Chapter 98

Chapter 98: I Alone Am an EX-Class Summoner

The scheduling for the World League and the calculation of international rankings were perpetually tied to the home country of the reigning titleholder.

Because England had claimed victory in the inaugural, sophomore, and tertiary World Leagues, the entire event functioned on English time.

Consequently, when midnight struck in England—corresponding to 8:00 PM in South Korea—a systemic notification materialized before every human being across the globe.

[Ding!]

[This serves as a seven-day advance notice for the World League!]

[The ten selected competitors from every nation must arrive at the Player Zone in London, England before the competition commences!]

[Anyone failing to reach the destination within the designated timeframe will face automatic disqualification!]

“Whoa!”

“It’s finally happening!”

An uproar shook the streets outside.

It was the collective sound of humanity crying out in amazement simultaneously.

Naturally, that very same alert had manifested right in front of Baek Jinwoo.

Huh. Well, look at that.

Having spent three years in a comatose state, this was his very first time witnessing such a notification.

England. London.

Just like South Korea, England possessed a pair of Player Zones.

One was situated in London.

The other was located in Birmingham.

As expected, the one in London attracted a much denser crowd and was far more massive in scale.

[Commencing at this exact moment, a one-month Day of Peace has officially begun!]

[Players are strictly prohibited from deploying summons for offensive or combative activities in public spaces!]

“Wow, the Day of Peace is here!”

“At long last, we can sleep without keeping one eye open!”

Whenever people compiled lists of the few positive changes that had come with the world’s transformation, the Day of Peace was almost always at the top.

It was a window of time during which supernatural violence via summons was entirely locked out.

The most common interpretation was that this was a gesture of clemency granted by the enigmatic system.

After all, if the entire world’s elite assembled in a single location for the World League and a massive terrorist strike occurred, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Thus, even countries locked in active warfare had no choice but to pause their conflicts for this specific month.

“All traveling arrangements have been finalized. You are clear to depart for the airport whenever you please.”

The association headquarters had assigned an incredibly lavish private aircraft along with a premier aviator to the SKY guild.

The Director, the President, and even the leader of the National Assembly had arrived in person to shake hands, desperately requesting a powerful showing on the global stage.

“ALRIGHT! EVERYONE MOVE OUT!”

Hong Ari roared.

We are reaching the final four this year. No matter what it takes.

Winning the entire tournament?

She wasn’t even letting herself dream of that.

Even if her Master, Baek Jinwoo, possessed the strength to contend with that absolute terror known as Rachel, the sheer concentration of top-tier global talent in England was overwhelming.

However, a spot in the semifinals was an absolute requirement.

If for no other reason than to back up the absolute certainty with which Baek Jinwoo had made his public declaration.

I have spent every waking moment preparing for this exact day.

It wasn’t just Hong Ari feeling the weight of the moment either.

Kang Geonho, Ahn Gijeong, Hwang Juwon, Ki Jaehyeok, Kang Jiho, Oh Seonyeong……

Every single one of them had spilled blood, sweat, and tears over the years to bring honor to their homeland.

The culmination of their sacrifices was finally within arm’s reach.

And it was all because of Baek Jinwoo.

“Let’s keep our composure, everyone. Just play the way you always do. Song Yeonhui, Hwang Jiwoo—this marks your debut on this stage, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“The master will anchor us just fine. Let’s move! We’ll head over there, leave everything on the field, and return home holding our heads high!”

Reassured by the steady guidance of Hwang Juwon, the most senior member among them, the roster of the SKY guild made their way toward Incheon Airport.

The traveling party numbered eleven in total.

Ten official representatives for the national roster, accompanied by Yu Jia, who was traveling along to provide logistical support.

South Korea’s premier squad was officially en route.

Originally, the maiden World League had been hosted on American soil.

This was likely because the system had evaluated America as the premier global force during the initial era.

It was during that tournament that Rachel had steered England to their first grand victory.

That triumph was the sole reason the subsequent second, third, and upcoming fourth iterations were all centered in London.

