Chapter 354: Under the Sun, In the Shadows (5)

On the sofa, Ahn Roh Man watched Cale, Alberu, and Rosalyn. He handed Rosalyn an Americano.

“Thank you. Did you brew it yourself?”

“Of course. It’s one of the few small joys I have left.”

Ahn Roh Man shifted his gaze away from Rosalyn and studied Alberu and Cale, both of whom had declined the coffee. Then, taking his seat of honor on the sofa, his gaze settled on Alberu.

‘Next time, you won’t be here.’

He wouldn't be president again.

As Alberu calmly voiced that reality, Ahn Roh Man suddenly asked,

“When did you plant someone here?”

“Wow.”

Ahn Roh Man turned his gaze toward the quiet sigh. Rosalyn, having met his eyes, gave a faint smile.

“The coffee is delicious.”

Then, with composed fluency, she added,

“It seems the President prefers to get straight to the point, doesn’t he?”

Ahn Roh Man returned the smile.

“Is that a bad thing?”

Rosalyn raised her cup, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“I like it just as much as this coffee.”

In that instant, Ahn Roh Man once again questioned who the woman before him really was. No—he had been wondering ever since she walked in with Alberu and Cale. But now, the sense that she was not someone to be taken lightly had solidified into something else entirely: the urge to uncover her identity.

“Han Taek-su.”

The moment that name left Alberu Crossman’s lips, Ahn Roh Man turned his gaze aside. Slowly, his eyes returned to Alberu’s calm, composed expression.

So young.

He definitely looked younger in person than in pictures.

“Ah.”

Han Taek-su, honorary president of Transparent Corporation and the most likely presidential candidate for the next election. The moment that name came out of Alberu Crossman’s mouth, there weren’t many reactions Ahn Roh Man could have.

“You’ve figured me out.”

Ahn Roh Man raised his hands in a casual gesture of surrender, his posture still appearing relaxed. A faint smile lingered on his lips. He looked composed.

Facing him was Alberu.

Alberu opened his mouth.

“You received a royal mission, didn’t you?”

Silence fell.

– Human, human!

Raon, invisible and hidden in the room, spoke to Cale.

– Human, you look very comfortable!

Of course he did.

Cale didn’t bother responding to Raon’s remark—it was too obvious.

With the Crown Prince and Rosalyn handling everything… why would I step in?

This kind of scene—where everything falls into place without him lifting a finger.

Ah, how comfortable.

For the first time in a long while, Cale felt at ease. That comfort came from the simple fact that there was nothing weighing on his shoulders.

Yes.

I like this kind of favorable board.

Cale quietly observed the situation unfolding before him. Ahn Roh Man’s smile had faded, while Alberu’s only grew brighter. Words weren’t exchanged, but the air was full of unspoken tension and shifting tides.

The weight was tilting—steadily, inevitably—toward Alberu’s side.

That’s it.

The weight shifts exactly where they want it, and the situation follows.

Up until now, Cale had always thrown himself into situations that came at him. He would crash into them headfirst, then change the flow by becoming the weight himself.

That’s not really my specialty.

What he truly preferred was this—laying out a favorable board, adding pressure in just the right places, and letting the situation naturally tilt in their direction.

This—this was his style.

“…I’m thirsty.”

The moment those words left Ahn Roh Man’s mouth, Cale responded smoothly.

“Shall I make you a cup of coffee? I know how.”

A breathless laugh escaped Ahn Roh Man as he leaned back against the sofa.

“I also received a royal mission—a mission from the king.”

He admitted it without hesitation, and Alberu accepted his words with calm composure.

“It was obvious you had your own plans.”

“Ha, ha—”

Ahn Roh Man let out a short laugh and asked,

“So, are we enemies now?”

Alberu responded without hesitation.

“Rather than enemies… I’d say we’re potential allies.”

Ahn Roh Man’s brows rose slightly. Cale lightly tapped Alberu on the arm with a playful expression.

“Oh, Your Highness. If you say things like that, you might end up confusing people.”

With a gentle smile, he turned to Ahn Roh Man.

“We share the same enemy, don’t we?”

Ahn Roh Man opened his mouth.

“Right. Transparent Corporation.”

An enigmatic smile crossed his face as he ran a hand through his hair. Drops of sweat had already formed on his forehead—but pretending not to notice, he spoke in a calm voice.

“So then, you must help me. If we want to bring down Transparent Corporation in the real world—once we leave RMPAG—we first need to stop Han Taek-su from becoming president. In other words, I must take the presidency, right?”

A mischievous smile slowly spread across his lips.

“…I wish I could say that.”

But his smile turned bitter.

“Bringing down Transparent Corporation and me becoming president are two different matters.”

Advisor Mary had said that eliminating Transparent Corporation or achieving results in the New World could open a path for him to the presidency. But Ahn Roh Man didn’t put much faith in her optimism.

“Of course.”

Alberu responded calmly.

“You’re a sun that’s fading.”

