Chapter 869

“Are you referring to the 5% that lose their abilities during their growth?”

Jeokho spoke with a face full of shock and suspicion.

I immediately thought of that 5% when I considered the actions of the mastermind, but for those who had lived in this world, it would be difficult to make that connection.

The fact that what was considered common sense and the laws of this world turned out to be part of the mastermind’s plan was something hard to accept.

Qinglong spoke seriously.

“It’s true that there are cases where the energy of abilities disappears due to the mismatch with the physical growth. But, thinking about it, 5% seems excessive.”

It was a question that had never occurred to me before, but now that it was brought up, it seemed like there might be something to it.

Each of them had their guesses, and in the midst of the silence, everyone’s eyes sparked with realization.

“The dimensional collision only happened a hundred years ago. Moreover, it was difficult to gather accurate statistics in the beginning. It would have been easy to disguise it as part of the world’s natural laws.”

While a hundred years might be close to a lifetime for humans, it was just a short period for the Jin clan.

This left plenty of room for manipulation.

As Hwang Jiho had said, at the start of the dimensional collision, there were more players who died than survived, so it would have been difficult to gather statistics.

In the midst of the chaos, it wasn’t hard to imagine the mastermind preparing to manipulate the data.

Following Hwang Jiho, Seong Guk-eon spoke.

“Depending on the country, the percentage of players who lose their abilities after reaching adulthood varies. Typically, the difference is attributed to factors like intelligence and the frequency of dimensional appearances. However, many countries couldn’t make proper statistics due to a lack of proper player training and management systems.”

The mastermind operates primarily in the Korean Peninsula, but also internationally.

Wasn’t the mastermind behind the Manchester Great Dimensional Incident that Kwon Je-in experienced in England?

The mastermind’s plans had likely been in motion for a long time, spanning widely across the world.

“If the mastermind realizes that we’ve figured this out, there will likely be problems with the centers or places performing similar functions in various countries. Just like what happened around Tan Nae-jung today.”

“I’ve already informed Hong Gyu-bin. I don’t know how quickly the association will respond before the mastermind erases the evidence.”

With such a bold plan in place, the mastermind must have prepared thoroughly, and it was clear that they were already moving to erase the evidence.

At this point, tracking the centers wouldn’t help us discover who the mastermind was, where they were, or what they planned to do with the accumulated power.

However, one thing was certain from this situation.

‘Through this, the world will eventually learn of the mastermind’s existence. And the act of collecting energy from others won’t be possible anymore.’

It would be revealed that someone had been orchestrating a massive conspiracy for a long time.

The activities conducted through the centers would no longer be possible, and the number of players would increase as a result.

By raising public awareness and successfully cutting down the mastermind’s strength, we had made a significant step forward.

‘Considering the amount of energy the mastermind has accumulated, it’s a bit staggering, but even a small decrease will work to our advantage.’

The discussion continued, focused on damage control and future countermeasures, but everyone’s expressions were far from bright.

Perhaps everyone was weary of the mastermind’s horrific plans.

However, no one here seemed the type to easily bend to the mastermind’s will.

Everyone seemed to be thinking about the upcoming challenges with serious, steady gazes.

After the meeting ended, unnecessary friction arose between the dragon clan, suggesting I take some rest, and the noble clan, who wanted to leave immediately.

As I listened, I spoke up.

“I’d like to meet with Huanglong for a moment.”

“Well thought out. Huanglong would probably want to meet the benefactor of the dragon clan too.”

“Yishin, there’s no need for a quick meeting. We could spend the whole day together. How many halls in the Dragon Palace bear your name?”

Qinglong and Yeong Jegun spoke with confident faces.

I had only wanted a brief conversation, but I didn’t know what they were talking about.

Hwang Jiho, speaking on my behalf, said,

“Huangho’s benefactor does not make empty promises. He truly means a brief conversation.”

“Just as Huangho said. Don’t waste time talking nonsense, just guide him to Huanglong.”

While the dragon clan and noble clan exchanged words, I asked the floating dragon spirit nearby for the location of Huanglong.

The dragon spirit leaped from the cloud and eagerly led the way.

The small dragon spirit was far more helpful and considerate than the adults around me.

The dragon spirit led me to the heart of Huanglong Palace, Huangunho.

‘Is Huanglong here?’

The dragon spirit was heading towards the new pavilion I had seen when we moved.

The ebony pavilion blended beautifully with the view of Huangunho, with pearls sparkling like stars, adding to its elegance.

Huanglong was in the pavilion, and unlike before, soft yellow clouds hovered around, which made me feel the true essence of the Dragon Palace.

As I approached the pavilion, Huanglong descended from the entrance.

He must have just finished speaking with the priestesses because he was alone.

“I knew you’d come. Even though I knew, I’m sorry for not coming to meet you. I wanted to show you this pavilion. How do you like it?”

