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Just before Christmas.
Nabiryeong was found sitting near a pound.
Nothing alive came close to this garden for quite some time.
All the butterflies that glide around the pond were illusions made by Nabiryeong.
She was lost in thought as she teased the butterfly made of energy waves.
‘It’s not good if everything goes that person’s way on Christmas. Things would’ve been easy if the Magnolia Lady was still in my hands.”
Nabiryeong wanted to ruin this Christmas event in some way to stop the storm.
Even if she can’t completely block it.
Even if a large number of people at Eungwang High have to be sacrificed.
If Kim Yuri still had her order, she could handle it as she wanted, but it was cut off during the youth retreat incident.
It was impossible for Nabiryeong to directly intervene this time.
‘I was going to tell the Tiger Clan through Jein but… I think she’s already moving on her own.’
Ahead of Christmas, all major players from the Lake of Eternity team gathered on the Korean Peninsula.
It was said to be a Christmas celebration, but Nabiryeong thought differently.
The Lake of Eternity is dealing with the Oath of the Three Knights, so it was strange to gather their troops on the Korean Peninsula.
Nabiryeong felt that it was odd that the prudent Kwon Jein hadn’t left a single executive in England.
As a result of her snooping around, she noticed that Kwon Jein was preparing for what will happen on Christmas.
‘All that hard work and they found out. Thanks to them, I have less work to do though.’
If Kwon Jein knows about it, then Hwangho also knows about it.
That means there’s no need for Nabiryeong to take risks to warn them about this case.
Her willingness to stop the storm remained, but there was a limit to what Nabiryeong could do without raising suspicions.
‘A lot of things have already gone wrong with that person’s plans, and several things have been blocked. The Tiger and Rabbit Clans also saw through the summoning otherworlds trick. I’m sure that person will pull a stronger move than expected this time.’
That person doesn’t share their thoughts with their henchmen.
Every subordinate, including Nabiryeong, only plays the role assigned to them.
What’s beyond their task is something that they can only guess.
Nabiryeong has to look at that person’s movements and gather information while she performs her duties beyond question.
She had no idea what that person was going to do on Christmas.
‘It’ll be hard to lay hands on Eungwang High. That means the plan is changed to the association… but even that is hard even with help. It’s hard to adjust. If I’m not careful, my identity will be revealed.’
This Christmas, Nabiryeong has been ordered to the Players’ Association, not Eungwang High.
Her scales were scattered throughout the association, but it wasn’t easy to move.
A competent person in the enforcement department interfered with her in every case.
Hong Gyubin was consistent even if she’d create more work for him and even touched on his family origin.
‘I should’ve made that subordinate mine.’
Nabiryeong recalled Hong Gyubin’s subordinate, Deputy Manager Yoon.
He even wore a butterfly motif brooch that was gifted to him for the first time in a while, but it didn’t work out.
It seemed that there was a lack of compassion for Nabiryeong to break Deputy Manager Yoon’s ethical consciousness.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
Hearing the man’s voice, Nabiryeong fixed her expression to a sorrowful one and raised her head.
Despite the expression, her mood was much lighter.
She was thinking of something complicated, but seeing something simple and easy made her feel better.
“Are you nervous before your big mission? Don’t worry too much. I’ll come to your aid as soon as I’m done with mine.”
“…It’s not my safety that I’m worried about.”
Nabiryeong replied in a sweet and sad voice.
She hurriedly covered her face with her collar and bowed her head as if she made a big mistake.
“I’m sorry, I’m not doubting your strength. It’s just, I…”
Nabiryeong’s gestures and words showed concern.
The man freely concluded that Nabiryeong had such a troubled face because she was worried about him.
Seeing Nabiryeong as precious, the man spoke without realizing it.
“Don’t worry. Once I touch the boundary of that lazy Tiger and find that object, my mission will be over. It’s not that dangerous. I’ll be right back by your side.”
After easily finding out the man’s mission, Nabiryeong had to hide her smile.
The man gave a silent hug to Nabiryeong who still had her head down.
‘How can he be easier than a human.’
Nabiryeong reached out her thin hand and hugged the man.
Feeling the warmth of Nabiryeong’s body, the man spoke again.
“After this, I will fill this garden with living butterflies. And I’ll spend more time with you.”
While the man was drawing his future with her, Nabiryeong thought about how to use the new information she obtained.
And when the man stepped back after the hug…
He was satisfied to see Nabiryeong’s face who couldn’t hide her joy.
***
[Due to the deep conflict between the government and the Players’ Association, the Minister of Otherworld Affairs proposed an emergency meeting with the association. The new minister has accumulated issues in the domestic player world, including the nationalization of player satellites as the main issue…]
The morning dawned on Christmas Eve.
From the morning, there was news as bad as PMH about the strife between the Association and the government.
‘Nationalizing the association satellites sounds ridiculous whenever I hear it.’
The association is not the only body that funds the player satellites.
Part of it was funded by the government.
