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[Chapter 161]

[Those Who Oppose Noh Eun-ha (2)]

By the time the first day of the main tournament ended, it was already dusk.

So Eun-ha, who had competed in the last match of day 1, decided to look around the cultural festival belatedly with Kaede.

Of course, Kaede seemed to show signs of being displeased.

"Why do I have to go around with you? I'm just going to return to the dormitory."

"Don't you remember what Ha-yang said? She said to make good memories since it's the last cultural festival."

"I don't have even a hair's worth of intention to make good memories with you."

"Who was it that said they'd be mine earlier?"

"I'll go along with official matters, but don't try to interfere with private matters."

"So you're not going to go with me? Don't you think you need to relieve some stress after competing all day?"

"Ugh..."

"And your competition is already over. All that's left is to enjoy it."

"Who ended my competition..."

Jung Ha-yang said it would be difficult to make time because she's in charge of a booth.

Other friends were either unavailable or couldn't be contacted.

So Eun-ha, bored to spend time alone, tried to coax Kaede.

Just then─.

"─Ah, wait a moment. My little sister is calling..."

"Little sister?"

While holding onto Hoshimiya Kaede's arm as she turned to go back to the dormitory.

Eun-ha ignored her struggling in his hand and checked the message.

"My little sister says she's here to see the cultural festival now."

"That's good. Go see it with your little sister, and let me go."

"Want to come together?"

"Didn't you hear me?"

"Let's go. She happens to be nearby. Huh? What's this, the dummy hyung is with her too?"

"...Fine. Fine, so let go of my hand now."

Noh Eun-ae says she's nearby.

He read the message and replied with a relaxed face.

Meanwhile, Kaede seemed tired of continuing to argue with Eun-ha and finally surrendered.

Soon the two headed towards the lakeside where Noh Eun-ae was.

"─Oppa!!"

[Hey! Not that way, this way! You dummy!]

The lakeside was crowded with people.

Many booths were set up surrounding the lake.

Fancy lighting equipment was installed around the X-shaped bridge crossing the lake, and people were crowded there.

In such a situation, it wasn't an easy task for even a siscon to find his little sister.

Fortunately, Eun-ae spotted him first.

Also, Jin Pa-rang sent him telepathy.

Who are you calling a dummy?

The most foolish person is calling others foolish...

Soon Noh Eun-ha turned his head in the direction the telepathy came from.

He smiled bitterly seeing Jin Pa-rang waving his hand across the lake.

Then he waved back to Noh Eun-ae jumping up and down waving her hand next to him.

"That's my little sister."

"I know. I saw her during summer vacation."

"We couldn't properly greet each other then because it wasn't the situation, right? We can greet properly this time. Let's go."

"I'll tell you in advance, I don't plan to stay long with you guys."

Eun-ha and Kaede crossed the bridge.

Then Eun-ae also ran to the bridge Eun-ha was crossing.

─Oh?

Then Eun-ha noticed a female student next to his sister.

She seemed to be Eun-ae's friend.

She was a bit taller than Eun-ae.

"Oppa! I watched your match well! I watched in the viewing room, and everyone was saying you did great!"

"If you were coming today, you should have told me. Then I could have gotten tickets for good seats."

"I decided to come watch with Mi-ye, and we hadn't set an exact date! And I wanted to surprise you too..."

"Mi-ye?"

Noh Eun-ae rushed in.

Eun-ha quickly caught her in his arms so she wouldn't fall.

Then he turned his gaze to the female student standing behind Eun-ae.

"─Hello, Eun-ae's oppa. I'm Seon Mi-ye. You remember me, right?"

Seon Mi-ye.

It was a name he had heard before.

It didn't take long to recall the memory.

Seon Gi-jun, currently called one of the representative players of East Sea Clan.

And in his previous life, a guardian called who killed his daughter with his own hands.

She was Seon Gi-jun's daughter.

"Of course I remember. When was the last time we met?"

"At our elementary school entrance ceremony. It's been 5 years since I saw you with father then. Oppa, you've grown so much since then?"

"It's not just me who's grown, you've grown a lot too. It's nice to see you after a long time."

Seon Mi-ye greeted Eun-ha with her hands politely clasped.

Eun-ha was very glad to see her being polite.

Seeing her made him feel anew that he had changed Seon Gi-jun's future.

