Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Unsettling Doubts
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‘How?’
‘What?’
Seo Woojin tried to calm his trembling heart.
‘Is he testing me?’
It was possible.
The Empire might suspect something and be probing him.
“…Any leads?”
Fortunately, his voice didn’t shake.
“We can’t reveal the details yet. But one of the Empire’s intelligence organizations has picked up a trail. I only heard about it today myself.”
Slurp—
The sound of sipping tea grated on his nerves.
His senses were heightened from the tension.
“That’s good to hear. I’ve been curious myself.”
Yorn smiled at Seo Woojin’s calm response.
“I’ll let you know once we have results. You’re the top contributor this time, so you deserve to know.”
“Thank you.”
He had no idea.
What exactly had they figured out?
And how much did they know?
‘Does Drunak know too…?’
He began to suspect it wasn’t coincidence—that they had been waiting for him deliberately.
‘No wonder it felt off.’
Even without solid proof, Seo Woojin started doubting everything.
With his life on the line, such a reaction was only natural.
“Anyway, you’ve worked hard. The imperial family has promised a reward, but I’d like to give you something myself. Is there anything you want?”
Seo Woojin thought it over.
Normally, he would have asked to get Rinar into the academy, but the words wouldn’t come easily now.
‘What if something goes wrong after bringing the kid in?’
Rinar could get dragged into trouble.
But he couldn’t just leave the boy at the inn forever either.
On top of that, something was bothering him.
After a moment’s hesitation, Seo Woojin spoke up.
“Actually, I’ve taken in a kid this time.”
“Oh, I already know. Rinar, was it?”
As expected, Yorn knew about Rinar too.
Seo Woojin inwardly sighed in relief.
Hiding it would have only aroused unnecessary suspicion.
“Could you get him into the academy?”
“Mind if I ask why? As you know, the academy doesn’t accept just anyone. Of course, if the reason checks out, I can handle something like that on my own authority.”
Seo Woojin shrugged casually, as if it were no big deal.
“I’ve grown fond of him. He helped me a lot while he was around. I figure I’ll keep him close and have him attend to me. Call it employment.”
Would it work?
Yorn seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded.
“I’ve given my word, so I’ll make it happen. Can’t skip the procedures entirely, though, so it’ll take a little time. A week?”
Whether fortunate or not.
Yorn didn’t seem overly interested in Rinar.
Though it could be an act.
“Unexpected. I wouldn’t have guessed you’d ask for something so minor.”
“The imperial reward is more than enough.”
“Right, of course.”
Yorn chuckled and scratched his head.
“Anyway, good work. You must be tired—head back and rest.”
“Then I’ll be going.”
Seo Woojin forced a composed farewell and stepped out of the chancellor’s office.
He felt Yorn’s gaze on his back.
Without turning around even once, he walked a long way before finally exhaling.
‘…We’re screwed.’
No joke—this was serious.
There didn’t seem to be concrete evidence yet.
Otherwise, the atmosphere wouldn’t have been so cordial.
But it was clear they suspected Seo Woojin was hiding something.
‘The Sword Sage? Or the Dark Duke? Maybe both.’
It was just suspicion for now, but if that intelligence group uncovered anything, the situation would change.
‘If only I knew what they’d figured out.’
Seo Woojin had no way to find out.
“Tch.”
Frustrated, he clicked his tongue.
‘I need to find a way somehow.’
Nothing he could do right now.
But he couldn’t just sit and wait.
Worst case, he’d go to Grand Duke Briana and dig for info.
She was likely to take his side.
“For now, back to the dorm.”
Night had already fallen.
Seo Woojin hurried to the dormitory.
His heavy footsteps mirrored his mood.
* * *
“The Yeoryong’s death has been confirmed.”
Rare emotion laced the Lion’s voice.
It was anger.
“…The Yeoryong?”
Even Reina, who found everything a hassle, looked visibly shocked.
“No way, he wasn’t supposed to awaken yet. Why’s he dead?”
The Yeoryong was meant to awaken just before the Demon King’s descent.
That was its role.
For it to die out of nowhere was absurd.
“We don’t know why, but it’s undoubtedly the Empire’s doing.”
The Lion ground his teeth.
The plan kept going awry.
Gerald, sent to kill the Grand Duke, was dead. Kidnapping the hero Seo Woojin had failed.
And now the Yeoryong too…
At this rate, the grand scheme would suffer a major setback.
“This okay? What if the descent and all that goes down the drain?”
“Watch your words, Reina.”
The Lion’s anger turned toward her.
Not that she cared.
“But it’s not all bad news.”
