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Chapter 170: Pandemonium (5)

After Kwon Cheon raided Aeon’s laboratory, the main unit arrived shortly thereafter to secure and investigate the site.

It was clear Aeon had been conducting some kind of suspicious research, but no one could figure out exactly what it was. The research logs were written entirely in a bizarre language.

“Even with a Legendary-tier interpretation skill, we can’t decipher it.”

Even the Hyukcheon intelligence division could only shake their heads. In truth, the language was demonic in origin—completely untranslatable—but the division hadn’t uncovered that fact.

The only remaining lead was a girl named Lee Da-hae, whom Aeon’s mage had been particularly protective of.

“Why won’t you talk about the girl?”

But Kwon Cheon deliberately kept Da-hae hidden. When Bae Cheol-su questioned his decision, Kwon Cheon explained:

“That child… both of her parents were killed. Aeon murdered them during her abduction.”

Based on Da-hae’s reaction, her parents must have met a truly horrific end—something too painful to even imagine.

“Just think about what would happen if someone that traumatized ended up in the hands of the intelligence division. They’re not known for compassion.”

Cheol-su couldn’t argue. He knew all too well how ruthless the intelligence division could be.

They wouldn’t hesitate to dissect someone’s brain if that’s what it took to extract information—even a child’s.

“But that girl clearly holds a secret. Even the Hyukcheon mage who kidnapped me only seemed interested in her.”

“Then we’ll figure it out in due time. Right?”

At that, Cheol-su could say no more.

From then on, Kwon Cheon began thinking about where Da-hae could stay.

Her entire family was dead. She had no relatives. A true orphan with no one left in the world.

No one would take her in. And it was undeniable that she was somehow connected to Aeon.

“From now on, you’ll be working under Hyukcheon.”

That’s why Kwon Cheon decided to keep her close.

“If you don’t want to, just say so. I’ll find another way.”

But he didn’t force her. Da-hae hesitated for a long while, then bowed her head.

“I’ll do my best…”

The work wasn’t all that difficult.

Despite its fearsome reputation, the Hyukcheon family wasn’t particularly harsh to their workers. The workload was reasonable, and the pay was generous.

And once word spread that Da-hae was someone Kwon Cheon personally looked after, she was given only easy tasks.

But not everything went smoothly.

“Oops! I’m so sorry.”

It happened while Da-hae was mopping the hallway. A bucket of water was kicked over and spilled across the floor.

“I didn’t see it and accidentally kicked it over while passing by.”

The maid who kicked the bucket laughed loudly, and the others with her joined in.

Most of the young maids in the mansion disliked Da-hae.

The reason was simple: Kwon Cheon gave her special attention. So the petty harassment continued on a daily basis.

“You’re going to be here a while cleaning all that up. Too bad the head maid is about to come inspect the place.”

The maids laughed as they walked past Da-hae, whispering among themselves.

“You think she’ll go snitch to Kwon Cheon?”

“Nah, she’s too dumb for that. And even if she does, we’ll just say it was an accident.”

“Anyone could knock over a bucket. Reporting that kind of thing would make her the bad one.”

They thought they were speaking quietly, but Da-hae heard everything.

She silently stared at the flooded hallway, then let out a short sigh.

“...Ha.”

There were two major misconceptions the maids had about Da-hae.

First, she wasn’t stupid.

Second, she preferred solving problems herself rather than reporting them to others.

Da-hae threw down her mop, picked up the overturned bucket, and ran.

But her movement wasn’t ordinary—it was fast, almost like that of a trained Hunter.

Your True Healthy Bloodline senses intense movement!

Stamina increased by 0.03!

Her internal "Healthy Bloodline" responded. Over the past few months, thanks to that trait, her physical stats had risen dramatically.

Once an ordinary girl, she now had the stats of a second-tier Hunter.

She tapped into all her built-up strength. She quickly refilled the bucket with water, added a generous amount of detergent, and ran upstairs with it.

“Did you hear? The Head is finally going to pick a successor.”

“You’ve got it wrong. He’s just setting the date for the successor trials.”

“How would you know?”

The same maids who had mocked her earlier were coming down the stairs.

Without hesitation, Da-hae dumped the water over their heads.

“KYAA!”

“AAAAH!”

They screamed in shock, soaked from head to toe. Looking up, they saw Da-hae shaking the last drops from the bucket.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you and accidentally spilled it.”

Expressionless, Da-hae lowered the bucket. The maids screamed in outrage and ran back up the stairs to confront her.

“Are you crazy? What the hell is your problem?!”

“Think we’re easy to mess with just because we let you slide before?”

They surrounded her, cursing and shouting—an ugly scene.

Then suddenly, Da-hae collapsed to the floor, screaming.

“I—I’m sorry!”

She lay face down, begging for forgiveness. The maids, startled by the unexpected reaction, were more confused than satisfied.

“What’s going on here?”

A voice called from below the stairs. The maids stiffened in shock.

