530

 [Chapter 145]

[Things Money Can't Buy]

The anomaly that occurred in the Academy Dungeon.

The world was turned upside down.

First, the assumption that a dungeon that had lost its boss monster once could never create a boss monster again was disproven.

The situation that had never been observed before by the International Mana Management Organization was enough to shock the world.

In other words─

"─So you're saying dungeons that have already been conquered can be reactivated?"

"They said once a dungeon is conquered, it's over! But now we have to prepare for boss monsters every time we enter a dungeon!"

"But isn't it quite good since you can get rewards commensurate with defeating a boss monster?"

"The problem is that we'll have to calculate the costs of conquering considering the existence of boss monsters."

A dungeon that has lost its boss monster is destined to face decline someday.

And the world that was separated from reality returns to normal.

That was the reason Players continued to visit dungeons after conquering them.

But the news that boss monsters could appear even in conquered dungeons was burdensome for Players.

Of course, there were Players confident in their skills who grinned broadly.

But people living in fear of monsters and most Players couldn't hide their worry.

"─This incident is considered an exceptional case, and the Mana Management Organization believes it can only occur in transformed dungeons. Therefore, the Mana Management Organization will re-explore only transformed dungeons..."

The Mana Management Organization responded quickly to alleviate people's concerns.

So it could be said that the fundamental reason the world was turned upside down was different.

Second, it was because of Noh Eunha.

<Quick-witted > Noh Eunha.

The heroic tale of him leading Academy students to rescue students captured by wasp-type monsters spread widely.

It was worthy of appearing on the 9 o'clock news.

Moreover─

[─So Special Correspondent Kim Mu-myeong. Is the news that Noh Eunha Pla... no, student Noh Eunha subjugated a 4th tier monster really true?]

[...Yes, this is Special Correspondent Kim Mu-myeong. I'm currently visiting the Player Academy, and as a result of interviewing officials, it's currently presumed that Noh Eunha Pla... student subjugated it.]

[Since you're at the Player Academy now... is it not possible to meet student Noh Eunha?]

[Yes, I also tried to inquire about meeting student Noh Eunha at the Academy, but... It's been confirmed that student Noh Eunha is not at the Academy currently. According to official testimony, student Noh Eunha is currently at the Mana Management Organization headquarters...]

Noh Eunha defeated the 4th tier monster Kakgunbong.

In fact, tiers were merely a system to explain the danger of monsters.

Therefore, a monster's danger and power were not necessarily proportional.

Even though Kakgunbong was called 4th tier, industry insiders often said Kakgunbong's pure power didn't reach that of 4th tier monsters.

Nevertheless, the meaning of the name 4th tier monster to people was great.

Above all, they say Noh Eunha defeated Kakgunbong alone.

The evidence was that Eunha brought out Kakgunbong's mana stone from the dungeon.

Also, the testimony of <Empress > Shin Seo-young and the students was added.

"They say he's an Academy student? But can a student defeat that?"

"Listen, it's certainly surprising that a student subjugated it, but the problem is that he defeated it 'alone'."

"Huh... No, is that possible? To catch alone a monster that Players have defeated in parties until now..."

"I can't believe it. Is that guy actually some kind of monster? A monster hiding among humans." "So what if he's a monster. He killed a dangerous monster in the end. But is that guy really human...?"

"Even the Twelve Seats are reluctant to defeat high-tier monsters alone... He's really amazing."

"Wow, isn't the future exciting? What will happen when a kid like that becomes a Player after graduating from the Academy? Isn't a Twelve Seats position already set for him?" "The future is bright indeed. We need more Players like Noh Eunha to keep appearing in the future..."

The alias <Quick-witted > had only spread among the Player industry until now.

But as news of Noh Eunha was reported, people also became intoxicated with the name <Quick-witted >.

Even though he wasn't even a Player yet.

Noh Eunha was already being revered like a hero by the citizens.

People now eagerly awaited the time for him to come out into the world.

But there was one more thing that surprised people because of this.

Third─

"─That guy contracted with a monster companion? No, how did he get such a precious thing..."

"But they say it's not just any monster companion! It's a Phoenix! A Phoenix!"

