Chapter 132: Hunt? (4)

The process of integrating Seo Ga-yeon into the guild was swiftly completed.

My well-known presence on YouTube played a significant role in this.

As soon as Seo Ga-yeon’s siblings saw me, they eagerly asked for autographs and showered me with praise, declaring me one of Korea’s promising talents, as if they were embellishing my reputation with gold.

“Honestly, I’m not too concerned about the parents’ opinion.”

Seo Ga-yeon was an adult.

She didn’t require her parents’ permission, but her dependent personality was pronounced. That’s why she was adamant about winning them over.

In the game, there were instances where some tried to drive a wedge between Seo Ga-yeon and her parents, aiming to sabotage their relationship, though this only occurred occasionally during guild formation.

After repeatedly viewing videos of my performances, Seo Ga-yeon’s parents, swayed by their daughter’s earnest appeal and the allure of the contract money, eventually consented.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. You’ve been taking excellent care of our child since the beginning of the semester. So, I trust that Lee Seo-ha will take good care of my daughter.”

It almost sounded like a father entrusting his daughter in marriage.

Regardless, Seo Ga-yeon was now part of the guild.

“Brother, brother. Can you give me an autograph?”

“An autograph?”

Seo Ga-yeon’s sibling asked me. After a brief moment of thought, I signed a piece of paper. Utilizing my Midas touch to its fullest, even I was taken aback by the stylish signature I crafted.

“Wow, thank you!”

The child scampered off, bowing deeply in gratitude.

Observing this, Black Heaven voiced her dissatisfaction in a grumbling tone.

-To be honest, I’m not a fan of this so-called promising talent ranking. Given your skills, you’re not just a promising talent but are already at a level where you can stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest in the world.

Eternal Heaven nodded, echoing that sentiment.

-Well, it can’t be helped, I guess. Lee Seo-ha has grown too powerful too quickly. Plus, the Heaven Defying Body has always been difficult to gauge since ancient times.

-That’s true.

With a few words from Eternal Heaven, Black Heaven’s expression softened.

After discussing with Seo Ga-yeon’s parents and having dinner, I stepped outside.

“So, when are we going to China?”

“China?”

Seo Ga-yeon responded to Kim Ara’s question.

“We’ve decided to go to China.”

“Oh, Ara mentioned her home was in China, right? Can I join?”

I pondered for a moment.

The Heavenly Demon said the powers of Defying Heaven and Starlight were under the jurisdiction of the Creator. These powers couldn’t achieve divinity, no matter what.

And powers overseen by a god tended to attract each other.

The stronger these powers gathered, the stronger the synergy they created.

‘If the opponent uses the power of Defying Heaven.’

I was not sure what would happen.

The dragon-shaped being I met in America was weak in power but dangerous in rank. Fortunately, I was able to escape its restraint, so there was no problem.

‘If something strange happens…’

I was considering the worst-case scenario.

If we went to China, we might find the Heavenly Demon’s legacy. However, the quest’s difficulty was likely to increase. Eternal Heaven and Black Heaven said that guy was quite dangerous. I had no intention of facing the highest rank before going to America, yet an enemy of the highest rank appeared.

‘I don’t know what will happen.’

I couldn’t predict how the opponent would appear. A being using Black Flames might have already consumed another Heavenly Demon’s legacy and created a rank. And that could be a deadly power for me.

‘It was made of Defying Heaven, right?’

-He’s not an ordinary being.

-A divine beast, made of Defying Heaven, specifically a Phoenix among them, akin to dragons. Dragons have been sealed for a long time and have lost their power, but… honestly, the Phoenix might be different. If it has regained its power, Lee Seo-ha could die at her hands.

Black Heaven and Eternal Heaven said this.

It was incredulous.

To become stronger, I needed to go to China, where I could encounter beings of the highest rank.

“No, it’s okay. Now that I think about it, I might have classes then.”

“…Classes?”

“Yeah, last time when I was active in the USA, Celestial offered to teach me.”

-I wanted to go with you.

Her true feelings echoed in my ears.

This was why the power of starlight was dangerous. Her emotions were transmitted to me without filtration. I could hide my feelings from others, but not from her.

“Is that so? That’s good.”

I couldn’t smile.

Had I agreed, she would have rejected Celestial to come with me. That wasn’t good yet.

Seo Ga-yeon’s expression changed from a bit gloomy to excited.

“But you’re not going with Ara alone, are you?”

“…What? I think we’re going with Ara’s uncle?”

Was his name Kim Ho-seop?

He’s active in China, but he’s a high-ranking hero. Quite famous in this country too.

