Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 265
Chapter Title: The King's Suspicion
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Thud. Thud.
The sharp sound of shoes echoed through the corridors of Hanseong Medical Center.
It was the sound of the 'King' walking down the hall after leaving the VIP ward where Han Dae-hyun was staying. His footsteps were light and composed.
His expression brimmed with confidence.
He even exchanged leisurely greetings with the doctors and nurses he passed in the corridor.
Before long, the King stepped into an empty elevator.
Creak.
Ding.
As the doors closed, his face hardened coldly.
'……That's strange.'
The King recalled 'Kim Jin-woo,' whom he had just encountered in Han Dae-hyun's ward.
Kim Jin-woo.
He was a man of an unusual type the King had never met before.
He had shown an emotion close to 'fear'—sheer astonishment.
Thanks to his ability to sense others' emotions, he could tell.
Why had he reacted that way?
Though suspicion arose, he figured it was probably because a titan like the PL Group chairman had appeared.
But the real issue came after that.
In a fleeting moment, the negative emotion he sensed vanished in the blink of an eye.
As if his personality had switched……
And from then on, he could no longer read any emotions from him at all.
Feeling no emotions whatsoever was proof he was maintaining a state of 'perfect calm.'
But sustaining constant calm in any situation was nearly impossible, so it was a first for the King as well.
'……I can see why rumors are circulating within the Ten Demon Society.'
Frankly, the aura he sensed placed him in the ordinary category.
Yet Kim Jin-woo possessed something special, different from any human mage the King had seen so far.
His demeanor, his actions, even his ability to regulate emotions.
There were jokes within the Ten Demon Society that Kim Jin-woo could distinguish demons……
Then, suddenly, the King remembered the 'hat-wearing terrorist' he had seen at the expo.
'Wait. Those two……
Now that he thought about it, didn't they give off a similar vibe?
Their builds seemed similar too. And upon reflection, the magic they used felt alike……
At the same time, a new suspicion took root in the King's mind.
'……Could they be the same person?'
VIP ward.
He stared blankly at the door the King had exited through, lost in complicated thoughts.
Why was that guy here? According to my memories, they weren't close enough for a sickbed visit……
In any case, thanks to the effect of my latent quirk 'Overimmersion,' I had avoided the worst-case scenario.
If I hadn't controlled my emotions, what suspicions might he have harbored……
Ugh. Just imagining it is horrifying.
I turned my head to look at Han Dae-hyun.
In just a few weeks, his body had grown even gaunter.
His pallid complexion made it clear his health had deteriorated further. It was heartbreaking.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I have no sensation in my body, so I'm not sure."
"You're saying it in a roundabout way that you're in terrible shape."
Han Dae-hyun let out a wry chuckle at my words.
I sat down in the chair in front of him. By chance, I noticed a photo on the table.
It was a family photo with Han Se-yeon and Han Se-jin.
Judging by their school uniforms, it must have been from high school.
……They look so young and fresh.
"It's from three years ago."
I turned at Han Dae-hyun's words.
"You all look great. Seems like you got along well."
"Got along? ……It was all an act. Tsk."
Han Dae-hyun clicked his tongue.
"Now they pretend to get along because I'm here, but I can see what'll happen after I die. It keeps me up at night."
I gave a bitter smile.
Still, I couldn't say 'Yes, that's right' to a sick man, so I subtly changed the subject.
"Why did the PL Group chairman come to see you?"
"He came to ask about my thoughts on the successor."
That was probably the only matter important enough for the King to visit Han Dae-hyun personally.
Right now, the demons would find the Han family succession structure quite crucial.
"So, what did you tell him?"
"What could I say? I told him I don't know either."
Muttering that, Han Dae-hyun suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit.
"……Cough! Cough!"
"Are you alright?"
I stood and approached him, but he waved me off as if it was nothing.
"……Lately, even breathing has been tough."
Seeing him like that, I felt anew how little time he had left.
Maybe just a month or so.
"Anyway, let's continue our talk from last time. About the proposal you made. I've thought it over and decided to tweak the conditions a bit."
"u..2"
"Instead of handing Se-yeon a sword, I'll set conditions and give everything to one person…… Cough!"
Han Dae-hyun started coughing again. This wouldn't do—I stood to call a doctor, but then he grabbed my wrist.
"……Kuhuhu. I'm fine. Sit down."
"Chairman."
"More importantly, have you ever written a mana deed before?"
Han Dae-hyun struggled to lift his heavy body and pulled a sheet of paper from the table drawer.
A white sheet faintly emanating mana.
It was a mana deed.
Unlike a blood oath, it didn't have binding force; it was merely a promise used to certify the 'authenticity' of documents.
Impossible to forge, it was commonly used for 'contracts.'
"Yes, I have."
"I need to write a will. Help me out. Seems like my days are numbered."
I quietly closed my mouth, then nodded.
"……Understood."
And so, I helped Han Dae-hyun draft his will using the mana deed.
Since mana deeds were mana-based contracts, they required a mage like me.
"……All shares shall be inherited by the one who meets the above conditions."
With that, the deed was complete. It contained Han Dae-hyun's unforgeable mana.
