Chapter 275 – The Merciless Ones (1)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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-Attached file : Photo
-Waaah! What’s this, did our Ho-yeol do something great again?
-Running away from home for fifteen days, he became a celebrity lol lol
-(Dancing puppy emoticon)
-Sisters ㅡㅡ Is that the right reaction???
“Hah.”
Lee Ye-rim let out a hollow laugh.
-The title floating on the top right!!!!! Look at that!!!
-Top right? I can’t see the small letters well these days TT TT
-Ye-rim-ah, why are you hurting the eldest sister
-No, it’s a one or two year difference at best, what’s with the exaggeration??
It can’t be helped.
Tap tap tap tap.
She kindly copies and types out the letters inside the capture.
-Dragon Monarch, Dark Dragon Lee Ho-yeol. Howls Towards the World.
-Is that the broadcast title?
-Yeah lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol
-(Clapping seal emoticon)
-No, Unni, are you just going to be happy about this?!!
To be proud of and happy about Ho-yeol.
The whole world and our Mom and Dad are enough, right?
Why, there has to be a few people making fun of him to balance things out.
She types, not yielding to the unwanted reactions.
-Dark lol Dark lol Dragon lol lol lol lol lol lol
-If it’s a dragon, isn’t it a really good thing?
-Right~? Just hearing the name makes him look amazing~
-Hah………………….
Mere one year, two years.
To think she’d feel a generation gap with her older sisters in her thirty years of life.
How can they feel such modifiers and titles are cool?!
-Unnis, do you really not remember???
-(Tilting head seal emoticon)
-That Ho-yeol over there when he was young
-When you used to tease Ho-yeol and catch him like a rat?
-When did I tease him like catching a rat?
-Ye-rim still does that even now hehe
-Anyway, what old story all of a sudden?
-No, that youngest one over there, when he was in middle school
Lee Ye-rim faintly remembered.
Ho-yeol’s 8th-grade syndrome days.
However, Lee Eun-hye and Lee Ji-yoon did not.
Understandably so.
-If Ho-yeol was in his 2nd year of middle school…….
-Unni and I were attending high school though?
-Right, it was a time we didn’t even have time to see each other’s faces back then TT TT
-(Soul leaving the mouth emoticon)
……Come to think of it, that’s true?
Four siblings born year after year.
Because the older sisters were busy adapting to high school.
And they would have been frantic pouring their all just into not showing their exhaustion from the declining family circumstances. So the only one who could be said to have watched Ho-yeol’s 8th-grade syndrome days was herself.
“……Seriously, if I drink alcohol again, I’m a dog.”
Only herself, whose memory has degenerated from frequent drinking and dancing!
Lee Ye-rim swallowed a sigh.
……Forget it.
-Forget it. I shouldn’t even talk
-What do you mean forget it, we need to prepare
-……Prepare? Prepare to tease him?
-What are you saying? We need to throw a congratulatory party at least
-Party? I wanted to see Mom anyway hehe
Ding!
-Attached file : Photo
-Our A-rang is excited lol lol lol That kid doesn’t even hug me but she clings onto Ho-yeol so well? Auntie is already very sad A-rang-ah
-Phew
“The Lee family is harmonious. Harmonious alright.”
Since a good thing is a good thing, let’s fix this mindset.
“Actually, what’s so important about making fun of him?”
In reality, she just gave up because she couldn’t remember.
“I am letting you off this time, our youngest.”
Lee Ye-rim pretended to give up like an adult and let out a laugh.
Then she tapped the screen for the last time.
That was so.
The participants of this group chat room.
Including the youngest, Ho-yeol, was a total of 4 people.
-You heard that, Ho-yeol-ah? If you have time, let’s see each other’s faces~
*
……Are they genuinely crazy?
Seeing that the missed calls from the enemy was only one, I thought she had finally grown up a bit, but. This, they were truly chattering about tremendous nonsense in the group chat room……!
‘As expected, she remembered!’
To mention those days to Number 1 and 2.
I, Lee Ho-yeol, fell into deep contemplation.
Thinking whether to erase the enemy’s memories with magic.
