Chapter 258

〈Chapter 258〉 Part 1, Chapter 12, Section 4

Even though the special envoy group had been dispatched like beans being roasted by lightning, Russia couldn’t ignore their background and sent S-Rank Hero Rasputin to greet them.

– It’s just that there was some scandal in Korea. We shouldn’t make Cheongnyeon look bad by bringing him here, right?

Separate from the troubles caused by Undine, they couldn’t help but be aware of the backing behind Cheongnyeon’s existence in Seoul.

– My daughter is currently embroiled in all sorts of malicious rumors about playing around with a Korean guy. Is now really the time to say such things?

– We’re still uncertain if that young man is even Korean!

Despite Suborof’s rage at the young man suspected of being Korean, who he wanted to rip in half, the Russian authorities and association hastily dispatched a level-headed individual to welcome the envoy group.

“Welcome to Russia. You must have gone through a lot traveling such a long distance. Come inside and warm yourselves up. Hehehe.”

From the airport, the robed monk gave a good first impression to the Koreans who saw him before the broadcast cut off.

– Respect goals…

– Look at his height! Even Hwakwon and Sky Castle are big shots, yet they can’t compare and have to look up!xD

– Ah, I know this guy’s story lol. This guy has a third leg… *censored*

– Is he Undine’s fiancé? Is this some sort of protest? Like ‘don’t covet our princess’ -_-

– Honestly, we were trying to take another country’s princess…

While the S-Rank special ability user selected as Undine’s fiancé, Rasputin, carried another meaning, the viewers who could no longer see the spectacle of muscles on display felt tense and wistful.

– Is the negotiation going to end the live broadcast? Sob…

– Ah… Not being able to see this hellish combination because I have to go to work…

– Pungbaek, whoever planned this broadcast, killing you would be understandable. At least in my heart.

The hellish scene involving the six men on the plane kept many viewers awake all night.

Thanks to this, late-night snack companies and convenience stores experienced an unexpected boom, but coincidentally, the timing of the envoy group arriving in Russia and entering negotiations matched the sun rising in Korea.

“Mr. Lee Seung-hyeong, would you like to give a final word?”

At cameraman Kim Ji-hwa’s request, the extremely gaunt Lee Seung-hyeong forced a smile and bowed.

“Ah, yes… To the viewers…”

Lee Seung-hyeong, who gifted part of the audience 20 billion won due to a single slip of the tongue, left a soulless farewell message to the camera.

“We apologize for not being able to continue the broadcast. We’re heading to the Vladimir family now, and it seems this will be a no-filming zone. We’ll turn the broadcast back on after the negotiation ends. Hopefully, we can bring you good news then.”

Lee Seung-hyeong quickly wrapped up the broadcast. Cameraman Kim Ji-hwa ended the transmission, and the envoy group arrived at the reception room prepared in the mansion to wait briefly.

“Don’t just stand there, please sit down. Have a warm drink while you’re at it… Yes… You’re Hwakwon, right? If there aren’t enough seats, you can come sit next to me.”

“……”

Lee Seung-hyeong found Rasputin’s constant gaze unsettling and nerve-wracking.

“Hehe. Mr. Hwakwon is truly a formidable person. Just looking at you gives me the chills… Hmmph.”

Every time their eyes met, Rasputin’s smiling attitude made Lee Seung-hyeong feel like a rabbit in front of a leopard.

Though technically a bear himself, Lee Seung-hyeong realized that his opponent was a monster who wouldn’t fear even a bear.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll go inside and inform them.”

Rasputin opened the door to the study beyond the reception room, where ominous killing intent was swirling. In the middle of the pitch-black study, Suborof’s wild-animal-like gaze ominously flickered—this was the person the envoy group would soon be negotiating with.

“…Uh, Architect.”

Breaking the silence, Lee Seung-hyeong subtly changed the subject.

“Could this be that person’s scheme?”

Villain Phoenix was both an adversary and someone Lee Seung-hyeong aimed to guide, but given that she had somehow manipulated events, it was likely the senior members of the Blue Wind Sect were dispatched to Russia.

In Lee Seung-hyeong’s glance towards the Blue Wind Sect leaders, there was the implication: “You didn’t just come to Russia, did you?”

“…”

Architect reached for a bottle of vodka stacked on the shelf but casually sat back down.

