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In the Player Hall in front of the Players’ Association – Korea.
Kwon Jein stared at the parking lot through the air stage-type limousine window.
Her blue eyes reflected the numerous reports camped everywhere.
What caught her eyes were reporters with cameras in their hands arguing with the personnel at the Player Hall.
‘It’s supposed to be a private meeting.’
The Lake of Eternity member found the reporters as he looked for a parking spot.
The official spoke soothingly to Kwon Jein who stared at the reporters with her blue eyes.
“It’s a gathering of the team masters of Korea’s four major player teams, so this attention is inevitable. It’s been a while since the four of you got together.”
Among the world’s top ten player teams, four were from Korea.
The Red King Yeom Bangyeol, team master of the Red Lion.
The Blue Violinist Kwon Jein, team master of the Lake of Eternity.
The other two are Black Forest and Hydrangea Scent.
Those are the four top teams in Korea, though there was controversy about whether the Lake of Eternity can be classified as a Korean team because its officials and major executives were foreigners and they were mostly active in England until recently.
The controversy cooled down when the team settled in Korea.
When Kwon Jein cemented her stay in Korea, Yeom Bangyeol suggested having a meeting and Kwon Jein gladly responded.
Yeom Bangyeol’s proposed closed-door meeting was in the hopes of the gathering not gaining attention, but eventually, the opposite happened.
‘The press is the same in every country. No, maybe it’s worse here…”
The reports didn’t seem to have entered the hall, perhaps from fear of retaliation from players, but they callously occupied the area and pushed away innocent parking personnel.
Inside the building were player guards and employees, but some areas like the parking lot were managed by some players and non-players.
The journalists seemed to deliberately aim for that.
Perhaps the reporters are trying to distract the employees to find out which vehicles belonged to the team masters.
‘I should talk to the higher-ups. There need to be player guards in the parking lot as well.’
While Kwon Jein was lost in thought, the executive who quietly parked in stealth mode asked her.
“What shall we do?”
How were they supposed to go through the sea of reporters?
Normally Kwon Jein would’ve entered while Jared Lee draws the attention to himself, but Jared was out today.
‘It’s about time though.’
Kwon Jein contemplated letting the reporters take some pictures and just go in when…
An association staff in uniform scuttled to the reporters.
The reporters somewhat quieted down when the tough-looking security guard appeared.
“You are trespassing into private property.”
After the polite yet terrifying remark, the reporters began to disperse.
“It’s alright now. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
The executive confirmed that there were no more reporters around and guided Kwon Jein inside.
The meeting will be held on the Player Hall’s top floor, the banquet hall.
Looking at the atmosphere, it seems like Kwon Jein was the last to arrive.
She checked her watch and confirmed that there were still ten minutes before the promised time.
‘Everyone came early.’
Kwon Jein thought so as she stood in front of the door while the staff checked her identity.
“Welcone, Blue Violinist. Please fill out this guest book.”
Kwon Jein held up a fountain pen with the association’s logo and the employee handed over the book.
She saw the names written before her.
Yeom Bangyeol with his powerful handwriting.
Hydrangea Scent’s team master’s handwriting was so clean it almost looked printed, while Black Forest’s team master wrote in a scribble.
As the door of the banquet hall opened, she saw the three team masters sitting at the round table, their respective associates standing behind them.
Yeom Bangyeol, the confident team master of the Red Lion, rose from the innermost seat to greet Kwon Jein.
“Welcome, Jein-ah.”
The oldest, Yeom Bangyeol, stood up first, and the other two followed suit.
“…It’s been a while.”
The team master of Black Forest, clad in black clothes as usual, said as he made contact through his black bamboo hat.
Blademaster Heukrim, the team master of the Black Forest.
He was the only one in his 20s among the team masters present, and though he dressed like most modern men, he spoke in an old-fashioned manner.
He was greatly influenced by martial arts when he was in middle school, so he always used to dress= like a shaman and uses old language.
Since his light skill and skills were only suitable for people who practice martial arts, he continued to practice it, saying he was fated to be what he is.
When he applied to Eungwang High, mere eye contact with the interviewer secured him a spot in Class Zero.
“Long time no see, Jein unnie.”
Baekhwa Nanman (White Blooming Flowers), team master of Hydrangea Scent, greeted next.
Her nickname referred to the appearance of various flowers blooming beautifully.
She wasn’t from Eungwang High, but her team’s executives were mostly from the school so she had a lot of exchanges with alumni of the school.
Among them was Kwon Jein, and she always greeted her warmly whenever they’d meet.
“It’s been a while, everyone.”
“Alright. Take a seat.”
When Kwon Jein sat down, her associate stood behind her.
All the other team masters were accompanied by one associate.
Some of them were unfamiliar faces.
