After Hwangho received the device from Cheongryong, Jo Euishin’s final message arrived.


    As expected, Jo Euishin became unreachable.


    ‘Ennd you say…?’


    The word made numerous thoughts flood Hwangho’s head.


    The fact that Jo Euishin suddenly headed to the Dragon n’s home with Yong Jegun.


    The countless messages that Hwangho himself sent.


    Eunho sitting in front of his alter ego as he drank tea, the silent pressure almost deafening.


    The Year One ss Zero students secretly preparing a party to celebrate Jo Euishin’s birthday.


    ‘Even if the Dragon n is our ally, I won’t be able to see the big picture as long as there’s someone behind the scenes controlling things.’


    The bnce of power is maintained when they are equal to each other.


    Although his dignity was damaged, it was impossible to treat Cheongryong badly.


    Hwangho epted Jo Euishin’s device that Cheongryong gave him.


    “Thank you. I see you’re indebted to Tiger n’s benefactor as well. You’ve worked hard with this errand, Cheongryong.”


    Hwangho pushed down his emotions and spoke in a civil manner.


    He was already thinking of something else.


    He was wondering just how Jo Euishin became the Dragon n’s benefactor.


    In addition to that, how that fact will impact the rtionship between the Tiger and Dragon ns, as well as what attitude they should treat each other with.


    “Word will get out soon, so I’ll let you know before the others. Our Junyeol-ie and Yong Jegun were targeted in this incident.”


    “I knew that.”


    “Yes. The Eungwang High teacher must’vee to the ce just in time after receiving your instructions. In this case, we are indebted not only to the Legendary Archer and Nameless Supernova but also to the Tiger n.”


    Hwangho paused, scanning Cheongryong for his intentions and what he wanted to say.


    Cheongryong paused too before continuing to speak.


    “The Dragon n have secured Cadmus, the dragon yer who attacked us. Cadmus is said to be an existence from a differentnd and mythological system from ours, and it hasn’t been easy treating this dragon-yer-turned-dragon.”


    “I see. It would be difficult to keep him even if he’s already secured.”


    The existence of Cadmus is somewhat the natural opposite of the dragons.


    It’s like keeping a burning me inside a wall of ice.


    That’s why Cheongryong intended to entrust Cadmus to the Dragon King Shamans.


    ‘But ording to Eunho’s knowledge, the traitor of the Dragon n is among the shamans.’


    Hwangho was able to dispatch Ham Geunhyung to position in time, earning the trust of the Dragon n.


    On the other hand, the Dragon n is retracting its trust in their own people, as it’s highly likely that they noticed that a traitor was in their n.


    ‘Jo Euishin is now the dragons’ benefactor, and he knows what Eunho knows. He must’ve stopped the Dragon n from entrusting Cadmus to the shamans.’


    He recalled a Tiger that was in good rtions with the Dragon n.


    Hwangho predicted what Cheongryong was about to suggest.”


    “You wish to ask me to lend the power of Kim Shinrok, a descendant of the Tiger n, in the interrogation process? I see you’re willing to be indebted again.”


    Kim Shinrok’s torture skills are well-known even by the Dragon n.


    On top of that, the Dragon n would’ve had a lot of trust in Kim Shinrok, since he’s a long-time friend of Yong Jegun.


    “Yes. We’re on the same wavelength.”


    Cheongryong nodded with satisfaction.


    Meanwhile, Hwangho, as head of the Tiger n, organized his thoughts carefully before speaking his next words.


    “Kim Shinrok is not a dragon, but Cadmus the Dragon yer remains to be a threat. I don’t intend to send Kim Shinrok recklessly. If Kim Shinrok epts, how are you going to repay this debt?”


    “…Amusing.”


    Cheonryong lifted his long eyebrows, surprised at Hwangho’s words.


    Hwangho reviewed what he said to see if he uttered anything out of ce, but he couldn’t find anything.


    He decided to keep silent until Cheongryong exined.


    “The Dragon n’s benefactor told me what to suggest in advance. He expected that you would say that, Hwangho.”


