Chapter 120
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The Intruder (2)
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I was reading the newsletter in my office.
'The future has changed too much.'
In truth, I had expected it. Of course, since the starting point was different from the first round, I never anticipated everything would unfold exactly as I remembered.
'Still... this is way too different.'
It was the same with Yanagiya Riki, and with the Predator Clan being wiped out overnight.
Originally, in the first round, Yanagiya Riki failed to stop his subordinates' coup and suffered all sorts of humiliations.
But after getting involved with Yun-seong, Yanagiya Riki successfully thwarted the coup in advance.
'...Is this the butterfly effect?'
When Yun-seong was captured by Yanagiya Riki, I thought my heart would drop out of my chest.
I never met her directly in the first round, so I didn't know much, but her notoriety was well-known.
For some reason, though, Yun-seong and Yanagiya Riki ended up building a friendship. And...
'What... what the hell? Why is he charming another woman?!'
The way Yanagiya Riki looked at Yun-seong held a desire that any woman could recognize.
Squeeze—
My fist clenched without me realizing it. All those vulgar words Yanagiya Riki had spat came to mind.
'Pay the penalty fee and take her? How dare she...!'
How dare she talk about taking someone.
'What, you can give her everything she wants? Ridiculous...!'
My pride was wounded. I was the one who could give Yun-seong everything she desired.
Not yet... My social standing and power were still a bit lacking, but give me just a little more time.
'Create a vice-clan master position for her? That's not something only you can do.'
Not now, but soon—not too far off—I needed to give Yun-seong a vice-clan master role or whatever high position she wanted.
'What if... what if she defects?'
If he wanted to leave me, what would I do? Just imagining it made my heart ache and tears well up.
There was only one thing I had to do: treat him so well that he could never dream of leaving—never even think of it.
But suddenly giving her a high position might make Yun-seong go off on solo adventures like before.
'And... the biggest issue is this.'
The Predator Clan being wiped out.
The Predator Clan's destruction had little to do with me, really.
Even in the first round, that clan hadn't exactly been up to any good, so it might even be better for them to vanish now.
Just like the first round, they appeared to be in the arms business on the surface and handling all sorts of dirty work in the shadows.
What bothered me was that they were annihilated overnight.
'The only one capable of something like this... as far as I know, it's that woman.'
Of course, it could be some unknown powerhouse whose identity hasn't been revealed, or someone other than who I suspect. But somehow, I was convinced this was the same woman who had killed Yun-seong.
I didn't know her face or her name—just that she possessed terrifying power.
And while that power was formidable, it wasn't at the level of rampaging through rankers unchecked. Still, ordinary rankers couldn't beat her.
'I lost to her myself, after all.'
I had no idea what she was up to in this second round. In the first, she killed the previous Execution Church leader and took the position, but timing-wise, it's still too early here.
As I was lost in thought, there was a knock at the office door, and Yun-seong entered.
"Yu-ju, do you know anything about what happened with the Eastern Alliance?"
"Oh... You've read the newsletter too, Yun-seong?"
"Yes, it's just... I heard the Predator Clan under the Eastern Alliance was wiped out overnight. I thought maybe you knew something..."
I watched Seo Yu-ju's expression carefully as I spoke. Even if she knew something, she'd hold back in her position.
'I need to read her face.'
"No, it was so sudden for me too... I don't know anything. I never imagined something like this would happen..."
"......"
'...Her expression doesn't look like she's lying.'
Seo Yu-ju truly seemed clueless about the incident, her face showing the headache of an unexpected problem.
'If something like this happened in the first round too, she wouldn't need to look so troubled.'
Still, just in case, I started weaving myself into the story. She'd definitely react if it involved me.
"Actually... that's why it's bothering me. That Kim Nam-gi guy in the newsletter—he met with me, and right after I returned to the neutral nation, this happened."
"...Pardon?"
"I didn't go to the banquet with Riki—no, Clan Master Kotozuke. I greeted him there. And then news comes right after that he's dead..."
"...So the man died right after meeting you, Yun-seong?"
A different reaction from before. Of course she'd react that way.
Sorry, Yu-ju, but she reacts almost like PTSD to anything involving my safety now.
How would she feel hearing that Kim Nam-gi died right after meeting me?
'She'll imagine the worst possible scenarios.'
That's why I said it—I wanted her to rack her brain and remember something.
But things didn't go as I'd hoped.
Seo Yu-ju wore an anxious look for a while, then started pulling something from her drawer.
"Yu-ju?"
"Here, take this, Yun-seong."
"This is...?"
'What? A ring?'
What Seo Yu-ju handed me was a ring embedded with a gem.
