Chapter 373.

The swallow-tail coated Kim Suho looked at the party venue . Most distinguished guests were busy talking with each other, but because he was 40 minutes late, he couldn’t join in on any conversation .

Kim Suho walked through the grand hall and watched Yoo Sihyuk, Yoo Jinwoong, Nicholas, and other famous Heroes . He found it rather intriguing that the Heroes he had seen on TV when he was young were all gathered here .

“Aigo, if it isn’t our future Hero~!”

At that moment, someone approached him, pretending to be friendly . Kim Suho flinched slightly as he turned to the side .

It was the former president of Korea, Kim Sukho .

“…Hello, Professor Kim Sukho . ”

He’d heard from Yun Seung-Ah that Kim Sukho enjoyed being addressed as Professor . Kim Suho followed her advice, and it seemed it worked, as a smile bloomed on Kim Sukho’s face .

“Hahaha, nice to meet you . I heard you were late because of a mission . ”

“Yes, my apologies . ”

“No need . I was slightly late myself . ”

When Kim Sukho let out a peal of hearty laughter, other distinguished guests gathered around him . Kim Suho knew and recognized their faces . Of the list of people Yun Seung-Ah sent, they were part of the so-called ‘Kim Sukho Faction’ .

“Aigo, where are my manners? Suho, let me introduce you to them . This here is the chief of the Association’s Evaluation Department, Kim On . ”

“Nice to meet you . I’m Kim On . I heard a lot of you, High-rank Hero Kim Suho-nim . ”

Kim On reached his hand out with a strange smile .

For the record, the Evaluation Department was the division of the Association that ranked and evaluated Heroes . As Heroes’ fame and salary were dependent on their ‘rank’, the Evaluation Department had quite a powerful authority .

“…Nice to meet you . I’m Kim Suho . ”

Kim Suho shook his hand awkwardly .

Next, he met the chiefs of the Administrative Department, the State Affairs Department, the International Aid Department, etc… . After Kim Suho shook hands with everyone, Kim Sukho laughed joyously .

“Hahaha . Oh right, Chief Kim, aren’t there a few empty slots for the Master-rank Hero position?”

“Yes, a few died during the war, and a few were expelled from not answering summons during the war . ”

“Tsk, draft dodgers… . Such shameless Heroes . Too many of them are blinded by money and fame . When I was their age, people became Heroes to save one another . Nobody cared about money and fame . ”

Kim Sukho muttered unhappily before turning to Kim Suho and smiling .

“We need more Heroes like Suho . ”

“…Thank you for the compliment . ”

Kim Suho nodded his head wryly .

It was then .

With a click, the lights illuminating the room turned off .

Was it an event or an attack?

While everyone stood wary, a small spotlight shone on the south side of the party hall .

“…What?”

Kim Sukho and the other distinguished guests turned their attention to that direction .

The curtains lifted on the empty stage, revealing the host of the party – Yoo Yeonha . She acted with decorum befitting her position and greeted the guests .

“Nice to meet you . My name is Yoo Yeonha . I’d like to thank all the distinguished guests who are gathered here today . Of course, I will be paying each guest a visit to thank them . ”

She thanked the guests for coming before cutting straight to the chase . Yoo Yeonha didn’t want to damage the scenario she scripted .

“First, Temple of Justice’s chairman, Aileen-ssi . Your courage became a powerful beacon of light against humanity’s war against Baal . We admire you from the bottom of our hearts . ”

Yoo Yeonha spoke with a gentle voice . At the same time, the spotlight moved and shone on Aileen . Caught in the middle of munching on chocolates, Aileen flinched before quickly wiping her mouth and making a superficial smile .

Clap, clap, clap—

Yoo Yeonha clapped her hands first, which eventually spread and filled the entire room with applause . Aileen was at a loss for what to do and bowed her flushed head repeatedly .

“Next is Rachel, whose elementals saved countless people through their clear and pure powers . There must be hundreds of thousands of people who had their lives saved by you . ”

Clap, clap, clap—

It seemed now was the time for pleasantries . Kim Suho clapped his hands as he watched Yoo Yeonha give her speech .

