Ranker Who Lives Twice

After the Round Table conference was over, Artichoke narrowed his eyes as he walked out the door. "He's still arrogant even though his master is in that state." His expression was covered by his mask, but his voice showed how displeased he was with the current situation.

Rafflesia smirked from behind Artichoke. "It's understandable if 'Acacia' thinks this is an opportunity too. Wasn't Acacia able to enter By the Table thanks to the Death King? It's rumored among the servants Acacia was quite obedient to him."

Acacia—it was the code name of the man sitting at the highest seat, Yul. Most of the leaders of By the Table didn't want to reveal their identities, so they used code names of flowers.

"Unless he's an idiot, he must know Freesia will get hurt if he mentions us to the Death King, so let's not worry too much. His being so indecisive is already evidence that he's scared of us, isn't it?"

Artichoke nodded at Rafflesia's cold words, saying, "All in all, this might be the best outcome for us. If By the Table and the Death King clash, the confusion will become greater. We can just take what we need during that time."

No matter how much By the Table was changing its objective, they had begun out of alliances. Naturally, problems would occur based on who would get the greater profit. The two were simply standing on the opposite side of Freesia.

The only reason why they joined By the Table was that it was profitable; if they couldn't gain any profits or thought there was a more profitable group, they could abandon By the Table instantly. Fortunately, there was a place they could switch over to any time. But before that, there was something they needed to obtain. That was the condition to joining.

"First, let's get rid of the thorn in the side that keeps on picking on our every action."

Artichoke and Rafflesia exchanged cold smiles. Though neither of them mentioned anyone explicitly, it was clear who the "thorn in the side" was: Bush Lily. They needed to get rid of the elderly man who kept on getting in their way.

"At his age, he should be living quietly, playing with his grandchildren."

* * *

"Someone must be talking behind my back. Why is my ear so itchy?"

After all the leaders were gone, only Yul and Bush Lily were left at the table. Bush Lily scratched his ear with his pinkie. He looked like a grumbling old neighborhood bum, and Yul found himself bursting out in laughter. It was the first change in emotion he showed since the conference began.

"Is it so strange to see an old man itching his ear? Huh. You should be helping me, not laughing at me."

Bush Lily griped as if he was displeased with Yul, but Yul knew this was how he expressed affection, so he smiled faintly.

"Thank you. As always."

"Is the ear wax in too deep? Why is it so ticklish?" Bush Lily complained about his ear to hide his bashfulness and spoke up again. "Anyway, what are you going to do now? I did postpone their decision with the Death King's reputation, but they'll continue to act up."

"Right. We did manage to buy some time and lessen the burdens with the Death King having caught on…but I feel frustrated that I can't see any solution." Yul smiled bitterly. He was the most frustrated out of all. People on the outside whispered that he changed the objective of By the Table and privatized By the Table's forces out of his greed for power. They called him a tyrant, but truthfully, he was just a puppet pushed to the frontlines—a puppet who did as he was ordered to.

'I hope Master is alright…'

After Freesia and Anastasia returned, helping Yeon-woo's party escape, a small undisclosed "rebellion" occurred within By the Table. Artichoke, Rafflesia, and a few other leaders had been lying in wait, then attacked Freesia when she returned with mysterious enemies helping them. In that process, Anastasia escaped with critical injuries, and Freesia was captured. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have been defeated so easily, but they were exhausted both physically and mentally after activating the ark, and they hadn't been on their guards while they returned home.

From then, Yul's hell began. Artichoke and Rafflesia didn't want their "rebellion" to be revealed to the public. Although they had captured Freesia, By the Table was too large for them to completely take over. Instead, they announced that Freesia would be resting due to injury, and they began to rule behind Yul.

Political decisions were made as the two wished, and those who didn't agree were kicked out. Countless conflicts arose as a result, but they didn't care. Ten years passed like that. They occasionally confirmed Freesia was alive with videos or audio, but recently, they had all but stopped.

Yul became more anxious. He was worried that something had happened to Freesia. He considered his master, Freesia, and Yeon-woo more important than his own life.

"There's still nothing you've learned about them?"

Bush Lily smiled wryly and nodded.

Yul sighed. "Then I suppose we can't ask the Death King for help." Artichoke and Rafflesia would most definitely send their people with Yul during his meeting with Yeon-woo. If Yul said anything, they wouldn't stay still.

"I heard the Death King is so sly it's as if he has multiple snakes in his head, and he's well versed in things to do with the mind as well. Is there any possibility he'll catch on before we tell him?"

"It's possible. But since he doesn't know anything about them… it would be difficult for him to attempt anything."

"Indeed."

"It's very frustrating." Yul covered his face, but his troubled gaze soon flashed again. These were the same eyes he had when he defeated all his competitors and took the position of Freesia's successor. "That doesn't mean we should do nothing. And perhaps…!"

"Perhaps?"

Bush Lily looked at Yul with expectation, but Yul just sat back down saying "Never mind." However, his gaze had changed. 'When I was lost in the Tutorial, he held his hand out to me. If it's Cain hyung…he might be able to do it.' Yul believed in Yeon-woo.

