369

 [Chapter 216]

[Taegeuk Medal (2)]

With Lilith's subjugation, the Fairy government officially ended the Seven Devils incident.

People regained peace, and reconstruction work was actively taking place everywhere.

Welfare policies for people affected by the Seven Devils' terror were also being enthusiastically promoted.

On the other hand─

[Exclusive] Dongdaemun-gu residents, "We want to receive Pandora Clan's protection."

People living in Seoul, especially Gangbuk, began raising their voices.

Due to the Seven Devils' terror, local clans collapsed or were annihilated in severe cases.

Among them, situations occurred where clan lords managing regions died.

Representative examples were Cheongnyangni Clan in Dongdaemun-gu, Samra Clan in Gwangjin-gu, Donghae Clan in Eunpyeong-gu, and Zenith Clan in Dobong-gu and Nowon-gu.

"Bring Pandora Clan to our region!!"

"Let's protect the region's public safety by receiving <Lord >'s protection!!"

It was natural for people in those regions to feel uneasy.

Especially Dongdaemun-gu suffered countless clan wars after Jang Bong-jeon, the clan lord of Dangun Clan which became C-rank, died.

They complained of fatigue from clan wars occurring monthly.

So they came out to the streets and held demonstrations asking for Pandora Clan to be appointed as the managing clan of Dongdaemun-gu.

"Pandora Clan's scale has grown considerably in recent years! Now they have the capacity to protect Dongdaemun-gu too!!"

In fact, Dongdaemun-gu residents had been raising their voices for a long time.

They steadily called for Pandora Clan since the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture Battle.

But at that time, Pandora Clan didn't have the capacity to manage Dongdaemun-gu.

Also, if they managed three districts, they would be checked by the Fairy government and other clans.

So Pandora Clan had avoided managing Dongdaemun-gu, but─

"─Pandora Clan has concluded we can no longer ignore residents' support. Therefore, we intend to participate in the clan war deciding Dongdaemun-gu's managing clan next month."

Now the situation has changed a lot.

Public sentiment called for Pandora Clan.

Pandora Clan even gained the capacity to manage Dongdaemun-gu.

Even Dongdaemun-gu's clans wanted Pandora Clan to manage them.

To this, Han Seo-hyeon revealed the intention to participate in the clan war by obtaining Dongdaemun-gu and handing over actual management to satellite clans.

Han Seo-hyeon's will was Eun-ha's will.

"There's a saying in Pandora Clan."

"What saying?"

"If Jin Seo-na <Beautiful Fox> represents <Lord >'s will on the battlefield, <Queen > represents <Lord >'s will in normal times."

"Who's <Queen >?"

"Pandora Clan administrator Han Seo-hyeon."

"The administrator has an alias?"

"There's no reason she shouldn't. She makes shocking statements whenever she appears in public, so she can't help but draw attention. And is that face ordinary?"

<Queen > Han Seo-hyeon.

The words she threw out officially that day made the world noisy.

Some people were wary saying clans could form huge power.

But no one could block Pandora Clan's path.

Noh Eun-ha was <Lord >.

Now there was no one who could stop him who held power comparable to the Fairy in fact.

Moreover, public sentiment wanted it.

And so─

[─We end the clan war. We announce that Pandora Clan has become Dongdaemun-gu's managing clan henceforth as 13 out of 14 participating clans abstained.]

Dongdaemun-gu's clan war began and ended immediately.

Dongdaemun-gu clans welcomed Pandora Clan and voluntarily tried to enter as satellite clans.

It was a bloodless conquest.

[Breaking] Pandora Clan occupies Dongdaemun-gu. Becomes clan with most administrative districts since reconstruction by occupying Jung-gu, Yongsan-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu.

[Breaking] Dongdaemun-gu residents, "We sincerely welcome <Lord > and Pandora Clan."

They say Dongdaemun-gu held a grand festival that day with everyone participating.

On this day, 'Pandora Day' was created in Dongdaemun-gu to commemorate Pandora Clan managing Dongdaemun-gu.

Pandora Day was designated as a public holiday in Jung-gu, Yongsan-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu.

Meanwhile, as Dongdaemun-gu came under Pandora Clan's protection, other districts stirred.

"Mapo-gu is geographically right next to Pandora Clan! Mapo-gu needs <Lord >'s protection too!!"

