Chapter 50 (1/2)

The inside of the Carpe Diem's office had become deathly quiet in an instant. It was as if time had come to a stand still. Everyone stopped moving and stared at one person.

From disbelief to suspicion, from suspicion to glares that were definitely not friendly at all….

The atmosphere in the room continued to grow colder and colder.

Seol Ji-Hu felt his heart become heavier from the unspoken pressure emanating from this uncomfortable silence. He had expected there would be some sort of a response, but he didn't know it would be this bad.

”Euh, euhahahaha!” (Hugo)

Suddenly, Hugo started laughing his head off.

”Hiya~. Who knew you had a sick sense of humour like that? I guess I should change how I look at you now, eh?” (Hugo)

He cackled and lightly patted Seol on the shoulder. However, everyone present here could see from his exaggerated laughter and movements, the big guy was trying to somehow defuse this dangerous situation and treat it as a tactless humour of a rookie.

”Oi.” (Cho Hong)

Her voice sounded growly, threatening.

Cho Hong slowly corrected her posture. She locked her hands, her legs parted slightly, and her back bent forward a little.

”Hey, let me tell you something. You showing up here today, that's not a problem, in all honesty.” (Cho Hong)

It was as if she was trying not to sound angry, but the tone was really too low for a woman's voice. And the pitch remained chillingly flat as well.

”Job posting. Yeah, you could have seen that and came to talk to us. Just like Dylan said, there are no restrictions, after all. That's all fine and good.” (Cho Hong)

Her eyes, visible behind her flowing black hair, gleamed coldly.

”The thing is…” (Cho Hong)

Her eyes, seemingly fixed to the floor, emitted a chilling light so scary that it made people avert their gazes instinctively.

”If you showed up here, the office of Carpe Diem, just to throw around unfunny jokes, then…. Then, as a person who has to listen to you, my position will have to change somewhat, get my drift?” (Cho Hong)

”Cho Hong!” (Hugo)

”Shut up, Hugo.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong replied sharply, pulled the cigarette out from her lips, and slowly breathed out the blue smoke. She then stared straight at Seol Ji-Hu and spoke.

”I'll give you another chance. Right now, I'm willing to overlook this matter as a noob who wants to join us cracking a cute little lie and nothing more.” (Cho Hong)

Hugo sighed out in relief.

”So. This time, don't utter bullsh*t and speak the truth.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong stopped there and remained silent. Seol Ji-Hu nodded his head as his response, and opened his mouth to speak.

”Excluding the points I received as the starting bonus as well as the multiplier, the original points tally I had at the end of the Tutorial was 2,150.” (Seol)

Hugo's complexion hardened.

”The highest difficulty missions in the Neutral Zone that I cleared with my own skills were rated 'Very Hard'. I did succeed in clearing the Impossible, but that was just due to luck, not my own skill.” (Seol)

Cho Hong's brows began quivering.

”Ohhh. So, you saying that you really did have 26,500 points, and somehow did clear the Impossible mission, is that it?” (Cho Hong)

A strange smile formed on her face as she lifted her b**t off the couch ever so slightly.

”That's correct.” (Seol)

”Ahh, really now?” (Cho Hong)

It was right then.

POW!

As soon as he blinked, Seol Ji-Hu saw the back of Dylan's hand that was as big as a pot's lid right in front of his nose. Not only that, Cho Hong's fist blocked by that hand, too.

'But, when?!' (Seol)

He failed to even notice her throwing a punch, never mind her arm moving before that. He felt the chill run down his back, not from the fact that he nearly got hit by her, but the fact that he couldn't even see it coming.

”Dylan!!” (Cho Hong)

”Violence isn't the answer, Cho Hong. The old man repeatedly told you to curb that temper of yours, didn't he?” (Dylan)

”But, that b*stard….!” (Cho Hong)

”Seol.” (Dylan)

Dylan succeeded in placating Cho Hong for the time being and called out to Seol Ji-Hu. No, the youth thought that he was being called, but that turned out to be false.

”Seol. Seol… Ah.” (Dylan)

Dylan was actually muttering that name out while trying to remember something. He then lightly slapped his own closely-cropped head.

