554

 [Chapter 150]

[Misfortune or Perhaps Fortune]

A bomb dropped overnight.

A massive explosion suddenly occurred at the Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals research complex in Goyang city.

The explosion sound that reached even people living in Seoul was enough to cause a commotion in the city.

"─You know how I was startled awake? I thought a bomb had fallen nearby! But it turns out it was an explosion in Goyang city."

"I heard it too. You know how my heart was pounding after hearing the explosion sound? I really thought I was going to die!"

"You should go to the hospital." "Why?" "I heard on the news earlier, the explosion wasn't just an explosion." "Then what kind of explosion was it? Was it a nuclear bomb or something? Was there radioactive fallout or something?"

"What nuclear bomb, Korea doesn't even have nuclear bombs. But well, it's not entirely wrong." "...What are you saying? Why are you suddenly making a serious face?"

"According to the Mana Management Bureau's investigation, the explosion that occurred at dawn today significantly affected the mana environment in the air in Seoul and Gyeonggi area."

"Ah, I think I saw an article about that earlier too. They say many people were taken to hospitals with their internal mana suddenly tangled?"

"That's not all. It seems devices using mana malfunctioned. Hospitals are in big trouble. Not only patients hospitalized for internal mana problems, but people who need treatment using mana had seizures." "..."

"So go to the hospital and get examined. It seems fine, but you never know."

"I guess I should. Maybe I'll take a half day off later."

"By the way, what on earth is going on? They say transportation will be suspended for today due to the explosion..."

"Yeah. Why did the research complex suddenly explode?"

"Maybe they were conducting some strange experiment and it went wrong?"

""""Nah, no way...""""

Various abnormal situations that occurred in Seoul and Gyeonggi area on this day.

Along with the rapidly increasing spatial distortions.

As a result, some city infrastructure had to suspend operations.

It was natural for people to express dissatisfaction.

They focused on the explosion accident at the Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals research complex which was likely related to the incidents that occurred throughout the day.

They all noticed it wasn't a simple explosion accident.

Because the Mana Management Bureau launched an investigation.

"─But why is the Mana Management Bureau investigating? Aren't explosion accidents usually investigated by other agencies?"

"The Mana Management Bureau says the explosion accident seems to be due to magic. So they'll investigate." "Magic? What does that have to do with Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals?"

"I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see when the investigation results come out."

The Mana Management Bureau moved.

That alone was enough for suspicions to arise among people that it wasn't a simple explosion accident but terrorism.

People were on edge for news.

And the next day─

""""─...."""

Another bomb dropped on South Korea.

Not a physical bomb, but a bomb that would instantly explode people's emotions.

The New Humanity Project that Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals Research Institute had been conducting was revealed to the world.

[Breaking] Numerous unidentified bodies estimated to be over 60 discovered underground at Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals research complex

[Breaking] Evidence of human experiments conducted at Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals captured!

[Breaking] 'New Humanity Project', inhumane experiments violating human dignity

[Breaking] Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals revealed to be hotbed of organ trafficking... Related persons to be investigated

New Humanity Project.

News of inhumane human experiments was revealed to be an endless crime as breaking news kept coming out.

People learned of the experiments Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals had been conducting and were outraged.

To an unprecedented degree, everyone united in condemnation.

"What do you mean human experiments! Execute those bastards immediately!"

"Is this a country! Taking out children's hearts and doing such things!? Are you even human!!"

"I feel like I've committed a sin... I took medicine you made without knowing... Sob!!"

"Arrest all those involved and kill them all! How are they any different from monsters!!"

Massive rallies.

Boycott of Yeongwon Group.

Distrust of the political and business world.

Public opinion was on fire.

One person is just a candle that goes out when the wind blows.

But a group of individuals gathered becomes a huge flame.

The will of the people.

That moved the country.

[Breaking] Yeongwon Group Chairman Yoo Seon-gyeong to appear at prosecution today

[Breaking] Yeongwon Group family members continue to appear at prosecution...

[Breaking] Yeongwon Group Vice Chairman Yoo Hwa-heon revealed to have ordered New Humanity Project...

[Column] "This is not just Yeongwon Group's problem. The darkness of our country's large corporations has been revealed through this."

[Breaking] Joint investigation by Mana Management Bureau and Prosecution Service

[Breaking] Executives of top 10 business groups to appear at prosecution tomorrow

[Column] Extreme emergency, downfall of business groups...

The investigation proceeded swiftly.

Information was immediately disclosed.

Sensational and provocative articles kept pouring out.

