Chapter 74

So, to put it plainly.

“Does Stormy need me to be in jeopardy before she can acquire Devour?”

“From what I recall, yes. Back then, constant defeats within the Tower of Trials had driven Stormy’s anxiety to a breaking point…… She unleashed the Burst Dragon’s strength entirely on her own because she couldn’t bear to watch you suffer like that. The same principle applies now. Actually, it could be even more severe……”

“More severe?”

“Yes. In contrast to before, when you possessed multiple lives…… you only have this single one now, correct?”

“Ah.”

“Which is precisely why I was reluctant to mention it. I didn’t want you overexerting yourself. Stormy will also most likely put up a massive resistance.”

Hmm.

A valid argument.

The present Baek Jinwoo wasn’t anywhere close to a life-threatening dilemma. If anything, his path was incredibly smooth right now.

No, smooth was an understatement. He was practically soaring.

In a situation like this, would he intentionally plunge himself into harm’s way just to pick up a single ability?

Risking a permanent trip to the afterlife?

The odds weren’t appealing.

“But if we are discussing a life-or-death scenario, how close to the edge do we need to get exactly?”

“You aren’t actually contemplating this, are you?”

“No, no, I’m just inquiring out of pure curiosity.”

“Allow me a moment.”

Drill Sarge shut his eyes, bringing his fingertips to his temples as he pondered the question.

Then, after a brief pause:

“A circumstance offering less than a ten percent chance of survival.”

“……”

“You would have to orchestrate that environment yourself, Master. Perhaps by stepping into the Tower of Trials or tackling a maximum-difficulty dungeon accompanied by no one but Stormy.”

“Huh.”

Less than ten percent was far more merciless than he had anticipated……

Playing with suicide just to master one technique. Wouldn’t it be far more rational to just abandon the idea?

It wasn’t a matter of “wouldn’t it” — it was absolutely the smarter choice to skip it.

Even if the survival rate were under ninety percent, he would still hesitate.

“Is there truly no alternative method?”

“There might be, but I am genuinely unaware of it, Master.”

Right as a frown began to form between Baek Jinwoo’s eyebrows—

“What exactly are you discussing, Drill Sarge?”

Stormy’s voice cut through the air from behind them.

Ah.

She must have caught their conversation from the adjacent room where she had been focusing.

Stormy practiced meditation even during the late hours to unlock her hidden potential.

They had assigned her one of the vacant rooms for that exact reason.

“Stormy.”

Drill Sarge looked visibly uncomfortable.

“That makes absolutely no sense!”

Her tone held a sharp note of irritation that he rarely encountered from her.

“……I merely informed him because Master requested an explanation.”

“Jinwoo-nim.”

Snap!

Stormy spun her gaze directly onto Baek Jinwoo.

“Huh?”

“Don’t you dare contemplate any foolish ideas about putting your life at risk. If you do, I will refuse to fight.”

Uh……

He hadn’t actually planned on it, but wow.

Refuse to fight?

That was an actual mechanic in Battle of Summoners.

If a player neglected a summon’s affinity rating, they would essentially go on strike, and when that occurred, you couldn’t even place them on the active combat roster.

Gamers used to refer to it as a summon staging a sit-in.

Man……

So this strategy was entirely unviable from the start due to Stormy herself.

“I can never allow Jinwoo-nim to engage in a perilous conflict.”

“I share that sentiment entirely, Stormy.”

“And you, Drill Sarge.”

Zzt!

Stormy threw Drill Sarge a piercing glare out of the corner of her eye.

“You are mistaken about something. The strength that awoke back then was nothing more than an imitation of power.”

“An imitation of power……?”

Oh?

Baek Jinwoo’s eyes widened in surprise as well.

Did Stormy possess knowledge that they lacked?

“You are correct that my anxiety had peaked. And yes, the strength was forcibly unsealed due to that pressure. However, to genuinely release the Burst Dragon’s true power, you cannot rely on such a flawed approach.”

“Then what path must we take? Are you aware of it?”

“I don’t know either.”

……Huh?

She doesn’t know?

Then what?

“Regardless!”

Stormy rested both hands firmly against her waist, her posture unyielding.

“I am stating this clearly right now! If Jinwoo-nim pushes his limits dangerously, I will boycott the battles! Just try me!”

Just try me, she says.

Where on earth did she pick up a phrase like that?

Was it from Ramba?

“Alright, I understand. Go back inside and complete your meditation…… Do not fret over this.”