“That person? Who?”

“T-the reason why…”

Lee Seung-hyeong glanced around. Although only the Vladimir family’s servants were present, he sensed sharp magical power emanating from them.

Flap-flap.

Lee Seung-hyeong folded his hands like wings and spread them, while Architect shrugged but discreetly drew a circle with his hand.

“I don’t know. I’m just someone this old man insisted on bringing along.”

“To form a very close alliance, Architect’s strength is essential.”

“And why worry about that? Just focus on your mission. Isn’t protecting Sky Castle your duty?”

While muttering under his breath, Architect stared intently at the vodka bottle swaying on the shelf.

“What are you talking about?”

“Would praising heroes get you anything good?”

Given his position where praise from heroes rarely yields benefits, his voice was razor-sharp. Since the moment he got into the car, Lee Seung-hyeong had been caught in a 2-on-2 extreme battle, feeling drained.

Rather than fighting and determining a winner, which might have calmed his mind, this situation offered neither such an opportunity nor any future chances.

“Hmm? Is there any problem?”

Rasputin emerged from the study, sweeping his eyes over the envoy group standing behind Lee Seung-hyeong. The tense power struggle between Architect and Usa ended with them turning away and avoiding each other’s gazes, while only Sky Castle calmly stood up.

“What does the master intend…?”

“Fortunately, he says he will meet you. Though the schedule isn’t set, given the circumstances, there’s nothing we can do. Please don’t think it’s rude; feel free to enter.”

The envoy group glanced at the tightly closed study door. Despite the chill running down their spines, feeling like a tiger opening its jaws, Sky Castle took a deep breath and turned toward the study.

“Then I shall enter. What about the others…?”

“I’ll wait here. Oh, it doesn’t have to be a private meeting. Our master wishes to meet all of you. However…”

Rasputin’s hand lightly grabbed Lee Seung-hyeong’s shoulder. Startled, Lee tried to shake it off, but the tension melted away instantly upon seeing Rasputin’s relaxed smile.

“Don’t worry. This isn’t enemy territory. Didn’t you come here to build a good relationship? Your body is tense. Shall I help loosen it?”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

Rasputin leaned forward slightly, using his thumb to massage Lee Seung-hyeong’s shoulder muscles.

“Please don’t refuse. The flight distance from New Seoul to Moscow is quite far, isn’t it? While I was at the monastery, I learned effective pressure points for fatigue recovery from the priests… Hehe…”

Listening to his deep, gentle voice alone made Lee Seung-hyeong shiver. The rest of the envoy group silently thanked that they weren’t Rasputin’s target.

“…”

Excluding Ryu Cheonseong, who would lead the negotiation, the others had two choices:

1. Face A-Rank special ability user and Undine’s father, Suborof, beyond the reception room.


2. Stay in the reception room until the negotiation with Suborof and Sky Castle concludes and engage in ‘conversation’ with Rasputin.

“Hehehe.”

The envoy group shivered at Rasputin’s giggling laughter. Ryu Cheonseong patted Lee Seung-hyeong’s shoulder.

“Then I’ll leave the preparations to you.”

“Huh?”

Ryu Cheonseong, adjusting his magical power, moved toward the study where the former commander-in-chief awaited. Architect and Kim Ji-hwa followed behind.

“Then I’ll wait outside.”

“I’ll accompany you and assist in organizing the negotiation.”

The three men from the Blue Wind Sect entered the tiger’s den. Lee Seung-hyeong nervously scanned his surroundings.

“…We can’t just let them go in. Let’s go, Elder.”

“Yes. Even if they’re unpleasant, we must protect what needs protection. Ugh. It’s hard work.”

Pungbaek and Usa each patted Lee Seung-hyeong’s back and followed the Blue Wind Sect leaders into the study.

“Then I’ll…”

“You.”

Clack. Rasputin used his magical power to force Lee Seung-hyeong, who was about to stand, back into his seat. The probing touch sent shivers down his spine.

“Shall we talk for a bit…?”

Slurp.

Rasputin licked his lips as if savoring something. The hand pressing on Lee Seung-hyeong’s shoulder felt sticky, as if massaging firm shoulder muscles.

“…Alright. I understand.”

