[Chapter 135]
[A World That Doesn't Go As Planned (5)]
Choi Ga-in died.
The story of Galaxy Group's direct descendant becoming a monster and causing casualties was immediately reported in the media.
The academy suspended the cultural festival, and Galaxy Group issued a statement apologizing for the casualties caused by her and stating they would provide appropriate compensation.
But what shocked people more wasn't the story of her dying after turning into a monster due to mana runaway.
[Exclusive] Galaxy Drone President Choi Jung-hoon commits familicide against sister
[Column] About the secret history surrounding Galaxy Group, the undisputed #1 in business rankings among Korea's 10 pillars
[Editorial] If one who killed his sister inherits the imperial throne...
[Comprehensive] Galaxy Group's predestined tragedy. Choi Jung-hoon 'familicide' of half-sister Choi Ga-in
People who visited the cultural festival at the time witnessed Choi Jung-hoon, Galaxy Group's direct descendant and Choi Ga-in's half-brother, killing her as she was dying.
They clearly saw him pick up a sword fallen on the ground and stab her several times until her breath stopped, and finally take out the magic stone at the end.
The video reported in the media was enough to shock people.
"Did you see the video? It gave me chills. Is that human? How can he kill his dying sister while smiling? Isn't that bastard crazy?"
"But she's still his sister. How can he kill her without hesitation just because she became a monster? Moreover, she was already almost dead. Did he have to kill her like that?"
"He must be a psychopath. A real crazy bastard. Aren't all those chaebol family bastards like that? Thinking about it makes me disgusted. They're not even human."
"I heard Choi Ga-in and him had been fighting over management rights before. Maybe he did it out of revenge?"
"They're not full siblings. Maybe that's why he killed her smiling without shedding a single tear."
More than the casualties caused by Choi Ga-in.
People focused on an even more sensational incident than that.
They particularly focused on the point that Choi Jung-hoon committed familicide against his half-sister Choi Ga-in.
No matter how much Galaxy Group tried to handle it, the world wouldn't turn its eyes away from the incident of Choi Jung-hoon killing his blood-related sister.
Also, people with Galaxy Group's succession rights interfered under the surface.
[Breaking] Choi Jung-hoon secluded in Hannam-dong mansion
[Full text] Choi Jung-hoon "I'm truly sorry for causing concern to the citizens"
[Exclusive] Galaxy Group "Choi Jung-hoon will step back from management front for the time being."
Criticism poured from the public.
Then Choi Jung-hoon announced he would step back from the management front and reflect in his mansion, conscious of public opinion.
Nevertheless, the slander didn't stop.
The heated atmosphere showed no signs of subsiding.
Eventually, it escalated to Galaxy Group's chairman Choi Yoon-han coming out to the public.
[—I sincerely apologize for causing concern to the citizens regarding this issue related to family members. As Galaxy Group's chairman, and as the head of a household, my grandchildren's wrong behavior...]
[—Therefore, I announce through this occasion that I will step down from the chairman position.]
The situation spread far and wide.
Galaxy Group's chairman Choi Yoon-han soon stepped down from Galaxy Group's chairman position, saying he would take responsibility for improperly managing the group, failing to properly educate family members, and causing an incident against public sentiment.
One of the people who pulled Korea up from destruction after
"Something seems strange? Wasn't he going to pass down the chairman position anyway?"
"Haha, it's just sleight of hand..."
However, some voices questioned whether Choi Yoon-han's retirement was desirable in the sense of taking responsibility for this incident.
Because Galaxy Group's management had been in his son's hands for several years now.
Therefore, they said Choi Yoon-han's retirement was nothing more than passing on the management rights he was going to pass to his son someday using this incident as justification.
Of course, they were only a minority.
The heated public opinion finally began to subside.
Meanwhile—
"—Am I strange? Didn't Choi Jung-hoon ultimately prevent the worst situation by killing a monster? Yet he should be called a murderer?"
"Monsters aren't human. Of course, a sister who became a monster is a monster, not human. Monsters are enemies that must be killed. Choi Jung-hoon's actions were right."
"Our country is really strange. This incident shouldn't be approached emotionally, but rationally. Choi Jung-hoon killed her representing people because his sister became a monster and he's her brother."
"That's right. Watch the video once. Choi Jung-hoon stepped up because the players weren't trying to kill her then. So the people who should be cursed are the players, not Choi Jung-hoon."
"Why is no one talking about Choi Ga-in's death? It's strange. Mana runaway doesn't happen so easily. There must have been something. But why are they only focusing on Choi Jung-hoon committing familicide and not trying to look at the cause?"
"I think there's no hero like Choi Jung-hoon. Where is there someone who can directly step up and kill their sister suffering as a monster when even players are reluctant to kill, while not even being a player? Choi Jung-hoon must have been extremely sad too. But he killed her for the world's sake, so there's no hero like Choi Jung-hoon."
