Chapter 481: Operation: Clown's Play.
Chapter 481: Operation: Clown's Play.
“Hoo~oo.”
Taking a deep breath, Park Hwanhee began to count inwardly. One, he gripped the doorknob. Two, he pushed the door open. Three, he took a step inside. The familiar dark meeting room came into view, along with a round table where eight people were seated. Simultaneously, everyone in the room turned to look at him. Most turned away almost immediately, seemingly indifferent, but a few frowned slightly.
Park Hwanhee quickly bowed his head and apologized in a polite voice.
“Something came up, so I'm late. I apologize.”
Then, keeping his head bowed, he walked quickly. He stopped right next to Park Taejin.
“Hwanhee-ah. What happened? You're always the first one here, but today you're late...”
“I'm truly sorry, Hyung-nim.”
Park Taejin glanced at him and whispered with concern, but Park Hwanhee said nothing, only bowing his head lower. Finally, Park Taejin just shrugged and turned his gaze forward, speaking to the room.
“Sorry about that. It seems he really had a reason. I ask for your understanding just this once.”
“No, it's fine. People can be late if something comes up. Anyway, shall we continue?”
A peculiar expression settled on Park Taejin's face. With a look that was half amusement and half reluctance, he quietly nodded. After clearing his throat a few times, Shin Hyuk met Park Hwanhee's eyes once before continuing.
“What I'm saying is this. Since things have turned out this way, let's not antagonize the Mercenary Clan for now. In fact, I think trying to build a good relationship with them is one possible path. Ah, I know. I know how ridiculous it must sound for me to be saying this now. But let's look at reality. The reality. In this situation, what other choice do we have? Did I know the Mercenary Clan would return from the Sleeping Dragon Mountains? Anyway, it's not exactly a second-best option, but we have to do our best with the hand we've been dealt. In any case, I believe I've done all I could.”
“That's right. Hyuk really did his best. Even in that situation, he negotiated with the Mercenary Clan to improve the Alliance's image and even managed to secure Halo in the end. Of course, there were some hiccups in the process.... I want to applaud Hyuk's efforts for achieving the best possible outcome.”
As soon as Shin Hyuk finished his lengthy explanation, Woo Seolhee, who was sitting next to him, quickly chimed in.
A moment later, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavy. The room fell silent, and a damp, oppressive air seemed to creep across the table. Seo Jihwan, turning his head slightly, smacked his lips once or twice. Then, with a deep sigh, he spoke.
“Alright. We've heard Hyuk's position... Taejin, do you have anything to add?”
The meeting was, after all, focused on Park Taejin and Shin Hyuk. The others had already tacitly agreed that one of the two would be chosen. As such, they were giving Park Taejin a chance to make his case before the final vote.
“No, I'm fine. I don't have anything particular to say, so let's just proceed with the vote.”
But, shattering everyone's expectations, Park Taejin refused the opportunity.
Seo Jihwan and nearly everyone else stared with wide eyes. Shin Hyuk, who also hadn't expected this, blinked rapidly three or four times. But he soon broke into a smile. He didn't know what scheme was afoot, but that statement could be interpreted as forfeiting Halo. Besides, based on how things had gone so far, he had the upper hand.
“...Are you sure you're okay with that?”
“Yes, it doesn't matter. The Alliance is one family, after all. Whatever the result, I will accept it gracefully.”
When Seo Jihwan confirmed again, Park Taejin nodded his head. He looked at Shin Hyuk and smiled faintly. Shin Hyuk responded in kind, the corners of his mouth turning up.
“Hmm. In that case...”
Seo Jihwan looked back and forth between Park Taejin and Shin Hyuk. The moment the two men nodded simultaneously, Seo Jihwan finally got to the point.
“As previously announced, there are no abstentions in this vote. You must choose one person. You all know this, right? Then, assuming everyone understands, let's begin the vo—”
Just as he was about to declare the start of the vote, a commotion from outside cut him off.
And then.
