The Cliff (6)

The moment the notification [SwordEmperor has entered the guild zone] appeared on screen, an inexplicable surge of emotion filled my chest. The excitement of seeing my friends after so long, mixed with the restless urge to show off even the smallest detail. After only a few days away, the fact that I felt this thrilled proved the old saying about games being a disease wasn’t entirely wrong.

Once loading finished, I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips as I looked at the familiar characters filling the screen.

Seeing them greet me with the exact warmth I’d hoped for, a fond smile formed on my face before I could stop it. Was this what real friendship looked like—something that transcended age?

They bombarded me with questions: Was my body okay? Did I get hurt anywhere? I simply told them the Saintess had given me basic treatment and that I was fine. That was when…

While they were busy envying me for receiving treatment from the Saintess—someone you could wait in line for days and still not meet—RareNick asked the important question.

Since they already knew about my family situation, they congratulated me in a somewhat cautious tone, saying it was wonderful news. Then they started making a fuss about how they should come visit me in the hospital…

The way they sounded ready to storm the hospital at any moment genuinely touched me. It was proof of how much they cared. In my heart I wanted to accept their kindness, but it would be better to meet after I was discharged. Or rather… after I settled things properly with Jihwan.

I quickly typed that I was fine and would gratefully accept only their feelings, then carefully brought up the real reason I’d logged in.

Only then did they seem to remember, asking how the plan we’d made before was going.

But…

“…”

Looking at my friends full of expectation, my heart grew a little heavy. Because the gate had suddenly opened, I hadn’t even managed a confession, let alone a kiss. On top of that, my stubbornness had completely ruined the image I’d built. Still, it was a relief that Jihwan’s feelings hadn’t changed…

Feeling slightly depressed, I let out a deep sigh and delivered the unfortunate news. I told them how my stubbornness had wrecked my image, how the gate had opened too close for any plan to work, and even the terrible update that the pink fox bitch who had passed out was starting to cling to him again.

The friends who had been quietly listening immediately began typing furiously, flooding the chat the moment I finished.

The way they raged as if they were the ones who had been wronged felt incredibly refreshing. “Hehe…” It felt like years of built-up frustration were finally melting away. My mood lifted almost instantly. I quickly mentioned that Mom had given permission and that I needed a new plan, smoothly changing the subject.

But then…

The chat froze for a moment before my friends suddenly started roasting Midori. “…Huh?” I didn’t understand what Midori had said, but the others seemed to catch on immediately and ganged up on her. It felt like they were teasing me…

What was going on?

While I sat there confused, Midori hurriedly defended herself.

“…Mistaking your wife for your sister-in-law?”

It sounded like one of those stories that used to float around internet forums. A man gets drunk, mistakes his sister-in-law for his wife, does something inappropriate, and the sister-in-law silently goes along with it—one of those “believe it or not” tales.

…But why was she bringing it up all of a sudden?

Still not understanding, I stared blankly at the screen. That was when opinions suddenly started pouring in, saying it actually made sense. The shifting public opinion flipped like a palm, and in the end I asked them directly.

The chat froze instantly. No one typed anything, as if they were all reading the room. “…What the…”

The sudden feeling of being left out made me want to type something, but right then—

“…What?”

I paused at RareNick’s explanation, then let out a dumbfounded sigh and placed my hands back on the keyboard. …I should have known. It was the usual sexual harassment joke. The idea that Jihwan would ever mistake Mom for me. Sure, people said we looked identical, but the suggestion was so ridiculous I didn’t even feel anything.

And just like that, I naturally steered the topic back to strategy meeting. The meeting continued until early the next morning.

Chairman’s Office.

Jeon Nando leaned back in his chair with a complicated expression, puffing on a cigar. He took a slow drag, holding the acrid smoke in his lungs while he pondered, then exhaled it gradually as he turned the problem over in his mind.

“…Hoo…”

Ever since the Gate opened at Toyland, the Association’s approval rating had been dropping daily due to their less-than-ideal response time. The Gujae Church, which claimed to stand with the citizens, was gradually shedding its image as a pseudo-religion. There was even talk of officially recognizing it as a legitimate faith. It seemed the Gujae Church was pulling strings in the media…

The Association was an old organization with many weaknesses, so it was struggling considerably. Jeon Nando took a small sip of the cognac he rarely drank, then placed the cigar between his lips once more.

The burning tip of the cigar seemed to mirror the state of his heart. Not long ago, it had been revealed that the DNA of “Director Gong,” who had been killed during a robbery attack, matched that of the “Lady”—the central figure believed to lead the Gujae Church. He really had been a spy planted by the cult.

Whether they had recruited him after he joined the Association or had planted him from the beginning was unknown. What was certain was that the Association’s underbelly had been completely exposed. Since Director Gong had access to most classified information, it was safe to assume nearly all of the Association’s secrets had been leaked.

Even so, the fact that the Gujae Church had not directly attacked the Association suggested they intended to dismantle it through legal means, preserving their own legitimacy while seizing control. In this situation, the Association had very few cards that could reverse public opinion.

They would either have to completely prove that the Gujae Church was a terrorist cult, or possess such overwhelming power that the Church’s clever media manipulation would have no effect. In the end, the Association had no choice but to once again reach out to the “heroes.”

The silver lining was that the “Sword Empress,” considered both the former and current strongest, was like a daughter to Jeon Nando. And the “Saintess,” who had been traveling the world, had returned to Korea at the Sword Empress’s summons.

These two in particular enjoyed far better reputations than the other heroes. Perhaps they could at least counter the Gujae Church’s media play.

“…”

Jeon Nando quietly set down his cigar, rubbed his face, and let out a low groan. The Saintess would not be a problem for this plan. If the Association ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠President knelt and begged alongside him, she would likely accept even if reluctantly. Since she had little desire for material wealth, the Association could simply reward her with the best they could offer.

But…

“…Haa…”

The Sword Empress was different. There was no telling what outrageous conditions she might demand or what absurd threats she might make. In the past she had shown goodwill toward the Association for the sake of her husband’s reputation, but the situation had changed. This was the woman who had called the Saintess all the way from England so her injured husband and daughter could rest properly, and had even stationed troops near the hospital.

Thanks to her, they had not been able to obtain a single piece of information from the important witness Yu Jihwan. All they could do was wait for the Sword Empress to hand him over willingly.

“…It’s difficult. Truly difficult…”

Jeon Nando slowly lifted his glass, wondering how his pupil—who was like a daughter to him—would respond.