"That's right! Choi Jung-hoon is a hero! Different from players who only chase profits!"
""""That's right, that's right.""""
Though they kept quiet due to public opinion.
There were also people showing goodwill towards Choi Jung-hoon's achievements in some quarters.
The story they secretly spread gives birth to a hero in this world.
☆
One student died.
Nevertheless, academy students soon shake off their friend's death and get up.
Instructors were sad about Choi Ga-in's death for a while too, but that was all.
The academy's people find their places again as if nothing happened, like before.
It's the academy's shadow.
"—This is wrong."
On Tae-yang muttered unable to hide his miserable feelings.
People placed flowers at the place where she died to commemorate her death.
There are so many flowers.
But there was no guarantee anywhere that people would be as sad as the number of flowers placed on the ground.
On Tae-yang saw a student who left one flower talking cheerfully with other friends with a face brighter than the flower.
"What... is this..."
Is it because it's not their own death in the end?
People are misaligned.
On Tae-yang lamented the death of Choi Ga-in who approached him warmly after entering high school academy.
No, the academy.
And he lamented the world.
The world seems to be going crazy.
No one is questioning Ga-in's death.
Everyone... is only paying attention to the incident of Choi Jung-hoon killing Ga-in.
One flower a day.
On Tae-yang who placed one flower again today at the place where she died muttered in his heart.
Then he recalled the incident that happened not long ago, the day she died after transforming into a monster.
He was at the scene then.
He who went to the scene realizing people were in a commotion was shocked seeing Choi Ga-in transformed into a monster.
And—
—No Eunha was there.
He saw No Eunha there.
He who was being severely scolded by instructor Shin Seo-young seemed to have been killing Choi Ga-in until just moments ago.
On Tae-yang couldn't believe it.
How can he try to kill a classmate without any hesitation?
Are you even human?
Even if Ga-in became a monster, how can we kill Ga-in...
Disappointment in No Eunha.
The disappointment that had already hit rock bottom broke through the bottom.
At the same time, hatred towards him arose.
Above all—
"—No Eunha was watching the competition together with Ga-in then..."
From the 2nd semester, rumors spread in the academy that No Eunha and Choi Ga-in became lovers.
They were seen alone together that much.
And on the day she died, Choi Ga-in was with No Eunha.
"...No Eunha killed her. No Eunha turned Ga-in into a monster. And with his own hands directly..."
She was really looking forward to spending all day with No Eunha tomorrow.
On Tae-yang who prided himself as her close friend remembered her excitedly chattering on Fine Talk the day before.
That's why On Tae-yang thought her death was somehow unsatisfactory.
The inference originating from there reached the conclusion that No Eunha turned Choi Ga-in into a monster and killed her.
"—I'll definitely avenge you."
The wind blew.
The flowers piled on the ground scatter.
On Tae-yang watching the scattering flower petals.
Strengthened his resolve.
☆
Why did Choi Ga-in become a monster?
It's not that people weren't interested in the cause of this incident.
Players dispatched from the Mana Management Organization's Special Affairs Bureau investigated Choi Ga-in's movements on the day of the incident.
And it was revealed that the last person Choi Ga-in was with was No Eunha.
'You were watching the comprehensive division competition with student Choi Ga-in, can you tell us what you were doing after that?'
The player interrogated him with a sharp gaze.
But nothing came out.
Eunha indifferently answered that they parted ways after watching the comprehensive division competition.
Coincidentally, his alibi that he went around the cultural festival with Jeong Ha-yang after meeting Choi Ga-in was proven.
In the end, the player's suspicion moved away from him.
I asked Twenty-five to erase traces that might become a problem in advance.
There weren't any traces that would be problematic in the first place...
Of course, the opponent was the Special Affairs Bureau.
Players performing special missions. They were seasoned in investigations related to mana that much.
They were still wary of Eunha even though he was off the investigation list.
Moreover, Galaxy Group whose image was tarnished this time also independently tried to press Eunha.
Galaxy Group tried to investigate me so father went ballistic and it fizzled out, but.
Anyway, Eunha had to be called here and there unable to properly attend classes after the cultural festival ended.
As a result, the 2nd semester quickly passed, and a year was ending.
And the investigation that lasted about 3 months was concluded as an incident due to Choi Ga-in's mana runaway.
Now, her death was truly entering the grave.
"I wonder if it can be said I gained one and lost one..."
The weekend before final exams.
He who left the academy early in the morning muttered softly while returning home.
One step forward, one step back.
Through this incident, Eunha greatly lowered Galaxy Group's growth momentum.
Choi Yoon-han who could be called Galaxy Group's symbol stepped back from the management front, and as a result Galaxy Group ended up in a situation of seeking management stability.
Above all, Choi Jung-hoon reflected.
"How long Choi Jung-hoon will reflect... I can't know that in detail, but he probably won't be able to do anything for at least a few years."
