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[Chapter 177]

[The Period of Reconstruction (5)]

In the previous life, there were several reasons why <One-Man Fortress> Chu Yeonghun was selected as a Twelve Seat.

One was due to the influence of the clan he was affiliated with.

What the Fairy Government expected from the Twelve Seats was not only the individual power of the Twelve Seats, but also the influence to move the forces behind them.

In that sense, the value of the clan Chu Yeonghun was affiliated with was attractive.

Although the future changed and he joined KK Clan instead of Dangun Clan, the influence of the clan backing him is still strong, both before and after the regression.

Another was Chu Yeonghun's achievements.

And his skills.

It was a quality that should be possessed as the country's top specialist was being selected.

Chu Yeonghun, who made achievements in the Gangbuk invasion, received fervent support from people.

Personality is also evaluated. However, since personality is very ambiguous to evaluate, its score weight isn't that high.

Lastly, the most important reason was to appease people's anxiety.

People were greatly shocked by <Iron Fortress> Moon Jun's death.

To them, the existence of <Iron Fortress> was a myth that seemed like it would never crumble, truly like an iron fortress.

Therefore, they hoped that the person replacing <Iron Fortress>'s position would also have such capabilities.

So they needed someone young, strong, fresh, and prestigious.

Except for the personality aspect... Chu Yeonghun is the person who best fits the image people want.

That's why Chu Yeonghun was selected as a Twelve Seat.

<One-Man Fortress>.

What image comes to mind when hearing this alias?

Mask, achievements, alias.

Chu Yeonghun didn't lack anything.

But Chu Yeonghun can't be allowed.

However, Eunha, who knew the future, absolutely didn't want to make Chu Yeonghun a Twelve Seat.

Although his skills are acknowledged.

He's a person severely lacking in consciousness as a Twelve Seat, including his personality.

Therefore, Eunha─.

"─I recommend Guardian <Great Tree> Seon Gijun of Donghae Clan as a Twelve Seat."

""""..."

Recommended Seon Gijun to replace Chu Yeonghun.

In the previous life, there was no suitable talent to replace him.

But in this life, Seon Gijun, who was <Loser >, was making a name for himself being called <Great Tree>.

Uncle Gijun's skills might fall short compared to Chu Yeonghun.

But the merits Uncle Gijun established this time are acknowledged by everyone.

The people present knew what achievements Seon Gijun had made in this calamity to imprint the perception of <Great Tree> on the public.

If you think about it, the achievements Seon Gijun made could be evaluated higher than Chu Yeonghun's.

If Chu Yeonghun merely defended an area, although it's hard to verify, Seon Gijun raised the hearts of people who were falling and boosted morale.

Didn't Fairy Lim Gaeul also acknowledge that and give him the right to open a Chungmu grade treasure vault?

And unlike the previous life, Chu Yeonghun has a reason why it's difficult for him to become a Twelve Seat.

KK Clan already has another Twelve Seat, Hwang Sangoon.

From the start, Chu Yeonghun had a reason why he couldn't become a Twelve Seat unlike the previous life.

Equal distribution of power between clans.

The practice that <Iron Fortress> Moon Jun implicitly put forward in the process of unifying the lords in the past was still valid.

Although Fairy Lim Gaeul and other Twelve Seats couldn't say it openly, they probably didn't welcome the situation of a second Twelve Seat coming from KK Clan.

Nevertheless, there was no suitable person to replace Chu Yeonghun, so opinions weren't unified.

But─.

─I can unify opinions.

I have that kind of power.

Eunha was confident.

What position is he in now?

Although he didn't become an official Twelve Seat, isn't he regarded as the top contributor who overcame this calamity?

Public opinion was with him.

In a situation where the aftermath of the Gangbuk invasion hadn't subsided, his words and actions could have great influence.

"Well, that's right. What <Great Tree> showed in Jung-gu was amazing."

""""..."

Sure enough.

Twelve Seat <Fantasy City> Do Wanjun showed a generally favorable reaction.

"<Great Tree> would be fine."

"I was there with him then too."

Soon <First Sword> Ji Yonghyun.

And <Silent > Yoo Sujin.

The two also expressed their opinions.

