[Chapter 211]
[Seven Devils]
Choi Eun-hyeok pursues justice.
His justice lay in pursuing righteousness.
Benevolence and chivalry.
What could be called benevolent chivalry was also what his master and living legend
His justice was completed as he received teachings from Hwang Jin-hee.
'Then send me to Uijeongbu too. I'll lead those kids and fight.'
That's why Choi Eun-hyeok often clashed with Eun-ha.
It had been like that occasionally since exchanging swords with Eun-ha at the Academy Comprehensive Tournament.
Choi Eun-hyeok, who found his own justice, was no longer swayed by Eun-ha's justice.
Sometimes he compromised, sometimes he clashed.
But Choi Eun-hyeok couldn't compromise on Lee Cheon-seo's death and the new members' dispatch to Uijeongbu.
'Fine, do as you wish.'
For this matter.
The two couldn't back down from each other.
Their justices were different.
If Choi Eun-hyeok pursued benevolent chivalry, Eun-ha pursued the way of domination.
There could be no compromise.
That's why after clashing, they decided to split up to pursue their own justices.
"Hah..."
After that day, the atmosphere in Pandora Clan cooled even more.
People kept watching Eun-ha and Choi Eun-hyeok's moods.
Then the day came for Choi Eun-hyeok to go on his voluntary exile.
Early morning.
Choi Eun-hyeok, who had finished arming himself, looked around the clan hall.
""""...."""
Clan members had come out to see Choi Eun-hyeok off.
Eun-ha was there too.
The atmosphere was solemn.
It wasn't a good occasion.
The faces of Choi Eun-hyeok and the clan members leaving for Uijeongbu were dark.
The people seeing them off were similar.
It was called a dispatch, but it was essentially exile.
No one was unaware.
"Eun-hyeok."
"Ah, Eun-ha."
Then Eun-ha moved his feet.
He approached Choi Eun-hyeok.
Soon he held out his hand.
"Be careful."
"...Thanks."
The two had been ignoring each other until now.
Eun-ha couldn't understand Eun-hyeok, and Eun-hyeok couldn't understand Eun-ha.
There was a wall between them.
But as the day approached for Choi Eun-hyeok to go on voluntary exile, Eun-ha could no longer ignore Choi Eun-hyeok.
It was the same for Choi Eun-hyeok.
He could no longer ignore Eun-ha.
So they grasped hands.
"It's not too late even now."
"..."
"You don't want to change your mind?"
Eun-ha asked with a hardened face.
Choi Eun-hyeok knew.
It was Eun-ha's consideration.
Eun-ha wasn't this kind of person.
He had a knife-like temperament towards people whose hearts had left once.
Lee Cheon-seo's case was an example.
So Choi Eun-hyeok felt very grateful for Eun-ha's consideration, and at the same time sorry.
"I'm sorry. But this is my path. I can't do things that prick my conscience."
"You've been like that since long ago."
"Yeah. I'm quite consistent, right? Stubborn?"
"It would be stubborn from my standards. But from your standards, it's something you must do."
"That's right."
"Really... it's frustrating."
Maybe because it was already over.
The two conversed lightly.
Eun-ha let go of his hand.
"If there are any difficulties there, contact me. I'll... do something somehow."
"Then support the kids a lot."
"Sorry, but I can't do that."
"You're really frustrating too."
"It's okay for you, but not for them."
"Okay, I got it. Still, thanks."
The two smiled forcedly.
This was the best choice.
The two didn't want to fight over their justices.
But there was no compromise.
So they had no choice but to split up like this.
"Take care."
"You too."
They patted each other's shoulders.
There is no correct answer for justice.
Justice was like a belief.
They prayed in their hearts that they could live lives not shameful to each other's beliefs.
Although they had friction as Clan Lord and Sub-lord.
Their friendship hadn't broken down.
"Ah..."
Choi Eun-hyeok was about to leave.
Then he felt a gaze.