However, that was truly nothing but my impulsive wish.
Because my words popped out completely opposite to my feelings.
“It is a relief that you seem peaceful, elder sisters.”
Hey, Granfel.
Leave Mom and Dad aside with my face.
Do not make such a wistful expression while thinking of blood relatives.
Especially when thinking of Number 3, that enemy, even more so……!
Spitting out informal speech even to the Emperor and to a dragon that lived through eons of time. What’s the reason you address the older sisters as ‘elder sister’ and strictly use absolute honorifics?
“It is natural to pay a visit.”
Thanks to that, the goosebumps on my body aren’t fading!
But considering when Granfel’s formality ever gave leeway to my circumstances.
In the end, I transmitted a reply in an exceedingly polite tone.
“I shall pay a visit at least after placing a comma.”
To be able to avoid the enemy without going against pride.
In times like this, the excessively taken-on burdens act as help too…….
I looked at the photo lastly and murmured.
“It pleases me that she is growing up excellently.”
The only thing my and Granfel’s intents coincide on is thoughts regarding my one and only niece, A-rang. Truly, seeing her grow up so fast every time I see her……. This uncle is already worried, A-rang-ah.
‘……In case you might perhaps understand that intent.’
The previous photo that appears as I move my finger.
That was a TV screen taken with a camera.
To be precise, it was the title of a program covering me.
[Dragon Monarch, Dark Dragon Lee Ho-yeol. Howls Towards the World.]
Behold, the abundant bubbles.
The process of the Dark Dragon becoming the Dragon Monarch.
The process of this damn runaway mouth becoming reality……!
“Has the world truly heard it.”
It was the VBC broadcasting station, right?
I will remember that name clearly……!
Thanks to them making a confirmed kill so grandiosely.
Granfel’s pride acted up, and I became unable to pass over it roughly.
‘In the end, I end up blabbing about it with my own mouth.’
Current time.
The lobby of the Mage Tower.
And in front of the Yusra Golden Palace, it was a sea of people with reporters waiting for me. Originally, my thought was to head straight to the Zero Mountain Range right after finishing the Holy War Allied Forces meeting.
Level up.
Conquering the Hundred Thousand Caves.
Encountering World Unification.
Because there was no time to waste in order to grasp three birds with one stone. In my heart, reporters and whatever. I wanted to manifest a portal and warp to the Zero Mountain Range, but.
“If so, there shall be no need to hesitate anymore.”
As you can see, my prideful footsteps are heading towards the main gate of the Golden Palace.
Let’s straighten my attire and organize my thoughts as well.
Okay, Ho-yeol.
If you can’t avoid it.
And you can’t enjoy it…….
‘Let’s think as rationally as possible.’
I, who had materialized the [Legend, Dark Dragon Lee Ho-yeol], am well-aware of it.
The effect of a [Legend] is not proportional to my strength. The extent of its effect manifestation varies depending on how widely the corresponding [Legend] resonates. And depending on what kind of majestic appearance it possesses.
‘Just like it did in Antonium.’
So just like separating public and private matters.
Let’s separate the sense of shame and the growth of the [Legend] and think about it.
Reporters.
In front of the cameras that will be broadcasted to the whole world.
Me blabbing that I am the Dark Dragon?
It would a genuinely terrible experience, but.
Simply put…….
‘The more terrible it is, the stronger my legend becomes.’
This time, it’s not a rationalization to protect the dignity of me, Lee Ho-yeol.
It is an unexaggerated fact.
Thinking that way lessens the psychological burden a little.
No, rather than that, it would be correct to say I end up abandoning myself to despair.
‘Alright, chatter as much as you please. Runaway mouth.’
Lionheart Knights.
“We have been waiting, General Commander.”
Enoch bows his head to me.
“If you give the word, I shall open the door.”
Murmur murmur─
Piercing through the thick door, the clamorous sound transmits.
Even without checking how much of a crowd has gathered, it can be felt.
However, now that I have resolved myself, there is no hesitation.
I spoke.
“Please do.”
Creaaak!
As Enoch bowed his head once again, the door opened.
No cheers are heard.
Naturally so.
