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Chapter 52
“Meeting separately?”
“No. I heard that the guild Kang Shin-hwa belongs to is going to hold a presentation about the highest-grade magic potion.”
“That dream potion that recovers 100% of magical power, right?”
“It hasn’t been released to the market yet. Everyone says it’s nonsense, but would a guild like Yanghwa make a joke into serious news?”
“So you came for business.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“By the way, the energy I feel from you… Your unique murderous intent has become quite strong.”
“As expected, grandfather is sharp! That’s right. I became an S+ rank last month. I broke through the magical threshold.”
“Congratulations!”
“By the way, why won’t grandfather Hwang tell anyone about his rank? You definitely have talent after awakening… They say you haven’t even received an awakened person’s license.”
“Hehe, I don’t want to get involved in worldly affairs. I prefer living like now, making suits.”
“Grandfather Gintets said that you, grandfather Hwang, would definitely be at least SS rank!”
“Well, if we’re counting alcohol consumption, I’m definitely SS rank! I drink three to four bottles daily.”
“Hahaha.”
“Hahaha.”
The conversation continued in a warm atmosphere.
“Marina, are you planning to meet Kang Shin-hwa after the presentation?”
“Yes. I’m curious. I’m not here on behalf of ‘Team Osaka’. I’m here with interest from another side.”
Team Osaka.
The name of the guild she belongs to, which always maintained Top 3 status within Japan.
“If not Team Osaka… It must be WSA.”
“Well, that seems to be the case?”
Marina nodded.
Like Kang Shin-hwa, she had a mercenary-like contract that gave her freedom of movement.
She was active domestically under Team Osaka.
Internationally, she was a member of the Asian region of the World Awakened Association (WSA).
She essentially had two business cards.
“If WSA shows interest, KSA won’t be pleased, right?”
“There are no borders in recruiting talent. Ultimately, it’s a battle of firepower, right? Without money, you don’t qualify to have talent.”
Marina answered with a smile.
Just then.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of someone climbing the stairs with relatively high intervals was heard.
“I don’t do night business, but guests don’t usually come at such a late hour.”
“Maybe it’s urgent about a suit? I’ll just brew and drink some coffee. Is that okay?”
“Rest comfortably in the reception room. No need to worry about the guest.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Marina entered the reception room, and soon the door opened and a guest entered.
“Ah…?”
Hwang Seok-cheol’s eyes changed upon seeing the guest’s face.
Because Kang Shin-hwa, the very subject of their previous conversation, appeared before his eyes.
“Hello?”
“Oh, Kang Shin-hwa?”
“I’ve only been here once, but you remember my name. As rumored, your memory is indeed amazing!”
Kang Shin-hwa greeted Hwang Seok-cheol politely with an expression of genuine respect.
Kang Shin-hwa had challenged many productions in his previous life, but particularly with suits, he couldn’t match Hwang Seok-cheol’s skills.
The golden tower of production he had built was too high and superior to follow with mere passion and enthusiasm.
‘Kang Shin-hwa…?’
They say even a tiger comes when you mention its name.
It seemed Hwang Seok-cheol had called out Kang Shin-hwa’s name loudly for him to hear.
Marina, who was brewing coffee in the reception room, rushed out upon the unexpected, precious guest’s arrival.
“Wow! I’m meeting this super rookie whose stock is skyrocketing these days here!”
That moment.
“Hara Marina…?”
“…You know my name?”
Kang Shin-hwa, who immediately recognized her identity, inadvertently blurted out her name.
Hara Marina.
She, a member of Nine Lord, was now in South Korea on February 2, 2020!
* * *
‘Marina, why are you here?’
That was the only thought I had when I saw her.
Based on my previous life’s memories, the point where I would meet Marina is seven years later from now.
When I met her through Nicolas’s introduction, Marina was an insurmountable mountain to me.
At that time, I was just a newcomer, beginning to research and develop my talents from scratch.
She was skilled, six years older, and used to treat me like a little brother.
How should I put it, she was like an older sister who took care of everything.
Taking care of me like an incompetent little brother who couldn’t do anything without her.
“Oh, I was quite interested in the awakened community in Japan. I happened to see your name.”
“Really? That’s a bit strange. Most awakened individuals don’t even know which organization they belong to, let alone their name.”
Marina’s Korean was fluent.
Sometimes her pronunciation of words with final consonants was slightly awkward, but it was almost native-level.
In any case, I understood her meaning.
Marina uses the pseudonym Ayase Yuzuhara. In other words, she’s a person with many secrets.
When she operates under the name Marina, it’s usually only for personal work or secret missions.
Therefore, knowing her real name meant having deep information about her.
“I have some journalist connections here and there. I’m sorry. I should have pretended not to know.”
“Paparazzi aren’t a one or two-day thing… Well, it’s the fault of someone who knows, right? The person who couldn’t hide is at fault.”
Fortunately, Marina didn’t seem to mind much.
She was just trying to moderately conceal her identity, not completely bury her name in darkness.
