953

 Pandora Clan Hall, rooftop garden.

Eun-ha and Kang Hyeon-cheol sat facing each other on benches across a table.

Eun-ha blurted out grumpily.

"Why did you suddenly come?"

"I was bored. You try retiring too. Do you know how tedious it can get sometimes? Without blood-boiling fights, I'm getting antsy, so antsy..."

Kang Hyeon-cheol sighed deeply and slumped over the table.

Yet his gaze was directed towards the garden.

More precisely...

"Dae-han, look at this. It's a flower. Pretty, isn't it?"

"Poop!"

"What? You say mom is prettier? Our son is such a filial child?"

"Poop!"

It was directed at Park Hye-rim and Kang Dae-han who were sightseeing in the rooftop garden.

Eun-ha likewise didn't take his eyes off Yu-jeong, Yu-seong, Yu-ran, and Yu-rin.

"Kids, you shouldn't go near the railings because it could be dangerous, okay?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Eun-ha smiled.

It was a very heartwarming scene that naturally made him feel content as he watched from the gazebo.

If only Kang Hyeon-cheol wasn't sitting across from him.

"What's Hye-rim doing... To a kid who barely understands words... Funny. I admit she's pretty though."

Kang Hyeon-cheol snickered.

Eun-ha immediately frowned.

"It's disgusting, so only say such things when you're with Hye-rim noona? Don't say it in front of me."

"Come on, what's wrong with this much..."

Kang Hyeon-cheol detached himself from the table.

He leaned back on the bench casually and clicked his tongue.

Eun-ha confronted him.

"So why did you come?"

"I told you. I was bored. But I heard you're going into the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>, how could I not be envious? That's why I came like this. Hey, is there any spare spot? I could even go as a porter..."

"Oppa! What are you saying right now!?"

"That girl really has ears like a ghost... Ah, I didn't say anything! Keep playing!"

At Park Hye-rim's shout from afar.

Kang Hyeon-cheol, startled, quickly shouted back.

Then he shrugged lightly.

"See? This is how I live... She even tries to stop me from fighting as a warm-up. Even though it was a monster I could easily kill."

"Who fights as a warm-up... And with monsters at that..."

"Who's fighting, I'm fighting. Anyway, that's why I came. I'm bored, curious, and above all..."

Kang Hyeon-cheol trailed off and gestured with his chin.

Eun-ha turned his head in the direction he pointed.

There...

"After meeting for the first time at your noona's wedding last time, Dae-han has been really missing her."

"..."

Was his and Yu-jeong's daughter, Noh Yu-rin, with Kang Dae-han following her around.

'That little rascal...'

"Hey! What's wrong with you all of a sudden!?"

Eun-ha jumped up from his seat.

Ignoring Kang Hyeon-cheol's shouts, Eun-ha ran towards Noh Yu-rin.

Before Kang Dae-han could hand her the flower he was holding, Eun-ha quickly picked her up.

"Yu-rin."

"...Dad?"

Noh Yu-rin, suddenly picked up by Eun-ha in the blink of an eye, made a puzzled face as if she didn't understand what was happening.

And Kang Dae-han, who ended up having to look up at her...

"Poop..."

Made a very disappointed expression.

Regardless.

"Give that flower to your mom, and go play with Yu-seong. Boys should play with boys."

Eun-ha waved his hand vigorously, trying to shoo away Kang Dae-han.

Kang Hyeon-cheol, who had followed belatedly, showed an incredulous reaction.

"Hey, you really... Don't be childishly jealous of a one-year-old. And saying boys should play with boys, that's a gender-discriminatory statement, you know?"

"It's unusual for you to pretend to be smart, but that won't make me give in, you know? As Yu-rin's dad."

"Dad! What about me!?"

"As Yu-ran's dad too."

Eun-ha said proudly while picking up Noh Yu-ran as well.

Kang Hyeon-cheol was so exasperated he stuck out his tongue.

Meanwhile, Kang Dae-han didn't know how to give up.

"Poop!"

"Huh? What? You want me to hold you? Alright."

Kang Dae-han, clinging to Kang Hyeon-cheol's leg and asking to be held.

Kang Hyeon-cheol complied with his request, and Kang Dae-han, now at eye level with Noh Yu-rin...

"Poop!"

"...You're giving it to me?"

"Poop!"