“It’s a magnificent pavilion. Thank you for showing it to me.”

“I’m glad you think so. This pavilion was built with permission from the Dragon King for you.”

Built for me?

I wondered what Huanglong was saying, but now that I thought about it, I had heard something similar before.

Qinglong and Huanglong had mentioned the complicated procedure for changing the palace’s ruler and had spoken of such odd things.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

They had talked about building a hall with my name in Qinglong Palace, and constructing a pavilion with a view of Huangunho in Huanglong Palace. I had thought it was just a joke, but it seemed they really did go through with it.

Instead of addressing such nonsensical comments, I decided to change the topic.

“…Did you know I would come?”

It was obvious that I had changed the subject, and Huanglong smiled, his lips curling up slightly.

His smile felt like he was looking at a child throwing a tantrum, and I found it difficult to respond.

As I stood silent, I didn’t know when it happened, but the tigers had intruded, loudly chattering.

“Passing off useless tasks is the same for any dragon. What benefit is there in building something for Yishin?”

“Just as Jeokho said. It’s well built, but that’s all.”

Huanglong paid no mind to the two of them and said what he wanted to.

When I focused on Huanglong, it became hard to tell if the tigers were there or not.

“I knew you’d be troubled, knowing the Dragon King had moved. You have many things to worry about, don’t you? I thought you’d come because of that. Go ahead, ask what you’re curious about.”

He seemed to know I had many questions.

I decided to start with what had been on my mind.

“There are currently four priestesses of the Dragon King, but wasn’t the move difficult?”

“It wasn’t easy. But with priestesses who do more than their part, it wasn’t too difficult. The new sulfur priestess... You must have noticed that Yeorang can handle multiple clouds.”

Just as I thought.

Yeorang had been the reason the move went smoothly!

Huanglong then immediately addressed my lingering concerns.

“The move went well, but considering our symbolism, we can’t leave the priestess position vacant for long. You’re probably concerned about the successor, aren’t you?”

Currently, there were only four priestesses of the Dragon King, and the full spectrum of colors wasn’t complete.

Just as when the full set of colors appears, the Dragon King’s priestesses would unleash great power.

Even in this situation, Yeorang had shown considerable strength, and if there were five priestesses of the Dragon King, even greater power would be wielded.

“I have a candidate in mind. The former priestess of Hong. After checking, I found that traitors had been involved in her resignation.”

The traitors had deemed it difficult to persuade the former Hong priestess, so they had resorted to tricks to make her voluntarily resign.

But the former Hong priestess still followed the Dragon King and loved the dragon clan.

She had even brought Qinglong’s scales during the Dragon Palace incident to warn of danger.

Although her color had changed, I agreed with the idea of bringing the former Hong priestess back.

“She also wants to return to the position of priestess, and the Dragon King’s will is the same. But her body and mind are still not fully healed. I’d like her to rest a bit longer before returning.”

Huanglong briefly explained how the current Dragon King’s priestesses were being maintained.

Usually, Yeorang took on the responsibility of the Green Priestess as well.

Though Yeorang didn’t show it, she often skipped after-school activities or school events to perform priestess duties.

“Yeorang seemed to enjoy her school life, but it’s a shame she can’t enjoy it to the fullest. Once the Green Priestess is officially chosen, it will relieve her burden.”

Considering the chaos of the first-year class 0 situation involving the Gold Chan and King Chan factions, perhaps the priestess duties were better than that?

I briefly thought about it, but decided to respect Yeorang’s wishes, so I kept my thoughts to myself.

‘And maybe I can use the vacancy of the Green Priestess position to my advantage.’

I asked another question.

“How is the management of the Crystal Palace?”

“The Crystal Palace has also been moved closer to the surface. I suppose you want to talk about the ‘proposal’ I mentioned last time.”

“Yes.”

I asked Huanglong to take care of the management of the Crystal Palace just a little longer.

Until I could make contact with the O family group through Joo Soo-gyeom of the Joo family, I needed Huanglong’s help.

“I’ve made contact through someone from the O family. Since the Dragon Palace has moved, things should get easier.”

“You’re always in the debt of the dragon clan’s benefactor.”

Huanglong’s expression softened.

Though he wasn’t showing it, managing the relocation of the Dragon Palace and the Crystal Palace must have been no easy task.

I felt lighter knowing that once this matter was settled, Huanglong’s burden would be relieved.

“The benefactor of the noble clan has once again been working for the dragon clan behind the scenes, hasn’t he?”

“So, what did the dragon clan make Yishin do for the benefactor? Does the dragon clan have no shame?”

“Not just the noble clan? The dragon clan’s benefactor has worked more for the noble clan than for us.”

While the lazy clan and dragon clan bickered, I asked the dragon spirit around me where Huanglong was located.

The dragon spirit leapt out of the clouds and led the way.