Chapter 249
Chapter 249
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 250
Chapter Title: A Sudden Intrusion
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A tense silence fell due to Han Se-yeon's sudden intrusion.
Han Se-yeon stared at me with her eyes wide open.
Her face, uncharacteristically flustered, fixed intently on my face before shifting her gaze to Han Dae-hyun, who was half-lying in front of me.
Doubt filled her eyes.
As if wondering what this situation was. But as if she couldn't bring herself to ask, her lips just trembled.
"Han Se-yeon-ssi?"
At my call, Han Se-yeon flinched, her shoulders shrinking. It wasn't the reaction of someone simply having their name called.
"Ah, yes? Uh, um. You... came...? Uh, when did you arrive...
Han Se-yeon muttered in a tone like a broken robot.
From her reaction, it seemed she'd overheard our conversation.
I wondered from where.
I'd been so focused on the talk, and the presence of the Sword Ghost outside the room had masked her approach—I hadn't even noticed Han Se-yeon coming closer.
Now that I thought about it, I might have said something that could be misunderstood.
Did I mess up? What if she feels burdened?
"Han Se-yeon-ssi? Did you happen to overhear our conversation—"
"No! I didn't hear anything."
Han Se-yeon cut me off sharply.
She clearly heard it.
I was pondering how to respond when Han Se-yeon continued.
"Uh, then you two continue your talk! You seem to have a lot to discuss, so I'll step out."
With that, Han Se-yeon fled outside like she was escaping.
Jang Su-gi, who had been watching with interest while hugging his sword by the door, let out a chuckle of disbelief and followed after Han Se-yeon.
Once they were gone, a heavy silence settled in briefly.
Han Dae-hyun, who had been staring at me, broke the silence.
"This is ridiculous. Last time we met, you said you had nothing to do with Se-yeon, but you've ended up dating after all?"
"No."
At my reply, Han Dae-hyun narrowed his eyes.
"Then you harbor feelings for Se-yeon?"
"...That's not it either."
"Then what exactly is your relationship with Se-yeon? What kind of relationship makes you talk like that?"
I kept silent for a moment. I needed to think.
How should I respond?
"Let's call it a mutually beneficial relationship where we help each other."
Han Dae-hyun looked dissatisfied with my answer, his expression sour.
I gave a small smile and opened my mouth again.
"More importantly, let's continue the conversation from earlier."
Han Dae-hyun nodded silently.
"Han Se-yeon-ssi is capable, but she lacks social experience compared to Vice Chairman Han Se-jin, so she has no allies around her. That's a fatal weakness for a leader who would run the company."
Han Dae-hyun listened quietly to my words.
"As she is now, the moment the chairman passes, Vice Chairman Han Se-jin will snatch everything from Han Se-yeon-ssi in an instant. I think you know well what would happen to her afterward."
This was an exaggeration mixed with some truth.
In reality, Han Se-yeon wasn't incompetent enough to lose everything to Han Se-jin just because she couldn't build a network.
But since it was realistically plausible, Han Dae-hyun listened to me earnestly.
"I'll become Han Se-yeon-ssi's person. And I'll help ensure Vice Chairman Han Se-jin doesn't take away what she's earned. As I mentioned earlier, if you can't trust me, I'll even make a blood oath."
"What makes you think you can help her? Enough to stake a blood oath on it."
"I haven't announced it formally yet, but I run a company called JWK."
A change came over Han Dae-hyun's expressionless face.
Even though he hadn't been involved in company affairs since his illness, he seemed to keep up with the currents of society.
"...JWK? That's your company?"
"Yes. We're the largest supplier of mana stones, which are in short supply worldwide. Lately, we've been expanding into various businesses to broaden our reach."
"I never imagined JWK was your company... So you do have something to rely on."
I gave a slight smile to show composure.
"Yes, modest as it may be, I have the power to help Han Se-yeon-ssi."
"So what's your gain from this? You're proposing these terms because you want something from me."
I took a breath. This next part was crucial. I had to be shamelessly good at it.
"I want the mystery owned by the Hanseong family."
"...You want the mystery?"
Surprised by the unexpected answer, Han Dae-hyun's face filled with puzzlement.
He pondered for a moment before speaking again.
"I'm sorry, but the mystery holds a special value that can't be measured in money. The Hanseong family's assets can never be handed over to outsiders."
"I'm not asking to have it. I want usage rights to the mystery. In other words, I want to borrow it. Ten times total. One day per use."
"...Borrow it."
Han Dae-hyun, who had been mulling it over, finally spoke.
"Fine. But in exchange, make a blood oath that you won't do anything harmful to Se-yeon in the future."
I smiled inwardly.
I had no intention of doing anything harmful to Han Se-yeon anyway.
Moreover, even without this condition, I planned to help her actively.
It was something I had to do anyway, but now I was getting extra credit for it.
"I'll do that. And there's one more condition. Han Se-yeon-ssi needs time to establish herself. Please hand over a few powerful affiliates to her as well."
At that, Han Dae-hyun shook his head.
"If I only look out for Se-yeon, Se-jin will rebel. It'll just make things worse if I provoke him unnecessarily. He's just like me in temperament, so I know."
I shook my head.
