799

 [Chapter 202]

[Foundation of a Monarch(3)]

Baek Seo-jin retires.

His retirement had a huge impact on social change.

"─Seeing that person retire, I guess I've gotten old too. I should step down at this point."

"Looking back, a long time has passed to come this far. I still vividly remember thinking we'd survive in the destruction.... Much has changed."

Until now, people commonly called the 1st generation were positioned in high places in society.

Having gone through hard times, they were very tough and also greedy.

So they held onto their power even in old age.

Those people decided to retire from the forefront of society after hearing about Baek Seo-jin's retirement.

"Ugh.... My body isn't like it used to be either. Other groups handed over positions to successors long ago, but I stubbornly held on for too long. You take this position now."

Even East Sea Group was like that.

East Sea Group Chairman Jung Ji-man, who had been actively involved in political and business circles, decided to formally hand over to his eldest son.

Naturally, KK Group Chairman Kim Geon, who was in a competitive relationship with East Sea Group, had to admit he was too old now.

"...It seems my thinking was wrong. I caused great losses to the group. I'll step down now too."

In the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture War.

KK Group suffered a lot of damage.

Not only did Twelve Seats <Beast Tamer> Hwang San-gun die, but KK Clan was almost on the verge of disbandment.

High risk, high return.

Kim Geon had made huge investments in KK Clan for this Uijeongbu Recapture War, and suffered huge losses.

In the end, he had to accept that he had grown old.

"Our work is done now too. You handle things from now on."

Besides this, as generational change occurred, people considered the 2nd generation came to occupy high positions in society.

However, Samra Group and YH Group, which didn't suffer much damage in the Uijeongbu Recapture War, didn't experience big changes.

But as society faced changes, the activities of people considered the 2nd generation became even more active.

The position of 3rd generation people rose along with it.

Society was undergoing a reshuffle.

Therefore─.

"─There's no other chance but now for our clan's position to expand."

"They're selecting the 3rd generation Twelve Seats? An opportunity has come for us too."

"We need to move quickly and gather information. We have to move fast."

Adapting to the changing society.

People lobbied behind the scenes to rise in status.

It was like a swan swimming hard underwater.

Especially the news of selecting the 3rd generation Twelve Seats greatly excited 2nd and 3rd generation players.

"They said they're selecting 4 Twelve Seats, right? What are the divisions?"

"I heard it's ranger, caster, navigator, and navigator or telepathist?"

"They're picking 2 navigators."

Society was shocked by the news of the 1st generation retiring for only a moment.

Now people looked forward to the 3rd generation Twelve Seats who would open a new era.

Meanwhile, they couldn't hide their disappointment.

"Tch, the Pandora Clan Lord missed out on a Twelve Seats position this time too."

"Can't be helped with dealers firmly in place. But maybe there'll be a chance in 10 years when they think about retiring?"

"Being called Korea's strongest while not being a Twelve Seats is amazing in itself."

"Is there anyone here who doesn't know the Pandora Clan Lord's skills? If there's a case, the Pandora Clan Lord is the top candidate to be counted as a Twelve Seats dealer."

"They say the second top candidate is Pandora Clan's <Snow Spear> Ryu Yeon-hwa player?"

<Cardinal > Noh Eun-ha.

Public sentiment calling for him was rising endlessly.

It had only temporarily quieted down now as Baek Seo-jin retired.

But in their hearts, embers of desire to make Eun-ha the monarch were still flickering.

"But who will take the position of 3rd generation Twelve Seats head?"

"I heard they plan to appoint <Abyss >? You know, the Surveillance Bureau Director."

"Ah, that old man?"

Finally, the story of <Abyss > Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong, the last ember of the 1st generation, becoming the head didn't face much opposition.

It was effective that he actively denounced the Fairy as an official, and his handling of the Uijeongbu Recapture War was quite excellent.

People thought.

If it weren't for Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong, the damage would have been greater than now.

☆

Baek Seo-jin was responsible too.

