CH 121

Baek Gyeo-Ul’s eyes widened. Who could have possibly come? It had been quite a while since he joined the Clan, but he still had almost zero friends aside from Chang-Sun. That was understandable, however, since he was still uncomfortable making friends.

Since his looks and the air around him changed, quite a number of people had shown interest in him and approached him. He unwittingly put up a wall, though, perhaps because of his childhood habit. Although Chang-Sun advised him not to, the change in people’s reactions was still awkward to see.

However, Chang-Sun now brought in new team members besides himself. Gyeo-Ul could think of some likely candidates, but he wasn’t sure if it would really be them. He was well aware of how big of a star Chang-Sun was, so he was sure anyone would volunteer once they heard the news about Chang-Sun forming a team.

Chang-Sun walked to the front door while amusingly looking at Gyeo-Ul, who was deep in thought. When he swung the door wide open, two people whom Gyeo-Ul was also familiar with were revealed awkwardly standing.

“Th-thank you for i-inviting me! Hyung!” Shin Geum-Gyu shouted, standing straight like a soldier. He was so loud that it echoed throughout the entire hallway. Standing beside him, the blushing Shin Eun-Seo elbowed Geum-Gyu’s waist. It was as if her face was going to explode at any moment.

Smack!

“Are you crazy?! Are you trying to tell everyone in this building about who lives here now? Sasaengs could bother my oppa!” Eun-Seo growled.

“Kek! No matter how many sasaengs come here, they won’t be worse than—Urgh!” Geum-Gyu continued to tease Eun-Seo while holding his waist, which had been hit.

Eun-Seo soon stopped Geum-Gyu by punching his solar plexus, causing him to fall head-first to the floor.

“Would you please just die?” Eun-Seo asked, pretending to be graceful as she brushed dust off her hands. Realizing Chang-Sun and Gyeo-Ul were watching shortly after, she behaved like an innocent little girl and politely handed them a juice gift box.

“Thank you for the invitation. I remembered you only drank this brand’s juice during the Las Vegas Champion League four years ago, so I got you these,” Eun-Seo innocently explained.

Although Chang-Sun didn’t remember what the league was about, he didn’t turn down the gift since she had put some thought into it. “Thank you.”

“A-again…” Eun-Seo timidly spoke.

“…?” Chang-Sun tilted his head.

After he expressed his gratitude, Eun-Seo’s face reddened. Fidgeting with her hair, she hesitantly requested, “Can you repeat… what you just said?”

“... Thank you?” Chang-Sun repeated.

“O-oppa thanked me! Ahhhh, I can now die in peace…!” Eun-Seo felt like she was about to collapse.

Having no idea what was going on, Chang-Sun tilted his head. “…?”

At that moment, Geum-Gyu suddenly raised his head and urgently yelled, “Hyung! Don’t be fooled! She got that gift from the other fan club members because they kept bothering—Urgh!”

Eun-So quickly kicked Geum-Gyu like a soccer ball, interrupting him and causing him to fall back to the floor.

“…?”

“…?”

Still unable to understand the situation, Chang-Sun and Gyeo-Ul tilted their heads.

“Hahaha! It’s nothing. He’s been acting weird the past few days, so he had probably eaten something wrong. You don’t have to mind him.” Eun-Seo smiled as brightly as possible.

Feeling no need to dig in any further, Chang-Sun just nodded, then looked past Eun-Seo, where one more visitor was waiting. He didn’t get to greet the visitor due to the Shin sibling.

“Ah, we ran into her at the elevator so we came together.” Eun-Seo quickly moved sideways upon realizing why Chang-Sun was looking in that direction.

Behind Eun-Seo was Woo Hye-Bin, who appeared to be surprised as she looked up at Chang-Sun. It seemed as if she wasn’t mentally ready to meet him yet.

‘Ah-ah-ah…!’ Hye-Bin opened and closed her mouth several times.

She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t because she was too nervous.