A harsh truth—but an accurate one.

“No matter what happens, someone will rise to replace Han Taek-su. And your position… will be forgotten. People will move on.”

“That’s right. I’m just a remnant of the last war now.”

Ahn Roh Man understood his situation clearly. He was already becoming irrelevant. Even heroes, once familiar, are forgotten.

“So, you’re thinking of stepping down?”

“I’m considering it.”

Alberu scoffed at that response.

“Dongsaeng, do you believe that?”

“No.”

Cale shook his head without hesitation. He turned to Rosalyn.

“What about you, Rosalyn? Do you believe it?”

“No.”

She gave a casual shrug.

“I may not know much about this world, but based on what I’ve seen… it looks like Ahn Roh Man has two choices. Eliminate the Transparent Blood Family, or take control of the New World.”

“…For someone who claims not to know much, you seem to see everything.”

Rosalyn met Ahn Roh Man’s gaze and responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Eliminate your enemy, or take their territory. That’s basic war strategy, isn’t it?”

War.

Ahn Roh Man flinched slightly at that word.

“Why? Isn’t this a war?”

“…Yeah. It is a war.”

This too was a battlefield.

At that moment, Alberu interjected.

“You already knew. Why pretend otherwise?”

“…!”

Ahn Roh Man’s dark eyes shifted to Alberu. The fairytale prince—with his golden hair and blue eyes—spoke with a cheerful smile.

“You’re planning to eliminate Transparent Corporation before your term ends, aren’t you? You must’ve been preparing something over the course of your three presidential terms.”

Ahn Roh Man’s pupils darkened. This was something even Advisor Mary wasn’t aware of.

Alberu continued calmly,

“And whether it’s betrayal or claiming what you believe is rightfully yours… you’ll do whatever it takes to seize power in the New World.”

“Oh!”

Clap, clap.

Cale clapped his hands with theatrical exaggeration, as if he were truly impressed.

With a mischievous grin, he added,

“So, you're going to eliminate your enemy and take their territory!”

He even gave a thumbs up.

“Really, President Ahn Roh Man is quite the impressive man!”

Advisor Mary.

She had said that if he chose one of two paths, Ahn Roh Man might have a shot at the presidency. But Ahn Roh Man wasn’t someone who relied on chances.

He was the kind of man who sought certainty—someone who pursued the guaranteed answer.

“…”

He quietly observed the three individuals in front of him—each of them seeing right through him. Then, he opened his mouth.

“It seems you have a lot of experience in winning wars.”

All three responded with knowing smiles. At the end of that silence, it was Cale who spoke.

“So, how do you plan to bring down Transparent Corporation in the real world?”

“…….”

“Do you have evidence? Proof of corruption you’ve been holding onto?”

Transparent.

They were no longer just a company. They were transcendent—an entity beyond the bounds of any nation. To strike them down, one would need overwhelming justification—be it moral, legal, or both. If you moved recklessly and got counterattacked, the price would be steep.

“And you’ve got a backup in the New World too, right?”

At some point, Ahn Roh Man had told them—

‘Someone helped me climb to number one in the rankings.’

That entity… was the AI created by his parents.

‘That AI is my friend—and my brother. It was born a year before me… should I call it hyung?’

For Ahn Roh Man, that AI truly was like an older brother.

‘It was hiding inside the game. Of course, it had handed over most of its core functions to Transparent Corporation—as if they had been taken from it. Transparent didn’t even know it existed. That guy hid and waited.’

And Alberu—he had never actually met that AI.

Ahn Roh Man had gone to great lengths to conceal its identity.

Yes. I’ve seen it.

He had encountered the AI only once—from a distance. Cloaked in a robe, hidden in the shadows.

Cale had asked Ahn Roh Man about that AI.

He needed to know about the backup. There was also a mission assigned to him—find that AI.

And—

It’s a variable.

A hidden dagger, aimed at Transparent Corporation—something even they didn’t know about. That made its existence all the more important to uncover.

“Wait a moment.”

Ahn Roh Man stared at Cale, looking somewhat stunned.

“Aren’t you revealing a little too many of my cards?”

His tone was light—almost a growl—but beneath it lay a cold, sharp edge.

“Of course, in a way… I’ve already lost.”

There was a reason he had been speaking so meekly until now.

“Your power, entering this space without my knowledge. And the amount of intel you’ve gathered on the current situation…”

Power and information.

He had realized that his opponents weren’t lacking in either.

“Still, why is it only my cards being laid bare?”

Cale chuckled at that remark. And just then, Alberu spoke.

“Every time I meet our dongsaeng, I feel that way.”

- It’s true! The Crown Prince always gets it right!

Raon’s voice rang out with enthusiasm.

Cale tried to maintain his usual indifference… but as always, he couldn't quite brush off Alberu Crossman’s words.

“We’ll show our cards too.”

Since they had come here with confidence, Cale and his group had already resolved to lay their cards on the table.

