Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Mother's Truth
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And so, Monday evening at 8 p.m.
Having finished all his classes and personal training, Lee Seojun headed to the "Practical Guidance Room" on the third floor of the multipurpose training ground.
As he climbed to the third floor, a massive roar began echoing from afar.
Lee Seojun walked toward the source of the noise.
Peering through the window, he saw Kim Seonwoo and Choi Ilhyeon deep in a 1v1 battle. The sight made Lee Seojun forget why he'd come there in the first place as he started watching the fight.
Whoosh!
Kim Seonwoo had been relying solely on hand-to-hand combat against Choi Ilhyeon.
It seemed he'd been instructed not to use manifestation-type magic, just physical techniques.
Yet his movements were impressive.
Compared to their last captain match, his overall strength, stamina, and reflexes had all improved.
What could it be?
Had he grown that much in just a few weeks? Or was the skill he'd shown in the previous captain match not his true level?
Whichever was true, it gave Lee Seojun a slightly eerie feeling.
Kim Seonwoo really was something special.
Their conversation from Friday had felt meaningful too. How had he not shown this level of skill during his first year? He truly was a mysterious guy.
Lost in his thoughts like that...
"You're here?"
A voice calling him snapped him back to reality.
While he'd been distracted, Kim Seonwoo had come right up in front of him, wiping sweat and drinking water.
"What? Is that Lee Seojun?"
Choi Ilhyeon's voice came from behind. Lee Seojun stepped inside, gave Choi Ilhyeon a quick bow, and spoke.
"I came because I have something to ask."
Choi Ilhyeon paused as if thinking, then spoke again.
"You're here to ask about Yi Yun-kyeong."
When Choi Ilhyeon brought it up first, Lee Seojun looked surprised for a moment. Then he glanced at Kim Seonwoo.
Kim Seonwoo nodded as if to say go ahead and ask.
"Yes, that's right."
"...You must have seen something on Ghost Island."
"Yes. And I saw you there too, Mr. Choi Ilhyeon."
"I figured. But what can I do? I don't have any stories to tell you."
Lee Seojun frowned as Choi Ilhyeon picked at his ear, looking annoyed.
"Why not?"
"I don't really want to talk about her. It's not a fond memory. And I have no obligation to tell you."
Lee Seojun fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"So there is some connection between her and me."
Choi Ilhyeon stroked his stubbly chin and muttered softly.
"...There is."
After that, Lee Seojun told him everything he'd investigated and deduced.
About Yi Yun-kyeong's death date possibly being linked to the Shinbi. And even his questions about his own family.
Choi Ilhyeon looked a bit surprised after hearing Lee Seojun out.
"...You dug that deep? Your deductions were pretty good too."
Choi Ilhyeon thought for a moment before speaking.
"But I can't tell you anything. That old geezer might actually kill me."
He said that, then opened his mouth again.
"Instead, I'll tell you this."
Choi Ilhyeon looked straight into Lee Seojun's eyes.
"Yi Yun-kyeong is your mother. And... the Shinbi can even resurrect the dead."
After finishing my conversation with Choi Ilhyeon, Lee Seojun and I walked down the darkened hallway.
"In the end, your deduction was right. That she’s my mother and that the Shinbi was involved."
"See? What did I tell you?"
"Thanks to you, I feel like I've taken a step forward."
Lee Seojun murmured with a faint smile.
"By the way, what Mr. Choi Ilhyeon said... about my mother... I mean Yi Yun-kyeong... being brought back to life?"
I didn't answer Lee Seojun's question. It wasn't the right time to tell him what I knew.
"If so, is my mother still alive? And if she is, where is she and what is she doing right now?"
"I don't know. But don't jump to conclusions. Keep all possibilities open."
"You're right."
Lee Seojun nodded.
"But don't you have family too?"
"Huh?"
"I heard it somewhere before."
It was common knowledge among those who knew, so I wasn't too surprised.
"...Aren't you curious about your family?"
I paused at Lee Seojun's question, lost in thought.
I was curious.
My parents from my past life. Were they doing well?
"Not really."
"Why? You'd have reason to be."
"I'm not curious."
"Come on, I owe you for helping me, so let me help..."
"I'm not curious."
When I cut him off sharply, Lee Seojun gave me a strange look.
"Whatever."
Saturday evening at 5 p.m. The promised day with Han Seyeon had finally arrived.
I headed to the location she'd told me in advance so we could enter together. It was her officetel.
When she opened the door, Han Seyeon greeted me warmly.
"Jinwoo!"
She beamed as if we'd been apart for ages and approached.
It was a shame I couldn't usually see her in such casual home clothes.
"Why call me all the way to your place?"
She laughed at my words.
"There are eyes around. Gotta look good. And do some styling."
Did she really need to go that far?
Just then, Han Seyeon's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she looked me up and down.
"...Huh?"
"What's up?"
"You seem a bit taller."
"Oh. My height?"
I'd prepared an excuse in case this came up.
"I did some special training, and my frame improved. Combat posture correction training..."
"There's training like that?"
"Yeah. Magic training methods vary."
