708

 [Chapter 181]

[Daddy Long Legs (2)]

March of the 16th year of the Fairy Era.

The first semester of the Academy began.

Hellish days were about to start for Shin Seoyoung, who was put in charge of those transferring into the 3rd year of high school.

Shin Seoyoung was certain.

Her intuition was telling her.

"─Why did the Chancellor assign me to the transfer class..."

She couldn't help but sigh.

She felt like resigning outright or taking a leave of absence for a while.

Looking at the composition of the class she was in charge of, she could estimate what was coming.

"Meiling, Meilin, Iriya, Dominic, blah blah..."

All the students in her class were from Yongsan-gu and Jung-gu.

Or to be more precise─.

─I thought I wouldn't have to clean up after Noh Eunha anymore, but the scale has gotten even bigger, damn...

Although it wasn't recorded in the school records.

The world now naturally associated Yongsan-gu and Jung-gu with Pandora Clan and.

They knew that the foreigners in Itaewon had deep connections with Pandora Clan.

In other words, it meant that all the students she would be in charge of were directly or indirectly related to Pandora Clan─.

"─It means I have to manage kids who won't listen to me at all for a year, damn..."

They were surely troublemakers without a doubt.

It was obvious that she would suffer for a year cleaning up after them.

The future drew itself automatically.

It was a disaster brought on by the Chancellor's forceful recommendation.

More than half of these won't be normal people.

It's obvious, so obvious...

Shin Seoyoung could be certain.

It's Noh Eunha.

How could people gathered under Noh Eunha be in their right minds?

Even the students who looked normal would quietly cause incidents without knowing.

The objectivity of the evidence was low but.

She couldn't ignore the subjectivity of experience.

Shin Seoyoung went to her assigned class with such thoughts.

"Sigh..."

100 problem children.

At least Noh Eunha is a bad guy, but not entirely bad, so the students probably won't be entirely bad guys either.

In fact, innocent people who cause trouble without knowing they're bad guys were the worst.

Anyway, she just hoped to spend the year peacefully.

Shin Seoyoung who steeled herself again in front of the classroom opened the door vigorously.

""""..."

The instructor hadn't come in yet.

They seemed to have been chattering loudly.

Shin Seoyoung felt the sound inside abruptly cut off and gazes turn to her as she flung open the door.

She paid no mind and moved her steps to the podium.

She put down the attendance book with a thud.

"─I'm Shin Seoyoung who will be in charge of you all for the coming year."

Perhaps because it was a transfer class.

The students' ages varied widely.

And since foreigners were mixed in, hair and skin colors were diverse too.

Nevertheless, she decided to treat them equally as students she had to teach from now on.

Of course, equality was relative.

She would treat students who deviated from her standards equally by that standard.

She spoke with such nuance while explaining the orientation.

"With this, I've finished explaining what I needed to for the first day. If you have any questions, raise your hand. I don't like explaining things twice. Don't say you don't know later, it's better to ask now during this opportunity."

""""..."

After finishing the explanation.

Shin Seoyoung looked around the audience.

Several people raised their hands.

She pointed to a female student sitting closest who was listening to her explanation with sparkling eyes.

So she's the <Saint of the Order>.

She was someone Shin Seoyoung knew well.

<Saint of the Order> Iriya.

She couldn't help but know since she was wearing a hat that priests would wear in a cathedral in addition to the Academy uniform.

Moreover, the story that Iriya would join Pandora Clan was famous and.

The anecdote of her momentarily activating the gift <Miracle > to weaken Yekyung in last year's Seoul calamity was also known.

As a fellow gift user, Shin Seoyoung had been curious about her.

"Yes, student Iriya."

"Yes, Instructor."

Shin Seoyoung pointed to her.

She stood up demurely from her seat and put her hands together.

"I've already heard from the Lord."

"The Lord?"

"Yes, my Lord God and Pandora Clan's <Crimson Wing> Clan Lord Noh Eunha."

"Ah, I see..."

Unlike her kind-looking atmosphere.

She seems to have a screw loose somewhere.

Shin Seoyoung felt like she had figured out Iriya with just a few words.

Anyway, calling him Lord...

So it's true that a religion called Eunha Religion was created under the Pandora Clan headquarters.

What on earth is he thinking, trying to aim for the position of god now instead of just Clan Lord...

Shin Seoyoung inwardly lamented.

She really couldn't understand what Noh Eunha was thinking.

Meanwhile, she decided to mark Iriya who proudly called Noh Eunha Lord as a person to watch out for.