As Eunha presented a new standard, people who were thinking they should block KK Clan's move jumped on his bandwagon.

However, some people still seemed to be thinking carefully.

Especially Baek Seojin, who became the Minister replacing Moon Jun, and the bureau directors of the Mana Management Organization.

To this, Eunha casually brought up:

"─And isn't Donghae Clan, where Player Seon Gijun is currently affiliated, quite a good clan? It's scheduled to join the ranks of S-grade clans from next year due to this merit..."

"...Not bad."

""""...!!""""

Those who had recommended candidates other than Chu Yeonghun changed their opinions after hearing Eunha's words.

Baek Seojin's reaction was decisive.

The bureau directors of the Mana Management Organization quickly changed their stance.

Fairy Lim Gaeul was the same.

"Hmm, Player Seon Gijun... But age is a problem. I'm concerned because he's quite old."

However, she was passive.

Eunha couldn't not know her thoughts.

Even if power between clans tilts to one side, Lim Gaeul wants someone with the potential to replace <Iron Fortress>'s empty seat.

The only Guardian among the Twelve Seats.

As could be seen in this calamity, the role of Guardians was extremely important.

So she's probably reluctant to select Seon Gijun just for political reasons.

Sure enough, she said:

"The Guardian division of the Twelve Seats is a fortress. In times of crisis, they must be able to build high walls to prevent external enemies from invading and reassure people. Of course, that requires the appropriate skills."

""""..."

"People don't want that fortress to crumble anymore. And they'll want someone strong enough not to feel the shadow of <Iron Fortress> who raised this country, new, and who will protect them for a long time."

She acknowledges his skills to some extent.

But his mask isn't fresh.

And he's old.

These were the reasons Lim Gaeul was concerned.

Meanwhile, she was looking at Eunha with sparkling eyes.

As if expecting how Eunha would answer enough to change the impression of the Guardian she had in mind.

Eunha gave a bitter smile.

Then he said:

"What do you think is the most important factor for a Guardian, Fairy Lady?"

"Skills, of course."

As if it goes without saying.

She answered Eunha's question.

Eunha nodded.

"Yes, I also think the most important factors for a Guardian are first skills, second skills, third skills."

""""..."

"But I think the fourth isn't skills. Of course, it's not mask or age either."

"Is that so? Then what do you think is the fourth most important factor, Pandora Clan Lord?"

"Trust."

""""..."

"I think the next most important factor for a Guardian after skills is the trust people place in the Guardian."

Trust.

It probably doesn't resonate much with the Fairy who doesn't work in the field.

But Eunha, who had gone through rough times in the field throughout his previous life, knew how important a factor it was.

"This person will definitely protect me even if it means sacrificing their own body and dying."

""""..."

"When a battle occurs, players have to fight relying on the Guardian blocking attacks. In extreme cases, there are times when they have to defeat the enemy while entrusting all defense to the Guardian. If the Guardian decides to... they could cause a tragedy of annihilating all party members on the spot."

"The Pandora Clan Lord's words are right. But I think the people mentioned as Twelve Seat candidates already have that much trust. So I'm thinking about who is more excellent..."

"Since they're mentioned as Twelve Seat candidates, their skills are guaranteed to some extent. So I think we should consider who is more trustworthy."

Just as Lim Gaeul was about to speak.

Eunha cut off her words.

Rather than who is the more excellent person, who is the more trustworthy person.

At his question, Lim Gaeul seemed lost in thought.

She asked:

"So are you saying Player Seon Gijun is the most trustworthy person? How can you prove grounds that are difficult to measure?"

It's difficult to convince the people present to recommend Seon Gijun as a Twelve Seat.

So please present more acceptable grounds.

Eunha roughly grasped her intention to lay the groundwork for him to keep talking.

He nodded.

"I think Player Seon Gijun has already proven it sufficiently. The people gathered here must know that Player Seon Gijun blocked Yekyung's bombardment even at the risk of his own life. Hasn't Player Seon Gijun already proven it with just that?"

"But he couldn't completely block Yekyung's bombardment."

"Yes, he couldn't."

While Eunha was persuading Lim Gaeul.

