Chapter 113
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Yanagiya Riki (5)
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I doubted my ears for a moment. Her words just didn't make any sense.
'Join your clan? What the hell is she talking about?'
If I didn't already belong to one, it might be different, but I was already a member of Eternity Clan.
I couldn't fathom what Yanagiya Riki was thinking.
"So... if you're thinking of joining my clan—no, aren't you interested in joining?"
"Uh... I already have a clan."
"Don't worry about that. I can pay the penalty fee and take you with me if I have to."
Huh? That far?
'What the hell is wrong with her?'
She was willing to pay a penalty fee just to recruit me? I had no idea what was going through her head.
'Just because I helped her out once?'
"I'll do whatever you want. I looked into it—you're just a regular clan member in Eternity Clan, right? Fuck it, just join us. If you do, I'll create a vice clan master position and put you in it."
"W-What?"
"I'll give you anything you want. Honor, money, women—whatever. I have the power to make it happen."
'She's lost it...'
I didn't know what she saw in me, but this woman had clearly lost her mind.
Her eyes even seemed a little unhinged, giving me a weird vibe.
"Yun-seong, you just bring your body. I'll handle everything else. It's not a bad deal, right? What do you say?"
Suddenly, she started closing in on me.
"R-Riki... w-wait a sec..."
She straddled me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and locked eyes with me as she spoke. There was a faint smell of cigarettes—probably from before she came to find me—tickling my nose.
"Money, honor, women, anything else you want—it's all yours if you say the word. I can make it happen. So join my clan."
She spoke with an irresistible allure that left me dazed for a moment before I snapped out of it and opened my mouth.
"T-That... would be a problem."
I barely managed to get the words out. Talking to Yanagiya Riki, I'd realized she had this uncanny ability to captivate people.
'No... is it charm? Whatever...'
"...Why? What's wrong? Is my offer not good enough?"
"No... the offer is more than generous, but I have a clan to go back to, and clanmates I've been through things with."
"......"
I gently removed her arms as I continued.
"Anyway... I don't know what value you see in me, but sorry."
She closed her eyes briefly at my words and actions, then backed off.
"Fine. If that's how you feel, I won't force you. Who knows, you might change your mind?"
"....."
"Anyway, if you ever want to join us, just say the word. I'll always welcome you."
"... Got it."
She smirked and plopped down on the opposite sofa.
Thud—
"Damn... what a shame. You don't fall easily. Am I not attractive enough?"
I quickly changed the subject.
"... So, uh... everything sorted out now?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you, it's all taken care of. It took a little time, but no big deal."
"Good to hear."
I had a question I wanted to ask, but I hesitated, wondering if it was okay.
'Ha... she'll find out eventually anyway. Why hasn't she brought it up first?'
"Um..."
"Yeah? What?"
"... Weren't you originally going to arrest me because of the drugs?"
"Drugs? Oh... that stuff from Silan?"
'She knows, just like I figured.'
She smirked as she spoke.
"What~? You were worried about that?"
"Well, regardless of intent, I wrecked your business operation..."
"Don't sweat it. We were planning to scrap that route anyway. Sure, it was one reason I wanted to drag you in at first, but really, it was to bait Yun Yeon."
"What? Bait?"
"... Yeah. I figured you two had some kind of connection, so I grabbed you to lure that bitch out. She avoids me."
"... What were you going to do with Yeon noona?"
"Settle things once and for all."
"... Huh?"
'What... so she pulled all this just to fight Yun Yeon?'
"That bitch Yun Yeon keeps dodging me. Even back when she was in the Eastern Alliance, she called me annoying and avoided me everywhere."
I was relieved she didn't react much to what happened in Silan, but I hadn't expected her to want to fight Yun Yeon, so it threw me off.
"......"
"... And two days from now, Eternity Clan and Myth Clan will come pick you up."
I was thrilled to hear that. No matter how well they treated me, nothing beat the comfort of home.
Riki looked displeased, but that wasn't my problem.
'Finally heading back?'
"... Aren't you a little too happy about it?"
"Huh?"
"Fuck, you're openly thrilled to go back... it hurts my feelings."
"No... of course I want to go home."
"... Ha."
'What the hell... why is she like this?'
"... This place could be your home too."
"Nah, that's not..."
"I can make it better than home, if you want."
For some reason... there was a strange fervor in Riki's eyes.
I deliberately avoided her gaze. The mood felt off.
"You seem to misunderstand my position. There's no 'king' in the Eastern Alliance, but I'm basically one. I'm a bit weaker than the Alliance Leader, but even that old geezer can't mess with me."
"......"
"What I'm saying is... I have that kind of power, so I can really give you whatever you want."
"Hold on. We already settled that. I know your position well enough..."
"Fuck, it pisses me off feeling like I'm losing to Yun Yeon."
'... What?'
"What are you talking about?"
