800

 [Chapter 202]

[Foundation of a Monarch(4)]

The selection of 3rd generation Twelve Seats candidates ended.

The Mana Management Organization conducted qualification checks on candidates recommended by B-rank and above clans.

Their evaluation criteria could be roughly summarized as follows:

1. Do they have sufficient character?

2. Do they have sufficient skills?

3. Do they have merits for the country?

4. Do they have the background or reputation to mobilize large-scale forces in case of emergency?

The main conditions were the above 4.

The Mana Management Organization thoroughly examined candidates' conditions.

Then they decided to test the candidates' skills.

Skill tests were to be conducted differently for each division.

[─We will now begin the skill evaluation for 3rd generation Twelve Seats candidates. For Navigator/Telepathist...]

As time passed like that.

Jung-gu Jangchung Gymnasium.

The skill test began.

People who appeared at the gymnasium moved according to the guidance announcement.

Jin Pa-rang was among them.

"Pa-rang, you can really do well, right? You know you can't do anything stupid today?"

"Don't worry, noona! I'm Jin Pa-rang! Do you think I wouldn't know that!?"

Since he had received disciplinary action once before.

Jin Pa-rang almost failed the character test.

But thanks to the merits Jin Pa-rang had accumulated so far and Pandora Clan's reputation.

Jin Pa-rang proudly made it as a candidate.

Eun-ah, who followed him as a sub-lord, had reason to look anxious.

Whether knowing that or not, Jin Pa-rang had a confident look.

He checked the players applying for Navigator/Telepathist.

As expected, there aren't many Telepathists.

He had expected to some extent but.

Not many Eins were visible.

Most clans supported Navigators rather than Telepathists who had a risk of failing.

In a way, it could be said the Mana Management Organization put Telepathists on the candidate list just to match appearances.

Couldn't you tell from the Navigator/Telepathist division part?

Nevertheless─.

'─So if hyung wants to change the world, try becoming a Twelve Seats once.'

I will definitely become a Twelve Seats.

I'll clearly show my power to the people gathered here.

Jin Pa-rang had promised Eun-ha.

"Bingu oppa, you can really do well, right? I recommended you instead of Seo-na because you said you could really do well. Got it?"

"I got it, don't worry."

At that moment, Kim Min-ji scolded.

Jin Pa-rang nodded as if it was no big deal.

Though Kim Min-ji said it like that, Pandora Clan recommended Jin Pa-rang as a Twelve Seats candidate almost unanimously.

There was also the reason Jin Seo-na declined, but fundamentally Jin Pa-rang was also covering the Hunter division.

Hunter cum Telepathist.

Pandora Clan thought to gain an advantage in the Twelve Seats selection by emphasizing the Hunter aspect.

Anyway─.

"─I'm going now! See you later!"

"Ah! Pa-rang oppa! Um, clan members and I made this together yesterday. Eat this if you get hungry."

"Oh, it looks delicious. As expected, only you take care of me. Thanks!"

"Do your best, oppa."

"You believe in oppa, right? Look forward to good results."

The Twelve Seats selection began.

He received a lunchbox from Kim Mary and disappeared sentimentally.

☆

Turning back time.

During the 3rd generation Twelve Seats candidate registration period.

"─Seo-hyun, can you call Ha-yang and Yu-jung?"

"...Okay, got it."

To gain one thing.

You have to give up one thing.

He had to be prepared for that.

But now he was no longer in a position to take risks alone.

He had wives.

So Eun-ha asked Han Seo-hyun to gather his wives one night.

"""...."""

They who were called in the middle of the night.

They sensed something.

They sat in their places waiting for Eun-ha to open his mouth.

And finally─.

"─I have something to apologize to you for. We might have a hard time ahead."

"""...."""

Eun-ha explained what he was going to do from now on.

Something that could be said to turn the Fairy Government into an enemy.

They listened to his serious words without interrupting.

And when he finished explaining─.

"─You called us just for that?"

Han Seo-hyun asked abruptly.

She, Jung Ha-yang, and Lee Yu-jung were smiling gently.

They looked not scared at all.

They opened their mouths one by one.

"Do as your heart tells you. I told you. Causing trouble is your job, and cleaning up is my job. Don't worry about us and do what you want."

