Chapter 29 (2/2)
”It's about Miss Cinzia and Miss Agnes. Especially Agnes - she seems to be particularly interested in your growth for some reason?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Is that so?” (Seol)
”Yes, it is indeed so. Just what underhanded tricks did you use to flip those violent Sicilian gangsters over to your side?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Seol couldn't help but doubt his own hearing just then. Violent? Gangsters?
Kim Hahn-Nah's eyes went round when she saw his expression.
”My G.o.d, you didn't know?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”You really had no idea? Those two are pretty infamous as the Battle Maniacs of the South.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”A battle maniac? You saying that Miss Agnes is a…?!” (Seol)
”Yeah. She's the direct subordinate of the boss lady Cinzia, as well as the Sicilian organisation's top executive. She's even known as the demonic drill instructor, too. I'm pretty sure almost everyone in the Paradise has heard of her.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
As the explanation continued on, a certain sense of chill crept up on Seol's backside. He had no idea that Agnes was such a big shot.
'Maybe I, uh, I shouldn't have teased her.' (Seol)
”If you're done asking me about stuff, shall we get to the main topic of my visit?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Seol nodded his head.
He was indeed curious as to know why she came here in the first place. There was still a month left to go before the Neutral Zone's deadline, after all.
”Well, I came to cheer you on, and…. I wanted to give you advice. Also, there's something I need your help with, too. That's why I'm here.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah took her gla.s.ses off and stared at Seol. Compared to how it was like back on the riverbank, the way she looked at him had softened considerably.
”First of all, I gotta praise you. You've exceeded all of my expectations. I honestly would never have guessed you were this excellent.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I thought you were unhappy about using the golden stamp on me.” (Seol)
”That was back then. But, not anymore. The stamp wasn't wasted on you. At all. Honest.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Seol felt an itch creeping up on his face hearing the constant stream of praises.
”Okay, so that's the cheering bit done. What advice do you have for me?” (Seol)
When Seol sheepishly scratched his cheek, Kim Hahn-Nah grinned slyly.
”You did the right thing by stopping at the 'Hard' missions. You see, the difficulty spike in the 'Very Hard' missions is nothing to laugh about. You gotta prepare yourself properly first.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
But of course - Seol was expecting as much as well. Seeing that the rewards on offer jumped by ten times in value, the difficulty should rise just as much, too.
”And, you should find yourself reliable comrades. If I have a complaint to make, then you just stick to yourself too much.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Comrades, huh….” (Seol)
”That's right. Odelette Delphine, Hao Win - I recommend these two people. I'm telling you this before you get the wrong idea - my suggestion isn't solely because of their skills.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Then, why?” (Seol)
”They will certainly become a big help to you in the future, that's why.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
It was rather clear what Kim Hahn-Nah was implying here.
”Are you telling me to form a personal connection with them?” (Seol)
”That's one way of looking at it. In any case, you already have a link called 'fellow survivors from the same time period' going for you. I mean, there's nothing to lose by getting friendly with them, right?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I get it with Delphine since she's a Sorcerer, but what about Hao Win?” (Seol)
”He's a big player in the darker side of the society; I heard that he's a top level executive in the biggest Triad in China.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Seol slowly facepalmed. Not only the Sicilian 'Battle Maniacs,' he had to deal with a man from a d*mn Chinese Triads, too? He would've never imagined getting mixed up with these sorts of people in his old life.
It was here that a thought popped up in his head.
”If I work together with those two, then could I challenge the Impossible mission and….” (Seol)
”No. Do not even think about challenging that one.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
He was just blurting out the possibility, but Kim Hahn-Nah promptly cut him off before he got anywhere with the idea. Seol could only smile bitterly.
”It's that difficult, huh.” (Seol)
”Even I am not confident of my odds with that mission, I'll have you know. At a bare minimum, only a large team consisting of Level 4 Earthlings or above should stand a chance of clearing that one. I mean, seriously now. Why would such a mission be available in the first place, I wonder? I just can't figure it out.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She complained bitterly, before turning her sharp gaze on him.
”Wait a minute. You are not thinking of trying your luck on that one, just because you've heard of someone clearing it in the past, right?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Someone cleared it before?” (Seol)
Now this was the first time he heard of it.
”Yeah, sure. In the entire history of the Zone, one guy did pull it off.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”But, how….?” (Seol)
Seeing Seol's shocked expression, Kim Hahn-Nah simply snorted.
”Only a few knows about this. But that guy, he didn't clear the mission in what you'd call a 'proper' fas.h.i.+on. He just got lucky, that's all.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Even if it was down to luck, it still counts.” (Seol)
”That's true, too. But whatever, do not ever attempt that mission. Got it? It'd be better to fight a monster from the world of the dead with your bare hands rather than attempting that mission.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah pa.s.sionately voiced her opposition and slowly regulated her breathing. She shook her head, causing her ponytail to sway this way and that.
”I'm sure you'll do what's best for you, anyways….” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She sneakily raised the end of her sentence and glanced at him.
Seol ignored that and asked her once more.
”Didn't you say you need my help? What's that about?” (Seol)
”….Well, it's nothing big, really.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah hesitated slightly, which was unlike her, before opening her mouth.
