624

[Chapter 165]

[Hope at the End of Despair (3)]

Eunha decided to get married.

When I heard those words from my son, my first thought was that it had finally come to this.

"He got engaged to the chairman's daughter, so there's no way he could break it off. Plus, Seohyun has already gone through one broken engagement, so she'd be reluctant to do it again..."

Ever since Eunha got engaged to Seohyun.

It was already decided that Eunha would marry her.

I just didn't expect them to say they were getting married so soon.

"Getting married at 20... Wait, how old was I when I got married? Anyway, they're marrying at such a young age."

Although it's a strategic marriage.

Eunha didn't seem to mind too much.

If he did, he would have been looking for ways to avoid getting married.

But this time, for some reason, Eunha himself brought up the topic of marriage to me and the chairman.

And he even proposed to Hayang, I hear.

"I wonder who this kid takes after..."

Thanks to that, Dad is in a tough spot.

These days, the chairman has been dumping a ton of work on me, saying his daughter was stolen away.

We're about to become in-laws, but I think he's going too far.

And that's not all.

Besides the basic work, I have to clean up after Euna and Eunha.

I also have to discuss with Hayang's father when and how to hold the engagement.

And when I meet Hayang's father, I have to bow and thank him for accepting my unworthy son.

"On top of that, I have to look after Eunae too..."

I don't know why my children are causing me so much trouble.

Eunae's situation wasn't easy either.

After Eunae contracted with the Sirius Group and started cultivating silver orchids.

Despite her young age, Eunae started earning so much money that she didn't need to do anything.

Fortunately, my daughter wasn't blinded by money.

'─Dad, you take care of it!'

Saying she didn't know about these things.

My youngest just handed over her bank account to me without even looking at how much was in it.

So these days, I was managing my daughter's assets as well.

Okay, let's say that's fine up to here.

The problem was the flies swarming around Eunae, trying to avoid my eyes.

"Fortunately, it seems they're not coming around these days since it's the season for recruiting academy students... But we still can't let our guard down."

After she started cultivating silver orchids.

Players started eyeing Eunae's abilities.

The reincarnation of Bang Yeonji.

They were arbitrarily expecting Eunae to become someone like the former Twelve Seats member, bringing up her name.

I hope those bastards don't suggest and limit my daughter's potential.

Please, I hope they don't come to our house and scare Eunae and my wife.

It seems to have quieted down a bit after I made an example of a few people by ruining their lives recently.

But we still can't let our guard down.

"Should I just get rid of them all? The Fairy Government seems favorable to Eunha and Euna, so it might be okay no matter what I do..."

I have the power to do it.

And the justification.

There's nothing stopping me.

The reason I'm sitting in this position is to protect my family.

That's what this power is for.

So─

"─I'll have to turn the clan into a wasteland so there's no time to worry about Eunae."

There are many ways to do it.

I've danced with knives plenty of times.

It wouldn't be difficult to paralyze the administrative functions of a clan that doesn't even have its head on straight.

I decided to put it into action right away.

It was then.

─Dad! Cheer up! We~

A phone call came in.

It was my youngest, Eunae.

Wondering why she was calling at this hour, I answered the phone.

[Dad!]

"Oh, yes, Eunae. What's the matter?"

As soon as I answered, an energetic voice came through the smartphone.

A voice that seemed to boost my spirits.

Feeling energized, I listened to Eunae's voice.

But my youngest said─

[─You know my bank account? You said before that I earned a hu~ge amount, right?]

"Oh, that's right. Why, did you find something you want to buy? You don't have to use your money, Dad can..."

[I want to use that money to build a clan hall for oppa!]

"..."

What did Eunae just say?

I was at a loss for words.

My youngest's scale was truly amazing.

[Oppa said he's making a clan this time, so I wanted to do something for him. But oppa said it costs a lot of money to build a clan hall, so I'm going to do it for him. And since oppa is getting married next year, I want to give him a gift too. That's okay, right?]

"Well... It's not that it's not okay..."

Ah, what is this?

This strange feeling that the roles of older brother and younger sister have been reversed.

Is it normal for a younger sister to buy her older brother a building as a wedding gift?

My common sense was greatly confused.

But what I could say was─

"─Eunha will be happy..." [Right?]

Eunae, can't I be Eunha instead?

Our daughter really has a lot of money.

☆

In less than a year from now.

Monsters will invade Seoul and the Gangbuk area will be turned into a wasteland.

You're going to build a clan hall on that land? Are you trying to have the building collapse as soon as it's built?

Therefore, the clan hall could not be built in the Gangbuk area.

On the other hand, Eunha was considering the Gangbuk area as the base of operations.

