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[Chapter 165]

[Hope at the End of Despair (2)]

Mistflower Clan.

What a wonderful name.

It could be considered a meaningful name for Eunha, who had led the Mistflower Party before her regression.

However, Han Seohyun and the clan members opposed it without even considering it.

If in her previous life she had chosen to die, in this life it could be interpreted as fighting with the resolve to die....

Unfortunately.

It seems no one listened to the clan lord's thoughts.

In the end, Eunha had no choice but to listen to the names suggested by the clan members with a sullen face.

But they were quite a sight to behold.

"I think Traveler would be good for the clan name. From now on, we'll be venturing out into society and traveling to various places, right? So I suggested that instead of thinking we're having a hard time, let's live with the mindset of traveling. What do you think?"

There were some people who proposed fairly normal names, like Cha Eunwoo.

But there were far more people who didn't.

For example, in Jin Parang's case─.

"─A clan name should be bursting with coolness. In that sense, how about Deep Blue? I think this name is really good."

""""...."""" 

A wolf who changed his name to English and naturally suggested it as the clan name.

The others looked at the fool bragging proudly with contemptuous eyes.

"Uncle's opinion is really good too, but it seems a bit far from expressing the clan's identity. For now, I'll just gratefully accept your opinion." "Tch, it can't be helped. Then how about All Blue? In the sense of encompassing all seas..."

"I don't think we'll be going out to sea anytime soon." "Tch." """"...."""" 

But Han Seohyun spoke gently to Jin Parang.

Eunha stared blankly at her sitting next to him, dumbfounded.

Feeling his gaze, she turned her head and mouthed words.

Why are you doing that? Well, it doesn't seem like you...

Of course I have to make a good impression on your family, don't I?

I see.... You're the best, sis.

Even though they weren't married yet.

Han Seohyun seemed to already be considering the future.

Eunha was dumbfounded.

She seemed to have called Euna "new sister-in-law" just earlier.

Regardless, Han Seohyun continued the meeting.

"Fox Rain clan member. Please speak." "How about Fox Rain? The name is pretty cool, and later when we promote the clan members representing the clan, we could use foxes..." """"...."""" 

"Sorry, I was joking. I just wanted to try following Parang's way of naming once."

There was another fool after Jin Parang.

Fox Rain spoke confidently.

Ariel giggled.

And Seohyun, who was the same age as her, sighed.

"Namhun, you say something too! It's embarrassing if only I talk." "Hmm.... I think both Deep Blue and Fox Rain are fine. Anything is good."

Fox Rain, who had hastily withdrawn her opinion, urged Yu Namhun.

Yu Namhun, who had been keeping his mouth shut and just sitting there, smiled good-naturedly and gave an indecisive answer.

With that, people's interest in the two disappeared.

It was then.

"Me! Me! Me! Ariel is here!"

The next person who should not be given the right to speak after Jin Parang.

Ariel stood up, raised her hand and jumped up and down.

Han Seohyun's face hardened as she guessed her personality just from her appearance.

"Then, Ariel clan member. Go ahead and speak."

With a tired face.

Han Seohyun gave Ariel the right to speak, trying to fulfill her duty as an administrator.

"I think Cider Clan would be good! I don't need to explain the meaning, right? It means we'll resolve requests like drinking a can of cider!"

For Ariel.

It wasn't a bad opinion.

Eunha and the clan members nodded.

Of course, if there was one thing they missed, it was that her speech wasn't over yet.

"And this is just my wish, but didn't we meet today to drink, not to do this? Let's finish this quickly and go drink some dew!"

"Please just do the first verse..."

At this moment, Eunha regretted.

He had created a meeting where clan members could speak freely without being bound by rank, as it was a place to build the foundation of the clan.

He should have just held a meeting with only the executives who had the right to speak.

"Ugh...!!"

"Stay still until the meeting is over."

Fortunately, Hoshimiya Kaede grabbed Ariel's lips to prevent her from speaking any further.

Cha Eunwoo captured Ariel flailing her arms and Kaede holding her lips in a photo.

"─We'll continue the meeting."

Han Seohyun, who muttered quietly so that others couldn't hear, resumed the meeting again.

The future already seemed bleak.

"Yes, Kang Sihyung clan member. Please speak."

This time, the person who got the chance to speak was Kang Sihyung.

He spoke after raising his hand discreetly while the atmosphere had momentarily calmed down.

