803

 [Chapter 202]

[Foundation of a Monarch(7)]

The 3rd generation Twelve Seats were announced.

There had been much controversy among people regarding the composition of the 3rd generation Twelve Seats.

In that sense, this announcement could be said to have ended their controversy.

"I thought something was strange when the Fairy Government suddenly reversed their decision and made <Index > the Twelve Seats head instead of <Abyss >.... So this is how they composed the Twelve Seats members."

"<Index > as the head.... What on earth happened inside the Fairy Government?"

"We can think <Index > won in the political fight."

"As far as I know, <Index > wasn't interested in political topics...."

Transferring library management to <Big Data> Mo Ra-yul.

<Index > becoming the 3rd generation Twelve Seats head.

People were puzzled that the government reversed its decision and changed the scheduled head to <Index >.

They just predicted there must have been a political fight.

Meanwhile, those who could read the trends could roughly trace the political fight that happened behind the scenes.

"<Shadow > became a Twelve Seats. While other 3rd generation Twelve Seats candidates became Twelve Seats through skill evaluation, <Shadow > suddenly became one...."

"The Hunter division became vacant as <Abyss > couldn't become a Twelve Seats. But rather than separately selecting for the Hunter division, suddenly designating <Shadow > is not an ordinary matter."

"<Shadow > was <King of Darkness>'s <The Seed> in the past. That must be related too. In the end, this is...."

Ordinary people don't know.

That this country was built on the foundation of darkness.

Therefore, 'darkness' was a group that couldn't be ignored.

To this end, the Fairy Government had been keeping a manager of darkness as a Twelve Seats to manage darkness until now.

Thinking in that sense─.

"─<Shadow > has come to inherit darkness."

"From now on, darkness will be centered around <Shadow >. Baek Seo-jin will be retiring to the back...."

<Shadow > Han Chang-jin.

The Fairy Government, <King of Darkness>, and <Abyss > acknowledged Han Chang-jin as the new manager of darkness.

""""...."""

Those whose thoughts reached that far all fell into deep contemplation.

For people who had maintained close relationships with darkness so far, this drastic personnel measure was no different from opening a new world.

So they too had to quickly adapt to that world now.

If not, they would be left behind.

Or be devoured by darkness.

<King of Darkness> appointed <Shadow > as the next monarch of darkness.

After more than 50 years, a new king was born.

<King of Shadows> Han Chang-jin.

People related to darkness all started calling him by that epithet, meaning the successor of <King of Darkness>.

And his epithet soon became publicly known and came to be used as a Twelve Seats epithet.

On the other hand─.

"─Huh, two Twelve Seats came from Pandora Clan."

Clan lords were just dumbfounded.

Because the position assigned to navigators disappeared as <Index > became Twelve Seats head.

Instead, a Hunter division suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

But clans couldn't even apply, and that position was smoothly handed over to <King of Shadows>.

People with brains could understand.

"Pandora Clan lobbied. I don't know how they persuaded the government, but to take two Twelve Seats positions...."

It was obvious. Without a doubt.

Clan lords harbored dissatisfaction.

But they couldn't argue.

What position is Pandora Clan in now?

Especially, what's the Pandora Clan Lord's recognition now?

Rather, ordinary people were greatly pleased that Pandora Clan occupied two 3rd generation Twelve Seats positions.

"Long live <Cardinal >! Long live!! Long, long live!"

"Noh Eun-ha for monarch of this country!!"

"The government is listening to us!!"

Public sentiment was with Pandora Clan.

Clan officials couldn't protest.

They knew that the moment they protested, they would turn the people of this country into enemies.

Moreover, there were also many people favorable to Pandora Clan among clan officials.

In the end, they couldn't gather opinions into one because their positions differed.

""""...."""

Finally.

People with deep thoughts considered what meaning this situation held.

Pandora Clan came to have 2 Twelve Seats positions.

It was possible because <King of Shadows> Han Chang-jin was there.

It was fortunate by chance.

But it was too exquisite to be chance.

Who gained the most benefit from this incident?

<King of Shadows> Han Chang-jin?

It could be.

<Azure Wind> Jin Pa-rang who gained a new epithet while becoming a Twelve Seats?

It could be.

But the one who gained the most benefit wasn't them but─.

─The Pandora Clan Lord.

<Cardinal > Noh Eun-ha.

Though he didn't become a Twelve Seats himself.

He came to have two Twelve Seats under him.

And one of them would manage darkness.

The Fairy Government tries to manage darkness. Therefore, the person managing darkness must enter the Mana Management Organization.

But look at <King of Shadows>.

Where is he now?

He belonged to a group led by an individual player, not the government-affiliated Mana Management Organization.

What does that mean?

There's a separate real master of darkness.

<King of Shadows> is just a smokescreen.

The real master is <Cardinal >.

Just like his epithet.

