Chapter 84: Yoo Hee-yeon, who is left alone and isolated

Artemis Guild Master Yoo Han-beom turned to the academy president, Choi Iseul, and spoke.

“President Choi, we will conduct a more thorough investigation into this incident and ensure that the appropriate

punishment is administered. Would that be acceptable?”

Choi Iseul paused for a moment before responding.

“Since Yoo Hee-yeon is denying any involvement in the incident, it seems that more definitive evidence is required.

While we will also conduct our own investigation, there’s no reason for us to refuse if the Artemis Guild takes the

initiative to investigate.”

Who could refuse when the Artemis Guild Master himself offered to use his power and resources to launch an

internal investigation? Furthermore, if Yoo Han-beom was leading the inquiry, Yoo Hee-yeon wouldn’t be able to use

her influence or wealth to protect herself, making the process more effective.

After listening to Choi Iseul, Yoo Han-beom replied.

“Thank you. Additionally, we will cover all medical expenses for the students injured in the incident and provide

appropriate compensation.”

Choi Iseul glanced at several students who were still unconscious. When the connection between the stage’s interior

and exterior had been severed, some students had been attacked. At first, they had appeared to be dead, but

fortunately, after Shin Jun-ho collapsed, they were safely transmitted outside.

Most of the injured had been knocked out before Shin Jun-ho’s rampage reached its peak, so only a few were still

unconscious. However, the fact that there were some who hadn’t regained consciousness yet was significant, and

since the cause and treatment weren’t clear, Yoo Han-beom’s offer to take responsibility was a welcome proposal.

“We appreciate your willingness to do so.”

Yoo Hee-yeon, who had been listening to their conversation, trembled as she clenched her fists.

“Father…? You don’t believe me? I’m telling you, I didn’t do it… Why are you trusting other people’s words over

mine? Why are you offering compensation? I told you—I didn’t do anything wrong… Why…?”

Bang!

Yoo Han-beom struck his staff against the ground, cutting her off.

“Enough.”

Though his words were brief, they carried an overwhelming sense of authority that silenced everyone present.

Thud.

Realizing that no further words would make a difference, Yoo Hee-yeon lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the

ground in despair.

“I will take full responsibility for this matter.”

With that, Yoo Han-beom turned away without another word.

“Follow me.”

Step.

Step.

As Yoo Han-beom started walking, Yoo Hee-yeon followed closely behind him.

Swoosh.

Kim Hee-ra, just before leaving, turned to glance at Lee Hyun-seung. Her mind lingered on the words he had spoken

to Yoo Hee-yeon moments ago.

“I’m not entirely sure. But one thing is clear — the first person Shin Junho targeted was me. And because of that, the

situation that had been in my favor was overturned.”

“That cocky little brat…”

Kim Heera’s face flushed red with rage, as if she was about to devour Lee Hyun-seung. However, he remained

expressionless and calmly met her gaze.

“Shouldn’t you hurry? The Guild Leader doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“You damn brat. If it turns out that Yoo Hee-yeon didn’t do what you’re accusing her of, you won’t walk away

unscathed. Do you understand? You’ll pay the price for running your mouth so disrespectfully.”

Lee Hyun-seung simply sighed, shaking his head without a word.

Kim Heera bit her lip hard, glaring at him before turning to follow Yoo Han-beom. She understood — causing more

of a scene here would only backfire on her.

Although Yoo Han-beom usually tolerated Kim Heera’s behavior, there were limits. When he was truly angry, there

was no leeway. The reason he often yielded to her wasn’t out of fear, but consideration. After all, the power she

wielded came entirely from him.

• Step.
• Step.

Their footsteps echoed with barely contained fury. Watching them leave, Lee Hyun-seung thought to himself:

‘It’s time for you to experience the same frustration and injustice.’

Being pressured and tormented based on flimsy evidence… Suffering for crimes he hadn’t committed… Lee Hyun-

seung knew that agony better than anyone — he had endured it himself.

Now, it was Yoo Hee-yeon’s turn.

‘I overcame it on my own. Let’s see how you handle it, Yoo Hee-yeon.’

At the Artemis Guild headquarters.

A dark room devoid of furniture, ornaments, or artifacts. A completely empty space, except for seven figures

standing silently.

The Artemis Guild was ruled by Yoo Han-beom with absolute authority. Beneath him was Vice Guild Master Bae Gi-

young, but his position was merely ceremonial, meant to represent the Guild Leader at external events when Yoo

Han-beom couldn’t attend.

Below them were five influential figures known as the “Elders.”

The First to Fifth Elders were individuals of immense strength and wealth, second only to Yoo Han-beom. These

people weren’t chosen for their character or morality — they were chosen for their abilities. Most of these abilities

revolved around one thing: violence. Whether through magic or swordsmanship, they specialized in killing people

and monsters alike. In essence, they were human weapons.

“Listen up, Elders.”

Yoo Han-beom’s voice resonated through the dark room.

Standing at the center, Yoo Hee-yeon glanced around nervously, her eyes darting about.

A woman with gray hair and a short skirt, holding a staff, smiled sensually. Her name was Baek So-yoon, the First

Elder. Her alluring figure caught the eye, but her words were anything but charming.

“Guild Leader. Please speak. Who’s the next target to eliminate? Your daughter, perhaps?”

Baek So-yoon, who never hesitated to do what was asked of her, showed no bias in her approach. Sometimes, her

behavior bordered on psychopathic. It was entirely in her character to make such an insane suggestion, even in front

of Yoo Hee-yeon’s father.

However, Yoo Han-beom responded coldly.

“Go ahead and try. I’ll break your neck myself.”

