Chapter 209 – Lingering in the Same Moment, Awaiting the Same Time (2)

“What you mentioned last time, I have brought it.”

In the office of the Cornus lineage, the master’s study.
Seong Ji-ho, cradling a file in his arms, initiated a conversation with San Hyuk-won who was preoccupied with paperwork.

The matter he had investigated this time revolved around Lee Si-heon.
In the past midterm exam duel, Lee Si-heon had formed an alliance with Jung Si-woo, which had sparked San Hyuk-won’s interest in him.
The seed of a gifted individual can be harnessed in myriad ways.

The cultivation of the woodfolk.
If the experiment with Cornus fails, they amalgamate her seed with that of another gifted individual to create a new experimental subject.

As Cornus’ chief of staff, Seong Ji-ho held a position of reasonable influence, which allowed him some insight into their inner workings.

‘The Cornus lineage’s experiment is on the verge of fruition.’

Creating an immortal woodfolk.
The realm unreachable by the world’s capital is the secret desire of the Cornus lineage. The symbolic message of the Cornus flower.

And the sacrificial lamb of this generation is, of course, Cornus.

Recently, even during training or meal times, Cornus had not made her presence known.
Possibly, she’s still traversing through the phase labeled ‘completion’.

“It’s no longer necessary. Proceed with its disposal.”

At the opening of San Hyuk-won’s mouth, Ji-ho let out an internal sigh.

“……Understood.”

Jung Siwoo. Lee Siheon.

They’re merely seeds selected as contingencies, in case Cornus were to be broken.
The reason why they specifically chose humans amongst the gifted was because the bloodline of the Cornus lineage mustn’t merge with that of other woodfolk.
However, now that things had proceeded smoothly, there was no longer a need for them.

Seong Ji-ho moved the file from his chest to his side.

“Seong Ji-ho.”
“Yes.”
“You may think… that you can’t comprehend this.”

San Hyuk-won’s piercing gaze abruptly turned towards him.

“Not at all.”
“Do you resent me?”
“Not at all.”
“Since Cornus is broken, you must be considering revenge.”

Seong Ji-ho, one of San Hyuk-won’s closest aides, maintained his composure.

“The lineage’s long-cherished desire that has persisted over thousands of years is about to bear fruit.”
“I’m aware.”
“It’s not a matter to be discussed lightly. Are you aware of how many were sacrificed for the success of this experiment? From the past, hundreds of thousands of lineage members have lived their lives, their sights set solely on this secret ambition.”

The fact that it’s about to be realized warrants choosing it, even at the cost of three generations’ ruin.

‘I’ve always known, but this lineage…’

Everyone is steeped in insanity.
Perhaps this is what it looks like when mad scientists with excellent political acumen are driven by their beliefs.

A man who imposes unreasonable standards even on his only kin.
And Cornus, who accepts such treatment as if it were nothing.

It’s been a considerable while since Cornus was broken.

She belonged to the category commonly referred to as a genius.

From his childhood, Lee Si-heon had devoured all manner of culture and knowledge, demonstrating an exceptional talent for the Cornus family’s swordsmanship.

“Seong Ji-ho.”
“Yes, Miss?”
“How about we reduce their working hours?”
“Why? For what reason?”

He was astute in his business affairs. But his kindness, especially his compassion for his own people, shone the brightest.

“We should be passionate about our work. It’s also important to create our own identity. And I must set an example.”
“What does that have to do with work hours?”
“Oh my! It’s because they look terribly tired when I look back.”

Seong Ji-ho had been drawn to this empathetic side of Sansuyu, which led to him becoming her secretary. All of Sansuyu’s escorts were the same. After all, he too was in debt to Sansuyu, owing her a substantial sum that covered his parent’s immense debt and medical bills.

“I’ll clean my room myself. There’s no need to waste unnecessary manpower.”

It’s something expected from a child, yet Sansuyu was exactly that sort of person. Had she truly grown up, she might have risen to a high position, earning the respect of the world and potentially becoming a historical figure. He wasn’t entirely devoid of the desire to witness such a transformation.

“You still seem oblivious.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Carry on.”

San Hyuk-won was aware. There was no one as convenient to manipulate as someone who submits to another.

“Understood.”

Seong Ji-ho bowed his head and exited the room.

The grand mansion’s hallway. A woman sat by the window.

“Has Miho arrived?”

A youthful form, yet thirty years of age. A swordsman of this era with unrivaled skill among the blood trees.

Champi.

An absurd name, no matter how many times one hears it.

“It’s Jiho, not Miho.”
“So, where is our Sansuyu?”