She really has grown a lot.

Then is she in 6th grade now?

My time seems slow.

But other people's time passes so quickly.

Eun-ha inwardly clicked his tongue.

It was just then─.

"─I really enjoyed watching your match earlier. Goodness, how can you use such magic and move your body like that? I was so surprised!"

Seon Mi-ye's eyes suddenly sparkled.

Eun-ha didn't know what to do receiving her enthusiastic praise.

So he tried to be humble, but─.

"─That's nothing. Your father is even more amazing..."

"I decided to be your fan from today, unni! I want to become someone like you too!"

"Huh?"

"What?"

While Eun-ha was feeling embarrassed.

Seon Mi-ye passed right by Eun-ha as if he didn't exist.

Then she suddenly rushed to Kaede who was standing awkwardly unable to blend into the group.

"You were really cool! Especially when you were dodging attacks with your eyes closed at the end!"

"Th-thank you..."

She grabbed Kaede's hands and squealed.

Kaede seemed quite flustered by the sudden situation.

But she didn't seem displeased.

The corners of her mouth rose slightly.

Meanwhile, Eun-ha─.

"─Oppa."

"...Uh, yeah, what?"

"Are you really embarrassed right now?"

"..."

It seems he had been too caught up in people's attention and fallen into conceit.

So Eun-ha naturally made the mistake of thinking he would receive praise.

And his little sister caught that.

Eun-ha couldn't answer her smiling brightly as she poked her head out of his arms.

Also─.

[─I'm embarrassed just watching. Seriously, stop being so full of yourself! You dummy!]

Jin Pa-rang was gleefully teasing him from behind Noh Eun-ae.

Eun-ha, while tightly hugging Eun-ae, mouthed back so she couldn't hear.

─Dummy hyung, shut up.

[Who are you calling dummy? You're an even bigger dummy.]

The two insulted each other.

☆

Unlike her outward appearance.

Seon Mi-ye was unexpectedly talkative.

"Did you attend the middle academy too, unni? How was academy life? Which group is sponsoring you? Is training very hard?"

"Uh..."

An endless barrage of questions.

Kaede, whose arm was grabbed by her from the moment they met, couldn't hide her flustered face.

Moreover, Noh Eun-ae was grabbing her arm on the opposite side.

"Unni was cool in today's match too! Ah, I'm Noh Eun-ae. I greeted you that time we met once before... Do you remember me?"

"I remember. From the first time I saw you, I thought you didn't resemble Noh Eun-ha and looked more like your older sister."

Seon Mi-ye chattered.

Noh Eun-ae chattered.

Kaede had to move her head back and forth to converse with them.

For Eun-ha following the three from behind, it was an amusing sight.

Look at her secretly enjoying it?

It was Hoshimiya Kaede.

She, who basically kept others at a distance, was smiling slightly as Eun-ae and Mi-ye spoke to her.

Then she looked at the two and mumbled something softly.

"Cute..."

Eun-ha decided to pretend he didn't hear.

Coincidentally, she also cleared her throat and avoided his gaze when their eyes met.

By the way, to think Mi-ye was thinking of becoming a player....

On the other hand, Eun-ha recalled what Seon Mi-ye said earlier.

She said she would live frugally while receiving a salary from the Mana Management Organization.

It was such a realistic dream that Eun-ha couldn't help but think she was really mature unlike Seon Gi-jun.

Mi-ye will probably do well.

She doesn't have to worry about group sponsorship either. East Sea Clan where Uncle Gi-jun is will probably take care of it.

Even if Seon Mi-ye couldn't receive East Sea Group's sponsorship, he could have her receive Sirius Group's sponsorship.

He decided to ask Shin Seo-young to take good care of Seon Mi-ye when she enters later.

Anyway, it's fortunate Eun-ae isn't interested in the academy.

Meanwhile, Eun-ae didn't seem to have any intention of becoming a player.

It was fortunate for Eun-ha.

Not just Eun-ha.

That was the stance of the entire family.

She doesn't have the personality to become a player.

It's too dangerous too....

Noh Eun-ae had a personality that cherished life.

Being a player who kills monsters and sometimes even harms people didn't suit her.

So Eun-ha welcomed his little sister's intentions.

But going to a middle school quite far from home is a bit much....

