Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School

Seong Guk-eon’s family estate, close to midnight.

Compared to his residence in Eun-gwang District, the security here wasn’t as tight, but the location was advantageous for repelling intruders.

When they held Seong Hyeong-woo’s funeral, the Four Evils did launch an attack, but that was thanks to the use of clairvoyance, and with the White Tiger deployed here, they had successfully repelled the enemy.

“Grandfather has been gone for a long time, yet we still benefit from his legacy.”

Seong Guk-eon reflected anew on the security arrangements and the terrain.

He thought that, if necessary, this place could serve as a refuge, and he was even considering stockpiling rations and item cards.

Although Seong Guk-eon’s family estate was by no means an easy target, it was still insufficient to stop the guests who were about to arrive.

Those guests could only be stopped if Seong Guk-eon threw his full strength into resisting them—and he had no intention of doing so.

“Mu-yeong, our guest has arrived.”

Seong Guk-eon, standing in the main hall, spoke toward the front gate, and Jeon Mu-yeong snapped her head up.

She hadn’t yet sensed anyone approaching, so she tensed further.

Given the hour, it was only natural to be wary of an unidentified guest arriving earlier than promised.

Seong Guk-eon calmed her.

“There’s nothing to be surprised about. It’s someone you know. They just came earlier than planned. Prepare the tea.”

“...Yes.”

Jeon Mu-yeong rose, but she glanced back several times to check on Seong Guk-eon’s expression. The unwelcome visitor was unsettling, and the one they had arranged to meet now was even less welcome.

Soon, the heavy wooden door echoed with three dull knocks. Despite being wood, it made no clear, ringing sound—inside was layered otherworldly metal, and the wood was only the exterior finish.

In other words, breaking down that door by force would be exceedingly difficult.

“The latch is open. Please enter.”

At Seong Guk-eon’s invitation, the door finally creaked open. In the flickering light of the outdoor lanterns, a blue mask came into view.

A member of the Fomor demon tribe.

“Thank you for greeting me so warmly on such short notice.”

“Next time, please notify me sooner. Isn’t it pitiful to keep your aide held up until this hour?”

“That may be so, but you were hard to reach.”

They spoke with friendly smiles, yet each word concealed a blade. Seong Guk-eon blamed the Fomor for the sudden meeting, and the Fomor blamed Seong Guk-eon for being hard to meet.

On the surface, their conversation seemed gentle, even cordial. When Jeon Mu-yeong brought the tea, the Fomor drank before Seong Guk-eon, showing apparent trust—or perhaps confidence that he could handle any deception.

“Since it’s late, let’s get to the point. Did you come knowing that Jeolheukpoongrim is in this region?”

“Yes. But you need not worry. You know well how skilled we are at space and teleportation, Councilor.”

That was true. During their approach, not a single martial disciple patrolling the area noticed them. But that only applied to their movement. If anyone knew their destination and purpose, it would be meaningless. Even if the Fomor escaped now, they couldn’t hide the fact that they had met Seong Guk-eon if Jeolheukpoongrim surrounded the estate and struck.

“You’d do well not to forget how many groups were annihilated after underestimating Jeolheukpoongrim’s intelligence network.”

“I will take your warning to heart. Therefore, we should finalize our contract quickly. Dragging this out would be dangerous.”

The blue-masked demon pressed the matter, though without denying Seong Guk-eon’s point. Their patience already seemed near its limit. But Seong Guk-eon remained composed.

From the moment he decided to deal with them, he had thoroughly investigated. They had attempted negotiations in every monarchy still extant, only to fail each time. Their offers had been rejected outright, and any royal who actually ascended the throne—or those of royal blood who were considered heirs—had never responded. The Throne Stone seemed to demand genuine merit above all else.

“In every promise I’ve made, I’ve fulfilled it faithfully, no matter how great or small. You know that. That is why I am cautious.”

“I’m curious about your thoughts, Councilor. There must be a reason you kept us waiting.”

Seong Guk-eon set down his teacup and met the Fomor’s gaze squarely. His unwavering eyes revealed inner strength and resolve, clearly impressing the demon. The Throne Stone must regard him as the rare candidate worthy of breaking it.

His firm voice carried through the air.