Related persons were endlessly mentioned, and problem recognition spread to the direction that not just Yeongwon Group but the political and business world was the problem.

"This damn country... How can there not be a single quiet day?"

"I'm in tears... People were suffering like that until now. Yet I knew nothing and lived smiling..."

"Humans are scarier than monsters. How can they do this to fellow humans?"

"Do you think we look like people in their eyes? We're just pigs and dogs! Pigs and dogs that eat whatever we're given!"

"The more I think about it, the angrier I get... What kind of business groups are these? How can there not be a single clean person!"

Anger rose endlessly.

Condemnation continued to pour out.

Meanwhile, people clicked their tongues in disbelief.

No matter how much time passed, there was no sign of the incident ending.

Because there were so many people involved.

People were now sick of those in the political and business world.

And when their disgust, dissatisfaction, disappointment, and anger reached its peak─

"─We will be reborn. Cutting out all the diseased parts and rebuilding the group! We will surely create a group that contributes to the development of this country. I will surely repay the citizens by breaking this body into pieces."

Yoo Do-jun, direct descendant of Yeongwon Group, appeared in the media.

He apologized while prostrating himself.

[Breaking] Explosion at Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals research complex revealed to be Yoo Do-jun's doing

[Breaking] "I thought I had to let the citizens know. I thought it was right to receive punishment if crimes were committed."

[Breaking] Yoo Do-jun reveals New Humanity Project to the world!

It was a dramatic moment.

Just when people were despairing in a world without heroes,

A hero named Yoo Do-jun appeared.

Yoo Do-jun who committed no crime, but rather revealed the massive darkness of the political and business world.

Though he was a direct descendant of Yeongwon Group, the story that he reported the New Humanity Project to the Fairy Lady government made people think favorably of him.

""""...."""

South Korea's economy is abnormal.

It depends on business groups.

No matter how evil people in the political and business world are, they can't all be eliminated.

The same goes for Yeongwon Group.

Rather, because Yeongwon Group was engaged in the financial sector, it was a group that couldn't disappear.

People were angry but aware of the situation directly linked to their survival.

Then Yoo Do-jun appeared.

"...Couldn't we trust Yoo Do-jun?"

"No, that bastard is also from Yeongwon Group."

"But Yoo Do-jun is the one who reported the New Humanity Project, right?"

"..."

"If Yeongwon Group is dissolved like this, we might all end up on the streets..."

"Someone has to save Yeongwon Group. Otherwise our country's economy will be finished."

"Among Yeongwon Group's direct descendants, Yoo Do-jun is the only one who's clean even if you shake him. Couldn't we trust him?"

"But he's only 18 years old!! Can such a kid become chairman?" "There's no reason he can't be chairman. I hear Yoo Do-jun is quite capable too." "And he's friends with <Quick-witted >." "Right!! <Quick-witted > even subjugated a 4th tier monster recently. So is it strange for an 18-year-old to become chairman?"

There were also instigators but,

Public opinion was positive towards Yoo Do-jun.

Thus, public opinion formed that Yoo Do-jun was the only person suitable to be chairman of Yeongwon Group.

☆

Yeongwon Group Chairman Yoo Seon-gyeong.

He was a cruel person.

To the extent of encouraging competition for the position of Yeongwon Group chairman among all those of his bloodline.

He repeatedly said that only the one person who survived to the end would inherit the chairman position.

Therefore, fierce succession disputes had been occurring among the bloodline under the surface in Yeongwon Group until now.

Succession disputes that were unbearable to watch with open eyes.

"..."

Yoo Do-jun bit his lip hard.

Even he who was much younger at the time couldn't avoid the succession disputes.

No, to be precise, it was a succession dispute within a succession dispute.

An incident caused by a woman not recognized as the official wife of the man he didn't even want to call father, trying to be recognized as the legal wife.

'─Ah... Do-jun...'

It was one evening.

Including grandfather,

That guy and mother, as well as that guy's concubines and illegitimate children were all gathered for dinner.

At that time, mother drank soup poisoned by the woman who wanted to be recognized as that guy's legal wife.

Mother collapsed.

'─Mom! Mom! What's wrong...!?'

Yoo Do-jun held his collapsed mother and burst into tears.

And he begged his father, that guy, to save his mother.

He begged grandfather too.

But the two men─

'─People of Yeongwon Group must be tough. We who handle money must be more vicious than anyone.'

'Haha... It's not a pretty sight. Did you invite me here to show me this? I told you to handle your own affairs...'

