Capítulo 145: 559
[Chapter 151]
[Crossroads of Choice]
Gift <Filtering>.
A Gift that extracts the mana properties an object possesses.
Now a very long time ago.
After losing his wife, Jeong Seokhun who was raising Hayang and running Cafe Happiness met Eunha.
And he somehow got a hint from Eunha's actions and became aware of the Gift <Filtering>.
He didn't know back then.
That he would revolutionize the potion field and eventually become chairman of Alice Group.
The more I know, the more amazing that kid is.
To think he's really the same age as Hayang...
Thinking about it now, it seems Eunha was trying to subtly let him know about the existence of <Filtering>.
His actions and the path Noh Eunha has walked made him think that much.
That he wasn't a child the same age as others.
It naturally made him think that.
So after becoming a member of Alice Group, he tried to find out what kind of person Noh Eunha was.
Since his daughter Jung Hayang had feelings for Noh Eunha.
As a father, he wanted to thoroughly understand who Noh Eunha was.
But─
'─Stop there.'
Alice Group's first chairman Min Junsik.
He read Jeong Seokhun's movements and warned him.
'But father...'
'Do you know what I realized while experiencing <Fin de Siècle Destruction> and building Alice Group?'
'...No. Please tell me, father.'
'That there needs to be trust between people.'
'Trust... you say?'
'Yes... If you investigate that child behind his back, will you be able to face him with a clear conscience for the rest of your life?'
'...'
'And even if that child notices you had him investigated, do you think you'll still be able to face him with a clear conscience?'
At the question of whether he could face him with a clear conscience,
Jeong Seokhun couldn't readily answer.
He would probably live with a debt in his heart to him for the rest of his life.
'I don't mean I don't understand your curiosity about that child. I'm curious enough to want to know what kind of child he is too.'
'...That's right.'
'But when that child is extremely reluctant to reveal things about himself, should we commit the act of breaking his trust?'
'...'
'I've survived in a ruined world and seen various types of people until now. What I realized from them is that in the end, people who betray trust meet bad endings one way or another. You wouldn't want to lose that child's trust...'
'Yes, that's right.'
'So stop there. That child, as you know, isn't someone we can handle. He's a very dangerous child. But for now that child is showing a favorable response to us...'
'...'
'But if we lose that child's trust and he turns against us, what do you think will happen? Can you handle that?'
'...No. I can't.'
'That child being favorable to us is purely because we're lucky. There's no other reason. So don't have unnecessary thoughts.'
'...Yes. Thank you.'
'If we don't touch that child, he won't touch us either. And also─'
'...Also?'
'─Hayang won't say she hates you or me. I don't want to be cursed at by my granddaughter.'
'...'
'Don't you feel the same?'
'Your words are very true.'
'Then get to work.'
'Yes.'
A conversation he had with Min Junsik before.
Jeong Seokhun recalled the conversation and smiled bitterly.
A long time passed again after that.
Though he strongly disliked it, his daughter's heart was finally fulfilled and she started dating Eunha.
I wanted Hayang to meet a man who only looked at her...
But I have no right to do anything about Hayang's heart just because I'm her dad... I can't help it if Hayang says she likes him.
There were many twists and turns.
Jeong Seokhun allowed his daughter's relationship with a bleeding heart.
On the other hand, Jeong Seokhun received one request from Eunha.
'─Could you make a potion with these ingredients?'
'...Eunha, what is this? Where on earth did these come from?'
'Uh... Haha...'
'...Alright, it'll take time but I'll try making it. In return, please take good care of Hayang.'
'...Yes, don't worry.'
Various ingredients Eunha brought.
Jeong Seokhun who encountered ingredients he had never seen before didn't know how to combine them to make a potion.
So he needed a lot of time to research.
And after much effort, finally─
"─I completed it..."
Jeong Seokhun was able to make a perfectly balanced potion by adding the ingredients Eunha brought and some additional ingredients.
Bubble bubble
The result was now in front of his eyes.
The cauldron suddenly emitted a brilliant light and seemed to suck in the mana dissolved in the air.
That light faded.
Most of the contents in the cauldron turned to gas and flew away, leaving behind a concentrated liquid.
Jeong Seokhun marveled as he poured the contents into a container.
"...Amazing."
Though he made it himself, he couldn't help but marvel.
When he held the long-necked glass bottle up to the light, the liquid emitted various colors depending on the angle.
Soon he tried to determine what effects the potion had using Gift <Filtering>.
And─
"─..."
Jeong Seokhun was at a loss for words.
It was unbelievable even though he made it himself.
Just in case, he checked the potion's effects several times with his Gift.
