Episode 390. Vacation Ceremony (2)

A luxury hotel near the Academy.

The man sitting in the quiet room let out a laugh.

“This is interesting.”

Maestro’s eyes were filled with desire.

A side he never showed to the usual Pandemics’ mind-controlled servants.

Information about Lee Hoyeon filled the table.

Lee Hoyeon was definitely strange.

A career and power, not to mention his mana, that were unbelievable for a 20-year-old cadet.

Having met him in person, he possessed a strength capable of easily subduing a low-level Rank-S mind-controlled servant.

A strength and growth rate that couldn’t be described by the word ‘prospect’.

There was something special about him.

Maestro recalled the recent encounter.

As soon as he confirmed Lee Hoyeon’s existence, he approached and implanted the strongest mind control.

“But he didn’t fall for the mind control.”

He knew the fate of this world.

This world was already set on the path to ruin.

Because it would turn into a sea of fire the moment the Demon King of the Underworld descended.

And it was he himself who would bring about the descent of that Demon King of the Underworld.

This much was the destined fate.

Fate is fate because it cannot be avoided.

“But what if he, too, was born with fate….”

His mind control ability was a product of fate.

It was highly likely that his ability to ignore mind control was also a product of fate.

Maestro closed his eyes and continued to ponder.

His own fate, which required him to destroy the world, and Lee Hoyeon’s fate, which was to prevent it.

What was his role to play between them?

“Tu Arma Maestro.”

Maestro attempted mind control on himself.

The command was ‘Help Lee Hoyeon and protect the world.’

Chijijik-

But the mind control quickly fizzled out.

It was as if someone was blocking his mana; he couldn’t control it, even though it was his own.

“… Tu Arma Maestro.”

Maestro roused his mana again.

This time, the command was different.

‘Kill Lee Hoyeon and elevate the status of Pandemic.’

Seureureuk-

Maestro immediately felt a sense of exhilaration filling his body.

He felt an obligation to kill Lee Hoyeon by any means necessary.

His arm, moving involuntarily, was contacting Pandemic.

• Maestro-nim. What is it?

“… It’s nothing.”

Tak-

Maestro, cutting off his mana before it became dangerous, shut his mouth.

It was the same this time.

This damned fate forced him to destroy the world.

He could do nothing before that wave.

Jikkeun-

Maestro quietly closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the helplessness filling his body.

*

“… Hoo.”

I slumped onto the street, staring blankly into the air before getting up.

Even though Maestro had disappeared, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding, but I couldn’t just stay like this.

Clenching my trembling fist tightly, I thought.

Maestro.

Seeing him in the game versus facing him directly was definitely a different experience.

Was that the so-called final boss?

I didn’t know about his strength, but his aura radiated from his atmosphere and presence.

“….”

I took a deep breath to relax.

Thankfully, the trembling in my chest gradually subsided, giving me the space to recall the recent encounter.

“First things first… I need to check for mind control.”

I had been using the Rune Barrier strongly, and with the special skill [Clear Mind], my mental defenses were solid.

But Maestro’s aura, experienced firsthand, was beyond imagination.

Seeing as he recognized me immediately despite my defenses, there was a chance mind control had pierced through.

Just in case, I needed to confirm if I was mind-controlled.

“Tu Arma Maestro.”

It was a mind control phrase that, if I were mind-controlled, would trigger extreme pain and restore my memories.

I closed my eyes slightly, bracing for the pain, but no pain came even after uttering the phrase.

“… Thankfully, I’m immune to mind control?”

There was a chance he didn’t use it, but the possibility that he did was much higher.

Defending against Maestro’s main ability was good news.

‘But why did he appear before me?’

Although I wasn’t mind-controlled, I continued to ponder.

Let’s just set aside the terror I felt meeting Maestro.

A final boss should be at least that intimidating.

Besides, I clearly remembered the sensations I felt this time.

There was still plenty of time, so I could devise countermeasures.

The problem was why Maestro was here.

If he came looking for me intentionally, there was no reason he’d just ask for directions and disappear.

Moreover, he showed no hostility towards me.

The fact that my combat sense didn’t activate was proof.

“My head hurts….”

I slowly picked up the cake while continuing to ponder.

Glancing inside, I saw a completely squashed cake.

“… What should I do about this. Ah, I can just restore it, right?”

I could use the Rune Barrier I learned from Rebecca to restore the cake.

I had experience healing Scarlet’s wounds in France, so if I applied that….

‘Rebecca?’

Just then, Rebecca’s presence flashed through my mind.

Currently, Rebecca was being chased by Pandemic.

I thought they hesitated for a moment after destroying her hideout in Korea, but could it be that Maestro came to Korea himself to catch Rebecca, who had betrayed Pandemic?

Anxious, I called Rebecca.

• Hello. Daddy~ What’s up?

Rebecca’s voice was cheerful.

Thankfully, nothing seems to be wrong yet.

“Rebecca-ssi. Where are you right now?”

• I’m out for a bit. Stopped by the hospital, thinking of going to the supermarket. Why?

“Tell me where you are. Quickly!”

Why is this person wandering around instead of staying put at home?

Frustrated, I raised my voice.

• Victoria Maternity Ward. Why are you getting angry? Is something wrong?

“Wait there. I’m coming now.”

Ttuk-

I hung up and started running quickly.

Victoria Maternity Ward.

I remembered seeing it near the Academy.