"Phoenix? Did I hear that wrong? What, a Phoeeeniiix?"

"Th-third tier cough...!"

Non-Players were simply happy about the fact that Noh Eunha had contracted with a monster companion.

Players couldn't help but feel like they were coughing up blood.

Especially those who had laughed at Noh Eunha buying the egg at the auction house before were foaming at the mouth with bloodshot eyes.

"It-it was said to be an 8th tier egg?" "But it turned out to be a 3rd tier egg when it hatched from the egg."

"Is-is that even possible?" "What's not possible? They say something that looks like a Phoenix is flying around Noh Eunha now." "...It's not just a bird that looks similar, right?"

"So the Mana Management Organization officially requested confirmation." "So what did they say?" "Are you playing word games with me now, you bastard? So they say it's a Phoenix! A Phoenix!" "Ph-Phoenix... cough...!"

Monster companions are precious creatures.

Even more so for monster companions based on 3rd tier monsters.

To tell the truth, no monster companion based on a 3rd tier monster had been confirmed domestically until now.

Only the monster companions based on 4th tier monsters of Twelve Seats <Beast Tamer> Hwang San-gun had been mentioned as the best domestically until now.

But with the appearance of Noh Eunha's monster companion, public perception was changed.

All Players were envious.

Therefore─

"─Even if I had gone bankrupt then, no, I should have grabbed onto that bastard's pant leg and begged him to sell it to me!"

Twelve Seats <Yama > Kang Hyeon-cheol.

They say he kept banging his head wherever he could see whenever that thought came to mind for a while.

"─But don't you think we're forgetting something important?"

"Who cares if we forget? Joyous events happened one after another, what does it matter?"

"That's right, that's right." "Strange... Am I the only one who thinks it's strange?" "Forget sad things, just remember happy things!"

""""...."""

Meanwhile, because of Noh Eunha,

They say the issue of the Academy's responsibility faded from people's minds.

☆

At the time when the world was excited about the name Noh Eunha,

Noh Eunha was reporting the circumstances of the incident at the Mana Management Organization headquarters.

...I'm dying of fatigue.

The atmosphere was strange for what was supposed to be a report.

It was practically close to an interrogation, and could be said to be isolating him from the world.

It's not incomprehensible though.

From the Mana Management Organization's perspective, it must have been hard to believe.

This is why he wanted to give credit for defeating Kakgunbong to Shin Seo-young.

But Shin Seo-young opposed, saying this was absolutely not acceptable.

Eunha's actions in the students' memories couldn't be erased.

Chronologically, it couldn't be said that Shin Seo-young defeated Kakgunbong either.

In the end, Eunha had to reveal his achievements to the world.

Well... It's better to make my name known to the world from now on, unlike before. But this seems a bit too much...

Graduation is not far off.

In other words, the destruction of Gangbuk is not far off either.

To change the future in a direction that would benefit him when that time comes, he needed to build up some fame.

That way, people would listen to what he says.

"...It ended unexpectedly quickly?"

Meanwhile, the interrogation ended quickly.

There was the reason that Fire Chicken's identity was revealed.

And there was the reason that pressure came from the Sirius Group.

Above all─

"─The Fairy Lady?"

"Yes, student Noh Eunha. No, Mr. Noh Eunha. From now on, you just need to follow me. If you need anything, I'll have someone bring it."

"..."

A summons from the Fairy Lady came down.

Eunha doubted his own ears.

He never thought the Fairy Lady would call for him.

To be honest, he was dumbfounded.

But regardless of his feelings,

The man who said he was a deputy minister at the Mana Management Organization politely guided Eunha.

"─Welcome. I've been waiting." "..."

"This is the first time we're meeting in this form, right? There's no way you wouldn't know who I am... Right? But why aren't you saying anything?" "..." "Do you really not know?"

On the top floor of the Mana Management Organization.

Eunha entered an office and faced Fairy Lady Lim Ga-eul who was already seated.

She was drinking coffee with her legs crossed, wearing a red dress that revealed her legs.

A woman exuding an aura of being an iron lady.

Soon the woman─

"─Then I'll have to show you this form. You remember me, right? Spring Fai..." "Ugh."

"..."