Hwang Sangoon suddenly objected.

Eunha turned to Hwang Sangoon.

He affirmed his words.

Hwang Sangoon seemed flustered.

While he hesitated.

Eunha continued speaking.

"He couldn't block it, but Player Seon Gijun maintained the morale of the people who were there. Rather, he increased it."

"Pandora Clan Lord. That's hard to see as objective evidence. As the Fairy Lady said, can that be called a measurable indicator? Also..."

"There is a measurable indicator."

""""..."

Hwang Sangoon refutes.

Eunha cut off his words with a sneer.

Then he said:

"Seeing Player Seon Gijun's appearance, many of those present at that time rose again to save Player Seon Gijun."

"Player Seon Gijun's skills..."

"There were Guardians among them too. All Guardians shared the same intention as Player Seon Gijun. Because of that incident, Guardians are now following Player Seon Gijun like a hero."

""""..."

"If such a thing happens again, is there a more trustworthy figure than Player Seon Gijun who can receive support from Guardians and has the status to command them?"

"That's an exaggeration. Even Player Chu Yeonghun could do such a thing..."

"Really? Isn't the alias <One-Man Fortress> an alias that becomes justice alone? Can <One-Man Fortress>, which stands as a complete being alone, truly cooperate with others?"

""""..."

No.

Eunha could assert.

Before the regression, <One-Man Fortress> was truly a self-centered person.

The alias <One-Man Fortress> wasn't wrong.

Only he is a fortress.

Hwang Sangoon also seemed to have something in mind and couldn't refute.

Eunha now looked at the Fairy.

"<Great Tree> may not be a player with a fresh mask. But just as a deep-rooted tree doesn't shake in the wind, I think the Guardian division of the Twelve Seats should be such a person. I think what people want isn't something fresh but familiar, not someone strong but steadfast."

""""..."

Eunha brought out the lines he had prepared.

They were lines Han Seohyun had advised while spending the night with him.

He finished speaking like that.

Now he decided to quietly wait for Lim Gaeul's answer.

Soon she murmured:

"A deep-rooted tree... What an interesting expression. Skills are important, but years of experience and a public-friendly image are important too, I suppose."

Lim Gaeul smiled brightly.

She accepted Eunha's opinion.

As she raised her hand for Eunha, the atmosphere softened.

People let out small laughs and.

Some who hadn't decided their position yet started supporting Seon Gijun.

"Come to think of it, I hear <Great Tree> has a daughter. There's a joke that he fought prepared to die to protect his daughter. That daughter is currently attending the Player Academy, I hear."

"Is that so? I didn't know that far. Then we could use the father-daughter story to emphasize patriotism and family love."

"Yes, Fairy Lady. So I hear public opinion about <Great Tree> is very good among parents with children. They say players with families are also favorable towards him."

Bureau Director Minji added.

Because of that, a family-oriented image was added to Seon Gijun.

Lim Gaeul responded greatly.

Now it could be said the atmosphere had completely tilted towards <Great Tree>.

"─Then we'll proceed with voting."

Thus, the Twelve Seat candidates to replace <Iron Fortress>'s position were narrowed down to 2 people.

<One-Man Fortress> Chu Yeonghun.

And <Great Tree> Seon Gijun.

The people attending the meeting voted and announced the results.

Even without announcing the results, it flowed as people expected.

"Then by unanimous decision, we'll select Player <Great Tree> Seon Gijun of Donghae Clan as the 2nd generation Twelve Seat."

Unanimous decision.

Even Hwang Sangoon couldn't go against the flow.

In the end, he had no choice but to raise his hand for Seon Gijun too.

Meanwhile, they say Eunha smiled brightly.

☆

It was decided that Seon Gijun would become a Twelve Seat.

However, the meeting didn't end.

Because the Fairy had something to say to the people present.

"As you all know, this calamity could be said to have occurred because the cocoon malfunctioned and was destroyed."

""""..."

A story now known to the media.

The Twelve Seats and Mana Management Organization bureau directors knew the cause of this calamity in even more detail.

It was a defect in the cocoon.

But the surprising thing is─.

"─If Controller Mora Yul had thoroughly inspected the cocoon then, this probably wouldn't have happened."

