chapter 115

Who was this? Suddenly, someone I didn’t know pretended to know me so I was a bit flustered. He seemed to notice what I was feeling and introduced himself. “My name is Yoo Minseok. I’m the boss of Cha Jincheol over here. I’m in charge of Team 1 of the Strategic Planning Office.”

Ah, he was the boss. No wonder. I didn’t know what the Strategic Planning Office did but it seemed to be a high position.

I shook his hand. “I’m Choi Chuntaek.”

“Thank you for coming. There was nothing uncomfortable on the road?”

“No, I was very comfortable. The Equus is very good.”

“I’m glad. Then come this way. There is someone waiting.”

Waiting? I thought the person who wanted to see me was the young man in front of me but it didn’t seem to be the case. I followed him and Cha Jincheol parted with us because he had work to do. Some time later, I was able to arrive in front of the place that was marked ‘Department Manager’s Office.’

Yoo Minseok knocked on the door and a middle-aged voice could be heard inside. “Yes, come in.”

Once I opened the door and walked in, I saw a tidy office. It was a white interior with tidy office supplies. Looking at it, I could see that the owner of this room had a very neat personality. The middle-aged man in front of me didn’t fail to meet my expectations. “Welcome. My name is Lee Seokjun.”

“I am Choi Chuntaek. Did you want to see me?” I bluntly asked him.

In fact, I wasn’t very good at beating around the bush.

Lee Seokjun smiled and said, “Yes, I asked to see you. Please sit down first.”

Lee Seokjun invited me to sit on the sofa and picked up a handset to ask his secretary to bring tea. After a while, the secretary brought over some tea. I closed my eyes and savored the fragrant aroma of green tea. “It is very fragrant.”

“You can take some back with you if you want.”

I shook my head at Yoo Minseok’s words. “It’s okay. What is the reason you asked to see me?”

Lee Seokjun, who was drinking tea, put down the teacup and spoke. “In fact, there are many things I would like to ask you. However, for now, I’d like to ask one thing.”

“Tell me.”

“A month ago, there was an incident that turned Arkstar upside down. Do you know what it is?”

One month ago? A month ago was when I first started Arkstar. I couldn’t know about such an incident. “Let’s see? I don’t know.”

“Under the seven stars of the Big Dipper, take note that the true king has awakened.”

Seeing my eyes widen, Lee Seokjun nodded. “I’m glad you know. At that time, it spread to all users of Arkstar like a prophecy. It generated a lot of buzz and there was a lot of speculation about the true king’s identity.”

I couldn’t answer. A moment of silence followed and Lee Seokjun opened his mouth, “Let me ask you. Is that person perhaps you?

“……”

Another silence flowed. Now all types of thoughts passed through my mind. I was struggling with my thoughts and was deeply troubled. What was the right thing to say? The first thing that came to mind was Prometheus. He had told me that it would be better to hide my identity for the time being. In fact, it was for this same reason that I wore a mask. It was until I grew to a certain extent. Of course, I had grown a lot but I thought it still wasn’t enough. Prometheus’ memories shared with me were saying so.

After a moment of silence, I opened my mouth, “No, that person isn’t me.”

“Huh…?”

“Really?” Yoo Minseok asked again and I nodded. Then he spoke with an incredulous expression, “I know that you are the Hero of Mulan. Additionally, what have been you up to in the meantime? I also saw you defeating Zigma and Ragneos. Then recently, there were your actions in the North Pole.”

Damn, he saw all of it. For some reason, it felt like my privacy had been invaded and it was uncomfortable.

Yoo Minseok continued, “We also know that you know a lot about the constellations. I’ve seen it for myself. It really isn’t you…?”

I hadn’t expected him to know this much. Surely he wasn’t following me around? My head spun as I thought about what to say. Some time passed before I finally replied, “I’m not the one you’re looking for. He is my friend.”

“What…?”

The eyes of the two people widened.

I spoke again, “Everything I know about the constellations is because of what my friend told me.”

The answer was unthinkable and the two people looked blank. Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong. I wouldn’t have known all of this without Prometheus.

Lee Seokjun opened his mouth, “Can you introduce your friend to me? Please. It is very important to us.”

“That is difficult.”

“Why?”

“My friend doesn’t like to show his face.”

My mouth was dry as I lied but it worked better than I thought. Then Yoo Minseok soon raised a question, “I can’t believe it. Didn’t you use the power of other constellations?”

Damn, he saw this as well. He was a complete stalker.

“I did but it was only possible because he helped.”

“This…”

Yoo Minseok shook his head while Lee Seokjun touched his chin and asked, “Excuse me, what is your level?”

“Level 131.”

“…I can’t believe it.”

“Why would I lie about this? If you don’t believe it then check it.” I had an imposing attitude. Well, my level was actually right. I was originally level 121 but I gained 10 levels after hunting Minotaur.

The observing Yoo Minseok helped me. “Elder, your words are correct. You just started in Mulan. I checked it myself.”

“Um…”

At Yoo Minseok’s words, Lee Seokjun once again touched his chin. He frowned as he thought intently before speaking, “Then do you intend to take part in the World Competition?”

“World Competition? What is that?”

