Chapter 430: Trust and tests (9)

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The clan that betrayed the Tiger Clan, the Long Tail, is a royal lineage that has a descendant.

This clue that Kim Shinrok obtained through my Replay function enabled us to exclude one clan from the candidates.

That is the Monkey Clan.

— [Strongest in the Universe, Jecheondaesung] “Ah alright, I got it. This royal lineage without a descendant is lonely to death.”

Jecheondaesung made those remarks at the time of the 12-point alliance talks.

Perhaps it was caused by the loneliness of having no descendants, Jecheondaesung began to hold meetings where his identity was hidden.

Such meetings were called the Special Luncheon, created after some children were kidnapped and saved.

Convinced that Jecheondaesung is surely not the Long Tail, Hwang Jiho contacted him.

— I met the head of the Monkey Clan at the Special Luncheon.

On that day, Jecheondaesung requested something from Hwang Jiho.

To find his dongsaeng.

— I was looking for Jecheondaesung’s dongaseng based on the clues that he left.

The clues that Hwang Jiho followed led him to discover frozen-type otherworlds.

— The clues point to TC Research Institute.

The moment that I came to the institute with Yoo Sanghoon, received Eunho’s messages, and found that the student association members were there, I knew what the best move was.

To call Jecheondaesung.

‘We can still hide how much the Tiger Clan knows, and the extent of the two clan’s involvement with each other.’

No one knows about the alliance between Hwang Jiho and Jecheondaesung.

Hwang Jiho already held a meeting where he announced that there is a traitor in the 12-point alliance.

It’s already known that the Tiger Clan is wary of the other clans in the alliance.

But who would believe that Jecheondaesung willingly gave up the gingoju to Hwang Jiho just to prove that he wasn’t the traitor?

(T/N: Gingoju is Jecheondaesung’s headband.)

Even if Jecheondaesung, appears here at TC Research Institute, it’s not obvious that he’s cooperating with the Tiger Clan.

Because the clue that led Hwang Jiho to discover the frozen-type otherworlds came from Jecheondaesung in the first place.

‘It’s not exactly odd that Jecheondaesung suddenly attacks this place. If we do well, we can hide Tiger Clan’s involvement in this case.’

Unseen variables and unknown intentions are difficult to prevent.

That’s the reason why the main characters of PMH had a difficult time dealing with the Black Screen whose identity was not revealed until the end.

It’s best for the Tiger Clan, along with Yong Jegun, to deal with the frozen-type otherworlds instead of personally coming down here to help.

I immediately relayed my plan to Eunho and asked to have Jecheondaesung take an energy poison antidote before coming here.

I had him called over just before we entered the basement, but his magical cloud, The Flying Nimbus, was fast enough to get him here on time.

Just as I expected, Jecheondaesung arrived at perfect timing.

“…The response is not so good.”

The stunned researchers couldn’t say anything, and Yoo Sanghee, Yoo Sanghoon, and Do Wonwoo couldn’t celebrate his arrival either.

Unlike Jecheondaesung’s enthusiastic self-introduction, the silence flowed longer.

Jecheondaesung didn’t seem pleased as his face looked sullen.

‘Hwang Jiho said that he’s called the Dilettante Royal Lineage at the Special Luncheon. Does he not want to hide his identity anymore?’

Do Wonwoo’s reaction tells me that he didn’t know this guy’s identity at the Special Luncheon, but Jecheondaesung’s mind must’ve changed from that point.

Instead of paying attention to Jecheondaesung, Yoo Sanghoon looked at me through the gap in his mask.

“…I knew there was something else. Your expression was suspicious.”

Yoo Sanghoon seemed convinced that I was the one that called Jecheondaesung over.

The crow mask leaves my lips visible, and he must’ve judged that I had my unique “suspicious” expression on.

After saying that, Yoo Sanghoon realized that I also saw the foolish expression on his face earlier.

“Aish… Damn this mask.”

Yoo Sanghoon said and covered his mouth, but it was already too late for that.

“Mhmm. Then shall we hear your story? In the past, I would’ve called a god and heard from him how things are going, but it’s difficult to encounter a superior being in the human world these days.”

Jecheondaesung sounded a little embarrassed.

He came here to help so I felt a little sorry.

Yoo Sanghee was the first to answer Jecheondaesung.

“…Let me and these people pass through.”

