Chapter 77

Chapter 77. Ha Mina (3)

"Hey, hey, hey!"

"What the hell is going on?!"

Through the communication window...

Lee Gyu, the B-rank Constellation "Murderer with Two Axes," shouted.

"Kang Yujin escaped from Church headquarters with Ha Mina?!"

"This plot is moving way too fast!"

"I just told you."

"It looks like Ha Mina asked Kang Yujin to take her away."

"Dammit!"

"I should've watched from the beginning!"

"I got drunk and fell asleep!"

Lee Gyu shouted...

Then slapped his own forehead.

"But this could be a trap."

"Isn't this dangerous?"

"I think Kang Yujin acted too quickly."

"No."

"Not necessarily."

"Really?"

"Considering Kang Yujin's past..."

"A collision with the Church headquarters was inevitable."

"That's true."

"If Ha Mina's request for help is genuine..."

"Then Kang Yujin gains an overwhelming advantage in the future fight against the Church headquarters."

"I know that."

"But what if it's fake?"

"Then Kang Yujin falls into trouble."

"But Ha Mina will also be exposed to the world as a malicious person."

"Ah...!"

Until now...

The internal affairs of the Church headquarters had been completely hidden.

The entire headquarters was an observation-restricted zone.

Even Constellations couldn't look inside.

But if Ha Mina betrayed Kang Yujin and revealed her true nature...

The Constellations would finally learn who Ha Mina really was.

"No matter how well Ha Mina cleans things up afterward..."

"Constellations like us will know the truth."

"Then the information will eventually reach Contractors on Earth."

"Ha Mina won't be able to maintain her image as a saint anymore."

"I see!"

"Therefore..."

I added calmly.

"There's very little chance this is actually Ha Mina's trap."

"Ah."

"Because Ha Mina herself would know that would happen?"

"Exactly."

"Hahaha!"

"Boss, you're really smart!"

"Thanks for explaining!"

Lee Gyu laughed happily.

Watching him...

I thought to myself.

And there's one more thing.

Even if this was Ha Mina's trap...

It merely meant Kang Yujin had fallen into a new crisis.

If so...

His struggle against that crisis could become new content.

Kang Yujin wasn't someone who would go down easily anyway.

"Then the next problem is getting Kang Yujin and Ha Mina somewhere safe..."

I paused.

I suddenly wanted to ask Lee Gyu something.

"Lee Gyu."

"Could other Constellations reveal Kang Yujin and Ha Mina's location to the Church?"

Normally...

I avoided casually asking questions like this.

I didn't want anyone to become suspicious of my identity.

But unlike other Constellations...

Lee Gyu probably wouldn't think too deeply about it.

"Hey."

"Are you talking in your sleep?"

Lee Gyu looked dumbfounded.

"If a Constellation directly gave a human information that decisive, it would be a major violation of the rules!"

"That's basically giving away an important answer!"

"One way or another, they'd get caught and lose their head immediately!"

"..."

So it really was that serious a violation.

I had done similar things a few times...

I should be more careful in the future.

Then Kang Yujin escaping with Ha Mina shouldn't be that difficult.

The real problem is...

At that moment...

I suddenly sensed someone's presence.

Space warped.

A beautiful black-haired woman appeared.

"Nameless Constellation."

"Forgive me for visiting without notice."

"It's fine."

"I was actually thinking about contacting you."

The one who appeared...

Was Princess Longji, the "Fairy Who Controls Water."

"Huh?"

"Who's this pretty lady?"

"..."

Princess Longji frowned at Lee Gyu's vulgar tone.

"Nameless Constellation."

"I already understand the situation."

"It appears something serious is happening."

"Yes."

"I didn't expect things to develop this suddenly either."

"You may not know this..."

"But Lee Hyeonje has begun moving."

"It appears he is cooperating with the Church to search for Kang Yujin."

"As expected."

Lee Hyeonje must have been shocked too.

He had only stepped away for a short time...

And Kang Yujin disappeared with Ha Mina.

"It seems Lee Hyeonje believes the Church."

"Does he believe Kang Yujin kidnapped Ha Mina?"

"Yes."

"Exactly."

"Hey."

"Is that really a problem?"

Lee Gyu...

Who had been listening quietly...

Suddenly spoke.

"Can't they just explain it wasn't kidnapping?"

"Convince Lee Hyeonje..."

