Chapter 167
The Ranker meeting ended at last. Although it wasn’t a long meeting, its contents made it feel like an eternity. Everything discussed on the hundredth floor of the Empire State Building was uploaded to the Network without leaving out a single word. Smartphone D Weapon users made an exception for today and released the information to every human for free.
“YEAAAAAHHHHH!”
“LEE KANG-SAN! LEE KANG-SAN! LEE KANG-SAN!”
“UNDERGROUND! UNDERGROUND!”
“WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU!”
“PLEASE GUIDE US!”
“I WANT TO RETURN TO OUR HOME! TO EARTH! WAAAH!”
The 34th Street of Manhattan was so crowded that there was no room even to move. Whether they be lambs or Baptists, they endlessly chanted Kang-San’s name.
Three important agendas were announced in the Ranker meeting. The first was the concretization of the alliance between Faber and the Union. This developed workplaces for the lambs and provided opportunities to obtain equipment at a cheap price.
The second was Kang-San’s declaration of the Underground Confederation. The humans were understandably anxious and scared, but thought that things were heading in the right direction. Since they were oppressed in the Mirror World despite having been at the top of the food chain on Earth, they wished to regain their former privileges and believed Kang-San, the hope of humanity, would achieve it for them.
The one who garnered the most attention after Kang-San was, of course, Record Breaker, Cheon Seong-Hwi.
“That aside, I heard Cheon Seong-Hwi was amazing.”
“Yeah. My cousin was one of the reporters attending the meeting, and I heard that he didn’t back down against the countless Rankers in the hall.”
“Not even against the High Rankers?”
“Yeah!”
Seong-Hwi saved his fellow humans from Clan Trophy, protected the nights of the Capital by standing against Hard Drug, and rumor had it that he also cleared an S-rank dungeon, which Gao Weiguang, seventh in the human ranking, failed to clear a dungeon of the same rank. He also recently killed Jazathura, a goblin High Ranker, and there were talks that he also played a crucial role in the establishment of the Union’s alliance with Faber.
“Wow, he sure lives up to his alias!”
“That’s not all. I heard RB’s accomplishments in the Ferrum War were acknowledged by the Steel King, and he was bestowed a reward...”
“And?”
“I hear the reward was the right to enter Subterra, and he’s selling those tickets for one week! I’d bet every clan is going nuts!”
***
Subterra was the capital of the now-eradicated subterraneans. They built a life inside a dungeon of their home dimension, but one day, their Race Stone was taken by a Chaos, unfortunately turning the entire race into Chaos monsters.
The following massacre of the subterraneans was known as the Subterranean War, which ended when Steel King Bafor killed Tellus, the Subterranean King, the leader of the subterraneans. The Sēmen acknowledged Bafor’s accomplishment and bestowed him the rights to the dungeon, Subterra.
Countless subterranean Chaos remained in Subterra, and so were their items and artifacts. Because it was known that the deeper down one went into Subterra, the stronger the Chaos monster that appeared, it was a relatively safe dungeon to explore as long as one knew the borders between floors.
Although it was a dreamlike hunting ground, no one could sneak into the dungeon as long as Bafor was its owner. However, a notice that Seong-Hwi was selling admission tickets to Subterra had been uploaded on the Network.
Notice of Sales Regarding Subterra Admission Tickets.
The tickets will be sold for exactly one week, and the dungeon will be explored immediately after. Any clan or individual is allowed to participate. However, each clan can only purchase one hundred tickets and is required to submit a report of their contributions to humanity and future contributions. The same applies to individuals.
The report can include anything considered beneficial to humanity, such as donating Coins or low-ranking items, hiring lambs, hunting wanted criminals, etc. I, Cheon Seong-Hwi, will review all conditions and make the final judgment for sales.
I look forward to your passionate interest, and please submit your reports to the ID: Norom Iwh Gnoes.
Thank you.
People could tell from the notice on the Network that Seong-Hwi was insane.
***
Seven humans and one beastfolk were seated in the drawing room of the Fence Hotel. They were Jurie, Gerard, Lina, Thumper, Leo, Seo-Yeon, Charles, and Seong-Hwi.
“Golden Time, Alcoholics, Scavenger, Rising Star, One Tree, Bullseye, Exit, New Age, Artist, Dongming... AHHH! There’s no end to them!” Jurie shouted as she scrolled through her smartphone and glared at Seong-Hwi.
Seong-Hwi shrugged and said, “You’re the one who said you’d help and made the dummy ID.”
“I thought you were just gonna sell the tickets for a set price! That would’ve been easy!” she shouted exasperatedly.
Leo patted Rhodes as he smiled, saying, “Haha. Don’t be so angry, my employer. You won’t get anywhere by getting mad at Seong-Hwi.”
“How are things lately, Leo?” Seong-Hwi asked.
“The Maasai warriors couldn’t be happier thanks to you, Seong-Hwi. We face fewer dangers and are paid more compared to before.”