Of course, he was surprised when she said she wanted to attend school somewhere she wasn't known.

But Eun-ha decided to respect it.

It wasn't that he didn't understand.

She did receive a lot of attention this time.

There were even players who invaded their home.

The reincarnation of Bang Yeon-ji.

As it became known in the industry by word of mouth that she cultivates silver wolf flower.

Furthermore, as it became known that she is the younger sister of himself and Noh Eun-ah.

Recently, various people approached Eun-ae with unnecessary expectations.

She, who had no intention of becoming a player, must have been stressed by people who tried to decide her path on their own while comparing her to Eun-ha and Eun-ah.

So he could somewhat understand her desire to attend a middle school far from home and keep her family background secret.

"By the way, what happened to hyung?"

"What?"

"The comprehensive division competition. You fought Si-hyung, right?"

"How do you think it went?"

"Hyung probably won. Si-hyung has a really bad matchup against hyung."

Amidst people chattering merrily.

The three were having a pleasant conversation while looking around the cultural festival booths.

Eun-ha was watching his little sister walking while eating bingtanghulu with a fond gaze, then turned his head.

Jin Pa-rang was chewing on squid.

"That Si-hyung guy seems to have learned something from East Sea Clan... But it didn't seem to suit him at all."

"I guess so. The techniques Uncle Gi-jun taught probably didn't fit because of the physical difference, so he couldn't digest them in his own way."

"It did seem that way. So I ended up winning."

"But you should be careful next time you fight."

"What?"

"I heard the techniques Si-hyung learned aren't all of it."

Jin Pa-rang won in the match against Kang Si-hyung.

Eun-ha quietly listened to Pa-rang describing the flow of the match and opened his mouth.

"Hae-su hyung said so. Si-hyung asked for a strange object recently, and he's studying in that direction."

"A strange object? What is it?"

"You'll see for yourself when it's completed."

Jin Pa-rang was curious.

Eun-ha chuckled.

─You can look forward to it.

Byeok Hae-su is making a new device for Kang Si-hyung.

Eun-ha, who had heard the news from Byeok Hae-su, was surprised at the time.

He thought Kang Si-hyung might be able to establish a new combat style for guardians.

That's how much it seemed.

It was worth testing.

So Eun-ha thought Kang Si-hyung who faced Pa-rang this time didn't go all out.

"What on earth is it? You're making me curious. Can't you just tell me?"

"It's personal privacy."

"What about you who heard through Hae-su hyung?"

"I'm allowed. Because I'll be the leader."

"Tch, that leader talk again.... Fine. I won't listen because it's unfair."

"You thought well. Actually, I'm not sure if it will really work or not either."

"More importantly."

"What?"

"The fact that I beat Kang Si-hyung means I'm your opponent tomorrow. You know that, right?"

"...I know."

Jin Pa-rang gulped down the squid.

Eun-ha stopped walking.

Looking back, Pa-rang had a triumphant face.

"Look forward to tomorrow. I'll show you skills that will surprise you even more than Kaede."

Jin Pa-rang's declaration.

Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders.

"─Alright. I'll be looking forward to it, so please don't do anything stupid."

Thus, the first day of the cultural festival passes.

☆

Second day of the cultural festival.

Day 2 of the comprehensive division competition main tournament.

Mok Min-ho was walking down the corridor exclusively for participants to compete in the main tournament match.

Is this the end of today's matches?

After competing in the morning match.

All that's left is the afternoon match.

Mok Min-ho muttered the name of his final opponent for today.

"─On Tae-yang."

31st class On Tae-yang.

Currently a promising talent showing rapid growth among 31st class students.

And Mok Min-ho did not get along well with On Tae-yang.

[─Player, enter.]

He and On Tae-yang had completely different tendencies.

If Mok Min-ho worshipped authority.

On Tae-yang worshipped equality.

Though I seriously doubt if that can be called equality.

To Mok Min-ho who worshipped authority, On Tae-yang seemed to be dreaming of something impossible in reality.

So Mok Min-ho couldn't understand him.

He didn't conform to reality, but he didn't have a vision to change reality either.

Nevertheless, Mok Min-ho didn't like his attitude of appealing to emotions saying this world itself is wrong.

So─.

'─I don't plan to let On Tae-yang into the party.'

'I agree.'