”I was wondering why that name sounded so familiar…. Hao Win… Right. So, that was you.” (Dylan)

”What are you talking about?” (Hugo)

This time, it was Hugo who asked.

”Hao Win was talking about a certain guy. Apparently, among those summoned for this year's March selection, a 'Super Rookie' made his appearance, or so I've been told by him. I've heard the name in pa.s.sing, but I think it could have been Seol. D*mn it, why couldn't I have thought about that as soon as I saw him?” (Dylan)

”Wha, what?!” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong's head swivelled, and she looked at Dylan.

She then began laughing nervously, her neck trembling slightly. Her face remained disbelieving as she raised her voice.

”D, Dylan? What are you saying? If you come out like that, it's like this whole thing is true, so stop it.” (Cho Hong)

She must've been really freaked out, because her voice was quivering noticeably now.

”I understand. I also thought it was a bunch of baloney when I heard it the first time, too.” (Dylan)

Dylan chuckled as if he found this whole thing rather interesting and got up from his seat.

”I guess I'll just confirm it for myself, then.” (Dylan)

He leisurely went off to somewhere and when he returned, he was carrying a large, clear crystal ball. He placed it on the coffee table and placed his hand on top - and then, the crystal began emitting light.

'What could that be?' (Seol)

Seol Ji-Hu's curiosity perked up at seeing an object he had not seen before.

A short while later, the crystal's entire surface was enveloped in a soft glow. And at the same time….

- ”Uh? For Dylan to give me a call first, isn't this a pleasant surprise?” (Cinzia)

….A voice of a person leaked out from it. That uniquely haughty, mezzo-soprano tone of voice sounded rather familiar to the youth's ears.

”I heard that you've returned to Haramark recently. I'm calling you to congratulate you on successfully concluding the Neutral Zone, among other things.” (Dylan)

- ”Congratulating me, huh. Indeed, that's a nice notion. You have any idea how much I missed the air of Paradise?” (Cinzia)

”I too was shocked after learning that you were being put in charge of the Neutral Zone, Cinzia.” (Dylan)

- ”Other than being bored out of my skull, it wasn't so bad. A couple of interesting things happened too, and that kept me entertained in the meantime.” (Cinzia)

”Interesting things, you say?” (Dylan)

- ”….Oh, my? Did you call me because you were also curious about that?” (Cinzia)

A cackling laughter came out from the crystal ball.

Seol Ji-Hu dazedly stared at the crystal. Ever since his arrival in Haramark, one thing or other managed to surprise him constantly.

That was Cinzia on the other side. She sure looked like someone pretty powerful when he first saw her in the Neutral Zone. But after seeing Dylan chatting so easily to someone even Kim Hahn-Nah referred to as a big shot in Paradise, the youth had no choice but to view the big man in a new light now.

- ”It isn't just you asking about this matter, you know? I've been repeating this sh*t over and over again like a d*mn parrot, and I think I've probably memorised everything by now. It's like, I've become a call centre employee here.” (Cinzia)

”I'd also like to hear the story, if you don't mind.” (Dylan)

- ”Well, it's not like I mind. It's something that's bound to spread around, anyways. And I do owe this and that to Carpe Diem, too.” (Cinzia)

Cho Hong got up and sidled up right next to the crystal ball.

- ”Huh? Cho Hong? Is that you?” (Cinzia)

”Hey. Been a while.” (Cho Hong)

- ”Sure thing. Feels like I haven't seen you in ages.” (Cinzia)

”Okay, fine. I know, so please hurry up with the story!” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong urged Cinzia to move on.

- ”Fine, fine. Took first place with a points tally of 26,500. Solo cleared the Neutral Zone's missions up to Hard difficulty. Formed a team with five others afterwards and successfully cleared all of the Very Hard difficulty missions. And relying on a truly out-there method, solo cleared the Impossible mission, too. Finally, one of only two Gold Marks in history. Are you happy now?” (Cinzia)

When the Gold Mark was mentioned, the sounds of salivas being swallowed could be heard in the office.

”….Thank you for telling us that. I'll reciprocate the favour soon.” (Dylan)

- ”It's not a problem. Lots of people already know this, anyways. Oh, and, we might be seeing each other pretty soon, too. I'll be sending someone over there not too far from now.” (Cinzia)

The crystal ball stopped glowing after that.