“Oh my… That sounds thrilling in its own way.”

As Baek So-yoon giggled, a man standing behind her stepped forward. It was Hwang Moon-hyuk, the Second Elder,

his hand resting on the sword at his waist.

“First Elder. Conduct yourself with dignity. Don’t forget that we’re in an Elder meeting. There’s a limit to how much

inappropriate behavior we can tolerate.”

“Hmph… Why is it always me? Just because I’m the only woman here, doesn’t mean you all should gang up on me.”

Feigning a pout, she flashed a playful smile, but Hwang Moon-hyuk sighed and ignored her.

The other Elders showed no reaction to their exchange, remaining focused solely on Yoo Han-beom.

“Silence.”

• Thud!

When Yoo Han-beom struck the ground with his staff, a wave of mana rippled through the room.

• Hwoooong!

Everyone flinched, their bodies stiffening from the oppressive aura. Even Yoo Hee-yeon trembled involuntarily at the

overwhelming power.

“I’ll keep this brief. The reason I’ve gathered you all here for an Elder meeting is simple — to discuss a matter of great

importance to the Artemis Guild.”

The five Elders leaned in with interest, their gazes locked on Yoo Han-beom.

Once he confirmed he had their attention, he spoke in an emotionless tone.

“Effective immediately, the position of the Artemis Guild successor is vacant.”

“…!”

Hwang Moon-hyuk’s eyes widened in shock, and he rushed forward.

“Guild Leader! Is that true? What’s the reason for this decision?”

“Yoo Hee-yeon has been deemed unfit to succeed as the Artemis Guild Leader. That’s all there is to it.”

“Ah… Father…”

Yoo Hee-yeon mumbled blankly as she gazed at her father. However, the elders paid her no attention, as if she were

irrelevant to them now. Instead, they murmured among themselves.

“-The successor position is now vacant, so moving forward…”

“-How dare someone like you even dream of taking the successor’s seat? The successor should be me…”

“-Well, regardless, the next successor must be…”

As the elders continued their heated discussion, Yoo Han-beom interrupted.

“I’ve already decided how the next successor will be chosen.”

The moment he spoke, silence fell over the room. Everyone was curious about the method he would propose.

Thoughts about the upcoming process filled the elders’ minds.

“To be selected as the next successor, the candidate must secure the agreement of at least four elders.”

At this, Hwang Mun-hyuk raised his voice in protest.

“Guild Master, that’s impossible. You know well that we don’t get along with one another. Convincing three elders

might be feasible, but expecting unanimous support, aside from their own vote, is absurd.”

“I’m not finished yet.”

Yoo Han-beom continued.

“You’re all aware of Lee Hyun-seung. I’ve mentioned him before, so there’s no way you’ve forgotten. Anyone among

you can try to scout Lee Hyun-seung. If you succeed, he will be granted elder status. That would make a total of six

elders. With six, securing four votes shouldn’t be impossible.”

Yoo Han-beom’s gaze grew sharper.

Through the vacancy left by the successor’s position, he sought to reform this corrupted system, even if just a little.

Therefore, he decided that the new successor must be chosen through voting—to ensure that someone with broad

support could become the next guild master.

As for scouting Lee Hyun-seung, Yoo Han-beom had little expectation that anyone would succeed. The relationship

between Yoo Hee-yeon and Lee Hyun-seung was notoriously bad, and he had already rejected a previous recruitment

offer. Yoo Han-beom didn’t believe Lee Hyun-seung would accept.

Yet, he still yearned for Lee Hyun-seung more than anyone else.

‘If it’s him…’

If it were Lee Hyun-seung—someone with massive untapped potential and an unpredictable growth trajectory—there

was a chance.

‘He might change this place.’

Unlike himself, Lee Hyun-seung could transform this stagnant guild. With that hope in mind, Yoo Han-beom

presented an almost impossible task to the elders: bringing in Lee Hyun-seung. After all, whoever gained Lee Hyun-

seung’s vote would have a significant advantage in becoming the next successor.

“Now that you understand, this meeting is adjourned.”

Finally, Yoo Han-beom turned to Yoo Hee-yeon.

“Hee-yeon, you’ll remain here for the next 24 hours. Stay alone, reflect on your actions, and come to me once you’ve

realized your mistakes. Even while you’re in here, the investigation will continue. This is your last chance to confess

before any conclusive evidence surfaces. Consider this carefully.”

With that, Yoo Han-beom and the elders left the room.

-Creak.

-Bang!

The heavy door closed, sealing Yoo Hee-yeon inside. The space plunged into darkness, with no light seeping through.

-Drip. Drip.

Yoo Hee-yeon sat on the floor, hugging her knees, sobbing quietly.

“I… I didn’t… I really didn’t do it…”

Her desperate plea echoed in the darkness, unheard by anyone.

Inside the office of the First Elder, Baek So-yoon, a man posed a question.

“Elder, what are your plans? Securing votes from two or three members might be possible, but getting four is

practically impossible. Given your strained relationship with Elder Hwang Mun-hyuk, it’s unlikely he’ll support you.”

“I’m aware. That despicable man would never let me become the successor without putting up a fight.”

The man sighed.

“But if we remain idle and another elder becomes the successor, the current power balance will be completely

overturned. Do you have a strategy?”

-Tap.

-Tap.

-Tap.

Baek So-yoon tapped her desk several times, a sly smile spreading across her face as she stood.

“If there’s no solution, I’ll create one. All I need to do is bring in Lee Hyun-seung and have him vote for me.”

Her chilling smile deepened.

“Though younger men aren’t really my type… I suppose it won’t hurt to meet him.”