Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
62. Way back home (9)
Morning, Red Lion team building.
It was still an early morning, but the whole team building was on guard.
Be it Yong tribe members or humans, everyone was prepared to fight at any time.
The usually easygoing Yong tribe members were making somewhat sharp faces, and the team members affiliated with Red Lion all didn’t let go of their weapons.
It was because deep underground the team building, in the Yong tribe’s territory, the dragon slayer Cadmus was currently being held.
It was natural for the team members standing guard at the elevator leading underground, but even people, who were resting, were wearing capes with Red Lion’s team mark without exception.
Here and there in the break room, the Red Lion team members, wearing capes, lowered their voices and conversed.
“Then are we going to keep being in charge of Cadmus?”
“I heard so. We’re to prioritize this over otherworld conquest for a time being.”
“Team members are operating in three shifts, so it’s a bit difficult. We can’t borrow the power of Yong tribe or mobilize outsiders’ power, so it can’t be helped, but…”
“Cadmus has a legend of dragon slayer, so Yong tribe members have to be excluded from the security personnel. But it’s unexpected that even the shaman maidens-nim were excluded.”
“Isn’t that because the shaman maidens-nim borrow the power of Dragon King God? They said that Cadmus wasn’t effected much by dragon powers.”
“Even so, the shaman maidens-nim are humans, so shouldn’t it be fine?”
The conversation topic of the Red Lion team members soon shifted to the Association.
“But can we really keep that dragon slayer? He is a suspect in a big case.”
“Well, did the Association not contact us? They would do this because they want to take him.”
“The dragon slayer targeted Junyeol-yi and Jegeon-ssi, the dragon, who was in charge of guarding Junyeol-yi that day, was heavily injured… all of them are official Players. There is room for the Association to interfere.”
The purpose of the Player’s Association was ‘Enemy’s subjugation’ and ‘Player’s protection’.
The targets of this ‘Player’s protection’ clause, the Players the Association designated as official, met two conditions.
First, people using superpowers.
Second, people who received acknowledgment of the Player’s Association.
In the case of humans born with superpowers, if they maintained superpowers until the age of 17 and became of age when it was possible to use Gwangrim, they automatically satisfied those two conditions.
The problematic cases were those of Jin people and descendants, but majority of Jin people and descendants, who requested to register as an official Player, without any criminal records, were recognized as official Players.
The Yong tribe, which maintained a somewhat good relationship with the Association, had majority of its members recognized as official Players.
The representative examples was the playful dragon[1] Yong Jegeon and the Yong tribe’s descendants, Little Hongryong Yeom Junyeol.
In other words, the Association had a room to interfere in the case of attack on the Yong tribe members.
“Don’t worry about the Association.”
As if he was listening to the conversation for some time now, Yong Jegeon suddenly popped out and said.
The Red Lion team members reflexively tensed up at the sudden appearance of Yong Jegeon.
It was also because he appeared without a trace, but the Red Lion’s team members’ nervousness grew more serious because of how extremely bright Yong Jegeon’s expression was.
Recently, Yong Jegeon looked to be in a very good mood, adding to the Yong tribe members and Red Lion team members’ alertness.
“Yeom Bangyeol had face-to-face negotiations with the Association. Players faced danger in this incident, but as at its core it’s a conflict between Jin people, I guess his request for the Association to take a step back was effective.”
At Yong Jegeon’s words, the atmosphere became noticeably more relaxed.
The Red Lion was assuming a possibility that there would be people at the Association, who would strongly demand Cadmus until the end.
“Relationship between the Association and government isn’t particularly good this year. Given the situation, they probably have no plans of making the Yong tribe and the Red Lion into an enemy.”
“I’m glad. I heard there is a stubborn executive at the Association’s side….”
At that moment, Yong Jegeon quickly turn his head and stared into a certain direction.
The Red Lion’s team members followed his gaze and their expressions brightened up.
“Hello, good morning.”
“Hi, Junyeol-ah. Have you slept well?”
“Today you woke up earlier than usual.”
Yeom Junyeol politely gave them a morning greeting.
Yeom Junyeol responded to each greeting that poured towards him, as he walked up to Yong Jegeon’s side.
“Jegeon hyung. I think I’ll have to go to school earlier today, is that okay?”
“I’m fine with that. Are you planning to head straight to school? Let’s have breakfast together.”