Of course that was natural.

The areas devastated by monsters will suffer from imbalance along with the pioneering boom.

"You're going to set up the clan hall and main activity area separately, what are you thinking?" "What? There's nothing wrong with that."

"There's nothing wrong with it. Do you think the Mana Management Organization would have thought there'd be someone with your thinking? Yes, as you said, there's no problem with the regulations."

However, the clan members who didn't know the future were not happy with Eunha's decision.

If the clan hall and activity area were somewhat distant, they might have accepted it.

But the distance was too far.

It even straddled the river.

So Han Seohyun and the clan members even told Eunha to reconsider.

Nevertheless, Eunha pushed ahead.

"I'll make one in Gangbuk too. It's just not now." "You talk big since it's not your money."

In the end, the clan members had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

To this, Eunha thanked them and set out the next day with Han Seohyun to find a site to build the clan hall.

Then─

[─Oh, you say Seohyun unni agreed to buy the clan hall? Then I'll buy the clan hall to be built in Gangbuk!]

"Eunae, thank you but just the thought..."

[I'll build it! I have a lot of money!]

"..."

Eunae called.

Eunae said she would build one clan hall.

Eunha couldn't maintain his sanity throughout the phone call with her.

After finishing the call, he followed Han Seohyun around in a daze.

"Does it feel good to receive a building from your younger sister? You're doing well as an older brother." "I was trying to say just the thought was enough, but Eunae kept saying she'd build it herself..." "You call that an excuse?"

"Ugh..."

"Later, do something for Eunae too. Give her some of your shares or something." "Yeah... I should. I won't feel comfortable just receiving."

Should he be happy or not.

Eunha was conflicted.

After organizing his thoughts, he decided to gratefully accept his younger sister's gift.

Meanwhile, the two arrived in front of Beom Haesu's workshop.

"Is it here?" "Yeah, it's here. The Sirius Group had decided to build a facility related to uncle's workshop, so that worked out well. They say the building was completed recently."

To be precise, next to Beom Haesu's workshop.

Eunha just marveled as he looked up at the 10-story building.

15 floors including the basement? Isn't the building too big to use as a clan hall?

Eunha was overwhelmed just standing at the foot of the towering building.

He had thought a 3-story building would be enough.

He never imagined he would get a 10-story building.

It seemed almost excessive.

But Han Seohyun, who entered the newly completed building, seemed to think differently.

"With five groups rushing in, shouldn't we do at least this much?" "Even Regulus Clan doesn't..." "If your goal is merely Regulus Clan, you should be satisfied with that level." "..."

"I've told you many times. Change your perspective to how those above see things." "..."

"What defines a person's power is the height from which they look down. Just as position makes the person, location also makes the person. If you really want to climb to a high position, you should be in a position where you can naturally look down on the heads of those who will bow to you. It may seem like nothing, but one small thing can change your mindset."

Han Seohyun advised.

Eunha nodded.

Her words were right.

He should take it for granted.

He entered, recalling her words.

"I think it would be good to use the first floor for people to freely come and go to submit requests." "Right, I think so too. And depending on the client's request for confidentiality or status, we should set up a separate reception desk on the second floor."

"Yes, that's a good idea. You should think like that."

Han Seohyun smiled.

Then the two took the elevator and looked around the second floor.

After going around once, they went up to the third floor.

"The third floor was originally planned to have various restaurants."

"The cooking facilities seem to be fully equipped, so it might be better to use the third floor as a clan-exclusive cafeteria." "I'll contact the Luminous Group and ask them to arrange a catering company to come into the clan hall. And later, based on clan members' requests, I'll try to bring in cafes or other restaurants too. There will be quite a lot of work..." "Come to think of it, we'll need people to help with your work, noona. Hire trustworthy people who work well together as you see fit."

"I think hiring 3-4 people should be enough. Once the clan system is somewhat organized, I'll kick out the lowest performing company among those in the hall every year and bring in new ones." "You don't have to go that far..."

"A soldier's morale comes from the food they eat that day. Don't ignore that. We have enough money, so don't be stingy about spending it."

"Okay, I got it."

The building location had good lighting too.

The two looked around the third floor and briefly discussed what kind of restaurants to bring in.

She promised to look into chicken restaurants first, following Eunha's strong request.

"How about using floors 4 to 6 as living spaces?" "Then there will be a lot of empty rooms..."

"There would be a lot now. But shouldn't we consider clan members joining in the future?" "That's true. Then I think we should put necessary furniture in each room..." "I'll send word to the Alice Group to look into beds first." "There will be a lot of work, hang in there." "Yeah. What am I suffering for because of the person who's going to be my husband."

