บท 536: 950
The recruitment for the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest team was progressing smoothly.
The news that Eun-ha would participate in the conquest allayed people's anxieties while also driving promotional effects.
"Don't you know the Pandora Clan Lord? What kind of person is the Pandora Clan Lord? He's someone who succeeds no matter how reckless the challenge. So how would this time be any different?"
"Do you think <Monarch> would participate in dungeon conquest without thinking? Our <Monarch> has thoughts, plans, and confidence. So don't doubt and just believe! In Eun-ha God!"
"Oh, Crimson God."
"What? The Pandora Clan Lord will enter the dungeon too? Then we must do it!"
"If <Monarch> is joining... It's certainly worth trying, isn't it?"
<Monarch> Noh Eun-ha, who had achieved great merits by preventing numerous calamities and completing the Second Uijeongbu Recapture Operation.
Moreover, he had even conquered the world's first black dungeon.
People couldn't help but trust him infinitely and have expectations for him.
If it's Noh Eun-ha, surely.
"He'll show us something this time too."
"After conquering the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, how could he not conquer the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>?"
"He'll perform so greatly that the Italians will be surprised."
"Is it just the Italians? The Americans, Spanish, Portuguese, Greeks... Countries around the Mediterranean and North Atlantic will be absolutely shocked."
"This is national pride."
Under such belief.
People didn't hesitate to cheer, and players were willing to take risks to apply for the conquest team.
Especially among the applicants, there was a considerable proportion of passionate young people filled with ambition who idolized Eun-ha.
It was the same in Pandora Clan.
The problem was.
"The application rate of executives who can lead the inexperienced kids well is low."
Pandora Clan Hall, Clan Lord's office.
Eun-ha sighed after checking the list of clan members who applied for the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest.
"Gu-rae, Si-hyeong, Iriya, Avenier... How are these the only ones among the people close to me..."
The rest are really disloyal.
Even though he cherishes them so much that he confessed about his regression...
He felt disappointed, and disappointed again.
Excluding Ryu Yeon-hwa, Noh Eun-ah, Han Chang-jin, Jin Pa-rang, Kim Mary, and others who had told him their circumstances in advance and decided not to participate in the conquest.
Still.
'It's understandable that they don't want to go conquer another black dungeon when it hasn't even been a year since we struggled with the <Dungeon of the Abyss>. Sufficiently...'
He understood inwardly.
He couldn't just blame them.
They probably want to rest comfortably now.
However.
'I'm sorry, but this won't do.'
If there are few people who understand his judgment and work well with him, it might hinder the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest.
Eun-ha got up from his seat to persuade them.
The first place he headed was nearby...
'What's going on with Ha-yang? I thought she was coming along, but she hasn't applied yet... Given her personality, she wouldn't have forgotten...'
He needed to ask about the reason.
Eun-ha went to Jeong Ha-yang's office.
But inside, there was not only her but also...
"Dad!"
Noh Yu-ran was there too.
She, who had been sitting on Jeong Ha-yang's lap, ran over to Eun-ha.
Eun-ha picked her up.
"Yu-ran was here too. Were you playing with Mom?"
"Yes!"
Noh Yu-ran, hugging Eun-ha's neck tightly, answered energetically.
Eun-ha couldn't help but smile.
Jeong Ha-yang looked up at him and their daughter with a pleased gaze.
Then she tilted her head.
"Did something happen for you to come?"
"Ah, well..."
Trying not to make her feel burdened.
Eun-ha explained to Jeong Ha-yang in as light a tone as possible.
But Jeong Ha-yang's face gradually darkened.
"Ah..."
The corners of Jeong Ha-yang's eyes drooped.
Then she apologized timidly.
"I've been thinking about it for the past few days... It seems I won't be able to this time. I'm really sorry for changing my mind midway."
* * *
Even after conquering the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, Jeong Ha-yang became somewhat neglectful of childcare due to being busy in various ways.
Naturally, Noh Yu-ran spent more time apart from Jeong Ha-yang...
Instead, she spent more time with Jin Seo-na, who was suddenly assigned the role of nanny by Eun-ha.
—When is Mom coming?
—Well, it seems she'll be a bit late... Yu-ran, if you miss Mom, shall we go meet her with auntie?
—Yes!
Then, an incident occurred.
It was recently.
—Yu-ran, Mom's here! I even put off work and finished early today! Because I missed our Yu-ran so much!
Jeong Ha-yang and Jin Seo-na went together to see Noh Yu-ran as their schedules matched...
Noh Yu-ran, who came out to greet them with a bright face.
—Moooom!
—Yu-raaaan... Huh?
—Hm?
