Chapter 169
Chapter 169
“I’m sorry for not being able to visit you at the hospital . ”
Grace sounded really apologetic .
“It’s fine . You had to guard the cave, for anything could happen . ”
The top Connectors of the UK were still on the moon . Grace was the highest-ranked Connector present in the country, so of course, she had to be on guard against the unknown .
This was also the reason the Ross siblings hadn"t visited Sungyoon at the hospital . As soon as the two had arrived in UK, the British government implored them to monitor the cave alongside Grace .
While they were conversing, Sungyoon could see several people around them . It seemed the British government had been desperate . They had brought in Connectors from other countries, who happened to be on Earth .
Since these Connectors were low in rank, they would be of no help against a monster like the Behemoth . Still, something was better than nothing . Moreover, these particular Connectors were capable of activating their Gems on Earth .
The other Connectors kept stealing glances at Sungyoon . Sungyoon was the hero who had solved this incident in a stylish manner . However, it seemed they had received instructions in advance not to bother him . So they didn’t approach Sungyoon .
“Is this the cave in question?”
Sungyoon observed the cave where the Behemoth had exited . It was much smaller compared to the labyrinths on the Moon .
However, a Behemoth had crawled out of it, so this single fact turned the cave dangerous .
“The magical energy isn’t that strong . ”
“That’s right . We did go in near the entrance, but the magical energy was too thin . It was a wonder that a Behemoth appeared in this place . ”
Tim gave an explanation as he stood next to Sungyoon .
“Let’s head in . ”
Sungyoon activated his Gems . Several days had pa.s.sed since his fight, so his Gems had recovered from their post-overclocked state . Their original colors had returned . Moreover, the hole in the side of his armor, which had formed in the fight against the Behemoth, was nowhere to be seen .
“I’ll go in first . ”
Tim pounded on his s.h.i.+eld as he stepped forward . The others followed him and entered the cave .
“As expected, it"s hard to see . ”
For Connectors, it was not light but magical energy that presented them with information . However, the magical energy here was too thin, so the information delivered was very limited . It was better than the time when they found the broken Golem and Mrs . Ross’ corpse . Still, the lack of information was frustrating .
“However, this time we have this . ”
Tim confidently said as he turned on the headlamp placed around his helmet . The dark cave brightened .
“Electronic equipment really does work here . ”
Sungyoon also turned on his headlamp . Although he had heard electronics worked in here, to see it with his own eyes was something else .
“It would be great if electronic equipment worked in the Moon’s labyrinths . ”
“Absolutely . ”
Sungyoon and Tim exchanged whispers as they pointed their headlamps in various directions .
They could see much better with the help of the headlamps . Due to the lights, shadows formed, and the party felt like they were going down a very dark road with a single flashlight in hand .
Emily was in the rear, and she took up the camcorder . Since electronics worked, they would be able to record footage . It would allow them to turn in a thorough report .
“I’m prepared to film now . ”
“Then let’s go . ”
The party moved deeper into the cave . They didn’t see anything suspicious, but they still treated this as if they were within a labyrinth on the Moon .
They became tense, but they had no reason to be tensed . Unlike the labyrinths, this place was just a large cave .
Moreover, the cave wasn’t too deep either . They could clear it in two days . They had been moving slowly because they were being cautious . If they threw all caution to the wind, they could clear the cave in a single day .
“There’s nothing here . ”
Tim became dejected when they arrived at the last dead end . Even if the Behemoth had been in a weakened state, this cave had spat out a monster of that caliber . So he had been tense, and he thought he would encounter something dangerous . But now, he felt stupid for being so nervous .
In terms of magical energy, the deepest part of the cave had a similar amount of magical energy compared to the entrance to the cave . The magical energy was thin at all locations .
“… Let’s head up for now . ”
Sungyoon turned around when he reached the dead end .
“Ah . This is such a drag . ”
Tim grumbled, but his voice was unexpectedly bright .
“Still, this means there will be no threat from this place, right?”
Tim didn’t want London to be attacked again . Despite his statement, the other three party members didn’t lighten up .
“I’m not so sure that is true . ”
Sungyoon sounded negative when he spoke .