Unless his Gift was wrong, the potion's effects were unmistakable.
"...This is impossible."
This is a panacea.
It wasn't a medicine that could revive the dead.
But it was a medicine that could completely cure anyone as long as they still had breath.
A potion that could even regenerate severed parts.
"What have I made... The formula... Where did I write down the formula? I must have written it down... I can't forget."
Jeong Seokhun was restless.
He somehow gathered his emotions.
"What on earth is Eunha's true identity..."
Noh Eunha surely knew.
Otherwise, it couldn't be explained how Eunha brought ingredients whose combination formula he didn't know.
Unless it was by chance.
But Eunha would try to close his mouth saying he was just lucky.
Predicting Eunha's actions, he soon smiled bitterly.
It's a very tempting potion, but how could I divert this potion Eunha requested?
After all, he's my future son-in-law.
Originally, Jeong Seokhun had no intention of taking someone else's belongings.
He was about to contact Eunha to let him know the potion was finally made.
At that moment, as he was about to contact Eunha on his smartphone─
"─Come to think of it, Jeongin's daughter was recently hospitalized at Alice Hospital."
Luminous Group Chairman Lee Jeongin.
Jeong Seokhun who occasionally drank with him knew well what state his daughter Lee Yoojung was in.
Moreover, his daughter was essentially hospitalized in Jeong Seokhun's hospital now.
That she was suffering from severe mana depletion and her body was very weak.
That she was currently unable to escape from an unconscious state.
He knew it all.
Therefore─
"─I think I should at least let Jeongin know."
Jeong Seokhun didn't know what Eunha intended to use this potion for.
But if Eunha hadn't specially prepared a use for this potion,
Then it wouldn't be bad to persuade Eunha to somehow sell the potion to Lee Jeongin.
Since potions can be made anytime as long as you have the ingredients─
"This potion will surely be able to treat Yoojung too."
─Because Lee Yoojung's condition was critical.
Jeong Seokhun decided to inform Eunha that the potion was completed, then share this joyous news with Lee Jeongin too.
Meanwhile─
"─If Eunha doesn't say anything, shall I call this potion Elixir?"
Elixir.
The legendary magic potion alchemists once searched for.
Jeong Seokhun decided to give that name to the potion he made.
☆
The Elixir was finally completed.
Eunha who heard the news he had been waiting for from Jeong Seokhun couldn't hide the smile on his face.
"Oppa, did something good happen?" "Huh? How did you know?"
"Come on, it's showing all over your face, how could I not know? Tell me what happened!"
It was a time when the academy cultural festival was only days away.
By then, Eunha had recovered his body to some extent and could walk around inside the hospital.
He could move before too, but he couldn't leave the hospital room because he was conscious of other people's eyes...
Actually, Eunha had recovered enough strength to walk around nearby much earlier.
But there was the doctor's request to take absolute rest.
Moreover, people around him were persistently monitoring him so he couldn't move.
Eunha who had committed many sins decided to behave quietly in the hospital for their sake.
"What? What? Tell me, oppa~"
Anyway, now that he received the doctor's recommendation that he could lightly exercise by walking around,
Eunha often snuck out of the hospital room and took walks nearby.
And when Taehee came to the hospital to take care of her mother, he often visited her hospital room.
Today was the same.
On Taehee who welcomed Eunha now treated him almost like a real older brother.
She even acted cute to the extent of doing aegyo.
"Hmm... should I tell you or not." "Tell me! Good things should be shared!"
On Taehee clinging to Eunha.
On Taehee's mother who recently regained consciousness quietly smiled watching the two playing and joking with each other.
"Sorry. I don't think I can tell you yet. It's not certain yet." "Ugh... then there's nothing I can do. But you have to tell me first when it becomes certain, okay?" "Alright, I will." "Pipi pipi papa papa pupu pupu!"
"You have to tell me before Hayang unni and Seohyun unni, okay?"
The fact that the Elixir was completed.
Eunha who momentarily thought about telling On Taehee inwardly shook his head.
Because the Elixir hadn't come into his hands yet.
Since it was also the first time using this potion, there were things to discuss with Alice Hospital in various ways.
So he couldn't tell Taehee first and make her anxiously wait for the day the Elixir would be used.
Above all─
─It's unfair to Taehee, but the Elixir is a magic potion used to recruit On Taeyang.
So the existence of the Elixir should be revealed after creating a situation where On Taeyang has no choice but to come to me.
A dramatic moment when On Taeyang has no choice but to follow him.
Eunha was aiming for that moment.
Though it was unfair to On Taehee, Eunha intended to use the Elixir as a calculated tool.