The two men laughed.

Just looking down at mother who collapsed coughing blood.

No one tried to help mother that day.

And mother─

'─Do-jun...'

'Mom...'

'Don't cry... you should smile...'

'...'

'You have to... smile... That's how you can... survive. Okay...?'

'...'

'From now on... no matter what happens... you must always live smiling...'

Whispered to Yoo Do-jun.

Essentially mother's last words.

Mother's last words became a curse that led him to where he is now.

Yoo Do-jun who had no support base had to hide his fangs while laughing, and had to grovel so as not to fall out of favor with those who had succession rights.

And so, he came to this position.

"─Do-jun." "..."

"Come closer. I'm old now so I can't see things far away well."

Prosecution Service.

Do-jun appeared at the prosecution as a witness related to the New Humanity Project.

And with the cooperation of prosecutors, he found Yeongwon Group Chairman Yoo Seon-gyeong.

Grandfather beyond the glass had aged a lot.

Yoo Do-jun looked at him calmly.

Since the day his mother died,

Family essentially didn't exist for Yoo Do-jun.

What was in front of him was just an old man, not grandfather.

An old man who stepped down from the seat of power.

The old man seemed to know that too─

"─You won."

"..."

"I'll give you everything."

Yoo Seon-gyeong said with a bitter smile.

You won.

The words Yoo Do-jun had wanted to hear until now.

But when he actually heard those words, he felt no joy.

It was just that what should have come into his hands finally came.

"I really didn't know... you would make me like this. Kuhehehehe!!"

Meanwhile the old man cried and laughed as if he had gone insane.

Yoo Do-jun just maintained silence while looking at the wrinkles folded as the old man laughed.

"But you did something too reckless. Did you have to go this far? Did you have to ruin Yeongwon Group like this?"

Soon the old man who stopped laughing asked.

And finally─

"─Actually, I thought it would be good if it collapsed like this. It's better for this kind of group to disappear."

"..."

"But I couldn't do that. Because the family members I have to take responsibility for are no longer just me now."

Yoo Do-jun opened his mouth.

As he spoke, he realized.

That he had no choice but to keep moving forward for those who have helped him until now.

Though he was determined to become chairman of Yeongwon Group for his mother's revenge─

"─From now on, Yeongwon Group will be a different Yeongwon Group than now. By doing so, I'll completely erase grandfather's name from Yeongwon Group's history."

Now it's different.

He who had no family to take responsibility for now had families he had to take responsibility for.

The people of Yeongwon Group who had assisted him to become chairman all this time.

And Noh Eunha.

"Are you daring to commit impiety? How can you do this to me! Do you know what I've done all this time to create Yeongwon Group...!!"

"I'm not curious at all. What does that have to do with me?" "...!!"

"There's nothing eternal in this world. If there's a beginning, there's an end. So Yeongwon Group ends with this."

"Do-jun... do you think people will accept that readily? It's Yeongwon Group. Yeongwon that has been the foundation of this country's economy for decades! Do you think people will just watch that happen?"

"They will watch quietly. If they don't want to fall out of my favor." "...!"

Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals Gate.

The darkness involving not just Yeongwon Group but many groups and people in politics.

All the data on that was in Yoo Do-jun's hands.

People in the political and business world had no choice but to cling to Yoo Do-jun to survive.

So Yoo Do-jun said.

That he would just implicate anyone who gets in his way with the Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals Gate.

"There's a suitable precedent, isn't there? Just as Dawn Group became Luminous Group, Yeongwon Group will change to a new name." "It can't be. Yeongwon Group must be eternal..."

"Grandfather's Yeongwon Group ends with this." "..."

"For the time being, a professional manager will take grandfather's role in Yeongwon Group, so rest comfortably there until you die."

"..."

"Ah, you probably won't see me again from now on. No one will visit you either. Unless you want to fall out of my favor."

"Live long and prosper there." "Do-jun... I was wrong. So please, just the group's name..."

"─Suffer there until you die."

"...!"

"That's the only atonement you can make to my mom."

A one-sided conversation.

Leaving those words, Yoo Do-jun came out without listening to what the old man was saying behind him.

"..."

He couldn't help but sigh.

He thought he would feel relieved when this day came, but he didn't feel relieved at all.

Nevertheless, Yoo Do-jun stepped forward without regret.

"─Let's name the new group Hana."

Hana Group.

Do-jun decided to name the group he would reform after his mother's name to honor her.

Then he walked down the corridor without looking back once.