It seemed that Yeom Junyeol was planning to head to school much earlier than usual.
After asking for understanding from Yong Jegeon, who he always went to school with, Yeom Junyeol mixed among the Yong tribe and Red Lion team members, and had breakfast.
Because it was different from Yeom Junyeol’s usual life pattern, questions poured from everywhere.
“Is it because of Student Council’s work?”
“It’s not the Student Council’s work. I was asked by Dongha to help with the Guideline Club work today.”
“Guideline Club? Ah, do you perhaps mean school gate guidance?”
“Yes, Miro is going to attend school after a long time, so it seems better to watch with them, so nothing unsavory happens.”
Cheongryong, who was politely eavesdropping on the conversation, exclaimed seeing Yeom Junyeol’s consideration for his junior.
“How amazing. As Junyeol-yi became a Student Council’s president, he became an even better senior!”
“Thank You for the praise, Cheongryong uncle.”
When they were about half finished with their breakfast.
Yong Jegeon, who was strangely quiet, suddenly spoke up.
“That’s unexpected.”
“… Yes?”
“The reason you’re going to school early.”
Yong Jegeon’s face was full of playfulness.
Yeom Junyeol was a bit worried what kind of prank Yong Jegeon was playing, but didn’t ignore Yong Jegeon.
“Junyeol-yi didn’t go out yesterday, right? And it seems like you didn’t contact each other separately. So I expected you to go early to congratulate him.”
Yong Jegeon made a riddle-like sound.
Yeom Junyeol fell into thoughts and tried to analyze what Yong Jegeon said for his intentions, but he couldn’t find the answer.
“Congratulations? I apologize. I have no idea what You mean.”
“I guess you really don’t know.”
Yong Jegeon’s face was full of expectations.
On the other hand, the people, who were observing this situation, became anxious.
“I’m talking about Uisin.”
“… Yes? Uisin-i?”
Yeom Junyeol’s eyes grew round.
It seemed he still didn’t realize what Yong Jegeon was saying.
Cheongryong, who was quietly listening, added a word.
“Are you talking about Junyeol’s junior, Jo Uisin? I heard that he returned from the trip.”
Jo Uisin was the Yong tribe’s benefactor, but currently he was only known between the Yong tribe and Red Lion members as Yeom Junyeol’s close junior.
The fact that Jo Uisin was Yong tribe’s benefactor was only known to four people — Yong Jegeon, Cheongryong, Yeom Bangyeol and Yeom Junyeol.
Considering that point, Cheongryong made an adequate smokescreen comment.
Yong Jegeon’s words continued.
“Yesterday was November 1st, Uisin’s birthday. Didn’t you investigate the 1st year class 0 in the Red Wall Phantom Thief’s case? So I thought you would remember.”
Hearing that, Yeom Junyeol made a face like his thinking halted for a moment.
To find a clue about Red Wall Phantom Thief, Yeom Junyeol investigated the Fantasy Auction and the student of 1st year class 0, who was tied to that auction.
That investigation naturally included the personal details of all 1st year class 0’s students, birthday dates too.
Because it was nothing but just a few letters among numerous documents, he just skimmed over it, but as Yong Jegeon said, Yeom Junyeol did investigate when was Jo Uisin’s birthday.
‘Right, His birthday is November 1st… Why did I investigate it only to forget?’
His master and junior’s, Jo Uisin’s, birthday was yesterday, but Yeom Junyeol didn’t do anything.
No, he asked about his well-being and talked about the weather as usual, but didn’t wish him happy birthday at all.
Yeom Junyeol felt like his vision was growing dark because of his lack of virtue.
‘I haven’t congratulated Him neither as a disciple nor as a senior. November 1st already passed!’
The people, who noticed Yeom Junyeol’s abnormality, started to fidget.
They looked like though there was nothing problematic about what Yong Jegeon said even after they chewed over it, they couldn’t at all understand why Yeom Junyeol reacted like this.
“Junyeol-ah…?”
Cheongryong nervously asked, but he had nothing to say to reassure Yeom Junyeol.
In the end Yeom Junyeol jumped from his seat.
“… I’m going to school!”
“Uh?”
“My apologies, I should go now!”
Yeom Junyeol reflexively started to run to find the nearest exit.
