The Underground Sin
My school days.
Something is weighing me down.
This pressure feels like it’s making my head spin. It’s probably a debuff.
But it’s unexpectedly trivial. I checked my body’s condition after experiencing it for a moment, and judging that there was no problem, I was about to continue the fight, but...
That photo, what the hell is it all of a sudden?
"......"
"First, throw away your sword. And kneel."
"I can't grant that request."
"What?"
Why is this guy surprised by something so obvious?
"Assuming what you said is true. If I throw away my sword and then get finished off, everything is over, so why would I be crazy enough to drop it?"
"...This bastard doesn't seem to have grasped the situation."
"I’ve grasped it perfectly. At the very least, I know that you’re a bunch of morons who came to attack with a grin, trusting in your pathetic skills, and when you realized you couldn't handle it, you resorted to using hostages."
That’s the absolute truth.
He must have nothing to say.
I declared to the now-silent guy.
"Let me tell you this: I’m not kneeling. And if you touch even a single strand of that woman’s hair, it’s over the moment you do."
This is sincere.
I have no way of knowing if that photo is real, and I believe there are plenty of people who could save her even if it weren't me.
It would be idiotic to be disarmed here and dragged around unilaterally by these guys.
The Gold Taeyang guy, Takashi or whatever his name is, must have sensed that I wouldn't make any more concessions, as he clicked his tongue.
"Fine. Then, follow me."
"Follow you?"
"You aren't going to say you don't want to do that, are you?"
"......"
"I’m saying I’ll accept you as a member of our Gold Taeyang Clan."
I have no idea what kind of bullshit he’s spouting.
But, I have to follow for now.
There is... a way to determine if that photo is real or fake.
I just need to see it up close.
Someone like me, who is proficient in handling all kinds of Qi, should be able to tell the difference.
So, for now, I’ll follow.
"Lead the way."
"......"
The Gold Taeyang guy sneered as if he didn't like it, but he lowered his combat stance.
What is this?
It feels like there was an enemy like this before, a guy who wore a victorious smile and sneered just like that.
...Ah. That’s right.
It was back then.
During the Dojo Family incident.
In a situation like this, I ultimately couldn't protect them.
No...
Perhaps. I couldn't... protect...
[Hehehehe...]
Shut up. It’s a disgrace.
I know very well that I’m a piece of trash.
"It's beautiful."
That was Drae’s impression of the sunset.
A rooftop surrounded by wire mesh.
It looked like a distant place, dyed red and severed from the world.
The red sun shattered between the wires and poured down upon the two of them.
Seo Yerin, who had been silently watching the sunset following Drae, spoke.
"Drae."
"Hmm?"
"I..."
She suddenly closed her mouth.
The silence was long.
Seo Yerin’s body was trembling intermittently, as if she didn't know what to say.
"I..."
"The sunset, I mean."
Drae, who had been listening silently, opened his mouth.
"...?"
"Back in the day, maybe when I was in the upper grades of elementary school... after I came home from school, my dad would stand in front of the school gate a few times a week."
"Ah. Yes."
'This is the first time Drae has talked about himself.'
A thought not spoken aloud, but in her heart.
Kaitz and his group reacted to Seo Yerin’s first monologue.
"...Drae?"
"Drae?"
"..."
They were slightly surprised by the unexpected nickname, but Drae’s story continued.
"Well, since it was that man, I don't know if he did it for exercise that day or as a substitute for something else. Anyway, I quite liked walking under the sunset with my dad."
"Is... that so?"
"Yeah. Well, maybe it was because he bought me ice cream in the summer because it was hot, and roasted sweet potatoes in the winter because it was cold. Still, it’s a pretty good memory."
Drae looked at the setting sun once again.
"Maybe that’s why. When I’m under the sunset, I feel somewhat stabilized. It was really nothing special... I don't know what my dad was thinking, but whenever we arrived in front of the house, he would always carry me, a boy who was already quite grown up, in his arms as we went inside."
Following Drae, who was looking up at the sunset, Seo Yerin also watched the sun as it burned red, leaving behind its final spark.
