Seo Yu-na
While I tried to find, somewhere in my thoughts, a reasonable explanation for that man from the Lee clan to keep staring at me, the Choi family decided to question the Kim clan's deal with the Unveiler.
Through their diplomat, they asked:
— Mr. Kim Min-jun, how can we be sure that this Unveiler will act only on your clan's internal matters?
— The formal announcement made in this council serves as proof of the pact's legitimacy. The documentation will be forwarded to all families. Nothing more to declare.
From the tone of his voice and the rigid look on his face, the Choi diplomat was far from satisfied.
And despite the announcement, everyone in the room knew there was more to that deal — but no one could prove it.
Which meant I already had some investigation work ahead of me.
— Would anyone else like to speak? — Min-seok asked.
With silence throughout the room, the meeting continued.
— Please, may the representative of the Choi clan step forward.
As usual, the Choi diplomat was as old as Min-seok himself.
— Good evening, everyone. My name is Choi Kyung. — he didn't look at anyone.
His voice sounded tired.
— There have been no changes regarding tourism in the human world. Our relics, historical sites, and temples remain intact and unknown to humanity. Therefore, the risk of discovery by the masses remains null.
— Lastly, we have also made an agreement with a Unveiler — Dae-won. We're facing internal problems that require deeper investigation. As for any questions, I echo the words of my colleague and of the Choi clan. Everything will be submitted in writing.
The murmurs returned — low, heavy, like air mixing with blood and metal.
Overlapping whispers, thick with suspicion, scraped against the walls.
Damn it. Two Unveilers. One was already a problem. Now we have two — for the same reasons.
This doesn't smell right.
Those bastards just complained and did the same thing.
There's no way all clans are dealing with traitors at once...
My head was already frying with possibilities.
— Any further comments? — Min-seok replied.
— None. — Cold. Dry.
The two-minute discussion began. My clan behaved the same way — not a word.
While I wondered why this repetitive silence, I looked for that man again.
Wanted to know if his eyes were still fixed on me.
I couldn't find him among the Lee family.
I tried scanning other sections of the hall — nothing.
Just when Min-seok was about to resume the council and I had finally "relaxed," waiting in silence... I saw him again.
At the entrance of the hall.
The man was staring straight at me — again.
It was as if he was waiting for me to look back.
The moment our eyes met, he left where he was standing and calmly returned to his clan's section — ignoring me completely.
Was he playing with me? Like I was some kind of prey?
What an arrogant bastard.
He's mocking me. No way he isn't.
I already had enough to worry about, so I decided to ignore that lunatic completely.
— Since no one wishes to speak, we'll proceed, — Min-seok concluded with his usual unshakable poise.
It was the Park clan's turn — and they had brought two guests.
Although they seemed ordinary, I only hoped they weren't more Unveilers.
— Please, may the representative of the Park clan come to the stand.
The two guests followed the representative.
The strangest thing was how tense they looked.
In fact, the Park representative himself carried a heavy aura.
— Good evening. I am Park Seok-jin. — His voice had a suffocating weight. — Seoul's industry is thriving. The city grows at an impressive pace, thanks to our clan's efforts in managing things alongside a few humans who think they matter. We have no relevant announcements at the moment. — There was a hint of pride in his tone.
— However, I'd like to ask for everyone's time to hear from two individuals: one from the Jung clan and another from the Shin clan. — His tone now turned suspicious.
The crowd's chatter flared up again.
Smaller clans had no seat at the Grand Table anymore.
They once did — but lost their influence over time until they stopped being considered important.
In the past, they were a vital part of the foundation that held peace among the families.
Now, they were barely remembered.
What the hell are representatives from two minor clans doing here?
Whatever it is — it doesn't look good.
— Good evening. My name is Jung Do-yun. I promise not to take much of your precious time. My matter is the same as Lady Shin Na-ri's, so I'll speak for both of us. — He was visibly tense.
— In the past few weeks, people from our clan have mysteriously disappeared. Children and teenagers. I'm here to beg for help. I know we're a lesser family, but we've helped all of you — directly or indirectly. We just want to live our lives without more disappearances. — His voice trembled with desperation.
— Even my own son, Jung Seung-ho, vanished last week. I'm desperate. I beg for your help. — He bowed deeply, and the Shin clan representative followed, shaken.
— Lady Shin, would you like to add anything? — Min-seok asked.
She shook her head, visibly uncomfortable among so many monsters in the room.
And truth be told, they were brave for even coming.
Depending on who they'd contacted in the Park family, they might've been killed before ever speaking.
That showed how desperate they were.
— Would you like to add anything else, Mr. Park?
— No.
— The clans have two minut—
Before Min-seok could finish, the Kim clan's Patriarch, Kim Myung-joon, raised his voice:
— Who cares about that rabble? If they're disappearing, they probably deserve it! — The smug grin on his face made me sick.
— And honestly, Jae-sung, I expected more from you. Bringing these peasants here? That's pathetic. Maybe I'd expect that from Min-ho. — He pointed at my Patriarch.
I boiled inside.