"Gwangjin-gu! Please occupy Gwangjin-gu too!"

Voices came from Mapo-gu managed by KK Clan.

In KK Clan's case, they were having difficulties managing the district after <Beast Tamer> Hwang San-gun passed away.

So some local residents voiced complaints.

Gwangjin-gu and Eunpyeong-gu were the same.

Dobong-gu and Nowon-gu were relatively quiet since they had been under Zenith Clan's protection for a long time.

In the end, Pandora Clan had to issue another statement.

[Exclusive] Pandora Clan, "We will not manage other districts for the time being."

Pandora Clan's statement reassured clans managing districts.

Meanwhile, they left room with the words 'for the time being'.

District players were wary, and local residents withdrew from demonstrations looking forward to someday.

It was the era when Pandora Clan was taking the lead in earnest.

In that situation, the announcement made by the Fairy government made people cheer for Pandora Clan again.

[This is breaking news. The Fairy government has finally announced compensation plans for players who subjugated the Seven Devils. Players directly involved in subjugating Mines will receive Chungmu-grade medals, players indirectly involved will receive Hwarang-grade medals. Also, people who supported them will receive Inheon-grade medals...]

[Players directly involved in subjugating two or more Mines will receive Eulji-grade medals, those indirectly involved will receive Hwarang...]

[Yes, news just came in. Pandora Clan Lord player Noh Eun-ha had been holding back merits from the late stages of the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture Battle. So the Fairy government considering that merit too...]

[Player Noh Eun-ha's merits are subjugating the 2nd rank monster Magoo, subjugating Abaddon, Lilith, and Armageddon among the Seven Devils.]

[To this, the Fairy government stated there hasn't been a single player who achieved such merits since the fall, and even before the fall, so they can't dare evaluate his merits. Therefore, to player Noh Eun-ha...]

""""..."

People gathered in front of TVs forgetting even work and listened.

The news that came right after made people around the world cheer.

[Therefore, player Noh Eun-ha will be awarded the first ever Taegeuk-grade medal in history.]

☆

The news of Noh Eun-ha's 4th marriage.

Eun-ha's acquaintances accepted it as if it couldn't be helped now.

Thanks to that, Eun-ha was able to prepare for next year's wedding without much opposition.

Of course, there were trials.

"Heh, I see. So you fell for Yeon-hwa unni while subjugating Lilith in my absence."

"Ha-yang, calm down. Calm down and listen. The baby in your belly might..."

"You knew that and still did it, right? Do you like it? Do you? Do you like it? Tell me quickly. Did you like it? I'm asking if you liked it?"

"...I really did wrong. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again in the future..."

"Didn't you say those words last time too?"

Eun-ha had a private meeting with Jung Ha-yang.

Han Seo-hyeon and Lee Yu-jung decided to wait at the clan hall not wanting to be cursed at by Jung Ha-yang for no reason.

And as they expected, Eun-ha was killed by Jung Ha-yang.

The fortunate point was that she was pregnant with a child now.

Jung Ha-yang had to hold back thinking of the child in her belly while getting angry.

"My insides are bursting because of you."

"Ha-yang, apples aren't for bursting. I'll peel one for you."

"No, I'll do it. Will you give me that knife?"

"What are you going to do with that knife..."

"What else, you know."

"..."

"I'll peel an apple for you so eat it before you go. Hah, I'm really holding back because of our child. So is Yeon-hwa unni okay? Come with Yeon-hwa unni next time. I should talk with unni too."

"Ah, I will."

Eun-ha barely survived.

He ate the apple Jung Ha-yang peeled and spent a harmonious time.

And a few days later, Eun-ha visited the hospital again with Ryu Yeon-hwa.

"Eun-ha, can you wait outside?"

"Huh? Uh..."

"I have something I want to talk about with Yeon-hwa unni alone. Since it's something we need to talk about among ourselves, you wait outside."

"Okay, Eun-ha. Wait outside."

"...Then I'll do that."

"If you eavesdrop from outside... You know?"

"Yes..."

Eun-ha whose thoughts were seen through by Jung Ha-yang decided to wait quietly.

Jung Ha-yang and Ryu Yeon-hwa's private meeting didn't take long.

At most about 30 minutes.

Eun-ha who was waiting in the lobby eventually approached Ryu Yeon-hwa who came out of the hospital room.