“Suppose I broke the Throne Stone right now—but if that became public, I’d lose the people’s trust, and as a public enemy of humanity, both the state and the Association would come to hunt me down. What then?”

“If that happens, we Fomor will welcome you. Even if you’re human, none would dare object.”

“Ha-ha-ha. Thank you for the kind words, but I’m speaking of your goals. Even if the contract is fulfilled, your true objective won’t be achieved.”

At his words, the blue-masked demon burst into hearty laughter. The sound was so captivating that the demon nodded entranced. He had, in effect, confessed that they sought more than just breaking the Throne Stone—but he himself did not realize it.

“There’s a world of difference between the Throne Stone broken by someone destined to be king and the same stone smashed by a traitor forsaken by the people. So we must handle this carefully, considering what comes next.”

Despite Seong Guk-eon’s hidden intent, his words sounded remarkably prudent. The Fomor even felt as if Seong Guk-eon’s generous spirit embraced them. Had his loyalty to the Demon Lord Balor been any less, they might have become his supporters.

“I understand you wish for greater secrecy. We will prepare a more suitable time and place.”

“Suggest the location, and we’ll choose together. But I want to decide the timing.”

“Please do.”

Before long, control had shifted completely to Seong Guk-eon. Though it seemed the Fomor chose the place and he chose the time, in reality both decisions lay with him—and he intended to guide them into doing all the work.

“To pinpoint the exact timing, I need your power.”

“Our power...?”

“Yes. If it becomes known that I’ve agreed to a Fomor contract, my political life will be over. The Sword Saint of Black Forest watching this place would finish me.”

Before the Fomor could question why they must do such a thing, they found their reason.

Until now, they had assumed that once the contract was signed, any crisis that befell Seong Guk-eon was not their concern. But now his words had already persuaded them: if he fell from power, their plan would collapse too.

“I’ve heard rumors that this area will soon be corrupted by demonic energy—and when that happens, neither the Black Forest Sword Saint nor the people will pay attention to a mere politician.”

The Fomor nodded. They began to understand Seong Guk-eon’s intention. In politics, major disasters are often used to bury scandals or pass troublesome legislation by diverting public attention.

“The day demonic energy floods this land, the day the gate to the Demon Realm opens—that is the day. Wouldn’t that serve you well too? Find out when that day will be. I’ll finish my preparations by then.”

“You are truly one worthy of the legacy left by those terrible gods. We will follow your will.”

The mask’s corners lifted in a smile the Fomor could not suppress. Seong Guk-eon’s plan was perfect: use that moment to shatter the Throne Stone in line with their contract, while diverting all earthly eyes.

The Fomor intended to dispatch troops at once to investigate the flow of demonic energy here and liaise with the Sin Alliance to determine the timing.

“Then until next time, Councilor.”

“We won’t see you off—it might attract attention. Depart quietly, and take care.”

“Of course!”

With a polite bow, the demon vanished beyond the open gate in an instant. It was less stealth and more like ghostly teleportation—far undetectable even by Jeon Mu-yeong had she remained at the gate.

Seong Guk-eon refilled his cup and gazed at one corner of the room.

“Mu-yeong, prepare tea for our other junior.”

“...!”

Jeon Mu-yeong, who had been holding back many questions, jumped and followed his gaze. There, in the shadows, sat the Black Forest Sword Saint.

Jeon Mu-yeong, who had not sensed him at all, was aghast. That Sword Saint must have remained unseen by even the Fomor.

Seong Guk-eon calmly sipped his tea and asked:

“What of the other juniors?”

“They left ahead. They said they trust Senior Seong Guk-eon, so there’s no need to watch.”

“I see. Pity.”

Seong Guk-eon poured tea for Jeon Mu-yeong, and without hesitation, the Sword Saint drank as well.

“Jeolheukpoongrim couldn’t determine the exact day the gate will open, correct?”

“...That’s correct.”

Suppressing his frustration, the Sword Saint replied. Had Seong Guk-eon not artfully used the Fomor, Jeolheukpoongrim would never have learned the day. The Sin Alliance continued its disruption operations to keep Jeolheukpoongrim in the dark.

Seong Guk-eon spoke kindly to his taciturn junior—his tone sincere, unlike when dealing with demons.

“I’ll let you know as soon as the date is known. Wait for me.”

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