Bang!
As if someone had kicked it hard from the outside, the firmly shut meeting room door flew wide open. If the door had been opened quietly like before, it might have been a different story. But as the unpleasant noise echoed through the silent and solemn meeting room, everyone's faces contorted in displeasure. Shin Hyuk, in particular, shot up from his seat and yelled in an irritated tone.
“Who is it?! What crazy bastard is this?!”
It was then.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
“Crazy bastard? That's a bit harsh, isn't it? Lord of the Southern Conquest.”
Along with the sound of numerous footsteps, a chilling voice drifted in. Following that, a group of people entered the meeting room and finally came to a halt. The gazes of those at the table and those who had just entered met in mid-air.
Shin Hyuk looked at the entrance with a puzzled expression, but upon identifying the person at the front, he stammered.
“Y-You... Jo Seongho?”
“I'd prefer it if you called me the Lord of Goryeo. We're not close enough to be on a first-name basis, are we? Right? Lord of the Southern Conquest? Or should I say, members of the Coran Alliance?”
Jo Seongho, Lord of Goryeo, the representative clan of the eastern city of Prinsica, scanned the room with a cynical sneer. It was an obvious mockery. Despite this, the people in the room couldn't think of how to respond immediately. They could only stare blankly, wondering what was happening.
That was right. The group that had just burst into the meeting room were Users from the Central Administration. And they weren't just any Users, but heavyweights who led their own clans, starting with Goryeo, the ruler of the East, followed by Reverse, Han, Haemil, and more. In other words, these were Users whose influence was not at all inferior—and was perhaps even greater—than that of the Coran Alliance.
However, the Coran Alliance wasn't about to just sit back and take it. The first to compose himself was Park Taejin, the number one man of the Alliance. His expression quickly returned to normal, and he met their gaze with a calm smile as he spoke in a low voice. Of course, given their extremely poor relationship, his voice was anything but friendly; it was utterly menacing.
“Well, well, look who it is... If it isn't the ever-so-busy folks from the Central Administration. But what brings such busy people to a remote place like this?”
“You said it. We're busy as hell, but some crazy bastard made it necessary for us to come all the way out to this remote place. Hmm? You should've managed your people better.”
As Jo Seongho replied, Park Taejin's eyes narrowed for a moment.
“Crazy bastard? Heh, are you trying to start something?”
“It's funny hearing that from the ones who started acting recklessly first. The world is a funny place.”
“...I have no idea why you're doing this, but before you criticize how others manage their affairs, why don't you take a look at yourselves? Do you really think this is polite behavior? The Lord of Goryeo isn't just some dog's name... Ah, or did you get the title without earning it, so you never learned any manners? Hahaha.”
“You think so? Still, I think we're better than some ungrateful bastards who devoured the very person who raised and led them.”
Park Taejin was alluding to the death of the previous Goryeo Lord during the war, while Jo Seongho retorted with a jab about the disappearance of Kim Yongman, the former head of their alliance. They traded blows without giving an inch, but in the end, it was the members of the Coran Alliance whose faces stiffened first. Bringing up Kim Yongman was no different from touching the Alliance's reverse scale.
“These bastards... We let them be, and now they...”
As expected, the hot-tempered Baek Du-san's eyes widened in fury as he resolutely began to rise.
Or rather, the moment he tried to.
“Whoa, whoa, calm down.”
An intense force suddenly pressed down on his shoulder, forcing Baek Du-san to plant his backside, which had only just lifted, back onto the chair. He reflexively glanced at his left shoulder and saw a man with a thick hand on it, smiling cheerfully. Recognizing the face, Baek Du-san let out a guttural groan.
“K-Kim Deokpil...”
“Hey there. Long time no see, friend. But don't make any sudden moves. You might get hurt.”
Baek Du-san seemed to be struggling to get up somehow. But each time he tried, an even stronger force pressed down, and he could only grind his teeth and let his shoulders slump.
