Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: A Toast to Mad Castle
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Once Sa Seon-yeong was asleep, everyone except Gong Yeong-ji went outside.
“Thank you.”
The expression on Sa Seon-gi’s face as he thanked Wang-sik was strange.
He seemed to be smiling, but tears welled in his eyes, and the faint curve of his lips trembled.
He was an assassin who suppressed his emotions, but when it came to Sa Seon-yeong, he was just an ordinary older brother.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“Congratulations.”
Wang-sik and Min Ha-na comforted him. Wiping away his tears, Sa Seon-gi spoke.
“I will personally avenge my sister. And I'll entrust the rest of my life to you, Wang-sik.”
“I told you before. Let’s make it about camaraderie, not fealty.”
“Yeah. What's this about entrusting your life? We're just going to be heroes who save humanity. Right?”
Wang-sik nodded at Min Ha-na's words.
“And you can't go to the Azelan Continent yet.”
On the Azelan Continent, Sa Seon-gi's identity had been exposed.
Shadow of the Dark Moon.
It had also been revealed that he had an accomplice, so they were focused on finding him.
“That won't be a problem. I want to repay you for saving Seon-yeong. I know it's not enough, but it's the only way I can.”
When Sa Seon-gi spoke again, it was clear he had already made up his mind.
“I have to avenge her anyway. But it can't end with just one person. Those bastards made a huge profit this time. They'll definitely try something like this again.”
Over 200 people died because of the Magic-tier Gate.
Compared to their investment, they made a massive profit.
“If we don't stop them, things like this will keep happening. If it develops into an organized system, it could even lead to a large-scale invasion. We need to prevent them from accumulating this kind of data in the first place.”
Considering the state of human rights on the Azelan Continent, it was bound to happen.
“They're a group called Drepia. Min-jae's trading company is currently gathering information on them.”
“Are they well-known?”
“They control the southern underworld. Wiping them out will require preparation.”
“Hmm. It won't be easy.”
“But once we deal with them, Earth will be safer.”
Min Ha-na nodded, then looked at Wang-sik and said,
“I'm in on this operation, too.”
“Are you sure?”
“This isn't about whether I'm sure or not. If it's such a large organization, of course we have to do it together. We're a team.”
Her words were a source of strength for Wang-sik.
“Then let's make this a three-person operation.”
“When do you think we'll start?”
“Let's wait three months for now. That's what Min-jae requested. His urgent work will be finished by then. In the meantime, Seon-gi, you take good care of your sister, and Ha-na, you focus on your work at the Hunter Management Bureau before you take your leave.”
The two accepted Wang-sik's proposal but suggested one thing.
“Seon-gi and I will be hunting in the Decartes Mountains for a while.”
“Good idea. But don't go into the dangerous areas.”
Wang-sik had other things to do, so he couldn't join them.
“We'll have a hell of a fight on our hands, so let's get ready and not get hurt.”
“Right.”
“Understood.”
Their expedition to the Azelan Continent was set.
A lot happened over the next three months.
The biggest changes were the completion of the Gate and the end of the experiment.
The Gate construction using Gellick and his group was completed as expected, and the Gate trade experiment led by Oh Min-jae also concluded.
On the day the final Gate was built in Cairo—joining Seoul, New York, Moscow, and Sydney, all centered around the headquarters on Giam Island—everyone decided to gather for a party.
At the center of that party were Gellick and his companions.
With relieved expressions, they broke into wide grins upon seeing the gold bars Oh Min-jae handed them.
“Our contract is finished. Please enjoy the party tonight, and tomorrow, we can discuss a new contract.”
“Haha. You'll have to take proper care of us next time.”
“Of course.”
Gellick's group had originally planned to work with another noble after this job was over.
But they changed their minds during the construction process.
—This man is special.
He had created a Gate hub across dimensions, opening up endless possibilities.
Watching the Gate trade process, they became convinced they could earn an immense amount of money.
And so, on an evening as the sun set, a party was held on the rooftop of the now three-story headquarters building.
“Hm?”
Gellick and his group realized something was wrong the moment they arrived on the rooftop, the party venue.
The things one would expect at a party were nowhere to be seen. On the empty rooftop, instead of food and decorations, there was a single man taking a bite out of an apple.
“Welcome.”
The one crunching on the apple was Wang-sik.
“I heard the party was about to start?”
“That's right. Now that everyone's here, it's time to begin.”
“What do you mean?”
Wang-sik took another bite of the apple and stretched out his hand.
In an instant, a chain shot out and wrapped around Gellick's body. But Gellick's reaction was swift.
Sensing something was off, Gellick cast a shield, and the chain was deflected.
“How dare you!”
Before Gellick could even finish shouting, his two followers beside him fired magic at Wang-sik.
Though they were Gate specialists, they were fundamentally mages and had lived quite the rough life.
However, their desperation couldn't overcome the difference in skill.
Boom!
They were fairly powerful magic missiles and mana arrows, but they vanished with a single wave of Wang-sik's hand.
“Lord Gellick! We'll hold him off!”
At the quick-thinking follower's words, Gellick turned without a second glance.
But instead of an open door, his eyes met the sight of a man.
“Since when…”
A man standing there like a ghost.
It was Sa Seon-gi.
“You have only two choices. Die by my hand, or die by my friend's.”
“Shut up!”
Gellick lost his patience and thrust his hand toward Sa Seon-gi. A powerful mana storm erupted.
The mana storm that engulfed Sa Seon-gi was powerful enough to create a momentary vacuum in the surroundings.
But Sa Seon-gi, who should have collapsed in a spray of blood, was no longer there.
“I'm behind you.”
The moment he spun around in surprise, a red line was drawn across his neck. Simultaneously, two chains flew out and wrapped around the followers' necks.
