732
[Chapter 186]
[Mute (5)]
The fourth day of the cultural festival.
On this day, Eun-ha was assigned to patrol the academy with Ryu Yeon-hwa.
"There are so many people, probably because it's the fourth day..."
"Yeah, that's right. It seems everyone came to see the comprehensive division competition and fireworks."
The academy was bustling with people.
It was difficult even to take a step.
Eun-ha groaned.
Tomorrow the cultural festival would end in the morning, and even that day was allocated for cleaning up the booths.
So today could be considered the last day of the cultural festival.
It was understandable that people would flock here.
Moreover, today was also the day when important events of the cultural festival were taking place.
The comprehensive division competition finals.
And fireworks.
Both were events that could be considered key elements of the cultural festival.
It was quite a burdensome day from the perspective of patrolling.
Maybe I should have just not changed shifts if I knew it would be like this.
Eun-ha felt regret belatedly.
As a result of changing shifts to invite Ha Baek-ryeon to the cultural festival, Eun-ha had to patrol all day today.
No, it's fine. Baek-ryeon had fun and left, so there's nothing to regret.
It's enough that Baek-ryeon enjoyed herself.
Soon, Eun-ha changed his thoughts.
The previous day, Ha Baek-ryeon came to the cultural festival and made pleasant memories.
At Ha Ji-eun's suggestion, they even took sticker photos together.
Although Ha Baek-ryeon tried not to show it, Eun-ha could feel that he had gotten a little closer to her.
'─See you again next time.'
She even said that to Eun-ha when she was going home.
Eun-ha recalled her quickly running away with her twin braids fluttering.
A smile naturally formed on his lips.
"Did something good happen?"
"Huh? Why?"
"No... You look like you're in a good mood."
"I guess I look happy because I'm patrolling with noona."
It seemed his expression had been noticed.
Ryu Yeon-hwa suddenly spoke up.
Eun-ha responded glibly.
At this, she blinked her eyes.
Then she smiled brightly.
"...I see. That's good. So you feel good when you're with me."
"Why are you stating the obvious? When have I ever said I don't like being with noona?"
"I never said that... But still..."
"But what?"
"I thought you might be upset with me because I've been avoiding you lately."
"Why would I be upset about that... But it seems you felt guilty about something too?"
"Yeah... I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize for that."
Ryu Yeon-hwa feeling awkward.
Eun-ha dismissed it as unnecessary worry.
He wasn't unaware of the reason why she was intentionally avoiding him.
So Eun-ha pretended not to know about her concerns, being considerate of Ryu Yeon-hwa.
It seems she's okay now though.
She doesn't seem awkward being with me anymore....
Her face looks brighter today.
Eun-ha observed Ryu Yeon-hwa's complexion.
Her face was brighter than before.
Ryu Yeon-hwa, who would immediately turn her head away if they made even slight eye contact recently, didn't avoid his gaze.
Her blue eyes were directed at Eun-ha.
Eun-ha opened his mouth.
"Have you resolved your concerns now?"
"No, not yet..."
Ryu Yeon-hwa shook her head.
Although her expression had improved compared to before, she still seemed to have many concerns.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha decided not to worry too much about Ryu Yeon-hwa anymore.
It seemed like she was getting a grasp on something.
Yeonhwa noona will figure it out on her own.
She'll compose herself soon.
Ryu Yeon-hwa was a reliable person.
She was one of the few people Eun-ha unconditionally trusted in the Pandora Clan.
Even if she was struggling now, she would soon make up her mind and find her way.
It's just a temporary struggle.
Eun-ha believed without a doubt.
At that moment─
─Boom!
Fireworks exploded.
Time had passed without them realizing.
Eun-ha looked up at the night sky following the direction of the sound.
The fireworks that bloomed in the night sky quickly faded away.
But fireworks that soared up in their place lit up the night sky again─
""""─Wow....""""
The night sky flashed brilliantly.
People let out exclamations of admiration.
"Beautiful..."
"Yeah."
Ryu Yeon-hwa was the same.
She also stopped walking and blankly looked up at the night sky.
Her blue eyes reflecting the fireworks sparkled.
Eun-ha looked at her and the fireworks and had a thought.
"Noona, instead of doing this here, want to go up somewhere high to watch?"
"Somewhere high? Where?"
"Well... How about that clock tower over there? The dormitory rooftop will probably be crowded, so shall we go up to the roof of that clock tower?"
"Yeah, sounds good."
Eun-ha chuckled.
He pointed at the clock tower visible nearby.
With a mischievous-looking face.
Yeonhwa nodded at Eun-ha's chuckling appearance.
☆
No Eun-ha.
