Episode 119
I shook my head quickly to come up with an appropriate answer. And, in the end, he chose the most comfortable option and opened his mouth.
“I think that’s good enough.”
“really? Is it okay for me, the direct descendant, to be like this?”
“It’s up to you to decide.”
“… Actually, I knew you would say that. Still, I want to check it out at least once.”
Hwang Hye-yeon said so and smiled happily. There was no more worry or hesitation on that face.
After overcoming the crisis, we continued to eat, and we were able to obtain information about the events of the past year.
“So these days, I’m stepping down from my heir position and preparing for a different life. I’m sure I’ve been looking for something that suits my aptitude. Then like you said.”
The atmosphere became somber for a moment at her quite sentimental attitude.
However, that didn’t last long either.
“… Also, I think I’m fine now. At least a lot more than when you’re stuck on a problem that has no end in sight.”
After eating like that, Hwang Ji-hak spoke to me, who came out for a while to digest.
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you that your sister’s expression brightened up like it is now.”
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
“no. It must have been meaningful because it was your horse in a similar situation.”
After listening to Hwang Ji-hak’s words, the circumstances of the war came into my head.
Two people born as twins of direct blood in a family.
However, due to their very different talents, they have suffered a lot of gossip, and it seems that it has spread to conflict with each other.
At that time, it was said that none other than Han Kang-yoon helped resolve the feelings between the two.
Did you mean this to say that you were favored by me?’
Perhaps after that, Hwang Hye-yeon gave up her job as an exorcist and set a new goal in search of her aptitude.
Certainly, it must have been very painful for even the relationship with the family to be disturbed within the famous family where there was a lot of cheating.
As Hwang Ji-hak had prevented it in advance, it was enough to feel grateful.
“There were some dissatisfied comments, but that will be resolved if I take a seat in the future. You will be able to live my life with an empty heart.”
“… I’m glad it seems to have worked out.”
“It really is. Just last year, I never thought we would be able to restore a relationship like this.”
Hwang Ji-hak nodded his head with a satisfied expression.
And then he spoke to me again.
“I heard many stories from Jin-cheol. You are laying the groundwork for greater things in the future.”
“… … .”
That’s not wrong, but did I ever say that to Hwang Jin-cheol?
As I tilted my head, Hwang Ji-hak conveyed a desperate determination.
“I will soon become the elder of the Huang family.”
“… … .”
“When the time comes, I will be happy to help when you need it.”
It was a very grateful word. However, on the other hand, it is something that is easily accepted.
“It would be difficult to bear.”
The things I have planned for the future will never be normal from the point of view of others.
Even when Hwang Ji-hak becomes the elder of the family, I can’t even guess what the situation will be like.
However, Hwang Ji-hak showed an affirmative meaning without hesitation to such a question.
“I don’t mind anything, as long as it doesn’t go against my beliefs.”
An upright attitude that seemed to have copied the description from the original, but hidden within it was a softness that could not be easily recognized.
He was truly a talented person enough to be called the next elder of the famous family.
I smiled and nodded my head.
“Then I won’t ask for it.”
If the day comes when we will really join forces, thinking that it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
***
‘Then let’s visit this place first.’
Now that you have spent a lot of time with the Hwang Ji-hak siblings, it’s time to check out other chores.
After leaving Hwang Ji-hak’s residence, I was able to meet Hwang Jin-cheol, who was waiting for me in the magnificent mansion located in the center of the district.
“Someone said it was you, it’s nice to see you.”
“long time no see. I heard that the old man was looking for me.”
“It’s not a big deal, I just wanted to talk lightly about the progress of the work and the future direction.”
They kept in touch with each other, starting with the simple barrier stone trade, but this was the second time they had met face to face again.
Hwang Jin-cheol, who showed a benevolent smile, was the first to express his surprise about the case of the death stone.
“To be honest, I was a little surprised to be able to handle that damned object.”
“Fortunately, things worked out as expected.”
“Since I had the item myself, I know how much of an achievement it is. It’s never just luck.”
If what he had seen before when we first met was the gaze of exploration, now Hwang Jin-cheol is showing a sign of judging the size of my bowl by floating on him.
Hwang Jin-cheol with a meaningful expression continued.
“I contacted you before, but the simple barrier stone has just entered the mass production stage.”
“Yes. It was faster than what I was aiming for.”
“Since the verification has been completed in many ways, it won’t take long for it to be put to practical use.”
I don’t know much about that part, but at this point, I could see that the situation was smooth enough.
‘Is it January soon?’
Having roughly estimated the time, I gently raised my head and asked a question to Hwang Jin-cheol.