"Please stop acting."

"I can't even hit that..."

Lim Ga-eul with brown hair tied in twin tails.

Eunha immediately frowned at the sight of her acting.

She laughed coldly in response.

☆

There were also bodyguards protecting Fairy Lady Lim Ga-eul in the office.

Bodyguards Park Sang-jin and Lee Jeong-hyeon.

They, whose faces Eunha was familiar with, left the office on Fairy Lady Lim Ga-eul's orders.

As a result, only Noh Eunha and Lim Ga-eul were left in the office.

"─If the Mana Management Organization people did anything rude to you, I'll apologize on their behalf." "...There was no such thing." "Really? That's good then. Well, those people probably couldn't treat you carelessly since you have huge capital backing you."

"..." "Drink. The coffee will get cold."

Words with some bite to them.

Eunha quietly looked at Fairy Lady Lim Ga-eul with his hands on his knees.

She was savoring her coffee, unconcerned by his gaze.

The more she did so, the more uncomfortable the atmosphere flowing between the two became.

Then soon she─

"─Is that your monster companion?" "Pi?"

Lim Ga-eul turned her gaze to the monster companion sleeping on top of his head.

Perhaps sensing her gaze,

Fire Chicken, who had been sleeping soundly, quietly raised its head.

After rubbing its sleepy eyes with its wings, Fire Chicken soon looked at her curiously.

"Pipi?" "I heard it's based on a 3rd tier, but it's unexpectedly cute. Will you come here?" "Pupu." "No. Stay." "Papa."

"..."

Lim Ga-eul extends her hand to Fire Chicken.

Eunha immediately restrained Fire Chicken.

But even if he hadn't restrained it, the monster companion showed no signs of trying to approach her.

The kid is afraid.

Eunha could feel Fire Chicken's emotions through the pass connected to the monster companion.

It's afraid of Lim Ga-eul.

More precisely, the gift <White Silver> that she possesses.

"...Stay, that's too much." "Fire Chicken says stay." "Pupupu!"

"Its name is Fire Chicken? Why is the name..."

"I'll exercise my right to remain silent."

Meanwhile, Lim Ga-eul didn't try to take issue with his or the monster companion's attitude.

Rather, she quietly withdrew her hand as if it was natural that Fire Chicken didn't approach her.

"─Now please tell me."

"What?"

"The reason you called me."

"Sigh..."

The silence kept getting longer.

Finally, unable to bear the uncomfortable atmosphere, he opened his mouth directly.

Saying there's no respect for the Fairy Lady at all,

Lim Ga-eul sighed deeply and drooped her shoulders.

Nevertheless, Lim Ga-eul didn't try to take issue with Eunha's attitude.

Because she knows.

As mentioned earlier, the background Noh Eunha is backed by.

Above all, Noh Eunha's future potential.

"─The reason I called you is nothing special. I just wanted to exchange some pleasantries face to face with you."

"..."

"Your fame is growing day by day. So from my position, I have to show that I had a conversation with you for several tens of minutes, even if just to be conscious of public opinion, right?"

In short, it was a political show.

Eunha clicked his tongue.

This is why Eunha didn't like Lim Ga-eul.

No, he disliked her.

This person is exactly the same before and after the regression, always trying to use me at every opportunity...

Eunha couldn't like people who used him.

Above all, there were aspects where his and Lim Ga-eul's tendencies matched.

In a way, it was self-loathing.

He openly frowned.

Of course, Lim Ga-eul didn't care about this either.

She even showed a smile.

"Well... There was that reason, but personally as Fairy Lady Lim Ga-eul, I wanted to get to know you. Originally I was planning to do so after you became a Player, but... You suddenly grew so big, I had no choice."

"I wanted to postpone it as much as possible."

"Doesn't that mean that at some point, you also wanted to get to know me?" "..."

"Then the current situation where we're facing each other is beneficial for both of us."

As if it didn't matter either way.

Fairy Lady Lim Ga-eul smiled freshly.

Eunha just kept his mouth tightly shut.

Meanwhile, Fire Chicken, who had come down from his head, was pecking at cookies.

