<Chapter 151: Favorable Situation (3)>
The three asked for some time to think and disappeared.
Meanwhile, Maiden and I were in front of the house, doing interviews with the reporters.
“I cannot answer questions about the ability score. I am sorry.”
The utterly negative superhuman industry insiders had been long gone.
Now, all that was left were reporters eager to interview me. With a light heart, I responded to their coverage.
I thought there was no need to keep avoiding them since I was not surrounded by reporters for something bad.
“Is it true that you possess all attributes?”
“Yes. It is true.”
Compared to the real industry insiders giving me a hard time, interviewing with reporters felt like heaven. Why were they so gentle?
…Was it because Maiden was next to me? Or because I had talked with “The One” guild?
Under the reputation of “The One,” my name value might have increased a little.
“Could you please demonstrate your multi-attribute magic?”
One reporter asked during their turn.
“Hmm.”
There was a controversy on the internet, as I heard. There was a debate over whether I possessed all the attributes or not.
“Everyone has been having a hard time for two days because of me.”
It would be better to settle this controversy as early as possible.
“Alright.”
“Wow!”
Everyone seemed surprised.
After all, asking a superhuman to show their abilities is a very cautious request.
Many superhumans hesitate to reveal their abilities, and many might feel hurt in their pride.
“Could everyone please take three steps back?”
Everyone promptly stepped back.
I doubted even the military formation could be this tight. Did they really want to see my magic this much?
While harboring such frivolous thoughts, I gathered my magic power.
“Oh my.”
“One, two, three…”
“Six?”
“Using six attribute magic…”
“Not separately, but using them simultaneously…”
Between flashes, I could hear the reporters murmuring something. 99% of it sounded like they were amazed.
This should be enough.
I lightly canceled the magic.
The flashes stopped at the same time.
“Next reporter, please ask your question.”
“A while ago, you had a meeting with “The One” guild. Did you decide to join “The One”?”
Hmm. I wondered why this question didn’t come up sooner.
“I cannot answer that yet. The discussion with “The One” is not over.”
One should not recklessly answer such questions.
Especially now, when it looks like I have rejected the guild membership, speaking carelessly might only create bad blood with “The One.”
“It’s a delicate issue, so I believe everyone will understand.”
Everyone seemed dissatisfied. Considering I could potentially be the first Korean to join “The One,” it was inevitable that they were upset, I couldn’t say anything.
Suddenly, Maiden intervened.
“There will be an official announcement regarding that matter later, so please wait for it. Next question.”
The progress was sharp.
Wow, that was cool.
“What are your future aspirations as a superhuman?”
“Who is your role model or a superhuman you admire?”
After that, I had to endure being grilled by the reporters for three hours.
* * *
The following day, in the morning.
It felt rewarding to have endured all that hardship in a concentrated manner.
The journalists who were crowding around are no longer there.
Everyone had gone off to find their respective assignments.
“At least before the holiday break, I can now show my face one last time.”
The scouts seem to have lost interest in me for now. Indeed, interest wanes quickly.
…Well, if the scouts hadn’t lost interest, the surrounding area would still be filled with crowds.
“Then, princess. I’ll be going.”
“Take care.”
Princess nodded her head solemnly.
These days, she increasingly shows behavior befitting her age of 10.
The Rena who speaks in Korean and the Rena who speaks in beastmen language feel like different people.
“Today, there’s a demonstration, and I’ve arranged to have lunch with Jia. So don’t eat lunch and wait.”
“Yeees.”
Well, both are cute, so it’s fine.
I stroked the heads of the princess, Goldie, and White Tiger once each and left the house.
Exposing myself to the hot July sun, I headed to school.
I received a message that The One Guild’s internal meeting is progressing in a positive direction.
My information is unbelievable, but it seems they judged that just my participation in the raid would be a great benefit in itself.
It would be even better if the information was accurate.
According to Ms. Maiden, the mercenary contract is almost certainly going to be signed, and it seems they’re including a clause that provides additional compensation if the information shared about the Dragon’s Lair is ‘true’ and ‘useful’.
Whatever happens, the outcome will be the same, so it doesn’t matter.
‘With this, I can officially secure the support of The One.’
No, before that, I should focus on successfully raiding the Dragon’s Lair.