She ignored Jeong Ha-yang completely and suddenly ran into Jin Seo-na's arms.
Then she said as if being affectionate.
—Mom, Yu-ran missed you.
—Uh... Yu-ran? I'm your aunt. Aunt Seo-na. Mom isn't me but...
—Y-Yu-ran...
Of course, Jeong Ha-yang was shocked.
She couldn't believe that Noh Yu-ran didn't recognize her.
In that situation.
—Who are you, auntie?
—A-Auntie...? Yu-ran...
—Ah! It's Aunt Ha-yang!
—...
Noh Yu-ran delivered an additional blow with a bright smiling face.
—H-How can you... call me auntie... Yu-ran, I'm your mom. Mom...
—Ahaha... Ha-yang, Yu-ran is just joking. Don't take it too seriously.
Jeong Ha-yang couldn't come to her senses.
She even sat down on the floor, feeling like her world was crumbling.
Jin Seo-na's comfort wasn't helpful.
Although she agreed it was Noh Yu-ran's joke, she knew what the background and intention of such a joke was.
It was Yu-ran's own way of protesting, telling her not to neglect her.
—I haven't been able to pay attention lately... Mom is sorry, Yu-ran.
Jeong Ha-yang deeply regretted it.
From that day on, she was trying to make time for Noh Yu-ran as much as possible.
—By the way, she's smart even though she's my daughter. She's only two years old... Is it because she takes after Eun-ha? They say Eun-ha grew up fast too.
—Well... I don't think it's that she's smart, but rather cunning... Well, whatever. As long as Yu-ran is cute, adorable, and lovable, that's all that matters.
Therefore.
"The <Dungeon of the Abyss> conquest was long, but the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest will be even longer. A month to get there, a month to stay there, a month to wrap up after the conquest ends, and a month to return. At least 4 months. Including the conquest period, it would take well over half a year, and if I do that, I feel like Yu-ran might really forget me..."
After much consideration, she decided not to participate in the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest.
Jeong Ha-yang explained her circumstances.
"They say forming attachment relationships with children is important when they're young. So I want to focus on spending time with Yu-ran for a while."
"I see... If it's for Yu-ran, it can't be helped."
"Yeah... Instead, I'll ask Tae-hee or Mi-ye to participate. With them, there shouldn't be any issues with the navigator lineup."
"Tae-hee and Mi-ye would be reassuring. Please do."
Eun-ha sympathized with Jeong Ha-yang's feelings.
Although her absence would be regrettable, he had to accept it.
'If I go and Ha-yang goes too, from Yu-ran's perspective, she wouldn't be able to see her mom and dad for several months, so she'd probably feel very anxious.'
No matter how well Han Seo-hyeon, Lee Yu-jeong, and Ryu Yeon-hwa take care of Noh Yu-ran like their own child, they can't be her real mother.
What Noh Yu-ran truly wants is the love of Eun-ha and Jeong Ha-yang.
So even if he couldn't help it, it seemed better to leave Jeong Ha-yang behind to take care of Noh Yu-ran.
It was then.
"Is Dad going somewhere again?"
"..."
"Is Mom going somewhere too?"
Having overheard the flowing conversation, Noh Yu-ran, who was in Eun-ha's arms, asked in a trembling voice.
Eun-ha flinched for a moment.
"Is everyone leaving again...?"
"Yu-ran, you see..."
"Will Yu-ran not have Dad again? Not have Mom again?"
"..."
"Oppa has Mom, and Yu-rin has Mom too... Is it only Yu-ran who doesn't have anyone again?"
Hiing...
Noh Yu-ran whimpers.
Eun-ha couldn't help but be flustered as she burst into tears and hit his chest with her tiny fists.
Jeong Ha-yang quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Y-Yu-ran! Mom's not going! Mom is going to stay and play fun games with Yu-ran this time!"
"...Really?"
"Yes, really. Our Yu-ran, have you ever seen Mom lie?"
"Yes..."
"..."
Jeong Ha-yang paused for a moment.
She twitched the corners of her mouth.
"T-This time I won't lie. Promise."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. This time I really won't go anywhere. I'll stay with Yu-ran."
"What about Dad?"
"Dad... will come back soon."
"When is soon?"
"...Maybe in 6 months?"
"Honey?"
Jeong Ha-yang glared at Eun-ha.
Eun-ha quickly turned his head away.
"Is 6 months a lot?"
"No, Yu-ran. It's not a lot at all. We just need to sleep six nights."
"Six nights?"
"Yes! So Dad will come back soon this time too. Right, honey?"
"Uh... That's right, Yu-ran. Dad will come back after just six nights."
"Really? Promise."
"Yes... Promise."
