591

[Chapter 158]

[Beyond Those Eyes (6)]

As punishment for coming late.

Noh Eun-ha had to go around tables drinking penalty shots.

Where should I go next?

After drinking several penalty shots.

Eun-ha wiped his mouth with the back of his hand in a frantic atmosphere.

Then he looked for tables still waiting for him.

"Eun-ha! Over here, over here!"

"Ah...."

Just then, one person waving and shouting at Eun-ha.

It was Regulus Clan Lord Gu Yeon-su.

The table composed of people with considerable age was a place clan members were subtly avoiding.

Eun-ha wanted to avoid it too.

But Gu Yeon-su was waving so vigorously that he had no choice.

"Oh, Eun-ha! Yes! You have to receive a drink from me too!"

"Hello..."

When Eun-ha found Gu Yeon-su's seat.

The executives quickly brought a chair from somewhere.

Eun-ha sat down.

Surrounded by executives, Eun-ha was now trapped with no way out.

"Here, drink! Drink!"

"You know you can't leave until we finish all this, right?"

"..."

The executives seemed very determined.

Eun-ha frowned seeing the huge bottle of alcohol they placed on the table.

But they didn't care and made Eun-ha drink.

Then Gu Yeon-su said.

"─So, Eun-ha. How was clan life?"

"...It was good. Noona and Yeon-hwa noona took good care of me.... As expected of an S-rank approved clan, the facilities were quite good and systematic..."

"That's right! What kind of clan do you think we are!"

"..."

The Clan Lord asked how clan life was.

The answer was predetermined.

Eun-ha said what Gu Yeon-su wanted to hear.

Gu Yeon-su burst into a broad smile.

"Yes, Eun-ha."

"Yes."

Then he set the mood and called Eun-ha.

Eun-ha sensed it.

Here comes the main point.

I thought he would start proposing soon since he hadn't said anything to me until now....

Gu Yeon-su's purpose was obvious.

Sure enough─.

"─I heard you're making your own party..."

He brought up what Eun-ha had been expecting.

Gu Yeon-su started with a story now openly spreading in the player industry.

"If you join our clan..., Regulus Clan is willing to support you as much as you want. We can provide convenience so that you receive minimal interference from the clan. I can promise that we won't interfere at all with the party you create, as long as it doesn't harm the clan."

The Regulus Clan Lord's proposal.

The executives silently drank alcohol.

Eun-ha quietly looked at Gu Yeon-su trying to recruit him.

"Not only that, we're also willing to let the people you put in your party join the clan without any conditions. In that case, we'll guarantee an 8:2 settlement ratio for party members whose skills are verified, 7:3 for party members whose skills aren't verified yet with the condition of readjusting the settlement ratio after a certain period, and 9:1 for you."

"..."

There was no other proposal this groundbreaking.

Generally, students graduating from the academy joined clans with contract conditions of 6:4 settlement ratio under the name of apprenticeship, 7:3 for promising talents.

But Gu Yeon-su said he would guarantee 9:1 for Eun-ha, minimum 7:3 and maximum 8:2 for his friends.

Moreover─.

─Not only autonomous action rights... I can't believe he's even giving personnel rights.

Gu Yeon-su even said he would let people Eun-ha wanted join the clan without conditions.

The S-rank clan with high pride gave up settlement ratio, autonomy guarantee, independent action rights, and even personnel rights.

Eun-ha couldn't help but be surprised.

It's certainly attractive.

It's attractive, but....

Eun-ha was silent.

Gu Yeon-su's proposal was very attractive.

But no matter how much authority Gu Yeon-su gave Eun-ha─.

─In the end, my superiors would be this person and the executives here....

Even if he received autonomy guarantee rights.

Even if he received independent action rights.

It wasn't a guarantee of complete freedom and independence.

If I receive such treatment....

The backlash from existing clan members can't be ignored either....

Moreover, receiving such treatment could make him disliked by existing clan members.

Nevertheless, it was attractive─.

"─I'll think about it."

Eun-ha didn't answer right away.

It was a groundbreaking and attractive proposal, but in the end, the point that he would have to prioritize superiors' orders was troubling.

If I join under someone, I won't need to manage an organization. But can I really be under someone else?

I can't make a decision readily.

That's why Eun-ha decided to postpone his answer to Gu Yeon-su.

Then Gu Yeon-su seemed to have noticed Noh Eun-ha's thoughts to some extent.

"Yes..., think about it. But I hope you won't feel too burdened. Whatever decision you make, I won't look down on you. What could I do to you who receives Alice Group's favor?"

"...Yes. Thank you for your words."

Gu Yeon-su didn't rush for an answer.

