‘Is it because I keep hearing that it’s gloomy?’
The sky in Seoul was clearer than he had expected.
‘It’s different from what I expected.’
The recent incident at the Hunter Market was the same. It felt like being in Alice in Wonderland.
“Is the deputy team leader here?”
“Enter.”
The suite was unnecessarily big.
Being always in the bustling guild tower made it feel even more so.
Sitting on a nearby sofa, Lucas untied his tie.
As soon as he lit a cigarette, fire sparked in the air.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure. But are you empty-handed?”
“Oh. I teased the wrong person, and it cost me dearly. It’s frustrating. To come all the way to Korea and my biggest reason for coming here is now out of reach…”
“If Timmy hears about it, he’ll love it.”
Indeed. He made such a big fuss. How the other can just leave him and go ahead without him. What can we do?
Honestly, that ‘Timothy’ was too noisy to travel with. He did not want to be accompanied by cameras following him in another country.
Therefore, when the schedules were set, Lucas and other guild members with similar personalities used to arrive a few days earlier to enjoy some leisure time.
This time, he came even faster to buy a new weapon… but unexpectedly, the person who came to Seoul with Lucas was,
“By the way, have you met anyone these days? There were rumors about Malamaldi dating someone.”
“Hmm?”
He lowered the book he was reading.
Laughing with his arm on the armrest. It was a unique fox-like smile.
“Who said that?”
“Your fans. It’s because you moved separately from Timothy for once. Was the reason for coming earlier than planned because of that? A Korean?”
“It’s a really open world. Even fans are curious about me. Such is the life of a celebrity.”
“Is that so?”
“Well, there certainly is a meeting with a Korean. But to call it an affair, the other party is too young… a teenager.”
Lucas’ expression subtly hardened.
Seeing that, Kido laughed.
“It’s a joke, honey. We’re just friends. That kid teaches me Korean, and I teach her English. It’s called language exchange.”
“…That’s a relief.”
“Yeah. Many people do it these days.” Kido picked up the book again. When the cellphone placed next to him rang, he naturally switched hands.
Watching that, Lucas, along with the last puff of smoke, extinguished the cigarette. He muttered quietly.
“Yeah… seems like that’s the case.”
He saw it too, today. He met a Korean girl using a Southern Italian accent while speaking English.
‘Teenager…’
✧
“You… <Silver Lion> and Tiger… no, to be precise, what’s the relationship between you and them?”
“…”
“He could belong to Aegis TOP Team, if he so desired. The leader of our team is Timothy Lilywhite. In other words, TOP Team is the core of Aegis. Furthermore, I’m also the owner of the Imperator card, I know the other cardholder, and it’s certainly not a teenage girl like you.”
The foreigner with blue eyes quietly stroked his chin, his observing gaze still fixed in her direction.
“If he entrusted the card to you, you must have an unusual relationship… intriguing. I’ve never seen nor heard of you before.”
And that’s where the nuance changed.
Abandoning soliloquies, he closed the distance. Closer now, he lowered his head and whispered.
“Shall I introduce myself again? I am Serpent Lucas Malone, the information and strategy chief of Aegis TOP Team.”
The information and strategy department.
The department’s main responsibilities include information gathering and processing, espionage, reconnaissance, and overseas operations. It was only natural for trends among high-rankers from various countries to be included in their work.
“Now, do you understand the situation? Silver Lions Tiger… I’ve dug his information for years, observed it, and thought there was nothing new anymore.”
It’s unclear how much of this is genuinely ‘new information.’
“I don’t expect an answer. Anyway, now that I know you, and just the fact that he will know about this is already a sufficient harvest.”
Even without expecting a response, Lucas continued with his words, seemingly indifferent to Jioh’s reaction.
As he was about to leave, he suddenly turned towards Jioh.
And in that very moment, despite his expressionless face, Jioh sensed a fleeting hesitation.
“…In that sense, let me offer something in return.”
Perhaps he could be overly sensitive, as often is the case with those dealing with information. But…
“Have you ever considered that your younger sister is exceptionally good at English?”