A person who had reached out to Sansuyu on an internet community site. She was Sansuyu’s fashion mentor and in her own way, adored Sansuyu.

She had only heard of him, so she didn’t know his face. Suddenly, he appeared and started a conversation. Despite his childlike stature, his age was a different story.

“Today as well.”
“Ugh, shall we just overturn these bastards? Hey, Seong Ji-ho. What are you so afraid of?”
“Please, don’t.”

Overturning it. It might not be too much, but it could spell disaster for Sansuyu.

Seong Ji-ho strolled down the hallway, subtly adjusting his suit tie. Champi trailed him closely.

“Coward. I feel sorry for Sansuyu.”
“Excuse me, Champi. I have someone to meet… Can’t you leave?”
“I can’t leave until I see Sansuyu. Who are you seeing?”

Lee Si-heon.

At least among the people he knew, he was someone who truly saw Sansuyu, similar to Champi, and didn’t intend to exploit her. Currently, the Cornus family was facing a crisis.

“Hey.”

Champi, with her short strides, caught up with him.

“…It’s about to explode.”
“I know.”

He ventured toward Flower, aiming for the elusive promise of eternal life. It was an act akin to rebellion against the Tree-men and the deity they worshipped.

“Until now, the Cornus family’s strength has been formidable, and it served us well. There was no gain in clashing with them, for even the World Tree found no advantage. But if Flower stirs, it could mark the real end of the Tree-men society,” he commented.

“Indeed,” was the quiet agreement.

“But the Cornus family has been steadily overstepping their bounds, haven’t they?”

The media could erupt at any moment, leading the World Tree to cast its damning mark. When the World Tree labels a family evil, every public institution, including the Hunter Association, mobilizes their forces to eradicate the family.

“Even if the Cornus family escapes annihilation… You don’t believe that Sansuyu, the mastermind of the experiments, will remain unscathed, do you?”

“I understand.”

“When the situation explodes, she faces certain death. Will you just stand by?”

Champi shrugged her shoulders.

After a long silence, Seong Ji-ho asked her, “Why are you trying to help her?”

Champi, with widened eyes, responded as if the answer were self-evident. “She’s a good person. We haven’t known each other for long, but wouldn’t it be heartbreaking if she died? I’ve always lived life on my own terms.”

Hearing such words from an S-class Hunter was indeed comforting.

“But don’t assume I’d risk my life for this. I’m here to warn you before you cut losses. We must protect the person managing our gallery.”

“Please, don’t ask me to do that.”

“I’m doing it because I want to.”

When the subject of Sansuyu arose, an invigorated Champi began to chatter. Despite any circumstances, she had done her job well and had a good reputation. Now that it was revealed she was from the Cornus family, no one had the gall to slander her.

“The Sword Art Goddess, Sansuyu,” he declared.

“I think I’m losing my mind,” was the response.

Still, it was pleasing to hear she was treated with respect.

Champi, who had followed Ji-ho to his private office, asked him as their conversation dwindled, “So, who are you meeting?”

“A friend of Sansuyu’s.”

“Oh!”

Despite the gravity of the matter, Champi blurted out thoughtlessly, “Then let’s go together.”

There was no stopping her now. Among the stubborn, Champi was the most obstinate.

“As long as you don’t say anything inappropriate.”

“I won’t say a thing.”

* * * * * * *

There are numerous things in the world that remain unknown to me.

I don’t hail from the future, and I can’t foresee what’s to happen. This damn world, teeming with activity, continues to leave me behind.

Stocks fluctuate now and then. News arrives of trees embroiled in territorial disputes. Elsewhere, whispers of a new dungeon’s emergence reach my ears.

One thing, however, remains certain: change is on the horizon.

And so, the world readies itself for the inevitable.
The odds of crossing blades with the world’s strongest were staggeringly high, and despite my newfound strength, the uncertainty of victory lingered.

I was yet to find stable ground.
Regardless of my uncommon birth, I remained a mere novice.

“Good day. Is this our first meeting since that time?”

Sansuyu’s secretary, whose name eludes me due to Sansuyu’s peculiar pronunciation.

Was it Sung Ji-ho?

“…Hello. And who might you be?”

Feigning pleasure, I stole a glance at the woman seated next to Sung Ji-ho.
A diminutive figure occupied the chair.

“Yes, I’m Champpi. Delighted to meet you. You’re a friend of Sansuyu, are you not?”

Champpi.
Champpi…?

The moniker rang familiar, a recollection from a prior encounter.

“…Sansuyu’s mentor?”
“Aha, you knew? Here, take this. Does it ease your tongue?”