"If you give a simple pretext, even Vice Chairman Han Se-jin won't be able to say anything. For example, by making a bet with your children using the affiliates as stakes."
Meanwhile, Han Se-yeon ran out of the hospital where Chairman Han Dae-hyun was admitted, her steps quick.
Moving almost at a sprint, she soon arrived at the park in front of the hospital.
She sat on a nearby bench, staring blankly around the park.
No thoughts came to her. She felt like she'd just overheard some strange conversation.
Then she sensed a presence behind her.
Jang Su-gi was standing there, hugging his sword. He must have followed to guard her.
"...Uncle Su-gi, don't just stand there—sit next to me."
At Han Se-yeon's call, Jang Su-gi chuckled and shook his head.
"This is fine, miss. Don't you need some time alone?"
Time alone...
She wasn't sure what he meant by that, but since Jang Su-gi was someone who stuck to his words, Han Se-yeon gave up and nodded.
Han Se-yeon turned her head to gaze at the garden scenery.
She stared vacantly for a while before recalling what had just happened.
Kim Jin-woo, who had arrived before her, was talking with her father inside the room for some reason.
Curious about their conversation, she ended up eavesdropping.
—I know. Once the chairman passes, Vice Chairman Han Se-jin won't let Han Se-yeon-ssi off the hook.
Kim Jin-woo had been discussing her and her brother with her father.
It was a topic she never expected, so she was a bit shocked.
—The people of the Hanseong family have never left obstacles in their path alone.
And the content seemed quite serious.
The talk about how Hanseong family members don't tolerate those who get in their way included her as well.
Was Kim Jin-woo looking at me with that kind of gaze too?
Such small anxieties stirred, and many thoughts raced through her mind.
The world is different from movies.
Then what was the true nature of the kindness he'd shown me?
As she thought alone, she felt a pang of conscience about eavesdropping further.
In the end, she decided to pretend she knew nothing and open the door.
...But that was the problem.
—I'll take responsibility and protect Han Se-yeon-ssi. If you can't trust me, I'll even make a blood oath.
Kim Jin-woo's voice, right as she opened the door.
Even Han Se-yeon, who was oblivious to romantic feelings between men and women, couldn't miss the meaning of those words.
...And mentioning a blood oath showed how sincere he was.
She knew well the terrifying power of a blood oath, even as someone ignorant of magic.
"...Haa."
Kim Jin-woo's final words kept echoing in her head.
A blood oath isn't an ordinary promise. It's a special resolve to protect me even at the cost of his life.
Considering the favor he'd shown me so far, it was certainly unusual, but...
What should I do from now on?
What face should I show to Jin-woo-ssi...?
Thump, thump...
Her heart raced. Why was she like this again?
As she wrestled with these complicated thoughts, she sensed a presence behind her.
"Uncle Su-gi, I'm fine. Just leave me alone for a bit—"
"Se-yeon-ssi?"
Startled by the voice from behind, Han Se-yeon jumped up from her seat.
Turning around, she saw Kim Jin-woo standing there.
"...Jin-woo-ssi? Did you finish talking with Father?"
"Yes, I called right away, but you didn't pick up, so I came looking."
Han Se-yeon subtly pulled out her smartphone from her bag.
Two missed calls.
She'd been so out of it she hadn't even noticed.
She felt ashamed of herself.
"...What did you talk about with Father?"
"Well..."
Kim Jin-woo hemmed and hawed, then gave a slight smile.
"I'll tell you later."
Han Se-yeon nodded faintly.
Kim Jin-woo stared at her intently, as if lost in thought, then asked.
"But didn't you say today you'd do something as thanks?"
At those words, Han Se-yeon touched the relic in her pocket, the [Moonstone Pendant]. It was the gift she'd prepared as thanks for saving her from the demon.
But after what(?) just happened, she hesitated to give it now.
Not because she disliked Kim Jin-woo, but because she worried she might be making a mistake. She needed to sort out her thoughts.
"...I forgot and left it at home."
Kim Jin-woo nodded. He didn't look particularly disappointed.
"I see. Can't be helped if you left it behind. Give it whenever."
"Sorry. For making you come all this way."
"No. I got a chance to talk with the chairman, so it was good for me too."
A chance to talk—what did that mean?
What on earth did they discuss? Various thoughts churned in her mind, but she decided not to dwell on it.
"Then I'll be going. You should head back to the chairman soon too, Han Se-yeon-ssi."
"Yes, I should. Take care on your way back, Jin-woo-ssi."
"Yes, I'll head out now."
Kim Jin-woo gave a slight bow and turned to leave.
Han Se-yeon watched his retreating figure blankly.
Then Kim Jin-woo stopped and turned back.
"Ah, and Han Se-yeon-ssi."
"Yes?"
Kim Jin-woo hesitated, lips parting and closing, then spoke.
"...Um, you overheard what I said to the chairman in the room earlier, right?"
"...Yes."
Kim Jin-woo smiled faintly.
"If my words bothered you, don't worry about it."
With that, Kim Jin-woo left.
Han Se-yeon sank into deep thought.
The meaning of Kim Jin-woo's final words.
He must have noticed her flustered reaction.
She felt sorry inside. What if her attitude hurt him?
That wasn't what I meant...
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