The structure of the 4th and 6th floors was the same.

I hear the Sirius Group originally planned to use it as an officetel.

Then they went up to the 7th floor.

The 7th floor was fully equipped with a screening system capable of watching movies.

"They say the 7th floor was planned to be used as a movie theater. How about showing movies in the second largest theater for the welfare of clan members?" "What will you use the largest theater for?"

"We should use it for meetings that need video materials."

"Then what should we do with the other rooms?"

"It would be good to change them into cultural facilities..."

"We'll have to think about this together." "Yes, let's do that."

There were 5 theaters.

There were also a few other spaces.

The two decided to discuss later how to use the 7th floor and headed to the 8th floor.

The impressive thing on the 8th floor was that there was a swimming pool.

"It seems the 8th floor was planned to be used as a leisure sports facility."

"The pool is big too... The clan members will really like it."

"It looks like there's a sauna facility somewhere here too." "Oh, that's good too?" "For the rest, we'll have to think about what facilities to bring in after consulting with the clan members. For now, I'll send word to the Donghae Group to create the basic facilities we need."

After looking around the 8th floor facilities.

The two went up to the 9th floor.

The 9th floor was completely empty.

Only the building pillars were visible.

Han Seohyun touched a pillar and said.

"For the 9th floor... I think it would be good to make it so navigators like Hayang and telepathists can work. They say the higher up, the better the environment for accessing the Player Library and sending telepathy."

"Since imbalance tends to gather below, that would be good. But the space seems too large for just those two departments..."

"How about using it as a place to store the requests the clan takes on and the data we personally organize? The navigators would like having a data room next door too."

"That would be better."

Han Seohyun's suggestion.

Eunha nodded.

Then they concluded to leave the redesign of the 9th floor entirely to Jung Hayang and Jin Seona.

Finally, they went up to the 10th floor and admired the view.

The people passing by below looked as small as ants.

"It's good to look down. You're someone who can do that, Eunha." "..."

"But don't try to ignore the people you see below. Remember that you're above them because they exist. Don't try to become arrogant." "...I understand. I'll keep it in mind."

Han Seohyun standing next to Eunha.

She advised as she looked down at the people heading somewhere.

Eunha accepted her advice.

"Will the 10th floor be my office?"

"Not just you, but I plan to place departments important for clan operations on the 10th floor. Of course, I'll be working on this floor too." "Let's do that. But how should we utilize the basement? I think it would be good to make the training grounds in the basement." "I think it would be better to use the first basement floor as a place to promote the clan members' activities for people to see." "How about using the 3rd and 4th basement floors as training grounds?"

"That seems better... We should discuss how to use the 2nd floor." "Have you thought about the 5th basement floor?"

"From now on, what uncle makes can be considered clan property, not individual clan members' property. How about using it to store artifacts or devices? I think it would be good to operate it as a treasure vault, what do you think?"

"A treasure vault... That sounds good."

"We'll have to ask the Donghae Group for this too. We'll need to make the facility itself so it won't collapse even during clan members' training. Considering the treasure vault, we'll need to pay attention to security too..."

Looking down from the 10th floor.

The two discussed how to use the building's basement.

While walking around.

"Let's make this your office. It seems to have the best lighting."

Eventually, she entered a room and spoke.

Eunha looked around the room.

It wasn't bad.

He agreed.

"Where will you put your office?"

"There's a room next door, so I think it would be good to put it there."

"Then I can just go to the next room whenever there's something I don't know."

"There's no need to do that."

"Huh?"

Then the two entered the room that would become Han Seohyun's office.

While Eunha was looking around the room, she suddenly approached the wall adjoining his office.

She knocked on the wall with the back of her hand.

"We'll make a secret door here, so we can move from room to room without going through the hallway."

"Huh?"

Han Seohyun smiled at Eunha.

Eunha tilted his head.

Eunha was puzzled.

Is there really a need to go that far?

Then Han Seohyun said─

"─Think about it. If monsters suddenly burst into my office, wouldn't it be better to have an emergency exit to escape directly to you?" "Huh?"

With a cocoon in place.

Monsters appearing at this height?

He looked at her with a face that couldn't understand.

But she seemed very pleased with what she had said.

She kept nodding her head.

"...That's not bad. I should ask the Donghae Group to make a door that others can't detect."

"There's no need to..." "We might have times when we're so busy we can't even go home, so it wouldn't be bad to put a bed in one corner of the office. Right?"

"Is that allowed...?" "It's okay for the clan lord and administrator."

Eunha felt something was off.

Han Seohyun just giggled.

☆

On the weekend.