"Still, thanks for telling us. Hmm, then we just need to prepare for if things don't go well, right? I'll look for ways to help you too, hus... Eun-ha."

"I resolved to endure whatever happens when I decided to marry you. It won't be hard if we share burdens you have to bear alone. I'll always support you."

"..."

Contrary to what Eun-ha expected.

They rather pushed Eun-ha's back who was hesitating.

Eun-ha who was at a loss for words for a moment burst into laughter just like that.

"─Thank you, really."

He felt foolish for worrying.

At the same time, he was so grateful to them.

He was glad he married.

Eun-ha smiled while hiding his inner thoughts, and decided to put into practice what he had been thinking right away.

For example─.

[─It's unusual for you to call. Perhaps....]

Eun-ha called Kim Geon-ung, KK Group's direct descendant.

When he answered the phone.

Kim Geon-ung seemed to sense it.

And as he expected, Eun-ha made a quite troublesome request.

It was more of a threat than a request.

"─You remember when I saved you in the Academy dungeon, right?"

[...Yes, I remember.]

"Now I'll collect the life debt."

[You... You're trying not to lose out. Using it at the most expensive time, and in the most expensive way....]

"Isn't that what a life debt is?"

[Fine, I admit defeat.]

The favor for saving Kim Geon-ung before.

After 7 years.

Eun-ha decided to collect that favor now.

Kim Geon-ung couldn't refuse.

And as time passed again─.

"─Hello. Can I participate in today's meeting too? I have something urgent I'd like to say."

On the day of the 3rd generation Twelve Seats candidate selection, Eun-ha participated in the Mana Management Organization meeting with a very brazen face.

""""...."""

Fairy Lim Ga-eul.

Mana Management Organization Minister Baek Seo-jin.

Surveillance Bureau Director Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong.

Other high-ranking officials.

They didn't say anything.

But their gazes carried displeased looks.

It was natural.

It was overstepping for Eun-ha, who wasn't even an official, to arbitrarily attend the meeting.

It was no different from infringing on the Fairy Government's authority.

Nevertheless─.

"─Yes, I'll allow it."

""""...."""

Including Fairy Lim Ga-eul.

No one could stop him.

Noh Eun-ha's status had now grown uncontrollably large.

Crunch

Even Baek Seo-jin knew that.

He silently gritted his teeth.

☆

A sharp energy rushed in.

The high-ranking officials attending this meeting were no different from old warriors who had experienced battlefields many times.

Their aura was sharp.

Eun-ha wasn't unaware of why they were reacting like that.

This is overstepping.

His attending this meeting was overstepping towards the Fairy Government.

And also a challenge.

If voices calling him monarch hadn't emerged, it could have been overlooked as simply reckless behavior.

But now Eun-ha's position was at a height that could never do so.

Knowing that, Eun-ha still forcibly attended the Mana Management Organization meeting.

"We will now begin the meeting. First..."

There were two topics for today's meeting.

One, Special Bureau Director selection plan.

One, Baek Seo-jin's proxy selection plan.

Candidates were already decided.

This meeting was formally a place to decide approval or disapproval of candidates.

So there was still a chance to overturn the meeting.

"As I said before, for Special Bureau Director, Kim Seong-hyun Gyeonggi Branch Director..."

"Fairy."

""""...."""

Eun-ha suddenly cut off the Fairy's words.

Fairy Lim Ga-eul's face hardened.

Displeasure rose on her face, and officials' eyes stood on end.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha spoke without caring.

"I have someone I'd like to select as Special Bureau Director."

"Pandora Clan Lord, how can you come out so rudely!? Do you think you can act like this just because people are supporting you!?"

An official got angry as a representative.

Eun-ha ignored the official's raised voice.

Eun-ha's gaze was fixed on Fairy Lim Ga-eul, no one else.

Lim Ga-eul was looking at Eun-ha too.

As if exploring each other's thoughts.

The two had a staring contest.

Eventually Lim Ga-eul asked in a cold voice.

"─Who is that person? As far as I know, there's no one as skilled and knowledgeable about the Mana Management Organization's nature as Kim Hyeon-seong Gyeonggi Branch Director."

I looked at all the candidates.

