Chapter 159 : Chapter 159

Chapter 159: A Gentleman’s Revenge Is Not Too Late Even After Ten Years (2)

"Yu-seong, ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍good morning!!"

"...Good ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍morning to you too."

It ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was Kim Su-hyeok’s usual energetic morning greeting. However, if one looked closely, he seemed more flushed than usual. Everyone probably knew the reason without being told, right?

'Is ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍it the start of the October Grand Festival...?'

The ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍day of the October Grand Festival had finally arrived. Because of it, Glory was also operating quite busily. It was a festival created with the intent that everyone in the country would enjoy it for five days, and the same applied to the cadets. Thus, booths and events were set up, and an event where families from outside could be invited was prepared.

'It does not seem to have much to do with me, though.'

I did not have any intention of sincerely enjoying the festival, and I had no family to invite. To me, it felt more like a grace period to prepare for the final day. Still, looking at Kim Su-hyeok laughing brightly beside me was not too bad. It was while I was sitting quietly in the classroom with those thoughts.

Slide—

The front door opened, and Im Seong-cheol walked in with refined steps. Unlike usual, he met us while wearing a crisp instructor's formal uniform.

"None of you would feel like being in a classroom on a day like this. Therefore, I will quickly deliver a few simple announcements and end this."

Im Seong-cheol spoke and immediately informed us of the announcements.

"First, there will be no classes for the next five days, so you may all focus solely on enjoying yourselves. As for your grades, we will discuss those next week."

Grades. Certainly, the rankings in Glory fluctuated based on the semester.

'Even so, it is not like I will rise to the top tier.'

The grading structure of Glory was not as simple as rising to first place just by taking first in a single practical exam. Therefore, even though my performance was good, I would likely end up somewhere in the few hundreds.

'Not that it really matters, anyway.'

What meaning do grades have in the work I do? Of course, good grades were better than bad ones, but it was not a priority for me, so I did not care much.

"Then, this concludes the announcements. It is good for everyone to enjoy themselves, but please do not make any mistakes. That is all."

Just as he said, Im Seong-cheol ended the morning assembly after delivering only very simple announcements. He likely did it out of consideration so that the cadets could enjoy themselves even a little more. Driven by his consideration, the cadets immediately began to leave one by one to enjoy the festival, with smiles blooming fully on their faces.

'Well, they should play at a time like this. When else would they have time to play?'

Are they not poor fellows burning their youth to become players? The five days of the October Grand Festival must be like rain after a long drought for them. While I was thinking that and about to slowly stand up from my seat.

"Yu-seong! Let's go quickly!"

Before I knew it, Kim Su-hyeok was standing beside me with a beaming smile.

"Where?"

"What do you mean 'where'? The festival, of course! The others are all waiting too!"

"Everyone is waiting?"

At those words, I turned my head and saw it was true. The kids were huddled together outside the door, sharing a conversation. No matter how I looked at it, it felt like they were waiting for me.

'Mmm, what should I do?'

While the worry of 'Is it okay for me to play lightheartedly?' flickered in my head for a moment.

'Well, even if I cannot fully enjoy it, there is no harm in hanging out with them.'

I quickly reached the conclusion to join them. Since we had decided to meet again on the last day of the October Grand Festival, there was nothing in particular to do until then. Rather than just sitting around, wouldn't it be much better to spend time with the kids? Even if I could not enjoy it with a peaceful mind, it would become a memory I could look back on someday. Thus, I nodded at Kim Su-hyeok’s suggestion.

"Alright. Where are we going first?"

"The Monster House, of course! I heard it is the most fun."

"Monster House?"

"Yeah. They decorated it like a Gate, and they are dressed up as orcs and goblins. I heard you can even take pictures with them!"

"I-is that so?"

"Taking pictures with orcs and goblins, it will surely be fun!"

I did not know if it would be fun or not, but I could tell one thing. At the very least, it was different from the festival sentiment I knew.

'Still, if the kids like it, isn't that enough...?'

Even if it meant having to smile brightly, make a V-sign, and take pictures with orcs and goblins. Yes, that must be enough. ...Still, if possible, couldn't it be something like a slime instead of an orc or goblin?

***

Countless people began to enjoy the festival, but unfortunately, there were also those who could not. A prime example would be the people gathered here, led by the Team Leader of the Government Villain Response Team 1.