It was as if he had conversed with a native speaker.
“Hey, hey! Unni! What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“The bus is here! Hurry, get on.”
An impatient hand urges her.
Jioh was led into the bus seat by Geumhee’s hand. Soon, a barrage of complaints followed.
“I keep calling you, but you’re blanking out, what happened? You must be flirting with your constellation again, right?
[The constellation, ‘The One Who Reads Destiny’, said to look at my sister-in-law! This brother-in-law cries out, clapping his knees, saying, “It’s unfair, it’s unfair, it’s unfair.”]
“Don’t go blank out like that in front of other people… oh well. Today’s fine, I’ll let it go. You looked cool today, Gyeon Jioh.”
“Geumgeum.”
“What?”
The bus started moving, and a breeze blew in through the slightly opened window. Jioh’s bangs got messy from the wind. Seeing that, Geumhee chuckled softly. Like the wind. Her thin, long fingers brushed across her forehead.
Jioh stared intently at the youngest sister, who was fixing her hair.
Even though she’s a head taller when sitting, and everyone would think she’s older than Jioh when they’re together…
In reality, she’s still in her baby teeth stage.
When she smiles, her eyes fold like a crescent moon, and her cheeks flush with a peach-like color.
“Who even sees her as my Unni? Really. How long are you going to live relying on other people’s? You’re in your 20s now, you old fossil.”
“…You’re very good at English.”
“Huh?”
Geumhee’s blinked her eyes.
Jioh pursed her lips. It wasn’t intentional, more subconscious. So, it’s an expression of resentment, or something like that. A quite blatantly bitter one. “Seriously, sheesh, really, for real…”
“Are you sulking? Speak properly.”
“You have a boyfriend, like a real boyfriend… A Yankee boyfriend?”
“…What?”
“Oh, well… Sera said, Bomi, your friend, thinks you look like you have a foreign boyfriend, but, just now, I saw that you’re really, really good at English…”
Why do I feel so small in front of her?
King Zio (Note: Rank 1 in the world), Without even making proper eye contact, just pouted her lips. Fiddling with her hoodie strings.
“…What’s this… stop pouting.”
Geumhee, who left a comment with a sense of regret after observing that scene, dismissed the controversy.
“It’s not a boyfriend.”
“…Huh!”
“Well, I don’t know about relationships between men and women.”
“…Ugh!”
Jioh, like a pathetic father in front of his daughter, blurted out the truth.
“I don’t like it! I’m against it!”
“Yeah, your opposition has no power.”
“That’s not true!”
“Do you remember when you used to tell me that since middle school? Do you know how many times my relationships failed because of you? Have some conscience.”
No, this time it’s really, really genuine!
[Your covenant agrees, your opposition has gotten weak, he nods appreciatively.]
[According to this Oppa, this tragedy happened because of a lack of experience in dating. He advises quickly escaping from the title of a loner, and try to socialize more.]
‘Get lost!’
Jioh’s eyebrows furrowed downward.
She’s trying not to ruin the atmosphere, but she was genuinely serious. She doesn’t have a good feeling about this.
Although he turned the conversation around, the platinum-haired Yankee from <Aegis> definitely gave off an air of knowing something about Geumhee.
Why would a guy who’s supposed to be the head of the information and strategy department approach her for no apparent reason?
‘What the heck is going on?’
[Your constellation seems to be scratching his chin, saying that it was severe. ‘Tell me, isn’t it because Geumhee’s fell for a terrible guy?.]
‘Unni, just spill if you know.’
[According to this ‘Destiny Reader’ Oppa, he wants to do everything for you, but refuses to reveal future-related spoilers as it violates the world’s rules.]
[Are you trying to show off as an older sister? Don’t try to do everything for her, just do what you can do now. Advise your constellation.]
…Could I hit you, just once?
It’s because I’m worried about her!
But what he said was right.
Even though Geumhee scolded her earlier, if she goes ahead alone, she might mess up her relationship again.
Right. That’s it!
Jioh shook her head and let out a sigh.
‘And that’s when I open my inventory to do what I can right now.’