Since the researchers’ bodies stiffened, the syringe that threatened Yoo Sanghee’s neck was useless now.

Jecheondaesung had his eyes covered, but he spoke kindly to Yoo Sanghee as if he knew exactly where she was.

“Tell me the reason in detail. We have plenty of time to hear the whole story. As long as I, Jecheondaesung, is in front of your eyes, those people cannot do anything.”

“…”

“After having ventured for so long, I now have an eye for distinguishing heroes from small people. The one who is threatening you is nothing but a servant, so what are you so afraid of?”

Jecheondaesung had a unique insight.

In the Journey to the West, Son Wukong has dealt with countless rouges similar to these researchers so he must be familiar with this situation.

“My brother was destined to die if his energy wasn’t awakened. These people have done that for my brother.”

“So what? I think you’ve paid your debt sufficiently.”

“…I don’t know what will happen to my brother if his abilities disappear.”

There was fear in Yoo Sanghee’s voice.

I felt something strange.

‘…If one’s abilities can easily be taken away, then the Black Screen would’ve done that to Joo Soohyuk or Ahn Dain in PMH.’

Jecheondaesung questioned it.

“Abilities and energy are not so easy to take away. I doubt that they can do that. In humans, the body sometimes cannot keep up with the growth of its energy so it disappears after some time. But your brother has sufficiently grown.”

“But!”

Yoo Sanghee was frightened, and the next words that came from her were unexpected.

“One day, a kid from the same class as my dongsaeng had his abilities disappear. The TC Research Institute mentioned that case, and if my brother gets into a similar situation…”

My mind felt empty for a moment.

On April Fool’s Day, the two illegally admitted students who bullied Park Seunghyun had their abilities disappear.

They were in the same class as Yoo Sanghoon, so Yoo Sanghee’s worries weren’t ridiculous.

And the TC institute mentioned it to her too.

I felt a burning rage form inside me against that damned TC Research Institute.

They used my actions as a shackle to imprison Yoo Sanghee!

“I’m the one who did that.”

I couldn’t keep it any longer.

“I’m the one who erased those trash bastards’ energy.”

“Erased their energies… H-how…”

“Those people do not have that ability.”

I glared with conviction at the paralyzed researchers.

They visibly panicked as they rolled their eyes around.

I guess they never imagined that their bluff would be called by the very person who did the action that they tried to use against Yoo Sanghee.

“Alright, I’ll release you one by one now.”

Clap!

When Jecheondaesung clapped his hands, the researcher who had a syringe aimed at Yoo Sanghee’s neck was released.

At the same time, Jecheondaesung summoned the Ruyi Bang from behind his back.

(T/N: Ruyi Bang or Ruyi Jingu Bang is the name of Sun Wukong’s magical staff. It translates to The Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod.)

Hwik!

He took out a legendary treasure familiar to most and shouted with curiosity.

“I will confirm the truth. If this crow mask is telling the truth that he can erase one’s energy, then I will put my name on the line to protect all of you.”

The researcher only shivered and hesitated.

And after a long while, the researcher couldn’t do anything.

‘It’s something that can’t be done with the Weight of Wealth and Life, so, of course, they can’t do it.’

The researcher looked alternately between me and Jecheondaesung before bowing his head to Yoo Sanghee.

“Sanghee-ah, I’m sorry… Sorry…”

“…Have you been deceiving me all this time?”

Unable to answer Yoo Sanghee’s question, the researcher trembled and spoke again with a servile smile.

Even in the midst of all his, it seemed that he was still half-conscious that he can gaslight this poor child.

“We were wrong, okay? But if everything goes well, then you’re going to benefit as we— Ahk!”

Hit!

Yoo Sanghee’s hand blade hit the researcher’s neck.

The researcher couldn’t breathe and fell down on the spot.

“How could you… put my brother on the line and involve me in such a mess!”

Hit! Crash!

Yoo Sanghee’s anger exploded, but no one dared to stop her.

Yoo Sanghoon’s hands looked itchy for some revenge too, but he seemed to want to leave things to his brother for now.

The researchers collapsed one by one, unable to withstand Yoo Sanghee’s power.

She didn’t let them go, kicking them until they slowly regained consciousness again.

She picked up the syringe dropped by one of the researchers when…

We heard Yeom Junyeol’s voice.

“Sorry it took so— Sanghee noona?”

“Sanghee-ah!”

“You guys, how did you…!”

