The Sudden Summon
“Huangdo. Hrahk! It has truly been ages. In the meantime, you’ve all changed so much!”
The Danju, led by Unhak and his disciple Jeongmyeong, along with several other 6th Danju, entered Huangdo.
Unhak, head tilted high with admiration for the highly developed latest technology of Huangdo, kept sticking out his tongue.
“Hmm, we’ll have to perform the escort duties, but why did you tag along?”
Jingle-jangle.
Cheoyong, who had been shaking the bells behind Unhak, peered toward Feygal, who was walking alongside him.
“I came for something I needed to see.”
“Oh? Well, sure. Oh, and as you know, we’ll be meeting the Seven Pillars soon, so you should eat and rest your hearts. Got it?”
“...”
Even after Cheoyong’s warning, Eper didn’t bother answering.
After the other 6th Danju split off to talk among themselves, Jeongmyeong approached Unhak and whispered,
“What are your plans from now on, Master?”
“The emperor has something to say, so I’ll meet with him first and then want to see my junior. Tell him I want to meet him. I’ll head out right after.”
“Understood. Then let’s go see the 6th Danju and His Majesty. I’ll take the rest and pay respects to the Seven Pillars.”
“Very well.”
Unhak and Cheoyong, who had been assigned as the guide, left first.
Jeongmyeong and the 6th Danju, who had achieved their purpose of escorting Unhak to Huangdo, planned to visit the Seven Pillars one by one while staying in the city.
First, the Danju who had visited Feltics came next and sought out Ran.
“We pay respects to the great pillar of the continent.”
“Welcome, welcome. Ah, 4th Danju Jeongmyeong.”
Ran, facing Jeongmyeong, suddenly recalled something and called him.
“Yes, please speak.”
“You must have been shocked back then, but I must apologize again for that incident. It was just a situation, after all.”
“A-a-apology?! There’s no need for it at all!! Of course you would have!”
Jeongmyeong flailed his hands like a flapping bird, at a loss for words.
“Is that so. Thank you for understanding.”
After offering his apology, Ran shifted his gaze to Eper.
“It’s been a long time, brother. I trust you’ve been well?”
“Yes.”
Eper’s reply was so curt and cold that it made one question whether they truly shared the same blood as brothers.
A awkward silence settled over the room after Eper’s cold answer.
If Cheoyong had been there, he might have thought to himself,
‘Hah, I warned him several times, yet the fool… X damn it. I wish he’d just die already.’
But since Cheoyong hadn’t been assigned as the guide, that feeling belonged wholly to Jeongmyeong.
The moment Jeongmyeong’s mind flashed on Unhak’s conversation, he thought he needed to do something.
“Haha! P-p-pillar. The escort has a message for you.”
“...Yes, what did my senior say?”
“Ah, it’s simply that the escort wishes to meet after the audience with His Majesty has concluded.”
“Oh, I see. Very well. Since the greetings are done, you may all withdraw. You must be busy, after all; we can’t steal your precious time.”
“Ah, yes. Understood, Pillar.”
Just as Jeongmyeong sighed in relief and loosened the tension, Ran raised his hand and called Eper again.
“Oh, a moment. Brother. It’s been a long time; why don’t you two have a cozy chat together?”
But this time Eper’s reaction was even colder.
“As a 6th Danju, I cannot face the Seven Pillars at the same eye level.”
“Brother, what kind of talk is that between siblings. Don’t...”“Isn’t this a favor from a brother, or an order from a Seven Pillar?”
No matter what, since it was a sibling issue, Eper didn’t think he needed to intervene.
But Jeongmyeong, irritated by Eper’s rudeness, finally exploded.
“Ren Eper, 6th Danju! Pay attention to your words and actions! How dare you speak to the Seven Pillars like...!”
“Jeongmyeong 4th Danju.”
Hiss!
At Ran’s call, Jeongmyeong immediately bowed his head.
“Yes, Pillar. Please speak.”
“I’m grateful for what you’ve given me, but I’d like to clear some old feelings with my brother. Could you withdraw for now?”
“Ah! I was so blind and didn’t catch on. I’m sorry. Then...”“I’m sorry, but I’d like to withdraw with you too.”
“...”
‘I wonder where it all went wrong from the beginning...’
Ran sighed deeply at Eper’s composure, then finally nodded weakly.
“Very well.”
Once Ran’s approval was given, Jeongmyeong, Eper, and Feygal each bowed.
Before the bows could even finish, Eper left the room without a second glance, while Jeongmyeong, who had been anxiously glancing between Ran and Eper, bowed to Ran and followed after Eper.
Only Feygal stayed put, unmoving.
“Hmm? Do you have something to see me for personally?”
Gulp.
After a private audience with Ran, Feygal swallowed once more and slowly opened his mouth.
“Yes, Pillar.”
“I remember you as Feygal. Is that right?”
“I’m just touched that you remember my lowly name.”
“No need to be so overly respectful. Well, what’s your business?”
“Since I’ve come to the city where the Seven Pillars are, it’s only natural to pay my respects, but my true reason is to request the Pillar’s approval for assigning Teraden, the 6th Danju candidate, to duty.”
“Assigning to duty? But Teraden-nim’s condition right now...”
The moment Feygal mentioned Teraden, Ran’s expression darkened.
He thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“It’s unfortunate, but I’m afraid I can’t assign Teraden-nim.”