"What did Ha-yang say?"

"Um... I'm sorry. I don't think I can tell you since it's something we promised among ourselves."

"Do you really have to do that?"

"...Are you curious? Hmm..."

"No, it's okay. I don't want to trouble you noona. I won't ask."

Though he didn't know what conversation they had, Ryu Yeon-hwa was giving a bitter smile.

Since that day, Ryu Yeon-hwa visited Jung Ha-yang's hospital room alone and kept her company.

Maybe the scariest person in our house isn't Seo-hyeon but Ha-yang.

Why on earth.

Why is Yeon-hwa treating Ha-yang so respectfully?

Eun-ha wanted to know, but he also knew well there are things better not to know in the world.

In the end, the conversation Jung Ha-yang and Ryu Yeon-hwa had in private remained a mystery.

Meanwhile, there were people Eun-ha feared more than Jung Ha-yang.

His mother and Noh Eun-ah.

"Grandma! Grandma!!"

"Yes, Yu-seong. It's grandma. Let me hold my grandson!"

To inform his parents about deciding to marry Ryu Yeon-hwa.

Eun-ha brought Ryu Yeon-hwa to meet his parents.

At this time, Eun-ha brought Noh Yu-seong who his parents adored terribly knowing he would be scolded.

Sure enough, Noh Yu-seong monopolized his parents' love at once.

The two didn't give any attention to Eun-ha at all.

"Hello, mother, father."

"Yes, Yeon-hwa. It's been a while. Don't stand there, come in."

His parents welcomed Ryu Yeon-hwa.

And his mother didn't give him even a glance this time either.

His father just gave a bitter smile.

"Actually, when I heard you were marrying Eun-ha, I wasn't very surprised anymore. Even when that child risked danger to fight Armageddon, it turned my insides upside down, but I thought 'I see' about this incident since I've gotten used to it."

"Ahaha..."

"Eun-ha, you be quiet."

"Yes."

"I can't really say anything about your marriage. If it was one person it would be different, but since you're forming a family with several people, isn't it something you should agree on among yourselves? If you agreed, we have no intention of opposing."

"Yes, mother. But I thought it would be proper to at least come greet you like this."

"Yes, that's right too. Are you hungry? I prepared what you ate well when you came to play before, so eat a lot before you go."

"Mother, I'll help t..."

"Say that after you're married. You're still my guest for now."

"...Yes, mother."

His mother's attitude was strange.

His mother seemed to be intentionally drawing a line with Ryu Yeon-hwa.

It wasn't incomprehensible.

It had been several years since Eun-ha married Lee Yu-jung.

In that time, his mother had become quite close with Eun-ha's wives.

So she couldn't quickly change her attitude and welcome him bringing a new wife.

There's no choice. I'll have to visit often and soften mom's heart.

Fortunately, unlike Eun-ha's worries.

An opportunity was created for his mother to acknowledge Ryu Yeon-hwa then.

It was thanks to Noh Yu-seong.

"Grandma, grandma!!"

"Yes, Yu-seong. It's grandma."

"Papa, jiji! Papa! Jiji!"

Noh Yu-seong in his mother's arms.

Noh Yu-seong suddenly pointed at Eun-ha making the house burst into laughter.

His mother agreed too.

"Yes, Yu-seong. Papa is jiji. So you can't touch papa."

"Jiji! Papa!"

"Yes, jiji, jiji."

It was right then.

Noh Yu-seong suddenly pointed at Ryu Yeon-hwa beside Eun-ha.

"Grandma, grandma!!"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Mama! Mama!!"

""""..."

Noh Yu-seong called Han Seo-hyeon, Jung Ha-yang, and Lee Yu-jung mama.

But he automatically called Ryu Yeon-hwa mama without anyone teaching him.

"Yes, Yu-seong. Yeon-hwa is mama. Our Yu-seong, you have four mamas now?"

In the end, his mother raised the white flag.

His mother burst out laughing.

From then on, the flow became harmonious.

His mother and Ryu Yeon-hwa conversed comfortably, and his father and Eun-ha didn't have to be mindful anymore.

"My nephew is really clever."

Meanwhile, Noh Eun-ah quietly muttered without others knowing.

She later pinched Noh Yu-seong's cheeks and adored him to her heart's content.

