Chapter 403

After Hwangho received the device from Cheongryong, Jo Euishin’s final message arrived.

As expected, Jo Euishin became unreachable.

‘England you say…?’

The word made numerous thoughts flood Hwangho’s head.

The fact that Jo Euishin suddenly headed to the Dragon Clan’s home with Yong Jegun.

The countless messages that Hwangho himself sent.

Eunho sitting in front of his alter ego as he drank tea, the silent pressure almost deafening.

The Year One Class Zero students secretly preparing a party to celebrate Jo Euishin’s birthday.

‘Even if the Dragon Clan is our ally, I won’t be able to see the big picture as long as there’s someone behind the scenes controlling things.’

The balance of power is maintained when they are equal to each other.

Although his dignity was damaged, it was impossible to treat Cheongryong badly.

Hwangho accepted Jo Euishin’s device that Cheongryong gave him.

“Thank you. I see you’re indebted to Tiger Clan’s benefactor as well. You’ve worked hard with this errand, Cheongryong.”

Hwangho pushed down his emotions and spoke in a civil manner.

He was already thinking of something else.

He was wondering just how Jo Euishin became the Dragon Clan’s benefactor.

In addition to that, how that fact will impact the relationship between the Tiger and Dragon Clans, as well as what attitude they should treat each other with.

“Word will get out soon, so I’ll let you know before the others. Our Junyeol-ie and Yong Jegun were targeted in this incident.”

“I knew that.”

“Yes. The Eungwang High teacher must’ve come to the place just in time after receiving your instructions. In this case, we are indebted not only to the Legendary Archer and Nameless Supernova but also to the Tiger Clan.”

Hwangho paused, scanning Cheongryong for his intentions and what he wanted to say.

Cheongryong paused too before continuing to speak.

“The Dragon Clan have secured Cadmus, the dragon slayer who attacked us. Cadmus is said to be an existence from a different land and mythological system from ours, and it hasn’t been easy treating this dragon-slayer-turned-dragon.”

“I see. It would be difficult to keep him even if he’s already secured.”

The existence of Cadmus is somewhat the natural opposite of the dragons.

It’s like keeping a burning flame inside a wall of ice.

That’s why Cheongryong intended to entrust Cadmus to the Dragon King Shamans.

‘But according to Eunho’s knowledge, the traitor of the Dragon Clan is among the shamans.’

Hwangho was able to dispatch Ham Geunhyung to position in time, earning the trust of the Dragon Clan.

On the other hand, the Dragon Clan is retracting its trust in their own people, as it’s highly likely that they noticed that a traitor was in their clan.

‘Jo Euishin is now the dragons’ benefactor, and he knows what Eunho knows. He must’ve stopped the Dragon Clan from entrusting Cadmus to the shamans.’

He recalled a Tiger that was in good relations with the Dragon Clan.

Hwangho predicted what Cheongryong was about to suggest.”

“You wish to ask me to lend the power of Kim Shinrok, a descendant of the Tiger Clan, in the interrogation process? I see you’re willing to be indebted again.”

Kim Shinrok’s torture skills are well-known even by the Dragon Clan.

On top of that, the Dragon Clan would’ve had a lot of trust in Kim Shinrok, since he’s a long-time friend of Yong Jegun.

“Yes. We’re on the same wavelength.”

Cheongryong nodded with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Hwangho, as head of the Tiger Clan, organized his thoughts carefully before speaking his next words.

“Kim Shinrok is not a dragon, but Cadmus the Dragon Slayer remains to be a threat. I don’t intend to send Kim Shinrok recklessly. If Kim Shinrok accepts, how are you going to repay this debt?”

“…Amusing.”

Cheonryong lifted his long eyebrows, surprised at Hwangho’s words.

Hwangho reviewed what he said to see if he uttered anything out of place, but he couldn’t find anything.

He decided to keep silent until Cheongryong explained.