While they were like that for a long time, Drae stared at Seo Yerin.
The smile on his lips was truly soft, not like Drae at all.
"So, maybe I’m always calm under the sunset because of that residual effect? I’m not really angry right now, so say whatever you want."
In the end, it was a story filled with consideration for Seo Yerin.
Seo Yerin, who had been staring at Drae with dazed, unfocused eyes, muttered.
"...I like it too."
"Me?"
"......"
Seo Yerin was silent for a moment before smiling softly and saying,
"The sunset."
"That’s a shame."
"Liar. You aren't even interested in me, are you?"
"Who says I’m not interested? I know you’ve been having a hard time lately."
Seo Yerin opened her mouth slightly, then shuddered and turned her head as if trying to force a change of subject.
"The sunset is like a flame."
"Hmm?"
"Fire is really great. When I look at it, it feels like... like I’m being sucked in?"
"I thought your attribute was ice."
"I learned something strange from Sihyun."
Chuckle.
Her mouth was smiling, but her body was trembling more and more.
"Drae. I..."
"Go ahead, tell me."
"......"
Seo Yerin’s body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"I don't know. I really don't know what to do anymore."
Plop. Plop. Tears began to fall onto her trembling hands.
Drae looked back up at the sunset as if he hadn't seen it.
"My dad, I mean, my father. He is a very, very sincere and righteous person. He has lived honestly his whole life... and so, he just stood up against injustice..."
The story was cut off by the sound of sobbing.
Drae didn't wait.
He urged her on in a soft voice.
"And just that?"
"Something went all wrong... My credibility, my assets, my connections. Everything... everything... is falling apart."
"And?"
"...Suryeon and Drae. It was very grateful that you chose me as your backer. It felt like my father’s efforts and justice were being recognized. But..."
"But?"
"Pfft..."
Yerin burst out.
Her serious face was a mess, half-bewildered and half-laughing.
"What is that? That tone."
"Oh... I heard on the internet that this is how you should act when listening to a girl’s story."
"It doesn't suit you. Seriously."
Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle. Seo Yerin, who had been laughing as if she were truly happy, saw her face darken again.
"...So. Everything is falling apart, my father is getting more and more exhausted, and my mother... has been gone for a long time."
"That’s the same for me."
"...Yes."
Seo Yerin seemed a bit depressed at the mention of her mother, but she answered with a look of joy for some reason.
However, that was only for a moment. She soon returned to her anxious state.
"If I think about it, my father must have started falling apart when my mother passed away. Since then, he’s been enduring the burning pain and doing his best... Assemblyman Shin and that gang. Those trash who threatened my father and forced him... they said if he didn't listen to them, they would keep putting pressure on him, so I hated it, but they told me to hang out with them in the morning, and..."
Her words, which had been getting faster and more incoherent, stopped.
Drae had stood up.
"...I’m sorry. This is all just my own situation. It doesn't change the fact that I’ve caused trouble for you and the others. So..."
Seo Yerin mumbled as if she couldn't bear to say it, then opened her mouth.
"If you just don't get involved with me, there won't be any trouble..."
Seo Yerin froze.
Kaitz and his group did too.
"Y-y-y-y-you... son of a bitch!!"
Raeband’s eyes lit up as if wondering what was up with that guy, the scholar’s eyes went round, and Kaitz watched with a detached, yet somehow envious look.
In fact, there wasn't much to it.
Drae had just hugged Seo Yerin tightly from the front.
"S-sexual harassment. It is..."
"Is it?"
"Yes..."
But Drae hugged Seo Yerin even tighter.
It was less like an embrace between the opposite sex, and more like an adult comforting a child.
"Honestly, I don't know how to comfort people. I’m confused because I wonder if I should move like this. And sometimes I don't want to move at all. Thinking... why do I have to endure it."
Seo Yerin was silent at the strange story that she didn't understand.
To be precise, her face was red and she was flustered.
The arms that had been flailing behind Drae’s back were placed gently on his back, as if touching something that shouldn't be touched, and she gripped his shirt ever so slightly.