Chuckling, Chang-Sun nodded at Hye-Bin to reassure her. He then moved sideways so the visitors could enter.

“Come in. There is no furniture yet, so it’s empty.” Chang-Sun welcomed them.

* * *

“You want authorization to build a team?” Executive Director Oh asked.

“Yes.” Chang-Sun nodded.

“I thought you wanted a treasure or something along those lines… You’re truly something else.” Executive Director Oh shook his head in disbelief.

After Chang-Sun closed the ‘Yeti Hill’ Dungeon, completed his mission, and had a boisterous celebration party, he had a private meeting with Executive Director Oh to request a reward. When Executive Director Oh heard Chang-Sun’s request, he chuckled dumbfoundedly.

“Since you’re making that request, I bet you got what I told you to find,” Executive Director Oh said, amused.

“If you need—” Chang-Sun was about to open his inventory.

“No, I’ll take it later since there are too many eyes right now.” Executive Director shook his head again.

Although Chang-Sun wasn’t sure who was watching since there were only two of them, he postponed handing over the [Everlasting Ice Crystal], thinking Executive Director Oh had his reasons.

“Can I ask why you want to build your own team?” Executive Director Oh asked.

Forming a team honestly wasn’t a part of Chang-Sun’s original plan. Even if he had taken Gyeo-Ul under his wings, he just thought of him as his shadow. Moreover, although he had decided to keep an eye on Geum-Gyu and Eun-Seo, it was just to occasionally check if Eun-Seo was having any side effects from the Gildalization.

He changed his mind after meeting the Winter King and going through a series of events, which included turning Jin Prezia into his subordinate and fighting the Frost King. Witnessing how the two led their armies into battles made Chang-Sun realize what kind of path he had to walk.

He fell because he fought alone. Hence, he required people whom he could entrust with his safety and his back and go through trials and tribulations together, regardless of what they were. He couldn’t completely rely on Geum-Gyu and Eun-Seo yet, but they could always improve further.

‘Besides, the White Tiger Clan is too big for me to destroy without any backups. I have to make my own group within the Clan,’ Chang-Sun decided.

They were going to grow like cancer cells until they were strong enough to end the White Tiger Clan. Unable to reveal his plan to Executive Director Oh, Chang-Sun just smiled in response, leaving Executive Director Oh to come up with his own answer. Fortunately, Executive Director Oh hadn’t dug any further because, as always, he falsely believed he and Chang-Sun were cut from the same cloth.

“Anyway, it sounds like you’re going to do whatever you want from here on out instead of just laying low. Am I correct?” Executive Director Oh asked.

Just as Executive Director Oh had said, Chang-Sun creating his own team was going to cause a stir in many ways. Other people would think Chang-Sun was trying to create his own faction. Considering, the four Raid Team leaders had dedicated at least ten years of their lives to form a team, the Clan would turn upside down if a rookie who had just joined the Clan were to form their own team.

“Department Head Shim would be especially furious.”  Executive Director Oh reminded Chang-Sun.

Shim Geon-Ho was certainly going to be the idea’s strongest opposition. The team Chang-Sun would create would obviously be a part of the Future Strategy Department, so it would seem as if Chang-Sun was making Geon-Ho more influential within the Clan.

However, it just looked that way since Chang-Sun was practically destroying the Clan’s entire hierarchy. It was also for that reason that the other department members would oppose fiercely. No matter how much the Future Strategy Department valued performance over protecting the hierarchy, it couldn’t be completely disregarded.

Besides, if Chang-Sun formed a team, he would also become more influential within the Clan, turning him into an eyesore for Geon-Ho again. No superior would want an uncontrollable subordinate, especially if the leader of the faction the superior was in favored the subordinate. The fact that Chang-Sun and Geon-Ho were on bad terms wasn’t even a secret, so Executive Director Oh pointed it out.

“Do you remember what you told me, Executive Director Oh?” Chang-Sun asked.