This is the best option now.

Lim Ga-eul was saying that.

To this, Eun-ha replied confidently.

"There are many people close to Mana Management Organization headquarters who know how the organization works better than someone stuck in Gyeonggi-do."

""""...."""

"And they have sufficient skills too."

"Who is it?"

"They're waiting outside now, should I tell them to come in?"

As if really curious.

Lim Ga-eul asked.

Eun-ha countered with a question.

Then she sighed.

And raised her hand.

"Tell them to come in."

Her order fell.

The lowest-ranking official stood up and opened the door.

The person who came in from outside was─.

"─Is there anyone who knows the organization better and is more loyal to the government than the Fairy's bodyguard? Not to mention skills."

"Haha, I'm sorry for coming like this without notice. But isn't a surprise entrance the best for these things?"

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

Not belonging to the Mana Management Organization.

Belonging to the security office right under the Fairy.

It was Lee Jung-hyun, currently serving as Ha Baek-ryeon's bodyguard.

☆

Bodyguard Lee Jung-hyun.

He was a person who had assisted Lim Ga-eul along with Bodyguard Park Sang-jin so far.

A person like Lim Ga-eul's left arm.

"─You're saying to put Bodyguard Lee Jung-hyun as Special Bureau Director?"

After being surprised seeing Lee Jung-hyun for a moment.

Lim Ga-eul glared at him.

Lee Jung-hyun standing at attention made a slightly flinching expression.

"I don't know how you persuaded the slippery Lee Jung-hyun, but to put him as Special Bureau Director..."

"Fairy. I may be slippery, but don't you think it's too much to say it so openly?"

"The slippery one be quiet."

"Yes ma'am."

Lim Ga-eul turned her gaze to Eun-ha.

Her gaze lingered for a while as if trying to see through Eun-ha.

Eun-ha accepted her gaze without hesitation.

It was hard to persuade though.

Actually, it was hard to persuade Lee Jung-hyun.

As Lim Ga-eul said, Lee Jung-hyun didn't really like working.

He even tried to escape from hard work by still serving as Ha Baek-ryeon's bodyguard after several years.

Still, he somehow persuaded him.

Though that person is slippery, his loyalty to Lim Ga-eul is high.

And....

Ha Baek-ryeon helped too.

Lee Jung-hyun couldn't resist Ha Baek-ryeon.

'─Jung-hyun oppa is nice so listen to ahjussi's request. The trash ahjussi is kneeling and begging like that....'

'I didn't kneel though.'

'Then don't listen.'

'...Okay, I'll kneel. I'm kneeling....'

'How can a hero kneel so easily? Just try kneeling in front of me?'

'What am I supposed to do....'

In the previous life, and in this life.

Lee Jung-hyun was close with Ha Baek-ryeon.

He who thought of her like his niece couldn't refuse her request.

That was the reason he came out to this place now.

"Hmm...."

"Someone who's worked together is right, they need to match well with the Fairy. In that sense, don't you think he's really good talent?"

Lim Ga-eul seemed to be considering.

Eun-ha added words.

Soon she looked around briefly and threw out a topic to the officials.

"What do you all think?"

""""...."""

The officials didn't answer immediately.

They closed their eyes and avoided gazes or fell into thought.

People who were actively pushing Kim Hyeon-seong frowned.

Even <Abyss > Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong kept his mouth shut and didn't answer.

There's no justification to oppose, right?

Eun-ha read their minds.

Until now, they had said there was no one suitable for Special Bureau Director except Kim Hyeon-seong.

Not just skills.

That he knows the organization's nature well.

But now someone appeared with even better qualifications than they talked about.

His skills can be proven just by guarding Lim Ga-eul and Baek-ryeon so far.

He'll know the organization's nature well, and his experience isn't lacking anywhere.

Lee Jung-hyun who started with the Fairy Government's establishment.

Though not belonging to the Mana Management Organization, he deeply understood the organization while assisting by Lim Ga-eul's side.

There was no one more suitable than Lee Jung-hyun.

In the end, Lim Ga-eul smiled contentedly and decided.

"They say it's darkest under the lamp, I hadn't thought of this. Putting a bodyguard as Special Bureau Director, could there be a more suitable proposal than this?"

