Chapter 129

The embarrassment didn’t subside easily.
How the “teacher” who suddenly disappeared is now sitting in the director’s office of the Cell Biology Lab. When did his relationship with the lab begin, before or after he got to know himself.
Many suspicions have risen and fallen. The ones you can deduce on your own, the ones that aren’t so essential. Things you could easily figure out if you put your mind to it.
There was a question that lingered until the end.
“How do I…?
Raonis looked the other man in the face. The man who had once been his teacher was smiling weakly. The corners of his mouth twitched upward, but his eyes did not smile.
My father introduced me to it 20 years ago. A gift that taught Raonis how to fly when he was desperate after losing his right leg.
He was still the same.
It was bizarrely the same.
It hasn’t aged a bit from what I remember.
“You’re confused.”
The ageless man chuckled.
“What’s so exciting?”
“You know ……, it’s been 20 years, and you’re….”
“Aren’t you the same?”
“Yes?”
“Once you get off track, it’s hard to get back on track, and you’re quick to show your emotions. You’ve developed an eye for numbers when you see that business is doing well, but your people skills are shallow.”
Raonis’ brow furrowed.
I know the intent. It’s a chapter that tries to deflect an unfavorable topic by picking a flaw. Even though I can see through it, I can’t help but feel a twinge of resentment. It’s pathetic, but I can’t help it.
It’s natural to want to be recognized by a teacher you haven’t seen in a long time, especially one you admire so much. Especially since he’s someone I truly admire.
But he didn’t have time to argue back.
“Saddam aside.”
The man in front of you adjusts his posture and sits up.
“Let’s talk about the contract. Since the CEO of Asus General Corporation is here in person, we’ll try to accommodate you as best we can, but we’ll reject any unreasonable terms.”
The mood has changed, like a change of clothes. Gone was the arrogance and near-casualness of capitalists. In its place is the coolness and rigor of a researcher.
“Building materials to expand and maintain our facilities. Equipment for our researchers and agents, or materials to make them. Your cooperation would be of great benefit to the lab.”
“When I say provide, I mean distribute…….”
“What? What do you mean, of course I’m very careful with my choice of words. If you can distribute the supplies I need, of course I’ll buy them at a reasonable price.”
“Affordable” seemed to be a far cry from what Raonis had in mind. He had to get his bearings. This is Kushan, not Mascherano. This is a business, not an education.
Yeah, I know.
“Ugh.
It was those eyes, those deep, sinister eyes. Even as he assumed the demeanor of a lab director, the way he looked at Laonis was still that of his old teacher.
Kicked my wheelchair because I got one number wrong.
Confiscating crutches every time you stuttered in a meeting.
I was forced to intern for 3 months because I cried once…….
Pathetic, embarrassing memories of the past.
My nightmare as a young teenager.
‘Damn. Why did I come all this way.’
I shouldn’t have come. The regret was overwhelming.
* * *
Kushan summarized his conversation with Raonis in a few words.
“He’s a good talker.”
“Looks like it went well.”
“More than you think.”
He leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. She hadn’t felt this good in a long time. This might have been the first time Kim’s ‘guest’ had brought her any joy.
We don’t know exactly how it went down, but it’s possible to predict it, as their relationship was mentioned in the game.
“I’m well-connected.
If Banzar’s intelligence was a shallow kite that stabbed Kim in the back, Raonis was a deep one. Kushan’s various names are not just ghosts in disguise.
Live under a disguise for at least a year or two to build relationships with others. Stay in regular contact with useful contacts, or sow the seeds in advance, as Laonis did.
That’s how Kushan has accumulated his knowledge and experience.
“If the deal is done, there’s nothing more to say.
It’s time to cut to the chase.
“I hear there’s a summit coming up.”
“Did you know?”
“I heard it while I was playing in St. Kitts.”
“Is that what you would call playing?”
He laughs like it’s ridiculous and shakes his head.
