The Novel's Extra Chapter 370. The Story That Shouldn't Have Existed (5)

Three months have pa.s.sed by since the end of the ‘Great Devil War’.

This war had forever changed faiths, cultures, values, and ways of living for people all over the world. As this event had an influence as big as the ‘Great Change’, the world was moving with cooperation and reconciliation transcending borders. This was because they still shared common enemies in the ‘New Evils’ and the devils ‘Leraje’ and ‘Va.s.sago’.

On the other hand, as if to reflect this peaceful international atmosphere, here in Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province, many apartment buildings were lined up in a complex. They were a part of ‘Healing City’, created under the sponsors.h.i.+p of [Colored Paper Charity Foundation], where Yi Byul was its leader.

In these hundreds of apartment buildings, tens of thousands of war victims were staying. Around them were hospitals, schools, convenience stores, playgrounds, and others.

This 10-square-kilometer plot of land used to be a forest inhabited only by monsters. Now, it had transformed into a welfare city inhabited by 100,000 children and 30,000 adults to take care of them.

Yi Byul’s terrifying wealth was truly funding an entire city.

“Ahaha, then… would it be possible to see the Foundation Head?”

However, hyenas naturally flocked to money. Countless businessmen gathered to meet the person who single-handedly possessed trillions of Korean won. They added the words ‘potential investor’ to the Foundation Head, just because she was rich.

“No.”

Of course, the Foundation Head refused most meetings. But 2~3 lucky businessmen succeeded in meeting the Foundation Head. By coincidence, of course. Although the Foundation Head drew a hard line saying she wasn’t interested in investing, these few meetings made the rumors spiral out of control.

The rumors were related to the Foundation Head’s appearance.

“We didn’t come here to ask for investments. In fact, we wanted to donate too—”

“Then give it now.”

“Uh….”

This being the case, Droon treated a son of a young chaebol coldly. The man wearing a luxury business suit was ‘Sim Hawon’. As the successor of Bingjung Corporation, he would have received appropriate treatment in most places. But in this place, he was no one extraordinary.

Of course, given his status, Droon wasn’t the only one who came out to greet him. Yi Yuri, who was his fiance, was next to him.

“…Well, I was expecting as much. Director Kim?”

Director Kim gave Sim Hawon a check, and Sim Hawon showed it to Droon. Although the check was for an astronomical amount with nine 0s, Droon didn’t bat an eye. After all, the Foundation Head had enough wealth to buy this man’s business and have more than enough leftover.

“How is it? I heard that the Colored Paper Foundation has been full of vitality lately, so we prepared this. I was thinking—”

“Thank you~”

At that moment, Yi Yuri, who had stayed silent until now, suddenly stepped up. She smiled brightly, then s.n.a.t.c.hed the check out of Sim Hawon’s hand.

“…What?”

Sim Hawon blinked his eyes and stared at Yi Yuri. Meanwhile, Droon praised her with his gaze.

Yi Yuri spoke as she put the check into her pocket.

“We’ll put it to good use. We were thinking about getting more medicine, you see.”

For the record, Droon and Yi Yuri were heads of security, teachers, and doctors simultaneously. They had reached adulthood and became someone who could support others while relying on each other.

“Uh… well, kuhum.”

Sim Hawon let out a dry cough. He fought a strong urge to spit out, ‘Arrogant little brat—’

“Then can I see her? The Foundation Head, I mean.”

Droon laughed at this question before replying.

“…We’ll think about it.”

His voice was laced with playfulness and a little bit of mischievousness.

After all, the check had nine 0s.

*

After slipping away from Sim Hawon, Droon climbed a small hill behind the housing area.

A sky so blue that it looked like it was painted and green gra.s.s that swayed with gentle breezes. He saw a woman with long, flowing hair amidst this beautiful scene of nature.

She was kneeling in front of a tombstone, staring at it fixedly. Her dark hair fluttered in the air like clouds.

Her slim jawline, tall nose, pair of eyes that shone with a black light, and her thick, beautiful eyelashes. It looked like she came straight out of a painting.

Droon walked up and sat down next to her.

“Why are you staring at this tombstone every day?”

She tilted her head up slightly. She remained still, as though she was thinking about something, before shaking her head.

“…It’s not every day.”

“It’s practically every day.”

A gentle breeze blew. She spoke while straightening the hair that continuously fluttered in the air.

“…Who knows.”

“This person is already dead. He was an evil person too.”

Droon couldn’t understand why she was so tied to this tombstone carrying the name [Yi Yeonjun]. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand. Would he be able to if he got older?

The woman smiled faintly and shook her head.

“It’s not this person. I’m looking for someone else.”

“…And who’s that?”

“I don’t know.”

Droon furrowed his brows and glared at her. However, she spoke gently with conviction.

“But I’ll find out soon. Finding someone is my specialty, after all.”