It did exist, though the effects weren't dramatic.
"First time I've heard of it."
"Look it up."
Then Han Seyeon approached me, eyes full of suspicion.
"Can I... touch your hair?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Han Seyeon reached out and touched my hair. Then she tugged it very lightly.
"...The hair's real."
Then she stood on tiptoe and brought her face close to mine.
"Huh?"
I panicked as her face drew near.
"Sniff sniff."
Han Seyeon smelled my hair, then pulled back.
"...No dye smell either."
Of course not—I'd changed my hair color using the Point Shop. No way she'd figure that out.
This situation's kinda embarrassing, though.
Good thing I washed my hair properly.
"Hmm. What's going on?"
Han Seyeon stroked her chin, staring at me.
"Can I touch your beard maybe?"
"No."
"Then take off your glasses."
"No way."
"Tch."
Han Seyeon pouted in disappointment.
"What are you so curious about?"
"...Nothing. Oh, Jinwoo, take this."
Han Seyeon handed me a paper bag.
"It's a clothing gift. I picked something that'd suit you. Wear this to the party."
"Another clothing gift."
I accepted the clothes from Han Seyeon.
As expected, it was a high-end suit.
There were also accessories like a watch and shoes.
And even some elixir. Not top-grade, but it'd fetch a fortune on the market.
I thanked her and popped the elixir like candy.
My magic power rose slightly.
After changing, Han Seyeon and I arrived at the party looking chummy.
The venue was the Gihyun Cultural Arts Foundation.
Not as massive as the Hansung Group, but it was affiliated with the Gihyun Group, one of Korea's top conglomerates.
It didn't seem to be on the scale of something like Pioneer Night, as Han Seyeon had said.
Come to think of it, there was some incident at a Gihyun Arts Foundation event in the past.
Was that today?
"Let's look around."
Han Seyeon grabbed my arm and pulled me inside. Various artworks caught my eye. Not really my thing, so I enjoyed watching her enthusiasm.
A few people who recognized Han Seyeon greeted her, then eyed me like, who's this guy?
Each time, she'd introduce me, and surprisingly, some knew who I was.
"Ah~ You're that Kim Jinwoo wizard. You were famous for a bit. Solved a bunch of incidents."
[You have achieved the 'Cultural Life' accomplishment.]
[You acquire 2,000 points as a reward.]
And I even got this random achievement.
While chatting with Han Seyeon over some low-alcohol, tasteless booze, a familiar face appeared in the distance.
"Seyeon."
"Oppa?"
It was Han Sejin. He looked at me.
"Ah, that... Wizard Kim Jinwoo! Haha. I remember your name. Long time no see."
Han Sejin offered a handshake. I took it.
"Did you come with Seyeon?"
"Yes, that's right."
No reason to hide it, so I answered honestly.
"Hmm. Seyeon doesn't hang out like this unless it's business."
Han Sejin smiled as he said it, and Han Seyeon cut in.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, Seyeon, come with me for a sec."
"Huh?"
"Someone you need to greet."
Han Sejin glanced at me.
I nodded for her to go.
"Sorry. Be right back."
With that, Han Seyeon disappeared somewhere.
I wandered, snacking, then sat on an empty bench.
"Already tired."
Then someone sat next to me.
It was a beautiful woman in a suit with red hair tied back. Her face looked mixed-race, Korean and Caucasian maybe.
Her red hair and gloved hands reminded me of someone.
"What're you looking at?"
The woman turned to me.
Even that cheeky personality matched the original.
"No, just... nice hair color."
"...Hmph."
She seemed pleased by the compliment, smiling quietly.
I used Character Insight on her.
Name: Ellen
Age: 26
Race: Human
Status: Calm
Magic Power Rank: S-
Interest Level: 0
...As expected.
My guess was right.
Ellen.
The sole survivor of the Rune Clan, massacred by Jaun.
Confirming the woman before me was Ellen of the Rune Clan plunged me into serious thought.
Ellen being at the event.
It meant an incident would happen here, just like in the original.
The incident was the emergence of a magic crime syndicate targeting Han Sejin.
In the past, Ellen had successfully repelled their attack that day, making her name known to the world.
The crime group behind today's incident was 'Tetra'.
Not as infamous as Jaun, but notorious in their field.
They were targeting Han Sejin for one reason.
Recently, he'd been testing his elite wizard team under him by smashing various crime syndicates.
As a result, Han Sejin had earned the grudge of countless magic crime groups, and dangerous incidents like this would plague him for a while.
Of course, this would lead him to absorb those groups one by one, growing his power.
It was also the trigger for Han Sejin awakening as the story's true mid-game 'villain'.
"Mmm~."
Just then, Ellen's voice came from beside me.
I turned to see her happily forking a chunk of meat from her plate.
Noticing my gaze, she chewed and looked at me.
"Why do you keep staring?"
"No, just... you look like you're enjoying it."
"Mind your own business?"
"Whether I pay attention or not is up to me."
"...Hmm. Fair enough."
Ellen nodded, then speared more meat and ate it, smiling happily again.
I stared at her blankly before asking.