‘Since I unintentionally disciplined them over there too…….’
The forced injection of formality.
Thanks to that, I stepped forward amidst the silent stillness.
Not satisfied with the Arcana Continent, all the way to reality.
It’s a fucking huge board that no one has experienced.
If this board is also for me, I shall play along.
No, going beyond playing along, I shall swallow it whole.
If this too is a weight given to me, I have no choice but to shoulder it for all to see.
I opened my mouth.
“There is nothing to fear.”
Everyone’s gaze focuses on me.
“Dark Dragon.”
At the word spat from my mouth, the gathering stirs briefly.
But who is Granfel.
An existence that always exceeds everyone’s expectations.
“That too is merely a ‘part’ of me.”
“……!!!”
To multiply the bubbles by several times with just a single word.
The performance of Granfel’s way of speaking is certainly guaranteed.
At the same time, I am seriously worried about the future.
When this press conference ends, what kind of existence will I have become……?
*
The top-elite executives of World Unification were 5 people in total.
They were called the Five Stars of the World and were known as the Five Stars. However, that information is naturally a secret from the outside, and even within World Unification, there aren’t many who know.
Even among the fellow Five Stars, they do not know the fact that the other party is a Five Star.
However, everything was Liu Ouzhunchun’s plan.
What’s necessary is loyalty towards himself, the Monarch.
It wasn’t a close relationship amongst the Five Stars.
Why, hasn’t it repeated countless times in the history of great nations as well?
The history where the king’s neck flies off due to rebellions raised by retainers.
The woman in the rabbit mask.
Five Star, Yoo Ji-oh observed the opposing party.
Looking at the red insignia, they were the same World Unification.
“What could they be doing in this place?”
However, this was not a scheduled meeting.
World Unification is a super-massive guild transcending a massive guild.
Because the number of guild members is more than double of the Shining, Gaon, Inazuma, and Berserker alliance which are classified as massive guilds. Therefore, World Unification operates according to strict rules.
“This sector is the jurisdiction of this body. Yoo Ji-oh-nim?”
Yoo Ji-oh observed the numbers of the opposing side.
It’s a headcount of not even ten.
‘Looking at the force, they are not a Five Star.’
Tsk, what kind of battle of wits is this between allies…….
Occasionally, Yoo Ji-oh felt a sense of futility like now.
She just endures it, saying the inefficient process is also for the Lord.
So doubts arose.
‘But, why are they hiding their faces?’
There was no rule stating only the Five Stars must hide their faces.
However, excluding the Five Stars who needed to be careful of each other, there was no reason to cover their faces with masks. Since it buys unnecessary suspicion as seen right now.
‘With masks I’ve never seen before, at that.’
Neither were they the pig mask nor the wolf mask speculated to be Five Stars.
Yoo Ji-oh shrugged her shoulders.
Wondering what they were…….
Don’t tell me, were they guys impersonating the Five Stars?
“I did encounter such news. That there are guys inside selling the fame of the Five Stars by putting forward the characteristic of the Five Stars being unknown. I didn’t know that was real, but they are guys with big guts, aren’t they?”
Yoo Ji-oh had many complaints about World Unification’s structure.
However, she understood and accepted it.
Yes, everything was because the Lord was far too merciful.
Regardless of levels high and low, all the way to supernovas.
It was because he embraced all those ambiguous ones who had nowhere to go.
So what she had to do as a Five Star was simple.
“It’ll be my duty to dispose of them before you blame yourself.”
One hundred.
Sssrk!
Yoo Ji-oh’s special forces surround the opponents numbering barely ten.
At this point, did they notice and freeze?
I’m not an impersonator like you.
That she herself is the true star of the world.
Yoo Ji-oh looked at her chipped fingernail and said.
“It is regrettable, but I have no intention of letting you off even if you beg.”
Even if they were real Five Stars, she had no intention of just passing over it.
Yoo Ji-oh could be confident.
That herself alone is enough to act on behalf of the Lord’s hands and feet.
That the other stars are merely obstacles disturbing the space between the Lord and herself.
Up till now, she had only endured because there was no justification.
