“What happened? ”
The answer comes back with a slight gap.
Well, technically, it's not an answer.
— … I'll go there and meet you in person and explain.
Yoon-suk told me that it wouldn't take long, and he actually arrived at the hotel in less than 10 minutes.
“It's an honor to see you again. Challenger Choi Yoon-suk.”
A fluffy height, clean black suit.
The white man's name, the same owner of the acclaimed businessman, was Liam Tenner, and if Ashton felt like a personal assistant to the top, he could say he was in charge of the district.
Since my first return since the last time, I have only completed the relationship.
“Yes. But you're a challenger... Please speak comfortably. I'm uncomfortable.”
“... Then can I call you Yoon-suk Choi? ”
“Sure. That's what Ashton calls it. ”
“I understand.”
If it's any consolation to hear Ashton say so, he nods with a relieved face.
However…….
“Now can we hear what you just said about that? ”
As Yoon-suk came to the point, the road looked dark.
However, I carefully organized the 'work’ into one sentence, knowing that it was not something I could avoid.
“Two hours ago, there was an assassination attempt on Choi Yun-seok's family. ”
Attempted assassination.
That means someone tried to kill my family....
The purchase of Yoon-suk of words I did not think of was solid.
Of course, with the mask on, Tenor could not detect such a change.
However, he noticed that the air sank heavily at one moment.
“Since you said try, does that mean you failed? ”
Yoon-suk asked calmly.
However, Tenor, who was watching the appearance, rather his skin stood firm.
I heard that I usually care about my family terribly.
What kind of reaction is that?
Tenor swallowed his saliva in a reaction significantly different from what I had expected.
He replied like a freshman.
“Yes! Of course! One of our agents was injured, but the family was not hurt in any way. I didn't even realize there was such an attempt. ”
After his quick description.
A breath of relief bursts out.
Ironically, it was from Tenor's mouth, not Yoon-suk's.
He thought it was a relief.
This assassination attempt was just a happy ending.
I was in charge of Yoon-suk, and I could find out even if it wasn't many reports I had received.
To the extent that no one can stop this man if he is deeply enraged.
“I see. Thank you. Is there anything I can do to compensate you for your injuries? ”
He did not ask about the identity of the perpetrator who attempted to assassinate him or whether he was caught or not.
I was curious, but Yoon-suk first thanked me.
Because that would be the right order.
Did he mean it, not like it was obvious?
Tenor shakes his head at you.
“Oh, no. I heard it's just an injury on duty and not a major injury. Plus, you don't have to feel burdened because we're going to pay you. However, I will tell the agent that Yoon-suk Choi is very grateful. They'll be very happy to hear that, too. ”
Yoon-suk also nodded, not recommending it any more.
At the same time, I was relieved that they didn't try to hide the case on purpose.
If this happened only two hours ago, it's no wonder Ashton was in the tower.
Yoon-suk also now asked for details.
“So who's the culprit? ”
No one guesses.
To be honest, I was a little surprised.
I didn't think there'd be anyone left to talk to when I saw the footage that day.
So Tenor's answer was very surprising.
“Choi Yun-seok is also a knowledgeable person. ”
“Me?”
“Yes. It's already well known on this side for having such a tough relationship with him. ”
“No way…. ”
“Kang Hyung-woo, the eldest son of JC Group. He's the culprit in this case. ”
What you do is always going to happen.
* * *
“ ……. ”
There was a laughter.
When I heard about the assassination attempt, I thought it was a political situation.
It is only the elders of each country who know the exact identity of Yoon-suk.
But it was a personal grudge.
Of course, there were some parts that didn't quite make sense.
“I thought you said you were injured? ”
All of you who are in charge of protecting Yoon-suk's family are challengers on the 8th floor or higher and are some of the most important talents on the planet.
I am not a challenger for a duel, but I am far beyond the standards of ordinary people.
There's no way Kang Hyung-woo, who has studied boxing, can get hurt.
In fact, even when he had just reached the third floor, Yoon-suk could easily subdue him.
And you were injured trying to stop an assassination?