He had no intention of attempting it anyway.

Even so, getting lectured like that felt a bit bizarre.

Was there any other player out there who received a scolding from their own summon?

Step forward if you exist!

Tch.

Japan, Tokyo.

“Oh, you’ve returned.”

Japan’s titan and the individual holding the number two global ranking.

Yoshida Hikaru greeted the four rankers.

“Yes, Hyungnim.”

Shusuke maintained an emotionless expression despite the cold sweat sliding down his back.

Haah.

Where could he even begin to explain what occurred?

Ryo and the remaining rankers standing behind him simply looked away, offering zero assistance.

“Heh, judging by the atmosphere.”

Hikaru smirked.

“You got thoroughly thrashed, didn’t you?”

“……Well.”

“So, how did it go…… This Baek Jinwoo fellow. Is he truly that formidable?”

“Yes. Exceptionally formidable.”

“And you suffered a defeat?”

“……That is accurate.”

Grind.

Shusuke clenched his teeth as the humiliation of that encounter washed over him once more.

However.

“BAHAHAHA! You actually lost?! AHAHAHAHA!”

For whatever reason.

Hikaru appeared completely overjoyed by the news.

“Is there a recording?! Do we have any footage?!”

The recorded footage had actually been delivered yesterday.

The dilemma was……

Was it truly wise to display this to him?

Shusuke weighed his options.

At the very least, that Yu Jia woman possessed some decency.

She had completely omitted the troublesome segment where Ryo lost his sanity and went berserk.

Nevertheless.

The scene depicting the destruction of the scroll remained in the video.

Hah!

If she wanted to be considerate, she should have scrubbed the entire thing!

“Hey, Shusuke! I asked if there is a recording!”

Fine.

Let him watch it.

If he concealed it now and Hikaru discovered the truth later, there was no predicting the kind of retribution that would follow.

“Right here.”

Shusuke reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a USB flash drive.

Hikaru accepted it with a satisfied grin.

“Excellent. Once I review this, I should be capable of getting a decent gauge on his abilities. All of you performed well. I will reward each of you with a high-grade rune later, so you are dismissed.”

“Thank you, Hyungnim!”

Shusuke bent forward at a flawless ninety-degree angle.

The remaining rankers imitated his gesture, and just when it appeared they had navigated the danger safely—

Hikaru halted them in their tracks.

“By the way.”

Trickle!

Cold perspiration poured down Shusuke’s forehead.

The other rankers, who had just begun to ease up, froze instantly.

Yoshida Hikaru.

At times, he presented himself as a benevolent, relaxed leader. In truth, he was an individual possessing a explosive temperament.

Lose his goodwill?

He would discard you without a single moment of hesitation.

“You didn’t engage in any foolish behavior toward Baek Jinwoo, did you?”

Gulp!

Shusuke took a heavy swallow.

For roughly two seconds, a myriad of thoughts flashed through his brain, but……

He required a rapid response.

Dwell on it any longer?

That was equivalent to confessing he had blundered.

“Haha, Hyungnim.”

Shusuke spun around with a beaming expression.

“Nothing of the sort. We did participate in a minor wager, but……”

“A wager? What kind of wager?”

Hikaru’s gaze sharpened.

“Well…… We had agreed to a friendly spar without conditions, but the opposing side proposed a gamble. It would have been uncomfortable to decline, so we consented.”

“The opposing side…… Baek Jinwoo?”

“Correct.”

“And the result?”

“As you are aware, we failed. And had one hundred billion won claimed from us.”

“Is that so?”

Hikaru didn’t appear particularly concerned regarding the financial sum.

The solitary detail that mattered to him was whether they had committed a grave error or not!

“If you individuals are the ones who were cleaned out, then Baek Jinwoo wouldn’t possess any reason to harbor resentment, correct?”

“……No.”

Shusuke offered a pleasant smile.

Cold sweat slid down the back of his neck once more.

I must…

Ryo.

That idiot needed to be removed from the equation. Immediately.

The instant Baek Jinwoo caught sight of him, everything would crumble.

Expelled from the national roster?

He could manage that much without even informing Hikaru.

It fell well within his scope of power to execute.

My apologies, Ryo.

If the rest of us wish to survive, there is no alternative path.

“Is that so? Then we are fine. Carry on.”

“Understood, Hyungnim!”

The rankers exited the room in a single file line.

“Phew.”

Shusuke let out a prolonged exhalation.

