With the mention of the candidate shaman, Cheongryong and Yeom Bangyeol’s expressions changed quite oddly.

Except for matters concerning the Red Lion Team or Yeom Junyeol, the Dragon Clan rarely engage with matters outside their family.

Only a few people know about the Dragon King’s Shamans, and even fewer know about its candidate system.

Therefore, I understand why they’re being wary.

“We know that you’ve met with the Dragon King’s Shamans yesterday, but you probably didn’t hear about that from them. How does our benefactor know about candidate shamans?”

I witness how the Dragon Clan and the Red Lion team collapsed in PMH.

That’s the real answer, but I couldn’t really say that.

“It’s difficult to explain.”

“Hmm…”

With that, Cheongryong didn’t question me any further.

If it were a regular human rather than me, their benefactor, who said that, they would’ve probably been imprisoned and interrogated right away.

He dropped the subject, but I see that all the dragons in the wallpapers were still looking at me as if Cheongryong’s doubts hadn’t completely disappeared.

‘At this rate, it’s going to be difficult to ask for a favor.’

I can’t talk about PMH, but I need to win Cheongryong’s trust.

The most persuasive thing I could think of right now is the one that I can present using physical evidence.

As if having the same thoughts as me, Yong Jegun brought up the topic of “evidence.”

“As a dragon serving the Dragon King, it’s natural to be wary of words that seem to doubt the shamans and the fact that he knows about a certain candidate. But Euishin is reliable, Cheongryong. He has evidence.”

Yong Jegun was addressing Cheongryong with a mixture of formal and informal speech, which tells me that the two are quite close.

He then spoke to me.

“Euishin-ah, show it to Cheongryong.”

I opened my item window and chose the one I recently acquired.

As soon as I selected the item, a bead with spiritual energy appeared out of nowhere.

Inside the transparent bead the size of my palm, there were dragon scales that shone in five colors.

When they saw the bead, everyone was shocked, except for Yong Jegun.

“Don’t tell me this energy is… The Dragon King’s…!”

“The five-colored scales in the bead… Is that the Dragon King’s Scales?”

Yong Jegun stared at my palm with a satisfied face.

He seemed to be amused by the way the bead appeared on my hand instantly.

I don’t know if it’s a good thing, but he looks very excited.

“I had no idea where it was hidden or how it appeared suddenly. As expected, you’re amazing, Euishin-ah.”

“Yong Jegun, did you know that the Dragon King gave this treasure to the benefactor?”

Yong Jegun nodded at Cheongryong’s question.

“That’s right. Euishin isn’t a dragon, a descendant, a shaman, nor a candidate, but the Dragon King personally gave his permission for him to enter the Dragon Palace.”

It seems like the Dragon King’s invitation to the Dragon Palace bears more weight than I thought.

Cheongryong began to speak to me with courtesy.

“A human who saved our descendant, our benefactor. And he has the permission o Dragon King. As the head of the Dragon Clan, I have no choice but to put aside my doubts and listen to his words. I will hear about the benefactor’s proposal.”

Cheongryong’s deep voice was filled with dignity and goodwill.

This is my first time feeling this since I’ve only met Hwang Jiho and Ok Toyeon so far, but speaking with Cheongryong made me realize that not just anyone can be the leader of a clan.

It almost made me forget the sight of him holding two Hongryong lightsticks.

I finally aired my favor.

“I know that the day when the Dragon King’s shaman candidates are called to the Dragon Palace is on the first day of the first lunar month next year.”

“You know well. It’s a long-standing custom of the Dragon Clan to call candidates in time for the succession ceremony.”

The ‘Dragon King’s Shaman’ scenario begins on the day of the succession ceremony.

It was on the first day of the Lunar Year next year.

Considering the events on that day, I couldn’t just sit around.

Since the day of the succession ceremony cannot be changed, at least the day to call in the candidates had to be changed.

“Please move it forward by a week.”

Cheongryong looked surprised.

I guess he expected a more complicated and difficult favor to accomplish.

I added a few important conditions.

“However, I hope only those who are here, along with the Dragon King, know about this change in schedule.”

“…Is that condition, benefactor, related to what you said that the shamans should not be the prison guards of the dragon slayer?”

I immediately affirmed Cheongryong’s question.

“Yes. It would be safe to always have security around the Dragon King’s Shamans.”

“I want to make sure that there is a good enough reason to put security around the Dragon King’s Shamans. For whose safety is that action?”

“For everyone’s.”

As soon as I said that, Cheongryong’s face seemed to turn dark, which tells me that he understood what I meant.

“Are all the shamans dangerous?”

That is something that I didn’t know as well.

It hadn’t been revealed in the game how many of the shamans were traitors.

“I do not know either. That’s why we need to watch all of them.”

“…I see.”

Cheongryong responded right away without much thought.

“I accept our benefactor’s suggestion.”

Cheongryong said the words I had been waiting for.

“And in addition to that, I would be happy to do what our benefactor asked me yesterday.”

* * *

Classroom of Year One Class Zero.

Their classes were already over, but the children of Class Zero voluntarily stayed behind to prepare for Jo Euishin’s birthday party.

It was the perfect day to do so since Jo Euishin was absent from school.

“Should we rent one of the school facilities and decorate it?”

“Hmm… our schedule is tight so I don’t know if the school will approve it on such short notice.”