Eunha went to meet Baek Hyunyul with his friends after a while.

"That Hyunyul, I hear he's been drawing pictures non-stop these days. The kid who used to just sleep isn't even sleeping now."

"What? How did that happen?"

"Because of Eunha."

They say Baek Hyunyul hasn't left his house recently and only draws pictures.

Yeon Seongjin said as he guided them.

Minji asked curiously.

Yeon Seongjin turned around without hesitation and pointed at Eunha.

"You know how Eunha's fight with was broadcast recently? It seems Hyunyul was impressed by that broadcast and has been drawing only pictures of you, Eunha."

"It's Roh Eunha's fault." "It's Eunha's fault."

"Beep beep beep boop boop boop!"

At Yeon Seongjin's explanation.

Kim Minji speaking as if it was obvious.

And the annoying Jin Seona.

Then Eunha lightly tapped the head of Buldak who was agreeing with the two and sighed.

"But is it okay to ask Hyunyul? Shouldn't we ask someone who's professionally trained for this kind of thing?" "I thought about that too, but I thought it would be better to ask someone we know. And Hyunyul is good at drawing."

Yeon Seongjin, who was decided to enter the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Seoul National University next year.

He expressed doubt to Eunha.

Eunha shrugged.

In fact, the reason Eunha was looking for Baek Hyunyul was to ask him to create an emblem symbolizing the clan.

He could trust Baek Hyunyul's skills.

That's why Eunha sought him out.

"Hyunyul! Are you dead or alive? Answer if you can hear me!"

Before long.

Eunha and his friends arrived at Baek Hyunyul's studio.

The studio was a container in Baek Hyunyul's yard.

Then Yeon Seongjin flung open the door.

He stepped into the dark studio with no lights on.

""""...."""" 

The studio was a mess.

Papers were scattered all over the floor.

They entered deeper, trying not to step on the papers.

Soon they were able to find Baek Hyunyul lying down in front of an easel covered with cloth.

"This kid is sleeping on the floor again? Hey, wake up!"

"I want to sleep..."

"Eunha's here, you fool. Get up." "Eunha?"

"Yeah, Eunha's here." "Long time no see."

Yeon Seongjin grabbed Baek Hyunyul's shoulder and shook him.

Baek Hyunyul opened his eyes with an unpleasant look, but soon changed his expression when he heard Eunha's name.

Baek Hyunyul's gaze turned to Eunha.

"...I saw your fight. It was cool."

"Really? I'm glad you..."

"A battle between demons. It was like a picture of monsters fighting to see who's stronger." "This..."

Still in a dreamy tone.

Baek Hyunyul spoke to Eunha.

Then he removed the cloth covering the canvas.

"I'll give this to you, Eunha."

""""Wow...."""" 

"..."

A picture of Eunha and Kang Hyeonchul clashing.

Eunha's eyes, wearing a cloak of flames, had a magical power that seemed to draw in those who looked at it.

"This would be perfect to hang in the basement of the clan hall? We can promote that our clan lord is the one who beat ."

Friends who approached the picture closely.

Kim Minji nodded as if it was fine.

Seona perked up her ears and agreed.

"Don't. It's embarrassing..."

"Why? What's wrong with this? Hayang, you think so too, right?"

"...Hyunyul. Could you draw one more exactly the same?"

"Too bothersome..."

On the other hand, Eunha strongly opposed.

Seona strongly insisted.

And Jung Hayang looked at Baek Hyunyul with heart eyes and pleaded.

"Let's talk about the picture later. Hyunyul, could you draw a picture to use as the clan emblem?"

"Clan emblem?"

"He probably doesn't even know you guys made a clan. You have to tell him."

This conversation was getting too long.

Eunha decided to get to the main point.

He told Hyunyul that he had recently created a clan and asked him to draw the clan emblem.

Hyunyul's eyes sparkled for a moment, then he seemed deep in thought.

"Draw a woman embracing Pandora's box..."

Baek Hyunyul fixing the canvas to the easel.

He muttered as he sat down.

Then, as if he had finished thinking, he quickly started drawing.

"─How's this?" """"...."""" 

It didn't take long.

Baek Hyunyul's hand movements were fast.

But it didn't feel like he had drawn roughly.

Eunha and his friends stared intently at the picture drawn on the canvas.

"...I like it, it's good. I'm satisfied."

Lying on her side.

A woman tightly embracing a golden box as if it was precious.

The black silhouette woman's hair was parted into two.

It reminded him of Ha Baekryeon.

Eunha praised Baek Hyunyul's picture as if entranced after seeing it.

"─Let's go with this."

And so.

The emblem of Pandora Clan was created.