Hoo... A sigh that sounded like relief echoed in Drae’s arms.
"So the only way of comforting that I know is what my dad used to do. I don't know what effect it has, but he just hugged me tightly."
"......"
"There. I hope you feel better."
Seo Yerin didn't answer.
She just leaned the weight of her body toward Drae.
The two hugged for a long time.
At some point, the two stopped hugging and walked down from the school without a word.
Drae took Seo Yerin home.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Go on in."
A luxury apartment.
Drae, who had been examining the building with its ironclad security, including a password from the entrance, turned his back.
"Drae."
"?"
"...W-would you... like to... have some ramen... before you go?"
Raeband held her breath.
Even she, an Elynarian, knew the meaning of this story.
The scholar said,
"So this. Isn't it the same as saying, 'Would you like to have some dragon-meat and go?'"
"Shut up, Scholar."
Drae thought for a moment before answering.
"No? I’m full."
"Y-y-y-you son of a bitch."
Raeband threw a fit.
"Yes. You were like that."
With a bitter smile, Seo Yerin raised her hand and waved it slightly near her chest.
"Go in."
"Yes. See... you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
The scenery flows by.
Just when Raeband was getting excited, feeling like she had just watched a romance novel.
Whoosh.
The changed scene is the classroom.
A photo plastered across the blackboard.
It’s a photo of Drae and Seo Yerin standing in front of her apartment.
"She acted all haughty, but I guess girls like that are more loose, lol."
"I heard Yeodre is a total thug, so why is she hanging out with a guy like that? The president’s heart must be black."
"I knew it when she started hanging out with Kang Gu-han’s crew."
"What? Then did she give it to both Kang Gu-han and Yeodre? Is she a total slut?"
Seo Yerin, who had been trembling in front of the blackboard, returned to her seat.
'Why? Who, on earth?'
'Who, who is it?'
'Why are you doing this to me...?'
'Someone, please help me.'
'...Drae...'
Kaitz frowned without realizing it.
"They resemble each other."
"Huh?"
"Pretending to be strong while being soft on the inside, their appearance, their atmosphere, everything..."
"Who are you talking about, Captain?"
Kaitz stares at the scenery without answering Raeband’s question. The slander against Seo Yerin continued. And then, the scenery changes.
The classroom.
"Hey. Yeodre."
Drae looks at Shin Jin-pae, who is putting his arm around his shoulder in a friendly manner, with suspicious eyes.
Because the homeroom teacher was right next to them, it seemed that even Drae couldn't swing his fist.
'You should live kindly.'
'Again. This voice.'
Raeband frowned.
It’s already the third time.
Three times in similar situations. At this point, you know it even if you don't want to.
When Yeodre wants to beat someone to death, in situations where he is enduring, that voice is heard.
As if forcing him to live righteously.
I thought it was the words of someone precious to Drae, but...
"At this point, it’s more of a curse."
The scholar muttered, and Raeband agreed.
Whether the two of them did or not, the memory proceeds.
"Want to see this?"
"......?"
The smartphone screen placed in front of Drae.
What was seen in the field of vision of the gathered Kaitz group was a girl who was stripped bare and covered in bruises.
Her naked body was surprisingly white and beautiful.
It was Suryeon.
"Are you turned on?"
"A little?"
"......"
Shin Jin-pae narrowed his eyes as if it wasn't the reaction he had expected.
"What? Did you catch Suryeon and lock her up?"
"No way. This girl came here of her own free will, after all. And Suryeon wanted me to pass this on."
Shin Jin-pae whispered into Drae’s ear.
"She’s so deeply in love with Gu-han that she doesn't need someone like you anymore."
"Is that so? That’s good for her."
"......"
This time, Shin Jin-pae’s handsome face twisted.
"Hey you. Why are you acting so calm? Is this the time to be bluffing?"
"?"
"A girl who likes you has ended up like this, and you don't have any thoughts? Huh? Like, you should save her or something. Huh?"
There seemed to be sincerity mixed into that tone for some reason.
Yeodre must have felt that, as he blinked his eyes. And then...
"Ugh...!"