Lee Seung-hyeong grabbed Rasputin’s wrist. Overwhelmed by the subtle magical pressure, he summoned his own magic to remove Rasputin’s hand from his shoulder. Rising slowly, he faced Rasputin.

“Oh ho.”

“Let’s introduce ourselves again. I am Korea’s S-Rank hero <Hwakwon>, Lee Seung-hyeong.”

“Then I’ll reintroduce myself too. I’m Russia’s S-Rank, <Rasputin>. My name is-”

“Let’s sit and talk.”

Politey declining Rasputin’s handshake, Lee Seung-hyeong moved to the opposite sofa and sat down.

“…Alright. Hehehe.”

Embarrassed, Rasputin clenched and unclenched his hand several times before deciding to sit beside Lee Seung-hyeong. Seeing Lee’s guarded posture, he raised both hands and sat across from him instead.

“Don’t be so wary. Here’s what I think.”

Leaning forward, Rasputin faced Lee Seung-hyeong.

“I believe we could be great allies.”

“…”

At that moment, Lee Seung-hyeong genuinely felt ‘disgust.’ And he realized instinctively that this feeling mirrored how Phoenix felt toward him.

* * *

At that same time, in the Yoo Sung family mansion in New Seoul.

“Lee Seung-hyeong is giving away the latest model of the Yoo Sung smartwatch…? Tsk, it doesn’t appeal to me much, but since they’ve sold dozens, I’ll let it slide.”

Yun Yuhwa wasn’t pleased with the sudden appearance of the search term ‘Lee Seung-hyeong 2 trillion.’

“It’s clearly viral marketing.”

It was undoubtedly a propaganda effort by the Baek family to boost Hero Lee Seung-hyeong’s popularity using Xroid to increase search volume, not his doing.

“Bah. Another one of Miss Baek’s schemes… Gah. Now I’m implicated because of Customer.”

“If you call her ‘Miss,’ how about calling her ‘Sister’? Our sister keeps talking about her nonstop.”

Harang, who’d poured water into the espresso made by Yuha to create an Americano, approached Yuha while sipping her coffee.

“Where did this sister pop out from?”

“She was hiding to avoid attention until she slipped up, then immediately revealed herself. If Seon Icheol had stayed in power longer, she would’ve been strategically married to Lee Seung-hyeong.”

“Eww.”

Harang shuddered as if the thought was unbearable. Yuha tilted her head and asked,

“Aren’t you close to Hwakwon?”

“We are, but people keep pairing him with Gold Horse. Something about white and blue flames creating a new sky or whatever. Ugh.”

“…Thinking about it makes me uncomfortable.”

Yun Yuhwa sipped her espresso and continued.

“Harang, listen. Isn’t it true that Yoo Sung shines brightest when it’s a vibrant green?”

“Sister, what pairs best with fire? Obviously water, right?”

“You’re ice.”

“Is ice water?”

The two women, once close like sisters, became rivals over one person. They exchanged sharp smiles before bursting into laughter simultaneously.

“Alright. Arguing with you just gives me a headache.”

“I don’t want to fight with Sister either. How about this?”

Harang clung to the chair where Yuha sat, wrapping herself around her.

“Sister, will you share Gold Horse with me?”

“Mother! Are you suggesting a joint ownership arrangement?”

“Think about it. Gold Horse knows all our weaknesses, right? So fighting 1-on-1 would be tough. Let’s make it 2-on-1 instead.”

Harang declared this with apparent determination. Yuha blinked several times, scanned Harang up and down, and patted her back.

“I think we could form a good alliance.”

“Yeah, I get it. But… You’re looking at me with those lecherous eyes again!”

“Sure. Got it. But listen…”

Yuha grinned widely as Harang extended her two fingers fully.

“Maybe it won’t be 2-on-1 but 16-on-1. Is that okay with you?”

“…”

Harang fell into deep thought. Then she suddenly blushed and yelled.

“What is Gold Horse doing?! I need to see his face and talk now! There’s no way it’s 16 people!”

“There were 16 in the past, plus the one he’s focusing on now makes 17. I wonder if his past is our future?”

Yuha calculated various possibilities by folding and unfolding her fingers, while Harang grumbled and flipped through TV channels.

“What’s the Russian station doing?! Why can’t I get the channel?!”

Local Russian time, 1 AM.

The Korean broadcast was in the screen adjustment period.