Chapter 15 – Old Plans, New World
The sound of hooves echoed through the quiet stone streets of Thalveran. The sun had just risen, casting golden hues across the kingdom-style stone buildings. Yerin turned to Hyunwoo, who sat silently beside her, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Why are we heading out this early?" Yerin asked, squinting at the morning light.
Hyunwoo let out a soft sigh. "I want to see Jaehyun first before we handle anything else."
"You even know where he lives?"
Hyunwoo raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "We just need to wait in the city center. That's what he wrote in his message yesterday."
The center of Thalveran had a massive tree at its heart, where four major roads converged. The city gates stretched directly toward the palace, and the bustle of the city was just beginning to stir.
Soon, a luxurious carriage came from the palace. Its wheels were lined with gleaming metal and bore a noble family's crest. People around them turned to look, whispers spreading quickly. When the carriage stopped, a tall man in a noble's coat with gold ornaments stepped out. His hair was neatly combed, and his presence radiated authority.
It was… Jaehyun.
The crowd erupted around them.
"That's Duke Jaehyun!"
"Look at his outfit—real gold!"
Hyunwoo and Yerin stood frozen, realizing just how much their old friend had changed. Jaehyun turned to them, his smile widening.
"Hyunwoo! Yerin!"
Hyunwoo gave a small smile. "You've really made it big, huh?"
Jaehyun laughed. "Hop in. Let's go to my place."
Inside the carriage, Jaehyun sighed in relief. "Finally, we meet again. I heard your village is growing fast?"
Hyunwoo nodded. "Not as hard as I imagined. But definitely not easy."
Yerin cut in with a smile. "Too bad Taeyang and Wonho aren't here. This reunion feels incomplete."
The ride went by quickly as they chatted. The carriage soon arrived at Jaehyun's mansion—grand, magnificent, shining like a gem in the heart of the city.
"You're a real genius, Jaehyun," Hyunwoo said, admiring the architecture.
Jaehyun smiled. "Not as much as you."
Inside the lounge, they sat around a long table. Tea was served, but the conversation was anything but casual.
"So," Hyunwoo said seriously, "we have a real shot, Jaehyun."
"Yeah. I think our plan to take over the world starts here."
Yerin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"…Take over the world?" she asked, half-laughing. "You're joking, right?"
"No," Jaehyun said, locking eyes with her. "Want to hear the story behind it?"
Yerin swallowed. "I'm listening."
Hyunwoo looked down, eyes distant.
Back then, in high school.
Grey skies and the damp back wall of the school bore witness. A boy with a rumpled uniform was shoved to the ground. He hit the pavement hard, blood trickling from his lip. The others laughed, kicked him, mocked him. That boy was Hyunwoo—a daily target.
But that day was different.
Firm footsteps echoed from the end of the narrow alley. Another student grabbed the bully's collar and punched him.
"Enough," he said flatly.
It was Jaehyun. His eyes were cold, but sharp.
"Why'd you help me?" Hyunwoo asked with a shaky voice.
Jaehyun gave a faint smile. "Because we like the same game—World Civilization, right?"
"How did you know I played that game?" Hyunwoo asked, surprised.
Jaehyun's smile lingered. "I saw you playing it at the internet café yesterday."
From that moment, they grew closer.
"So… this crazy ambition all started from a game?" Yerin asked in disbelief.
Hyunwoo looked at her calmly, firmly. "Yes."
Jaehyun continued, "We've had this ambition since our first time playing together. But on Earth, we were nobodies. That dream died slowly."
He turned his teacup slowly in his hands.
"Then we ended up in this world. And everything… changed."
Yerin swallowed. Her chest rose and fell. She looked at them both—hesitant, maybe even a little afraid.
"You two… sound like dictators."
She turned to Hyunwoo. "No wonder you were so awkward when I first brought you into our group. Our group was full of misfits… It reminds me of when we first met."
Hyunwoo gave a small, unreadable smile.
"I'll explain our next move," he said softly.
He leaned forward, looking from Jaehyun to Yerin. "When I went to the palace and spoke with them…"
(The sound faded. The narrative intentionally muted. Only lips moving, shocked expressions, and a heavy atmosphere remained.)
Yerin covered her mouth. Her eyes wide. Jaehyun looked at Hyunwoo, then smiled slightly. His ambition shone like light behind the shadows.
The sun stood directly overhead—no shadows left. Hyunwoo stood to leave for the palace.
"Yerin, Jaehyun," he said in front of the grand mansion, "head back to Andora first."
Yerin frowned. "What? I'm going with you. This could be dangerous—"
"No," Hyunwoo interrupted calmly. "Only village leaders were invited. You know that."
"Then I'll disguise myself, or—"
"No, Yerin." This time his voice was firmer. "Please. I need you to guard the village. I won't be long."
Yerin hesitated, turning to Jaehyun as if asking for backup. But he just sighed. "I don't like it either, but… we have to trust Hyunwoo."
Still reluctant, Yerin finally nodded. "Alright. But be careful."
Hyunwoo gave a small smile and turned away. Behind him, Jaehyun's carriage turned around, heading back to Andora—leaving Hyunwoo to walk alone toward Thalveran's government center.
Thalveran had truly grown. Tall, classically styled buildings lined both sides of the street. In the city center, merchants sold goods from across the world—gleaming cloth, strange metals, even exotic spices. But behind his awe, Hyunwoo's mind stayed sharp. He analyzed quickly: These items... aren't in Andora yet. They could be new commodities. Their distribution system still has flaws.
He moved swiftly past the main road. There, he saw a woman in knight's armor standing by the roadside. Her silvery-white hair and sharp, sculpted face looked like marble.
Vanessa Valemont.
The woman glanced briefly at him. Her eyes were cold, piercing. She didn't greet him—maybe didn't recognize him. Or didn't want to.
But after a few steps, she finally spoke. "You were invited too?"
Hyunwoo turned and nodded. "Yes. I'm the village head of Andora."
Vanessa looked at him for a moment, then started walking. "Then come. We're going the same way."
They walked side by side in silence until Hyunwoo broke it.
"You look troubled. Something happen?"
She gave a dry, hollow laugh. "I'm the last of House Valemont. We were once Archdukes. Now I'm just… a knight-for-hire. A sword-wielding slave."
"You hate Thalveran?"
"I hate them," Vanessa said sharply, turning with a fierce glare. "They humiliated my bloodline, erased my family's history. I exist only to obey the ones who destroyed House Valemont."
Hyunwoo paused. "Then... what if I help you get revenge?"
Vanessa furrowed her brow. "What?"
"I'm serious," he said flatly. "If you want… we can take them down."
Vanessa stared at him, expression unreadable. "You're insane. Thalveran's too powerful. You think you can topple a kingdom just because of personal ambition?"
"It's not just ambition," Hyunwoo replied. "It's calculation. Courage. And opportunity."
Vanessa said nothing. But her gaze changed. Deeper. More curious.
"Besides," she added coldly, "this kingdom's already rotting from within. Its leaders are arrogant. Its structure is collapsing."