Even now, it was mind-boggling.

Hikaru-hyungnim, showing that level of caution?

Then again.

Having faced Baek Jinwoo face-to-face, it made complete sense.

A literal monster.

The term suited Baek Jinwoo flawlessly.

The international distribution of power is bound to transform before long.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

It is better to receive your punishment early, as the old proverb goes.

Consider it an intensive vaccination shot.

“Ughhh.”

Baek Ajin had been pulling her hair out in frustration lately.

Ever since the incident involving the gang intrusion, her companions had been dropping incredibly obvious hints.

• Aah, what a gorgeous day outside!

• Right~? Ideal weather for dropping by to see Ajin, wouldn’t you say?

• I am incredibly curious. Word says Yubaek City is truly spectacular!

• Supposedly Ajin’s Oppa can be found at the training grounds there every single day. Walking around without a shirt, from what I gathered?

• Kyaaa!

“Oh, for heaven’s sake— Have they completely lost their sanity?”

Thunk!

Unable to endure it any longer, she slammed her smartphone face-down onto the tabletop.

Following the criminal breach.

The defensive measures around Yubaek City had been heightened drastically.

Common citizens were forbidden from simply wandering in, and even representatives from prominent guilds required explicit clearance from Yu Jia, the director, before gaining entry.

The only individuals allowed to move about freely were the actual inhabitants.

Thus, quite naturally, her social circle was imploring her.

Just a single group excursion. Please.

“These girls…… How old are they to be begging for a guided tour? An excursion?!”

Initially, she paid them no mind.

It wasn’t a choice she could authorize on her own whim.

I must keep professional matters separate from personal affairs.

Regardless of being a director, one does not introduce personal acquaintances into the corporate facility.

That is simply inappropriate!

It would be completely disrespectful to Jia Unni, who placed her confidence in her.

Even so.

The thought continued to bother her.

These were all girls she had been close with since middle school. None of them were troublemakers……

She had even caught wind that a few of them aspired to become professional players.

Perhaps that was the catalyst.

Baek Ajin capitalized on the relaxed atmosphere of a casual evening meal rather than a rigid workplace environment to inquire with Yu Jia.

The outcome.

“Huh?”

Yu Jia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why on earth would that pose an issue?”

“Unni?”

“The entire reason I constructed the facility to look grand and developed the park grounds so beautifully was so that guests could appreciate it…… If they are your companions, they are absolutely welcome. Invite them all! I would actually delight in that.”

“But regardless, it is a corporate headquarters…”

“Ajin.”

“Yes?”

“By the metrics of our enterprise, you are considered royalty. Surely you realize that, right?”

“I know……”

Her older brother was Baek Jinwoo.

And this entire organization functioned solely to support Baek Jinwoo.

“Your level of influence here is grander than you can conceive.”

The mere reality that Baek Ajin was Baek Jinwoo’s little sister rendered her more than worthy of Yubaek’s utmost attention.

“Furthermore, it isn’t even a challenging request…… You’ve been stressing over a basic walkthrough for your acquaintances. Just bring them along. It is no trouble at all. I will issue you the visitor passes.”

“Unni…… Thank you immensely. I am genuinely moved.”

That was completely unexpected.

Yu Jia could be incredibly strict regarding professional protocols, yet she proved remarkably magnanimous concerning a matter like this.

Upon concluding their lovely dinner, Baek Ajin returned to her residence, collapsed onto the couch, and retrieved her phone.

Then.

• Hey girls, would you like to come tour Yubaek City at some point?

She dropped the text into their collective group chat.

• AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

• Are you serious? For real? FOR REAL????

• When? Just name a day. I will clear my schedule. I’ll utilize my leave days. If they refuse to grant it, I’ll just resign.

• Count me in too!

• Ajin is the absolute GREATEST!

• We are literally surviving off your elite connections right now. Yubaek City AND everything else. Wait, do we get a chance to see your Oppa as well??

• Girls…… let’s possess some modesty. Baek Jinwoo Oppa-nim is clearly tied up with work! The World League is right around the corner!

……

The message board, which had been flowing quietly, completely erupted.

Are they truly this thrilled?

Baek Ajin couldn’t prevent a warm sensation from bubbling up inside her.

She believed she had grown accustomed to the fame by now, but occurrences like this always reinforced the reality.

The fact that her Oppa was genuinely a phenomenal individual.

• Alright, let’s select a date then.

The edges of her mouth curved upward completely on their own.