Choi Eun-hyeok, who was about to turn around, saw the people who had come out to see him off in front of the hall.
One person caught his eye.
""..."
Jin Seo-na.
They looked at each other silently.
Soon Choi Eun-hyeok smiled awkwardly, and Jin Seo-na waved her hand gently.
So you're staying in the clan, Seo-na.
It wasn't just Eun-ha.
His and Jin Seo-na's justices were different too.
His justice existed for the happiness of all people.
On the other hand, her justice existed only for the happiness of her own people.
That was the reason one chose dispatch to Uijeongbu, and one chose to work at clan headquarters.
She couldn't understand him.
And he couldn't understand her.
The two discovered a difference in values in the most important part.
It was an unbridgeable gap.
'What if.'
'Yes?'
'There are two railway tracks here, and bombs are installed on the tracks. Among them, you must choose one of the two tracks to save the people tied to the tracks.'
'...'
'100 people are tied to one track. Only 1 person is tied to the other. Which side will you save?'
'That's a difficult choice... People will die either way.'
'Yes, that's right. But what if that 1 person was me?'
'...'
'Can you give up 100 lives to save just me?'
'...'
'I can do it.'
She had asked before.
At that time, Choi Eun-hyeok could quickly answer that of course he could.
But he hesitated for a moment, and that was the end.
Jin Seo-na saw through his heart, so she didn't bring up that story anymore.
Choi Eun-hyeok also didn't try to bring up that story in front of her.
It was a problem they had long avoided between them.
"Kids, let's go."
""""Yes, Sub-lord!!""""
"Don't call me Sub-lord anymore. I'm just your leader now."
It was also the reason they hadn't shown progress in their relationship for some time.
They were afraid of each other.
The moment their relationship showed progress, it was obvious that the problem they had been avoiding would rear its head again.
So they couldn't move forward.
They didn't want to hurt each other.
And they didn't want to get hurt.
They were both selfish and altruistic.
Eventually Choi Eun-hyeok turned his back.
☆
Choi Eun-hyeok resigned as Sub-lord.
Choi Eun-hyeok said he wanted to become a pure clan member and lead the clan members going to northern Uijeongbu with him.
Eun-ha and the other Sub-lords all had to accept Choi Eun-hyeok's wish.
Choi Eun-hyeok's heart had left.
It couldn't be helped.
"Do this."
"What's this?"
"What else, it's the work you have to do. It's the work Eun-hyeok has been doing until now."
After Choi Eun-hyeok left for Uijeongbu.
The atmosphere in the clan hall was gloomy.
But as a few days passed, it slowly returned to normal.
The saying that you don't know the place of someone who came in, but you know the place of someone who left, didn't last long.
They slowly became accustomed to and filled the places those who left had vacated.
In that situation, Mok Min-ho brought work to Eun-ha.
"This is Sub-lords' work."
"So you're telling us to do it?"
"..."
"Since it's practically because of you that Choi Eun-hyeok resigned as Sub-lord, you take care of it for now. Until we fill Eun-hyeok's empty spot."
"Okay, I got it. It can't be helped."
Eun-ha readily accepted.
They couldn't appoint a Sub-lord right away.
The Sub-lords had to have a meeting, and there were many things that needed to be handled immediately.
In the end, Eun-ha had to take on Choi Eun-hyeok's work while confined to his office.
"This guy... So he was doing this kind of work."
As he took over Choi Eun-hyeok's work.
Eun-ha could see what kind of work he had been doing for Pandora Clan.
It was mainly managing new clan members.
Reading the reports he wrote, Eun-ha suddenly recalled thoughts he had forgotten.
As the clan size grew, I did end up taking my hands off the new members at some point.
It's not just Lee Cheon-seo's fault.
I was at fault too.
I ran forward looking only ahead, so I couldn't pay attention to the people following far behind.
"Ji-hyeok, Shin-ji, Yu-bin..."
Eun-ha soon became absorbed in reading activity reports of clan members who joined this year.
There were many interesting stories.