“Then, how long do you think it will take for it to spread to the general population?”
“It will depend on what level you are aiming for. I think the value itself is sufficient, but it is not easy for it to be widely recognized by the public.”
Well, that was the theory.
They are citizens who are always close to the threat of monsters, but that doesn’t mean that anyone will need them simply by offering them a product.
From here on, it was really up to Hwang Jin-cheol’s ability.
“I wish you all the best. If it is to increase the penetration rate, you can use all the revenue that is applicable to me.”
“Is it all?”
It was no ordinary offer. But I nodded without hesitation. It’s money anyway, because if you got Seo Ji-an’s help, there wasn’t much you needed to do.
Hwang Jin-cheol, who had been judging something for a long time, showed a slightly bewildered look and said to me.
“I did, but now I know for sure.”
“… … .”
“You, do you think that one day, the White Ghost incident will happen again?”
That was exactly what he said.
Knowing the original story, I can be sure.
The worst disaster that terrorized people a decade ago will come again someday.
‘Not once, but twice.’
As I nodded softly, Hwang Jin-cheol’s eyes widened.
I also saw only the text and never experienced the actual situation, but Hwang Jin-cheol’s reaction made me realize the seriousness of the situation.
“… Why did you come up with that thought? In fact, something like that wouldn’t have happened in decades.”
Hwang Jin-cheol’s question was justified. The exact cause of the Baekgwi-Yahaeng incident has not been clarified up to this point, but the current experts have nailed it to the fact that such an incident will not happen again.
However, from my point of view of the future, there is no sound as funny as that.
There’s no way to know if it’s a show-off or to reassure the public, but at least those opinions are all wrong. That was certain.
“The White Gui Nights Event will surely happen again someday.”
Hwang Jin-cheol showed a bewildered look at my words, full of confidence as if he had come to see the future.
I did not stop there and continued talking.
“Rather, this time around, there might be more damage than ever before.”
“… It’s hard to accept.”
“It’s okay if you don’t believe it. It’s simply because I think so.”
Still, if I had said this much, Hwang Jin-cheol would have certainly recognized the seriousness of my attitude.
Eventually, he nodded and threw the answer at me.
“I see. I’ll try to do my best on the supply case.”
“thank you. old man.”
“Well, it’s not that I don’t feel bad about it as a business person… … .”
Hwang Jin-cheol, who took a sip of tea for a moment, changed his gaze.
“For some reason, I think it’s worth investing a little more in you.”
“… … .”
If Jincheol Hwang felt that way, there is nothing wrong with me.
In any case, he was a tycoon who occupies a place in the Huang family, a great grandson of the magic industry and the third most famous family.
After that, I continued the conversation with Hwang Jin-cheol for a while.
In the process, you can also hear information about Hwang Se-jin, who had a conflict with Han Kang-yoon before.
“He is one of the candidates for the next elder. This year, I turned twenty-four, and on the other hand, I am called a prodigy. However, due to his sharp personality, opinions within the family tend to be divided.”
“… Is that so.”
“He tends to despise exorcists who are not from a famous family, so it may not be a good match for you.”
From what I heard from Hwang Ji-hak, I have already met him once, so that would certainly be an objective evaluation.
Also, thinking that it would be better not to run into each other if possible, I left Hwang Jin-cheol’s mansion and went back to Hwang Ji-hak.
‘Now the little things are roughly finished.’
So, now is the time to achieve the greatest purpose of coming here.
***
“It’s right here. It is the most secluded and most energetic place around here.”
“Thanks for the guidance. Could you please stand guard for a moment as I asked?”
With the help of Hwang Ji-hak, I found a spiritual spot located within the realm of the family.
As it is a top-notch elixir that is nothing else, you do not want to be disturbed by anyone while you are taking it.
After confirming that Hwang Ji-hak nodded and left, I took out the Guryonghwan (九龍丸) from the luxurious box without wasting time.
‘It’s the first time I’ve actually seen it.’
In the original story, Ha-on Yoo obtained other top-notch elixir, but there was no Gu Ryong-hwan. It was simply mentioned as passing by.
Degur.
A cross section with no curves, a considerable energy that can be felt just by looking at it. Obviously, the title of the best elixir is not worth it.
‘If it’s level 40, it’s probably just the right time.’
In essence, even if the level is too low or too high, it is difficult to see the effect of this elixir.
In that respect, now would be the perfect time.
Tsuzuzu.
Whoops.
Just like when I took Cheonghwandan before, I installed a magic circle that helps to receive the energy of the elixir, and I poured it into my mouth without looking at it.
turn up.
gulp.
Then, in an instant, a hot energy erupted from within.