"You're not surprised by the will's contents. It could completely upend the succession structure."
The will contained crucial details about the Han family's future succession.
If this got out to the world, it would surely cause a massive stir.
"I had some idea. And it's not much different from the 'bet' I proposed last time."
"Is that so? Heh heh."
"Then I'll take it that you've accepted the conditions I proposed last time."
"Think of it that way."
Han Dae-hyun nodded and stared straight into my eyes.
"Talking with you is always enjoyable. It's a shame we won't have many more days like this."
Han Dae-hyun turned his gaze to the window.
"And among the conditions you proposed, you agreed to a blood oath to protect Se-yeon, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Forget the blood oath."
"……Pardon?"
"Your proposal appealed to me quite a bit. And I enjoy our conversations, so consider this my way of repaying you. Of course, I'll still provide the Han family's 'relic lending rights' as promised."
It was an unexpected gain.
Of course, even without the oath, I planned to ensure nothing bad happened to Han Se-yeon.
"But if that brat Se-jin ends up taking everything, please do your best to keep Se-yeon safe."
I gave Han Dae-hyun a small reassuring smile.
"Yes, I promise."
9 PM. After finishing my conversation with Han Dae-hyun, I left Hanseong Medical Center and met Han Se-yeon at the appointed spot.
I thought we'd head straight to a bar, but she said she wanted to walk, so we strolled through a park together.
Under the soft moonlight, Han Se-yeon and I spent time chatting about trivial things and daily life.
I didn't mention my conversation with Han Dae-hyun today.
He had asked me to keep the will a secret.
"Jin-woo."
As we walked through the park, inhaling the scent of grass, Han Se-yeon called my name.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For keeping my father company. After talking with him, it seemed like he really enjoys conversing with you. I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit often because I'm so busy. Thank you."
Han Se-yeon looked at me and smiled faintly. I chuckled softly in response.
Then she seemed to hesitate, as if gauging whether she could say something unspeakable.
Come to think of it, during our last call, she kept asking where I was and what I was doing during the expo, which had flustered me.
……Does she suspect my identity?
An awkward silence followed, and the conversation stalled.
Then, a thought came to me—something I wanted to tell her.
"Se-yeon."
"……Yes?"
Han Se-yeon looked at me.
"You said you haven't been able to visit the chairman often because you're busy."
"Yes, that's right."
"You should probably spend more time with him than working this next month."
Sadness flickered in Han Se-yeon's eyes at my words.
It might come off as rude, but it was something I really wanted to say to her, so I didn't hold back.
"Because it's best to make as many memories as possible while he's still healthy."
Suddenly, thoughts of my family back in the modern world crossed my mind.
The unnecessary sentiment left a bitter taste.
Han Se-yeon stared at me thoughtfully, then carefully opened her mouth.
"……You said your family was just your father and mother, right, Jin-woo?"
"Yes, that's correct."
I'd shared that while drinking with Han Se-yeon before.
"When was the last time you saw them?"
The last time I saw them.
It's been about 8 or 9 years. Realizing that makes me feel how long I've been in this world.
"Well, quite a while ago……"
Her face saddened again at my answer.
"Did you part ways with your family?"
"……Yeah, something like that."
Han Se-yeon nodded.
As the mood suddenly sank, she tried to lighten it with a small smile and stopped in place.
"Oh, right. I wanted to give you the gift I mentioned last time."
Han Se-yeon rummaged in her bag and pulled something out.
It was a small box reminiscent of a jewelry case.
"I'm not sure if you'll like it. It was quite the hassle to obtain."
What kind of gift would make even the great Han Se-yeon say it was a hassle?
"Ah, thank you for the gift."
I took the box and carefully opened it.
Inside was a pendant made of a round gray stone. What item could this be?
I immediately checked its effects using Outsider's Benefit.
……And.
"……Fuck."
The word 'insane' slipped out before I knew it.
Startled by my sudden reaction, Han Se-yeon looked at me questioningly.
"Jin-woo?"
"Ahem. Sorry about that. But…… Se-yeon, is this really the gift……?"
She nodded at my question.
"Yes, it's nothing amazing, but I thought it might help you. If you don't like it?"
At her response, I was momentarily speechless and checked the pendant again.
［Moonstone Pendant (Relic)］
Description: An amulet made of moonstone. It holds the power of the moon.
［Passive Effects］
►Power of the Moon
All recovery effects increase under moonlight. Up to 500% boost depending on the moon's brightness.
Wearer's charm increases under moonlight.
►Blessing of the Moon
On a full moon night, one stat randomly increases by 0.5. (Stats can increase up to a maximum of 10.)
［Active Effect］
►Moon's Sanctuary
Hide your presence under moonlight.
Durability: A
……It's a relic.
A relic accessory that's hard to buy even with money.
"……Se-yeon, how did you get this?"
At my question, Han Se-yeon scratched her cheek embarrassedly and said,
"I bought it at an auction."
"An auction? How much……?"
She pursed her lips at my question before answering.
"50 billion."
"……50 billion?"
I echoed in disbelief.
She burned 50 billion on a gift?