Disciple of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 154

The Three Kings’ Disciple (155)

154

For Dang Hwa-young, a princess of the Dang family, the events about to unfold were crystal clear.

A failed gate fusion device.

The consequences would be catastrophic, far beyond a simple disaster.

“This entire area will be obliterated,” Dang Hwa-young explained gently, sensing Ro-woon hadn’t fully grasped the situation.

“Multiple gates will trigger a chain reaction, causing a complete breakdown.”

A chain of explosions, the damage would be unimaginable.

The Dang family had experimented with this gate fusion device before.

‘On an island in Japan.’

The accident had pushed a region to the brink of annihilation.

They had disguised the incident as a nuclear power plant explosion to cover it up.

This time would be no different.

“This area, no, the entire Gyeonggi Province could be devastated.”

The aftermath was difficult for those who couldn’t foresee the outcome to comprehend.

“And you will be made the scapegoat.”

The scheme was vivid in her mind.

“They’re trying to make you a hero again, then tear you down. Crushing the hopes of the people of Earth….”

Another malicious purpose was evident.

“To keep the troublesome Galaxy in check. You’ll take the blame for everything.”

This was about to happen.

The Galaxy, having suffered damage in Gyeonggi Province, and the player-friendly factions would target Ro-woon once he was labeled the culprit.

And.

‘Because Ro-woon has followers….’

A new conflict between players and the Galaxy would ignite.

In the past, there had been an uproar when Ro-woon was branded a colleague killer.

“It will be far worse this time.”

Ro-woon and Dank’s followers had flocked to Gyeonggi Province.

Moreover, more people were following him, proclaiming it was Ro-woon’s resurrection.

What if Ro-woon was captured by the Galaxy?

“A riot could erupt.”

A riot.

And the result would lead to the Assembly’s intervention.

Ruthless suppression, and the deaths of many.

The hopes of the people of Earth would be shattered, and even the forces of the Galaxy, who were barely friendly to the players, would turn their backs.

The Galaxy’s power would also be weakened, and those hiding behind the scenes would gain everything, while those exposed would lose everything.

“You just need to stay alive, Ro-woon.”

But if only Ro-woon was alive.

“Even if you hide for a while, you can fix all of this.”

It could be fixed.

“I have the power to do that.”

Finally, she revealed her identity.

“I am Dang Hwa-young of the Dang family. Dok-hwa is me.”

It might be awkward to introduce herself, but at Dok-hwa’s level, it was different.

That name alone could explain and promise a lot.

“Let’s go to the Dang family together.”

A hand extended towards Ro-woon.

“I will protect you.”

Dang Hwa-young spoke with sincerity.

***

Woo-oong.

Even now, the gates began to shake erratically due to the effects of the gate fusion device.

Swoosh.

Dang Hwa-young still hadn’t retracted her hand extended towards Ro-woon.

‘It must be overwhelming.’

She couldn’t even imagine what Ro-woon’s heart must be like.

Betrayed, having lost everything, and fallen into the mud.

But he was once again being used and was in danger of falling into an even deeper abyss.

“…….”

Dang Hwa-young didn’t plan to rush.

Swoosh.

But shadows were approaching Ro-woon and Dang Hwa-young.

Thud.

They knelt on one knee before Dang Hwa-young and spoke.

“Young Mistress. The situation is critical.”

Black uniforms and hoods covering their heads revealed their identities.

‘The Dang family.’

The Dang family’s warriors, who had been hiding and escorting Dang Hwa-young, had revealed themselves.

With them behind her, Dang Hwa-young looked at Ro-woon again.

“Ro-woon.”

She spoke with sincerity once more.

“Let’s go together.”

If Ro-woon refused here.

‘I have no choice.’

Dang Hwa-young was determined to save him, even by force.

He was her hero.

The one who had sparked her dream of freedom in her childhood and made her imagine the place called Earth.

The little prince in the fairy tale was Ro-woon.