She was about to do that when─.

"─The Lord said. If we cause trouble for Instructor Shin Seoyoung, his mentor, then the Lord will punish us."

"..."

"So we swear to submit to Instructor Shin Seoyoung until we graduate from the Academy, following the Lord's will. Please look after us foolish ones generously and enlighten us as the Lord has taught you."

""""We look forward to your guidance!!""""

"Ah, yes... I look forward to working with you..."

When Iriya spoke as a representative.

The students chanted in unison.

Shin Seoyoung was dazed seeing them take on fanatical appearances.

While doing so, she decided to change her earlier thoughts.

Eunha made a good religion.

Although she didn't know the doctrines of Eunha Religion well.

Since Eunha was regarded as the Lord God, it seemed she was being revered as the Lord's teacher.

It wasn't bad.

The corners of her mouth twitched.

"Instructor."

"Yes, student over there. Your name is..."

"It's Dominic."

"Dominic?"

"It should be written as Do Minguk in the attendance book."

"Hmm... so it is. Yes, student Do Minguk. Please ask your question."

Of course, even if they didn't rebel and obediently followed.

They were strange people.

She shouldn't forget that.

Shin Seoyoung reminded herself looking at Dominic who raised his hand second.

"I know that you are acquainted with the Pandora Clan Lord. I'd like to know what classes would be good to take to join Pandora Clan!"

At Dominic's question.

Several students nodded.

Shin Seoyoung could feel that Pandora Clan was admired by the foreigners in Itaewon.

"Transfer students have limited classes they can take, so it will be difficult to take classes other than those that can be used immediately in the field. Still, I think that's enough. In the case of the Pandora Clan Lord, he tends to value practical experience more than theory."

""""..."

"If any students want to know what kind of practical classes they should take, please come to my instructor's office after this time is over. I'll look into it for you."

""""Thank you!!""""

In her heart, she wanted to advise them not to pursue practical, efficiency-oriented methods like the Pandora Clan Lord.

It was something only Noh Eunha could do.

In a way it was talent, and in another way it was the product of effort.

It's not something that can be learned recklessly.

If done wrong, the body will be ruined.

But there was no way they would listen.

So she decided in her mind to manage them as an instructor so they couldn't take risks.

Fortunately, the students seemed touched just by her words.

Meanwhile─.

""─Instructor!!""

"Yes, over there... Um..."

"The one bun is older sister Meiling."

"Two buns is younger sister Meilin."

"Yes, thank you for letting me know. Then student Meiling, please ask your question first."

The students kept raising their hands and.

Shin Seoyoung ended up taking questions from the twin sisters.

And she regretted it.

"─Instructor, do you have a man? Tell us about your love life!"

""""..."

"Unni! It's rude to say it like that. How do you know if the instructor likes men or women?"

"Ah, I see. Instructor, do you have a lover?"

Crack.

A vein popped on Shin Seoyoung's forehead.

Nevertheless, the twin sisters chattered while laughing among themselves.

Even though she hadn't given permission for the younger Meilin to speak.

"Instructor, how many people have you slept with so far?"

"No, little sister! It's not fun to ask like that. Instructor, when was the last time you slept with someone?"

"Both of you, shut your mouths and come to my instructor's office when this is over. If you don't want to be expelled today."

☆

Recently, Eunha had been dazed.

It was because he couldn't get over what he heard from Ha Baekryeon a few days ago.

Baekryeon was well educated.

Yes, that's how you should act when a stranger approaches.

Eunha understood Ha Baekryeon's actions.

Although it was quite shocking to hear "police uncle".

On the other hand, he was proud of Ha Baekryeon.

Eunha who was worried about Ha Baekryeon's safety was very pleased with her response.

Still, to treat me like an unknown uncle and try to call the police...

Of course, his reason was proud but.

His emotions were quite different.

It was natural that she didn't recognize him, but he felt sad that she didn't recognize him and.

He resented that she called him oppa and insisted on not calling him ahjussi in his previous life, but immediately treated him as an ahjussi in this life.

It's too much. Moreover, I'm meeting her 1 year earlier than before the regression...

It couldn't be helped.

The situation was different from before the regression.

It was understandable that Ha Baekryeon was startled when she first saw him.

It was Eunha's fault.

But I can't back down like this.

I need to somehow create an intimate relationship with Baekryeon...

There wasn't much time left.

2 years until Ha Baekryeon takes classes to manifest mana.

He had to gain a justification to protect Ha Baekryeon before then.