“Yeah, have a good trip.”

“I’ll buy you a gift.”

“Okay.”

The next day, in the morning, Hong Yu-hwa burst into our house.

“You, you’ve made a guild.”

“…Has the rumor spread already?”

“Think about your actions. Not only are you a talent under scrutiny by the government and the association, but you also took down Lee Aho yesterday?”

“I took him down because he was off guard.”

Well, I could have taken him down even if he wasn’t, but it would have been more exhausting.

Then, a thought struck me. Why did she have such quick access to information?

“Isn’t that too fast for information? Are you stalking me?”

“Ha? What nonsense are you talking about! Do you think I have that much free time? I am, just. It’s just that. You’re my rival, so I just looked up some information for that purpose.”

Hong Yu-hwa hurriedly explained, seemingly flustered. It seems she really had her subordinates spy on my movements.

…Did she really stalk me?

“Anyway, keep a spot in the guild for me.”

“…Why?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Obviously, because I’m joining. I like the guild’s name too. A gathering of stars. Who else if not me?”

“Your grandfather is the tower master, right?”

“That’s right. But grandfather thinks it’s okay even if it’s not necessarily me. Plus, I can take the successor lessons there, right? And who knows, if I do well, maybe I’ll do something for it?”

With that, Hong Yu-hwa informed me to write down her name and left.

So, she’s saying if she joined, the tower might do something for us? Was that how I was supposed to interpret it?

“…You came in this morning just to say that?”

It was a bit absurd.

-A bold woman indeed. But usually, such women are weaker at night. Master, let me teach you specially…

“No need.”

Ignoring Black Heaven’s nonsense, I prepared breakfast. Breakfast was nothing special, just reheated leftover kimchi stew and instant rice from yesterday.

After a simple breakfast, I prepared to head to China.

And upon arriving at the warp gate.

“Hello.”

The only one to greet me was Kim Seo-hyun.

Huh?

China, along with Germany, was one of the countries that suffered the most when the dimensions merged.

It gained the immense power of the martial arts world, but ironically, that very martial arts world made it a prime target for the Mines and the Nazi Empire.

The United States was off-limits because messing with it would have been like stirring a hornet’s nest due to the vaccine war.

The extraterrestrial magic they wielded was incompatible with the divinity of the vaccine war. They were outmatched in power, so there was no need to provoke them.

Thus, from their perspective, China was the easier target, so they agreed to make it a base for the Mines.

Had China joined forces with the martial arts world, it could have at least maintained its national form. However, China did not ally with the martial arts world and even antagonized them.

‘That’s how China ended up divided into all sorts of nations.’

Various republics or states might use the title of a country, but from the outside, they were referred to as China-Number, reflecting the current state of China. The country formerly known as China was now divided into 60 nations.

Moreover, the vast array of martial arts and techniques from the martial arts world were scattered everywhere. Although many things are buried in China, considering the entire martial arts world, it barely reaches half.

‘Kim Seo-hyun alone probably holds about 80% of them.’

All sorts of martial arts and techniques that the martial arts world had were stored within her body. Perhaps even a part of the Black God Martial Arts was sleeping within her. I was not concerned about such things since I have Black Heaven.

‘It’s not bad, actually.’

There’s an awakening event for Kim Seo-hyun in China. Helping her with that would surely elevate her powers to a new level.

“Ara had to rush home due to an urgent matter and took a flight. It just so happened that I was also heading to China and we bumped into each other.”

“…I’m sorry. Because of me, you had to come a day later.”

“No, I wanted to do it.”

Kim Seo-hyun said with a gentle smile.

“Do you have any plans?”

“Not yet. I’ll probably just follow Seo-ha around.”

“Then we need to go home first.”

I looked outside the warp gate.

If it were Korea.

Or even the United States, there were more than 10 warp gates per state, making travel convenient…

“By plane.”

“Private jets are so outdated. But, what can we do?”

Maintaining a warp gate cost a fortune. Thus, the 60 divided nations of China simply couldn’t afford it. Given that, flying wasn’t such a bad new experience.

Shortly after, the plane took off.

“This is my first time on a plane.”

“If you’re not from China or Germany, it would be your first time, right?”

“Right? But don’t terrorist groups come out and terrorize planes and stuff?”

“You’ve watched too many movies. Especially since this is the Overlord’s private jet…”

“Everybody, freeze! Move and we shoot.”

No sooner had the words been spoken than heavily armed individuals who looked like hunters burst in.

“……”

“……”

It certainly was a new experience, if nothing else.