""""..."

Twelve Seat <Big Data> Mora Yul.

It could be said to be her negligence of duty.

To be precise, Mora Yul could be said to have simply been unlucky, and Lim Gaeul could be said to have been lucky.

Since the principle is to inspect the cocoon once every 2 years, it's hard to say Mora Yul did something wrong.

She's really an unlucky person.

People who knew the whole story all thought so.

They had to think that way.

If Lim Gaeul hadn't suddenly asked Mora Yul to inspect the cocoon, the responsibility would have fallen on Lim Gaeul herself, not Mora Yul.

But she was really lucky to be able to shift the responsibility to her by ordering Mora Yul to inspect the cocoon.

"Therefore, I believe the great criminal who neglected her duties and caused monsters to invade Gangbuk should naturally step down from the Twelve Seat position and pay for her crimes according to the principles of law."

""""..."

How could they have known the situation would flow like this?

Just luck.

Just because of luck.

The life and death of two people changed.

They turned their gazes to Mora Yul's seat, who was receiving disciplinary action and awaiting disposition as this calamity was settled.

Currently, Eunha was sitting in that seat instead.

"But I think we should acknowledge Controller Mora Yul's merits in working busily to resolve the situation afterwards."

""""..."

"Therefore, I think it's a bit much to impose the death penalty. And also... if her head rolls off so easily, can we say Controller Mora Yul has repented for her crimes? While those who suffered will live unfortunate lives."

It seemed Lim Gaeul had now reached a conclusion on how to deal with Mora Yul.

While the audience was silent.

She announced in a clear tone.

"On the other hand, I thought it wasn't a good plan for the country's development to let Controller Mora Yul's abilities rot in prison. Unfortunately, the reality is that there isn't a suitable Twelve Seat candidate to replace Controller Mora Yul."

""""..."

"So I plan to maintain Controller Mora Yul's position as is unless an appropriate candidate appears. Of course, I intend to have her fulfill her duties, but confiscate all her rights."

People made a "hmm" sound.

The Twelve Seats had skeptical reactions about whether that could be a just punishment for Mora Yul.

Eunha felt the same way.

Why is she trying to do that?

Even if there's a lack of talent, if we look, there should be someone who can replace her...

In the end, Mora Yul will be in the position of a Twelve Seat with the status of a criminal, but won't the disadvantages outweigh the advantages?

As Eunha was harboring such doubts.

Lim Gaeul smiled slightly as if she knew their questions.

She opened her mouth.

"Even so, we can't just let a criminal continue living in the world."

It was a meaningful statement.

What does 'in the world' mean exactly?

People expressed their doubts.

Then Lim Gaeul said─.

"─Therefore, from this moment on, the criminal Mora Yul's affiliation will be changed from Dangun Clan to the Mana Management Organization. And while maintaining her position as a Twelve Seat, we will only impose duties without rights, and she will not be able to leave the Mana Management Organization without my special permission. And all compensation for working as a Twelve Seat will be used to support people who suffered damage from this calamity."

""""...!!""""

"Dangun Clan has already approved, and she herself has agreed to do so."

She said with a bright smile but.

It wasn't something that could be heard while smiling.

People showed surprised expressions.

Even Kang Hyeonchul, who wasn't very bright, even muttered "Crazy..." softly, it was such a shocking story.

To summarize Lim Gaeul's words─.

─She's saying she'll make her work until death while exploiting her. She's saying she'll make her work every day while feeding her only dumplings, not letting her go outside.

It's scary just thinking about it.

How much work does a Navigator have?

<Big Data> Mora Yul.

She will be made to work constantly except for eating and sleeping time.

While not receiving any compensation for her work, and not enjoying any rights as a Twelve Seat at all.

She has to live like a ghost trapped in this headquarters for life.

She's essentially a slave of the Mana Management Organization.

Eunha involuntarily shuddered.

On the other hand─.

─She intends to make one of the twelve seats completely belong to the Mana Management Organization.

Eunha realized her intention.

Others probably realized it too.

She's trying to strengthen her influence using this opportunity.

It's ambiguous to say strengthen.