“…Thank you . ”

Rachel smiled bashfully at Yoo Yeonha’s praise, and several men blushed as they looked at her .

Yoo Yeonha continued to praise the distinguished guests with her silver tongue . Yun Seung-Ah, Yoo Sihyuk, Chae Nayun, Yi Yongha, Kim Suho, and even Shin Jonghak who wasn’t present… .

Kim Suho felt his heart becoming warmer as time went on .

“What bullshit . ”

However, Jin Sahyuk seemed to think otherwise . Kim Suho was surprised by her sudden appearance, but he calmed down and whispered into her ear .

“Be quiet . ”

“Who are you to tell me what to do?”

“…What?”

“You shut up . ”

“…Geez . ”

The corner of Kim Suho’s mouth twisted up . Meanwhile, the wholesome relay of praises was coming to an end .

“There are two people left . ”

The final two people .

Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho knew who these two were .

The two people who would be the finale for this ceremony laughed quietly and drowned themselves in the moment . For a second, they even thought it might be okay to leave Essence of the Strait be .

“Professor Kim Sukho . ”

A grand spotlight shone down on Kim Sukho . When everyone’s gazes turned to him, Kim Sukho waved his hand and shook his head .

“And the current chairman, Yi Yukho . ”

A second spotlight shone down on Yi Yukho, one of the founding members of the Association and its current chairman . Yi Yukho showed the same reaction as Kim Sukho .

The distinguished guests gathered at the party thought this was the end and waited for Yoo Yeonha’s final tribute .

However…

“…And finally . ”

Yoo Yeonha announced that there was one person remaining .

While everyone stood in a fluster, Yoo Yeonha gestured at the main door of the party hall .

A spotlight shone down on the door, and everyone’s attention turned in that direction .

Kiik—

A clear sound rang out amidst the silence .

Soon, the door opened— and the Immortal, Chae Joochul, appeared .

No, it wasn’t just Chae Jooochul .

Dozens of Heroes followed Chae Joochul and surrounded the party hall . The waltz playing in the background vanished, replaced by the sound of numerous footsteps .

“Let me introduce you all . ”

Ignoring the atmosphere that had suddenly turned cold, Yoo Yeonha continued her speech .

“This is the Four-colored Immortal, Sir Chae Joochul . ”

Chae Joochul slowly walked up the stage .

“Thank you . ”

He received the microphone from Yoo Yeonha . Then, he looked down at Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho with an aged gaze . He then shifted his gaze at those surrounding them .

The executives of the Association’s departments were present .

The Evaluation Department, the Administrative Department, the Peacekeeping Department, the State Affairs Department, the General Affairs Department… . Not a single one of them was clean from corruption .

Without even the slightest change in his expression, Chae Joochul began to read the document he brought .

“Kim Sukho, Yi Yukho, Kim On, Yi Wanho, Jin Jaesoon, Jee Yonggu, Gospel, Meizarn… . ”

He read the names of 27 people, who were all executives of the Association . Yoo Yeonha had come up with the list after long, tireless hours of investigation .

“…The above 27 people gathered here today . ”

Chae Joochul finished calling them out . He paused for a moment and looked at the party hall . The light in his eyes seemed to pierce through one’s mind .

While everyone stood confused, Chae Joochul spat out a sentence that instantly shattered the frozen atmosphere .

“You are under arrest for attempted assassinations, conspiracy to commit murder, massacring of civilians, collusion with Djinns, and other crimes . ”

“…What?”

“You will be relieved of your duties as of this moment . You have the right to remain silent, and… . ”

Chae Joochul gave the Miranda Warning through the silent atmosphere .

The distinguished guests at the hall listened to Chae Joochul’s dry voice as if they had been entranced .

“W-What the hell does that mean!?”

Kim Sukho was the first one to shout .

His blood-shot eyes were glaring at Chae Joochul .

“Chae Joochul, what authority do you have to—”

“It is one of the authorities you gave to play up the Nine Stars . ”

A deep voice cut off Kim Sukho’s frantic shouting .

Soon, another person walked up to the stage .

