Chapter 226
“Tsk!”
Yoo Sehui clicked her tongue.
It was because of the strange, out-of-place sight scattered all over the streets.
Men clad in heavy armor were visible.
They wore heavy armor with a cross engraved at the center of their chests.
It was the symbol of the knights of Dongdaemun.
There had never been any physical barrier between Sinchon and Dongdaemun. And yet, until now, it had been rare to see knights in heavy armor within Sinchon. That was due to an unspoken non-aggression pact between the two sides.
The ruler of Sinchon was Goran, and the ruler of Dongdaemun was Johan.
Overall, Dongdaemun held the advantage in strength, but it wasn’t overwhelming enough to completely crush Sinchon.
Because both sides believed that a war would lead to mutual destruction, they refrained from stepping into each other’s territory whenever possible.
Even after Eaton became the ruler of Sinchon, that stance didn’t change. Though Eaton was far inferior to Goran, he had Zeon behind him.
Zeon himself didn’t seem to realize it, but in the slums, he had already become a major figure.
Having single-handedly wiped out Goran—the ruler of Sinchon—and all his forces, Zeon was a burdensome presence to everyone.
Even though he didn’t take any action himself, his mere existence acted as a deterrent that prevented other factions from invading.
But once Zeon disappeared, Johan immediately revealed his ambition.
He began pushing in earnest to expand into Sinchon.
Eaton didn’t have the strength to stop him.
In the end, he fled pathetically, and most of Sinchon was absorbed into Dongdaemun.
That was when it started.
The knights and priests of Dongdaemun began entering Sinchon in earnest and started preaching.
They were relentless.
They stopped every passerby and preached about how great Johan was and how mighty the god they served was.
Refusing to listen was useless.
They would keep preaching and persuading until the other party accepted it.
Only after exhausted people finally said they would attend church did they feel satisfied enough to let them go. Even afterward, they would come back to check whether they were actually attending.
In that way, Dongdaemun was gradually dyeing Sinchon in its own colors.
“Those bastards are even stifling the Goblin Market because of this.”
“That’s exactly what they want.”
The Black Lion guarding Yoo Sehui spoke in a low voice.
The Goblin Market in Sinchon was tied to the interests of countless people. Among them were many powerful figures from Neo Seoul, so no matter how bold Johan was, he couldn’t touch it easily.
Because of that, Johan had been approaching those influential figures connected to the Goblin Market and trying to persuade them.
For example, he would promise them greater profits if he took control of the market.
Because of this, the atmosphere in the Goblin Market was currently in shambles.
“Who would’ve thought? That Lee Jiryung would join hands with Johan.”
“Lee Jiryung is the problem. We never expected him to tighten his grip on Sinchon like this right after becoming an S-rank Awakener.”
“It must be because of Zeon.”
Yoo Sehui wrinkled her nose.
No one knew what had happened during the dungeon raid.
In any case, Zeon was publicly declared dead, and Lee Jiryung—who returned safely—became an S-rank Awakener.
For some reason, Lee Jiryung was obsessively trying to erase all traces of Zeon. From that, it was clear that something unusual had happened inside the dungeon.
“We need to prepare thoroughly. The moment we slip up, we’ll lose everything.”
“We’ve taken all possible measures for now, but if they truly decide to move, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”
“It won’t be an easy fight. But we’ll definitely win.”
Yoo Sehui steeled her resolve.
The Goblin Market had always grown alongside crises.
Her grandfather, Old Man Clexi, had overcome countless hardships to lay its foundation, and Yoo Sehui had expanded it even further.
Many had coveted the Goblin Market, but none had ever succeeded.
Yoo Sehui was confident she would overcome this crisis as well.
Just as she reaffirmed her determination and continued walking—
“Yoo Sehui!”
Someone called out to her.
Frowning slightly, she turned toward the voice.
The moment she recognized its owner, her face instantly hardened with caution.
“Lee Jiryung?”
He was a man wearing a shearling coat made from the hide of some unknown beast.
With short-cropped hair and a large scar running across his right cheek, the big man with an intense presence and overwhelming aura was Lee Jiryung.
His golden eyes were fixed on Yoo Sehui.
He strode toward her.
“It’s been a while, Yoo Sehui!”
“Stop right there.”
In an instant, the Black Lion stepped in front of Yoo Sehui and blocked his path.
Lee Jiryung halted and looked at him.
“Long time no see.”
“So it is.”
“You’re still by Yoo Sehui’s side. Isn’t it about time you left? Come work under me—I’ll treat you well.”
“I’m not someone who forgets kindness like you.”
“Well, if you insist…”
Lee Jiryung shrugged at the hostility in Black Lion’s eyes.
Both Black Lion and Lee Jiryung were from the slums.
Born there, they were people who had recognized their own potential early on.
Very few knew that they had grown up in the same alley.
Recognizing each other’s strength, they had once joined the same crew.
They spent a long time together and went through many things.
Later, Black Lion met Old Man Clexi and became part of the Goblin Market, while Lee Jiryung returned to Neo Seoul and formed the Pegasus Raid Team.
No one knew what had happened between them, but the way Black Lion looked at Lee Jiryung was far from normal.
Yet Lee Jiryung ignored his gaze and turned to Yoo Sehui.
“I heard things have been tough for you lately. Seems like you still have the leisure to go out.”
“It’s not that bad. More importantly, what brings someone as important as you to a filthy place like this? I guess the rumors were true.”
“Rumors?”
“I heard you became one of Johan’s fanatics.”
“Pfft.”
Lee Jiryung smirked at her provocation.
Yoo Sehui had just indirectly mocked him for joining hands with Johan. But such a jab wasn’t enough to shake him.