"It's something I got recently. I was planning to give it to you anyway, and it seems perfect for right now... This ring can save your life once."
"Pardon?"
'Save my life? What...'
Stunned by her words, I checked the ring's info.
Absolute Love: Agape (Mythic Grade)
This ring forms a pair with Absolute Protection: Aegis. It nullifies one life-threatening attack against the wearer and simultaneously teleports the wearer to a separate safe space for a short time. Additionally, infusing mana into the gem sends a signal without distance restrictions to the wearer of Absolute Protection: Aegis.
'Wh-what? Mythic Grade?'
The ring's info was absurd.
A Mythic-grade item, not even Legendary. And it could save my life once.
The signaling function would need testing, but from the description, it seemed usable for sending distress signals in crises.
The name was a bit iffy, but with performance like this, the name didn't matter.
'...Where the hell did she get something like this?'
As far as I knew, no Mythic-grade items had surfaced in Eras yet.
While I was dazed by the info, Seo Yu-ju continued explaining.
"This ring nullifies one attack that threatens your life. And if you're ever in danger, infuse mana into the gem, and it'll signal me."
Apparently, the paired Absolute Protection: Aegis was with Seo Yu-ju.
Glancing at her hand, I saw an identical ring on her left ring finger.
'Why the left ring finger of all places...'
"So if anything happens, you must infuse mana into the ring. Got it?"
"Ah..."
"Yun-seong?"
"It's... too much. The item's value is way beyond what I deserve..."
Even as I said it, my conscience stung. My true thoughts were the complete opposite.
'Fuck yeah, thanks, Yu-ju noona! For something like this...'
It could save my life—who'd refuse that?
While I'd yielded plenty of achievements to clan members before, this ring was different.
'Save my life once? Why would I say no?'
Hell, I felt like putting her on a pedestal.
Considering how I'd neglected her lately, guilt washed over me too.
Thankfully, she didn't take the ring back.
"No, Yun-seong, please take it. Think about yourself. Considering how many times you've nearly died..."
Seo Yu-ju tried persuading me, but it was pointless.
I'd been convinced long ago—no, the moment she offered it, I only wanted to accept.
'Hell yes, take it. Of course I will. Who else should wear this ring if not me?'
Imagining her giving it to someone else made my blood boil.
'No, fuck, can't laugh now. She's right here. Please...'
It was hard holding back the grin tugging at my lips.
With her in front of me, I barely managed, but I'd never struggled this hard to suppress laughter in my life.
"Then... I shamelessly accept the ring. Thank you so much, Yu-ju."
"No, Yun-seong. Don't say shameless. Don't even think that. Anyway, I'm sorry I couldn't help with your questions. I wish I knew something..."
"Ah, no, it's fine. I was just asking on a hunch. I'll head out now."
"Yes, Yun-seong."
I hurried out of Seo Yu-ju's office and headed to my room.
Normally I'd go to my office, but I couldn't risk laughing in front of Wi Ho-yeon.
"Puhahaha!"
I couldn't hold back the laughter anymore.
The unexpected windfall left my head spinning.
I gazed again at the ring now in my hand.
"...Mythic Grade."
I'd expected some perks from riding the same boat as Seo Yu-ju, but a Mythic item was beyond imagination.
'Not even major clan masters or the three great clans' leaders have Mythic items yet.'
For now, I slipped the ring onto my left index finger.
As I headed to the office, Wi Ho-yeon approached.
"Lee Yun-seong, something good happen? You look happy."
"Oh... do I?"
I touched around my mouth. If she said that, my expression control was still off.
"Come to think of it... that ring...?"
Her sharp eyes spotted the ring on my finger immediately.
'Hmm...'
I pondered how to respond. Saying Seo Yu-ju gave it to me would be odd.
She wore an identical one, so it'd come out eventually, but I wanted to dodge attention for now.
"Ah... I bought it on the street recently. Just for decoration—its actual performance is basic grade..."
Wi Ho-yeon stared at the ring before replying.
"...I see. Didn't know you were into accessories."
"Haha... Anyway, it's late. I think that's enough work for today. You should rest too, Ho-yeon."
"Yes, understood. You too, please rest well, Lee Yun-seong."
Lying in bed after washing up, I reflected. Today was a great day with an unexpected gain.
'Lucky.'
After some bad luck lately, a good day was due.
Misfortune follows fortune, fortune follows misfortune—the truth of the world.
Sleep wouldn't come easily for some reason. Still, lying there with eyes closed, drowsiness crept in.
Just as I was drifting off happily, a sound that shouldn't have been in my room echoed.