Han Chang-jin is a shadow.

A shadow cast by <Cardinal >'s fire.

As he's the shadow of King Noh Eun-ha, isn't he naturally the king of all shadows?

Han Chang-jin is the real power of darkness, but in fact not being the real power of darkness makes him truly the <King of Shadows>.

Noh Eun-ha aims to be monarch.

No, he's already a monarch.

At that moment, people shuddered.

Listen to the sounds you hear when you go out on the street.

What are people shouting?

<Cardinal > for monarch of this country!

Noh Eun-ha gained public sentiment.

He also grasped the power called darkness.

Not just public sentiment and power.

He holds everything in his hands.

Military force, needless to say.

Noh Eun-ha repelled the 2nd rank Maegu this time.

Wealth, is there any need to say more?

Who were his wives?

<Cardinal > is this country's real power.

People shout for a monarch day after day but.

The monarch they shout for has already been born as good as.

The 3rd generation Twelve Seats personnel measure drove a wedge into Noh Eun-ha's actions that had been considered suspicious so far.

Truly, a new world has opened.

☆

Meanwhile, as Jin Pa-rang and Han Chang-jin were selected as Twelve Seats.

A banquet was being held in Pandora Clan to congratulate them.

"Kids, drink to your heart's content! Today this is Eun-ha treating me! Uhihi!!"

""""Cheers!!""""

Unlike Han Chang-jin who was quietly congratulated by clan members.

Jin Pa-rang was completely unleashed.

He suddenly climbed on the table and proposed a toast.

Clan members burst into laughter seeing him shake his butt excitedly.

"To think that hyung really became a Twelve Seats.... Now that he's become a Twelve Seats, he should stop laughing so frivolously like that."

Eun-ha smiled bitterly.

He just sipped alcohol away from the clan members.

He didn't like crowded places.

Clan members had become so numerous now that he was reluctant to join among them.

Moreover, most clan members except the founding members were also intimidated by Clan Lord Eun-ha.

Now that Pandora Clan has established a system... It's understandable for new kids to be intimidated by me who they hardly ever interact with.

So Eun-ha attended the banquet separately on the upper floor, considering the clan members.

Besides Eun-ha, others who somehow gained dignified images in the clan were also on the upper floor.

They too burst into laughter watching Jin Pa-rang dancing excitedly below.

"Your glass is empty, shall I pour for you?"

"Oh, thanks, Yu-jung."

The upper floor was filled with close people.

So Eun-ha could enjoy the banquet with a comfortable face.

Lee Yu-jung sitting next to him poured alcohol in his glass like a ghost the moment it emptied.

It seemed like she was only watching Eun-ha's glass.

"Don't drink too much."

"Have you seen me get drunk?"

"Still. You should drink moderately."

"Alright."

He put his hand on her waist.

Then she leaned her body on him.

Eun-ha smiled.

Then Han Seo-hyun and Jung Ha-yang sitting across made drowsy eyes.

"─Is Yu-jung your only wife, and we're just bridesmaids sitting across?"

"You two are really close, huh?"

""...."""

Han Seo-hyun, Jung Ha-yang.

Eun-ha and Lee Yu-jung quietly separated at the thorny words.

Clan members who saw that scene clicked their tongues.

"By the way, we should improve Pa-rang ajubeom's behavior."

"I think so too. Now that Pa-rang oppa has become a Twelve Seats, it would be a big problem if he goes around stripping naked somewhere."

"...That's true."

Soon Han Seo-hyun spoke up.

Jung Ha-yang nodded too.

The two people were right.

Jin Pa-rang was now a public figure.

From now on, all his actions and words will affect the Fairy Government.

Not just the Fairy Government.

Pandora Clan where Jin Pa-rang is registered couldn't help but be affected too.

Did I make him a Twelve Seats for nothing?

No, he was the only suitable talent in the division we could put in.

That hyung was also full of enthusiasm.

Eun-ha looked down at Jin Pa-rang.

He was singing arm in arm with young clan members.

His appearance with no trace of dignity was somewhat worrying.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha decided to believe in his conviction when he recommended Jin Pa-rang then.

There's hardly anyone in Pandora Clan who follows my words as well as that hyung.

Jin Pa-rang was no different from an obedient wolf (dog) to Eun-ha.

He who valued emotions more than reason often followed well without asking reasons when Eun-ha ordered.

Above all, Jin Pa-rang was an Ein.

The first player to become a Twelve Seats with an Ein body since 1st generation Twelve Seats <Heavenly Sound> Oh Geon-hu.

Thanks to this, Jin Pa-rang was naturally gaining support from Eins even while doing nothing.

It could be said that Jin Pa-rang was gaining the most solid support base among the newly appointed Twelve Seats.

"He'll do well. That hyung isn't just a fool, so he'll pay attention to his actions from now on."

