Free The End of Gods (A Welcome to the Underworld Novel, Book 4) by Con Template Page A

the powerful elites of Korea and thoroughly ignored the violent tension that had infiltrated the room.
    “And if Yoori was here,” he added to his sister, unknowing to himself that he was not only speaking freely about his ex-girlfriend with warmth in his eyes, but he was also unknowingly predicting a potential event that was likely to occur in the near future, “she’d slap the shit out of him.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    “You can hide . . .”
     
    02: The Return of the Queen
     
    The evening was quite peaceful as it lingered on.
    Ji Hoon had retreated to the back room with some of his Skulls and a couple of 1 st layer Princesses, all of whom were more than willing to help nurse his wounds. Meanwhile, Tae Hyun had traveled up and down the grand staircase to converse with his Underworld associates. Despite the attention of some young ladies who were intent on flirting with him, Tae Hyun paid no mind to them as he walked around, ignoring their advances as though he was a taken man.
    It wasn’t until near the end, when he noticed a familiar heavenly aroma from the bar, did he finally show some strain in his normally composed face. He recognized the scent as the heavenly tea that he and a certain girl loved so much.
    Looking around the rotunda ball that was filled with people who revered him like a God, Tae Hyun couldn’t have looked lonelier as he drank the last of his champagne, gave up on the wearisome duties of conversing with people, and ordered a cup of the famous Underworld tea. He quietly walked up the steps leading to the platform and sat down on his throne. Around him, the party continued animatedly. The lights were dimmed, and the area he was sitting in was considerably dark. Few could see him, and no one was looking in his direction in that suspended moment in time.
    The brief concealment liberated him, for he was lost.
    Lost while drinking his tea, lost while touching his lips, and lost while his thoughts took over his reality. He was on the verge of being completely adrift when the party finally reached its climax. The moment everyone had been waiting for had finally come to fruition.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention, please?”
    The volume in the rotunda ball began to die down under the microphone-enhanced voice of Shin Jung Min. Once he garnered the attention of the room, he handed the microphone to his brother. Dong Min was standing beside him on the same platform, facing the entire Underworld in attendance. Behind them, the speckles of the city night glowed like a picturesque mural in the backdrop.
    “Please gather around because I think this will be a moment in time that we all want to treasure,” Dong Min said proudly, smiling at the crowd.
    Everyone murmured in excitement and agreement. They all knew what was about to take place.
    While Tae Hyun was already in his seat, Ji Hoon had emerged from the back room, completely washed up. Even if it was clear that his nose was killing him, the King of Skulls was intent on sitting through the ceremony—something he did with angry pride after he sat down on his throne and looked up at the stage ahead of him.
    With his seat still empty, Ju Won stood proudly on the platform with the Shin brothers. All eyes were focused on the stage as the lights dimmed almost completely. The spotlight was firmly focused on Ju Won, who was accepting the microphone from Dong Min. He thanked the brothers for their help before they took their places on either side of him. Albeit the Shin brothers had become respected crime lords in their own rights, when in the presence of Ju Won, they would always be his loyal soldiers.
    An undulation of cheers and applauses rang through the colossal estate once Ju Won took the stage.
    “You’re all very kind,” Ju Won voiced humbly, nodding at all the applause. He motioned his hand up, wordlessly asking for silence as he continued to deliver his speech. “As we all know, the reason for this big celebration is not only to