111.
Leon occupied an entire room on the top floor of the hotel, and he paced around slowly. In the process, the Hunter Administration, who confirmed that he was alone, offered to give him a bodyguard, but he refused.
“It’s not difficult to take care of myself.”
“I know that, but it would be easier to move around with a bodyguard.”
Leon's work already made it to the news. Because of that, reporters who wanted to meet him were waiting outside the hotel, holding cameras. Moo-hyuk knew how leech-like they were once they latched on to them. However, Leon refused the favor in the end.
“It’s okay. I decided to get help from the Peace Guild while I’m in Korea.”
Then he calmly pointed to Do-jin standing far away.
"Is that so?"
“Yes, we had a good relationship in the U.S, so I think it’ll be comfortable that way too.”
Leon laughed, saying so. Do-jin, who had been listening to all of that, looked at him with a dark expression. He never made such a promise.
Everything was nothing more than Leon's nonsense. Even so, Do-jin did not deny Leon's words.
If he went along with him, he would have an opportunity– a chance to keep watch on Leon right next to him. Do-jin changed his expression and walked up to Leon and stood next to him. He loosened his mouth and opened his eyes meekly. Just like in the past.
“Leon-ssi is right. The Peace Guild has decided to take responsibility for everything.”
"Is that so?"
He answered yes, but Moo-hyuk couldn't back down easily either. Originally, the arrangement of Leon's bodyguards should have been taken care of by the Seon-hyeon Guild. Only then would Moo-hyuk, who decided to hold hands with Ji Seon-woo behind the scenes, benefit. However, things got complicated when Ji Seon-woo was hospitalized.
Moo-hyuk had no connection to Do-jin what so ever.
'But there's no law saying it would be forever.'
These days, the actions of Young-jin and the director of the Ministry of Information were unusual. That was why the more the allies, the better.
Moo-hyuk looked at Do-jin, who was smiling softly. For now, he thought he should set aside some time to talk to him.
Moo-hyuk left, saying that he was tidying up the outside for a while. Then, in the large hall on the first floor, there were only Leon and Do-jin, and the staff who went around for work.
“What are you up to?”
Do-jin spat out a cold voice as he smiled.
“What do you mean?”
“The reason you keep me close.”
“Aha, were you curious about that?”
Leon raised an eyebrow at her.
"You may have probably noticed, but it's better to keep vaguely menacing enemies by your side."
They were both going to watch each other. It sounded unpleasant, but Do-jin was like this because Leon was here.
The shadow connected to the foot began to move. And it quickly passed into Leon's shadow. Leon's body was now tied here.
“If I do this, wouldn’t that be a problem for you too?”
Even in this situation, Leon said softly.
"That’s true."
Do-jin took the shadow back. In the process, some of it was left outright. It was to warn Leon not to forget that he was watching.
“Then I should go to sleep. We will do more interviews when the day is bright.”
So Leon went back to his room, and Do-jin rented the lower floor. He also told some of the guild members of the Peace Guild to come. This time, Hyeon-hee led the guild members and ran like the wind.
"You mean we’re going to be Leon's bodyguards in the meantime?"
"Yes."
"Oh my god. This is good news.”
Hyeon-hee was very happy. Of course, she thought the Seon-hyeon Guild would step ahead, but since they were in charge, it was not unreasonable to do so. If the Peace Guild protects Leon, the president of the World Awakened Association, it would be able to further strengthen its position domestically and internationally.
'Actually, it's not something to be very happy about, but.'
He couldn't tell the truth to Hyeon-hee either. She wasn't a bad person, but she was greedy. So he couldn't be sure if she would keep the secret properly.
Do-jin, who finished the deployment of security personnel, went into the room. It was only when he was left alone that he had time to organize his thoughts. The shadow still clung to Leon. He didn't even seem to think of removing it.
'Is it arrogance or confidence?'
Maybe it's the confidence side.
'I have to become stronger.'
If he became even a little stronger, he would be able to help Hyeon-woo. Do-jin took a dry count [1] and sighed deeply.
'We need to increase the strength of this side as well.’
It was not enough just to gather the top 5 guilds in Korea. It required more strength and cohesion. At least the people of the country had to unite as one.