As a result, the seasoned veterans on the squad were completely accustomed to the long-haul flights toward England.

WHOOOOSH!

Gliding effortlessly at an altitude of fifty thousand feet without a single bump of turbulence, Hwang Juwon began sharing historical anecdotes from previous World Leagues to pass the time inside the luxury aircraft.

“Listen up, when we touch down in London, okay? We’ll be landing at London City Airport, and that’s where the representative squads from all ninety-four nations begin pouring in.”

To clarify, exactly ninety-four nations had qualified to participate.

The metric was determined strictly by national census figures.

The overarching system did not grant recognition to any country whose population fell short of ten million citizens.

The ninety-fourth spot belonged to Hungary, which had barely cleared that ten-million threshold, giving everyone a clear understanding of the system’s baseline.

Due to this rigid rule, numerous smaller European states were experiencing severe geopolitical crises, and realistically speaking, Hungary was enduring a similar hardship.

Even though their headcount of ten million secured them a ticket into the league, they didn’t actually have a Player Zone manifested inside their own borders. (The prevailing hypothesis suggested that Player Zones only materialized within territories housing twenty-five million people or more.)

Consequently, they had been forced to lease a Player Zone from a friendly nation at an astronomical price…… a reality that had become another highly debated crisis shaping modern global diplomacy.

It had grown significant enough that a fresh phrase had been coined: a “population revolution” occurring alongside the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Anyway.

“The reception you experience the second you step off the plane is entirely split. Blood-alliance superpowers like Japan, America, and Taiwan? They are essentially greeted with a grand red carpet. But the rest of the pack? They won’t give you the time of day.”

“Where did that leave us?”

Song Yeonhui inquired, her curiosity piqued. Hwang Juwon let out a cynical chuckle.

“Is there even a need to ask? We were treated like absolute garbage.”

Describing it as garbage was a mild understatement.

They had been looked down upon in a manner barely distinguishable from North Korea.

“Though this time around, the tables might turn completely.”

“Exactly.”

“The guild master made sure of that with his own strength.”

“We’ve essentially joined the ranks of the blood alliance now, haven’t we?”

The gathered guild members were practically vibrating with anticipation.

They were well aware of the current state of affairs.

Their homeland had successfully secured a non-aggression pact with the five most dominant superpowers on earth, meaning they wouldn’t target one another even if they ended up drawn into the same preliminary bracket.

Man, the sheer influence of our guild master is insane.

I’m genuinely getting thrilled. I can’t wait to see how they roll out the welcome mat for us.

But it’s terrifying too…… The eyes of the entire planet are going to be glued to us now.

“In any case, everyone stay focused and—”

Hwang Juwon was right in the middle of his sentence when a sudden noise interrupted him.

Clatter, rattle!

Yu Jia came walking out from the rear cabin, pushing a massive, high-end hospitality cart ahead of her.

A incredibly rich, mouth-watering scent rolled off the platters, capturing everyone’s attention instantly.

“Whoa.”

“What in the world is that?”

“A full feast?”

Positioned right in the middle of the aircraft’s cabin was an expansive dining surface bordered by comfortable, high-end couches.

“Would anyone mind lending a hand?”

Yu Jia started lifting covers off the platters and arranging them across the surface.

“Right here!”

“I’ve got it!”

Song Yeonhui, Hwang Jiwoo, and the remaining junior members quickly jumped up to assist.

Clink, clink-clink-clink!

One luxurious plate after another was laid out—a stunning arrangement of high-end delicacies and fresh fruit platters.

And the display didn’t stop at food.

Every imaginable variety of premium whiskey, rare brandy, fine gin, dark rum, crystal vodka, and top-tier spirits appeared.

Containers of ice and rows of alcohol quickly filled the spaces on the table.

“Hold on, what is the meaning of all this?”

“Hard liquor? Out of nowhere…?”

“Are we celebrating something?”

Yu Jia offered a warm expression to the thoroughly bewildered team members.

“Jinwoo requested that I arrange this for everyone.”

“The g-guild master did?”

“For real?”