“Do you want a huge hall? If you apply, it will be approved right away.”

Hwaangho confidently said that a rental permit will be issued right away.

He meant that he’d approve it right away as the school’s chairman, but of course, the kids looked puzzled as they didn’t understand it.

“I asked a sunbae last time about the rental process when we were preparing for the busking activity. I heard that it’s best to submit a request at least three days prior.”

“Huh, where’s this crazyhead getting the confidence to say that?”

“…Ahahaha, wouldn’t it feel burdensome for Euishin if we throw a big party?”

Kim Yuri, who knows that Hwangho’s identity was not of a human being, quickly changed the subject.

In consideration of Jo Euishin’s personality, they agreed that the party should be simple.

Even so, they had to pay extra attention to food, and so the Class Zero students became absorbed in crafting the perfect menu.

They fell into a dilemma as they floated dozens of holograms containing pictures of cakes.

“I don’t think oranges are in season right now, so I think we need to order a cake that already has oranges in it.”

“Should we order from MITRON then? They let customers choose ingredients there.”

Kim Yuri posted MITRON’s pre-order page on an electronic blackboard

At the same time, the children shared opinions in accordance with the order guidelines of the store.

“Hmm, should we put orange glaze or not…”

“Why don’t we have it in a mirror-glaze type?”

“But won’t that be too sweet?”

“I agree.”

“Let’s vote on it then!”

When their cake order was finally decided, Kim Yuri placed the order as the class representative.

While Kim Yuri was ordering the cake, the other kids began to discuss other things needed for the party.

“I’ll make the candle. Is a chess piece-shaped one okay?”

“Yes! Euishin’s energy wave is black, so I think a black piece is best.”

“Oh, right. Wooram-ah, don’t buy the materials yourself! I’ll go with you! Got it?”

After the cake candle was decided, Kwon Lena was choosing a cake box wrapping ribbon when…

Kim Yuri suddenly spoke in a flustered voice.

“Oh no, guys…! I can’t place an order with MITRON!”

“Are they already booked?”

“It was working just a while ago but…”

Kim Yuri showed her hologram screen.

A notice pop-up appeared on MITRON’s page.

The children sighed after reading its contents.

“The patissier will be off work until Monday due to personal reasons!”

“Ah… then should we order the Air Hotel bakery that we mentioned earlier?”

While the children were disappointed by the sudden matter and had to eventually come up with a different place to order a cake from…

Hwangho, who was tracking Jo Euishin’s location through his device paid for by Eungwang High, suddenly jumped from his seat.

Jo Euishin’s location changed.

He was getting closer to Eungwang District.

‘Among my alter egos that are in Eungwang District, ‘Hwang Jiho’ is the closest.’

Judging so, he jumped up from his seat.

The other kids stared at him, their expression nothing short of ‘What’s wrong with him?’

But since it’s not a rare occasion for Hwang Jiho to show strange behavior, they passed it off and continued talking among themselves.

In this display of indifference, Hwang Jiho opened his mouth.

“I’m off.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“There is something I have to personally attend to. I will leave the decisions up to you. I apologize for leaving in the middle of a meeting.”

Kim Yuri quickly settled the situation before the other kids could ask Hwangho anything more.

“No, sorry it’s taking a bit too long! I’ll message you the final details.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, don’t spoil the party for Vice President.”

“That’s right! Don’t repeat what you did during the chess tournament!”

Leaving behind his classmates’ friendly goodbyes, Hwangho sprinted away.

As if he were a horse running, he seemed faster than students traveling on an airboard, and passerby who saw him couldn’t hide their surprise.

‘Jo Euishin is coming this way. I need to take him to the mansion right away. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get in touch with Kim Shinrok, but it seems things have worked out.’

Jo Eushin doesn’t know how much Hwangho has been nagged by Eunho for not being able to reach him.

‘Since he was injured, should I call in Hyangrok? No, I’ll let Eunho examine Jo Euishin first, and from there, we should make a new customized medicine.

When Jo Euishin’s location finally entered Eungwang District and Hwangho reached his location…

Instead of Jo Euishi, Hwangho ran into an unexpected person.

“You’re here. The Dragon Clan’s benefactor said that the head of the Tiger Clan will meet me here, and it’s just as he said.”

Dragon Clan’s what?

Benefactor?

Hwangho couldn’t hide the feeling of absurdity from his face.

“What are you talking about? Don’t tell me… Jo Euishin is the Dragon Clan’s benefactor?”

“Correct. The Dragon Clan’s benefactor saved Yong Jegun and our Junyeol-ie. That is why I, the Dragon Clan’s head, decided to be happy with this errand.”

Cheongryong reached out and held out something.

“He told me to deliver you this.”

“…What is this?”

“I think you know better than I do.”

What Cheongryong presented was the device issued to students of Eungwang High.

The device that he had been tracking.

It was obvious why Jo Euishin entrusted this to Cheongryong.

Pressing his temples, Hwangho asked.

“Where is Jo Euishin.”

“The Dragon Clan’s benefactor is now…”

Cheongryong continued.

“In a private plane headed to the U.K.”

“What did you say…?”

Dingdong.

Just then, a device message notification was heard.

It was a message from Jo Euishin.

[Jo Euishin] I’m headed to the U.K.