Losing a hero once was enough.

Clench.

‘I can’t let it happen twice.’

She was also different from the past.

If she was just a princess in name only back then, now she had power.

The power she had gained to never lose anything again.

“The Dang family repays kindness tenfold and revenge tenfold. I will help you on the path you must take.”

This was her final offer.

Koo-oong!

Now, Dang Hwa-young knew that she didn’t have much time left either.

Swoosh.

She was prepared to subdue him and move him if necessary.

“There’s no need for that.”

Finally, Ro-woon’s answer was heard.

“Make a hero and bring him down.”

That was what they wanted.

The Ro-woon who had reappeared had become what they wanted.

He didn’t know if it was something worthy of being called a hero, but he felt that he had gained the attention of many people.

Now was the time to fall.

“I can’t let them have their way.”

Ro-woon said.

Smirk.

A smile appeared on his languid face.

Swoosh.

The Dang family warriors who had been kneeling stood up and turned around.

“……When.”

Confusion was evident in the sharp eyes revealed under the hood.

Thud, thud.

Footsteps were heard.

The Dang family warriors drew their weapons and stood guard, and Dang Hwa-young couldn’t hide her momentary bewilderment either.

“When….”

Dang Hwa-young was equally surprised.

The Dang family was a family of poison and hidden weapons.

Therefore, stealth techniques had naturally developed, and naturally, they had mastered martial arts to detect hidden individuals.

“Everything is ready.”

Those who had appeared next to Ro-woon, evading the Dang family’s notice, spoke.

“…….”

The energy emanating from them.

And the masks and hoods covering their faces, and the ability to deceive the Dang family’s senses.

It made sense if they hadn’t been hiding but had suddenly appeared.

Those who possessed such abilities were.

“Cheong-gwi….”

Cheong-gwi [Righteous Army].

“The Righteous Army!”

It was the Righteous Army.

“I was thinking about what would be the most annoying thing for them.”

Ro-woon said with a smirk.

Their goal was to diminish the recent surge in volunteer activities and extinguish hope.

Then the opposite would be to empower the volunteer army even more.

“Dank’s members have safely escaped through the gate.”

Lee Shin-woo said, wearing a hood and mask.

The Ro-woon in front of them now.

It was Ro-woon, not Kim Jong-soo.

Kim Jong-soo had already been handed over to Lee Shin-woo by Ro-woon in that hotel room.

“What are you going to do? Can you really do it?”

Lee Shin-woo said.

“This is a gate fusion device. Things have escalated more than I anticipated. Really….”

“I told you it’s okay.”

Dang Hwa-young’s face hardened at Ro-woon and Cheong-gwi’s conversation.

They were the Righteous Army.

As a warrior of the Galaxy, she could never overlook them.

But with them was Ro-woon.

Moreover, Cheong-gwi seemed to know about the existence of the gate fusion device.

“Dang Hwa-young.”

Then, Ro-woon’s voice was heard again.

“Thanks for your concern, but we’ll handle this, so you should leave quickly.”

She hesitated at Ro-woon’s words.

“What, are you saying you have to fight them because they’re the Righteous Army?”

Ro-woon’s languid gaze pierced through Dang Hwa-young.

“You know what’s about to happen, do you have much time?”

“Young Mistress.”

Even the Dang family warriors called out to Dang Hwa-young.

“…….”

Dang Hwa-young was caught in an unexpected dilemma.

Thud.

Then Ro-woon started walking.

Not towards the exit, but deeper into the gate.

“Young Mistress!”

The Dang family warriors urged Dang Hwa-young.

They didn’t seem to have any intention of fighting the Righteous Army.

“You must leave.”

What was important to them was Dang Hwa-young, not the Righteous Army.

“If you get caught up in this, you will be in danger too, Young Mistress.”

Just as Dang Hwa-young had done to Ro-woon, they seemed ready to carry Dang Hwa-young away if necessary.

“Ha….”

