An empty room with no one inside.
Student council president Song Cheon-gi sat facing a communication crystal.
A dry, emotionless voice flowed from the crystal.
– You’ve only got half a semester left until graduation.
“Yes, it feels like it’s almost over, but also like it’s just beginning.”
– I’m sure you’ll do well.
The tone remained stiff, yet somehow sounded gentle at the same time.
Inside the crystal appeared the image of a middle-aged man who seemed to be in his mid to late thirties, with brown hair and a neat appearance. His features strongly resembled Song Cheon-gi.
He was none other than the father of the Song siblings, Song Cheon-ho.
The Song family, as the head of the Topaz Magic Tower and a prestigious household, was always expected to maintain an air of dignity which naturally made its members “less than honest” with their emotions.
Amid that, this father and son were among the few who could speak openly with each other, and they would often stay in touch like this.
Just as the paused conversation was about to resume, Song Cheon-gi let out a deep sigh.
Since there was really only one thing troubling him lately, Song Cheon-ho asked,
– Is it about Cheon-hye again?
“Haah… I still don’t understand. How did such a sweet little girl turn out like this…”
Song Cheon-gi recalled memories from their childhood.
Little Song Cheon-hye would run up and tug on his arm.
– O! ppa!!
– Piggy! Back! Ride!
And whenever Song Cheon-gi had something sweet to eat, she would somehow sniff it out and beg.
– O! ppa!!
– Me too! Strawberry! Ice cream!
But what was she like when he visited the disciplinary committee not long ago?
– You’re here.
She treated him like some upperclassman she was meeting for the first time.
She even called him “President”.
It may have been a formal setting, but still….couldn’t she have at least called me Orabeoni if not Oppa?
Song Cheon-gi couldn’t hide his bitterness as he spoke.
“I suppose it means Cheon-hye’s finally grown up… I know that in my head, but I still can’t help feeling hurt.”
– If you feel that way as her brother, imagine how I feel as her father. But maybe, if we keep making small efforts, one day we’ll get back the harmony we once had.
Song Cheon-ho’s voice through the crystal carried the same hint of bitterness.
For the record, he had recently been diligently reading a book called 101 Ways to Connect with Your Child.
Song Cheon-gi continued.
“I feel the same. But things haven’t been going as smoothly as I’d hoped. I had to scold her just the other day.”
He had wanted to show his sister a bit of kindness, but upon hearing she nearly ended up cleaning the sewers, he just couldn’t hold back.
He had to scold her sharply in advance to ensure she wouldn’t go near any more wish tickets or bets again.
– Yes, as important as family harmony is, it’s equally important that Cheon-hye stays on the right path.
Song Cheon-ho nodded silently.
Then a question crossed his mind.
– Have you met the one who holds the wish ticket?
“I’ve decided to act more cautiously. The more I investigate, the more I realize he’s no ordinary person.”
– I agree. He shouldn’t be underestimated. Cheon-hye has a pure heart. Maybe she was fooled once or twice, but if she kept losing to him in bets, it must be due to skill.
“Most likely.”
– If the opportunity arises, I’d like to meet him in person.
“I’ll try to arrange something when you visit.”
Song Cheon-ho was scheduled to visit Dungeon Island in a month as both a parent and a VIP guest.
***
Ruby Magic Tower Club.
Club President’s office.
The Hong sisters sat side by side in front of a communication crystal.
After a few signal tones, a red-haired man appeared.
And immediately let out a thunderous shout.
– Daaaughter—!
Even though it came from the crystal, the sound was loud enough to make the room reverberate.
Both sisters winced and covered their ears at the same time.
“Ugh, seriously! Dad!”
“Can you not be so loud?”
But the man, Hong Yeom-baek, showed no intention of lowering his volume.
– Why haven’t you called! You’re making me worry!
“It’s only been a month since the semester started.”
“Stop being so dramatic.”
– You should call at least once a week! No—every three days!
“If you nag like that, it just makes me want to call you less.”
“Yeah, we’re thinking of switching to once every two months.”
When the Hong sisters joined forces and fought back, Hong Yeom-baek looked a bit dejected.
– They say raising daughters is pointless… I feel so hurt, so hurt.
But the very next moment, as if nothing had happened, his face lit up and he burst into loud laughter.
– But it’s fine! I’ll get to see you again in just a month!
The Hong sisters looked at each other.
What is he talking about? No idea.
But a moment later, they understood what Hong Yeom-baek meant and asked,
“Dad, are you coming to watch the tournament?”
– Isn’t that obvious? I got an invitation, so of course I’m going! I’ll get to see my daughters! Watch them shine in the tournament! And if you’ve got boyfriends, I’ll be meeting them too!
Hong Ye-hwa snorted.
“Boyfriend, yeah right.”
“Um, come on. As if.”
Hong Yeon-hwa casually echoed the sentiment, but the cheerful smile on Hong Yeom-baek’s face suddenly vanished.
Truth be told, he’d just been saying whatever came to mind. But something about Yeon-hwa’s reaction felt off, unlike her usual self.