For a moment, silence fell. But it wasn't a peaceful silence; it was the silence of a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.
Finally, just as Jo Seongho took a step forward, Seo Jihwan, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
“Lord of Goryeo. As Taejin said, I don't know why you're doing this, but this is not your home. If you don't have a good enough reason to explain this behavior, this rudeness will not be overlooked with a simple apology.”
“I will be the one to explain. I will now make an official statement on behalf of the Central Administration.”
The User who answered Seo Jihwan's warning was Sung Hyunmin, the Lord of Han. At a glance, he had a polite demeanor and a kind face, but an undeniable coldness lingered in the corner of his eyes.
“It seems we're all uncomfortable looking at each other for too long, so I'll get straight to the point. User Shin Hyuk. A formal complaint has been filed against you regarding the Mercenary Clan's assault on the Sleeping Dragon Mountains. Therefore, you will have to come with us for questioning.”
“W-What did you say?!”
“I don't believe you misheard me. If you just come along quietly, we can avoid any unnecessary incidents. Let's not make this pathetic.”
“D-Don't be ridiculous! The Sleeping Dragon Mountains? A complaint? What kind of bullshit is this?!”
He was shouting forcefully, but it was nothing more than a reflexive outburst. Shin Hyuk's face had already gone beyond pale; it was now ashen. Then, his eyes met Song Heeseon's, and he swallowed hard, composing his words.
“Th-That's right. I have no idea what you're talking about! Do you have proof? I said, do you have any proof?!”
“Proof? Of course. We have it. Do you think we'd do this without any proof?”
Jo Seongho retorted with the same mocking tone, then calmly reached into his coat, pulled out an orb, and tossed it. The orb rolled across the table and stopped precisely in the center, where it began to glow brightly and play a video. It was a recording crystal.
(Yes! I did it. It was me....)
When the playback finished, the expressions on the faces of the Alliance Users were quite a sight to behold. Shin Hyuk's face, in particular, was a masterpiece. Putting aside his inexplicably desperate complexion, his eyes were wide enough to tear from the shock.
“I assume you all get the picture, so I won't say any more. Hey, drag that bastard out of here.”
Jo Seongho gestured with a flick of his chin toward the stunned Shin Hyuk. Suddenly snapping back to his senses, Shin Hyuk saw the Users slowly approaching him and screamed desperately.
“This—this is fabricated! Yes! It's a fabrication!”
“Fabricated? How pathetic. It'll all come out in the investigation anyway, so just come quietly.”
“Shut up! Don't give me that shit! Do you think I'm just going to go with you? Shoving this kind of fabricated evidence in my face!”
“Hm? Everyone, be careful!”
Jo Seongho, his eyes sharp, shouted. The moment Shin Hyuk yelled, a terrifying amount of magic power erupted from his entire body.
As the lord of a clan, and a mage class at that, if he decided to unleash his magic, there could be casualties. Thinking this, Jo Seongho prepared to throw himself forward to deal with him personally.
And, in that instant.
Crackle! Crac-crackle!
Suddenly, from the very back of the entrance, a streak of golden electricity shot out and struck Shin Hyuk. The bolt was thick, but it was so powerful that Shin Hyuk, unable to react, was sent sliding back until he slammed violently into the wall.
CRASH!
“Gack!”
A single scream erupted along with the loud crash. Even as electricity coursed through his body, Shin Hyuk barely managed to keep himself from collapsing. And the Alliance Users, every last one of them, shot to their feet.
But they flinched as they saw a User slowly walk out to stand beside Jo Seongho. His right hand was covered in golden magic power, and a killing intent powerful enough to swallow the entire room whole radiated from his body.
It was the appearance of the Thunder Emperor, Kim Yoohyun.
“K-Kim Yoohyun! What do you think you're doing?! Even if that's the case, you can't just—!”
Woo Seolhee shrieked, but Kim Yoohyun's face remained expressionless, as if she wasn't even there. He walked up to the staggering Shin Hyuk and grabbed him by the collar, hoisting him up. Still dazed, Shin Hyuk was lifted limply into the air.