Above all, there were many stories of pure times that could no longer be felt from himself and his friends.
Eun-ha chuckled.
I should pay attention to the new members.
Eun-ha woke up from his inertia.
It was the same for other clan members.
Lee Cheon-seo's purge and Choi Eun-hyeok's resignation gave them many lessons.
And so the 2nd quarter when summer began passed.
Around that time, Jin Seo-na came to take Choi Eun-hyeok's place as Sub-lord.
☆
Time flowed, and the time came to dispatch guest instructors to the Player Academy.
From Pandora Clan, Noh Eun-ah, Jo A-ra, and Ilya went as guest instructors.
As the three moved to the academy, Pandora Clan's work increased.
Around that time, Eun-ha also visited the academy after a long time.
"Why did you come, Eun-ha? You've been out of touch lately..."
"I came to see noona after a long time. Isn't instructor life hard?"
"Hah, is there any work that's not hard? Forget that, just tell me the purpose of coming here. You wouldn't suddenly visit like this."
"I can't fool noona."
Eun-ha sought out Shin Seo-young.
Shin Seo-young welcomed him and gave him a seat.
Sitting on the sofa, Eun-ha ate the refreshments she prepared and brought up the main point.
"The reason I came to the academy today is because there's someone I want to recruit."
"You should know... Don't you know the rule that recruitment is only possible after the culture festival ends? And your clan people are already here as guest instructors."
You didn't need to come yourself?
Shin Seo-young expressed doubt.
Her doubt was reasonable.
It wasn't the recruitment period now, and the guest instructors could take care of recruitment without Eun-ha necessarily coming.
But the person Eun-ha wanted to recruit wasn't a student.
"─I came to recruit noona."
"What? Me?"
"Yes, noona."
Eun-ha put down his coffee cup.
Shin Seo-young blinked her eyes.
She hadn't thought she would be targeted.
Eun-ha giggled.
"After sending Eun-hyeok to Uijeongbu, I took over the work he had been doing."
"And?"
Shin Seo-young regained her composure.
She crossed her arms and legs in a posture of listening.
Eun-ha explained the circumstances.
"But as clan members increased, I realized it's difficult for Uncle Bruno alone to train the kids. Uncle Bruno can't teach magic in the first place either."
"So you want to bring me as a magic advisor to teach the kids magic?"
"Yes, that's right. As the clan size grew, I needed to find someone I could trust, and only noona came to mind. Noona is a veteran in this field."
After Choi Eun-hyeok left for Uijeongbu.
Eun-ha decided to reorganize the clan.
All the executives agreed.
In that sense, Shin Seo-young's existence was very helpful.
"Shouldn't noona think about retiring as an academy instructor now? You've worked here for a long time."
"Who's telling me to retire? If I set my mind to it, I could become vice principal or principal."
"And you'd be dying managing over 3,000 students."
"..."
Meanwhile, Shin Seo-young didn't look very tempted.
It was an act.
Eun-ha knew.
Shin Seo-young was deliberately playing hard to get to raise her value.
If he presented better conditions than now, there was a high possibility she would come over.
Sure enough─
"─I'll treat you to 3 times the salary you're receiving now. This isn't just testing the waters. It's 3 times, 3 times."
"...Did you have that much money? Do you know how much my salary is?"
"Even if noona receives the highest salary among academy instructors, could it be as much as what a business group would pay? Even without that, we have a lot of money now."
"...Come to think of it, Hae-su's devices were selling like hotcakes."
"It's a nice side income. And there's also tax revenue from Yongsan-gu and Jung-gu. We have many other side incomes too. So we can pay."
He had known Shin Seo-young for a long time.
Eun-ha didn't want to haggle unnecessarily.
So he decided to promise Shin Seo-young the best conditions and treatment.
Shin Seo-young seemed tempted.
"Also."
"We'll have to write a formal contract, but the magic advisor will be guaranteed a position above executive equal to the technical advisor. That means you'll receive all authority and treatment above executive level."