“…What?”

“Yep, I’m going to remember soon. I believe I will. Without a doubt.”

Speechless, Droon stared at her - Yi Byul. As if she had completely parted from her past, she had changed too much.

No matter how rude he was to her, she didn’t react. She only smiled gently. Although her face stiffened for a moment when he flicked her forehead, she still smiled like a fool and said it was okay. Of course, this was only a punishment for a game they were playing.

Droon didn’t hate this new Boss. Of course, it would be a lie if he said he didn’t miss the past at all, but he knew they couldn’t go back to the past.

“Then… let me try it too.”

Droon smiled playfully and glared at the tombstone. Boss smiled faintly and offered him a seat.

It was then.

“Ahaha~ Here you were. Aigo, I finally found you.”

A clear voice swelled up from behind and entered their ears. Droon pretended to be surprised and looked back.

The successor of the Bingjung Corporation, Sim Hawon, was walking up the hill.

Yi Byul spoke.

“Droon, did you bring him here?”

“Eh? No, no, no. I would never. He must have come here on his own. But how…? Does he have good intuition?”

Droon shot up and walked up to the man. He planned to chase him away. However, the man had already seen Yi Byul, and his entire body went stiff.

He stared at Yi Byul in a daze. Then, he murmured in a fleeting voice.

“…So the rumors weren’t false. My G.o.d. How can there be such a beautiful—”

However, Yi Byul didn’t give him a chance to finish. Her shadow extended out in the form of a tentacle. It wrapped around the dazed man’s waist and dragged him away.

“Uaaaaah—”

“Oh, looks like my noona hasn’t lost her touch….”

“This place is off-limits to non-administrators. He must not have read the sign. I sent him there so he could read it.”

Looking away from the screaming man, Yi Byul turned back to the tombstone.

Someone who was more important than [Yi Yeonjun]. To search for him, to remember his name, she began to think once again.

**

In Seoul’s Dongjak-gu Heukseok-dong was a mansion Yoo Yeonha personally built. It was fairly big and fancy from the outside. But considering Yoo Yeonha’s wealth, it was rather plain.

In this mansion’s main room, Yoo Yeonha was listening to a tape Ha.s.san-i Sabbah recorded last night.

—Essence of the Strait has gotten too big. We should have suppressed them when we could…. But that doesn’t matter now. They will fall from grace soon enough.

Kim Sukho’s voice rang out.

—How can you be sure?

This was Yi Yukho’s voice.

—How? …In various ways. Their Heroes suddenly killing civilians, Djinns being amidst their affiliated Heroes, corruption in the Essential Pharmacy’s new medicine, and so on….

—Hm? There are Djinns among their Heroes?

—Hahaha, friend, when did you get so naive? If there aren’t, we’ll just have to make them. The new hunting dogs I found made contact with the New Evils. Using them, we should be able to deal with them easily, just like last time.

The moment Kim Sukho said this, a new voice cut in.

—…Essence of the Strait won’t be so easy. Especially that young woman, Yoo Yeonha.

It wasn’t Yi Yukho. This voice belonged to the power behind the curtains - Yoo Jangwon.

Kim Sukho cut in again.

—What are you worried about? Yoo Yeonha is too young. Plus, Yoo Jinwoong has deep relations with us. Chae Joochul doesn’t seem to be looking at them favorably either, so Yoo Yeonha will lose everything before she realizes what happened. It’s time to snap the neck of a baby hen not knowing her place and crowing.

The recording ended there.

Yoo Yeonha was truly thankful that she had contacts with Ha.s.san-i Sabbah. Who else but him could record a secret conversation happening at the highest floor of the Tower of Heroes?

“…Baby hen, he says.”

Besides that, Kim Sukho sure knew how to infuriate someone.

Yoo Yeonha clenched her teeth.

She could understand where his confidence was coming from. Since he’s ruled over Korea for dozens of years, he most likely didn’t place anyone on his eyes.

But this arrogance would be their demise. After all, twisting the neck of a rooster wouldn’t stop the sun from rising.

…No, they wouldn’t be able to do even that.

“Sechan-ssi?”

Yoo Yeonha called Jin Sechan.

—Yes.

“How is the preparation for the party going?”

Yoo Yeonha asked with a smile.

Jin Sechan replied while chuckling faintly.

—It is going smoothly.

“Great.”

This was related to the scenario Yoo Yeonha scripted.

She slowly turned her head and spoke to the women who were staring at her from the couch.

“Next Sat.u.r.day, I will host a party at the Yoo family’s mansion. It will be called Post-War Societal Leaders’ Ball, or something like that. I’d like to go with a name that does the job but isn’t too sn.o.bby,”

Yoo Yeonha wanted to take care of this matter in one fell swoop.

The coup d'etat would have to successfully round out all corrupted executives to become a revolution. Not only the chairman but anyone who was involved in the corruption had to be arrested.

