NOVEL NEXT Chapter 206
Chapter 206
“…What? What nonsense are you spouting right now?!”
Chuck yelled as he glared at Si-hyun as if he wanted to devour him.
His expression was the very definition of disbelief.
An icy chill radiated from Mari next to him as well.
However, this was the response he expected.
It was downright ridiculous to believe some random human claiming to be Po-ahim’s successor.
In any case, the atmosphere was only getting more hostile.
Si-hyun had no intention of clashing needlessly with the people in front of him, who seemed to be Po-ahim’s subordinates.
Clearly, he needed to show some proof of his claim.
Si-hyun opened his mouth again.
“I understand. It’s only natural that you wouldn’t believe someone suddenly claiming to be the successor of the former Lord Po-ahim. But, explaining this step by step doesn’t seem appropriate given the current atmosphere… It looks like we need to find another way.”
Since they were Po-ahim’s subordinates, they likely had a good grasp of Po-ahim’s techniques.
Therefore, to persuade them quickly, it seemed best to demonstrate one of Po-ahim’s skills.
As he thought about what to show, Chuck appeared to reach the limit of his patience.
He clenched his fists so tight it sounded like wood cracking, growling threateningly.
“I think you need to get slapped around a bit to get your head straight.”
With a menacing face and threatening tone, he looked like the textbook example of an intimidating guard.
And given the era, he was probably well accustomed to exercising both words and violence.
Chuck slowly approached Si-hyun, cracking his knuckles.
The way he moved was reminiscent of a cocky thug, causing Si-hyun to chuckle.
“You’re laughing?”
Seeing Si-hyun’s smile, Chuck’s face flushed with rage.
His emotions filled his body as he slammed his foot against the floor, wishing to smash that laughing face.
Just then, his massive frame lunged at Si-hyun.
In that instant—
“Attention-!!”
Si-hyun bellowed in a voice that could rival any fearsome guard’s shout.
Just as he had planned, he showcased one of Po-ahim’s techniques.
And it created a bizarre spectacle.
Chuck’s body, which was charging at Si-hyun, suddenly stopped as though someone had grabbed hold of him.
His body slammed to a halt, swiftly striking a perfect, motionless attention stance.
He looked like a well-trained soldier, full of discipline.
Mari, who had been behind him, found herself in a similar stance, perfectly poised.
The once menacing atmosphere seemed to dissolve in an instant.
It felt like watching a ridiculous comedy unfold.
“Huh?!”
“What?!”
Chuck and Mari, who belatedly realized what they had done, wore expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Seeing them frozen with shock, Si-hyun barely managed to stifle his laughter.
Although he knew it was a result of his actions, it was undeniably hilarious.
In any case, it had more impact than he expected.
It seemed Po-ahim truly was a ghostly superior even to his subordinates.
After all, it was clear that where Po-ahim was, the workplace atmosphere was nothing to joke about.
Thus, their bodies likely responded automatically to Po-ahim’s shout.
Anyway, since they seemed still dazed by the sudden turn of events, Si-hyun felt it necessary to make them feel it one more time.
“Get down, now-!!”
Si-hyun shouted again, giving instructions.
“Now!”
“Now!”
Chuck and Mari reflexively echoed back, dropping to the ground with perfect form.
Indeed, they followed the textbook style, each striking a flawless stance.
Feeling pleased by their postures that could very well be showcased in a manual, Si-hyun gave them a thumbs up.
“Huh?!”
“T-this is….”
Having been humiliated twice in a row into following his orders without even realizing it, Chuck and Mari finally snapped back to reality.
Now, fully aware of their situation,
They realized that despite the different voices, those shouts were unmistakably too familiar to them.
With that realization, they understood that their bodies had instinctively reacted to those commands.
And they knew exactly who that commanding voice belonged to.
“No way…”
“Is it… the Lord’s…?!”
In their stunned state, they widened their eyes in horror, still in the position they had been ordered to assume.
Seeing their expressions, Si-hyun nodded.
“That’s right. I am the formal successor of the former Lord and the fifth Lord of the Prison Castle, Lee Si-hyun.”
The reaction was intense.
“I-I’m sorry!”
“I have sinned gravely!”
Chuck and Mari yelled, still in their prone positions, as if they were earning their stripes.
That was indeed a shout unique to Po-ahim.
After serving Po-ahim for a long time, they understood better than anyone what it meant.
And to have someone who could use Po-ahim’s shouts also possess the sign of the lord?
There could only be one answer.
He was truly Po-ahim’s successor and the new lord.
Whatever had happened here, it was undoubtedly a grievous crime.
“That’s alright. For now, please get up, and we need to talk.”
Given how things were turning out, addressing him with honorifics felt more frightening than being disrespectful.
It would have been more comfortable if they just cursed at him.
Chuck and Mari, still in their tense, formal stances, did not change position.
“No! It’s all the fault of the subordinates!”
“We will accept any punishment!”
Si-hyun forced a smile.
He had just felt the rigid atmosphere of respect and order they must maintain.
If the guards were this strict, what must it be like for the prisoners?
The Iron-Blooded Guards had earned their name for a reason.
With a resigned expression, Si-hyun approached them.
Realizing words wouldn’t work, he intended to raise them up physically.
The moment Si-hyun’s hand lightly touched Chuck’s body, he jolted as if he’d been shocked by electricity.
“W-what?!”
“I’m telling you to get up.”
