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Chapter 69 – Awakening (7)

Awakening (7)

“The vice-captain…Eleanor R. Algiers was a woman who could’ve been my wife.” Douglas Payne, once so proud, was now crumpled on the sofa like a popped balloon. He was talking like Eleanor had died.

“I thought she could follow me, which was why I made her vice-captain… It’s why I entrusted the mark to her. I could trust her, I believed it would be the sign of that trust.” It was absurd, but Kang Shin-hyuk understood his heart without knowing. He was the image of a Korean patriarch from the 70s. He would swear at his wife and even get violent sometimes, but on the days he earned a lot of money from working hard, he would make sure to buy something extra for his wife and go back…no, wait, Eleanor wasn’t dead. Douglas had maintained that coercive attitude because he was embarrassed to open his heart up.

‘Really, there’s a limit to how frustrating you can be.’ In novels, such a man could be viewed sympathetically. But in fact, such domestic violence was criminal, and Douglas Payne, who had left all his responsibilities to Eleanor, was simply a reckless man. It was surprising to think you could convey your heart in such a way, but somehow Kang Shin-hyuk had seen through him.

“But she…brought you.” He stared straight at Shin-hyuk.

“It was unbelievable she had brought in an outsider, so I felt the need to discipline her. But she went so far as to make you a member. I thought I needed to talk to her, show her the right way.” So he decided to fix the broken artifact using his family’s connections. Although the result went without saying, at least his family members saw something interesting before they went back home even if they couldn’t repair the saddle.

“I was mistaken from the start. The woman I believed would follow me was hiding her abilities and had no interest in me…hahaha, here I thought I could protect her.”

“Well….” He frowned and sipped at his coffee.

“I should’ve noticed when she won in the tournament, but I thought it was just bad luck I went down in the quarterfinals due to that damn Baek.”

“Ah, well…”

“So, whether or not she won, she was a weaker woman than me, and that’s why I have to protect her…that’s what I thought. But that was just my own ego…”

“Wow…” Douglas’s spirit was in a state of flux, thanks to his pride being dismantled. But, even in the midst of that, he didn’t forget to mention Baek In-ha, who had beaten him. Shin-hyuk didn’t want to hear anymore, nor did he want to be there in the first place. However, it couldn’t be helped as he was now in a one-on-one confrontation with Douglas Payne in the common lounge of the Royal Class. It was a spacious resting room with luxurious sofas and tables, with various refreshments as well. There were only two people now in that café-esque resting room, Kang Shin-hyuk and Douglas Payne. That gorilla who was laying on a sofa smaller than himself and a weaker-looking boy.

“It’s incredible, but I think she chose you. You have artifact-related abilities, so maybe you can assist her from the sidelines…but just keep in mind, I haven’t given up. Don’t dream of it.” Maybe that was why Douglas Payne had called out to him separately. Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged, looking at the mug in his hand that he was gripping tightly. There were many things he wanted to correct about what Douglas said, but first of all…

“There’s no such relationship between Eleanor and I. She doesn’t view me as the opposite sex, nor do I have any particular feelings for her.”

“What?” Douglas Payne’s face turned red.

“To put it plainly, I just helped out a friend. The membership was just a temporary assignment.”

“…”

“Please seriously consider whether you need to take the lead in your relationships or not.” Douglas Payne said he wanted to protect her, but that was all.

“You don’t have to be stronger than the target to protect them. If you consider the circumstances of why she had to hide her power, perhaps there will be a way for you to help her.”

“Hmm…” Douglas fell into deep thought, his eyebrows wrinkling. This was a bit extra for Kang Shin-hyuk, who wished for a proper conclusion for everyone. Eleanor would be facing a lot of trouble in the future, and really, he didn’t want her bugging him anymore, so he was planning on having Douglas back her up instead. He already knew very well of the feelings Douglas had for her, so he figured it would be possible to change his mindset just a little. If that wasn’t his intention, he wouldn’t be sitting in such an uncomfortable position at the moment.

“…Okay. She has some issues with her family, right? Okay.” And it was working quite well.

“You’re a guy who knows how to talk, huh? Even if I’m weaker than her, if I have the will, I can do it? I like it.” Douglas Payne jumped up on the spot, the sofa he was laying on making some disconcerting noises as the giant moved.

“Good. I won’t give up just because I failed to reach her. I’ll keep trying until my heart reaches her, and I’ll stay by her side. But it still feels bad to lose to her. Alright, I’ll propose once I surpass her. Don’t worry, you’ll be invited to the wedding too.”

“Ah, yes…” He was an enviable person who was enjoying his life. Kang Shin-hyuk blankly stared at the delusional Douglas Payne. Douglas enjoyed his fantasies for a few moments before he grabbed onto Shin-hyuk’s shoulder with a thick gorilla-like hand.

