1128 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Hyun So Yeon betrayed us. Nam Goong Hyung expressed this with a troubled face. Why is Hyun So Yeon's name suddenly coming up now? As I looked at him with puzzlement, Nam Goong Hyung's expression twisted as he spoke again. "...Only I and my sister-in-law know this location." "Ah." "And the fact that that man is waiting here... It doesn't mean anything else, does it?" The meaning of his words was clear. I furrowed my brow at Nam Goong Hyung's grim words. Only two knew the location of the passage. And there, as if expecting us, sits a chair with our father looking toward us. The implication was singular. After realizing it, not much time passed before— "That's correct." Next to our father, a pretty face peeked out. It was Hyun So Yeon. "Sister-in-law." Nam Goong Hyung looked on in disbelief. Hyun So Yeon smiled awkwardly at his gaze. "I'm sorry." "This really leaves a bad taste in my mouth." "I had no choice." "What do you mean?" Nam Goong Hyung's reaction was noticeably cold. Did he dislike that the plan went awry? Or— 'Does he dislike Hyun So Yeon's betrayal?' Perhaps both. Of course, right now, those weren't the important issues. 'At least not for me.' It was less about why Hyun So Yeon betrayed. '...More about why our father.' Why did he comply with her request? That was the real concern. Recalling that, I scanned my surroundings for any signs. 'Not many here.' If we wanted, we could break through easily. However— '...It's the same for the other side.' It's the same for my father. If we unleashed our firepower here, people around would inevitably rush in. 'Hmm.' It's a dilemma. Should we just give up? If we leave Nam Goong Hyung behind, maybe it could somehow be resolved? '...Feels like it's a bit too late.' I know it's meaningless to sell this situation now. In short, it was a mess. 'Sigh.' Suppressing a sigh, I watched the situation unfold. "We really had no choice, you know." Hyun So Yeon said, looking at Nam Goong Hyung. "I clearly told you, didn't I? Not now. Be patient for a bit. But you didn't listen." "Ahaha." Nam Goong Hyung laughed, but the laugh felt entirely different from before. It was more about holding back emotions. "You heard my answer back then, too. I said I would do it. I won't stay in this damned hell any longer, I'm leaving." "Yes, that's exactly what you said." Hyun So Yeon took a step closer to Nam Goong Hyung as if to console him. "Since you'd leave even if told not to. That's why I did this." "What?" "Because I couldn't stop you with my strength. I couldn't think of another way. You know?" Then, she smiled brightly. That smile made me pause involuntarily. Hyun So Yeon seemed identical to Nam Goong Bi Ah when smiling like that. "Besides, I couldn't tell the family head." "Ah, so you asked the other man for help?" "Yes. I had to pay quite a bit for it, but it seemed fitting. Though, of course." Hyun So Yeon shifted her gaze to me as she continued. "The problem was that the card you brought was different from my expectations." "Haha..." Nam Goong Hyung let out a low, mirthless laugh. "I don't get it." Swoosh. Nam Goong Hyung straightened his knees from the crouching position. Instantly, the playful atmosphere shifted. His serious face made me narrow my eyes. 'What's this?' The atmosphere changed too much. The playful man was nowhere to be found; instead, the cold Nam Goong Hyung stood there. From the outset, it was baffling how he maintained a light atmosphere with that frigid expression. "If that was the case, you could have just reported to the family head." "..." "I told you, didn't I? If you wouldn't help, at least don't obstruct me." Just as he had requested of me, it seemed Nam Goong Hyung had asked the same of Hyun So Yeon. The difference here being— "Moreover, you of all people shouldn't have done this." In Nam Goong Hyung's tone towards Hyun So Yeon, one could sense a deep sense of betrayal. "At least you, of all people. Shouldn't have stood in my way." "Sigh..." Hyun So Yeon sighed. "Don't be so immature." She altered her expression, turning serious. Oh. Seeing that reminded me too much of when Nam Goong Bi Ah was angry. "If you just leave like that, do you know how many will be affected?" "What?" "The ones patrolling will get in trouble for failing to stop you. Moreover, this situation will heavily affect Baek Gong Ja, involved in this mess—all for just one person." The stern and precise words were sharp as they landed. Nam Goong Hyung's expression hardened as he listened and looked at Hyun So Yeon. Despite his regard, she continued speaking. "It's fine if you escape or not, but don't harm others in the process. So just, quietly go back now." She made a valid point. Her calm words seemed to aim at persuading Nam Goong Hyung to retract. At least that's how it appeared. However. "If you return now, I'll pretend to—" "Hyun So Yeon." "..." Nam Goong Hyung cut off her words and called her name. "Stop with the excuses." Her shoulders flinched at his irritable tone. "Why bring others into this? Just be straightforward." With a sharp gaze, Nam Goong Hyung addressed Hyun So Yeon. "You're worried about your father punishing me, not about everyone else." "..." "So stop fooling around and just go back. Isn't that your aim?" The blunt words made Hyun So Yeon's expression freeze, as if cut deeply. 