Alone and Isolated
Yoo Hanbeom, the leader of the Artemis Guild, turned to the academy president standing beside him.
“President Choi. Regarding this incident, our guild will conduct a more thorough investigation and ensure appropriate punishment is handed down. Would that be acceptable?”
Choi Yi-seul paused for a moment, considering, before replying.
“Since the person directly involved, Yoo Heeyeon, continues to deny any wrongdoing, we will need more concrete evidence. Our side will investigate as well, but if the Artemis Guild is willing to carry out a detailed inquiry, we have no reason to refuse.”
The guild leader of Artemis was offering to use his immense power and wealth to conduct an internal investigation. Who in their right mind would turn that down? Moreover, if Yoo Hanbeom began the probe himself, Yoo Heeyeon would be unable to leverage her own influence or resources to obstruct it. Choi Yi-seul judged this to be the more efficient path.
After listening to her response, Yoo Hanbeom answered.
“Thank you. Additionally, we will fully cover the medical expenses for the students who were caught up in this incident and collapsed. We will also provide suitable compensation beyond that.”
Choi Yi-seul glanced at the several students still lying unconscious around them. When the connection between the inside and outside of the stage had been severed, those who had been attacked initially appeared dead. Fortunately, once Shin Junho lost consciousness, they were safely transported outside.
Of course, most had already retired before Shin Junho went berserk, so not many had fallen into a coma. Still, the fact that a few remained unconscious was critical. Since neither the cause nor the proper treatment was known, this was an offer she was more than willing to accept if Yoo Hanbeom would take responsibility.
“We would be grateful if you would do so…”
Yoo Heeyeon, who had been listening to the exchange, began to tremble violently.
“Father…? You don’t believe what I’m saying…? I’ve told you clearly… I-I didn’t do it, okay? Why do you trust other people’s words over mine? Why are you offering them compensation? I… I didn’t do anything, so why…?”
-THUD-
Yoo Hanbeom slammed the staff he was holding into the ground.
“Not another word.”
His command was short, yet it carried more oppressive weight than anything else that could have been said.
Yoo Heeyeon realized that speaking any further would be pointless. She simply lowered her head and remained silent, staring at the floor.
“I will take full responsibility for this matter,” Yoo Hanbeom declared, then abruptly turned away. “Follow me.”
His footsteps echoed heavily.
Yoo Heeyeon trailed silently behind him.
Before leaving, Kim Heera shot a piercing glare at Lee Hyunseung. She recalled the words he had spoken to her daughter just moments ago.
I’m not entirely sure. But one thing is certain—Shin Junho targeted me first, and that’s what flipped the situation in my favor.
“That arrogant little brat…”
Her face flushed crimson with rage, as if she wanted to devour him alive. Lee Hyunseung met her gaze with an expressionless face and spoke calmly.
“Shouldn’t you be going? The guild leader doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood.”
“You damn brat. If it turns out our Heeyeon didn’t do what you claim, you won’t get away with this. Understand? You’ll pay dearly for speaking so rudely.”
Lee Hyunseung didn’t respond. He simply shook his head and let out a quiet sigh.
Kim Heera bit her lip hard, then turned and followed after Yoo Hanbeom. She knew full well that causing any more of a scene here would only bring trouble down on her own head.
While Yoo Hanbeom usually accommodated Kim Heera as much as possible, when he was truly angry, there was no mercy. The times he appeared submissive toward her were out of consideration, not fear. After all, every ounce of power she wielded belonged to him in the first place.
The sound of their footsteps carried the heat of barely contained fury. As he watched them leave, Lee Hyunseung thought to himself.
It’s about time you two experienced how it feels to be unjustly accused.
The situation where people around you press and torment you based on flimsy evidence. The irrationality of being falsely accused of a crime you never committed and receiving unfair punishment. No one understood that better than Lee Hyunseung. He had lived through it himself.
Now it was Yoo Heeyeon’s turn to feel that same despair.
I overcame it alone. Let’s see how you handle it, Yoo Heeyeon.
Artemis Guild Headquarters.
Inside a pitch-black room, there was nothing—no furniture, no decorations, no artifacts. It was quite literally an empty space. Only seven people stood within it.
In the Artemis Guild, the guild leader Yoo Hanbeom held absolute authority. Next in line was Vice Guild Master Baek Ki-young, but that position was largely ceremonial—meant to stand in for Yoo Hanbeom at official events he could not attend. Beneath him were five major figures who held real power. They were known as the Elders.
The First through Fifth Elders possessed both overwhelming martial prowess and financial resources second only to Yoo Hanbeom. Regardless of their personalities, each one was exceptionally capable. The “capability” in question mostly revolved around raw power. Whether it was magic, swordsmanship, or any other skill specialized in killing humans or monsters, they were essentially living weapons. These were the people who occupied the seats of the Elders.
“Elders, listen well.”
Yoo Hanbeom’s voice reverberated through the dark chamber.
Yoo Heeyeon stood at the center, her eyes darting nervously in every direction.
Baek Soyun, the First Elder, wore a short skirt and carried a staff. Her gray hair framed a figure that drew attention at first glance. With a sultry expression, she spoke.
“Guild Leader. Please, go on. Who should I kill this time? Is your daughter the one to be executed?”
Baek Soyun viewed everything without bias or hesitation, carrying out any order given to her. True to her psychopathic nature as the First Elder, she casually asked whether she should kill the guild leader’s own daughter right in front of him.