She let out a small sigh.

“I’m going to follow him.”

In the end, she made her choice.

“Young Mistress!”

“It’s my choice. I can’t lose him again.”

“Didn’t you see who’s by his side? It’s Cheong-gwi.”

In fact, the moment he saw the Righteous Army, Dang Cheong, who was the captain of Dang Hwa-young’s escort, had already made up his mind.

‘We have to leave.’

He had been holding back because he knew what Ro-woon meant to Dang Hwa-young, but now he had crossed the line.

They were the Righteous Army.

They shouldn’t get involved with the Righteous Army.

Even though she had risen to the position of Young Mistress, Dang Hwa-young, who was not yet the head of the family, would not be able to handle what would happen.

“Are you going to abandon everything like this?”

“It was a prison.”

Dang Hwa-young said.

“A beautiful prison. If I didn’t know anything, maybe not. But now I know that place is a prison.”

Most people wouldn’t understand.

Just like Seo Ha-neul said.

A life where you could have everything you wanted.

But that place was nothing more than a prison for Dang Hwa-young.

A place without dreams, hope, or freedom.

“I don’t want to go back there.”

“Young Mistress! That is your home!”

“I know.”

But.

“I don’t plan to go back to that house alone.”

Dang Hwa-young stepped forward.

Thud.

In the end, the Dang family warriors stood to stop her.

Thump.

They collapsed without being able to use any strength.

“When….”

They had been poisoned.

“The paralysis will wear off soon. Don’t look for me and get out of here. No….”

Dang Hwa-young looked at where Ro-woon was going with burning eyes.

“Get out of here. Uncle. I can’t lose him again.”

Taat!

* * *

Jijijik, jiji-i-i-ing.

The deeper they went into the gate, the more intense the resonance became, and the noise crackled.

Koo-oong!

The vibrations that echoed all around had already started a long time ago.

“…….”

Lee Shin-woo looked tense, but.

“Are you okay?”

Ro-woon was different.

“I told you not to worry.”

“No. I’m sure the gate will take care of itself.”

Lee Shin-woo said.

“You’ve hidden so much. I believe you can handle this much.”

Although he knew about the gate fusion device, Lee Shin-woo was certain.

Ro-woon would be able to handle this matter for sure.

But what Lee Shin-woo was worried about was.

“Dank, you know what will happen to Ro-woon.”

What would happen in the future.

“They’re the Righteous Army. The ones you hated so much.”

Because of this, Dank’s Ro-woon would become a member of the Righteous Army.

It was what Ro-woon had disliked and avoided the most in the past.

“It’s not just me who hates it. There are those who hate me becoming a member of the Righteous Army the most.”

Those who had planned this.

They would hate Ro-woon becoming a member of the Righteous Army the most.

They seemed to want to make Ro-woon a hero and bring him down, but that wasn’t the end goal.

They were.

‘Terrorists.’

They were just trying to make Ro-woon a terrorist blinded by revenge.

Then.

“I’ll have to become a hero.”

He would become a real hero.

It was a cheesy and cringeworthy word, but it wasn’t bad when he thought about how they would feel.

“Anyway.”

Ro-woon said.

“Dank and Ro-woon are no longer important to me.”

It was just the past.

“…….”

Lee Shin-woo looked at Ro-woon with a complicated gaze.

“A lot will change. Dank and Ro-woon are more amazing than you think.”

“Then it’s good for you, right? It’s what you’ve always wanted?”

Ro-woon walked ahead.

“No.”

Lee Shin-woo said softly, in a voice that Ro-woon couldn’t hear.

“I didn’t want you to become a member of the Righteous Army either.”

A terribly difficult path.

He didn’t want even his younger brother to step onto this path.

But if that was his younger brother’s choice in the end.

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

He was determined to do his best to ensure that his intentions were not distorted.

As if responding to Cheong-gwi’s determination.

Woo-oong!

Several dozen gates were merging into one and beginning to fuse.