"......" 

Only a heavy silence flowed in the quiet room. The first one to break that silence and speak was Shin Yu-hwan.

"Team Leader."

"What."

"Was this the support you mentioned?"

"...Yes. I did not expect everyone to accept, though."

The fact that everyone accepted meant that there was a lot of support personnel. However, Shin Yu-hwan’s expression was not very good. The reason was because of the faces gathered here. As Shin Yu-hwan glanced around, the faces he saw were Cha Yu-na, Ryu Jin-seong, and Hong Sera... they were all faces he knew without needing further explanation. At that sight, Shin Yu-hwan blurted out a comment as if he was appalled.

"Why on earth is Big Sister here?"

"Wouldn't I be here because your Team Leader requested help?"

"No, that’s not... never mind."

After exchanging a few words, Shin Yu-hwan soon gave up on the conversation. The reason was that he knew nothing would change no matter what he said. Since the people gathered in this place had a commonality in the first place, what more words were needed?

"Did everyone gather because of Seora?"

Yes, Han Seora. The commonality among the people here was Han Seora. In the case of Cha Yu-na and Hong Sera, there was no need to speak, and Ryu Jin-seong...

'Because he cherished Seora and that bastard Baek Ha-seong a lot.'

Well, strictly speaking, it would be correct to say he cherished all of them. Although he grumbled every time, he was like a signpost who tried to help them so they would not go astray due to their excessive talents. And finally...

"It has been a while, hasn't it? Han Su-yeon."

"...Indeed. It has been a long time since I faced you like this."

Han Su-yeon. Having risen to the status of a hero-rank player, she was also one of those associated with Han Seora. As one might have guessed, Han Seora was her sister. If I put it this way, someone might harbor a question. Why was the younger sister of a hero-rank player mocked by the Baek family as having base blood? The reason was not particularly difficult.

"To think you have risen to a hero-rank position. Ten years of time truly feels fleeting."

That was because ten years ago, Han Su-yeon was not such a famous player. At that time, she was only an A-rank player, so why would the Baek family care? Furthermore, the two were not actually biological sisters.

'Didn't they say they were from the same orphanage?'

I know them to be sworn sisters who grew up in the same orphanage. It was said that they took the surname Han from the name of the orphanage since they did not know who their parents were. However, such things did not particularly matter to Shin Yu-hwan. Why would origins or status matter? What was important was simply the person themselves. Therefore, Shin Yu-hwan treated her with a softer voice than usual.

"You seem amazing."

"No... in the end, I could not do anything back then."

"It is not as if you did not try, is it?"

Back then, she had no power, so she could not even oppose the suspicious actions of the Baek family. Such a person blamed her own weakness and desperately climbed to the top. That was also why it was difficult for the public to see her. How could a person who wished to become stronger by any means spend time doing external activities? Thus, Shin Yu-hwan also fully respected her. Unfortunately, Shin Yu-hwan was not like that toward everyone.

"Why did you come? It is quite unpleasant."

Shin Yu-hwan directed his words toward Hong Sera, emitting a faint anger. The ones who stepped forward at his behavior were Ryu Jin-seong and Cha Yu-na, unexpectedly not the prideful Hong Sera.

"Yu-hwan, do not do that."

"Yu-hwan, you fellow, please calm down for a moment."

However, despite the two’s discouragement, Shin Yu-hwan’s demeanor remained the same.

"What is the problem? It is quite disgusting how you suddenly pop out when you could have just lived buried in the Hong family."

I already knew well that the relationship between the two was not good. However, even setting that aside, Shin Yu-hwan’s appearance was quite heterogeneous. Naturally, there was a reason for Shin Yu-hwan acting this way.

"You tucked your tail because you were scared back then, and now that the situation has improved, sticking your head out is something even you must find disgusting, don't you think?"

"......"

"If you have a mouth, why don't you say something?"

That was because of what happened ten years ago. When Han Seora essentially suffered such a thing at the hands of the Baek family, everyone made an effort to uncover the truth from their respective positions. However, there was only one person who acted passively at that time, and that was Hong Sera. Of course, there was a reason why Hong Sera had no choice but to do so. It was for the safety of her family. Unlike Shin Yu-hwan or the others, and unlike the Ryu family which seemed no different from an ordinary family, the Hong family had a considerable number of household members. Even for their sake, confronting the Baek family head-on was a very unwise thing to do. Of course, Shin Yu-hwan also knew that fact. That was why he had not caused any friction, aside from the fact that he was on bad terms with Hong Sera since then. Then, why was Shin Yu-hwan acting like this now?

