Shin Woo-seok carefully locked the door and bowed his head to Yoo Ji-hyuk.
“I was afraid of any unwanted interference… … If you are uncomfortable, we will find another remote place.”
“no.”
Yoo Ji-hyuk shook his head.
Because I knew instinctively that it was something important.
“I don’t know what it is, but it should be over soon.”
Maybe you can understand why Yeeun Lee acted like she was dead and unable to live.
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Or, he might say the fact that he had already found out about the branch of the World Tree that was quietly holding his breath.
“First of all, please keep this conversation strictly confidential. If it is leaked outside, my life as well as the safety of the master may be at risk.”
At that, Yoo Ji-hyuk asked quietly.
“Are you threatening me now?”
“Is it possible? How dare I do that. … … In fact, from the moment I spoke this story, I was already dead.”
Talking about his death calmly, Shin Woo-seok looked at Yoo Ji-hyuk.
“Excuse me, but how much do you know about the World Tree clan?”
“I only know as much as others know.”
“Then you’re saying you hardly know.”
He nodded.
“This is going to be a tedious explanation, but I hope you will listen. That way, it will be good for both the master and the young lady.”
Yoo Ji-hyuk nodded once.
Shin Woo-seok expressed his gratitude and drew three circles in the air.
He drew three subtly glowing circles in the air, pointing at them one by one.
“Currently, the World Tree clan is divided into three factions.”
He pointed to a circle.
“First of all, it is a faction that gathered around Miss Lee Ye-eun. Although they are few in number, they have an overwhelming majority of people in their home family, and they are also the most legitimate faction. Since the original head of the family had fallen into serious condition several years ago, his power has declined sharply, but the young lady’s struggles have restored its power and status to some extent.”
He pointed to another circle.
“Next is the faction of the branch families gathered around Lee Yun-seong, who was in charge of the opening ceremony today. A number of miscellaneous factions are gathered and the number of heads is the largest. And it is also the place where you openly feud with the young lady. They are talking about breaking away from the old stories of the past and eliminating the distinction between the main family and the branch family. The truth is, they want to take power.”
He pointed to the last circle.
“Finally, there are the elders of the home and branch families who are the fewest and have the strongest say. They think it’s good that they can only restore the old glory of the clan no matter what.”
He continued his explanation without stopping.
“And you know… … The head of the Thorn Cross Society is from the main family. In addition, the young lady has not yet obtained the branch of the World Tree, which was the greatest evidence and pronoun of the head of the family. That is why he continues to be questioned about his legitimacy.”
And he murmured quietly.
However, it was a voice of a subtle size, as if to see and listen to Yoo Ji-hyuk.
“According to the literature, I have heard that it blooms when it undergoes a great change of heart… … It’s not an important story right now.”
He was looking straight at Yoo Ji-hyuk.
It was an intense gaze that seemed to never be missed.
“The current clan is in a very immediate situation. They punished the people of the clan who were constantly infidelity and continued to change the water, but it was unreasonable to change the flow. In a situation like this, he has to fight on his own, both internal and external.”
And for the first time he mumbled in a very slightly emotional voice.
“It is too heavy for a girl who is not yet an adult to go through.”
“… therefore.”
Yoo Ji-hyuk, who was silently listening to the story, opened his mouth.
It seemed as if he was wondering why he was telling himself such a story.
“Why are you talking to me, an outsider, of such an internal situation?”
“that.”
Shin Woo-seok took a small breath.
“Yoo Ji-hyuk, no, you are not an outsider, but of our clan… … .”
That was then.
A loud noise resounded, and the walls of the break room were smashed.
Surprised, Yoo Ji-hyeok pulled out Yado’s dagger that he had hidden in his arms and was wary, but Shin Woo-seok couldn’t.
A slender but strong hand gripped his neck as if it were about to break.
With a bang, Shin Woo-seok slammed onto the floor and let out a sound that couldn’t even be screamed.
“You uh… !!!”
The owner of the hand was none other than Yeeun Lee.
Yoo Ji-hyuk, I swear, had never seen the expression of a person so engulfed in anger.
Shin Woo-seok opened his mouth and exhaled a thin breath.
“I’m going to pull out that tongue and kill you… !!!”
With those words, Yeeun Lee immediately moved to reach out her other hand.
Yoo Ji-hyuk was holding her arm without realizing it.
“Come on, senpai! Just calm down!”
“Leave this! I have to kill you, you bastard… ! Dare, dare!”
She was so excited that she couldn’t even understand Yoo Ji-hyuk’s voice.
Yoo Ji-hyeok, who wanted an irreversible incident to happen, exclaimed in an urgent voice.
“No, sister!”
Ye-eun Lee, whose eyes were literally turned over from anger, seemed to be covered in cold water for a moment.
