Chapter 1128: Scorched World.

Hyeon So-yeon betrayed.

Namgung Hyung said so with a troubled expression.

Why is Hyeon So-yeon’s name suddenly coming up here?

As I looked at him with puzzled eyes, Namgung Hyung twisted his expression and said.

“……The only ones who know this place’s location are me and sister-in-law.”

“……Ah.”

“But the fact that that fellow is waiting here… I guess it probably means something like that.”

At Namgung Hyung’s words, spat out with a scowling expression, I narrowed the space between my eyebrows.

The ones who know the passage’s location are two.

And Father, who brought a chair as if expecting us at that location and is looking at us.

The meaning of this statement was one. And not long after realizing that.

“That’s the correct answer.”

From Father’s side, a pretty face peeked out. It was Hyeon So-yeon.

“……Sister-in-law.”

Namgung Hyung looked with a dumbfounded expression. At that gaze, Hyeon So-yeon smiled sheepishly.

“I’m sorry.”

“This feels like a stab in the back, doesn’t it?”

“I couldn’t help it either.”

“Couldn’t help what?”

Namgung Hyung’s reaction was unusually cold. Did he dislike the plan going wrong? Or.

‘Does he dislike Hyeon So-yeon’s betrayal?’

Perhaps it was both. Of course, that wasn’t what was important right now.

‘From my perspective.’

Rather than why Hyeon So-yeon betrayed.

‘…Why Father.’

Did he grant her request? Because that was the problem.

Recalling that, I rolled my eyes. I ascertained the presences spread around.

‘The numbers aren’t many.’

If I wanted to, I could break through any number of them. However.

‘…This is the same for the other side.’

This was the same for Father’s side. If I just unleashed firepower here, it was obvious that those around would rush in all at once.

‘Hmm.’

I’m worried. Should I just give up? I was just thinking that if I threw Namgung Hyung away here, it might be roughly handled.

‘…It seems a bit late, too.’

I know well that trying to sell him off at this point is meaningless.

In a word, it meant I was screwed.

‘Sigh.’

While suppressing a sigh, I was watching the situation.

“You can’t help it.”

Hyeon So-yeon said, looking at Namgung Hyung.

“I clearly told you, Young Master, right? Not now. To wait a little. But you didn’t listen, Young Master.”

“Ahaha.”

At those words, Namgung Hyung laughed. However, it was completely different from his laugh earlier. The feeling of trying to suppress his emotions was stronger.

“You heard my answer back then, didn’t you? That I would do it. That I had no intention of staying any longer in this damn hell, and that I would leave.”

“That’s right. You said that, Young Master.”

Hyeon So-yeon said, taking a step closer to Namgung Hyung.

“Because you’re someone who would leave even if I told you not to. That’s why I did it.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t stop you with my strength anyway. And no other method came to mind besides this. Isn’t that right?”

Then, she smiled brightly. At that smile, I was unconsciously startled. Whenever she smiles so brightly with the same face as Namgung Bi-ah, I get startled.

“Because I couldn’t report this to the Patriarch.”

“…Ah, so that’s why you asked that fellow for a favor?”

“Yes. I did buy it expensively too. But this was just right. Ah, of course.”

Hyeon So-yeon, who was speaking, turned her gaze to look at me.

“…The fact that the card you brought was also different from my expectations is, if anything, the problem.”

“Haha…”

Namgung Hyung let out a soft, hollow laugh.

“I don’t understand.”

Swish.

Namgung Hyung straightened his kneeling knees.

I felt the atmosphere, which had been playfully taking hold, change in an instant.

At his stern face, I narrowed my eyes.

‘…Well, look at this?’

The atmosphere was too different. Where had the person full of playfulness gone? Namgung Hyung’s face was colder than anyone else’s.

In the first place, the fact that he was creating a light atmosphere with that cold face was rather incomprehensible.

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you just report it to the Patriarch?”

“…”

“I clearly told you, didn’t I? If you weren’t going to help, at least don’t interfere.”

It seemed Namgung Hyung had asked Hyeon So-yeon for the same thing he asked me.

The only difference here.

“Furthermore, if it’s you, sister-in-law, you shouldn’t be doing this even more so.”

The point was that Namgung Hyung’s tone when speaking to Hyeon So-yeon was filled with a sense of betrayal.

“At least, if it’s you, you shouldn’t interfere with me like this.”

“Haa…”

Hyeon So-yeon let out a sigh.

“Be a little less childish.”

She changed the expression she was wearing and became serious. Oh. Seeing that, I unconsciously widened my eyes.

‘They resemble each other.’

When she became serious with the same face, it was exactly like when Namgung Bi-ah was angry.

“If you just leave like this, do you know how much damage there will be everywhere?”

“What?”

“Those who were patrolling the area will be cursed at for not being able to stop you properly. Furthermore, great damage will also befall that Young Master Baek who is involved in this matter. All because of you alone.”

The words she shot out sternly were sharp and clear. Hearing that, Namgung Hyung stiffened his face and looked at Hyeon So-yeon.

Even while receiving that gaze, she continued speaking.

“Whether you escape hell or not, I don’t care about anything else. But you shouldn’t cause harm to others. Therefore, just go back quietly for now.”

She presented sound reasoning. It seemed she was trying to persuade Namgung Hyung with calm words to send him back. At least, from the looks of it.

However.

“If you go back now, I’ll also just pretend not to know…”

“Hyeon So-yeon.”

“…”

Namgung Hyung cut off Hyeon So-yeon’s words and called her name.

“Stop with the excuses.”

At the words spat out with an annoyed face, Hyeon So-yeon flinched.