Seong-Hwi smiled. The Maasai had avoided the tragedies they had faced in Seong-Hwi’s past life.
As they stared at each other full of trust, Jurie narrowed her eyes and said, “Why are you taking all the credit? I’m the one who pays them. You’re so funny, it’s ridiculous.”
“I appreciate the compliment. No one laughed at my joke in the Ranker meeting.”
“Y-you...” Jurie groaned in annoyance. “What in the world are you thinking? Why would you sell the Subterra admission tickets that way?”
“What way?”
“Submitting a report about what they have contributed and will contribute to humanity! What kind of abstract payment is that?”
Jurie’s question was natural. Seong-Hwi had also initially planned to sell the tickets for Coins and invest his earnings into facilities similar to the Fence Hotel.
But I can’t. Subterra is like a Karma mine. I can’t just let anyone in, he thought.
It would be a pain to deal with the aftermath if a mass serial killer were to enter Subterra and come out with significantly increased stats. Since Subterra allowed rapid growth for those who hunted in it, thorough verification was required for all those who entered it. This could only be done by Seong-Hwi, who knew what each human would do in the future.
The report is just an excuse for me to exclude those who don’t qualify. Humans must become as strong as possible in Subterra.
Since Kang-San had declared the formation of the Underground Confederation, humans needed to grow stronger much more quickly than before because such a thing had never happened in Seong-Hwi’s past life. It might have been underway, but even if it had been, the plan would have been scrapped after Curiositas killed Kang-San.
If it had only been an idea before, my actions triggered its realization by connecting Faber with the Union. Lee Kang-San wouldn’t just let this chance slip past him.
Although the result would change the future Seong-Hwi knew, he was not afraid. Destiny belonged to the pioneers. Not only was there no such thing as a surefire future, but there would have been no point in his return if he didn’t change the future.
This destiny can only be walked by me, a returner.
Jurie sighed as she stared at Seong-Hwi, deep in thought, and remarked, “Huuu, he doesn’t even answer me anymore. That aside... Who are those two?” she asked as she turned to Seo-Yeon and Charles.
Charles swept back his silky silver hair and said proudly, “I am la Notte del Drago del Gioco Oscuro.”
“Oh, this is Charles Dullin, and I’m Kim Seo-Yeon, the leader of the spec force’s Pursuit Team 5,” Seo-Yeon corrected as she grabbed Charles’s head.
Jurie’s eyes shone as she asked Charles, “Are you from France?”
“I am.”
“Wow, it’s nice to meet you! So am I! But why are you using Italian instead of French?”
Charles, wary of Jurie’s sudden blazing interest, mumbled shyly, “My mommy is... Italian...”
“Biracial! You’re so cute!”
Jurie was not thoughtless enough to ask where his mother was, because such questions were disrespectful in the Mirror World.
“And... are you Korean? The same as Seong-Hwi?” Jurie asked.
“That’s right. I’m from South Korea, the same as oppa,” Seo-Yeon said as she glanced at Seong-Hwi.
Jurie narrowed her eyes and asked, “Oppa? You had a little sister, Seong-Hwi?”
“Oh, Seo-Yeon is—”
As Seong-Hwi was about to answer, Lina, whose face had been buried in documents, sprang up and approached Seo-Yeon.
She asked, “What? Seong-Hwi’s little sister? May I draw some of your blood? If Seong-Hwi’s hexagonal genes run in the family, you might also...”
“Umm... what are you talking about?” Seo-Yeon said as she stepped backward, sensing the slight madness in Lina’s eyes.
Seong-Hwi sighed and said, “Lina, Seo-Yeon isn’t my biological sister.”
“Oh... Really?”
“But it doesn’t change the fact that she’s my little sister,” Seong-Hwi said nonchalantly.
Seo-Yeon’s cheeks reddened as she asked, “Umm, oppa. Captain Douglas wanted me to ask if the spec force can also enter Subterra...”
“Of course, they can. Members of the spec force have already gone through a thorough selection process, so that saves me the trouble,” Seong-Hwi said.
“Thank you. Oh, and I would like to enter Subterra with you—”
“You, Garuda! Will you become my comrade?” Charles suddenly shouted, interrupting Seo-Yeon.
“Garuda?” Seong-Hwi asked as he tilted his head.
Charles stared at Seong-Hwi passionately, his blue eyes shining, and said, “You are worthy of becoming the Dark Flame Dragon Knight’s rival! One must always keep a worthy future adversary close!”
He still remembered Seong-Hwi exuding his powerful aura before the Rankers filling the banquet hall. He admired his extravagant wings, iridescent halo effect, and the aura of a conqueror who would happily accept challenges from anyone.
He’s so cool! Charles shouted inwardly.
“Charles admires you. He wants to become your friend,” Seo-Yeon interpreted Charles’s feelings without his permission.
Charles, his cheeks reddened with embarrassment, shouted, “No! That’s not true! I see him as my rival... Argh! Quiet, Fox!”