“The Dragon Clan’s benefactor told me what to suggest in advance. He expected that you would say that, Hwangho.”

Hwangho, shocked at the revelation, tried to pry but was stopped by Cheongryong’s words.

“If you wish so, Hwangho, Hwangryeong, and I will allow a tiger to get a dragon seal.”

This time, it was Hwangho who was shocked.

The dragon seal, made from Cheongryong and Hwangryeong’s bones, is a permission.

It allows access to the Dragon Palace to people who are not dragons.

If one were to enter the Dragon Palace without this dragon seal, the permission of the Dragon King was required, which is far more difficult to obtain than Cheongryong and Hwangryong’s permission.

“…You’re going to grant access to the Dragon Palace to another royal lineage?”

“It’s not just any royal lineage. It’s the Tiger Clan that we are indebted to.”

Cheongryong was more polite than usual.

Knowing Cheongryong’s arrogance and the usual tendency of the Dragon Clan to enclose themselves from other people, Hwangho was surprised, to say the least.

“You saved Yong Jegun and our Junyeol-ie’s life, and perhaps we need more help in finding the traitor to our family. This much is the least we can do. What do you think?”

“I don’t think it’s something I can decide right away. I’ll have to know Kim Shinrok’s thoughts first.”

“That’s enough for now.”

Hwangho couldn’t give a definite answer immediately, but he was leaning toward accepting it if Kim Shinrok would agree since this whole proposal was made through Jo Euishin’s arrangement.

And a few moments later…

Kim Shinrok, who tried to persuade Jo Euishin not to leave even as he boarded the Red Lion’s private jet, finally returned.

He looked quite pale.

“…I couldn’t bring Jo Euishin. I apologize.”

“It’s alright. You look very deteriorated overnight. Was the Dragon Clan not hospitable to you?”

“Huh? N-no, that’s not the case!”

Ever since Kim Shinrok was young, he had been on good terms with the Dragon Clan and had frequently visited their home.

He immediately denied Hwangho’s accusation.

Kim Shinrok had never been treated badly in the Dragon Clan’s territory, and in fact, he was so close to them that he has his own room in their home.

‘Maybe Yong Jegun played a prank on him again.’

Listening to Kim Shinrok’s report, Hwangho was convinced.

“…Joo Euishin left for England with lawmaker Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong.”

As soon as he heard Sung Gukeon’s name, Hwangho clicked his tongue.

He knew how much Yong Jegun was amused by Kim Shinrok and Sung Gukeon’s past teacher-student relationship.

In consideration of Kim Shinrok, Hwangho listened to his report calmly without asking anything further about Sung Gukeon.

‘Jo Euishin is involved in something that a player at Sung Gukeon’s level needed to come forward. Maybe that’s why he left the country without a break.’

Sung Gukeon is an excellent player and lawmaker, but this move of his seemed to be a move of a player, not a politician.

It is chaotic for a lawmaker to go on an overseas trip, but no media outlet was reporting on it.

‘So this is the appointment with Sung Gukeon that he was talking about.’

Now all that’s left to decipher is what they’re going to do in England.

Hwangho’s question was answered before long.

Overseas news articles appeared after Jo Euishin left the country, specifically about an incident with Big Ben.

[I will come to the Demon Race’s palace to retrieve the painting of a failed dragon!]

The media branded the culprit as “Phantom Thief Neon”

“It looks like Euishin hyung is involved with this Phantom Thief Neon. I knew this child and Euishin hyung would cross paths the moment I knew he got his nickname as Red Wall Thief…”

“Do you know who this Phantom Thief Neon is?”

“Yes. I don’t know much details, but I know what kind of a person he is.”

“So he appeared in the game too.”

Eunho nodded without saying a word.

His silence made Hwangho guess that the child didn’t face a good ending in the game.

He doesn’t know much about this game, but Hwangho decided to guess the identity of the thief based on what he knows.

“It’s possible that he’s a Eungwang High student.”

