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 [Chapter 177]

[The Period of Reconstruction (2)]

In the previous life, <One-Man Fortress> Chu Yeonghun was the person who became a Twelve Seat replacing the vacant seat of <Iron Fortress>.

As a result, Chu Yeonghun was treated as a "2nd generation".

This was because Fairy Lim Gaeul didn't disband the Twelve Seats and form a new 2nd generation Twelve Seats after the 1st Uijeongbu Recapture Battle ended.

Anyway, Chu Yeonghun, who became a Twelve Seat under the name of Dangun Clan─.

─Was a person with no manners. Although his skills were acknowledged, he was a person whose character was really dislikeable.

In the previous life, Hong Jinwoo, who was a direct descendant of the Dangun Group and a member of the Dangun Clan, made great achievements in the Gangbuk invasion.

As a result, the standing of Dangun Group and Dangun Clan rose and.

Public sentiment was with Hong Jinwoo.

So the Mana Management Organization had no choice but to select <One-Man Fortress> Chu Yeonghun for the sake of Hong Jinwoo and Dangun Clan's face.

Chu Yeonghun is a thorough egoist.

He's a person who prioritizes his clan's and his own interests above all.

The Twelve Seats might not be like that, but.

At that time, Chu Yeonghun's actions after becoming a Twelve Seat were excessive, too excessive.

While swearing loyalty to the Fairy, he focused only on self-interest as a Twelve Seat who should work for the public good.

This caused conflicts among the Twelve Seats.

To the extent that an atmosphere was created where they wondered if they too should pursue their interests more selfishly.

<Digger > Kwak Woohyuk, who became a Twelve Seat backed by the Changhae Clan, was the first to jump on the bandwagon and even went around causing trouble.

─Chu Yeonghun is poison.

A poison that would shake the hearts of the Twelve Seats maintaining balance between public and private interests.

So Eunha's evaluation couldn't help but be harsh.

"To think such a person might become a Twelve Seat this time too..."

Heading towards the Pandora Clan headquarters.

Eunha's worries deepened.

☆

Sadang Station, Pandora Clan headquarters.

Eunha was standing looking up at his headquarters.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going in?"

"I should go in..."

Jeong Hayang urged.

Eunha trailed off.

He couldn't readily take a step.

Anticipating the hell that would unfold, he couldn't enter the clan headquarters.

No matter what, they surely wouldn't kill me or anything...

And I'm the Clan Lord, right? They won't scold me as harshly as at the Academy.

Eunha steeled himself.

He simulated thinking of what the clan members might say.

"Hayang, won't you cast a protection magic on me to block physical attacks?"

"..."

"Just one or two is fine."

"Are you that scared to go inside? That's why... No, okay, alright."

After being hit on the back by Noh Euna this time.

Eunha realized he needed protection magic to reduce attacks.

He had felt dizzy enough to see stars then.

So Eunha requested magic from Jeong Hayang and.

Jeong Hayang cast magic reluctantly with a look of exasperation.

"Okay, let's go in now."

"Sigh..."

Why did I date you?

Jeong Hayang muttered quite skeptically, unlike her usual self.

Eunha soothed her and finally moved his feet towards the clan headquarters.

What Eunha faced as he entered the clan headquarters, extremely tense─.

""""─Welcome back! You must have had a hard time working in Uijeongbu? Good job!!""""

"..."

Was clan members welcoming Eunha's return with bright faces.

Eunha blinked his eyes.

He wondered what was going on.

A situation completely different from what he had been expecting was unfolding.

"This is a flower necklace the clan members made wishing for your safe return, Eunha. Here, I'll put it on you! Lower your head."

"Uh... Thank you, everyone..."

""""It's nothing!!""""

Jo Ara came forward.

She put a large flower necklace around Eunha's neck.

Only then could Eunha relax.

It seems it was needless worry.

Well, since I was scolded in Uijeongbu, it would be too much to be scolded here too.

The clan members are smiling brightly.

Eunha couldn't help but smile too.

Honestly, he was a little touched.

Everyone was worried about me.

Yes, this is what a clan is.

Worrying about each other like family.

Jin Parang set off celebratory fireworks.

The clan members giggled.

So was that why?

Why is Minho clicking his tongue? He's the only one not smiling.

Among the clan members clapping and welcoming, Mok Minho particularly caught Eunha's eye.

Eunha tilted his head.

Mok Minho, whose eyes met Eunha's, put his hands together looking at Eunha.

It was like he was praying for the repose of a dead person's soul.

Ah, it must be my imagination. He's probably just acting embarrassed.