‘Is it because I keep hearing that it’s gloomy?’
The sky in Seoul was clearer than he had expected.
‘It’s different from what I expected.’
The recent incident at the Hunter Market was the same. It felt like being in Alice in Wonderland.
“Is the deputy team leader here?”
“Enter.”
The suite was unnecessarily big.
Being always in the bustling guild tower made it feel even more so.
Sitting on a nearby sofa, Lucas untied his tie.
As soon as he lit a cigarette, fire sparked in the air.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure. But are you empty-handed?”
“Oh. I teased the wrong person, and it cost me dearly. It’s frustrating. To come all the way to Korea and my biggest reason for coming here is now out of reach…”
“If Timmy hears about it, he’ll love it.”
Indeed. He made such a big fuss. How the other can just leave him and go ahead without him. What can we do?
Honestly, that ‘Timothy’ was too noisy to travel with. He did not want to be accompanied by cameras following him in another country.
Therefore, when the schedules were set, Lucas and other guild members with similar personalities used to arrive a few days earlier to enjoy some leisure time.
This time, he came even faster to buy a new weapon… but unexpectedly, the person who came to Seoul with Lucas was,
“By the way, have you met anyone these days? There were rumors about Malamaldi dating someone.”
“Hmm?”
He lowered the book he was reading.
Laughing with his arm on the armrest. It was a unique fox-like smile.
“Who said that?”
“Your fans. It’s because you moved separately from Timothy for once. Was the reason for coming earlier than planned because of that? A Korean?”
“It’s a really open world. Even fans are curious about me. Such is the life of a celebrity.”
“Is that so?”
“Well, there certainly is a meeting with a Korean. But to call it an affair, the other party is too young… a teenager.”
Lucas’ expression subtly hardened.
Seeing that, Kido laughed.
“It’s a joke, honey. We’re just friends. That kid teaches me Korean, and I teach her English. It’s called language exchange.”
“…That’s a relief.”
“Yeah. Many people do it these days.” Kido picked up the book again. When the cellphone placed next to him rang, he naturally switched hands.
Watching that, Lucas, along with the last puff of smoke, extinguished the cigarette. He muttered quietly.
“Yeah… seems like that’s the case.”
He saw it too, today. He met a Korean girl using a Southern Italian accent while speaking English.
‘Teenager…’
✧
“You… <Silver Lion> and Tiger… no, to be precise, what’s the relationship between you and them?”
“…”
“He could belong to Aegis TOP Team, if he so desired. The leader of our team is Timothy Lilywhite. In other words, TOP Team is the core of Aegis. Furthermore, I’m also the owner of the Imperator card, I know the other cardholder, and it’s certainly not a teenage girl like you.”
The foreigner with blue eyes quietly stroked his chin, his observing gaze still fixed in her direction.
“If he entrusted the card to you, you must have an unusual relationship… intriguing. I’ve never seen nor heard of you before.”
And that’s where the nuance changed.
Abandoning soliloquies, he closed the distance. Closer now, he lowered his head and whispered.
“Shall I introduce myself again? I am Serpent Lucas Malone, the information and strategy chief of Aegis TOP Team.”
The information and strategy department.
The department’s main responsibilities include information gathering and processing, espionage, reconnaissance, and overseas operations. It was only natural for trends among high-rankers from various countries to be included in their work.
“Now, do you understand the situation? Silver Lions Tiger… I’ve dug his information for years, observed it, and thought there was nothing new anymore.”
It’s unclear how much of this is genuinely ‘new information.’
“I don’t expect an answer. Anyway, now that I know you, and just the fact that he will know about this is already a sufficient harvest.”
Even without expecting a response, Lucas continued with his words, seemingly indifferent to Jioh’s reaction.
As he was about to leave, he suddenly turned towards Jioh.
And in that very moment, despite his expressionless face, Jioh sensed a fleeting hesitation.
“…In that sense, let me offer something in return.”
Perhaps he could be overly sensitive, as often is the case with those dealing with information. But…
“Have you ever considered that your younger sister is exceptionally good at English?”