"It's embarrassing for me to say this, but there are rarely opportunities to meet me privately. So while we're having a private meeting, why don't you tell me if there's anything you want from me?"

"Can I get up now?"

"No. Stay a little longer before you go." "..."

"Is there really nothing you want from me?"

"Just keep doing politics for a long time." "Ugh."

As if intensely disliking it,

Lim Ga-eul stuck out her tongue and frowned while drinking coffee.

Only then did Eunha smirk.

Come to think of it, Lim Ga-eul also had no particular interest in politics.

She just did it because she had no choice.

That's why when she stepped down from the Fairy Lady position after being vilified by the public,

...She looked somewhat relieved.

Though she looked miserable and sad,

She also looked somewhat relieved.

But in this life, he intended to keep her in the Fairy Lady position for as long as possible.

That way, he could delay Ha Baek-ryeon becoming the Fairy Lady as much as possible.

"Really... You're the first kid like this. What on earth do I have to give you to win your heart?"

"I'm telling you it's enough to just stay in that position for a long time." "You're saying things I don't understand... Sigh, fine. I don't intend to keep you any longer, so you can go now."

It seemed about 30 minutes had passed since entering the office.

Only then did Lim Ga-eul wave her hand telling him to go.

Eunha immediately stood up.

Lim Ga-eul sighed deeply again at that sight.

Regardless, he turned to leave the office.

"─Will you answer just one thing?"

"..."

"Grandfather Baek Seo-jin told me recently. You said you'd become a sword protecting the Fairy Lady?"

"..."

"Honestly, looking at your actions... It seemed like you'd become the group's hunting dog... That was a bit unexpected. A sword protecting the Fairy Lady, I was really surprised. I never thought there'd be someone in the world who could say such a thing. I didn't expect someone who doesn't seem to fit at all to say it." "..."

"Has that statement really not changed?"

A voice resonating in the room.

It was a vocalization befitting a former actress.

Eunha turned around hearing the clear resonance.

Lim Ga-eul was sitting on the sofa with a stern expression.

Noh Eunha─

"─Yes, it hasn't changed."

He conveyed his heart.

It hasn't changed.

Of course, the person he had sworn to protect was Ha Baek-ryeon, not Lim Ga-eul.

But Lim Ga-eul, who knew nothing, relaxed her stern face and smiled gently.

"I see, thank you."

"..."

"Tell me if you need my power. When you go outside, Bodyguard Park Sang-jin will give you contact information. Take that."

"...I'll take it."

Noh Eunha bowed his head.

Then he went outside.

Now only Lim Ga-eul was left in the office.

She crosses her legs the other way.

The smile on her lips disappears.

"─Who instigated public opinion?"

Public opinion had clearly formed in a direction that would help her.

But it was too hot.

It was so hot that no attention was being paid to other sides.

So things were being buried.

At this rate─

"─It'll be awkward to say we should change the Academy's educational policy."

The Academy rampant with meritocracy.

She had wanted to change that educational environment of the Academy for a while.

But even if she was the Fairy Lady,

It wasn't something she could change alone.

That's why she tried to form public opinion to change the Academy's educational policy using this incident as an excuse, but.

"Nothing goes as I intend..."

A hero named Noh Eunha appeared.

Though he's not a hero yet.

Someday he will become a hero.

Probably an unprecedented hero.

So the world won't be able to say that the educational environment of the Academy that produced Noh Eunha was wrong and should be changed.

"..."

As long as monsters exist,

The world will continue to wish for heroes.

Lim Ga-eul let out a deep sigh.

☆

Eunha left the Mana Management Organization.

Then right in front of his eyes─

"─Huh?"

A car stopped.

Eunha's eyes widened.

Soon people wearing black suits got out of the car.

"If you leave now, you won't be able to avoid the attention of reporters." "..."

Men with sturdy builds.

He quietly looked at them surrounding him.

It was a gaze asking what they wanted him to do.

And who they were.

Soon a man who noticed his gaze took out a business card and opened his mouth.

"We're from the Strategic Planning Office of KK Group."

"...KK Group?"

KK Group.

The name of a group that came out of nowhere.

Eunha asked back.

The man nodded.

"─The Chairman wants to meet student Noh Eunha now. Please come with us."