Chapter 66

First of all.

Hong Ari had run into Takahashi Shusuke in the past.

It wasn’t just Hong Ari either—Oh Seonyeong had crossed paths with him as well.

After all, both of them had taken part in the World League before.

K……

They called him K.

It was a lighthearted nickname the members of the Korean national squad used privately—the K inspired by Superstar K.

“May I inquire about something?”

Shusuke maintained a polite demeanor.

“Are you competitors associated with Yubaek, right over there?”

“……”

To be completely honest?

That comment cut even deeper.

They had crossed paths on multiple occasions during the World League, yet he failed to even recollect who they were.

That was a perfect reflection of where their nation currently stood.

Placing dead last in the league rankings.

An existence so vastly inferior to the major global superpowers that they weren’t even worth remembering.

If this were soccer, it would be comparable to a Premier League superstar not recognizing a player from the North Korean national squad.

Tch.

Hong Ari pouted, sticking out her lower lip.

“We are associated, yes. But before we get into that, shouldn’t you clarify your reasons for asking in the first place?”

Thinking about it further, something felt entirely out of place.

An individual of Shusuke’s status traveling around so freely would normally throw the entire country into high alert.

His entry should have triggered massive chaos from the moment he passed through immigration, but for some reason, everything remained perfectly quiet.

It can’t be……

As if picking up on Hong Ari’s skeptical expression, a tight smile formed on Shusuke’s face.

“I arrived covertly. I had no desire to stir up trouble. My only intention is to have a word with the higher-ups at Yubaek.”

In reality, Shusuke had journeyed to South Korea under direct instructions from Yoshida Hikaru, who held a position among the Five Emperors.

Accompanied by four subordinates, he had navigated across the East Sea directly, avoiding any form of detection.

Under ordinary circumstances, this action would constitute a massive international incident.

Breaching territorial waters and sovereign airspace without proper clearance.

Had the positions been swapped, it would have sparked a massive diplomatic crisis.

However?

That was a testament to Japan’s sheer influence.

A minor nation had very little recourse when dealing with a global summoning superpower.

“Under normal conditions, I would have simply grabbed a swift bite to eat and made my way straight over to Yubaek. Yet, just as I was preparing to do so, I detected a presence. A strikingly potent Fenrir occupying the adjacent room. An entity of that magnitude could only belong to one of South Korea’s elite rankers, correct?”

“……!”

Oh Seonyeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

He had managed to identify her summon by name without even setting eyes on it?

Furthermore, that wasn’t all he accomplished.

He had accurately assessed its precise tier of power.

With absolute certainty.

The international community referred to the elite rankers residing within the global top 100 as “titans.”

And it was widely known that a titan’s situational awareness and INT regarding summons existed on an entirely different plane.

“An elite ranker of that caliber staying in a place like this? Naturally, I deduced she must be one of Yubaek’s leading officers, or at least connected to them.”

“A deduction certainly worthy of a titan. Very well. What exactly is it that you want?”

“Prior to discussing that.”

Shusuke’s eyes softened into a mild squint.

“I have introduced myself, and I have explained my purpose for being here…… I believe it is only courteous for your party to share your names first. Only after that can we engage in a proper dialogue, wouldn’t you agree?”

Ahem.

His reasoning was flawless.

On top of that, he held a vastly superior standing.

Even so, he refrained from acting overly arrogant, keeping up a respectful attitude the entire time.

“I am Hong Ari.”

The moment she stepped forward to introduce herself—

“Oh Seonyeong.”

“Ki Jaehyeok.”

“Kang Jihop.”

The remaining elite rankers followed her lead.

Following that, the Japanese rankers took turns introducing themselves one after another.

First things first.

Hong Ari realized.

I absolutely have to make a phone call.

This situation had escalated beyond what they could manage on their own.

“For the time being, we will accommodate your request, so please go ahead and finish up your food first.”

“If you are suggesting that you will assist us……”

“……Yes, we will put you in touch with the Yubaek official you are seeking.”

Right around that time.

“Hmm.”

Sugoi—one of the elite Five Emperors.

His actual name was Yoshida Hikaru. He was currently trimming his fingernails.

La la~

“I wonder if they made it across safely?”

Rachel had recently entered the Tower of Trials.

She had mentioned her plan to blitz through directly from floor 30 all the way to floor 50, which meant her climb would take a considerable amount of time.

He himself was currently stationed on floor 29.

As for floor 30?

He intended to take his time tackling it after Rachel made her return.

When you have a spearhead advancing out in front, there is absolutely no reason to expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

After all, the Five Emperors had agreed to pool their information together.

Even so.

Rachel tends to be far too cautious.

Setting other veteran players aside, Hikaru felt highly confident about one particular detail.

