Chapter 407

Chapter 407

Chapter 73: Reward Vacation (4)

Of course, this peace wouldn’t last long.

Even among the key figures of the interim government led by Rachael, Yuria, and Jordan, a time would come when their opinions would clash, inevitably leading to divisions.

But that time wasn’t now.

For now, it was necessary to support one side and push for unity.

“Political battles should be fought after domestic affairs are stabilized.”

Before even standing properly, if there’s infighting about whether to go left or right, the nation wouldn’t be able to stand on its own two feet.

There were already so many countries that had become dysfunctional.

Not only were civil wars breaking out, but also in many places, the collapse of law enforcement had allowed criminal organizations to seize cities and countries.

Biharin couldn’t be allowed to fall into such a state.

Therefore, until the domestic situation stabilized, I intended to control the situation, even if it meant being oppressive.

Fortunately, the situation unfolded as I had intended.

I nodded in satisfaction until Rachael emerged from the outside.

“Ra…,”

I started to call her but then paused.

Seeing Rachael walking with her head deeply bowed was unusual.

She had seemed quite satisfied until a moment ago, but now she seemed troubled.

“… Did I go too far?”

Since our faction had backing, rachael’s side would solidify as the ruling party.

That’s why I decided to get involved in the first place.

Therefore, I didn’t intend to back down simply because Rachael was displeased.

However, I did feel uneasy.

I wondered if I had once again forced my will under the guise of what was best.

Rachael arrived before me just as I was at a loss for words.

“What is this…?”

A small voice emerged from Rachael, whose body was trembling slightly.

I leaned in, curious about what she was going to say.

At the same time, rachael clenched her fists and lifted her head.

“This is what power is!”

“Uh?”

Things weren’t unfolding as I had predicted.

Rachael, disregarding my surprise, continued speaking with a flushed voice.

“The way those annoying relics couldn’t even speak properly and shuffled about!”

Haha!”

Rachael expressed her pleasure with a laugh that was unfamiliar, yet delightful, to me, waving her clenched fists triumphantly.

“You should have seen their faces!”

Apparently, my worry had been unfounded.

Watching Rachael in high spirits, I finally relaxed.

“The way they trembled with anger, only to raise their tongues in submission each time that marionette flashed in the sky was just priceless.”

It was delightful to see her laugh heartily once more.

Though this joy was short-lived as Rachael, feeling somewhat embarrassed, cleared her throat and collected her emotions.

“I never understood those who pursued power…,” she murmured in a slightly subdued voice, contrasting her earlier eager tone.

“Having experienced it, I realize how sweet power is, and why those who pursue it do so.”

I recalled the faces of those leaving the building earlier.

Honestly, I didn’t particularly like them.

They were obstacles to the future I envisioned.

However, I had no intention of criticizing their actions.

After all, there wasn’t much of a difference between them and me.

“We, and indeed, they, aren’t the sort to relinquish power voluntarily.”

A force that makes it possible to achieve everything according to one’s will.

The most perfect tool for implementing one’s thoughts into the world.

That is power.

And I had no intention of relinquishing the power I held.

I planned to use the reputation and authority I had as a player to suppress those who opposed my will.

Holding on to it was so useful that I couldn’t fathom why anyone would relinquish it.

The lords of the Atar Empire had a nature similar to mine from birth.

But the Rachael standing in front of me now was different.

“Power is truly a dangerous force, but it’s also easy to become addicted to it.”

Her low mumble was faintly tense.

It seemed she was wary of the power that had drawn so close to her.

“She’s certainly different from me.”

Knowing she was this kind of person was part of why I naturally decided to support her.

With that short thought concluded, I reached out with a smiling face and loosened Rachael’s ponytail.

“No need to worry about it now, don’t you think?”

At my sudden remark, rachael met my eyes.

I continued, gazing into her golden eyes that were now a bit lighter than before.

“If something you’re wary about happens, I’ll stop it.”

Don’t foolishly freeze in fear of a future that hasn’t arrived, unable to act with what you’ve been given.

“Do as you wish for now.”

I’d be there, ensuring no one could stand in her way.

Rachael’s eyes widened at my rather arrogant remark.

And then, as if pondering, she momentarily lowered her head.

I waited until her thoughts were sorted.

After a brief pause, rachael spoke again.

“I’m already indebting you with the grace of saving my life, asking more would be shameless.”

How long would she uphold that sense of shame?

“Overstepping without any shame is a problem, but drawing too firm a line and keeping distance isn’t pleasant either.”

I wasn’t particularly fond of Rachael’s attitude, wanting to maintain distance and etiquette this time.

“But.”

Before I could say anything further, rachael spoke again in a firm voice.

“Actually, I do need your help.”

For now, it wasn’t a situation to worry about shame, so she was willing to become a shameless person just this once.

Without stammering or mumbling, rachael spoke frankly.

For a person with such a reserved nature to say something like that.

“Of…, of course, I will do my best not to take too long. I’ll ensure you aren’t troubled, and, also… I’ll make sure to repay this kindness…”

Of course, she faltered the moment she took a further step.

Indeed, people don’t easily change.

Laughter spilled out of me unintentionally.

“That’s what I liked, her not being sly or shameless.”