Even Maestro probably wouldn’t do anything strange in the middle of the Academy… but just in case, I had to see her.

*

“Daddy seems a bit strange today?”

Rebecca tilted her head, looking at her smartwatch.

She wasn’t usually the type to get angry like that; could something have happened?

“Ms. Lee Sua. Please come in.”

“Yes~!”

Rebecca had many aliases, and Lee Sua was one of them.

Rebecca entered the examination room with anticipation.

Today was the day to confirm her pregnancy.

Finally, the fruit of her and Daddy’s labor….

“It seems you are not pregnant.”

“Ah….”

But unfortunately, the pregnancy attempt failed.

Rebecca walked dejectedly out of the examination room.

She thought she’d have at least one child a year, but getting pregnant was proving difficult.

“Hmm… well. There will be plenty of opportunities.”

It was only one failure.

Rebecca paused just as she was about to leave the hospital, reaffirming her resolve.

“Right. Daddy told me to wait here.”

Whatever it was, he seemed urgent, so maybe she should wait.

Sitting idly in the hospital lobby, Rebecca activated her smartwatch.

And opened the search bar.

• How to get pregnant easily

“Hmm. Moderate exercise and sufficient sleep… no alcohol, no smoking. I’m already doing all that.”

As she continued thinking about getting pregnant, she felt her confidence growing.

With her mindset reset, the pregnancy would surely happen.

“Rebecca-ssi!”

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

Looking up, she saw Lee Hoyeon, panting heavily.

“Daddy’s here?”

“Haa, yes. Huff… Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Of course, I’m fine. Did something happen? Why did you run here so urgently?”

It had been a while since she’d seen him look so rushed.

Was he perhaps curious about the pregnancy results?

He’d find out when they got home anyway.

“I just met Maestro.”

“… Maestro?”

“Yes. He seemed to recognize me, but there was no hostility, so… I rushed here thinking maybe you were his target. I’m so glad nothing happened. Hoo….”

“What is it…. Daddy, that’s so touching!”

Lee Hoyeon’s forehead was beaded with sweat from how urgently he had run.

Rebecca wiped the sweat from Lee Hoyeon’s forehead, feeling an inexplicable warmth.

This feeling of being cared for, something she hadn’t felt in a long time, gave Rebecca, who had only focused on her Rune clan lineage, a pleasant feeling.

“Something serious could have happened. You need to be careful.”

“Okay. What’s this? Did you squash it rushing here?”

“Ah… it’s fine.”

“Fine, my foot. Give it here for a second.”

Rebecca took the cake from Lee Hoyeon’s hand and cast a Rune Barrier.

The barrier, imbued with plenty of mana, quickly restored the cake.

Seureureuk-

“There. Daddy. Thank you for worrying about me.”

“… You’re welcome. Just in case, go straight home. No, wait. I’ll take you home.”

“No, no. I was just heading out, I’ll go by myself.”

“No, that’s not the point. It could be dangerous.”

“Okay. Oh, Daddy. They said I’m not pregnant. We need to try harder.”

“Argh. You’re unbelievable.”

Rebecca flashed a charming smile, like a single blooming flower.

Her bashful smile was so captivating that Lee Hoyeon unconsciously averted his gaze.

*

“I feel a bit relieved now.”

After arguing with Rebecca, who insisted on going alone, we finally agreed that she’d call Scarlet.

Seeing that Rebecca was unharmed made Maestro’s actions even more baffling… but at least nothing happened.

There was no choice but to ignore the questions that wouldn’t yield answers.

“It’s not too late, is it?”

Buying the cake, meeting Maestro, and then seeing Rebecca… quite a lot of time had passed.

More than an hour had gone by.

It was quite late for just a quick trip to buy a cake.

I quickly ran towards the Academy’s club building.

After arriving at the club building, I could reach the club room quickly.

As I quietly opened the door, Lucy’s excited voice reached me.

“Got it!”

“Ah….”

On the table, I saw Nam Daeun looking bewildered, and Lucy holding a card with glee.

Beside them, Lumi was clapping her hands with a smile.

Nam Daeun, looking at the remaining Joker in her hand, spoke in a disappointed tone.

“The game is hard. Everyone’s too good.”

“Daeun-yang’s pupils dart around whenever she sees a Joker…. That’s why it’s easy to draw one from her.”

“Oh, really…. I’ll be careful.”

“Lumi! What are you saying that for? Now I can’t win!”

They were having fun.

Still, it was a relief.

I walked further inside with the cake.

“Hm? Hoyeon.”

“Hoyeon-ssi?”

“What the? Why are you so late?”

“Sorry, sorry. Something came up on the way. But I did bring the cake.”

I apologized and set the cake down.

Lumi grabbed my hand and pulled me to sit at the table.

“Hoyeon-ssi, let’s play together. Now we can do 2v2 Penguin Hunt…!”

“… Penguin Hunt? I’ve never heard of that.”

I blinked, looking at Lumi, whose eyes were wide with excitement.

“It’s okay. You can learn as we play.”

“Daeun-yang is new too, so I’ll team up with Lucy.”

“Uhh….”

Lucy and Lumi placed cute penguins on the table.

Glancing ahead, Nam Daeun also seemed excited looking at the cute penguins.

Right.

If you guys are happy, I’m happy.

I didn’t know what Penguin Hunt was, but I needed some peace of mind right now.

Playing a fun game would probably help me calm down a bit.

I sat next to Lumi and started the game.