Because he was the one who delegated the commander participating in the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture War.

So it wasn't strange that he said he would step down from the Twelve Seats to take responsibility.

However─.

"─I don't understand why you recommended <Abyss > as the next Twelve Seats head, teacher."

"You came all this way to say that?"

As the 3rd generation Twelve Seats head.

Eun-ha couldn't understand why Baek Seo-jin and Lim Ga-eul insisted on appointing <Abyss >.

He was so dumbfounded that he came all the way to the darkness core to meet Baek Seo-jin in person.

I was assuming teacher would step down from the Twelve Seats after being injured in the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture War.

But not this.

<Abyss > Seon Woo-hwa-ryeong.

He was an enemy of the Fairy Government.

Now Baek Seo-jin and Lim Ga-eul were creating a situation for him to seize power with their own hands.

For Eun-ha, this absolutely couldn't happen.

"I don't know why you're so wary of <Abyss >, Eun-ha, but there's no suitable person to replace him."

Cheongnyangni underground city.

Darkness that you have to go further into the underground city, and the core even further in.

There were no people around.

Baek Seo-jin had sent people away.

Then he lit a cigarette while meeting Eun-ha alone.

His posture buried in the sofa.

His arrogant posture smoking a cigarette.

It didn't suit a Twelve Seats.

The person before him was not a Twelve Seats but the <King of Darkness>.

"<Abyss > has worked under me matching my hands and feet for a long time. Though our political lines differ, his heart to revive this country is no different from mine."

"You say that even after seeing how he acted towards the Fairy this time?"

"I don't think you who threw a person's head at the Fairy's feet have the right to say that."

"..."

Baek Seo-jin's eyes narrowed.

Eun-ha couldn't say anything.

He could refute as much as he wanted.

But this place wasn't for arguing whether his actions then were wrong or not.

Eun-ha just didn't turn his gaze away from Baek Seo-jin's eyes.

In the end, Baek Seo-jin who couldn't overcome Eun-ha's stubbornness sighed.

"Look at the big picture."

He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

Then he lit a new cigarette and inhaled a lungful of smoke.

He exhaled the smoke with his head tilted back over the sofa.

"The Fairy Government has no choice but to take responsibility for the recapture war, and among them, only the Fairy or I can take responsibility. Then shouldn't I naturally take responsibility?"

"I know that too. But...."

"Then now we have to nominate someone to replace my position. But who can be my candidate?"

"..."

"It has to be someone who can replace the prestige of a living legend, has sufficient skills to become a Twelve Seats, and has the insight to lead the Twelve Seats as head. And they need to know about the organization to be suitable as Mana Management Organization Minister. How many candidates do you think can be mentioned here?"

Since Special Bureau Director Min Ji-a died.

There are only two players in the Mana Management Organization who can replace his position.

Baek Seo-jin said.

"<Abyss > and <Time Witch>."

"<Time Witch> has been active as a Twelve Seats for over 10 years too. Isn't that enough?"

"It's enough. But setting aside <Time Witch>'s skills, is her background sufficient? Was she someone who liked commanding others?"

"..."

"Moreover, she's fundamentally a foreigner. Do you think this country's people will accept a blonde foreigner as Twelve Seats head? Especially in a situation where people are still dissatisfied with this country's leader being a woman, you want to put a woman as Twelve Seats head?"

He said he thought a lot too.

Baek Seo-jin spoke filled with emotion.

Eun-ha listened to those words silently.

They were right.

Priscis Memory wasn't a person suited to be Twelve Seats head.

She was a foreigner too.

She also lacked leadership.

"There's more reason for making <Abyss > Twelve Seats head. It's because <Abyss > is second-in-command in managing this darkness after me."

Meanwhile, Baek Seo-jin continued speaking.

This country's structure is very complex.

After <End of Century Destruction>, the country was destroyed once.

It was divided into several cities by monarchs.

So the living legends and I overthrew all the monarchs.

