Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: A Threatening Proposal
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"They seem to be thinking of pulling Ru-ri off to their side."
"Who's coming?"
"Someone's about to make an offer so groundbreaking it'll make your eyes pop out in shock."
"What on earth are they planning...?"
"They said it's really tempting, so I'm curious too!"
"So, we have to meet them anyway, right?"
"It felt like they were rushing after hearing about Seung-woo's condition. Even if we refuse, they'll keep pushing until we agree, so it might be best to prepare thoroughly and settle it in one go."
"It's reassuring having Hurt there with us."
"Then let's get married while Seung-woo's out cold!"
"No."
"Ru-ri, you're too firm about this!"
"Anyway, thanks for the info, Professor Colin. Head back on your own! Ru-ri, let's schedule the meeting and get fully prepared."
"Ru-ri, don't go! Jeong-hyun! I hate you!"
Leaving Hurt behind, the two hurried back to their room and sent a reply to Han Gyeol.
[Reply]
[Lee Ru-ri (C): Yes, understood. When and where shall we meet?]
The two held hands, waiting for a response.
Ding.
[New Message]
[Han Gyeol (S): Let's have lunch tomorrow. I'll come pick you up.]
Yang Jeong-hyun checked the message and spoke to Lee Ru-ri.
"Ru-ri. Whatever that amazing proposal Professor Colin mentioned is, you absolutely can't waver."
"Of course. I'm pretending to be fine, but every time I see my aunt, it feels like a fiery fist rises in my chest. I can never forgive that man, Han Ho."
Yang Jeong-hyun took Lee Ru-ri's tightly clenched fist and patted her back soothingly.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
It was Choi Si-jin.
"The Vice Chairman's awake!"
"Really? Let's hurry."
They rushed into the hospital room, where Han Seung-woo was sitting upright with the bed raised.
"Hey! Are you insane? Your bones were all twisted up—lie back down!"
Yang Jeong-hyun scolded him in a fluster.
"I'm fine."
"Fine? How?"
"Look at this. I'm perfectly okay."
Han Seung-woo sprang to his feet and even walked around naturally.
"But your bones were definitely..."
Just then, the doctor on rounds entered the room.
"Doctor, what's going on here?"
"We're astonished too. After sleeping and waking up, he went to the bathroom on his own right away. We rechecked, and it's like it never happened—he's completely fine."
"What in the world..."
"Still, we'll keep monitoring him closely for a while."
"Yes... thank you."
While Yang Jeong-hyun talked with the doctor, Choi Si-jin asked Han Seung-woo if he wanted anything to eat.
Han Seung-woo said he fancied some refreshing strawberry juice.
"S-strawberry juice...?"
Lee Ru-ri and Choi Si-jin were momentarily speechless, staring blankly at the words "strawberry juice" coming from Han Seung-woo, who never touched sweets.
"What, you don't want to get it for me?"
"N-no! I'll go get it right now. Ru-ri, anything you want?"
"I want strawberry juice too!"
"What's with everyone suddenly craving strawberry juice?"
"What would you like, noona?"
"Coffee for me, nice and hot!"
Choi Si-jin took the orders and headed to the cafe.
Lee Ru-ri sidled up close to Han Seung-woo, gazing at him with sparkling eyes.
"What is it?"
"Why'd you suddenly crave strawberry juice?"
"No idea. It just popped into my head."
"Oh no, Seung-woo. Big trouble."
"Trouble?"
"The former Vice Chairman contacted me to have a meal together."
"Former Vice Chairman—you mean Gyeol?"
"Yes."
Yang Jeong-hyun continued.
"We heard through Professor Colin that he's planning to make an enormous offer to pull Ru-ri to their side."
"Right when I'm laid up..."
"No one expected you'd recover this fast, so they must think now's the perfect time."
"So, did you set a time?"
"Yes, lunch tomorrow."
They chatted over the drinks Choi Si-jin had delivered, then Yang Jeong-hyun and Choi Si-jin headed back to headquarters first for a meeting about the Inex Gate.
The hospital room fell quiet.
After a long silence lost in thought, Han Seung-woo spoke first.
"Is the lingering shadow here?"
"Yes, right by my side."
"That's a bit reassuring, then."
"But why'd you suddenly recover, Seung-woo?"
―It's because of the murderous intent.
The silent lingering shadow replied.
"Murderous intent?"
Lee Ru-ri reacted to the shadow's words, while Han Seung-woo looked startled at her question and awaited its next words.
―Keres-sama's murderous intent is a punishment that prevents one from reaching eternal rest. It activates even when facing death.
"So that means you were driven right to the brink of death by Deoter. Ha... I'm sorry..."
"What did the shadow say?"
"The murderous intent from Keres healed you... Basically, it means you can't die because of it."
"I see. But why are you apologizing, Ru-ri? It was a choice we made together."
"I should have tried after getting a bit stronger..."
"It's not just you who needs to get stronger, Ru-ri. We all do. Anyway, forget the past—let's worry about what's coming up right now."
"Yeah. Sigh... Tomorrow's really weighing on me. What kind of offer do you think Han Gyeol will make, Seung-woo?"
"If he's aligned with Chairman Han... it'll be something hard to refuse outright."
"Hurt said it'd be groundbreaking."