Noh Yu-ran holds out her pinky finger.
Eun-ha intertwined his finger with hers, making a promise he couldn't keep.
'Yu-ran, I'm sorry...'
Still, fortunately, Noh Yu-ran stopped throwing a tantrum.
Both Eun-ha and Jeong Ha-yang inwardly sighed in relief.
Then Jeong Ha-yang opened her mouth.
"I'll take care of Yu-ran, so honey, focus on the conquest without worrying about us."
"Alright, thank you."
"And just in case, I asked Yu-seong for his opinion..."
"Yu-seong? Big Yu-seong?"
"Yes, that Yu-seong. According to what I heard... It seems I didn't participate in the future either. So me not going won't be a variable. Rather..."
Jeong Ha-yang continued in a puzzled tone.
"He said I shouldn't go, for the future."
"What? What does that mean?"
"That's what I'm saying. I was curious too so I asked, but he avoided detailed mentions. Saying there's filtering so he can't..."
"Hmm... It is concerning. Does something happen? There, or here."
"I'm not sure. From Yu-seong's nuance, it didn't seem to be in a bad sense... But be careful just in case."
"Alright, you too, Ha-yang."
At this time.
The two didn't know what kind of happening would occur during the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest...
* * *
'Why didn't the twins apply?'
He could be sure they didn't apply for the conquest for some trivial reason.
Eun-ha could guarantee it.
So.
'These kids are forced participation.'
The twin sisters Mei-ling and Mei-rin, known by the alias <Gemini>.
They had no choice.
"I'll take care of them, so please persuade Tae-hee and Mi-ye."
"Okay, got it. Good luck. Yu-ran should say 'Dad, fighting' too."
"Dad! Fighting!"
Eun-ha planned to drag them along forcibly no matter how much they protested.
With that resolve, Eun-ha left Jeong Ha-yang and Noh Yu-ran behind and went to find his friends.
The first person he met was...
"Are you wandering around after finishing your work? This is perfect timing. I was about to go to you..."
"Why didn't you apply?"
"What?"
It was Mok Min-ho, Pandora Clan's sub-lord.
Eun-ha confronted him abruptly.
He, who was about to flip through the documents in his hand, was dumbfounded.
"Are you asking jokingly or seriously right now? You know, right? That Eun-woo and I have our wedding. We even sent you an invitation."
"Still, you should have asked for permission in advance. Saying you can't go because of the wedding."
"Are you an old fogy? What's with us... You're the one who should ask for permission. Saying you won't be able to attend our wedding."
"I'm asking for permission in advance."
"That's fine then. Just make sure to prepare a hefty wedding gift. As much as I've attended your wedding four times."
Mok Min-ho chuckles.
He handed the documents to Eun-ha.
"It seems you're having trouble finding people?"
"No. People are applying well, but the problem is there are few who work well together..."
"Everyone's had their fair share of hardship, so they probably don't have ambition for merit anymore and just want to rest comfortably. There are also many who want to start families after the <Dungeon of the Abyss> conquest, like Jin Pa-rang and Mary, or me and Eun-woo..."
"That's true, I don't know how everyone's sending wedding invitations one after another. Why don't they just have a group wedding? At the church in the hall..."
"That would be prone to misunderstandings. That the Eun-ha Religion is promoting mass weddings."
"Ah, that's a bit... Terrible."
Mok Min-ho retorts with a snort.
Eun-ha made a sour face.
Then he asked in a half-resigned tone.
"Really, you can't do the conquest?"
"Yeah, really can't do it."
"If I persuade Eun-woo to postpone the wedding... No, if we hold the wedding in the dungeon..."
Right at that moment.
Speak of the devil.
"Eun-ha?"
"..."
Cha Eun-woo appeared without a sound.
"Uh... Eun-woo, when..."
"When did I come? Just now. I heard your voices."
"..."
"So Eun-ha."
Cha Eun-woo, with her downturned eye corners and distinctive tear moles.
As Eun-ha felt perplexed, she approached from the side and smiled brightly.
"What nonsense were you talking about just now?"
"..."
Cha Eun-woo's gentle voice clearly contained thorns.
Eun-ha felt a chill.
'She's become even more uninhibited since coming out of the <Dungeon of the Abyss>...'
It would be big trouble if he said something wrong.
She's scary.
Eun-ha avoided her gaze and made excuses.
"Just... Congratulating you on your wedding. And sorry I can't come to see it... Ah, I'll prepare a hefty wedding gift."
"Ah, so it wasn't nonsense. I must have misunderstood. Thank you, I'll gladly accept the wedding gift!"
Cha Eun-woo responded while clapping her hands lightly.
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