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Affiliated with
The
The leader and team captain there, Cho Seol-hwa.
She bowed her head once more to apologize to Yu Seha.
Because it was a rude act, even by her own standards.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Mr. Yu Seha.”
“Oh, no. And, um… there’s no need for formalities–”
“No. Mr. Yu Seha deserves such respect, even if you are unaware of it.”
“…What?”
Cho Seol-hwa deliberately did not explain.
Right now, more than that, the urgent matter was to drive away the stray cat woman in front of them.
But it was surprising.
She had expected her to make a move eventually, but not this quickly.
And…
‘…To think she’d choose a head-on approach without even a single escort.’
As expected, even if her bloodline was thin, she was still part of
Cho Seol-hwa saw Ju Yuri as someone with the talent to ascend to the throne.
Approaching someone she considered valuable without clinging to pride and extending an offer—that wasn’t something easily done by those in high positions, even if it seemed simple.
That was why Cho Seol-hwa was relieved.
Just in case, it was wise not to go directly to the young lady and linger around Yu Seha instead.
Thanks to that…
‘It’s not too late.’
“……”“……”
The two looked at each other in silence.
They were merely exchanging glances, but it felt like a lightning bolt crackling!
Ju Yuri, watching Cho Seol-hwa clearly express hostility, snorted, ‘Hmph…’
Team Leader Cho Seol-hwa.A competent talent.
And…
‘…Ju Na-young’s close aide.’
This woman was also a gem she did not possess.
“What? Do you also find me displeasing?”
Despite the ridiculous tone, Cho Seol-hwa’s expression didn’t change at all.
Instead, she answered without hesitation.
“Yes.”“…Wh-what did you say?”
Ju Yuri flinched, as if she hadn’t expected to hear ‘yes’ so directly.
Regardless, Cho Seol-hwa continued to speak, looking at Yu Seha.
She didn’t forget to skillfully cut off the conversation.
“How could I view someone who tries to steal from the lady favorably?”“…Hey, Team Leader Cho Seol-hwa. Don’t you know my position–”“So what if I don’t?”“…You!”
Cho Seol-hwa approached Ju Yuri.As she pushed forward, Ju Yuri faltered.
“Miss Ju Yuri. Know your place.”“…!”“[Dragon Sword Mir] belongs to the lady.”“…You.”“I am well aware that your position is already shaking. There are also more people trying to shift factions towards this side.”
A statement that would naturally make one flinch.
The decisive reason why Ju Yuri approached Yu Seha.
Ultimately, it was because her people were drifting away.
A genius and successor once highly anticipated after spreading her [Wings] ten years ago?
That was just Ju Na-young’s thought.
It was becoming more and more a thing of the past.
Though things were still holding together for now, Cho Seol-hwa sensed it.
The victory was clearly tilting toward Ju Na-young.
And in her hands was the very sword to deal the final blow.
‘The young lady recently acquired a great power called [Breath].’
Surely a value greater than [Wings].
Even just revealing this fact at the upcoming [Dragon Sword Mir] family head meeting.
Ju Yuri’s downfall was sealed.
‘However, there is one variable.’
Cho Seol-hwa looked back.
She swallowed dryly as she stared at Yu Seha, who was bewildered without any background knowledge.
He was the key.He was the variable.
‘If Yu Seha falls into Ju Yuri’s hands…’
Cho Seol-hwa had roughly heard from Ju Na-young.
It was Yu Seha who played a decisive role in opening [Breath].
‘Though she made excuses and brushed it off…’
Cho Seol-hwa was a close aide who had observed and served Ju Na-young for a long time.
That time spanned over 10 years.
In fact, for Cho Seol-hwa, Ju Na-young was like a much younger sister.
That was why she noticed that her cute younger sister had intentionally hidden the truth awkwardly.
‘……’
Cho Seol-hwa’s imagination ran wild.
There had been no clear basis or reason, but she vaguely wondered—could it be that the tremendous opportunity named Yu Seha had been the key to fully unlocking [Breath]?
If Ju Na-young could read her thoughts, she would have instinctively screamed, ‘Yong-aaaah!’ due to the accuracy of the judgment.
Thus, naturally…
Cho Seol-hwa also considered the worst scenario, just like Ju Na-young.
If Yu Seha went under Ju Yuri’s wing and helped her unlock [Breath].
