No one has yet escaped this chaos.
The core problem has been resolved, but it will take time for the confusion to fully settle.
‘In the meantime, I can establish a few settings that work in my favor.’
I flew beneath the shadow of the mountain like ginkgo tree.
“I am glad everyone is safe.”
Baukalak sits collapsed on the ground. Hyeonggeun is lying flat. Eric and Curtain Call are barely standing.
And Mun Seunghee looks up at me.
“Wizard.......”
“Safe? We almost died! You are paying the bonus properly, right? Hazard pay! Hazard pay!”
Before anyone else— especially Curtain Call— can speak, Baukalak brings up money.
Before comrades who just survived death start entertaining strange thoughts, he clarifies the relationship with the client— me— and reinforces cohesion. Clean and without lingering resentment. I like it.
“Ah, of course I will.”
“A lot!”
“Of course a lot. Regardless of who participated directly, your entire team gets a bonus.”
“Good, that is how you should be! You all heard that? Long live Kim Sinhwa!”
As Baukalak cheers, I approach Mun Seunghee.
“Director, how are you? Are you injured anywhere?”
“......I am fine.”
Her dress is torn, her hair disheveled, bruises scattered across her skin— but her overall condition seems stable.
Disorientation or secondary psychological issues were my main concern, but that also appears fine.
Curtain Call or Baukalak’s actions likely registered as [Heroic Acts], preventing mental destabilization.
“I sent the other heirs outside the city.”
“Outside the city?”
“Yes. Ah...... you can still see them over there.”
It is still dark, but Sejong City never sleeps.
Emergency lights of every kind are activated. The turmoil has not yet subsided.
Thanks to that, the heirs I launched are clearly visible.
Like dandelion seeds drifting in the wind— the heirs float away gently.
“I tried reconciliation in various ways, but it seems fusion is still difficult for now.”
It may look dangerous, but they are all durable superhumans. They will return on their own. Though unseen here, many are already rushing to retrieve them.
‘If one brainwashing could solve everything, it would be simple.’
But the grudges between them are too deep.
There are still assassins contracted to kill heirs. Too many vested interests backing each of them.
If agitation begins, brainwashing will break. Better to scatter them than force unstable control.
And this choice has another advantage.
“Thanks to this, the only one who can represent Yeonam right now is you, Director.”
Mun Taeik, who has been playing incompetent, is excluded.
Though still confused, an avalanche of questions and demands will soon arrive.
Someone must respond. At minimum, declare that Yeonam has no relation to “that wicked villain Kim Sinhwa.”
Though I have not elaborated, Mun Seunghee nods firmly. She already understands.
“There must be someone who takes responsibility.”
A faintly bitter smile appears.
“I am used to that. Do not worry.”
Not a line I like. It means she is accustomed to cleaning up mistakes she never made.
And indeed, that has been her life.
Mun Seunghee does not belong in this position.
Unlike the other heirs, she has no supernatural gifts. Nor ambition to exploit her birth.
Her only wish is to live peacefully and happily with her half sister, Lee Seonbin.
But her father is Mun Taeik— Chairman of Yeonam Group and one of the monsters manipulating the world from behind the scenes.
Because she is his daughter, she endured cruelty from childhood.
Mun Taeik forced her into Yeonam Construction to keep her nearby. Others persecuted her as a rival and demanded she clean up Yeonam’s grotesque crimes and supernatural incidents.
‘And if I had not intervened.’
She would have been assassinated by another heir or had her brain devoured by Mun Taeik.
Of course, some would say she became a corporate director and perhaps even gained inheritance prospects.
But she never wanted that.
A gift forced upon her.
And the horrific responsibility attached.
‘That sounds familiar.’
‘Sinhwa, are you feeling kinship?’
I ignore the inner voices.
“Director, this is also an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“One moment. Excuse me.”
Ujijijijik—
I tear off the large mask covering my head.
Beneath it remains the [Flayed Mask], but it is easier to empathize with than a horned monster.
Now more human, I meet her eyes.