To Ryu Yeon-hwa, No Eun-ha was a person who held many meanings.
At first, he was her friend's younger brother.
Then he was her junior at the academy.
And also her morning training partner.
Then at some point she─
─I like Eun-ha.
She came to have romantic feelings for him.
Feelings she hadn't realized until now.
But by the time she noticed those feelings, it was a bit late.
Eun-ha had already become another woman's man.
So she should have given up─
─I can't let go of my feelings.
I want to, but I can't.
Ryu Yeon-hwa couldn't let go of her feelings.
She had tried all sorts of things.
She tried to throw away her feelings, and tried to distance herself from Eun-ha.
But no matter what methods she used, there was no way she could easily erase the memories and emotions built up over several years.
Eun-ha is now the Pandora Clan Lord, and I'm a clan member.
I should treat him professionally now.
Nevertheless, because she knew this wasn't right.
Ryu Yeon-hwa even resolved to try to change their relationship differently.
Even that was useless.
When she heard the news that Eun-ha had died at Ye-gyeong's hands─
'─Anyway, it's true that Eun-ha was ambushed and left in critical condition by those guys.'
Ryu Yeon-hwa was enraged.
The feelings she had been suppressing turned into anger and consumed her.
At that time, she realized that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't throw away her romantic feelings for Eun-ha.
She had to admit it.
I like Eun-ha.
But feelings I shouldn't have.
That ate away at her heart.
Moreover, after seeing Eun-ha marry Han Seo-hyeon, her heart ached terribly.
Even she, who hadn't shown much reaction when attacked by monsters, couldn't handle this pain.
Furthermore, when Eun-ha got engaged to Jung Ha-yang and Lee Yu-jeong, the mental shock came much stronger.
At that time, she was placed in a test of her reason and emotions.
─What are you worrying about? If No Eun-ha had chosen only one person, you would have had to give up inevitably, but that's not the case, so is there any need to hesitate?
Eun-ha has already made a harem.
He's taking not just one, but three women as wives, so is there any reason he can't take a fourth wife?
The devil of emotions whispered.
She agreed to some extent.
The fact that Eun-ha had made a harem meant that there was still a chance for her.
But Ryu Yeon-hwa couldn't easily fall for the whispers of emotion.
Because every time, the angel of reason whispered to her.
But you still shouldn't, it's impure.
Are you okay with becoming just one of Eun-ha's 'women' instead of Eun-ha's 'woman'?
Can a person really love multiple people? Shouldn't you love only one person?
Although there were people in this world who made harems.
At least for Ryu Yeon-hwa, it was something that greatly deviated from common sense.
No matter how much she liked Eun-ha.
Ryu Yeon-hwa's reason was adamantly crying out that this wasn't right.
Just join the harem too.
No, you should let go of your feelings now.
So in her heart, emotion and reason were having an intense battle of wills.
In such a situation, there was no way swinging her spear would go well.
<Sword Empress> must have seen through her heart like that.
'Whatever you're hesitating about, if such emotions are affecting your spear to this extent, it's better to resolve them quickly.'
At that time, Ryu Yeon-hwa's face burned.
She was ashamed of herself for hesitating while sparring against a living legend.
And ironically.
Her heart fluttered seeing Eun-ha being conscious of her trying to distance herself.
She liked that Eun-ha cared about her, and her feelings for Eun-ha only deepened.
It was the same now.
"─Come to think of it, isn't this the first time watching fireworks together with noona? We've walked around the cultural festival together a few times before, but I don't think we've watched fireworks together."
"...Yeah, that's right."
The fourth day of the cultural festival.
Ryu Yeon-hwa, who had been led up to the clock tower roof by Eun-ha, just blankly stared at Eun-ha.
She didn't even glance at the fireworks.
The memory of being held by Eun-ha while flying up to the clock tower just before was still vividly clear in her mind.
Boom! Pop pop boom!!
Fireworks burst in the night sky.
No Eun-ha with the bright night sky behind him looks even more attractive today.
His facial features revealed by the bursting fireworks seemed so handsome.
"Noona? What's wrong? You're spacing out."
"..."
"Noona, can you see my hand?"
"...I can see it. I'm fine."
But that No Eun-ha was staring intently at her.
She absolutely couldn't suppress her pounding heart.
It feels like her heartbeat could be heard.
Bang! Bam bam bang!!
Fortunately, the thumping sound was covered by the sound of fireworks exploding.
Her face, which must have turned bright red, probably wasn't visible due to the fireworks.
Ryu Yeon-hwa was grateful for the fireworks.
Meanwhile─
'─Do you feel relieved after confessing?'
'I guess it depends on the person? But I think it's better to do it than not. Keeping it bottled up inside would just eat away at me.'
