It was unexpected for Seong Jihan that Xin Youhwa would be here.
She could have just sent someone from across the sea, but she risked coming here himself?
‘No, she must’ve thought it wasn’t dangerous.’
She probably hadn’t considered him a returnee, so from Xin Youhwa’s perspective, she would have judged that Seong Jihan didn’t know his identity.
For Seong Jihan, it was like the icing on the cake.
[Master, the woman who was tailing us last time is also over there.]
Ariel, who had planted a shadow on the follower, continued.
Seong Jihan spread his Force senses widely and examined the people sitting at the table.
He sensed firearms on them.
Perhaps because they were a delegation from the Chinese embassy, they entered with firearms without raising any suspicions.
Looking at the size and shape, they were special handguns designed to be used against awakeners.
‘They’re blatantly planning to shoot.’
With their intentions clear, Seong Jihan wanted to deal with them immediately.
But he couldn’t just yet.
What if Xin Youhwa dies as soon as Seong Jihan enters the venue?
With this timing, and since many people knew he had the Force, it could raise unnecessary suspicions.
‘I’ll need to make it look like a sudden death.’
Seong Jihan gave instructions to Ariel on his left arm.
[Ariel, can you send some of your power to that woman’s shadow?]
[Just the young woman?]
‘Yes.’
[Easy. Do I kill her?]
‘Not now. Can you make it look like a natural death later?’
[That’s also easy. She’s just a low-rank species, just stop her heart.]
‘Good, it’s important not to leave any trace.’
[That’s my specialty.]
From Seong Jihan’s arm, a part of Ariel’s power was released.
Nobody noticed because he prioritized stealth.
[Done. Command me whenever. As long as she’s not too far away, I can execute it immediately.]
‘If you’re going to disguise it as a heart attack, execute when she’s away from her seat. People might save her if she collapses here.’
[Should I make her go to the restroom then?]
‘…Can you do that?’
[Analyzing a low-rank species’ body is already completed. Just make her feel the urge.]
It’s times like this that she truly feels like a superior species.
Impressed by Ariel’s skill, Seong Jihan nodded.
With the plan set, he casually continued his conversation with the Management Director.
“How will today’s event proceed?”
“Ah, well, about that…”
* * * * *
Meanwhile,
From a distance, Xin Youhwa, watching Seong Jihan’s group, frowned.
‘It’s not as easy to create chaos in this venue structure as I thought.’
While in Hong Kong, she wanted to act impulsively, but on arrival, there were many constraints.
The BattleNet Administration’s venue in Korea was unexpectedly narrow; she couldn’t move easily in and out.
‘They should’ve killed her in the restroom then. Tsk.’
She deeply regretted yesterday’s failure.
“Youhwa, I heard a bit from your father.”
At that time, Wang Lim, the Chinese ambassador to Korea who was at the same table, struck up a friendly conversation with Jin Yuhwa.
“Can you not separate Seong Jihan from that woman?”
“Oh my… Ambassador. Would that be possible for you?”
“I have some connections with this country’s Prime Minister. I already told him I wanted to speak with Seong Jihan. I’ll be in another reception room, and at that time, do as you please.”
Xin Youhwa’s eyes sparkled.
Ambassador Wang Lim, who her father had supported for a long time, must have been given a lot of money, as he was doing a lot to favor her situation.
“Understood. Sir, thank you so much!”
“Yes, also, send my regards to your father.”
“Of course!”
The two exchanged warm smiles.
With the atmosphere becoming pleasant and some time passing by,
“Now, let’s begin the award ceremony!”
The award ceremony was about to begin.
The South Korean Prime Minister took the podium.
At that moment, when Seong Jihan was waiting to receive a commendation,
“Why am I feeling like this? Did I get nervous even though I didn’t drink anything?”
Xin Youhwa suddenly felt the need to go to the bathroom.
“I don’t have any immediate business right now; I should go and come back.”
She slowly rose from her seat and left the venue.
* * * * *
In the women’s restroom prepared next to the event hall,
“Uh… Ugh…!”
Xin Youhwa clutched her chest inside the restroom and collapsed.
If she had been in the event hall, people would have called an ambulance, performed CPR on her, and taken various measures.
However, since the event had just begun, no one was in the restroom to help her.
“…”
Ariel confirmed that she had stopped breathing entirely and thought from within the shadows,
‘Truly a weak species.’
Hidden in the shadows, until taking control of her heart, this woman had not noticed at all.
A species with dull senses, that stops breathing as soon as its heart stops.
It was incomprehensible why such a species had been invited to the BattleNet.
‘Giving out S-rank Gifts so liberally isn’t weird at all.’
Among the Earthlings, most top players had gifts of S-rank or higher. Compared to the gifts the Shadow Elves received in the Battle Net, it was a very generous treatment.
At first, she wondered why there was such discrimination, but now her opinion changed.
Considering the limits of the human race, shouldn’t they be given not just S-rank, but SS-rank or higher in the Battle Net?
‘Master is the strange one.’
Perhaps it was because of his association with the ‘Wandering Martial God’ who hunts Constellations.
Among humans, only Seong Jihan was exceptional.
If he continues to grow like this, he would become a significant force in the Space League.
‘But why did he tell me to kill only this human?’