“Hmm…? What I told you?” Executive Director Oh repeated.

“Yes. You said a tool should be dispensable, so I can change it whenever I find a sharper tool,” Chang-Sun said.

“What? Hahaha!” Executive Director Oh burst into laughter.

Chang-Sun nonchalantly offered to become Executive Director Oh’s tool if he abandoned the old one named Shim Geon-Ho, making Executive Director Oh very happy. He was aware of how the conflict between Chang-Sun and Geon-Ho had already reached a climax in ‘Yeti Hill,’ and he also knew how Geon-Ho and Director Kim Yeon-Seung had tried to mess with Chang-Sun.

“Fine. Since you’re so confident, do whatever you want. Keep up with your work, then you’ll get anything you want.” Executive Director Oh smiled.

After Chang-Sun and Executive Director’s conversation, Chang-Sun handed Director Executive Oh the list he had prepared in advance. He requested Geum-Gyu and Eun-Seo first. Maybe because Executive Director Oh himself had taken action, the Shin siblings were immediately transferred.

Although there wasn’t an official announcement, the two had gotten a notice about how they would be assigned to Chang-Sun’s team from the Human Resources Department. Having heard that Chang-Sun had set up a house for the team, they ran to the house like an arrow.

“The other probationers and even Team Leader Seo kept asking me what’s my relationship with you, oppa…” Eun-Seo sighed.

After all the food that they ordered had arrived, they finally had the group dinner that they were talking about after the probationary training. Holding a can of beer in one hand, Eun-Seo listed the questions she had gotten after becoming acquainted with Chang-Sun. Since Chang-Sun rarely kept anyone in his company, many people seemed to have approached Eun-Seo, who was known to be acquainted with him.

According to her, Seo Jeong-Gwon had been the worst. Although all five of them were in ‘Yeti Hill,’ Eun-Seo and Geum-Gyu were part of Raid Team 2. Hence, they heard many questions from Jeong-Gwon.

“Team Leader Seo was obsessed with you the most! He asked me about what you usually like, your hobbies, the type of woman you like, your favorite food, and even your address! Urgghh…! He was so annoying.” Eun-Seo shook her head.

[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ chimed in with Eun-Seo, saying he certainly did ask many unnecessary questions.]

Eun-Seo trembled when Minerva’s message suddenly popped up, causing Chang-Sun’s eyes to widen. ‘Huh?’

Did Minerva and Eun-Seo know each other? They didn’t seem to be acquainted at all before.

“What…? Didn’t you talk an awful lot for someone who was annoyed? You said it was a chance to describe how charming Chang-Sun hyung is and kept—!”

Smack!

“Will you just stay quiet?!” Eun-Seo kicked Geum-Gyu again.

“… Kek! I’m going to d-die!” Geum-Gyu yelled.

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ looks at his follower, who always gets beaten by his sister, with contempt..]

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Eun-Seo then turned to Hye-Bin, who was quietly sipping juice in the corner. “Hye-Bin.”

“Huh? Oh, yes?!” Hye-Bin flinched and sat straight as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

“Why are you so quiet right now? You were so cool in ‘Yeti Hill.’” Eun-Seo smiled.

Unsure of how to answer, Hye-Bin blushed a little. Just as Eun-Seo had said, Hye-Bin also knew she was surely acting differently than she had in ‘Yeti Hill.’

Although Hye-Bin was from another Clan, Eun-Seo asked for Hye-Bin’s phone number after the Frost King had been killed, saying they were such a good duo. Hye-Bin ended up giving Eun-Seo her number amid the confusion, but they became friends in no time since Eun-Seo had frequently contacted her. That was how Hye-Bin joined the group dinner.

Eun-Seo noticed Hye-Bin was acquainted with Chang-Sun, so she coaxed her to join since she was practically part of the team.

“Do you want to try this?” Eun-Seo held out a chicken leg to Hye-Bin.