    Hwangho, shocked at the revtion, tried to pry but was stopped by Cheongryong’s words.


    “If you wish so, Hwangho, Hwangryeong, and I will allow a tiger to get a dragon seal.”


    This time, it was Hwangho who was shocked.


    The dragon seal, made from Cheongryong and Hwangryeong’s bones, is a permission.


    It allows ess to the Dragon Pce to people who are not dragons.


    If one were to enter the Dragon Pce without this dragon seal, the permission of the Dragon King was required, which is far more difficult to obtain than Cheongryong and Hwangryong’s permission.


    “…You’re going to grant ess to the Dragon Pce to another royal lineage?”


    “It’s not just any royal lineage. It’s the Tiger n that we are indebted to.”


    Cheongryong was more polite than usual.


    Knowing Cheongryong’s arrogance and the usual tendency of the Dragon n to enclose themselves from other people, Hwangho was surprised, to say the least.


    “You saved Yong Jegun and our Junyeol-ie’s life, and perhaps we need more help in finding the traitor to our family. This much is the least we can do. What do you think?”


    “I don’t think it’s something I can decide right away. I’ll have to know Kim Shinrok’s thoughts first.”


    “That’s enough for now.”


    Hwangho couldn’t give a definite answer immediately, but he was leaning toward epting it if Kim Shinrok would agree since this whole proposal was made through Jo Euishin’s arrangement.


    And a few momentster…


    Kim Shinrok, who tried to persuade Jo Euishin not to leave even as he boarded the Red Lion’s private jet, finally returned.


    He looked quite pale.


    “…I couldn’t bring Jo Euishin. I apologize.”


    “It’s alright. You look very deteriorated overnight. Was the Dragon n not hospitable to you?”


    “Huh? N-no, that’s not the case!”


    Ever since Kim Shinrok was young, he had been on good terms with the Dragon n and had frequently visited their home.


    He immediately denied Hwangho’s usation.


    Kim Shinrok had never been treated badly in the Dragon n’s territory, and in fact, he was so close to them that he has his own room in their home.


    ‘Maybe Yong Jegun yed a prank on him again.’


    Listening to Kim Shinrok’s report, Hwangho was convinced.


    “…Joo Euishin left for Ennd withwmaker Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong.”


    As soon as he heard Sung Gukeon’s name, Hwangho clicked his tongue.


    He knew how much Yong Jegun was amused by Kim Shinrok and Sung Gukeon’s past teacher-student rtionship.


    In consideration of Kim Shinrok, Hwangho listened to his report calmly without asking anything further about Sung Gukeon.


    ‘Jo Euishin is involved in something that a yer at Sung Gukeon’s level needed toe forward. Maybe that’s why he left the country without a break.’


    Sung Gukeon is an excellent yer andwmaker, but this move of his seemed to be a move of a yer, not a politician.


    It is chaotic for awmaker to go on an overseas trip, but no media outlet was reporting on it.


    ‘So this is the appointment with Sung Gukeon that he was talking about.’


    Now all that’s left to decipher is what they’re going to do in Ennd.


    Hwangho’s question was answered before long.


    Overseas news articles appeared after Jo Euishin left the country, specifically about an incident with Big Ben.


    [I wille to the Demon Race’s pce to retrieve the painting of a failed dragon!]


    The media branded the culprit as “Phantom Thief Neon”


    “It looks like Euishin hyung is involved with this Phantom Thief Neon. I knew this child and Euishin hyung would cross paths the moment I knew he got his nickname as Red Wall Thief…”


    “Do you know who this Phantom Thief Neon is?”


    “Yes. I don’t know much details, but I know what kind of a person he is.”


    “So he appeared in the game too.”


    Eunho nodded without saying a word.


    His silence made Hwangho guess that the child didn’t face a good ending in the game.


    He doesn’t know much about this game, but Hwangho decided to guess the identity of the thief based on what he knows.


    “It’s possible that he’s a Eungwang High student.”


    Hwangho floated a hologram,


    On it, a special April Fool’s Day article written by Moon Saeron was disyed.