She's probably trying to fill the position the Mana Management Organization will lose as <Iron Fortress> leaves this world.

Currently, there were a total of four Twelve Seats affiliated with the Mana Management Organization, including <Big Data>.

<King of Darkness> Baek Seojin.

<Index > Yoon Seongjin.

<Time Witch> Priscis Memory.

Lim Gaeul probably wants to have at least four seats to wield influence stably in the player industry.

Saying she'll enslave Mora Yul is to convince the world.

The real purpose is to forcibly change Mora Yul's affiliation.

Eunha clicked his tongue.

Except for Kang Hyeonchul whose head was only filled with swords and Yoo Sujin whose head was only filled with food, they had similar expressions.

Kang Hyeonchul and Yoo Sujin were just trembling while focusing on the external purpose.

"─Any objections?"

""""..."

There couldn't be any objections.

Only Lim Gaeul had the right to judge Mora Yul.

This meeting was just for Lim Gaeul to notify them.

They didn't say anything and.

The meeting ended like that.

"<Big Data> is going to die now. Calamities will continue to occur in the future..."

Thus, Mora Yul became a criminal.

No, she became a slave who would rather wish to become a criminal.

☆

After the meeting ended.

Eunha immediately left the meeting room.

"Ah."

"Oh! Pandora Clan Lord! Hello! It seems the Pandora Clan Lord participated in the meeting too? Ah, come to think of it, you received interim Twelve Seat treatment, right?"

""""..."

When he came out the door.

Eunha encountered <One-Man Fortress> Chu Yeonghun standing in front of the meeting room.

Chu Yeonghun recognized Eunha first and approached with a welcoming face.

"Even if it's an interim Twelve Seat, you still have more experience than me, so please help me well. Then I'll treat you very generously at a place I know well."

"Ah, yes..."

Just looking at his face.

Eunha could tell Chu Yeonghun was counting his chickens before they hatched.

The Twelve Seats who came out behind him also roughly grasped the situation and shook their heads.

Chu Yeonghun, not knowing what situation had occurred inside, just grinned.

At that moment, KK Clan Lord Hwang Sangoon came out the door.

"Pandora Clan Lord."

"Oh, Clan Lord! How was it? Did the meeting go well? As expected, I..."

"Chu Yeonghun, you shut up."

"...Yes?"

"I said shut up. Pandora Clan Lord."

"Yes, what is it?"

Ignoring the grinning Chu Yeonghun.

Hwang Sangoon suddenly called Eunha.

His tone seemed displeased.

He has reason to be upset.

Since Eunha could guess Hwang Sangoon's thoughts.

Eunha responded calmly.

Hwang Sangoon glared at Eunha.

Then he let out a deep sigh.

Only then did he speak.

"─I just can't come to like you. I really dislike you."

"Is that so?"

Now is different from the old days.

When Eunha and he first confronted each other, they were standing in different positions.

One was an Academy student.

The other was a Twelve Seat and simultaneously the head of an S-grade clan.

But now they were standing in similar positions.

He couldn't just look down on him recklessly.

So that was probably Hwang Sangoon's words expressing his feelings to the maximum.

To this, Eunha shrugged.

"That's fortunate. I like women. I already have someone I promised to marry, and someone I promised to get engaged to. So look for someone else."

"..."

Whether Hwang Sangoon was dumbfounded or not.

Noh Eunha sublimated it into a joke.

Eunha cackled.

☆

"What on earth is going on..."

One of the Six Dragons of Donghae Clan.

<Great Tree> Seon Gijun.

That day too, after helping with people's reconstruction work, he drank heavily with his comrades, the Guardians, when night fell.

And he went to a colleague Guardian's house for a 4th round and passed out.

It would be something Seon Miyae at the Academy would be furious about if she knew.

The problem wasn't that.

"Am I still not sober?"

A colleague Guardian woke him up.

And he watched the news with a hazy mind.

A strange subtitle passing on the screen.

[─Mana Management Organization announces new Twelve Seat at 9 AM today. Donghae Clan's <Great Tree> Seon Gijun. Age 4...]

"I really need to stop drinking... I keep seeing things. Please..."

He went to sleep and woke up.

And had become a Twelve Seat.