That Baek Jinwoo was, in fact, JinuGod.

That specific conviction was the reason he had instructed his subordinate to seek him out covertly.

To be more exact, he had directed him to set up an unofficial friendly contest as an excuse to test the waters of Baek Jinwoo’s capabilities.

• Why not simply get in touch with Yubaek through official channels?

His subordinate had questioned the move, but Hikaru shook his head in refusal.

Rachel explicitly instructed us not to make contact with him.

Rachel stood as the foremost leader of the Five Emperors.

She had issued a formal directive. If he chose to disregard that?

The resulting fallout could become quite problematic.

Initiating direct contact under those conditions?

The global community would be thrown into absolute chaos.

I can’t wait any longer.

Truly.

Baek Jinwoo.

Are you truly JinuGod?

Our ultimate deity and icon.

The solitary individual who ever dared to challenge the 100th floor of the Tower of Trials—and successfully cleared it. The ultimate myth among all summoners!

At present, less than two years remained before the grand raid and the arrival of the Chaos Dragon update.

If Baek Jinwoo truly turned out to be JinuGod.

They absolutely had to establish a bond with him. At all costs.

Every single member of the Five Emperors would undoubtedly concur on this matter.

That was precisely why he had stressed the point to Shusuke.

Even if you meet with him in complete secrecy.

Under no circumstances.

Under no circumstances are you to ruin this opportunity.

Baek Jinwoo, who had been observing the progress of the Rune Dwarf’s Craft alongside the Drill Sarge, was informed of the situation.

Huh?

Visitors from Japan?

And they are looking for me?

Yu Jia had evidently received the update as well, given that she came sprinting toward the training fields.

“Jinwoo!”

“Yeah, I was just told.”

“This is far more critical than you realize. It’s Shusuke—one of the actual titans!”

Shusuke?

Baek Jinwoo tilted his head in confusion.

Who on earth is that supposed to be?

“Is he powerful?”

Yu Jia gaped at Baek Jinwoo with a look of pure disbelief for a brief moment.

No matter how disconnected from current events he might be.

To not recognize Shusuke, the second-highest authority in Japan……

Incidents like this served as a stark reminder.

The fact that Baek Jinwoo had only recently awakened from his extended coma.

“Yes, he is powerful. Exceptionally powerful. He holds the 30th spot in the global rankings……”

“Oh.”

At the very least, he possessed a decent understanding of how the world ranking system functioned.

He was aware that it underwent updates every year following the conclusion of the World League, and that it exclusively showcased the top 100 individuals.

“If their intention is to pick a fight, it’s a bit poorly timed……”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t have access to the Drill Sarge rune right now.”

The Omni Rune he had been utilizing up to this point?

It was currently being broken down and hammered away to serve as raw material.

“Well, things should turn out fine regardless.”

A subtle smirk appeared.

Baek Jinwoo broke into a smile.

Had it been someone at the level of the Five Emperors, perhaps it would be a different story. But someone ranked 30th globally…… not really a concern.

Some people might wonder where he drew the nerve to be so nonchalant, but to Baek Jinwoo, the reality was perfectly transparent.

The capabilities of rankers who had only been active for three years?

Regardless of how exceptional their summons or runes might be, they didn’t intimidate him in the slightest.

If he had to draw a comparison, they resembled young children brandishing sharp blades.

A full-grown man armed with nothing more than a wooden club could manage that situation without much trouble.

And I happen to be that full-grown man.

“If they wish to have a meeting, let’s go ahead and meet. Inform them to come out here if they want to see me.”

The training fields.

As Baek Jinwoo and Yu Jia remained seated, chatting back and forth—

“Oh, look over there.”

“It appears they have arrived.”

Four sharply dressed Japanese men stepped into the area with an air of complete self-assurance.

Following closely behind them were the four disciples.

So that individual is Shusuke?

Baek Jinwoo picked him out immediately.

Yu Jia had provided him with photographs while they were waiting, ensuring he committed their appearances to memory.

Thanks to those details, he was also aware that Shusuke operated under the very same guild as Sugoi.

Sugoi.

One of the seasoned veteran players he had shared half a decade of deep camaraderie with.

Admittedly, Baek Jinwoo didn’t possess an extensive amount of details regarding him.

Only that he had once secured the 3rd rank in Battle of Summoners.

And his approximate age.

He would be roughly 34 years old by now.

He was the older one—a proper Hyungnim—yet the actions he used to take were highly amusing.

[Sugoi: O most exalted and revered JinuGod-nim! That miserable floor 80 boss bastard is mocking me and I am completely losing my sanity! How on earth do you manage this miserable lizard?! Rachel claims there is no viable solution within her own summon composition either. I will pass along every bit of data I possess. I place my faith in you, JinuGod the GOAT! Much love!!]

