153 – Welcome to the Sephiroth Clan (1)

– Kill the punk who seduced the teacher.

One day, when I casually brought up the topic of Mina joining the clan, I got a strange response from Yerin.

What? I blinked in disbelief after scanning the short but intense sentences.

– Yerin?

– I’m just joking, sir. I just imitated some internet memes because that’s what’s popular these days.

It didn’t sound like a joke at all, but I didn’t ask questions unnecessarily.

– Anyway, I don’t mind if Mina joins the clan. With Mina’s talent, she’ll be able to do her share. If Jihyun unnie trains her properly, she’ll be able to grow considerably in a year or two, right?

– okay?

I’m glad that you seem to think quite positively about it.

– I don’t think it would be a bad thing if Mina joined. There’s an old saying, right? Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

– ?

Isn’t this the kind of thing you use in situations like this?

– I think it would be more important to ask for permission from my sister rather than from me, teacher. What does your sister say?

– Well. There wasn’t much of a reaction. I’ll just do whatever I want.

– Are you my sister?

– Yeah. Oh, of course we’re going to do a skills test. Well, that’s obvious.

– okay.

Yerin hesitated for a moment, as if thinking, and did not reply.

But soon the question is asked again.

– But, teacher.

– why?

– Are you still interested in Mina?

– I said no. How many times have I told you?

– I think you talk about Mina a lot, considering the fact that you do that. You can be honest with me, teacher. I don’t mind if you say you like Mina.

Why is he like this again?

I scratched my cheek with a troubled expression.

– Do you not have that much faith in me, Yerin?

– No, that’s not it… … .

– Okay, let’s say I’m interested in Mina. But do you think Mina would have any special feelings for me? For a guy who’s got four legs like this?

If you think about it logically, that’s impossible.

Even if you had some feelings for him, wouldn’t you have cut him off the moment you heard the story about the four-legged one?

– … … Okay, I understand, teacher.

For now, you say?

It’s an ambiguous answer.

– By the way. Today is it, teacher?

– Yeah. I have to go out soon.

– A secret dungeon raid on the top floor? To be honest, I’m a little worried.

– Well, Jihyun is here. Can’t things work out somehow?

– … … Yes. That’s right. Because Jihyun is there.

Erin sent a KakaoTalk message as if she was bitter.

– Oh, it’s time. I’m sorry, but I think we should stop here, teacher.

– Yeah. Take care. Don’t train too hard and get hurt.

– Yes, teacher. Oh, right. Dahyun will be participating this time, so if anything comes up, ask her to help you.

– Dahyun? Who is she?

– Seong Da-hyun, Seong Da-hyun. I told you once before. Don’t you remember?

If it’s Seong Da-hyun… … Ah, that’s right.

I remembered. That Seong Da-hyun who was said to be Ye-rin’s best friend?

-Your best friend?

– Best friend? Oh, yeah, well.

what?

The response is less positive than expected.

– Anyway, I’ll go first, teacher. See you later.

Suddenly I left the chat room.

They said they were doing some closed-door training or something, but it looks like they’re quite busy.

Of course, it’s ironic that I can contact you like this sometimes, considering that it’s a closed-door training. Is it an optional closed-door training or something like that?

– Mr. Seojun, are you leaving today?

At that time, I received a text message from Seo-yoon.

I looked down at my phone screen.

– Take care of yourself, Seojun.

– Don’t worry too much. I’m not being dragged off as a combatant anyway.

– I’m still worried though. There are a lot of dangerous monsters on the top floor.

– I’m not going alone. Jihyun is with me, and the Sephiroth Clan is with me.

Well, even if that’s the case, the fact that it’s dangerous doesn’t change.

To be honest, in a secret dungeon with this level of difficulty, it is inevitable that there will be casualties.

– Seojun, it looks like Gyu-seong oppa will be participating this time too.

– Oh, really?

– I’m not sure, but I think it’s probably true since he recently said he was collaborating with Sephiroth.

Even Hunter Park Gyu-seong is cooperating.

I haven’t really seen his skills yet, but I’m sure he’s quite strong.

Because he is one of the high rankers representing South Korea. There is no way he would be weak.

– Then, take care of yourself and come back safely. Don’t get hurt.

– Okay. See you later.

I put my phone away with a simple greeting.

Both Yerin and Seoyoon… … I’m really worried.

