Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Fence
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After Ha Yu-ri submitted to me, I kept my promise to her.
In truth, there was no real need to save the Madan Clan now that the slave contract and slave magic were already in place. But since I'd made a deal with both her and Riki, I followed through.
'Well, breaking the promise would've pricked my conscience anyway.'
From Ha Yu-ri's perspective, she'd essentially cast aside every shred of her pride.
Honestly, the sight of her calling me "Master" and barking like a dog was something I'd never forget, even on my deathbed.
In any case, the people who had been condemning the Madan Clan had now turned their ire toward the Heukchae Clan of the Eastern Alliance.
And Park Chan-seok, Ha Yu-ri's former adjutant, had been branded an industrial spy for the Heukchae Clan.
In the end, the couple was no longer able to operate normally in Baronia, so I sent them off to Ruska.
Along with the promised money, of course.
I also needed to have a chat with Riki to gauge the Heukchae Clan's movements.
"Riki, how's it going?"
- They're throwing a fit, obviously. From the Heukchae Clan's standpoint, this is utterly ridiculous.
"Yeah, I get it... So what are they doing now?"
- They're hunting for the guy they announced as the industrial spy. They have to find a fake one to prove their innocence.
As expected, the Heukchae Clan was searching for Park Chan-seok.
Their reason was simple.
Among the three clans in the Eastern Alliance distributing drugs, all except the Kotozuke Clan had already signed contracts.
Contracts that prohibited distribution outside their own territories.
In other words, exclusive rights to external distribution belonged solely to Yanagiya Riki.
From that position, the Heukchae Clan's attempt to frame the Madan Clan by leaking drugs into Baronia had become the current issue.
Of course, they hadn't actually leaked any drugs, but with the announcement out there, the Kotozuke Clan now had justification to purge them.
'In the end, hitting the Madan Clan worked out for me—I got Ha Yu-ri—and for Riki, it gives her the chance to purge the Heukchae Clan and profit.'
"So, you're moving in soon?"
- Yeah, we'll roll out the purge under some pretext shortly.
The Heukchae Clan would soon vanish.
"...You're ruthless with your affiliates."
- This one's a false accusation, but those guys were shady from the start. They were always looking for a chance to flip the hierarchy. Can't just let that slide.
Well... Truth be told, even without my involvement, the Heukchae Clan would've been purged by Riki anyway. Things had coincidentally aligned for us to help each other out this time.
- I dish out punishments firmly and rewards generously. I'm not the type to let backstabbers roam free.
"...So, does that put me on the reward side?"
A strange chuckle and sniffle came through the communication orb at my words.
- Heh... Obviously. And it's not just any reward, either. Like I said before, I can make anything you want happen. If you're craving something more exotic and primal, that's welcome too.
"......"
She seemed to like my brief silence, laughing again from the other side of the orb.
- Anyway, it's all thanks to you, Yun-seong. Did you get what you wanted?
"...Of course."
- Good to hear. I've got things to handle now, so I'll sign off. Keep in touch, got it, Yun-seong?
"...I'll check in now and then."
Click.
"Phew..."
At least the plans I'd set in motion were working out.
I picked up the newsletter in front of me.
It covered the Madan Clan incident, but there was another shocking piece for Baronia's residents.
'...No riders passed the Tutorial this time.'
It was about time for new players to enter since I'd arrived, but no one had cleared the Tutorial this round.
'Seo Yu-ju suddenly lost interest in the Training Facility... So that's why.'
Apparently, even in the first round, the Training Facility hadn't opened at this point.
It might've been my misunderstanding, but Seo Yu-ju seemed focused on other matters instead.
******
While handling paperwork in the office, Wi Ho-yeon approached me.
"...Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"Ah, yes. What is it, Ho-yeon?"
"...I have a question. May I ask?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Wi Ho-yeon spoke in an extremely cautious tone.
"...Was it you who handled the Madan Clan situation this time?"
I couldn't help but pause at her words.
'Well, that's natural.'
She'd been with me when I went to the palace to meet Ha Yu-ri, so I'd figured she might suspect something.
"Yes, it was me. Are you disappointed?"
I met her gaze firmly.
That night at the bar, just the two of us, I'd clearly laid out my worldview to her, and she'd said she understood.
From my position, I couldn't have her bringing it up now. Not at all.
After all, I'd grown quite fond of Wi Ho-yeon.
She was one of the people inside my fence now.
Removing her at this point was impossible for me.
"...Because of the drugs in Madan Clan's potions, many people ended up exposed to narcotics against their will. There must be quite a few victims."
"Yes, probably."
It was something I'd considered. I'd just excluded it because they weren't my people.
When I got the drugs from Riki, I'd taken the weakest from the Heukchae Clan, but as Wi Ho-yeon said, there were bound to be victims.