While I thought of it as a contradiction, one reason came to mind.
“... He's a challenger, too. ”
“Yes, it is. We estimate it's now three months old. ”
Last day, I was doubtful when I heard that Kang Hyung-woo had disappeared.
I wonder if they've been called to the tower.
Even if I did, I could not find it myself, and I did not feel worthwhile.
To tell you the truth, now that he's seen cancer, nothing's changed.
Actually, the idea was right.
It's been three months since he was summoned to the tower, but he hasn't been able to get through one of the guards he put on his family.
“Can you tell me more about what happened? ”
Tenor explained the incident two hours ago to Yoon-seok's request, adding his opinion that Kang Hyeong-woo's power level, a likely trial, and perhaps a personal grudge, doesn't seem to be behind it.
‘You're probably not even on the 5th floor yet...' ’
While not all of the information has been confirmed yet, Tenor has also explained the rationale for coming to that conclusion.
Using technology that can only be purchased on an adventure.
It is likely that the assassination attempt itself at that level was not even aware of Yoon-suk's relationship with the United States government.
It was also worth listening to Yoon-suk.
Honestly, it's astonishing to put all this information together in two hours.
However, they missed the most important Kang Hyung-woo.
“Then how the hell did he escape? ”
It was not the way the book spoke.
It's just a question that seems genuinely curious.
Thanks to that, Tenner was able to answer the question comfortably.
“Excellent car, no problem catching him alive, but disappeared without a trace less than 10 minutes ago. ”
“Is this space travel technology? ”
“No. Our side expects you to return to the tower with all your time. Maybe he just wanted to get rid of it and get out of there and run to the tower. ”
Again, it was not that I didn't understand why.
No, it's too bad I didn't kill him right away.... They have their own procedures.
“I don't think he'll come back.... I've placed agents where they disappeared. Can you set a course of action? ”
Kill him immediately.
No need to worry, Yoon-suk said decisively.
Tenner said he would pass it on without any objection, but he also offered a new option.
“If you want, you can send a tracker to the tower. ”
“Tracking party?”
“Yes, if it's the same floor, the challenges of adventure can be interacted with by any challenger. If you're not stuck in the waiting room forever, you'll catch it in no time. ”
Yoon-suk, who later remembered the nature of the trials of adventure, realized that there is also this method.
A trial of adventure is an open-world kind of system.
The moment you choose a trial, you will be taken to a virtual world created, interacting with adventurers and NPCs, and performing quests.
‘Even if you die, you don't fail. ’
Crucible adventure is the lowest difficulty.
Challengers will be able to cooperate and have time to complete the quest.
Moreover, I heard that it is possible to return to the waiting room in the middle of an item.
Of course, the disadvantage is that it takes a very long time to get to the other level.
“I'd appreciate it if you did. ”
Yun Seok was reluctant to accept Tenor's options. Although annoying work has increased, he also looks happy.
Maybe he thought it was an opportunity to make up for his crumpled face.
“From the third floor to the sixth floor, I will recruit all of our challengers. Hopefully, if it's not just sitting in the waiting room, we can catch it in no time. ”
I think it was a good choice to collaborate with them, and Yun Seok concluded this conversation around here.
I didn't think I would have to care anymore about Kang Hyung-woo if it went on like that.
It's like a mouse in the middle of nowhere.
“Now, can I ask you for one more thing? ”
“Oh, you didn't come back to this. What's going on?”
Yun Seok stopped by the Unified Plaza and asked if there was a challenger who could ask Kumma for the news, and Tenor called somewhere and quickly saved someone.
Could it have been 10 minutes?
It was very quick.
“There are a lot of challengers on the 10th floor in America. ”
“It's not much, but it certainly grew more than before. Challengers have risen overall since Choi Yoon-suk showed up. ”
Tenor said as if Yoon-suk had stimulated their improvement, but in fact the impact would not be that great.
Money, honor, power.
These are the three drivers that keep ordinary people moving.
I've heard a lot about Earth from Ashton.