When he woke up, Yoo Ji-hyuk was holding his shoulder while holding his arm tightly.
“Please calm down. sister!”
really.
To my surprise, Yeeun Lee was able to calm down enough to listen to and consider other people’s stories.
She relaxed her arms and said to Yoo Ji-hyuk.
“It was calm. So, please let go of your hand, junior.”
At that, Yoo Ji-hyeok let go of her arm with a sigh as if what the hell was this?
Yeeun Lee looked around for a moment.
I could hear the noise of people coming from afar.
At first, I felt like I had to get out of here.
“Let’s change seats.”
With those words, Ye-eun Lee stood up holding Shin Woo-seok’s neck tightly.
He didn’t forget to press down on his lower jaw with his thumb and forefinger to prevent him from saying nonsense.
She moved quickly and sent Yoo Ji-hyeok outside.
She was paying more attention than usual, in case he might be penalized.
And looking at him with a very concerned expression on his face, he said as if he was making an excuse.
“… Once the story is over, I’ll go find you. So can you wait around for me?”
Yoo Ji-hyuk nodded and replied that he would be waiting.
I had hoped he would let me go, saying it was okay, but he brilliantly betrayed her expectations.
Ye-eun clenched her lips harshly.
With Shin Woo-seok hanging in one hand, she walked straight away.
Then he went into the empty building and immediately threw him against the wall.
“Cuckoo!”
She muttered quietly as she slammed into the wall and lay flat on the floor, breathing heavily.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you.”
Come on convince me
That’s what you do best.
Shin Woo-seok fiddled with his hand to see if his neck had been broken at her fearful threat.
not broken
Then you can speak.
Reassured by that fact, he quietly opened his mouth.
“The taboo is… … .”
“What?”
“A taboo loses its magical power from the moment it loses the charm of its name. Once the line is crossed, people begin to dislike the taboo and begin to see it as normal.”
“Now what are you talking about… … .”
“Just a hundred years ago, the union of clans was not at all taboo. On the contrary, it was an act that was encouraged to thicken the blood and pass on the power to the next generation. After it was banned, the clan gradually lost its power and went into decline.”
“okay.”
Yeeun Lee nodded her head.
“I’m so excited to die.”
“What are you hesitating about? What are you so afraid of?”
In response to Shin Woo-seok’s question, Ye-eun Lee asked as if she really didn’t know.
“Now, are you telling me to do something out of the ordinary and asking what are you hesitating and afraid of when you dare to go wrong?”
“There is nothing more ridiculous than selective morality. millennium? Those who follow the heavenly rule are defending and encouraging murder, which should be the most taboo. There is no need for you to be swayed by the standards of such hypocrites.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Ye-eun growled and took one more step closer to him.
Shin Woo-seok did not hesitate even though his death was approaching moment by moment.
“I have had her by my side since she was a child, so I can confidently say that she is one of those who dare to know her best.”
“Yeah, a bastard who knows me so well would dare do such a thing… ?!”
“You tell him.”
He gulped and swallowed a small saliva.
“Because I knew what they were feeling.”
His stomach was kicked violently with a popping sound.
Shin Woo-seok knelt down with pain as if his internal organs were twisted.
“I warn you.”
Yeeun Lee was warning with a cold voice.
“When the child is spoken of in that way again in his mouth again… … I know you can’t really die pretty.”
“… Bring him in, and everything will work out.”
With a pop, he kicked again.
Yeeun Lee clenched her teeth and muttered.
“… Did you even eat your ears because you were so beat up?”
“no… … .”
Crying and swallowing blood, Shin Woo-seok muttered.
“If you tell the elders that he has the branches of the world tree, they will fully support you. Then it will be possible to purge the opposition immediately and lead the revival of the clan once again.”
He took a breath and looked at Ye-eun Lee.
“If you bring him in as your husband, everything will work out.”
“… … !!!”
Ye-eun Lee now screams like a scream, trampling on him and starting to beat him with her fists.
Shin Woo-seok, who was also an excellent wizard, didn’t resist and just shrugged.
Ye-eun Lee, who had been pouring out her anger like that for a while, reached out and grabbed Shin Woo-seok’s hair.
Seeing his blood-stained appearance, Ye-eun Lee exclaimed like a cry.
“How, how do you say things like that… ! How could you, my henchman, say such a thing!”
“… Jung, then.”
he said in a muffled voice.
“Even if it’s a sin, put it on your back and go to a solitary place… … Would you like to lock me up? A place where only young girls can enter… … locked up Anytime in the name of interrogation… … .”
Yeeun Lee threw him away as if she didn’t want to hear any more.
He collided with the wall and fell as if he were toppling over without any resistance.
“Uh, uh… !”
He moaned for the first time, and while moaning and crawling on the floor, he opened his mouth to Yeeun Lee until the end.