Furthermore, if his genius blossomed and soared high…
If he became Ju Yuri’s right arm, a sword that could cut through anything…
‘…We might lose.’
Truly, the young lady might be stripped of her position as the successor of [Dragon Sword Mir].
It felt extreme to think that far, but she couldn’t shake the gnawing anxiety in her chest.
‘That can’t happen.’
This was why she was provoking Ju Yuri so blatantly—almost rudely.
She had chosen all-out confrontation.
It wasn’t the wisest approach.
No matter how highly regarded she was as a founding-level captain, at the end of the day, Cho Seol-hwa was merely a skilled
On the other hand, Ju Yuri, no matter what anyone said, was supported by the [Opposition] aligned with Ju Na-young.
The difference in influence was too great.
However, Cho Seol-hwa was not bothered.
Even if she faced an unfavorable outcome, she couldn’t back down.
She had to block any chance of Yu Seha and Ju Yuri forming a connection.
“……”
Meanwhile, the astute Ju Yuri noticed this fact.
Because she knew well that Team Leader Cho Seol-hwa didn’t usually have this kind of personality after clashing for so long.
Being this belligerent and showing hostility…
‘…Loyalty.’
Her unwavering devotion to Ju Na-young.That was all it was.
“…Grit.”
Ju Yuri clenched her jaw as if her molars would shatter.
It was a devotion she never had.
Envy radiated from her eyes.
“The reason Ju Yuri is obsessed with Yu Seha. The reason you were willing to swallow your pride and make the offer again. You must think he’s the card to overturn this situation.”
“……”
“You seem to believe he won’t betray you… But let me remind you.”
Yu Seha belongs to the lady.
“Miss Ju Yuri. It’s not too late now. Bow your head quietly.”
“You…!”
“The lady is a gentle and kind person.”
Even to a rival like you.
“She will surely acce–”“Don’t be ridiculous!”
At the outburst, Cho Seol-hwa closed her mouth.
Ju Yuri panted with a flushed face.
Taking a deep breath, she tore the barrier she was wrapped in with her hand.
Then she bowed her head toward Yu Seha.
“I’m sorry, Yu Seha. It seems today isn’t the right time.”“Uh, here… I was going to return this–”“The business card.”
Ju Yuri smiled slightly bitterly.
“Could you keep the business card? It’s a matter of pride for me…”“……”
At her words, Yu Seha quietly took the card back instead of returning it.
Ju Yuri closed her eyes for a moment.
Then, after glaring at Cho Seol-hwa, she turned away.
Shuffle, shuffle.
“……”
Miserable.That was the first thing Ju Yuri felt.Why does everyone…Why do they all dislike her so much?
‘…Why?’
Why do they favor that child so…
It was when she was feeling frustrated.
They say even a tiger appears when you speak of it.
The very person she had been thinking about appeared right before her eyes.
“…Oh, sis?”
Ju Na-young.
She was wearing a rather pretty tracksuit, clearly having put effort into her appearance—probably to look good for Yu Seha.
Even now, she looked so innocent and bright, almost stupidly so.
From Ju Yuri’s perspective, she was someone to envy, someone who stirred up jealousy and frustration.
“……”
The usual Ju Yuri would have just smiled and said, ‘I watched the match. You were amazing.’
However, Yu Seha’s recent rejection.And Cho Seol-hwa’s harsh words subtly cracked Ju Yuri’s judgment.
“…Lucky you.”“What?”“You have everything from the start. I have nothing.”“…Wh-what are you suddenly saying—”“I’m jealous.”“…?”“I’m jealous. You just stand there, and everyone loves you.”
Unlike someone like me.
“…Sis?”“……”
Ju Na-young tried to reach out to her, but Ju Yuri shook her off and walked out.
She kept walking.And walking.And the more she walked…
One thought consumed her mind.
‘…It can’t go on like this.’
Her options were dwindling.
As long as Yu Seha was being protected by Cho Seol-hwa and Ju Na-young, the chances of him falling into her hands were too low.
Ju Yuri was a woman quick with calculations.
She didn’t think Cho Seol-hwa would provoke her out of mere loyalty.
‘…Did she acquire something then?’
She wasn’t sure exactly what Cho Seol-hwa had.But it was definitely something critical that would lead to her downfall at the
Whatever it was, if things continued like this, she was doomed.
‘…Should I…’
Join hands with them…?
“Leader? Are you okay?”“…Ah.”
Ju Yuri snapped back to reality at the sound of the voice.