When Eun-ha told his friends he wouldn't recruit On Tae-yang anymore.

Mok Min-ho agreed first.

He had no confidence in party life with a bomb like On Tae-yang.

""..."

Meanwhile, Mok Min-ho wondered why Eun-ha decided not to recruit On Tae-yang.

The question didn't last long before being resolved.

Because On Tae-yang spread the agreement between him and Noh Eun-ha.

Eun-ha didn't say anything.

The meaning of not saying anything could be interpreted as affirmation.

"─I know why you entered this competition."

"..."

"It's because of Noh Eun-ha, right?"

"So what if it is? Don't tell me you're going to lose on purpose?"

After losing his mother.

Ignoring his sister's wishes.

Betraying his childhood friend's trust.

Since then, On Tae-yang became reticent, cut off relationships with people, and trained his sword even more frantically.

Hearing Mok Min-ho's words, he sneered.

Asking if he would lose on purpose to let him get revenge for his mother.

To this, Mok Min-ho─.

"─I have no obligation to help with your revenge."

"..."

"I understand your circumstances are pitiful, and I know there are unresolvable issues between you and Noh Eun-ha."

"Then why..."

"It's as I said at first. You and I aren't in a relationship where we need to keep loyalty to each other."

Mok Min-ho drew his sword.

He knew that On Tae-yang and Noh Eun-ha had crossed a river they couldn't return from.

He also knew that Noh Eun-ha bore responsibility.

But that wasn't reason enough for him to help with On Tae-yang's revenge.

It was a matter between the parties involved.

Furthermore, he who worshipped authority─.

"─I'm just doing my duty. I understand your situation is unfortunate, but if you really want to face Eun-ha, defeat me first."

He intended to be the sword of Eun-ha, whom he decided to serve as leader.

Choi Eun-hyuk might be different.

But at least he resolved to follow him unless he thought the person he served had truly done wrong.

And the agreement between Eun-ha and On Tae-yang didn't affect Mok Min-ho's resolve one bit.

Emotionally, he understood...

But unfortunately, that was all.

It's your business, not mine.

He also felt less empathy since it wasn't about someone related to him.

Mok Min-ho was cold-hearted to begin with.

He was quick to judge reality and compromise.

Even an agreement staking someone's life was just a transaction to him.

If he had been On Tae-yang─.

─I would have clung on until the end, even if it meant grabbing onto Noh Eun-ha's pant leg.

First, he would have proposed attractive conditions to turn Noh Eun-ha's gaze.

Second, he would have appealed to Noh Eun-ha emotionally.

Third, he would have done anything.

Even if it meant threatening Eun-ha.

He would have done everything he could before burning with hatred towards Eun-ha and pointing his sword at him.

In that sense, Mok Min-ho couldn't understand On Tae-yang's feelings of wanting revenge against Eun-ha.

As if─.

─He's looking for justification.

Justification to swing his sword, justification to be this angry now.

Is it really entirely.

Noh Eun-ha's fault that On Tae-yang's mother passed away?

Mok Min-ho was skeptical.

Because he valued reason over emotion.

He couldn't relate to On Tae-yang's justification for harboring hatred towards Eun-ha.

Therefore, he didn't even think about calling off the match.

"─Alright, fine."

On Tae-yang seemed to realize that Mok Min-ho showed no signs of wavering.

On Tae-yang also drew his sword.

"I wanted to fight you too. From when we first met, I didn't like your authoritarian attitude."

"What a coincidence. It's the same for me. I didn't like your way of thinking that seemed to have a flower garden in your head."

"And I need to be able to beat you to face that Noh Eun-ha, right? So this time, I'll beat you. By any means necessary."

Mana began seeping out of On Tae-yang's body.

Mok Min-ho faced this as well.

Then he snorted.

"─You can't face Eun-ha with your skills."

"That's something we won't know unless..."

"You won't be able to face me either."

"...!"

"You're not the only one who's been devoted to training. So don't act so cocky. There's probably not a single person in this academy who doesn't train."

The signal to start the match rang out.

The two swung their swords.

"─You just wait for the match at the graduation ceremony."

"...Kuk...!"

"This competition is for us to prove our skills, not you."

Mok Min-ho was confident.

His conviction made his sword strong.

Therefore, his sword did not falter.