“The people who died because of you are waiting in hell.”
Snap! Snap!
The followers' necks broke, and the light faded from Gellick's eyes.
Just as Wang-sik confirmed the three deaths and was about to move the bodies, Oh Min-jae, who had been waiting downstairs, appeared.
“Is it all taken care of?”
“It's messy business. You shouldn't look.”
“Aw, come on, man. When you say that, you make me sound like some kid who's lived a sheltered life.”
“I guess you have seen worse.”
Oh Min-jae searched the bodies and found the research journals. However, Gellick's journal wasn't a book but was written like a code on the inner lining of his robe.
“That means there's a lot to gain.”
Oh Min-jae took the robe with a satisfied expression.
“Hehe. With this, I might even be able to design a Gate myself.”
“You've already studied it that much?”
“I've gathered the best materials. They've been a huge help. Though I'll still need some assistance, of course.”
This part was left entirely to Oh Min-jae.
“Alright! Let's get the party ready! Everyone else is coming too!”
“Yeah. Everyone's worked hard, so we deserve to enjoy ourselves for a day.”
“Seon-yeong is coming, too.”
“Of course she should! I miss Seon-yeong! Hehe.”
Sa Seon-yeong had also recovered enough to lead a normal life.
Oh Min-jae had visited her several times, which made sense as she was his only friend of the same age.
Oh Min-jae, Sa Seon-yeong, and Gong Yeong-ji quickly grew close, bonding over being the same age.
“I can't wait for tomorrow. Hehe.”
The real party was scheduled for the next day.
A wordless, humming song played.
It wasn't as grand as classical music, but like a gentle breeze, it had the power to soothe one's heart.
It was Seo I-ryeon's song, 'Blessing'.
“Why did you choose this song?”
“Seon-yeong and Yeong-ji wanted this one.”
As Wang-sik entered the gathering, all eyes turned to him.
“Making a late entrance like the main character, are we?”
“What's with the gold suit?”
“Are you heading to a performance?”
Wang-sik was wearing the gold suit gifted to him by the agents from the Hunter Management Bureau.
Regardless of what anyone said, Wang-sik liked the suit.
“I never thought you'd actually wear it…”
“I'm being considerate of the gift-giver's feelings.”
“We didn't exactly give it to you to wear…”
Ignoring Min Ha-na's awkward laugh, Wang-sik picked up a wine glass from the table and raised it high.
Thirty-four people followed Wang-sik, raising their glasses.
Min Ha-na, Sa Seon-gi, Oh Min-jae, Sa Seon-yeong, and Gong Yeong-ji.
Han Young-im and the seven members from Guseong Group whom she trusted.
And twenty of his friends, including Yang Dong-il.
Finally, there was one special guest.
“You can drink without worry today.”
The person Oh Min-jae was speaking to with a smile was the beastkin, Aisi.
She had earned their trust, and as a member of a race that stood in opposition to the Azelan Empire, Wang-sik had approved her presence.
“Alright!”
Wang-sik drew everyone's attention with a loud voice, then raised it even higher.
“For universal peace!”
“For universal peace!”
“For universal peace!”
Having already expected the slogan, his friends followed suit. Then, another cheer followed.
“For Mad Castle!”
As another powerful cheer erupted, Wang-sik downed his wine in one gulp.
“A real man drinks it in one shot.”
“Then you should be drinking soju. You have no class.”
“A man's charm is in his courage and boldness.”
Wang-sik picked up an unclaimed glass and drank another. Seeing this, Min Ha-na couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.
“Alright! Let's not think about anything and just have fun today!”
“Ugh, Wang-sik. Don't move around so much. You're blinding.”
Thanks to the gold suit reflecting the light, an afterimage of light lingered around Wang-sik.
“You're turning a luxury party into a cabaret show.”
“It doesn't matter, since I'm a luxury brand myself.”
“I'll give you that.”
“What's this? You're actually agreeing with me?”
“I'm in a good mood, too.”
The food spread on the rooftop was lavish enough to rival any high-society party.
Han Young-im had personally arranged for it, with staff bringing food prepared on the ship.
“The Bureau Director is going to be disappointed.”
“He had a meeting with the president, right?”
“He was furious about it. Said he was going to settle things today?”
“Is he finally getting fired?”
Listening to the conversation, Oh Min-jae placed a large grilled shrimp on his plate and commented,
“It's amazing he's lasted this long. He held on for three years longer than I expected.”
“That was my doing, too.”
“And now I'm the one doing it.”
Even Min Ha-na joined in, talking about Kang Il-seop, who wasn't present.
“I have to see this through with these people to the very end.”
After enjoying himself for a while, Wang-sik took a moment to look at the people at the party.
“What are you thinking about, man?”
“I was thinking that I hope we can all part ways in good health.”
“After everything is over?”
“Yeah. When the war is over, I want everyone to find their own peace.”
“You're going to make that happen, right?”
“Of course. It'll just take time.”
He didn't say that the time until then would be anything but happy.
Because today was a day for a party.
“Let's eat our fill. The food on the Azelan Continent doesn't suit my palate, so I need to stock up.”
“This food is too fancy for my taste, either.”
“You'll have to get used to it. I'm going to make sure you can live like this from now on.”
They, too, set aside their thoughts and rejoined the party.
The party continued as the sun set, lasting until the lights illuminated the dark night.
No one spoke of the fierce life that would begin tomorrow.
As if guarding a great secret, they spoke only of today's happiness.
Still, it was a relief that today's happiness was not a lie.
“Because we're together.”
The fears of each individual were diluted, little by little, as they were shared among many.
And so, everyone could laugh with genuine joy.