The manager of the Neutral Zone for the March selection confirmed the story.

It'd be hard for anyone to suggest that a leader of an organisation, Cinzia, was spewing nonsense for fun. Even more so, if one knew what her personality was like.

No matter how deeply they thought about it, it was impossible.

Yet, the impossibility had become a reality.

”Son of a….” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong finally began to breath again and plopped down on the couch with an expression of someone who saw a true monster.

Meanwhile, Hugo could only mutter to himself, ”Woah, woah” with a small voice.

”A Gold Mark… is it?” (Dylan)

Dylan sipped on the tea and organised his thoughts for a while, before slowly opening his mouth.

”Looks like I'll have to change how we go about things.” (Dylan)

”Seol.” (Dylan)

Dylan put the teacup down and spoke with a serious face.

”I now know what kind of person you are. There are many things we're curious about, and what with this being such an unbelievable story to begin with, please do try to understand where we're coming from, okay?” (Dylan)

Dylan's calm voice seemed to possess this mystifying ability to calm all those listening to him.

”It's fine.” (Seol)

”Thanks. Mm, right. About the job posting.” (Dylan)

Dylan stopped there and wordlessly stared at Seol. The youth stiffened slightly in nervousness as the big guy studied every square inch of his face.

A short moment of silence later, Dylan continued on.

”I'd like to hear your honest answer to my question.” (Dylan)

”Of course.” (Seol)

”Alright. What was your reason for choosing us?” (Dylan)

This question took Seol by surprise.

”With that kind of a record, you could've chosen any of the powerful organisations in the Paradise and they'd welcomed you with open arms. I'm wondering why you chose to come to Haramark and knock on Carpe Diem's door instead of theirs.” (Dylan)

Seol Ji-Hu became speechless, then. What Kim Hahn-Nah told him wasn't something he'd walk around telling everyone he met, and also, he couldn't come out and say, ”I activated my Nine Eyes in front of the noticeboard, and the parchment you placed there was glowing in gold colour signifying the Golden Commandment.”

”Uhm…..”

Seol Ji-Hu hesitated for a long time, before replying with an awkward smile on his face.

”Well, I like you training facility….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Dylan slowly closed his eyes.

”Haaaaaah…”

Seol Ji-Hu returned to 'Eat, Drink And Enjoy', found a place to sit, and began grandly sighing out.

The pub remained as noisy as before. But he didn't care about that at the moment. His head was filled with the recollections of the moment he got rejected to notice his surroundings.

[My bad, but looks like we can't work together.] [And if I were to give you an advice, you should leave Haramark as soon as possible. You will find many good teams in other cities. Starting in those places might be a better choice for you.]

Seol Ji-Hu couldn't say anything to those simple yet resolute and firm rejection.

In the end, he could only return to the pub and mournfully sip on the alcoholic beverage.

He came to Haramark full of dreams, yet his current situation, having nowhere else to go, seemed too pitiful even to his own eyes.

Seol Ji-Hu rested his chin on his hand and pouted with a worried expression etched on his face. If only it weren't for Sinyoung…. He might have joined up with a good team in Scheherazade by now and be away on an adventure already.

'Maybe, I should've just joined Sinyoung in the first place?' (Seol)

If he did, then he would have received incredible amount of support, and just as importantly, along with Yun Seo-Rah who said she'd do her best….

”Tsk.”

Seol Ji-Hu licked his lips and took a swig out of the bottle. He was so happy and content while in the Neutral Zone, but now that he was outside, he sure felt like a fool now.

Also, he knew that he couldn't continue to do nothing and suck on his thumbs forever, even though he had a bit of money on him.

'I wanna do something.' (Seol)

The issue was with his low level.

He was a level 1. More importantly, there was no team stupid enough to let a novice Warrior join them when there were so many of them out there to begin with.

'There's nothing I can do, I guess. I gotta start from the bottom as a porter and work my way up….' (Seol)

Just as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it up while feeling a bit uneasy….

Slam!

There was a loud noise of someone hitting the table, and then….

”Everyone, your attention, please!”