Chapter 1252. Blue Guild’s Youth Center (21)

Clang.

“

Huh?

It's rare for you to drop your cup. What’s wrong, Commander Jin? You’re not worried, are you?” Benigoa asked.

“Damn it...” I[1] mumbled.

“I told you, didn’t I? There’s no need to worry. Even Lee Ki-Young doesn't succeed with every business venture, you know? Maybe it’s just taking a little longer to turn a profit. At least it’s not in the red. Yeah, yeah. I believe in you, Commander Jin. You were just kind of unlucky this time—”

“It’s not that,” I interrupted her.

“This time, I’ll do my best and help you. I’m planning on giving Lee Ki-Young a good scolding too. Since he's back, he should’ve had the decency to come greet us instead of just ignoring us. Honestly, I don’t even care about people like him anymore.

"Who was Lee Ki-Young again? You don’t remember him either, right? This time, let’s really put him in his place,” Benigoa said.

‘Damn it... I shouldn’t have received her help.’

“We need to work together. Honestly, Lee Ki-Young is too self-centered. Now that things have gotten better, he just ignores the people here and focuses only on the continent.

"Speaking of which, doesn’t Lee Ki-Young seem like he favors certain people? Like, he only calls on them when he needs something... you know what I mean?” Benigoa asked.

“...”

“Anyway, I organized all the data, so don’t worry, Commander Jin,” Benigoa added.

These were things I had to do again anyway. They couldn’t have been properly organized in the first place.

The first mistake was asking for help from Benigoa, as I ended up getting stuck with her in this quagmire. The second mistake was sharing the office with her, as she had the habit of whimpering nonstop, pouring out her loneliness as if she were an abandoned puppy.

‘Damn it.’

There was so much to do, but I just couldn’t focus. I used to think I could handle my tasks under any circumstances, but I realized that I overestimated myself.

There was a reason her office was isolated like a remote island. Even Belial, Lauren, who barely survived under Benigoa, and the newcomers, Sahaga and Gela, all went out of their way during work hours to avoid being near this woman.

There was a reason for it all.

“I swear... I didn’t raise Lee Ki-Young to end up like that... I-I mean sure... he was a handful in the beginning... but he treated me well later on... And now he treats me like I don’t even exist. He doesn’t visit... doesn’t call,” Benigoa complained.

‘...’

“Can you believe that guy? These days... he never contacts me first. Not unless I reach out to him first. I’ve got some pride, too, you know. I swore I wouldn’t be the one to message him first again.

"Th-That jerk... Ever since then...

kgh...

he hasn’t even sent me a single 'how are you' message. Not one!

Keugh...

H-How could he do that? I-I thought we were closer than that...

kgh... hiccup...

” Benigoa continued.

“Stop crying... damn it,” I said.

“So I finally worked up the courage and ... sent him a message, just asking if he was doing okay... but he didn’t reply. I think he read it... I’m pretty sure he did... and still nothing. D-Do you think I made him mad?

"Was I too pushy? Maybe he’s punishing me because he’s upset with me. Ugh...” Benigoa asked.

“That’s... probably not the case,” I told her.

I had heard that more times than I could count, and I often experienced something like this with her around. Soon, she’d start pounding on the desk, and when that wasn’t enough, she’d roll on the floor to continue her rant.

After that, she’d flail about and inevitably ruin all the work I just finished.

“At first, I thought you were a really bad person because Lee Ki-Young talked really badly about you... b-but... surprisingly, I think you’re a warm-hearted person...” Benigoa said.

‘Damn it.’

“Lee Ki-Young actually mentioned you from time to time,” I told her.

“

Huh?

Wh-What! What did he say?” Benigoa asked.

“I don’t really remember the details... but I remember him saying he missed you. So just—”

“Really? He really said that?” Benigoa interrupted me.

“Yeah, so just—”

“Can you tell me exactly what he said? Did he say anything else? Are you sure he said that?” Benigoa questioned.

“I think it would be better if you heard it from him directly. I’m sure he would want that,” I suggested.

“

Ah... ahhh!

R-Right. That’s pretty obvious, right?

He... hehe

,” Benigoa said, giggling.

I managed to shake off that clingy leech, but the uneasy feeling still didn’t go away. Of course, I knew exactly why.

‘Damn it. What kind of ridiculous plan does he have up his sleeve this time?’

I wasn’t certain, but instinctively, I could tell. I knew I was going to get dragged into something troublesome. I didn’t believe in superstition, but from experience, I knew all too well that situations like this always led to something absurd.

‘What on earth...’

I wanted to know, but at the same time, I didn’t want to know anything. I was curious, but I didn’t want to get involved. Whatever it was, the moment I discovered it, I'd get dragged into it. No matter how disastrous the situation was, I couldn't be a part of it.

Of course, I’d end up knowing anyway because people like me, like Lee Ki-Young, wouldn't be able to stand without any idea of what was going on.

Despite that... I needed to resist.

‘I’m sure I’ll end up getting involved.’

He’d try to manipulate me again.

The moment I got involved, his distinct face, ridiculous reasoning as well as the smirks and the sneers... I’d lose my composure upon seeing those.

After setting things up so there was no turning back, he’d throw me into the spotlight. It wasn’t that I lacked confidence. I just realized that ignoring the nonsense was better for my peace of mind than reacting to every little provocation from his end.