Just like at Noh Eun-ah's wedding, he held out the flower in his hand towards Eun-ha.

Eun-ha was disgruntled.

"Is he trying to win me over first? The kid is cunning..."

"He's not cunning, he's clever! What are you doing? Are you not going to accept what the kid is giving you?"

"..."

Kang Hyeon-cheol snorted.

Eun-ha, though reluctant, couldn't refuse Kang Dae-han's flower.

He took the flower with the hand holding Noh Yu-ran.

"Thank you, I'll accept it well. But I'm not giving you Yu-rin even if you do this."

"Poop!"

"Wow, how can you be more childish than me... No matter what, he's still a kid so cut him some slack."

"I don't want to."

Eun-ha said flatly.

On the other hand, he felt a flash of anxiety.

'This little rascal... He's not going to come visit Yu-rin while I'm gone, is he?'

It seems.

He needs to take measures.

'I should firmly tell Yu-seong. To protect Yu-ran and Yu-rin well.'

Eun-ha resolved.

This was an incident from a day not long before departure for the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest.

* * *

After Story 10. Departure and Journey

Time passed, and it was November of Fairy Power Year 24.

Those about to embark on the journey to Italy for the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest gathered at Incheon Harbor.

At Incheon Harbor, there were not only conquest team members but also those who came to see them off and media personnel.

"I pray for everyone's safe return."

"..."

Fairy Lim Ga-eul stood on the platform and encouraged the conquest team members.

After that.

"The next time we meet will be next year. Take care of yourselves and have a good trip."

"Of course. We'll be back."

Before boarding the ship bound for Italy.

The conquest team members had a final moment to say goodbye to their acquaintances.

Eun-ha looked around at his family and acquaintances, starting with Han Seo-hyeon.

"Noh Eun-ha! Come back with great success! Leave things here to us!"

"Yeah, that's right! Bring gifts with the wedding money on your way back!"

"Be careful, extra careful not to cause any woman troubles!"

Jin Pa-rang, Yeo Woo-bi, Yoo Do-jun, and others each sent their support.

People burst into laughter.

Eun-ha also chuckled lightly.

Then, infusing his voice with mana, he shouted to the people.

"Take care of things here while I'm gone, and I'll see you next year! I'll be back."

People cheered.

Eun-ha, who responded lightly to them, looked down at Noh Yu-seong who was next to Han Seo-hyeon.

"Yu-seong."

"Yes, Dad."

He bent his knees to match eye level.

He placed his hand on his head.

"You remember what Dad said, right? About your moms and Yu-ran, Yu-rin?"

"I'll protect them!"

"Yes, I'm counting on you."

Noh Yu-seong, clenching his tiny fists, answered bravely.

Eun-ha praised him for doing well and patted his head.

It was then that future Yu-seong intervened.

"Yu-seong, you remember what I said too, right? About Kang Dae-han?"

"Absolutely no approaching Yu-rin!"

"Good. Make sure, okay? Promise."

Future Yu-seong, wearing a robe hat pulled down to avoid drawing people's attention unnecessarily.

He grabbed little Yu-seong's shoulders and emphasized repeatedly.

'I don't know what the future is like, but seeing Yu-seong act like this, I guess I should be cautious of that little rascal.'

Eun-ha watched the scene and steeled his resolve once again.

Meanwhile, Han Seo-hyeon clicked her tongue, finding it unbelievable.

"How can father and son be so alike, so alike... Don't teach Yu-seong strange things and focus on the conquest."

And so.

The conquest team members boarded the Italy-bound ship along with the Tredici.

The ship set sail.

* * *

Two years ago, when the 3rd tier monster Demonpus rampaged in the South Sea, the Samra Group lost its power, and the Donghae Group solidified its position in the shipping industry.

Naturally, they took on the role of sending the conquest team to Italy.

Unintentionally...

"Why am I here..."

Jung Geum-jeon, a direct descendant of the Donghae Group, was selected as the person in charge.

He, who boarded the ship with the conquest team, heaved a deep sigh.

"Why can't Grandfather, Father, and Brother just leave me alone... I asked to be left alone... Damn it, now I can't even go back..."

"..."

Incheon Harbor, which had been receding, was no longer visible.

Jung Geum-jeon, almost hanging on the railing, kept grumbling.

'That hyung is at it again.'

Eun-ha, who had come out to the deck and spotted him, shook his head.

