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Chapter 153
“However, many of my companions don’t want to come to the fore straight away. Bae Jaemin is still in good health, after all,” Seo Dawon said.
“I guess…”
“Then, when will Seo Dawon-ssi enter the limelight?” Koo Hui-seo asked for a specific time, following the flow of the conversation.
Seo Dawon answered the unexpected question smoothly without a hint of panic, “First of all, before setting a specific timeframe, we should break their bonds as much as possible. According to the information we received from Park Hoseok, those involved in the [Red Lotus] incident were supposed to be summoned if a specific signal was sent. If that knowledge becomes known to the outside world, perhaps their plans will crumble apart. After all, they must be closely monitoring those involved.”
After hearing those words, Koo Hui-seo fell silent momentarily before, slowly, starting to speak, “What do you mean by breaking their bonds? Even if we assassinate a few more people in the future, it will only raise their vigilance. That won’t collapse the relationships on its own.”
And, as if he had been waiting for that question, Seo Dawon nodded calmly and explained, “Right. If they think this murder was committed by an ‘outsider,’ they may band together even more, sharing information and trying to uncover their common enemy. However…do you really think that those people will think that this incident was caused by the [Red Lotus]?”
“They probably haven’t noticed your resurrection yet…”
“No, there’s a more fundamental issue at play. Even if my face were revealed, unless Lee-Kyung-ie’s existence was also similarly discovered, they may only think that the suspect was impersonating a [Red  Lotus] guild member–they would never believe he’s real.” After saying that, Seo Dawon floated around the table a hologram that Jung Garam made. The hologram depicted a diagram of the relationship chart and character profiles that Kim Olim had briefly organized.
“This was made by only selecting, from those implicated in our downfall, those that are the heads of powerful guilds or competent rankers within the top 100. In a way, you could call these people key figures who contributed to [Red Lotus]’s ruin.” Seo Dawon said.
Furthermore, the profiles were classified into several groups. At one glance, I could tell it was roughly divided by guilds.
Seo Dawon pointed at Bae Jaemin’s photo, which stood atop the largest grouping of profiles, “However, they all aren’t part of one team. They just temporarily gathered hands during the [Red Lotus] incident. Actually, even when we were still alive, guilds never stopped litigating each other over trivial matters, right?”
Seo Dawon tapped at the edge of the desk; the screen containing the profiles was wiped clean and new letters began filling the hologram.
The changed contents now showcased large and small conflicts or lawsuits between the top guilds before the [Red Lotus] incident. The data was compiled from various newspaper articles and other credible sources, but there was also a graph at the very bottom.
While large and small lawsuit cases filed between guilds have been increasing, the number bottomed out–nearly to 0–after the [Red Lotus] event. Something smelled rancid.
“Suddenly lawsuits and quarrels all disappeared, and guild relations flourished. To summarize, the guilds that shared the [Red Lotus] huge secret have gotten closer. In particular, in [Opera]’s case, while participating together in a raid with Koo Kyungman, Koo Kyungman accused an [Opera] guild member of using a skill and deliberately infringing against certain established agreements during the boss monster fight. The lawsuit, which was originally quite controversial, was abruptly dropped.”
“Now that they’re in the same boat, it seems as if they’re willing to be less sensitive with each other.”
“Right. However, let’s think about it from a different perspective… Did they really become so intimate? I question that.” Seo Dawon changed the screen back to the profile of the recently deceased Park Hoseok. “You know that Koo Kyungman used Park Hoseok like a spy, right? Bae Jaemin knew that. Even so, he tried to appease and win over Park Hoseok. Moreover, during his recent trip to Jeju Island, we uncovered that he sent his trusted guild members in order to bring him to his side completely. No matter if Koo Kyungman was currently missing, it felt as if Bae Jaemin had been waiting for the moment–as if ties forged during the [Red Lotus] incident could only go so far.”
“Well…I guess now that the common enemy has disappeared, they need a place to wield their remaining blades.”
In short, now that the [Red Lotus] issue had been taken care of, the relationships between the guilds began to deteriorate again, as it had in the past. Furthermore, he explained how, even if no one had noticed their collusion for these three years and everything had gone as they desired, it would not have taken long for one party to run out of patience.
What amazing timing.