It was an old man whose left arm and right leg had turned into steel and could not even walk without a cane – Heynckes .

“The Authorities of the Nine Stars . I’m sure you’ve heard of it . ”

Heynckes grinned and looked back and forth between Yi Yukho and Kim Sukho .

“Each member of the Nine Stars has authority equivalent to an international investigative agency… . Isn’t that the clause you personally wrote? Joochul here is an investigator I hired . ”

Immediately, Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho roared in fury .

“Chae, Chae Joochul—! Do you think you can get away with this!?”

Kim Sukho shouted desperately . Heynckes might be difficult, but he planned to bring Chae Joochul down with him . Given their history together, Kim Sukho had a lot to reveal .

However, in the next moment, Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho had no choice but to shut their mouths .

Tap, tap—

The man who followed Chae Joochul up the stage had stopped their shouting .

“This is proof . ”

The man who said this… was one of the three authority-holders of the Association, ‘Yoo Jangwon’ .

Yoo Jangwon handed Chae Joochul an envelope filled with evidence .

“Everything is inside this envelope . ”

“…You, you…!”

As expected of a seasoned politician, Kim Sukho quickly realized what was going on .

Yoo Jangwon and Chae Joochul had betrayed him .

Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho shook . However, Yoo Jangwon ignored them like dogs on the street and continued .

“The Kwang-Oh Incident, Leork Incident, Augsburg Collapse Incident, and other big and small incidents caused by Djinns… all of them are incidents masterminded by those two to keep their authority . The evidence is already being broadcasted all over the world . ”

Yoo Jangwon clapped . Immediately, a huge hologram screen shot up on the stage .

—I am here today, not as the Hero Yoo Jinwoong, but as a fellow human being . I am here to confess the evil deeds I have committed .

Yoo Jinwoong was standing in front of the media – YTV, MBN, KSB… . Yoo Jinwoong was confessing live in front of the whole world .

Kim Sukho’s jaw dropped .

‘When did Yoo Jinwoong get there? Wasn’t he here just a moment ago…?’

After watching the screen for some time, Kim Sukho turned to Yi Yukho . It was clear what message their eyes were exchanging . Now that they were pushed to a corner, they would struggle until the end .

“Don’t move!”

Kwaaaaa—!

A gleaming greatsword formed with magic power separated them . Intense heat rose from the crack formed on the ground, preventing the two from joining hands .

This was Chae Nayun’s doing . Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho gulped at the power that far surpassed the rumors .

“This is Essence of the Strait’s Chae Nayun . I have been given the authority to arrest the Association’s law-breakers by the government, as well as the authority to punish and judge them in the process . Resisting will not be allowed . ”

“…I’m sorry to tell you, but I haven’t even been convicted yet . I’m no law-breaker . ”

Chae Nayun didn’t even pretend to hear Kim Sukho . She looked ready to behead him if he made one wrong move .

‘…As expected of Chae Joochul’s granddaughter . She’s mad . ’ Kim Sukho shrugged and got on his knees .

“Then excuse me . ”

Yoo Jangwon got down from the stage using this chaos .

“Wait! Stop him! Stop him too! We didn’t commit any crimes! He controlled us, and now he’s controlling you!”

Kim Sukho shouted loudly and pointed at Yoo Jangwon . However, Yoo Jangwon quickly escaped the party hall . Then, he prepared himself to ‘disguise’ himself again .

Ssk—

However, cold steel touched her neck .

“…Oops . ”

Jain raised her hand .

A woman appeared from behind a pillar .

“It’s been a while, Jain . Do you have time today? I’d like for us to have a little chat . ”

It was Yun Seung-Ah .

She slowly moved her sword and made a cut on Jain’s neck .

“Uh… well… can we chat later~? I’m a bit busy right now . I have to make them give up quickly… . ”

“I can’t do that . There’s something I need to hear too . ”

“Hear? Hear what?”

“Oh? You’re pretending you don’t know? I want to cut you up the more you do this… you bitch . ”

Blood flowed down Yun Seung-Ah’s sword . A sharp pain spread through Jain’s body .

Jain grit her teeth and pondered, ‘Should I push her sword away and escape? Or should I hear out this woman…?’

Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to weigh her options .

KWAANG—!

The roof of the mansion suddenly collapsed, and countless flying monsters and members of the New Evils appeared .

Kieeek!— Kieeeek—!

Ferocious cries rang out as the scent of demonic energy flowed out . Everyone was taken aback by the sudden attack .

Jain glanced at Yun Seung-Ah and spoke .

“Why don’t we chat after everything ends~? I’ll keep my promise this time~ This is my retirement mission, you see~”

Yun Seung-Ah fell silent . Soon, the sound of something breaking rang out, and the clashing of magic power and demonic energy created a huge sonic boom .

There was no time to wait .

“…Huu . ”

With a sigh, Yun Seung-Ah let go of Jain .

“If you don’t keep this promise, I won’t give you a chance to talk next time . ”

“Okay~ Okay~ I already know your phone number . So just wait, okay~?”

“…Shut up and call me when you’re done . ”

With that, Yun Seung-Ah ran towards the party hall, and Jain changed her disguise to ‘that person’ to finish the job .

The person Kim Sukho feared and wanted to kill so much . The reason he caused the Kwang-Oh Incident .

The person Jain changed into was Jin Seyeon’s father, Jin Younghwan .

**

[Underground Bunker of the Mansion]

Yoo Yeonha evacuated to the underground bunker . As she would be useless in battle and as the New Evils would surely make her their primary target, she decided to leave the rest to Chae Joochul and Heynckes .

“…Haa . ”

She sighed and turned on the TV .

Her father’s press conference was coming to an end .

—I will spend the rest of my life atoning for my sins .

He reached out his hand proudly . Police ran up and restrained him with handcuffs that blocked magic power . It was the equipment her corporation, Essential Dynamics, invented .

“… . ”

Yoo Yeonha couldn’t watch her father be taken into custody .

She turned off the TV, with bitterness welling up inside her .

She felt like she was going to vomit .

Her heart was filled with unsatisfiable bitterness and emptiness .

She felt empty .

Was all this really necessary?

Was it worth abandoning her father to do this?

Fish couldn’t live in waters that were too pure . Perhaps it might have been okay to compromise… .

“…Hauuu . ”

Yoo Yeonha let out a helpless breath and picked up her smartwatch . Then, she checked her messages to look at her past conversations with her father .

[What are you up to, Yeonha?]

[Daughter~ Father had a little drink~]

[I want to see you . ]

Her father had sent numerous messages, but there weren’t many she had replied to . Yoo Yeonha began to hate her past self for not answering .

“Stupid, stupid, stupid…?”

Yoo Yeonha was smacking her head and blaming herself when she suddenly found a message log .

It was a long message, but there was no record on who the recipient was . The sender was ‘Yoo Yeonha’ without a doubt, but she had no memory of sending such a message .

Curious, Yoo Yeonha tilted her head and clicked on the message .

Soon…

Her face became redder than an apple, and she exploded from embarrassment .

[Hello, Kim Hajin-ssi . This is Yoo Yeonha . Today has been a difficult day . Well, maybe not for you, but it sure has been for me .

Maybe that’s why . The days I spent with you as my trusty ally are popping up in my head . I was embarrassed, tired, and a little annoyed, but now that I think about it, they were precious memories .

Right, I’m thinking about you right now…]

“…W-W-What the hell is this?”

Yoo Yeonha clutched her head . ‘I’m thinking about you right now’? What kind of a third-grader confession was this?

The unimaginable embarrassment caused her head to boil and her brain to melt .

But in this state of utter embarrassment, she faintly remembered the ‘emptiness’ that had been formed from her forgetting .

“…Ah . ”

The reason she had cast light upon the Kwang-Oh Incident, going so far as to abandon her father .

“Ah…?”

Yoo Yeonha pressed her temples .

“Ah, ah, ah . ” Short mutters escaped her mouth .

Someone’s face faintly surfaced in her mind .

Someone she shouldn’t forget .

Someone she couldn’t forget .

That someone’s face overlapped with the most embarrassing string of text she had ever read and faintly filled up her empty head .

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