In return, the living legends tolerated the darkness I rule.

Originally, the help of darkness was inevitable to rebuild the country.

"Korea is a country built on a wrong foundation from the start, not a correct one. Therefore, the government must be able to thoroughly manage this darkness. Then isn't it right for <Abyss >, who has real power after me, to replace my position?"

One of the Twelve Seats must have a connection to darkness.

Otherwise, darkness could go berserk and plunge this country into chaos.

That was Baek Seo-jin's thinking.

"Yes, if Chang-jin was still my <The Seed>, I would have entrusted it to Chang-jin even if unreliable. I would have had <Abyss > only act as Twelve Seats head."

Baek Seo-jin put out his cigarette.

Eun-ha just gritted his teeth.

He clenched his fist under the table.

I understand well why teacher recommended Chang-jin hyung and <Abyss > as Twelve Seats before the regression.

Moreover, wasn't there speculation that <Abyss > might be colluding with Armageddon?

Eun-ha's worries deepened.

At that moment, Baek Seo-jin opened his mouth.

"Fortunately, that guy <Abyss > said he would actively support whoever the Fairy appoints for the Special Bureau Director position."

"..."

"That's what politics is. You give one thing, you take one thing from the other side."

"Who does the Fairy recommend as Special Bureau Director?"

"...But you know, Eun-ha."

"Yes, teacher."

"I'm not sure I have a reason to tell you that far."

"..."

"To my eyes now, there's no difference between <Abyss > and you."

Baek Seo-jin growled lowly.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Mana was rising from Baek Seo-jin's back.

No, not just that.

"..."

This was Baek Seo-jin's domain.

Without Eun-ha knowing, shadows in the darkness had risen and were aiming for his neck.

Moreover, the slayers Baek Seo-jin had sent away earlier were aiming at him while hiding their presence.

It all happened in an instant.

"Your current remarks are clearly overstepping. No, all your words and actions towards the Fairy since returning from Uijeongbu have been coveting the Fairy's authority."

"..."

"You told me before that you would become the sword protecting the Fairy. Is that still unchanged?"

Baek Seo-jin was the shadow of the Fairy Government.

And a pillar protecting the Fairy.

Eun-ha recalled his role.

He answered without showing any reaction to the shadows about to stab his neck.

"Yes, it's still unchanged."

"Then I warn you, I hope you properly mind your position. Close your ears to what the world says about you. That will allow you and I to continue our favorable relationship as before."

"I'll accept the advice."

"You can go now. I'm tired, maybe because I'm old."

"Yes, rest well. I'll be going."

The pressure disappeared.

The shadows looming over his neck disappeared too.

Soon Baek Seo-jin waved his hand.

Eun-ha who received the order to leave exited his room.

"..."

He felt the presence of slayers.

They were trying to persistently stick to him like snakes.

Eun-ha detected their presence and left the darkness core.

And─.

─Sonic Wave

As soon as he left the core.

Eun-ha located the positions of the slayers persistently following him.

And he immediately used Ox Walk to capture them.

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

Rats.

Eun-ha smashed the face of the first person he caught with his knee.

Then he drew his sword and cut down the others.

There was no hesitation in killing.

"You think I'll care about you too even if I don't defy teacher?"

Even if he killed them.

He was certain Baek Seo-jin wouldn't move.

As long as he wasn't an enemy of the Fairy.

Baek Seo-jin would tolerate it unless it was invading his domain.

And what Eun-ha just killed was self-defense.

They dared to reveal killing intent.

Even if it was Baek Seo-jin's order, they weren't free from the nature of darkness.

"...Guherk! Ugh...."

"That's why you shouldn't reveal killing intent."

One, everything belongs to the strong. Even people's deaths are the strong's jurisdiction.

Two, for those who reveal killing intent, death is what they brought upon themselves.

That was darkness.

It was a world where slayers lived united by mutual interests under the centripetal force of the <King of Darkness>.

Eun-ha merely killed people who revealed killing intent towards him according to the rules of their world.