“Fox?” Lina asked in confusion.
Seo-Yeon answered, “My D Weapon, Miho, is a fox. That’s why he always calls me that...”
“You’re Raccoon,” Charles said as he pointed at Lina.
“R-Raccoon?” Lina said, taken aback.
Seong-Hwi snickered and said, “It suits you. Are you still staying up all night researching, Lina? Do something about those dark circles. Mine are gone.”
“That’s because you keep giving me stuff to research!” Lina shouted resentfully, shocked by Charles’s nickname for her.
“Lion, Rabbit, Sloth,” Charles said as he pointed at Leo, Thumper, and Jurie.
Leo’s D Weapon was a lion, and Thumper was a rabbit beastfolk, so their nicknames matched. However, Jurie simply blinked, unable to understand where her nickname, Sloth, came from.
She asked, “I’m a sloth?’
“Yes. Just like how sloths are always glued to trees, you’re glued to your smartphone with your head down.”
“Ahaha! You’re so imaginative, Friend Charles!” Thumper laughed as he stared at Jurie’s confused expression.
His laughter was contagious, and Jurie soon started giggling as well.
She pointed at Gerard and asked Charles, “What about this old man?”
Charles stared at the white-haired Gerard and said, “White-handed Gibbon.”
The drawing room was filled with laughter.
Seong-Hwi also laughed and shouted, “Ahaha! It suits him!”
“Bastard...” Gerard mumbled with a frown. However, his frown only made Seong-Hwi laugh louder.
Seong-Hwi looked around the drawing room and thought, It’s been a while since I’ve laughed without restraint.
Jurie, Lina, Leo, Seo-Yeon, and Charles were his former Calasanz comrades whom he considered his family. Gerard and Thumper were new friends he had made after his return, and there were many more friends he had made.
I can’t say it’s the same as the one in the past, but some friends are still with me, while new ones have been added. This is... my destiny.
Just then, a sense of joy enveloped Seong-Hwi like a tranquil tide, tickling his chest and turning into tiny bubbles that spread throughout the drawing room. His Destiny Force exuded without him knowing, and a transparent wave enveloped him.
“This is nice,” Seong-Hwi mumbled.
The Destiny Force instantly filled the entire drawing room.
“Huh?”
“Ah!”
“Ehehe! It tickles!”
Everyone in the drawing room felt intense hope for the future, filled with great power that made them feel love for this moment.
“You...” Even the curt Gerard faintly smiled as he stared at Seong-Hwi.
Just then, the door of the drawing room opened, and Kang-San entered. The Destiny Force filling the room instantly scattered, and the people inside looked as if they were dreaming.
“Hm? What’s going on? Are you all doing drugs or something? I heard El Chapo has been selling a new drug called Liam, so perhaps...”
The dreamlike sensation shattered in everyone’s minds.
Jurie shouted, “Of course not!”
Kang-San shrugged and replied, “Never mind, then. Let me borrow Seong-Hwi. You’re free, right?”
“Yes,” Seong-Hwi replied as he immediately stood up from his chair.
Everyone in the drawing room stared at Seong-Hwi’s back until he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
***
Seong-Hwi and Kang-San walked along the streets of South Earth.
“There seemed to be a pretty good atmosphere among you all. Are they your comrades?” Kang-San asked.
“I suppose,” Seong-Hwi answered.
Kang-San smiled at his response. “Have you decided on your team for Subterra? Shall I get you a few people from the pioneering faction?”
“No, I will decide who I will take with me. I have a few in mind, but I will let you know if I’m lacking a few positions.”
“Sounds good. Subterra, huh? You’ll need those with whom you have good teamwork to reach the bottom floor. Most of all, trust is crucial,” warned Kang-San, who had been inside Subterra during the Subterranean War.
Seong-Hwi nodded and thought, I haven’t been in there, even in my past life, but I’ve heard many stories.
He had not decided to enter Subterra simply because of Karma or items.
“Are you sure there is an object that can stop the World Tree’s rampage in Subterra?” Kang-San whispered.
Seong-Hwi nodded.
Kang-San continued, “Fascinating. Do your card readings even tell stuff like that? Or... do you have a different information network?”
“Why did you bet on me if you’re going to doubt me after coming this far? Why don’t you announce the cancellation of your plans for Underground tomorrow?”
Kang-San shook his head and remarked, “What an arrogant junior I have.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m the 117 Human. You won’t regret betting on me.”
“I’d better not. The destiny of humankind depends on it, you know?” Kang-San said playfully.
However, Seong-Hwi knew Kang-San was by no means joking. They stopped before a business hotel that looked old-fashioned compared to the Fence Hotel, but its name value was far higher than that of the Fence Hotel. They were at the Cecil Hotel, on 640 Main Street in Los Angeles.
“Let’s go. My good friends are inside,” Kang-San said as he strutted into the hotel.
Seong-Hwi followed him with shining eyes, thinking, I might see Chaya.