“Why are you bringing up other people’s business here? Just say it honestly.”

Namgung Hyung said to Hyeon So-yeon with a sharpened gaze.

“I don’t care what happens to others. You’re just worried that I’ll die by the Patriarch’s hand.”

“…”

“So stop messing around and just go back. Isn’t that your purpose?”

At the words spat out indifferently, Hyeon So-yeon froze stiffly, as if her innermost being had been stabbed.

‘What is this?’

Honestly, it was interesting. The fact that Namgung Hyung abruptly dropped his honorifics, and that.

And the fact that Hyeon So-yeon froze up at those words.

Not the situation mentioned before, but that she’s worried the runaway Namgung Hyung might die. Is that really the reason?

‘Really?’

I watched the situation with interest. At that moment.

“…Elder Young Master.”

Hyeon So-yeon also changed the title she used to call Namgung Hyung.

Her voice trembled subtly too.

“If you know… please don’t do it.”

“I’m sorry, but.”

At Hyeon So-yeon’s words, Namgung Hyung simply took a stance with a stern face.

“It’s already too late for that. As I said again.”

Slowly, energy could be felt emanating from his body.

“Today, I will escape this hell. By any means necessary.”

“…”

An intense resolve coalesced into momentum.

At the visible shimmer, Hyeon So-yeon bit her lip and said.

“…Do you really think Patriarch Namgung wouldn’t know?”

Do you think Namgung Jeohui wouldn’t know about Namgung Hyung’s runaway? At those words.

“No way.”

Namgung Hyung laughed calmly again.

“That fellow, even if he looks somewhat incompetent, is a person who knows everything happening in the Namgung family. So, even if he’s holding a banquet, he might have prepared some measures. As far as I can see.”

Slide.

As Namgung Hyung spoke, he took something out from inside his clothes. It was the Brain Core.

“The last resort Father prepared must have been you, Hyeon So-yeon. And you, being smart, must know that well.”

“…So stop there.”

“…What?”

“Whatever it is. I have no intention of doing anything. And I won’t know anything.”

Squeeze.

At Namgung Hyung’s words, strength entered the part of Hyeon So-yeon’s mouth that she was biting.

He will know nothing. Is that him pretending not to know that Hyeon So-yeon is truly a means prepared by Namgung Jeohui? Or.

‘Is he going to pretend not to know the emotions Hyeon So-yeon will feel?’

That she has feelings for Namgung Hyung. Does Namgung Hyung know that too?

It might mean he knows but intends to pretend he doesn’t.

‘This guy. He’s not a fool?’

Namgung Hyung is not a fool. While that fact felt surprising.

“First, I’ll ask.”

Crackle.

Namgung Hyung tensed his body and asked someone, looking at them. It was Father.

“If I want to escape from here, do I have to defeat you?”

“…”

Father, having heard the question, reacted. He rose from the chair he was sitting on.

And then.

“Is the talk all finished?”

Crack.

He gently loosened his body.

“It just finished. Thank you for waiting, Divine Dragon.”

“…”

Father didn’t answer, but looked at Hyeon So-yeon beside him and asked her.

“Miss Hyeon.”

“…Yes.”

“I will do as promised.”

“…Please.”

A promise? I didn’t know what promise was made, but seeing the reaction, it didn’t seem like a good promise for Namgung Hyung.

‘What on earth did he wager?’

“Namgung Hyung.”

Father opened his mouth, looking at Namgung Hyung.

“What.”

“The question you just asked. I will answer it. That is correct.”

Tap tap.

He turned his body slightly. Each time, faint sparks could be seen bursting.

“If you want to escape, defeat me.”

He said so in a weighty tone. At that moment.

“…Hmm. Really?”

Namgung Hyung put strength into his Brain Core.

Fzzt-

A short burst of brain energy erupted.

Then.

KWAJIJIIK-!!!

The brain energy unfolded from the Brain Core wrapped around Namgung Hyung’s body.

‘Ah.’

It’s a familiar sight. That.

‘…Brain God’s Descent.’

A form that became one with the Brain Core. It’s a form that maximized and used the power of demonic energy.

‘Namgung Hyung could use it too.’

I had seen this used by the Demon Sword Master in my past life, or by Namgung Bi-ah in this life.

It seems that hermit could also use this.

“Then I guess I’ll have to do that.”

Namgung Hyung, wrapped in brain energy, emitted hostile intent towards Father.

In response, Father also moved to engage in battle with Namgung Hyung.

In response, I put my mind to work.

‘What should I do?’

Is it okay to just leave this as is?

I thought, looking at Father, not Namgung Hyung. Not long after, I came to an answer.

“Wait, wait…”

Letting out a sigh, I stepped forward.

PADEDEUDUK-!!!

As I stepped forward, I grabbed Namgung Hyung’s wrist. Upon contact, brain energy erupted and attacked me.

“What…!?”

Namgung Hyung, as if flustered and surprised, tried to pull his hand away, but.

“Hey, don’t waste your strength unnecessarily.”

I reacted as if I didn’t care about the brain energy attack at all.

“…What?”

At that sight, Namgung Hyung made a dumbfounded expression.

Ignoring that, I said to Father.

“We’re both in a position of having received requests. The clients should stay out of it, shouldn’t they?”

“…”

Father, having heard my words, looked at me with a stern face.

“What do you mean?”

To the words that came, I immediately answered.

“What do you mean?”

Pulling Namgung Hyung back, I advanced forward.

“Soon after, I stood before Father. There was a difference of about a head’s breadth in our weight classes.”

I looked up at Father as I was and said.

“Not that guy. Fight me.”

“…”

At my words, Father’s eyebrows trembled greatly.