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The kids reacted to what the number one prize was.
Some realized the weight of it coming from a beloved dragon, but there were some kids who weren’t impressed.
“Invitation to the Dragon Palace…? What’s that? Sounds like a Chinese restaurant.”
“Yong-ssaem is a real dragon, Hyodon-ah! I think it’s the place where the Dragon Clan stays.”
“Oh, but most of the dragons in Korea live in Yeom Junyeol sunbaenim’s house.”
“That’s true, but…”
Saeum of April made a sharp point.
The Dragon Palace is where dragons stay, but most of the dragons in Korea are staying in the Red Lion team building.
Aside from the ones who took it lightly, I noticed some greatly surprised kids.
“The Dragon Palace… Is it for real? What a shame.”
“The best prize was an invitation to the Dragon Palance, huh? It’s a pity I didn’t win it. It’s a place I can’t go with my strength alone! I’ll definitely aim for the first place next time.”
Goo Seulbi and Ong Gildong wanted to go to the Dragon Palace.
Ong Gildong, who lost because of Song Daesok’s interventions, looked particularly sad.
Min Geurin looked apologetic.
“I’ll help you next time. But why do you wanna go?”
“The Dragon Palace is famous for its rich beauty and gold and silver treasures. It’s the boundary between the human world and the divine world.”
A more common term for superior beings today — the divine.
Their world is separate from the human world.
Although in the mythical age, the human and divine worlds were close, there were frequent visits because the descent was easy through temples.
However, today, superior beings can only stay in the human world for a very short time, and only limited interference is possible.
“The Dragon Palace is one of the few places where traces of mythology remains intact. It’s romantic.”
“The Dragon King goes to the Dragon Palace about once a year.”
Yong Jegun said in a light tone, but his words sparked exclamations.
Everyone knew Yong Jegun’s connection to the Dragon King, but it must’ve felt different hearing it directly from Yong Jegun.
“The prize suddenly sounds really good now.”
“I think so too. But I don’t want to take away Jiho’s prize.”
Hwang Jiho kept on observing Yong Jegun, trying to figure out his intentions.
The latter only smiled and laughed, not showing a glimpse of his true feelings.
“You can transfer your prize, but I want you to call someone close to you if possible. Though I would like it if you come in person.”
What the hell is Yong Jegun thinking?
One of the tigers and I already secured access to the Dragon Palace.
I received direct permission from the Dragon King, and one of the Tiger Clan was told to receive a dragon bird from Cheongryong and Hwangryong.
But Yong Jegun gave Hwang Jiho an invitation to the palace as a prize.
‘Does he want one of our classmates to come?’
That would make sense considering that anyone in our class could’ve gotten the prize, but I thought differently.
Yong Jegun knew that Hwang Jiho would get it first.
‘The same goes for Mok Wooram and me.’
All the prizes I found were related to Yeom Junyeol.
Among them were limited edition goods.
I felt half joyful and half doubtful with every Yeom Junyeol note that I got.
I liked the prizes and admired Yong Jegun’s excellent treasure-hiding skill, but I felt like I was being played in his hands.
I know Yong Jegun intended to have Hwang Jiho find this note.
‘Is he going to call another tiger?’
Yong Jegun organized this game intending to give Hwang Jiho an invitation to the Dragon Palace.
But why?
‘…Does he want two tigers to go to the palace?’
Or maybe this mischievous dragon’s reason is “just because”
Maybe he thought it would be more fun for two to come.
I haven’t concluded yet, but it was time to receive the prizes.
“Alright, Euishin-ah. You found all the prizes Junyeol-ie prepared. Our Junyeol-ie will be happy.”
“Are those prizes prepared by Yeom Junyeol sunbaenim?”
“Yeah, I told him we’ll do a treasure hunt event and he prepared some stuff for me.”
These were prepared by Yeom Junyeol, not Yong Jegun!
I knew it somehow as I found it strange that Yong Jegun would have all of those.
I wondered how he got it in stock, but it turns it Yeom Junyeol prepared them!
My sunbae and student prepared such great prizes for our class picnic.
I loved the products, but they became more meaningful since Yeom Junyeol prepared them.
The box containing Yeom Junyeol’s prizes weighed quite a lot, but it didn’t feel heavy at all.
“Do you like the prizes, Euishin-ah?”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll thank Yeom Junyeol sunbaenim too.”
“Our Junyeol-ie will like that.”
Yong Jegun laughed with satisfaction.
“The things you asked me to do for this picnic, the prizes… I did good, didn’t I?”
He did great with every aspect.
Yong Jegun’s performance was highly commendable.
“Then can you do me a favor?”
Of course.
I have to do something for my playable character who worked so hard.
However, I couldn’t answer like that.
There was something that strangely bothered me.
I thought I’d regret it if I agreed right here.
When I was about to nod, Hwang Jiho intervened.
“It’s Mok Wooram’s turn. He found a lot of item cards.”
“I found a lot because I was lucky enough. I think I won’t need to worry about consumable items for the time being.”
Yong Jegun squinted at Hwang Jiho, and the latter raised the corner of his mouth as if he was about to laugh.
I guess the old man etched the dud notes in his heart, determined to make Yong Jegun pay.
