novelraw Chapter 162 : Invitation - (2)
Chapter 162 : Invitation - (2)
Chapter 162: Invitation - (2)
“And one more thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’d like to start building connections with overseas players. I understand you have quite the network, Master.”
“Oh! Are you saying it’s getting hard to stay satisfied within Korea alone?”
“To broaden my horizons, I think it's best to operate both domestically and internationally.”
“That’s true. Each country has different types of players, and there’s always something to learn from their unique strengths.”
“I think so too.”
“There are many ways you could go about it. For example, you could consider North Korean subjugation. Kaesong is handled independently by our country, but Hamgyeong Province is a field we tackle together with China and Russia.”
“You mean I could also form connections with players in the East Asian region?”
“Exactly. Hamgyeong’s field is so tough that only the elite go there, so there’s a lot to gain from them.”
“Oh ho.”
In his past life, Sanghyun had never had any dealings with players from China or Russia.
He had some preconceived notions about the two countries, and above all, there had never been any real opportunity to get involved with them.
But now, with his value rising by the day, he had plenty of reason to make those connections.
“Plus, there are a lot of interesting places overseas. Not sure if you’ve heard, but the Pyramid Dungeon in Egypt is quite famous, isn’t it?”
Egypt. Pyramids.
Even with just a little bit of common knowledge, anyone would know those keywords.
Just as Han Hyunjeong said, Egypt’s Pyramid Dungeon was a famous dungeon that attracted a lot of attention from players.
Each player who entered would encounter a completely different internal structure—customized to them.
And although not officially confirmed, there were rumors it was connected to the ‘Dimensional Realm’ of the Constellations.
In other words, it was said to be a stage where one could appeal directly to the Constellations—an open secret of sorts.
At any rate, there were far more intriguing elements abroad than in Korea, and Sanghyun was definitely interested.
“It’s not hard for me to make the arrangements. In fact, it’s even better from the sponsor guild’s perspective.”
“Because if all goes well, it can be used as part of marketing or even as an achievement later on.”
“Exactly! But one thing I want to ask you, Sanghyun—this might end up burning bridges with the Association.”
“That’s fine with me. I’m not affiliated with the Association, so there’s no issue. The decision’s mine to make.”
“Hoho. That’s good. Going at your own pace is the right way. I expected you’d say that.”
“Don’t worry about it at all.”
“Understood. Then I’ll start building some international connections. Any countries in particular you want to focus on?”
Han Hyunjeong asked a key question. Of course, Sanghyun had already made up his mind.
“The U.S., the U.K., and also China and Russia. Those four would be great. They have so many talented people.”
“Got it. I’ll look into it!”
Preparations for going global were now complete. With Han Hyunjeong’s network, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.
The next day.
“Wow… I really slept for a full twelve hours. I don’t usually sleep this deeply, but I guess that fight with Werther took a lot out of me.”
It wasn’t until the sun was high in the sky that Sanghyun finally woke up.
Usually, he would naturally wake with the sunrise as the sunlight gently touched his face.
But this time, even though the sun had been shining directly on his face, he hadn’t felt a thing—he must have been completely out.
Of course, he did feel refreshed.
Anyway, the Gate raid he had planned with Do Kyunghye had been postponed by mutual agreement, so his schedule was clear.
“I think I should visit the Blood Tower ahead of time. Before Valentin makes his move.”
Sanghyun stroked his chin.
The Blood Tower was a quest dungeon he absolutely didn’t want to give up, especially from a growth perspective.
And even more so because the Constellation Predator, ‘Valentin Schneider’—who was destined to become a villain—might seize it.
This was one future he had to overturn no matter what.
Ding dong.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Unlike regular apartments, homes in the Player Town couldn’t be accessed by just anyone.
Unless someone had bypassed the security system like Tory had once done, only approved individuals could enter.
Which meant, there was only one person who could be ringing the bell.
Someone Sanghyun had allowed access to. A recently close friend and downstairs neighbor—Do Kyunghye.
“Kyunghye? What’s going on?”
“I made some rosé tteokbokki. I happened to think of you while cooking, so I made a little extra. Would you like some?”
“I’d love to. Rosé tteokbokki, huh! You really seem into cooking these days?”
“It’s fun. Cooking is delicious, and it’s even better when someone enjoys eating it.”
“Does Do Kyungsoo enjoy it?”
“Well, yes. Hoho.”
“Goodness, why are we talking so long through the screen? Come on in! I’ll open the door for you.”
The door opened.
Do Kyunghye entered carefully with a tray and a bowl of rosé tteokbokki.
From the way even the dishware had been carefully selected and arranged, it was clear she had put in effort.
In his past life, home had always been a place where Sanghyun was used to being alone.
But now, it had become a space where someone was sometimes there with him.
They sat face to face at the island counter and started their tasting session.
Munch munch. Yum yum.
Sanghyun chewed the rice cakes with gusto and savored the distinctive aroma of rosé tteokbokki.
“This is really delicious.”
“Really?”
“It’s not even comparable to delivery food. You didn’t buy this somewhere, did you?”
“Of course not! It’s handmade by Do Kyunghye herself!”