Well, it’s not unreasonable to be worried since an E-rank hunter has entered the top secret dungeon.

“Seojun, let’s go. Time’s up.”

“already?”

“Uh. Are you ready? Did you get all the protective clothing and equipment? Ammunition, scrolls, and personal emergency rations… .”

“I told you I packed everything. If someone saw it, they’d think it was their mom.”

“If you tell me later that you didn’t bring it, I’ll kill you.”

“Okay, Mom.”

“Speaking of which, huh.”

Jihyun stuck out her lips and snorted, and I just smiled bitterly.

***

The central hall of the Sephiroth Clan.

‘Is this the Sephiroth Clan?’

As he looked around the Sephiroth Clan, which was no different from a large corporation, with an expression of admiration on his face, Jihyun scolded him, saying, “Hey, stop acting so country.”

“Sister~! You’re here!”

It was a moment of unconsciousness.

A woman was running towards me.

It reminded me of a fluffy pet.

The young woman ran up to Jihyun, spread her arms wide, and tried to hug her, but Jihyun used her telekinesis with a disgusted expression and said, “Ugh.”

Then the woman was lifted into the air, unable to move.

The woman waved her arms a few times.

But Jihyun just stays silent.

Eventually, the woman bowed her head.

“Sister, you’re going too far… … You didn’t want to see me… … ?”

“It’s been a while, Eunbyeol.”

Although she looked quite funny, dangling in the air, she was one of the high rankers who boasted great influence within the Sephiroth Clan.

‘This is A-rank hunter Ha Eun-byeol.’

I am the deputy leader of the 2nd attack team.

Currently, he is in charge of Team 2 in place of Jihyun.

He has been famous for following Jihyun around since long ago. He once mentioned that the reason he joined the Sephiroth Clan was because of Jihyun. It seems that he admires Jihyun quite a bit.

“Your reaction is too cold, sis… … As expected from a cold girl… … .”

“What are you saying?”

Jihyun let out a blank laugh as if she couldn’t believe it, but she seemed to be in a pretty good mood, perhaps because she was seeing her junior after a long time.

“I’m going to put you down now, so don’t rush in. Okay?”

“Hehe. Okay, unnie.”

As soon as the telekinesis was released, Ha Eun Byeol came down quietly and glanced around with a gloomy expression while making a squeaky sound.

Judging from the way he was looking around and making a sad face, it seemed like he was just pretending to be sad.

“My sister doesn’t seem very happy. I’m the only one excited, just me.”

“No. Nice to meet you too, Eunbyeol.”

“Just in words?”

“Yeah. Just in words.”

Jihyun smiled and nodded, but Ha Eunbyeol grumbled, sticking out her lips weakly.

Ha Eun Byeol’s behavior may have seemed a bit childish, but she probably only shows that to Ji Hyun.

The Ha Eun-byeol in my memory is a high-ranking hunter with high self-esteem and cool-headedness.

Also, likes and dislikes are very clear, so people who like it really like it dramatically, and people who dislike it really dislike it dramatically.

Looking at it this way, it seems like a mix of Jihyun and Hwaryeon.

“That person?”

“Oh, right. I should introduce you. This is Seojun, Han Seojun. He’s in my clan and we’ve decided to participate in this campaign together.”

Ha Eun Byeol just happened to look at me and then she shook her neck once and glared at me rudely. Ji Hyun made an embarrassed expression and then slowly introduced herself.

“Hello, Ha Eun-byeol.”

“Are you Han Seo-jun?”

Judging from the fact that the word ‘that side’ connotes considerable discomfort, I had a feeling that it would be annoying.

“… … .”

Ha Eun-byeol maintained a calm gaze.

It looks like the snow is falling hard.

Han Eun-byeol silently observes from head to toe.

In vulgar terms, it could be said that it was a gaze that seemed to be judging an object. To be honest, it made me feel a little uncomfortable.

“I’ve heard a lot from you, Han Seo-jun.”

“Huh? Have I ever told you about him?”

“yes.”

Ha Eun Byeol bit her lips slightly and spoke in a resentful tone, as if she didn’t like what was happening.

“You said that a few times when you were drunk before, didn’t you?”

“ah…….”

Jihyun sighed, putting her hand on her forehead, saying, “Alcohol is my enemy, my enemy… …”

“You used to hang out with your teammates after work, but at some point, you started going home early. I found out later that it was all because of you.”