"... You like that bitch that much? Have you two done it?"
"No, how many times do I have to say we're not like that."
'Ha... why the hell is she interested in me?'
I had no clue what sparked this.
We'd only met recently, and all I'd done was help her once—though that help did save her life, technically.
'Damn, if I'd made a move on her, fine, but I never did.'
Eternity Clan was already headache enough with Seo Yu-ju clinging to me, and now this? I was going insane.
"... Fuck it, whatever."
She even pouted on her own, crossing her arms and turning her head away, leaving me flustered.
"Anyway, two days from now. Keep that in mind."
"... Got it."
I hadn't seen my clanmates in a while, so I was worried about them, whatever the reason.
Yu-hyeon and Yu-rim were young, so I fretted if they were doing okay.
Seo Yu-ju must have heard from Wi Ho-yeon about the attack on me, and imagining her reaction made it impossible not to worry.
And the one I was most concerned about was Wi Ho-yeon.
Given her personality, even though it was my order, she was probably racked with guilt for leaving me behind.
Especially since she'd promised to rescue me but failed. How deep that guilt ran was anyone's guess.
'... She's not kneeling again, is she?'
... Nah.
Eternity Clan and Myth Clan had come to Kototsuke Clan to retrieve me.
"Y-Yun-seong-ssi!"
"Yu-ju-ssi."
Seo Yu-ju's eyes welled up the moment she saw me, grabbing my hands with both of hers as she spoke.
"A-Are you hurt anywhere? Did Kototsuke Clan do something to you...?"
"Haha... no. They treated me really well, actually."
"... Pardon?"
"Riki—no, Yanagiya Riki treated me great. I didn't suffer any losses; I was treated like a guest."
Not the first few days, but I wasn't so clueless as to mention that.
"... I'm just glad you're safe. When I heard outlaws attacked you, I was so shocked..."
"I'm fine. Truth is, Yanagiya Riki saved me from those outlaws."
'... Huh?'
For some reason... I'd thought she'd be relieved to hear I was unharmed.
But Seo Yu-ju's face didn't look pleased at all.
She reacted like something in my words rubbed her the wrong way.
"... Yun-seong-ssi, what happened with Yanagiya Riki?"
"Pardon?"
"... You keep mentioning her. Are you two close or something?"
"......"
As I floundered for a response, Yun Yeon approached us and greeted me.
"Good to see you're safe."
"Ah, Yeon noona."
The way I addressed Yun Yeon made a vein pop on Seo Yu-ju's forehead.
"W-What... hold on. Yeon noona? Yun-seong-ssi? What's going on here?"
'Ah, shit...!'
The situation was spiraling weirdly.
"It just... kinda happened that way..."
"Ha..."
Seo Yu-ju looked exasperated, her mood sour.
From her perspective, it must've been absurd.
She'd rushed here worried sick after my kidnapping, only to find me safe.
Great that I was safe, but sensing something with Yanagiya Riki, plus hearing me call Yun Yeon "noona."
Avoiding Seo Yu-ju's icy stare, I spotted Wi Ho-yeon hovering awkwardly, unable to approach.
"Ah, Ho-yeon-ssi."
She flinched at my call, like a pet about to get scolded by its owner.
"A-Ah... um... L-Lee Yun-seong-nim. I-I'm so glad you're safe."
'Why does she look so pitiful? You're not usually this image...'
I hadn't said anything, but she suddenly bowed her head in shame and dropped to her knees.
Everyone present was equally stunned by Wi Ho-yeon's abrupt action.
"L-Lee Yun-seong-nim. I'm truly, truly sorry. I... have no face to show you. Not only did I flee and leave you alone, but I failed to rescue you too. I..."
'Fuck, I hoped not, damn it!'
Seeing her kneel brought back memories of the office, when Wi Ho-yeon had knelt before.
"W-Why are you doing this, Ho-yeon-ssi? Get up first. I'm fine, see..."
"I... I don't deserve forgiveness... a wretch like me can't possibly..."
"Forgiveness? You didn't do anything wrong, so why talk about forgiveness? Get up already. I'm not hurt; I'm perfectly fine."
"But..."
"That's an order. Stand up. We'll talk later, just us."
"Understood..."
'Damn it...'
Riki, who'd been watching the whole scene, spoke up.
"... Yun-seong, you've got quite the fan club."
Seo Yu-ju's eyebrow twitched at Riki calling my name so casually.
"... Yun-seong? Who are you to call Yun-seong-ssi like that?"
"Friends, duh."
"W-What?"
'Fuck, why are you two like this...'
"Are your ears clogged? I said friends."
"What the..."
"Oh, right—you must be Seo Yu-ju? Yun-seong's clan master, yeah?"
"... And?"
"I'll pay the penalty. Hand over Yun-seong to my clan."
Seo Yu-ju's face twisted at Riki's words.