Rather, he treated him casually so he wouldn't feel burdened.

Eun-ha thanked Gu Yeon-su for his response and bowed his head.

"Here, drink! Drink!"

"You know you can't leave this seat until we finish all this, right?"

"Haha...."

But separate from that.

Eun-ha had to spend time with the old-timers until all the alcohol on the table was gone.

It was truly a hardship to drink with older people.

...I really need to decide now.

Whether to make a party without joining any clan, or join a clan and make a party while receiving some treatment....

Or─.

─Make a clan directly.

Noh Eun-ha's worries only deepened.

☆

Afterwards, Eun-ha had to fill his stomach while drinking penalty shots.

"Seniors! Instead of doing that, let Ha-yang and I sing as a substitute! Stop tormenting my brother!"

"Let Eun-ha drink just a little more. Okay? Seniors..."

Eun-ah, who couldn't stand watching, stepped in.

When Jung Ha-yang, the direct descendant of Alice Group sponsoring Regulus Clan, joined in, the clan members lost interest in Eun-ha.

The clan members soon cheered at the two singing impromptu.

Eun-woo was busy taking pictures of that scene.

There were cases where Yeon-hwa, who was quietly watching, ended up being pulled by Eun-ah to go on stage.

Meanwhile, Eun-ha─.

─Hah.... It's tough.

With Buldak sleeping soundly on his head.

Eun-ha went outside to get some fresh air.

He wasn't drunk, but it was chaotic inside.

So he wanted to quietly get some air to catch his breath, but─.

"─Eun-ha? Why did you come outside?"

"Then why did hyung come out?"

"Me, I just came to get some air..."

"I came to get some air too."

"Ah..., I see."

While getting some air.

Eun-ha encountered Han Chang-jin who came outside.

Han Chang-jin, whose face was flushed as if quite drunk, approached him and leaned against the wall.

""..."

The two were silent.

In fact, they had hardly ever been alone together.

So Eun-ha and Chang-jin couldn't find suitable topics for conversation.

Just as an uncomfortable silence was about to settle.

"─Hey, you know.... Eun-ha."

"Yes, what is it?"

Han Chang-jin spoke.

Eun-ha responded without turning his head to him.

While doing so, Eun-ha was curious what Chang-jin would suddenly say.

Han Chang-jin─.

"─I've been wondering whether I should tell you until now or if I should just keep it to myself..."

"..."

"But I can't do it after all. I think I should tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"You know there's a person named Bebe among our classmates. That person isn't actually a regular person who transferred to the academy, but..."

"Ah..."

I wondered what he was trying to say by setting the mood suddenly.

Eun-ha chuckled and turned his head to him.

Han Chang-jin, with a serious face, was trying to convey important information to Eun-ha.

"─It's already too late. You should have told me sooner."

"...So you knew too."

But Eun-ha interrupted his words.

Then he snorted and answered.

Chang-jin had a face that looked somewhat relieved yet disappointed.

"I'm sorry. For not telling you until now."

"You must have had your reasons, hyung."

A tone mixed with gloom.

Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders looking at Han Chang-jin apologizing.

Even if he hadn't told the truth.

Eun-ha could already tell that he had been trying his best to prevent her from carrying out her mission until now.

Therefore.

And on this occasion.

Eun-ha couldn't help but ask.

"─Is the rumor true that you cut ties with Teacher Baek Seo-jin?"

"Ah..., you heard that rumor too."

Eun-ha was curious.

Before the regression, Han Chang-jin had assisted <King of Darkness> Baek Seo-jin's position.

He was the darkness's contact.

He was Noh Eun-ha's enemy.

But for some reason, Han Chang-jin─.

"─Why did you quit being the teacher's <The Seed>?"

"..."

Han Chang-jin wasn't trying to follow the same life as before the regression.

That's why Eun-ha still couldn't properly grasp how to treat him until now.

He was curious what exactly made Chang-jin's life so different.

So Eun-ha asked.

Han Chang-jin's face hardened.

"If it's something you can't talk about, you don't have to tell me."

"..."

He, with his mouth hidden by a hood, looked at Eun-ha with calm eyes.

As if trying to discern what was in Eun-ha's eyes.

It was the same for Eun-ha too.

"─No. It's not something I particularly can't talk about."

After exchanging gazes for a long time.

Chang-jin gently lowered the hood covering his mouth.

Eun-ha felt like he was seeing Han Chang-jin's bare face for the first time.

─He looks extremely delicate.

If <King of Shadows> Han Chang-jin had a strong impression of being cold-blooded, cruel, and chilly.

<Shadow > Han Chang-jin had an impression of being tender-hearted, naive, and seemingly unable to hate others.