“The Dragon’s Lair…”
Anyway, I still can’t understand it.
Why did The One guild get wiped out at the Dragon’s Lair?
The Dragon’s Lair is indeed a difficult dungeon.
With guardians changing attributes irregularly, harsh terrains, and all kinds of mechanisms full of variables.
It’s an undeniable fact that it is one of the hardest dungeons, being among the top three in terms of difficulty among all existing dungeons.
‘But it’s not to the extent that The One can’t conquer it.’
Including the world’s strongest superhuman, ‘Master,’ a total of four single digits(top rankers) participated in the raid. Even though the Dragon’s Lair is tough, it isn’t to the point where they’d be ‘wiped out’.
‘Moreover, they got wiped out even though they would have prepared to some extent based on the records of the 1st to 3rd raids.’
No matter how I think about it, it shouldn’t be possible.
Which means…..
‘Something out of the dungeon’s variables occurred at the Dragon’s Lair.’
Something unknown to me.
Something external to the Dragon’s Lair might have created a variable that led The One Guild to total annihilation.
‘I can’t assert it for sure, but…’
It was a more credible hypothesis than saying The One had been wiped out due to their mistake.
‘Which means I also need to prepare for that irregularity.’
Will the three ancient relics I currently have be sufficient?
‘….It’s a bit unsettling.’
The more insurance, the better.
It’s something that led to the complete annihilation of the ‘The One’ guild. I can’t be assured with just this much.
‘It’s okay. Ancient relics will stock up in a month anyway.’
The Mystery Project is progressing swiftly even now.
‘And next week, we will be going to the Winding Ordeal.’
The infinite regeneration-type dungeon known as the ‘Winding Ordeal’, which is known to significantly contribute to the growth of superhumans.
There exists a ‘Hidden Piece’ in that place.
‘If only I can secure that….’
A light of ambition flashed in my eyes.
* * *
“It’s been a tumultuous semester, everyone worked hard. That is all.”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
With the instructor’s brief announcement, all the classes for the first semester came to an end.
“Seo-yul, let’s go!”
“Rena is waiting.”
Si-yeon and Jia approached me.
We agreed to have lunch together at home today, so they are suggesting we go together.
“Yes, just a moment. I have something to discuss with the instructor, can you wait a bit?”
“Ah. Yeah. Then we will wait.”
“Sorry. I’ll be back soon.”
I left the two of them waiting in the classroom and headed to the consultation room where the instructor was waiting.
Knock knock-
I lightly knocked on the consultation room door.
“Come in.”
With the instructor’s permission, I entered the room.
“Sit down.”
The instructor pointed to the opposite couch. I sat down on that couch.
The instructor’s expression seemed serious.
“I’ve heard from Maiden. You’re going with ‘The One Guild’ to the ‘Dragon’s Lair’?”
So, that’s why he looked so serious.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“… It’s a dangerous place.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
That’s precisely why I intend to go.
“…”
I looked directly into the instructor’s eyes. No words were exchanged; we simply gazed deeply into each other’s eyes.
I wonder how much time passed.
The instructor heaved a sigh as if defeated.
Perhaps he read something from my expression, as it seemed he gave up on trying to dissuade me.
“… Judging by your expression, it seems there’s no use in trying to stop you.”
“Yes, I must go.”
“… Alright.”
The instructor closed his eyes for about three seconds and then opened them again.
“In that case, all I have left to say is this: take care of yourself.”
With a concerned look, he offered those simple words.
“You don’t have to worry. What could happen when I’m with ‘The One Guild’?”
“There’s no such thing as certainty in this world. Therefore, you must take utmost care of yourself.”
The instructor’s expression was deeply earnest.
“…Yes.”
The instructor pulled something from inside his coat. It was a luxurious black envelope with an equally luxurious seal on it.
“And here is an invitation to the ‘Winding Ordeal’.”
“Ah.”
So, this is it.
I accepted the envelope.
“I hope that conquering that place will become a significant event for you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I bowed my head in gratitude.
* * *
Time flew quickly, and today was the day to head to Japan.
“Princess, take good care of the house.”
“…Yes.”
“What should you do if you encounter something you don’t know?”
“…Call Jia.”