Then he approached him, intending to comfort him.

"Don't be like that, hyung. Why don't you give up and enjoy it comfortably since it's come to this? You came with your wife, so think of it as a honeymoon to Italy."

"Honeymoooon? What's there to see anyway. Are there games, are there comics? We won't even be able to connect to data, so we can't even play mobile games."

"..."

What a hopeless person.

Eun-ha was at a loss for words.

At that moment, Jung Geum-jeon pointed at Eun-ha resentfully and complained.

"This is all because of you."

"Why me?"

"Because I got dragged into this for being close to you. No... What does that have to do with anything? Why decide based on friendships, why? Just why? Why..."

"What's the point of complaining to me about that? You should complain to Donghae Group."

"Hah... I did complain... I'm here even though I complained, damn it."

"Just think of it positively."

It would be draining to keep comforting him.

Conveniently, Jung Geum-jeon's wife, Lee Se-hee, was walking over from the other side.

'I'll leave this hyung to his wife.'

Lee Se-hee will take care of it.

Eun-ha exchanged eye greetings with her and left the place.

He headed to the center of the deck.

There...

'Geum-jeon hyung prepared it well. He does work well when told to, even though he complains.'

A huge tank, converted from a deep-bottomed swimming pool, with glass walls extending above the deck, was installed.

Eun-ha, after inspecting the tank, called Bong Gu-rae who was nearby with satisfaction.

"Gu-rae."

"Oing? What is it, honey?"

"Tell the team members. We're going to train now, so come out to the deck. From Team 1 to Team 4. The rest of the teams should stand by until further instructions."

The total number of Korean conquest team members was 358.

Since it was practically impossible for all of them to train in the tank at once, Eun-ha decided to conduct training by team units.

For reference, the teams were generally divided by clan.

In the case of Pandora Clan, they were Team 1, while Regulus, Silla, and Myeongwang Clans were Teams 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

"Okay, honey. I'll go tell them."

"Ask Seo-na or other telepathists to use telepathy."

"I know that too. Still, you're sensible."

Bong Gu-rae, who was enjoying sunbathing on a sun bed, lifted his sunglasses and winked at Eun-ha.

Then he went into the cabin to relay Eun-ha's message.

Not long after that.

"Is everyone gathered?"

"..."

The Pandora Clan members in charge of Team 1 and the Regulus Clan members in charge of Team 2 gathered around Eun-ha.

Around them were members of other teams who came out to watch the training while waiting for their turn, as well as the Tredici.

With his back to the tank, Eun-ha began explaining to those in front of him.

"You all vaguely expect it, but given the surrounding environment, there's a high probability that the terrain of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> will be related to the sea. This means we're likely to engage in naval or underwater battles. To prepare for such situations..."

"..."

"We'll be using this tank to train during our journey to Italy. You've all already acquired the Breath of the Sea, right?"

After the conquest team composition was completed.

The conquest team members received skill stones that allowed them to breathe underwater and move their bodies comfortably, with support from the Fairy government.

The providence contained in those skill stones was commonly called the Breath of the Sea.

At Eun-ha's mention, all the conquest team members nodded.

"Good, we won't need to waste time absorbing skill stones. Let's start right away. Since it's the first day, we'll focus on operating underwater today. Of course, underwater breathing will be basic."

"Representative, is there no position distinction?"

"No, we'll train commonly without position distinction. As I said, you should be able to do this basically. In armed condition."

"..."

Most navigators or supporters with weak physical strength seemed to be horrified, but they didn't express any objections.

Even if they couldn't agree in their hearts, they understood with their heads.

Eun-ha, who grasped their psychology, then pointed to the tank behind him.

"The training is simple. Should we call it round-trip running or round-trip swimming? You'll enter the tank and repeat moving in a zigzag pattern from top to bottom, then bottom to top, until the set time is up. For the number of times, since it's the first day, let's do..."

The conquest team members gulped.

And they couldn't help but be shocked at the words that followed.

"A clean 100 times? Teams 3 and 4 can take charge of counting for each person."

"...!"

As people's eyes widened and those usually weak in physical strength showed dazed expressions.

Eun-ha turned his gaze towards the Pandora Clan members.

"Ah, I'll be training together too. I hope no one disappoints me by performing worse than me. Especially from our clan."

"..."

All the clan members turned their heads and avoided eye contact.