“Don’t feel wronged. Didn’t I tell you repeatedly before entering the Zero Mountain Range? The only one capable of stepping foot into my sector is the Lord.”
That was right.
What she had stretched out like spider webs was not sectors, but traps.
Whether they are Five Stars, or greenhorns impersonating Five Stars.
A trap that can absolutely not be escaped once caught.
Yoo Ji-oh let out a hehe smile.
“Because my loyalty will be understood by the Lord as well.”
Sssrk!
Yoo Ji-oh’s special forces accelerating even more.
The moment they got close to the enemies.
Up to a hair-trigger distance.
A peaceful voice was heard.
“Look. Did I not tell you so?”
“It’s really true. I should have just trusted the old man’s words.”
“To get arrogant just because the geezer got one right…….”
Yoo Ji-oh doubted her own ears.
……What are these guys babbling right now?
And then she doubted her eyes.
Jingle!
……To think they are handing money over to each other in this situation? Anyone who looked could tell. They were settling the results of a bet. Whatever bet it is regarding right before their lives fly away.
The one called old man laughs heh heh.
“It is a commonly seen trick. Putting chaos into the hierarchy inside an organization. Look here, doesn’t managing the organization become easy like now? A sight where each believes themselves to be the true executive, competing on their own, and trying to prove their loyalty on their own.”
……That bastard is spouting senile nonsense, isn’t he?
No matter how you look at it, it was about her.
But that was all.
Under the rabbit mask, Yoo Ji-oh ground her teeth and said.
“You’re babbling whatever comes out to evade the situation.”
Srk─
Then, this time, something massive moved.
Had he been squatting up until now?
A giant build three or four heads taller than a normal person entered the field of vision.
“Enough of the geezer’s boasting. Just keep a good watch.”
“Where would there be eyes watching in the Zero Mountain Range, heh heh.”
“Come to think of it, that’s true too.”
“Uhaha. My, it seems masks will increase by one more.”
Toss.
Toss.
And then they threw something onto the floor.
Yoo Ji-oh, who checked the identity of the objects, flinched.
They were truly masks.
“Pig, wolf……?”
They were the masks of the two men she considered Five Stars.
They took off the masks of the Five Stars…….
And survived having committed such an act……?
There was only one possibility that came to mind.
‘……Dead? Two of the Five Stars?’
By the time she thought something went wrong, it was already late.
A cold voice continued.
“World Unification, you said? It’s not an organization for its members. And even more so, not an organization that helps each other like us. Without having to look far, you can tell looking at how they pulled useless tricks on the hierarchical structure. Isn’t that right, old man?”
“Of course.”
“Meaning it’s an organization solely for one boss.”
“……!”
Yoo Ji-oh did not refute it.
Because those words were incomparably correct.
But at the same time, she got goosebumps.
‘It is not an easy task to see through us from the outside.’
Even if spies had infiltrated the inside.
The Lord kept even that possibility in mind.
It must have surely not been something anyone could see through easily.
However, they were different.
A sluggish voice is heard.
“Infiltration, sabotage, dismantling, violence, blackmail, extortion. And murder.”
“……!!!”
“You could say it’s plain to see thanks to that.”
Instantly, Yoo Ji-oh thought of World Unification and Liu Ouzhunchun before her own life. Infiltrating the inside, taking down two of the Five Stars, and nonchalantly confessing everything.
She could be certain.
They are explicitly threats to the Lord.
‘……There are not many who can threaten the Lord.’
Rox?
No, Shining had already fallen beneath the feet of World Unification a long time ago.
If so, there was only one option left.
Even till now.
That man causing an uproar in the world, the Dark Dragon.
Yoo Ji-oh shouted antagonistically.
“Lee Ho-yeol……!!”
However, what returned was a far more frigid voice.
As if speaking while looking into a mirror.
It was a self-deprecating voice.
“Do not attach that person’s name to trash like us.”
And simultaneously.
Approximately ten moving.
To be precise, nine shadows.
Srk─
Crow masks revealed beneath the shadows.
Clack─
One of the masks said while loading a crossbow.
“Because we aren’t merciful like that person.”