"─Because of Eun-ah..."

"..."

"When I first entered the academy, I was only thinking about wanting to become a player quickly and assist the master."

"..."

"But after meeting Eun-ah..., I was surprised to find there was such a cheerful person in the world. She seemed to live in a completely different world from the people I had seen until then."

Han Chang-jin started his story.

At first, it was curiosity, he says.

He stayed by Eun-ah's side out of curiosity.

Then, moved by her heart, Han Chang-jin─.

"─I thought I wanted to live in the same world as Eun-ah. So after graduating, I didn't enter the darkness and ended up joining Regulus Clan."

"..."

"I wanted to look good to Eun-ah, and somehow it turned out like this. Haha.... The master lamented greatly, saying he couldn't believe he had raised someone with such a tender heart, but there was nothing he could do. How could he draw me into the darkness when I said I had no heart for it?"

"...Is that really all?"

"There's nothing else besides that."

"Are you stupid, hyung?"

"Before meeting Eun-ah, I thought I was a really smart person, but after meeting Eun-ah, I realized... I guess I'm probably stupid."

Really.

How can there be such a fool?

Eun-ha clicked his tongue looking at Chang-jin being shy.

While looking into Han Chang-jin's eyes for a long time, wondering if he was lying─.

─This hyung is really stupid too.

Maybe he's even more stupid than the dummy hyung.

He didn't seem to be acting.

Eun-ha was dumbfounded.

How in the world could someone try to change their life because of one woman?

...Why do I feel guilty?

Han Chang-jin is stupid.

He was clearly stupid.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha couldn't bring himself to laugh at Han Chang-jin, at his decision.

"─So I hope you won't be wary of me."

"..."

Then Han Chang-jin murmured.

Eun-ha stopped speaking.

Chang-jin had noticed.

That Eun-ha had been constantly wary of him since they first met.

That's why he said it on this occasion.

This hyung... Is he an enemy or not?

Eun-ha had been worrying all along.

But after hearing Han Chang-jin's sincerity.

He decided to change his thoughts a little.

For now..., let's try trusting him once.

That this hyung is different from his previous life.

After pondering and not knowing.

Eun-ha decided to now loosen his suspicion of Han Chang-jin.

As a response to that─.

"─I'll think about it if you say you'll take your hands off our noona."

"Ah...."

Eun-ha decided to speak casually.

Though it was words with a sulky tone.

Han Chang-jin noticed the subtle change and opened his eyes wide.

Then he burst into refreshing laughter.

But Eun-ha─.

"─Know that I won't leave you alone if you lay a hand on our noona."

"...!"

Emphasizing that there was a line he wouldn't allow.

He repeatedly emphasized to Han Chang-jin.

No, they say he threatened him.

☆

After the long dinner gathering ended.

People left the restaurant one by one.

Gu Yeon-su caught taxis for the drunk clan members to ride home, and stayed until the end to send people home.

"─Then shall we go too."

Eventually, after all the clan members left.

Gu Yeon-su spoke to the remaining clan members.

They were the executives who were at the same table as him just earlier.

As if the laughing and chatting during the dinner was all a lie.

They all had hardened faces and moved their steps into the darkness.

""""..."""""

Until they reached their destination.

They were silent.

Divided into two groups, they rode cars and moved to the outskirts of Seoul, only heading towards a red dungeon.

"─Ah, Clan Lord."

"Those guys."

"They're all inside."

"Watch if anyone tries to come in. If anyone tries to enter, absolutely don't let them in and drive them away."

"Yes."

Clan members who handle trivial matters in the clan were standing in front of the red dungeon entrance.

Trivial matters meant they didn't mind doing rough and dirty work.

The reason they were guarding the red dungeon with few people's footsteps at such a late hour was for that reason.

Gu Yeon-su and the executives conveyed words of thanks for their hard work.

Then they passed by them and entered the dungeon.

"─C-Clan Lord...."

""""..."""""

Not long after descending into the red dungeon.

They could meet clan members with their hands and feet bound and clan members watching over them.

Gu Yeon-su silently looked down at the clan members kneeling on the floor.

""""..."""""

4 people including <Swift Sword>

Byun Ji-seong was the only executive-level person.

Those who made eye contact trembled.

They felt a fear that took their breath away upon meeting Gu Yeon-su's eyes.

"─C-Clan Lord...! I was wrong. I, I think I lost my mind for a moment. How could I leak information about the clan while under the influence..."

"..."

"I'll never do it again! I'll give up my position as one of the Seven Lions, my executive position, everything I have!"

"..."

"So please, just spare my life...!"

<Swift Sword> Byun Ji-seong.