☆

Meanwhile, Noh Eun-ah couldn't be unconditionally happy about Eun-ha and Ryu Yeon-hwa's marriage like their mother.

"Sigh."

She sighed deeply.

Ryu Yeon-hwa was her closest friend.

So she worried hearing the news that she was caught in Lilith's magic, and felt relieved hearing Eun-ha treated her.

She even smiled as if it was her own business hearing the two got together.

 "How can I congratulate you on marrying Yeon-hwa when the other kids are around?"

But Noh Eun-ah couldn't purely congratulate them.

She was Ryu Yeon-hwa's friend and also the new older sister of Eun-ha's wives.

So when Eun-ha announced the marriage, she personally came with scissors.

It was a kind of performance.

'Take off your pants.'

'N-Noona, calm down...'

'Shhh. You won't take off your pants? Do you remember what I told you? If a man made a promise, shouldn't he keep it? I'm going to cut it, so hurry up and take it out.'

'Noona, that's gender discrimination...'

'Hey, don't change the subject. Are you not going to take it out?'

There was a commotion recently.

Noh Eun-ah threatened Eun-ha in front of everyone.

Eun-ha ran away.

Eun-ah chased him.

In the end, Eun-ha suffered the disaster of having his pants taken off in front of the executives.

Snip snip

Noh Eun-ah cut Eun-ha's pants.

Eun-ha felt fear even though he knew she wasn't serious.

'New unni, stop it. Eun-ha has been scolded this much by unni, so he'll come to his senses and won't do it again next time.'

'Yes, unni. You don't need to get angry because of us. But thank you so much. We only have you.'

'Hah... Noh Eun-ha, you. I really want to just cut it off so you can't function as a man, but I'm letting you off here because of their faces.'

'...Thank you. I'll treat the kids well and behave properly from now on.'

Script by Noh Eun-ah.

Starring Noh Eun-ha and Noh Eun-ah.

Supporting cast, Noh Eun-ha's wives.

They put on a show matching perfectly without even discussing.

That way Eun-ha's wives could maintain their pride, and Ryu Yeon-hwa could somehow gain people's acknowledgment.

Eun-ha just lost some honor, but that was now an ordinary occurrence for him.

It could be said it was a great gain to be able to firmly protect the family even if he lost some honor.

Even so─

─Noona acted so well... I thought I was really going to be cut for a moment.

Eun-ha wasn't actually acting, he was scared of Eun-ah.

Given Noh Eun-ah's personality, if he couldn't function as a man, she seemed like she would keep him for life.

So Eun-ha was tense.

It was fortunate she put away the scissors.

Thanks to that, he was functioning well as a man.

"Anyway, it's fortunate it ended well. Mom seems to welcome you too."

After eating dinner with the family.

Eun-ha and Ryu Yeon-hwa left the house.

Noh Eun-ah followed them out.

She walked side by side with the two and conversed.

"I worried if my friend who didn't know the outside world could fall in love, but I'm glad you met like this. Though my brother is a bit of a problem... Well, I don't know anymore now. It's something you'll have to figure out yourselves."

Noh Eun-ah gave a bitter smile.

She held both their hands and raised them up.

"Anyway! Let's get along well as family from now on! Should Yeon-hwa call me new unni from now on? Thinking about hearing new unni makes me feel like I won't be able to adapt."

"If you want, Eun-ah..."

"Hmm, call me comfortably when it's just the two of us. I'd like you to call me new unni when other kids are around. It might look like I'm showing favoritism to you unnecessarily in front of other kids."

"Okay, I will. Thanks for being considerate."

"Ah, call me comfortably at the clan too. We should separate public and private matters."

Noh Eun-ah laughed brightly.

She sincerely congratulated them.

"Congratulations on getting married. I'm really happy just seeing you two happy."

"Noona should get married soon too."

"There needs to be a decent man around."

"Even though you have someone you're dating. You got caught secretly dating last time and now you're pretending not to know?"

"...Even if there is someone, there's someone who gives me so much work I don't have time to date."

"Ugh..."

"Tell me honestly."

"What?"

"You're intentionally keeping me busy, right?"

"No, I'm really busy."

"My 31-year-old noona still can't get married while her younger brother is getting married for the 4th time..."

"Noona doesn't need to get married. I can keep you for life."

