Chapter 143 (1/2)

Chapter 143. Choice of Destiny (3)

Although Kim Hannah told Seol Jihu not to involve himself in the matter, Seol Jihu forgot about White Rose after a while.

This was because his days were repet.i.tions of morning arriving when he opened his eyes and the sun setting when he had the time to take a breather.

Just like Teresa said, Dylan's sudden death made the transition of duties and responsibilities incomplete. Although Seol Jihu did his best to learn, it felt like he was banging his head against bare land.

It was to the point that the world began to spin like he repeatedly banged his head dozens of times. He couldn't help but groan even if he tried not to.

If Jang Maldong weren't there to teach him what to do, he would have been completely lost.

Recently, as Carpe Diem had the need to officially announce that a new leader had been chosen, Seol Jihu had been visiting every organization that they had originally been in a good relations.h.i.+p with.

Although he could send a messenger or let them know via the communication crystal, this could only be done with certain organizations.

For example, Sicilia, the most influential organization in Haramark and the so-called Conqueror of the Southern Region, was one organization that Seol Jihu had to visit in person.

“How intriguing.”

A relaxed voice mixed with nasal sound rang out.

“It feels like it was just yesterday that I saw you in the Neutral Zone…. To think that the little kid who followed Agnes around would stand in front of me a year later as the leader of a renowned team. This brings back old memories.”

Seol Jihu smiled awkwardly. When he was meeting eye to eye with this uniformed, red-haired woman who had her slightly-tilted head resting on her clenched fist, his skin broke out into gooseb.u.mps mysteriously.

Her languid, blood-colored pupils reminded him of the beast that sat proudly atop a rock during the safari bus tour he went on when he was a kid.

If he turned away for just a moment, he felt like she would aim for the back of his neck in an instant. Although he was slightly intimidated, he still managed to open his mouth.

“Thank you, Don Cinzia.”

“Don, you say.”

A smirk escaped her mouth.

“I'd rather you not call me that. Don is a way to address one's elder out of respect.”

Cinzia raised her hands and continued.

“I'm neither a n.o.bleman nor a G.o.dfather who made great achievements. More importantly, I only pa.s.sed the 30-year-old mark recently. Calling me Don. Don't you think it's too much? Agnes.”

When she slightly tilted her head and asked, Agnes who was standing next to the desk nodded her head without a word.

“It looks like Agnes agrees too.”

“My apologies then.”

“There's no need to apologize. I know you meant it out of respect. Anyways—”

Cinzia snickered before turning her gaze back to the youth.

“I heard Carpe Diem's new leader shared friends.h.i.+p with the Triads.”

She dealt a quick blow while his guard was down. Considering Sicilia and the Triads' relations.h.i.+p from a few years back, this comment couldn't be taken lightly, and Seol Jihu's facial muscles stiffened.

“I know what you're thinking. Don't get too ahead of yourself.”

Cinzia shook her hand as if she found the matter a bother.

“We had a meeting with the Triads a few days ago. Hao Win personally came to visit us.”

Seol Jihu's eyes widened.

“Forgetting the past and deciding to see the future…. He sure knew how to talk. At first, I doubted my ears. It was surprising enough that people who found sustenance by acting proud would personally visit an enemy. I sure didn't expect them to say something so groveling.”

Cinzia shrugged her shoulders and took out a cigar from her coat that was wrapped in a sheaf of luxury tobacco leaves. Then, with a familiar motion, Agnes lit it for her.

“In a way, we're looking forward to it. Choosing to reconcile with us must have been a big decision for them. It should be right to say that the internal conflict they've been suffering from for years is gone.”

Cinzia added, “Well, we'll have to wait and see,” then took the cigar out of her mouth.

A turbid smoke mixed with the sound of breathing came out.

“Here's the main point. If the Triads really meant what they said, then their method of making a profit shouldn't conflict with ours. They have a reserve force, too. Since we entered Paradise and have been given the same duty, Sicilia is willing to cheer for them if they won't go against us. You understand all that?”

Method of making a profit not conflicting? While both crowding Haramark? And Sicilia was willing to 'cheer' for them?

It sounded like she was hinting that she would silently watch their move. In any case, Seol Jihu didn't dig deeper. He simply nodded his head.

“So.”

Cinzia made a satisfied smile.

“Who do you like more?”

Seol Jihu blinked.

“Like I said, do you like Hao Win or—”

Cinzia dragged out her speech and glanced at Agnes who was standing next to her.

“Do you like Agnes?”

Was Seol Jihu wrong for hearing, 'Who do you like better? Mom or Dad?'

He wanted to tell her not to joke around, but he couldn't help but feel burdened by her expectant gaze.

“Do I have to answer?”

“Yep, I have to know the answer.”

“Uh….”

“What's wrong? Isn't it better than asking something immature like which side you prefer?”

Seol Jihu thought her original question was more immature and also noticed a hint of mischievousness in her voice. However, he decided to bury his true feelings in his heart.

After all, it was true that the way she put it was easier to answer than choosing between Sicilia and the Triads.

Thus, after thinking about it for a moment, the youth pointed at the attractive maid hesitantly.