"If you weighed your interests once, then turn your head away forever, you piece of trash."

In Shin Yu-hwan’s eyes, Hong Sera’s appearance seemed quite selfish. Weighing interests? One could do that. Since it was not one’s own business, how could one recklessly tell someone to abandon their family and choose a friend? However, wasn't it too shameless to act like this now after abandoning a friend for the sake of interests? The first one to step forward at Shin Yu-hwan’s remarks was Cha Yu-na.

"Yu-hwan! What are you saying right now!"

"Big Sister, stay out of this."

"Yu-hwan...!"

"I told you to stay out. Do not interfere, Big Sister. This is between me and that damn woman."

Shin Yu-hwan was now emitting not just anger, but even an intense killing intent. This was no longer something even Cha Yu-na could help. No, no one in the world could stop the current Shin Yu-hwan. Once he lost his restraint, he was a person who never cared about those around him.

"......"

A quiet silence flowed for a long time. Eventually, Hong Sera’s tightly closed mouth slowly began to open.

"Yu-na, I will speak from here."

"Sera..."

"First of all, there was really no other choice back then."

At those words, Shin Yu-hwan snapped back as if he found it absurd.

"Did I ever ask you to give an excuse? I told you to just get lost."

"...And I know I am shameless. But could you listen for just a moment?"

This was an incredibly surprising statement. It was because the prideful Hong Sera had yielded first. This was a fact known to everyone in this room who had seen Hong Sera for a long time, and the same went for Shin Yu-hwan. Therefore, Shin Yu-hwan spoke with a more calmed demeanor than before.

"...Tsk. I will kill you if you speak nonsense, though. Regardless of the Hong family or whatever, I do what I say."

"Understood. That will not happen."

Having obtained the opportunity to speak, Hong Sera began to tell her story.

"First of all, there was really no other choice at the time. That decision was not one I could make alone."

"......"

"Confronting the Baek family head-on meant being prepared for downfall as well, so it was not a matter I could decide on my own, even for me."

It was true. Even though Hong Sera possessed a brilliant talent that would make the Hong family shine at the time, in the end, she was nothing more than a member of the family. It was different now that she had officially taken on the role of Acting Patriarch, but it was absolutely not a matter she could push through alone. The influence of the Baek family was the strongest among the prestigious families.

"Of course, this too is an excuse. There would have been a way for me to leave the family as well."

Leaving a family. It was a statement that should never be uttered lightly. The remark about leaving the family was not something she, who had even taken on the role of Acting Patriarch, should say. However, Hong Sera continued speaking as if it did not matter.

"But nothing could have been resolved that way. It is obvious that without a family, I would not have been able to do anything for Seora."

Right. As she just mentioned, even though she had brilliant talent at the time, that was exactly where it ended. If asked if she was at a level to fight the Baek family alone, it could be said with certainty that it was impossible. Even if Baek Ha-seong had inflicted 207 casualties, they were not a family that would collapse from just that much.

"So, I yielded. So, I turned my head away. Because nothing could be done with my own strength alone. Because in the end, I was pathetic."

Ten years passed like that. The talented girl who was only waiting to bloom had already become a woman who had fully blossomed that talent. The small child who was only a member of the family grew up and became a mature lady who had obtained the power of the Acting Patriarch. Therefore, she could now confidently say the thoughts she had harbored only within herself without telling anyone.

"It may be late, but I can also be of help now."

She had never given up, even if she had regretted it for ten years. Thus, Hong Sera spoke with a firm voice toward Shin Yu-hwan, with whom she had never had a friendly conversation even once since they met.

"You may hate me, but know this much. I have worked just as hard as you have in your own way. I have also built up my strength for ten years."

"......"

"So do not talk shit about me when you do not know anything. Got it, you bastard?"

Even though it was a remark mixed with profanity, everyone in this place could clearly feel it.

 Even if she had been cursed as someone who abandoned a friend for ten years, Hong Sera was a figure of a gentleman who had never once let go of revenge.