"And get his cooperation?"

"It's not that simple."

"Why not?"

"Ha Mina suspects Lee Hyeonje."

"What?"

"She thinks Lee Hyeonje may have been the one who released Daji."

"Daji?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Ah."

Come to think of it...

I hadn't explained the Daji situation to Lee Gyu.

While I was wondering how to summarize it...

Princess Longji spoke again.

"Nameless Constellation."

"From what I know..."

"Lee Hyeonje also has doubts about Ha Mina."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Several other Eight Guardians may also suspect that Ha Mina is hiding Daji."

"..."

The situation was becoming increasingly complicated.

"There's a high chance Kang Yujin and Lee Hyeonje will clash directly."

Princess Longji sounded worried.

"Shouldn't we prepare countermeasures?"

While carrying Ha Mina in his arms...

Kang Yujin listened to the story about Daji.

It was all new to him.

But after hearing it...

Several things that had confused him started making sense.

"So no one knows who released Daji?"

"Unfortunately..."

"No."

"Your revelations have limits too."

"As I said..."

"They aren't perfect."

Ha Mina nodded.

"To put it simply..."

"My ability can tell me..."

'The culprit is among these people.'

"But it can't always tell me exactly which one is the culprit."

"..."

"I'm sorry."

"That was a strange analogy."

Ha Mina looked slightly embarrassed and lowered her head.

"No."

"I understand."

"So one of the Eight Guardians is definitely a traitor?"

"Yes."

"That much is certain."

"Then..."

"Jegal Geum."

"Won Pilso."

"Cheon Sangwoon."

"Lee Hyeonje."

"Any of them could be responsible?"

"That's correct."

"..."

Kang Yujin bit his lip.

At least...

He didn't think it was Jegal Geum.

If Jegal Geum had been plotting something like that...

Kang Yujin felt he would have noticed something suspicious by now.

What about Won Pilso?

He hadn't known the man for very long...

But he didn't seem like the type capable of such elaborate conspiracy.

But Cheon Sangwoon or Lee Hyeonje...?

While Kang Yujin thought about it...

Ha Mina spoke again.

"Kang Yujin."

"Honestly..."

"I suspect Lee Hyeonje the most."

"What?"

"Lee Hyeonje's Constellation is the 'Grand Preceptor of the Golden Whip.'"

"Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong from Investiture of the Gods."

"He was on the same side as Daji."

"The same side?"

"Yes."

"Although they opposed each other during the previous Scenario..."

"Daji and Wen Zhong both fought against Taigong Wang."

"It wouldn't be strange if they cooperated."

"..."

"That's why I didn't ask Lee Hyeonje for help."

"The Church also knew I suspected him..."

"Which is why they allowed me to contact him."

"The Church knew?"

"Yes."

"Originally, I was the only person in the Church who knew Daji had been sealed in the Capital Region."

"But after Daji escaped..."

"The major Church executives learned about her too."

"They discussed the matter with me."

"So the executives probably suspect Lee Hyeonje as well."

"..."

"Kang Yujin."

"Even if Lee Hyeonje appears and offers to cooperate..."

"You must not trust him."

"Try to..."

Ha Mina couldn't finish.

BOOOOM!

Thunder roared...

And a man dropped from the sky.

"Lee Hyeonje...!"

The one who landed in front of Kang Yujin...

Who had been running through the forest...

Was Lee Hyeonje himself.

Just like during the Han River battle...

He appeared to have flown here while wrapped in lightning.

"Kang Yujin."

"Ha Mina."

Lee Hyeonje landed...

And spoke coldly.

"Would you mind explaining what's going on?"

"...!"

At the sound of his voice...

Ha Mina shrank inside Kang Yujin's arms.

"Lee Hyeonje."

"Explain, Kang Yujin."

"Ha Mina asked me for help."

"What?"

"She told me the Church executives had imprisoned and controlled her."

"..."

"She asked me to take her away."

"So I brought her here."

Lee Hyeonje's gaze became frightening.

"Then why didn't she ask me for help?"

"Because Ha Mina suspects you."

"Me?"

"Why?"

"She thinks you may have been the one who released Daji."

"..."

Lee Hyeonje glared at Ha Mina.

Ha Mina flinched again.

"Kang Yujin."

"I apologize for not telling you about Daji."

"That information was confidential among the Eight Guardians."