"But Fairy, wouldn't it be better to have a more in-depth meeting and decide..."

"We've been dragging out meetings to decide on the Special Bureau Director, can we drag it out more here? Isn't it better to end it at this meeting that was meant to finalize the Special Bureau Director?"

""""...."""

"Then I'll appoint Bodyguard Lee Jung-hyun as Special Bureau Director."

If Lee Jung-hyun had any disqualification.

It was that he's currently serving as Ha Baek-ryeon's bodyguard.

If he becomes Special Bureau Director, Ha Baek-ryeon's bodyguard will disappear.

Did you think I hadn't considered that too?

But Eun-ha was expecting such words to come out.

Now Ha Baek-ryeon could be protected even without Lee Jung-hyun.

Bruno could be made her bodyguard, and clan members were hired to guard Ha Baek-ryeon for the past 2 years.

So there wasn't much opposition and─.

"─I will devote myself to the country as Special Bureau Director from now on."

 In the end, Lee Jung-hyun became the Special Bureau Director.

☆

"─Then we should move on to the second topic now."

The meeting continued afterwards.

As they moved to the second topic, the officials glanced at <Abyss > Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong.

He had a solemn face.

It was to hide his expression.

No one was unaware of that.

Because the second meeting was─.

"─Those who oppose the approval of Surveillance Bureau Director Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong as Mana Management Organization Minister and Twelve Seats head, please raise your hands."

It was already decided that Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong would replace Baek Seo-jin's role.

A formal meeting.

Therefore, Lim Ga-eul thought no one would raise their hand.

And she was about to welcome Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong with applause, half resigned to completely bring him to her side.

But at that moment─.

"─Me."

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

There was something Lim Ga-eul had forgotten.

Eun-ha was in this place.

In a place where he shouldn't raise his hand.

He suddenly raised his hand.

It was a mistake of people who thought Eun-ha's business was finished after making Lee Jung-hyun the Special Bureau Director.

"Me. I oppose."

And since Lim Ga-eul spoke first.

She couldn't ignore Eun-ha who raised his hand.

No, ignoring was possible.

Lim Ga-eul or others could treat Eun-ha like he didn't exist and push through as is.

If the Fairy Government's power was strong, that is.

But unfortunately─.

"─Yes, Pandora Clan Lord. Tell us your reason for opposing."

Eun-ha's power was stronger.

Lim Ga-eul and the officials couldn't ignore the opinion of a national hero.

"─Because there's a better candidate than <Abyss >."

""""...."""

To this, Eun-ha spoke calmly.

People were curious.

Is there really someone better than <Abyss >, they say?

Their eyes were saying that.

"A better... person, you say?"

"Yes, of course."

Lim Ga-eul was the same too.

Her eyes widened.

Then her eyeballs moved quickly.

"Is he outside by any chance?"

"No."

"Is he not from the Mana Management Organization? But the Mana Management Organization Minister must be selected from the Mana Management Organization..."

"He's from the Mana Management Organization."

"Who is this person?"

Lim Ga-eul asked as if pressing.

She seemed surprised that there was someone she hadn't considered.

"Someone the Fairy knows very well."

And now.

Eun-ha decided to resolve her doubt.

Just then, the beam projector in the conference room activated.

───.

As the beam projector suddenly activated.

People were startled.

Then a large image appeared on the pure white wall.

There was a person in the image.

"This person right here."

"That person is..."

""""...."""

Books filling the screen.

A man seemingly buried among them.

The man's appearance looked very young.

But his tone was reminiscent of an old man who lived for decades.

[─Arbitrarily making me a Twelve Seats, and arbitrarily removing me from the Twelve Seats... You still don't consider my position at all.]

""""...."""

[So I'll be arbitrary too. Don't you think I'm qualified to be Twelve Seats head?]

"Is there really a better Twelve Seats head than <Index >?"

Though not a living legend.

Along with <Iron Fortress> Moon Jun, <Divine Spear> Nam Gung Seong-un, and <King of Darkness> Baek Seo-jin.

A player who undoubtedly made great contributions to rebuilding this country.

Manager of the Player Library.

1st and 2nd generation Twelve Seats.

It was <Index > Yoon Seong-jin.