He grabbed his throat.
Whether the teacher was next to him or not, it didn't matter to him.
"What kind of bullshit are you on that your tongue is so long?"
"...Ugh... You. Bastard...!"
"So. What do you want, Shin Jin-pae?"
"...Ha. Just because you’re a little good at fighting, does the world look like it’s all yours? Let me tell you, kids like us are nothing."
Shin Jin-pae’s eyes, as he leaned in, seemed to be burning bright blue.
"You’ll know soon enough. Physical strength is something you can only boast about in your student days. You’ll realize that you’re helpless in front of real power."
"...Are you an otaku? The way you talk, I feel a sense of familiarity because I smell that side of you."
"...You son of a bitch...!"
"Hey!! You guys! What are you doing!!"
The situation ended as the homeroom teacher’s roar rose up.
Shin Jin-pae, who had tried to provoke him, was the one huffing and puffing instead.
Whoosh.
The scenery changes.
Kaitz, who had been watching the black waves indifferently, said,
"It’s strange."
"...What is?"
Raeband, whose mood had turned as foul as it could get, blurted out informally without realizing it, and Kaitz stared at her. Kaitz tilted his head as if it were strange, looking at Raeband who flinched.
"Yeodre is too calm."
"Huh?"
"He’s so different from the him of now. The him of the past... looks almost like a machine without emotions. Or else... it could be that he has no particular feelings because he was the one who did it."
Things he did himself.
The scholar understood what Kaitz was trying to say and was horrified.
"...That’s not it, Kaitz. Yeodre, that he is the one who drove his own friends into a corner?"
That’s nonsense.
But. It was also true that it was a possibility that couldn't be ruled out entirely.
But for what reason would Yeodre do that?
Kaitz tried to recall what Drae’s acquaintances, that is, his own former acquaintances from before the regression, had said.
Drae had said he heard that something had happened in the past.
‘Surely...’
Whoosh.
Before he could even recall what the story was, the scenery changed. Seong Sihyun and the girl with the ponytail. She, who was a friend of Han Sihyeong, were sitting in a cafe having a conversation.
It seemed Seong Sihyun had succeeded in making contact with Yoon Hamin somehow.
"Finish your business quickly. If I get caught with you, I won't be safe either."
"First of all, thank you... But it’s strange. Your tone sounds like you’re being watched?"
"Probably?"
Seong Sihyun froze at Yoon Hamin’s mocking tone.
"What, do you mean?"
"...The locals here all know. You guys live a bit far away, so you might not know well, but Kang Gu-han’s gang isn't normal."
After looking around, she said with a frightened expression,
"You have things you want to keep secret too, right?"
"...I do."
Ha. Yoon Hamin chuckled.
"Yeah. You do. Other kids all have at least one secret, too. But all those things. Literally, the Kang Gu-han family knows everything. That’s why the kids who have their weaknesses held against them follow orders to bully you guys. Okay?"
Seong Sihyun, who groaned, had a look of disbelief.
"I accepted the reason why they bully us. But those guys are just classmates of the same age, yet they know all the secrets of the students in the class? That’s... isn't that just in your head?"
It was an obvious thing to think from a common-sense perspective, but Yoon Hamin sneered.
"Can it be in my head when they shove the evidence right in front of my eyes?"
"No, then they did that to everyone in the class?"
'The rejection that Yoon Hamin said was the reason the D-class students were beaten last time means they rejected the Kang Gu-han family’s proposal, and that’s why they were beaten.'
[Seong Sihyun’s body was covered in goosebumps at how far their influence reached, but Yoon Hamin sneered.]
"Everyone in the class? Just that?"
The girl with the ponytail. Yoon Hamin laughed.
"Every grade and every classroom. Every student in our school. You idiot."
Whoosh.
The scenery changes.
"What is it again?"
The surrounding background seems to have been charred black rather than just darkened. An ominous energy is growing stronger.
Raeband clicked her tongue, feeling a foul sensation.
This time, Seo Yerin.
Leaning against the elevator, she went up to the upper floor, walked weakly, opened the door lock of her house, pressed the password...
