51. The Shinohara Administration

Si-woo becoming the Sin of Lust isn’t entirely bad. The timing, however, is the worst.

I still need to visit the Elven Ruins, and if Si-woo, consumed by lust, comes to seduce me, it would be a hassle to persuade her.

Fighting her is possible, but facing a Sin is a burden.

Therefore, Ci-a needs to hold on until I return from the Elven Ruins.

“As long as there’s enough magic, it’s possible.”

“I’ll provide it.”

If Ci-a can suppress the Sin of Lust, Choi Si-woo, then what’s the harm in using magic stones?

After all, magic stones are abundant since I regularly purify and collect them.

“I’ll try my best. But I don’t think I can suppress her for long.”

“That’s enough.”

It’s fortunate that the Sin of Lust has taken hold. Other Sins wouldn’t have taken root in Choi Si-woo anyway.

Ci-a has debuted on BaekhwaTV, so leaving her and the golems in charge should suffice.

With the number of people secured, focusing solely on subjugation is sufficient.

I returned to the penthouse and gathered Yoo Eun-ha and Reina.

Han Su-ji, that stubborn woman, had posted a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the training hall, so no one dared approach.

“How’s the golem, Unnie?”

“I’m making it. You’re amazing, Unnie. Providing all the costs for the golem? I guess you thought it was worth the investment.”

I don’t know. That woman keeps supporting me strangely.

Every time I see her, she has that odd expression. Clearly, she’s not an ordinary lesbian.

In the original story, she didn’t have much importance, but the causality has given her some weight.

“Are we also going to the Elven Ruins?”

I shook my head at Lee Yoo-jin’s question.

“Honestly, I don’t recommend it. It feels off. You don’t need to go, especially since it’s about Reina.”

In the original story, Reina and Choi Si-woo go together. Precisely, it’s a heroine affection-building segment.

But there’s no reason for me to go alone.

Perhaps I’ll seek help from the Aca Record.

[Master. It’s recommended to bring Lee Yoo-jin to the Elven Ruins. You understand the original story, Master.]

“Ah.”

Indeed, the Elven Ruins hold various events. However, Choi Si-woo’s lack of power makes it inevitable that she and Reina must escape together during the Elven Ruins event.

Is this a suggestion to strengthen our forces by adding Lee Yoo-jin?

Moreover, there are golems in the Elven Ruins that aren’t operational.

“I don’t mind. I just don’t like such boring places. It’s just that I dislike how lovey-dovey you two get.”

“So you’re not going?”

“I will go. I’m just worried about leaving you two alone.”

Lee Yoo-jin shrugged.

I should hug her later.

“You find our ancestors’ ruins boring?”

Reina scowled at Lee Yoo-jin, her expression sulky. It’s obvious how much she’ll struggle if she awakens as an elf.

Reina’s sulky face made Lee Yoo-jin shake her head and speak.

“Didn’t you go on a school trip to Gyeongju when you were in regular school?”

“Yes.”

“What did you think of Bulguksa?”

“It was boring.”

Ah, that’s true. Bulguksa is boring.

As a company employee, her life included a school trip to Gyeongju, and that’s about it.

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

Reina nodded, seemingly convinced by Lee Yoo-jin’s reasoning.

“What about Han Su-ji?”

“Han Su-ji is busy with the Divine Sword and something about memory fragments.”

Divine Sword? Fragments?

Ah! Is Han Su-ji in the middle of her event?

One of the original side stories. Park Joon-hyuk’s event.

He’s now dead as a villain, but Park Joon-hyuk, though foolish, had immense determination in martial arts. The Divine Sword drew him in as a fragment and imparted its knowledge.

I only learned sword skills, but Han Su-ji will likely receive various abilities and traits.

“Then we’ll head to the Elven Ruins. Songdo can be left to Ci-a and the golems.”

“What about Han Su-ji?”

Reina seems to miss Han Su-ji.

Now is not the time to meet Han Su-ji.

“If it’s the Divine Sword’s fragment, it might be better not to interfere.”

“Understood.”

Having both the Elven Ruins and the Divine Sword event simultaneously isn’t bad for me, as it secures more power.

Though it’s likely due to causality. There are limits to that as well.

* * *

Tokyo, Japan

President Ha Jung-seok, en route to Japan for a Korea-Japan summit proposed by the U.S. due to the Sin issue, stepped through a portal to Tokyo.

His secretary, Choi Ji-soo, checked a message on her magic gear, frowned, and whispered to Ha Jung-seok.

“Mr. President. Chairman Choi Cheol-sik of the Association has sent a message via magic gear.”

“Are they asking for the Inspection Team again?”

“This time, it’s about BaekhwaTV. They say it’s certain.”