“Oh, good news too? For you to say that after the Yeoryong’s death, it must be something big.”
Reina, sprawled on the sofa, eyed the Lion eagerly.
“Traces of a new king have been found.”
Reina’s eyes widened.
More shocked than when she heard about the Yeoryong.
“…A new king?”
Years remained until the descent.
Estimated at five.
Three at the earliest.
No Demon King could appear before then.
Yet a new king?
Had it descended in secret?
‘No, impossible.’
Not only was it infeasible, but any king who descended wouldn’t stay quiet this long.
Something would have happened by now.
Plus, they would have noticed the descent.
“You sure you’re not mistaken?”
Reina scowled at the Lion.
Maybe the wait had driven him mad.
That’s what she suspected.
But the Lion’s mind was clearer than ever.
Angry over the Yeoryong’s death, yes—but not enough to lose control. He wasn’t that petty.
“It’s certain. The scent of pure demonic energy. A presence without a king’s dignity could never possess such aura.”
Only then did Reina’s expression turn grave.
“Then why’s it still quiet?”
“How could I, who misread His will, presume to know? We wait.”
Reina sighed in frustration.
Blind faith was fine, but his was excessive.
“So what now?”
They couldn’t just twiddle their thumbs; action was needed.
“You’ll step in.”
“Again?”
Reina’s face crumpled.
Just recently, one of her clones had been destroyed, requiring rest.
She’d planned to recover without lifting a finger for a while…
But now more work? Irritation flared.
“It’s important. Are you only thinking of satisfying your desires?”
“Ugh…”
She sighed.
But she agreed—traces of the king meant they had to act.
“So what do I do?”
“Crusiel is tracking the new king’s traces.”
“Those creepy bastards?”
Reina had clashed with Crusiel operatives several times before.
She’d drained them dry and sent them to the afterlife, of course, but they gave her the creeps.
Gerald’s death was their doing too.
“Follow them. It shouldn’t be hard for you.”
“Steal their intel?”
“If possible, find the king yourself.”
“I’ll see.”
Reina stretched and rose from the sofa.
“Where do I start?”
“Where the Yeoryong lay.”
That was the moment more people began digging into Seo Woojin’s past.
* * *
He woke up.
Thanks to yesterday, needless anxiety kept him from sleeping well.
“Phew—”
Outside the window, dawn hadn’t broken yet.
“Up too early.”
He’d returned yesterday, greeted everyone, then crashed in his room.
Yet fatigue lingered.
He’d been too tense.
‘Still too soon.’
Best not to get caught, but if that day came, he needed to be at least Guardian-level strong.
Only then could he ensure his safety.
But he wasn’t there yet.
He couldn’t deny he’d grown a lot, though.
Level 76, and absorbing the Yeoryong’s heart had given him near-perfect body and magic power.
Strong enough not to get pushed around anywhere.
But against the Empire and all its kingdoms?
Add the heroes, and it was hopeless.
‘Two years. No, just one more year.’
By then, he could protect himself.
He had to buy time somehow.
Sitting on the bed’s edge, lost in thought, Seo Woojin soon headed to the bathroom to wash up.
Clearing his head first might help him think straight.
A cold shower sharpened his mind.
He donned his uniform, strapped ‘Rune Dea’ to his waist, and left the room.
Early, but he’d neglected personal training lately. Sweating it out at the training ground sounded good.
Shing—
Arriving at the training ground, Seo Woojin drew ‘Rune Dea’ and slashed downward from overhead.
Slow enough that he couldn’t even cut a fly properly.
But that single, maximally focused strike was no ordinary sight.
Swoosh—
Space tore.
A minuscule crack invisible to the eye, but space had definitely split.
A realm past Seo Woojin’s dreams before.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, trickled down his cheek, and dripped from his chin.
One swing consumed immense stamina and magic.
“Whew!”
At this level…
He could block Gerald’s attacks a few times without skills.
Seo Woojin looked satisfied.
And then,
“Impressive. Worlds apart from before.”
A cold voice came from behind.
A familiar one.
Seo Woojin narrowed his eyes and turned.
It was Baek Siu.
No coincidence.
Baek Siu usually used a different training ground.
“Had some business.”
Seo Woojin shrugged, and Baek Siu nodded.
“Heard you were on leave.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
No need to explain.
They weren’t that close.
Seo Woojin confirmed the demonic energy flickering in Baek Siu’s eyes once more.
‘Darker than before.’
Faint enough no one else would notice, but demonic energy was demonic energy.
Baek Siu drew his sword, blade gleaming.
“Care for a spar, if you’re up for it?”
His chilly smile was somewhat eerie.