Chapter 32: Banquet(1)
Chae Ga-in noticed an alert from the Hwanryeong Team 2 chat room and hurriedly picked up her smartphone.
[This weekend, due to a government-sponsored banquet, there will be no training for both days. While there’s no training, don’t forget to hone yourselves. Further details will be announced tomorrow. – Yoo Soha.]
[Got it!]
Lively responses like these quickly filled the chat room.
Chae Ga-in was no different.
Without hiding her bright smile, she swiftly replied to Yoo Soha’s announcement.
“…Anyway, that’s why there’s no training this weekend. However, as I mentioned yesterday, it’s fine to rest, but don’t get too lax. We’ve only just started this training, so I trust no one will slack off.”
“Of course!”
Seeing their cheerful faces, Yoo Soha narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“If even a single person shows a lax attitude, I’ll make sure the training becomes even tougher than before.”
“…Yes.”
As if cold water had been poured over them, the lively atmosphere cooled instantly.
Yoo Soha began the training in that chilly mood, and that day, the awakeners were utterly exhausted by the unusually grueling session, dragging themselves home.
Time passed quickly, and the weekend of the banquet arrived. Yoo Soha was currently preparing to attend.
Eclipse watched as Yoo Soha sat at her vanity table.
The makeup artist standing beside her glanced curiously at Eclipse, but when Yoo Soha shot her a glare, she quickly focused and began meticulously applying makeup to Yoo Soha’s face.
“Are you getting ready for the banquet?”
“Yeah. Makeup, changing clothes, doing my hair… it’ll take quite a while.”
“…That sounds like it’ll take a long time.”
“It will. By the way, was it like this in your world too? You said you were a knight, so you must’ve met plenty of princesses or nobles.”
“It was. They did the same—arranging their hair, wearing vibrant or extravagant outfits… and taking an awfully long time to get ready. Hours, easily. It’s interesting, though, that this world has similar customs.”
“Yeah, maybe it’s just how people are.”
“Then it’ll probably take you a good while to finish preparing.”
“Probably.”
“Alright. I’ll step outside for now.”
“Okay.”
Jung Se-ah, the makeup artist, watched Eclipse leave the room and asked Yoo Soha a question.
“Um, miss?”
“What?”
“About Eclipse… doesn’t he ever get dressed up?”
“…He says he prefers his armor. Apparently, he has too many scars on his face to show it.”
“Still…”
“You can’t force someone to dress up if they don’t want to. If he were a subordinate, I might’ve pushed him, but Eclipse isn’t my subordinate. By the way, I haven’t seen his bare face either.”
“…Really?”
“Didn’t your sister, Se-yeon, tell you? He never shows his face.”
“Yeah. She never talks about work stuff with me.”
“Fair enough. That’s why I hire Se-yeon.”
“Hehe.”
Pleased that her sister was being praised, Jung Se-ah let out a carefree laugh.
“Anyway, enough chit-chat. We need to finish getting ready quickly.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
It was quite some time before Yoo Soha finished getting ready.
When Eclipse saw her, he couldn’t help but look surprised.
Her hair was tied up neatly, as usual, but with a touch more elegance.
Her face, unlike her usual look, was adorned with vibrant makeup.
Perhaps because of her bright, light blonde hair, she seemed to shine even more, and Eclipse couldn’t help but admire her.
He’d always thought so, but Yoo Soha’s beauty surpassed even the renowned princesses and nobles of his world.
“How do I look?”
“Beautiful.”
“…Oh.”
“Hm?”
“You can say stuff like that?”
Yoo Soha seemed quite surprised that Eclipse had said such a thing.
“It’s the truth.”
“Hmm.”
Letting out a hum, Yoo Soha looked up at him with a peculiar expression before speaking.
“Well, alright. Let’s go.”
“But, Soha, I have a question.”
“What?”
“You’re all dressed up so vibrantly, so why are you wearing a suit?”
“Oh.”
Indeed, as Eclipse pointed out, Yoo Soha wasn’t wearing the evening dress typically worn by women at banquets but the suit she usually wore to the guild.
“I told you, I have some business to take care of. For that, I need to wear something I can move in.”
“…I see. You mentioned someone you have bad blood with.”
Eclipse recalled what she had said before.
“Yeah. I’m going to crush her completely, so I need to be fully prepared.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s go, then. Unnie’s waiting.”
“Yoo Danha?”
“Yeah. She’s coming with me this time. It’s an event where all the top figures of Hwanryeong are invited, so it’s only natural.”
“Got it. Then I’ll have to stay dematerialized this time too.”
“Yup.”
In the car heading to the banquet hall, Yoo Danha glanced at Yoo Soha.