“Y-yes?!”
“Come on, let’s rise.”
After inheriting the limits of physicality, Si-hyun’s strength had become unrivaled.
As such, he easily lifted Chuck’s hefty frame with no effort.
Chuck seemed flustered, unsure of what to do, but as soon as he met Si-hyun’s gaze, he quickly bowed his head.
By then, he had settled into a position of respectful attention.
Si-hyun then reached out to help Mari get up but hesitated for a moment.
‘…I should be careful with ladies.’
With thoughts that modern people might reflexively have, Si-hyun aimed to avoid any embarrassing places while lifting Mari’s body.
“Y-you’re the Lord?!”
Mari flinched, just as surprised as Chuck.
Once again, with ease, Si-hyun lifted her into the air.
She averted her gaze, as if she had rehearsed it, and bowed her head in the position of respectful attention.
With a satisfied expression, Si-hyun looked at the two of them.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Lee Si-hyun, successor of the former Lord and the fifth lord of the Prison Castle.”
Though it was the same information, their reactions were entirely different this time.
“Sir!”
Chuck and Mari responded in unison, adopting a crisp stance.
The intensity they exuded was extraordinary.
It was a presence that could only come from elite soldiers among the elite.
Even Si-hyun, who had years of experience leading others in the detention center and guild, found it impressive.
As he prepared to speak again, Chuck raised his hand.
Curiosity sparked in Si-hyun’s eyes.
“Speak.”
“We your humble subordinates cannot bear the honor of addressing you with respect. We only wish for you to treat us with casualness.”
Mari next to him wore a similar expression, as if Chuck had spoken her thoughts.
Si-hyun clearly understood their feelings.
It was natural to feel uncomfortable addressing someone they considered a lord in such elevated terms after living in a different world all their lives.
But when in Rome, one must follow Roman law.
“I understand your sentiments, but in this place, it’s a principle not to speak casually even to subordinates. Therefore, I will continue to treat you this way. There will be no further objections to this matter.”
With the authority befitting a lord, Si-hyun made it clear there would be no room for discussion.
“W-what…”
Chuck looked flabbergasted, as if he never expected his honest request would be dismissed outright.
Mari eyed Si-hyun in shock, momentarily forgetting to look away.
“That aside, could you please introduce yourselves?”
Si-hyun asked.
Chuck and Mari quickly composed their surprised expressions and replied in strong voices.
“I am Chuck, the first guard of the Prison Castle!”
“I am Mari, the second guard of the Prison Castle!”
‘So they’re the guards… I see.’
Si-hyun nodded in understanding.
The guards were those in charge of managing the other guards.
With the lord being the current warden, the guards could be likened to the head of security.
So now that the lord was absent, they had come out, acting as representatives to figure out what was going on.
And they were likely also Po-ahim’s closest aides.
“I see. Guards, huh? I look forward to working with you. By the way, we don’t have much time, so I’ll quickly explain the current situation, so please listen carefully.”
Si-hyun began explaining.
◈ ◈ ◈
“….”
“….”
Chuck and Mari listened to Si-hyun’s explanation, but their faces still wore expressions of confusion.
This was understandable.
Anyone would look bewildered upon hearing they had been summoned to another world overnight.
Si-hyun glanced at the watch on his wrist before he resumed his explanation.
Now, their expressions began to change, realizing the situation was somewhat making sense.
This was largely thanks to the lord’s explanation.
Being a lord, they accepted his words with undeniable faith; however, had it been someone else’s explanation, they would have questioned every detail.
In any case, time was running short.
Given that chaos had erupted, it was certain that someone from the Hunter Association, a reporter, or a civilian would come here soon.
Si-hyun decided that caution was the best course of action.
While it was unavoidable to deal with the Prison Castle at the moment, it would be unwise for the knowledge of otherworldly beings passing through to leak.
Especially to reporters and civilians.
It was clear chaos would ensue.
And whether it would benefit or harm him, or in what manner it would unfold, he hadn’t even begun to think yet.
In such circumstances, just sitting idly and letting information spread across the globe was foolhardy.
Disseminating information could wait until later.
But the chance to control the situation was only now.
Perhaps Ryu Geon-woo and the National Intelligence Service Director would have been thinking the same thing if they were in similar predicaments.
“What’s the current situation at the Prison Castle?”
Clearing his thoughts, Si-hyun asked.
“We instructed the guards to manage the prisoners strictly and then left,” Mari, quick-witted, answered before Chuck could.
What was most important in a prison?
Naturally, it was the status of managing the prisoners.
So she figured that was what he was asking.
It had been exactly the answer Si-hyun hoped for.
“Good. Please ensure strict management of the prisoners. And you two should head back to the Prison Castle, lock the gates, and stay quiet. Under no circumstances should you open the door for anyone until I, the lord, give you further orders, understood?”
“We will obey your orders, my lord!”
“We shall obey your orders!”
Mari and Chuck quickly echoed back with precision and hurried away toward the Prison Castle.
As he watched their retreating figures, Si-hyun pulled out his cellphone.
“…Yes, Director. Are you aware of the incident happening over in Ganghwa Island? Ah, it’s related to me. Yes, yes, and it also involves demons. Alright, but explaining it will take a while. And this is undoubtedly a significant matter. Immediate control is necessary to prevent anyone outside from approaching, including reporters or civilians. Yes, please. I’ll do my best to handle it from here. Yes. Alright, then.”