As soon as she opened the door, she smelled something strange.
This is...
"The smell of blood?"
Raeband frowned, cursing the memory world that even perfectly implemented smells.
And. Although it was hard to see because it was in the dark, there were about a dozen men. One of them was a familiar face. A powerful person she hated to the bone. Shin Jin-seung.
"Assemblyman Shin...?"
"Oh ho, Yerin, you’ve come. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face in person, hasn't it?"
Crunch.
"Gaaack...!"
"We were just enjoying ourselves while 'working' with your father."
Working.
"...This disgusting..."
Raeband muttered in a voice full of disgust.
Did working mean dismantling a person?
"...D-dad?"
"Yerin... run... gaaack!"
Assemblyman Seo fell silent at the bat-swinging of a man wearing a ridiculous mask next to him.
While Yerin stood dazed, the masked men approached.
"Why don't you come play with us too."
Moonlight shines into the room.
The arms and legs of Seo Yerin’s father, Assemblyman Seo, were twisted grotesquely, the floor was full of blood... and...
"Haa. Haa. Haa..."
Seo Yerin’s breathing becomes labored.
She shouted inside.
'Help me.'
"Hehehe. That girl’s skin looks soft."
"Let’s have fun with us uncles. Okay?"
'Help me. Drae.'
Static.
Noise.
When the scenery, which had been crackling like a broken TV, returned to normal, it was the dojo.
And... surprisingly, Seo Yerin was there.
Drae and Seong Sihyun were also with her.
"Y-you scared me!"
Raeband wiped her chest, saying she had lost ten years of her life.
How did she get out?
...Did Yeodre save her?
'Those guys were used to murder.'
Can a high schooler who is just good at fighting handle guys who are used to murder?
They were powerful enough to bury high schoolers in an instant even if they attacked in groups, and they looked used to murder.
Raeband thought that although Yeodre was strong, he wouldn't be able to handle a group, even if he could handle one or two.
The narration explained just in time.
[Seo Yerin was a martial artist.]
[She threw two of them to the floor and ran frantically until she reached this place.]
[Because this dojo was the place where she felt most at ease.]
"......"
[Seo Yerin did not talk about what had happened.]
[She just kept saying that they had to call the police.]
"I’m sorry, Seo Yerin. I was a fool for doubting you."
Seong Sihyun clenched his fists.
And Drae looked at him with worried eyes.
"Seong Sihyun, you received a strange photo too. Are you okay?"
"I’m fine. Hmph. That slut. It’s a relief that she was filtered out on her own!"
I was curious because he didn't say much after receiving the disgusting photo of his ex-girlfriend, but it seems he handled it well on his own.
"More than that, Drae. I’m disappointed."
"Hmm? Disappointed?"
"Why do you call us by our full names when you call us? It’s annoying because it feels like you’re keeping your distance."
"......Ah~"
Drae, who was dragging his words as if he were in trouble, clapped his hands as if he had just remembered.
"I have business to attend to. I’ll be back in a bit."
"Ah, augh. Aughhh..."
Hearing those words, Seo Yerin crawled over and grabbed Drae.
Seong Sihyun’s lips twisted in pity at the frail appearance, which was hard to believe was the charismatic president.
"D-don't go! Drae..."
"...It’s okay. I called people who are much more reliable than someone like me."
At Drae’s words, Seong Sihyun carefully opened his mouth.
"The police? I called them earlier just in case, I guess you called them too."
"No. The police won't be of any use."
"What does that mean?"
Drae didn't bother to answer.
"So, I called someone who would be a nuisance to both the police and the criminals."
The business card he waved was none other than Rachel’s.
Raeband let out a sigh of relief.
"...That’s true. That woman did look unusual. Couldn't you have just asked for help from the woman named Rachel in the first place?"
The scholar answered that.
"Drae looked calm on the outside, but he was anxious on the inside, so his thoughts didn't reach that far. Consider that he’s not even twenty years old. Besides, it’s not certain yet whether the woman named Rachel is a reliable existence."