“Yes. I was just about to pass this on, but it’s good to know. The originator is the Emperor of Shiran. He’s had his eye on them since Ploria and Kilikia, but the events on Bastitera were probably the trigger.”
“Legion is the goal?”
“We don’t know. Maybe he simply doesn’t like the chaotic state of affairs on the continent. Or maybe it’s a warning not to get carried away by terrorism and cause unnecessary trouble.”
Tak.
Kushan slapped the desk lightly with the palm of his hand.
“It’s a good flow for us, even if the intent is unclear.”
The current Cellbromics Labs deserves it. You deserve a seat at the table as a bridge between Bastila and the other nations. Even if you can’t, you can still accompany them as an entourage.
“We will condemn the Legion. We must name them as public enemies of the continent, at least so that the powers that be at the summit are alerted and prepared for terrorism.”
I don’t even want support for labs. Let the powerful fend for themselves. To work together when they can’t. To not just say no when labs try to interfere.
Gluing together a piece of paper that’s been torn into dozens of pieces.
It doesn’t matter if it looks like a mess of duct tape.
Because unity can’t be meaningless.
“We’re finally here.
Kim balled her fists under the table. Episode 13. Unlike the previous episodes, there’s nothing dangerous happening. However, it was an indispensable turning point in the plot.
When you’re getting pounded by the Legion, and then they start fighting back.
Importantly, the continent as we know it was not a perfect fit. Kilikia, Bastitera, and other nations that would have collapsed in quick succession are still standing.
We need to keep the power of the continent intact. You’ll need to retire the Legion to get through the second half. Of course, you can play the game exactly the same and still reach the ending…….
“You’ll never see me like that.
The main episode of Polaris ends on a cliffhanger. It’s a happy ending in the grand scheme of things, but it’s one that will leave you feeling like shit.
Make sure to change it.
When you killed Shadow and saved Ghost. When you attracted Asterique. When your allies were killed by Snowfield. When you wounded Asterique in an attempt to kill Snowfield.
Too many to list.
Time and time again, I have strengthened my resolve. Whenever the ethical consciousness of a human being, Kim Yi Hyun, has been held back, he has looked at the goal and rationalized. The road he has traveled is stained with the blood of others.
If you can’t turn back, you can only move forward.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“They said July 30th, but that’s just a guess.”
“That’s still two months away.”
For once, Kim decided to intervene. The episode didn’t have much to do with the professor’s growth. It was real life, and we had to be wary of possible variables.
“I don’t know where it’s going to go wrong.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a blinded godmother terrorizes the conference center. She won’t be safe, but the damage to the continent will be devastating. We need to be open to all possibilities.
“If you’re thinking about joining, be patient.”
“I should do that. I don’t know where I’ve been.”
Only after hearing the answer did Kushan breathe a sigh of relief. With the meeting so close, if Kim had kidnapped anyone else… she felt like she would faint from the stress.
“But Shiran.
He clicked his tongue at a volume that Kim couldn’t hear. The emperor’s face was clear in her mind, even though it had been so long since they had last met.
“I wonder what they’re up to.
It’s starting to look like Legion is an eyesore.
* * *
When I returned from my trip, it was a full-blown spring.
Warm sunlight beats down on the ruined land of Shalem. Wind-scattered petals landed on misshapen vines and tree roots.
And the vines burned, vine by vine. The air crackled with heat. Flames spread here and there, but not uncontrollably.
“It’s hot….”
“It’s hot.”
“Don’t you want some ice cream?”
“Eek. It’ll melt.”
“I guess so.”
Kim and Chelsea were sitting side by side in front of a giant tree as big as any mall, both of them sweating profusely and wiping their faces with their hands. They were desperate for a portable fan.
It wasn’t a matter of weather.
─Quack!
The blunt hilt of the [Vibranium Composite Blade] slashed the ground. Sparks flew everywhere, along with shards of asphalt. Blood-like lava seeped into the cracks in the road.
“Come on!”