"I have a name that suddenly came to mind when Eunha mentioned Mistflower earlier. How about forsythia instead of Mistflower?"

"Forsythia?"

"Yes, forsythia."

Eunha asked again.

Han Seohyun urged him to say more.

"I heard this story somewhere before that the flower language of forsythia is happiness. So I thought rather than Mistflower, how about forsythia? With the meaning of going brightly and hopefully."

"Forsythia, nice. I like it. I agree with your opinion."

The name Kang Sihyung threw out.

As Bong Gurae agreed.

The clan members fell into thought.

Forsythia...

Eunha also fell into thought.

It wasn't a bad opinion.

The problem was─.

"─I'm against it. I wonder if we really need to name the clan forsythia. The meaning is good but for a grand image..." 

"It lacks coolness for a name given to an armed group." "Oh, that's right."

As it happened, Mok Minho had the same thought.

Eunha added to Mok Minho's words.

Some clan members also nodded in agreement.

Even Kang Sihyung, who had proposed the name, easily acquiesced, as if he had been thinking about it inwardly.

"If we're going to look for a flower meaning hope, there are many other flowers too. For example, Christmas rose, basil, lily of the valley, smoke tree, etc..."

"I don't think we need to be bound by flower names. Does anyone here know much about the flowers the administrator gave as examples? Flower language is just something people made up arbitrarily. Do we need to be bound by flower language that others came up with?"

"In that sense, I like Mistflower Clan..." ""Still, not Mistflower.""

Han Seohyun and Mok Minho agreed.

Eunha was attacked by the two of them.

Eunha had to become small again under their gazes.

It's my clan but I can't even name it as I want...

I should have put my foot down from the beginning.

Saying that the clan name had been decided as Mistflower long ago.

Eunha let out a small sigh.

Meanwhile, the clan members continued to come up with new names.

Mok Minho pleaded earnestly, but.

There were even people who didn't listen at all and brought up names like Solo Sovereign Clan, like Bae Subin.

Then it was Kim Minji's turn.

"Kim Minji clan member, please speak."

"I recommend the simple name Roh Eunha Class. We've actually gathered under Roh Eunha, even though we don't want to admit it. So just simply with the meaning of Roh Eunha's clan..."

"Hmm.... The intention is good but doesn't the name seem too blunt? Of course, we could introduce the clan intuitively by using Eunha's name, but..." "Later when people curse the clan, they'll be cursing a person instead of the clan...!"

"I told you to keep your mouth shut." "Uuugh...!!"

It was a total mess.

Nevertheless, Kim Minji steadfastly expressed her opinion to Han Seohyun.

"How about abbreviating it to initials for external use, while keeping the intention between ourselves? Shortening it to N.C." "N.C Clan..."

"Wouldn't it be mistaken for NG? I'm worried C and G might get confused if written carelessly..."

"Hmm..."

Choi Eunhyuk cautiously interjected then.

Kim Minji gave Choi Eunhyuk a blunt look.

Choi Eunhyuk shrank back.

"I'll put it on the voting list for now. Please raise your hand if you want to speak." "Me, unni."

"Yes, Jin Seona clan member."

After Kim Minji's turn passed.

Jin Seona raised her hand primly.

People's gazes turned to her.

The fox cleared her throat and opened her mouth.

"It's embarrassing to say it myself, but honestly, we're considered promising rookies, right? Those who have already graduated from the academy are active in the field and are called named..." "Not us..." "Instead, unni has fox in her name. Anyway, we who are counted among the most promising rookies, wouldn't it be okay to call ourselves a supernova?" """"...."""" 

"In that sense, I recommend the name Supernova. I think we could also use it in the sense that it was created by gathering new talents. What do you think? Isn't it good?"

Supernova.

Some clan members' eyes lit up.

Especially Jin Parang's eyes sparkled.

"It's unexpectedly good?"

"Supernova. It has a nice ring to it." "It's not bad?"

Soon public opinion moved.

Jin Seona raised her nose proudly.

Just as public opinion seemed to be unifying towards Supernova.

"─I think we should hear the clan lord's thoughts first."

""""...."""" 

Amidst the atmosphere of people agreeing.

Ryu Yeonhwa quietly raised her hand without being swept up in the atmosphere.

Her presence was truly remarkable.

Even though it was a low voice.

The clan members could not ignore her words, called .

As everyone's gaze gathered.

She moved her lips.