He, who had barely endured Gu Yeon-su's aura, shouted as a representative of the bound clan members.

Then Gu Yeon-su rolled his eyes.

His gaze turned to Byun Ji-seong.

Soon he broke the long silence and finally opened his mouth.

"─Ji-seong."

"Y-yes!"

"You call that an excuse?"

"...!"

With a grind.

Gu Yeon-su spoke through gritted teeth.

At that moment, Gu Yeon-su's eyes flashed ominously.

Byun Ji-seong flinched at the gaze that seemed to overwhelm his soul.

"Don't disappoint me until the very end."

""""..."""""

Those were the eyes of a beast.

The eyes of a lion, called the king of beasts at that.

"I don't even want to hear what you're saying, so just go quietly."

The enraged lion reached out his hand.

A waiting clan member handed him a sword.

He drew the sword.

Byun Ji-seong sensed his own death.

"─Y-you... you son of a bitch!!"

Faced with the reality of death.

Byun Ji-seong lost his reason.

Even a lion's cub was no different.

No, to Gu Yeon-su, Byun Ji-seong was now nothing more than a little rat.

─Slash

Gu Yeon-su swung the sword.

He didn't even glance at the little rats collapsed on the floor with their heads fallen off.

He just briefly cursed and turned around.

"Tell the Mana Management Organization they died in the line of duty in the red dungeon."

"Yes, we'll take care of the rest."

He told the clan member following him as he sheathed the blood-stained sword.

The clan members stayed behind to clean up the scene, and the executives followed him.

"Clan Lord. What do you plan to do about the darkness side?"

Then one of the executives asked.

Gu Yeon-su briefly clicked his tongue.

"Leave it. If they know their underling died, they'll probably restrain themselves too. Though I don't know how much they'll restrain themselves."

"But..."

"Listen to me."

"...Yes."

A man who hadn't been an executive for long.

Gu Yeon-su threatened him and just chewed on his lip.

Damn it....

That's what the darkness was.

An area that should never be touched.

Long before the Fairy Government was established, in the era when monarchs who volunteered to be rulers of the city emerged from destruction.

The darkness, which had gained the most powerful forces and influence among them, didn't lose its power even as other monarchs fell.

Rather, the darkness monopolized everything and made society function in a ruined world.

In other words─.

─There are no clean people in this world. We are all knowingly or unknowingly subordinate to the darkness.

The darkness became the foundation of this world.

If shadows exist because there is light.

Conversely, it could be said that light exists because there are shadows.

The order of precedence was reversed.

That's why the world after destruction was composed of such a bizarre structure.

This country was built on the world laid out by the darkness.

Without even realizing it, we are living while committing wrongdoings in some way.

The Fairy Government was no exception.

Rather, the Fairy Government─.

─Would be most deeply entangled with the darkness.

Gu Yeon-su gave a bitter smile.

That was no different from the other side of the world after destruction.

People just don't know.

Those who know remain silent.

"Um, Clan Lord."

"What now."

"Who are you thinking of appointing to fill the vacancy in the Seven Lions? We can't leave it vacant like this, can we?"

"Hmm...."

Soon Gu Yeon-su frowned at an executive's comment.

Seizing that moment, another executive spoke.

"How about Yeon-hwa? It's been 4 years since she joined the clan, and her skills seem sufficient."

"That's right. I don't think she's too young either. What's the big deal when <Silent > Yoo Su-jin became one of the Twelve Zodiac at a young age?"

"Hmm...."

Gu Yeon-su nodded.

The executives' words had a point.

But he immediately denied it.

"─No. Exclude Yeon-hwa."

"What? Why..."

<Snow Spear> Ryu Yeon-hwa.

She was certainly a being worthy of being called one of the Seven Lions.

Not just the Seven Lions.

Even the Twelve Zodiac wouldn't be too much.

It's just that there's no vacant dealer position among the Twelve Zodiac.

Yet the reason Gu Yeon-su opposed her appointment was─.

─You never know.

Whether Yeon-hwa... will remain in the clan next year.

Gu Yeon-su thought about the future.

At the same time, he recalled Noh Eun-ha.

<Quick-witted > Noh Eun-ha, he─.

"─Is a fully grown male lion."

He was a beast like himself.

No, he could perhaps be an even more dangerous beast than himself.

In that sense, would Noh Eun-ha really come under a lion that seems weaker than himself?

Also, can a male lion who leads a pride but rarely acknowledges other male lions coexist within one group?

"Pick someone other than Yeon-hwa and put it on the meeting agenda."

"Yes, understood."

Though he had been trying to recruit Noh Eun-ha until now.

Gu Yeon-su had been guessing it would be impossible after watching Eun-ha for a month.