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An amusement park somewhere in Gyeonggi-do.
It is the largest amusement park on the Korean peninsula, visited by thousands of people regularly.
Not long ago, the Namgung Group Theme Park was its competitor.
However, the Namgung Theme Park’s popularity declined at the time the streamer BJ Soybean broadcasted live an otherworld occurrence in the park.
The number of people who visited the Namgung Group Theme Park sharply declined, and more people visited the amusement park in Gyeonggi-do instead.
Recently, the amusement park has closed deals on more facilities, virtually shutting down most of its competitors.
And this weekend, inside the crowded amusement park, there stood out two people among the sea of visitors.
They were Merlin’s disciple Goo Seulbi and Phantom Thief Neon.
“So, why did we come here?”
“Because counseling and research are needed for us to prepare our splendid arrival/”
“I know that, but why an amusement park?”
Although she entered the amusement park just as it opened and played her heart out on the rides until lunchtime, Goo Seulbi asked belatedly.
Goo Seulbi was wearing a hat drawn on by the amusement park’s mascot.
She also held a balloon art, and she was carrying a bag full of souvenirs.
She spoke in a dissatisfied voice, though from the looks of it, she seems to be greatly enjoying their time at the park.
Phantom Thief Neon answered her with a twinkle.
It made Goo Seulbi feel a bit resentful.
‘…I should’ve worn something that stands out! I can’t believe the wonderful and great Druidess fell behind this thief!’
Goo Seulbi was adorned with costumes and ornaments sold at the park and also exuded a formidable presence, but she was a little behind Phantom Thief Neon.
Neon, like his name, was physically shining at the moment.
His costume’s concept was of pearls shining in the sand, and his clothes were decorated directly with matte beads and spangles.
When sunlight hits him, the white pearl-colored spangles shone brightly and flash, not failing to catch people’s attention.
The completeness and design of the outfit itself were excellent, but it was an outfit that one doesn’t simply dare to wear.
In the large amusement park, only one person, Goo Seulbi, thought that Phantom Thief Neon’s clothes were truly wonderful.
She thought that he was a little cool, making her feel ashamed of herself.
Not knowing Goo Seulbi’s thoughts, Phantom Thief Neon spoke in an exaggerated voice.
“Wasn’t it frustrating to be in Eungwang High during the week? Genius shines even more when it is released in a spacious place!”
It was more appropriate to call it “attention-seeking” than “genius”, but there was no one there to contradict them.
Goo Seulbi acknowledges the “genius” that Phantom Thief Neon speaks of, so she decided to focus on the latter half.
“Eungwang High is spacious too though? We almost lost Class Zero a few times.”
“…But, it’s a school! I don’t want to spend time in such a limited space.”
Isn’t one free to attend Eungwang High as one pleases?
There are required subjects to be taken, but other than that, the students are free to choose what they wish to study.
In addition, Phantom Thief Neon already decided to attend school anyway.
He gave the school as a reason, but it sounded like an excuse for the real reason why they came to the amusement park.
In the end, Phantom Thief Neon finally confessed.
“A magic show of a magician player visiting Korea will be held in the afternoon. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance so I can’t miss it!”
“…So we came here because you wanted to see a magic show.”
“I had no choice but to come here because I can’t miss any of the show and its preparations…!”
Phantom Thief Neon made big gestures to express himself.
Seeing that his emotions were furious, it looked like Phantom Thief Neon thought about this hard.
His concerns were a little superficial, but Goo Seulbi nodded deeply as if she understood him.
“Let’s go see the magic show, but I want to go on rides. Let’s ride the Tornado Shot Rollercoaster again.”
“That sounds good! We can take a picture before getting down. I’m going to try a different pose this time.”
“My pose will be more attractive next time!”
The two people who walked to the rollercoaster were very overly noticeable, but no one pointed their fingers at them.
Since they were in an amusement park, they just looked like two high school student couples who were enjoying a unique concept date on the weekend.
Only the two attention-seekers know what they really were though.
With the misunderstanding, yet warm consideration of the people around them, the two attention-seekers had fun.
When it was time to go to see the magic show…
“Oh, they’re giving away balloons over there. Do we need it?”
“Of course! Let’s go!”
Phantom Thief Neon pointed to where a mascot was distributing balloons to children.
However, there was one particular mascot who seemed unpopular.
It was a dinosaur character “T-Wreck”, the mascot of the recently opened dino-experience center of the park.
The t-rex mascot waved hard and showed tricks to children passing by, but the mascot didn’t get much response.
Unlike the already-popular mascots, the dinosaur mascot was new and was never heard of or seen among children.
“…”
“…”
Seeing the scene, Goo Seulbi and Phantom Thief Neon almost felt choked up as they remembered their situation.
As a result of their stalking, they found that there were a lot of celebrities in Year One Class Zero, and they were already close to each other.
The two thought it would be difficult to get the class’ attention.
Other than T-Wreck, the two attention-seekers were overindulged by the other dinosaur mascots who were ignored.
They swallowed their tears as they walked to receive balloons from the dinosaur mascots.
“One day, one day more children will wish to have their balloons! If they make history, they’ll become popular!”
“Even the other characters experienced being new to the job. In the meantime, they’ll promote a lot, the amusement park will get bigger, their fans will increase, and their lives would be different.”
“Yes, by the time new characters appear, they will be the seniors, I’m sure of it…!”