    “A staffer of the newspaper department reported on it. It’s quite simr to the main gate clock tower prank back on April Fool’s Day.”


    “Then Phantom Thief Neon must be a Eungwang High student. He was portrayed as a young kid.”


    “He must be in ss Zero.”


    “I think so too.”


    As the chairman of Eungwang High, the topic of a student overseas made Hwangho confused about whether he should be happy or not.


    He recalled the list of ss Zero students who were not attending school.


    It wasn’t easy to determine which of them is the thief just by the profile since all of their faces looked like they were capable of pulling tricks that the Phantom Thief Neon pulled.


    So instead, he decided to deduce something else.


    “The thing that he was referring to… It must be Imoogi’s Exorcism.”


    “Min Geurin’s first work?”


    “Yes. Jo Euishin once said we should find that painting.”


    “That’s enough reason for Euishin hyung to go to Ennd.”


    Eunho set his cup down silently, his face full of anxiety.


    “…Euishin hyung has already made ns and is moving ordingly. We intervened by mistake. We can’t get in his way.”


    “It’s a bitte to go now.”


    It will be difficult to go and help him carry out the operations now, as the two tigers judged so.


    “Why didn’t Euishin hyung ask Hwangho-nim for help?”


    “…”


    “Hwangho-nim, did you tell Euishin hyung about your abilities?”


    Hwangho recalled that he had told Jo Euishin something rted to his weakness in the past.


    It was about the limits of his power.


    “I think I’m right. Euishin hyung acted in consideration of your limitations, Hwangho-nim”


    Hwangho thought Eunho would reprimand him.


    Instead, Eunho looked quite happy.


    “You must trust Euishin hyung a lot.”


    Eunho pushed forward a refreshment for the young-looking Hwangho.


    “If your main body leaves Korea, it is easy to be burdened by idents from your alter ego. I’ll cover for you. Go ahead.”


    And so Hwangho prepared to meet Jo Euishin.


    He prepared a private jet that he hasn’t used in a long time.


    As soon as November 1st came to Korea, he decided to take with him the children who were preparing a surprise party to celebrate Jo Euishin’s birthday.


    Since Jo Euishin is in Ennd, the ss Zero kids dly responded to the suggestion of picking him up.


    “Can Miroe to Euishin’s party?”


    “Of course! I contacted her, and she said she cane. I heard she’s nning to start going to school next week.”


    The flower path for the guaranteed winner of ylist was closed off for Dokgo Miro, but she is far from giving up on her dreams.


    After the end of ylist, Dokgo Miro has been interviewed a few times, and she’s working on practicing harder than she ever did.


    And, just as she told her ssmates before, she will start attending school now that ylist was over.


    “Oh, Hani-ya. Did you see the Icarus Air Hotel catalog sent by Geum Chan sunbaenim? They said they can add mirror ze to the cake.”


    “…”


    “I’ll look at it with you if you haven’t seen it yet!”


    “…Huh? O-oh okay.”


    Hani stared at the catalog with a nk face.


    ‘Hani can’t concentrate.’


    Hani has been in low spirits since her recent talk with Jung Haeon, Dokgo Miro’s fansite.


    Jung Haeon is Dokgo Miro’s fan so it’s likely that she knows about her idol’s past.


    Still, Hwangho didn’t decide to intervene in the meeting between Jung Haeon and Hani.


    ‘It’s painful not knowing.’


    Hwangho decided to step back from this matter between Hani and Dokgo Miro.


    Soon, all the ss 1-0 students gathered and got on a private ne to celebrate Jo Euishin’s birthday.


    Pop! Bang!


    “Happy birthday Euishin-ah!”


    “Happy birthday!”


    “Hey, happy birthday.”


    Jo Euishin, covered in party poppers and confetti, looked nk.


    Since Jo Euishin was smart, Hwangho expected that Jo Euishin had already guessed and expected this situation.


    It seems like Hwangho’s expectations were wrong.


    It took Jo Euishin more than a second to say thanks for the birthday greetings.