Every gaze shifted toward Baek Jinwoo in sheer, unadulterated shock.

Baek Jinwoo?

The notoriously unyielding Baek Jinwoo?

To be perfectly honest, the entire roster had prepared themselves to spend the multi-hour flight engaged in deep breathing exercises and mental discipline.

They couldn’t engage in intense physical training within the tight cabin space, nor could they summon their beasts for practical drills.

They had entirely assumed he would command them to sit perfectly straight, absorbing “the untainted spiritual energy of the stratosphere” for the duration of the journey……

No shot.

Has our leader actually softened up?

What could have possibly caused this shift?

While the squad members traded incredibly anxious looks, Baek Jinwoo reached out and grabbed a bottle.

Then.

Glug, glug, glug!

He systematically filled a glass for every single person present, moving from one seat to the next.

“We push ourselves through all this hardship just so we can eventually enjoy our lives, don’t we?”

Those words reflected Baek Jinwoo’s genuine perspective.

We’ve been driving ourselves to the brink of exhaustion lately, staring straight ahead without a pause.

His primary objective remained elevating his own capabilities. That reality hadn’t wavered.

However?

An existence consisting entirely of brutal training, slashing away sleep schedules solely to accumulate power—that was not an existence he desired.

Furthermore, he had no intention of inflicting that miserable lifestyle upon the people who followed him.

Put in maximum effort when it is time to work.

Unwind completely when it is time to rest.

“The tournament doesn’t kick off for another seven days. Let’s take things easy today, loosen up, and enjoy ourselves. It will do wonders for our cohesion.”

The moment Baek Jinwoo finished his announcement, the cabin erupted into cheers.

“WOOOOOOO!”

“Guild master, you are an absolute legend!”

“You’re incredible, truly our greatest older brother!”

Predictably, Ki Jaehyeok and Kang Jiho were practically bouncing off the walls with pure joy.

“Hehehehe, Big Brother!”

“You’re the absolute best!”

They hoisted their empty vessels high, eagerly awaiting their turn for a pour.

“You two don’t get a single drop.”

Yu Jia’s voice cut through the noise, dripping with absolute finality.

“Huh?”

“Why? What did we do?!”

“What do you mean, why? Since when are underage kids permitted to consume hard liquor?”

Ki Jaehyeok had reached nineteen years of age, while Kang Jiho was eighteen.

Kang Jiho accepted it, but Ki Jaehyeok looked like his entire world had crumbled under the sheer weight of the unfairness.

“I BECOME A LEGAL ADULT IN EXACTLY ONE WEEK!”

“I took the liberty of sourcing some high-quality fruit juice for you both instead, so stick to that.”

“Agh!”

Juice?

JUICE?!

Despite his youthful appearance, Ki Jaehyeok was the established commander of an entire recognized guild known as Carpe Diem.

And she was ordering him to sip fruit juice? At a monumentally important team gathering like this?

It was nothing short of psychological torture.

“Big Brother, please, you’ve got to tell her—”

“……”

Baek Jinwoo completely overlooked the teenager’s desperate pleading, turning his gaze toward the window.

Hwang Juwon followed suit, staring at the floor.

My bad.

You’re on your own, kid.

Provoking Yu Jia carried far too high of a penalty for anyone within the organization to risk it.

That was the precise level of unshakeable influence Yu Jia wielded within the hierarchy of SKY.

No way…!

Ki Jaehyeok fell into a state of utter despair.

Ultimately, the pair of minors could do nothing but look on with intense longing as the remaining adults thoroughly indulged in the spirits and gourmet spreads.

Gradually, the guild members began to succumb to the alcohol.

Regardless of how exceptional these national-tier competitors were, none of them possessed a natural immunity to intoxication.

They hadn’t climbed to the mythical realm of legendary martial masters who could actively circulate inner energy to incinerate toxins from their bloodstreams.

They were fundamentally normal humans—albeit in peak physical condition—who happened to possess an exceptional affinity for commanding supernatural summons.

“Hehehehe.”