Ryu Yeon-hwa suddenly recalled the confession she had received not long ago.
At that time, she had asked <Romantic Sword>, who had a relieved expression, if confessing the feelings you've been holding in makes you feel relieved.
It depends on the person, he said.
That's how <Romantic Sword> had answered.
But she couldn't forget his relieved face.
Above all─
"─Eun-ha."
"Huh?"
"I like you."
"What?"
"I like you so much."
"..."
Seeing No Eun-ha worrying about her.
Ryu Yeon-hwa couldn't hold back anymore.
She wanted to frantically confess her feelings and release the frustration.
Once she started speaking, she could convey the next words even more confidently.
Ah... I really did like Eun-ha this much.
And as she spoke the words out loud.
She had to acknowledge her feelings for him once again.
At the same time, she knew.
That her feelings would never be realized.
"─I'm sorry. I'm grateful for your feelings, noona, but I can't accept them."
Sure enough.
Eun-ha was surprised for a moment.
Soon, he made a serious face and conveyed his intention to reject.
"That's okay."
Nevertheless, she didn't crumble.
Of course, she was sad to be rejected by Eun-ha.
But she was so happy to be able to confess the feelings she had been holding in without being able to say them.
And she was glad to be able to realize firsthand how much she liked Eun-ha.
"I like you."
"..."
"I'm so happy that I could say those feelings, that you know my feelings now. That's enough."
After long hesitation.
The conclusion she reached was acceptance.
She decided to purely accept the feelings she had.
Just that was enough.
She had no intention of entering Eun-ha's harem.
Nor did she intend to give up her romantic feelings.
She simply decided to accept her feelings as they were.
"So please take care of me in the future too."
"..."
In a way, it could be said that she confessed to herself rather than to Eun-ha.
Ryu Yeon-hwa felt unburdened.
Then Eun-ha, who hadn't spoken for a while, seemed to realize her thoughts.
He burst out laughing.
"Then stay by my side in the future too. I'll need to borrow your strength more often from now on."
"Yeah, I'll do that."
Eun-ha held out his hand.
Ryu Yeon-hwa firmly grasped that hand.
☆
Ryu Yeon-hwa confessed.
Eun-ha had somewhat guessed her feelings too.
He just wasn't certain.
'─I like you.'
But when he received her confession.
Eun-ha had to acknowledge the fact that she liked him.
'I like you so much.'
Ryu Yeon-hwa's confession was so plain.
And so direct.
Knowing her personality, Eun-ha could tell how much she liked him.
So he felt even more sorry.
He couldn't respond to her feelings.
If you ask if I don't like Yeonhwa noona, I do like her. I do.
Eun-ha wasn't unattracted to her romantically.
But he couldn't just accept Ryu Yeon-hwa's feelings recklessly.
He had wives.
And two fiancées.
Although he had unintentionally made a harem, he had no intention of making a harem any further.
Moreover─
─Yeonhwa noona is a good comrade.
A comrade he could trust and rely on.
Although he was attracted to Ryu Yeon-hwa.
Eun-ha was more drawn to her as a comrade rather than as a woman.
Like Han Seo-hyeon who gave him confidence that he could do anything.
Like Jung Ha-yang who had been with him since childhood and now felt strange to not have by his side.
Like Lee Yu-jeong who supported his heart and sometimes gently comforted him.
Eun-ha couldn't feel as much love for Ryu Yeon-hwa as he did for those three.
So his feelings for her could simply be defined as 'camaraderie'.
Still, it's fortunate.
That Yeonhwa noona understands too.
On the other hand, Eun-ha had to be prepared for Ryu Yeon-hwa to leave the Pandora Clan after being rejected.
Things would become awkward from now on too.
However, fortunately, Ryu Yeon-hwa showed an unchanged appearance after that day.
Rather, she taught students with an even more relieved face than before.
"Hey, doesn't Instructor Ryu Yeon-hwa's face seem much softer these days?"
"I thought so too. She seems noticeably prettier. Is she dating someone?"
"It doesn't seem like that... Did something good happen to her recently?"
Such comments could be heard when walking through the academy grounds.
Ryu Yeon-hwa had become much more radiant.
Especially─
"─Ah, Eun-ha. Did your class end?"
"Oh... I'm on my way back after just finishing. Looks like you just finished too, noona?"
"Yeah."
She would make an even brighter face whenever she saw him.
Eun-ha hesitated when he saw her greeting him with smiling eyes.
He still wasn't used to it.
This noona has really changed a lot.
Now I can clearly see how she thinks of me.
Emotions pour out from her gaze.
At her gaze full of trust and affection towards him.
Eun-ha felt both good and flustered.