And then he recalled the way that was faster than using an elevator to get to the 1st floor and getting into an air limousine, so he opened a window.
Paaat!
Yeom Junyeol jumped out of the window without hesitation and summoned Hongryong.
The flame dragon caught Yeom Junyeol and soared high through the five color clouds that were covering the Red Lion’s team building.
The people, who were watching him through the window with blank faces, applauded to Yeom Junyeol’s movements.
“Goodness…! There are no superfluity in the movement!”
“His ability to use Hongryong increased so much!”
“A person who took a video, please share. I managed to only get a picture!”
On the other hand, Yong Jegeon, who hastily followed after Yeom Junyeol and Hongryong using Flight skill, mumbled with an ecstatic face.
“It seems that Hongryong’s energy is gradually growing denser…”
Yeom Junyeol had no room to pay attention to Yong Jegeon.
Without even realizing that Yong Jegeon was flying after him, Yeom Junyeol rode Hongryong and headed to the Eungwang School with full speed.
‘Over there…!’
In front of Eungwang School’s gate.
Yeom Junyeol soon discovered Jo Uisin, and Hongryong nosedived towards him.
* * *
A flame dragon was flying in the sky.
It was an unrealistic and absurd sight, but seeing Yeom Junyeol riding a top of Hongryong, it became plausible and admiration came.
‘He is faster to handle Hongryong than when I saw him during the training! The size seems a little bigger too and…’
I was filled with joy at the thought that my disciple grew again.
I thought that I should praise my growing disciple the next time I meet him, when Yeom Junyeol started to come down this direction.
The flame dragon was descending down at a terrifying speed, but neither of the three people me, Hwang Jiho or Cheon Dongha were shaken and we stood upright in our spots.
Paaaat…!
Around five meters above the ground.
Yeom Junyeol released Hongryong Summoning and jumped down.
With the dim traces of the flame dragoon remaining, Yeom Junyeol lightly landed on the ground.
The series of movements had no superfluity, as indeed worthy of a star Player Yeom Junyeol.
Not even out of breathe, Yeom Junyeol spoke up.
“Uisin-ah, it’s late, but happy birthday.”
The moment Yeom Junyeol appeared, he wished me happy birthday.
Yeom Junyeol seemed to be in such a hurry that he even summoned Hongryong to move, but even in the midst of it he wished me happy birthday!
It was so sudden and touching, I couldn’t reply right away.
In the meantime, Yeom Junyeol cast his gaze down and said with a lifeless voice.
“I’m sorry. I urgently came, so I couldn’t send a message beforehand and wasn’t able to prepare a birthday gift…”
It was but a few hours since November 1st passed, so there was no need to be so sorry.
I spoke, while soothing lifeless Yeom Junyeol.
“No. Thank you for the congratulations.”
I was happy with the growth of my disciple and congratulations, when I felt a scorching gaze.
Yong Jegeon, who landed after Yeom Junyeol.
Cheon Dongha, who was flustered by the abruptness of their appearance.
And…
“… Uh?”
Yeom Junyeol looked to my side with a bit of a flustered face.
Yeom Junyeol’s gaze was directed towards Hwang Jiho.
It seemed he reacted to feeling the presence of a Jin.
‘Thinking about it, there was also Hwang Jiho.’
Cheon Dongha was the fastest to judge the situation.
Yong Jegeon was the 1st year class 0’s vice homeroom teacher, Hwang Jiho belonged to the 1st year class 0.
And Yeom Junyeol was a descendant.
Cheon Dongha realized that those three were aware of each other, and organized the situation.
“… Jin people and descendants recognize each other, so you won’t be able to hide it.”
“Uh? I guess Dongha knows.”
Yong Jegeon observed Hwang Jiho and Cheon Dongha with excitement.
Seeing that attitude from Yong Jegeon, Cheon Dongha made an embarrassed face.
In contrast to him, Hwang Jiho didn’t look embarrassed at all.
“Hahaha! There’s only people here who know the identity of this one, eh?”
You’re bragging.
I had to swallow the sound of bitter sound that was about to come out.
*~*~*
[1] playful dragon — or game dragon, his category.
[?] title hanja — another hanja for 귀(kwi) can mean ‘to soar’.
Translator’s note: Yong Jegeon, you should hold back at least until baby finishes the entire breakfast.
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