After information about the perforated towers was made public, challengers' treatment changed by 180 degrees.
There was no reason to keep it private, so the budget of the challenger group increased dramatically, and thanks to the fact that the invaders were able to save the earth, they were accepted as heroes wherever they went.
As a result, challengers began to put their lives on the line to gain greater honor, to have more wealth.
‘I've heard many things, but not as much as I can see for myself. ’
I was curious about changes while I was away.
Yoon-suk asked Tenner if he could get some clothes for him to wear outside.
I was going to take a look around the town or town for a while before I got back to the tower.
But…….
“Just in case, you haven't checked the basic clothes against the dressing room. ”
Yoon-suk seemed to know why people were so desperate for fame or status.
Being treated like someone important, being treated like someone very poor.
It had a marble that inspired human nature to compete.
After returning, Yoon-suk put the clothes he was wearing into the spatial bag he had used for his last expedition.
And the car that was about to put the sword in my waist.
Tenner, who doesn't know it's a sub-space bag, has advised you.
“If it's uncomfortable for you to leave your sword, you can just kick it out. The same goes for masks.”
“Yes?”
“The world has changed a lot over the years. ”
At that point, Yoon-suk carried only the referee's sword around his waist and left the hotel with Tenner.
I can kick a sword, so I came out with data about karma....
I thought, "Is this really possible?"
You can't imagine walking around the city with a sword around your waist. I heard some lunatic is on the move. He'll report back soon.
But there was really no problem.
The hotel staff, the people in the lobby, even looked at Yoon-suk, but that was it.
Even that gaze was a good one.
“Sir! Thank you! ”
A girl approached and greeted Yoon-suk.
And I often walked back to where my family was. The girl's parents stroked her head as if they were doing well and buried her small.
Yoon Seok was impressed with the way he looked when American citizens treated soldiers.
“You've really changed a lot……. ”
“Yes. You're the first time since then, so you'll be surprised. ”
Tenor was right.
A lot has changed in downtown Seoul.
Once I saw someone walking around with a cold weapon, like a sword, quite often.
“Patrol. Seeing as the frequency of invaders has increased, we're always on standby to prevent civilian damage." ”
“You're wearing a mask, aren't you? ”
“Yes, there are many challengers who don't want their identities revealed. ”
Change was not the only thing.
A completely sunken building. A wall with giant claw marks. Burned or melted concrete.
The battle scars were briefly seen in powerful places, and those walking around did not even take a picture as if they were already familiar.
It was as if the whole world had changed in a few months.
‘Now that I think about it, it's kind of funny. ’
Yoon-suk is born in Seoul.
Born in Seoul and raised here.
But Tenner from Korea across the sea is taking a tour guide to Seoul.
Ironic, but I couldn't deny how many times it would have been chaotic if Tenor hadn't followed.
“Our shop doesn't take money from heroes. ”
After that, Yoon-seok is also visited by restaurants that have reached the footpath.
“Challengers are the source of all evil! Once they're gone, so will the invaders! ”
I also stopped by the protests in front of the Old Town Hall.
“The Savior wipes out our path in blood..." ”
I watched the service of the ‘Savior's Church’ which I had only heard the words of, and it was getting late.
And that was then.
Tenner who listened to Yun Seok's attention all day answered the phone somewhere and hurriedly told Yun Seok.
“A challenger in the square has been informed. Would you like to meet right away?”
“Yes. I was just on my way back anyway. Did he say anything happened? ”
“As Yoon-seok Choi told me, the challenger is also good at giving information. ”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Oh, and one more good news. ”
Tenner shrugs, and the defendant smiles brightly.
“Kang Hyung-woo. I heard he got it too. ”
“ ……? ”
“I heard the agent say he was going to kill me, but he threatened to come straight to Earth with an item. ”
It only took 12 hours....
Yoon-suk opened his mouth without even knowing it.
Their swift and accurate work is also done.
I can't believe they're already here.
It seemed like I knew how insignificant Kang Hyung-woo who once looked so big was.
Is that why?
I felt a bad sense of self-esteem.