If he didn't, the Mana Management Organization would end up protecting Ha Baekryeon.

"I need a justification, justification, justification..."

After returning from Seongnam City, Gyeonggi-do.

Eunha was blankly muttering in his office.

A plausible justification for him and Ha Baekryeon to become close, and for him to claim to be her protector.

It just wouldn't come to mind.

"This won't do. Let's think while walking."

Soon Eunha stood up from his seat.

He felt like thoughts wouldn't come well if he just sat still in his seat.

He decided to walk around the clan headquarters to broaden his thoughts.

It was right then.

"─Clan Lord! Hello!"

""""Hello!!""""

"Ah, Eunha."

While walking around the 10th floor corridor.

Eunha greeted clan members who came up on the elevator.

Noh Euna, Ryu Yeonhwa.

And around them were gathered new recruits including Oh Seonghwan who joined the clan this year.

"What's this? Why are you bringing the new recruits to this floor?"

"Well, Yeonhwa and I decided to be in charge of educating the new recruits. So we're going to make a request for their education. According to regulations, new recruits have to report to the administrative office before doing work."

"Ah, I see. You're both working hard."

Noh Euna explained the situation.

Eunha nodded seeing the new recruits looking at him with sparkling eyes.

Among them, Oh Seonghwan's eyes shone the brightest, whom Eunha had gifted a Noh Eunha Squad brooch when he graduated last year.

"Seonghwan, do well so you don't make things hard for the noonas. I'm expecting a lot."

"Yes! Clan Lord! Leave it to me!"

"I'm expecting a lot from you all too."

""""Please trust us!!""""

Including Oh Seonghwan.

The total number of clan members who joined the clan this year was 14.

Among them, the ratio of those called promising talents was about half.

Although Pandora Clan was new, it was thanks to Pandora Clan's recognition rising greatly in just 1 year.

They also recruited many navigators who had been struggling with manpower shortages...

This year's results are quite good.

We need to do even better in the future.

A clan evaluated as having the most promising future among B+ rank clans.

Eunha recalled what people had been saying recently.

Then he placed his hand on Oh Seonghwan's shoulder with a pat.

Even that was enough to move Oh Seonghwan, Eunha's fervent follower.

Eunha patted his shoulder and spoke to Ryu Yeonhwa.

"It'll be chaotic if we go into the administrative office with the kids, so let's go by ourselves."

"Okay. But why are you coming, Eunha?"

"Just to watch the noonas work."

"I see."

When Eunha chuckled.

Ryu Yeonhwa responded with a smile.

Eventually, Eunha, Euna, and Yeonhwa had the new recruits wait outside the door before entering the administrative office.

"Ah, Clan Lord. Welcome."

Shakira greeted them.

Besides her, there were also employees newly hired by Han Seohyun this year at their seats.

Employees who were busy answering phones bowed their heads to Eunha.

Eunha received their greetings and looked for Han Seohyun who was in the innermost part.

She was also busy answering a phone call.

She looks pretty even when working.

Eunha's eyes met Han Seohyun's.

She smiled with her eyes.

Then she gestured to wait a moment.

Eunha's mouth corners rose involuntarily just from her actions.

Right then─.

"─You look good."

"Huh? Of course."

"...I'm glad you get along well."

Ryu Yeonhwa suddenly spoke.

It was in a tone as if envying but.

Eunha brushed it off lightly since her face looked the same as usual.

"Seohyun seems to be working, let's sit here for now."

"Okay."

Eunha offered the sofa.

Ryu Yeonhwa took the seat next to him.

Then Noh Euna sat down across from Eunha.

The three lowered their voices and chatted while sharing snacks placed on the table.

And not long after─.

"─Sorry. Did you wait long? The Mana Management Organization just called... New unni and Yeonhwa unni came to report on new recruit education, right?"

Han Seohyun finished her call and approached.

She glanced at Ryu Yeonhwa next to Eunha for a moment, then sat next to Euna.

"Yes, that's right. I'm thinking of taking Seonghwan and the kids to carry out Alice Life's request. Will you approve it?"

"Then I'll process it like that."

It was just a formal procedure.

The approval was completed swiftly.

Soon Han Seohyun asked Eunha.

"Eun... Honey, why did you come?"

"Huh?"

"I asked why you came."

"""..."

"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pu!"

A term of endearment she had never used before.

It seemed she was very conscious of the people sitting there.

He couldn't hide his discomfort at the unfamiliar term.

Why is she acting like this?

