I’ve been taking notice of the TC Research Institute for a while now.
I haven’t been there once, but my playable characters are deeply related to it.
‘TC Group’s Do-family and Cheon-family. Do Wonwoo and Cheon Dongha. Yoo Sanghee is connected too.’
Even people who aren’t my playable characters have some connection.
It’s true for Yoo Sanghoon and Do Sihoo.
“Looking at your reactions, Hwangho-nim and Euishin hyung, something seems to be going on at TC Research Institute. Could you explain it to me?”
“I see it wasn’t mentioned in your game.”
“I know that there was a so-called ‘Four Major Groups Secret Scenario’ that will break out. The TC Group is involved there. However, since TC Group is quite large, I don’t know which affiliates and how far their involvement is in that veiled scenario.”
Hwang Jiho took notice of the Four Major Groups Secret Scenario mentioned by Eunho.
Instead of digging into the details, he decided to prioritize sharing information first.
“I’ll put off asking about that scenario later. The reason why I learned about the things involving TC Group is quite complicated, but, hmm what should I start with? …Alright.”
Hwang Jiho organized his thoughts for a while and started talking in a bright tone as if he just got a great idea.
“Oh, first of all, I should talk about Jeokho’s injuries.”
“Did something happen to Jeokho-nim?”
Eunho’s voice was sweet, but it sounded quite stern.
‘We happen to talk about Jeokho when he’s not here.’
Perhaps he’s out to see the descendants, or to see his son who was suffering mentally lately, Jeokho wasn’t here today.
Hwang Jiho took advantage of his absence and began to talk excitedly.
It was a stark difference from Baeokho, who was sitting quietly next to him as he observed the situation.
“It was when I ordered the surveillance of the Pig Clan who dared to betray the Tiger Clan. Jeokho was attacked.”
At that time, Jeokho was seriously injured after being pierced by the Sangbosimgeumpa.
However, he was in a situation where most healing skills and items weren’t available.
After Kim Shinrok committed the crime of secretly taking a treasure and using it on Jeokho, he somewhat became younger by taking a huge medicine.
It was Yoo Sanghee who helped at that time.
“I see. So something like that happened. Yoo Sanghee is connected to Akea, the goddess of healing.”
“It’s not the only time we received Yoo Sanghee’s help. During the summer youth retreat, I made some mistakes which led to several people getting injured.”
By “injured”, does he mean Song Daesok and Noh Youngmi who were poisoned?
That’s not Hwang Jiho’s fault alone though.
I was the one who crafted the plan based on the information I knew from PMH.
It was my fault for not properly grasping all the variables.
I tried to say that while Hwang Jiho took a pause, but this quick-witted old man cut me off.
And now, it wasn’t just the old man who was quick-witted here.
“You seem to want to say that it was your fault that people were injured at that time, Euishin hyung.”
“Hahaha! As expected, the first head of the Tiger Clan is wise. You understood the benefactor’s intention right away.”
Perhaps it’s because he’s lived as long as the old man laughing next to him even though he lived as a human being.
I haven’t gotten to bring up anything yet, but I’ve been thoroughly shut down.
He had only heard Hwang Jiho’s explanation of the youth retreat, but it seems as if he had seen it in person.
Eunho finished his analysis and wrapped up his remarks after discussing how it wasn’t my fault.
“That’s all. Is there something I missed?”
“No, your analysis is perfect, Eunho.”
“I see.”
This old man cunningly explained everything and helped Eunho reach a conclusion, so I have no place to intervene.
Unable to refute a word, I drank the tea Eunho handed me.
“I understand your heart, Euishin hyung. However, there’s no use for those words. Hwangho-nim and I don’t think it’s your fault.”
“That’s right. It’s not our benefactor’s fault, and nothing can change my mind.”
It seems like the old and new heads of Tiger Clan get along well.
Perhaps the fact that they’ve been close friends for thousands of years is why.
“Alright, let’s go back to Yoo Sanghee. Hwangho-nim seems to have learned something in the process of repaying Yoo Sanghee’s favor. Is that right?”
“Yes. Yoo Sanghee was troubled over career issues with TC Group. She couldn’t turn them down easily because she owes them for her brother’s, Yoo Sanghoon’s, life.”
“…Her brother’s life.”
Eunho repeated the words.
He must’ve been reminded of the freshman-turned-third-year in PMH who jumped to the front lines to avenge her brother.
Yoo Sanghee chose the goddess of revenge over the goddess of healing.
The target of her revenge was evil-spirit enemies, and she gave her life for it.
Users claimed that it was setting up the character for collapse, posting their opinion on the PMH fan cafe.
‘…They said that the revenge method chosen by the student who maintained top grades at Korea’s most prestigious high school was unconventional and ridiculous.’
Just as the users said, Yoo Sanghee’s revenge was unconventional and unreasonable.
She went through with it because she saw how her brother, Yoo Sanghoon, suffered.