'What is this?' Honestly, it was fascinating. Nam Goong Hyung's bluntness and Hyun So Yeon's subsequent stiffness. It's not about the previously mentioned scenarios, but worrying about a runaway Nam Goong Hyung being punished. Was that really the reason? 'Is it really?' The situation intrigued me. At that moment— "...Brother Gong Ja." Hyun So Yeon also changed the way she addressed Nam Goong Hyung, her voice faintly trembling. "If you know… If you know, then stop." "I'm sorry." Nam Goong Hyung, with a serious expression, simply braced himself in response to her words. "It's too late for that now. Let me repeat." A slow and formidable energy began to emanate from him. "I'm getting out of this hell tonight, by any means necessary." "..." His intense resolve materialized into a palpable force. Amidst the shimmering air, visible even without concentration, Hyun So Yeon bit her lip and asked, "Do you really think the family head, Nam Goong Jeo Hui, won't notice your absence?" To the question of whether he believed Nam Goong Jeo Hui was unaware of his runaway attempt, Nam Goong Hyung chuckled quietly. "No way." He replied with a casual laugh again. "That man might seem incompetent at first glance, but he knows everything happening within the Nam Goong family. So even if there's a feast going on, he might have contingencies in place. At least, that's what I think." Subtly, he retrieved something from his garment. It was his thunderblade, Noia. "The final measure our father prepared was probably you, Hyun So Yeon. And smart as you are, I'm sure you're aware of that." "…" "So let's wrap it up here." "…What do you mean?" "Whatever it is, I'm planning to do nothing, and I'll know nothing either." At Nam Goong Hyung's words, Hyun So Yeon clenched her teeth harder on her lip. To know nothing? Was he pretending not to acknowledge that Hyun So Yeon was truly Nam Goong Jeo Hui's failsafe? Or— 'Is he pretending not to know the emotions Hyun So Yeon is feeling?' Her feelings for Nam Goong Hyung. Could he really know yet pretend not to? That thought crossed my mind. 'This guy's not a fool?' Nam Goong Hyung isn't oblivious. The realization is both surprising and revealing. "First of all, let me ask." A sizzling energy charged his body as Nam Goong Hyung asked, looking at someone. It was my father. "Do I need to defeat you to get out of here?" "…" Father responded to the inquiry. Rising from his seated position. Then: "Is the conversation over?" Crack. He gently flexed his muscles. "We're done talking, thank you for waiting, Shin Ryong." "…" Instead of answering, Father looked at Hyun So Yeon by his side and asked her a question. "Miss Hyun." "…Yes." "I'll keep my promise." "…Please do." A promise, was it? I wasn't sure what the agreement was, but from the reactions, it didn't seem to be in Nam Goong Hyung's favor. 'What did they wager?' What did Hyun So Yeon wager with my father to have him listen to her plea? "Nam Goong Hyung." Father spoke, directing his words to Nam Goong Hyung. "What is it?" "The question you asked earlier. Here's your answer. It's true." Tap, tap. His posture shifted ever so slightly. Each movement ignited faint sparks around him. "If you want to escape, you must defeat me." In a heavy tone, he stated the fact. At that moment— "…Ah, really?" Nam Goong Hyung channeled energy into Noia. Crackle-! A brief, electrifying flash emanated from it. Then— BOOM-!!! Lightning from Noia enveloped Nam Goong Hyung. 'Ah.' A familiar sight. That technique. '…Lightning Spirit Descent.' A perfect alignment with his thunderblade, creating an exaggerated use of the artifact's power. 'I didn't know Nam Goong Hyung could do it.' It was something I had seen the Demon Swordsman and in this lifetime, Nam Goong Bi Ah, use. Evidently, even an unconventional swordsman like him could wield it. "Well then, I have no choice." Shrouded in electricity, Nam Goong Hyung released fighting spirit towards my father. And to counteract, Father prepared to engage in battle with him. This prompted me to think. 'What should I do?' Should I just let this unfold? I considered my father rather than Nam Goong Hyung. Not long after, I reached my decision. "Hold on, hold on…." Sighing, I intervened. Snap---!!! Stepping forward, I seized Nam Goong Hyung's wrist. The electric charge surged at me. "What the…!" He, surprised, attempted to jerk his hand away. "Hey, don't waste unnecessary energy." I nonchalantly brushed off the electric attack as if it was inconsequential. "…What?" Nam Goong Hyung looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. Ignoring his reaction, I addressed my father. "We were both asked to do something. Shouldn't the contractors step aside? Don't you agree?" "…" His face hardened as he considered my words. "What do you mean by this?" He asked, and I responded immediately. "What do you think?" I pulled Nam Goong Hyung back and stepped forward. "Exactly what it sounds like." Finally, standing in front of my father. There was about a handspan difference in stature. I looked up at him and spoke. "Fight me instead of him." "…" My father's eyebrows twitched drastically at my words.