Chapter 176 – New Partner (1)
Translator: Seven
Editor: Ana_Banana
In an era where the world had been transformed into a game, players were given elevated status simply because they were players.
Unsurprisingly, countless normal people were dissatisfied with this fact and constantly criticized the players for being treated beyond their actual ability.
The public’s opinion toward players only got worse as time pa.s.sed.
Nevertheless, the treatment the players received continued to improve, with no signs of worsening.
The reason was simple.
[Kim Woo-jin of the Phoenix Guild has died.]
And whenever they heard the news of a player’s death, the public had no choice but to admit it.
-Wasn’t Kim Woo-jin okay?
?News kept coming saying that he was in a bad condition.
?But isn’t this too sudden?
?Players are like that. They all just die suddenly.
?He wouldn’t have died if he wasn’t Isaac Ivanov’s teammate…
? He was a great player.
While it wasn’t true for all players, people still had to admit to the fact that the players risked their lives to clear dungeons and therefore deserved the treatment.
So people paid tribute to the hero’s death.
Of course, not everyone celebrated.
“What about Park Yong-wan?”
Some began calculating the profits or loss caused by the death.
“It is said that Park Yong-wan is currently in a 6 Floor dungeon, but even then his side is quieter than usual.”
“It seems Park Yong-wan basically concealed Kim Woo-jin’s presence within the Phoenix Guild. Even Park Yong-wan’s people are unable to move because they are unsure of what to do.”
Oh Se-chan was, of course, the latter.
“Because Park Yong-wan is a greedy guy. He absolutely can’t tolerate one of his trump cards getting burned. I would love to see Park Yong-wan’s face when he hears the news after leaving the dungeon.”
No, in the first place, it could only be the latter.
“And I wonder how he’d feel after if he found out that Kim Woo-jin was actually still alive.”
After all, it was Oh Se-chan himself who ‘killed’ Kim Woo-jin.
“I’m really curious as to how much he will pay for Kim Woo-jin’s funeral. There’s no way that Park Yong-wan would just pay 30,000 won for some Yukgaejang(1), right?”
“Well, are you planning to hold a funeral too?”
“Naturally, it was a joke. Are you sure it’ll be a real funeral? Huh? What’s with that look? Wouldn’t it be holding three funerals for one person?”
It wasn’t just about the killing, but also a way to profit from it.
It would be strange if Oh Se-chan didn’t try to do so.
“No, what do you think I am…ah, that. Just forget about it. How are things on the Sword Saint’s side?”
“There haven’t been any movements. But boss, was this how it was supposed to be?”
At that time, the subordinate couldn’t help but ask Oh Se-chan.
“How it was supposed to be?”
“Wasn’t the one who was supposed to be killed by the Sword Saint’s people Isaac Ivanov instead of Kim Woo-jin?”
It was a valid question.
As they said, it was the Bow G.o.d’s desire to get rid of Kim Woo-jin, and the Sword Saint was acting in his absence.
That was it.
“Wouldn’t it be big news if they tried to kill Kim Woo-jin but ended up killing Isaac Ivanov instead?”
They tried to kill Kim Woo-jin but Isaac Ivanov got in the way, although Isaac Ivanov wasn’t the target.
“Moreover, the death of Kim Woo-jin might cause some problems, but j.a.pan just finished handing out the compensation didn’t they?”
What’s more, Kim Woo-jin’s death would not cause any significant losses to j.a.pan or the Yamato Federation.
They had already given humane compensation for the previous terrorist incident, and Isaac Ivanov had received it on behalf of Kim Woo-jin.
In such a situation, they could no longer ask j.a.pan for anything, and even if they did, there was no guarantee that j.a.pan would respond.
“Is it possible for Park Yong-wan’s side to do something?”
Additionally, since Kim Woo-jin’s biggest and most powerful sponsor, Park Yong-wan, was not there to do anything, the probability was near zero.
While his subordinate was talking, Oh Se-chan nodded.
“Right, that’s it.”
“Huh?”
The subordinate tilted his head at Oh Se-chan’s words.
That was because he hadn’t expected Oh Se-chan to give an affirmation so easily.
Oh Se-chan continued.
“Like you said, from the perspective of the Sword Saint or the Bow G.o.d, there’s no reason to target Isaac Ivanov. So what will the Sword Saint’s side do? Would he go to Izakaya and get sake with some skewers?”
A smile stretched across Oh Se-chan’s face.
“Or would he meet with Isaac Ivanov to improve relations after the obstacle, Kim Woo-jin, had been removed?”
“Ah.”
When asked that question, the subordinate no longer looked confused, instead, they shot Oh Se-chan a look of understanding.
Oh Se-chan’s smile deepened at the gaze.