She was back inside the limousine she had ridden in earlier.
Even though she had completely zoned out, she’d somehow managed to return safely.
“The leader’s expression is dark. I guess recruiting Yu Seha didn’t go well?”“…Yeah.”
It was tough.That person…
“Seems like he’s completely captivated by Ju Na-young.”“Oh, is that so?”“…By the way, what about Team Leader Woo Ham-ji? She was supposed to ride back with us, wasn’t she?”“…Well, that’s…”
Bodenov Silla nervously glanced around while gripping the steering wheel.
Ju Yuri looked at her briefly, then checked her phone at the sound of a notification.
―Beep, Ju Yuri. It’s Woo Ham-ji. I just wanted to say…
“…Ha.”
The gist of the long message.
The text from Team Leader Woo Ham-ji could be summarized as this.
“She basically said, ‘The Ju Na-young faction looks stronger, so I’m switching sides.’”“W-Well, she wasn’t that blunt—”“It’s the same thing.”
Ju Yuri didn’t expect much anyway.
Yeah.
It was always like that.
‘…No one around me…’
No one had ever truly been there for her.Whenever she showed even a hint of weakness, people would scramble to save themselves, leaving her behind.
She did her best to hold onto even one of those people…
She made sure to satisfy them with material rewards…
Sometimes, even going into debt to give to them, repaying it with blood and sweat, and moving forward again…
But in the end…In the end…
‘Nothing is left.’
“……”
Ju Yuri quietly clenched her fist.
She was jealous.The scene from the
And…
―You were amazing.―Yong-hehe…
Even Yu Seha, smiling warmly.
All of it…It was just too much to bear.
‘……’
Enough.
This is it.
Drowning in these feelings—falling into self-pity—would do nothing.
No one was going to help her.
‘Right now, there’s only one thing.’
She had to devise a way to survive.
Even if it meant…
‘Betraying humanity.’
Ju Yuri clenched her fist.A small, thin business card appeared between her fingers, one she had kept separately so it wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.
She covered it, ensuring even Bodenov Silla couldn’t see it, and stared intently.
A deep black business card, entirely different from the one given to Yu Seha.
On it was written…
<Tartarus>.
“……”
In truth, Ju Yuri had been providing these people with some information and support for a long time.
In return, she had received information and help disguised as incidents, gradually expanding her influence.
However…
Simply observing wasn’t enough to continue providing help.
—Ju Yuri? I think highly of you.—People say the <Dragon’s Power> flowing through you is dark and ominous…—But personally, I think that makes you stand out even more.—Take my hand.—I can…—Raise you higher than anyone else could.—This is a promise from…—
‘……’
Ju Yuri originally had no intention of cooperating properly.
The power they possessed was useful and remarkable, but ultimately, they were [Demons].
Even if she was willing to use any means necessary, she wasn’t completely reckless.
She didn’t want to get caught one day and end up in a miserable state.
‘But…’
At this rate, she would die.Miserably…She would spend her remaining years skulking around overseas, constantly watching her back, living in fear of the new head of
And when her compassion runs out…She would be assassinated without a trace and thrown into the sea as a corpse.
‘…No.’
She absolutely hated that.
She wanted to win.
She wanted to be the victor.
Everything that girl had…
‘…I want it for myself.’
Especially the treasure called Yu Seha, who was immensely tempting.
Ju Yuri slowly opened her closed eyes.
The once faint black flames blazed fiercely.
Inside Ju Yuri’s heart, suddenly…
A deep darkness began to fill, one that could only be described as a
“……”
And secretly watching this scene through the steering wheel mirror was Bodenov Silla.
Her green pupils expressed a very slight sadness.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
Caught off guard, Yu Seha, left alone with Cho Seol-hwa, couldn’t hide his bewildered expression at her endless appeals.
“Mr. Yu Seha.”
“…Yes?”
“The young lady—no, Lady Ju Na-young, is truly an attractive person.”
“…Pardon?”
“Especially as a bride, she’s top-notch. Pretty face, great figure, pure and devoted, with excellent abilities. And secretly seductive, so if taught well at night, she’s always ready to play–”
“Wait, hold on!”
Yu Seha raised both hands.The calmness that always kept him sane was now of no use.
He blinked, recalling the lines from earlier.
‘Wh-what did I just…?’
What on earth did I hear?!
No, more than that…
This woman…
‘Was this… always her personality?!’
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