It must be Mok Minho's way of welcoming.

He decided not to pay much attention to it.

And then, Han Seohyun appeared and Eunha's attention turned to her.

"─You're back? Good job."

"Oh, Seohyun. I'm sorry for coming late..."

"I've prepared a dinner venue on the 3rd floor. You probably couldn't eat properly and just ran away in Uijeongbu, so go eat your fill."

"Yeah, thanks. Then you too..."

"I have a lot of work to do, so I'll be going. Enjoy yourself comfortably."

"..."

Whoosh.

Han Seohyun turned around after finishing her business.

Shakira followed behind her.

Eunha could only be dazed seeing her turn around abruptly.

...She's angry.

She's angry.

Eunha was certain.

It seemed he should follow her.

So he tried to follow her, pushing aside the clan members' welcome.

But then─.

"─Since Seohyun noona said that, let's quickly go to the dinner venue too! Come on, Eunha, what are you doing?"

"Let's go! Let's go! I want to drink dew! I've been holding back until you came!"

"That's right. The food will get cold. Let's hurry. Han Seohyun noona said she'll stop by the dinner venue after finishing her work!"

"..."

Choi Eunhyuk, Kang Sihyeong.

The two suddenly grabbed both of Eunha's arms.

Eunha, whose body wasn't moving well due to the magic's recoil, had no choice but to be dragged by them.

Ariel kept distracting him by circling around Eunha.

"Eunha."

"Oh, Eunhyuk."

While getting on the elevator.

Choi Eunhyuk called in a small voice.

Eunha tilted his head as he tried to whisper in his ear.

"You know... don't die."

"What? What do you..."

"Huh? I think I misheard, but Choi Eunhyuk seems to be squeaking something?"

"I, I didn't say anything! Right, Eunha!?"

"Uh, yeah..."

Choi Eunhyuk's incomprehensible advice.

Then Kim Minji cautioned Choi Eunhyuk about something.

Eunha couldn't help but tense up again seeing the series of events.

There's something.

Something I don't know...

Come to think of it, the situation was really strange.

He was being welcomed by the clan members, but in a way, he was under the clan members' surveillance so he couldn't escape anywhere.

The clan members who got on the elevator with him were keeping their mouths shut.

That felt somehow awkward.

The clan members are plotting something.

He couldn't shake off that thought.

"Come to think of it, I don't see noona and Changjin hyung... Where did they go?"

Then Eunha looked for Han Changjin, his comrade who had spent difficult days with him in Uijeongbu.

Come to think of it, he wasn't visible.

To Eunha's question, Kaede answered.

"They're on the 3rd floor now. They're probably eating with Euna unni first."

"Changjin oppa must have been really hungry after struggling in Uijeongbu too! So we told them to eat first!"

"Hmm... I see."

Kaede sighed softly and.

Yeowoobi added.

Eunha observed Kaede's reaction and raised his guard.

Soon they arrived at the 3rd floor.

When Eunha got off on the 3rd floor─.

"─Wow..."

His wariness melted away like snow.

A feast was laid out.

It was an enormous amount, too much for all the clan members to eat.

Soon he spotted Han Changjin and Euna on one side.

"Ah, Eunha, welcome. Are you hungry? Come here and eat quickly too. We've prepared a lot of food."

"Uh, uuuha..."

"Changjin. You shouldn't talk while eating. Let's swallow everything first and then talk. Here, try this too. Your body's not well so you don't have strength to hold a fork? I'll feed you. You said last time you'd like me to feed you. Right?"

"Uh, uuuaya..."

"I told you not to talk while eating. Ah, want to try this too?"

"..."

It was a very bizarre scene.

Eunha, who had been exuding killing intent towards Han Changjin seeing Euna feeding him herself at first, was at a loss for words.

Euna was shoving food into Han Changjin's mouth before he could even swallow properly.

Eunha involuntarily shuddered seeing his sister looking like she was determined to stuff him to death.

Meanwhile─.

"─Alright! Let's go eat too!"

"Eunha, I'm sorry."

"Huh? Hey, wait..."

Jin Parang and Yoo Namhun grabbed both of Eunha's arms.

The two sat Eunha down in a seat.

Soon female clan members filled the seats around him.

"..."

What.

What is about to happen.

Eunha swallowed hard looking at the female clan members staring at him, not paying attention to the food.

Surely they don't intend to turn me into a pig too?

Eunha tensed up.

But he was already as good as trapped in the prison the clan members had made.

"─Subin, now."

"Okay. I've been waiting for this moment."

