ」

"Yeah, no. You can do anything if you try."

There was a good reason Pandora Clan members were strong.

Trainees and players who joined Pandora Clan belatedly realized.

Because of them, Pandora Clan's notoriety spread.

Nevertheless, people applying to Pandora Clan would only increase.

No matter how notorious Pandora Clan was, people wouldn't acknowledge it until experiencing it themselves.

☆

Thus, in May when flowers bloom fully.

No Eun-ha and Lee Yu-jeong hold their ceremony.