She seemed insignificant.
Ariel left Xin Youhwa and returned to Seong Jihan.
* * * * *
On the stage of the event hall, as he was receiving the commendation,
“We hope you continue to work hard for our country, Player Seong Jihan.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister.”
He shook hands with the Prime Minister, receiving flashes from photographers.
[Finished.]
[You did well.]
Without any visible movement, Seong Jihan responded to Ariel.
[But why only her? She seemed insignificant.]
[She had the Gift ‘Late Bloomer’. She probably was the brain behind those with guns.]
[Ah, was she the one tailing Yoon Seah?]
[Yes. Fortunately, she came to die.]
[You figured that all out?.]
In any case, while the human race is nothing special, this human stands out.
Ariel didn’t ask any more questions.
He probably wouldn’t answer anyway.
Compared to witnessing the Ascension of Black Shadow, this was a minor doubt.
“Player Seong Jihan, do you have a moment?”
After the commendation ceremony, the Prime Minister, with a friendly smile, approached Seong Jihan.
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“The Chinese ambassador has expressed his desire to speak with you… How about we meet him together?”
While using honorifics for the Chinese ambassador, the Prime Minister pleaded to go together.
“Then, I’ll go with my niece.”
Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister looked around and whispered into Seong Jihan’s ear.
“Ah, actually, there might be some sensitive topics with him… Can your niece wait outside for a bit? It won’t take long.”
‘He planned to separate us.’
Seong Jihan looked at the Prime Minister skeptically.
He didn’t know what relation the Prime Minister had with China to go this far, but it was better this way.
Since Xin Youhwa had already been removed, staying with him would provide a solid alibi.
[Ariel, stay with Seah.]
[Understood.]
After summoning Ariel to accompany Yoon Seah, Seong Jihan followed the Prime Minister to the reception room.
There, the same people from the Chinese embassy were waiting for him.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Seong Jihan.”
Wang Lim, the Chinese ambassador to South Korea, greeted Seong Jihan in fluent Korean and offered a handshake.
“I’ve been impressed with your recent activities.”
Starting the conversation with such praise, Wang Lim’s words were different from what the Prime Minister had previously discussed.
“It must be great to have such an outstanding player. Haha. It seems that Korea is ahead of us when it comes to promising talents.”
“What are you talking about? Only one player, Seong Jihan, stands out. How can the rest compare to China?”
They were avoiding sensitive topics, just exchanging pleasantries.
More precisely, the Prime Minister was exaggerating in response to Wang Lim’s flattery.
If there was any sensitive discussion,
“I saw the video from yesterday, Seong Jihan. Information related to the dungeon core… I never imagined you’d release that on BattleTube. Don’t you regret it?”
“It wasn’t even certain information, and the dungeon portal is a problem faced by humanity. I thought it was right to release the information.”
“I see. A brilliant thought. But… don’t you think the returns to you are too little compared to the value of the information?”
With that, Wang Lim handed him his business card.
“After watching the video, I felt regret. If you have such information next time, how about closely cooperating with us? China pays a suitable price.”
“Of course, of course.”
Paying a suitable price?
Even now, working behind the scenes and talking like that.
“Thank you for the offer. I’ll think about it.”
Seong Jihan took the business card and stood up.
He was there as an alibi, but he didn’t want to see the Prime Minister flattering the Chinese ambassador any longer.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
“Why not stay a little longer?”
“No, I’ve been here too long, and my niece is waiting. I’ve received your card, so I’ll be on my way.”
“We just started to make acquaintance, though…”
Wang Lim tried to buy more time, but suddenly,
Bang!
The door to the reception room burst open.
[It’s a disaster! Miss Xin Youhwa…!]
[Huh? What happened?]
[She’s been found dead in the restroom!]
[What!?]
The two shouting in Chinese.
Seong Jihan, who didn’t understand Chinese, looked blankly at the two with a grave atmosphere.
“Oh, no, how could this…!”
The Prime Minister seemed to understand and looked serious.
“What are they saying”
“Well, they said someone was found dead.”
“Who the hell…?”
Seong Jihan asked seriously and quickly prepared to leave.
“This isn’t the time… I need to go to my niece.”
“Oh… yes, please do!”
Wang Lim, who had been trying to keep Seong Jihan back, didn’t stop him anymore due to the sudden news about Xin Youhwa.
“Oh my! Mr. Seong Jihan, you’re here! There’s a huge problem now!”
When he left the reception room, the Director approached him, making a fuss.
Beside him were Yoon Seah and Ariel.
“Yes, I heard someone was found dead.”
“Yes, yes. A woman from China was found deceased in the ladies’ restroom. It looks like a heart attack… I don’t understand what’s happening on such a good day.”
With that, the director whispered,
“We’ve prepared a limousine for your return. It might be best to leave before it gets more chaotic.”
“Thank you for your consideration. Let’s go, Seah.”
Yoon Seah nodded slowly at Seong Jihan’s words.
“…Yes, uncle.”
Yoon Seah, who had been silent on the way home, finally spoke when the car arrived at Sword Palace.
“My Gift, its rank has increased.”
“Really?”
“Yes, from E to D.”
She then looked up at Seong Jihan.
“…Did you do this, uncle?”
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