Yet Yoo Hanbeom answered coldly.
“Try it. Then I’ll snap your neck in return.”
“Oh my… that sounds thrilling in its own way.”
As she continued to act provocatively, the Second Elder, Hwang Moon-hyuk, placed a hand on the sword at his waist and spoke.
“First Elder. Show some dignity. Don’t forget this is an Elders’ meeting. There is a limit to how much vulgarity we will tolerate.”
“Hmm… aren’t you all being a bit too harsh on me? Just because I’m the only woman here, discriminating against me like this isn’t very nice, is it?”
She put on a pitiful face and spoke playfully. Hwang Moon-hyuk simply sighed and ignored her.
The other Elders paid no attention to their exchange. Cloaked in dark robes, they simply stared at Yoo Hanbeom.
“Everyone, be silent.”
-THUD-
The moment Yoo Hanbeom struck his staff against the floor, waves of mana rippled outward.
-Wooooooooong-!
Everyone in the room froze instantly. Yoo Heeyeon’s entire body trembled at the overwhelming pressure of mana pressing down on her.
“I won’t waste words. The reason I called this Elders’ meeting today is simple. I have gathered you here to discuss a critical matter concerning the Artemis Guild.”
At his words, all five Elders looked at him with clear interest. Once he confirmed their full attention, Yoo Hanbeom continued in a calm tone.
“As of today, the position of official successor to the Artemis Guild has become vacant.”
“…!”
Hwang Moon-hyuk rushed forward in shock and asked, “Guild Leader. Is… is that true? What is the reason?”
“I have determined that Yoo Heeyeon does not possess the necessary qualities to lead the Artemis Guild. There is no other reason.”
“F-Father…”
She stared blankly at her father, murmuring in disbelief. But the Elders no longer paid her any mind. They ignored her completely and began whispering among themselves.
If the successor position is open, then the next one will be…
How dare you even think about aiming for the successor seat? That position belongs to me…
Well, no matter what, the next successor will be…
At that moment, Yoo Hanbeom spoke again.
“I have already decided on the method for selecting the next successor.”
The room fell into complete silence. What method would he use to choose the next successor? The Elders’ minds raced with possibilities.
“If a candidate receives the approval of at least four Elders, that person will be selected as the successor.”
Hwang Moon-hyuk immediately shouted, “Guild Leader, that’s impossible! You know how poorly we get along with one another. Even three might be difficult, but expecting someone to gain the votes of everyone except themselves? That’s simply not feasible.”
“I’m not finished.”
Yoo Hanbeom added, “You all know about Lee Hyunseung. Since I’ve mentioned him before, you couldn’t possibly have forgotten. If any one of you manages to scout him, I will grant him the qualifications of an Elder as well. That would bring the total number of Elders to six, making four votes far more attainable.”
Yoo Hanbeom intended to use this sudden vacancy in the line of succession to reform at least some of this rotten system. That was why he had decided the next successor would be chosen by vote—so that the person with the broadest support could become the next guild leader.
He hadn’t held much expectation for actually scouting Lee Hyunseung. Their relationship was extremely hostile, and the boy had already rejected a previous offer. He didn’t believe Lee Hyunseung would ever join them. Even so, Yoo Hanbeom desired him more passionately than anyone else.
If it’s that boy…
If it was Lee Hyunseung, with the way he drew people to him, with the immense potential he possessed that no one could yet measure—
He might be the one to change this place.
Unlike himself, that boy might truly transform the guild. With that faint hope in mind, Yoo Hanbeom had thrown out an outrageous condition, effectively assigning the Elders the task of recruiting Lee Hyunseung. After all, securing his vote would dramatically increase any candidate’s chances of becoming the next successor.
“If you understand, you are all dismissed.”
Finally, Yoo Hanbeom looked down at Yoo Heeyeon and spoke.
“Yoo Heeyeon, you will remain here alone for twenty-four hours. Once that time has passed, reflect on what you have done wrong. If you feel ready to speak, come find me. The investigation will continue while you are in here. Confess before concrete evidence emerges. This is my final piece of advice for you. You would do well to take it to heart.”
With that, all the Elders and Yoo Hanbeom left the room.
-Creeeeak
-BOOOM-!
The heavy door slammed shut. Inside was nothing but a pitch-black space where not a single ray of light could enter.
Yoo Heeyeon collapsed into a crouch. She could only sob, tears streaming down her face.
“It’s true… I really… I really didn’t do it…”
Her desperate cry echoed uselessly in the darkness, reaching no one.
First Elder Baek Soyun’s office.
A man asked her, “Elder, what do you plan to do now? Getting two or three votes might be possible, but securing all four is practically impossible. Especially since you and Elder Hwang Moon-hyuk don’t get along…”
“I know that. That petty little man will throw a fit the moment he hears I might become the successor.”
The man continued, “But if we sit back and do nothing, and one of the other Elders becomes the successor, the current power structure will completely collapse. Is there… any plan you have in mind…?”
-Tap. Tap. Tap.
She drummed her fingers on the desk a few times, then stood up with a sly grin.
“If there’s no way, we just have to make one. All we need to do is bring in Lee Hyunseung and get him to cast his vote for me, right?”
Baek Soyun smiled with a chilling expression and murmured.
◈ A fun toy that actually managed to injure me.
◈ I wonder how he’ll scream.
“He’s not exactly my type, but I suppose I should go meet the cute kid anyway.”