“I can guess why. Because he’s been groaning like a sickly chicken, right?”
Watching Feygal accurately diagnose Teraden’s state, a spark lit up in Ran’s eyes.
“Ho? How did you know that? I’d like to hear more details.”
“He isn’t the one who, the 6th Danju candidate Teraden, is similar to me.”
“Similar?”
“Yes. I too once experienced something similar and gave it a try. Of course, I also know what to do in such cases. If you entrust him to me, I’ll restore him perfectly to his former self. We can perform the mission together in peace.”
“Hrm...”
Even though Feygal offered to help Teraden, Ran hesitated to decide rashly.
Of course, he wanted Teraden’s condition to improve more than anyone, but there was the chance of side effects.
Worried about potential backlash, and since he had no experience handling such a case, he didn’t know how to proceed.
Finally, the thought that Teraden might not want it himself made Ran need more time to deliberate.
“There are about two weeks until the 3rd Gate opens. If he stays hidden like this, it’s obvious he’ll be eliminated from the tournament, even if not from the 3rd Gate or higher.”
At Feygal’s urging, Ran made his decision.
“...Sigh, fine. I’ll allow you to assign him. But the choice is entirely his; don’t force him. And as his condition isn’t good, keep that in mind at all times.”
“Understood, Pillar.”
* * *
At the same time, at Gukhak’s dormitory.
“Teraden.”
“Hm?”
Haru called out to Teraden, who had been lying on the bed like a dead mouse.
“From now on, I’ll visit Jubern-nim and Junior to say hello and then have dinner. Would you like to come with us?”
“Ah, I’ll come later...”
“Then I can buy you something simple to eat?”
“It’s fine. I’m not in the mood right now.”
“Alright, then I’ll head out. If you need anything, let me know anytime.”
“...”
Squeak. Clunk.
Haru left the room, abandoning Teraden still lying on the bed.
In the quiet, empty room.
“Huu...”
Teraden, left alone, let out a long sigh.
Ever since the attack incident, he had been inexplicably listless.
‘Well, dealing with someone with Hwigwang, one arm would be enough to handle him cheaply.’
‘Hah! If only I could hold my hand still...!’
‘Actually, grabbing my arm while compressing doesn’t matter at all, but I fall for such simple tricks.’
‘Kuuugh...!!’
Back when he faced a mid-level yokai, he had encountered a wall.
The guy who always boasted with confidence and self-esteem couldn’t overcome the yokai, no matter what he tried.
If Feltics hadn’t arrived in time, he might have lost his life right there.
‘If I had used Plunder there, I wouldn’t have stolen it all and would’ve exposed a gap for immediate death. Then if I used the control I stole from Ellien... no, that’s not it either.’
Crunch.
Teraden, pondering various possibilities, finally bit his lip irritably and thrashed under the blanket.
‘It’s all my fault for being weak. If only I had been stronger...’
He scolded himself. He was angry at the fact that he could do nothing, and depressed by his own weakness.
Just as he had been self-reproaching for a while, Feygal came to the dormitory and found Teraden.
Squeak.
The old door creaked in protest.
“Why is it so cold? Don’t you turn on the heating?”
As Feygal looked around the room, he quickly found Teraden lying on the bed.
Hick!
Feygal yanked the blanket covering Teraden without a word.
“...”
Teraden, who had been as still as stone, only after a while slowly pulled the blanket back up to his head.
“...Cold.”
“Why are you slouched like that, unlike yourself?”
Teraden turned his head at the unfamiliar voice and checked the owner.
“Who are you? Why are you here?”
“Well, something came up and I came. But why are you so listless, like yourself?”
“...”
Instead of answering Feygal’s question, Teraden turned his head back to the original position.
Scratching his neck, Feygal, thinking the persuasion might take a while, brought over a chair and sat roughly in front of Teraden on the bed.
“I heard you were attacked. Are you okay?”
“...”
“Hey, I came worried for you, and at least say something!”
“Ah. Don’t make it complicated and go, shorty.”
Even though Teraden’s irritable tone, Feygal’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Hrm, the 6th Danju Cheongseol mentioned last time. Those who passed the 2nd Gate now qualify as 6th Danju candidates. 6th Danju candidates must respond to the Danju’s call. So get up. There are things I need you to do with me.”
“I won’t.”
“If you refuse a 2nd Danju call more than once, your qualification as 6th Danju candidate will be revoked, and you’ll be naturally disqualified from the Danju Selection.”
“Do as you like.”
“It’s not just you who’ll be disqualified; your whole team will be kicked out too?”
“...Then I’ll refuse. Since it’s refusing more than twice, isn’t it okay once?”
“Of course. Of course. And of course, refusing once is no problem.”
Even though Teraden refused, Feygal inexplicably smirked and nodded.
“Then I’ll issue the call again. Come with me.”
“Damn it. Really.”
Flick!
Irritated, Teraden threw the blanket off, propped himself up, and scowled.
“No, didn’t I say you can’t propose a refusal again or give a grace period or anything?”
“Yes. No such thing. So hurry up and get up. There’s somewhere I need to go with you.”
“Sigh.”
Shoving the blanket aside roughly, Teraden ruffled his hair and grumbled.
“Eh? If you don’t come out of bed for three full days, your whole team will be disqualified?”
“Ah, I’m coming!!”