“If this is the power of the clan… … It’s enough to calm down all the things you’re worried about. G, even gold… … If you could just say one word to me… … .”
“Shut up!”
Yeeun Lee rolled her feet so loudly that it made a thumping sound.
After holding her breath for a while, she finally calmed her excitement and opened her mouth quietly.
“That child.”
Ye-eun Lee, the next head of the World Tree, a shaman of the World Tree, a sophomore at Orhe Academy, the deputy head of the archery club, a member of the student council, and a senior of Yoo Ji-hyuk, murmured.
It was as if he was branding himself.
“That kid is my little brother.”
She muttered, calming her rough breathing.
“I don’t have an older sister who does things like that to my younger brother. I, I… … .”
I have to protect that child.
But how can I let that child get involved in such a thing because of my circumstances?
“I would never do that.”
“… Jin, are you a Sim?”
“okay.”
Shin Woo-seok asked quietly.
And he said in a voice with a little bit of laughter.
“But why are you making such a harsh expression on my words?”
* * *
“Seniors.”
After Yoo Ji-hyeok waited for a long time, Ye-eun Lee appeared with trembling steps.
He approached her and pulled out a handkerchief, opening his eyes slightly wide to see her face, clothes, and blood all over.
“… Oh, my junior.”
Ye-eun Lee muttered in a dazed voice.
Then when he noticed he was wiping his face, he was startled and tried to pull himself back.
But he couldn’t do it right away as he grabbed his arm.
“Oh, no.”
When I looked at Yoo Ji-hyeok as if he was saying something, she muttered to Yoo Ji-hyuk.
“… There is blood.”
“This is fine.”
Yoo Ji-hyuk carefully wiped off the blood on her face and clothes, as if it was just that.
Yeeun Lee muttered as she watched him move his hands silently, even though the handkerchief was stained with blood.
“Sorry.”
“… … .”
“Really, really. I’m so sorry… … .”
Yeeun Lee continued to mutter like a child.
“That person… … .”
“You don’t have to worry about your junior. Because he’s not dead.”
Jihyuk let out a small sigh.
He said he would wipe it off, but there were parts that he couldn’t touch because he was of the opposite s*x, and above all, it was unreasonable to wipe all the blood stains with just a handkerchief.
He folded it and put it in his pocket, and Lee Ye-eun, who saw it, only thought that it must be dirty.
“… Do you have anything to say to me?”
At Yoo Ji-hyuk’s question, Ye-eun seemed to be choking her breath.
She just wanted to run away, but he couldn’t because he was holding his wrist.
“It’s my fault. All in all, I couldn’t take care of my people… … .”
“That’s not what I want to hear.”
Jihyuk looked at her carefully.
Ye-eun Lee couldn’t stand the gaze.
“Why did you tell me such an insider thing, the reason he called me the master… … I want to hear that.”
“that… … .”
Yeeun Lee was able to swallow something that felt like something was about to come out of her heart.
My throat and stomach sting like a sting, and I felt a sour taste in my mouth.
“Maybe, maybe… … I, my… … I’m so dependent on you… … So that’s it.”
“… … .”
“A little more, trustworthy… … To get someone like that you can rely on… … Yes, it is.”
Yoo Ji-hyuk looked at her without saying a word.
“Really?”
“ah… … .”
“Senior, is that really all? really… … Are you hiding anything from me?”
Inside Lee Ye-eun, there was a voice that desperately cried out to just tell the truth, so let’s just relax.
Yeeun Lee nodded her head.
This time, she chose to run away.
Even though you know well that it will make you regret it.
“yes.”
She nodded.
“That’s all.”
But now she knew it well.
The fact that there was no more place to escape, the fact that now I was really pushed to the edge of a cliff.
“Really.”
Knowing this, she ran away.
While barely putting up with the nausea and hatred of himself.
* * *
If you ask what the biggest pride of the World Tree Festival is, most people will say that the party is held every night.
The places open to the general public are also noisy enough, but the party halls that are only allowed to a very small number of people are literally like heaven.
It was a party enough to get a sense of how much power they had in the world beyond one country.
And there, besides Yoo Ji-hyuk, Ivan and Lee Yu-na, Han Soo-young, Choi Hyun-woo, and Jin Ye-seul were also gathered in one place.
Han Soo-young and Choi Hyeon-woo participated in the party as acquaintances of the finalists, and as an invitation ticket was sent to Jin Ye-seul’s family itself.
“Ah really. I was very worried because I couldn’t do it without a dress.”
Han Soo-young lifted the hem of a fluttering red dress that suited her with her hand.
Yoo Ji-hyuk thought that it was like the image of a woman dancing flamenco that he had seen on TV before.
“… I was thinking of another woman now.”
“no.”
“Uh… ? But why don’t you look into my eyes and answer me?”
