Chapter 96

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 96: Iro (6)

"Give me both."

[...Didn't you say you'd chosen?]

I did choose.

Not by picking one over the other.

"Besides, these aren't items you particularly need, are they? You're strong enough without them."

[Don't distort the essence of the matter. Do you have any idea how many people covet these things?]

The woman fanned herself as if to dismiss the absurdity of my statement.

"Is that so? In that case, there's something I've been curious about for a while now..."

I’m not the type to jump into things without reason.

"Why exactly is someone who claims to be a researcher acting as the inspector for the physical examination mission?"

Flinch!

The fan in the woman's hand came to an abrupt stop.

"Not to mention, I saw him turning his colleague into a monster with my own eyes. Is this something common in your so-called Bureau of Investigation?"

[...]

She covered her mouth with her fan, her gaze wavering as it moved up and down.

'Got her.'

I knew instinctively.

"I'll take both. That's fine, right?"

[W-Well...]

"Thank you, Director."

Seizing the moment when her unease was evident, I preempted her with words of gratitude.

[You're a tough one to deal with.]

She sighed with a faint chuckle, shrugging her shoulders.

[Fine. Perhaps this, too, is fate. Consider it a few petals laid on your path.]

"Thank you for seeing it that way."

At my words, the Director offered a faint smile and, as if to signal the end of the discussion, snapped her fan shut with a crisp sound.

[The next time we meet, you'll be stronger, won't you? I look forward to it.]

But.

"We're not done yet."

[?!]

I stopped her as she turned to leave.

Facing me again.

"I noticed earlier that guy had a pretty decent suit of armor."

[What are you talking about...]

[Warning!]

[Researcher Iro's defense system is activating!]

When I first attacked him after taking the "awakening agent."

['Electric Discharge' activated!]

Electricity surged towards my fist embedded in his body.

Damn defense system.

That’s when I thought—

"I want that defense system. Would you give it to me?"

[What?]

I want it.

When the enemy has it, it's a "damn defense system," but if it’s something that protects me...

'It couldn’t be more reassuring.'

[You've already obtained a manual and an elixir that even my subordinates envy. Don’t you think this is excessive?]

"I’ve also lost an extra life. If you understand the value of life, you’ll realize this isn’t excessive at all."

[You’re truly...]

The woman lowered and then raised her long lashes, staring at me intently before finally parting her thin lips.

A faint curve appeared at the corners of her mouth.

[You're relentless.]

"If being relentless means survival, then I’ll gladly become relentless."

Gladly, even more than this.

When I said that, she fell silent.

For just a moment.

[Your body is too weak and will burn itself out. Instead...]

Swoosh.

The woman’s delicate fingers grazed my chest.

[A dragon's scales should suffice. I'll modify the armor for you.]

"Thank you."

— Ding!

[Constructing a personalized defense system!]

[‘Refined Fire Dragon Scale Armor’ upgrade complete!]

Flash!

As the system's words finished, a streak of light swirled around my upper body clad in the scale armor.

Like shimmering strands of silk.

Zap!

It felt like a faint electrical current, like static on a winter’s day, enveloping my body before fading.

A warm and tingling sensation spread across my waist, chest, and shoulders.

[Congratulations!]

[‘Refined Fire Dragon Scale Armor’ now includes the ‘Rechargeable Electric Discharge’ effect!]

[When caught off guard by an unexpected attack, a significant electric current will be discharged at the attacker.]

[Recharging... 1%]

Done.

The counterpunch that left even me, in my doubled state of awakening, dizzy.

With this, I could block any attack from an ordinary human, no matter what.

As I wore a satisfied grin, the Director, now looking somewhat at ease, spoke.

[It seems you’re pleased.]

"It feels like it’ll be very useful."

[Can I assume this settles everything?]

There was nothing more to desire or request.

I’d gained more than enough, far beyond what I had planned for.

At this point, I felt almost thankful toward Divergent Path for targeting me.

"Yes. We're done."

When I answered clearly, the woman slowly closed her eyes and opened them again.

Then she extended her pale fingers, brushing my cheek.

[You have a clear sense of judgment and are pragmatic. It’s no wonder the Bureau of Administration finds you desirable.]

Her gaze felt like she was meticulously admiring a well-crafted piece of art.

[You remind me so much of that child.]

And her expression seemed to go beyond me, seeing someone else entirely.

‘That child?’

A face both weary and wistful.

Anyway.

[You're not my type, though.]

"I'll take that as a compliment."

I shrugged.

My business here was finished.

And it seemed the same was true for her, as she turned to leave, her clothes whispering softly with her steps.

[Come along, little one.]

Hisssss—

The snake followed her gesture, slithering away.

[If you meet them, it’ll only lead to chaos.]

Leaving behind cryptic words.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"Who are ‘they’?"

[You’ll be fine. You haven’t even had your initiation yet, so they won’t find anything on you.]

"What does that even—"

The woman pulled out a fan from her bosom.

A fan as clear as jade, just like her.

Snap!

With a graceful motion as elegant as her initial appearance, she opened the fan.

Ssshhhh-!

Along with the sound of the basilisk's body dragging across the floor—

‘!!’