"That seems to be the case."

"Jegal Geum and Cheon Sangwoon never said anything either."

"But Kang Yujin..."

Lee Hyeonje spoke clearly.

"Ha Mina is suspicious too."

"..."

"Other Eight Guardians besides me suspect her."

"Why?"

"Because Ha Mina has two sides."

Ha Mina flinched again.

"On the surface..."

"Ha Mina is the image of a compassionate saint."

"You could call her the ideal religious leader."

"I don't agree with the Church's doctrine..."

"But I respected Ha Mina."

"..."

"But separately from that..."

"The Church has committed filthy acts."

"Ha Mina may have ordered them..."

"Or at least permitted them."

"I respected her..."

"But I couldn't ignore that possibility."

Only then...

Kang Yujin understood Lee Hyeonje's internal conflict.

Lee Hyeonje had wanted to believe Ha Mina.

At the same time...

He wanted to uncover her true face.

Assuming...

Everything Lee Hyeonje was saying was true.

"Kang Yujin."

"I understand now that you didn't forcibly abduct Ha Mina."

"You escaped from the Church because she asked you."

"..."

"But Kang Yujin..."

"You must not trust Ha Mina completely."

"Then what are you planning to do?"

"Leave Ha Mina to me."

"I won't hand her back to the Church."

Lee Hyeonje extended his hand.

"I'll take her to the Gangbuk territory I manage."

"I'll protect her there."

"You don't plan to only protect her."

"You plan to interrogate and monitor her too."

"It can't be helped."

"Ha Mina rarely leaves the Church headquarters."

"..."

Kang Yujin looked down at Ha Mina in his arms.

Ha Mina desperately shook her head.

"She doesn't seem to agree."

"Then I'll have to take her by force."

Lee Hyeonje stepped forward.

"Kang Yujin..."

Ha Mina whispered desperately.

"Please."

"Stop Lee Hyeonje."

"Ha Mina!"

Lee Hyeonje shouted sharply.

"Don't try anything!"

"Is this your true face?!"

"Kang Yujin..."

"Please...!"

"Ha Mina...!"

In the end...

Lee Hyeonje moved.

He reached toward Ha Mina in Kang Yujin's arms.

But...

"...!"

Lee Hyeonje inhaled sharply.

His hand grabbed nothing but air.

"You..."

"Did you just dodge?"

"Yes."

Kang Yujin now stood five meters from where he had been.

"As Joo Minha said..."

"I really do learn faster in urgent situations."

[A-rank Skill [Circular Step] has been acquired.]

Kang Yujin checked the notification...

Then gently placed Ha Mina beneath the shade of a nearby tree.

It was the movement Skill Jegal Geum had taught him.

He could finally use it properly.

"Kang Yujin...!"

"What now, Lee Hyeonje?"

Kang Yujin lightly shook his now-free hands...

And looked straight at Lee Hyeonje.

"If you plan to take Ha Mina by force..."

"Then I guess you and I have no choice but to fight."

"...!"

Anger appeared on Lee Hyeonje's face.

"Fine, Kang Yujin..."

"..."

"I didn't want this."

"But if that's how it has to be..."

"Then so be it."

The instant he finished speaking...

Lightning erupted from Lee Hyeonje's entire body.

[A-rank Constellation "Monk with Flower Tattoos" brightens at the appearance of entertaining spectacle.]

[B-rank Constellation "Young Master Who Rules Goblins" says this is an extremely interesting major confrontation unlike anything recently seen in the Capital Region.]

[S-rank Constellation "Hero King of Monstrous Strength" warns other Constellations not to interfere with this fight.]

Messages from countless Constellations flooded the observation device.

Most were cheering at the prospect of a battle between Kang Yujin and Lee Hyeonje.

Hardly any advised them to talk things out.

In the end...

Most Constellations simply wanted entertainment.

Whether the fight was caused by a misunderstanding...

Or someone's trap.

Now then...

What should I do?

I manipulated the observation device.

The other Constellations would all be focused on Kang Yujin and Lee Hyeonje.

But I scrolled the screen...

And moved the view elsewhere.

"..."

Silently...

I zoomed in.

And confirmed exactly what I had expected.

"So that's how it is."

Ha Mina was curled up...

Watching Kang Yujin and Lee Hyeonje confront each other.

And on her lips...

Was an extremely faint smile.