”Again, let me make this clear. What I'm about to say from here onwards isn't coming from me.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Okay, so from who is it, then?” (Seol)
”There's a guy. One of my superior officers.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Your superior officer, is it…. You mean, from Sinyoung?” (Seol)
Kim Hahn-Nah nodded her head and continued.
”Anyways. What I'm trying to say is, someone else other than me is asking you for a favour. Don't wanna do it, fine. You don't have to do it. But, if you do decide to go for it, there are plenty of benefits for me. You might also get to share in the loot, too.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”What's the favour?” (Seol)
”You know Yun Seo-Rah, right?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah got to the main topic right away. Seol was taken back somewhat, though.
”You see, the person who invited Yun Seo-Rah is the person asking you for the favour. From Sinyoung.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Hold on, let me get this straight. You saying that your superior officer from Sinyoung invited Miss Yun Seo-Rah?” (Seol)
”That's right. That person is known for having a discerning eye. Everyone he invited all turned out to be big hits, you see. He even resorted to using a silver stamp and invited her this time, so the expectations from the company is pretty high.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”But….” (Seol)
”Right. You know this too, don't you? At this rate, Yun Seo-Rah is going to fail. Understandably, my superior officer is a nervous sh.e.l.l of his former self, know what I mean?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Only then did Seol get the rough idea of what the favour could be.
”Let me get straight to the point - that person would like you to look after Yun Seo-Rah.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”That's too unspecific, isn't it? Do I need to give her 1000 Survival Points and be done with that? After all, she'd be able to leave the Neutral Zone with that.” (Seol)
”That would be worse than failing, actually. Okay, if I were to get more specific, he wants to see Yun Seo-Rah develop normally in the Zone, just like everyone else. Heal her arm if it's possible, let her tag along when you go around clearing missions, etc, etc. Should I say, please play the role of a jjeol?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
A jjeol, was it…. Seol inwardly let off a long groan. (TL note at the end)
Coincidentally, he got to hear about Yun Seo-Rah twice in one day.
Seol understood that her life in the Zone was fraught with extreme hards.h.i.+p. It wasn't as if he had no plans of helping her out.
However.
….You know this too, don't ya….
He also thought what Hyun Sahng-Min said back not too long ago wasn't wrong, either.
Kim Hahn-Nah was waiting for Seol's reply. She was still emitting the golden hue.
”….What do you think I should do?” (Seol)
”Me? As I said this before, I didn't invite her….” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I know that. What I'm asking you here is, as the person who invited me, not Yun Seo-Rah, what is your opinion on this matter?” (Seol)
Perhaps she didn't expect to be questioned, her expression became somewhat dazed and lost. Soon enough, though, the corner of her lips arched up ever so slightly.
”Of course, I'll be very happy if you do this one thing for me. I'll be getting a nice little opportunity here, you know.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
There was a slight grin etched on her face as she spoke up, clearly enjoying herself.
”I understand. I can't give you a definite answer, but I promise I'll look into it.” (Seol)
”Hng. Not bad, you even know what to say to make me feel better, too.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She muttered to herself, Are you even the same gambling addict from back then?, and continued on with what she wanted to say to him.
”In any case, consider it carefully. Yun Seo-Rah's supposed to be a rising star invited by Sinyoung's greatest talent scout. Making him owe you a favour would be a good thing for you, too.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”A favour, huh….” (Seol)
He hadn't given much thought over the notion of Yun Seo-Rah being a potential rising star, but that did make sense. Back in the a.s.sembly hall, when he inadvertently spied on her Stats, he saw 'Brilliant' appearing on the 'Personality' column, after all.
Having finished what she wanted to say, Kim Hahn-Nah began standing up.
”That's right, a favour. Well, there's that saying, right? The Golden Rule, I mean.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Take ca…. What did you say?” (Seol)
Seol was taken by surprise again and stared at her.
”You know, the Golden Rule.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She winked at him and walked towards the exit of the room.
”Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Is that…. the Golden Rule?” (Seol)
”It's a verse from the Gospel of Matthew. Verse 7:12. I never really thought of those words as altruistic babble, though. No, it's much more closer to 'give-and-take', don't you agree?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Who knows? If you appear before her like a prince riding on a white horse and rescue her, she might ju~st fall hard for you. I mean, she's pretty cute, right?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Of course, she was only joking.
However, Seol's mute response seemed rather suspect. Feeling a bit embarra.s.sed now, she fixed her high heel, lightly tapped on the floor with her feet, and opened the door. Before she slipped through the door, she turned around one more time.
”No need to see me off. Oh, and don't forget the deal we have. You negotiate with me before anyone else when you leave the Neutral Zone.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Oh, uh…. Right.” (Seol)
”Don't get killed. I'll be here in a month's time to fetch you.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She closed the door.
Although Kim Hahn-Nah was gone, Seol didn't show any sign of movement. For a long time, he stood there and dwelled on everything she said. And then, dwelled on them some more.
….Even as the sounds of high heels getting further away disappeared altogether.
< 29.=”” looking=”” back=”” (1)=””> Fin.
(TL: A jjeol or in Korean, ”쩔” is a high level player in an online game who parties up with low level players to help them hunt mobs and accrue experience points. There is also a similar slang term in Korea called 'bus' but apparently, there is a minute difference between the two, and in some games, one or the other isn't used by the player base.)
(TL: Remaining amount till the next sponsored chapter: $45.)