“what?”
“Come on, look at my eyes. hurry.”
Then, knowing how he knew it, he calmly shook his head to Han Soo-young, who immediately opened his axe’s eyes and questioned him.
Right next to him, Choi Hyun-woo was fiddling with the nape of his neck as if he was constantly frustrated.
“This is so awkward… … But yes, how did you know all this and prepare for it?”
Jin Ye-seul shrugged at Choi Hyun-woo’s question.
At the entrance, she was the one who told Su-yeong Han and the others who were desperate at the sound that they could not enter unless they wore uniforms, that there were things they had prepared in advance.
“Not everyone has a uniform, so if you tell us in advance, you can rent it. So, in case you didn’t know, I told you beforehand. I’m glad I didn’t do anything stupid.”
At Jin Ye-seul’s words, Yoo Ji-hyuk tilted his head slightly.
Then why is Yeeun Lee… ?
Then, he made eye contact with Jin Ye-seul.
She was wearing the purple dress that Yoo Ji-hyuk had told her before.
With a smile, she fluttered the hem of her dress so that only he could see it.
And as soon as he saw the black stockings, he immediately turned his head.
There was the sound of someone clicking on their tongue.
“It’s a little uncomfortable… … .”
As Lee Yu-na, who was wearing a bright-colored dress, hesitated, Jin Ye-seul said it was okay and patted her on the back.
Choi Hyun-woo thought that it was like he was growing up with a cute pet and looked around.
“Ah, then I saw that Dohoon was here too.”
“Ahn Do-hoon? You are very friendly with him.”
“You said Because he’s not that bad.”
At Han Soo-young’s question, Choi Hyun-woo smiled slightly.
“Well, it’s such a big place. If you look around, you will be able to meet.”
At his words, Jin Ye-seul muttered while sipping a non-alcoholic cocktail.
“My family will be here too. I don’t want to meet you.”
Then, the song changed from a calm melody to a cheerful one.
Naturally, the center of the party hall was emptied and a space was created.
And there, several couples walked up and started dancing in pairs.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Han Soo-young and Jin Ye-seul looked at each other’s hands without saying a word.
Then they held out their hands as if they had made a promise, and at that moment, their joys and sorrows crossed.
Han Soo-young was scissors and Jin Ye-seul was a fist.
“Ugh… … .”
Han Soo-young cried and Jin Ye-seul smiled.
I didn’t tell her, but Jin Ye-seul’s visual acuity was enough to catch a flying dagger.
It wasn’t a matter of figuring out what the opponent was going to do.
“Jihyuk, will I take the first one?”
“you… !”
As Jin Ye-seul whispered that, Han Soo-young made a face that she couldn’t stand it.
Then he turned his head toward Choi Hyun-woo and looked at him as if to do something.
“… Hey, there are a lot of delicious things here. Ivan, what kind of food is this?”
“Well, the name is aristocratic, but I’m not sure because I’m a fallen aristocrat… … .”
Ivan nodded his head again, giving a smirk to Choi Hyun-woo, who turned his head urgently.
The two of them were muttering like that, looking at the table with simple food and drinks.
“… Oh, salmon canapes. Let me pick that up.”
“Come on, here.”
“Eat a lot, Yuna-san. Yuna-san needs to eat a little more.”
“Ugh, I will.”
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Only the reason I got caught in the middle looked awkwardly at me, and then went closer to the two of them.
It was because she was not foolish enough to step into a dangerous place no matter who looked at it.
“Are you there, the girl who looks innocent like a sheep?”
Jin Ye-seul, who walked slowly with a satisfied expression on her face, made a smirk.
She brought her index and middle fingers to her lips, creating a smile.
“Would you like to hang out with me?”
“… I don’t know how to dance.”
Seeing him muttering as if genuinely bewildered, she felt love once more.
“It’s okay because it’s not me. Leave it to me.”
With those words, Jin Ye-seul grabbed his wrist as if snatching prey.
Then he whispered to him, who was stiff as if he was nervous, as if to be relieved.
“It’s my first time, so be gentle and just match the beat as I say. It’s my first time, so it’s okay to be clumsy.”
As she led, Yoo Ji-hyuk proceeded cautiously.
Seeing that, Jin Ye-seul couldn’t hold back her laughter and continued to whisper.
“Now, shall we move together one more time? one two. one two.”
“… Do you really have to say it that way?”
“Yes? what?”
Seeing Yoo Ji-hyeok with a tired expression on her face, Jin Ye-seul just smiled.
The two soon became one naturally and began to dance freely like everyone else.
Han Soo-young was upset, but immediately looked at them with twinkling eyes, and Choi Hyun-woo and Ivan smiled bitterly.
Yuuna was also looking at her as if she was happy.
“… … .”
And someone else was staring at it.