"Not bad. Okay, then I'll join your clan from next year."
"You made a good decision. I'll send the contract soon through noona who's here as a guest instructor."
"We'll be eating from the same pot from now on."
"I look forward to working with you."
It didn't take long.
Shin Seo-young didn't ponder for long.
She accepted the proposal.
Afterwards, the two spent time chatting happily.
When Eun-ha came out of Shin Seo-young's research lab.
──!!
In the empty hallway.
Suddenly an intense aura was felt.
Sensing the aura, Eun-ha quickly dodged and blocked the attack that came from behind.
Then he threw a kick into the air.
"Kek!"
"You bastard... Hey, I almost died just like that."
"As expected of Eun-ha hyung! You dodged this? No one at the academy could dodge my attack."
It was Avenier, who turned 18 this year.
Avenier, who got hit hard in the back by Eun-ha, appeared in mid-air.
The providence of the 3rd rank Lizard King.
Avenier, who absorbed part of that providence when young, had talent in making his body transparent.
Eun-ha was simply terrified.
I really almost died.
That was Eun-ha's honest feeling.
It was impressive that he dodged the heavy blow that came without any presence.
Eun-ha hit Avenier once more out of annoyance.
"Ow! Don't hit me, hyung!"
"You need to be hit. Except for your idiot brother, learn to control your strength well. You really have the power to crush someone's head with one punch."
"That's why I did it to you... Ow!"
"Now become a bit more mature."
"Ugh, I got it..."
Avenier was confirmed to join Pandora Clan after graduating from the academy.
Eun-ha was satisfied with the thought of recruiting a monster of strength.
I shouldn't keep this kid for myself, but make him the exclusive bodyguard for Baek-ryeon or the children who will be born in the future.
Ah, I should use Seo-young noona too.
Avenier's use was decided.
Ha Baek-ryeon's guard and the children's guard.
Eun-ha planned to use Avenier privately.
It was Julietta and Bruno's wish, and Avenier's own wish too.
Eun-ha patted his shoulder.
"Only 1 year left. Don't cause trouble and graduate safely to join the clan."
"Yeah! Got it! Just trust me!"
"But how many brooches are you wearing on your uniform?"
"Oh, these? They're medals of battle!"
"Medals of battle?"
After hearing what he said next.
Eun-ha clicked his tongue.
There were no more strong people in this academy who could surpass Avenier.
☆
Jung Ha-yang's belly was swelling.
The child will be born around early next year.
So Jung Ha-yang was now slowly preparing to hand over her work.
"Even if I step back for a while, I need to hand over well so there's no gap in your work. So don't worry."
"I'm not worried about that. Even without you, the twins and Tae-hee and others will assist well. So Ha-yang, you focus on your body first."
Eun-ha would visit Jung Ha-yang after taking care of Noh Yuseong.
Today too, Eun-ha visited Jung Ha-yang and kept touching her belly at every chance.
She was organizing the bookshelves.
Eun-ha would touch her belly, but quickly get up when she tried to put books on the shelf.
"Let me do it. I'll do it, so you sit and just tell me where to put them."
"Hehe, I married well, didn't I?"
"You just realized that now? This one?"
"Ah, that one... It should go on the second shelf from the left over there. Put that one in later, let's organize the front shelves first. I'll organize, you just put them in."
Since they were alone in the library.
Jung Ha-yang acted cute.
Eun-ha pulled her round face and chuckled.
The two smiled at each other.
Soon Eun-ha started organizing books as Jung Ha-yang instructed.
It was then.
Jung Ha-yang suddenly asked a question.
"What if."
"Yes?"
"Villains install bombs on two railway tracks, and a train is passing over them."
"I've heard this example somewhere. Was it a movie?"
"When we were in elementary school, Teacher Lim Do-hoon showed us a movie when the curriculum was over. It's a situation from that movie."
"Was it? And?"
"People are tied to each track, but 100 people are tied to one track, and only 1 person is tied to the other track. At this time, if you can only save one side, which side would you choose?"