“As you said, you may bear responsibility— but this is also a chance to demonstrate your abilities without interference.”
My reflection fills her eyes.
“In the face of supernatural disaster and monstrous threats, others panicked or acted selfishly. But you can show something different. You escaped danger through your own capability.”
The reflection in her eyes whispers.
“A few convincing ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) words will suffice. People remain disoriented and shaken. Present a clear vision. That alone will redefine your position.”
I extend my right hand.
In her left eye’s reflection, she reaches back.
In her right eye, she simply watches me carefully.
“Wizard...... I.......”
She trails off. I know what she wants to say.
She once said she did not want Yeonam.
But seizing its core is the most efficient way to achieve her wishes.
To stop assassination attempts. To manage Lee Seonbin’s madness.
And it aligns with my goal of controlling Yeonam related events.
She will realize the rationality.
Mun Seunghee feels an indescribable fear toward the strange being whispering to her— Kim Sinhwa.
A silhouette that blends into darkness, boundaryless.
Eyes that seem to peer into her entire life.
An unnaturally beautiful face. A voice that burrows sweetly into her ears.
And that gentle, wise smile.
“Director Mun Seunghee. I am not forcing you. But if you desire it— I will help you achieve it.”
As he whispers, he moves a white, captivating appendage split into five at the end.
She realizes— with difficulty— that it could be called a right hand.
And feels overwhelming helplessness.
‘No matter what I answer.......’
This being will reshape everything as it wishes.
She has already seen him reshape the world.
There is nothing she can do.
What can she do against the monster who toyed with Mun Taeik and the heirs like children?
Perhaps if she complies, she can avoid his anger.
She opens her mouth—
At that moment, someone unexpected intervenes.
Intervenes?
What! Who interferes at the final step!?
Troublesome. Was this event not designed to prompt the Feast’s Offering to abandon his humanity? Was there another plan?
No. It seems an unforeseen intervention occurred. Someone expended resources to interfere.
“Don’t.......”
Before Mun Seunghee can finish—
“You crazy bastard!”
Curtain Call’s voice cuts in.
“Wait, Colly. This is important—”
[System : The trait ‘Heightened Vigilance’ activates.]
She is attacking seriously!?
Bwauuuung!
Curtain Call’s fist flies toward me.
I am a mage with a fragile body.
Curtain Call?
That small fist shaped like a child’s hand— if it strikes my head, the damage will be irreversible.
Best case critical condition. Likely instant death.
[Blink]
Tsupat—
This is real.
It was dangerous enough to require a survival skill.
“Uaaah!? What are you doing! Curtain Call, are you insane!?”
“Opportunity? You think everyone is a crazy bastard like you?”
She does not stop.
“Colly, what are you doing!?”
Baukalak and the others rush in.
“Do not dodge! You bastard! Mun Seunghee trusted you— and you say that!?”
Trusted? What?
What did she trust?
Why is Curtain Call angry!?
[Heightened Vigilance] analyzes.
Curtain Call currently has [Status Ailment: Exhaustion]. Also [Unarmed]. Accuracy reduced due to rage.
Baukalak and Eric are moving to restrain her.
Create distance. Activate [Distortion Field]. Apply debuffs and detain.
Worst case—
‘Wait. What am I thinking?’
Why was I speaking that way?
Not madness.
‘I simply.......’
Believed I was making the most efficient choice.
Not arrogance of godhood. More like a gamer looking down at NPCs.
“Mun Seunghee is pitiful— shall I make her Chairman of Yeonam? Conveniently manage Yeonam events too.”
If I considered her an equal person, I would not have phrased it that way.
Tsk.
Clearing one grand event made me overly proud.
“Wait. Colly! I get it! I know what I did wrong! Just do not hit me!”
“No! You deserve it!”
“Colly calm down!”
“Calm down? Then die with him!”
Bwauuuung!
Baukalak charges.
“Uaaah! Sinhwa help!”
“Got her!”
“Got what! I will kill you both!”
“Colly why me!? Kill only Kim Sinhwa!”
“What are you saying! Save us too!”