The two, who were still looking at the dinosaur mascots, suddenly came up with a thunderbolt idea.
The train of thought of the two attention-seekers was surprisingly similar.
“…You and I are thinking of the same thing. As expected of my partner!”
“Some weird thief stuff isn’t bad after all!”
The two felt delighted to finally arrive at an answer.
“Let’s find the other kids who aren’t going to school! That way we’ll be their sunbaes!”
“That’s right, and then we won’t have to compete with the kids who are already attending school. We can just jump among the new kids!”
It’s something that ordinary people wouldn’t understand, but the two attention-seekers were serious about their plan.
And so the two decided to find the three other students from their class who were yet to attend school.
***
After having a late lunch and drinking tea, I left the Hwangmyeong Mansion.
Eunho saw us off at the entrance of the annex.
“Dongha hyung, will you go back to shool with Euishin hyung?”
“No, I’m going to Hwangmyeong Research Institute. There are books there on the Myth of Gaecheon, so I’m gonna study a bit.”
Having heard a lot of unfamiliar concepts in our talk today, Cheon Dongha decided to study myths.
He must be busy with a lot of things, but Cheon Dongha looked motivated.
“I want to learn about terrestrial lines and intelligence. It’s surely related to our school, and also to my dongsaeng.”
“I’ll give you books I organized myself the next time I see you, Dongha hyung.”
Eunho replied happily to Cheon Dongha’s words.
‘I had no idea what kind of hyung Cheon Dongha would’ve been in PMH.’
A person of altruistic nature, contrary to his cold impression.
That is how users of PMH described Cheon Dongha, and if only he had a younger brother in the game, people’s opinions of him would’ve been much greater.
Whimper…
Meanwhile, Olmu, who waited outside kindly until we finished talking, had his tail up as he looked at me.
But it’s difficult for me to stay in the mansion since it’s a possibility that Seodol would suddenly show up here.
I had to explain to Olmu that I had somewhere to go to in the evening, and the good and kind Olmu took his leash.
Woof woof!
He seemed to want to walk me to my dormitory.
I decided to indulge in the suggestion of the genius and considerate Olmu and walk back to the dorms with him.
While Baekho-gun took Olmu’s leash, the tigers threw in a word.
“I will look after Sanryeong. Don’t worry. Well, the descendants are preparing dinner so maybe they’ll have him try some.”
Sanryeong looked terrified at Hwang Jiho’s words.
He tried to run out, but of course, he couldn’t escape.
Hwang Jiho raised a finger and pointed at Sanryeong, and a golden energy wave erupted toward him.
Fwaaat!
Sanryeong struggled against the boundary that Hwang Jiho summoned, but it didn’t budge.
Sanryeong looked up at me with tearful eyes as if he had not yet released his lingering emotions.
But I shook my head.
Even though the descendants weren’t that good at cooking, I wished Sanryeong would play with them since they’d gotten close to each other.
…No matter how difficult it is to eat the dishes cooked by them.
“I wish to discuss something. Go ahead, Baekho hyungnim.”
Baekho-gun nodded at Eunho’s words.
And so we left the mansion and headed to Eungwang High.
I was accompanied by Baekho-gun and my angel Olmu today.
Woof woof!
Olmu, who had been walking well within the range allowed by the leash, suddenly moved slowly.
We were getting nearer to Eungwang High, meaning the walk would soon be over.
It saddened Olmu very much.
The days are getting shorter and the sun was already setting, but it wasn’t late in the evening yet.
I accepted Sanryeong’s will.
“Yes, should we walk slowly?”
Woof!
Olmu turned at my feet, telling me that my guess was right.
Baekho-gun and I then began to walk very slowly when…
“Get behind me.”
Hwik!
Baekho-gun suddenly ran in front of me.
I thought I heard a simple whistle of the wind, but Baekho-gun was already standing in front of me.
He was so fast that I almost thought he teleported.
And soon, I saw someone standing in front of Baekho-gun.
“Baekho, I have an appointment with Jo Euishin, so can you move?”
“…”
It was Seodol.
Growl…!
As Baekho-gun stood still, a low cry rang out from somewhere.
Is it from Seodol?
We were very near the school and I hope he refrains from making such a scary sound.
“You have an appointment with him?”
Baekho-gun asked me without moving away.
Strictly speaking, it’s hard for me to call it an appointment.
Seodol just notified me that he’d be coming to see me.
Still, I nodded and Baekho-gun stepped aside a little.
“Hi, Jo Euishin? I’m here just as I promised.”
“Hello.”
“Shall we talk here? This walking trail is nice since there are no people.”
Eungwang High was visible from a bit of a distance here, but there are only a few people since it’s near the mountain.
It wasn’t the place I chose to talk to Seodol, but I guess this works.
Seodol immediately brought up the subject.
“I have two gifts, which one would you like to receive first?”
One is something that I may or may not like, and the other is something that I won’t like.
I hate them both.
While I was looking torn, Seodol spoke again.
“You can’t choose? Then I’ll just give you what I want to give you first.”
“…Which one is it?”
“The one that I’m not sure if you’ll like. It would be useful, but the contents aren’t so good.”
Seodol held out a brown-stained paper bag.
…It looks discolored.
I had an ominous hunch.
‘There’s a seal of the Oath of the Three Knights on it…’
As soon as I opened the paper bag, Seodol briefly explained what was in it.
“Inside it is the assassination plan of your classmate Mok Wooram.”
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