It dissipated like smoke.

Both the woman and the snake.

As if nothing had been there from the beginning.

"Mr. Lee Eunho! Mr. Lee Eunho!!!"

"Mister! Are you okay?!"

As soon as the beings from the otherworld disappeared, a crowd surged in as if they'd been waiting.

"Hm? Where were all of you?"

"Over there! We couldn’t get in because of a transparent wall!"

Ah.

Just as she hid the spire to ensure no one could find it, it seems she also blocked our conversation from reaching others' ears.

To think she managed to cast such a spell in that short span of time.

So, they didn’t see the director or the giant serpent either.

I should consider it fortunate, but as I tried to gauge the situation—

"Mister! Are you hurt anywhere?!"

Sola pushed through the crowd and shouted as she approached me.

Her lips were trembling, as if she were about to burst into tears, so I quickly reassured her.

"I'm fine. No injuries."

"But I clearly saw you get hit by an arrow..."

As I spread out my hands and assured her I was unharmed, Sola grabbed my hands tightly.

Then she began examining my whole body thoroughly.

An unusually intense reaction from Sola.

"I healed on my own. Guess I have great recovery abilities."

"Hah... really..."

Sola, evidently tense, plopped down onto the ground.

"My goodness... Did you really take down that monster? I knew it...!"

"I thought the island was going to collapse! I was so scared, thinking you were dead and that we were all doomed..."

And it wasn’t just our companions who came running.

“Ugh… why do I have to… run!”

“Shut up! Still, we fought together, so we need to check if he’s okay!”

The group with the blonde hair, who had fought using a stone raven, approached.

"What happened? You collapsed, and we thought we were all done for..."

"Yeah! W-We thought you really died and came back to life...!"

They had hurled stones and arrows to help in the fight.

Though the places we met, our connections, and even their skill levels were all different, they all shared one thing in common.

Their jaws were all hanging open in shock.

"It’s thanks to all of your help."

Finding their expressions amusing, I replied calmly.

And they began pinching their cheeks, shaking their heads, and rubbing their eyes as if they couldn’t believe it.

"No, but... helping doesn’t usually bring people back from the dead, does it...?"

"Well... I can’t deny it after seeing it myself..."

Hmm.

I didn’t expect to draw this much attention.

It’s all because of that overly flashy item.

‘If it weren’t for the flower bud, they might’ve thought they just saw it wrong…’

A person surrounded by a giant lotus and then reappearing—there was no way anyone wouldn’t make a fuss.

Amidst the commotion, the head chef of the Hilton Hotel raised his hand high and declared:

"Now I’m certain! If we just follow Mr. Eunho, we’ll survive! It’s like a divine sign!"

"That’s a bit much..."

No matter what, "divine sign" felt like an overstatement.

"Oh, so you all finally realized!"

“Fuck, did it take this long for you to figure that out?”

Even Jaehyuk and the foul-mouthed one added their comments.

Sigh.

“I thought this from the start…”

"Enough. I’m going ahead. I’m tired."

“Oh, yes! Let’s do that!”

Staying here any longer would only worsen my nonexistent headache, so I hurriedly tried to leave.

— Crackle!

[... We have an announcement for all survivors...]

— Crackle!

[A message for survivors in the ROK-SEO region.]

An announcement broadcast began to play.

[We are informing you that the restructuring of this area has been completed.]

‘!!’

Ever since that cursed announcement first aired, this was the news I had been longing to hear.

“It’s... over!”

“Is it really over? For real?!”

As the long-awaited good news was delivered—

“Waaahhh!”

“Fuck, finally! This cursed thing is over!”

“We survived? For real?!”

People screamed, raised their hands, and jumped in place, cheering.

But, as always, the cursed system—

[The entrance ceremony will be held tomorrow at 9 a.m. sharp.]

—wasn’t about to make things that easy.

“What does that mean…?”

“Wait, does that mean the entrance exam was... literally an entrance exam?”

“Are they seriously telling us to join a company now?”

So much for “everything’s over; go back to your old life and be happy”—they had no intention of giving us that conclusion.

Of course.

[Once again, we are informing all survivors.]

[A 'gate' to the entrance ceremony location will appear tomorrow at 9 a.m. sharp.]

[We have prepared an event for the survivors, so please ensure you are dressed appropriately by then.]

Entrance ceremony.

And an event prepared for us...

I don’t know what kind of event awaits, but—

“What kind of event will it be?”

“Who knows.”

Whether it’s good or bad, I’ll just have to prepare for all possibilities.

“Oh? Where are you going, hyung?”

While everyone was still reeling from the unexpected announcement, Jaehyuk noticed me quietly leaving and asked.

“Is there something you need? Should I come with you?”

Even Jieun, with her wide eyes, chimed in.

To ease the worries of these kind souls, I decided to explain my destination.

“I’m off to loot some empty houses.”

“Whaaaat?”

But that’s all.

I turned away, feeling there wasn’t enough time to explain every detail.

Because—

[The research you’ve been working on—I’ll assign it to your successors tomorrow. The legacy won’t die, so don’t worry.]

I have to finish looting before tomorrow.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]