Chapter 157

Captain of White Night Squad, Go Eun-Ju, bowed her head.

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency.”

Seol Su-Ah continued gently dabbing a potion over Jae-Hyeok’s wounds, saying nothing.

Between securing Jae-Hyeok’s safety and ensuring Loren’s escape, Go Eun-Ju had prioritized the latter. She had thought that was what her master would’ve wanted. She thought wrong. Go Eun-Ju lamented that she couldn’t understand the intentions of the master she’d served all her life.

Eventually, Seol Su-Ah said, “Eun-Ju, when I learned that you had pulled back the team overlooking Jae-Hyeok, my heart ached, but at the same time, I was excited... ” Seol Su-Ah scooped Jae-Hyeok into her arms like a prince carrying a princess, and stood. “I thought, ‘If this child succeeds in defeating Loren and rescuing his friend, it means he has more talent than his father.’”

Indeed.

Rather than worried, Seol Su-Ah had been curious: A child who provoked a thunder tribulation from his mere awakening.... She wanted to know how deep his talent ran.

Seol Su-Ah lowered her eyes in guilt. Her expression worsened when she saw Jae-Hyeok’s pale face.

“I’m... cruel. I’m someone who doesn’t deserve to be a parent. Eun-Ju, it seems you know my nature better than I know it myself. You made the choice you thought I would want. Ultimately, you weren’t wrong. So there is no need to feel sorry.”

Seol Su-Ah’s gaze fell on Do-Jin, who was waiting by the door, glaring at the Parent Zombies—or more precisely, glaring at Loren. Do-Jin noticed her attention and bowed with shining eyes.

The boy’s expression had all but the word ‘admiration’ written across it. Seol Su-Ah felt a little sick.

Kwon Sa-Cheol was right. She had known about the relationship between Loren and Do-Jin, and she had allowed Loren to attend Lion’s Castle with the expectation that he would cause an incident. In other words, Do-Jin was her sacrificial pawn from the beginning.

Just—

Seol Su-Ah looked at the two zombies.

Baek Do-Jin’s parents... I never imagined their existence.

Loren’s madness was beyond imagination. The horror and pain Do-Jin must’ve experienced today were outside of her intentions.

Rather, this is good.

At first, Seol Su-Ah had felt complicated after learning Jae-Hyeok had defeated Loren. On one hand, she was happy to see Jae-Hyeok’s great talent, but on the other hand, she had been disappointed that her plans had deviated.

However, after learning about Do-Jin’s parents, she was thankful her plan failed. Even if her goal was important, she was human, after all.

Seol Su-Ah carried Jae-Hyeok and walked over to Do-Jin and the zombies. “Student Baek Do-Jin.”

“Y-yes!”

“You’ve suffered enough. Put down your worries and just wait. I will help you bury your parents safely.”

“Sniff... Y-yes.” Joy and gratitude chased across Do-Jin’s face. The idea that a National Treasure would do him this favor felt unreal. It was as if a god had descended to grant his wish.

Seol Su-Ah watched him with pity.

Just then, Loren spoke through the Parent Zombies in his native language. He had an air of dignity that was absent when he spoke Korean.

“White Night, I understand your intentions. However, don’t get carried away by emotion and make promises you can’t keep. Don’t you wish to cooperate with the Baus family to avenge the Yaksha? Why rob me of my property?” Loren’s voice turned heated, “In the first place, Do-Jin’s parents are alive and well thanks to me. Why do you want to bury them? What right do you have to hurt my friend again?”

“Stop,” Seol Su-Ah said, and alongside her command, the breath from her lips turned the corridor quiet. The two Parent Zombies, now encased in ice, rolled their eyes and glared at Seol Su-Ah.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Seol Su-Ah removed her gaze from the zombies and gave an order to the White Night Squad. “Summarize today’s events and report them to the Association and the government. I’m looking forward to seeing them flustered.”

“Yes.”

The successor of the Baus family attempted to kidnap a student on school grounds, and the captain of the Second Attack Squad, Kwon Sa-Cheol, tried to free the successor of the Baus family and attacked the students who found out about it—the report would go something like that.

Of course, the Association and government wouldn’t believe it. Why would Kwon Sa-Cheol try to free Loren, let alone harm students?

It was absurd... Seol Su-Ah smiled. And yet, she had all the evidence she needed to prove it.

Although her original plan had failed, she’d still come out with an opportunity to deal some damage to the Association.

***

Jae-Hyeok had a dream. He dreamed of a world of ice, being held in someone’s arms, and feeling warm. It was different from his usual nightmares. Instead, it was comforting.

He slept for a long time.

......

When Jae-Hyeok next opened his eyes, he was in an unfamiliar room, but he wasn’t alone.

“Guys, he’s awake!”

Baek Do-Jin, Chae Da-Hee, and Park Hae-Rin—his cherished teammates, no, his cherished friends were by his side.

“Yeonju and Jun-Yeop were with you all day and have just left. Yoo-Jin and several students from Class B also came by several times.”