Every single time he found himself blocked in the tower, he would shamelessly plead for strategies using that exact charm.

Baek Jinwoo chuckled softly at the recollection.

It truly had been quite comical.

[JinuGod: Dokdo belongs to?]

[Sugoi: Korean territory!]

[JinuGod: What about Tsushima then?]

[Sugoi: If you provide the strategy, that becomes Korean territory as well!]

It was likely meant as a jest, but the man had been desperate enough to trade his own country’s pride in exchange for a walkthrough.

Shusuke was the prized pupil and right-hand officer of that very same Sugoi.

I see.

The general aura he projected wasn’t bad.

Evaluating him by his physical stature, he clearly kept himself in peak condition.

His presence was quite striking as well.

The manner in which he completely eclipsed the disciples surrounding him—resembling a majestic crane standing among a flock of common chickens.

“So you are Baek Jinwoo.”

Shusuke identified him the very instant he drew near.

In all honesty, Shusuke found the situation baffling.

What could possibly be so extraordinary about Baek Jinwoo to justify such an extreme level of wariness?

JinuGod?

He recalled the contents of an interview Hikaru had granted in days past.

• South Korea must locate JinuGod at the earliest opportunity. It is absolutely vital—both for the sake of South Korea and for the survival of humanity, which is required to ascend the Tower of Trials. Should they fail to locate him? Humanity possesses no future whatsoever.

He wasn’t a fan of that perspective.

How incredible could this singular individual possibly be to prompt discussions regarding the ultimate fate of mankind?

Granted, the man possessed good looks.

He appeared to be in excellent physical shape as well.

However, that was the extent of it.

He wasn’t even listed as a global ranker. Even if he held complete dominance within the borders of South Korea, Shusuke viewed him as nothing more than a loud frog making noise at the bottom of a shallow well.

Naturally.

He wasn’t letting his guard down.

He maintained the belief that one never truly knows who holds the upper hand until locking horns directly, which was the exact reason he had made this secret journey.

“The four of us represent members of the Japanese national squad. Baek Jinwoo—you hold the position of captain for the South Korean national squad, is that correct?”

“That’s right, why?”

“For the purpose of fostering mutual growth between our respective nations, we would like to extend a formal invitation for an unofficial friendly contest.”

A friendly contest!

Hearing those words, Yu Jia’s eyes widened instantly.

This is an absolute exclusive!

In reality, friendly contests were a regular occurrence among various nations.

Confining your training exclusively to domestic opponents could dull your competitive instincts, so the concept involved players from different countries sparring to keep their skills sharp.

Generally, the less powerful nation would provide massive financial compensation to convince the stronger nation to agree to a friendly match.

That arrangement was simply unavoidable.

The weaker a country was in terms of summoning prowess, the more desperately it required the opportunity to absorb the expertise of advanced nations.

And the reigning top five summoning superpowers consisted of:

England, America, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan.

On account of that hierarchy, South Korea couldn’t even successfully arrange basic diplomatic relations with Japan, let alone secure a friendly match.

Yet now, they were stepping forward to propose one directly?

And doing so off the record?

“What are the terms regarding the expenses?”

When Yu Jia raised the question, Shusuke provided the response.

“We will only request a standard, reasonable fee, naturally.”

A slight smirk played on Shusuke’s lips.

In truth, Hikaru had explicitly commanded him to conduct the match free of charge.

But offering it for nothing? Absolutely out of the question.

Going head-to-head against a backward nation without receiving any compensation?

That was entirely unacceptable.

“When you refer to a standard fee, what precise figure are we talking about……”

“One billion won per individual match, in Korean currency. Wouldn’t you consider that to be quite fair?”

It was beyond fair!

Yu Jia, who was deeply knowledgeable about international protocols, nodded her head without a moment’s hesitation.

She had held a position at headquarters previously.

During that time, she had reviewed documentation showing headquarters mapping out up to ten billion won for a single match just to get an opening on a superpower’s itinerary.

Even then, those attempts had never actually succeeded.

However.

Baek Jinwoo clearly did not share her level of excitement.

His eyebrows knit together tightly, and he spoke up.

“Fair, my foot.”

“……?”

What?

What did he just blurt out?

My foot?

Shusuke snapped his head around to glare at him, while Baek Jinwoo’s expression turned thoroughly displeased.

“You are proposing to hold a friendly contest with me…… and you expect to charge me money for the privilege? Where exactly do you get that kind of unearned confidence?”

From where Baek Jinwoo stood, the entire situation was ludicrous.

He was the one who ought to be receiving compensation in this scenario.

And they were demanding money from him?

With that mediocre level of capability?

What an absolute load of garbage.