Rachael accepting my involvement was progress enough.

“How you’ll repay me, I don’t know, but do it your way.”

As I backed away, ending the conversation, rachael fidgeted with her hands and asked.

“So, what will you do next?”

“Me?”

Having dealt with Isola and the lords of the Atar Empire, my immediate tasks were essentially finished.

“I’m not going to meddle in Bihar’s government directly anyway.”

It was enough just existing.

So, moving on to the next agenda wasn’t an issue.

Through Jordan, I had received all the necessary items like a locally connected smartphone and a vehicle before today’s meeting began.

I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay here.

However…

“……”

I hesitated to answer Rachael’s question.

Explaining my next agenda felt quite awkward.

After all, having someone working tirelessly 24/7 while I leisurely spoke about my plans felt wrong.

Yet, staying silent might breed misunderstandings.

Finally, after a brief contemplation, I replied awkwardly.

“Perhaps… sightseeing?”

Rachael’s eyes widened, as if she hadn’t anticipated that answer.

In that moment, I quickly continued to explain, wanting to prevent any misunderstanding.

* * *

At a restaurant near the hotel where Hyunwoo and the twins stayed.

“Where’s brother now?”

After placing their order, Yeonwoo asked.

Jinwoo checked his smartphone.

Looking at the smartphone, Jinwoo replied briefly.

“He hasn’t read it yet.”

“Still? Didn’t you send that message 20 or 30 minutes ago?”

“Yes.”

As soon as they woke up in the morning, they received Hyunwoo’s new contact information.

However, due to using different base stations, they decided to use the messaging app of the SNS.

Even that only left a message saying he would arrive soon, but he hadn’t read anything they sent.

“He should check where we are before coming, don’t you think?”

Could it be that his work wasn’t finished yet, so he couldn’t leave?

Jinwoo shook his head, staring at the message window without a “read” mark.

“Why, are you feeling unwell? Tired?”

A voice came from above him, it was Hyunwoo.

Looking up quickly, they saw Hyunwoo standing there.

“Brother is here!”

Yeonwoo jumped up and rushed into Hyunwoo’s arms.

Hyunwoo naturally embraced Yeonwoo, patting Jinwoo’s head.

Feeling bewildered, Jinwoo checked the message again, which still showed unread.

Curious about how he’d found them, he thought.

“Let’s just go with it.”

Since becoming a player, there were more things about Hyunwoo that he didn’t understand than those he did.

So, it was better to just let it go for the sake of his mental health.

“No, it was nothing. But…”

Jinwoo’s gaze moved beyond Hyunwoo’s shoulder.

There, he met eyes with the person standing behind Hyunwoo.

A woman he didn’t recognize, with white hair, white eyebrows, and skin paler than even a Caucasian.

Clad in white clothes, she was white from head to toe.

Looking at this obsessively white woman, he felt inexplicably uneasy.

However, she seemed pleased to meet Jinwoo.

So, as soon as their eyes met, she gave a bright smile.

– ——-.

At the same time, an eerie sensation, like something crawling inside his head, washed over him.

“Ugh…!”

“Yiiikes…!”

Jinwoo and Yeonwoo clutched their heads, unable to even scream.

Everyone in the restaurant and surrounding area experienced the same thing.

Thankfully, the strange, overwhelming sensation dissipated quickly.

When he raised his head again, Hyunwoo was gripping the collar of the unfamiliar woman.

“Be careful, be careful! How many times have I told you to be mindful in front of the kids?!”

He scolded the woman with a fierce expression.

Taken aback, the woman seemed flustered and opened her mouth.

“Yay, yay, ay, ah.”

Startled by her awkward pronunciation as if she couldn’t speak.

“Sorry. Hm… Tut mir leid? Désolé? 对不起! I apologize!”

Startled again by hearing multiple languages one after another.

“Is this Korean correct? I haven’t used my vocal cords in over a hundred years, so I apologize.”

How does one live that they haven’t used their vocal cords in over a hundred years?

‘No, wait a minute.’

How can someone live over a hundred years and still look that young?

The woman appeared, at most, in her mid-twenties.

Jinwoo realized from this detail that the woman before him was not human.

Since it wasn’t the first such experience, he wasn’t too shocked.

Beastfolk, fairies, and even the mysterious Rice Cake.

The twins had gradually grown accustomed to non-human races.

“Haha…”

But just because he wasn’t shocked didn’t mean he felt nothing.

Perhaps it was karma for having such an unusual brother?

Why did they have to experience things in life that most people never do, so often?

Though deeply troubled, he worked to calm his mind.

‘Let’s get used to it, get used to it…’

While Jinwoo concentrated on mind control.

Still tucked in Hyunwoo’s embrace, Yeonwoo peeked out and asked.

“Are you perhaps not human, sister?”

The person who answered wasn’t the woman, but Hyunwoo.

Damned System.

New Elements and Characters:

– 라샤르 (Rachael): Rachael(her)

– 현우 (Hyunwoo): Hyunwoo(he)

– 연우 (Yeonwoo): Yeonwoo(she)

– 진우 (Jinwoo): Jinwoo(he)

– 임시 정부 (Interim government): Interim government(it)

– 조르단 (Jordan): Jordan(na)