"The clan lord must have something he's pursuing. So I think... a name related to the purpose the clan lord is pursuing would be good."

Ryu Yeonhwa who was shy.

Nevertheless, she finished what she wanted to say while fidgeting.

"That's a good opinion."

And Han Seohyun grinned.

She looked around the quiet room and continued speaking.

"If everyone has poured out their thoughts, now we should seriously listen to the clan lord's thoughts, right?"

""""...."""" 

As if she had been waiting for this moment.

Han Seohyun made the clan members speechless.

She gave her gaze to Eunha.

"Now, clan lord. Please tell us. What kind of clan is the clan lord trying to create?" """"...."""" 

An environment was created where the clan members would listen.

Han Seohyun now turned the clan members' attention to Eunha.

Eunha received their gazes.

☆

What kind of clan was he trying to create.

What was his clan pursuing.

In fact, this was undoubtedly the agenda that should have been discussed first.

Nevertheless, Han Seohyun postponed the agenda and only brought it up after the clan members had expressed their thoughts.

You wanted to hear my thoughts.

Receiving the gazes of the clan members all at once.

Eunha smiled bitterly.

He couldn't give a nominal reason as if it was nothing.

It would be useless to say now that he was going to create the best clan in Korea, surpassing S-rank clans.

The clan members want to hear what he has in mind.

To change the future... he couldn't say that.

The purpose for which he was creating the clan.

But he couldn't tell the clan members that. If he spoke, he would have to reveal the fact that he had regressed.

And Roh Eunha never wanted to tell them his secret.

If possible, I want to leave the previous life's matters in the previous life.

The memories of before the regression, I alone should remember them.

Now, they are non-existent memories.

Memories of a world that doesn't exist.

Eunha thought it was enough for him alone to be bound by those memories.

It was enough for him to blame himself.

It was sufficient for him to regret.

He wished others didn't know.

However─

─Everyone is waiting for my answer.

The clan members were still waiting for Eunha to speak.

Eunha couldn't hide his embarrassment as he faced the gazes directed at him.

Then he realized.

Now that I think about it, they don't want to know why I'm trying to change the future.

Meeting each of their gazes one by one.

Eunha reached the realization that there was something else he needed to say.

What they wanted was no longer for him to reveal his secret.

What they wanted was─

─What kind of future I will create with the clan members.

That's what everyone wants to know.

Not the past, but the future.

Not the result, but the process.

Not the means, but the purpose.

What they wanted was something else.

Eunha looked at Han Seohyun.

"..."

She nodded.

As if telling him to say what he wanted to say.

She gave him courage.

"The reason for creating the clan is grand, but to put it bluntly, I want to live well with the clan members, not just myself."

""""...."""" 

"Actually, I'm not sure what it means to live well. Whether it means becoming an S-rank clan and living lavishly, or earning money and buying what we want, or becoming strong enough not to lose to anyone and living for a long time. I think everyone has their own reason for living."

When he first decided to enter the academy.

At that time, he resolved to create a world where no one could defy Habaekryeon for her sake.

He vowed to do anything for that purpose.

"But I think I know one thing. Although everyone's reason for living may be different, everyone probably has something that's hard while living."

But as time passed.

Eunha's wish changed.

"So I... want to create a clan that becomes a support, a sanctuary for such people. I hope we can all live well together and be happy together that way." """"...."""" 

Not just a life for Habaekryeon.

Including himself.

Now he wished to live a happy life with the people who had entered his fence.

Eunha, who had only vaguely thought about it until now, felt embarrassed after saying it with his own mouth.

Was it because it was sincere words?

The clan members kept their mouths shut while looking at Eunha.

"─So you're saying you'll make sure we don't starve to death and live with full stomachs, right?"

"Uh... I guess so?"

"I thought I misunderstood again. Why are you talking in circles making it so difficult? It was hard to understand."

In the solemn atmosphere.

The one who broke the silence and opened her mouth was Jo Ara.

Whether she intended it or not, she spoke realistically─

""""─Ahahahaha!!""""

"..."

The room burst into laughter.

The clan members laughed out loud.

Some held their stomachs and laughed.

Some hit the table and laughed.

Some tried to hold back their laughter but burst out.

"Geez, aren't you embarrassed saying that? Aren't you going to kick your blankets later?"

"Why? I like it. It's good if we can all live happily together. Right, mister?"

"Hmm."

Bae Subin laughing uproariously.