Yoo Sanghee valued her family that much.
Eunho also seems to remember her.
“If the Yoo Sanghee I know from the game is the same here, I’m sure she will accept some proposals for the sake of her brother. There must be a reason why Yoo Sanghee is troubled.”
“I’ll explain the project that the TC Research Institute is working on.”
On the hologram floated by Hwang Jiho, the words ‘Superior Beings Artificial Descent Project’ were displayed.
Superior beings have great power to interfere with the human world, though it was in a very limited way.
Eunho read the abstract written under the crazy title as he sipped tea and concealed his expression for a while.
“I see there are such foolish and arrogant beings in this land.”
Eunho’s expression as he put down his teacup was his usual, but deep anger was smeared in his short words.
From the Tiger Clan’s standpoint, which has a deep connection with the Heavenly God, it’s inevitable to feel anger towards that project.
Eunho suppressed his anger and continued to ask.
He reached a conclusion similar to mine.
“…This project may have something to do with ‘that person’ who is after our territory.’
Considering the actions of the Black Screen, some unusual aspects of the ‘Superior Beings Artificial Descent Project’ come to mind.
It’s been difficult to determine whether the direction of the project and the pursuit of the Black Screen overlap by simple coincidence.
‘It’s more likely now that it isn’t a coincidence seeing the frozen-type otherworlds lurking around the lab.’
In any case, if the Black Screen knows about this project, it’s highly likely that they’d intervene in any way.
Taking advantage of the short silence of Hwang JIho and Eunho, I asked about the previous request.
“Are you still monitoring Do Wonwoo sunbaenim?”
“We are. Since Do Wonwoo is an excellent player, the intensity of our surveillance isn’t that high.”
“Keep an eye on him.”
“How much monitoring shall we do?”
I want to check every move he makes, but I know that would be difficult.
So I set out the minimum level.
“To the point where we constantly know Do Wonwoo sunbaenim’s location. If possible, I don’t want him doing activities alone.”
“Solo activities… Do Wonwoo is the previous student representative and a son of the TC Group. It will be rare for him to act alone.”
“Don’t let him have that rare situation.”
Hwang Jiho enthusiastically nodded his head.
“Alright. In exchange, you should abstain from solo activities as well.”
An arrow was shot at me out of nowhere.
I don’t really have plans of moving alone lately, but I would only if it’s needed.
“Hahaha! Seeing your expression, you’re going to do things alone if you think it’s needed. Don’t you think that Do Wonwoo is in danger so you’re asking that he’s not left alone? The same goes for you.”
Hwang Jiho read my mind and laughed out loud.
Me moving alone and blocking Do Wonwoo’s solo activities…
Aren’t those two different though?
No, maybe they’re the same at their core?
I thought about it carefully, looking for a room for refutation, but I stopped at Eunho’s words.
“Euishin hyung doesn’t want Do Wonwoo to move alone, but you’re thinking of moving alone in the future. You’re not someone who forces others to do things you don’t want to do, hyung.”
It was hard to refute what Eunho said while smiling.
I tried then to move the conversation forward and discuss how to deal with this in the future, but Eunho glanced at the darkened skies through the window and suggested that we leave.
“Everyone must be exhausted today. Let’s finish this in the morning.”
“That’s a good idea. Jo Euishin, go rest up now.”
The two tigers spoke as if it was a foregone conclusion that I stayed at the mansion.
I was about to say that I’d be going back to the dormitory since we were in the middle of the week and it was impolite for me to overextend my stay.
However, a dainty sound interrupted me.
Woof woof!
The angel was biting a new Olmu pillow that was different from yesterday!
The angel, who had been bored and lonely while the tigers and I were talking, acted so cute that I couldn’t resist it.
Eventually, I held Olmu in my arms and greeted the tigers.
“…Good night.”
Hwang Jiho watched as he laughed out loud.
Eunho added a word.
“Euishin hyung hasn’t changed at all.”
I wonder what in the world hasn’t changed about me.
“Hahaha! It’s a good thing we bought the new pillow Shinsoo begged for. Alright, get a good night’s sleep and we’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night.”
“…”
After saying goodbye to Baekho-gun, who nodded silently in response, I headed to the room in the annex where I stayed yesterday.
I finished washing up and getting ready for bed, and sleep came to me rather quickly.
I decided to check my messages one last time before surrendering to slumber.
There was one from Jang Namwook.
[Jang Namwook] We lost, but I think we fought well.
The message, which started with a relatively short sentence, grew longer and longer.
‘Oh, is he talking about the Korean Series?’
The Korean Series ended while I was in England.
The result of the close fight that reached Game 7 between the Joo-Oh Dragons and the SZ Stars was the former’s defeat.
‘The Joo-Oh Dragons are in second place again. It must be painful for the fans.’
While I tried to think of words to console Jang Namwook, I received a call.
It was from Yoo Sanghoon.