And that moment came faster than he expected.
─Creak
Suddenly the door opened.
Eunha and Taehee turned their heads at the sound of the door opening.
"─Why are you here..."
"..."
"Oppa! Why did you come so late!? When did I contact you...!"
On Taeyang was standing there.
He lowered his voice and gritted his teeth while holding a bouquet.
Eunha quietly looked at him.
On Taehee jumped up from her seat and happily welcomed him who she met after a long time.
But On Taeyang paid no attention to her welcome and─
"─On Taehee. Didn't I tell you before? Don't get close to this bastard. But now you let this bastard into mom's hospital room? Do you really want to get scolded?"
"Oppa..."
He glared and yelled at On Taehee.
On Taehee who received On Taeyang's glare seemed very flustered by his attitude.
Her eyes shook greatly.
But she soon gathered herself and opened her mouth.
"...You shouldn't say that, oppa. Eunha oppa came to visit like this because he was worried about mom... How can you say such things."
"Eunha oppa? Why is he your oppa? Are you really going to be like this?" "Why? What? He's older than me so he's oppa, what else should I call Eunha oppa?" "Don't call him at all! Didn't I tell you not to get close to this bastard, did I or not!? Huh?"
"Oppa! Why are you cursing at Eunha oppa!? How can you talk like that to someone who came to visit!?" "You, you...! Are you taking his side now!?"
"I'm not taking sides, this is just common sense. And do you think it's okay to treat Eunha oppa like this when he's your friend?"
"...What? Friend? Frieeend? Why would I be friends with him─!!"
"Kyaak!"
The hospital room instantly became chaotic.
On Taeyang and On Taehee.
The siblings raised their voices and kept arguing.
Eventually On Taeyang couldn't hold back his anger and threw the bouquet he was holding on the floor.
On Taehee screamed in surprise when he threw the bouquet near her feet.
"─Stop it. What are you doing in a hospital room."
"Oppa..."
And at that moment,
Eunha who couldn't intervene in the siblings' fight and could only watch quickly stepped in and shielded On Taehee.
Because it seemed like the two would start hitting each other at this rate.
"Noh Eunha...!"
On Taehee clinging to Eunha while sobbing.
Sparks flew in On Taeyang's eyes.
A vicious gaze was directed at Eunha.
Nevertheless, Eunha calmly looked at him who was seething.
"─What are you doing when your mother is watching?"
"...!"
First he needed to calm On Taeyang.
Eunha mentioned On Taeyang's mother who was watching with open eyes from the bed though she couldn't speak yet.
Only then did On Taeyang's expression change.
On Taeyang who glanced at the bed suppressed his anger with a groan.
The hospital room was soon enveloped in silence.
Eunha who thought he calmed the situation spoke to On Taeyang.
"─Let's talk outside."
☆
After soothing On Taehee who was anxious,
Eunha took On Taeyang and came out to the lounge.
"Want something to drink?" "Why would I drink something you give?" "Hah... then I'll just drink alone."
"─Don't make moves on Taehee." "...What?"
On Taeyang who docilely followed Eunha conscious of his mother's gaze.
When his mother's gaze disappeared, he openly exerted pressure and threatened Eunha.
Eunha who was about to get milk coffee from the vending machine sighed.
He seemed to really hate talking with him.
He cut off the context abruptly and spoke in a notification format as if he didn't need Eunha's answer.
"Do you think I don't know your scheme to play with Taehee?"
"..."
"You making a harem... fine, it's not my business anyway. But if you try to touch my younger sister, you're really dead."
"You seem to be misunderstanding, I'm just..."
"Don't try to shamelessly deceive me like that. It's disgusting."
"..."
"I clearly warned you. Try approaching Taehee or visiting mom's hospital room again, I'll..."
He just doesn't listen to reason at all.
On Taeyang only hears what he wants to hear.
He only says what he wants to say.
Then he turns around abruptly.
Eunha watched On Taeyang leave after saying only what he wanted to say.
"Hah, really..."
"Pupu."
It was ridiculous.
Eunha spoke towards On Taeyang's back:
"Why should I listen to you? I don't want to. If you act like that, I'll just get closer with Taehee."
Suddenly.
On Taeyang stopped in his tracks.
He turned back around.
On Taeyang glared at Eunha with wide eyes.
Then he approached Eunha.
"─Are you picking a fight with me right now?"
"Can you even win against me?" "..."
On Taeyang manifests his internal mana.
He creates an oppressive atmosphere.
But Eunha was unfazed.
Fire Chicken sitting on his head even yawned.