"A utilitarian problem?"
The greatest happiness for the greatest number.
The problem Jung Ha-yang brought up was related to utilitarianism.
Eun-ha, who was organizing the bookshelf, thought for a moment and gave the answer that probably many people would say.
"If I can only choose one side, I would probably try to save the 100 people."
"Because 100 lives are more valuable than 1 life?"
"It's strange to measure human lives by numbers, but yes."
"But you know."
"Yes?"
"What if that 1 person was me?"
"..."
"Can you say the same thing then?"
Eun-ha turned his head.
Jung Ha-yang was looking up at him with sparkling eyes.
She was testing him.
Eun-ha's answer was clear.
"You."
"Tsk, liar. Don't say things you'd only say when dating. Tell me honestly."
"I would try to save just you even if it meant killing 100 people. Do I have to say this? It's embarrassing."
"Really? Really really?"
"What value do 100 strangers have? Only the one person I know has value."
"Baby, did you hear? You have to scold daddy later if he says otherwise, okay?"
Hearing Eun-ha's answer.
Jung Ha-yang seemed to be in a good mood.
She spoke to her belly.
Eun-ha was dumbfounded.
Then he flicked her forehead.
"Ow! Why did you hit me?"
"Because the premise itself was wrong."
"Huh? What was?"
"Are you just one person? With the child inside, it's two people. Then I'm saving two people, not one."
"Hmm, that's true."
"And knowing your personality, you won't try to have just one. Then I'm not just saving two people, but also the children who will be born in the future."
"So you like me that much?"
"Not telling."
"Sun-nim daddy! Tell me!"
He is selfish.
People within his fence are more precious than strangers.
Wasn't the reason for trying to change the future in the first place to make himself and those around him live happy lives?
The greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Eun-ha didn't even consider it.
I only need you all.
So no matter what happens.
He would protect this small happiness.
He would absolutely not lose it.
Eun-ha vowed while playing with Jung Ha-yang.
27 years since regressing.
It was a vow he had made many times.
"But you know."
"What now?"
"But Han Seo-hyeon unnie and Yu-jung are tied to the track with 100 people. Then what would you do in this case?"
"How can I choose? I'd have to find a way to save them all somehow."
"Even if you have to choose just one side? Then which side would you choose?"
"If you keep doing this..."
"If I keep doing this?"
"I'll tell Seo-hyeon. You're all equally precious to me to the point I can't rank you."
"Ugh, I'm sorry! Stop stretching my cheeks! What if the baby becomes mochi at this rate..."
"Then I should stretch that child's cheeks like this too. I look forward to it."
Eun-ha pulled Jung Ha-yang's cheeks.
He executed the mochi-cheek technique after a long time.
☆
Time continues to flow.
Meanwhile, very good news kept coming to Eun-ha.
October of the 22nd year of Fairy Power.
Eun-ha visited the hospital with Lee Yu-jung.
"Um, Eun-ha."
"What did the doctor say? Is it okay? How is it?"
"Well... Come here for a second."
"Are you sick somewhere? What is it?"
Whisper whisper.
Lee Yu-jung whispered in his ear.
A smile spread on Eun-ha's face.
Her face was bright too.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Now we'll have two pregnant women in our house. You did well. Thank you."
"I'm more thankful. Because you let me live normally like others."
Lee Yu-jung was pregnant.
Lee Yu-jung, who had been secretly anxious since Jung Ha-yang got pregnant, finally bore fruit.
Eun-ha thanked Lee Yu-jung.
The second child hasn't been born yet but next year a third child will come.
Only good things are happening.
I hope things continue to go well in the future.
Eun-ha hoped this happiness would continue without ending.
But the destined fate was steadily approaching even at that time.
Kkulkkul, it took a very long time.
It really took a long time.
My research will end with this too.
Mid-October.
Seven calamities arrive.
Calamities that no one could prepare for would stir up the world.