Rena’s expression was very gloomy.
“What if a stranger comes?”
“I should not open the door…”
She must be feeling lonely considering I will be leaving the house empty for at least ten days.
“And…”
Suddenly, the princess grabbed my sleeve.
– Do you… have to go?
Shivering from the cold like a baby kitten, her ears drooped and her body trembled. Tears well up at the corners of her eyes.
“…Why? Are you scared?”
I held Rena and stroked her head. Rena has a pathological dislike for being alone; it might be some kind of trauma.
After all, Rena’s parents and acquaintances all died in a war ten thousand years ago, and the bodyguard protecting her lost their life for her sake. It would be frightening to see someone disappear from her side.
“If you don’t want to be alone… would you like to be with Jia or Yu Hwa?”
Vigorously, with her face buried in my arms, Rena shook her head. It seems she doesn’t like that either.
I had already asked Yu Hwa and Jia to take care of Rena while I was away for ten days, feeling uneasy about leaving her alone.
They readily agreed, but Rena, the person in question, rejected the offer.
She didn’t clearly state the reason, but it might be a kind of trauma too. Being with someone else without me must still be scary for her.
Jia and Si-yeon have mentioned that Rena acts like a different person when she’s with me compared to when she’s not. She probably hasn’t fully opened her heart to anyone other than me.
…What should I do?
I found myself in quite a dilemma. I was pondering, pressing my brow, when…
– I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…
Perhaps sensing my distress, Rena pulled away, offering a frail smile.
– Go and come back safely. I will wait obediently with these two.
The princess said so, but her eyes were trembling fiercely. Anyone could see that she was forcibly holding back her emotions.
“…Alright. I’ll come back as soon as possible.”
I roughed up Rena’s hair a bit, reassuring her.
* * *
Leaving Rena behind, I arrived at the airport.
Thinking about Rena forcing a smile and waving her hand, my heart somehow felt heavy.
‘I thought it was okay because she was getting brighter.’
My thinking was too short-sighted. Trauma isn’t something that can be overcome easily. She must have forced herself to seem fine in front of me.
“Tsk.”
I’m a fool for not noticing.
‘First of all, I couldn’t give up on the Winding Ordeal, so I had to leave’
I am worried.
Will she be alright for the ten days? I have asked the four, including Jia, to stop by the house and check on Rena from time to time, so it should be okay.
‘I have to believe so anyway.’
All I can do right now is to trust and conquer the Winding Ordeal as quickly as possible.
“Ah.”
Wait a minute.
The Winding Ordeal isn’t the issue, is it?
‘Once I enter the Dragon’s Lair, I will have to stay in the U.S. for at least three weeks.’
What should I do then? Wouldn’t our tender-hearted princess make a fuss, crying and wailing?
It would be quite troublesome then.
I really started to worry about all sorts of things.
Then, suddenly, this thought crossed my mind.
‘…Is this how a father feels, who has a daughter?’
Of course, there isn’t much age difference between us, but somehow, I genuinely feel Rena is like a daughter to me.
It was while I was having such frivolous thoughts.
“Mr. Kang Seo-Yul.”
Someone appeared beside me.
“!”
They definitely weren’t here just a moment ago? Just when I was about to enter a defensive stance out of surprise.
“Please try to stay as quiet as possible. I did set up a wide-area stealth, but just in case.”
Realizing the voice was familiar, I immediately sat back down.
“…Hermit.”
I was genuinely startled.
This guy is always appearing out of nowhere, what the hell?
“What’s the sudden matter?”
“I heard that you are participating in the raid on the Dragon’s Lair as a mercenary this time, is it true?”
He already got that information?
Is it typical of Hermit?
“Yes.”
“…May I ask what your purpose is for participating in this raid?”
“It’s for a complex set of reasons.”
I couldn’t outright say it was to prevent the extermination of the Deer tribe, so I vaguely brushed it off.
“A complex set of reasons…”
Hermit’s expression became serious.
“Then, I’ll ask just one thing.”
Hermit’s sharp eyes pierced through mine.
“Did you set that goal knowing that ‘Master’ was a fake identity of ‘Unknown’?”
“…What?”
Now…
What did you say?
<Chapter 151: Favorable Situation (3)> End
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