"...!!"

Cha Eunwoo signaled.

Bae Subin snapped her fingers.

Immediately─.

"─W-what is this...!!"

"What do you mean what? It's magic I made for this day, to hold you down."

The flower necklace Eunha was wearing around his neck.

It started wriggling like a snake after receiving Bae Subin's mana.

The flower necklace reduced in size and tightly constricted Eunha's neck.

Then stems extending from the flower necklace entangled Eunha's arms and legs so he couldn't get up from the chair.

"My, Eunha. It might be difficult to eat in that state, don't you think?"

The person who gave the order.

Cha Eunwoo spoke nonchalantly.

She looked down with a smirk.

"That's true. Then we have no choice but to take turns feeding him."

""""That's great!!""""

Kim Minji giggled.

She picked up some nearby food and put it in Eunha's mouth.

Eunha had no choice but to chew the food that suddenly entered his mouth.

Soon the clan members who stood up took similar actions.

They approached slowly.

"Guys, this is too much..."

"Yeonhwa unni, aren't you going to feed him?"

"..."

"Even Yeonhwa noona..."

Just one person.

Ryu Yeonhwa tried to stop them.

Then Kim Minji asked subtly, and the hesitating Ryu Yeonhwa picked up a fork and held it out to Eunha.

""""Ah, open wide.""""

"..."

A completely unexpected torture.

Eunha couldn't help but feel fear seeing over ten forks.

Jin Parang even tried to feed him a huge wrapped vegetable dish.

It felt like his mouth would tear.

Nevertheless, Eunha had to reluctantly eat what they gave him.

I'm really going to die...

It's hard to even manifest mana.

It was because he was receiving the price for Priscis Memory's magic.

In the meantime─.

"─Mu, mool...!!"

Eunha's eyes widened after eating some food.

His tongue tingled.

Food that was sour, spicy, salty, and sweet.

Eunha was startled and asked for water while swallowing the food.

Then Jin Seona poured water and held it out to him.

Eunha gulped down the water.

What did I just eat? Did they put poison in the food!?

Eunha tried to grasp the situation.

Then, Cha Eunwoo, who put her arm on Eunha's shoulder, whispered.

"─Among the food here, there's also food Minji made herself for you. But we don't know which one it is either. So just know that."

"What do you mean just know that. You guys, this is too much even..."

""""Ah, open wide.""""

"..."

Eunha despaired.

Cha Eunwoo taking pictures of him looked spiteful.

Regardless, the clan members' onslaught continued.

Right at that moment─.

"─Se, Seohyun!"

Han Seohyun arrived.

Han Seohyun, who saw the scene unfolding in the cafeteria, snorted.

"You all seem to be having fun."

"Seohyun, please save me..."

"Eat a lot, and deliciously. Shakira, let's go sit over there."

"Yes, Administrative Officer. There are so many delicious foods."

Han Seohyun didn't even pretend to see.

She deliberately moved to a seat far away from Eunha.

Eunha couldn't help but lose hope watching her move away.

No matter what, isn't this going too far?

Will she leave him to die?

Eunha looked at Han Seohyun.

Then─.

[─Sigh, you fool. That's why I told you to remember what day it is today.]

[Jin Seona?]

Jin Seona wearing a fox-shaped brooch.

She was sending telepathy while putting food in Eunha's mouth.

Eunha conveyed his thoughts through the power of her artifact.

[What day is it today?]

[Hm? Your memorial day.]

[...]

Jin Seona answered with a giggle.

She wiped Eunha's mouth and sent telepathy again.

[If the calamity hadn't happened, today was originally supposed to be your and the Administrative Officer unni's wedding day, right? But you didn't talk about marriage to Administrative Officer unni, and just kept making her work all the time, so it's understandable she's angry.]

[Come to think of it, there was talk about getting married in May... But what's wrong with that? The wedding was just postponed...]

[Right. The May wedding, when photos come out the prettiest, was postponed. Do you know how important that is to women?]

[...]

[You're in big trouble now. Administrative Officer unni will probably keep bringing up the postponed wedding and nagging you about it. Everyone wants to be the main character at their wedding, but she couldn't do that, so how upset do you think she is?]

[...]

[And then someone couldn't be contacted, didn't even know what day it was, and went straight to the Mana Management Organization as soon as he returned from Uijeongbu without any notice.]

[Ugh...]

[You were wrong, weren't you?]

Jin Seona's scolding.

Eunha couldn't refute.

Then Jin Seona grinned.

[So eat and die. In your next life, don't make us worry like this.]