Jun noticed and grabbed my wrist.
I looked at him — and his stern look, with a subtle shake of his head, made me breathe deeply.
I got the message. I held myself back... at least outwardly.
But that bastard couldn't talk about other Patriarchs like that.
Especially mine.
Even amid the chaos, my thirst for blood leaked through — though few noticed.
That's when I felt that familiar unease.
I searched...
And there he was.
Watching me again.
The same calm, insolent stare that could pierce through the entire hall.
This wasn't just provocation.
It was a test.
That faint smirk on his lips only made me angrier.
Yet for some reason, part of me wanted to understand what he saw in me.
I wasn't some toy for his amusement.
I had more important things to worry about.
Min-seok struck the symbolic gavel.
— Order! Please, let's not lose our composure. — His voice filled the hall.
— Since Mr. Park Jae-sung and Seo Min-ho were mentioned, they're entitled to a response if they wish.
— As for Mr. Kim Myung-joon — mind your manners.
He continued:
— The minor clans are important and deserve their rightful space when one of the greater clans brings their issues to the table. It's always been that way in this council.
While Min-seok reprimanded him, Myung-joon rolled his eyes and smirked.
What a piece of shit.
— Mr. Park Jae-sung, would you like to respond?
— I don't have to justify myself to anyone, Myung-joon. What needed to be said was said. The Jung and Shin clans are of great importance to us, the Park clan.
— Of course — raw material, right? For blood and people trafficking? — Myung-joon sneered.
— Please, Mr. Kim Myung-joon, keep your composure. One more interruption and the Kim clan will be placed on hold, — warned Min-seok.
The idiot only shrugged, mocking.
— You really want to start this? — Park Jae-sung shot back. — I can do this all day.
— Gentlemen, please, let's move on, — Min-seok interrupted, clearly annoyed.
— Now, Mr. Seo Min-ho.
My Patriarch stood up — calm, composed.
— Gentlemen, I see no problem in the Jung and Shin clans' request for help. In fact, I intend to assist personally.
— Of course, the Clan of Solidarity. The Seolidarity! — Myung-joon mocked, laughing.
Min-seok sighed.
— Mr. Myung-joon, you've left me no choice. The Kim family is now on hold.
Silence fell like a blade.
Once placed on hold, a clan could no longer speak until the end of the matter — unless mentioned directly.
I still heard the idiot mumbling:
— I don't have anything else to say anyway. — and laughing.
How the hell did that man become Patriarch?
— Yes, I'm aware of that nickname and that reputation, — Seo Min-ho replied firmly.
— And I have no issue with it. Quite the opposite. But as Mr. Park said, I don't owe explanations
— Especially not to someone without class, who got where he is through favoritism and scheming.
— Even a commoner can become worthy of being a Patriarch, — he added, voice sharp as steel.
— But a Patriarch isn't always worthy of the title.
Myung-joon's face twisted instantly — pure rage.
He was furious — and I loved it.
Since he couldn't speak, he just fumed quietly.
Few in that hall actually liked him anyway.
So seeing him finally put in his place was a shared delight.
Still, something felt off.
Despite the insults toward my Patriarch, the provocations from Myung-joon, and the back-and-forth between the Kim and Park families — it all sounded rehearsed.
Every word. Every pause.
As if the entire council were a chessboard — and someone was testing our pieces.
Damn it... I really need to learn to control myself.
Even knowing all that, I couldn't hold it in.
Maybe that's my biggest weakness.
— Well then, continuing, — Min-seok said, fighting back a faint smile, — the situation of the Jung and Shin clans has now been made public. The other clans are free to assist them — transparently.
That "transparency" meant that any agreement with the lesser families had to be registered and visible to all — to prevent backroom dealings in the shadows.
— If no clan has anything else to add, we move to the Lee clan.
After a few seconds, Min-seok called the next representative.
— Please, may the representative of the Lee family step forward.
It was time for the Lee clan's heir to be presented.
No one knew who it would be — and I prayed with every ounce of my being that it wasn't that same man.
— Good evening, everyone. My name is Lee Sung-woo. We, the Lee clan, thank you for your collaboration so far. I'll say right away that we'll also aid the Jung and Shin clans. Patriarch Lee Do-jin has asked to send forces to Mr. Jung Do-yun, as he knows exactly what he's going through... one of his sons disappeared not long ago as well.
I saw Jung Do-yun and Shin Na-ri bow, murmuring their thanks.
— Now, continuing the Lee clan's statement, we have an heir to present.
And of course, the one person I didn't want it to be — stood up.
The reason for his selection was obvious.
His presence commanded attention.
His gaze was piercing.
He carried the kind of poise Myung-joon would never have — and knew exactly how to hide his intentions.
And judging by his little game of stares... he wasn't afraid to act purely for amusement.
He made a point of walking right past me — and ignoring me completely.
But then...
When he reached the podium, before even starting his speech, his eyes locked on mine.
Again.
And that only left me more confused.
Could he already know who I really am?
If he does... then we have a traitor.
And this time — it's my turn to play.