Kwon Cheon was standing there, eyes wide.

“M-Master… It’s not what it looks like…”

He walked silently toward Da-hae, who still lay motionless on the floor.

“Are you okay? Can you stand?”

Only then did Da-hae rise, as Kwon Cheon brushed the dust off her skirt.

“I didn’t think workplace bullying was trending now.”

“N-no, sir! She poured water on us! That’s why we—”

“Is that true?”

Da-hae nodded. The maids brightened.

“B-but it was an accident... I was just mopping and didn’t see them on the stairs…”

She looked like she was about to cry again. Kwon Cheon clicked his tongue.

“All this, over a simple mistake? That’s how you treat one of your own?”

“I—it’s not like that...”

“I expected a little more understanding. And now you’re tattling to me about it?”

His gaze turned cold. The maids looked like the sky was falling.

“I won’t punish anyone this time. But clean up this mess.”

“Understood…”

“Let’s go, Da-hae.”

Kwon Cheon took her hand and walked down the hall. The maids looked on, envious.

Then Da-hae turned her head and stuck her tongue out at them.

“That little—!”

The maids trembled with rage.

“Why’d you do that?”

As soon as they were out of earshot, Kwon Cheon asked. Da-hae flinched and looked at him.

“Don’t bother lying. You poured the water.”

She hesitated, afraid he might hate her now.

“Tell me the truth, or I’ll get really mad.”

“...They kicked over the water I was using to clean.”

She confessed honestly—she didn’t want to lie to him.

“I know.”

But Kwon Cheon didn’t scold her. He added gently:

“I’m aware of how the maids treat you. I’ve gotten plenty of reports.”

He’d wanted to intervene, but knew it would only make them hate her more.

“And I know how long you’ve endured it. But those girls are civilians. Never resort to force, okay?”

She flinched.

So Kwon Cheon did know she had the physical stats of a second-tier Hunter.

But he never brought it up. That puzzled her.

Why didn’t he ask about what was happening to her body?

“You shouldn’t be around them anymore.”

The maids she soaked held sway over the younger staff.

“I have somewhere to go. Want to come?”

Da-hae nodded before he even finished.

Kwon Cheon brought her to Cheonji—the heavenly lake atop Mount Baekdu.

A sacred place for the Hyukcheon family for generations, even if it held no real mystical power. The mountain’s symbolic value made it special.

“Wow…”

Da-hae marveled at the sight of the lake for the first time. She’d seen pictures, but never the real thing.

“Pretty cool, right? Has a certain charm to it.”

“It’s amazing. But why are we here?”

“My father said he had something to discuss.”

They weren’t alone—many Hyukcheon staff were already gathered, suggesting a significant event. The family head must be arriving.

“Cheon!”

A voice called out. A man who looked like Kwon Cheon, but older.

Da-hae quickly bowed—she recognized him from past glimpses.

He was Kwon Hyuk, Kwon Cheon’s older brother and the eldest son of the family.

“Hyung! It’s been a while!”

“Yeah, it has.”

Kwon Cheon smiled widely and opened his arms for a hug.

But Kwon Hyuk raised his hand to stop him.

“Hyung?”

“I didn’t expect Father to summon you too. What do you think it means that he called us both?”

His gaze turned icy, and Da-hae shivered. She’d never seen such a chilling look in someone’s eyes.

“It’s clear now—Father intends to choose the next Head of Hyukcheon.”

“I see.”

“Given his personality, he’ll probably set up some ridiculous test. Whatever it is, I have no intention of yielding…”

“You’re the one most suited to lead.”

That single sentence stopped Hyuk in his tracks.

“What are you saying?”

“Just what I said. I think you’re the right person for the job.”

“Already trying to trick me?”

“You know me, Hyung. I have no interest in being the family head. I’m not cut out for it.”

Hyuk stared in disbelief, suspicion in his eyes.

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it. When Father arrives, I’ll publicly support you.”

“...What are you up to?”

“I’m doing what’s right. Someone capable like you should lead Hyukcheon. I’m content simply supporting you.”

Hyuk glared silently, clearly still unconvinced.

“We’ll see once Father gets here.”

He turned his back and walked away.

Kwon Cheon could only offer a wry smile.

“Were you serious?”

Da-hae couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Are you really going to give up the position of family head?”

“It’s not like I’ve been chosen yet, so it’s not really ‘giving up.’”

He shrugged.

“But if you’re asking whether I genuinely support my brother—yes. I honestly don’t think I’m suited for the job.”

Da-hae disagreed in her heart.

To her, he was the one truly suited to lead.

Kwon Hyuk may have had the accomplishments and skill, but anyone who doubted their own brother like that couldn’t be a good leader.

“...I think you’d be good at anything you set your mind to.”

But she didn’t say that out loud.

It wasn’t her place, as a mere maid.

“Thanks for saying that.”

Kwon Cheon smiled warmly in return.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]