“…Wait, do you… actually have one? A boyfriend?”
“Whaaat? No, of course not. A boyfriend? No way.”
Hong Yeon-hwa denied it adamantly. But unfortunately, she was terrible at hiding her emotions.
Her wandering gaze made it obvious to anyone watching.
Even if it wasn’t a boyfriend, it was clear someone had caught her attention.
“……”
“……”
Hong Yeom-baek and Hong Ye-hwa exchanged a long, silent glance.
Hong Ye-hwa’s eyes in particular were frighteningly cold because a strong suspect had come to mind.
I told her not to get distracted and to focus on her practical evaluation.
Do I need to bring out the Fire Back Smash again to straighten her out?
Sensing the danger on pure instinct, Hong Yeon-hwa shrank back.
And as she desperately searched for an escape,
“I… I’m going to become a father-in-law…?”
Hong Yeom-baek muttered, wearing an expression that could have been joy or sheer shock.
Either way, he was going to Dungeon Island.
Not just to watch the tournament….but for many reasons.
***
Thieves’ Club.
Shin Byeong-cheol trudged over to a corner of the clubroom and began pulling out furniture from his inventory one by one.
Chairs and tables that looked like they had been brought straight from the Renaissance era, along with a tablecloth, a teapot, and matching teacups.
Once everything was set up, Shin Byeong-cheol turned to Dang Gyu-young, Chae Da-bin, and the rest of the Thieves’ Club members, then bowed elegantly at the waist.
“Noonims, please, have a seat.”
The girls left the shabby table and couch behind, moving over to the Renaissance-style furniture.
“Wow, Byeong-cheol’s really moving up in the world, huh?”
“Where’d you even get all this?”
“Hehe, I had a bit of extra cash lately, so I treated myself.”
Shin Byeong-cheol rubbed his fingers together with a capitalist’s grin.
All of this furniture had come from completing [Recipe: Renaissance-Style Tea Party Set (C)].
At the time, it was considered the epitome of a random box fail. He hadn’t even considered finishing it.
But after handling some cash over the break, life got a little more comfortable, and naturally, he loosened up.
Buying things like teapots and tablecloths without a second thought.
Vice President Chae Da-bin sipped from a Renaissance-style teacup and said,
“At this rate, Byeong-cheol’s gonna end up the richest out of all of us.”
“Oh no, not at all, noonim. I’m just getting started.”
Though Shin Byeong-cheol waved his hands humbly, something in his words caught Chae Da-bin’s attention.
“Sounds like you’ve got another plan in the works.”
“I do. I call it: the Make-Money-With-Money Project!”
“Like what, exactly?”
Shin Byeong-cheol clicked his tongue and paused dramatically before lowering his voice.
“This is just between us, but… isn’t there an auction this weekend?”
“There is.”
“There are bound to be treasures most people overlook. I’ll swoop in, snatch them up faster than anyone else.”
And then resell them at a high price?
That’d leave him with a huge profit margin.
But the Thieves’ Club members didn’t seem too impressed.
Digging up hidden treasures wasn’t exactly as easy as it sounded.
You need several times sharper instincts than most people…. and a good bit of luck, too.
Still, given Shin Byeong-cheol’s recent track record, it was true things hadn’t been ordinary with him lately. Everyone seemed ready to say something but decided to let it go.
Just then, Dang Gyu-young turned toward Shin Byeong-cheol.
“Hey, Byeong-cheol.”
“Yes, noonim.”
“Since you’re headed to the downtown area, do me a favor.”
“You’re not going?”
“Nope. Something came up.”
Because of that damned Hardship, Dang Gyu-young had been popping into the training center every chance she got lately.
Naturally, she had no time to leisurely stroll around the downtown area.
Sensing what kind of errand it might be, Shin Byeong-cheol’s face stiffened.
“Is this about keeping tabs on Kim Ho?”
“……”
Dang Gyu-young kept a blank face for a few seconds.
Then, shadowy arms taller than a grown man shot up from the ground at Shin Byeong-cheol’s feet and locked him into a joint hold.
His back bent like a bow.
Crrrraack!
“Gkkk—!”
“You always find a way to get in trouble just when you’re doing fine. Do I really seem that creepy to you?”
“N-No, ugh, noonim, it was just, ack, my stupid mouth again.”
Watching the scene unfold, Chae Da-bin thought,
You literally spied on him with the surveillance crystals last time.
But what made Chae Da-bin wiser than Shin Byeong-cheol was that she didn’t feel the need to say everything she thought out loud.
Soon after, Dang Gyu-young handed Shin Byeong-cheol a paper envelope.
It was about the size of half a palm, with the destination printed in tiny letters on the front.
“Drop this off and bring it back.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And if you get curious about what’s inside—”
Dang Gyu-young casually rested a shadow bat on her shoulder.
Lately, with her skyrocketing skills, she had been bulldozing through her opponents in close combat. So much so that she had earned a new nickname:
Bat Gyu-young.
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