This party would become the stage for their punishment.

Yoo Yeonha pictured the revolution she constructed in her head.

While they were enjoying the party, Yoo Jinwoong’s whistle-blowing would reveal the a.s.sociation’s corruption to the world. Even if the executives somehow found out and tried to escape the mansion, they would be caught immediately. The reason was rather obvious.

The Chameleon Troupe would play a pivotal role. As the past hunting dog of Chae Joochul and the a.s.sociation, they would expose the evil deeds committed by Kim Sukho and the corrupt executives.

Pushed to the corner, Kim Sukho might call the New Evils or his new hunting dogs. Regardless, the ‘Heroes of the Generation’ - Aileen, Kim Suho, Yun Seung-Ah, etc. - would suppress them.

It was a perfect plan.

It seemed flawless so long as she didn’t let her guard down.

But there was one thing she was worried about - Yoo Jinwoong.

That was her father.

She had already talked to her father. He had committed grave sins. The Kw.a.n.g-Oh Incident wasn’t the only time he acted as Chae Joochul’s hunting dog. As such, it might be impossible to pardon him with her power.

But her father had told her that he would gladly accept his punishment. He had already resigned from his position as the guild leader, and he had even given up the coveted position as a Master-rank Hero with the excuse that ‘he felt his limit during the Great Devil War’.

As such, she couldn’t fail.

She had to succeed and make amends.

Yoo Yeonha spoke with determination.

“Distribute the invitation letters. Only to the 300 people on the list. Since they can bring two people with them, about 900 people will partic.i.p.ate.”

—Understood.

“Place our Heroes around the mansion. Confirm everyone’s invitation letter before letting them in, and once they do, do not let them leave again.”

—Yes, of course.

“Don’t forget to make sure ‘Electronic Manipulation’ is working. Jamming them won’t do. We need to make sure the Internet they see is different from the one we know. For that, you will have to set up a broadcasting station and a base station. You don’t have to worry about the cost. Feel free to use however much you want.”

—Understood. I will do as you say.

With that, Yoo Yeonha ended the communication line. Then, she turned to the two women sitting on the couch.

“A grand party will be held.”

A satisfactory reply rang out.

“Hehehe~ Great~ I’m a big fan of parties~”

It was Jain. Jin Seyeon was also sitting next to her. Unlike the brightly smiling Jain, Jin Seyeon seemed deep in thought.

Jain asked.

“Is Yun Seung-Ah coming too~?”

“Probably?”

“Hnng…. I’m not really good with her.”

“Won’t you be disguised anyways?”

“I don’t know how, but she can see through my disguise~”

Kkeeung~ Jain stretched her arms and legs out. Then, she murmured in a tired voice.

“This is interesting~ It’s perfect as the Chameleon Troupe’s last mission~”

A bittersweet smile emerged on her face.

**

The plan progressed smoothly.

The VVVVVVIP party Yoo Yeonha hosted already became a noteworthy event among the society’s elites.

Although the elites amongst elites like Chae Nayun were personally invited, ordinary elites were in the position of begging the ones with invitations. After all, only 300 people had been invited, with each invitee only able to bring two guests.

[Jonghak said he won’t be coming.]

Chae Nayun received Yoo Yeonha’s message from her Hanok. Although s.h.i.+n Jonghak said he wouldn’t come, she wasn’t worried. Knowing his personality, he was likely waiting until the crucial moment to appear and steal the spotlight.

“Huu….”

Regardless, now was the time to focus on herself. Chae Nayun turned off her smart.w.a.tch and took a deep breath.

In front of her was a door, the sliding kind made out of wood.

Beyond it was her grandfather, who had far too many sins.

Chae Nayun had something to tell him. She had written down what to say to practice them dozens of times.

But at the moment, she couldn’t remember a thing.

No, she didn’t need to.

She decided to convey her feelings as his granddaughter, the feelings that would come out from the bottom of her heart.

Although her grandfather didn’t have emotions, that might just make convincing him easier.

Previously, he said he only felt 1% of his emotions. And 1% of emotions was, of course, meaningless.

But when it came to his feelings towards his family, wouldn’t 1% of his emotions equal at least 2% of emotions towards other things?

If that really was the case, she was in an advantageous position.

Chae Nayun planned to bet on this possibility.

Knock, knock.

Chae Nayun knocked on the door. After about three seconds, the sound of a brush being put down rang out. Was her grandfather practicing calligraphy?

—It must be Nayun.

“Yes.”

—What are you doing here?

His voice was warm but carried something else.

Chae Nayun clenched her fists and spoke after taking a breath.

“There’s something I need to say, Grandfather.”

—Hoho, is that so?

Chae Joochul spoke like a normal grandfather, one that was proud of his granddaughter for coming to see him.

—Then come in.