"Right, Pa-rang oppa will do well too."

So Eun-ha believed in Jin Pa-rang.

Of course, the clan will have to educate Jin Pa-rang to be a model Twelve Seats.

Eun-ha turned to Lee Yu-jung.

"Yu-jung, can you teach etiquette to the fool hyung?"

"Huh? Me?"

"Seo-hyun and Ha-yang and others are busy with work... I think you're the only one who can teach that hyung manners. And the fool hyung listens to you well."

"Hmm.... Can I do well?"

"Where else is there a kid with such pretty lines in every action besides you. I agree too."

"Yeah! I think so too."

There was no one more suitable than Lee Yu-jung.

She knew etiquette well and was very skilled at teaching others.

She didn't stab people's hearts with words like Han Seo-hyun, and wasn't just knowledgeable like Jung Ha-yang.

So Eun-ha wanted to attach Lee Yu-jung to Jin Pa-rang for the time being.

To this, Lee Yu-jung who was lost in thought nodded.

"If you say so, I'll try. I don't know if I can do well, but I want to be helpful to you too."

"You're already helping enough just by being by my side."

"Eun-ha..."

""...."""

Eun-ha held Lee Yu-jung's hand.

Lee Yu-jung's voice became moist.

She held his hand too.

But the two had to quickly let go of hands and stand at attention.

Because cold gazes were fixed on them from the seats across.

"Why? Keep going. We'll just drink among ourselves while watching what you do."

"Yeah, that's right. Don't mind us and continue. Ah, it's nice to see."

""Ahem....""

Having three wives.

Can't even freely show affection.

The two people's gazes were stinging.

Eun-ha cleared his throat.

Lee Yu-jung's face turned bright red.

At this, Eun-ha quickly changed the topic to cover up his mistake.

"Come to think of it, where's Hae-su hyung? Did he not come to the company dinner?"

"I heard he's observing furnace production at Sirius Device headquarters. Seems it'll be completed today."

"That hyung really.... He should come eat at the company dinner instead of just working."

At Han Seo-hyun's answer.

Eun-ha groaned.

Then he smiled slightly.

Pandora Clan brought many trophies from Uijeongbu this time.

Byeok Hae-su was delighted looking at the trophies as if they were his own.

Among them, what he especially liked was the washing machine.

He who recognized the value of the washing machine at a glance even started furnace production right away that day.

Since that furnace is being completed today, it was worth going to see the furnace even if he didn't attend the company dinner.

Thanks to that, kids' exclusive device production is being delayed now.

Actually, clan members were also waiting for the new furnace to be produced.

Most of them lost their devices due to hard battles in Uijeongbu this time.

They had to get new devices fitted.

The same was true for Eun-ha.

So he was thinking of making devices with a better furnace while getting new ones fitted.

And I'll soon go into the treasure vault to get artifacts too....

In the end, Byeok Hae-su was currently focusing on repair work.

Clan members were using devices held by the clan with Baek Hyeon-yul's engraved sentences instead.

In Eun-ha's case, he didn't separately prepare a maengoshu since he had a one-handed straight sword.

So he was looking forward to the newly produced furnace entering Byeok Hae-su's workshop soon.

"...Time has already become like this."

Then Eun-ha checked the time.

He stood up from his seat.

Jung Ha-yang tilted her head.

"Where are you going? At this time?"

"I'll go out for a bit."

"Where are you going?"

"Bomun-dong."

"""...."""

Going to Bomun-dong.

Just with those words, the three people could know where Eun-ha was going.

5 years after graduating from the academy.

Including Han Chang-jin, now some people close to Eun-ha knew he had his own independent informant.

And they also knew that informant wasn't within the bounds of the law.

"Be careful. And take something with you."

"Alright, I will. I'll take something from downstairs. Thanks."

An existence that shouldn't be mentioned.

Pandora Clan's relationship with them must absolutely not be discovered.

Therefore, Han Seo-hyun spoke indirectly while knowing about Twenty-five's existence.

And she indirectly advised to keep them well as his people.

Eun-ha decided to obediently follow her advice.

☆

The border between Bomun-dong and Sungin-dong.

Eun-ha waited for Twenty-five at the usual meeting place.

Shortly after, Twenty-five appeared.

"What brings you here when you're having a clan dinner today?"

"Here, this."

 "Huh? What's this? Wow, you brought a bundle wrapped up. Is this for me to eat?"

"Your mistresses told me to bring it. They said not to just use you all the time."

"Wow.... This is why marriage is good. The mistresses have really made the master human."

"Mouth."

"So you came to give me this?"

What's with the master today.

Twenty-five muttered while brushing back his curly hair.

Eun-ha stared at him as he took out and ate a food item from the bundle.

"Twenty-five."

"Yes, master."

Eun-ha called him.

Twenty-five stood up abruptly.