Seo Yerin still seemed to want to cling to Drae, and Drae opened his mouth slightly and stared at her before spreading his arms.
And he narrowed the distance as if to hug her, but stopped as if thinking of something, then patted her head.
"I’ll be back soon."
"Ah, augh..."
"You can trust Rachel, right?"
Intelligence returned to the eyes of Seo Yerin, who had been whining like a child.
She was still weak, but she spoke rationally.
"...Yes. I can trust that person. I should have consulted with her sooner..."
"Where are you going?"
At Seong Sihyun’s words, Drae shrugged his shoulders.
"Since you asked me to save you, I’m going to check."
"What?"
Immediately after the incomprehensible statement, the viewpoint suddenly changes.
There, boys who looked delinquent and fierce at a glance, including Kang Gu-han and Shin Jin-pae, were lined up.
Shin Jin-pae played the video he had sent himself. The video of Suryeon asking for help, and watched it intently.
"If he comes, we can play with him, right? Jin-pae."
"Yeah."
Kang Gu-han whistled as if he were excited.
"He’s coming to find Suryeon, who isn't here, and he’s going to die."
The help Drae mentioned refers to this.
In other words. It’s a trap.
However, Kaitz and his group didn't feel any anxiety about this.
After all. Yeodre is alive and well right now.
He must be getting out of it somehow.
What I’m worried about are the people left in the dojo.
That was the moment.
Whoosh.
The scenery changes.
Han Sihyeong’s house.
She, who had been trembling under the blanket, received a certain photo.
Seeing it, Han Sihyeong repeated opening and closing her mouth, then soon let out a scream.
There... her boyfriend was licking the feet of a woman along with a note saying let’s break up.
Before I could even check the face of the woman, which was hard to see because of the shadows, the scenery changes.
It’s the dojo.
It seemed Drae had already left.
"...Sihyun, are you okay?"
"Hmm?"
"Drae said you went through a hard time too. Helping me in such a situation, you’re truly strong, unlike me."
Sihyun, who had a troubled expression at the self-deprecating words, suddenly laughed as if he had remembered something.
"Do you call him Drae when you’re alone?"
"......"
"That’s a cute nickname."
Seo Yerin bows her head with hollow eyes.
"...It would be a lie to say I’m fine. My lover was rolling around with someone else. I was shocked. I went home and cried. I was so angry that I screamed."
Seong Sihyun muttered that he wanted to tear down the whole world if he only had the strength.
"But what can I do? My friends are having a hard time, so I can't just sit still while they suffer, right?"
"......"
"And well. I had a talk with Drae before. We have a mafia cartoon we enjoy watching, right? The protagonist there is a very righteous and great person."
"Why is that?"
"Why, you ask. I’m going to try to do something kind and cool, just like Drae or that protagonist. Then I think I’ll feel a little better."
So he laughed, saying this is also for his own sake, so there’s no need to feel sorry, and that he’s just pretending to be the protagonist now, so don't worry.
[Seo Yerin couldn't laugh.]
[Still rising in her head, her father’s corpse. Corpse. Corpse.]
'Seo Yerin needs to pull herself together.'
Seong Sihyun’s monologue.
But she, who had collapsed, was so devastated that not even a single monologue could be heard.
"An hour has already passed. It’s about time for Drae or Rachel to come..."
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
"Speak of the devil."
Seong Sihyun stood up and grabbed the doorknob to open the door immediately. And, Seo Yerin...
'Why, is there no sound?'
She hardened her face at the ominous premonition.
'If it were Rachel, she would have shouted first, and if it were Drae, he would have opened the door since he has a key...'
The monologue was cut off, and Seo Yerin shouted as if screaming.
"Sihyun! Don't open the door...!"
"Huh?"
Thud!!
"Gaaack."
A fist embedded in Sihyun’s face as soon as he opened the door.
He rolled on the floor, then lay sprawled out, twitching.
Beyond the door, Kang Gu-han was grinning.
"I’m here, you fucking bitches and bastards."
"...!!"
"I told you, didn't I? That I’d crush that face and those glasses..."
Step.
At the same time as Kang Gu-han, the Scholar stepped forward.