“It’s so good I feel like cracking open a beer. Everything you make tastes amazing.”
“Hoho, you’re just saying that to flatter me, aren’t you?”
“I told you before—I don’t say things just to sound nice. Besides, it shows all over my face.”
Sanghyun kept moving his chopsticks without pause, gobbling up the tteokbokki.
Then he looked at her quietly. It didn’t feel like she had come just to let him taste some food.
Sanghyun gently broached the topic.
“Is something bothering you?”
“Well, about the Gate raid we were supposed to do—I pushed it back by two days, just like I mentioned. I also picked up a pretty decent Artifact in the meantime.”
“That’s great. I actually felt bad about delaying it because of me.”
“It’s a mana-focused Artifact, so I think it’ll really help during battle.”
“Sounds fun. A team play with a named Buffer—I’m looking forward to it.”
“Hey! It’s more like a Buffer tagging along with a named Swordsman! You’ve got it backward!”
“Hahaha.”
“Um, actually there’s something that’s been worrying me. I’m not even sure if I should bring it up to you.”
“I’m good at keeping secrets.”
“After that big raid you went on with my brother last time, he shut himself away in his private training room in Gapyeong.”
“Gapyeong, you mean?”
“It's a space completely cut off from the outside world, just for my brother alone. Once he goes in, there's no way to reach him for over half a month.”
“He loses contact?”
“He does. On purpose.”
So-called closed-door training.
It was the position recently held by the newly active named swordsman, So Hyeongjun, the Sword God.
“I think Sanghyun lit the fire. It's like he reignited my brother's fighting spirit that had been stuck in a bit of a slump.”
“Because of the large-scale raid this time?”
“Yes. He owes Sanghyun a huge debt. While my brother was reviewing the battle with me, he talked about Sanghyun constantly.”
“I’m deeply grateful that he gave me more recognition than I deserve.”
“He doesn’t show it much, but my brother’s pride is really strong. It seems like he was seriously provoked this time.”
If it was the Do Kyungsoo Sanghyun knew, then this behavior made perfect sense.
Even while acknowledging Sanghyun,
He likely didn't want to repeat the mistake of becoming overly indebted ever again.
He was probably pushing himself to his limits, going through harsh training again and again.
“And one more thing.”
Do Kyunghye added another topic.
Sanghyun thought the main topic would continue to be about Do Kyungsoo,
But apparently, there was something even more important.
“Hmm?”
“Do you happen to know about players who devour the opposing Constellation, I mean, those who hijack contracts?”
There was no way he didn’t know.
Wasn't Tory, whom Sanghyun fought right outside his house, one of the Constellation Devourers?
But he hadn’t expected Do Kyunghye to know anything about the Constellation Devourers.
That was because their existence wouldn’t be revealed to the public for quite some time yet.
“Can I ask why you're asking?”
Sanghyun returned the question.
It was too sensitive a matter to blurt out that he knew them well. He wanted to first gauge her intentions.
“We’ve recently received intel that multiple Constellation Devourers have illegally entered the country. It’s reliable insider information.”
“Insider information, huh.”
Her words implied that they had an informant cooperating with them inside the Devourer network.
‘So there were Devourers who sneaked in around this time. Right… back then in my past life, I was too busy just trying to survive.’
Even if a Devourer passed right by him in his previous life, he wouldn’t have noticed.
But now, it was different.
He had already been targeted by them once, hadn’t he?
If they were in Korea, there was a real chance they might go after Sanghyun again. Especially since they were many in number.
“I can’t tell you the route or the informant, but my brother has known about the existence of the Constellation Devourers for a long time.”
“Is he already fighting them?”
“Yes. Just as much as he hates them, they hate him too. Because quite a few Devourers have died by his hand.”
“Then he must be target number one.”
“That’s right. An invisible war of blood has been going on for quite some time now.”
‘I thought nothing was going on around this time in my past life. But no—things were already happening. They were just hidden in secrecy.’
Sanghyun’s eyes deepened.
This wasn’t an ordinary matter.
Perhaps even the recent news from two days ago—about a missing young promising player—was the work of those bastards.
Back then, he had shrugged it off like it was someone else's problem, thinking the kid probably died in a dungeon.
But this time around, it wasn’t something he could dismiss so lightly.
“This—this was one of the gifts my brother gave me before. He gave me two, and one’s mine.”
Do Kyunghye carefully took out a necklace with a deep violet jewel embedded in it.
It was beautiful enough to wear around the neck, and small enough to carry around in a pocket.
She added more.
“He said to give the other one to the person I think is the most important. And now, I want to give it to that person. Oh, by the way, this necklace can detect Constellation Devourers.”
“You’re giving something like that to me?”
Sanghyun asked again in surprise.
He didn’t think he had earned enough trust from her to be considered someone important.
Of course, he did save her back when she almost lost Baekseon.
But he wasn’t sure if that was worth receiving such a significant necklace.
“I thought about it a lot. Who would be the best prey for the Constellation Devourers, and at the same time, someone I absolutely can’t lose.”
“……”
“That person is you, Sanghyun. You’re someone who must never be sacrificed in vain.”
Do Kyunghye’s voice was resolute.