“......”

Jae-Hyeok turned his gaze toward the window.

It was dark.

No wonder he was hungry. Had he been sleeping since noon? Jae-Hyeok struggled to sit up. Before he could, a slobbering tomato crashed into his chest.

“Jae-Hyeok! I’m glad you’re awake! I’m so glad!” Tears and snot freely ran down Do-Jin’s face.

Jae-Hyeok grunted and shoved Do-Jin off the bed.

I’m in a hospital gown?

Jae-Hyeok started undoing the buttons, only to realize he had no clothes underneath. “How long have I been in the infirmary?”

Da-Hee turned away with red cheeks. “I-it’s been four days.”

“I was asleep for four days?”

“You know that potions don’t heal fatigue.”

Da-Hee’s expression darkened. She had already heard from Do-Jin about everything Jae-Hyeok had gone through.

Battered and bruised, Jae-Hyeok had fought relentlessly against powerful enemies to save his friend.

In almost every way, he was the ideal player in her mind. However, she couldn’t bring herself to praise him. On the one hand, it was good that he was always fighting for others, but on the other, he had no regard for himself. The last few days when Jae-Hyeok couldn’t open his eyes had been difficult for her.

“Why is everyone so gloomy? Jae-Hyeok is awake now. Everything is fine! Smile! We should go and eat something delicious!” Do-Jin tried to lift the heavy atmosphere, but his eyes were still red with tears.

Jae-Hyeok looked meaningfully at Do-Jin. “What about you?” With Da-Hee and Hae-Rin here, Jae-Hyeok couldn’t directly mention his parents.

“It’s all good.” Do-Jin smiled. “The chairman helped me bury them.”

“The chairman... ”

White Night Seol Su-Ah...

Jae-Hyeok felt deeply grateful to this old connection of his father’s. “Later, let me know where they are. I will go and pay my respects.”

Jae-Hyeok got up from the bed and put on the school uniform that was hanging neatly on the hanger. He had been asleep for four days, and it was almost time for vacation. He wanted to offer flowers to Do-Jin’s parents before he went home.

“Thank you. My parents will be happy.” Do-jin beamed, but then he suddenly deflated. “And um... sorry, you missed your exams because of me... ”

At Lion’s Castle, exam scores weren’t that heavily weighted, but they weren’t negligible either. After all, among those who entered society to find a job or a party, the ones who had knowledge were bound to be more valued.

“It’s okay.”

Jae-Hyeok didn’t dwell on his test scores.

He had a duty to get revenge and rebuild his family. His plans after graduation were different from those of ordinary people. School grades were worthless to him.

“You really... You care about me every time.” Jae-Hyeok’s consideration left a deep impression on Do-Jin. He’d had much to think about over the last four days he’d waited by Jae-Hyeok’s side. Now, he only felt clarity. “I’ve made up my mind,” Do-Jin said. “I’m going to get a job in the Kang family after graduation.”

“...Huh?”

Jae-Hyeok stared at him blankly, so Do-Jin explained. “Aren’t you the only heir to the Kang family? I’m going to get a job in the Kang family and serve you as my master.”

“......”

Do-Jin’s red eyes didn’t waver. “I am embarrassed to say this, but I felt a bit relieved after getting my parents back from Loren. My feelings changed... ”

Do-Jin had been allowed to tag along when Seol Su-Ah went to recover his parents. The whole time, He’d watched as Loren screamed and cried like a three-year-old child—against a National Treasure, that was all Loren could do. Still, it was then that Do-Jin’s feelings had started to change. Loren clearly had genuine affection for the zombies, and seeing Loren acting as if he’d lost his entire world, Do-Jin’s killing intent faded.

He felt Loren had paid enough for his sins.

Do-Jin continued, “Of course, I don’t intend to forgive that madman. But wouldn’t it be better to focus on something healthy rather than obsessing over him? For example, helping you... ”

“......”

After a beat of silence, Jae-Hyeok still didn’t respond. Do-Jin became anxious and started rambling, “It might sound ridiculous, but I’m serious! Maybe one day, Loren will come after you to resolve today’s grudge! So I have to take responsibility!”

There was a long silence.

Just when Da-Hee and Hae-Rin began fidgeting, Jae-Hyeok finally spoke, “Baek Do-Jin, I don't want to be your master.”

“Ah...” All color drained from Do-Jin’s face. Was he rejecting him because he was useless? That must be it...

Jae-Hyeok extended his hand. “What I mean is, I want you to stay by my side as a friend, and cherish the Kang family as if it’s your own home. If you can do that, then I will gladly welcome you.”

He remembered it clearly—shortly after his father had collapsed, the Kang family’s subordinates, who’d numbered more than a hundred, had immediately left. To them, Duke Kang was just their boss at work.

Jae-Hyeok wanted something more sincere.

“Yes! That sounds nice!”

Do-Jin regained his smile and clasped hands with Jae-Hyeok, who grinned.

After eight years, there’s finally a new member of the Kang family.