A moment later, Kim Yoohyun's lips parted.
“Was it you.”
“Gurgle, gurgle...”
“Don't make me say it a third time. Are you the one who touched my younger sibling?”
“H-Haemil Lord! Stop!”
Even Jo Seongho, who was usually unflappable, hadn't expected this and hurriedly tried to stop Kim Yoohyun. Kim Yoohyun slowly turned to look at Jo Seongho. Then he looked back at Shin Hyuk, scoffed, and turned around. Of course, he was still holding him by the collar, and Shin Hyuk, unable to even walk properly, was dragged out. Watching Kim Yoohyun calmly disappear out the entrance, Jo Seongho whispered to Sung Hyunmin.
“He might actually kill him. Hurry and follow.”
“See, this is why I said we shouldn't bring him.”
After grumbling for a moment, Sung Hyunmin gave a bitter smile and chased after Kim Yoohyun. Jo Seongho shook his head. But he soon turned to the frozen Alliance Users with a broad smile on his face.
“Please be generous and forgive the small incident. The Lord of the Southern Conquest did resist, after all, and the Haemil Lord is extremely devoted to his younger sibling. Hahaha.”
“What? A small incident? Are you kidding me? Don't you think you've gone too far?”
Thump!
Woo Seolhee slammed her hand on the table. In truth, with such irrefutable evidence presented, this was not a situation where she could act rashly. But she had no choice. If Shin Hyuk's guilt was confirmed, she wouldn't get away unscathed either. She knew all too well how this world worked; she had to deny it, no matter how absurd her claims.
“This is an outrage!”
“An outrage? You can still say that after seeing that video?”
“I saw it. But he hasn't confessed yet. And more importantly, we have no memory of saying what was in that video! Plus, like Hyuk said, there's no proof that this crystal wasn't fabricated!”
“Aha. So you're going to deny it to the very end?”
Jo Seongho clicked his tongue as if pitying her, but Woo Seolhee yelled with the same unwavering attitude.
“Because there's nothing to confess!”
“Yes, yes. I understand. I fully understand what you're saying. So don't you worry. We have a way to determine for certain whether it was fabricated or not.”
Woo Seolhee stared at Jo Seongho, her face anxious. The word "How?" rose to the tip of her tongue, but seeing his confident expression, she couldn't bring herself to ask. As if sensing her hesitation, Jo Seongho continued smoothly.
“Those of you here... you must know about the Vagabond Roundup Incident from two years ago. The one involving Baek Seoyeon.”
It took the Alliance Users exactly three seconds to understand what he meant. And after those three seconds, everyone's eyes began to widen like saucers.
“The truth is, this crystal has already been thoroughly examined by the Central Administration, and we found no evidence of fabrication. Nevertheless, if there is anyone who insists on being stubborn... we are prepared to grant the Mercenary Clan the right of interrogation.”
Thud!
Woo Seolhee, her face the color of dirt, collapsed into her seat. Watching her, Jo Seongho smiled brightly.
“The Mercenary Lord told me so himself. He said the Mercenary Clan is ready anytime, and to just hand Shin Hyuk over. In fact, they're hoping we do just that.”
In short, it was a warning: stay quiet unless you want to be shaken down to your very bones.
Finally, after looking around the room, Jo Seongho bowed politely, but said in a sarcastic voice,
“We've overstayed our welcome. There was a small incident, but we've achieved what we came for, so we'll be taking our leave now. Please, continue with your meeting.”
Then, just before leaving the room, he turned his head halfway back and added.
“The Central Administration has very high expectations for the progress and outcome of this case. As such, you members of the Alliance should have high expectations as well. Hahaha.”
The door, unlike when it opened, closed gently without the slightest sound.
After the intruders left, a profound silence descended upon the meeting room.
But Jo Seongho's final laughter did not fade, lingering in the air like an aftertaste.