“Huh. They think I’ll send hunters to them? Ignore it. I’d rather attend the summit with this attitude than listen to them. Korea is not some puppet state!”

Ha Jung-seok was unaware of BaekhwaTV or its significance, dismissing it as just another villain’s broadcast.

More pressing was the Japanese Prime Minister and Shinohara delegation awaiting him.

“Welcome to Japan. Korean President Ha Jung-seok.”

“The pleasure is mine. I am Korean President Ha Jung-seok. And you are?”

Ha Jung-seok frowned at the greeting. Where was Shinohara, and who was this young girl?

“I am Shinohara Yuzuki, the 3rd head of the Shinohara family.”

Huh. This young girl?

“Oh, you’re from that family that supposedly controls Japan.”

Shinohara Yuzuki. A woman this generation.

Ha Jung-seok looked her up and down. She was a young woman in her early 20s with jet-black hair and a clean, pure image. She wore a black kimono adorned with cherry blossoms, politely greeting the Korean president.

Still, she looked like a college student. No matter how talented, it’s unusual for someone so young to lead a country. Elders usually pave the way.

“Huh. How can there be two suns in the sky?”

Shinohara Yuzuki smiled politely, but her thoughts differed from Ha Jung-seok’s.

Japan, once boastful of being Asia’s first civilized nation and modernizing early, had regressed to its pre-Meiji era ways.

“A chancellor can represent a head of state, especially in Japan, where the period was not very long.”

“Mr. President.”

“Hoo. Yes. We must have the summit.”

He had much to say but refrained.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Prime Minister, who had been quiet, opened his mouth.

“Isn’t there the matter of the Sins? Japan wishes to cooperate closely with Korea regarding the Sins.”

“Huh.”

President Ha Jung-seok’s temple throbbed.

He was already on the verge of madness over the Sin issue.

The Hunter Alliance, once closely tied with the U.K., was now strained. Even China was considering sending hunters to Korea, and now Japan? Were they offering samurai hunters?

“Since you’re tired, perhaps the Korean President and the Japanese Prime Minister should enjoy a banquet, relax, and hold the summit tomorrow.”

Shinohara Yuzuki interrupted before he could speak further.

Ha Jung-seok scowled at the overly polite treatment, finding it ridiculous.

“Mr. President, please calm down. This is interstate diplomacy.”

Secretary Choi Ji-soo tried to soothe him, but Ha Jung-seok removed his tie and suppressed his anger.

“Choi Ji-soo. Whose country is Korea?”

“Huh?”

Whose country? It’s the people’s country. Did he forget his campaign pledges?

Secretary Choi Ji-soo hid her true thoughts and waited quietly for the president’s words.

“It’s my country, Ha Jung-seok’s! How dare China and Japan use the Sins as an excuse for meddling? Is this the late Joseon era? How dare they try to interfere with us when they’ve had their noses pierced by hunters!”

To Ha Jung-seok, Korea was his own nation, not belonging to anyone else. He wouldn’t tolerate any interference. If not for international relations, he might have ordered Choi Cheol-sik to raid the arrogant Japan.

Even if Shinohara was powerful, Korea’s formidable hunters would handle it.

Ha Jung-seok wasn’t the only one thinking this way.

The Japanese Prime Minister, who had escorted the presidential delegation to their lodging, seethed at Ha Jung-seok’s arrogance.

“How long must we tolerate Korea’s arrogance? We should apply economic pressure!”

The Japanese Prime Minister criticized Korea’s arrogance to Shinohara Yuzuki. However, Shinohara, who held actual power in Japan, calmly shook her head.

“Please endure. Korea is an ally.”

Her emotionless tone made the Prime Minister frown.

“Look at the President’s expression! It’s as if he sees us as inferior! How insulting!”

Shinohara Yuzuki’s expression didn’t change, but the Prime Minister’s words displeased her.

Why so one-sided?

Korean President Ha Jung-seok wasn’t presidential material, but he wasn’t one to make diplomatic blunders.

Moreover, Korea was practically a hunter’s nation.

The Association, though weaker than before, supported Korea’s upper guilds, maintaining significant power.

“Prime Minister, do you wish to fight Korea? If we exert our strength, it would end in mutual destruction. What’s the point? And there’s something you misunderstand.”

Shinohara Yuzuki exuded chilling murderous intent, causing her family’s retainers to shiver.

The Prime Minister, unaware, was nearly pushed to the end of the hallway and knelt.

Unseen by him, numerous swords, wielded by Yuzuki’s ability, hovered, aiming at his neck.

“Uwaaah!”

“Don’t forget who provided for Shinohara.”

Shinohara Yuzuki released her freezing aura and turned away, dismissing the Prime Minister.

He gritted his teeth at her departing figure.

“Damn it. Wait and see. I’ll definitely take down Shinohara and reclaim power.”