Did she eat something wrong?

It's not that I dislike it, but it feels awkward somehow.

But he wasn't tactless enough to suddenly ask her why she changed how she addressed him.

Eunha decided to act as naturally and calmly as possible.

"Just to see you."

"Is that so?"

""..."

He didn't really have a specific reason for coming and.

He expressed his feelings for her to boost her morale.

Euna clicked her tongue and.

Han Seohyun smiled slightly.

"By the way, what was that call from the Mana Management Organization about?"

"Oh, it's nothing much. They contacted us looking for a clan to send on dispatch among the clans."

"Dispatch? What dispatch?"

Soon, Eunha changed the subject.

He felt embarrassed to show himself loosening up while dealing with Han Seohyun in front of Euna.

Meanwhile, Han Seohyun shrugged.

"It seems an unidentified body was discovered in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi-do a few days ago. But when they did an autopsy, rather than being done by a person..."

"You mean it was done by a monster."

"That seems to be the case. They're suspecting that direction since there's been an increase in missing persons in Seongnam City recently too."

Ryu Yeonhwa immediately grasped the context and.

Han Seohyun nodded in affirmation.

She continued speaking.

"They seem to be speculating that there's a monster habitat somewhere in Seongnam City."

"It must be a serious situation. Looking at how Seongnam City isn't trying to resolve it themselves and requesting dispatch from the Mana Management Organization..."

"It means the players active in Seongnam City probably can't handle it. So I refused. We're still B+ rank so the risk is too high to complete such a request, and we're still suffering from manpower shortages. We're busy enough just handling the work coming in from Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu, we don't have the capacity to worry about Seongnam City too."

Han Seohyun said that and.

Noh Euna added.

She and Ryu Yeonhwa agreed with Han Seohyun's judgment.

Although they were suffering less from manpower shortages with new recruits joining this year, they weren't manpower that could be immediately deployed for requests.

They were in a situation where education was needed for them to blend into actual combat.

But at that moment─.

"─That sounds good though?"

"""What?"""

"Papa?"

Noh Eunha suddenly spoke up.

He who had been quietly listening to the conversation showed interest and.

The three were dumbfounded.

Regardless, he who finished thinking opened his mouth.

"─I'll take a few kids and go investigate if there's a monster habitat in Seongnam City."

"""..."

"If we complete the work requested by the Mana Management Organization, we could get bonus points in the clan comprehensive grade evaluation, which is good."

"We're not in a situation where we need bonus points that badly... We can probably get A- next year at this rate."

"Still."

Han Seohyun objected.

Nevertheless, he didn't back down, and eventually she took a step back.

"...Okay, fine. I guess the reason you went to Seongnam City recently is related to this. I'll approve it. But don't take too many people."

"How many is possible?"

"Up to 4-5 including you. It would be hard to spare more manpower than that."

"Then I'll take 5 including myself."

This worked out well.

We might be able to prevent the incident that will occur in Seongnam City next year in advance.

Wouldn't I be able to hover around Ha Baekryeon with a legitimate reason?

Eunha raised the corners of his mouth as he obtained Han Seohyun's permission.

☆

He couldn't make the same mistake again.

As Eunha became the party leader and decided to go on dispatch to Seongnam City for a while.

Eunha came up with a way to lower Ha Baekryeon's guard.

Baekryeon is wary of me because I'm a stranger and also because of my age.

The former couldn't be resolved immediately.

It had to be resolved over time.

But there was a way to resolve the latter right away.

By putting forward a stand-in for himself that matches her age.

It wasn't impossible.

Because─.

─Doppelganger

Now Eunha could control doppelgangers according to his will.

Eunha created a doppelganger based on his memories of when he was 9 years old.

Mana that drained out of Eunha's body in chunks took on the form of little Eunha.

"─It's been a while."

"Yes, it's been a while. But is this really okay?"

"We have no choice. It's not before the regression, and this is the only way to approach Baekryeon without making her wary."

"What if we get caught..."

"That's why you need to do well so we don't get caught. Don't make me get scolded again by speaking thoughtlessly like last time."

"The mental age also gets younger to some extent when the body gets younger, what can I do. Anyway, I'll do that."

Little Eunha sighed.

He seemed reluctant but little Eunha also thought there was no other way.

""Anyway─.""

After all, little Eunha was also Eunha.

The two's thoughts aligned.

"─I'll take care of Baekryeon."

"Meanwhile, I'll take care of Baekryeon's mother."

It was an excellent role distribution.

The two were confident.