That was letting them off easy too.

Because he left alone the slayers he could have annihilated as soon as he left the room, considering Baek Seo-jin's face.

""""...."""

If he hadn't killed the slayers who revealed killing intent towards him, surely even other slayers would have tried to look down on him.

He proved his strength.

People living hidden in darkness now turned their eyes away from him.

Eun-ha was able to leave the darkness without receiving anyone's gaze.

"What should I do...."

Coming outside to get some air.

Eun-ha muttered bitterly.

☆

Time passes.

Eun-ha independently investigated who the Fairy would appoint as Special Bureau Director.

This person won't do.

They're already <Abyss >'s person.

The person who was Special Bureau Director before the regression.

Soon, a person who fell for <Abyss >'s persuasion.

Eun-ha couldn't hide his complicated feelings after confirming the candidate.

People are leaning towards <Abyss > because of this incident.

Public sentiment is clearly with me.

But the political situation was different.

<Abyss > had control of the political situation.

Moreover, if <Abyss > becomes minister, even people who aren't his will surely become his people.

Yet he couldn't stop it.

Because there was no suitable person.

"There's no one to take the Special Bureau Director position.... But I can't put this person as Special Bureau Director either...."

Eun-ha held his head.

It was a truly difficult problem.

Moreover, there was another issue.

I have to carefully select Twelve Seats candidates too.

3rd generation Twelve Seats candidate selection.

Candidate registration was ending.

To select a Twelve Seats from Pandora Clan, they had to quickly register a candidate.

One of our clan members must become a Twelve Seats this time.

That will make things easier going forward.

He had to approach it strategically.

First, ranger was out.

He promised to support Dark King Clan and <Wind Technician> Chae Seon-woo.

So 3 positions remained.

Eun-ha had to worry about recommending one person.

Since a clan can only recommend one person....

It was just troublesome.

Right at that moment─.

"─Ah, it's the trash ahjussi."

"Haha...."

Eun-ha encountered Ha Baek-ryeon.

Lee Jung-hyun was beside Ha Baek-ryeon too.

Bodyguard Lee Jung-hyun was smiling bitterly at Ha Baek-ryeon's remark.

Eun-ha's gaze turned to him.

"Yes, that's right...."

He's Ha Baek-ryeon's bodyguard now but.

Lee Jung-hyun was Lim Ga-eul's bodyguard.

As that thought occurred to him, Eun-ha suddenly felt like something clicked.

"Ahjussi, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"..."

"Hmph, he doesn't answer even when called. Jung-hyun oppa! Let's go quickly!"

Whether Ha Baek-ryeon left or not.

Eun-ha fell deep into thought on the spot.

He organized the problems.

Qualifications needed for Special Bureau Director.

Qualifications needed as Twelve Seats head.

Qualifications needed as manager of darkness.

"..."

The key to changing all of that was already in his hands.

Eun-ha finally realized.

At the same time─.

─I have to make a decision.

As Baek Seo-jin said.

To gain one thing.

He had to give up one thing.

And what he would give up would be something hard to obtain again.

Document Number 2008090001

3rd Generation Twelve Seats Candidate

Registration Application

Fairy Force Year 20

Pandora Clan recommends the player below as a 3rd generation Twelve Seats candidate.

Name: Jin Pa-rang

Gender/Age: Male/26

Epithet: Swift Wind (疾風)

Applied Division: Telepathist/Navigator

:

:

─ Pandora Clan Administrator Han Seo-hyun ─

But that was wrong.

He wanted to say with all his heart.

That Baek Seo-jin thinking that way led to Han Chang-jin becoming <Abyss >'s subordinate.

<Abyss > was that dangerous.

His depths were unfathomable.

And he methodically ruined people who would become his obstacles, destroying their social status.

If this continues─.

─<Abyss > will completely dominate the darkness.

Before Baek Seo-jin can even use his power.

<Abyss > will reveal his true nature.

By then it will be too late.