 Beom Haesu nodding his head.

Bruno not answering.

The clan members' reactions varied.

"These guys are trouble even when you tell them..."

He had suddenly become an object of ridicule.

Eunha clenched his fists, unable to hide his embarrassment.

Regardless, his friends were busy laughing hard.

Then they spoke in unison.

""""─Not bad. It's good?""""

After laughing heartily.

The clan members highly praised Eunha's ideal.

"Then we should name the clan with that feeling. Let's see... If we gather keywords, it's something like 'sudden realization', 'dawn sentiment', 'dark history', 'kicking blankets'." "Kim Minji, you're really..."

Kim Minji teased him.

Eunha gritted his teeth.

It was then.

"─How about Paradise Clan?"

Euna suddenly threw out those words.

Receiving everyone's gaze, she smiled brightly and explained her thoughts.

"You said you want to create a clan that becomes a support and sanctuary, right? Then how about the word 'paradise'? Don't you think it fits?"

"I agree with Euna's opinion."

Euna's proposal.

Han Changjin immediately cast an agreeing vote.

Other clan members also showed positive signs towards the word 'paradise'.

Besides this, once Eunha opened up his thoughts, the clan members began to suggest new names.

"How about New World! New World! The dictionary says it means a new world!" "Didn't you promise me earlier that you wouldn't speak? Keep your mouth shut."

"Me! Me! Me! How about Valhalla? Isn't it cool?"

"Parang hyung, since Valhalla is common now, how about Shambhala instead? It's something my master told me about..."

Starting with New World.

Valhalla, Shambhala.

Avalon, Eden.

Utopia, El Dorado.

Arcadia, Atlantis.

Paradise, Heaven.

The clan members learned at this time that there are countless words referring to ideal places.

Soon people who fell into the sea of words began to feel tired.

It was then─

"─I'd like to recommend one too."

Jung Hayang, who had been writing down the voting list until now, raised her hand.

"In the sense of becoming a support and sanctuary for people who are struggling... I think what plays that role is none other than hope."

""""Hope?"""" "Yes. Doesn't looking for support mean you're in a harsh, difficult, and desperate situation?"

""""...."""" 

"So I thought, when it's too hard to endure anymore, wouldn't you look for hope? Isn't that what support and sanctuary are?"

The reason people dream of hope is because their current life is desperate.

There is hope at the end of despair.

Hope may be very fleeting, but it is because people dream of hope in despair that they can live on.

Jung Hayang organized her thoughts and spoke.

By now, the clan members were listening intently to her story.

"Hope may indeed be fleeting. But the clan definitely exists, right? I'd like the clan to become a place that gives hope to the clan members."

"So what are you trying to say?"

Unable to hold back, Jin Parang abruptly asked her.

She spoke up.

"─Pandora."

""""...."""" 

"There is hope at the end of despair. I'll recommend the name Pandora, borrowing a story everyone knows."

At the end of despair, there is hope.

Pandora.

Eunha silently muttered the content Jung Hayang had spoken.

It was a name that rolled off the tongue.

"─Not bad, Pandora."

While an ideal place is hard to picture, Pandora comes to mind easily.

A woman holding a small box.

He was satisfied as the image of the clan suddenly came to mind.

☆

Even without taking a vote.

Once Eunha said it wasn't bad, the clan name was decided.

The people gathered around Roh Eunha unanimously passed the name Pandora proposed by Jung Hayang.

That's how Pandora Clan was created.

"─By the way, Eunha." "What?"

The clan meeting was all over.

The clan members decided to have a party at Happiness.

It was then that Han Changjin asked.

"We've decided on the sub-lords and clan name, but isn't there something we haven't decided yet?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The clan headquarters." "Oh, that?"

"Have you decided where to build it? Do you have a place in mind?"

Eunha answered nonchalantly.

Han Changjin expressed his curiosity.

To this, Eunha said─

"─For now, we've decided to operate in Gangbuk as our base, and build the clan headquarters near Sadang Station where Haesu hyung's workshop is." "What? Are you saying you'll operate in Gangbuk but put the clan headquarters in Gangnam?"

"I'm planning to build another clan headquarters in Gangbuk later."

"No, why..."

As if wondering if he had heard wrong.

Han Changjin asked with wide eyes.

On the other hand, Eunha acted as if it was obvious.

How can I build a clan headquarters in Gangbuk when it's going to collapse next year? Do you want it to crumble completely?