Why is he speaking so mildly…?

Just as Ahn Roh Man began to question their tone, Alberu spoke in his usual composed manner.

“Sun Corporation. That company is mine.”

Power, information— and now, wealth.

“……!”

Ahn Roh Man’s eyes widened.

Sun Corporation, also known as ㈜ Sun.

A financial giant so massive that even major companies took loans from it for investment purposes. When it came to money, it was said to be like an endless sea.

He’s saying he owns that?

Thump, thump…

His heart pounded. The information was too enticing to simply dismiss—especially when delivered with such unnerving calm.

“And the Seventh Evil is my backup.”

“What?!”

Ahn Roh Man couldn’t hold it in anymore. He shot up from his seat.

Momentarily losing his composure, he demanded,

“How is it possible that the Seventh Evil is your backup?!”

How is it possible?

“Do you want to hear more?”

Alberu asked calmly, then added with a faint smile,

“But don’t you think I’ve already revealed too many cards?”

Then, with a hint of command in his voice, he turned to Ahn Roh Man.

“Now it’s your turn.”

I’ve shown you two cards. It’s only fair you show two in return.

- Human, human!

Raon’s voice rang in Cale’s head.

- But the Crown Prince hasn’t said everything! Sun Corporation, to be exact, is the God of Sun’s, so our backup on Earth 3 is the God of Sun, right?

Raon is smart.

- And the Seventh Evil isn’t our backup, the Crown Prince’s backup is the Human, who is the Most Evil! The Seventh Evil, the Third Evil, and even the Eight Evils, the Human will dominate them all!

He is really smart.

- Anyway, it seems to favour us, so I’ll keep quiet!

Wow. Raon is really smart.

Cale and Rosalyn simply smiled, remaining silent.

The three of them were alike in that way.

“Ahn Roh Man.”

Alberu’s gaze burned with fervor.

Seeing it, Ahn Roh Man was reminded of his own youth. That look—one filled with boundless ambition, hidden beneath a composed and courteous exterior—felt all too familiar.

Yes, Alberu was just like he had been in his youth—a young man filled with ambition, his eyes burning with unyielding passion.

“New World—you know it, don’t you?”

Alberu’s voice carried rare sincerity.

“We’re going to conquer it.”

The New World—several times larger than Earth. And yet Alberu Crossman spoke of its conquest as if it were only natural.

“…….”

Ahn Roh Man couldn’t say anything in response.

There was something about that unshakable resolve—about the heat Alberu radiated—that stirred something within him.

“Ah…”

Ahn Roh Man finally let out a sigh. Then he muttered,

“Stop pretending.”

At that moment, Alberu sighed as well.

It doesn’t work, huh? Young and passionate.

He looked calm—as if he'd never known passion—and exuded unwavering confidence. And ironically, that composure gave Ahn Roh Man confidence as well.

“Ha, ha, ha—”

Ahn Roh Man laughed, then finally opened his mouth.

They had revealed two cards. Now it was his turn.

“In the past, there was a rumor floating around the underworld.”

First card.

“Every two months, people enter Transparent Corporation’s research lab in groups. But none of them ever come out.”

People who went into Transparent Corporation… disappeared.

“It was a rumor that surfaced briefly and then vanished. But I began investigating.”

This was the dagger Ahn Roh Man had prepared for Transparent Corporation. That was the first.

Now—the second card. His backup.

“After the update… I’ll become the Crown Prince.”

“…!”

This time, both Cale and Alberu were visibly shocked.

Their eyes turned toward Ahn Roh Man in surprise.

“My backup… is the Emperor of the Eastern Lehnti Empire in the New World.”

One of the Three Powers in the New World—alongside the five medium powers and ten weak powers—the Eastern Empire was a true giant.

“And he’s my hyung.”

An AI, hidden within the game as an NPC.

The Emperor of the Eastern Empire in the New World… is Ahn Roh Man’s backup. The one who ranked number one. A dagger that Ahn Roh Man had been sharpening for over a decade—together with his hyung—for this very war in the New World.

“Once the update is complete, I plan to start my own war.”

Ahn Roh Man’s plan—it was far more expansive than they’d anticipated.

Cale paused, thinking.

Ahn Roh Man’s hidden dagger—something neither Transparent Corporation nor the Transparent Blood Hunters knew about.

And Cale’s power—also something unknown to the enemy.

They shared one important trait: they were variables the enemy had no knowledge of.

Cale turned his head, locking eyes with Alberu. Rosalyn also looked toward him.

He gave them both a small nod, then looked straight at Ahn Roh Man.

“Three Powers.”

The three powers, the five medium powers, and the ten weak powers of the New World.

“Let’s make it two powers.”

Cale extended his hand towards Ahn Roh Man. It was a handshake to propose a deal. They weren’t companions to share their backs, after all. 
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Proofreader's Thoughts 💭:
When diplomacy meets ambition, the battlefield shifts—two powers rise to challenge the unknown.

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If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]