"...May I ask why you did it?"
"Hm... First, Ha Yu-ri, the Madan Clan's master, and I were enemies."
"...But Madan Clan hasn't done anything to you yet..."
I cut her off.
"Right. Nothing yet. But let me tell you, Ho-yeon—reacting only after they harm me would be idiotic."
"....."
"Even if the odds are low, if there's any chance the Madan Clan could hurt me—or Eternity Clan later—it's better to strike first."
"...That's odd. Didn't Madan Clan's charges end up dismissed? Did it fail?"
She didn't know about the slave contract with Ha Yu-ri, so her doubt was natural.
"Haha, no. It succeeded. Ha Yu-ri—no, the Madan Clan—can never defy me or Eternity again."
"What...?"
"Think of it as an unfair contract."
"....."
"And the second reason: Ha Yu-ri's personal strength and the Madan Clan's power are assets to me and Eternity."
"...Pardon?"
"Someday, while operating in Eras, a threat will come to me, you, and everyone. This is just preparation."
"A threat...?"
To Wi Ho-yeon, who knew nothing of the World Devourer, my words must've sounded like grasping at clouds.
'Or maybe she thinks it's just self-justification.'
Honestly, I couldn't claim there was zero self-rationalization.
"Yes. Life brings crises eventually, right? Anyway, those are my reasons for targeting Madan Clan."
"......"
"Are you disappointed in me?"
"...Not disappointed. Or... I don't think so."
"Good."
"...But you scare me, Mr. Lee Yun-seong."
"...Pardon?"
"...I once dared to say you could be cold to outsiders, not your own people."
"Ah, right. But 'dared'? You can evaluate me, Ho-yeon."
"...Because you're the one I serve. Anyway, I felt it viscerally this time. You feel a bit... scary."
'What... I'd rather she hated me. Scary? Really?'
Fear hadn't been one of the reactions I'd anticipated from her.
"...No need to fear me. My arrows will never point at you. We're comrades, right?"
"....."
"It's embarrassing to say, but you're precious to me now. You've always protected me in danger."
"Ah... Th-that's..."
Wi Ho-yeon's face flushed red suddenly.
"So you're precious to me. Don't be so scared."
"Ah... Pr-precious... p-person... Y-yes..."
'What's with her?'
Her stuttering, like she was buffering, left me flustered.
'Is it because she's scared?'
Even I'd be hurt if fear made her stutter like that.
"Or am I nothing to you, Ho-yeon?"
"N-no! To me too, Mr. Lee Yun-seong is pr-precious... person..."
"Good. That's settled."
As we worked in that awkward atmosphere, someone knocked on the office door.
"Um... Bro."
"Ah, Hyun-jin. What's up?"
"Seo Yu-ju sis called for you. Both of you need to come down to the first floor."
"...Not her office, the first floor?"
"Yeah."
"Something happen? Calling us to the first floor..."
"Not just you and Ho-yeon sis—everyone in the clan got the call. Sis has something to say."
"...I see."
Seo Yu-ju apparently had something to announce.
We headed downstairs, where the clan members were already gathered.
'We're the last ones.'
Once Wi Ho-yeon and I arrived, Seo Yu-ju spoke up.
"...Now that everyone's here, I'll explain why I called you all."
'What could it be?'
"The reason is that the palace sent an official notice to our clan and all others."
"...An official notice?"
"Yes. It says Baronia plans a large-scale unexplored territory expedition and invites clans to join—ideally all of them."
'...Like last time?'
I felt immediate concern.
What if it was as dangerous as the one that toppled the former top three clans?
If this expedition existed and failed in the first round, we should sit it out.
"Yu-ju unnie, a large-scale unexplored territory means a massive expedition, right? Can we join as first-year rookies?"
"It's not mandatory. Especially not for us first-years. But voluntary participation is allowed."
"Ah..."
In other words, the palace couldn't force a mostly first-year clan like ours, but we could opt in voluntarily.
I was curious about Seo Yu-ju's take. As the regressor, only she would know if it'd succeed or fail.
"...What do you think, Yu-ju?"
"I'd decide after consulting everyone, but... I think we should join."
'...It succeeds, then.'
"There are several reasons, but expeditions like this usually bring massive gains to participating clans."
'Massive gains like priority claims, probably.'
Exploring unexplored lands would uncover hidden items, secrets, dungeons, and more—with first dibs, no doubt.
But equal risks too.
New monsters or terrain types could emerge.
"It's not risk-free, but given our position, shining here would skyrocket our clan rank and earn fame for us and individuals alike."
Crisis is opportunity.
As Seo Yu-ju said, standout performance would boost our standing overnight.
'Especially since she has confidence in it.'
She'd likely experienced or heard about this expedition before.