“I’ll remember you, Kang Shin-hyuk, you’re a useful guy. When she becomes my wife, I’ll have to recruit you to work for my family.”

“Well, I just…ah.” Douglas Payne left before Shin-hyuk could finish speaking. He let out a sigh, sipping at his coffee with a lot of milk and sugar alone in the break room.

“But this will reduce the annoyances.”

-This administrator is impressed by your genius tactic of attaching an ignorant gorilla to an evil fox! 1,500HP bonus!

“Administrator, aren’t these bonuses becoming weirder each time?”

-1,000HP bonus!

“What the hell…”

-2,000HP Bonus!

“I admit I was wrong.” Kang Shin-hyuk genuinely repented after being scolded by the administrator, who seemed rather happy.

***

“Why would you do that?!” The next day, Karen had grasped the whole picture and began shouting at Kang Shin-hyuk’s strategy, which was so beautiful Zhuge Liang would cry. It was a Sunday afternoon, and he was sipping tea at her invitation. Outside of the room, the other seniors were trying to spy on them.

“He…I don’t like this very much…” Eleanor spoke up with an uncomfortable expression. Of course, Shin-hyuk sympathized with her after she was forced into this position. But that didn’t mean it was wise to throw out someone who could be of help.

“It’s not that you need to date him. Senior, please consider it carefully. That man is very strong, and many people still follow him.” Douglas Payne had been soundly defeated by Eleanor, but that was a testament to her strength rather than his weakness. Douglas fought his hardest to beat her, even though the duel had ended so quickly. He couldn’t be overlooked. As a result of that, his followers didn’t fall apart. Even though he was demoted to vice-captain, he was still a strong fighter who leads most of the men in the Wyvern Knights. It would be helpful for her going forward if they could cooperate.

“More than anything, there is also his family. Wouldn’t they be enough to protect you?”

“But that… it’s a debt.”

“It’s enough to be successful later and pay them back. Is there some law that you can only pay off debts with your body and mind?”

“Shin-hyuk, you are really amazing…” It was an unscrupulous idea possible only because of the experience and wisdom of Anvil.

“It’s impossible to hide your abilities. Besides, it seems like the battle for the royal throne can’t be easily avoided…which means you’ll inevitably have to show off your strength and grow. Find people who will cooperate with you, use them to mobilize resources and build your power so that you can’t be touched. Haven’t you played the Three Kingdoms game?”

“…I haven’t tried it.”

“Then try it now. It may give you some ideas. Anyways, I returned a valuable ally to your side, so don’t bother me anymore. Of course, fighting is helpful to me too, so let’s continue doing that…well?” Kang Shin-hyuk pushed forward and began to stand up, but Eleanor grabbed his hand.

“I agree with you. I think it’s necessary to create a force inside the school…I wish you were the first.”

“Oh, your majesty. Wasn’t I the first?”

“Oh!” Eleanor panicked at what Karen said sadly. Her cheeks were red as she denied it.

“Karen was already on my side. That’s a royal power…not a school one…”

“Ah, that’s what you meant.”

“There was no weird meaning. Shin-hyuk has good abilities and a great mentality. So I wish he could do this with me. You…I can believe in.”

-Fox.

Kang Shin-hyuk let out a quiet sigh at the administrator’s message.

“Thank you for viewing me so highly, but I still have a lot of work to do myself. I won’t be able to take care of others.

“I see.”

“But, for the time being, I’ll wear the cloak. I think you understand what that means. As long as its not annoying, if we can help each other, I want to keep talking with you.”

“…I understand.” Eleanor nodded with wide eyes at his words. It was a give and take. Besides, the cloak of a Wyvern Knight would provide enough benefits to outweigh the hassles. More than all of that, however, was that he found Eleanor likable. She had the same view as Kang Shin-hyuk since they both had the energy of one who practiced honestly and steadily.

‘This royal family business is a bit tiresome but…I can’t say I dislike her.’ Compared to a certain 25-year-old spoiled girl who called him grandpa, she wasn’t annoying to deal with at all.

“Then, I’ll go. I want to do some crafting.”

“I want to watch.”

“Maybe some other time.” Kang Shin-hyuk waved at the two and left. The seniors gathered around outside whispered and tried to learn more, but he ignored them coolly.

-Could it be…

“Yeah, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Meloy was enjoying the freedom of the training center, walking up to him as he left. He scratched his chin a few times before leaving the forest.

“Hi, long time no see.”

“…?!” But, on the way, he was stopped by a beautiful Latin girl.

It was his reunion with Lee Na-hee, the school’s most beautiful girl who won first place in the popular vote for two consecutive years.