“Haha, give this vintage a try. It is mind-blowing. Isn’t a single one of these bottles worth more than our entire base monthly pay?”

“It goes down so smoothly. How can liquor taste this phenomenal?”

“People talk about paradise, but look around—this right here is paradise!”

“Now that I think about it, we are literally cruising through the clouds. Maybe we actually made it to heaven? Ahahaha!”

One after another, they slipped into a merry state of intoxication, and Baek Jinwoo was right there with them.

Baek Jinwoo didn’t possess any obnoxious habits when he drank.

Well, perhaps just one.

He simply maintained a quiet, relentless rhythm of pouring and drinking, emptying glass after glass.

Yu Jia, who had chosen to stay completely sober, observed the festivities from a slight distance, quietly analyzing his specific tastes.

So that is the exact flavor profile he favors.

She locked the detail away in her mind.

It was for the future, specifically for the moment she would eventually introduce him to her grandfather. She was already mentally selecting which vintage spirits she would need to set out for the occasion.

ROOOAAAAR!

London City Airport, the primary landing hub for an endless stream of international flights.

The terminal grounds were absolutely packed with media personnel representing every corner of the earth.

“Look over there! The Japanese elite squad has just touched down!”

“Japan?”

“That’s Yoshida Hikaru leading them!”

“H-Hikaru?! And look, Shirato Sakura and Takahashi Shusuke are walking right beside him! That is undeniably the Japanese national roster!”

They held the number one, two, and three spots within Japan’s domestic rankings, respectively.

On the international scale, they occupied the second, fourteenth, and thirtieth ranks worldwide.

The moment public icons and global juggernauts of their caliber emerged, the entire press corps scrambled forward to capture images.

As a recognized superpower in the field of summoning, Japan commanded an astronomical level of global adulation.

And right on cue.

“Right this way, if you please!”

Japan was accorded an entirely elevated tier of diplomatic hospitality.

The British Prime Minister himself had walked out onto the tarmac, grasped Hikaru’s hand in a warm greeting, and personally escorted the team along a secure corridor reserved strictly for VVIPs.

“Man, Japan truly operates on a different level.”

“Incredible to watch.”

“Though they still don’t hold a candle to our own England.”

England sat comfortably at the peak of the world ranking, while Japan and America continuously swapped the second and third positions between themselves.

As the homeland of the absolute anomaly known as Rachel, the English population harbored an immense sense of nationalist pride.

They can roll out the royal carpet for guests all they want, but at the end of the day, we stand alone at the top. That specific brand of arrogance.

“Hey, Senior.”

A newly hired reporter gently tapped the shoulder of an experienced journalist.

“Which nation does that group belong to?”

A fresh squad had just cleared customs, representing a country that didn’t immediately register with the global press.

“What do you mean? That’s South Korea. They are right next door to Japan geographically, so it makes sense they arrived on a similar flight path.”

“…Then why is our Prime Minister over there shaking hands with their people too?”

“What?”

The veteran journalist’s eyes snapped open in sheer disbelief.

The British Prime Minister was a man who maintained an incredibly rigid posture of national superiority.

He wouldn’t dream of offering a personal greeting to any country that hadn’t secured a spot within the core blood alliance.

Even at this very second, national squads from dozens of different territories were completely bypassing the VVIP terminal, dragging their luggage through the standard exit gates toward their shuttle buses.

And yet?

That exact same head of state was personally welcoming the leader of that specific team?

What made it even more bizarre was that the captain in question—casually gripping the Prime Minister’s hand and shaking it with zero formality—seemed a bit… disheveled.

Is that guy wasted?

The individual was actively rubbing his eyes, going through the motions of the high-level diplomatic handshake with clear indifference, yet the Prime Minister remained standing there, sporting a massive, beaming grin.

Why would he tolerate that? And then, a singular title detonated inside the journalist’s mind.

JinuGod.

“Holy hell, start rolling the cameras!”

“This is an absolute front-page exclusive! Get closer, tighten the focus!”

The very instant Baek Jinwoo stepped into view, the global media corps dissolved into utter madness.