It's like tying Choi Jung-hoon's hands and feet.
During this time, succession rights holders of the same generation as Choi Jung-hoon will build their positions.
I have to seize that gap.
Ask Do-jun to help that direct descendant establish a position within the group.
Create a succession dispute that never happened before regression.
Nevertheless, Choi Jung-hoon will become Galaxy Group's chairman in this life too.
Even so, it doesn't matter.
Because what Eunha wants is to reduce Galaxy Group's influence.
It's reducing Choi Jung-hoon's influence.
All methods that could be used for this had to be used.
Fortunately, Seo-yeon noona, Yoo-cheon hyung, and Geum-jeon hyung said they would help too.
It's not like they're taking a loss, and if done well, it's also an opportunity to gain huge profits.
Eunha recalled recently exchanging contacts with direct descendants of business groups.
There's sufficient room for a succession dispute to occur.
As a result, it seems business groups are each supporting Galaxy Group's successors and trying to exert influence on Galaxy Group through that successor.
It was the situation Eunha had been hoping for.
Nevertheless, Eunha was still predicting a future where Choi Jung-hoon becomes Galaxy Group's chairman.
"The problem is that what was lost this time is quite big..."
He arrived in front of his house.
Eunha who climbed the stairs couldn't help but sigh.
Because he lost one thing in exchange for gaining one.
He lost Moon's Blessing.
I don't regret losing Moon's Blessing in exchange for saving Ha-yang, but... still, what's regrettable is regrettable.
Even if I could go back in time.
Eunha would choose her several times between Jeong Ha-yang and Moon's Blessing.
There was no regret in this choice.
But what was regrettable was regrettable.
The elixir that would become the last ingredient for the elixir was now in a situation where it was unknown where to obtain it.
The first person to discover Moon's Blessing was Choi Ga-in.
Choi Ga-in discovered Moon's Blessing, and Ha-yang's father recognized the flower's value so the elixir was made.
After that, Moon's Blessing became known to the world.
But we lost Moon's Blessing without even making the elixir, so even if someone obtains Moon's Blessing in the future, would they be able to recognize its value...
"They'll probably just think it's a parasitic plant and live on. What should I do..."
Even in the previous life, there wasn't much known information about Moon's Blessing.
The environment where it grows is unknown.
It was unknown who obtained it.
Because information was controlled by those in power since it was the hardest ingredient to obtain among the elixir ingredients.
For Eunha, it was just pitch black ahead.
In this case, I have no choice but to rely on Geum-jeon hyung. Hoping for good information from Marado...
I should thoroughly search Marado during vacation too.
It seems I'll have to spend winter break in Marado, not at home.
Eunha entered the house sighing deeply.
Thud
A sound heard as soon as he opened the door.
Eunha smiled bitterly hearing someone hurriedly running from inside.
He could guess who it was.
His little sister and Avenir.
It would be one of the two.
And a moment later.
"Oppa—!!"
His little sister showed her face from around the corner.
His little sister who met his eyes smiled and ran to him.
Eunha bent his knees and spread his arms to prepare to catch her.
Then—
"—Huh?"
A dumbfounded sound came out without him realizing.
He wondered if what he was seeing with his eyes now was really right.
But the flowerpot his little sister was holding with both hands was clearly—
"—Oppa! Look at this!! I finally succeeded in making a flower bloom! How is it? Pretty, right?"
"...Moon's Blessing."
"I asked Choro and Haetnim how to raise it and I figured it out. Take a look later. When it receives moonlight, the flower bud opens wide and sparkles? You've never seen it before, right? It'll be super pretty."
Eun-ae explains while smiling.
He was busy looking at the flower in her hands as she entered his arms.
No matter how he looked at it, it was Moon's Blessing. Though the flower bud was closed, he could be certain seeing the state of the inside of the bud sparkling.
"...Silver Wolf Flower was Moon's Blessing?"
"Huh? It says its species is Silver Wolf Flower but it has a separate name... Oppa!? I-I can't breathe!"
Eun-ae looking bewildered.
Eunha, overcome with emotion, hugged his little sister tightly.
They say it's darkest under the lamp.
Indeed, that saying fit perfectly.
If I had known this would happen, I should have gone to the greenhouse with Eun-ae during summer vacation, but I was focused on dealing with Choi Ga-in...
No, I should have looked around the greenhouse when first visiting Seo-hyun's house.
I wonder what hardships she went through all this time.
He felt empty yet relieved at the same time.
Eunha kept praising her while hugging Eun-ae just like that.
"It really seems like there's no one but you, Eun-ae. You're truly a bundle of luck, a bundle of luck."
"O-Oppa... I really can't breathe...!!"
His little sister, who didn't even exist in his previous life, apparently faced a life-threatening crisis.
Her sulking afterwards was a bonus.