SL Chapter 10 Interlude; Chang Woo


    11/04/2071


    Rythmic tapping resounded through a small room. It was the kind that was caused when the sole of a foot clad within a shoe hit the floor at regular intervals. The room itself was a marvel of decor, colored purple with golden etchings that were akin to vines, growing along every inch of the walls and floor, even having golden leaves and blooming flowers, whose golden petals glowed with a mesmerizing sheen.


    Within this room, there were black pieces of furniture, from the sofas, to the black shelves lined with scores of books, to a small table that had a transparent jug filled with a yellow liquid and a couple of inverted glasses, all resting upon a stainless steel tray. Though, there was also something that didn''t exactly have the same color as everything within the room, yet fit with everything. You could even say that everything else served to highlight its importance. It was a rectangular transparent table, with smooth curves.


    Behind it, was a man clad in a grey suit with a black tie visible beneath his elbows, which were resting upon its surface, with the fingers of each hand entwined with each other upon meeting, whereupon, his temple was resting, forming creases on his forehead. His eyes were closed, his face had a chiseled jawline, one whose curve was enough to ensnare women across the world. The tint of his skin was enough to certify him as someone of Asian descent.


    He was seated upon a black chair, with his back facing a window, through which small fluffy clouds could be seen just a few meters below it.


    The rythmic tapping was originating from his left foot below the table. But something interrupted that tapping a mere moment later.


    Within the transparent table, specks of pure white light gathered, joining into bands of light which ultimately exited the table, converging right above the floor infront of him, coalescing into a humanoid form.


    "Mr. Chang Woo. You have a visitor." it''s voice reverberated within the room.


    "Didn''t I make myself clear?" He faintly asked, without even opening his eyes.


    "It''s your sister."


    That answer caused his eyelids to open gently, exposing his purple petalled pupils within a dark core to the outside world. A sigh filled with true annoyance made it out of his lips.


    His hands separated, with one rubbing his forehead in circles, preparing himself for the small migraine that was about to develop. There was only one reason she would choose to disturb his peace at this time, her rivalry with that girl, Bora.


    The door at the far end of the room slid open, exposing a woman clad in a dark short dress, no doubt she had been out partying with her useless friends, and heard something unpleasant judging by the scowl upon her features and the sheer hate within her purple petalled pupils.


    "Brother, it looks like you have become too lazy. That woman is out there gathering helpers. She even managed to scrounge up funds from somewhere to afford awakening potions! How could this have passed you by?!" shouted the woman without any qualms about his standing.


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    Chang woo stood up from his chair, and simply moved to stand by the window, silently. How could every single development about that woman have escaped his eyes and ears? That''s why he detested this sister of his. Why couldn''t she have inherited some of the calm and wisdom of their father?


    When his thoughts reached there, a dark and terrified expression crossed over his features for an instant. Thankfully, his face was away from his sister.


    That girl... Bora, had something that might allow him to survive the clutches of that man, a Spiritually manifested treasure, one whose unique abilities could save him. No, not just him. Though his sister was a scatterbrained idiot, not to mention idiotic, he wanted to atleast save her too.


    A monster that raised his children as resources... The memory of how he had found out was enough to even induce chills in him right now even though over a year had passed.


    "So, Brother... How are you going to handle that bitch? Should I do something?"


    "Something... Is being done right now. Though, in a few days, your help might be needed. She has something that I need."


    "Really? Plans! Plans! Plans! Why do you need to waste time when she''s just there?! You are in the Crystal stage while she''s a stage below! What''s the need for all those plans?!"


    Chang Woo massaged his temple. He couldn''t tell her that she could be killed before atleast reaching the Crystal stage, right? That would mean that he knew of the monster''s plans. He couldn''t take that massive of a risk.


    "Trust me sister. When the time comes for you to take action, you will be immensely satisfied."


    "Really?!" this time the skeptical tone had vanished, instead replaced by excitement.


    He stifled a sigh at her simple mindedness. It had always puzzled him why women had the capacity to hate another of their gender without a concrete reason. For men, the reasons were blatant. But for women, he couldn''t really understand. And he was even certain that that girl Bora didn''t take his sister as someone important enough for her to waste attention on.


    "If that''s all you came for, you can leave."


    "No, I came here to escape Calendro." she plopped into the sofa, kicked off her heels and laid down upon it, her face facing upwards.


    "He is still bothering you?" Chang Woo frowned.


    "I hate the way his eyes roam over my body, as if violating me... No, I am 100% certain that that pervert is most likely violating me within his mind!"


    Calendro was also a problem. Though, now that he had learned of his father''s plans, he was certain that the marriage talks were a sham. There is no way that monster would let his sister get away! Chang Woo balled his hands into fists and clenched forcefully. His eyes gained a steely glint as he gazed at his sister, who had her eyes closed. He was determined to make certain that they both survived. He wouldn''t let the monster have his way, even if he had to exhaust his funds to bring in an external player!


    Chang Woo didn''t dally at this thoughts, instead establishing a link with his neural link with just a thought. With another thought, the contact he wanted manifested, before he mentally commanded for a call to be made.


    After a few beeps, an image appeared within his retinas. He was the only one who could see it. Anyone else would just see some light within his eyes, only coming to the conclusion that he was surfing the web.


    "You always have me transmit my video, yet you yourself keep to audio. Is that fair?" asked the man within the rectangular screen. He had spiky dark purple hair, dark eye shadows, and the most vibrant of orange pupils. His mouth was moving, probably because he was chewing something. And judging by the fact that the people behind him appeared to be sitting around a round white table, enjoying their meals, it seems that it was true for the man too.


    "Sente, have you done what was asked?" Chang Woo asked.


    "You hired me because of my professionalism. That''s an idiotic question to ask. Don''t you think so? Though, I did select three targets. That escalates the chances of success. Do remember though, the coins will only last for one month. Any more than that, and you will have to rehire me."


    "How can they be activated?" Chang Woo asked.


    "Your man just needs to say, ''boom!'' Though, he also needs to tap twice upon one of the sides."


    "Okay. I will keep that in mind. Is there anything else?"


    "Yes! Please make it certain that it doesn''t get exposed before use. You don''t need me to tell you how dangerous the Spirit Association is, do you? Bye!" And with that, the communication was terminated.


    ''Three coins. She must carry that artifact on her person. First, I need that to be confirmed before he takes action...'' Thought Chang Woo.


    He had immense confidence in the person he had chosen. He would most definitely pass whatever test that woman was about to throw at them. All that was left was to come up with a plan that would allow him to get what he wanted. And that was a head scratcher. Even with those coins, the chances were slim.


    ''It would be better to execute the plan at the exact moment that the artifact is exposed.''


    Yet, that also posed a conundrum. What if it was exposed within a public space? That would bring about consequences that he wouldn''t want. After all, that would alert his father, the last person he wanted to be exposed to.


    Chang Woo sunk down into his chair while feeling that everything wasn''t going to be easy. Many variables needed to be taken into account before a concrete plan could be formed.