Champpi, beaming, tossed something from her pocket.
A spherical blue bead.
Upon inspection, it was a valuable item indeed.

▶ Blood Tree’s Magic Elixir (C)
[Category : Consumable]
– A magical elixir bead, crafted from the historic Blood Tree. Slightly enhances your magical prowess.

Magic power—the more, the merrier.
With the elixir in my mouth, I addressed her.

“Feel free to speak your mind. Even if it’s an insult.”
“Ha, you’re a hundred times better than Ji-ho.”

Her nonchalant demeanor initially left me with a peculiar impression.
But if such a gift was the price of informality, I welcomed it.

‘I wondered why she taught Sansuyu such odd swordsmanship.’

Champpi.

Upon closer inspection, she was far more skilled than I could have ever imagined.
Her magical capacity was immeasurable, suggesting her capability to conceal her true power.
An S-class hunter.
Could she be on par with me?

Why bring such a monster, without any intention of pitting her against me?
Champpi chuckled, resting her chin on the table.

“She was compelled to follow me, you can ignore her.”

Sung Ji-ho’s words followed.

“Feel free to speak your mind.”

Champpi retorted.

Despite my inner disbelief, I found myself chuckling.
Unrestrained absurdity wasn’t altogether unpleasant.

“So, what is it that you wish to discuss?”

At my question, Sung Ji-ho’s countenance immediately soured.

“We’ve discussed the past, so let’s focus on the matter at hand…”
“You want me to distance myself from Sansuyu, as per our previous conversation?”

Sung Ji-ho affirmed with a nod.

I was in the dark about the Cornus family’s internal affairs.
I knew there was a reason for Sansuyu’s emotional void, but our acquaintance hadn’t deepened to the point of understanding that reason.

I never had a penchant for meddling in others’ family matters.

“It’s not a difficult request, is it?”

In Sung Ji-ho’s eyes, Sansuyu and I were merely friends for the span of four months.
In other words… we were merely university friends.

This, too, was the chasm between the statuses of humans and nobles. If it were an ordinary situation, it wouldn’t have been strange to accept and disengage.

Had it been a typical, vague friendship.

“But my relationship with Cornus isn’t ordinary.”
“…Pardon?”

My words caused Seong Ji-ho’s eyes to crease. I hurriedly amended my statement.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I’ve received more than a couple of favors from Cornus. I feel compelled to assist her when she’s in trouble.”

It wasn’t an untrue statement. After all, I did owe her my life, in a manner of speaking. I couldn’t begin to express my gratitude to Cornus, who had approached me to be friends when I first received the friend quest.

Seong Ji-ho’s expression loosened somewhat at my subsequent words. He spoke in a gentler tone.

“…This isn’t something you, Lee Si-heon, can manage.”
“I’m aware it has to do with the family.”
“The issue is quite severe.”

Seong Ji-ho lost his words for a moment, then began to methodically explain.

“The reason I’ve involved you, Lee Si-heon, is, quite simply, to minimize casualties.”
“It’s difficult to comprehend without knowing the entire situation.”
“…That’s…”

Top secret. It seemed Seong Ji-ho was cautious about sharing a tale that absolutely shouldn’t leak to the outside world. It was about keeping the number of victims as low as possible. Was he implying I was being targeted? Honestly, it didn’t matter. I was always a target, so why would now be any different?

At my words, Champi, who was sitting beside me, chuckled softly.

“That’s accurate.”

Good job, Champi.

“It wouldn’t be wrong to tell him.”
“…Champi, you assured us you wouldn’t say anything inappropriate.”

Champi wore an impish expression, as though her irritation at the man’s words had made her more likely to spill something. It might be easier to find out what’s happening if I prodded this person instead of Seong Ji-ho.

Before I could even attempt it, Champi went ahead and dropped the bomb herself.

“Why can’t I tell him? The Cornus family is on the brink of ruin, and all those involved might die.”
“…No, if you break your promise…”
“It’s fine. It’s because you’re so frustrated.”

Ignoring Seong Ji-ho’s grimace, Champi turned to look at me. Her gaze held the insight of a seasoned master; it felt as though she was peering into my very soul.

“For someone who’s hiding so much power… you sure do talk a lot.”
“Pardon?”

Seong Ji-ho looked confused at Champi’s words. This time, a laugh of disbelief escaped me.

“So, you’re her disciple… A monster indeed. Jiho Gay. You could use his help.”

She had not only revealed Seong Ji-ho’s secret but mine as well.

“…What are you implying?”

Seong Ji-ho’s bewildered eyes were priceless.