The mistake of calling her real name out of excitement was thus resolved as a minor incident.
“Is the suit production happening now?”
I immediately changed the subject.
I couldn’t forget the purpose of coming here.
Then the old man asked, “Should I make it exactly like the last suit?”
“Yes, please make it the same.”
“By the way, about the crafting techniques you told me before. The micro-stitching and dimensional stone crafting.”
“Yes.”
“As you suggested, I’ve applied them to all subsequent productions, and the customer response has been entirely positive. The performance has actually improved as well.”
“Is that so? I’m glad.”
“I’m sincerely grateful. From the perspective of someone who considers suit production a calling, developing one more step is an incredibly moving thing.”
“No, I’m glad my humble advice could help.”
“If it’s okay with Kang Shin-hwa, I’d like to offer compensation as a consulting fee…”
“No, that wasn’t my intention when I mentioned it.”
“Then I’ll make this suit for free.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Please allow me to repay you.”
“Kang Shin-hwa, grandfather Hwang is more stubborn than I expected. He’ll probably keep talking until you’re persuaded.”
“…Then, I’ll gratefully accept.”
Unexpectedly, money was saved.
Of course, the old man wasn’t making suits to earn money.
He had been active as a suit-making master for the past 10 years and had likely saved plenty of money.
In the end, it was a matter of heart.
I was grateful for the old man’s heart that wanted to express his thanks somehow.
“The production will take some time, so please rest comfortably. Marina was just waiting asking of you.”
“Me? How did you know I was coming?”
“Coincidence turns today’s chance into inevitability. Hahaha.”
The old man headed to the workshop with a laugh whose meaning was unclear.
And so, in the lobby of the production facility, I was left with Marina, facing each other in an awkward atmosphere.
‘Her gaze is really burdensome, now as before.’
Marina’s gaze, scanning me with eyes full of interest, was incredibly captivating.
Jin Bo-mi is lively and tomboyish.
Yun Byeol-i is the cool, professional style.
Marina was closer to a mind-blowing and sensual type.
At thirty this year.
Considering her social position and age, her style and appearance, which combined composure and sophistication, seemed natural.
“Kang Shin-hwa, I’m planning to attend the presentation hosted by your guild tomorrow.”
“Oh, it seems you’re coming because of the highest-grade magic potion sale.”
Although it was a chance encounter, according to her words, it seemed we were destined to meet tomorrow anyway.
“That’s right. The official reason is that, but there’s a personal reason too. I was originally going to request a separate meeting after tomorrow’s presentation, but the time has been shortened?”
Her wink was anything but ordinary.
Smoky style makeup.
Her leather jacket and leather skinny jeans showcased her unique individuality.
“Let’s hear about the personal reason.”
I nodded.
Now, it was as predictable as expected.
I seemed to know her purpose.
I also seemed to know why she came to Korea.
Hwang Seok-cheol probably contacted his Japanese connections. He’s someone with broad networks worldwide.
Hara Gintets, who is an ordinary person like Jin Seong-tae but operates the Team Osaka guild as a corporate owner.
Connecting these three wasn’t particularly difficult.
Because I have clear memories.
This must be a small privilege of a returnee. Quick inference of causal relationships through information.
“How’s WSA?”
‘She’s throwing a direct pitch.’
Skipping any flowery language or exploratory talks, she went straight to the point.
Marina is active in both Team Osaka and WSA.
She also has a license for high-end, rare dungeons owned by WSA.
License code SS.
Meaning she can apply to clear any dungeon up to SS rank without restrictions.
‘If it’s a dungeon owned by WSA, the flower-like options I can directly target will increase significantly.’
The World Awakened Association isn’t just any organization. It’s an organization above each country’s Awakened Associations and has significant influence.
The fact that Marina, the Asian region manager, is interested in me is something that absolutely cannot be overlooked.
But WSA is more complicated than expected.
A transnational organization, but simultaneously with severe internal factions, and the biggest problem is.
‘There are traitors.’
Connected to criminal organizations in each country, like the Black Cross Group in our country or the three major corrupt forces in China.
While it’s a gathering of skilled individuals, the internal affairs are as dirty as muddy water.
“If you’ve done preliminary research about me, you probably know I dislike being affiliated with organizations.”
“That’s right. I know. I’m the same. I have an affiliation, but paradoxically, I don’t.”
“So, exactly what do you want from me?”
“Kang Shin-hwa, I didn’t come looking for you just for the potion. Your appearance not being intimidated by Mok Jin-woo in the Sinchon Station battle, and even clearing the K-1004 dungeon.”
“…..”
Surprising, but not new, is her information gathering capability. WSA’s information power is beyond imagination.
For the K-1004 dungeon, she likely confirmed its completion through external screens.
An official D+ ranked me clearing an A+ ranked dungeon with teammates would naturally stand out.
“I’ll give you WSA’s Guest qualification. How about trying an activity as a taste test, without burden?”
The devil’s temptation began, grabbing my heart—wanting to earn money, grow quickly, and for that, desire more dungeons.
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