"What if he offers you the position of Master of Han Guild?"
"Master? That wouldn't be particularly groundbreaking for me."
"What if he threatens to harm the people you care about if you refuse?"
"Uh..."
Lee Ru-ri trailed off, unable to respond immediately, and Han Seung-woo continued.
"He'll definitely make an offer like that. And the key point is that Chairman Han's threats aren't empty words."
"Right... That's the kind of person he was..."
"I need to check out of the hospital first."
"No, you can't. You still have tests."
"Didn't you hear? With Keres's murderous intent, I can't die."
"Still."
"Then at least let's get my body back to headquarters. It'll be easier if they think I'm still laid up in the hospital."
"Ugh..."
"Just like you don't listen to me, Ru-ri, I'll do the same. Let's go."
Han Seung-woo filed for a discharge, then with the lingering shadow's help, swiftly returned to headquarters with Lee Ru-ri.
The next day.
Ding.
[New Message]
[Han Gyeol (S): I'm in front of Light Guild headquarters. Come down when you're ready.]
"Han Gyeol, hmm."
Lee Ru-ri checked the message, then deliberately donned her Light Guild combat uniform.
It was both to show her resolve and to quickly knock out the miscellaneous tasks Keres had assigned after lunch.
Gathering vengeful spirits and weapon mana stones, plus two contracts.
The road ahead felt longer than expected.
"Let's wrap this up fast and get to what I need to do."
Pumped up, Lee Ru-ri headed to the guild headquarters entrance where Han Gyeol waited.
"It's been a while."
Han Gyeol lowered the car window and greeted her.
"As you know, my condition's like this... I know it's rude, but bear with me."
"Oh, no problem!"
Lee Ru-ri circled around to the opposite side and got in.
Han Seung-woo watched her board from his room.
He sent a message to someone, then headed out himself.
Han Gyeol took Lee Ru-ri to an Italian restaurant that screamed high-end cuisine.
There wasn't a single soul inside.
'Business must be bad.'
As Lee Ru-ri glanced around curiously, Han Gyeol smiled.
"I rented the place out today. We have important things to discuss."
Lee Ru-ri stared at the menu Han Gyeol handed her, but the names were utterly baffling.
"If you don't have preferences, may I recommend something?"
"Yes, that'd be great. I've never been to a place like this."
Han Gyeol gazed at the impassive Lee Ru-ri with a strange expression for a moment.
But he quickly composed himself and placed the order smoothly.
As they nibbled on pre-meal bread waiting for food, the dishes Han Gyeol ordered began arriving one after another.
Lee Ru-ri felt awkward but stuffed her face anyway—she needed to fuel up before heading straight to gate clears after this.
"Ru-ri, even though I have no arms and my lower body's paralyzed... what if I proposed to you anyway? How would that feel?"
"P-pro...?! Cough, hack hack."
Shocked by Han Gyeol's unexpected words mid-force-feed, she choked and coughed for a good while.
Han Gyeol waited patiently with a knowing look until she calmed.
"I didn't quite catch what you said... Hack, cough."
"Exactly that. My body's worthless now, but as the Chairman's son, I can give you wealth and honor beyond envy."
"So... why say that to me?"
"This is my own investigation, but honestly, it's because you're a special position holder."
"Special... position?"
"Father doesn't know yet. That you're a Conqueror."
The lingering shadow hiding behind Lee Ru-ri sensed danger and poised to attack Han Gyeol.
'It's okay, lingering shadow. Wait.'
Han Gyeol watched her pensively for a bit, then continued.
"Marry me and take over Han in my stead, and I'll keep your position secret. But if you refuse... not just you, but everyone who knows your position will have to be sacrificed."
"Why keep it from Chairman Han?"
"Father's getting old. I want him to rest a little now."
Lee Ru-ri instantly spotted the ambition flickering in Han Gyeol's eyes.
'Like father, like son.'
She pursed her lips, deep in thought.
Han Gyeol leisurely watched her over the meal and handed her a small jewel box.
"It's a proposal ring. Think it over, and when you've decided, wear it and come to Han headquarters."
They finished the meal in silence and parted ways.
Gazing at Han Gyeol's departing car, Lee Ru-ri spoke to the lingering shadow.
"We need to find a way. To protect my people."
―Shall we ask Keres-sama?
"No, let's tackle the tasks first."
―Understood.
Lee Ru-ri and the lingering shadow used the glass mask to clear gates around the area, gathering skill points and Hidden Gate Key materials.
About three hours later.
Ding.
[New Message]
[Han Seung-woo (S): Return to headquarters.]
"Hmm, Seung-woo's calling. Let's go, lingering shadow."
―Understood.
Lee Ru-ri and the shadow hurried back to headquarters.
Her stomach churning, she headed to the second-floor cafe when Choi Si-jin came running toward her.
"Drinks are in the meeting room. Hurry!"
"What's going on?"
"We need to discuss what happened to you, Ru-ri."
"Ah...?"
Led by Choi Si-jin to the small conference room, Light Guild's core members were gathered.
The moment she entered, Yang Jeong-hyun asked urgently.
"What did Gyeol say?"
Instead of answering, Lee Ru-ri set the jewel box from Han Gyeol down on the table.