And strangely cute.
"You haven't had dinner yet, right?"
"Oh, that's right. Want to go eat together?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
She's happy to eat together.
She subtly tries to close the distance.
She boldly expresses her affection.
So he couldn't help but smile while feeling awkward.
I didn't know this noona had this side to her.
She seems to have gotten even prettier lately....
Since Ryu Yeon-hwa confessed.
He had unconsciously started becoming aware of her.
Like getting your sleeve wet without realizing it's raining.
☆
Time continued to flow.
And soon it was time for the 033&33 batch to graduate.
""""─Pandora Clan! Gather here!!""""
One day in February of the 17th year of Seonryeok.
There was a graduation ceremony on this day.
Eun-ha headed to the academy with the Pandora Clan members to welcome the new recruits.
"It's fortunate that all the kids we had our eye on joined the clan without exception."
As the students who finished graduating came out.
The clans shouted at the top of their lungs to take the students.
The Pandora Clan members were no exception.
Only Eun-ha was leisurely watching the students.
"11 people this year, huh."
This year, 11 players would be joining the Pandora Clan.
1 Dealer, 2 Guardians, 2 Hunters, 1 Supporter, 1 Caster, 1 Ranger, 2 Telepathists, 1 Navigator.
Among them, Kim Mary was included as one of the Telepathists.
"─Ah! Parang oppa!"
"Oh, Mary! Congratulations on graduating! Now you'll be working to death under me. Be prepared."
"Yes, yes.... Um... So will you be teaching us?"
"No, I decided to teach only the Telepathists separately? I'll be teaching just you and that one. Well, I'm just filling in for Seo-na though."
"Ah, I see.... But I'm glad I'll be able to learn from you, oppa. You... teach well, don't you?"
"Hehe, I do teach well. Kim Mary, look at this, she's already trying to flatter me? That won't work on me."
"It's not flattery..."
Eun-ha observed the new recruits being welcomed by the clan members.
He couldn't tell exactly yet.
But it was very nice to see the new recruits getting along with the clan members.
Soon, Eun-ha clapped his hands.
"─Stop blocking the main gate, let's go back to the clan now. New recruits with other business can meet at the clan hall tomorrow, those without business let's go have a welcome dinner."
And so new recruits joined the Pandora Clan.
A month later in March.
Eun-ha faces his second wedding.
☆
The top 10 central comprehensive daily newspapers in Korea announced national indicators at the end of the year.
Seonryeok Year 17
<Public Disclosure Target Company Diagnosis Designation Status>
Number
Company Name
Same
01
Sirius
Han Do-young
02
Galaxy
Choi Tae-bong
03
Alice
Jung Seok-hoon
04
Luminous
Lee Jung-in
05
YH
Choi Yun-hye
06
Fine
Jang Seok-young
07
Eternal
Kim Jun-tae
08
Donghae
Jung Ji-man
09
KK
Kim Geon
10
Samra
Oh Man-jeong
Seonryeok Year 17
<Player Comprehensive Grade Evaluation>
─Clan Comprehensive Grade S─
Number
Clan Name
Comprehensive Grade
01
Zenith
S+
02
Regulus
S+
03
Silla
S+
04
Myeongwang
S+
05
Tempest
S+
06
Blaze
S
07
KK
S
08
Donghae
S-
※ This grade takes into account contributions and damage from the Seoul Disaster of Year 15.
Seonryeok Year 17
<Player Comprehensive Grade Evaluation>
─Pandora Clan (A-) Players─
01-02 Batch
Number
Player
Comprehensive Grade
01
No Eun-ha
A-
02
No Eun-ah
S-
03
Jung Ha-yang
A-
04
Mok Min-ho
A-
05
Ryu Yeon-hwa
S-
06
Han Chang-jin
S-
07
No Bruno
B+
08
Byeok Hae-su
S-
09
Kang Si-hyeong
A-
10
Bae Su-bin
A-
11
Yoo Nam-hoon
A-
12
Jin Seo-na
A-
13
Cha Eun-woo
A-
Number
Player
Comprehensive Grade
14
Choi Eun-hyeok
A-
15
Hoshimiya Kaede
A-
16
Kim Min-ji
B+
17
Bong Gu-rae
B+
18
Ariel
B+
19
Yeo U-bi
B+
20
Lee Cheon-seo
B+
21
Jo A-ra
B+
22
*Jin Parang
B
23
Oh Seong-hwan
B
:
:
:
27
Kim Jin-gyu
C+
28
Seo Dam-bi
C+
:
:
:
:
:
:
36
Jang Tae-bin
C
※ Based on Mana Management Organization standards.
※ Players marked with '*' have received punishment from the Mana Management Organization.