"─Nothing is eternal."

Nothing is eternal in this world.

Everything is bound to disappear.

 In the end, everything that exists returns to nothingness again.

And from nothingness to existence.

Moving forward again from 'one'.

No matter how difficult that path may be, he will build up slowly from one step at a time.

☆

The Yeongwon Pharmaceuticals Gate that was in full swing now showed signs of slowly subsiding.

By then, summer vacation had already ended and the next semester had started.

...It's boring.

Just sleeping and doing nothing is troublesome too...

But it had nothing to do with Eunha.

Because he was hospitalized.

"Ugh..."

"Pipi pipi?"

"You're bored too, right?"

"Pipi!"

"Is there nothing to do..."

After the battle with Belphegor,

Eunha was hospitalized at Alice Hospital with damage to his mana circuits.

According to the doctors who examined him, he shouldn't think about being discharged before the end of the year.

Eunha's condition was that serious.

During the battle he didn't feel injuries due to adrenaline secretion.

In fact, his body had many problems besides the mana circuits.

Fortunately, thanks to Uncle Bruno quickly transferring him to the hospital, he can lie comfortably like this.

If he had gone to the hospital even a little later, who knows what would have happened...

The person who transported him to the hospital when he lost consciousness and collapsed was Bruno.

Bruno says he escaped the Players' investigation network with Twenty-five's help so they didn't know he was at the scene.

Therefore, formally Eunha snuck out of the house late at night and was injured while practicing new magic with Bruno.

Of course─

─No one believed it.

Mom, dad, Eun-ah, Eun-ae, grandmother, friends.

No one believed that story.

They just pretended to believe because Eunha insisted so strongly.

But─

"─It was a real nightmare..."

"Papa..."

"Right? Mom and noona were terribly scared too?" "Pipi..."

"Yeah... Everyone was scared..."

Eunha was scolded severely.

It was understandable since he heard he had to be hospitalized until next year.

It was an incident that made him shudder just thinking about it.

Moreover, when people came to visit him in the hospital, they scolded Eunha over and over repeating the same nagging.

It was the same now.

"─Really... Do you know how shocked I was when I heard you were hospitalized?" "Sorry..."

"And I didn't even hear it from you, I heard it from the doctor working at the hospital and Eun-ah unni." "...I'm sorry." "You said you'd tell me everything, was that a lie back then? Why didn't you tell me you were hospitalized if you were? Really... that's too much. How could you do that?"

"..."

"You really only think about yourself. Why don't you care about the feelings of people who worry about you..."

It was the weekend.

Hayang, who takes classes at the academy, came to visit Eunha every weekend.

And after taking care of Eunha attentively, she would get angry like this.

Each time, Eunha had to beg desperately.

"Really... you're too much..."

"I like you."

"You only say you like me at times like this."

"You don't know how much I missed you while I was in the hospital." "Tsk... I bet you said the same thing to Seohyun unni." "..." "Yeah, that's how it is. So you didn't just say it to me after all. Aha..." "Hayang, the apple burst... Give me your hand. Your hand got dirty." "Here, eat. I brought it for you. You have to eat it deliciously, okay?"

"...You're joking, right?" "Does this look like a joke?"

"Wow... it, looks, de, li, cious." "Don't eat it, it's dirty. I'll peel a new one for you. I really hate you."

Jung Hayang grabs the broken apple pieces and turns her body.

She returned after washing her hands and peeled a new apple.

Eunha ate the apple she put in his mouth.

"We won't be able to see the cultural festival together this year. I was really looking forward to it..."

"Let's watch it together next year."

"Will you watch it with me next year?"

"Of course, definitely."

"I might not be your girlfriend then?" "..." "Hmph!"

"Give me your hand."

"No."

"Hand." "Tsk."

While saying no,

Jung Hayang eventually gave her hand.

Eunha held her hand tightly.

"It feels nice holding hands like this." "..."

"Let's keep holding hands all day today."

Summer passed this year too.

Autumn came without fail.

And after autumn passes, winter will come again.

By then, the time-limited relationship she promised with him will reach some kind of conclusion.

Eunha held her hand tightly and smiled at Jung Hayang.

She smiled too.

However─

"─Did you think I wouldn't know you're trying to gloss over it like that?"

"..."

"Do you know how worried I was?"

"I'm sorry. Please spare me. So please stop squishing the apple..."

He tried to gloss it over,

But Jung Hayang wasn't fooled.

Eunha had to keep getting scolded after that.