* * *

After the ruling that a group led by Yul should meet with Yeon-woo was passed, their rendezvous point was quickly decided: Planet Kanaran. It was a planet located four million light-years away from Earth. Its civilization and vitality were some of the best in the Andromeda galaxy. Many societies yearned for it, but it was under By the Table's control. And naturally, it was currently the headquarters for Artichoke and Rafflesia's forces.

"I trust you won't say anything needlessly. Please remember this isn't the 'garden.'"

"Garden of Flowers" meant the outer space where By the Table's headquarters were, so this was a warning to be careful as there was no one to protect Yul here.

Artichoke was among the party's members. Yul had thought he would send someone, but he had come here himself. Was it because he was wary of meeting with Yeon-woo, or was it the orders of the beings behind him? It was hard to tell, but it wasn't a good thing for Yul, who had hoped for a turn of events.ραпdα `nᴏνɐ| сom

"There's something I wish to ask."

However, Yul didn't show what he was thinking, and he had a blank expression as he always did. After Freesia was held captive, he never showed any emotion. That was the only method of survival.

"What is it? If it's something useless, I won't stay still." Artichoke made an annoyed face. He'd kept his basic respects in the Garden of Flowers, but with the eyes of the other leaders gone, he was the king.

"Is Master alright?"

"Are you doubting us?"

"Of course not. I'm merely curious as her disciple. How she's doing, if she's eating alright…"

"Humph! We're taking care of it, so keep your nose out of it. Focus on dealing with the Death King right now."

"But…"

"Should I give you one of Freesia's fingers like last time? Or will an arm do it?"

"…No. I made a mistake." Yul ground his teeth and turned around.

Artichoke glared at Yul's back and internally clicked his tongue. 'Damn it! How am I supposed to know if she's dead or not?' He had caused the rebellion ten years ago, but he had been carrying out "their" orders. It had been a while since he gave Freesia over to them, so he knew nothing about her. He'd heard there might be something Freesia knew so they would try to get it out of her, but he knew nothing else.

'It's okay. I can just run after taking my profits. There's nothing to be worried about.' Artichoke subtly nodded to himself. It had also been their orders to come himself and observe Yeon-woo. He was unsatisfied that he had to come to such a dangerous place, but it couldn't be helped.

Whoosh! As soon as Artichoke finished his thoughts, blue light flashed in front of him and someone began to appear.

"It's been a while." Ananke, who Artichoke was familiar with, revealed herself first.

Yul bowed. "It's been a while, Ananke."

"You've become more mature while I haven't seen you."

"Thank you."

"I didn't know you'd come here yourself. You don't usually show yourself to the public, isn't that right?

"I couldn't be stubborn about it with the importance of this meeting. But where is…?" Yul glanced at the portal and asked when Yeon-woo was coming out.

Ananke gave a strange smile. "He'll be out soon."

"…?" Ananke's smile was odd, so Yul tilted his head.

Artichoke felt like chills were running down his back. He looked around, then saw his shadow creeping up his ankle. "W-W-What? What is…!" He stiffened and his entire body froze. He suddenly recalled what he'd heard about Yeon-woo.

Yeon-woo was now called the Death King between transcendents, but he had once been more famed by the title Shadow King among mortals. The reason was that he freely controlled shadows that continued death…

Swoosh! The shadow rapidly spread above like tentacles. Artichoke's arms and legs were instantly tied. He no longer had control over his body. It felt as if he was paralyzed. Clatter, clatter! Chains that popped out from the shadows tightly bound his arms and legs. Artichoke had the divinity of a transcendent, but he couldn't move.

"A-Ahhhh!" Artichoke's body began to sink into the shadow. It was an unforeseen situation. Under his mask, his gaze trembled.

ραпdα nᴏνa| сom "Acacia! Tell him to stop now! Immediately! If not, Freesia's life will be in danger…! Stop, now!"

Yul quickly looked back at Ananke with a flustered expression. However, Ananke was still smiling.

"Tell him noooow!"

While Artichoke's screams rang out, the portal opened to slowly reveal a man who had a cold smile. The man said, "So that's how it was."

"Oh!" Yul immediately recognized it was Yeon-woo. Although the two had only spent a day together and Yul had never seen his face, Yul hadn't forgotten about that day for the last ten years. That day's events left such a great impression on him that he could recall them clearly even when he closed his eyes now. It had changed his life.

Yul promised himself that he would also become someone as great as Yeon-woo. It was something he repeated to himself whenever he wanted to crumble down.

Yul could never forget those eyes. Yeon-woo wasn't wearing his mask anymore, but Yul would recognize those eyes anywhere. For the first time, Yul was able to speak the word that he'd kept buried in his heart for the last ten years. It was what he wanted to say when they someday met again. "Hyung…!" It was so desperate that his voice trembled.

Was it because of that? Yeon-woo, who'd been glaring at Artichoke all this time, turned to Yul with a light smile. "Do you know that?" Yeon-woo looked at Yul's trembling gaze. "I have many Apostles, as well as subordinates and companions I trust, but you were the 'first' follower."

"…!"

"I've been overlooking my first follower's wish because I was dumb, but things will be different now." Yeon-woo took a step forward. "So wait. I'll save you."

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