“I like… Miss Agnes… a bit more….”

“Keuk!”

Cinzia dropped her head.

“You hear that, Agnes?”

“Yes.”

“Congratulations. Looks like your grooming is working out. Aren't you happy?”

“Not at all.”

Agnes replied without the slightest change in her expression. She then saw Seol Jihu's blank gaze and turned her head slightly to the side.

Perhaps Seol Jihu was mistaken or perhaps it was just the sunlight s.h.i.+ning through the window, but her neck seemed slightly flushed.

“Ahahaha, ahahaha!”

Cinzia cackled as she watched Agnes looking out to a far distance. She was laughing so hard that she even choked on the smoke and coughed.

After barely managing to regain her composure, Cinzia stole a glance and spoke.

“Sorry for putting you in a tough spot. As a comrade who has been with Agnes for a long time, it's rare to see this side of Agnes.”

'Is it?'

To Seol Jihu, getting this reaction out of Agnes wasn't such a difficult thing to do. The only caveat was that he would have to prepare himself for getting beaten to a pulp.

“Huu. Thanks, I haven't laughed this hard in months. Now let's see. Since I can't let you go home empty handed….”

Cinzia asked as she rubbed her eyes.

“Are you contracted with any information agency?”

“No.”

“I thought not. Dylan had his own contacts, but….”

Cinzia opened her drawer.

“It's a present. Take it.”

Then she flicked her hand lightly. Seol Jihu reflexively s.n.a.t.c.hed up the object that flew toward him and saw that it was a hexagonal badge with the letter 'S' inscribed on it.

“It's nothing much. Just an insignia symbolizing Sicilia. Though, it's not something that's given out to just anyone.”

“Why are you giving me this…?”

“There is a shabby store in the southwest alleyway. It might be a bit hard to find because it's tucked away in a corner, but I'm sure you can deal with that. It's a dangerous area, but if the rumors of your abilities are true, there should be nothing to worry about.”

Seol Jihu asked as he fiddled with the badge.

“I have to show this to the information agency?”

“Yep. They're called the Indian a.s.sa.s.sins. The one in Haramark is only their branch, but they should be good enough. At the very least, they won't try to pull anything funny with information.”

The corner of Cinzia's mouth curled up.

“A leader needs to know what's going on in the world, don't you think?”

In truth, Seol Jihu had a near-omniscient informant named Hannaemon, but since what Cinzia was saying wasn't false, he accepted it gratefully.

“Thank you!”

“No problem. Say h.e.l.lo to the old man for us. Agnes will be returning the visit soon.”

Seol Jihu tilted his head. No matter where he went, they would use the expression 'returning the visit'. The Haramark Royal Family's Teresa said the same thing, and so did Umi Tsubame's Kazuki and the Triads' Hao Win.

“Yes, I'll let him know.”

Seol Jihu got up from his seat before suddenly staring at Cinzia fixedly.

“What is it?”

“…Nothing. I'll take my leave then.”

Curious about Cinzia's Status, he had activated Nine Eyes. However, he couldn't see her Status Window.

She was colorless as well. She was the second person after Seo Yuhui, on whom the General Observation didn't work.

After leaving Sicilia, Seol Jihu headed to the southwest alleyway right away. Although he felt several suspicious gazes while searching for the right place, the gazes vanished as soon as he took out his badge.

Seol Jihu found the a.s.sa.s.sins' hideout after a little bit of trouble, and a man wearing a turban saw the guest and greeted him with more respect than necessary.

Although visitors were normally divided into different grades, the man offered Seol Jihu the second-highest grade— the VIP-grade— without even asking who he was.

Seol Jihu had to pay a sizable amount of silver coins every month for their information, but he signed a 3-month-long contract on the spot.

Like the saying, 'time heals all wounds', people got used to unfamiliar things. After all, humans were animals capable of adapting to change.

Taking care of urgent matters one by one as a leader, Seol Jihu finally got accustomed to wearing clothes that did not fit him.

When he opened his eyes in the morning, he no longer worried, thinking 'Will I be okay today?' At the very least, he had the leisure to enjoy a cup of coffee.

As he was sitting on the couch enjoying the scent of coffee, the sound of a door bursting open rang out.

“Oh?”

Chohong appeared with water dripping off her. Judging by the wet towel around her shoulders, she must have taken a shower after her morning exercise.

Seol Jihu retracted his gaze out of courtesy. He wasn't all too surprised. Chohong and Hugo walking around naked was a common sight by now. He would be a fool for making a fuss of it.

“Didn't I tell you to wear your underwear at the very least?”

Of course, he didn't forget to say something either.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Chohong retorted half-heartedly. Then, rather than putting on her underwear, she picked up her Dolphin shorts without completely wiping off the water. She spoke as she calmly put one leg in and pulled up the shorts.

“Now that I think about it, you're finally around in the morning.”

“You saw me yesterday as well.”

“Before, I mean. It was hard to see your face.”

“Yeah, all thanks to two people leaving everything to me. I would've been grateful if they helped just a little.”

When Seol Jihu muttered curtly, Chohong smirked.