He burned his eyes looking at Kaitz.
"Kaitz."
"......"
"I don't want to see this sight anymore. So... send me there right now."
Even while seeing the Scholar’s anger right in front of his eyes, Kaitz was continuing to think about the stories regarding Yeodre.
The Scholar’s sense of justice, which should have been lovely, was now just annoying; Kaitz didn't want to be interrupted in this moment of watching Drae’s memories.
"Send me to Yeodre’s world. I’ll kill them all without them being noticed."
"...I understand."
Kaitz nodded, and he finally remembered.
What had Yeodre’s acquaintances said?
Yeodre had definitely said there was something he had to do when he returned.
"Drae always says he’s an outsider, right?"
"That’s right."
Ashita and Clarire.
The two were chatting while walking down the school hallway.
"I think he said he hated the genre called 'Netorare' because of something that happened."
"He also said he played games all the time."
Thinking about it, Drae had always belittled himself.
Calling himself an outsider, a loser, etc.
But those were all words without a soul.
Looking back, it seems the only topic he talked about with genuine emotion was 'games'.
Beep-beep.
"Hmm? It’s Meyal."
When I activated the noisy communicator, Meyal’s urgent voice could be heard.
[Ashita! By any chance, is Drae! Is Drae there?!]
"Why, why are you like this?"
[It’s urgent! Is he there?!]
"No. He doesn't hang out with us these days."
Clarire was about to nod in agreement at the sulky voice, but she flinched and stopped.
Ahem. Watching Clarire clear her throat, Ashita went, "Huh?" and at the moment she was puzzled, Meyal said,
[Strange guys have attacked.]
"Strange guys?"
Clarire took over the conversation.
[Yeah, Clarire. They call themselves the 'Gold Taeyang Clan' or something.]
"Aha. I know."
They are the ones showing strange movements around here lately.
Except for their backers, they were so pathetic that I was just leaving them alone for now.
Far away, Meyal, who was at her home, glanced at Gold Taeyang 1, who had his limbs broken and was foaming at the mouth at her feet, and Gold Taeyang 2, who was slammed into the wall and was pissing himself.
"They were using strange skills. It wouldn't be a big deal for the successors of the ten great families who have been trained since childhood, but Ashita, be careful."
[M-me?]"
"Yeah. My younger sibling interrogated them, and they said they were targeting Drae and everyone around him?"
[...That cannot be overlooked.]
Clarire crossed her arms.
Her eyes were raging coldly.
"Since they don't know their place, I should show them a painful lesson."
"Clarire! You’re cool!"
"...Before that. Where is Inris?"
"Huh? Why Inris?"
"According to my investigation, there is a troublesome person behind them."
"Uh-huh?"
Clarire said in a serious voice.
"The royalty of the succubus."
"...It’s big."
It’s a pub a bit away from the 'Sheep Zone'.
I thought this was the hideout, but that wasn't it, and there was a surprising fact.
There is a huge space underground.
A spacious space that could be compared to a large corporate headquarters, if I exaggerate a little.
In other words. It’s a hideout built underground.
It’s a place that makes my heart flutter a bit because of its scale, which is reminiscent of some secret laboratory.
"Welcome, Yeodre. This is the place where you will be active in many ways from now on."
"......"
I got on the elevator to the basement.
Even though I could feel magical reactions here and there in the distance, there didn't seem to be any traps, so I just got on.
It doesn't matter if there are traps.
It’s quite deep.
The elevator going underground suddenly entered a wide-open section, and I opened my eyes wide.
"......"
"Isn't it cool? Hehehehehe..."
Takashi said.
Cool? That?
Below me.
Countless sins were being committed in that place.
Violence. Rape. Murder. Torture.
And... even 'Netorare', which I hate the most.
Kyaaaa. Ughhh. Gaaa. Aaaah. Ughhh.
Various roars are mixed together, making my head spin.
One phrase comes to mind in my brain.
'You should live kindly.'
...Suddenly. Something rises in my heart.
While trying to swallow it, I remembered what happened before.
I remembered the Dojo Family.