“It is easy to think of it as the Olympics. People from all over the world will come together to compete in Arkstar within a set rule.”

“Hoh, it’s amazing. This is the first time I knew there was such a thing.”

“That’s right. In fact, if you were thinking of participating then I wanted to ask you not to.”

“Huh? Why?”

“It is because your power is too strong at the moment.”

“Aren’t I weak? I’m only level 131.”

“You are stronger than your level. In fact, it can cause a setback in the competition. I am the organizer so it will be very difficult for me if things aren’t balanced.”

“Hmm, I understand the reason. In any case, I don’t want to participate.”

“Thank you for this.”

Thus, we talked a few minutes longer before I returned to the Equus. This time, it was a driver instead of Cha Jincheol taking me home. I glanced at the landscape of the passing city and thought about what Yoo Minseok had said before I left.

‘Still, if you want to appear in the World Competition, then call this number.’

‘Huh? Doesn’t your boss dislike it?’

‘It shouldn’t matter if it is the Challenge League below level 200. I’m going to persuade him. I think you will be the best star this Christmas.’

I woke up from my memories and touched Yoo Minseok’s business card. I told him I wouldn’t think about it now but it was true that I was somewhat curious. A world competition…

* * *

The moment I got home, I immediately accessed Arkstar. The place where I logged out the other day was the Windy Hill. I looked around and frowned. It was terrible. This was no longer the former calm, green fields. There were only grey ash and weeds that had withered from the snow. The good news was that the Windy Hill was so wide that not all of it was damaged.

Just then, Mudur’s voice was heard.

[Grruk. Why do you keep running around so much?]

This guy was making trouble as soon as I logged in.

‘When will this cheap thing disappear?’

[Chwiik. If I get out of your body then I will tear you apart. You better keep this in mind. Huhu.]

‘Please get out, you stone head.’

[Chwiiik! You!!]

I shook my head and moved toward Windia but I was forced to stop. It was because my current appearance wasn’t right.

“My clothes are completely ragged.

Fortunately, parts of the pants remained so my important areas were covered. However, my top was completely torn apart. Finally, Drain logged in.

-Jackson: Where are you?

-Drain: Oh, our proud buroder! Hero of Windia!

-Jackson: …What bullshit. Why all of a sudden?

-Drain: I saw the newsu! The current Windia is a mess right now! Hohoho.

-Jackson: You’re noisy. Help me mend my clothes. It has become a rag.

-Drain: Huhu. I understand. See you at the square.

I closed the window and thought about it. Windia was a mess? It was somehow ominous. After a while, I was able to reach the front entrance of Windia. It was busy and full of people repairing broken buildings and walls. The soldier’s vigilance seemed impregnable.

A soldier stopped me. “Show me your face.”

…It couldn’t be helped. They only knew the wolf mask but I was currently wearing the white tiger mask. I removed the mask slightly and showed my face.

The soldier was suddenly flustered. “A-Are you perhaps…?”

Damn, it was ominous no matter how I thought about it. If Prometheus was awake then he would’ve sent this message.

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ has an ominous feeling.]

My expectations weren’t incorrect.

“It is the Hero of Windia! The Hero of Windia has come!!”

The shout was so sudden that I had no time to block the soldier’s mouth. Instantly, people flocked like clouds.

“Wow, he is the Hero of Windia!”

“Is that the man who also saved Mulan?”

“Wow, look at that body! Isn’t it very solid?”

“Dark Wolf! Please look over here!”

“Kyak♡ he’s cool! I think I’m going to fall in love!”

This was crazy. Regardless of whether they were NPCs or users, everyone surrounded me and cheered. I was flustered by the sudden situation and my face was completely red.

[Your reputation in Windia is at the maximum.]

[Your fame has risen by 10,000.]

[Your reputation has changed from ‘good standing’ -> ‘high quality’.] [1]

[The title ‘Hero of Windia’ has been acquired.]

[Windia’s knights will look up to you, and the NPCs will respect you.]

“What is th…”

I couldn’t finish my words. The reporters were running with their microphones in the distance. This time, there was no room to escape and I was surrounded. It seemed I would appear on the front page of the newspaper.

“Is it true that you are the Hero of Mulan?”

“There is a theory that you have a Star Fruit power! What do you think?”

“How did you get to the North Pole?”

“Why wear a mask?”

“Why aren’t you registered in the rankings?”

Ah, I was tired all of a sudden. I felt like putting up my middle finger but I had to endure it. No matter how hard, it wasn’t good to raise my middle finger. I was trying to run away somehow when I heard someone shouting, “Get out of the way! Lord Edward is coming!”

Suddenly, the crowd split like it was the Red Sea and the little lord appeared. Kerenos stood next to him and looked quite grim.

Edward looked around and shouted, “Inhabitants of Windia, listen!”

The dignified voice captivated them but I felt an infinitely ominous feeling. This little boy was so unpredictable that I didn’t know what he would do.

“I will be starting the village chief appointment ceremony now!”

The reporter’s camera flashes started to explode.

[1] TL Note: for some reason, this was exactly the same as the reputation increase in chapter 51, so the author must’ve forgotten that he already changed it to high quality.’