“… … Oh, really?”

I glanced at her with a puzzled look, and Jihyun looked away as if she was slightly embarrassed. I stared at Jihyun silently for a moment. Jihyun looked away from the gaze poking her face and twirled the ends of her hair. I was curious about what she had been talking about while drunk, but it seemed like she had no intention of telling me. It was a little disappointing.

“Hey, Han Seo-jun.”

“why.”

It was a sudden incident. Ha Eun Byeol came over quickly. Her footsteps were light, but for some reason, they felt heavy.

When I looked at Ha Eun Byeol’s face, I could see that her eyes were slightly raised.

He had a slightly stubborn and prickly impression.

“Are you interested in my sister?”

“well?”

I smiled faintly at the sight of Ha Eun Byeol stabbing me in the face after cutting it short.

Then Ha Eun Byeol bit her lower lip once and started making grumbling sounds.

“Because of you, strange scandals keep happening.”

“What is this strange scandal?”

“Oh, right. Hey, you know, I’m just hanging out with you because we’re friends, but if you keep nagging me around… … Uh, sis?”

“Stop saying weird things, Eunbyeol.”

As she was listening with one ear and letting it out the other, Ji-hyeon, who had come close enough, pressed down on Ha-eun-byeol’s head and put pressure on her, and Ha-eun-byeol pouts and lets out a mumble.

“Why do you keep taking that person’s side?”

“That’s because you’re talking nonsense.”

Jihyun pressed Ha Eun Byeol’s forehead a little harder. Ha Eun Byeol looked up at me with her eyes wide open, with a dissatisfied expression. No. Why are you looking at me?

“I’ll apologize. I’m sorry, Seojun. He’s not a bad kid… … but he’s just like that sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah. I know what it is.”

I already knew to some extent, but Jihyun was a lot more obsessed with it than I thought.

“Ha Eun Byeol. Do you know that if you act like that, it will cause more trouble to Ji Hyun?”

“What, what! What did you say about my sister… … Huh?! My sister… … .”

“Eunbyeol, I can’t live because of you, really.”

Jihyun let out a deep sigh.

“What is it, Unnie Jihyun?”

“Hey. It’s been a while, Team Leader.”

“I was wondering why our team leader was running out like that, and then Jihyun was there.”

“Anyway, our team leader is usually fine, but I don’t know why he acts like this when it comes to Jihyun.”

Suddenly, several Sephiroth clan members approached Jihyun.

Everyone greeted us with happy faces and cheerful expressions.

It seemed like they were team members from when Jihyun was the team leader.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

Jihyun also waved her hand slightly and pretended to know, and before long, the team members surrounded Jihyun and chatted away.

“Jihyun, you surprised me by suddenly quitting the clan.”

“Still, it’s nice to see you again like this. Should I just trust the team leader for this strategy?”

“It’s a lot better because Jihyun is here. To be honest, it’s a bit scary to conquer the top secret dungeon without Jihyun.”

It’s like a flea market.

It seems like she was quite loved by her teammates. Well, Jihyun doesn’t have any particularly bad personality and she’s a good spender, so she’s the type that would be popular.

And it’s pretty too.

“Sister, sister. Can you come back to Sephiroth? Everyone misses you.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Since Sister Ji-Hyeon isn’t here, the team leader is always being prickly, right?”

“What? Human?”

“Ah, that… … .”

“I’ll see you later. Anyway, Unnie~ Okay? Can’t you come back~?”

“Wow, shit. Look at her acting cute.”

“Hey. You newbie. Do you really want to get hit in front of your sister?”

“It’s not me, it’s not me!”

“If not you, then who!”

… … That’s what I said. To be honest, I found it a bit annoying that you acted cute in front of Jihyun, Ha Eun Byeol.

“Kids, calm down. Mister, try to stop the kids.”

“Ahaha. Everyone is happy, Jihyun. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you this energetic. Without Jihyun, the team members had a hard time.”

“… …Is that so?”

Jihyun smiled bitterly, then shook her head and glanced at me.

“But I have someone else I need to take responsibility for right now.”

“Sister… … .”

Ha Eun-byeol looked gloomy.

“Well, anyway, it was nice to meet you all, and it seems like it’s almost time, so shouldn’t I be going now?”

“Sister, I will guide you to the conference room.”

“Okay, thanks.”

So we headed towards the first conference room.