Feeling embarrassed, Hye-Bin nodded and nibbled on the chicken leg with a reddened face.

‘Sh-she’s so cute!’ Eun-Seo subconsciously snorted with excitement as Hye-Bin reminded her of a squirrel.

Eun-Seo asked for Hye-Bin’s phone number because fighting hand-in-hand with her had been great. However, she had another reason—Hye-Bin’s face was Eun-Seo’s type. Just as Geum-Gyu had said, Eun-Seo was truly a sucker for beautiful people. It didn’t matter if the person she stanned was male or female.

‘It’s such a healing moment…’ Eun-Seo pleasantly watched Hye-Bin, feeling her heart melting down.

However, she soon noticed Hye-Bin stealing a glance at Chang-Sun. Eun-Seo looked back and forth between the two. Her eyes widened. ‘Huh? No way?’ 

She smiled slyly and secretly handed Hye-Bin something from her pocket. The latter stopped nibbling on the leg and quietly looked at Eun-Seo, wondering what Eun-Seo was giving her. “…?”

Eun-Seo’s smile became even more sly. “Take it, take it. It’s good stuff.”

Hye-Bin felt shocked as soon as she carefully received and checked the item. It was a photo badge of Chang-Sun with a weird sentence written at the bottom.

Reading the cheesy sentence temporarily dumbfounded Hye-Bin. It wasn’t clear if Eun-Seo was aware of Hye-Bin’s state, but as if she already knew Hye-Bin was also a fan, Eun-Seo crossed her arms and pompously spoke, “Only a full member of the club can usually have that, but I’ll make an exception for you. Use that to watch our oppa’s game footage and the behind-the-scenes video of him swearing!”

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ looks at the badge with curiosity.]

After belatedly understanding what Eun-Seo was talking about, Hye-Bin bitterly smiled and returned the badge to Eun-Seo.

“I’m not.” Hye-Bin shook her head.

“What?” Eun-Seo asked.

“I don’t think I’m his fan.” Hye-Bin slightly shrugged.

Unable to understand what Hye-Bin was saying, Eun-Seo widened her eyes.

With a bit of a serious tone, Hye-Bin continued, “A fan or a stan means the person is giving their affection to another, right? But Mister is more like my idol. To be accurate, I’m the mentee and he’s the mentor. He’s like my role model. I want to become a warm-hearted person like him.”

Eun-Seo understood what Hye-Bin was saying. If Hye-Bin was a mentee, not a fan, it meant she considered Chang-Sun as her teacher. Still, she was a bit dazed because there was a part she couldn’t understand.

‘A warm-hearted person? Not a person with a boiling temper…?’ Eun-Seo wondered for a moment. ‘Well…’

Looking at Hye-Bin, who began to nibble on a chicken wing, Eun-Seo smiled brightly. ‘Everything’s fine since she’s cute[1].’

‘… I never thought things would turn out like this.’ Chang-Sun felt mixed emotions while watching everything from a distance.

Eun-Seo, Geum-Gyu, and Hye-Bin were busily chatting among themselves. Behind them, Minerva, Jörmungandr, and Pabilsag appeared, so it looked like everyone was talking with one another. Chang-Sun wasn’t sure how in the world they got to know each other, but they seemed to be getting along pretty well for some reason. Gyeo-Ul was quietly sipping juice alone, but he seemed to be enjoying the moment too.

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ silently watches the peaceful moment.]

‘It’s not bad.’ Chang-Sun faintly smiled, but…

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ narrows his eyes and grumbles, saying he does not like what’s happening.]

Heoju reacted as if he was asking Chang-Sun to pay attention to him too.

1. This is like an internet meme in Korea. If someone is cute, handsome, or beautiful enough, everything would become fine and all problems would disappear. This is not used sarcastically. It’s used to genuinely compliment another. “You’re so beautiful/handsome/cute that all the problems in my mind disappeared.” ☜