“I want to get to the main point first. I am no longer a literary man who carries and is busy training and managing a clan.”
Blademaster Heukrim was faithful to his concept, speaking in a way only old men speak.
Yeom Bangyeol looked at him with a complex expression.
“It’s been a while since we all met so there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s give it some time.”
“Lady Baekhwa Nanman…”
“It’s always awkward being called a lady.”
From the soft restraint from Baekhwa Nanman, Blademaster Heukrim pressed on his black hat and sat down with his arms folded.
After clearing his voice, Blademaster Heukrim spoke again.
“I didn’t take into consideration the lady’s mind. I was short-sighted.”
Baekhwa Nanman looked at Yeom Bangyeol and Kwon Jein with a smile, perhaps showing that she was used to dealing with Blademaster Heukrim.
“My hoobaes, you all seem busy so I will keep it short. Did you check the data I sent to your devices?”
“Yes. The first file was the statistics from the Player SAT-K, and the second file was…”
The conversation flowed with Red King Yeom Bangyeol and Baekhwa Nanman leading, while Kwon Jein and Blademaster Heukrim listened.
The discussion was about the pattern of occurrence of otherworlds in Korea and the status of the Player Satellite.
The point was that if the number of otherworlds spawning increases in these conditions, it will be difficult to cope with only the professional player teams stationed in Korea.
“It’s a relief that you moved to Korea, Jein. Thanks to you we can be somewhat at ease.”
“Please, the Lake of Eternity didn’t participate much in attacking otherworld.”
Kwon Jein decided to take advantage of the return of the topic to her.
She nodded to her associate, the latter then floating a hologram.
It was the report of the trends of the Fomorian Demons’ movements.
The report showed that the Fomorians withdrew from British territory and disappeared, suggesting the possibility of them moving to Korea.
“…The Fomorian demons are in Korea?”
“It’s still a possibility.”
The moment the word “demon” came up, Blademaster Heukrim resented it.
“How dare they occupy this land. No matter how many of those bastards there are, I’m sure I have to be more prepared to deal with them.”
The Black Forest was a professional player team that operated with a somewhat unusual concept.
Blademaster Heukrim is the Jangmun (leader) of the team which regards itself as a religious sect, and their goal was the extermination of demonic clans.
Here, it refers to the Demon Race who serve Demon Gods who are hostile to humans.
“That sounds reliable. We can leave the matter to Blademaster. Feel free to tell us if you need any help.”
“Leave it up to me!”
Baekhwa Nanman expressed her intention to pass on the responsibility to Blademaster Heukrim, but the latter seemed motivated.
He has already planned how to fight against the Demon Race and he has recited his future measures.
“I shall call the student of mine who is in the West. He is not that aged yet, but he has already faced those demonic clans. He can be of help.”
The team masters were surprised by the news that Blademaster Heukrim had a student.
Considering the concept he usually maintains, it was quite strange.
Yeom Bangyeol, a man with several students himself, smiled and congratulated him, while Kwon Jein just listened.
‘No matter what kind of student he has, no one will be as good as our Lena.’
Kwon Jein smiled faintly at the sudden urge of pride for Kwon Lena.
Kwon Lena, having contacted Lee Yeoreum recently, has gained stability and was now immersed in practicing her energy violin.
Few people in this world use an energy violin as a weapon, but seeing Kwon Lena improve over time made Kwon Jein feel overwhelmed.
The other team masters seemed immersed in their own thoughts about their students, except for Baekhwa Nanman.
“Then let’s leave the Fomorians to the Black Forest. Anything else?”
Blademaster Heukrim and Baekhwa Nanman shook their heads, while Kwon Jein stayed silent.
Yeom Bangyeol then said something before wrapping up the meeting.
“I think I will be out early next year.”
“Early next year?”
“Yes, I think I’ll have to stay at the Dragon Palace for a while. In the meantime, I would like to request to have the three of you take charge of the areas that Red Lion is in charge of.”
Yeom Bangyeol’s expression became a little darker when he mentioned the Dragon Palace.
His expression was darker than when the first two agendas were brought up.
It wasn’t strange for Yeom Bangyeol, who has a deep relationship with the Dragon Clan, to visit the Dragon Palace, but somehow it didn’t seem like his visit was a good thing.
Baekhwa Nanman smiled, noticing Yeom Bangyeol’s expression.
“Then you must be going to the palace with Hong. Please take care when you come back.”
Baekhwa Nanman had a connection with a shaman called Hong, and Yeom Bangyeol knew this.
His expression somehow became lighter and his lavish appearance returned.
“Don’t worry.”
Yeom Bangyeol smiled.
“I will protect my family.”
His smile implied that he will protect solely his family, not those who aren’t.
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