Seeing the excitement in her sister’s expression as she looked out the window, Yoo Danha couldn’t help but ask.
“Soha.”
“What?”
“You seem excited. I’ve never seen you this thrilled about a banquet before.”
“…I have good reason to be.”
“Why?”
“Because this time, all five major guilds in Korea will be there. That means Seo Euna will be there too.”
“Oh.”
Yoo Danha instantly understood why Yoo Soha was so excited.
“No wonder. That’s why you’re wearing a suit. I was wondering about that. By the way, are you going to call Eclipse?”
“Nope. Beating someone who’s always flaunted her guardian by using my own would be nice, but it’s more satisfying to crush her with my own hands, don’t you think?”
“…Just don’t let your guard down. Even if Seo Euna is the least impressive among the heirs of the five major guilds, she’s still an A-rank awakener.”
“I know. Of course, I won’t be careless. If I’m in any real danger, Eclipse will step in, so no need to worry.”
“Alright. By the way, how’s the preparation for the North Korea expedition going?”
“Pretty smoothly.”
“What about radiation countermeasures?”
“All done. The soul armaments will be completed soon, and I’ve prepared radiation-proof suits.”
“…With your own money?”
“Yup. Dad said he wouldn’t fund this one. So I’m broke for a while.”
“If you need money, just let me know.”
Yoo Danha looked at her younger sister and spoke casually.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing. Just helping out my little sister who’s taking on a tough challenge.”
“Hmm. I’ll gratefully accept the offer.”
With that, Yoo Soha fell silent and turned to look out the window.
But did she know? Her reflection in the window showed her lips curling upward slightly.
And that Yoo Danha saw it.
Yoo Danha covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
The attendees entering the banquet hall were, without exception, dazzling.
Hwanryeong, Akwol, Yeon, Myeolma, Taehwa.
It was only natural, as the five most influential guilds in South Korea were gathering in one place.
“Haha. Welcome, everyone.”
Upon entering the banquet hall, a neatly dressed middle-aged man greeted the representatives of each guild.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Jang.”
“Long time no see, Yoo Hyuk. How many years has it been?”
“About three years?”
“Indeed. I closely watched the last Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.”
“There were some surprising events.”
“Absolutely. I never would’ve guessed Shin Sungmin would lose.”
“My granddaughter is that impressive.”
“Haha. You must be relieved now.”
“By the way, what’s the occasion for calling us today?”
“Well, is there ever a grand purpose? It’s to foster camaraderie. And, well, there’s another matter.”
The man Yoo Hyuk called Chairman Jang was none other than Jang Dae-hyun, the president of the Korea Awakener Association.
He glanced at the representatives of the other guilds.
Yeon’s leader, An Se-hoon, with his sharp demeanor, and his heir, An Si-yeon, standing beside him.
Opposite them, engaged in a subtle standoff, was Myeolma’s leader, Nam Hyun-hoo, and his son, Nam Si-woo.
And observing them was Taehwa’s leader, Seo Hwa-hyun, with Seo Euna standing beside him, her face stiff as she scanned the surroundings.
“Aha.”
Seeing this, Yoo Hyuk nodded as if he understood.
“Well, lately, Yeon and Myeolma haven’t been on good terms… so this is partly to mediate.”
Jang Dae-hyun lowered his voice.
“If you put it that way, Hwanryeong and Akwol aren’t exactly friendly either.”
“But Hwanryeong and Akwol aren’t at the point of starting a guild war anytime soon, right?”
“…True. Now that you mention it, I heard Yeon’s awakeners recently crossed into Myeolma’s territory without permission.”
Yoo Hyuk was aware of the minor clash between Yeon and Myeolma that occurred right after the Hwanryeong Grand Tournament.
“That’s actually why we invited all five guilds this time. The higher-ups are pressing to prevent guild conflicts as much as possible… They’re even threatening to deploy the military if things go wrong.”
“Well, I get the gist. So we just show up, watch the show, and eat some snacks?”
“…Pretty much. It’s a relief that Hwanryeong and Akwol aren’t that hostile.”
“We don’t have any reason to fight. For now, at least.”
“That’s enough for now.”
“Oh, by the way, Chairman Jang. I have something to say.”
“Yes?”
“It seems my granddaughter has some unresolved issues with Taehwa’s heir.”
“Oh.”
Jang Dae-hyun slapped his forehead.
The bad blood between Yoo Soha and Seo Euna was already widely known, and Jang Dae-hyun, well-versed in guild politics, couldn’t possibly be unaware of it.
“Well, I’m sorry it’s come to this. But since it’s a matter between the kids, my wife and I won’t interfere.”
“…Sigh. Understood.”
Jang Dae-hyun realized he’d have his hands full at this banquet.