“No matter how you look at it, the Sword Saint is definitely wealthier than Park Yong-wan.”
It was a smile that was happier than ever.
…
[Did Kim Woo-jin kill himself?!]
[Kim Woo-jin’s death is j.a.pan’s responsibility!]
After his death, many people were angered, and they blamed j.a.pan for Kim Woo-jin’s demise.
Of course, j.a.pan’s reaction to the public’s opinion was to be expected.
[j.a.pan, ‘This was only an unforeseen accident’.]
[j.a.pan, ‘We already gave our humanitarian compensation to Kim Woo-jin’.]
The j.a.panese government held that it was an unfortunate accident that the government couldn’t take responsibility for, and that they had already given the requested compensation.
-Those d.a.m.n ****** b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!
-Those ****** b.a.s.t.a.r.ds should get hit with a nuclear missile. Does it make sense that it’s not their responsibility when their players attack foreign players?
This caused the public opinion to explode, especially the anti-j.a.panese sentiment of the Korean populace.
Naturally, the public opinion only continued to worsen.
The Sword Saint made his move when this opinion reached its peak.
[The Sword Saint offers to meet Isaac Ivanov?]
[The Sword Saint wants to offer compensation for the death of Kim Woo-jin!]
Rumors began circulating that the Sword Saint was going to personally compensate them on behalf of the j.a.panese Government.
“This makes it impossible to refuse the meeting.”
This tactic caused Isaac Ivanov to be unable to refuse the meeting with the Sword Saint.
After all, the meeting wasn’t for him but in the name of his colleague who died because of him, Kim Woo-jin.
If he refused to attend, it would be like him giving up his free pa.s.s qualification, which he obtained at that very teammate’s expense.
“Are you really going to meet the Sword Saint?”
Kim Woo-jin was surprised by the enthusiasm Lee Jin-ah was currently displaying.
“Are you interested in meeting the Sword Saint?”
“Of course I am!”
Lee Jin-ah answered immediately, his excitement was palpable.
“It’s the Sword Saint! j.a.pan’s strongest player!”
Kim Was a little shocked by his reaction.
After all, it was the first time he’d seen Lee Jin-ah react in this way because of another player.
Moreover, Lee Jin-ah’s actions weren’t because of anger or frustration.
Rather it was clear that he held the Sword Saint in high regard.
‘Is the Sword Saint his role model?’
Just from looking at his reaction, it was clear that the Sword Saint was someone that Lee Jin-ah respected greatly.
When Kim Woo-jin made a gesture for him to continue talking, Lee Jin-ah immediately spoke with excitement covering his face.
“Isn’t it normal to act in such a way when you’re going to meet one of the most exceptional human beings?”
“I see.”
“Are you going to meet at a fancy restaurant?” (TL: shouldn’t have expected anything less from Lee Jin-ah)
“That’s also a possibility.”
“Then make sure to bring back delicious food.”
At those words, Kim Woo-jin turned his cold eyes to Lee Jin-ah.
From his face, Kim Woo-jin knew that Lee Jin-ah was not joking, and was instead actually filled with antic.i.p.ation.
“There’s no need for me to do that since you’ll be coming with me.”
“Me too?”
“Because you are in the position that suffers the most damage. Naturally, it’s important for you to also meet the Sword Saint.”
When he heard that, Lee Jin-ah lifted his arms and shouted.
“Wow! I’m finally going to be treated to an expensive j.a.panese meal!”
Kim Woo-jin smiled slightly.
“You seem happy.”
“Naturally! Do you know how hungry I was when I saw you eating alone the other day? At that time I had to eat convenience store food and even after that I was starving!”
If Oh Se-chan heard this, he would definitely have had something to say, but Kim Woo-jin didn’t pay attention to it.
“I’m glad you’re excited about it.”
It was then.
Woowoong.
Kim Woo-jin’s feature phone vibrated, and after a short conversation, he spoke again.
“The venue has been decided.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s the best sus.h.i.+ restaurant in j.a.pan.”
“R-, really?”
Lee Jin-ah covered his mouth with both hands as if he was truly excited.
“I’m so happy I think I’ll get dizzy.”
Kim Woo-jin then spoke to him.
“Then you definitely want to go to the meeting?”
“I’d be an idiot if I said no! Even if you chop off both my legs, I’d find a way to attend!”
Kim Woo-jin nodded, satisfied by Lee Jin-ah’s burning will.
“Alright, then I’ll explain the plan to you now.”
“Yeah tell me what the plan is! I’ll do anything.”
“The plan is…”
Kim Woo-jin slowly explained the plan to Lee Jin-ah who was more excited than ever.
(Note:
1. Yukgaejang or spicy beef soup is a spicy, soup-like Korean dish made from shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients, which are simmered together for a long time.)