He was about to reply glibly but closed his mouth seeing Eun-ha's face.

Because Eun-ha's face was serious.

Twenty-five waited for Eun-ha's words.

Eventually Eun-ha opened his mouth.

"─How far can you follow?"

"..."

It was an abrupt question.

Twenty-five fell into quiet thought.

He seemed to know what Eun-ha meant.

So he couldn't help but laugh.

"How long has it been since you and I met, master?"

"..."

"About 11 years, I guess. You're asking that question now?"

"Just answer the question."

"All the way. I decided from the day you taught me my name. But not knowing a person's loyalty and asking that now, master's sense is really...."

"It hasn't changed?"

"It's too late to change my mind now. I've been cleaning up after you for too long to break away from your shadow. I also know your personality, so I can clearly predict what would happen if I coveted your position."

It was an indifferent answer.

And the words were long.

It was very like Twenty-five.

Eun-ha relaxed his hardened face hearing Twenty-five's words.

"Here, take it."

"What's this? Oh...?"

Eun-ha rummaged in his pocket.

Then he threw the skill stone he brought from the clan to Twenty-five.

Twenty-five who received the skill stone without thinking blinked.

Soon after hearing the identity of the skill stone─.

"─It's Goeshini's skill stone. From the corps commander we defeated in Uijeongbu this time."

"...!!"

His eyes widened.

3rd rank overrank Goeshini.

Twenty-five wasn't unaware of the corps commander's existence in Uijeongbu.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

As if excited.

Twenty-five's voice trembled.

The hand holding the skill stone was also shaking slightly.

Eun-ha answered him.

"Please help me well from now on too."

"But you're giving me this? You could give it to <King of Shadows> who became a Twelve Seats this time...."

"I thought about it too.... But I thought it would be better for you to use it."

What to do with Goeshini's skill stone.

I pondered for a long time.

And the answer Eun-ha came up with after deliberation was Twenty-five.

The existence in charge of his darkness.

Eun-ha chose him.

"I decided this time."

"Decided what?"

"To create my own darkness."

"..."

As the military bombarded Uijeongbu.

As he came to guess it was someone's manipulation.

Eun-ha realized that the darkness ruling this country wasn't being fully controlled by Baek Seo-jin's hands.

Moreover, the existing darkness was in a state of being influenced by <Abyss >.

Also, though he couldn't be certain─.

─Armageddon probably has a stake too.

Ma must be working behind the scenes too.

Then he couldn't rely on Baek Seo-jin's darkness.

It would be like being monitored by them.

So he needed an independent darkness.

A darkness that exists and is controlled only for his orders.

"So I want you, Twenty-five, to become my darkness. Don't be satisfied with just being an alley force, I want you to gradually expand your sphere of influence."

"...Won't you regret it? You might end up at war with that Baek Seo-jin person."

"I don't mind even so."

Even if he ends up clashing with Baek Seo-jin.

Eun-ha decided not to bend his resolve to create his own darkness.

He decided to dominate all the dark parts of this country.

Therefore─.

"─Chang-jin hyung will dominate and disrupt teacher's darkness. Meanwhile, you and Lee Gang-hyeok grow into a force that can oppose darkness."

"...You're really trying to become a monarch."

"If I must, then I must."

"You could die doing this."

"That's something I was prepared for when deciding to become a player."

"It's not just you who might die, right? What about the mistresses?"

"...They're all prepared."

"You're crazy."

"They married me because I'm crazy."

"Hah...."

"And though I'm prepared for death─."

To create a new world.

Create a new darkness.

With Han Chang-jin and Twenty-five as his two arms, dominate all the darkness of this country.

Eun-ha decided not to hesitate.

"─Sorry but I have no intention of dying. I don't want to fail anymore."

"You say things I can't understand.... Sigh, this is really driving me crazy."

"You were crazy even before meeting me, what do you mean you're going crazy."

"Yes, I'm crazy. That's why your proposal is quite appealing."

Twenty-five smiled.

That was his answer.

Eun-ha held out his hand.

Twenty-five grasped that hand.

"Follow me well."

"You just don't die, master."

Han Chang-jin as a shadow.

And Twenty-five as a shadow.

They would support his darkness.

☆

Meanwhile at that time.

Sirius Device headquarters was still full of people working late into the night.

It was because of Byeok Hae-su's furnace.

"─The finish is killer."

Finally, the furnace was completed.

Byeok Hae-su slapped the furnace surface with satisfaction.

"I can make the kids' devices with this now. They must have had to fight without using their exclusive devices until now, I should make them quickly."

The mana aura emanating from the furnace was extraordinary.

A craftsman's intuition was speaking.

That this was like a furnace that would only appear in legends.

"Hephaestus' Furnace. That name fits perfectly."

Byeok Hae-su decided to give it the name that suddenly popped into his head.