Anyway, thanks to him, I was able to avoid answering Yong Jegun.
Just like that, the recreation time ended without me knowing Yong Jegun’s intentions.
It was free time after that, and all the kids went out to play.
As we enjoyed the various attractions, the end of the picnic slowly approached.
Everyone played to their heart's content, but they expressed a slight regret.
“There’s no place that sells souvenirs…”
“They’re replacing their mascots and logo so it can’t be helped.”
“All the online shops were closed too. So we made one ourselves.”
Not only the souvenir shops but also the unmanned stands, including vending machines, weren’t in operation.
The only souvenir shop open is on the first floor of the castle on the artificial island which was set up to lure Mok Wooram.
I knew the pushover Mok Wooram wouldn’t just pass by it.
Cups printed with photos taken at the peak of the roller coasters, miniatures that played videos of the ghost house, and others.
Mok Wooram would never pass up souvenirs of this memorable day with his muse.
‘Though he responded to both Kwon Lena and Saeum of April’s screams.’
It was the two of them who screamed a lot in the horror house.
Mok Wooram seemed to be contemplating whether to mention the souvenir shop at the artificial island, but he didn’t say anything in the end.
He seemed reluctant to show the dangerous place to the other kids.
In the end, we settled with the souvenirs made by Ong Gildong.
Goo Seulbi looked sad for a second when Ong Gildong said he’d give souvenirs to everyone, but she seemed satisfied too to see the others happy.
“Going home is also part of the picnic schedule. Everyone be careful on the way back.”
“Yes!”
We had dinner at a restaurant near the theme park, and the autumn picnic of Class Zero was concluded safely.
‘If going home is part of the schedule, then my picnic isn’t over yet.’
There were three people in our class whose picnics weren’t done just yet.
Hwang Jiho, Mok Wooram, and Yong Jegun.
Those three couldn’t go home yet.
“You all worked hard. I collected a lot of mouse traps, do you need them?”
“The eradication of mice is one of my wishes, but unfortunately, the rat and I are allies.”
Inside the air limousine heading to the meeting place, the dragon and the tiger were bickering over the mouse traps.
Did they forget Mok Wooram was with us?
“Rat and dragons, then…”
Mok Wooram stared at Hwang Jiho, lost in thought.
Even though he knew Mok Wooram was on the verge of guessing his identity, Hwang Jiho didn’t pay attention.
This old man doesn’t have any intention of hiding his identity from our classmates.
“Ah, Euishin-ah, about the thing I mentioned earlier.”
Then Yong Jegun butted in.
“Are you talking about the favor?”
“Yeah.”
He seems quite desperate, so maybe I should hear him out?
Yong Jegun indeed worked hard and he’s my playable character, and he gave me some good gifts today…
“You have a thick face, Yong Jegun. Did you forget that you were almost killed by the dragon slayer? I can’t believe you’re asking for something from the benefactor that saved your life. That’s called being ungrateful.”
Hwang Jiho is still bitter about the treasure notes.
His words weren’t wrong, but it’s a bit weird for him to say to a teacher while he’s in his high school student alter ego.
Yong Jegun continued smiling despite Hwang Jiho’s acrimonious remarks.
“I know, that’s why I’m kindly doing what Euishin wants me to do, am I not?”
“You’re not well-versed in the human language. Kindly, you say?”
The two old men who refused to act their age continued arguing in front of the confused Mok Wooram.
Hwang Jiho said, clicking his tongue.
“Our descendant suffered too much. He’ll lose his mind if he keeps playing this treasure hunt game with you.”
“That kid would be glad to be called our descendant. I’ll make sure to tell him.”
Yong Jegun’s words were strangely studded with subliminal messages.
Hwang Jiho is in a position where he can’t protect Kim Shinrok.
‘Hwang Jiho doesn’t back down in a verbal fight, but if Kim Shinrok gets involved…’
It will be difficult for the once-negligent Hwang Jiho to cause harm to Kim Shinrok who continues to be a close friend to Yong Jegun.
There’s been silence in the limousine after the mention of Kim Shinrok.
The word descendant confirmed to Mok Wooram that Hwang Jiho is of royal lineage, but the old man seemed preoccupied with thoughts of Kim Shinrok.
Of course, in the midst of all this, Yong Jegun’s mood seemed to be sky-high.
In the meantime, the limousine reached the building owned by the Tiger Clan.
After several security measures, we finally met Seodol and Jared Lee.
At that time, Seodol pointed straight at me.
“It’s that kid.”
What is he talking about?
Jared Lee reacted with great surprise before asking.
“Euishin, you’re…”
Jared Lee, a world-renowned player, is one of the people protected today.
Maybe he’s known about my activities in the wake of this incident.
He might say that word like Mok Wooram did.
I gulped, preparing my mind for the attack.
“You’re Neuru’s new ambassador?”
“What? I’m not.”
Jared Lee seemed to have a ridiculous misunderstanding.
Hwang Jiho added something that made things more confusing.
“Jo Euishin… I thought you didn’t like the spotlight.”
The old man talked nonsense before I spoke my mind.
“If you say yes, then I want you to be the core model of Hwangmyeong Group’s brand identity and—”
“No.”
Hwang Jiho talked nonsense.
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