“Why? There is nothing within this cave . ”
“You idiot . What do you mean there is nothing? The magical energy is present . ”
Emily was blunt as she shot back at Tim .
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Tim sounded aggrieved . However, Sungyoon was the one to answer this time around .
“It might have been better for us if we did find something . If an item had created the magical energy and summoned the Behemoth, we would have been able to solve everything by destroying it . We would have wrapped it up nicely . However, we found nothing within . It is as Emily said . There is only magical energy here, so then, where did the Behemoth come from?”
“Of course, it’s like the labyrinth where . . . ”
Tim finally realized the implication, so he shut his mouth .
“As you’ve realized right now, there is a high probability that the light, which spits out monsters, might have appeared in this cave . If we a.s.sume the cave behaves like the labyrinth, multiple monsters might continue to sp.a.w.n as long as the magical energy is present here . ”
“Also, we couldn’t find the source of magical energy, which means we have no way of getting rid of the magical energy . Basically, there is no clear solution anymore . ”
The additional explanations given by Emily and Grace helped Tim get a clear understanding of the current situation . His face turned serious .
“What should we do now?”
“There’s nothing we can do . When Connectors are on Earth, the nearest Connectors will have to rush toward the place where the monster appears . That is all we can do at this point . Let us hope the researchers will be able to find a solution . ”
Sungyoon could only give that answer to Emily’s worried question .
***
The party spent several days monitoring and roaming the cave . However, nothing happened .
There were times when researchers accompanied them . The magical energy was causing no harm to electronic equipment and small animals, after all . Several brave researchers decided to take on the risk, and they asked to accompany Sungyoon’s party .
Thankfully, they didn’t suffer from magic toxicity .
Still, there was a chance that the magical energy could turn poisonous to normal humans once again in the future, so the government stopped most normal humans from being near the cave .
In the end, Sungyoon’s party couldn"t stay near the cave indefinitely . Sungyoon and the Ross siblings booked a flight to Korea . The researchers would keep studying the cave even after that . However, Sungyoon’s party had one more thing to do before they could leave for their home .
“How does it feel?”
Jimin spoke . Sungyoon didn’t answer her . He just stared at the item in his hands .
It was the GBE medal, the greatest honor that could be awarded in the United Kingdom . He was a foreigner, but it didn’t diminish the fact that it was a great honor .
The whole world watched as the Queen gave him the medal and other rewards . Sungyoon brushed the medal as if he cherished it .
“I never knew Mr . Sungyoon was interested in being knighted . ”
She thought he would act disinterested like usual, but Sungyoon showed more interest than she had expected . And this had surprised Jimin .
However, Sungyoon was Sungyoon .
“s.h.i.+nhae really liked it . ”
It seemed he had already shown it to s.h.i.+nhae through video call . If s.h.i.+nhae liked it, it didn’t matter whether the item was worthless or priceless . The item would be worth more than any item in the world . Jimin reaffirmed this fact once again .
“Anyway, you are dressed differently today . ”
Sungyoon"s gaze left the medal, and he looked at Jimin .
In contrast to his clean suit, Jimin’s attire was very surprising .
Since London was a mess right now, it wasn’t as if she could acquire a fancy outfit . However, she was always dressed in a plain black suit that looked like something one wore to a funeral . But her current suit was a bit more stylish .
“Well, it"s an important day . ”
Jimin spoke a bit as if she was making an excuse . However, if one considered her usual personality, she would have worn her normal suit even if she was going to an important function . Sungyoon wondered what brought about this change .
“What do you think? Does it look good on me?”
“Yes . It looks good . ”
Jimin’s face turned a bit red as she smiled .
It happened at that moment . Someone knocked on the door, and they could hear a voice calling for both of them .
“Let’s go . ”
Jimin opened the door .
The guide, who had come to pick them up, led them down the corridor . They had been staying at Buckingham Palace at the insistence of Grace and the Queen .
They received great hospitality here, but it was time for them to leave soon . This was why the Queen had invited them once again to a dinner party .
“Ah, it"s you!”
As soon as they arrived in the dining room, they met someone unexpected .
“Sir Russell . ”
Charlie Russell approached Sungyoon in a familiar manner and with a big smile on his face .