Fwoo!

Yoo Sanghee inserted the syringe deep into the researcher’s mouth and ran toward the student association members.

The researcher looked like a bug sprayed with insecticide as the syringe stuck to his tongue, but his existence was long erased in Yoo Sanghee’s mind.

“There must’ve been enemies around here, why did you put yourselves in danger…?!”

“Of course, we came because we were worried about you and Wonwoo.”

“Sanghee unnie, are you okay?”

Yoo Sanghee activated her healing skills, looking around the kids if any of them are injured and needed to be treated.

As expected, my playable character has a kind heart for her juniors.

“Oh, the Dragon Clan’s descendant is here.”

“Hello! Oh, sir, so you’re the host of the Special Luncheon! How did you… Ah.”

My quick-witted student looked at me after greeting Jecheondaesung.

Just like Yoo Sanghoon, Yeom Junyeol seems to be sure that I was the one who called him.

Yeom Junyeol looked at me with a smile.

“We followed your advice. We didn’t destroy a powerful energy source that we found and we secured it.”

Looking behind Yeom Junyeol, I saw Hongryong dragging a huge tank.

The energy of the Demon Race seems to be overflowing from it.

Jecheondaesung, who was looking at Yoo Sanghee and the student association members with a happy face, turned his attention to the tank.

“Something is inside that. It’s sealed tightly. Well, with Sun Wuokong’s power…! Oh wait, it’s a little tricky!”

It would be simple enough to use the Ruyi Bang to destroy the tank, but doing so might destroy what’s inside it too.

I don’t think the seal nor the contents of the tank could handle the power of the Ruyi Bang.

“This seal is the work of the Demon Race. I will take it off.”

“Hmm…”

If it’s the power of the Demon Race, then I can easily break it down with Spiritual Word.

I used Jegal’s skill again.

Fwaaa!

I wrote the letters on top of the seal using Jegal’s power.

However, even after scribing for quite a while, it wasn’t released easily.

‘Something this tightly sealed… Something is in here for sure.’

I still haven’t seen what was inside, but I have an idea.

Hwiii…!

Soon enough, the seal of the Demon Race was released.

And as soon as the contents were revealed, I heard a system alarm in my head.

***

In the Military Academy’s dormitory, in the lounge for freshmen students.

“Sihoo-ah, what are you up to?”

“Hm? Oh, I can’t seem to contact Wonwoo hyung. I’m trying to find out why.”

Jang Namwook felt a bit sorry.

He hasn’t been able to pay attention to the things around him after the Joo-Oh Dragons lost the recent Korean Series.

Even when exchanging messages and conversations with friends, he was only talking about himself.

Determined to put an end to this behavior, Jang Namwook strengthened his resolve, and that was when…

A strong energy wave suddenly rose around him.

Fwaaaa…!

A chain of light appeared from Do Sihoo’s body.

Jang Namwook immediately noticed that Do Sihoo’s light skill was activated.

He took a step back.

He knew that if that chain touches him, his energy waves would be sealed.

“Sihoo-ah…? Why are you using your light skill out of nowhere?”

Jang Namwook began to doubt if his friend was playing a prank on him.

While Jang Namwook was suspicious, Do Sihoo began to stumble.

Do Sihoo looked surprised and seemed to be trying to win over his own energy waves, but the chain of light became stronger and stronger.

It was as if his light skill was activated against his will.

“Uh… Ugh…!”

“What, what’s going on?”

Namgung Gyuyeon, who was training on her own with her field shovel, ran in their direction.

However, neither Jang Namwook nor Do Sihoo could give her an answer.

Jang Namwook looked at Do Sihoo with his Eye of the Star Maiden.

Something deep, dark, and heavy was hovering around Do Sihoo.

‘It’s different from that Seed of Curse. What is that…? Fog? No…’

In Jang Namwook’s eyes, he saw Do Sihoo submerged in deep and dark water.

Meanwhile, Do Sihoo heard a resentful voice whisper in his ear.

He didn’t understand what it was saying, but he felt that he was the object of that resentment.

Do Sihoo recalled a trauma buried deep in him.

‘It’s… similar to the voice I heard when I was kidnapped…’

Jang Namwook shouting his name, colleagues swarming from all over the place, and Namgung Gyuyeon doing something with her field shovel.

It all felt far away.

Soon, Do Sihoo’s mind was pulled into the dark.

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