At least now, I had a weapon of my own. He was conscious of his own childishness, but the sight of his frustrated face was too satisfying to ignore. All in all, laying low was the smartest move for now, but...

‘Still, shouldn’t I figure out his trump card?’

I couldn't help but think that way.

It was probably obvious, but I figured it was better to prepare in advance.

“I’m going to head down... for now,” I said.

“

Huh?

A-Already? Didn’t you say you were going to stay here for a month?” Benigoa asked.

“There’s something I need to take care of. Anyway, I’ll be back,” I told her.

“Y-Y-You’ll keep in touch, right?” Benigoa asked.

‘Shit.’

“Yeah, I will,” I answered.

I wasn't going to interfere. I only wanted to know his plan.

I was certain I would never set foot again in the Blue Guild’s Youth Center.

After returning to my office in the Republic, I found myself tapping the Goddess’ Mirror without realizing it. Whether it was Anemone’s Eye or the surveillance cameras, I was sure he was recording every moment. He was a control freak, after all.

Logging in with the master ID right away, I looked into the Goddess’ Mirror, and I saw everything at a mere glance. Just as I thought, something had happened, and most of the attention was directed to the rooftop.

"It’s over...

heh... hehehe!

"

"..."

"It’s over!

Hehehehehe! Hehehehe!

Finally, the one will descend! The one..."

The dramatic climax was already unfolding right before my eyes.

‘Traore?’

He was a professor at the academy with a license in forbidden magic. He was so insignificant that I wondered why I even remembered his name.

The problem was that he had gone completely mad, and the huge magic circle on the floor was impossible to miss.

‘Did they find a clue?’

I remembered Lee Ki-Young talking about the Six Stars. He mentioned there were scums trying to summon demons through human sacrifices inside the academy, but I wrote it off as nothing important and ignored it.

“The magic circle is a fake,” I said.

At first, I suspected that he was just spouting nonsense, but considering his methods, that seemed unlikely. He probably snuck fake Six Star members into the academy...

‘Is he trying to bait them?’

It was probably a scheme to lure out the Six Star scums, including Professor Traore. Of course, it would be seen as a disgrace by the public. A terrorist attack happening within the Blue Guild’s grounds wouldn’t be favorable for him either, but he was willing to do whatever it would take to get results.

He was capable of discarding his pride without any hesitation.

The important fact was that the Blue Guild was attacked. As soon as this was over, the media would blow this incident up big time, and the entire continent would be abuzz about the Six Stars.

They’d arrest every single suspicious individual, making those who were already cautious become even more careful. It was essentially an early warning, saying that they were being watched.

‘Maybe it really was all in my head.’

After all, a legion commander being summoned wouldn’t actually happen.

I was starting to believe the whole thing was a meaningless performance.

“Commander!”

“Commander!”

Someone was calling out to me outside, and they knocked on the door of my office soon afterward.

“Commander! Are you in there?!”

I didn’t feel the need to open the door myself. As soon as I answered, they entered right away.

“What is it?”

“Sir... h-have you heard? T-the Blue Guild’s Youth Center... was attacked by terrorists...” a soldier reported.

“Yes, I heard...” I answered.

“The Blue Guild is reportedly under attack by an unidentified terrorist group. In response, the Democratic Country has formally requested reinforcements.

"It is said that the Galia Family, the Slava Family, and Xiaolin are heading to the Democratic Country to discuss countermeasures for the attack on the youth center.

"We need your approval... to send reinforcements...”

“I approve,” I said.

There was nothing more I needed to say.

“Report the situation to me,” I ordered.

Even though the conversation was over, I could tell the others hadn’t left yet. It even sounded like they were whispering among themselves. Before long, a cautious voice reached me from beyond the door.

“Excuse me... will you not join them... Commander?” they asked.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Mr. Jin Young... is currently at the y-youth center...” they said.

“...”

“H-He’s fighting the terrorists,” they added.

“...”

“They said... he’s leading the students against the enemies. He placed his life on the line... to protect the honor of the Republic and your honor, sir,” they said.

“No...” I answered.

“I know he doesn’t meet your standards, sir. I also fully understand that, as your son, he falls short in many ways... but then again, who could ever truly satisfy someone like you, sir?” they questioned.

“He’s—”

“But... but can’t you... think of Mr. Jin Young just this once, sir? Is it that difficult... to stand by Mr. Jin Young, just this once and for the last time?” they asked.

“...”

“How could you possibly take out the grief of losing your beloved on a child?” they questioned.

Their voice was trembling, and they sounded as if they were on the verge of tears. I had no idea why they were so emotional. Who the hell were these people? And how come they knew about Jin Young?

“Don’t you... feel... sorry for him?” they asked.

“Please, sir,” another begged.

“Please.”

“Please... please... sir. He’ll become the new light and the future of the Republic,” they added.

“I know I’m crossing the line, but... please,” they begged.

I turned to the Goddess' Mirror and saw the young Lee Ki-Young throwing himself into the black pillar.

"I’m sorry, Papa."

“S-Shit...” I mumbled.

“...”

“S-Stop talking nonsense... y-you bastard!” I shouted.

I couldn’t help but storm out the door.

1. Jin Cheong’s POV ☜