The guilds up to the top 5 were already familiar with each other, so it wouldn't be difficult to get together, but the problem was the guilds below them. Usually, they had hostility towards the guilds that had a strong influence. How would they convince them to join them?
'That’s not all. The Hunter Administration can't leave it like this.'
The current director was greedy. At the same time, he did not intend to learn more about the Awakened and the portals. He maintained the status quo and potted each guild against the other for his own benefit.
'We have to change the director first.'
He couldn't think of the right person.
'Should I convince Choi Moo-hyuk?'
He would know better what was going on inside. It seemed like he was collaborating with the Seon-hyeon Guild, but if he was persuaded well, he would reach out to this side as well.
It was a troubling night.
***
“Where are you going?”
Late at night, Miriel asked Alberg a question as he went out. After hearing the question, Alberg laughed as if it was very funny.
“Should I tell you where I am going?”
Alberg approached Miriel and gently stroked her cheek.
“Have I been too kind? So I guess this is why you’re asking.”
"Nonsense."
Miriel frowned and shook Alberg's hand. She was trying to stay calm, but now Alberg looked different than usual. He looked the same, but felt strangely scarier than before.
"Don't mind what I do. You just fall asleep as usual."
The whispering voice made her mind go crazy. She shook her head and tried to come to her senses, but it was not easy.
“Now, go to sleep.”
As soon as the words came out, Miriel collapsed on the spot. Alberg grabbed Miriel and sat her down on a chair in the hallway.
It was a simple suggestion. If Miriel had been a little stronger or older, it might not have worked. Now he was going to get a good night's sleep and go back to his room.
"Then shall I start my job?"
Alberg opened the window in the hallway. It would be large enough for one body to pass through. He took his body there and fell down as it was. If Ga-jun had seen it, he would have said something about using the door, instead of the window.
Alberg landed lightly on the floor and began to move slowly. Fortunately, the destination was not far from here.
The destination appeared shortly after. It was a large, luxurious hotel. There were many people both outside and inside, but it was not difficult to avoid them.
Before long, Alberg reached the top floor of the hotel.
“Welcome back to our hotel.”
"Welcome, welcome."
A man standing in a dark room spoke in a friendly tone. But Alberg had no intention of adjusting to that.
“State your business.”
Then the man walked out of the darkness and stood by the window where the moonlight streamed in. He was used to seeing that look many times.
Leon, it was him.
“Oops. I was wrong. So let's talk about it quickly, Alberg. Would you like to join hands with us?"
“Are you crazy?”
Alberg looked at Leon in bewilderment. He passed by the place where he was hiding in the park and asked to meet him later, so he came here out of curiosity. However, it seemed that he had come for nothing.
"I’m not. I’m normal.”
"No, you must be crazy. I recognized it from when you said ‘let's conquer the human world’.”
At Alberg's words, Leon shrugged his shoulders and turned his words around. He didn't seem to want to say more about that part.
“Does Alberg love a human named Ji Hyeon-woo?”
"So what?"
Alberg stood crookedly and looked at Leon.
“But aren't there a lot of people getting in the way? We'll take care of anyone who gets in the way. Instead, Alberg-nim just needs a little help from us.”
“What if I don’t like that offer?”
“Haha, it can’t be. Although I've heard that it's an outlandish species, that doesn't mean I don't know the psychology of demons. Demons sacrifice themselves for the sake of loved ones, but on the other hand, aren't demons deprived of everything?"
Slowly, the little head tilted.
“Humans do not live long. Even if you don't grow old because you were born in the Demon Realm, this is the human world. You can't just take out the demonic energy and use it. He will soon grow old, and his youth will be gone.”
“Hyeon-woo will be cute even when he’s old.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to take him in the prime of his life? I’ll make the world hate him. With everyone despising and hating him. So that there’ll be no regrets left in this world.”
His words were many. However, after hearing that, Alberg hesitated unlike usual.
Notes:
[1] Dry count: Quick look
HM: I could understand where this is going. Alberg is gonna betray HW><
Davine: Hyeon-woo will give him one nice fracture. Also Alberg saying that hw would be cute even if he was old is so cute.
YRR: Ya, because HW is gonna let Alberg take him lol
Support on KoFi:
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Davine, YaagRabRag
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