It was as if he had conversed with a native speaker.
“Hey, hey! Unni! What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“The bus is here! Hurry, get on.”
An impatient hand urges her.
Jioh was led into the bus seat by Geumhee’s hand. Soon, a barrage of complaints followed.
“I keep calling you, but you’re blanking out, what happened? You must be flirting with your constellation again, right?
[The constellation, ‘The One Who Reads Destiny’, said to look at my sister-in-law! This brother-in-law cries out, clapping his knees, saying, “It’s unfair, it’s unfair, it’s unfair.”]
“Don’t go blank out like that in front of other people… oh well. Today’s fine, I’ll let it go. You looked cool today, Gyeon Jioh.”
“Geumgeum.”
“What?”
The bus started moving, and a breeze blew in through the slightly opened window. Jioh’s bangs got messy from the wind. Seeing that, Geumhee chuckled softly. Like the wind. Her thin, long fingers brushed across her forehead.
Jioh stared intently at the youngest sister, who was fixing her hair.
Even though she’s a head taller when sitting, and everyone would think she’s older than Jioh when they’re together…
In reality, she’s still in her baby teeth stage.
When she smiles, her eyes fold like a crescent moon, and her cheeks flush with a peach-like color.
“Who even sees her as my Unni? Really. How long are you going to live relying on other people’s? You’re in your 20s now, you old fossil.”
“…You’re very good at English.”
“Huh?”
Geumhee’s blinked her eyes.
Jioh pursed her lips. It wasn’t intentional, more subconscious. So, it’s an expression of resentment, or something like that. A quite blatantly bitter one. “Seriously, sheesh, really, for real…”
“Are you sulking? Speak properly.”
“You have a boyfriend, like a real boyfriend… A Yankee boyfriend?”
“…What?”
“Oh, well… Sera said, Bomi, your friend, thinks you look like you have a foreign boyfriend, but, just now, I saw that you’re really, really good at English…”
Why do I feel so small in front of her?
King Zio (Note: Rank 1 in the world), Without even making proper eye contact, just pouted her lips. Fiddling with her hoodie strings.
“…What’s this… stop pouting.”
Geumhee, who left a comment with a sense of regret after observing that scene, dismissed the controversy.
“It’s not a boyfriend.”
“…Huh!”
“Well, I don’t know about relationships between men and women.”
“…Ugh!”
Jioh, like a pathetic father in front of his daughter, blurted out the truth.
“I don’t like it! I’m against it!”
“Yeah, your opposition has no power.”
“That’s not true!”
“Do you remember when you used to tell me that since middle school? Do you know how many times my relationships failed because of you? Have some conscience.”
No, this time it’s really, really genuine!
[Your covenant agrees, your opposition has gotten weak, he nods appreciatively.]
[According to this Oppa, this tragedy happened because of a lack of experience in dating. He advises quickly escaping from the title of a loner, and try to socialize more.]
‘Get lost!’
Jioh’s eyebrows furrowed downward.
She’s trying not to ruin the atmosphere, but she was genuinely serious. She doesn’t have a good feeling about this.
Although he turned the conversation around, the platinum-haired Yankee from <Aegis> definitely gave off an air of knowing something about Geumhee.
Why would a guy who’s supposed to be the head of the information and strategy department approach her for no apparent reason?
‘What the heck is going on?’
[Your constellation seems to be scratching his chin, saying that it was severe. ‘Tell me, isn’t it because Geumhee’s fell for a terrible guy?.]
‘Unni, just spill if you know.’
[According to this ‘Destiny Reader’ Oppa, he wants to do everything for you, but refuses to reveal future-related spoilers as it violates the world’s rules.]
[Are you trying to show off as an older sister? Don’t try to do everything for her, just do what you can do now. Advise your constellation.]
…Could I hit you, just once?
It’s because I’m worried about her!
But what he said was right.
Even though Geumhee scolded her earlier, if she goes ahead alone, she might mess up her relationship again.
Right. That’s it!
Jioh shook her head and let out a sigh.
‘And that’s when I open my inventory to do what I can right now.’