Afterward, the association, which had enough time because of the exploitation of otherworlds and the revitalization of the otherworld industry, tried to return the investment that went into the satellite by raising interest.
But what the government wanted was ownership of the satellite, not money.
The Ministry of Otherworld Affairs suggested that the government take ownership of the satellite, and the association should continue operations by paying a usage fee.
Another special agreement was raised that the government will not charge usage fees for ten years if the association quickly handed over ownership.
‘They’d have to reveal how the satellite works if they don’t want to give up ownership.’
The player satellite is the combination of human science and technology and the power of a certain clan, and its operating principles were treated as a top secret even within their headquarters.
Without a player satellite that detects the emergence of otherworlds and enemies, mankind can’t lead a peaceful daily life.
Therefore, the Ministry of Otherworld Affairs believes that sharing information on satellites and researching further will make the world safer.
That eerie opinion received a lot of support because it touched on public and national interest.
‘It’s like asking the government to release the source code for administrative and security programs.’
If they do that, they’d be paralyzed by hackers in less than an hour.
The same goes for the player satellites.
‘In PMH, after Sung Gukeon’s death, the satellites were messed with when there was no one to prevent the revision of the Special Player Act.’
Sung Gukeon died in PMH when Joo Soohyuk was in second year
The only player-politician died and the last breakwater disappeared, leaving the players politically at bay.
With public perception of players falling to the bottom and the association shaking, the government gradually consolidated power.
Then, the problem got worse when Yeom Junyeol was killed and the Red Lion and Dragon Clan were treated as rebels which caused a civil war.
[Next up, the weather for today. Ahead of Christmas, it will be sunny all across the country. Expect a temperature of -2 degrees in the morning, but in the middle of the day…]
The weather forecast came up while I was about to go out and head to school.
The whole country will be clear today.
According to the weatherman’s satellite map, there won’t be a single cloud of snow in Korea at all.
The device message sent by Yeom Junyeol said the same thing.
‘But it will snow.’
I went out of the dormitory, looking at the clear skies with not a single dark cloud.
***
Team building lobby of the Red Lion.
Yong Jegun finished preparing to go out first as he waited for Yeom Junyeol.
The latter was writing a message to his teacher and junior Jo Euishin, and then he’ll greet the elders of the family.
Cheongryong and Yeom Bangyeol received a particularly long greeting today, so the time was extended.
Perhaps because Yeom Junyeol’s departure was delayed yet it was still early, the only one standing in the lobby was Yong Jegun.
‘Today was the last time I saw the team building in the replay.’
Yong Jegun recalled what he saw in the replay.
On that day, Yong Jegun went to school at the invitation of Joo Soohyuk.
In the dream world where Jo Euishin didn’t exist, Joo Soohyuk and his party faced numerous incidents.
Yong Jegun moved together to help solve the case, and as a result, he stayed closer to Joo Soohyuk than in this world.
Being someone born with a perfect character and talent, it was a pleasure observing Joo Soohyuk.
‘I should’ve gotten closer to Soohyuk. No, isn’t it too late?’
While Yong Jegun thought about Joo Soohyuk…
“…Yong Jegun-nim.”
Hong, the Dragon King’s shaman wearing red clothes, appeared.
Yong Jegun felt a strong sense of surprise.
Hong, who was the shyest of the five shamans, talked to him like this in replay as well.
The same situation occurred on the day that Kim Shinrok died.
“…Uhm, I don’t think the weather’s going to be good today.”
Yong Jegun recalled the weather forecast he heard today.
The entire Korean Peninsula was to be clear.
Yong Jegun carefully observed Hong.
He couldn’t afford it before, but it was different today.
‘She looks terrified.’
Though he doesn’t know yet what Hong was afraid of.
Yong Jegun responded, feigning ignorance.
“Really? Come to think of it, I haven’t asked the shamans about the weather. It’s an important day today too. Do you think the weather will be bad?”
“Yes…”
“How bad will it be? Will it snow? Then it would be nice to watch the snow together in the team building without going out. A white Christmas is quite rare.”
When Yong Jegun spoke kindly, Hong replied with a relieved face.
“It looks like it’s going to snow. I’d like you two to stay in the building.”
Yong Jegun deduced what Hong meant to say.
The shaman didn’t want Yong Jegun and Yeom Junyeol to go to Eungwang High today.
If they do as she says, the Black Screen will miss an opportunity to kill Yeom Junyeol and Yong Jegun.
Hong didn’t seem to want the two to die.
At least for now.
“So you know it’s going to snow today, Hong.”
“What…?”
Yeom Junyeol, who had just finished greeting the other dragons, arrived at the lobby.
Yeom Junyeol was leading several team members of the Dragon Clan and Red Lion team,
Hong was unable to talk to Yeom Junyeol who was with the crowd so she opted to warn Yong Jegun who was alone.
Yong Jegun bid the same farewell as he did in the replay.
“Yeah, I should take my umbrella. I’m leaving now.”
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