“Wow . I knew you were someone amazing, but I never expected you to save London!”
He pounded Sungyoon’s shoulder .
“I am really thankful . The place where I live could have been completely destroyed, but you saved it . If you need anything in the future, just contact me . If it"s within my means, I will do my best to help you . ”
Charlie Russell was one of the strongest Connectors of this world . His backing was a tremendous boon . Some might consider Russell’s offer a bit excessive, but Sungyoon had done something that deserved it .
“Who is this lady?”
Russell’s gaze headed toward Jimin .
“It"s good to meet you, Sir Russell . My name is Hahn Jimin . I am the president of Jungb.u.m, the company Mr . Woo Sungyoon is contracted to . ”
“Ah! You are Hahn Jungb.u.m’s daughter . ”
“You knew my father?”
“Of course . We were Connectors of the same generation, and I myself considered him to be my rival . ”
“Thank you for speaking so highly of him . ”
She lowered her head .
“Well! Let’s go! I was invited to the dinner party because I know you! We cannot make the Queen wait . I’m not speaking as her va.s.sal . We shouldn’t make her wait as men . ”
Sir Russell started walking with his arm around Sungyoon’s shoulder . Sungyoon was almost being dragged forward, and Jimin followed them .
On the way, they met the Ross siblings . They were asked to stay in the palace too since they were party members of Grace . The group arrived at the dining room and found the Queen and Grace already waiting for them inside .
“Please enter . ”
The Queen laughed as she greeted the group . After a few words of greeting, everyone got in their seats . They started conversing as the food came out .
“Did you like your stay here?”
“Yes . Thank you very much for inviting us here . ”
Sungyoon spoke as the representative of his party .
“I’m glad to hear that . Normally, we would throw a banquet, and we would celebrate your accomplishment . However, the city isn"t in a good state right now . Please be understanding . ”
“Of course . ”
The people of England cheered for the birth of a new hero, yet it was also a time of sorrow and grieving . The capital city had taken a lot of damage, and a lot of people had died .
Even if Sungyoon was the hero who had saved London, they couldn’t throw a party . It would be in very poor taste, and it would be heavily criticized . Moreover, Sungyoon wasn’t interested in a party .
“I would like to thank you again . You saved England . You saved London . You saved my life . ”
The Queen had invited Sungyoon to investigate the cave, and she never expected him to achieve such greatness . Even if she thanked him several more times, it wouldn’t be enough .
“I am very thankful too . ”
After the Queen, Sir Russell gave his thanks too .
“How many Gems did you break? Just wait a little bit . I’ll be sure to compensate you for it . ”
Sungyoon’s ears perked up at those words . In truth, the spear was a backup, so it wasn’t much of a loss . However, the loss of his main s.h.i.+eld hurt him to the bone .
This was why he didn"t plan on rejecting any rewards .
“Thank you very much . ”
“Yes . I’ll send it as soon as possible . ”
It was a normal dinner party .
Some conversations happened, and some laughs sprinkled in . Sungyoon and his party spent their last evening in England in a quiet manner .
***
Puhng! Puh-puhng!
Sungyoon was now used to hearing the flashes going off .
Sungyoon, Jimin, and the Ross siblings furrowed their brows . The airport was full of reporters, and it almost gave them a headache .
However, the atmosphere here was clearly different from what they had experienced in London . The most obvious difference was the fact that most of the reporters here were black haired Asians . They outnumbered the foreign press .
After experiencing all kinds of hards.h.i.+ps in London, Sungyoon’s party had finally returned to Korea .
***
Sungyoon gave a short interview, but the reporters wanted to ask many more questions . His party almost had to run away from the reporters . They split up after they got away from the press, and headed to their respective houses .
Sungyoon walked toward his house with light steps . Thankfully, the reporters hadn’t found his house yet .
When he opened the door, two people greeted him .
One of them was Jiyoon, who had protected his most precious treasure while he had been in London . He felt grat.i.tude toward her . The other person was . . .
“It’s daaaaaaad!”
She ran toward him with her hands in the air . She was his treasure, and he would never trade her for anything or anyone in this world .