Hwangho floated a hologram,

On it, a special April Fool’s Day article written by Moon Saeron was displayed.

“A staffer of the newspaper department reported on it. It’s quite similar to the main gate clock tower prank back on April Fool’s Day.”

“Then Phantom Thief Neon must be a Eungwang High student. He was portrayed as a young kid.”

“He must be in Class Zero.”

“I think so too.”

As the chairman of Eungwang High, the topic of a student overseas made Hwangho confused about whether he should be happy or not.

He recalled the list of Class Zero students who were not attending school.

It wasn’t easy to determine which of them is the thief just by the profile since all of their faces looked like they were capable of pulling tricks that the Phantom Thief Neon pulled.

So instead, he decided to deduce something else.

“The thing that he was referring to… It must be Imoogi’s Exorcism.”

“Min Geurin’s first work?”

“Yes. Jo Euishin once said we should find that painting.”

“That’s enough reason for Euishin hyung to go to England.”

Eunho set his cup down silently, his face full of anxiety.

“…Euishin hyung has already made plans and is moving accordingly. We intervened by mistake. We can’t get in his way.”

“It’s a bit late to go now.”

It will be difficult to go and help him carry out the operations now, as the two tigers judged so.

“Why didn’t Euishin hyung ask Hwangho-nim for help?”

“…”

“Hwangho-nim, did you tell Euishin hyung about your abilities?”

Hwangho recalled that he had told Jo Euishin something related to his weakness in the past.

It was about the limits of his power.

“I think I’m right. Euishin hyung acted in consideration of your limitations, Hwangho-nim”

Hwangho thought Eunho would reprimand him.

Instead, Eunho looked quite happy.

“You must trust Euishin hyung a lot.”

Eunho pushed forward a refreshment for the young-looking Hwangho.

“If your main body leaves Korea, it is easy to be burdened by accidents from your alter ego. I’ll cover for you. Go ahead.”

And so Hwangho prepared to meet Jo Euishin.

He prepared a private jet that he hasn’t used in a long time.

As soon as November 1st came to Korea, he decided to take with him the children who were preparing a surprise party to celebrate Jo Euishin’s birthday.

Since Jo Euishin is in England, the Class Zero kids gladly responded to the suggestion of picking him up.

“Can Miro come to Euishin’s party?”

“Of course! I contacted her, and she said she can come. I heard she’s planning to start going to school next week.”

The flower path for the guaranteed winner of Playlist was closed off for Dokgo Miro, but she is far from giving up on her dreams.

After the end of Playlist, Dokgo Miro has been interviewed a few times, and she’s working on practicing harder than she ever did.

And, just as she told her classmates before, she will start attending school now that Playlist was over.

“Oh, Hani-ya. Did you see the Icarus Air Hotel catalog sent by Geum Chan sunbaenim? They said they can add mirror glaze to the cake.”

“…”

“I’ll look at it with you if you haven’t seen it yet!”

“…Huh? O-oh okay.”

Hani stared at the catalog with a blank face.

‘Hani can’t concentrate.’

Hani has been in low spirits since her recent talk with Jung Haeon, Dokgo Miro’s fansite.

Jung Haeon is Dokgo Miro’s fan so it’s likely that she knows about her idol’s past.

Still, Hwangho didn’t decide to intervene in the meeting between Jung Haeon and Hani.

‘It’s painful not knowing.’

Hwangho decided to step back from this matter between Hani and Dokgo Miro.

Soon, all the Class 1-0 students gathered and got on a private plane to celebrate Jo Euishin’s birthday.

Pop! Bang!

“Happy birthday Euishin-ah!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Hey, happy birthday.”

Jo Euishin, covered in party poppers and confetti, looked blank.

Since Jo Euishin was smart, Hwangho expected that Jo Euishin had already guessed and expected this situation.

It seems like Hwangho’s expectations were wrong.

It took Jo Euishin more than a second to say thanks for the birthday greetings.