To that extent─
"─Originally, I'm not someone who has to fight just because you say so. Rather, you're in a position where you should bow to me and beg me to fight. You know that, which is why you haven't challenged me to a duel until now."
"...Kuk...!"
Noh Eunha and On Taeyang.
There was a huge difference in skill between the two.
They were by no means equals.
Moreover, at the academy there was a specific procedure to follow to duel Eunha.
First you had to duel and defeat Noh Eunha's group.
But On Taeyang hadn't won against any of Noh Eunha's group members until now.
"...Cocky bastard relying only on strength." "What about you? Aren't you the one relying only on strength?" "Watch your mouth. You think I'm the same as you?"
"That's what I want to say."
Perhaps realizing this,
On Taeyang's face turned bright red.
But he kept running his mouth as if unwilling to back down.
Then he snorted.
"Fine, I may not be able to beat you. But do you think I can't beat you now?"
"Huh?"
"The rumor that you're hospitalized due to mana circuit problems has already spread throughout the academy."
"..."
"So do you think I can't beat you now when you can't even use magic properly?"
"Even if I don't use magic, you're just..."
"Be grateful you're being protected by your lackeys. If not for that, I would have challenged you to a duel right away."
"..."
On Taeyang abruptly cutting off Eunha's words.
He sneered.
Eunha looked into his eyes.
Their eyes met.
"─Do you really think that?"
"..."
"Pupu."
There's a limit to how much a person can endure.
Eunha stared into his eyes and spoke sharply.
For a moment, On Taeyang's eyes wavered.
He was scared.
On Taeyang hurriedly averted his gaze.
Eunha burst out laughing.
"Anyway, I said it. Don't try to touch Taehee... and our mom."
Pretending to be as nonchalant as possible,
On Taeyang ending the conversation as if he had shown mercy.
He turned around.
Unlike before, he tries to leave quickly.
At this, Eunha─
"─Wait." "..."
Eunha stopped him.
On Taeyang halted and turned back around.
"What, what is it."
As if afraid he might hear something he doesn't want to hear,
On Taeyang's face was stiff.
Eunha giggled looking at him.
"─There's something called an Elixir." "..."
Soon Eunha stopped laughing.
Then he mentioned the Elixir.
"As long as there's still life, it's a magic potion that can cure any condition." "There's no way something like that exists..."
"It does."
"..."
Eunha waited for the dramatic moment.
He thought now was the perfect time, when On Taeyang's distrust towards him had reached its peak.
So he explained about the Elixir.
"─Using the Elixir, curing your mother's illness would be nothing." "...!"
On Taeyang who had been listening as if enticed by something.
When his mother was mentioned,
On Taeyang's eyes widened.
"Th-that, where is it now..."
Even stumbling over his words,
On Taeyang asked, extremely excited.
To this, Eunha─
"─I have it now. No, it will come into my hands in a few days."
"..."
After making On Taeyang deeply absorbed in the value of the Elixir,
Eunha pulled the trigger when the moment reached its climax.
On Taeyang was shocked.
Soon he lowered the corners of his mouth that had been rising and stiffened his expression.
"I..."
On Taeyang slowly opens his mouth.
Eunha waited silently.
"I... what do I have to do for you to give it..."
On Taeyang, bent his will.
On Taeyang who had been defiant towards Eunha until now spoke with a humble attitude.
Towards him, Eunha─
"─You probably know better than me without me having to say it, right?" "..."
Taking his time,
Eunha shrugged.
Hearing his answer, On Taeyang's face gradually contorted.
Tightly
He clenched his fists.
On Taeyang also knew.
What exactly Eunha wanted from him.
If you understood Eunha's actions until now, it was clear.
That Eunha was trying to recruit On Taeyang himself.
"..."
Because he knew that,
On Taeyang didn't care about treating him carelessly.
Because he knew Noh Eunha wouldn't get angry in order to recruit him.
In that context,
On Taeyang could also understand why Noh Eunha mentioned the existence of the Elixir in front of him.
"Please..."
If he wanted to save his mother,
He was telling him to come under him.
It was an extremely humiliating thing for On Taeyang.
But─
"─Please save our mom."
He who decided to become a Player with the sole intention of healing his mother,
Was caught by that 'justification'.
On Taeyang couldn't refuse.
The moment he refused that 'justification', he would lose his reason for becoming a Player.
It was humiliating and shameful.
Nevertheless, he knelt on the ground with his body trembling.
"Please... I beg you..."
He prostrates himself before Noh Eunha.
Looking down at On Taeyang, Eunha─
"─Alright, I understand."
"..."
Eunha smiled triumphantly.
Finally, he had subjugated On Taeyang.
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