"I wonder, will your wives really welcome that? What do you think, Yeon-hwa?"

"I like it."

"Really? You're not lying?"

"I really like you, Eun-ah."

"More than Eun-ha?"

"Yes."

"Hmm... Suddenly it's an appealing proposal? Should I really live with you two for life?"

Ryu Yeon-hwa nodded as if there was no need to say more.

Noh Eun-ah burst into laughter hearing Ryu Yeon-hwa's answer.

"Be happy."

Linking arms with the two.

Noh Eun-ah prayed.

☆

An official document came down from the Mana Management Organization, and the exact recipients of merits were announced.

Taegeuk Medal, Noh Eun-ha.

Eulji Medal, Noh Eun-ah, Ryu Yeon-hwa, Han Chang-jin, Jin Seo-na, Jin Pa-rang, Mok Min-ho, Bae Su-bin, Kang Si-hyeong, Bong Gu-rae, Ariel, Jo A-ra, Hoshimiya Kaede, Ilya, Meiling, Meilin, Seo Dam-bi, Kim Mary, Son Ga-yeon, etc.

Chungmu Medal, Choi Eun-hyeok, Cha Eun-woo, Yeou-bi, Yu Nam-hoon, On Tae-hee, etc.

Other Hwarang, Inheon Medals, etc.

As people expected, Pandora Clan produced the most Eulji Medal recipients.

Above all─

"─We sincerely welcome the visit of Pandora Clan Lord <Lord > player Noh Eun-ha who rewrote the history of the Republic of Korea. Our museum..."

""""..."

A player who received the first ever Taegeuk Medal in the Republic of Korea was born.

<Lord > Noh Eun-ha.

On the day Eun-ha led clan members to receive treasures, many people gathered at the National Museum of Korea.

They caused a commotion trying to photograph Eun-ha while setting off camera shutters.

The commotion continued until the museum director personally came out and led them to the treasure vault.

Of course, entry to the treasure vault was prohibited except for related personnel.

"Even staff cannot enter the Eulji-grade treasure vault. The same goes for the Taegeuk-grade. But due to the many Eulji-grade recipients, I will exceptionally accompany you. <Lord > Noh Eun-ha player and everyone else, please follow me."

The director treated them respectfully.

His attitude towards Eun-ha in particular was very careful and polite.

Anyway, clan members were divided into groups by medal grade.

Clan members receiving Chungmu-grade and below treasures went down the elevator guided by staff.

And clan members receiving Eulji and Taegeuk treasures took a separate elevator down.

"We've arrived at the Eulji-grade treasure vault, so everyone except player Noh Eun-ha please get off."

The director said.

Clan members got off in a crowd.

Now only Eun-ha was left in the elevator.

The director explained to Eun-ha at the elevator boundary.

"The Taegeuk-grade treasure vault is stored at the very bottom. Mysteries only occasionally passed down in Korea's legends, myths, folktales, and history are stored in the treasure vault. There are also mysteries not passed down there."

The Taegeuk-grade treasure vault didn't have many stored treasures.

However, the mana, historical value, and existential value to the world contained in one treasure was incomparable to other treasures.

It was the director's explanation.

"Not a single Taegeuk-grade treasure's effects have been confirmed. No, it would be correct to say they couldn't be confirmed. At the time of the fall, the living legend who planned this treasure vault is said to have evaluated like this."

The director who said his age was well over 90 this year.

The old man was a figure who directly experienced the age of the fall.

He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Taegeuk-grade treasures will not reveal their power to anyone until an owner they acknowledge appears. So descendant, show the path you have walked so far, and receive the treasure's selection."

"..."

"Inside the Taegeuk-grade treasure vault is filled with fog created by the treasures' magic. The treasures will examine player Noh Eun-ha and verify his qualifications."

If the treasures don't acknowledge you, you won't receive any acknowledgment even if you enter the treasure vault.

The director added.

"But since player Noh Eun-ha was chosen even by Eulji-grade treasures, that won't happen. Even so, if by any chance you don't obtain a treasure, we'll give you two Eulji-grade treasures instead, so don't worry too much."

The director pressed the elevator button.

The elevator closed.

The director bowed his head.

"I hope you receive the treasures' acknowledgment and meet the treasure that suits player Noh Eun-ha best by piercing through the fog."

The door closed.

The elevator went down.