He answered calmly.
“Well, he’s more reasonable than I expected.”
“So you really did become his fanatic. Is that why you’re eyeing the Goblin Market?”
“If you just think of it as a strategic alliance, that would be best.”
Lee Jiryung didn’t bother hiding the fact that he had joined hands with Johan.
With the Goblin Market’s intelligence network, movements of that level could be uncovered easily anyway.
Lee Jiryung coveted the Goblin Market. More precisely, he coveted Argos’s Eye, the organization backing it.
I need to get Argos’s Eye into my hands. Only then can I climb higher.
After successfully clearing the dungeon this time, the Pegasus Raid Team was on a fast track to success.
With many Awakeners flocking to follow Lee Jiryung—now an S-rank Awakener—the size of the Pegasus Raid Team had rapidly grown. Even so, he still felt something was lacking.
That was the absence of an intelligence organization.
Not only the mayor Jin Geumho, but also the rulers of each district had excellent intelligence units dedicated solely to gathering information.
Based on the intelligence they received, those rulers managed and expanded their territories.
Lee Jiryung had been trying in his own way, but building a proper intelligence network was far from easy.
When he found himself completely stuck with no way forward, one thing came to mind—the Goblin Market.
More precisely, Argos’s Eye, operated by Old Man Clexi, the former owner of the Goblin Market.
Since they both came from the same slums, Lee Jiryung knew a fair amount about Argos’s Eye.
If he could absorb Argos’s Eye, growing the Pegasus Raid Team two or three times larger would be no difficult task.
That was when it began—
Lee Jiryung joining hands with Johan.
Of course, there was another reason as well.
Erasing all traces of Zeon.
Just hearing the name “Zeon” was enough to sour his mood.
Zeon was the first person who had ever made him feel inferior.
That was why he wanted to erase every trace of Zeon. And to do that, he needed to take control of Sinchon.
Yoo Sehui glared at him.
“It won’t go the way you want.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“How arrogant!”
“You don’t still think I’m just an A-rank Awakener, do you? If I wanted to, frying you would be nothing.”
Crackle!
White sparks burst from Lee Jiryung’s entire body.
At that moment, Black Lion spoke.
“Even if you’ve become S-rank, I’m not afraid of you, Lee Jiryung!”
“Of course you’re not. You’ve always been full of fighting spirit. But that doesn’t mean your lacking strength gets filled. While you stayed here tied to Yoo Sehui like a house dog, I survived in that brutal desert, constantly fighting. I hunted countless beasts, cleared dungeons, and killed scavengers to grow stronger. So who do you think is stronger? A house dog—or a lion of the desert that fights to survive?”
“You…!”
A deep crease formed between Black Lion’s brows.
Though hidden behind the cloth covering his face, his expression was one of humiliation.
Because what Lee Jiryung said was true.
There was a gap between them that could never be closed—and never would be, as long as he remained content being Yoo Sehui’s guard.
Lee Jiryung sneered at him.
“You’re called Black Lion, but you’re no lion. The real lion is me. You’re nothing but a dog.”
“If you’re that confident, come at me. Fight me and prove you’re the lion, Black Lion.”
“Grr…!”
“You can’t, can you? That’s proof you’re a dog.”
Drip—
Blood trickled from Black Lion’s lips, bitten so hard they had split.
Lee Jiryung smiled as he looked at him.
It was a mocking smile.
At that moment—
One of the Awakeners from the Pegasus Raid Team hurried over to Lee Jiryung.
“Captain!”
“What is it?”
“Someone is looking for you.”
“For me? Who?”
“The security chief of the magic stone mine.”
Lee Jiryung frowned in confusion.
No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for the mine’s chief to seek him out.
“Why would he be looking for me?”
At Lee Jiryung’s question, the Awakener leaned in and whispered.
“It’s related to Zeon.”
“Zeon?”
In that instant, Lee Jiryung’s expression changed.
The name “Zeon” was like a reverse scale to him—his most sensitive point.
He quickly asked,
“Where is he?”
“Please follow me.”
Without even looking back, Lee Jiryung followed the Awakener.
Watching his retreating figure, Yoo Sehui spoke.
“Did you hear that?”
“Yes. He definitely said ‘Zeon.’”
“Why would the security chief of the magic stone mine mention Zeon?”
The Awakener had spoken quietly, thinking he was keeping it secret, but he couldn’t deceive the ears of Awakeners like Yoo Sehui or Black Lion.
Yoo Sehui’s mind began racing.
“Lee Jiryung was the one who said Zeon was dead. That’s why everyone believes it. But if Zeon were truly dead, would the mine’s chief come all the way here just to find him?”
“Then… do you think Zeon isn’t dead?”
“Otherwise, this situation doesn’t make sense.”
“Hmm…”
“It was strange from the beginning. That Zeon—the Sand Mage—died so meaninglessly. Especially when the sand blocked the dungeon entrance and took him.”
“Then do you think Lee Jiryung intentionally spread false rumors?”
“Lee Jiryung isn’t that sloppy or foolish. He wouldn’t tell a lie that could be exposed so easily. He must have genuinely believed Zeon was dead.”
Yoo Sehui’s eyes gleamed sharply.
It felt like a single ray of sunlight breaking through the murky fog.
“If Zeon is really alive, then he must be at the magic stone mine right now. Otherwise, there’s no reason for the chief to come all this way looking for Lee Jiryung.”
“Then he’ll return soon.”
“We don’t have time to wait. If Lee Jiryung finds out Zeon is alive, he’ll make the first move. If Zeon comes back, both his reputation and achievements will collapse.”
“Then…?”
“Uncle Wol, he’s there, right? Contact him as quickly as possible and let him know.”