If Seo Dawon had been revived a little earlier, then those people may still have been on guard against [Red Lotus], and the bond between them may still yet be strong, making it difficult to find opportunities to dig between them. In Park Hoseok’s murder case, his death may have been more thoroughly investigated. If they had, there was a higher chance that my existence would have been exposed.
However, three years had passed by–everything went as they had desired. And, no one could threaten their positions. Eventually, they forgot the [Red Lotus] and gradually became wary of each other, wanting to become the second [Red Lotus].
Koo Kyungman’s sudden disappearance would be regarded as a golden opportunity rather than a reason to foster doubt. After all, the fall of one’s enemy should be a cause for joy rather than vigilance…
“Then, will you now focus on human relations and use other’s hands to punish your targets?”
“No, I’m planning on helping Bae Jaemin with his business for a while.” Seo Dawon smiled and gave an unexpected answer to Koo Hui-seo’s question.
Kim Sangyoon, who was listening calmly, also gave a puzzled look and raised his head. I honestly didn’t understand his meaning well either, but, when I saw Seo Dawon’s expression, I had a ridiculous inkling.
“For the time being, setting aside [HaHae], we’ll punish other guild members. In particularly, I plan to first select those who are strongly opposed to and lobbying against Bae Jaemin’s guild certification. So, in order to gather this information, we’ll need you, Koo Hui-seo. Once we’ve gathered a list of names, spent money, sent people, or met them personally…the method doesn’t matter. Find out as fast as you can who Bae Jaemin’s biggest thorn is.”
“Then, will Seo Dawon-ssi take care of those people?”
“That’s right. I’ll kill them all before Bae Jaemin can intervene.”
Listening this far, Kim Sangyoon mumbled, “This series of murders could only be seen as advantageous to that person…” I also predicted that several of these incidents would end up isolating Bae Jaemin within his alliance.
“Bae Jaemin will have a headache trying to get rid of the suspicion. Furthermore, the word [Red Lotus], like a taboo, will continue to appear at each scene.”
“Only a few people know about that matter, after all.”
“I… Then, what should I do?” Kim Sangyoon carefully asked the Mage, eyes shooting around and watching others’ reactions. Certainly compared to the previous operation, the Warrior was trying to be a more active participant.
Seo Dawon answered without hesitation, “Go into the dungeons with Lee-kyung-ie. It’s not long till he’s at the needed level.”
“Ahh… I understand.”
“I want to go too…” Of course, Koo Hui-seo, who rushed recklessly into any plans that involved me, quickly interrupted.
“Didn’t you say the police have their eyes on you?” Dawon responded, as if he were teasing.
Koo Hui-seo bit his thin lips and contemplated for a minute, “I can use a disguise. In the past, I used to cross-dress as a woman.”
“In the past? Uh, when?” I asked.
“Mmm… when I was seven?”
“That only worked because you were a child…”
Although he looked emaciated, Koo Hui-seo was well over 180cm tall… It would be strange for him to dress as a woman with that body stature…
“That…doesn’t really seem right, so don’t do that.” I said, repulsed.
However, Koo Hui-seo puffed his cheeks and shook his head, as if he were a whining elementary student. “…You’re too much. Then when can I be alone with Lee-kyung-ssi?”
“As long as I’m here, there’s no way you’ll be alone with him. It’s best for you to quickly abandon hope.”
“I didn’t ask Seo-Dawon-ssi.”
“Lee-kyung-ie shares my opinion.” Of course, his attitude rustled Seo Dawon’s temper. The Mage also needlessly brushed his lips against my forehead gently while lightly brushing my hair affectionately.
At that sight, Koo Hui-seo put his face into his hands and mumbled something (in a gloomy voice). The shadows under the sofa where he sat began to flash and tremble… Seo Dawon, rather than quitting, lowered his lips to my nose bridge.
Eventually, I had to awkwardly turn my head to the side to stop this ridiculousness. Damn it… If you’re going to fight with Koo Hui-seo, can’t you fight physically? And not like this?
TL: I…didn’t realize Koo Hui-seo was so tall. Also +1 crossdressing–I’m down for that.
I should take a look at the webtoon; I’m really curious about how they decided to name guilds/skills etc. Red Lotus, for example, could have been Pink (light red). I just chose to take the hanja/shorthand for Lotus instead, because I thought it sounded more thematic. Similarly, skill names could be done differently. (If so, do I need to standardize? >.