Boom!
“Tsk tsk…!”
Poof!
“Die!”
Boom!
Smoke rose where the flames had swept. Asterike drew in a weary breath and raised her sword again, Edwin a few paces away, also grabbing his shield.
“You don’t want to die….”
“Practice makes perfect. Real life is like practice. Haven’t you heard?”
“Personally, I think it’s bullshit, because if we practiced like we’re practicing, there wouldn’t be any soldiers left in the world. They’d all get shot and killed in training.”
For a moment, Asterike’s expression went blank. It was convincing, at least to her. I thought Chelsea was a bit of a blind man, too, given the way she’d been reprimanded. Wasn’t she?
Hudo shook the thought from his mind.
“Whatever! What’s the point?”
“Ha. I know it hurts, but….”
There was a reason they were fighting in broad daylight.
It wasn’t a coworker feud, and it certainly wasn’t a shadowy culture of rookie hazing. It was a healthy confrontation born out of necessity.
Asterike had a target at her disposal. On the other hand, Edwin wanted a situation to test the durability of his equipment. A compromise was reached.
In fact, Edwin had asked Asterique to use her equipment as a punching bag and pour spells on him… but it didn’t work, because she wasn’t a volunteer.
As the two argued, Kim spoke up.
– Go out and fight.
The narrative is that you’re actually going to go out and fight.
“It’s been 30 minutes already, aren’t you sick of it?”
“I think Edwin is fed up.”
“Isn’t that enough equipment?”
“It was good enough, now it’s broken.”
The shield that had held for so long was on its deathbed.
It certainly wasn’t bad. It’s probably only a small fraction of the 30 minutes that the shield was able to block, but it’s already proven its quality by withstanding Asterike’s spell.
It’s a luxury item that’s too good to be scrapped…….
“Oh well. They’ll send me something better.”
“After all, the rich are the best, aren’t they?”
“Of course.”
But that didn’t mean Asterique was overpowering Edwin.
The record so far is 5:0.
Asterique’s 5 losses.
‘That’s six losses.’
Just in time, Edwin struck the ground with his shield raised. The curved flames sidestepped the shield and aimed for his flesh. But instead of blocking or dodging, it only sped up.
His top is already almost burnt off, leaving his skin exposed to the flames. It’s melting his flesh and eating into his muscles, but he doesn’t even flinch.
As the distance closed, Asterike’s face grew wistful. Taking advantage of the gap in reach, she swung her fire-encrusted sword wide. Just before it touched, Edwin slid out of the way.
“Ugh!”
Asterike stuck her tongue out into her mouth.
Bam!
A fist to the jaw. It wasn’t a bone-crushing blow, but it was enough to shake his head, and Asterike’s body jerked, then fell limply to the ground.
“Ugh….”
“Is that okay?”
He doesn’t hold out a hand to help her up. Asterique wasn’t particularly unhappy about that. Edwin’s injury was much more serious.
It was “serious. I recovered in less than 30 seconds.
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
It was a fight that was structurally unwinnable. For Edwin, defeat is death. He can’t lose in a dueling format unless he’s knocked out.
But she can’t truly try to kill it. Asterike was forced to limit the output of her spells, consciously or unconsciously.
That’s how Kim saw it.
‘You may not reduce an opponent’s HP to zero. Edwin has about 100 HP potions, and Asterique has zero.
You can’t beat your ancestors. Not in real life, but in a duel. With Pekatum’s strong body, there was no spell as deceptive as mine.
But to flip it around.
“It’s a punching bag that never breaks.
Asterike must have been the first person in the lab to notice.
“Whoa! Break over. One more.”
“…How long is this going to last?”
“Until I win.”
It was a spring day.
* * *
The next day.
The morning brought some unexpected news.
“Apparently something went wrong in Kilikia.”
“Oh, what else.”
You won’t leave me alone.
Surviving as a One-Star in a Dead Game – Chapter 130 (130 of 223)